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SOme few months agone,* 1.1 I visited a Patient together with some learned Physitians and skilful Chirurgeons. Now they, as it oft-times happens, in way of discourse, begun to argue of the condition and quality of wounds made by Gunshot, and indeavoured to prove that they might be
poysoned, by five reasons. Not truly through the occasion of the Gunpowder, for they all con∣fessed that it was free from poyson, whether you have regard to its essence, or to its composition; but by the Bullet,* 1.2 into which the poyson may be transfused and incorporated. The first reason is, that Lead seeing it is of a rare and spongious nature, which the easiness of melting and softness argues, is very fit to drink and soak in what liquors so ever you please. But methinks this conclusion is very weak; for in all mixtures made by Art, such as this is whereof we speak, there are two things to be considered; that is to say, the matter of the things which enter into the mixture, and the form: for the matter, such bodies must be either liquid or soft, or friable; and lastly, such as may be broken and divided into small particles, that so they may easily in all parts concurr and be con∣joyned and united. But for their form, there ought to be a certain affinity, consent, and sympathy. You may perceive this by Water and Oyl; for each of them, though of a liquid substance, and such may easily be mixed with divers other things, yet cannot they be mixed the one with the other, by reason of their antipathy of forms. For thus gold and silver are so agreeing with lead, that as oft as they are molten, lead is mixed with them. But Brass shuns Lead, as much as Gold and Silver fly Tin and white Lead. If therefore Brass and Lead being melted cannot be mixed toge∣ther, though contained under the same Genus, and common nature of Metals; how then can it be commixt with another thing distinct in the whole kind, much more in species, and form, to wit, poyson? Their second reason is this; Iron, say they, which is more dense, solid, and less porous, may receive some venenate substance and quality, as the Arrows of the Ancients which were dip∣ped in poyson, testifie; therefore must Lead much more be capable thereof. I answer, that the surface of Iron may be poysoned, but not the inner part or substance by mixture therewith. But here the question is of union, but not of anointing or inunction. The third reason is thus framed; though (say they) Lead casts off and purges it self, from the dross and unpure parts, yet that is no argument that it will not commix, or soak it self in some strange liquor or body; for thus Steel, be∣ing the most solid Iron, receives the temper which hardens it by the artificial pouring upon it or quenching it in liquors contrary thereto in their whole kind. I answer, that Steel admits into it by that quenching and tempering, none of the juyces or liquors wherewith it is watered or quenched. For if that were necessary, it might be better and more easily performed, when the metal is first cast, than when it is beaten into plates or bars; which answer shall serve to confute their fourth reason; wherein they say, that Bullets may be made so poysonous by the commixture of the juyces of Muncks-hood, Oleander, Crow-foot, and other such like things which in their whole substance are contrary to ours, that the wound which is made with them cannot but be poysoned. But I on the contrary affirm, that mixture is only of these things, which may not only be put, but also stick thereto, and be mutually united; but how can water, or any other liquid juyce so much as only stick to Lead, as that which is a solid and firm body, it is so far from being united, therewith? You may give more certain judgment hereof by experience, than by reason; wherefore let melted Lead be put into the foresaid juyces, or the like, then when the Lead is cold, weigh each of them severally and you shall find, that both of them retain the same weight they formerly had. Which is a most certain argument, that neither the Lead hath mixed or united it self with the juices, nor the juices lost any part of their substance. Their fifth reason is thus; A bullet shot out of a Gun against some hard stone, grows not so hot, but that you may presently without any harm take it up in your hand. Therefore it is false, that the poyson commixt and united with the bullet can be dissipated by the fire & flash of Gunpowder. The answer to this objection is easie. For when we say, that although the bullet may be infected by poyson perfectly commixt with the Lead, yet all the force of the poyson would be dissipated by the fire; we would have you thus to understand us, that we do not mean this of that fire which is made by the powder at the discharging of the Piece, but of that by force whereof the molten Lead is mixed and con∣joined with the venenate juice, so to make one of many. For this fire exercising its force upon the venenate juices hindered by the intercourse of no Medium, and that for some space of time, and not for an instant, it may, if not consume, yet much weaken their strength. If there be any, who will not be satisfied by these reasons,* 1.3 let him consult, and read Mathiolus. There are (saith he) some in these later times wholly ignorant of things, who (if we may say the truth) have been so madly foolish, that they said it was fit and requisite to put Treacle and Mithridate, and such like Antidotes amongst Gold and Silver that was melted to make Cups, that so receiving the fa∣culties of the Antidote they might resist poyson. But how absurd and ridiculous their opinion is, let them judg, (for it needs no clearer reproof) who have but a little knowledge in natural things, but chiefly in metals. These are my reasons, these the authorities of men excelling in learning and judgment, that confirm me in my ancient and former opinion, that, Wounds made by Gun∣shot do not partake of any venenate quality.
The occasion of this Apolo¦gy.
The reason of our adversa∣rie that the Bullets may be poysoned, set down and contused.
In praefat. l. 6. Diascor.