Another collection of philosophical conferences of the French virtuosi upon questions of all sorts for the improving of natural knowledg made in the assembly of the Beaux Esprits at Paris by the most ingenious persons of that nation / render'd into English by G. Havers, Gent. & J. Davies ..., Gent.

CONFERENCE CCVII. Of the Bezoar. (Book 207)

THis word some think is deriv'd from the Hebrew Bel, which signifies King, and zaars Poysons, as if it were the King or Master of Poysons, which are subdu'd more powerfully by this than any other remedy. According to Scaliger, Bezohard is taken by the Arabians for that which preserves life, and so the Stone will have borrow'd its name from its effect. Cardan saith, there is a poysonous root of this name, which bears a fruit call'd Niraebri, which is an Antidote to it. This stone is divided into Natural and Artificial. The Natural is of two sorts, viz. Animal and Mineral; yea, Plants and every thing good against Poysons is commonly term'd Bezoardical, But the Name primarily be∣longs to a stone found in an Animal, called by the Persians Pasan, or Pasar; which Animal, Monardes saith, is of the bigness, and almost of the shape of a Stag, having two Horns large at the base, pointed at the top, and bowed over the back like those of a Goat, which it resembles in the feet, and something too in the form: Whence some term it Trag-elaphos, i. e. a Goat-Deer, though this be a different Animal, having short Hair, and a skin between grey and red, and sometimes of other colours. The Indians take them in nets for the stone's sake, which they sell to Merchants. For though the Beast is so furious that it breaks any other link but those of Iron, yet the price of this stone is so great that it makes the danger despicable. He adds, that it is so nimble that it casts it self down from an high Rock, and lights upon its horns without any hurt; and that its pace is leaping and bounding like a foot∣ball. All agree not in what part of the Animal the stone grows. The Arabians write, that this and all other sorts of Deer find∣ing themselves old and sick, by their breath draw Serpents out of their holes and devour them, that so thereby they become young and well again; after which finding themselves heated by this food, they run into the water, and stay there without drinking till their heat be over; during which stay in the water, this stone is bred in the corners of their Eyes, whence it is taken for the uses abovesaid. But Monardes more probably learnt from the Inhabi∣tants of the Mountains of China, that in the Indies near the River Ganges, these Goat-Deer after their eating of Serpents

go about the tops of the Mountains feeding on such Herbs as Nature hath taught them resist Poysons; of the quintessence whereof mix'd with that of the Poysons, the Bezoar is by some particular virtue produc'd in some cavity of their Bodies; Garsias ab Horto, and Acosta say, in their stomack; particularly in that reduplication by which they ruminate: others, as Fragosus, in the kidneys, because some stones have the figure of that part, which also is the most lapidifick of the whole Body; and others too, as Rabbi Moses the Aegyptian, in the Gall; which opinion Monardes himself is of though he admits too that it is found in the Ventricle, Intestines, and other cavities of the Body: As, indeed, there is no place in the Bodies of Animals, but stones may be generated in them. However, 'tis universally acknow∣ledg'd so useful, that the hunters are expresly commanded to car∣ry them all to the King, who buyes them at a great rate, and they are not transported elsewhere but clandestinely. Amatus Lusitanus saith, that one of the richest Presents which Cochain King of the place sent in his time to the King of Portugal, was one of these stones, a little bigger than a Hazle-nut; of which ha∣ving observ'd the great effects, he procur'd others to be brought from that Country. These effects are the curing of Pestilential Fevers, the Leprosie, Small Pox, Epilepsie, Worms in Children, bitings of venomous Beasts, and generally against all Poyson; particularly, 'tis very proper for faintings, — and other effects of Melancholy. Whence 'tis us'd in Quartan; Agues to appease the Symptoms thereof, and Charles V. took it often; yea, 'tis observ'd in some Hospitals, that the bare powder of this stone temper'd in water, communicates its virtue thereunto, so that it hath cur'd the Purples and other Epidemical Maladies.

The Second said, That such as design'd to get themselves Re∣putation in Physick, finding many Diseases unconquerable by common Remedies, that they might not remain idle, and suffer the defect of curing incurable, and rebellious Maladies to be im∣puted either to their Art or their Ignorance, have had recourse to the Foxe's skin, proposing the use of Remedies so rare and hard to find, that their Imposture might not be discover'd. Hence, some have so highly extoll'd precious Stones and Gold, which not fifty years ago the poor were perswaded, cur'd them by being boil'd in Restoratives, though the rich, who made use of the traud, found their gold Chains as heavy afterwards as before, (in case they lookt well to them, in the boiling) and consequently, that no Vertue was deriv'd from them. Of this kind is the Bezoar-stone: touching the Original whereof we see how Authors differ, and a few moneths ago an Animal was shewn in this City very different from that above-describ'd, which they term'd Pucos, and affirmed to be that which bred the Bezoar. Besides, the difficulty of discerning the true Stone from false, which probably are the most numerous, must needs render the use of it suspicious; since even in the time of Serap on it was

sold falsifi'd, which, he saith, was unprofitable, but I think ra∣ther mischievous. And Clusius complains, That the Merchants of Lisbon would not suffer the usual trial to be made for distin∣guishing the true from the adulterate. Neither do Authors agree about those trials; some accounting it a sign of Goodness, if the Stone hath nothing but a little dust in the Center; whereas the falsifi'd (say they) have some Seed, or other solid body there, upon which the other Materials were superinduc'd: others think, the right hath always a straw in the middle. Wherein we may observe, that the several scales or folds it hath one over another, like those of an Onion, or the Stone of a man's Bladder, which are made by new apposition of matter, agree not with the above-mentioned manner of its being made all at once. But in whatever manner and place it be produc'd, I think it can act on∣ly by its manifest Qualities which alone are active; the Effects of occult Qualities being as hidden as themselves. Besides, how could these Treasures and Presents of Kings to be so common at this day, in all Shops, if they had such great Vertues too as are attributed to them. Wherefore 'tis most likely, that the Ava∣rice of Men hath added this to other popular Errors.

The Third said, That as no Sect is more easie than the Pyr∣rhonian or Sceptick, which doubts of every thing; so 'tis a very obvious Invention for such as are willing to decline inquiring into that vast treasure of Remedies, which are dispers'd from the Concave of the Moon to the Center of the Earth, and into the trials which may be made by their almost infinite preparati∣ons and mixtures, to reject all upon pretext of Incertainty in Philosophical accounts. But though the shortest, I doubt whe∣ther it be the best way; since Experience shews us many Effects which depend not upon Qualities; and, they that decry the Bezoar, because it acts not by manifest Qualities, admit others which do as little, viz. Elective Purgers, Splenetical, Hysteri∣cal, and other appropriate Remedies, though in some cases even of a contrary temper to the parts they are apply'd to. Which error happens, from our always making Qualities Causes; where∣as oftentimes they are Effects. Besides, 'tis great pride to deny whatever we understand not; since the most knowing agree that they see only through a cloud, and the chief effect of Beatitude will be, To be ignorant of nothing. And why should the facul∣ties of Antidotes depend more upon first Qualities than those of poysons do? since they ought to be contraries, and contraries are under the same Genus. Wherefore it sufficeth to recur to Au∣thority and Experiment. Indeed Hippocrates and Galen knew not Bezoar; yet neither do wee reject Sena which they knew not, and which is one of the commonest and best Medi∣caments we have. But all the Arabian Physicians concurr in this point, and Serapion particularly affirms, that this Stone is a po∣tent Antidote against all poyson in the bitings of venemous Beasts; and so efficacious, that not only three or four grains of

it held in the mouth, enervate poysons; but the powder apply'd to a venemous Animal, stupefies it, and takes away its power of hurting; so that some parts already begun to corrupt by their biting, have presently been restor'd to their first estate by its single application. Avicenna, in the fourth Chapter of his second Canon ranks it with Treacle, amongst Alexipharmacal Remedies which preserve health, and strengthen the Spirits. Rhasis, in his Continent, affirms, That he found more admirable Faculties in Bezoar, than in all other Antidotes; and in his book to Almansor, he saith, That Remedies for resisting poyson, that assault the heart, and offend by their whole substance, are in vain prepar'd, if Bezoar be left out; which alone, he saith, re∣sists the poyson of Napellus or Monks-hood the most pernicious of all. Avenzoar, in his Theyser, writes, that a man given over for dead upon taking of poyson, was cur'd by three grains of Be∣zoar. Peter de Abano (call'd the Conciliator) affirms, That Edward I. King of England, being wounded with a poyson'd sword in the war against the Sultan, and ready to expire, was cur'd by some of this stone given him by the General of the Templars: and that the bare wearing it resists poyson. Monardes affirms, That with this Stone in less than a quarter of an hour he cur'd a certain Licentiate, whose body was already all swell'd by having once drunk, and another time eaten poyson; and that a poyson'd Maid, after the useless tryal of all other Coun∣terpoysons, was presently cur'd by this. The same Author pro∣duces a great number of Syncopes, Pestilential Feavers, Verti∣goes, Epilepsies, and other Diseases cur'd by this Remedy; which is the more excellent in that it is insipid and void of all the bad taste which accompanies most other Remedies. These Ex∣amples are further authoris'd by the publick voice, which can∣not be easily outweigh'd by the few persons that undertake to bid defiance to Antiquity, and to accuse it of ignorance or fraud, though it be not wholly destitute of Reason. For since 'tis grant∣ed, that Viper's flesh is necessary in Treacle to render the same efficacious against the bitings of that Animal, (it being necessa∣ry, that something intervene of a middle nature between ours, and that of the Viper, as its flesh, is being void of venom, but susceptible of it) why should it be deny'd, that Bezoar which is produc'd of something that hath poyson, and something that resists it, may serve for a medium to subdue the same in our bo∣dies. The objections to the contrary are either general or par∣ticular. The former concern only Mountebanks, who are left to answer them; it being incredible that a good man, much less a Christian, would deceive in a matter so important as Life; which yet may be as often indanger'd by rejecting good remedies upon vain Argumentations, (to say no worse) as by prescribing those that are unprofitable. The Objection against Gold and precious stones makes as much against the Confection de Hyacin∣this, and others, whereof they are ingredients; but they that

have well consider'd those rich Bodies, find virtues to issue from them which impair not their weight; as is observ'd in Quick∣silver, the decoction whereof kills worms, though its weight re∣main the same; and in the Regulus of Antimony, a cup where∣of renders liquors purgative in infinitum, without any diminution of its substance. As for the diversity of Opinions touching the generation of this Stone, this difficulty is found almost in all for∣reign remedies; and though 'tis not known, Whence Amber comes? yet we find its perfume excellent, and its use profitable in Physick. Nor is Adulteration proper only to Bezoar stones, but common to Balm, Civet, Storax, Rhubarb, and, in a word, to all other remedies; and the abuse ought not to prejudice the use, since the same Authors that have observ'd these impostures, teach us also to avoid them. Clusius makes tryal of them, by passing a poyson'd thread through a Dog's Leg, and when the Symptoms of the Poyson have made him fall down as dead, if upon taking a little of the powder of this Stone, he revives, 'tis right; if not, 'tis falsifi'd. Monardes's tryal is by breaking the stone, which ought to appear made of several films thicker or thinner according to its bigness, which is commonly equal to that of an Olive, and almost of the same colour, though some are found to weigh two ounces, and the biggest are the best; but the Surfaces must be all smooth, the inward more than the out∣ward, in the middle of which is a powder of more efficacy than the outside, or a straw or little piece of dry'd Herb, not a seed as there is in the fictitious; those that are vers'd therein know how to avoid being abus'd, and adjudge the Oriental better than the Occidental, which are darker and weaker. It matters not as to the truth of the effect, in what manner this stone is gene∣rated; though 'tis not impossible for several Tunicles to be pro∣duc'd together, as those of the Onyon are. In fine, such may the rarity of Bezoar have sometimes been, that only great per∣sons made use of it; but its admirable effects have made men curi∣ous to procure store of them, which they may the more easily do even by their means who decry them, the Apothecaries thereby having always some left in their shops.

The Fourth said, That in order to know well the benefits of Bezoar, 'tis requisite first to be agreed What it is; which point is not yet determin'd. Scribonius Largus conceives it the hardned tear of a Stag a hundred years old: Others, think it a Mineral; others, a stone bred in an Animal, so contrary to Nature that the Animal that breeds it is exceedingly tormented with it, especi∣ally if be big; which the hunters guess by seeing them go with pain, as Men do that have the stone in the Bladder. Yea, 'tis not agreed in what part of the Body 'tis found, though this in∣dication be necessary towards the discovery of its virtue; since stones found in the Gall are of another Nature and Properties, than those of the Reins or Bladder. Moreover, the colour of these stones is extreamly various, not to mention the difference

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which proceeds from that of Climates; the Occidental being al∣most without virtue in comparison of the Oriental. Whence it follows, that no certain unquestionable property can be assign'd to this stone as to other Remedies, which act always in the same manner; otherwise there would be no Science. But should the Bezoar have an Alexipharmacal Virtue, yet it could be but like that of other Bodies, which act proportionally to their bulk. Now what proportion is there between three grains of an insipid powder which causes no evacuation, or other sensible action; and a mortal poyson, whose cruel Symptoms discover themselves as speedily as fire doth when put to matter susceptible of combusti∣on? And I appeal to the testimony of all those that have made use of it in our Age, whether they ever found the effects that are attributed to it. Whence it follows, that it is doubly to be re∣jected; First, because 'tis of great cost to the Patient; Secondly, it takes up the place of some other good Remedy, causing loss of time which might otherwise be profitably employ'd in re∣lieving the sick.

The Fifth said, That Poysons and Epidemical Diseases hurt not by their manifest qualities, nor by the quantity of their matter; as appears in the biting of a Scorpion, which casts forth an imperceptible quantity of venom. And therefore 'tis not to be expected that their Remedies should act either by such quali∣ties, or by their quantity. Nor are we to doubt of the effect of Bezoar, under pretext that 'tis given in few grains, though some have given twenty and thirty grains; and that the ordinary dose is about nine or ten grains. Neither is it material whether it be the stone of the kidneys of a Goat, Deer, or the tear of a Deer, provided it have the Virtues ascrib'd to it, which is no more in∣credible than that which Scaliger affirms, himself try'd in the Stag's tear, which, he saith, so melts Men's Bodies that are either poyson'd or infected with the Pestilence, that they seem turn'd all into water, and thereby are cur'd. To which Expe∣rience, there are few well employ'd Physicians but can add many more. Nor is any thing said against Bezoar, but what may be ob∣jected against all other Antidotes, as Sealed Earth, Unicorn's Horn, and all Cordial Remedies, whose Virtue may as well be question'd as that of Bezoar.