A physical treatise grounded, not upon tradition, nor phancy, but experience, consisting of three parts. The first, a manuduction, discovering the true foundation of the art of medicine. Second, an explanation of the general natures of diseases. Third, a proof of the former positions by practice. By William Russell, chymist in ordinary to His Majesty.

Example. 1. Of an Imposthume in the Womb of a Woman with Child.

A Woman, about seven Months gon with Child, was afflicted with great Pain and Torture in her Womb; which manifested the proper Signs of a contra-natural Cause existent, by Issue of Bloud (not Flouding-like, but by Driblings) at last of Quit∣ter. Upon these apparent Signs of a suppurated Imposthume, I was sought for and hearing what had hap'ned, could not but give Judgment of an Imposthume present. Yet, having read Hipocrates (of whose Sinceri∣ty and deep Skill, in curing Diseases of his time, no Prudent Man, unto this day, doubts) and finding him to proclaim Imposthumes, and Vlcers of the Womb, not curable in Women with Child, I was very loath to be

concern'd in this Case: but, Impor∣tunity and Necessity overweighing, I adventur'd to apply my self to the Cure. In order to which I first gave my Pouder, once in 8 hours, and my Arcanum Veneris, at Night going into Bed. This Method was continu∣ed every Day, without other Medicines (except some small Cordials for Sup∣port) unto the time of her Delive∣ry. During which space of Time, after the taking these Medicines, Mat∣ter flowed each Day more than o∣ther, for a great part of that time; in which time her Pains neverthe∣less vanished, and she grew more live∣ly, than before; but when the time of her Delivery drew near, the Mat∣ter, that came forth, was less and less each day. After Delivery, I viewing the Bag, in which the Child had been contained, did plainly dis∣cern the Compass of the Imposthume, and some part of the Matter unresol∣ved, upon the Out-side of the Bag. But afterwards to this same Woman, so well delivered of a Sound and

well proportioned Child, I gave my Medicines (all the time of her lying in) in the same Method, as is above prescribed; and she recovered Strength, and after this had several other Children, and is now alive, tho this hap'ned fourteen years since.

Example 2. Of a Dropsy in the Womb of a Woman with Child.

A Woman with Child, before quick∣ning, being swelled (to outward appearance) like one ready to be de∣livered, sent for me: I seeing the Wo∣man, and hearing how it was with her, could not but be amazed, and doubt of the reality of her Conception. Ne∣vertheless because. I well knew the certainty, and effecacious Power of my Medicines (above specified) in Cases no less deplorable, I rejected all thoughts of particular Remedies, and applyed my self to that general Me∣thod

I had formerly used. Accor∣dingly, I gave my Pouder, Night and Morning, for three days; yet no separation hap'ned during that time; but the Woman found her self somewhat more lively than before. The fourth Day, I gave my Arcanum Metallorum, and the following Mor∣ning my Pouder: That Day came forth a Dribbling of Water, and the next Day more. This Method I con∣tinued, and, in three Days time after, more than too Gallons of Water, was voided, and the Dropsy separated. Then I ordered the Pouder to be ta∣ken Night and Morning, until Quick∣ning; and all the time after of her being with Child, I prescribed to her the same Pouder, to be taken a Day or two at a time, whensoever any Appearance of a Return of the Dropsy was; and, by this means, she went out her full time, had a sound Child, and several Children after, and hath continued Well and in Health for about these seven Years since.

Example 3. Of an Vlcer in the Womb.

In this sad Case, the Neck of the Womb was tumified, uneven, hard in one place, tender in another, and raw in a third; as was clearly testified by divers Midwifes then present: The Sanies, that flowed from thence, was Red, Yel∣low, and greenish White. In Cure of this Woman, I gave my Pouder every Day once, and at Night my Arcanum of Metals, and (perhaps) the next Night my Arcanum Veneris, changing them as I saw occasion; but my Pou∣der I always gave once a Day. Du∣ring this Cure, many Changes and Accidents hap'ned, to which I appli∣ed particular Remedies, too long to be here incerted. After some Series of time, all these Accidents vanished, and the suppurated Matter by little and little abated, and at length per∣fect

Health followed. This Woman af∣ter her Recovery Conceived, and hath had several Children since, and is alive at this day. This Cure was performed about seven Years a∣go.

Example. 4. Of a Tumified Womb.

A young Woman, labouring under a natural Deficiency propagated to her, striving to extrude it self by He∣meroids and Piles, being also at the same time afflicted with a Tumified Womb, hard and sore, so that she could not possibly bear the Congress of her Husband; and having long su∣stained this Calamity, and finding the Remedies of other Physicians useless, applied her self to me. I streight, in order to her Cure, gave her my Pou∣der every Morning, and my Arca∣num Veneris, every Night, appointing my Scerbutick Tincture to be taken in

Drink, by twenty Drops at a time, as often as she drank. And this Me∣thod was continued for full four Months; after which time she quick∣ly Conceived with Child, and hath ever since remained well, though she were cured of this Malady divers Years ago.

Example. 5. Of a Mola.

Being called to a Woman, labour∣ing under great Floudings, who con∣ceited her self to be with Child; when I had observed the great quantity of Bloud, that came from her, the Mid∣wife (then present) gave me an ac∣count of the closure of the Womb; and so, an Impossibility of distin∣guishing the Concern. I finding her Case such, caused the Pouder to be given twice in one hour; in which time, the Flux of Bloud began to stop, and the Womb to open a little, yet no more than sufficed to admit

the Midwifes finger to distinguish somewhat unusual. Whereupon I desired her to give me some more plain Testimony of what she felt; and by her words I judged it to be no Child. And as I judged, so it proved: for, when the Midwife could some∣what better reach, what she had be∣fore touched, she brought forth a Gleuy Matter, white and clear: I, seeing this, ordered her to bring it away as fast as she could; but, she (having no more place open, than for one Finger to enter) brought it away by piece-meal, I giving some Cordial for support to the afflicted Woman, in the mean time. This Matter I caused (when as much was brought away, as possibly could be by the Midwifes Finger) to be put in∣to a Bason of Water, where it joyned all together, and seemed in quantity to be no less than a Quart would con∣tain. Now because (without force) the Womb could be no further open∣ed, the Remainder was left to the power of Medicine. Therefore I gave

my Pouder every hour for twenty four hours; at the end of which, this sadly distressed Woman began to be pretty sedate and quiet, and no Bloud appeared: for I think she had before evacuated all, or the greatest part of all she had. Then I gave my Pouder twice or thrice a Day, for several Dayes after, and sometimes my Ar∣canum Veneris. During this Cure the Cleansings were not Sanguineous, but Aqueous, and continued for Seventy two Days. In all which time no Bloud appeared, but a Cleansing Water, sometimes of one Colour, sometimes of another, as is Common to other Women After this, she each Day in∣creased in Strength, and at length be∣came perfectly well, and hath since had several Children.

Now, forasmuch, as I have (in all the Diseases above-named) made fre∣quent mention of my Pouder, shew∣ing the particular use thereof in those Cases; but have never yet Published the General use of the same, though it seems to me to be of greater concern

to the Publick, than any other Medi∣cine before specify'd; I am therefore willing here to subjoyn a succinct and plain Description of the General use of this Pouder, and also of my Scorbutic Tincture (the first being more Material, the latter more Spi∣ritual) for the necessary help of par∣ticular Persons or Families, where Physicians are not easily to be had: experimentally knowing the Pouder to manifest its Operation chiefly in the first Digestion, and the Effects thereof; and the Tincture to be singularly use∣ful, for Purification of the Bloud, open∣ing the Obstruction of the Nerves, Spleen, Liver, and Gall, separating the superfluous moisture of the Glan∣dules, and acrimonious Humors in the Reins.

Of the Vse of the Pouder.

In the beginning of every Disease, known or unknown, where the Sto∣mach is concerned, there I give the Pouder first; which, thô it may not

cure (as in Apoplexies) yet it is more safe than any other commonly known Remedy, either of the Shops, or of any Modern Physicians of Publick Note at this Day: because it is not only subservient to Nature in prevent∣ing the formation of Diseases; but is also (if timely taken) sufficient to enervate, or nullifie their existence when formed. For in the Primary Assault of any Disease (that is, upon the first perceivance of Illness) being once or twice taken, it either wholly prevents the growth and increase of that Disease, or renders it fit to be more easily cured with other Me∣dicines.

In Diseases arriv'd to some height, as of two or three Dayes, or longer continuance, especially if undetermi∣nate, this Pouder sometimes solely and alone works (being taken at first ••wice or thrice a Day, and afterwards Morning and Evening) unto perfect Recovery; but, in Intermitting Fea∣••ers I alwayes give it an hour before ••he Fit. In every Epidemic, Putrid,

or Acute Feaver, it answers the regu∣lar Intention of Nature; because it sometimes Vomiteth, Purgeth, and provokes Sweats (without the help of Cloathes more than usual) and other∣while stayeth Vomiting and Loosness arising from Nature's Errour, or de∣bility of Parts, or Organs; rectifying her Errour, and strengthening the Parts. Also it stops those Morbific Sweats, that arise from Languishment; or alters such Sweats, as are produced by forcible Diaphoreticks, unseasona∣bly used, contrary to the intent of Nature.

In Vertigoes, and all Dolours of the Head; Stomach, Back, or Sides, it is a Medicine of general Use and Service.

In the Iliac and Cholic Passions, in Numnesses, and all Pains in the Muscles, that happen from the Scurvey; or in any other Congealed Distemper, or what may be comprehended under the Name of Congelation, this Pouder proves it self a powerful Remedy; be∣cause, if taken in hot Posset-Drink,

Sweats usually follow the taking thereof.

Also, in every Scorbutic Distemper it is very available, and acts as va∣riously as the Scorbutic Forme is va∣rious; for in all Fluctuations, or Di∣seases of Resolution, it is no less service∣able, than in Congealed Distempers; because being a Medicine truly Natu∣ral, Nature can use it either way, to her own benefit.

In Pleurisies, Bruises, and all Im∣posthumes inward or outward, it will compleatly answer the Desire of a good Physician: for it powerfully re∣sists Putrefaction; and thô it cannot always prevent Imposthumation, or hinder Putrefaction when begun; yet it ripens the Matter begun to be Pu∣trified, and afterwards expels it when perfectly digested.

In the Bloudy-Flux it is a certain and speedy Cure, even to admiration; also in the Griping of the Guts, at∣tended with vehement Vomitings, and a continued Loosness, it effects so much, beyond the Power of other Medi∣cines,

as is scarcely credible; yet the same Pouder, in extream Costiveness, accomplisheth the Work, by loosening the Belly.

In the Small-Pox, taken in the be∣ginning of the Disease, it causeth Vo∣miting, Purging, or Sweats, and then binds the Body (as is fit) and brings out the Small-Pox; fortifying the Life as far as it is gifted for that work.

In the Jaundies, no Medicine, that ever I used, exceeds this: for it extirpates that Disease, Root and Branch.

This Pouder, frequently taken, prevents the Formation of Worms in the Body; where Matter of Worms is made, it expels that; and if Worms be really formed, enableth Nature to cast them out alive or dead.

In Surfeits, contracted from Ex∣cesses of Meats, Drinks, or over-great Labour it is singularly useful; because it either causeth Vomitings, or Stools, or provokes Sweats powerfully, there∣by to clear the first Digestion, or re∣solve the Congelation, caused by those Excesses.

In Convulsions, it is highly service∣able, as (in the Chapter of Convulsions I have largely shewed;) and if given to Children newly Born, and for some time used, it prevents such Fits, by carrying off those Crudities Children bring with them into the World.

In all highly Malignant, and Pesti∣lential Diseases, it proves it self a true Succour to Nature, if taken eve∣ry four hours. For in such Cases it acts vigorously towards expelling all Venomes.

In Feminine Diseases, all Intempe∣rancies, Inordinancies, and Distempe∣ratures of the Womb, 'tis a certain and speedy Remedy.

If Women with Child take the Pou∣der upon any Sense of Illness, or where a Tendency to Abortion is; it pre∣vents the Danger thereof by streng∣thening the Womb. In the Birth it brings on Pains, and hastens the La∣bour with Safety; but if the natural time of Delivery be not near, it re∣streins Pains until that time comes. It stops Floudings, facilitates the Birth,

and cleanseth as is fit, curing the After-Pains; and in Women Lying in, answereth the Necessities of the Pa∣tient, either in Cleansing or Streng∣thening.

Likewise, the Monthly Flux is by this Remedy brought into due Order; if inordinate, it checks that inordi∣nancy; if too little or not at all, it brings down the same in due time and Order; being taken at certain times of the Moon, with respect had to the Age of Women or Young Maids. There∣fore, in the Latter (with other small helps) it sometimes cures the Green-Sickness, altering the Inordinacy of the Appetite, and brings them to a due State of Health, and right Colour of Complexion.

In the Piles and Hemorrhoids it is a Medicine of singular use: for it opens the Piles, or dissolves them; it opens also the Hemorrhoids, and cures them when open'd, preventing Vlcers in the Parts.

Also in the Sore or Ulcerated Breasts of Women, this Pouder is of great Service.

It strengthens a weak Stomach, enabling it to retain the Food, and digest it; especially if taken so soon as the Parties have eaten. And in all Weaknesses of old Age, so far as the first Digestion is concerned, it is of use.

The Dose to a Man or Woman, full grown, is ʒj. to a Child newly-born, 7 or 10 gr. and so proportionably to all Ages, between the Birth and full Growth. It is to be repeated once in 4, 6, 8, or 12 hours, according to the manner of its Operation, and the Ne∣cessity of the Sick. The Vehicle may be either Breast Milk, Beer, Ale, Wine, or Mace-Ale, as the Patients best like, or the Necessity of the Disease shall require.

Note: In the Use of this Pouder, let the following General Rule be al∣wayes observed. Whether it worketh by Vomiting, Purging, Sweating, or Vrine, so long as any such Operation lasteth, it ought to be continued; so likewise, in restreining diseasy Sweats, contra-natural Vomiting, or Purging,

continue the use of the same, until it be clearly seen, that Nature hath no fur∣ther need thereof in that Exigency.

Of the Vse and Dose of the Tincture.

In Apoplexies, Palsys, Vertigoes, and Epilepsies, Rheumatisms, Gouts, Stone, Stranguries (too frequent Is∣sues of the Scurvey) and other Distem∣pers, that have their Propagation from things congealing, or too much acri∣monious, inferring Pains or Num∣nesses, &c. I have by Experience found this Tincture to be of general Vse and Service, if taken in the following Order.

Considering most of the Diseases above-named, are either Hereditary, or of long Continuance, or Both, it is expedient in all the aforesaid Cases, that this Tincture be taken daily four times a Day (in Beer, Ale, or Wine.) twenty Drops at a time, when the Sto∣mach is most empty; but more espe∣cially; let it be taken in the Morning fasting, and at Night going into Bed,

without mixing the same with any Specific, or direct-working Medicine: though (it must be understood) that this Tincture must never be taken, but in some Liquor, or other.

In Scorbutick Affects, appearing in other forms than above described, use the Tincture in the same manner, un∣til the Diseases be abated, never using any other Medicine with it, except my Pouder, or other Medicines above specified in the Chapter of the Scurvy; only the Dose must sometimes be in∣creased; as it must also in all Ten∣dencies to Stagnization, whereof chil∣ness, and coldness are fore-runners.

In all Impurities of the Bloud, of what kind soever, whether Pox, Sur∣fets, Scabs, Tetters, Scales, Ring-worms, Spots, Freckles, Morphews, Sores in the Mouth, or other Parts, if constantly taken (in manner afore∣said) for a Month together, viz. Four times a Day, or as often as the affli∣cted Party drinks, and the external Parts washed, with his (or her) Vrine every Morning and Evening, it will

prove it self a very effectual Re∣medy.

In the Green-Sickness, and Femi∣nine Obstructions, this Tincture is of singular use, if taken three, or four times a Day in Drink: For, it restores their lost Complexion, and opens all Obstructions of Spleen and Liver. Also it cleanseth the Spleen and Reins, easeth the Dolours of the same; and is of admirable Service, in Hypochon∣driac Melancholy. But in these Di∣stempers it must be taken in all Drinks, or Liquid Meats the Patients use, viz. 15 Drops at a time, and con∣stantly every Day, until their Affli∣ctions are altered

In the Distempers of Old, or de∣clining Age, as Asthma's, Coughs, &c. that arise from the debility of the Transpirative Faculties; by reason of which, they labour under shortness of Breath, and troublesom Phlegm, it is beneficial. For, althô this Tincture cannot wholly take off these Distem∣pers from aged Persons, yet it doth much alleviate them; provided it be

frequently taken, and that in a large Quantity, viz. 40 Drops at Night go∣ing into Bed, and also every Morning fasting.

In Suppression, Difficulty, or Sharp∣ness of Vrine, it is an Effectual Reme∣dy, if 20 Drops be taken Morning and Evening in Mace-Ale, or in a Deco∣ction of Mallowes if they design Ease; or Parsley-Roots, if they intend Ex∣pulsion.

In Convulsions, Lethargies, great Pains, Weights, or Numnesses of the Head, it is profitable, if taken 4 times a Day, 20 Drops at a time.

Against Pains in the Stomach, and the Weaknesses thereof, it is very effi∣cacious, if 30, or 40 Drops be taken at a time, twice or four times a Day in Drink when the Pains begin to invade, and the use thereof continued, till the Dolour ceases. Only in this Case, let the Parties grieved be sure to take Care, never to eat or drink, until they are assured, that what they eat and drank before be well digested.

In Imbecillity of the Generative Fa∣culty, or in Weakness, Coldness, and Vnaptness to conceive, this Tincture is very profitable, if twenty Drops at a time be taken in Sack, three times a Day, viz. In the Morning Fasting, one hour before Dinner, and at four a Clock after Noon; and the fourth time at Night going into Bed, in Mace-Ale, especially if the Pouder be us'd with it. This Method must be continued for a Month together.

For Recovery of Strength in Con∣sumptions, where the Lungs are not Ulcerated, this Medicine ought to be given, by 10 Drops at a time, as often as the languishing Party takes any thing Liquid (whether Broth, Milk, Iellies, or Emulsions of any kind) as also in all his or her Drink.

The same Tincture is no less effe∣ctual in the Jaundies, if 30, or 40 Drops be taken at a time, in what Drink the afflicted Party best liketh, in the same manner as before; and the Use thereof continued, till the Vrine be clear, as it was before the Disease invaded.

Against After-Pains in Childbed, and to open Obstructions, this Medi∣cine effectually yields Relief; if 10 Drops be given to Women in that Con∣dition, in their usual Caudle, every time they drink it.

A Child of a year Old may take 2 Drops, in two Spoonfuls of Breast-Milk, and so proportionably.

Note: In taking, or administring this Tincture it is very convenient to be careful, not to suffer your Selves, Friends, or Patients, to be over-perswaded, by any Arguments what∣soever, to take Purging or Solutive Medicines, althô your own, Friends, or Patients Bodies seem to be some∣what Costive: for so doing you will much retard the benefit, which would naturally accrew from this Tincture, by its Transpirative Vertue. And let this also be a Caution to All, in every kind of Distemper, where this Medi∣cine is used, not to take or intermix any other things, (except as is above in this Treatise described) with the same.

Now, because I very well know the Generality of People to be so far from believing these contrary Opera∣tions, that they will exclaim against them, as Impossibilities in Nature, I thought it requisite here to subjoyn (as is well known to Practitioners in Chirurgy) that the Herb St. Johns-wort, doth as certainly dissolve congealed Bloud in Bruises, as by Congelation an incised Wound, Stab, or Prick: which being Actions so different, may somewhat plead for the Verity of what I have written. But, if this single Example be not sufficient, let any One make Experiment of the Power of the Ash-Tree, cut down (when Sol is in Gemini, with the Girdle of Orion, and just ascending) and divided into small flat Sticks; for any one of them applied to a Cut, Stab, or Prick, and held there for some small time, quickly and evidently heal the Wound without Suppuration.

Also in Bruises, thô large and great, if a broad piece of that Wood be rub∣bed gently upon them, he shall find a

sudden Resolution, in the space of a Quarter of an hour (if this be done at first) and no Blackness appearing: and if it be apply'd speedily, In Burns, and Scalds, no Blisters will arise: In Stingings of Wasps and Bees, and Pricks of Thorns, this Wood is a speedy Remedy, if presently applied: In Bleeding at the Nostrils, thô very great and large, if a piece of the Wood be held to the Nostrils, and rubbed just above the Gristle of the Nose; you shall quickly see the Blood stopped. Likewise, in Bitings of Dogs, thô their Teeth have entred deep, if suddenly applied, all the Anguish, and Danger of those Bitings are as suddenly re∣moved.

If a single Plant can perform such various and contrary Actions, what then shall Minerals and Metals effect, wherein all the Seven great Proper∣ties of Nature are concentred.

I could enlarge this Section with many other signal Examples and Proofs, but I shall conclude all with this Corollary: that, since Nature is

the true Preserver and Curer in all Distempers; and is more active and subtile for her own Preservation and Recovery, than any adventitious A∣gent can be. That Preparation must needs be fitter, and more useful (in those her Methods) which attends and assisteth her Inclinations and A∣ctions; than That, which disturbs her Intentions, and imposeth Operations upon her, contrary to her own De∣signs: to which Errors and Mistakes all particular Medicines, and the Ap∣plyers of them, are very obnoxious. Wherefore, if I have had the Blessing to find out Medicaments (universal as to Parts and Persons) which will be perfectly complyant, and subservient to Nature••s Tendencies, as my long and successful Experience of them per∣swades me I have done; and whereof Others may be likewise convinced, if they will make studious Tryal of my Receipts; I would not have any pre∣judicate Person wonder at this my As∣sertion, that one and the same indi∣vidual Medicine can congeal and re∣solve,

open and shut, work upwards and downwards, or (in a word) pro∣duce quite contrary Effects, thô Some Doctors have averred to my Face, this thing to be impossible: For, if Nature in contrary Exigencies, cannot but act contrary ways to her own Relief; then consequently the Physic that doth not forcibly drive Nature out of her Course, but officiously follow her in her own Motions, must like an Hand∣maid necessarily trace the Footsteps of her Mistress. And what Man, that does but understand, or possess a Na∣ture, is ignorant, that the Means and Passages which she takes in Difficulties for her Succour and Safety, are strangely different, contrary and my∣sterious; and yet most ingenious to a Miracle?

Here are no Angry flames, only some bright Beams of plain Truth flowing from Nature's light.

FINIS▪