CCXI sociable letters written by the thrice noble, illustrious, and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle.

CCVIII.

Worthy Sir,

YOu may think it a Presumption and an In∣croachment upon your Profession, to give my Opinion of Mrs. Ts. Disease, but it is neither Presumption, nor Confidence of my Judgment, that causes this Writing to you, but an Affection to your Patient, who deserves my Concernment concerning her Malady, which Forces me to write to you my Opinion, which is, that I do believe her Pain and that which Accom∣panies it, is Caused through an Inward Heat, which Rarfies the Humors into a Fluent Distil∣lation, also it Rarifies the Blood, making it to Flow, or Overflow, for Cold is not so Active, but Congeals & Thickens, as we shall see when any Body is let Blood, the Blood whilst it is Hot, runs Freely forth of the Veins, and remains Thin and Fluid when it is out, but when it hath stood some Time, and begins to be Cold, it Thickens, and Congeals to a Cake; so when any hath used Exercise, which Heats, and Thins the Blood, the Colour appears in the Skin, Caused by the Flowing to the Outward Parts; the like in Hot Weather, whereas in Cold Weather, or when the Blood is not Heated, the Skin appears Pale and Lank; wherefore my Opinion is, that her Pain Proceeds from Heat, for it is to be Obser∣ved, that all Inflamations are Painful, as all Sores or Swellings that are Inflamed, whereas those

Sores that are not Inflamed, or those Swellings we call White Swellings, are not Painful, also for the Gout, the Pain is caused through the In∣flamation; but mistake me not, I mean all Pul∣sive Pains, for there be many other Pains, as some which are caused through Wind, and those Pains are Painful Stitches, and most com∣monly caused from Hot Humours, as Bilious Choler, or some Salt Flegm, also Headaches are caused for the most part from Hot Vapours, or Rheums, the Stone in the Kidnies and Bladder is caused through Heat, so that most Pains are caused through Heat, unless it be Child-bearing Pains, and such like; and these Considerations make me believe that Mrs. Ts. Pain in her Back is Produced from Heat; for although it be an Intermitting Pain, and not Constant, yet it may nevertheless be Produced from Heat; as for Example, the Gout is not a Continual Pain, but it is only Painful when the Inflamed Hu∣mor falls on the Joynt, yet for the most part it alwayes Falls or Resorts to one and the same Place, wherefore I believe Cooling Medicines must be her Cure, for I do not perceive that Purging, Sweating, and Dry Dieting, which are all Heating, do her any Good, but she seems rather the Worse, and Trial is the True Touch∣stone of Experience. But you may use the Old Saying to me, which is, Physician Cure thy self; I answer, that all Preachers do not Practise what they Preach, and some may give better Coun∣sel than take Good Counsel, also Solomon sayes,

that a Wise Saying may pass through a Fool's Mouth, and the best Physicians when they are Sick, Rely not upon their own Skill for them∣selves, but will send for other Physicians, for no man can Judg well of himself, either for Health, Sickness, or any other thing, by reason Partial Self-love, Fearful Doubts, Flattering Hopes, Bribe, Corrupt, or Terrifie the Judgment; but setting aside my own Judgment as Weak, either for my self or others, and Relying on yours in Case of your Patient, I rest,

Your very Loving Friend.