Organon salutis an instrument to cleanse the stomach : as also divers new experiments of the virtue of tobacco and coffee, how much they conduce to preserve humane health / by W.R. ...

CHAP. VI (Book 6)

In the Guts stoppages of wind, and* 1.1 of digested excrements, which di∣sturb the whole Body.

1. THe stoppage of Excrements in the Guts are the occasion of many evils. Gratorolus▪ fol. 180. saith, All Physitians doe agree, that health is principally preser∣ved with, keeping the body convenient∣ly loose: And let them all say what they will, unless the fore dore and the back dore of the body be kept open, as occasion serveth, the body will be quickly destroyed, with much relucta∣tion and trouble. And how impossi∣ble it is to purge downwards, what is not first digested in the stomach, all men know, and Authors agree.

2. This maketh Physitians to be so ready upon all occasions, and sickness,

to give Pills Potions, and Glisters, &c. which are made of many and costly compositions, and require much obser∣vances of dyet, and aire, &c. but in the end breed infinite inconveniences, as may appear hereafter, cap. 10.

3. To spare all this cost and curi∣ositie, whosoever will use the said E∣lectuary of Cophie: And then a man may keep himself conveniently loose at his pleasure. But if a man be desirous for this Electuary to work stronger, then one may add thereunto a small quantity of Sena Epithamum, or Ru∣barb (which Physitians account to be safe Physick for old men, children, and women with child.) And then if a man take a pipe of Tobacco in the morning, he shall finde good use thereof.

4. In respect divers men are loth to take any Physick into their mouths, and especially little children are not able, when they are sickly and very pale with wormes, the said Suppositers, cap 2. n. 6. being taken from the Roll, and warmed in a mans hand, or by the fire, and used to what bigness a man pleaseth, but ordinarily to the big∣nesse

of the fore joint of your little fin∣ger, and cast it into could water to har∣den, and after anointed with the said oyle of Tobacco, and use it at your pleasure, with good success. Although it be not a quick worker, yet the same brings no danger of the Piles of Ulcers in the Fundament, by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 using thereof, as other Suppositers doe (but rather heal the same▪ In the making of these Suppositers, ••e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and pow∣der of Commin seed, may be added to very good purpose for the wind.

5. If the same be used to little chil∣dren,* 1.2 it will much conduce for their health, and to avoid wormes, to have their bellies well anointed by the fire with the said oyl of Tobacco, when they use these Suppositers.

6. If a man hath not a convenient loose stool, then let him put in another like Suppositer presently. This may be used every morning or at any other time, as occasion serveth.

7. As the Suppositers commonly u∣sed doe bring the danger of the Piles and Ulcers, so Glisters oftentimes prove very dangerous, by working up∣wards

the clean contrary way, which Doctor Primrose confefleth: And when a Glister will not work, then they must have the help of a Supposi∣ter, as Wecker confesseth.

8. In respect I have spoken so much of the use of Tobacco, to work up∣wards and downwards, let a man read Doctor Primrose, in his book of Vul∣gar Errors in Physick, who maintain∣eth the same, and also where he main∣taineth, That if a Physitian prescribes a Vomit or a Purge, which works contrary effects, he ought to be bla∣med, by reason of some inward and unknown causes. And for the admi∣rable use of Tobacco taken inwardly, or used outwardly, a man may read many excellent things in Wickers An∣tidotary, in so much as he calleth it the Panacea, or generall remedy for all diseases and griefs, besides the ex∣cessive taking of it in smoak, which I leave to the censure of Democritus ju∣nior: Besides that, it doth over heat the body, and bake the undigested humors in the mouth of the stomach to the destruction of man.

Notes

• * 1.1

  4. Point.
• * 1.2

  Note.