Loimotomia, or, The pest anatomized in these following particulars, Viz. 1. The material cause of the pest, 2. The efficient cause of the pest, 3. The subject part of the pest, 4. The signs of the pest, 5. An historical account of the dissections of a pestilential body by the author, and the consequences thereof, 6. Reflections and observations on the fore-said dissection, 7. Directions preservative and curative against the pest : together with the authors apology against the calumnies of the Galenists, and a word to Mr. Nath. Hodges, concerning his late Vindiciae medicinae / by George Thomson.

CHAP. VI.

Some Medicinal Reflexions and use∣ful Observations made upon this Pestilential Dissection.

STultus est ineptiarum labore; to take pains, and not to improve it for the benefit of our selves, or our Neighbours, may, I confess, be justly termed Presum∣ption, Folly, Vain-glory, and an affecti∣on of Singularity: But to undertake a∣ny dangerous and difficult design, that a particular Countrey, Nation, yea, the whole World may be meliorated in its condition, and enjoy some comfort therefrom, de∣serves to be encouraged, promoted, re∣warded, and to have better appellations given than some spiteful persons common∣ly fasten upon it I acknowledge that I cannot acquit my self wholly of Philau∣tie,

Kenodoxie, Ostentation, &c. and I cannot help it, for it is inherent and in∣genite in me; Homo sum, nihil huma∣num à me alienum puto. I am as prone as any other, sine Gratia Dei anticipan∣te, to run into many enormous Crimes; yet if I can judge any thing of my self, and my Conscience doth not very much delude me, I have alwayes set before my Eyes in my Function (next Gods Glory) chiefly, and in the first place, the preservati∣on and sanity of my dear distressed Neigh∣bour, endeavouring to make my own By respects to follow in the Rear. Where∣fore I have often abhorred to take those indirect and oblique Courses that would advance my own private Interest, but debellate and overthrow the publick pro∣sperity of a people.

How sollicitous I have been to keep poor afflicted man from falling into the Pit of destruction, is only known to the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Searcher of all Hearts. Duram suscepi provinciam, I under∣went a very difficult Task these late Con∣tagious

Times, performing it not perfun∣ctorily, by Fits and Girds, by halves, in a trifling manner, expressing (as some that I know) such a fear in looks and ge∣stures that was enough to bring the Plague into a House free from it: but I followed what I took in hand vigorously, to a pur∣pose not ready to take my flight as soon as I was entered the doors, like the Statue of Mercury on Tiptoe, leaving behind a pitiful Recipe of Ellec: Diascor: Methrid: Theria: aq: Theriar: Syr aceto: Citri, and such like Trash and Trumpery; but I continued oftentimes half an hour, and sometimes an hour, conversing with my Patients, and giving them effectual Re∣medies, prepared with my own fingers, opening their Bubo's, and cutting out Es∣chars of Carbuncles, by the operation of my own hand. All this while, the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, beholding my upright in∣tentions, preserved me in health, even in the height when the Pest was most grassant, till such time being desirous to learn what might instruct me farther in

the Nature and Cure of this abstruse Sick∣ness, after that I had conversed with the Living about it, I entered into more than ordinary familiarity with a dead body; Itum est in viscera, I searched many dark Corners thereof to be taught some∣thing, but I bought my Learning at a dear Rate; and what the Cadaver could not teach me of it self, was infused into me to my sad Experience: Experto credite.

I shall now deliver to you the Physical Observations I made, resulting from both dead, and my own living Body.

Observation I.

In the first place, I observe that the Punctilio's, Pulicar-like Spots, those Stigmatick marks on the Skin with a Feaver, do alwayes signifie a stop more or less put to the Circulation of the blood, some Coagulation or Grumosity therein caused, through a malignity, and Gorgonian Venom that depredates,

sacks, and confunds the Vital Spirits that are the chief instrument of Moti∣on; so that when they become Torpid and stupified, part of the blood remains like standing pool, prone in some short time to contract an evil odour.

Now if this Tartarous concretion be dissolved, discussed, or thrown out, and lodged in an Emunctory, or some by∣place ignoble, through the strength of Nature assisted by Art, then all things succeed well; but if this spissitude of the blood increase, that the chan∣nels are exceedingly clogged, and nothing is difflated, ventilated, and carried off by universal breathing sweats, nor any morbifique matter discharged into any glandulous or external carnous diverticle; conclamatum est, that person may be judged in all likelihood to be lost.

Observation II.

Whensoever these Cutaneous spots

appear, they always signify an endeavor in the Archeus to extrude that which is noxious: but failing in the very act by reason of its own impotence, & the force of the virulent untameable matter car∣ried out of the Capillary vessels, as far as the skin, it is there condensed by a preternatural coagulative ferment, pro∣moted by the ambient air into this round figure, according as the sperical small drop is capable. The annitence of Na∣ture to make an expulsion from the Center to the Circumference may in∣struct the Physician to use all means to imitate her, to assist her, to keep the blood in continual Motion, to weaken the strength of the poison to kill an Ex∣otick ferment, to rarifie and attenuate whatsoever is grosse and lentous: and to keep the Pores open, that there may be free perspiration of the whole body.

Observation III.

When the Natural ferment of the

Stomack in the Pest is so far lost, that instead of white, a black juice is engen∣dered, it is a certain sign of the aboli∣tion of the vital Spirit, and consequent∣ly of approaching Death. For I never knew any afflicted in this kinde, whose strength failed, that vomited an Excre∣ment tinged black, did escape: where this blackness is, there must needs be a privation of light, with which our spi∣rits symbolize, they being luminous, if so darkness, the shadow of death must needs follow; and doubtlesse great is that darknesse that seats it self in the spirit of light and life.

Observation IV.

That which did first occurr most re∣markable to my eye in this Dissection, was the great alteration I found made principally in the Stomack, in respect of the part continent and that which was contained therein: In the conti∣nent, certain Vibices, Stigms, stroaks,

of an obscure colour imprinted; (the inward coat being stained with colours different from the natural) and a fluid matter conteined fuliginous, pitch-like, did sufficiently indicate to me, that there the pestilential poyson did take up its chief residence.

Observation V.

When I contemplate what a pure white substance was taken into this Youths stomack not long before he di∣ed, and how strangely it was transmu∣ted into another hue, as black almost as Ink, I cannot but smile to think on the vain Conceits of the Galenists, that tell us of atra Bilis, adusta, & retorrida, black Choller made by a meer torre∣faction or violent burning heat and a∣dustion, according to their definition of a Feaver, as if there were a fire no whit different from a Culinary in our Bodyes, converting that which is white into black, and black into white, by a

strong reverberating heat. Suck like fond and foolish opinions have they har∣boured these Sixteen hundred years and upward, for want of the knowledge of the Doctrine of Ferments; which can never be so well illustrated, as by Chy∣mical Experiments; which those Pseu∣do-Chymists boast they are acquainted with (only (I am certain) in a formal manner sufficient to delude the world, otherwise they would not deny the power thereof in their Actions.) If they did really understand how a little Leaven doth infect the whole Lump, they would forthwith leave their bare beggarly Qualities in curing Diseases, as Hot, Cold, &c. (Relollea, as Para∣celsus calls them) things transient and momentany, ebbing and flowing every minute, according to the disposition of the Subject, and insist more upon sub∣stances, whose intrinsecal transmutation depends upon powerfull ferments.

Observation VI.

What a Soveraignty and Influence the Stomack hath over the whole body may be proved by multitude of Instan∣ces and Examples that I could produce; but this was eminently conspicuous, that when any thing was taken in that di∣sturbed the innate Archeus, and requi∣red some difficulty to digest, many hor∣rid Symptoms did strait break forth, as Vertigo, Cephalalgie, Delicium, Phren∣sie, Inquietude, Dyspuoea, Sopor, de∣fection of the Spirits, a cohibition of Sweat, and other cutaneous Fxcretions, &c. This was plainly apparent in this Stripling, who having an indiscreet Nurse attending him, suffered much da∣mage, when she offered him that which was by no means to be admitted as tole∣rable, the natural ferment of the sto∣mack being perverted by the pestilent Poyson: And I doubt not but the peri∣od of his life was accelerated by the un∣witting

Dose of Milk, which though it be the best Nutriment where it is well altered, yet it often proves the worse corrupted.

Hereby we may learn not to ingest any thing into this noble Vessel, but what may agree with the innate Arche∣us, may increase the vital Spirit, rectifie the enormous Ferment, cherishing that which is genuine; may be quickly al∣tered, and leave very little Dross and Recrement behind, and such are those things that abound with noble Spirits, as good Wine, and strong Beer or Ale well brewed; as for Flesh, Broths, Gel∣lies, Watergruel, Ptisans, Barley water, and such like dull vapid things, &c. they are all to be abandoned and excluded from entering (into this Palace, where the sensitive Soul sits) so long as such a grand Enemy stands in defiance of it, and seeks to destroy it.

Observation VII.

In all parts I took notice of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a great coagulation, and some small colliquation of juyces, except in the Stomack, where this Negro liquor did flote without any Concretion or Coaction; whereby I gather, That the kindly and familiar Ferment of the Stomack, made to dissolve and open any hard tough food, and to change it into a fluxible white Chile, that the nu∣tritive and excrementitious parts may be the better separated, being now de∣generate and hostile, did still retain a property like the former, though tend∣ing to Ruine, tabefying and colliquating what it touched, and changing it into a black, instead of a white juyce. On the other side, the Ferments of the Fourth and fifth Digestions, ordained lightly to incrassate, thicken, and to bring one portion of the blood to a moderate fibrous consistence, and to

subtiliate, another becoming exorbitant, and losing that primitive gift with which they were endued, and acquiring a virulent Nature, transcending their former bounds of Mediocrity and Mo∣dification of this red Balsom to be af∣terward assimilated, doth now compinge and closely streighten the part thereof, depriving it of that continual Circula∣tion which is necessary for the genera∣tion of vital Spirits, the immediate in∣strument of the sense and motion of every Animal, and turns another small part into a venemous, variegated Ichor or Serosity.

Observation VIII.

That whereas there is a power in∣herent in the Veins and Arteries to pre∣serve the blood from Congelation even when the body is dead, so great is the concretive force of the pestilential poy∣son, that the blood is suddenly put to a stop, and becomes grumified, turning

into Glotts in a living body, with nigh as much expedition as the Spirit of Urine changes Spirit of Wine into a white thick lump.

Observation IX.

That a kind of glandulous substance like a Lambs stone should be found in the right Ventricle of the heart, instead of an obscure clot of blood, doth shew how sollicitous Nature (though violent∣ly hurried away by a contrary Idea) is to save it self from destruction; sith that when the Haimopoietick power was lost, she carries out of the stomack a small quantity of a rude Chyle, pas∣sing a short way through some of the Sanguineous Vessels, without receiving a rubicund Tincture, into this noble Ca∣vity, and not able to give it the stamp and signature belonging to this vital Nectar, was forced to yield it up to that impression which the exotick Ferment did make upon it.

Observation X.

It being granted, that blood doth make blood, as I can demonstrate, that it is in being before the confor∣mation of the Liver; and that when the Sanguis, this pure defaecate sub∣limely graduated crimson juyce stands still, and loses its virtue, then the milky Chyle cannot receive a vital Character, and be tinged as it ought. How cautious should we be to exhaust and spend prodigally this treasure of Life, as the Galenists, who to satis∣fie their erroneous Documents, with∣out any solid Reason, or approved Experiments, rashly let it out in ma∣ny trivial Diseases, which might easi∣ly be Cured by proper Medicaments.

Observation XI.

Any Artificial evacuation of Blood (except that which is performed by im∣mediate Derivation, being degenerate) in the Pest, Spotted Feaver, Small Pox, Meazils, or any Malignant Disease whatsoever, that hath alwayes in it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, aliquid sanguinis congelati∣vum, somthing in it that doth condense and fix the blood, is absolutely pernici∣ous, and brings certain perdition, or at least great Calamity, if thee be not present extraordinary vigour of Nature whatsoever the perverse Galenists pre∣tend to the contrary, that they empty an Athletick, full Habit of Body, and thereby cause Motion in the blood, and so hinder the coagulation of it: which opinion (if rightly cavassed) is notori∣ously false; for they take a meer con∣trary course that diminish the good blood in this case, which cannot be a∣voided when vent is given to a large

vessell, for out flies the best as well as the worst together, indistinctly, and hereby the Archeus must needs be dis∣enabled to resist the poyson, to attenu∣ate, profligate, and tame any pertinaci∣ous, viscous, and noxious matter; for I am sure, if Hippocrates 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or Hel∣monts Archeus, i.e. the Vital spirit, the principal Author and efficient Cause of Sanity be wanting, nothing benevalent can be expected. That Phlebotomy in the foresaid sense doth cause this in∣convenience, I can make appear both Logically and Optically; for the more good blood, the more good Spirits, and consequently in Reason all Vital Acti∣ons must needs be performed the more successively, and a stronger expulsion made of what is offensiue: as on the contrary, defect of blood and spirits causes all manner of mischief. Ex∣perimentally also and visibly 'tis true: For I never saw any deprived of any great quantity of blood, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with that Alacrity, stability, celerity, and

safety, as he that was cured dextrously à phlebotomos, without emission of blood and spirits. And through this indirect Course I frequently observe, that those that are ordered after the Galenical Me∣thod, fall from Acute Diseases into Chronick, and Tedious Languors, meerly because their Physicians either exhaust their Blood, consume their Spirits by deletery uncorrected Cathar∣ticks, torture, crucifie and gaul them with Blisterings, Cuppings, and Sca∣rifyings; Or keep them at a low ebb with their sluggish, flat and spirit∣lesse Julips and Potions; so that here∣by the Archeus becomes weak and fee∣ble, the blood must necessarily move slowly, and for want of Active Spirits be retarded in its Current, and in ma∣ny places subsist like a standing Pool, clottering and causing great obstructi∣ons. Whosoever therefore that in∣tends to keep the blood, sine Remora, fluent in its Channels, free from Curd∣ling, let him studie to the utmost to

exhibit those Specificks that may mor∣tifie and annihilate the inspissative Tor∣pedinous poyson, and advance the impulsive Spirits by those things that symbolize with, and directly match them.

Observation XII.

Those variety of several coloured juices coagulated and colliquated appa∣rent in this body, were not (as the Dogmatists affirm) so many distinct Humours, as Choller, Phlegm, &c. Analagous to the Elements, fallen off from their native Temperament, (as they would have it) but they all arose from the Chile and Blood disguised and masked in divers forms, according as the Protean Ferments altered the Tex∣ture and position of their parts, and so marked them with this or that colour. Believe it, there is no Real existence of those Humours, as Choller, Phlegm, Melancholly, that the Galenists fre∣quently

mention in most of their Wri∣tings; but there is one only primige∣nious rivulet, i. e. Blood, that irrigates all parts of this Microcosm, which as it meets with different Ferments, so it is subject to divers alterations, and mani∣fold colours.

Observation XIII.

The usual effect of most poysons commonly known to us, is to coagu∣late the blood, as I have found evident, dissecting divers Bodies destroyed by things deletery, which I observed made a stigmatick impression in the Stomack, and so condensed the Vital red Balsom in the Vessels, that Clodders of four or five Inches in length might be ex∣tracted.

Observation XIV.

Whensoever there is any great con∣cretion of the blood in the Pest, no

kindly beneficial sweat is to be expect∣ed, till such time the constringent ve∣nome be overcome, the grosse matter attenuated, rarified, and an apersion made of the pores of the skin. And this was manifest in this Youth, who could by no means be brought into a breathing sweat, durable, with alleva∣tion, the juices of his body being as it were frozen, made torpid, and indispo∣sed to stir from a Narcotick poyson.

Observation XV.

I finde such an indissoluble league, connexion, and coherence between the Vital Spirit and Sanguis pure blood in all perfect Animals, insomuch that if they be separated from each other, they both lose their essence and proper deno∣mination; for this most highly defae∣cated liquor doth maintain the spirit, and the spirit doth move, agitate, and purifie this liquor, that it may be fit to be changed▪ into it self. I look up∣on

the Chyme or Cruor, as upon the sweet juice of Grapes, which hath little sensible spirit in it at first, till it comes to be fermented, depurated, and segre∣gated from its lees and foul faeces, and then it explicates its activity in an admi∣rable manner; Likewise this crude juice rubefied, is by long circulation and fer∣mentation of the fourth and fifth dige∣stions so cleansed and rid of all dross and filth, that it attains an Homogeneous nature, easily convertible into a Gas Vi∣tale capable to receive the bright shi∣ning beams of the Soul, as highly re∣ctified spirit of wine doth the lucid flame. If the blood harbour any thing extraneous, acrimonious, austere, acide, malignant, venemous matter, &c. it forthwith titubates and deviates from its integrity and accomplishment: Then the Spirit, its individual Companion, falls into discontent, peevishnesse, fro∣wardnesse, fury, and rage, and an Ilias of Diseases follow, and all is brought in∣to confusion: as likewise if the spirits

be consumed, disturbed, suffocated, ex∣tinguished, by reason of perturbations of the mind, pernicious fumes and o∣dours, great dolours, or the occurse of any thing very violent, altogether dis∣agreeing with them, the blood missing that Archeus that should hold the reins of right Government, and carry it about in a direct road, where it may receive a just alteration by natural fer∣ments, doth become degenerate, relap∣sed, colliquated or coagulated, as was visible in this Cadaver.

Observation XVI.

Sith it is so, (as it is intuitively con∣spicuous) that the Pestilential poyson doth principally strike at and deprave the Stomack and fistulary Vessels, by colliquating the lacteous juice contain∣ed in that, and by coagulating the blood in these, what intollerable, non-sensi∣cal practice is it, to prescribe any thing either Dieterical, or Pharmaceutick,

that is so far from hindring, that it fur∣thers these sad effects.

Observation XVII.

The extraordinary warmth that was in this body at twelve hours end, from the time it expired, doth sufficiently te∣stifie what a Phlogôsis, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and com∣bustion was about the viscera, ari∣sing from a fermentation and impe∣tuous collision of exardent Atomes, which the fretting and furious Archeus had agitated, being exstimulated, and at length enraged, that it had entertai∣ned into its very penetralls, such a mor∣tal Enemy; and now the Fewell being consumed, the spirits exanclated, and fire extinct, there remains an Empy∣reuma, a relique of heat in the parts de∣funct, as a sufficient testimony of that notable ebullition and fermentation which was precedent in the living.

Observation XVIII.

I am commonly Censured by the Galenists presumptuous, in venturing to open this Contagious Body, for no o∣ther Reason (as I can conceive) but that I escaped so great a danger contrary to their expectation; I confess I was a lit∣tle careless, in that I did not before for∣tifie my self as I might have done, be∣ing extream eager in the pursuit of knowledge for the publick good. I am perswaded, had I strengthned the Ar∣cheus of my hand with some appropri∣ate Balsamick Spirit, and filled up the Pores with an oleaginous odorous mat∣ter, the Pestilential poyson could never have had so free an ingress, and so easily have put to flight the vital Spirit, ma∣king an inroad into all parts. That the intoxicating Atoms did first invade my hand imbrued with that foul Gore, I may without doubt conclude from long malaxing and steeping it in the body,

and from the perceptible Alteration succeeding. For it is very unlikely that I who had sustained so long time before such abominable, loathsom, noysom Smells, from Sores, Carbuncles, the tainting Respiration, and faetide Expi∣ration of numerous living bodies, and all this while suffered no great detri∣ment in my health, should now receive an Infection by a Ten times less occasi∣on in that respect, the Emanations be∣ing little comparatively, and those much weakned by a Pan of Brimstone burn∣ing under the Corps.

Observation XIX.

The Pest that arises from a con∣trectation of Entrals warm, is more active, and breaks out more violently than that which proceeds from the light touch of the same cold; & either of these are more Contagious, than a bare Con∣tact of the skin of a Carkass. If the skin of a living body suffer discontini∣ty,

the Contagion of the dead enters more forcibly, as I found once experi∣mentally to my prejudice, in Anatomi∣zing one that dyed of a Spotted Fea∣ver; for having accidentally cut my Finger, and often washed it in that ma∣lignant juyce, I was more troubled to Cure it than any wound ever inflicted upon me all my life-time. The space that this venom lay cryptick within me, closely and silently working in this sub∣terranean Microcosm before it acted publickly was Eight hours, and then after a very sound sleep from Eleven till Two in the Morning, a grievous op∣pression at the stomack, with deep and difficult sighs, seized upon me, which doth still confirm me in this judgment, That the Pest never falls to acting a Tragical Scene openly, till such time it hath taken up its lodging place in the Stomack.

Observation XX.

I have very good Reason and Experi∣ment on my side to believe, that had I forthwith, after the Dissection, be taken my self to Bed, and liberally made use of those Remedies the good Creator bestowed upon me, much of the Atro∣city of this Sickness might have been allayed, and perhaps the Poyson made effete and feeble; for I look upon this pestilential virulence, though (other∣wise declined than commonly) yet to hold such a proportion with ordinary Poysons, that they both agree in many Circumstances. We find that if an Alexiterium, a proper Antidote be rea∣dy at hand in the very nick of time, and strait be offered to one that hath suffered hurt from any Animal, Vegetal or Mineral that is deletery, there forth∣with follows a frustration and annihila∣tion of that pernicious property in it, and the mortiferous effect thereof: but

if there be a dilation or procrastination, and no check given to its furious and violent power (opportunity once slip∣ped) all the Art of Man is at a loss to discover any thing medicable as a coun∣terpoyson in such a case. He that ex∣pects help from a Physitian, when the fermenting poyson hath had its full Ca∣reer without any stop, and hath plaid a Game almost to the last period without any bar, having put out the light of the vital Spirits, that no foundation is left for their Reparation or Relumination; and hath choaked up all the passages of the blood to be circulated as long as there is life, may with as much reason require one without a Miracle to raise a dead body from the Grave.

Observation XXI.

Vis unita fortior; had I not kept up my Spirits with high Cordials, and strong Liquors; had I not used Speci∣ficks, Diaphoreticks, those things that

lenified and pacified the Archeus, the topical application of the Bufo, &c. Had I not lain in a large Sweat continu∣ally Seven dayes together, sometimes dropping down my Skin, had not an ex∣traordinary great Botch been thrust out in the Fundament, and upon an Aperti∣on made by Leeches, many Ounces of a virulent quitture issued forth. Had any of these forementioned been want∣ing, I could not at this day have sucked in the Air, and conversing among the Living, have set forth to the World the History of this narrow evasion from the Jaws of all devouring Fate.

Observation XXII.

For any one to assert that the Pest is not Contagious or Catching, argues ei∣ther Sottish, Stupid Ignorance, or a per∣verse obstinate contradiction of Truth, out of peevishness, and singularity of Opinion. The best Reason that these men have to maintain their gross Para∣dox

repugnant to Sense, is, That some conversant among the sick, have lain in the same Bed with them, have held there Noses over their running Bubo's and Car∣buncles, yet have escaped the Infection. All this while these Captious Dispu∣tants forget the true Axiom in Philoso∣phy, Unumquodque recipitur secundum captum recipientis: There is no man affected like another in every respect, but still every Patient hath some dispa∣rity, though not discrepable and sensi∣ble to us in the reception of the Agent. In one the imagination of the whole man is strongly fortified against the In∣fection, and can vigorously resist it, ex∣pressing an undaunted resolution; but the imagination of the Archeus may be weak in the same person, and not able to make any resistance or renitence, when it is assaulted by anothers Conta∣gious munial ferment, but easily yields to it. On the other side, the phantasie of the Archeus, or vital Spirit of every part may be couragious and bold, not

ready to give way to the Occurse of any outward evil: yet the imagination of fear and horrour in the man may be so great, that upon every slight occasion a pestilential impression may be made up∣on him. If the phantasie of man and the Archeus be magnanimous, stout, free from any Idea, vain conceit of fear and terrour, having a strong and valiant per∣swasion that neither can suffer inju∣ry in this kind: then the contagious ef∣fluviums cannot take place in such a bo∣dy to offend it, because they are altoge∣ther disowned; and so being not appro∣priated, are in a short time expulsed and dissipated, before they can settle them∣selves to produce any act of hostility a∣gainst Nature. Now because few have this ingenite Gift bestowed upon them so as to be exempted from some pusilla∣minity and distrustful thoughts either of the mind or the Archeus, it is very rare when the Pest is very grassant and out∣ragious, that one coming within the sphere of the activity of this poyson,

depart without some stain and spot, which sometimes is wiped off by strength of Nature, helped by Art, without any blemish to the health; and I am confident many Thousands in this City have had a light Infection, which passed away per Diap••aeam, a transpirati∣on of the whole body, without the least cognizance of it. For my own part, I can avouch by several Signs, being very curious and exact in the consideration of my own state, that I often received the Scent or Tincture of the Pest, but quickly washed it off by some Balsami∣cal odour, causing a profluence of a kindly Sweat. And had I not out of a little too forward Zeal thrust my hand without due preparation into the mouth of this cruel Tyger, I might have con∣tinued invulnerable to this day; yet none but an unwitting, mad, self-con∣ceited person will deny, that the Pest according to its Etimon doth peredere, mordere, & devorare, doth bite, tear in pieces, pierce even to the very marrow

with its sharp fangs; though some clad like Curassers, with Armour of proof from Top to Toe, have escaped those wounds that were inflicted upon others. One may as well conclude, that the Itch or Leprosie is not Contagious (con∣trary to Divine Writ, and firm experi∣ence) because some coming within the same reach of contaminating Emanati∣ons with others that were infected, have evaded the pollution.

Observation XXIII.

I have sometimes found the ferment∣ing venom of the Pest, especially fur∣thered by large draughts of Small Beer after aestuation and effervescence of the Spirits, so speedily congeal the blood, that the best Remedies made use of at the first appearance of the Feaver, were bauked, and of no effect; and being fol∣lowed close, could only indicate by dri∣ving out some Stigmata, Vibices, Spots, and a suffusion of red or blew marks in

the Skin, what great malignity was within; and that there was almost a total coagulation of the blood in facto esse, as I observed in divers, who having surfeited themselves, were dispatched in the space of a few hours. I have al∣so seen some Remedies made use of for seasonable prevention to keep down and strangle this still pullulating poyson, not suffering it to make any condensa∣tion of the vital juyce, insomuch as though a violent Feaver did break out, continuing for the space of Five or six dayes, yet the blood being kept in its due motion, no Efflorescence or cuticu∣lar Eruption did appear, no not the least Pimple or Spot; but such a Rarefacti∣on and Subtiliation was made by pene∣trative, active and specifick Medicines, that if any coagulation was in fieri, it was immediately prevented from fur∣ther progress; or if the blood began to be restagnant, it was forthwith agita∣ted; if any grumous matter present, it was sent packing, per Diapnaeam & Dia∣phaeresin,

through the pores of the Skin, fine capite mortuo, without any faeces, or sediment left behind.

Observation XXIV.

When I meditate seriously upon the extraordinary occasion that brought this Truculent Disease upon me, when I con∣template its Magnitude, Malignity, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the swiftness of its motion, those direful Symptoms and Products that appeared; when I consider that Three besides my self were sick at the same time, of the same Malady, in the same House, the Landlady one of the Three, being with Child, miscarrying, and that all of us recovered by the same means blessed from Heaven, I cannot but heartily magnifie the good Creator of all things, that hath provided such potent Medicines for the Restauration of man fallen from his Sanity, and withall be firmly resolved concerning the admirable efficacy of Chymical

preparations, abhorring the laziness, perversness, and Ingratitude of those that still resist the Truth, obstinately maintaining their own destructive Prin∣ciples, Method and Medicines.