A treatise of the small-pox and measles describing their nature, causes, and signs, diagnostick and prognostick, in a different way to what hath hitherto been known : together, with the method of curing the said distempers, and all, or most, of the best remedies : also, a particular discourse of opium, diacodium, and other sleeping medicines : with a reference to a very great case / by Gideon Harvey ...

CHAP. IX. Of Venoms or Poisons, and their Differences.

1. I Will begin with the knowledge of Venoms, first in their di∣stinctions and differences; some are Venoms to the whole immediately and directly, that is, to the heart or brain; others to some particular entrail or bowel, as Wheesels flesh, and some Indian Juices to the Liver, causing a Jaundice of the deepest yellow, and an incurable weakness in the nerves; some to the Lungs, as a Sea hare; some to the stomach and guts, as Mercury sublimate or preci∣pitate, Aqua fortis, &c. others to the bladder, as Cantharides.

2. These now mentioned, and many more, are to be accounted whole Venoms; others are half Ve∣noms, or demi-poisons, which are such as vehemently disturb the brain

and heart, and imbroil the former for some hours, days or weeks; such are Mandrake, Henbane, Hemlock, Dutrua Seeds, which latter are only energic and effectual in the Indies, and not in other Climats, as Opium is a demi-poison here, being taken in a small Dose, and not in Turky, though in a greater doth become a whole poison. Some -Venoms are most quick, as a certain juice of Barbary, wherein a Pin, Needle, or Dart being dipt, and afterwards ma∣king the least wound in the skin of any of the remotest parts of the body, killeth in few hours; others are flow, and not so quick in them∣selves, or if most quick in them∣selves, are by mixture retarded, as Arsenic, or Orpiment, being mixt with Opium, or any glutinous sub∣stance, as Turpentine, Birdlime, Gum Arabic, and the like, which, accord∣ing to the proportion of the com∣mixt ingredient to the poison, hath been limited to days, weeks or

months, in the method and manner of Madam de Brinvillier, who poi∣soned her Husband, her Father, and two Brothers, for standing in the way of her Amours, was instructed by Glasier the Chymist, that pub∣lisht a course of Chymistry, and be∣ing afterwards taken, with all his Poisons about him, at or near Gene∣va, they were both worthily execu∣ted at Paris, according to the Arrest of the Court of Poisoners.

3. Some Venoms are internal, by being swallowed down; others ex∣ternal, entring the body by inspira∣tion, and through the pores of the ambient skin, as poisonous perfumes and ointments, arsenical steams in Mines and Caves, which are the quickest and most malignant of all Venoms. Of this external sort of Venoms are those, though not of the highest degree, which cause the Small-pox and Plague.