Galeno-pale, or, A chymical trial of the Galenists, that their dross in physick may be discovered with the grand abuses and disrepute they have brought upon the whole art of physick and chirurgery ... To which is added an appendix De litho-colo ... / by Geo. Thomson ...

CHAP. VII. A just reproof of the Ignorance of most of them in Surgery. (Book 7)

CErtainly it was an evil Design at first, and a plain demonstration of idleness and pride in Physicians, when they brake into parts those Faculties, which did formerly, and should alwayes indivisibly reside in one man. We confess Fractures and Dislocations require the hand of a professed Artist, that is through∣ly versed in Anatomy and accurate Experi∣ence in this kinde; but when Medicines taken inwardly are principally to perform the Cure, outward as well as inward Diseases belong to the Physician, so it may be done to the encou∣ragement of the Professours of Surgery; sith honos alit artes: as the matter stands now, it is not amiss for the Surgeon to have a share in the profit, although the Physician hath the greatest hand in the Cure.

We have oftentimes admired the Ignorance of some Galenists, that have not been able to undertake a Whitlow, a Scald, a green wound, a trivial Soar, but have been forced to send them to a Surgeon living remote, as if it no

whit concerned them; and as if any one could be a true Physician, and be destitute of that which essentially belongs to his Art. Needs must that Physician be extreamly mutilated in his knowledge, that is to seek to cure a Phle∣gmon, an Erysipelas, Fistula, or malignant Ul∣cer: For we can confidently averre, and make it evident, that 'tis the inward Medicament that must principally cure most outward Dis∣cases, if they be ever radically and to a pur∣pose healed, outward Applications being of∣tentimes of no effect. Yet we will not deny some virulent Ulcers may to a wonder receive sanation by vertue of Chymical Preparations outwardly applied; as, Balsamum Fuliginis, Balsamum Sameck, the pure Sulphur of Venus, Antimony, and other Minerals, of which none but a true Son of Art can be possessour. But above all is to be extolled, that admirable Magnetical way of curing, which doubtless if rightly improved would work stupendious things; so that some Galenist would presently conclude that there is Witchery, or some su∣pernatural means made use of: So blinde and stupid they are in the most needful Phyloso∣phy, that what their Brains cannot conceive, they presently reject as Diabolical or impos∣sible. Tell them of the Alkahest, or univer∣sal

Menstruum, of Lapis Chrysopeius, Lapis But∣leri, of a Panacaea, they will but deride and flout at it, boldly and presumptuously deny∣ing any such thing to be in rerum natura, be∣cause their shallow wits being altogether sou∣sed and steeped in durty Humours, Qualities, Temperaments, Mixtures, and Contrarieties, never had the happiness to have the least glimpse of the admirable perfections of such things. This we can set down positively as a truth, that that Physician that knows not something of the Cure of Diseases both in∣ward and outward this way, is but a meer no∣vice, alwayes learning, and never like to come to any perfection in his Art: Let him be never so much applauded for his excellent parts, and great Learning, he shall alwayes be esteemed by the wisest, an Ideot in Phylosophy, alto∣gether ignorant of the radical and intrinsecal causes of things.

We doubt not but there is excellent use of Manual operation, where the Knife is to perform the Cure, as in Amputations of parts, Lithotomie, and the like. But we know this experimentally, that both Physician and Sur∣geon are too forward to lop off parts, and butcherly to cut holes in the skin; whereas many times this bloody course might be

omitted, and the sick person restored in great part, if not altogether, to his pristine health, without mutilation or sauciation; as we could instance of late in a Gentleman, belonging to a Noble man, whose Leg after all their tedious torturing, and frivolous attempts, as, Blood-letting, Purgation, Salivation, Sudorificks, Diet-drinks, Mercurial Applications, and Cauteries, they at length despairing of his Re∣covery, advised to be cut off: which God (by means of his poor servant a Chymical Physician) prevented, the Gentleman being restored to his perfect health, and his Limb saved.

It were to be wished, that ye would study to dissolve and reduce into their first matter, those Coagulations frequently hapning; as, Scrofulous Tumors, Nodes, Scirrosities, Ganglions, Wens, &c. without Scarificati∣ons and Incisions: but especially to bend your whole strength, to finde out some potent Arcanum (which God no doubt hath created) for the untying and colliquating that mon∣strous Product, in mans Body, the Stone, without cruel Lithotomie by a frightfull Knife. Did you not despond to finde, and supinely slight the pursuit of something in this kinde, yea, if ye did not maliciously dis∣courage

others, without controversie such an Arcanum might have probably been brought to light, able to dissolve the Stone even in the Bladder. But it is enough for you to rest your selves contented with the old profitable way of Perforating and broaching the Body, which if it fail, ye presently protest ye have done as much as Art can; which narrowly examined by a judicious Physician, would perhaps prove very impotent.

How often have ye received credit and ap∣plause from the world, when in the Dissection of dead Bodies, ye have found any of the Viscera corrupted, or hard congealed sub∣stance; as, stones in the Kidney, Gall, or other parts, justifying and magnifying your selves, that more could not have been done by Art; whereas peradventure at that time ye were first admitted, the Corruption might have been hindred, and Coagulations dis∣solved.

Some few years since a Chymical Physician expelled three large Stones nestling about the region of the Spleen, the least as big as a large Turky's egg, out of a Maid-servants Body, by virtue of some Paracelsian Medicines, perfectly restoring her to health, which she enjoyes to this day; whom we are confident if a Galenist

had undertaken, he would by his Blood-let∣ting, pernicious Purgation, Blisterings, &c. have destroyed, and the cause of her Disease should never have been discovered, unless by accident the Knife had made it appear; which would have sufficiently excused the Galenist, and cleared him as one that did what possibly could be done by Art.