The surgeons mate or Military & domestique surgery Discouering faithfully & plainly ye method and order of ye surgeons chest, ye uses of the instruments, the vertues and operations of ye medicines, with ye exact cures of wounds made by gunshott, and otherwise as namely: wounds, apos fumes, ulcers, fistula's, fractures, dislocations, with ye most easie & safest wayes of amputation or dismembring. The cures of the scuruey, of ye fluxes of ye belly, of ye collicke and iliaca passio, of tenasmus and exitus ani, and of the calenture, with A treatise of ye cure of ye plague. Published for the service of his Ma. tie and of the com:wealth. By John Woodall Mr. in chyrurgerie.

The Epilogue, or Conclusive part of this Treatise: Wherein the Author relateth, of his own sufficient ex∣perience, yet one Antidote more, for the whole Cure of the Plague; being a Cordial Pouder made of Gold, and by him called Aurum vitae; whereon, by Gods mercy, the Patient may rely, as upon a safe Antidote.

A Cordiall Antidote, called Aurum vitae.

THis Medicine, at one onely time given, taketh away the Pesti∣lentiall Feaver, and thereby cureth the Plague, that the Patient is oftentimes well the next day, it being given upon the first day of the Patients complaint, with the observation of certain easie rules hereafter prescribed, concerning the order of administring thereof, and it is an easie and safe Medicine, insomuch that any infant, although it suck upon the mothers breasts, may safely take it, yea, and easily may be induced to receive it into the body, for that it is of a very small Dose, and is without any offence in taste or smell to any: also, it may safely be given to any woman that is great with childe, whereof divers trials have been had, with safetie and comfort.

* 1.1 The dose or quantitie sufficient thereof for a man or woman to take at any one time, is but eight grains; and by that proportion, any discreet person may gather what may be given to any younger per∣son: viz. A childe of two full yeares old, may safely take two grains; and a child at foure or five years old, may take three grains; and one about eight years old, may take foure grains; one of foure∣teen years, or thereabouts, may take fixe grains; and one of eigh∣teen, nineteen, twentie years old, or more, may safely take the full of eight grains.

* 1.2 And note, that this Medicine performeth its operation onely by Sweat, which is the truest and safest way of the enterance upon that Cure (for the most part) and also it doth it without any moving the body either upwards or downwards; namely, it causeth no Vomits nor Stooles, neither is it at all nauseous to the stomach, nor any wayes causing extraordinary thirst nor faintnesse, as some, yea, and most of other Minerall Diaphoreticks doe: But, on the contra∣rie, the Patient, when his sweating is over, shall manifestly feele cherefulnesse, as being much refreshed thereby, with also an abate∣mant of his pains, and his Feaver will utterly be gone at the onely once taking thereof.

* 1.3 Neither shall the Patient need to be over-burthened with too many Clothes, to force him or her to sweat, for the Medicine of it self suf∣ficiently performeth that duty; onely he may be ordered to have somewhat more to cover him, then the ordinary Coverings he usu∣ally lyeth under; and the Room likewise ought to be kept very warm, with a good fire therein, for that cold aire in time of sweat∣ing is obnoxtious and dangerous.

* 1.4 And further, this Medicine may be kept seven whole years, and longer, if be; for it being truly prepared of Gold, is permanent above other medicines, and it loseth not his vertue as vegetable Medicines do: but as Gold, that most excellent Mineral, excelleth all other Minerals in price and true value; even so doth the truely prepared Medicines thereof as far exceed all other Mineral Medi∣cines in their vertues, as well in the preserving and defending mans body from diseases, as also in curing their infirmities, when by Gods permission they seize upon the bodies of men.

And whereas other Mineral Diaphoreticks commonly work two wayes at once, namely, both by Sweat, and also by Vomit, whereby they firecely distract the Patient, and produce fearful symptomes, as if Death it self were at hand, by the oppressing Nature in too vio∣lent expulsions at one time; yea, often times by a third, viz, by purging also downward. But this most truly safe and easie sweat∣ing* 1.5 Medicine performeth as much as it promiseth pleasantly and without rigour, or nauseous offence, as well in the Plague, as also in other contagious diseases, where Nature striveth to thrust out her venemous enemy per poras cutis, or by the sweatholes; and that course of curing, is of all other the safest, in a contagious disease, at the first entrance, which then consisteth rather of poysonous va∣pours, then of putrifaction of humours; in which regard, the aforesaid course is safest: for it is a fearful course, yea, and a des∣perate one, to purge in the beginning of this most contagious di∣sease.

* 1.6 This Medicine is also approved good to be given in the beginning of any contagious Ague or Fever, hot or cold; and for the most part, it cureth it at once giving, whether it appear to be Tertian, Quartane, Quotidian, or intermittent Ague.

The course to be held in the taking of this Antidote.

FIrst, the Patient is to be demanded, if he had any stool that day,* 1.7 or the day before, and if yea, all is well, if otherwise, let him have onely a Suppository, that may move him once: and when he hath had one stool thereby, proceed without any delay to the administring of the Antidote, for delayes are dangerous. Where∣fore, without any further protraction of time, goe on to take the antidote.

And the party that taketh it ought to lye in his warm bed, fitted with sufficient coverings, before he take it in, then let him take his me∣dicine, either mixed with some cordial thing, as a little Mithridate, ture Treacle, conserve of Roses, or Quinces, or give it onely mixed with the pap of an apple, and so it is easiest taken in by infants, as I suppose, for it needs no addition at all, to add vertue to it, onely the addition chiefly serves, as a vehicle to carry the Medicine without wasting into the stomack, for that it is a powder small in quantity, and therefore subject to be wasted in taking.

* 1.8 Also the party that is to take it, must have ready made before hand, an ordinary posset drink, of Ale and milk, to the quantity of a quart, very warm, and when he hath taken in his medicine, shortly after let him drink a reasonable full draught of his posset, well warmed, and then lying on the one side, let him be warm covered head, face and all, leaving full breathing scope, and so in Gods name let him lye still, and sweat gently, if he can bear it 3 or 4 hours, were best, and ever as he thristeth, let him freely take warm posset drink, which were best to be given him in some Cruet, or spout pot, that he take no aire, raising himself up in drinking, and when he hath performed his due sweating, let him be wiped dry, and shifted, aud then give the patient some warm broth.

And the next day he may by Gods mercy safely, as for himself, go abroad, but for the day of his sweating, let him keep within, and give him food competent, in a sparing quantity, such as is of a light dige∣stion: and deny him not drink, so that it be somwhat warm at the fire.

Thus much for those which take the medicine within 24 hours of the first conplaint.

Item, unto such as the disease hath taken greater hold of, namely that before the receipt of the aforesaid medicine or Antidote, the patient have outward tumors, as Botches, Carbuncles, or Blains not yet bro∣ken, nor ripe, if he take the medicine as aforesaid, and sweat well up∣on it, the venome of the sores, shall through Gods mercy, be so evaporated by his sweating, that they shall decline of themselves, and not at all come forward, and if any after do break, as being for∣merly suppurated, before the medicine took place, they shall as or∣dinary boyles, easily and quickly heal, with every mean medicine.

* 1.9 And notwithstanding, generally, one sweating serveth, yet neverthe∣lesse, if occasion be, the patient may safely take a second dose, or pro∣portion, yea and a third without danger, as diverse have done; and so he may be the more confident of answerable successe, namely, of the full and safe recovery of his perfect health, by Gods mercy: never∣thelesse, if he find his desire by the first, of reasonable health, let him not take a second, and if by a second, not a third.

When any person, desirous to take the benefit of the aforesaid medicine, having an Ague, or Fever, with paroxismes or fits, let him not take the medicine in the time of the fit, but one full hour before the fit, and rathermore, but if the Fever be continual, give it at any time in manner aforesaid, although the patient be in distemper, and burning, for if he take it, and his burning change into sweating, which the vertue of this Medicine usually produceth, the fear of death in the Patient, is half over.

And further of a truth I can affirm, that I have cured some by this last mentioned antidote, that had the pestilence, or spots of the Plague, vulgarly called Gods Tokens upon them, and are yet living witnesses.

And whereas our blessed Saviour, as appeareth in the Holy Scriptures, by a Parable declareth, that a certain man gave to sun∣dry of his servants, Talents to trade or occupy with, to one more, to another lesse, and afterwards (as He might justly do) He ex∣acted an account from each of them, highly blaming that servant who had not profited his Master by his Talent, but had hid it in the ground.

Also, in another place He sheweth his dislike of lighting a Candle and puting it under a bushel, advising us rather to put it on a Candle∣stick, that it may give light to others.

And further, we are commanded not to forget to do good, and to distribute, and that whilest we have time.

All which precepts, together considered, I esteemed it my duty (as commanded) to imploy my short talent of healing, which God hath lent me, to the utmost for his Glory, and the good of others; and for that reason, as in part I have thought fit here following to publish by testimony, what good the aforesaid antidote hath done already, onely in Westminster and Northampton, not accounting at all whom without testimony it hath healed, which hath bin very many, more then by testimony is fitting for me to produce.

THE Copy of a Certificate, concerning the Vertue of the last precedent Antidote, called Aurum vitae; from the Justices, Minister, and other the Officers of the Parish of S. Margarets Westminster, as it was by them presented to the Right Honourable, Henry Earl of Manchester, L. Privy Seal, &c. which by his Lordship was presented to the rest of the Lords of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Councel.

WEe the Inhabitants of the Parish of S. Mar∣garets in Westminster, whose names are here under written, do most humbly certifie your Lordships, and that upon our own knowledge, that in this time of visitation of the Plague, Feavers, Agues, and other Diseases, which have been very grievous and great afflictions unto us: It pleased Almighty God, by the hands of one John Woodall, Chirurgion of the East-India Company, and of his Majesties Hospital of Saint Bartholomewes, in London, a learned, judiciall, and ex∣pert man, which said Iohn Woodall, about five weekes before Michaelmas last, delivered unto some of us, who were Officers in this said Parish, an Antidote composed in Pills, which he had made up, with direction how they should be administred to such as had the Plague, Feavers, Agues, or any such violent Diseases, that then remained amongst us; which said Pills have been im∣ployed very carefully, according to his said directions, and administred to threescore several persons, some of this new Feavour, some of the small Poxe, some Agues, and some other Diseases, but most to them that were visited with the Plague, which had Risings, Sores, Car∣buncles, Blaines, and were certainly known to have

that fearful Disease, all which Persons recovered, and not one of all them that hath taken the said Pills, dyed, (thanks be given to Almighty God) neither can we do lesse, then publish the great skill, judgment, and chari∣ty of the said Iohn Woodall, by whose industry and care, this Antidote hath wrought so good effect, and did bestow them freely, without one penny of recompence for the same.

Westminster, the 6. of Octob. 1638.

• Pet. Heywood.
• Robert White, sub-Curate.
• Thomas Mar. Richard Protter. Church Wardens.

Copia Vera.

• William Hawkins.
• Edward Martin.
• Tho. Kirke.

A Copy of a Certificate, from the Mayor and Justices of Northampton, with a further Refe∣rence to the Report of one M. Wyly, an experien∣ced Surgeon of the said Town.

* 1.10 WEe the Mayor and Justices within the said Town of Northampton, in the County of Northampton, whose names are here under writ∣ten, do hereby certifie, that upon due examination and in∣quiry taken within this Liberty, we do find, that in the late Visitation of the Plague, Feavers, Agues, and other Disea∣ses, which have been very grievous and heavy unto us: It pleased Almighty God, by the hands of one John Woodall, Chirurgion of the East-India Company, and of his Maje∣sties Hospital of Saint Bartholomews in London, a learned, judicial, and expert man, besides others: Which said John Woodal sent in Summer last to one William Wyly, a Chirur∣gion in Northampton, an Antidote composed in Pills, which he had made up, with directions in Print how they should be administred to such as had the Plague, Fevers, Agues, or any such violent diseases, that then were violent in this Liberty; which said Pills were imployed to divers persons very carefully according to his directions, as we find, and administred; and that by means thereof divers recovered, and none of them dyed (thanks be to God) there: As by a Note of some particulars, under the hand of the said Wil∣liam Wyly may appear.

In testimony whereof,

we have hereunto set our hands and seales this three and twentieth day of January, 1638.

• Richard Fowler, Mayor.
• William Eollis.
• Francis Fisher.

The Copy of a Report of one M. Wyly, a Surgeon of Northampton, concerning the former Certificate.

Good Sir,

WHereas about the beginning of July last, when our Town of Northampton was much visited with the Sicknesse, you sent me a Cordial Pow∣der, of eight Grains to the Dose, for the Cure of the Plague, desiring from me an account of the operation thereof; I thought fit to signifie unto you, that I have found it ex∣ceeding good for the said Disease, farre above my ex∣pectation, having administred the said Powder to the parties hereunder named, and divers others, too long to recite.

And first, I gave it to one Symonds son, a Plummer, who was dangerously sick of the Plague, and by once taking of that powder, was perfectly cured.

His Mother presently after falling sick of the Plague, and in great danger, was cured by taking it twice.

Likewise to one Brownes daughter, her Father and Mo∣ther being dead of the Plague, and she her self dangerously sick, and prayed for in the Church, who by once taking of it was perfectly cured.

Also one Widow Allets Maid, her daughter being dead before of the Plague, and the Maid dangerously sick, by the taking of one Pill was cured and well the very next day.

Also I gave one Pill to a Boy of James Fairnes, and it cured him.

Likewise, I gave one Pill to one Good-Wife Jackson, a very old woman, and she was cured therewith.

Likewise, to one Brownes Wife I gave a Pill, and she was cured therewith.

Likewise, to a Child of one Taubots I gave a Pill, and he was cured therewith.

Likewise, I gave a Pill to one Mistris Huicksmans daugh∣ter, and she was well cured thereby.

And to a Maid of M. Hills, who had a putrid Feavour, and was cured thereby.

Likewise, to one Mistris Coopers son I gave one Pill, who was cured of the Plague thereby the very next day.

Likewise, to M. Smiths daughter, being very sick of the Plague twice, and was twice made well the next day fol∣lowing.

Likewise, to one Spooners daughter, being sick of the Plague, and she was made well the next day.

And to a Child of one Packwoods I gave a Pill, being sick of a putrid Feavour, who voided Worms of above half a yard long, and was cured.

To one Goody Smith, a Maulsters Wife, I gave two Pills, she being very sick of the Plague; by the first, she had a Swelling appeared; and the next day I gave her another of the same Pills, which provoked her again to sweat, whereupon the Swelling vanisht away, and she became thereby perfectly cured.

I could recite divers other Cures in like manner by your Powder performed, but for troubling you with tedious re∣petitions: Wherefore I will thus conclude in the commen∣dations thereof; that I administred it unto many, and of all those I gave it unto, that either had the Plague, or any contagious or putrid Feavours, it cured them, and none that took it dyed under my Cure,

Yours to be commanded, William Wyly.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Dose of Aurum vitae.
• * 1.2

  The effects of it.
• * 1.3

  The order in ad∣ministring of Aurum vitae.
• * 1.4

  Of the continu∣ance of its ver∣tue.
• * 1.5

  ••itnesse Hippo∣crates Lib. 21. Aphor. ••. Quo natura vergit ••d loca confe∣rentia co du∣cere oporter.
• * 1.6

  For Agues or Fevers that are contagious▪
• * 1.7

  Nam mora trahit pericu∣lum.
• * 1.8

  Necessaries to be provided be∣fore the taking
• * 1.9

  Of two or three times taking if the disease re∣quire.
• * 1.10

  Villa North∣hampton.