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. IX. (Book 9)

Excessivenesse of heat and cold in* 1.1 severall parts of the body, which breeds Agues and Feavers; So that a man cannot easily help the one, without offending of the o∣ther.

1. THIS is a strange thing, but com∣monly seen, as in Agues, when a man hath sometimes an hot fit, and some∣times a cold fit, with little intermission of times. And men commonly com∣plain that they have a hot Liver and a cold Stomach. Doctor Primrose hath handled this Question among the vul∣gar Errors in Physick; and makes it

plain, that although the Liver be al∣waies hot of it self, which over heateth the bottom of the stomach; yet the sto∣mach is cold by accident, by reason of the noisome humors, like barm or froth, which come into the uppermost part of the Stomach, by evill digestion.

2. There be many Julips and curi∣ous medicines prescribed by Physiti∣ans to remedy this evill; and especially in burning Feavers; and these are of great use. But to spare much trouble herein, In hot diseases, and upon sur∣feits, let a man drink oftentimes great store of cold water, and eat a conveni∣ent quantity of Broth, Bread, and But∣ter, and Cheese, and then vomit with the Whalebone Instrument, as before. A man shall thereby avoid the corrupt humors in the Stomach; and then a man shall quickly avoid these Infirmi∣ties, and bring the body to a good tem∣per; after which a man may drink strong drink, and wine, &c. with little offence.

3. I have known so much good done to all men of all Ages, who would first in the morning drink at least half a

pinte of cold water; whereunto Sugar may be added, together with the juice of Oranges and Lemmons, to make it pleasant. That I must say, that I never found any thing of more use for the health of man; but I am afraid I labour in vain, in respect that most men doe abhorre it, as present poyson (as Do∣ctor Primrose saith,) yet he sheweth the excellency thereof, by many experi∣ences, and the authorities of many an∣cient and modern learned Authors. For all this I have found many Doctors of Physick (with whom I have conferred hereof) to speak much against it; where∣at I doe not much marvail; for that, if that be practised, which I have alledg∣ed in this Chapter, there will be little use to be made of their Physick, and of the Shopps of the Apothecaries.

4. I must adde one thing more for the use of Good fellows, who use much drinking, &c. Let them first drink cold water, as before, to cool their Liver, and bottome of their Stomachs: Then the drinking of Strong drink, &c. will comfort the upper part of their Sto∣machs; and much hinder the vapours,

which fume up to their heads, from the excessive heat of their Stomachs: And their drinking of water after the taking of Tobacco is very good.

5. I have known divers men doe swallow small white pibble Stones, to cool the heat of their Stomachs; which I conceive to be in imitation of long winged Hawks: I have used the same my self, and they doe passe thorough a man downwards; but I found little be∣nefit thereby.

6. I have known others that used to swallow small bullets of Lead; which giveth me occasion to report a strange history, which I know to be true. An old Souldier, and a Commander in Queen Elizabeth's time, in the low Countries, was drinking of healthes a∣mongst his Companions, and at every health he did drink a Pistoll bullet, to the number of eighteen; which conti∣nued in his belly for neer the space of two years, with much pain and grief: He acquainted a Physition with this case, who did hang the Souldier by the Heels, by a beam in the Chamber; and then all the bullets dropped out of his

mouth again; but the same were some∣what worn in his Belly. This Souldier is yet living, and in good health, and a∣bout fourscore and ten years of age.

7. I have spoken so much of the cooling of the Stomach, that it may be expected I should write somewhat of warming of cold Stomachs: But I finde every man so ready to take Tobacco, and to drink Wines, and strong drinks, that I need say no more thereof; But, as I have said before, so I say still, keepe the Stomach clean, with the said Whale∣bone Instrument, when you finde any disturbance or loathsomnesse therein: And keep the lower parts conveniently loose, with the said Suppositers: And draw out the humors which trouble the outward parts, with the said Plaisters, &c. And keep the body in a temperate heat, as before; and avoid intemperan∣cy in dyet; then there will be little use of Physick.

Notes

• * 1.1

  7. Point.