The sixth book of Practical physick Of occult or hidden diseases; in nine parts Part I. Of diseases from occult qualities in general. Part. II. Of occult, malignant, and venemous diseases arising from the internal fault of the humors. Part III. Of occult diseases from water, air, and infections, and of infectious diseases. Part IV. Of the venereal pox. Part V. Of outward poysons in general Part VI. Of poysons from minerals and metals. Part. VII. Of poysons from plants. Part VIII. Of poysons that come from living creatures. Part IX. Of diseases by witchcraft, incantation, and charmes. By Daniel Sennertus, N Culpeper, and Abdiah Cole, Doctors of Physick

THE FIFTH PART. Of outward Poysons in General. (Book 5)

Chap. 1. Of the Nature of Poyson.

I Had thought to have conclu∣ded this Epitome with the French pox; but when I found many things remarkable con∣cerning poyson, I thought good to set them forth. There are many Authors of the same, but they follow not the Method of Sen∣nertus.

First, what things are accounted poysons?* 1.1 Some think Bezoardick Medicines and Purges are to be reckoned among poysons. For the un∣derstanding of this:

Observe first, that Galen used the word dead∣ly for that which may kil, or that which may do good somtimes, though it may kil by accident.

Note secondly, that some Medicines alwaies

hurt, and never do good; these are poyson, and so must be called. But they which somtimes do hurt, are not to be accounted poysons, and they which somtimes do good, are not to be excluded from the number of poysons. For there is a dif∣ference of things hu••tful in general, as Saffron chears the heart. But if you take too much of it in meat, it hurts. As a Merchant who bought a great deal of Saffron, & cast a great deal into the porridg-pot against supper, and after he had sup∣ped, sel into such a laughter, that he almost died thereby. The same is to be thought of some pur∣ges and Bezoardicks, that have no occult quali∣ty against the body, which by the excess of good qualities, do hurt: these are not to be counted poysons.

Therefore poyson is whatsoever is apt to hurt us much by an occult quality.* 1.2 Or thus, it is that which corrupts the complexion, not only by a quality, but by a propriety; for it is necessary to the Nature of poyson alwaies to kill men,* 1.3 but to hurt much only.

They define not poyson rightly, that say it is that which can kill a man presently by an occult quality, or that can by a property corrupt the heart suddenly. Some are enemies to the brain, and cause madness: others are enemies to other parts.

* 1.4But how comes poyson to the heart? It is ei∣ther drawn by the heart, or goes to it being car∣ried by its hurtful quality, or by both. It is pro∣bable that all poyson being active from the de∣structive form it hath against the heart, turns e∣very thing it toucheth in mans body into poy∣son, and multiplies it self, for spiritual things have great force to multiply by Species or A∣tomes,

as appears in Musk; but it chiefly hurts that part with which it hath the g••eatest Anti∣pathy.

Have poysons power to nourish?* 1.5 Some deny it, and bring reasons against experience. For the Aegyptians eat Vipers; and there are a people that are Serpent-eaters near the red Sea called Candaeans. And the Maid that fed upon Napel∣lus, that she might kill Kings that lay with her,* 1.6 and the like shew the truth of this. And he that takes these for fables, makes himself a fable.

There are divers poysons, some have no nou∣rishment at all, but are wholly contrary to Na∣ture, as Arsenick. Some have nourishing parts that are taken with the poyson, these may nou∣rish, especially if they be accustomed by degrees to them. And Galen gives no other reasons, but that Nature may be made acquainted with poy∣son by degrees, and be nourished by them.

Chap. 2. Of the Differences of Poysons.

SOme are poysons in their own Nature. O∣thers are so by corruption, as rotten fish and stinking flesh. 3. There are poysons made by art, by boyling and sublimation, we shall speak only of those that are of their own Nature poy∣sons.

Some are Minerals or Metals, as Arsenick. O∣thers are Plants, as Napellus. Others are from Animals, as Scorpions, Vipers.

Secondly, they either act by the ••irst qualities, or by hidden qualities, or by both together, but this division i•• ••••lse. For poysons are not to be

judged by their first qualities,* 1.7 but by their con∣trariety in the whole substance. Moreover they are all enemies to the heart or some determinate part, but as they are hot, cold, moist or dry, they hurt all, but not as poysons. For though ma∣nifest and occult qualities may be in the same subject, yet their effects must not be confound∣ed. For with their manifest qualities they heat, cool, dry, or moisten, but kill with the occult qualities, or hurt very much.

The third difference, is from the effects, for their forms are hidden from us, and shew them•• selves by their operations Hence some are ene∣mies to the heart, and kill men presently. O∣thers are enemies to the brain, as furious Night∣shade,* 1.8 Dogs poyson. Others hurt the Liver, as the plant that purgeth blood. And some poy∣son hath Antipathy against all parts.

The fourth difference; some poysons are deadly, others not. Nor is it true, that all poy∣sons either kill or make fit for death, for as it is in Chap. 1.* 1.9 Many do but hurt greatly, and cause onely folly and doting, so that with them they may live long. Some kil sooner or later, by hurt∣ing greatly a member that is simply necessary to life, as the heart, liver, lungs or stomach, &c.

Fiftly, some kill presently, others at distance, as a grain of Nubia, which being divided among ten men, kills them all in a quarter of an hour, such is Arsenick and the poyson of an Adder. A∣mong them that kill at a distance,* 1.10 is the poyson of a mad Dog that often lies hidden many yea••••.

Question. Whether are there such Poysons by Art or Nature, that can kill a man at a cer∣tain time?

I think it cannot be, for though all natural things have their circuits, and that there are the beginnings and ends of actions, they are for the most part unknown, and cannot be determined in this darkness of mans mind. Moreover the a∣gent and patient concur in every action, and be∣cause the actions of active things are not out in a disposed patient, and the mans body, in respect of the circumstances, hath more or less power to resist, it cannot be that the same poyson should kill somtimes sooner, somtimes later.

The sixth difference, is from the manner of poysons getting in: some are taken at the mouth with meat: some come from without, many waies. Some venemous beasts leave their poysons upon Plants; as it was reported of a young man that was talking with his Sweet-heart,* 1.11 and rub'd his gums with Sage, and fell down dead. The Gard¦ner found a great Toad under the Sage that in∣fected it.

Some poysons hurt by touch, rubbing, or a∣nointing. The Turks have a poyson so strong, that by touching onely, it kills a man the same day.* 1.12 It is reported of the Son of the King of Cambaia, that was nourished with such poyson, that he was all over poyson, so that the flies that touched his skin▪ swelled and died.

It is a que••••i••n how poysons should kill only by the vapo••: it is either from the material qua∣••••ty, or the s••••rital species that poyson, kils. For 〈◊〉〈◊〉 poysons, like Atomes and little bodies, ex∣ercise

their force, whether it be in fume, vapor•• or dust, or in a Juyce or Oyntment, and the ve∣nemous quality is in that little body, as in a sub∣ject. For when such a quality depends upon its form, it cannot be moved but with the same.

Chap. 3. Of the Signs.

POyson is either taken unawares, or given by subtility and stealth by wicked men. And this is a common sign, it presently makes a great change in the body, by which it differs from those that are bred from humors in the body by putre∣faction. For in poyson bred in the body, the sym∣ptoms arise by degrees, not altogether, but by succession; but in poyson taken from without, many Symptomes appear together from Nature stirred up by the poyson with horrid and turbu∣lent vomiting, overturns all that she may send out her enemy.

And we may suspect poyson, when a sound man bred up well without foul humors,* 1.13 shal sud∣denly have his actions and things voided, and retained, altered, and the qualities, presently the motion of the heart and pulse is disorderly, with∣out any other apparent cause. The strength fails, the pulse is either depraved or abolished, with beating of the heart, fainting and death. Some have Megrims, Convulsions, Trembling, Hickets, biting, stomach-pain, and guts griping-stoppage stoppage of urin, vomiting of choler, or the like, somtimes loosness of belly. Cold sweats, and chilness, swollen tongue, black and inf••amed lips, swollen belly, and body often, with spots. All these Symptomes are worse then such as come from poyson bred with in.

Poyson from biting or stinging of venemous beasts have other signs, there is presently pain in the part. It is inflamed, and rots, and mortifies, except you have present remedies.

Poysons at a distance called Temporary, have their conjectures, though no certain signs, by the effects. There are often long diseases without reason: or folly, madness, or Epilepsie, running pains, and Consumption. But the poysons that affect the lungs, cause a dry cough and tongue, thirst, spitting of blood, and Consumption, and other poysons that hurt other parts, are known by the actions of those parts hurt.

Whether may one killed by poyson be disco∣vered certainly? Galen thought they might be known to be poysoned, when he writes thus: A man of his own nature abounding with good hu∣mors, and well educated, and fed, when he dies sud∣denly (as they use to do that take deadly poyson) If his body be blew or blackish, or of divers colours, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 stink, they say he is poysoned. From which words we may gather,* 1.14 that Galen thought that men poysoned, might be discovered. But the best way to make it manifest, is to open the body, and have an expert and wise Physitian.

Chap. 4. Of the Prognosticks.

TO prognosticate artificially, consider the Nature of poysons, and differences. Some hurt more, others less; some sooner, some la∣ter.

1. They that set upon the heart kill present∣ly, or are overcome. They that assault the liver or lungs, last longer. They which hinder brea∣thin••, quite kill presently.

The second difference is from the great, mean or small quantity of the poyson.

3. The more and the greater the Symptoms, the sooner and certainer is death, as sounding, chilness, cold sweat, turning of the eyes. If these come together, there is no hope, and the more they increase, the worse it is. If they decrease, there is some hope.

4. It is a sign of death, if after the poyson is taken, there is no vomiting, or purging, or voi∣ding any thing, though means have been used. There are other prognosticks which are manifest from what hath been said.

Chap. 5. Of Preservation from Poyson.

THey that will be preserved from poyson, let them keep close to Cardans Rules.* 1.15

The safest way is to use Antidotes, as Mithri∣dates did Mithridate, so that he could not be poy∣soned. There are divers Antidotes internal and external. Albertus Magnus speaks of the ex∣ternal, as the Diamond, Topas, Smaragd worn constantly upon the bare skin, no poyson can hurt that man.* 1.16 Some precious stones keep men from infectious air. These are worn for Amulets: and if poyson be near, they sweat.

Treacle and Mithridate are the best inward, and Galen saith that none can be poysoned that take as much as a Bean every day of Treacle and bids them use it in time of health. And experi∣ence shews that you may safely give preservatives against poyson to sound bodies, and by them they get an incredible propriety to resist poyson

Some of these Antidotes are without any ex∣cess of quality, as Bezoar stone, sealed Earth, Bole, Harts-••orn, Smaragds, and the like. These are given safely to all bodies. Mithridate and Trea∣cle, though they be less hot, by reason of the fer∣mentation, yet take heed that by the too much use, you do hurt thereby.

Chap. 6. Of the Cure of Poy∣son in General.

SOme make differences between Bezoardicks and Antidotes, and say that Bezoardicks act not against poyson, but only strengthen the bo∣dy to expel it: and they help only by accident. Some say that Bezoardicks fight against poyson,* 1.17 and are wholly against them.

Antidotes are hurtful in too great a quantity, and are in some sort against the heart, but both by use are good in venemous diseases; us all Cordials, Bezoar stone, Harts and Unicorns∣horn, &c.

Some Antidotes are proper against some pecu∣liar poysons, and all strengthen the heart to resist poyson: as Tormen••il roots, white Dittany, Borage, Bugloss, Sorrel, Scabious, Borage and Bugloss ••••o∣wers, Violets, Roses, Waterlillies, Gilli••••owers, Ci∣tron and Basil seeds, Wood-alo••s, juyce of Citrons, Pom••granates, Oranges, Quinces, Saffron, Cinna∣mon, Cloves, Harts-horn, bone of a Stags heart, Ivory, Pearl, Musk, Amber, Coral, Hyacint••s, Smaragds, Saphirs, sealed Earth, Bole. Many of them resist poyson, and Compounds made of them.

And though h••t must be given against cold

and cold against hot poysons, yet you must not so much look at the manifest qualities as to that force which is in medicines, to oppose poyson in the whole substance. Therefore in hot poysons you may give Treacle and Mithridate: and if the poyson will give leave, first abate the Cacochy∣my.

Lastly, let him that hath taken poyson, either at the mouth, or other waies, sleep but little; for he must constantly take medicines, and ob∣serve whether the Symptoms increase, or abate by the Bezoardicks, more of which hereafter.

Chap. 7. Of the Cure of Poy∣son taken in at the mouth.

WHen any one thinks he hath taken poyson, let him presently have a Vomit, before the poyson exercise its cruelty, and let it be repeat∣ed often, and made of things that may dull the sharpness of the poyson; as of fat Broaths, Oyl, Butter-milk boyled, Broom, Dill, Iesamine flowers, Radishes, and the like, to which you may add Be∣zoardicks, so that they stop not vomiting. Ther∣fore make choice of things that bind not, as Harts-horn, Bezoar stone.

If the poyson get to the stomach and guts, give Clysters. As, Take Mallows, Pellitory, Althaea, each two handfuls; boyl them in water, strain them, to a pint and half, add Oyl six ounces, Electuary of Fleabane two drams, make a Clyster. And purge thus: Take Scorzon••ra roots two drams, Sorrel half a handful, Agarick two drams, Zedoary, Ci∣tron seeds, each a scruple; Cordial flowers a pugil: hoyl them, strain, and ad to four ounces, Manna two

ounces, strain it again, and add Syrup of Citron∣peels.

While these are doing, anoint every third hour the heart, feet, hands and temples, and pla∣ces where you feel the arteries beat, with Oyl of Scorpions, of which Mathiolus, it is excellent.

Let the reliques of the poyson be driven from the heart and bowels by sweats, and leave not sweating til the evil disposition be quite conque∣red.

For diet, give Milk for meat and drink, and fat meats, Butter and Oyl, Borage, Bugloss, Figs with Cordials, Harts-horn, Coral, Pearl, Hyacinths, Smaragds, Zedoary, Saffron, Citron peels.

Chap. 8. Of the Cure of Poy∣son from without.

THat poyson may not creep in, draw it out presently by Medicines and Chirurgery. As, Take Galbanum, Sagapenum, Mirrh, Pelli∣tory, each half an ounce; Pigeons dung three ounces, Calamints a dram, dissolve the Gums in Vinegar, and with Honey and Oyl make a Cataplasm.

Or apply Chickens or Kids cut in two hot to the part where the poyson is.

These laid on, work by a hidden quality, oyl of Scorpions, Spiders, and the Creatures that poysoned applied to the part.* 1.18 Galen saith that he knew the biting of a Crocodile cured by the grease of a Crocodile, and the sting of a Scorpion, by the Scorpion applied to the part. These act by the like∣ness of substance.

You must continue the use of things that draw out poyson, till pain, evil colour, and other

Symptoms cease, and there is laudable quittor in the part. And to keep the poyson from run∣ing inward or about, tie the vessels above: then cut off the part that is poysoned, if it may be done with safety. Give Antidotes at first to drive poyson from the heart, and kil it, and to take a∣way the venemous quality that is in the body. And 〈…〉〈…〉 ulcer follow a bite or venemous sting, keep it long open, scarifie it, and burn it as shall be shewed.

Poyson taken by scent, must be opposed by contrary scent, as Mirrh, Amber, Musk, Am∣bergreece, Civet, Rue, Asphaltum, Wood-aloes, Sanders, Cloves, Saffron, Storax, and the mouth being shut, you must take the scent of these at the nose. Of these we shall speak in the special or particular Cure of Poysons.

Sennertus concludes this general Doctrine of poysons, with relation of diseases that come from fear and frights, because they are like poysons, and he reports out of Cardan,* 1.19 that when a man is frighted by Ghosts, or the like, the heat is drawn in, and the mind is troubled, and he be∣comes dumb; and if the fright be great, the out∣ward parts are cold, and contracted, and the hair falls off, and if the body be cacochymick, he is very sick, and if strength fails, he dies. This he confirms by many Histories which I have left out, only I shal relate one of which I was an eye witness. When I studied in Physick in Oxitan, Anno 1617. a woman that grew melancholick from anger, hung her self, the Crowner sitting upon her, sentenced her to be hung in gibets, a∣bout a mile from the City. Another woman that was her familiar acquaintance, seeing her ••ut of a window, neat the place, cryed out, and

fell into a great Diarrhaea suddenly, with a con∣stant dotage that could not be cured. From whence I conclude, that in these diseases from terror, the heart is not only affected, as Cardanus thought, but the brain also. Hence they usual∣ly give Epileptick Waters: this is good for chil∣dren. Take Tile-flower water, Piony, black Cher∣ry water, each an ounce and half; ••earl prepared, Coral and Har••s-horn, each a scruple; Fecula of Piony half a scruple.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Eusiach. Rud. lib. 1. de morb. occul. c. 40.
• * 1.2

  Card. 1. de ven. c. 1. & 4.
• * 1.3

  Avicen. doctr. 2. c. 15.
• * 1.4

  Lib. de ven. c. 3.
• * 1.5

  Aerr. lib. de ther. c. 2.
• * 1.6

  Avic. l. 4. Fen. 6. ••r.
• * 1.7

  Gal. de temp. c. 4. & alibi.
• * 1.8

  Gal. de purg. med. fac. c. 4.
• * 1.9

  Mercuria. lib. 1. de vene. c. 5.
• * 1.10

  S••alig. & 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.11

  Mizal. memo. cen••. 1. é Ioa. Bocatio.
• * 1.12

  Card. l. de ven. c. 15. Scal. e••er. 157.
• * 1.13

  Gal. 5. de lo. affec. ••. 1.
• * 1.14

  Ioan. Bap∣tist. Sylvat.
• * 1.15

  Lib. 3. de ven. c. 1.
• * 1.16

  Anthelmus Boet. lib. 2. de gem. c. 175. Lib. dethe. ad. pis. c. 16. & ad pamph.
• * 1.17

  Eustach. rad. de morb. oc. lib. 2. c. 7.
• * 1.18

  Gal. de •••• pis c. ••0.
• * 1.19

  Lib. 3. de ven. c. 14.