CHAP. III. In what humor the malignity of the Lues Venerea resides.
THough in the opinion of many the antecedent cause of this disease be the mass of blood containing the four humors, yet I had rather place the matter, and primarie, and chief seat thereof in gross and viscid phlegm infected with the malign quality of the venereous venom, and from this begining and foundation, I think by a certain contagious growth, it sooner or later infects the other humors, as each of them is disposed or apt to suffer: Of which my opinion there are many arguments, but this chiefly, That by the evacuation of a phlegmatick humor, whether by the mouth and salivation, or by stool, urine, or sweat in men of what temper soever, whether cholerick, sanguine or melancholick, the disease is helped or cu∣red. Secondly, for that the excess of pain is more by night then by day, because then the phlegm bearing sway, severs the periestium from the bone, or else offends it and the rest of the mem∣branous and nervous bodies by the acrimony of its malignity. Thirdly, because the patients are hurt by the use of cold things, but usually finde benefit by hot medicines, whether they be ointments, plaisters fumigations, or whatsoever else, inwardly taken, or outwardly applied. Fourth∣ly, for that in venereous pustles there is found a certain hardness at the root, though outwardly they make shew of choler or blood: For being opened, you shall finde them stuffed with a cer∣tain plaister-like and tophous matter, or else with rough phlegm, or viscous pus; whence arise these hard tophi, or bony excrescences upon the bones, if not from phlegmatick humors there heaped up and concrete. Fifthly, for that the spermatick and cold parts do primarily and principally feel the him of this disease. Sixthly, for that the ulcers which over-spread the body, by reason of this disease; admit of no cure, unless you cause sweats. Therefore if the matter of the disease, and such ulcers as accompany it, were hot and dry, it would grow worse, and be rather increased by a de∣coction of Guaicum, the roots of China, or sarsaparilla. Seventhly, because oftimes this disease, the seed thereof being taken or drawn into the body, so lieth hid for the space of a year, that it shews no sign thereof, which happens not in diseases proceeding from an hot matter, which causeth quick and violent motions. By this it appeareth that the basis and foundation of the Lues venerea is