Van Helmont's works containing his most excellent philosophy, physick, chirurgery, anatomy : wherein the philosophy of the schools is examined, their errors refuted, and the whole body of physick reformed and rectified : being a new rise and progresse of philosophy and medicine, for the cure of diseases, and lengthening of life / made English by J.C. ...

CHAP. LXV. The Author Answers. (Book 65)

1. That some one Arcanum cures all Diseases. 2. He at length Answers fitly to every Particular. 3. Of what sort a true Laxative Medicine is. 4. The solving of an Objection. 5. The maxime of Hippocrates is retorted on the Schooles. 6. A saying of the Schooles is reflected on the Schooles. 7. Why Laxative Me∣dicines are foolishly administred. 8. He directly and regularly gives satisfacti∣on to his injurious reproaches. 9. The Author provokes the Humourists of the whole World unto an actual Combate. 10. He gives answer unto the maskes of fear objected by the Humorists. 11. He goes to meet his Adversaries. 12. The intentions of the Author. 13. An old abuse doth not give a right. 14. That it is the miseries of Princes to live encompassed with flatterers, and there∣fore out of the truth. 15. The Courts are wanting of the best Physitians.

I Will prove first, that the liquour Alkahest, the first being of Salts; Lile, the first Mettal; Mercurius Diaphoretius, or Horizontal Gold; that any one I say, whatsoever it be of them (for all of them, through the consanguinity of one dissolver, do conspire into a Unisone) is sufficient for the curing of any Diseases whatsoever, however the carping Momus's guts may crack.

First of all, Adeptists have known with me, how far the Dispensatories of the Ap••∣thecary do differ from hence; yea and how remotely those Writers are absent, who being themselves as yet Young beginners, through a great itch of a little Glory, have set forth Basilicals, and the first principles of Chymistry: But I will prove it by the assumption of this Chapter, and the other Calumnies raised up against me, shall voluntarily melt like Snow: Wherefore I being the last of Alchymists, will thus prove the aforesaid As∣sumption.

Health it self, doth not consist in a just temperature of the Body, but in a sound or en∣tire Life: For otherwise, a temperature of Body is as yet in a dead Carcass newly [unspec 1] killed, where notwithstanding there is now death, but not life, not health; but health is the one only homogeneal integrity, and unblamed disposition of life; requiring a preserva∣tion of that integrity in healthy Persons, and a restoring thereof in sick Persons: And that thing Hippocrates so long agoe smelt out, affirming, that Nature alone (which is only one) is the Physitianess of Diseases, but the Physitian the Minister or Servant; as also the Medicine, a means of reducing nature being exorbitant: Therefore the integrity of health is in a Unisone, and there is one only governour of Life, and no more: Therefore this governour alone, is ill affected in Diseases: For it is he alone which maketh the assault as well in healthy, as in sick folkes, and the rupture of him only, doth rent asun∣der the family administration of Life. For although nothing doth provoke from abroad, and nothing from the seed of our Parents doth disturb us; Yet that Archeus doth now and then fail or decay of his own free accord, and from hence our integrity is dissolved; and impurities by an after right, are thereby many wayes bred, which do ensnare the Monarchy of Life. Truly seeing nature it self, as Hippocrates witnesseth, is the Phy∣sitianess of Diseases; therefore its Unity is to be conserved, and its integrity to be restored: But that thing may be sufficiently over-performed by one only remedy: For there is a Unity of altered nature, a Unity of health being hurt, and therefore a Unity of the Spirit which is disturbed under the Disease is only to be considered; but not a multipli∣city of occasional diseasie varieties: And seeing one of the aforesaid Arcanums, doth plen∣tifully contain in it all things requisite, from the gift of God, and by the preparations of the Artificer: Therefore one of those Arcanums or secrets, is sufficient for every, and any

Disease whatsoever: And therefore the text doth not say, Almighty created Medicines from the Earth; But Medicine, in the singular number; which Medicine otherwise, already prepared for the art of healing, he created not from the earth: That Me∣dicine therefore, pierceth the innermost parts of the Body, which of its own very gift of goodness, doth comfort, and confirm all the members: And next, doth most power∣fully dissolve whatsoever filths have been any were co-heaped: The which being once dissolved, nature is busie to disperse the hurtfull matter, through a passage known unto her self.

Let Young beginners take notice in this place, that according to a wonted blockish∣ness, they beg the Principle, after that I have already made it abundantly manifest, that [unspec 2] there are not contraries in Nature, no temperature of Elements, and much less, a distemperature of Elementary qualities: Neither likewise Humours, whereunto health, and by consequence an infirmity, do by a just title, owe their patronage.

In like manner also, I have so withdrawn from Fevers, a trust to solutive Medi∣cines, [unspec 3] that I may not again recollect the same, without the grief of the Schooles. Indeed a perfect purgation ought to loosen only the sick, but not healthy folk: And for that cause it is most perfect, the which doth at first, unsensibly lull asleep, and pacifie the Archeus, who afterwards (seeing nature is the only Physitianess) doth cut down the Diseases, and the occasional Causes of these: for it is an unheard of thing to learn in a tone or harmony, in the presence of the refusing hinderers of Young beginners, who desire to learn: And they only do apprehend me, as many as do understand the things or principles before recorded.

For they do object for their purging Medicines; that it is nothing material, although [unspec 4] a laxative Medicine doth eject a laudable juice out of the veins, especially because by a stronger right, and a briefer compendium, it will expell the Diseasie Fex or Dreg; neither must we greatly care, although solutive Medicines do with the more crude Blood, a little diminish the strength: But the Books concerning Fevers and Humours do under the consent of experience, deny that purgative things do take away hurtful Hu∣mours, or any Disease dedicated to the same Humours: And then, because there are not in nature, such Humours; neither likewise, do any Diseases answer to the same: Then also, whatsoever purgatives do chase away and exterminate, it doth not belong to one of the three Humours, which they say do offend; but it is venal Blood slain by the poyson of the purging Medicine, and the stinking Carcass whereof is ejected by the Funda∣ment.

And therefore, neither do they dare to give purging things to drink, no not indeed, in sharp Fevers, unless after that the matter do swell for anger; which is as much as to [unspec 5] say, after that Nature hath become the conqueress; to wit, when perhaps the Diseasie guest which is vanquished, being presently about to retire of its own free accord, shall as to a part of it fall out of the Body, together with other filths caused by the purging Me∣dicine: Unless the Archeus being wroth, with the injected poysonous purgation, doth stir up a relapsing Disease: Which thing, I remember very often to have happened, and have recorded in my written Catalogues.

And that thing the Schooles are not Ignorant of, who long since affirm with a serious [unspec 6] Character; that only Aloes is unhurtful. Therefore every laxative, is absolutely hurtful, if not also, together with that, in vain. I may be guilty therefore before God, if I do not altogether perswade, that we must wholly abstain from laxative things.

For neither, if nature be not foolish, is a Laxative Medicine sucked unto the veins: [unspec 7] Neither without danger doth it rush it self headlong into danger, which should draw a hurt∣ful poyson within the veins. Therefore, a solutive poyson, while as yet it is detained, and that in the Stomach, it putryfies and defiles whatsoever was a-loof of, deposed in the Mesenteries for better uses, and draws the refined Blood out of the hollow vein, in∣stead of a putryfied treasure, and by degrees defiles it with a poysonous contagion, and dissolves it with the stinking ferment of a dead carcass: For from hence, is there a loss of strength by laxative Medicines, and a disturbance of the Monarchy of Life, without hope of cure thereby: But that fury of laxative things endureth not only so long as their pre∣sence; But also, so long as the lamentable poyson doth burden the Stomach and Bowels with its contagion: So indeed an artificial Diarrhaea or Flux ariseth, which now and then persisteth even until Death, and laughs at the promised help, and attempted succours of astringent things.

Unto the second and third I likewise say, it hath been sufficiently demonstrated else∣where, [unspec 8] that the Elements are neither tempered for Bodies falsly believed to be mixt, nor

for the temperature sake of the same Bodies, and much less for a just one, and as to an ade∣quate or suitable weight: Therefore the Schooles presuppose falshoods; yea and contend by sophistry: For although Arcanums do cure a broken bone as well as Comfrey, or the Stone for broken bones: yet it is on both sides required, that the fracture of the bone be reposed: I likewise remember, that a burstness being well bound up, hath been cured beyond expectation, because from the breaking of a bone, some one had layen long on his Loynes: Neither therefore doth it want an Arcanum.

Unto the fourth and also the fifth, it sufficeth, that the Arcanum or Secret doth wipe a∣way the occasional Causes, to wit, nature being holpen, supplying the rest.

Unto the sixth, let the Schooles refrain their tongue: For an Arcanum cures Dis∣eases, which they under blasphemy, have maintained to be uncurable: Which thing the Hospitals of those that were uncurable, do testifie for me, if they are compared with the Epitaph of Paracelsus.

But the seventh reproach, breaks forth from ignorant Jaws, to wit, from the proper testimony of a guilty mind.

Unto the eight and ninth, it is certain, that the Exclaimers do grieve while they are beaten, for from a sense of grief the Mouth speaketh reproaches: But if of thousands of Alchymists, scarce one doth arive unto his wished end, that is not the vice of the art; because the endowment doth not depend on the will of him that willeth and runneth; But because it is not yet the fulness of time, wherein these secrets shall be more common: Be it sufficient for me, that the signs do no where appear, but among the obtainers of Ar∣canums, that is Adeptists; and that none of the Humorists, hath ever come thither, neither also shall come. Therefore there is no place for reproaches against the truth of the science of healing, but where there is no order, and an everlasting horrour doth inhabit: For Owles and monstrous Bats do shun the light of truth; because they are fed with a great lie, to wit, that they have known how to cure Fevers without evacuati∣on: When as indeed they know not by both succours, as well of a cut vein, as of a loos∣ened Belly, how to cure Fevers certainly, and safely; for let them cure a Fever as they affirm: Shall they not likewise for that very cause bring rest to the sick? And afterwards safely take away, that which they say doth remain? which was not lawful so fitly to be done, as long as they believe life to conflict or skirmish with Death, and the Disease with health: But they shun the light of truth under the Cloak of a lie: thus ignorance dictating, and gain thus commanding, miserable men do defend themselves.

For Medicine is not a naked word, a vain boasting, or vain talk, for it leaves a work behind it: Wherefore I despise reproaches, the boastings, and miserable vanities of am∣bition: Go to, return with me to the purpose: If ye speak truth, Oh ye Schooles, that ye can cure any kinde of Fevers without evacuation, but will not for fear of a worse re∣lapse; come down to the contest ye Humorists: Let us take out of the Hospitals, out of the Camps, or from elsewhere, 200, or 500 poor People, that have Fevers, Pleurisies, &c. Let us divide them in halfes, let us cast lots, that one halfe of them may fall to my share, and the other to yours; I will cure them without blood-letting and sensible eva∣cuation; but do you do, as ye know (for neither do I tye you up to the boasting, or of Phlebotomy, or the abstinence from a solutive Medicine) we shall see how many Fune∣rals both of us shall have: But let the reward of the contention or wager, be 300 Flo∣rens, deposited on both sides: Here your business is decided. Oh ye Magistrates, unto whom the health of the People is dear! It shall be contested for a publique good, for the knowledge of truth, for your Life, and Soul, for the health of your Sons, Widows, Or∣phans, and the health of your whole People: And finally, for a method of curing, dis∣puted in an actual contradictory, superadd ye a reward, instead of a titular Honour from your Office: compel ye those that are unwilling to enter into the combate, or those that are Dumb in the place of exercise, to yeild; let them then shew that which they now boast of by brawling: For thus Charters from Princes are to be shewn: Let words and brawling cease, let us act friendly, and by mutual experiences, that it may be known hence forward, whether of our two methods are true: For truly, in contradictories, not indeed both propositions, but one of them only is true. But now the Humourists, while any commits himself to me for cure, do possess him with fear, to wit, least they give up themselves unto an Authour of new opinions; but rather that they go in the paths of Hea∣thens, that they may not, through a novelty of opinion, be accounted to have put their Life in doubt, and that they rather trusting in an old abuse, do enter into beaten paths: Ah, I wish those of another Life, and of the intelligible World, might return, that they might testifie, unto whom their death is owing. Presently, they who being now subtile

Scoffers do seem to ask counsel for their own life, should acknowledge, that they do in∣curr on themselves the destruction and loss of their Life, while they had rather commit their Life to plurality or the great number, only by reason of the constancie of an old er∣rour and abuse, than that they are willing to be bowed unto the Admonitions of the truth: As if War were still to be waged only with Darts or Arrows, and Slings, because that is the most antient kinde of Weapons. But nevertheless, neither are our Medicines so new, that there are only the thousandth of experiences in them; the which have been made consonant with truth, by an hundred thousand experiences: Therefore as many Physiti∣ans as do object such things as these, from debility of mind, and ignorance of Art, are cruel Impostors, Enemies of Christians, being envious for a little advantage: For truly, they increase fears in the sick, and vex the sick, that they may extol themselves, and their own Medicines.

And they say; for we are willingly ignorant of those things which are evil: Because [unspec 11] the new remedies of Chymists (for we make use of them sometimes, when there shall be need) are cruel, hurtful, burning, and dangerous: But if thou shalt admit of a Chymist, thou shalt be alone with thy Chymist; all we will stay at home; because they are Idiots, and boasters, who do not agree with us. Be ye mindful in the mean time, that eyes do see more than an eye. Therefore in a toren ship, thou seekest ship-wrack, if thou shalt depart from the safe shore: They bring the Apostatical rout of Chymistry, and likewise the Jews, and wicked Men, for a confirmation: As if in like manner, all the dross and froath of Harlots, and Knaves, do not insinuate themselves under the name of Humorist-Physitians. For if Brawlers had been of value with me, I had not been constrained to Write.

For if Charity, or the care of your Souls doth vex or grieve you, let us go unto the challenged Combate! For I promise, if ye shall overcome, that I willingly hereafter [unspec 12] depart from my Evil, into your Doctrine wholly.

In the next place, while I prefer refined Medicines before yours, and the true prin∣ciples of healing, before Paganish trifles: This is not done from an intention of catching or alluring of gain: Neither also is it meet, that I should be judged by your covetous mind; for I have begun to preach the truth of Medicine from a pure intention, that Physitians may repent, and may learn those things which they know not; may enter on a safer way, and may cease from badly handling the life of their Neighbour: That they may cease I say, to destroy Widows, Orphans, and their own Souls: For I know, that in the fulness of time (for nothing is so hidden, which shall not be revealed) the Doctrine which I have now divulged by this volume, shall be made manifest: I wish at least, that it may happen the more timely or seasonably, for the safety of Souls, and preservation of Families; but as to that which concerns my self, I do not now for many years, go to see the sick, neither do I invite any one to make use of my endeavour; which thing is suffici∣ently known to our country men: Because I am he, who get not gain by others miseries: But I dismiss no sick Body from me without comfort. Let the boastings also of the Schooles cease, which do implore authority from the antiquity of possession: For truly a prescription or title doth not happen into nature.

For I grant Paganisme to be older than Christianity: I also presuppose that the errours [unspec 13] of the Schooles, began presently together with Paganisme: They are new and unheard of things which I teach, because God taking pitty on our kind, hath under this fulness of dayes, opened a treasure of truth, even when it pleased him, for all the Nurseries of the Heathenish Schooles, that hence forward they may learn to assent unto safer Doctrine; for by reason of an old abuse, those things are withered, rotten, and wormy, which are demonstrated to be deprived of the juice of truth; because it is universally and singularly true, that every gift which descends not from the Father of Lights, is false and obscure; but it is not to be believed, that an Adeptist hath enlightned the Medici∣nal Schooles of the Gentiles, whose posterity doth as yet cure with so great blindness of Speculations, and is deprived of the Favour, Vigour, and honour of Medicines. [unspec 14]

Let those boastings also cease, as many as do glister with a wording or discursive Doc∣trine, because they are celebrated by the Powers of the World: For those Physitians whom the Almighty hath created, are not Pipers: But in the commpassion of Charity, do peculiarly cure the poor, and are acknowledged by that token: But the Father of the poor behold∣eth them with bountiful eyes, who hath attended unto the intreaties of his miserable ones, for the remembrance of his Christ: They with-draw themselves from the flatteries of the People, and great men; they live of their own right, being injurious to none: And by this one only sign they are distinguished from paultry Physitians, as in well doing,

they do suffer vilifying from these, and do willingly bear it: Yea the People (to whom they are bountiful) do report ill and prate of them. Because that is the Lot which the Giver of Lights doth always reserve for his: For without hope of gain, they procure to be merciful: But if money be voluntarily given unto them, they receive it indeed, but they lay it not up but for the former uses. But these are very rare, and not easie to be seen in Princes Courts.

There was in times past witten in the Epitaph of an Emperor, [He perished through a Rout of Physitians] So that Princes are the unhappiest of men, unto whom none speaketh Truth; but being environed with flatterers, they hear nothing but flatteries, and are nou∣rished with deceits: At leastwise, it doth not belong to Princes to have known how to chuse the best Physitian, unto whom they may commit their Life; but they receive this [unspec 15] Physitian being commended or approved by a former Physitian; and thus they remain in Courts by a continued race or line. And therefore a Prince for the most part, is not to be numbred among those that are endowed with long Life: For although he hath honoured his Father, yet of length of dayes promised unto him, he is spoiled by unfaithful Helpers.

So much in Answer.