The art of curing sympathetically, or magnetically, proved to be most true by its theory and practice exemplified by several cures performed that way: with a discourse concerning the cure of madness, and an appendix to prove the reality of sympathy : also an account of some cures perform'd by it in London / written originally in Latin by H.M. Herwig ...

CHAP. XII.

Of some Observations and Examples in this Magnetick Cure.

§ 1. BY what hath been said before in this short Treatise, although it is not accurately handled, you may see that those Battering Rams levelled a∣gainst me are not able to overthrow my design of Sympathetick Cure; but that in this way of Cure I may still (make use of Medicines out of the three King∣doms, but particularly out of the Ani∣mal) with a safe Conscience, without breach of Charity towards my Neigh∣bour, infringing the Laws, or any im∣putation of Superstition. That divine harmony of Parts, by which Parts and Members industriously concur to the mutual assistance of each other when affected, teach and perswade us to this: for like are pleased with, and preserved by their like. Parts taken from Brute Animals are very often subservient to the like parts of our bodies, and are more

particular medicinally assisting in this Magnetick Cure beyond all others. Thus the prepared brains of a Hare much comfort and relieve our brains, when they are discomposed, and out of order. The famous Sennertus amongst others. Lib. 1. prax. informs us, that the lungs of a Fox or Calf are very sanative to those troubled with the Ptysick, or any other distemper of the Lungs; even the very Women know that the Bone of a Deersheart is a Soveraign Cordial, and that Cordial Waters are prepared from it. The Dispensatories tell us, that the Ven∣tricle of an Hen is a specifick against the weakness of the Ventricle. Practi∣tioners say, the Liver of a Wolf cures all distempers incident to the Liver. It is very well known that the Pizzle of an Hart is a great assistant to those that have an imbecility in generation. But we may expect better success from Me∣dicines prepared from the parts of hu∣mane body; in regard nothing can be more consentaneous and agreeable to the parts afflicted. The great lights of Phy∣sick (those excellent friends to Nature) understood this, and thought it neither sin nor shame to prepare such sort of

Medicines, and to administer them to the sick Sympathetically, or Magnetically. I have followed these as my Guides, in regard a Medicine may be had from a mans own body. They are not prepar∣red from any part of the body but what is the most contemptible part thereof; and these are either from a living or dead body: Those taken from a living body, are either such as Nature designed to be cut off, as the hair, beard and nails; or those which proceed spontaneously from it, as Excrements, or else those which Nature drives out as superfluous, as Spittle, Ear-Wax, Sweat, Milk, Wo∣mens monthly courses, the Secundine, the Navel-string, the Cawl, Urine, and the Dung; to these may be added, Lice and Worms; as also those things that may be taken away without any hurt or pre∣judice, as the Seed, Blood and Stone. Those taken from a dead body are, the Skull, the moss of the Skull to which some other things are put in to compose this Sympathetical Unguent, the Skin, Fat, Bones and Flesh; out of which the best Medicines in this Sympathetick Cure are compounded, which indeed are very salutiferous and necessary.

I will discover some Sympathetical Medicines, which have often been expe∣rienced. If a person be afflicted with a constant Fever, and his Life is despair∣ed of, where all other Medicines prove ineffectual, then use this Magnetick cure. Take the morning Urine of the sick Person, and pour it into a Brass or Iron Vessel, to this put the white and yolk of an Egg, which mixing well to∣gether let them boil, this done put 'em into a pot, that you can conveni∣ently stop so close, that no air can get in; then put the Pot into an Ants nest, digging the pit pretty deep. If the Di∣stemper is mortal, the sick man will soon end his days, but if otherwise, after a very severe fit, he'll immediately find himself perfectly recovered. In the most dangerous Consumption, boyl a new laid Egg in the persons Urine, and throw it into a Fish-pond, where is plenty of Fish, and the Distemper will gradually decrease: Or make Dough with Meal and the Urine like a Cake, bake it like Bread, and cast it to the Fish and Dogs to be devoured, and the Distemper will daily decrease. I have cured those, that have been intolerably

afflicted with the Head-ach, by putting them into a great Sweat by the Urine, without administring any Medicine in∣wardly, although the persons have been many miles distant, and this I have per∣formed with good success, especially to persons of the best Quality. I have cured many persons, that were absent of a raging tooth-ach, by mixing my Sym∣pathetick liquor with some blood let out of their gums. I have cured some that were troubled with the bleeding at the nose by the blood that fell from their nostrils, sent to me in a glass or earthen vessel well stopt, and that with∣out opening a vein, or taking any Me∣dicine inwardly. So I have healed up wounds that have lain open a great while, by my Magnetick liquor, though the medicine never touch the wound▪ This Recipe is especially to be observed▪ and very worthy the taking notice of▪ Take Sulphur Vivum, Spirit of Wine rectified, and tartarized, common Salt mix all these very well together, and put them upon humane dung, the mor•• new and hot the better, then sprinkl•• them with lighted coals or ashes, it wi•••• work wonderful things; to wit, the po∣steriors

of that person whose ordure it was will be mightily inflamed, and no other part of his body, and although he be many miles distant. This Experi∣ment hath undoubtedly a great effect on the ordure of the person absent as well as present; why may not sweat, vo∣miting, stool, &c. be caused in Man by certain Medicines applied to the Urine? There is no body will question, that very great sweatings may be raised sym∣pathetical by the Urine. I am not the only person that asserts it. I have the Famous Engelbertus of Engelen a Maestriecht Physician on my side, a person most worthy to be believed, and most indu∣striously studious, and exquisitely know∣ing in Metals, whose singular art and dexterity in transmutation all Alchy∣mists admire and reverence; he hath found out a Secret never sufficiently to be admir'd; who, putting in Horse-shoe nails one half into a liquor invented for that purpose, immediately turns them inro fine Silver: And what is more to be observed, (he says) that those Nails that were strait when they were put in∣to this Philosophical liquor come out crooked. This person, whose truth

and reputation are both very great, ex∣tremely extols this way of curing by Sympathy, because, being at Rotterdam, by the assistance of Mr Reddeswitz (who communicated this relation to me) he had very great sweats caused sympathe∣tically by his urine; insomuch that this celebrated man, like another Aeson, was restored to a new Nature.

3. But if I am asked, whether this way of Cure will succeed in all Pati∣ents? I answer, as purges, vomits and sudorificks, internally applied, for the most part operate, but sometime have no effect on several bodies, so experi∣ence tells us, it sometimes happens in curing by Sympathy.

4. I might here offer a great many more things of this nature, but it is not expedient to divulge all together; and if we should be more copi∣ous in explaining and unfolding many more things of this kind, our little Book would encrease, and swell beyond what we designed.

5. Wherefore, Courteous Reader, be at present contented, and if I shall see that these few are acceptable to you, I

will communicate for your service and advantage some wonderful Secrets, such as the World thinks incredible, hither∣to concealed either thro Ignorance or Envy.