Plano-pnigmos, or, A gag for Johnson that published animadversions upon Galen-pale and, a scourge for that pitiful fellow Mr. Galen that dictated to him a scurrillous Greek title / by Geo. Thomson.

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Title
Plano-pnigmos, or, A gag for Johnson that published animadversions upon Galen-pale and, a scourge for that pitiful fellow Mr. Galen that dictated to him a scurrillous Greek title / by Geo. Thomson.
Author
Thomson, George, fl. 1648-1679.
Publication
London :: Printed by R. Wood for Edward Thomas,
1665.
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Subject terms
Johnson, William, 17th cent. -- Some brief animadversions upon two late treatises.
Medicine -- Early works to 1800
Cite this Item
"Plano-pnigmos, or, A gag for Johnson that published animadversions upon Galen-pale and, a scourge for that pitiful fellow Mr. Galen that dictated to him a scurrillous Greek title / by Geo. Thomson." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A62440.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 6, 2024.

Pages

Page 26

A Mantissa, or Advantage, cast into the Scale, to make the Galenical Ani∣madverter and Remarker appear down-right a N. in Grano, for the Credit of his Worshipful Masters.

THese Pharisaical Galenists out of a super∣cilious Haughtiness and Philauty pre∣sumptuously censure all belonging to the Iatri∣cal Faculty, that are not of their Sect, Pub∣licans or Fools, not fitting to hold correspon∣dence with, or to be touched with their sancti∣fied Lady-like hands, lest they should be pol∣luted by such Carbonarii, Colliers in their Art, as the Chymists: wherefore these proud self∣conceited Criticks have passed a rigid (but un∣just) Sentence of Condemnation upon me; and have sent out their wicked Commentari∣ensis to suffocate and smother my reputation, because I met with and associated my self with an impudent Crew (as they style them) of such, that are uttter enemies to Learning in general, alledging that I am one of the most considerable Champions and Ring-leaders of this Faction, having been an intimate friend and associate of Odowd's, best knowing him;

Page 27

so bold and dull an Ignoramus that he shames the Gallows, a wretch that is a disgrace to his most Disgraceful Party, and withal an Atheist. 'Tis well the Galenists have found out a Mercenary Fellow, that will take upon him to personate what they invent, and for some small reward excuse them, and suffer the Lash himself; being we believe so fit for their Humours and Complexions, that if they say aestuat, it is hot weather, (though quite con∣trary) he will forthwith protest, sudat, he is all in a sweat: Otherwise I would have remit∣ted their venemous Arrows, and directly have aimed at the Authors that first drew the Bowe at me, and have neglected this durty Fellow whom they make use of for a sleight Bulwark to shelter themselves and their untruths; how∣ever I make no question to penetrate them through his side. Mendacium servile vitium. To hire and to be hired to derogate from any by Slanders, Calumny, and Pseudologies, argues a base slavish Spirit unworthy any man, but especially a Physician. Are these Dog∣matical Candidates? if so, nigro carbone cos posthaec annotabo, Ile mark them hereafter for black sheep.

Have ye no other way to evade the trial of Essential Physical Truths (which if I maintain

Page 28

not demonstratively let me perish) but by countenancing your Servant wrongfully, and publickly to disgrace and represent me to be companion and copes-mate of those, who (if they were as they are set down by you) ought not to have a being in this Nation; accusing me as Ring-leader and Champion of them in those wicked Designs you tax them with. Whether those you call ignorant persons, especially Mr. Odowd, (whom 'tis confessed I did sometime meet with upon a very reason∣able and justifiable account) be guilty of those Crimes that are laid to their charge, (malici∣ously as I conceive in great part, and upon false grounds) I shall not undertake to venti∣late or discuss, let them plead and vindicate themselves. However, grant them and my self never so bad as you say. Yet Truth is Truth, and will stand firm in despite of all your undermining, cryptick, and subterranean workings, to blow up the Propugnators and Defenders of it. I desire to appeal to all so∣ber, discreet, honest, and impartial men that know me intus & in cute, whether I ever pro∣posed or joyned with any to carry on any base unworthy thing in this Chymical Enter∣prise, above the Glory of God, the increase of Vertuous Actions, the Honour of his Ma∣jesty,

Page 29

the benefit of the Nation, the promoti∣on of Learning) as I have sufficiently explain∣ed my self in the 20. Chapter of Galeno-pale) the melioration and reformation of the state of Physick. If this ought to be reputed Fa∣ctious, I desire to be the Ring-leader and Champion of such a Faction.

As for that intimate friendship between me and Mr. Odowd (which your Halophant di∣vulges) it is as arrant a Truth as that you are real friends to Chymistry, unless it be per An∣tiphrasin. Indeed I alwayes looked upon the Gentleman as a queint Courtier endued with good natural parts, and might deserve well of his King and Countrey, according to his sta∣tion, without justifying his Illiterature, sup∣posing withal that were true (which I former∣ly much suspected) that he had acquired so potent and active an Arcanum as he relates, and some do now testifie, above any Weak and sluggish Preparation in your Dispensato∣ry: To your grand shame be it spoken, that such an Illiterate person, (for which Defect I have heard him sometimes ingenuously con∣dole himself in the presence of several know∣ing men) should outvie your learned Igno∣rance in that which is principally desired by every Sick man; but I never had that favour

Page 30

for him that we could set our Horses so toge∣ther, as to be intimate and throughly to know each other, but alwayes kept a loof to avoid scandal.

But now methinks I begin to have a little more then ordinary respect, and to draw a lit∣tle nigher him, since this remarkable Diabolos (belonging improperly to those of Amen, who ought to make good the Etymon of the word, with which some I think are resolved never to associate themselves intimately) traduced, slan∣dered, maliciously and falsly accused him for an unparallel'd Knave, Villain, and Atheist. From that time there came to me a Testimo∣nial Note of Mr. Rawlinsons Cure, signed with his own hand, I began to think better of him then before, and conceited the Devil was not so black as some that painted him. The satisfaction I received in that particular was this.

Whereas Mr. Will. Johnson hath in Print reported ill of Doctor Odowde's Relation, touching a CURE perform∣ed upon me: I do by these presents attest, That the Relation published by Doctor

Page 31

Odowde is in every Circumstance, and in the whole most true. Witness my Hand the 7th. of June, 1665.

Richard Rawlinson. Signed in the presence of us,

  • Will. Goddard.
  • Mar. Nedham.
  • Edw. Coke.

If this Fellow (notwithstanding his Ma∣sters Protection) deserve not to be Whipped about the Pig-Market, and every Chymist in England to have a Lash at him, let any judge that is truly sensible of the loss of a good Name. I hope no man will be so mad to credit him for the future; for, qui semel est semper praesumitur esse malus.

FINIS.
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