Two treatises. The first, of the venereal pocks: Wherein is shewed, I. The name and original of this disease. II. Histories thereof. III. The nature thereof. IV. Its causes. V. Its differences. VI. Several sorts of signs thereof. VII. Several waies of the cure thereof. VIII. How to cure such diseases, as are wont to accompany the whores pocks. The second treatise of the gout, 1. Of the nature of the gout. 2. Of the causes thereof. 3. Of the signs thereof. 4. Of the cure thereof. 5. Of the hip gout or sciatica. 6. The way to prevent the gout written in Latin and English. By Daniel Sennert, Doctor of Physick. Nicholas Culpeper, physitian and astrologer. Abdiah Cole, Doctor of Physick, and the liberal arts.

OF THE FRENCH POX.

CHAP. I. Of the Name and original of the Veneral Disease.

AMongst contagious diseases, next to the Pestilence, and Leprosy of Arabians, the French Pox doth challenge the first place; but it is called by several names: * 1.1 the most common name is the French Pox, which was therefore imposed, because it first of al in Europe appeared amongst the French. For in the yeare of our Lord 1493. and 1494. When Charls the Eighth, King of France, waried with King Alphonsus at Naples, this disease first appea∣red and began to rage in the Camps of the French, and therefore by the Italians was first of al named the French disease. For whereas Antonius Benivenius de abdit. morb. caus. cap. 1. relates that it happened in the year of our Lord 1496. that doubtless is thus to be understood, That now this disease did no longer contain it self in Italy, but as he speaks, had almost spread over al Europe, and began to diffuse it self abroad through the rest of its provinces; for al other Authors agree in this, that this dis∣ease did first of al appeare at the foresaid time in the French Camp at Naples, * 1.2 and there was called the French disease. But the French that they may remove this disgrace from themselves, and retort the injury upon the Italian, cal it the Italian, and Neapolitan disease, because it was first known in Italy at Naples. Others because it was brought by the Spaniards into the Fench Camp, cal it the Spanish disease, and others the Indian, for the writers of the Indies do report that in that part of America, whose longitude ends towards the North, and which they cal Florida, this disease many ages ago was epidemical; and they write that it did generally invade, and suddenly seize on many without any manifest cause, without contagion, and especially if any one had copulation with a woman in the time of her Courses. Fracastorius cals it Syphilis, some the gout of the privicies, * 1.3 some the great Pox, because pustles and swellings do every where break forth like those of the smal Pox. Most men now adays without any injury or disgrace to any Nation, do cal it the Veneral disease, because it is chiefly contracted by a contagion from Venery, and lying with unwholsome bodies.

But Authors are wont here to make this Quaerie, Whether that diseawse sprung up at Naples about the yeare 1494. were a new disease, or whether it were known to the Ancients? Franciscus Vallesius. 1. Epidem. com. 1. And Hieron Rusnerus de Scorbuto exercit. 1. and the some other moderns, are of opinion this disease was unknown to the ancients, and they think that Hippocrates did not shadow it

out by his pencil, but set it forth to the life in 3 Epid. Sect. 3. (they are the words of Reusner) whenas he reckons up there divers symptomes, which are seen in the vene∣ral disease; as imposthumations and suppurations of the flesh, the lying bare of the nerves and bones, and great fallings forth, fluxions collected not like unto matter, but far worse, a baldness of the head and chin, with and without a Feaver, St. An∣thonies fire with smal Ulcers and inflamation, filthy and putrid fluxes, pains of the limbs, swellings about the jaws, inflamations of the tongue, impostumations, about the teeth, stammering, corrupt, and perplext speech, enterings into con∣sumptions, burning Feavers, and which is worst of al, ulcers about the pubes and privities.

But Hippocrates in that place never so much as dream'd of the Veneral disease, but describes a most grievous pestilence, according to the judgment of Galen and al interpreters, and the evidence of the History it self witnessing the same. For that disease for the most part invaded with a Feaver, which is not so in the Veneral dis∣ease and was epidemical, whenas the Veneral disease is disseminated only by con∣tagion, and no other way, and the method of curing that disease was far different from the cure of the veneral.

Dodoneus also hath observ'd upon the alleaged place of Benivenius, that a long time agoe some men have contracted some hurts from uncleane and filthy women, as Gui∣lielmus Salicetus, Gordonius, and Vallescus de Taranta, do testify, the last of which lived in the year 1418. but Salicetus flourisht in the yeare 1270. Gordonius in the time between them both. Nay holy writ doth testefy that he that followeth harlots, shal have wormes and moths for his reward: but I do not think that those diseases were the same with the Veneral disease of this time which first of al ap∣peared at the aforesaid time in Italy in the Camp of the French. Therefore though Paracelsus, lib. de tumorib. et ulcer. morb. Gal. cap. 3. Writes that this hapned in the yeare 1478. * 1.4 and lib. 1. de causa luis Gal. cap. 3. In the yeare 1480. yet he differs from the relations of al others, since al agree in this, that this disease was not known in Europe, before the yeare of our Lord 1493. although it were endemious in the west Indies a long while before, and was brought by the Spani∣ards out of India into Italy. For when Christopher Columbus in the yeare 1492. in the month of September undertook his first voyage into the west Indies, and spent almost two years in that expedition, he returned into Spain in the yeare 1494. whose Souldiers being infected with that disease in India, and afterwards serving in the Italian expedition, did sow amongst them this disease. For as Gabriel Fa∣lopius writes of this business de morb. Gal. lib. 1. (Who reports his Father was in that warre) whenas the Spaniards by reason of the deareness of provisin did drive out the unserviceable multitude, the French did privately entertain their harlots, being allured by their beauty, and so infected with their contagion contracted this disease, which afterwards was first of al spred through their camps, & hence through∣out Europe.

Yet in some Countries it hath and doth yet spred more frequently, in others 'tis more rare, to enquire into the cause whereof, it being a thing hateful we shal for∣beare; yet this I think is certain, that there are fewer sick of this disease in Germa∣ny, than in some other Countries. Gabriel Fallopius makes mention de morb. Gal. cap. 76. Of Jacob Carpus, who was the first almost that used the way of cure by unction of Quicksilver, who by this cure alone grew so rich, that he left befides Silver, 40000. Golden * 1.5 Scutatces. And Capivaccius reports in tractat: de lue Vener. cap. 12. In fine, that he hath gotten by the cure of the French Pox only above 18000 Crowns of Gold. And L. Septal. l. 7. animad: n. 186. writes that at Millaine in Brolius Hospital, there is oftentimes cured seventy in the spring only, and at other seasons alwaies two hundred. But I confess ingeniously, that within these 34 yeares which I have practised at Witeberge, and by Gods blessing I do it not without profit, that I have not gained by the cure of this disease so many

Crownes, as Capivaccius hath got thousands of them, by reason of the fewness of them that are sick of this disease in this place.

Yet others differ concerning its original, and think that this disease was not on∣ly disseminated by contagion from the Spaniards, but think it was contracted by the fault of the Ayr, as epidemick diseases are; when as many every where in diverse countries began to be sick of this disease without any contagion; of which here∣after.

Chap. II. A History of the Veneral Disease.

BUt concerning the original of this disease we shal speak more hereafter when we shal treat of its causes: now let us enquire into its nature, which that it may succeed more happily, and that it may appeare, where lyes the controversy, i•• wil first propound its description and history out of creditable Authors which then lived especially Hieron Fracastorius, and Anton. Benivenius. When this disease was first made known, there rose pustles of divers kinds in the genital parts, somtimes also the head, principally in the hairy part, somtimes also the forehead, neck, breast, duggs, armes, and other parts, and from thence did spred over the whol body, in some indeed they were flat and low, but rough on their surface, when the scales were fallen off, of a color somwhat red, and the flesh under them appeared callous; in others they were like to warts, of a round figure, which grew to the magnitude of an acorn cuppe whose figure also they resembled, and from these the lighter scales ful∣ling off did hang forth a more tuddy flesh, from w^ch did flow forth a virulent in••••r and of a strong smel; but some were taken with larger pustles, which did ••otswel above the skin, which had thicker scales, from which also did flow a more pleu••••∣ful virulent matter, and the scales being cast, the flesh appeared more dark and som∣what livid. Some having white scales taken off there remained somwhat like unto a skar, from which blood sometimes flowing, did shew the difficulty of the cure, and it represented the likeness of a dry scabb, a disease worse than al the rest. For though it did corrode less, yet for spreading it was worse than the rest, and was diffused into divers places. Besides those external pustles there did rise others in internal places, as in the mouth, jawes, nose, and the obscene parts, which turned to malignant and creeping ulcers which eat away the parts under them, and in some eat up the Nose, in others the lipps, in others consumed the Uvula, and perforated the palate, which caused their voice to be hoarse; neither did this evil spare the bones, but caused rottenness in them, whence some had their skul, others other bones ful of holes. Neither did those pustles and signs of the disease appear only in the external parts obvious to the eye, but it was observed in some, that those pustles & filthy ulcers had possest their very bowels. They that had this evil about their up∣per parts, had vitious distillations, which did sometimes eat their palate, somtimes the jaws and consills, in some their nose, and in others their eyes. Furthermore for the most part certain gummosities grew on their limbs in great deformity. For of∣tentimes they were prominent the bigness of an egg, oftentimes the size of a Loare, which being opened, there appeared a white mucilagmous mucous: that tenaci∣ous callus, happened most of al in the Arms and Thighs, in some it was exulcerated, somtimes it continued whole until their death. There came also cruel pains with exceeding torment, which were exasperated towards night: but those pains did shew themselves about that part of the bones where is no flesh in the Leggs, shoul∣der-blade, about the collar-bone, in the shoulders, head, about the forehead and temples, somtimes also in the breast bone, but not in the very joints, but about the muscles and nerves. In which case notwithstanding there was great variety. For some had pains without pustles, some pustles without pain, the greatest part was affected with both, and truly those pains somtimes went before the pustles,

somtimes followed, and sometimes rose together with them: in the interim al parts languished, the body pined away, the appetite was dejected, watchings, sadness, and continual anger, and desire of repose possest them; sometimes a smal Feavor accompanied them, but seldome: their blood, if a Vein were opened, was mucous, and corrupt, their urine thick, fat, and somwhat red without a Feavor, they went hardly to stool, and the excrements were mucous and dry. The shedding of the Hait is frequent in this Disease, especially in the Head, about the Temples, and the hinder part, also of the eybrows, and of the beard in men; oftentimes also Bu∣boes break forth in the groin, therefore called Veneral and Gallical, which some∣times vanish again, somtimes grow hard, somtimes suppurate; there rise also in the privities of Women knobs, and in men in their Arie-hole, besides somtimes there happen chops and clefts in the hands and feet, and the thick Skin in the palme of the hands departs from the skin under it; sometimes also the nails fal off: At last there happens sometimes, that in men a virulent matter flowes through their yard, in women through their privities, which flux of virulent matter is commonly called the Gallical or virulent running of the reins, although in∣deed it is not feed, by which flux of the y••rd, the inward passage is exulcerated, and certain caruncles do grow in the urinary passage, whence they pisse ••ot, and there is caused a dropping of the urine with pain. And this was the face of that disease at its first fise, w^ch as Hieron Fracastorius relates, since that time seems to be altered. For almost twenty yeares after its original there began to appear fewer pustles, but more gumoseties, and the pustles became dryer, and the paines more cruel. Six yeares after again there was another change, for now there were very few pu••••les seen, and almost no pains, or much gentler, but many gumoleties, and which seen••ed won∣derful in al, the shedding of the haire made men almost ridiculous, some appearing without beard, some without hair on their eyebrowes, others with bald pates, from which change Fracastorius had good hopes, and did think that the old age of this disease was now entring, and that ere long it would come to pass, that it could not propigate it self by contagion, because the matter grew dayly ••••icker, in which both fewer, and weaker seminaries are produced: but his hope did much deceive him, and this disease last even in these times, nay as some think, 'tis wel••nigh worse than it was of old.

CHAP. III. Of the Nature of the Veneral Disease.

SInce then so great a Hodge-podge of diseases and Symptoms appear in this affect, we must diligently enquire what the nature of it is, of which divers Authors have their divers opinions, and as Epiphanius Ferdinandus writes of this business, in Hist. Med. Hist. 17. the Authors which have writ of this Disease, although they amount to the number of eighty (and perhaps more) are al almost differing concer∣ning the Ess••••ce of this Disease, and every one defines it at his own pleasure; for whenas this Disease was unknown to the Ancients, nor described by them, nor they had not, * 1.6 as is usually wont to be, the opinions of the Ancients to insist upon, eve∣ry Modern using his own liberty hath proposed his own Opinion. Truly I think this is not doubted, that 'tis a Contagious, Malignant and Venenate Affect; neither doth it seem to want any great pains to prove it, for it appears sufficiently by this, that in so smal a quantity of matter, by which this Disease is contracted by conta∣gion, there is so great force and power of action, as no first quality, or the tempe∣rament made up of the first qualities can have; and the variety of Diseases and Symptomes in this evill is so great, that it cannot be reduced to any manifest cause; therefore as in pestilent constitutions, such as that A••tick one was in Thucidides, and that which Hippocrates hath described, 3. Epid. there was so great a multi∣tude of evils, that they were forced to fly to occult qualities and a venenate cause; so also, there being so great a filth of diseases and symptomes in the Venerous

Disease, that the original of them all cannot be refer'd to any manifest quality, here also we fly to a malignant and occult quality.

But although these things be thus, yet Authors differ stil of this, * 1.7 whether that malignity consist only in the cause, or whether there be also some malignant Dis∣ease present. Capivaccius, de Morb. Gal. Cap 1. thinks this affect not to be the Disease, but the cause, while he defines the Veneral Disease, * 1.8 that it is an excre∣ment wholly preternatural, ab••e to hurt man many waies, produced out of humane substance by its like.

Thus also Hercules Saxonia, de lue Vener. Cap. 1. writes, * 1.9 that the Veneral Disease is the Cause, not the Disease nor the Symptome, therefore, because it can exist our of mans body in Linnen, or other such kind of vertues, besides in the sweat, Seed, and Blood, being seperated from the body; but within mans Body it infects and poss••sses also those parts which are not living and are not subject to Dis∣eases, viz the humors and spirits.

Aurelius Minadous de virulentia Vener. holds that 'tis neither the disease, * 1.10 nor the cause, nor the symptom; nor the disease for this cause cap. 17. because 'tis neither a distemper, nor evil Composition, nor a solution of unity: but he denies it to be the cause of the Disease, Cap. 9 since that is properly the preternatural, the cause be∣tween which and the Action there fals a medium, viz. the disease whenas the disease is that which doth next of al hur the Action, but the cause doth hurt it by interven∣tion of the Disease; but between the Veneral virulency and the action hurt he thinks there fals no medium, but that of it self by its own strength doth promarily and immediately vitiate and hurt the operations; but that the Veneral virulency doth of it self and primarily hurt the operations, he thinks this is confest am••ngst Physitians, and therefore deems it to be presupposed, and unless this virulency did of it self and primarily hurt the operations, so many Physi••ans would no have la∣bored in searching out its nature. He proves it is no Symptome, Cap 18. be••••••e it is no action hurt, nor quality changed, nor excrement altered That it is no action hurt, he proves by this, because the veneral vitule••cy it sel••••is that which hurts the actions; neither is it any qu••lity changed because the qualities changed to follow the actions hurt, and besides so many diseases are seen in this virulency which are not Symptomes. But Aurelius Minadous himself, when he had rejected a••••ne opinions & definitio••s of others, at length he fi••s himself to make a per••ect definition and to explain the nature of this evil. But first of al Chap. 16 he pre••uppores this as the ground of his opinion, viz that the French Disease ought not to be defined by a quality, but rather by the name of a body, for this reason, because it passeth from one body to another, which is the propriety of bodies not of qualities, and because it toucheth other bodies, for none but bodies can touch, and be cough•• again, as Lu∣cretius hath it. Again, if it were a quality, it were either mani••est, or occu••••, no manifest one, as he proves rightly by many Arguments; but that it is no occult quality he brings no special Argument, but repeats the general one, because 'tis mo∣ved from place to place, and toucheth other bodies.

This presupposed, afterwards Chap. 30. he affirmes the Veneral virulency to be somwhat corporeal internal, and truly a spirit or a vapor, for this reason, be∣cause 'tis carried, commuicated, and participated in a very short space of time. Yet he holds it to be such a vapor which is endewed with an occult quality and ve••••ue from its whol substance, or the whol mode of its nature, by reason of which quality it cannot only infect any humors of the body, but also al parts of the body, and corrup•• them & turn them to its own likeness: but that this evil consists in a spiritu∣al substance, he further proves, because some are infected not only by the act of Venery, but also by a Kiss, or the use of garments: next of al, because some have felt no other hurt from this evil, than only the falling of their hair, because the ••oots of the hairs were gnawed off by the acrid vapors. Thirdly, because some only by ve∣hement exercise have discussed this virulency. Yet he denies that vapor or spirit to be properly an excrement, Chap. 20. whenas that is properly an excrement, which re∣dounds from nourishment, & which is cast off from another: although he grants there

that is commonly called an excrement, whatsoever is superfluous in the body, whether it be a spirit, or humor, or some other solid body, whether it be usual, or unusual, whether according to nature or preternatural; furthermore he holds this vapor to be wandring, thin, and viscid, Chap. 21. and to be raised from a spirituous, humorous, solid substance: but he proves Chap. 22. by many Arguments that this vapor is contrary and preternatural by its whole substance, of which we shal speak hereafter; and at last Chap. 27. he desines the Veneral vitu∣lency, that it is a vapor by its whol substance inimicous to the natural faculty, working by degrees. And that he might unfold his mind more clearly, and not leave the Reader doubtful, to what kind of things preternatural this vitulency ought to be referred, when as he had said before, that it was neither the Disease, nor the cause, nor the Symptome, yet it primarily hurt the actions; at length Chap. 28. he holds that 'tis an externall error, and he endeavors to prove it by this Sylogisme, whatsoever doth primarily hurt the operation, and is not of the constitution of the body, is an external error, but the Veneral virulency doth primarily hurt the operation, and is not of the constitution of the body, therefore 'tis an exter∣nal error.

Some that they may briefly quit themselves, and hold with al men, say that this dis∣ease is a heap of al evils, Diseases and symptomes.

That we may clear our selves out of this difficult controversy, * 1.11 first of al 'tis alrea∣dy proved, and shal be proved more at large hereafter, that they are in the right, who do here admit of an occult quality, and a power depending on the whole sub∣stance, as they commonly speak; neither can they hold any other waies, Since 'tis without doubt, that 'tis a contagious and malignant disease while it is such. I•• per∣formes two things, to wit, it alters the body by which it is received and changeth it to its owne similitude, and indeed it alters it not by the first qualities: as shal be said by and by, since it is not expeld by the first qualities; neither is that change alwaies with putrefaction, whenas putrefaction is not induced but by a long time, but this change is made in a moment as it were; neither is it an adustion as John Baptista Montanus, and some others do h old, whenas there is not alwaies a hot & dry distemper present, neither is it cured by cooling and moistening things, and oftentimes there is a fordid putrefaction, in which there is no exustion.

But whereas they hold this malignity is only in that matter seated without the li∣ving parts, * 1.12 and that there is no such disease present, in this they erre very much. In∣deed we willingly grant, that that contagious inquination, sent forth from the bo∣dy infected with the veneral disease, may adhere to the garments; neither do we deny this, that the humors in our body may be tainted with the same, yet in the in∣terim it doth scarce follow, that the living parts remain free and found; for as in a purrid feaver, though the humors and spirits do first grow not by the feaverish heat, yet afterwards the living parts are seized on by the same distemper, so though the humors in the Veneral disease are first infected by that occult malignity, yet there is no cause why the same fault may not be communicated to the living parts.

But though some do acknowledg that this cause cannot be idle, * 1.13 yet whenas they know nothing beyond the manifest and first qualities, they endeavour to reduce al∣so the effects of the veneral virulency to manifest causes. John Baptista Montanus as was said even now, thinks the essence of this evil consists in a hot and dry distem∣per, but the cure tels otherwise, whenas 'tis cured by hot and dry Medicines, as by the Decoction of Guajacum and the like: besides, because there is a great putre∣faction in the Humors, which doth not proceed from a hot and dry distem∣per.

Nicolaus Massa de Morb. Galli. Cap. 5. * 1.14 saith it is a coldness of the Liver, declining to a little driness with an occult quality: but as concerning the occult quality he writes truly, but that it is no cold distemper, the effect doth teach us, as the Ulcers, rottenness of the bones, and the like; and what other distemper soever they alleage. Yet they produce nothing agreeable to the Diseases and

Symptomes, which appear in this Disease, nor to the Cure.

Therefore when as the action of the veneral virulency can be referred to no ma∣nifest quality. We may wel say that by that is induced an occult quality: * 1.15 For first of al every efficient cause is said to be a cause from the nature of its efficiency, and therefore this malignant quality doth not only alter and change the humors, but also the living parts into its likeness: again, though the morbifick cause be taken away, and this disease seem now to be overcome, yet unless that malignant dispo∣sition be destroyed the man recovers not his perfect health. For it hath been observed that the Veneral Disease hath somtimes grown fresh after thirty years past, which doubtless happened not because the Vitious Humors lay so long hid in the body (for these would have sooner discovered themselves by their signs) but because that malignant disposition imprest on the body was actually there, which afterwards, by degrees produced vitious humors, and corrupted, and so broke forth into act; and Trincavellius, Lib. 11. de curand. rat. particul. affect. cap. 11. reports, that a certain Woman brought forth a Child sick of the French Disease, and every whereful of crusty Ulcers, whenas she her self never had any sign of that Disease contracted, but was alwaies wholly wel, and on the contrary it may happen, that one may have a French Ulcer, which yet, when that Malignity is distroyed, is no longer rightly said to be Gallical, but is cured by vulgar Medi∣cines as other Ulcers.

Al which being thus, we conceive the the Veneral Disease, doth not only exist in the Humors, but also in the living parts, and that it doth consist not only in the change of the first qualities, but also there is an occult malignant quality im∣printed on the parts, and therefore the veneral Disease is to be referred to diseases, and those of occult qualities. Which are called by Fernelius diseases of the whol substance, but not on every part rightly explained, as we have said before, the which if Capivaccius, and Saxonia had known, the one would not have de∣fined this evil by the excrement, nor the other by the cause. * 1.16 if the same also had been known to Aurelius Minadous, he would not have endeavoured to main∣tain that this evil was no Disease, but an external error. For whereas he endea∣vors to prove that the veneral Disease is not a Disease of the similar parts, because it is not a distemper, nor an evil composition, nor a solution of unity, in this proof he labors to no purpose, for al this we willingly grant; but this he ought to prove, that there is no other kind of Disease in the similar parts besides the distem∣per of the first qualities; but that there are such diseases, which Fernelius calls of the whol substance, we more rightly, of occult qualities, is sufficiently proved above, part 1. and this very Disease, as all other venenate Diseases do shew, that it can be referred to no other kind than to malignant qualities; & this follows from Minadous his own supposition, and confession, which he hath Cap. 20. where he writes, that the Veneral virulency hath power not only to infect al Humors, but al parts of the body, and to corrupt and convert them to its own similitude. The same Minadous if he had known these Diseases, had not taken so much pains, to what kind of preternatural things the veneral virulency ought to be referred. For first of al there was no need of excluding from the number of causes, those vitious Humors, which are found in the bodies sick of the veneral Disease, and have po∣wer to alter and change the Humors themselves and parts of the body. For whereas he saith, that is properly the cause, between which and the action hurt the disease doth interceed, that is true of the next cause, but the antecedent causes also may do hurt, as they have the Nature of a vitious object, and external Error: and in this very Disease whiles the virulent Humors do imprint a malignant qua∣lity on he parts, between them and the action hurt that Malignant disposition and occult quality doth intercede. Therefore whereas he thinks that Humor or venenate vapour in the veneral disease, doth imediately hurt the action, 'tis false, unless that humor have the nature of an external error. For al hurt actions in the Veneral disease do happen, whiles between them and the humor, or malignant

vapor, a midling diseafe doth intercede, to wit, that of occult qualities.

But whereas he denies the Veneral virulency to be a quality, * 1.17 and holds it to be a body, first of al he confounds the cause and the disease, next of al he doth not dis∣tinguish between the quality and its subject. For whiles we say the Veneral evil, we understand either the disease it self, or its cause: if the disease, that is a quality, as al diseases are, to wit a preternatural disposition of the parts, and indeed an occult and malignant quality: but if the veneral evil be taken for the cause, either w^ch without, being communicated doth induce this disease; or which is in the body, which raiseth divers diseases and symptomes, and can infect others, we grant that cause may be called a body. But we must take notice, that those humors or vapors are not said to be causes, as they are bodies, but as they have an occult and malignant quality, which Minadous himself cannot deny, while Cap. 20. he writes, That that vapor or spirit, which he cals the veneral virulency, is endewed with an occult quality and vertue, depending on its whole substance, by which it is able not only to infect any humors of the body, but al its parts, and to corrupt and convert them to its own similitude. For what similitude is that I pray, to which the Veneral virulency converts not only the humors, but also the parts of the body, unless it be that occult quality with which that vapor is endewed?

Whereas last of al, Cap. 38. he refers the Veneral virulency to external error, be∣cause it primarily hurts the operation, and is not of the constitution of the body. But before denied it to be either the disease, or cause of the disease, or symptome, in vain doth he multiply things, preternatural; for there are not more preternatu∣ral things, than the disease, cause, and symptome; and the Veneral virulency, as he describes it, doth wholy belong to the causes two manner of waies, for either it induceth the like disposition into the parts of the body, or it raiseth other diseases while it eats and exulcerates the parts. But whenas he saith the Veneral disease taken for the cause, * 1.18 is a vapor or a spirit, that is rightly to be understood; for in∣deed it can no way be denied, that it is a humor also, whenas in copulation 'tis rub∣bed against the body, and sticks in the cloaths: yet such is its nature, as 'tis also of other contagious humors, that though it be resolved into vapors and the least bodies, yet every one of them contains its whole essence, and hath power to af∣fect others: and this thing may be declared by musk, castor, and the like. For those things, though they be bodies, and humorous too, yet are such, that though they be resolved into the least bodies, nevertheless they retain their ful strength. After the same manner it is in the Veneral disease, and other contagious diseases, in which though the malignant and contagious humor, he resolved into the least bo∣dies, yet every one of them obtaines the same essence, and vertue, and power to in∣fect others. But whereas he thinks that humor and vapor is not to be called the cause, but an external error, in that also he is mistaken: for an external error be∣longs unto the causes, from whence the Symptomes arising from an external error, are called the symptomes of the cause; where this also is to be observed, that Phy∣sitians do not vouchsafe the name of the cause to the next cause only, but also to the antecedent, which do not yet effect the disease: therefore there is bad nourish∣ment by reason of vitious humors, although they have not yet imprinted a distem∣per, and vitious disposition on the parts: but whereas he denies the Veneral viru∣lency, considered as a vapor to be the cause, because it hurts the actions not by the mediation of a disease, but next of al, and imediately, he presupposeth that which is not yet granted, and so begs the question: for this spirit or vapor hurts the very constitution of the similar part, and imprinteth on it a malignant quality; the which he himself cannot deny, whiles Cap. 23. he holds, that by this disease of venery many actions are hurt, but not al in al people; but the hurt of the natural faculty is common to al, and that there is none, that is possest with this disease who is not troubled with some fault in his natural actions, and hence proceeds al that filth of excrements, and the gummosities arising from thence, tumors, pustles,

pains, running of the reins, ulcers, rottenness, and such like evils; and that the Veneral virulency hath a peculiar enmity, and discord with the natural faculty, and is inimicous to it by its whol kind, that is, by its form, by its specifick faculty, by its whole substance, and occult propriety: but he further describes the enmity against the natural faculty, that it is by its nature destructive to the natural spirit, that the Veneral virulency hath unspeakable qualities, hindering the generation of the natural spirits, and those not manifest, but occult. But whenas there is requi∣red to a natural action, the soul, the temperament, and the innate heat, or the implanted spirit, and the influent heat, he further concludes rightly, that the soul is not hurt, as that which can no waies suffer, nor the manifest temperament, as was proved hitherto, but chiefly the implanted spirit or the innate heat: al which whenas they are so rightly spoke, and the Veneral virulency is an enemy to the implanted spirit, and truely not by manifest qualities, but by its form, by its specifick fa∣culty, by an occult propriety, by which it indeavours to change not only the hu∣mors, but also the living parts, and the implanted heat in them into its own simi∣litude, certainly the like malignant quality, is induced into the parts: which vitious & malignant quality, what other thing I pray is it, than an occult & malignant disease?

Al which being thus, we rightly conclude, * 1.19 the Veneral evil is an occult and venenate disease; for it is induced by causes of that kind, and immediately exer∣ciseth such effects which cannot be referred to any manifest distemper, but onely to an occult quality; neither is it cured by medicines that work by manifest qualities, & correct known distempers, but by proper and specificks, which al Physitians at this day, and especially those who lived at the beginning of this disease have restified, and to their own and patients damage have found it true. For when they followed the common way of cure, and could do no good for the cure of this disease, they began to be despised by many, til the Spanish Physitians shewed them medicaments brought out of the Indies, and bold Chyrurgeons ventered upon Quick-Silver.

But that al this may be made clearer, * 1.20 we must enquire what is the subject to this disease, concerning which physitians do differ. Some have thought the privities are first insected: for by these parts for the most part, this evil is contracted by im∣pure copulation, and the footsteps of this disease, unless it be perfectly cured, do chiefly appear about the privities; the but is easily excoriated in venery, the flesh oftentimes remaines callous for a long time, with a running of the reines, and break∣ing forth of buboes in the groin. But though it cannot be denied, that oftentimes the original of this evil is from the privities, and doth chiefly discover it self in that place. Yet that doth not happen alwaies, * 1.21 but the same disease may be contracted by kissing, sweat, embraces, vestures, nay infants also may be infected by the milk they suck from their nurse, & they that are infected after this manner, have not this disease appearing in their privities.

Some, as Leonicenus do hold, say that the skin is the subject of this evil, as in the scab, tetter, and the like affects: but the skin alone is not alwaies affected, but other parts also, the privities, the jawes, the bones which become rotten, * 1.22 nay sometimes also the internal parts. Hercules Saxonia de lue Vener. Cap. 3. maintains a threefold subject; one in the beginning; another in the middle; another in the disease confirmed: in the beginning he holds that the natural spirit is affected or the vaporous part of the mass of blood, then the juyces and excrementitious humors, at last the alimentary humors, but in process of the disease, adust humors; and the parts affected are the sto∣mach & liver, & thence chylification & sangification are hurt; but when the evil is old, flegmatick humors are the subject of it, & the parts affected are simelar, bones, nerves, membranous bodies: but we willingly grant, that as the disease is new, or old, so and also sometimes more, sometimes fewer parts are possest and corrupted; as we deny not this neither, that the excrementitious humors are easier corrupted than the ali∣mentary, whenas nature doth alwaies more defend the profitable humors, than the excrementitious, into which without any difference this evil doth easily almost dif∣fuse it self, but indeed the question is not here, what may be infected by that viru∣lency; but this is the Querie, what is the subject of this disease, which we have

demonstrated to be; for as in putrid feavers the spirits and humors wax hot, yet are not the subject of the feaver; so also though a malignant quality from the Veneral virulency be imprinted on the humors; yet they are not the subject of the disease, but only the living parts, and which of them is the subject of this disease is the que∣stion: and whiles that he somtimes holds the Liver and stomach, sometimes the similar parts to be the subject of this disease, in that he is wavering, for whether the disease be new or old, the subject is the same.

There were some others also, * 1.23 who held those parts we cal spermatical, the ner∣vous and membranous, were the subject of this disease; but not only the membra∣nous and nervous parts, but also the fleshy parts are affected in this disease.

Others hold the Liver to be the chiefe subject of this disease, and this opinion is most consonant to truth, * 1.24 but when as many other parts are affected, 'tis conveni∣ently to be explained, as shal be said by and by.

Aurelius Minadous de virul. Vener. Cap. 34. first of al presupposeth this, that there is no peculiar member in our body, * 1.25 which is alwaies affected in the Ve∣neral virulency, which is true in its way, whiles somtimes this, somtimes that part is affected; next of al he holds that this viulency is chiefly an adversary to the natural actions, or rather to their faculties, which natural power when as it is in al parts the veneral virulency is not an enemy to one part in speice, but to al, in which that power is. In the third place he adds this, That that natural vertue implan∣ted in the natural parts, doth performe its operations without any influx, and that there is no natural faculty influent, as there is an animal influent; secondly he con∣futes them in particular, who hold the Liver to be the first and perpetual subject of this disease, for it may come to pass faith he that one after an impure copulation may presently suffer an exulceration in his privities, whom certainly no body wil deny to be infected with the Veneral disease, whenas yet in him the Liver is not affected: and the same reason is for other parts, which are first affected by contagion; nay he holds, that one external part being infected, the humors in the body may be in∣fected without any hurt of the Liver. In the interim he cannot deny this, that this evil doth most properly and chiefly appear, when the Liver is affected, when as the operations of the Liver are necessary to the whol body. The same Author Cap. 4. endeavors to prove, that the Liver is not the subject of the Veneral disease, whenas the face saith he is the index and truest glass of the internal affects of the body, yet especially the affects of the Liver doe appear in it; therefore if the Liver were perpetu∣ally affected in the Veneral disease, also the color of the face should alwaies appeare vitious, the which we have found false by experience; for we have seen both men and women infected with this disease, who notwithstanding have had a fresh color in their face, and the evil hath been in their privities: again he thinks, that by car∣nal copulation the privites may first of al be affected, and from thence the evil may creep through the veins, and by the spirits, to the other parts of the body, and as one part is more apt and disposed than another to receive the infection, so som∣times this, somtimes that is infected, but not alwaies the Liver.

That we may cleare our selves of this controversy, first of al we must enquire from the actions hurt what part is affected, * 1.26 and what faculty is opprest; but though divers actions hurt that part in the veneral disease, yet al of them cannot bring us to the knowledg of the first and proper subject. It happens indeed somtimes, that there are pains felt in the head about the muscles and bones, but that is not alwaies. Somtimes also the hurt happens in the external and internal sence, but this also is sel∣dom: somtimes putrid vapors are inflamed, and hence a Feaver is raised, which some∣cal a French Feaver, but this also happens seldom. In like manner 'tis in other diseases and fymptomes. One action is hurt which is common to al that are sick of the vene∣ral disease, viz. nutrition is corrupted; hence we see that in those who are possest with this disease, the color of their body is changed and sulled, and sometimes turns black, somtimes of a lead color, somtimes livid. There arise every where in their body divers kinds of swellings and bunchings out, also ulcers, the bones rotten, the hairs fal off, al which proceed from corrupt nutrition. From which we conclude that

the veneral disease is primarily an enemy to the natural faculty: * 1.27 but 'tis no won∣der that this poyson is only an enemy to the natural faculty, whenas there are other poysons, which are inimicous to other faculties: thus the poyson of the pestilence and many others are enemies to the heart, cantharides to the bladder, mad night∣shade and opium to the animal faculty.

Whence that we may briefly conclude the business, this evil indeed may be con∣tracted by one member, yet if it be spread into more from that one, that comes to pass because the Liver is infected: yet because this poyson hath principally an en∣mity with the natural faculty, and the fountaine of that, or chiefe seat is the Liver, that also is primarily infected with this virulency, and through that the rest of the parts contract this evil. Therefore whereas Minadous objecteth, the color of the face is sometimes fresh, therefore the evil is not yet communicated to the Liver, but stil sticks in the privities which were first of al infected, and the force of this virulence is sometimes greater, sometimes less; from whence also 'tis sometimes sooner, some∣times later communicated to the Liver. Besides, this evil consists not in the first qua∣lities, but in occult, whence 'tis no wonder, that that malignity may consist in the blood, which to the appearance is good; but al those things wil be yet made clearer by the discovery of the causes.

Chap. IV. Of the Causes.

BUt concerning the causes of this disease, two things are to be explained, the first is how at this day the Veneral disease is contracted; the other is, * 1.28 what was its original when it first appeared. At this day indeed I think this evil is no otherwise contracted, than by contagion, and that 'tis manifest that every Veneral pox is not contagious Hercules Saxonia, lib. de lue Vener. cap. 3. Holds that every Veneral pox is not contagious, and that which is old and confirmed is for the most part less contagious, than that which is new, and of a middle age, * 1.29 and that which discovers it self by knobs, is not contagious; and he endeavors to prove it, first of al by reason, because the contagion is placed in a hot and movable excrement, but when nothing breaths forth from the part affected, which can be communicated to another, the disease then is not contagious, and therefore because in the knobs there is no such ex∣crement contained, or if it be contained, it is not carried to the genitals, therefore that disease shal not be contagious; next of al by experience, for he writes that a certain noble man of Padua, who had used Guajacum almost twenty times, and was thrice anointed with quicksilver, yet could never be cured, and though he lay with Vir∣gins yet he never infected them: and out of Antonius Musa he relates of one, who had a wife possest with the Veneral disease about her breast, yet he never contracted the disease.

But here we cannot assent to Saxiona, but we hold that every Veneral disease is in its manner contagious; but whereas he objects against us experience, it doth not follow, that if one sick of the Veneral disease doth not actually infect another, that the disease it self is not contagious; for that an effect may follow, there is ne∣cessary both an agent, and a disposition required in the patient. Hence we see that many do converse with those sick of the Plague, and are not infected, yet we must not conclude from thence, that that Plague was not contagious: & Gabriel Fallopius de morb. Galli. Cap. 22. makes mention of twelve Schollars, that had to do with one whore, yet of al them, three only were infected. And Saxonia himself affords an answer to this argument, while he writes, That this disease is not contagious if nothing breath forth from the part affected, which may be communicated to another, the which may happen in the knobs and callosities; or if any thing do breath forth, and be not received by another. Therefore though

one have an ulcer in his head, or a knob in his thigh, but the Genital parts be sound, 'tis not necessary he infect her he lyes with. But whereas he teacheth that the inveterate Veneral disease is less contagious, than the new, or middle aged it may in its man∣ner be granted; and from that very thing we may collect, that the Veneral disease is not only the cause, but also the disease. For when as this disease is communicated by the cause or contagion, it may come to pass, that the cause may be for the most part taken away, which doubtless happned in him who so often used the decoction of Guajacum, and was thrice anointed; and such men indeed, if the disease be stil upon them, but the corrupt humors being for the most part emptied by sweaters 〈…〉〈…〉, they are not so conragious, as those, who were lately infected with this out of whom those malignant humors have not yet been emptied.

Therefore we conclude, though for certaine reasons, those who are sick of this disease do not alwaies infect others; yet at this day there is no man taken with this evil, but who hath been infected by contagion from another, and so this evil at this day is propagated only by contagion.

But how, * 1.30 and from what causes this Disease was raised, when it first appeared in Europe, Authors are diverse in their opinions; and whenas they themselves, who li∣ved about the rife of this disease, could not agree in this business, by much less shal we which are now removed above an age from that time, be able to reconcile them; there∣fore we shal only reckon up their opinions. The most learned Leonicenus, and Fracastorius, * 1.31 and certain others, were of this opinion. That this disease at us first rise was epidemical, and proceeded from a common cause, when at its first beginning, boyes, men, old folks, Girles, women, were infected, and as Hieron. Fracastrius writes de morb. Gallic. cap. 7. Though the greatest part of mankind hath contracted this disease by contagion, it hath been observed, that a number of others infected by themselves without any contagion, have suffred this disease. Besides Fracastorius thinks it impossible, that in so smal a time, contagion which of it self is slow, nor is not easily received, could spread it self over so many lands, being first brought by one fleet of the Spaniards, when it is plain that either at the same time, or very neere it was seen in Spain and France, in Italy and Germany, and almost al Scythia; which if it be so, there is no reason, why we should not grant this disease to have been first of al epidemical: yet this makes me doubtful because that no German Physitian, nor of the neighboring places, hath taken notice, that this disease was knowen in Germany about that time. In which it appeared in Italy, when notwith∣standing they have most diligently described, the English sweating disease, the disease in Hungary, and the like diseases newly sprung up.

But what was the cause of that epidemious disease, if it were such a one, those Authers themselves do differ in opinion; indeed they agree in this. That it had its original from the fault of the ayre, but whence the ayre contracted that fault, therein they differ. Some were of opinion, That this disease had its original, from the great inundation of Ether, and other Rivers, which hapned in the time of Adrian the sixt, Pope of Rome: for the Summer following they think by that corruption and filth left by the waters, the ayre was infected with putrefaction, and thence this disease did proceed. But truly this evil cannot be imputed to that inundation of waters, since that happned chiefly at Rome, but this disease first appeared at Naples: be∣sides, those inundations of waters are wont rather to cause pestilent diseases, and there has often happned such inundations before, yet such a disease was never caul'd by them before. Others do more probably (if this disease were at first epidemious) refer the cause to the Stars. And Fracastorius writes concerning this business, lib. 2. de morb. contag. cap. 12. That it ought not to seem wonderful, that new and un∣usual diseases do appeare at certain times, and he proves it by examples and histo∣ries of divers diseases; and to pass by others, in the memory of our Grandfather that malignant Feaver raged, which is commonly known by the name of the Eng∣lish sweat, the like of which we have not read in any History before, wherefore he thinks it is not strange, if also the French disease not known before through many ages in our Orb, did now first of al break forth. And there wil come (saith he) other

new and unusual sicknesses, when time shal bring them; as there was the thing out amongst the Ancients, which afterwards was seen no more. This same disease wil dye and be extinguisht, and by and by again wil be renewed, and seen again by our Nephews, even as in former Ages, it is to be beleeved, it was seen by our Auce∣sttors, for which there are no smal signs yet evident. A certain Barber a friend of mine, had a book of certain experiments, very ancient, amongst which was written one amongst the rest, whose title was, For the thick scabb, which happens with the paines of the joints; he therefore when the disease was very fresh at first, re∣membring this medicine, asked counsel of some Physitians; whether he might use that medicine in that new contagion, which he thought was signified by that thick scabb: but the Physitians viewing the medicine, sharply forbad him, because it con∣sisted of quicksilver and sulphur. Happy man if he had not consulted with those phy∣sitians, being like to be very rich with an incredible gaine; but he obeyed them, nor durst not make tryal of his medicine, which at last he did try, and finding it to be excellent good, he was very sorry, that he had used it too late, the profit being now carried away by others. Thus far Fracastorius.

But he refers the cause of this disease newly sprung up, to the conjunction of Saturne, Mars, and Jupiter, which hapned at that time. Others hold that in the yeare, 1483. In the Ides of October at two of the clock after noon, That there was a conjunction made of Mars, Jupiter, the Sun, and Mercury in Lihra in the right house, which is the house of Sickness, and that Jupiter was burnt; and furthermore the same yeare on the Calends of November in the same house and signe, there was a conjunction made of Mars and Venus, also of Jupiter and Venus. Others as Nicolaus Massa de morb. Galic. cap. 6. refer that disease to the conjunction of Saturn Mars, and Venus, which happened in Scorpio about the rise of this disease. But as it is not impossible, for certain configurations of the Stars to induce certain disea∣ses, so no man is able easily to render the specifick cause of this disease, if it were epi∣demious. Truly al the effects of the Stars are good and benigne, and nothing evil in it self doth proceed from them; yet by accident it may come to pass, whiles they alter the ayre & the bodies of men after this or that manner, that they may produce evil disea∣ses, whenas in their way they are Authors of the generation and corruption of natural things, but that they could produce this disease in specie, I think is not yet explain∣ed; and Fracastorius had hopes indeed, that this disease was in its old age in his time, and that in a little while after it would cease in the alleaged place; as also in his Syphilis, in these Verses.

For when the Fates shal please again, you'l see Ere long, that in dark night 'twil buried be.

But his hopes hath deceived him, whenas now it hath lasted above a hundred and forty yeares, and hath bated nothing of its cruelty, as most are of opinion.

Others on the contrary think this disease was not epidemious, but sporadical and contagious; and first of al this perswades many, because it hath lasted even unto these times, whenas epidemious diseases, which have been raised by the influx of the Stars, have ceased a little while after. And therefore they do not think this difease ought to be accounted for epidemical, whenas it hath already lasted above 140. years; unless perhaps this reason may be given for the continuance of this disease, because the infection of this disease is not shunned, as that of the pestilence. For if the Plague begin to spread any where, al people, as much as they are able, and 'tis possible for them, do fly from the conversation of the sick, and reject al in∣fected household stuff; nay in Italy, if the Plague begin to spread in Germany, or other neighbouring Countries, they stop up al publique waies, and deny al stran∣gers that are suspected, any admittance into Italy; But many men knowingly and willingly have to do with suspected Harlots, and publique Stews ful of infected whores are tolerated; therefore if the same diligence and cutiosity, which is used in some places in the time of the pestilence to exclude the infected and suspected per∣sons, from the society of others, were made use of to restrain that rambling whoring,

perhaps this disease also though it be contagious, might be rooted out.

Yet the same men who think this disease is not epidemous, but sporadical, and contagious, * 1.32 are againe divided into divers opinions concerning its origi∣nal: For some were of that opinion, that first of al it had its rise at Valentia, in Hispania Tarraconensi, where one sick of an Elephantiasis, bought a nights lod∣ging of a noble Whore for fifty peices of Gold, and infected her, and thence it came to pass, that others who had to do with her were infected, and so in a short time this evil was dissemmated amongst a many. But the Idea of an Elephantiasis is one, and of the Veneral disease another, and therefore one sick of an Elephantiasis could not raise this disease.

Others think this disease was first brought out of India by the Spaniards into the French Army at Naples, who maintame that this disease was epidemical in India, of which we spake before, Cap. 1. But for what reason 'tis epidemious in some Countries in India, whether by the fault of the aire, or water, or provision, is not yet explained by Historians.

Leonbardus Fioravanti, * 1.33 a famous Empirick in his time in Italy, hath a pecu∣liar opinion of the original of this disease, which I have met withal in no other writer. For he in his book written in the Italian Tongue, which is entituled, Capricci Medi∣cinali di M. Leonardo Fioravanti, Libritre, writes thus of the original of this disease, both amongst the Indians, and in the French Army at Naples, lib. 1 Cap. 26. When saith he, there was War between the French and Spaniard at Naples, and there was great want of provision, especially of flesh, those evil imployed merchants who brought victuals to the Camp, had privately prepared the Carkasses of dead souldiers into divers kinds of meates and dishes, and sold them every where about to the army, which flesh, whanas they had eat of it a long time ignorantly, most of them were taken with this disease, and became ful of pustles and paines, and many also had their hair fal off; and he writes, that he knowes the business was so, from one Paschalis Gibilotius, a Neapolitan, an old man, of ninety eight yeares of age, who hath told him, that at that time when John the Son of Renatus, Duke Ande∣gavensis waged war against Alphonsus King of Naples, about the yeare 1456. that he hath often heard from his father, who was such a Merchant in the Army of King Alphonsus, that in want and scarcity of victuals the Souldiers on both sides by eat∣ing of mans flesh, which they fed on for a long time, contracted this disease, and the same Fioravanti, adds, that he might be the more certain of this business, he bred up a Sow in his house, and added to al her meat somewhat of hogs flesh, and that within few dayes her bristles and hairs fel off, and she became ful of pustles; then, that he fed a dog for two months only with dogs flesh, which afterwards be∣came ful of pains and pustles, and lost his hair. From which experiments he con∣cludes, that every living creature if it be nourisht with the flesh of its own species wil be taken with this disease, which at this day is called the French: and he thinks this is the very cause, that this drsease is epidemious in the Indies, because there are those man-eaters, which do feed on mans flesh.

But truly I do wonder that so many Italians and French, who have writ of this disease have made no mention of this cause, neither does the relation of that old Neapolitan seem to fit with the time. For that disease was not known in the year 1456. at which time John the Son of Renatus, Duke Andegavensis, waged War against Alphonsus King of Naples, but in the War which Charles the eight King of France, waged with Alphonsus King of Naples about the yeare 1493 or 94. then grant it be, that if a creature nourisht with the flesh of those of its own kind, be ta∣ken with pustles and pains, and suffer the falling off of the hair, yet the question stil would be, whether that disease be the very Veneral disease, and such as may be transfered by contagion to others, and especially by Venery. For the essence of the veneral disease doth not consist in pustles, and the failling of the hair, but in an occult malignity, by which also its ulcers do differ from other ulcers. Yet it is easy for any one to make tryal, of that which Fioravanti experienced. And if the

business should be confirmed by experience, that if an animal nourisht with the flesh of its kind, do contract this disease, thence a reason may be rendered, why this disease is endemious to the people of India, to wit, because its inhabitants do feed on mens flesh: although here we meet with a doubt, for al the people of India are not men-eaters, and therefore we must enquire out of the Histories of the Indies, whe∣ther this disease be endemious amongst the men-eaters only, or amongst the other people of the Indies also.

Andreas Caesalpinus, lib. 4. de morb. Cap. 3. * 1.34 writes that he hath another Histo∣ry of the original of this disease, delivered by them who were present, to wit, from an Atetine soldier, who served in that war; he related that there is a town in the Vesuvian Mount which is called Suma, where there is plenty of generous wine which is called Caudy wine, which was privately left by the Spaniards in the night, when the French had besieged it, but they infected their wine by the mixture of blood which they drew from them which were sick in the hospital of St. Lazarus; and the French men entering in, when they had filled themselves with that wine, began to be sick of diseases and symptomes, like unto the Elephantiasis. But if this were true, rather the Elephantiasis than the veneral disease had been thus raised. * 1.35

Aurelius Minadous de Virul. Vener. Cap. 30. propounds a peculiar opinion, & holds that this virulency did first break forth from the most filthy wombs, of most impure Harlots, and for this cause, because no body that hath lived cleanly, or that hath conversed with a cleane woman, is taken with this evil: but he thinks this evil proceeded first, when women were made very unclean, when they had received a various mixture of seeds. For as saith he one sort of meat, is the cause of health in a good stomach, but variety of meats doth oppress the stomach, and breeds an acid and nidorous crudity, and every where heaps up excrements; so one seed only is familier and wholsome for one womb, and causeth fruitfulness, on the contrary the multitude and variety of seeds, doth so affect the womb, that by its corruption it produceth bad, nay the worst of excrements, and from that sordid substance there is a corruprion hard to be explained, or putrefaction which doth generate such vene∣nate excrements. But when as he might easily understand, that those rambling lusts were in use not only in the war at Naples, but long before when there was pub∣lique Brothel Houses at Rome, and yet there was no such disease raised; he would have his opinion to be understood not of any women, but only of the Indian. For they by the mediation of the Heaven, Air, Waters, and those places, by their pe∣culiar form of feeding did contract this poyson, which afterwards by Columbus, and the Spanish Army was disseminated in France, and hence through the whole world. But though it must not be denied, that the constitution of bodies is divers in divers Countries, and I remember that I have read in the Histories of Navigation, That when certain people of Europe, had found certain Ethiopian lasses playing on the sea shore, and had layn with them, presantly some of them died; yet how the business is in America, is worthy of further inquisition: and if there be any such fault in those women, 'tis probable that comes to pass, not so much from the com∣mistion of divers seeds, but rather as many Authors report, from this, That if any one have to do with a woman in India whiles she hath her courses, he his taken with that disease; for that whenas 'tis every where un wholsome, and therefore also was peculiarly and severely forbidden the Jewes by God in holy Writ, may in a special manner be hurtful in the Indies.

Therefore lecting these pass, let us hold fast this, which is granted by al, * 1.36 that this disease at this day is no otherwise contracted, but by contagion, and chiefly by lying with those that are infected, whence deservedly doth Gabriel Fallopius de morb. Gallic. Cap. 13. Wittily deride those women, who when they were sick of the Veneral disease, nevertheless did bost themselves to be chast, and said they con∣tracted this disease by sprinkling themselves with the holy water which was infected.

But this contagion, by which only now adayes, * 1.37 we say this disease is dissemina∣ted, is received divers waies. For sometimes 'tis transferred with the seed and men∣struous

blood from the Parents to the Child, * 1.38 and the Disease become Haereditary; for when the blood, out of which the Seed is generated, is infected and vitious, the like Diseased seed is generated, also the Mothers blood being impure, with which the Child is nourisht, it Pollutes that, which pollution afterwards in those brought into the World doth sooner or later shew it self, according to the greater or lesser strength of that virulency: which manner of original of this Disease, if any one wil deny to be properly by contagion, because it is not by the contract of two bodies, viz. a sound and a sick, he may for al me; yet let him know this, that then that malignity in the body of the infant is not generated, but from the infected parents by the seed, or the Mothers blood is communicated to the off-spring.

But by those that are born into the world, the same evil may be contracted two waies: the first is, when with the nourishment and milk, the evil is communicated to infants by imp••ute Nurses; which way indeed is the powerfullest of al: for whenas the milk they suck is changed into blood, and that is the nourishment of the whol body, the poyson this way is dispersed into the whol body, and insinuates it self most intimately with it, and therefore those that are this way infected, are seldome cured, and not without a great deal of Difficulty.

The other way is by contagion so called properly, and in specy; where first of al 'tis enquired, whether there be any contagion in the Veneral Disease at a distance, so that if one do neither touch with his body one infected, nor the fuel which conteins in it the contagion, yet nevertheless may be infected with the Veneral Disease; truly there is no example given of this cause, but what Manardus teacheth, Lib. 7. Epis. 3. and also some others affirme that there is a French Ophthalmy: but when as this Disease of the Eyes in other cases is oftentimes contagiout, it is no wonder, if one conversing with a sick man that is troubled with a French Ophthalmy, and earnestly look upon his Eyes, * 1.39 that he also may contract luch an Ophthalmy. Yet this cannot be granted, that as the Plague may be transferred by the Air to others in distant places, so also the Veneral Disease may be communicated; for dayly ex∣perience doth Testesie, that Physitians and many others, do familiarly converse with those infected with this evil, yet are not infected by them.

Therefore this evil is chiefly contracted by contact, and truely most frequently by whorish Copulation, when that virulence is communicated to the naked genital parts being soft, and porous, from the genitals of the other infected person; after which manner this Disease was first brought out of the Indies, by the Spanish Souldiers infected by the Indian Women which were sick of this Disease, into Italy, and disseminated through the French Camp, and hence spred throughout all Europe, as we said before according to the opinion of many Physitians. And though some as we said even now, who have been infected with this Disease, en∣deavour to renounce the Cause of it; * 1.40 yet many if they live not chastly, yet they live closely, and Gabriel Fallopius, not without a Cause de Morb. Gall. cap. 10. scoffs at certain chast Matrons, as they boasted themselves to be, who said they contracted this Disease by sprinkling them with holy water which was polluted; he that beleeves this, let him beleeve that too, which Averroes writes, 2. collect. cap. 10 that a woman was got with Child in a bath, from some seed which wicked men had spent there: or with Vallesius let him cotrect the Aphorisme, 36. Sect. 6. because many Monks have been sick of the Gout before the use of Venery.

And truly men contract this evil from Women that are infected, * 1.41 because in the act by reason of the concourse of spirits, and the motion, the Womb being heated, Vapors are raised from the Malignant Humors in the womb, which are suckt in by the mans yard being of a porous constitution, and are received into the veins. But the man being infected, may infect a sound woman, either by his yard, if that be infected and exulcerated, * 1.42 or by his seed, although his yard be not ulcerated, or both waies: for though the seed in men is not always wholly corrupt, whenas we see many men infect∣ed with this disease do get children; yet it is altered & infected, from whence not only

the Issue contracts this evil, but also a Woman may be infected by it.

But though this evil be most frequently contracted by whorish Copulation, * 1.43 yet by contagion it may be derived to others, other manner of waies, viz. by sweat, if any one sleep in the same bed with one infected with the Veneral Disease, and be wet with his sweat; then by the filth and Excrements, or that flowing from Ulcers, and sticking on the Linnen, bed, or shirt, and garments, if any one he in them, or put them on. The same Disease also may be communicated by slaver or spittle, so lovers are infect∣ed with the Kisses of Whores sick of this Disease, and infants by their Nurses, or if any one drink out of a Cup, or sup out of the spoon, which one sick of this Disease did use a little before; besides, infants may be infected another way, to wit if, they touch the brests of an impure Nurse with their mouth, and that for a double reason, either because they suck the infected and corrupted milk, of which I speake before; or because the breasts and nibbles of the Nurse are exulcerated: on the contrary, Nurses may be infected from infected infants, especially if they be troubled with Malignant pustles, or some Ulcer in the mouth; for the Nepples of their breasts whiles they are suckt by the Infant, grow hot, and their pores are more opened, whereupon they easier receive in that virulence.

But no body is easily infected by the breath, as was said before, and without danger we may be conversant in the same chamber with those that are infected; neither are those Chyrurgions and Physitians which cure the veneral Disease, and dayly converse with the sick, any way infected; and if this Disease were contagious by breathing and at a distance, the whol world would ere now have been French, and the Disease would be more than Epidemious, as one writes; yet if any one sleep in bed with one infected, that he do receive his breath very neer, I wil not promise him free from this evil; whenas I know, Wives that have been infected by their Husbands sick of the Phthisick, and afterwards died of it.

This contagion after 'tis received into the body, * 1.44 staies not in those parts in which it was first received, but after the manner of other poysons, penetrates into the innermost parts of the body: and truely oftentimes discovers it self presently, within a few daies, somtimes lies hid a long while. And Fernelius writes, de abdit. rer. Caus. Lib. 2. c. 14. That it doth somtimes returne and revive after thir∣ty years past, and for so long space the fewel of the disease does lie hid as dormant, and nevertheless they who think themselves free from al hurt, and that they are perfectly sound, do corrupt those with whom they lie, and beget an Issue possest with that Disease. The same is witnessed by John Philippus Ingrassias. And Hercules Saxonia de lue Vener. cap. 11. relates that he cured an Illustrissimo, who had knobs of the French Disease came out upon him, five and twenty years after he had taken the Disease.

But what parts this virulency doth principally assault, we said formerly Authors did disagree, where we treated of its subject; many indeed do hold, * 1.45 that this virulency is chiefly an adversary to the Membranes, because the pains do most of al arise about the Periostia, and external parts, where are many Mem∣branes, in the head, Legs, Arms, breast-bone, and in them the periostium being eaten off, are raised knobs. But not only the Membranous parts are affected, but others also, as the Buboes, Tumors, Uleers in divers parts, rottenness of the bones, falling of the hair, running of the Reins do testefie. And therefore we must en∣quire for a more common subject, which we said above was the Liver, and the similar parts dedicated to nutrition, and that have consent with the liver; for af∣ter the contagion hath pierced as far as the Liver (though in the interim it may cortupt the parts neer unto that, by which the Contagion was received) and hath imprinted a Malignant disposition on that, Sanguification is hurt, and a Malig∣nant quality is imprinted on that blood, which is generated in the Liver, and so with the blood are generated Malignant Humors, which whenas they are trouble∣some to Nature, they are thrust forth to the Circumference of the body, and so

not only pains are raised in the Membranes, but divers Diseases and Symptomes also in other parts; and whereas the bones are not free, but they are oftentimes affected with rottenness, it is no wonder that the neighbouring periostia are af∣fected, and most cruel pains raised.

From al which it doth easily appear, * 1.46 what is the manner of the generation of this Disease, to wit, When the contagion of this Disease is communicated from one sick of the Veneral Disease, either by the seed and blood of the parents, or by the sucking of infected milk, or by Copulation, or by spittle, or by meat and drink, or by garments and Linnen, to any part of a sound body, first of al the part which receives the contagion is affected and hurt, hence through that, the evil creeps into the Veins, and by them penetrates to the Liver, which when it hath put on an evil disposition, and contracted a Malignant Disease, it generates viti∣ous blood, containing in it the Seeds of the veneral Disease, which whenas it is an enemy to the body, by the expulsive faculty 'tis driven from the more noble parts to the Circumference of the body. And from thence the nourishment in the whol body is hurt, from whence are raised spots, Tumors, and divers bunchings out, Ulcers, falling of the hair, pains, and other evils.

At length out of al those things which have been said hitherto of the Nature and causes of the veneral disease, * 1.47 we make this definition of this Disease. The veneral evil is an occult Disease, and peculiarly Malignant, taken by infection, and is infections, chiefly an enemy to the Liver and nutritive faculty, and there∣fore nutrition being hurt in the whol body, it raiseth divers Diseases and Symp∣tomes.

CHAP. V. Of the Differences of it.

BY some indeed there are reckoned up very many Differences of this Disease, * 1.48 and by Brassavola, 234. but many of them unprofitable; the most necessa∣ry and profitable are these.

First of al, as concerning the very essence of the Disease whenas that is unknown, from that of it self, we can raise no difference: yet be∣cause its activity depends on that essence and occult quality, these differences are fetcht from thence, because the activity of this disease is somtimes greater, som∣times less. And Physitians have observed, that somtimes after unwholsome Co∣pulation, the French Symptoms have presently come upon men, but somewhat gentle, and a little while after have ceased again, without the administration of any remedy; but somtimes most grievous Symptoms have presenly come on them, and the evil hath been rebellious, and could by no means or very difficultly be cured. * 1.49 And the writers of this disease report, That this Disease when it first ap∣peared, had far more grievous Symptomes, than now it hath: but what was the Cause of this business, is not so clear. That might happen first of al, from the disposition of the bodies that were infected. For whenas it appeared first in the Camps at Naples, and there was a great scarcity of provision, and a famine, doubtless in those bodies also, there was provision of evil Humors for Diseases, on which when this contagion fel, there it took strength and increased: besides this might make somwhat to that business, that in the beginning, the cure of this Dis∣ease was not sufficiently known, whence it came to pass, that this malignity al∣waies grew worse. This happens also in the Plague, of which the more there die, the poyson alwaies grows the more vehement. For the malignity is fermented as it were, and exalted in the bodies of the sick, unless it be opposed and overcome by Alexipharmacal means.

Secondly, its Differences are taken from the causes and man∣ner of contagion while somtimes the Veneral Disease is haereditary, and is derived with the seed and blood from the parents to the Issue: but somtimes after the birth, is communicated by Copulation, Kissing, Milk, Garments, and the like.

Thirdly, the third Difference is taken from the Diseases and Symptoms super∣venient, that this Disease is somtimes with Buboes, somtimes with running of the Reins, somtimes with falling of the hair, somtimes with pains of the joynts, somtimes wich other Symptomes; neither do the Symptomes which follow it, and shal afterwards be reckoned up amongst the signs, alwaies appear the same in al people: and Eustachius Rudius writes, Lib. 5. de Morb. occult. Cap. 9. That he hath observed a thousand times, that many young men have on the same day co∣pulated with one and the same whore, and yet notwithstanding one hath been taken with the running of the Reins, another with a Bubo another with rottenness, another with pain in the Head, another with falling of the hair, and another with another different preternatural affect; which doubtless happens, by reason of the various indisposition of bodies, and weakness of parts, and variety of Humors. For weak parts do more easily receive vitious Humors, than the strong. And one body is more clean, another more foul, and abounds with these, or those Humors, which when they are cotrupted by the venenate Humor, do cause these or those Diseases and Symptomes: therefore if we should number up the Differences according to the variety of Diseases, and Symptomes, which are somtimes joyned together and complicated, somtimes Fewer, somtimes more, we might make very many indeed, of which as was said even now, Brassavola reckons up 234. more Nicely than profitably.

Fourthly, the fourth Difference is from the time, that the Disease is somtimes new, somtimes inveterate, one in the beginning, another in the augment, another in the state and another in the declination.

Out of which, and especially from the Difference of time, and the variety of Diseases, and Symptomes that accompany this Disease, Julianus Palmarius, * 1.50 doth commodiously constitute four dergees of this Disease, de lue Vener. Lab 1. cap. 4. The First and lightest degree is, when only the hairs of the Head and beard do by little and little fal off, without any other hurt of the body. The Second degree is worse, when the whol Skin is spread over with many spots not bunching out, and those somtimes smal, like to a lentil speck; somtimes much broader, and both, somtimes red, somtimes yellow. The Third degree is yet more grievous, when not only spots but true pustles and bunches break forth, first of al indeed about the forehead, and Temples, and behind the Ears, then every where in the Head, and at length in the rest of the body. The Fourth degree is, when now the Disease being inveterate, it assaults and corrupts the so∣lid parts, the bones, Ligaments, Membranes, and Nerves. In which there are collected many thick, glutinous, and maligne Excrements, which when they rest about the tendons, or the Periostia, and prick and pul the Membranes from the bones, there are wont to be caused implacable pains, growing worse towards the night, from which Excrements also by degrees do grow hard knobs, with far greater torment which are equally hard as the bones. Which if they be fixt in the bones, they do so enlarge and distend them, that the bones oftentimes become of a monstrous bulk and figure: moreover that malignity and Acrimony doth by degrees eat away, and with rottenness consume the bones, and for the most part not hurting the Skin that lies over them: and Palmarius writes there, that he hath seen many in whom the Pericranium, and the Skul under it, hath been found wholly eaten away with putrefaction, and consumed with rottenness as far as the dura mater, the Skin of the Head not being hurt at al, without any Feaver, and

without vomiting, of which one or two have been seen living without a Skul. Of which by and by shal be said more in the Diagnostick and Prognostick signs.

CHAP. VI. Of the Diagnostick Signs.

BUt though out of those things which have been spoken before of the History of this Disease, the Diagnostick signs of this Disease might easily be fetcht, yet in this place the same are to be propounded in specy. But first of al, we must remember this, those signe as Galen teacheth, 1. Aphor. 17. and else where, which ought certain∣ly to denote a Disease, which are commonly called Pathognomonical, ought to be not only proper but inseparable, so that where they are, there is the Disease, and they being taken away the Disease is removed. But though as in many other dis∣eases, * 1.51 so in the Veneral, there is not one sign, by which the Disease may be known, yet a concourse of signs, may do the same. Yet what that concourse is in the Veneral Disease, is not easie to define: whenas in this Disease there is a great Accumulati∣on of Symptoms and Diseases, and therefore this Disease hath affinity with other Diseases. Which thing doth cause, as was said before, that many when they saw almost the same concourse of signs, in that Epidemious disease, which Hippocrates propounds, the 3. Epid. they thought the Veneral Disease was described there, and others referred it to the Elephantiasis, but the reason why it is hard to define the concourse of signs in this Disease, is this, because the Liver and nutritive faculty of the whol body is chiefly hurt. For when the heart or brain is hurt, their hurt acti∣ons do easily appear, being such as are simple, and restrained to few parts. But when as the Lives affords nourishment for the whol body, from thence if nourish∣ment be hu•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••ppen ••••vers Diseases and Symptomes; for though the nutriment of the whol body be one, that is blood, yet almost an innumerable variety presents it self in every part, according to the variety of the parts which are nourisht, whenas 'tis necessary that every part do peculiarly assimilate its nourishment; yet if we consider the precedent causes, those things which are present, and what things are helpful, what hurtful, or the Remedies, neither can this Disease he undisco∣vered.

As concerning the causes, first of al if the parents be, or have been sick of this dis∣ease, and some signs in the infant present themselves, which argue the Veneral dis∣ease, there is scarce any reason to doubt of the Disease. In like manner 'tis, if an in∣fanchave sucked a nurse sick of this disease.

But if any one born of sound Patents, and nourisht by the milk of a sound Nurse, yet have diseases and some Symptoms, which give suspition of this Disease, we must diligently enquire, whether he hath had to do with infected persons; which if he confess, the case is plain, and there need no further doubt of the species of the Dis∣ease; but if, as it often fals out, one to preserve his Honor and reputation, deny that he hath acted any such thing, then we must enquire into the condition and course of the life past, of the husband or wife, if the party be married. For from these things somtimes we have no slight conjectures of the infection. But if there be no ground for such a conjecture, we must further enquire, whether he hath slept in the same bed with one infected with that Disease, or hath used his garments. But if out of al these there can be had no firme conjecture of this Disease, the present state of the patient is diligently to be considered, which indeed is one in the beginning of the Disease, another in the increase, and another when 'tis inveterate; whence also the signs of th••s Disea••e, beginning, encreasing, inveterate, are wont commonly to be delive∣red. And truely to know this Disease when 'tis Inveterate, is not very difficult, as

shal be said by and by: but whiles it yet lies, and is in the first blade, then to know it, is not so easie. For as plants and trees when they are at ful growth, are known by the vulgar, but to know them at their first appearance, is the part only of an artist and good herbarist. So also this Disease, when it discovers it self by diverse Diseases, and Symptomes, 'tis known even by the vulgar, but when it lirks in obscurity, 'tis not discovered but by experienced Physitians.

Yet there are some signs, which may discover this Disease, * 1.52 even at the first be∣ginning; the first is, that they who are taken with this Disease do presently (with∣out the appearance of any signs of a Feaver imminent) perceive a kind of weari∣ness and heaviness in their whol body, and somtimes a drowsiness after sleep. There is a vehement and wandering pain, which is felt somtimes in the Head, somtimes in the Muscles, somtimes about the joynts, and this pain is more troublesome to∣wards night than at other times of the day. The fresh color of the Face is chan∣ged strangely, and some write, that there is a Livid circle appears under their Eyes, such as we usually see in Women that have their Courses: there is added to these a sadness, fear, and those that before were merry and jesting, become sad and pensive without any cause. All which signs are of greater force if the signs of the Veneral Disease did go before, and vanish without any convenient, and sufficient means. And truely if this evil be contracted by Copulation, and hath not yet plainly possest the Liver, but sticks yet in the Privities, then chiefly this Veneral Disease at its beginning, discovers it self by the running of the Reins, Ulcers in the Privities, and buboes, for when that Malignant vapor, is first of al communicated to the Testicles and genital vessels, the seed is corrupted, and the generation of seed is depraved in the genital vessels: whence instead of good seed there is ge∣nerated a stinking and corrupt Humor, which doth irritate Nature to expulsion. From whence also the Gonorrhaea, although improperly so called, is easily di∣stinguished from that running of the Reins which is not French, because this galli∣cal is joyned with a great heat, and pain, somtimes also with an Inflamation of the Testicles, and Vessels resembling a varix; the matter which is cast forth is far different from seed, viz. yellow, green, Acrid, corroding the glans; neither doth it yeild to those Remedies, with which a true Gonorrhaea is cured. Next of all there appeare pustles in the Privities about the bigness of a grain of Millet, and somtimes they compass the whol Ring, which when they are broken, there re∣main white Ulcers which in process of the Disease grow deep and callous, of di∣vers colors, and with pain joyned with them. Thirdly, also Buboes show forth themselves in this Disease; for though somtimes the Buboes do precede an Erysi∣pelas or a Rose, yet then there went before those causes which do effect a Rose, as fear, frights, anger, and the bubo is extended towards the Thighs, as it were by a red line, and a little after the Erysipelas breaking forth, it vanisheth; but if the Bubo be Veneral, 'tis not extended according to the longitude of the Thigh, but rather obliquely, and imitates the situation of the spermatick Vessels. For in unwholsome Copulation the seminal vessels are easily first of al infected, which whenas they have their Original from the Vena Cava not far from the Liver it self, that virulency is easily communicated to the Liver, which being affected drives it back again by the same waies from it self, from whence are caused both the Bu∣boes, and the running of the Reins. And thus these two Diseases are for the most part complicated, and being Joyned are a sure sign of the veneral Disease, and one failing, the other is of force; but if this evil be contracted without whorish Co∣pulation, and if by kissing, there are Ulcers raised about the mouth, if by giving suck to an infected infant, there are inflamations about the breasts, pustles, and clefts; if from Garments and common lying together, there are pustles every where raised in the Skin.

But if the evil do now increase, * 1.53 and grow more grievous, and the virulency it self be already communicated to the Liver, and thence the nutrition in the whol body be depraved, diseases and symptomes of al kinds, such as were reckoned up before, cap. 2. in the history of this disease, do arise, which indeed though singly by themselves they afford not a proper and inseparable signe of this disease, yet if they be taken together, and their peculiar condition be diligently considered, they may clearly enough detect this evil. For there is scarce another disease, in which there is a con∣course of al these, nay there are many of them so proper to the Veneral disease, that they are found in no other disease after that manner. How the buboes which are seen in the beginning, and sometimes in the increase of this disease, may be distinguisht from other buboes, was said even now; theveneral pustles are some of them crusty, others without a crust, the crusty are chiefly the signs of this disease, and sometimes they are eminent, that in the head and forehead they resemble the horns of a Ram, under which somtimes is contained matter. Somtimes none, and they appeare in the face, head, beard, whol body, but especially about the privities and hips, And Fallopius writes that these kinds of Veneral tumors, may be distinguished from those which are not Veneral after this manner; That the Veneral if they be rubbed and the skin taken off, three daies after they appear unchanged, but benign pu∣stles if they be rubbed, are increased by the attraction of blood, and that good, and alimentary. So the the tumors which are commonly called Gummesities, it they be joined with a swelling, or do firmly adhere to the parts void of flesh, and the bones, especially if they be in the head, forehead, in the fore part of the Leggs, area most certain signe of the Veneral disease: for the Veneral matter hath an eating vi∣rulency even in a cr••••s humor, and joined with paine, the like of which is nor in o∣ther tumots, which do proceed from a thick matter. But though 〈◊〉〈◊〉 do happen also in many other diseases; yet if they rise chiesly in the yard, and especially on the for••••kin, and about the ••ut, and towards the end of the yard, or also in the m••••th 〈…〉〈…〉 palate, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or jawes, and those to putrid and stinking, and there was no inflamation of those parts precedent, nor signs of the scurvy, they are also signs of the F••ench Disease; also the falling of the hair causeth no light e∣vidence of the disease; for if after childhood, no other disease foregoing, which is wont to be accompanied with the shedding of the hair, the hairs of the head, and especially of the beard and eye-brows fal off, and also there appear ulcerous pustles, or a filthy Scab, this is altogether a sure signe of the French Disease. In like manner Chapps and clefts in the Palms of the hands, and soles of the ••ee••, if no other cause preceded, are an undoubted sign of this evil, so also those bunches somtimes low and broad, somtimes somwhat long, and those excrescencies which they cal ficus, con∣dy lomata, and crusts, if they appeare in the privy parts, or about the Arse-hole, do sutely enough discover this disease; pains of the head, although they happen in many other diseases, yet if their bunchings out, and gummo••••••es in the skin, if there was a Gonorrhea and it be stopped, if a bubo and it be vanish••, those also are sure signs enough of this disease; paines also in other parts may likewise discover this disease, for if the paine be not in the very joints, ou•• in that part which is in the middle of the bones, and neer to the Joints, as upon the skin, or up∣on the shoulder bone, which is between the head and the joint of the elbow, and they be most cruel and sharp, and are exasperated towards the evening and night, they are also sure signes of this disease. There is familiar also with this disease, such a distillation, by which there is emptied by the mouth, and note, much flegm and watrish matter, by which the parts through which they pass are exulcerated; but in the first place the sure signe of this disease is that French Gonorrhea, of which was spoken before. Last of al this also is a sure signe of this disease, if the aforemen∣tioned diseases and symptomes be not taken away, or made more gentle, by medi∣cines that do work by manifest qualities, applyed according to art, but rather do grow worse, but are mitigated by those proper and specifick remedies.

Last of al, if this evil be inveterate, diseases and symptomes of al kinds may hap∣pen, callous, fistulous, and cancerous ulcers, knobs in divers parts of the body, * 1.54 rottenness of the bones in the Leggs, Armes, especially in the Skul, the bone of the Palate and Nose, a Hectick Feaver, Consumption, Pthisick, evil habit of the body, Falling-sickness, falling of their teeth, Deafness, Blindness. Vidus Vidu∣us, lib. 2. de curat. membrat. cap. 18. reports that he saw at Barciconia a Span∣nish Souldier, who by the French Pox suffered a rottenness of Skul, and after∣wards fel into an epilepsy, that filth distilling from his rotten skul, and pricking the membranes of his brain, from which notwithstanding he was freed by cauteri∣zing his Skul with a hot Iron; and Forestus lib. 7. Observat. 9. in schol, relates of one infected with the French Pox, though he seemed to be wel cured, yet was afflicted with a long and continual paine of his head, which could be cured by no re∣medies, til at last his Skul being opened, there was found under it, upon the dura ma∣ter somwhat black like a wevil, which worme when it was taken away, that pain cea∣sed, nor returned no more. And Johannes Schenckius ex D. Georg, Garneci ob∣servat. relates of one sick of the French Pox, that was il cured, who was taken with a great inflamation in his palate, in the five-like bone, in his uvula, and al the neigh∣bouring parts, which presently turned to a Gangrene, and that to a cancer, that every day he voided somwhat, of those corrupt and putrefied parts, and the uvula, and next parts, being first of al cast forth, at last he spit through his mouth his very brain with a most noysome stink. And Felix Platerus, lib. 1. observat. makes mention of an Abbot who by the French Pox was made blind, deaf, and dumb, who could no otherwise understand and perceive the meaning of others, but if they with their finger or a peice of wood drew letters, expressing some sentence upon his bare arme, from al which singly perceived he made a word, and from many words a sentence: God the just Judg doth somtimes punish wandring lust, with so grie∣vous and horrid a punishment.

As concerning the differences of this virulency, * 1.55 although its formal essence be un∣known, yet there is a certain difference. According to its manner of acting and its vehemency, which is known from its effects; for somtimes more, somtimes fewer: somtimes the contagion and active power is great, sometimes less: and Eustachius Rudius reports de morb. occult. lib. 5. cap. 10. that he knew some whores infected with so powerful a French Poyson, that al who had to do with them were not only presently infected with the same evil, but were wholly possest with most grievous symptomes, which could not be removed nor mitigated, by any remedies, or art, nay some of them not long after died. But we know the vehemency of this evil, if as was said even now, some be presently infected, if the pain be most cruel, if the erosion pierce to the bones, if many putrid and stinking excrements proceed every where from the body. For by how much the evils are the more, and more grievous, by so much the power of this virulency is the greater.

CHAP. VII. Of Prognosticks.

BUt that we may know, what hopes there is concerning the event of this disease, we must enquire whether the disease is like to be short, or long, whether easy or hard to be cured, and at last what end it shal have.

But first of al concerning this disease, * 1.56 'tis wont to be questioned amongst some Physitians in general, whether it shal once have an end? Fracastorius indeed did hope for it, as was said before, and thought, that even in his time this disease grew aged and that a little while after it would wholly die, chiefly for this reason, because he thought it was epidemious, and took its original from the Starrs, which impressions of heaven do not last alwaies, but in process of time are changed, and because he

saw this disease did grow more mild. For as Jul. Palmarius writes of this subject lib. 1. de lue Vener. Cap. 5. it was reported, that this disease at its first rise was so filthy, that that which reigns now is scarce thought to be of the same kind; for there were innumerable ulcers, rough and standing out, in the figure and bulk of an acorn, a filthy humor flowing from them, and such a stink exhaling that his nose that it reached, was beleeved presently to be infected. The colour of the pustles was between black and green, as much tormenting the sick with the sight of them, as with their pain. Therefore al people did shun the sight of them, and so abstain from touching them, as in no disease besides. But Fracastorius his hopes deceived him, for as yet we do not see this disease grow old, much less cease, and though the filthi∣ness of the ulcers and pustles be more tolerable, yet in pains and torments it is grown more cruel, as the same Palmarius writes. It is more likely, that as long as those copulations and conversings wi••h infected people, and wandering lusts shal indure, so long also this disease wil last, and be propagated by contagion. For such is the nature of this poyson that it doth not suddenly kil a man, in the interim those who are sick of that disease, are infect ous those waies, of which we spake be∣fore. Whenas therefore there are every where many, who are poluted with that disease, and others converse with them, there is yet no hopes that this disease should cease are long, whenas the effect doth not cease, unless the cause be taken away. Neither is that reason firm enough, which some who are of a contrary opinion do alledg; for they say whenas this disease is a contagion preternatural and violent, it must necessarily have an end, whenas those things which are preternatural and vio∣lent have not perpetual causes, and therefore must needs cease to be; but the an∣swer is easie; nothing indeed that is preternatural and violent, is of it self perpetual, yet if the cause be perpetual, that also may be perpetual. Therefore though as the plague is sometimes extinguished, so this disease also might be, if the same diligence were used, which is in preventing and curing the plague, as was said before: yet because there are alwaies men, who are sick of this disease, and can infect others, and others do not abstain from their society, even this disease shal continue so long, as that contagion shal last. And therefore Eustachius Rudius rightly of this sub∣ject, Lib. 5. de Morb. occult. Cap. 11. writes, if there were one prince of the whol world, or one conspiracy of many of them against this disease, by the help of physitians this disease might be wholly rooted out; viz. if they who are sick of this disease, were al committed to physitians to be cured, in the interim were remo∣ved from the society of other men, and the same were done with the infected with this disease, as is wont to be with those infected with the plague or leprosie, there were hopes this disease might be extirpated; & for this cause too, because the Veneral dis∣ease is not contagious at a distance as the plague is, but for the most part is communi∣cated by copulation, somtimes by kissing and garments. But here is no diligence used, and as the same Rudius saith, Theeves, robbers, and murderers, and other wicked persons are sharply punished, but publique whores ful of this disease, and who daily destroy more than a thousand men, & polute whol Families and Cities, are cherisht, smoothed up with slateries, and kept gallantly. But leaving these, let us see what may be foretold of every particular diseased patient.

1. * 1.57 The Veneral disease for the most part of it self, is a disease of long continu∣ance, for this reason, Because the liver principally, and the nutritive faculty is infected in it. But Galen teaches rightly, 5. de lo. affect. Cap. 2. That of dis∣eases of the heart al people die most speedily, of affects of the brain more slowly, but the life is longer protracted when the natural actions are hurt; and though the veneral disease be also malignant, and is not undeservedly reckoned amongst poy∣sons in its kind, yet its power in acting is fat slower, than that of other poysons: yet the vehemency or weakness of this poyson in this or that body, and the dispo∣sition of the body, may make somewhat to the length or shortness of this disease; for if the poyson be more vehement, the disease is the more dangerous, as shal be said by and by: if also the body before did abound with vitious humors, the evil is

increased, and made longer: and indeed sometimes the stubbornness of this disease is such, that though it seem sometimes to be wholly extinct, yet it hath been observed that it hath sometimes grown fresh againe after many, nay, thirty years, as was said before.

2. But whether this disease wil be hard or easie to cure in any patient, must be judged from the greatness of the disease, and strength of the patient, as in other diseases. First of al, as concerning the nature of the disease it self, though this disease be far more gentle, than other venenate diseases, yet because it is not of the number of them which depend on manifest distempers, but malignant and contagious, it may infect al the humors in the whole body, nay it may pollute al the Similar parts, and hence it is hard to be cured.

3. Yet this disease when 'tis new is easier to cure, than when 'tis inveterate; for in that new malignant quality, it only affects those parts, by which 'tis propagated and for the most part the privities, but in the inveterate disease, that very malig∣nant quality is imprinted also on the liver, and from the liver again is communica∣ted to the blood, and by the blood to al similar parts; for it is false, as appeares out of those things which have been formerly said of the nature of this disease, that the liver here is hurt in sanguification, by no disease, but only by reason of an evil object, which mixt with the blood and other humors, does pollute them, deprave and make them vitious, and convert them into its own nature: indeed 'tis not to be denied, that vitious humors also do corrupt the good, in the interim from good chyle also in a liver evil disposed is generated bad blood, which appears even from this, that through every part the nutrition a little while after is infected through the whol body, which could not be, unless the liver were hurt.

4. Epiph. Ferdinandus writes, Hist. 17. That he hath learned by experience, and that other physitians have observed the same, that those who being once cured are again infected with this disease, are either never, or with a great deal of difficul∣ty recovered.

5. Although the nature of this virulency doth not consist in any manifest distem∣per, yet if it light on a body hot and dry, and especially endewed with a hot dis∣temper of the liver, 'tis more difficultly cured. For whenas pock-wood, Sarsapa∣rilla, and the like, are hot and dry, that hot and dry distemper is increased, and so, though this very disease be not increased, yet another damage is brought upon the body, and whenas those proper medicines cannot safely be administred, unless the body before were very wel purged, by these means 'tis heated and dryed the more.

6. For the same cause, a hot and dry season of the yeare, as that of the sum∣mer is, is not so fit for the cure of this disease, whenas the strength is then Exhau∣sted.

7. If also the strength be seeble, that it cannot undergoe those strong medicines which are necessary, or if the sick, out of custom or peevishness, wil not admit of necessary medicaments, 'tis made hard to cure.

8. If also a ••eaver, or consumption, or other grievous symptom, or disease be joy∣ned, which may hinder the cure, the disease cannot easily be removed, as was said even now, of a hot distemper of the liver, and of the whol body.

9. If there appear in the joynts, callous, Schirrous, and hard tumors, and those commonly called gummosities, the evil is hard to be cured, and is not rooted out, by most powerful remedies: for such tumors never appear, unless the evil be inveterate, and hath taken deep root, most of which are sixt in the bones under them.

10. Buboes in the groins if they be hard, and are not easily suppurated, and those which somtimes break forth, sometimes vanish, are hard of cure, because they signifie a stubborn matter, and a weakeness of nature in expelling it: but if they be easily supputated, and the strength be firm, and especially the liver strong, they are ar∣guments

of a more benigne Disease and matter; and such Buboes, if they be kept open along while, may bring perfect health.

11. A roughness of the jaws which is attended with hoarsness, or an obscure, or no voice, do shew the evil to be antient and stubborn, and which wil scarce be cured.

12. Ulcers that are new in the Yard are easily Cured, but in the Arsehole, or about it, made difficultly, for they shew the evil is now inveterate: and such Ulcers are continually moistned by the Excrements, and Medicines cannot conveniently enough be applied to them.

13. Ulcers also in the joynts and other parts are most hard to cure, because they signifie an evil now inveterate, and which hath invaded the whole body.

14. Ulcers in the mouth and jaws are not easily cured, because also they argue the evil to be ancient, neither can convenient Medicines be applied to them, and they are continually moistned, by the Excrements falling from the brain.

15. If the bones of the nose be eaten, and there be also a slow Feaver, it signi∣fies an evil incurable, whenas now the disease is communicated to the brain it self, or its Membranes.

16. Bunchings cut in this disease, especially the broader, are not easily cured, and they argue an evil hard to be cured.

17. The colour of the Skin depraved, and the falling of the hair, if convenient means be applied, are not very hard to cure.

18. Pains especially in the Head, and upon the Shins, are oftentimes very stub∣born, that they yeild to no Remedies, or at least not under a long time.

19. Vertigoes and falling sicknesses are most grievous and pertinacious, for they shew that the Veneral Virulency, hath now possest the brain it self.

20. Distillations also are lasting, because they also happen, only when the evil is inveterate, and the brain is affected; the which are more dangerous and grievous, if they fal on the breast and Lungs, and exulcerate them.

21. Also the noise in the Ears is for the most part lasting, and scarcely removed, whenas there are divers windings in the Eares, and their expulsive faculty is weak, neither can medicines penetrate thither.

22. The running of the Reins also for the most part is lasting, or if it be stopt grievous evils are wont to follow, and most heavy pains of the Head and Joynts.

23. But chiefly the Nature of the Contagion it self, from which the sick con∣tracted the disease, doth manifest the force and greatness of the disease; for this poyson hath somtimes a greater, somtimes a less activity, and Physitians do relate who have often had such Patients in cure, that somtimes of ten strong yong men, who have had to do with the same Whore, not one of them hath scaped, therefore if it be known, from what he or she, this evil was contracted, the Physitian may the easier judg of the event of the disease.

24. Other things being alike, this evil is easiest cured, which is contracted by Whorish Copulation, but that is harder to Cure, which the Infant hath sucked in with the milk, whenas the virulency goes into the stomach with the milk, and hence in the Liver there is generated a virulent blood, which afterwards runs through the whol body, and Pollutes that. But the Hereditary evil is hardest of al to Cure, and that which is communicated from infected Parents, with the Seed and blood.

25. As for the parts affected, if the Liver only be affected, the evil is the easier Cured, whenas it hath a strong expulsive faculty, and Medicaments can easily pe∣netrate unto it: but the Spleen, Kidneys, Womb, and external joynts are not so easily Cured, but hardest of all the Brain, and the Lungs, because they have a weaker expulsive faculty, and Medicaments do not easily penetrate thi∣ther.

26. From al which 'tis easily collected, what wil be the event of the Disease, for

by how much the more, and more grievous diseases and Symptomes are joyned with the Veneral disease, by so much the more the sick are indangered; by how much the fewer, and lighter, by so much the less: and those chiefly die, who to their putrid and Malignant Veneral Disease, have supervenient those Feavers they call Gallical; for the Veneral Virulency whiles it corrupts the Humors, and induceth a Malignant quality into them, makes the Feaver worse, and also de∣bilitates the innate heat, whence neither the Feaver, nor that Malignant disease can be overcome by Nature.

27. Very many also die of a wasting of the body, and a hectick Feaver, or ra∣ther a slow, and putrid one: for both the Veneral virulency it self, and the pains, watchings, and other symptomes do debilitate the innate heat, hurt nutrition, whence follows a wasting of the whol body, to which is joyned a slow putrid Feaver raised from the evil Humors.

28. Sanguification also being hurt, some die of a Dropsie.

29. Many also die by reason of Catarrhes, falling down on the jaws and Lungs, hindering and taking away their breath; or the Vessels of the Lungs being eaten by a sharp Catarrhe, and first of al spitting of blood being raised, then a Phthisick, they die.

30. Somtimes the Vessels being eaten in two by the acrimony of the Humors, and Vomiting of blood caused, the sick die by too great a Flux to the stool, or by the Womb.

CHAP. VIII. Of Prevention.

WHenas 'tis safer to prevent a Disease, than to cure it, * 1.58 some Physitians en∣deavor to teach, by what means one may keep himself clear, though he have had to do with an infected Woman. Of which business Fallopius treats in the whol Chapter, 89. de Morb. Galli. and he writes that he should seem to have done nothing unless he teach, how one seeing a handsome Woman, and lying with her though she be infected, may be preserved from the French Disease: and he cals the immortal God to witness, that he hath made tryal of it in ten thousand men, and none of them was infected: and he propounds there two medicaments, by which the Contagion received may presently be drawn forth, dissipated, or dryed up. Hercules Saxonia, propounds the same, de lue Vener. cap. 16. and does very much com∣mend them, and as Aurelius Minadous speaks of this business, many confide that being guarded with those Medicines as with a buckler, they may enter the most in∣fected whores, and freely ramble al the world over. Eustachius Rudius, also proposes the like Medicaments, Lib. 5. de morb. occult. cap. 13. But indeed I do not beleeve, that those things can be taught with a good conscience, by which so many men are encouraged to lust, whom perhaps the fear of this Disease might have frigh∣ted from it; and therefore we wil say nothing of these Medicines; but Aurelius Minadous thinks they themselves are deceived, that teach such things, Cap. 31. de Virulentia Venerea. Where he overthrows Fallopius foundation, who thinks that this Disease is only communicated by the least purulent bodies, which if they be wiped away, extracted, dissipated, this Disease may be turned off, and he teacheth that the Contagion doth not only enter by the external parts of the Privities, but al∣so chiefly by the internal, and runs through the Body, and that the infected Vapors, and spirits do pass through the internal porosities, and are admitted by the Veins; and therefore no man can promise himself health and safety from washing, which on∣ly reaches to the external parts, nor from other Medicaments outwardly applied, neither can such external Medicaments take away the Pollution conceived within. The safect way therefore to avoid this Disease is to abstain from whores, and to

remember that Whoremongers and Adulterers the Lord wil judg, who yet is wont also to punish them in this Life, with that most filthy Disease.

Yet Jul. Galmarius, hath another way of prevention of this Disease, to wit, by internal Medicaments, and he writes that he hath found out an antidote or a Mullet, by the use of which mens bodies are rendered safe against this Disease, yet he entreats and conjures al Physitians and Chyrurgeons, that they do not communicate and make known that Medicine in obedience to lustful people, and that they make not themselves fosterers of lusts, but to them only who must necessarily converse with those that are suspected or defiled. But he describes that Antidote, Lib. 1. cap. 8. and this is it.

Take of the Amulet for the Pox, and of old Mithridate, by Galens description, of each six drams; Conserve of the flowers of Bugloss, of broom, of Rosemany, of each three drams; mix them, give one dram, or a dram and an half, or two drams at the most, in the morning two hours before meat, eight or ten daies together.

But if any one suspect himself to be infected, he admonisheth that he earnestly use a greater care for prevention: therefore let him take of the Alexipharmacal Me∣dicine even now described, swallowing a dram, or a dram and an half in the morning and before supper, for eight or ten daies together, whose Verture that it may reach the easier to the more remote parts, when they have swallowed it, 'tis expedient they drink presently after it somwhat of this Julep, by which as its vehicle it may be carried into every part.

Take of the water of blessed thistle, burnet, Devils-bit, of each two ounces, of Syrup of the juyce of Sorrel, of Lemmons, of each an ounce and an half. Make a Julep for two doses, to be drank presently after the taking of a dram and an half of the Amulet, in the morning, and two hours before supper.

But whenas al those simple Medicaments, which are in that Antidote, are not proper to this Veneral Disease, we must consult with experience, whether their ver∣tue be so great, as Palmarius cries it up for.

CHAP. IX. Of Indications.

THose Indications which are in other diseases, * 1.59 are found also in this; to wit, That which is taken from the Disease, called in specy Curative: That which the cause doth afford, Preservatory, whether also are referred urgent Symptomes; and last of al the Vital, for they deservedly challenge a place in this disease, yet in the ex∣plaining of them Authors vary much, and as every one thinks of the Nature of this Disease, so also he teacheth concerning its indication and cure. We insisting on those things which we have formerly preposed of the Nature of this Disease, and have strongly proved, think thus of indications in this Disease.

First of al, whenas this Disease is occult, and Malignant, chief enemy to the Liver and nutritive faculty, therefore it affords a kind of genercial indication, but no spe∣cifical and profitable one can be had from thence, and therefore only experience, which hath found out Medicines working by an occult quality, hath administred profitable Medicines in this Disease: and unless the Spaniards had received from the Indians such Medicaments, as Lignum Sanctum, Sarsapartilla, China Root; and the boldness of Ciyrurgions, and especially Jacob Carpus, had not fallen upon the use of Mercury, either by chance or by argumentation, whiles they read that Avicen, Mesue, and Theodoricus, made use of quicksilver, in certain pustles, and a crusty Scab, perhaps even to this day the true Remedies of this Disease would lie hid. But though the Remedies of this disease, were not found out so much by indication, as by experience; yet a Method in curing of it is not wholly excluded, but hath its

place also, whenas 'tis necessary that those Medicaments found out by experience be rightly applied; and besides also Tumors, Ulcers, and the like Diseases springing from the corruption of Humors, have their Method, by which they are cured. Yet in this case we must have a care, that we do not look more on the manifest qualities, and known diseases, than on the occult Nature of the disease, in which business not∣withstanding many do fail, who are tedious in curing of divers distempers, preparing the Humors, and directing their cure to these or those diseases. Whenas yet 'tis plain by experience, that in a hot, and in a dry distemper, and in an exustion of the Humors, as they speak, and in a Consumption it self, we do most happily use pock∣wood, and the like hot and dry things, and the Malignity being overcome, the rest do easily vanish.

Secondly, as concerning indication preservatory, * 1.60 here we must chiefly have re∣spect unto that Malignity and virulency imprinted on the Humors, and that is to be destroyed by proper and Alexipharmacal Medicines. Yet if there be any other faults in the Humors, it wil not be unprofitable also to mend them. And whenas the body is either burthened with a Plenitude, or abounds with vitious Humors, the malignity is the easier disseminated into it, and there is more plentiful matter pre∣pared for putrefaction, and the force of the Alexipharmacal means is dulled, it is expedient to empty either the superfluous blood, or the vitious Humors, that the other Medicines afterwards may be administred more safely, more commodiously, and with greater benefit.

Thirdly, the Disease and various Symptomes, * 1.61 which supervene to the principal disease, and arise from the corruption of Humors, are al to be removed in their pro∣per manner.

Fourthly, the strength is to be preserved, for as no other disease can be cured, * 1.62 unless there be strength of body, so nor this; and al attempts are in vain, unless at leastwise we have Nature willing.

And so there are four things chiefly to be done in this disease: First of al, * 1.63 if blood abound, that must be diminisht, and if any vitious Humors abound, they are to be prepared and emptied, and if there be any manifest diseases, which may be an im∣pediment to the proper Cure, as obstructions and the like, they must first of all be taken away. Secondly, the Malignity and virulency as wel that inherent in the humors, as that imprinted on the parts, and principally the Liver, is to be destroied by the proper Alexipharmaca of this disease. Thirdly, the strength is to be pre∣served and confirmed, and first of al chiefe care is to be had of the Liver, which suf∣fers in this disease. Fourthly, the diseases and Symptomes which are wont to be joyned to this disease are to be taken away.

Here we must clear a controversie, to wit, * 1.64 Whether this disease may be cured with∣out sweating? Some are of this opinion, That this disease may be taken away, though sweat be not provoked: And first of al they prove it thus, Because this evil consists in a certain hidden quality which cannot be taken away but by alteration of the bo∣dy, whenas contraries are cured by contraries: but that alteration may be affected by the proper vertue of antidotes and decoctious administred, without sweating. Next of al they alledge experience, by which it is evident, that by the taking of such Medicaments, some have recovered without sweating. Thirdly, they urge this, That those that drink the decoction of the wood are somtimes happily emptied by nature, by urine, by the stool, and not alwaies by sweats.

Aurelius Minadous, contends against these, de Virulen. Vener. Cap. 39. And first of al he writes that he never observed, that Physitians commanded the decocti∣on to be taken without sweating, to which al Alexipharmacal things of their own Nature do incline men, neither is the matter it self unfit to be expeld this way, being Vaporous and halituous: neither was there ever any one, who did throughly and wholly overcome this disease without the help of some sweating, especially if it were inveterate; but why he holds thus, he brings this reason, That in his opinion, the essence of this evil doth not consist in a quality, but in the body

affected with an evil quality: and therefore he holds, as a quality doth indicate alteration, so a body indicates Evacuation, which though it may be many waies, yet most commodiously by sweating: whenas this very thing is a Vaporous body, and is most rightly and easily discussed by sweat; and he adds this, whenas there is a great quantity of Excrements abounding in those bodies infected with this disease, not only in one part, but al over the body; but sweat is an universal Evacuation, they are most commodiously emptied by sweating: and he holds that sweats do ve∣ry much profit the Liver especially. For whenas that is the Forge of Humors, which are carried through the whol body, and they are purged by the benefit of sweat, and freed from al defilements, also the Liver polluted may be this way clean∣sed, and though Nature somtimes do empty the virulent humors by some other part, as by stool, or by Urine, and then her endeavor is not to be hindered, but to be helped forward; yet he holds that without sweating the whol body cannot be freed from that Disease, and he thinks that sweat only can empty from al places both in∣ternal, and external, quickly, safely, and pleasantly.

But neither of these opinions doth fully reach the Truth, * 1.65 and both delivers an im∣perfect Cure. For whenas the Curative indication so called in general, is twofold; the one preservative, which is taken from the cause; the other in specy called Cura∣tive, which is taken from the Disease; they who think this disease may be cured without sweat, because it consists in a certain hidden and Malignant quality, think right concerning the curative indication, whenas that malignant quality cannot be taken away by sweating, or other Evacuations, but by proper Alexipharmaca, yet they neglect the preservative indication, and the cause: for whenas it is certain, that in the Veneral disease, there is not only a vitious disposition, and Malignant, in the parts, especially the Liver, but that al the Humors of the Body are corrupted; there is required then an Evacuation of them, which is most commodiously done by sweating, as Minadous rightly proves. For though somthing be discussed insen∣sibly, yet that insensible Evacuation is not sufficient, and 'tis too slow. But Au∣relius Minadous, thinks wel concerning the taking away of the Cause, and the Evacuation of vitious Humors, which is most rightly done by sweating; but he neglects the disease it self, or that Malignant quality, imprinted nor only on the Humors, but also on the Living parts: from which it appears, which is diligently to be taken notice of, that the dispute of occult diseases, is not amongst those which Galen calls Logical, but does conceive the very essence of these diseases, and that the ignorance of the occult diseases, doth not only breed Errors in theory, but also in pactice. Therefore though we do grant, that the Evacuation of Humors is wel ordered by sweating, yet Alexipharmaca are necessary also, against that malignant disposition in the parts, especially in the Liver, and Fernelius, whom Palmarius follows, or this very cause do add peculiar Alexipharmaca, as shal be said, that that Malignant disposition may be pulled up by the Routs. For though al the vicious Humors be emptied, and al other diseases and Symptomes do cease after their emp∣tying; yet unless that Malignant disposition be taken out of the parts, the evil grows fresh again, and oftentimes a long while after. And this I think is the cause, that not only the decoction of Pockwood, Sarsaparilla, and the like, is given in the morning to provoke sweat, but also without sweating is taken as common drink; for the very same proper Medicines, which do destroy the occult cause and malignity in the humors, and do empty the vitious humors by sweat, are able also to Eradicate the disposition imprinted in the parts.

Last, of al this must not be past over, that the indications proposed before, are not necessary to be observed in every French disease, but only in that, which hath almost invaded the whol body, and especially hath possessed the Liver. But if the evil be new, there is no need either to let blood, or to give purges, whenas the fault is not yet communicated to the humors, but it is enough to wipe off, or cal forth the contagion received, which also is sufficient in the scab newly contracted by contagi∣on, where yet we must observe, whether those pustles, and French rottenness, as

they cal it, do immediately proceed from contagion, and whorish copulation, for then external medicines do suffice, or whether they do arise from the Liver now af∣fected, for then there is need of evacuations and alexipharmaca.

Chap. X. Of the Cure. And first of bleeding.

FIrst of al therefore as concerning indication preservative, or the removing of the causes, and bleeding at the beginning; truly the cause of this disease pro∣perly and next of al is not taken away by letting of blood; yet if blood do abound in the body, and that especially be too hot, the proper remedies of this disease, which are hot and dry, cannot be safely administred unless the abounding blood be first di∣minished.

And truly if the virulent matter have no peculiar motion to any part, the basilick veine may first of al be opened: but if the matter have motion to some particular part, as to the groin, and nature thrust forth a bubo, bleeding is warily to be used: for if the bubo tend to suppuration, we must not let blood, and especially in the Arme, lest nature be troubled in her expulsion, and the matter be recalled to the inward parts. And it hath been observed, that many from the bubo opened, and the matter a long while emptied by it, have become perfectly found; on the contra∣ry from unseasonable bleeding, the evil hath been prolonged; therefore in bleeding we must attend the motion of nature, and when the tumor doth not afford hopes of suppuration, a veine must be opened in the lower parts, for so the the matter is re∣tracted towards the lower parts, and by reason of the efflux of hot blood, 'tis after∣wards more easily suppurated. After the same manner a veine is to be opened in the yard, if there be rottenness in the privities, or a running of the Reines, and wholly if the parts below the Liver be affected: but if the matter rush to the head, and there cause most vehement pains, filthy ulcers, falling of the haire, the cephalick veine in the Arme is most commonly opened.

The other precepts which are propounded in general concerning the right admi∣nistration in bleeding, are here also to be observed; which whenas they are not pro∣per to this affect, we shal no further propose them here.

If the strength wil not beare bleeding, instead thereof the hemorhoidal veines of the Arse, may be opened, or Cupping-glasses be applied in convenient places.

Chap. XI Of the preparation, and purging of vitious humors.

NExt of al if the body be cacochymical, * 1.66 the vitious humors must be emptied and prepared with convenient medicaments; whenas in an impure body a∣lexipharmacal meanes, and proper remedies of this disease, do profit little, nay they may bring hurt, and though that disease be overcome, may tender the body obnoxious to other diseases. For vitious humors collected about the bowels can∣not al be discussed and dissipated by sweat, but the thinner part being discussed the thicker is left, and grows dry, and is fastened in the bowels, and oftentimes con∣tracting an acrimony, doth weaken the substance of the vessels: from whence that disease grows somtimes more stubborn to cure, and there arise obstructions of the Liver and Spleen, and schirrous tumors, hypochondriacal diseases, and creeping ulcers.

Nor yet is purging only to be used in the beginning, and before the proper cure of the disease, but also the whol time of the cure, if vitious matter be collected again,

'tis to be emptied by intervals: yet if the evil be now inveterate, and stick princi∣pally in the external parts, the vitious matter is not rashly to be recalled to the in∣ward parts by strong purgers, least the Liver, Stomach, and other bowels be hurt and weakned, but 'tis to be emptied by convenient places, where nature tends.

But concerning the preparation and purging of humors, though many Authors are large enough, yet whenas those things which are spoke by them, concerning an universal preparation and purging of humors, are not proper to this disease, but are common to al depending on a cacochymy: it seems not worth our labor, to dwel upon those generals, which are already known by the cure of many other diseases. We shal only admonish you of these things; first of al when the disease is new, we must observe, what vitious humors abound in the body, and especially in the second region, and those must be prepared and emptied. But if the evil be now inveterate, because in that for the most part, thick and adust humors are collected, the medi∣cins are first of al to be directed against them. Next of al this is to be observed, that we have respect also to the distemper of the bowels, and if they have contracted any distemper, that must be corrected, and they must be strengthened with proper me∣dicaments. Thirdly, it is necessary, that we alwaies ad somwhat to our prepara∣tives and purgers, which doth resist the Veneral virulency by a specifick faculty; and therefore concerning common purging medicines we wilad nothing, whenas they are every where obvious and known, but this that many physitians do testify, That Mechcacan, to which belongs Jallop, is given not only for its purging faculty with benefit in this disease, but also because 'tis an enemy to this evil by a peculiar power, so that it is numbered by some amongst the antidotes of this disease. Then by the Chymists mercury prepared is cheifly commended for the curing and purg∣ing of this disease, of which shal be spoken hereafter in particular.

Chap. XII. Of the proper remedies and antidotes and alexipharmaca of the Veneral Disease in general.

AFter the body is emptied in convenient manner, the greatest hopes of this cure is in the proper antidotes of this disease, as from which only perfect health can be hoped for so indeed, that though divers other diseases, arising from the cor∣ruption of humors, be often joined with this disease; yet if that malignity be taken away, a little while after either they vanish of their own accord, or are easily cured, but without the help of these remedies, no perfect cure can be hoped for by other medicines, under what name soever: and this too is observed by many that these kind of medicaments though by their manifest qualities they seem to be adversaries to a hot and dry distemper, yet these hot and dry medicaments have been used with most happy success by many who were endewed with a hot and dry distemper of the Liver, nay of the whol body, and who had a leane habit of body, nay were almost plainly consumptive, from which very thing appeares, that in this disease, we ought rather to take care of the occult malignity, than of the manifest distemper. And therefore as soon as the body is in some sort prepared and emptied, we must maturely hasten to those Alexipharmaca of the Veneral disease.

But though some Physitians would advance and extol the vertues of those medi∣caments which shal presently be reckoned up, * 1.67 whiles they hold, that the decoction of Juniper wood, of the Olive tree, Box, Beech, and other trees may performe the same, as the decoction of Guajacum, so that a most slender course of dyet be used, as is wont to be observed with the decoction of Pock-wood: yet experience hath long since taught that that is false: for though it be certain that by a most slender diet some symptomes of this disease do grow more gentle, yet unless proper reme∣dies be administred, a little while after the disease is seen to grow fresh again, and

return more cruel: for such medicines indeed with a slender diet, may consume the vitious humors, but they cannot overcome the malignity: as therefore this disease is occult, and is not known but by its effects, so also the remedies which cure this disease, are not found out by reason, but only by experience.

But what those medicaments are, Physitians again do not fully agree. * 1.68 Many put their greatest hopes in Quicksilver, and think that the only and proper Alexiphar∣macum of the Veneral disease; others do wholy reject it, of which business shal be spoke hereafter. Others, and most men indeed, undertake the cure of this disease with the use of Guajacum, Sarsaparilla, China root, Sassafras wood; and others doubt of these very things, nay some deny that this disease can be overcome by the use of Guajacum only and the like, and therefore they think their vertue ought to be quickned and increased by the mixture of other things. Jul. Palmarius lib. de lue Vener. cap. 13. distinguisheth and thinks that Guajacum is not of so great force that that alone can wholy extinguish the root, and al the deadliness of the vene∣ral poyson; neither that it is so weak, that it can do nothing without the help and conjunction of other things; he writes indeed that by the use of that alone, the hu∣mors being consumed, al the symptomes of the disease wil at length be allaied, and wholly lie hid, but yet the virulent taint of the disease, which is already in the solid parts, is not overcome, and wholy extinguished in most people by that remedy; but that the deadliness of the latent poyson be wholy extinguisht, and that the return of the disease be prevented, he thinks other alexipharmaca ought to be administred, which opinion doubtless he received from his Master Fernelius, for he writes that he, as in lib. 1. de. lue Vener. cap. 7. did first dare to promise a perfect cure of the French Disease without the use of Quick-silver, and that he took care for the Com∣position of many Alexipharmaca at his House, which he gave against this poyson with Guajacum, and somtimes without it, and as he writes in the alleaged Cap. 7. two of these medicines which he found to be most excellent and efficacious, he by the addition of other medicines hath reduced into one, which hitherto never failed any man.

But whenas these medicaments are compounded of common Alexpharmaca not proper to this disease, we shal not propose them in the first place, but hereafter we shal speak somwhat of them. But in the first place, we shal treat of those things which most Physitians have hitherto used, and which long experience hath now confirmed to be alexipharmaca of this disease, by the use of which it hath been a long time observed, that not only the vitious humors have been emptied, and the symptomes destroyed; but the very roots of the disease have been pulled up, that it could no more returne. Of which sort are your pock••wood, sarsaparilla, China root, Sassafras-wood, of which we wil now speak.

Chap. XIII. Of the Indian Wood, and Guajacum.

ANd first of al we wil treat of the Indian wood, * 1.69 as being that which challengeth the cheife place amongst the remedies of this disease. For whenas this disease is reported to be endemious in the Indies, the chiefe remedy is also fetcht from thence, which they cal the Indian wood; but this sort of wood, * 1.70 as appeares by Consalvus Oviedus a noble Spaniard, who writes of things in the Indies, is two fold; the one which is commonly known, called Guajacum, the other which is called the ho∣ly wood. For though by many these two woods are taken for one and the same, yet the forementioned Author, doth distinguish them both by their marks and pla∣ces, concerning which see Fallopius de morb. Gal. cap. 39. yet whenas both woods have the same force to overcome the French disease, (though it be reported that the holy wood be of greater force against articular diseases, and others, and the holy wood is now a days seldom brought over to us) we shal only speak of Guajacum.

Amongst other new Islands found out in former Ages, there is one also, which the Spaniards the discoverers have called by the name of Hispaniola: whenas the Veneral disease was reported to be indemious there, and the decoction of a certain wood is esteemed there the only remedy of that disease, which at this day is called guajacum, & by the inhabitants is pronounced with gaping Huajacum. The Spaniards infected with the same disease, having found the same decoction to be helpful, did after∣wards discover its vertue to others: the tree is reported to be leaved like ash, the color of the wood within is blackish, the wood it self is heavy and ponderous, it floates not in water, but sinks; 'tis ful of rozin, and while it burnes, it sends forth no in∣grateful scent, its tast is somewhat bitter, with a light accrimony, pricking the tongue.

There is some doubt amongst physitians concerning the choice of it; * 1.71 some are of opinion, that which is whitish, is to be preferred before the rest; whenas by how much the lesser 'tis in years, by so much the whiter it is, but the older it is, by so much the blacker it is: but that which is older is dryer, and that which is yonger is more moist, and more abounding with juyce, and therefore more powerful. But in∣deed whenas there is a two fould humor in living things, the one primogenious, the subject of innate heate, or the implanted spirit, apt to take fire; the other alimentary, more watrish, and less apt to be set on fire: the vertues of this wood, as also of other plants, are not to be judged from the alimentary and more watrish humor, but from that implanted heat, and primogenious humidity; which whenas in 'its tender age, both in infants, and in plants, 'tis overwhelmed and obscu∣red by much moisture, many actions in that age are infirm and weak, which after∣wards that moisture being somewhat wasted, and the heat become more vigorous, in progress of time they become more strong, and this heat the cheif instrument ofal acti∣ons is wont to consist unchanged til it comes to its ful age, and heigth: and therefore though the same innate heat and radical moisture be alwaies in Guajacum, on which its vertues do depend, yet because in the yong and tender wood, that vertue is as it were over whelmed, and restrained by the abundance of moisture, that wood which is the yonger is less efficacious, than that which is now of a ful confirmed growth: and therefore for the cure of this disease, we must not chuse that wood which is yellowish, or that is of a box colour, or that which is cut of a tree not ful grown, or from the boughs, as being less efficacious; but rather that which is somewhat black, because that is more roziny, and abounds with that fat and balsomy substance, * 1.72 in which doth chiefly reside that vertue opposite to veneral virulency. It is good therefore to know the age of this wood, that we may choose the most effectual. For that indeed which hath the inward part black, and is long waies divided with clefts as it were with certain lines of a duskish colour, gathered into blackish rounds, that is efficacious, but yet 'tis such as is cut off either from the arms of trees, or certainly hath not yet attained its ful maturity, and therefore 'tis of less efficacy: for those kind of Lines do therefore appeare because that fatty sub∣stance, which doth chiefly reside in the middle trunk of the tree, is not yet so plen∣tiful, as to fil up al the internal parts of the wood: but that which is black al over the internal parts, the superficies only being whitish, that if it be sound, weighty, and odorous, and prick the tongue with a light acrimony, and either is not divi∣ded with any lines, or else with those ful of rozin, and therefore while it burnes besides the grateful smel it sends forth, it also yeelds a blackish rozin that hath attained the highest degree of maturity, and is cut off from the body of the tree, and is therfore most effectual, but if it be divided with lines, and ful of holes, and neither weighty, nor odorous, nor acrimonious, and being lighted yeelds no rozin, it is a sign that that is now old, and therefore its vertues are grown dul.

L. Septalius also doth admonish us here, that there is a certain sort of Guajacum, which is never to be brought into use, which hath no true blackness in the middle of it, but is of a somewhat darke and greenish colour, which makes the decoction very thick, that it wil never be cleare, and by its exceeding acrimony, it causeth a heat

both in the throat and jaws, and by reason of its thick and earthy parts, for the most part it causeth obstructions in the spleen, sometimes also in the liver, Empiricks cal it the wild holy wood: but whereas he finds no where in Authors this twofould difference of domestick, and wild; he rather thinks it acquires these qua∣lities from the nature of the soil.

Also if the barke be thick, and cleave so to the wood, that it can scarce be pul∣led and parted from it, the wood is good: but if the Bark be easily separated from the wood, either 'tis old, or perisht by salt water: also if the wood appear fatty whiles it is rasped, and that being masticated doth bite, and leave a bitterness behind it; and whiles it is cut, it appeare solid with an even superficies, not rough and ful of holes, the wood is good.

The Bark of this wood is endewed with great acrimony and bitterness, * 1.73 and therefore dries, attenuates, and digests more powerfully than the wood; but be∣cause that occult vertue which is opposite to this disease, is rather in that fatty and moist, and balsamical substance, the wood is alwaies preferred before the bark; and besides the bark is not so conveniently given in hot and dry bodies.

As concerning the vertues of Guajacum, it is hot and dry, as may be perceived from its tast, smel, and acrimony, and that in the second degree, * 1.74 and 'tis also of thin parts, whence it hath power to attenuate crass things, to cut and cleanse clammy humors, to open obstructions, to move sweat and urine, and to dissipate and wast superfluous cold humors: but this pockwood is not chiefly given for those qualities (whenas there are found in Europe medicaments endewed with those qualities, that there was no need to transport them out of the Indies) but principally for that pe∣culiar and occult power. By which it is opposed to the Veneral virulency: and truly al physitians almost doe agree that pockwood doth deserve the first place a∣mongst the alexiplarmaca of the veneral disease: for though Fernelius would somewhat lessen its vertue, because al that are affected with this disease are not cu∣red by the use of it, yet this is no sufficient cause, since there is found no such alexipharmacum, or other medicine which can cure diseases past hope. But this wood is by an occult quality and propriety opposite to the Veneral viru∣lency it self, and is a friend to the radical moisture, and natural balsom, which doth most of al suffer by this virulency inimicous to the nutritive fa∣culty; and doth so strengthen it, that it hath been observed, that those also, who had a liver, and whol habit of body hot and dry, and who have been almost consu∣med with the veneral disease, as was said before, by the use of the decoction of this wood, though by its heat and dryness adverse to them have been restored, and be∣come better habited and more corpulent. Some indeed have dared to write, that the decoction of this wood doth nourish as much as chicken broath: but these seem to me, to be excessive in the praise of this wood: for though it be a vegetable, and per∣haps may leave some alimental juyce in the decoction, yet I think no body that is in his right mind wil easily deny, that a chicken hath not more convenient nourish∣ment for a man, than Guajacum, * 1.75 but that some after this disease become more corpu∣lent, is accidental; for whenas by reason of the Veneral virulency nutrition was hurt in the whol body, when that is discussed and extinguisht, the body begins a∣gain to be nourisht wel, and to be augmented: the like of which happens also in some other diseases, especially in feavers, before which whenas men were not wel flesht by reason of evil nourishment, the vitious humors being waisted by the disease afterwards they begin to be nourisht wel, and become more corpulent.

Fr. Arcaeus also lib. de curand. vulner. rat. gives the * 1.76 Decoction of Guajacum for ulcers of the Lungs, and the ptisick; and he writes, that bodies, though they be wasted, are not offended by it, but rather grow fat upon it: nay there are some, who attribute a nutritive power to Guajacum, and write that it is no less nourishing than chicken broath. The same vertues also others do attribute, * 1.77 to Sarsaparilla, Sassafras, and especially to China root, but indeed though it be found by experience, that in

the ptisick, Veneral disease, scab and other diseases, bodies extenuated, have been restored again, and made fat by the use of these decoctions, yet this comes to pass not of it self, because these decoctions have a nutritive faculty, as other nou∣rishments, but by accident, in as much as they take away the cause of leanness. In ptisick bodies the case is plain; for whenas that wasting of the body proceeds from an ulcer of the Lungs, the ulcer being dried up by the use of Guajacum, the body begins to be wel nourisht again: the same happens in other diseases, as the French, the Scab, and the like. For whenas that leanness, and consumption doth proceed from bad nourishment, but bad nourishment for the most part from acrid and falt humors, which do both consume the good blood, and hinder the agglutination of it to the body, those vitious humors being wasted by the decoctions, and discussed by sweats, the bodies begin to be nourisht wel again, nay grow fat.

But this wood hath not only an alterative power, and by its occult quality to ex∣tinguish that malignity of the Veneral virulency, imprinted both on the humors, and the solid parts, but also to evacuate, both sensibly by sweating, and insensibly by insensible transpiration: and therefore the way of curing the French disease by Guajacum, and medicines of affinity with that is most in use. For though by reason of the length of the cure, and the pains of sweating, and the slender dyet, it cause some trouble to them: yet it is far safer than that way, which is by quicksilver, where if there be an error, the patient is in no smal danger.

But there are prepared out of Guajacum divers medicaments, * 1.78 and those either in a liquid forme, or in a solid, and in substance: but those given in a liquid forme, are most effectual, whenas they are easily deduced into act and penetrate into the whol body, and do irritae the expulsive faculty of al parts to cast off what is hurtful: but in a solid forme, whenas that part in which the vertue of the medicine doth chiefly reside, is not yet separated from the earthy and thick part, 'tis not so easily deduced into act. The decoction therefore as most convenient is most in use: yet if any by reason of the continued use of this medicine be weary of it, and never∣theless do feare least there be some reliques of the evil humor remaining, or their course of life wil no longer admit of the use of the decoction as it ought to be taken, to such, medicines made out of this wood, may be given in another form. Amongst which extracts and spirits, as shal be said, are most efficacious, and far more ex∣cellent than pouders.

But the manner of boy ling this wood is various, * 1.79 both in respect of the liquor in which the decoction is made, and of the quality of the liquor: for some boyl the wood in water, some in Barly water, some in distilled waters, others in wine, o∣thers in Whey, and others in broth of Flesh. L. Septalius lib. 7. adnimadu. nu. 204. reprehends those who deny, that the decoction of this wood may be made in wine only, when as nothing is more fit to extract the faculties of medicines, than wine, and the water of wine (he had spoke righter than the spirit of wine) and therefore he prepares his decoction with wine, which he useth when the disease is inveterate with an evil habit of body, and a cold matter predominant: after this manner eight ounces of the bark of the best holy wood grossely poudered being in∣fused in forty two physical pints of the best white wine, for two days, the wine being first heated and alwaies kept hot those two days in a double vessel, or in the ashes; afterwards with a slow fire boyl it away in a double vessel, to the consump∣tion of the third part, which let the sick make use of, both in the morning instead of a syrup, and for his drink at meales, let him take in the morning seven ounces, & an hour after move sweat: but at dinner, and supper let him not exceed fourteen ounces. But though we grant that wine is most commodious to extract the vertues of vegetables, yet this cannot be denied that by boyling the strength of wine doth vanish, and when the spirit is exhaled, there is left a nauseous phlegme less profitable than plain simple water. And therefore I am of that opinion that either the wood is to be boyled in water, and towards the end, the wine is to be added, or else the wood

is only to be a long while infused in wine, or to be boyled in a double ves∣sel, that nothing be lost, but by no means to the Consumption of the third part.

Therefore most commonly and rightly the decoction is made in pure water, which doth both a little correct the Heat and driness of the Medicine, and further the distribution, and provocation of sweat, yet if the body, and especially the stomach be cold and weak, and the Patient accustomed to wine, Wine is not un∣profitably mixt with it, as was said even now, and shal be said hereafter; for by the admistion of Wine the stomach is less hurt, and the vertue of the Medicine doth the easier penetrate to al the parts.

And a different proportion of the wood to the water is observed according to the age, constitution of the body, and season of the year, * 1.80 and they take to twelve pound of water, from three ounces of the wood to twelve: for if the season of the year and the body be hot, 'tis safest, to take a less quantity of the wood, and in a longer time to perfect the Cure, than by too strong a Medicine to damnesie the pa∣tient, especially at the beginning of the cure, and before the superfluous Humors in the body be abated, and sweat begin to flow easily and exquisitly, and the pa∣tient be accustomed to the Decoction, afterwards by degrees you may take more of the Wood, which unless it be observed, the Patient is easily brought into dan∣ger. And Eustachius Rudius writes, Lib. 5. de Morb. occult. Cap. 13. That he hath seen patients who by this error, viz. too great a quantity of the wood given on the first daies, have fallen into a Feaver, that afterwards they have been forced to abstaine from the use of the decoction, to their great detriment: but where there is no such thing to be feared, in those of ripe years, we commonly add to one pound of the wood rasped or turned smal, twelve pound of water, in an earthen Vessel glased, and let it infuse twenty four hours in a warm place, afterwards the vessel being wel covered boyle it with a gentle fire, til half, or the third part re∣main, and let the decoction cool in this vessel stil covered, afterwards strain it.

Fallopius Lib. de morb Galli. cap. 46. * 1.81 disputes whether it be better to boyle it with an open fire, or in a double vessel as was said, or in Balneo Mariae, and re∣prehends them who hold that the decoction made in Balneo is more dilute, or less powerful: and that the decoction made in Balneo, is more excellent than that which is made with an open fire, he endeavors to prove by the example of distilled waters, which by the balneum are made most excellent, when as there is no adusti∣on in them, but the greater eliquation which is made in that hot and moist, doth render the decoction more excellent; but experience teacheth otherwise, which reason also doth confirme. For though out of some moister plants, as Roses, Violets, Lilly of the vallies, and the like, being fresh, whose vertue con∣sists in the volatile part, as the Chymists speak, the best waters are made in balneo without the affusion of water: yet in hotter plants, especially in Roots and woods, whose vertue consists in the oyly part, their vertue can never be extracted by the too gentle heat of a Balneum, as happens also in many seeds, but they must be di∣stilled by a † Vesica through which by the vehicle of the water, * 1.82 those more fixed parts may be elevated: when as then the whol vertue of Guajacum doth consist in that oyly and rozeny part, and there is need of strong boyling that that may be extracted, the gentle heat of a Bolneum cannot do it, but it must be boyled in an open fire, which nevertheless causeth no adustion, if there be added a suffi∣cient quantity of water.

Some for the better gust, and that the bitterness and acrimony may be abated, a little before 'tis boyled enough add of Raison and Liquorish, of each one ounce; and you may add Sugar, or some Julep to rellish it, Aurelius Minadous, de virulen. Vener. Cap. 4. holds the Decoction ought chiefly to be Dulcorated with

Honey; for he thinks that a smal quantity of Honey, if it be boyled with it and Skimmed, wil rebate al the bitterness, and the Decoction acquire a greater power to cleanse, attenuate, open, and make fusil the Humors, and strengthen the parts: which we grant may take place in phlegmatick bodies, and especially in a cold stomach; so whenas honey doth easily turn to Choller, we think it cannot safely be used, in chollerick bodies, hot and dry, but more conveniently and safely Raisons, Liquorish, or Sugar.

Some also in those who have a hot and dry Liver, do add towards the end of the decoction a root or two of Succory, one or two handfuls of Endive, Sowthistle: but whenas such decoctions are to be continued along while, we must have a care least by the admistion of such things they be made ingrateful, and provoke nause∣ousness in the Patient: besides whenas for the most part there is boyled at one time Decoction enough for many daies, but the addition of such Herbs doth cause, that the Decoction wil not last so long, to prevent this, such herbs are to be added not to the whol decoction, but to about one pound of it.

Some not unprofitably, especially to those accustomed to it, and whose sto∣mach is weak, do add towards the end of the decoction three pound of a sweetish white wine; some prepare the whol decoction in wine, but not so rightly: for the best part of the wine doth evaporate in boyling, and there is left an ingrateful Flegm as was said before.

Aurelius Minadous, also doth admonish, that the decoction of the wood is to be given with a vehicle, which may direct the vertue of the Medicine to the parts principally affected; and the Head most of al affected we must mix Cephalick things; the Reins affected, things Nephtitical; the Liver, Hepatical; the Spleen, things Splenitick. Which as we do not wholly disallow of, so we do not alwaies think it necessary, whenas the vertue of the decoction doth easily of it self pene∣trate into the whol body: but we must chiefly have a care, least by the admistion of such Medicines, the decoction be rendered nauseous and ingrateful to the Pa∣tient; which when he himself also considers, he admonisheth rightly, that such Medicines are more commodiously taken by themselves reduced into a pouder, or Bolus, or some other forme, than mixt with the decoction; but we shal speak here∣after of compound decoctions.

The Chymists whenas they fear least by the long boyling, * 1.83 which is to the half, or a third part, the Spirituous and subtile parts should exhale and be dissipated, and so the vertue of the Medicine be diminished, prepare this decoction another way, so that it loseth nothing of its strength, they take the pouder of Guajacum and put it into a retort, and pouring a sufficient quantity of water, they place the retort in the ashes, and apply the receiving vessel, and making a fire under it, first they make a digestion, then distil it, to the Consumption of one half of the water they give of the distilled water four ounces; yet it were most commodious if the distilled water were mixed with the rest of the decoction in the retort being strained; for so they would have al the vertue; to that decoction remaining in the retort may be poured more water, and let it digest twelve hours, afterwards di∣stil it; and the liquor distilled may be given for common drink, and whenas it hap∣pens somtimes, that Infants are born infected with the Veneral disease, or are in∣fected by their Nurses, this distilled and sweetned with Sugar may be given them instead of Juleps.

Also after that the first decoction prepared the common way, * 1.84 is strained, twelve or eighteen pound of water again is poured to the wood remaining after the first boyling according as the Patient is wont to drink more or less, and is boyled to the Consumption of the third part; and being strained is given for ordinary drink at dinner and supper, if they desire a more pleasant and sweeter drink, you may add four ounces or more of Raysons, or instead of Raysons, one ounce or

two of Coriander seed prepared, and sweeten the decoction with two or three ounces of Sugar.

But if any Herbs have been added to the first decoction, the decoction for drink at meals must not be made of the remainders of the first decoction because it would be nauseous, but you must prepare another fresh decoction, but more dilute, or a wine of Guajacum, which is made thus: * 1.85 Take four or five pound of the wood, four pound of white Sugar, ten pound of white Wine, and put the wood into a wooden Vessel, and heat the Wine and powr it to it.

Some boyl the wood the third time, and use the decoction to boyl meat in, * 1.86 the same decoction also may be used to wash the hands, to clense the Nostrils, and mundisie Ulcers.

And some give this wood other waies, some in the form of a pouder, * 1.87 others make electuaries of it. Thus Nicol. Massa. Lib. 2. de Morb. Gal. Cap. 6. he takes of the Indian wood most finely prepared one pound, and with Syrup of Fu∣mitory boyles it to the form of an Electuary, of which he gives half an ounce or an ounce; or take of the wood of Guajacum, Sarlaparilla, finely poudered, of each one ounce, of the species of the three saunders and Diarrhodon Abbatis, of each two drams; Conserve of Succory, Roses, of each six ounces; with Syrup of Succory make an Electuary.

Others with a convenient Syrup make pills of it.

But others not without cause do here admonish us, that such Medicines are less effectual, and that many, who were newly infected, when as they hoped for health by the use of such Medicaments, by that delay and lingring and weakness of the Medicine have fallen into a most grievous evil: for as was said, such Medi∣cines do less penetrate into the body. Yet towards the latter end of the Cure, when the evil is almost overcome, and 'tis only feared, that there may remain some evil disposition, and the long continued drinking of the decoction of the wood is nauseous to the patient, such Medicines may be used to consume the re∣liques of the disease.

An extract of this wood is more commodiously prepared, and out of that pills, * 1.88 or rowles: but after the use of it there is need of taking some liquor, by whose vehicle the extract may be distributed and carried into the whol body: nay these extracts, according to the opinion of Hercules Saxonia, have scarce so great strength as to overcome this disease if it be very great and ancient, but the deco∣ction is deservedly preferred before them.

Hercules Saxonia de lue Vener. cap. 27. writes that the oyl is stronger, * 1.89 and he thinks the whol Alexipharmacal power of the wood is placed in this Oyl, and he relates that he hath proved by experience, that by the benefit of this oyl; the greatest and ancientest disease hath been overcome. But he gives it divers waies, in wasted bodies with milk, in others of a hotter temperament, with Conserve of Roses, or whey of Goats; in Melancholly with conserve of Burrage or Bug∣loss, in Flegmatick with Conserve of Betony, in those that have knobs with Tur∣pentine, and two scruples for a dose. But doubtless it was not oyl which Saxonia gave, but a liquid extract or Tincture as they cal it. For no oyl is distilled from this wood by an Alembick: but that which is distilled by a retort, or descent by an open fire, is found to be such, that it cannot conveniently be given into the bo∣dy, nay scarce with safety.

I attribute more to the spirit of Guajacum, * 1.90 the preparation of which is not eve∣ry bodies work, for it requires a longer and more diligent digestion and fermen∣tation for the preparing of it.

There are some also who think, the leaves and fruit of this tree being reduced into Conserves and Electuaries are to be used, and they relate, that the Indians infected with this disease, do use them as Medicines; but though the leaves and fruit may do somwhat in a light disease, yet they are not sufficient in that which is

great and inveterate, neither are they able to perform what the wood doth. But 'tis observed that the fruit of this Tree hath also a power vehemently to loosen the Belly; and whenas a fresh and light disease is somtimes cured only with purges, 'tis no wonder that the Indians may be cured by these purging fruits; especial since that al Alexipharmacal vertue against this disease cannot be denyed them.

CHAP. XIV. Of Sarsaparilla.

NExt to Guajacum, * 1.91 that Root challengeth the first place in curing the Vene∣ral disease, which some call Spartam Parillam, some Salsam Parillam; the Spaniards Sarsam Parillam, by reason of the similitude which it hath with the plant called rough bindweed. By reason of its thornes 'tis cailed Sarsa (for Sar∣sa in Spanish signifies Bryers or Brambles) but by reason of its leaves, and boughs, Parilla, that is to say the thorny vine. Nay Fallopius de Morb. Galli. Cap. 63. is of that opinion, that it is truly the rough bindweed, which grows every where in Italy, and he writes that by the use of it, he hath with happy success freed ma∣ny from the French Pox. Dioscorides also Lib. 4. Cap. 139. writes thus of the rough bindweed, its leaves and fruit being drank before, and after, are antidotes against deadly poysons; and besides 'tis delivered that if somwhat of them pou∣dered be given to a new born infant to drink, no poyson shal afterwards hurt it. But grant it be so, that the Italian rough bindweed can do somwhat against this disease, as also against other poysons, yet he himself grants, that there is no light difference betwixt this and the Indian.

But Sarsaparilla grows in Peru, * 1.92 in the hedges, as rough bindweed, the white and black Bryony, and hops do in Europe. The Root creeps far up and down by the Earth, that 'tis oftentimes above six cubits long, which gathered into bun∣dles is brought over to us. The good and fresh is white, solid, but that which is reddish, and poudery when 'tis broke, is less effectual.

Its vertue as I have said is very great also in curing this disease, * 1.93 and 'tis found by experience, that many have been cured by the use of it, without Guajacum, and because 'tis more Temperate; and moderatly hot, and without any acrimony, bitterness, or astriction, or smel, but hath a certain obscure sweetness, it may safely be given to al constitutions of body, and al Ages; besides 'tis of thin parts, provokes sweat, dries eminently, resists putrefaction, wasts superfluous humidity, somwaht loosneth the body, and therefore is wont in some sort to weaken the stomach; but though Guajacum be more powerful and efficacious, yet Sarsa in this exceeds that wood, that it hath an eminent power to allay the French pains, though never so accute and stubborn, by reason of its exceeding tenuity, penetrating and laxative vertue: and Jul. Palmarius writes, that no pain can happen so contumacious and so continual, which at length it doth not lay asleep and overcome, if any one use the decoction of it for a long time and con∣stantly. Nay al knotty French Tumors so they be not bony, in what part soever they are, are Rooted out by the use of it, their matter being melted and cast forth by sweats, or at the least wasted and emptyed by insensible perspiration: and Fal∣lopius writes in the alleaged place, that if after the disease is overcome there re∣main Ulcers, Clefts about the ARsehole, that Sarsaparilla will heal them sooner by half than the Indian wood, and in a short time also the most hard knobs are discussed by it. Yet some admonish here, that by Guajacum indeed this disease may be perfectly cured, and that al things are found in Guajacum; which are necessary for the cure of this disease, but that sarsa doth not alone, but mixt with

Guajacum, China Root, and Sassafras wood cure this disease, and for this reason, because it loosness the stomach, heats less, is void of al acrimony, and therefore is not so abstersive, and being inodorous, hath not the power to refresh the spirits. But these accusations fetcht from the manifest qualities, seem not to be sufficient; truly that Guajacum doth challenge the first place in this disease, is not to be denied, in the interim it hath been observed also by many, that somtimes this disease hath been cured by the use of this Root only; and if perhaps it do to much lax the sto∣mach, that may easily be prevented.

But this also is given divers waies, * 1.94 for the most part as Guajacum in the decocti∣on concerning which we must note, they that wil not spare for cost and desire the decoction should be more effectual, they ought to take only the bark, as which is the more effectual part of the Root, and to cast away the inner piths as that which is less effectual, nay as 'tis delivered by some 'tis more cold, and hath a certain astrictive faculty.

But the Root of Sarsaparilla is taken being sliced thin and to one ounce of it is poured two pound of water, * 1.95 or to two ounces and an half of the Root four pound of Water; some pour to four ounces of the Root feven pound of Water, others to three ounces; ten pound of water. Neither can the quantity of the water to the Root be so strictly prescribed, but it may be varied according to the Nature of the disease, and the condition of the sick, and the season of the year. For in an inve∣terate disease there is need of a stronger decoction, in a new, of a weaker. But it is steeped first of al fifteen hours or twenty, and afterwards boyled to the Consump∣tion of one half; and reasons, liquorish and other things are added to the decoction, as need requires as in the decoction of Guajacum; and because the decoction of Sar∣sa doth somwhat lax the stomach, for the most part mint, Betony, or somwhat else that strengthens the stomach is to be added, or what seems more commodious, Gua∣jacum, or least the mixture of divers things may breed nauseousness after the taking of the decoction of Sarsaparilla, they must take somwhat that strengthens the sto∣mach.

After the first decoction is prepared, * 1.96 fifteen pound of water are poured again to the remainders, and are boyled til a third is wasted, and the decoction is used at dinner and Supper; some also add towards the end of the decoction three pound of Wine; yet this must be done then only as Fallopius thinks, either when the sick body goes abroad, to preserve his strength, or when the stomach is weak.

Yet there may also be prepared out of this Root, pouders, Electuaries, extracts, as are from Guajacum.

CHAP. XV. Of China Root.

THe Portugal Merchants brought over in the former Age, * 1.97 from the Country of China, a certain Root for the cure of this disease, which they called China Root; for when as the Venereal disease had invaded that Country also, as the Ame∣ricans shewed the use of Guajacum for the destroying of this disease, so the peo∣ple of China used this Root to cure the same disease, and taught others the use of it. But the Root is a handbreadth long, somtimes pretty thick, somtimes thinner, knobbed, somwhat reddish, pretty weighty, which being newly digged up they report is so tender, that it may be eaten raw, and boyled, as turnep and rape Roots are with us; the which seems not to be very credible, whenas our Tur∣neps, Rape Roors dryed never attain to so great a hardness: they are brought to us divided.

As concerning its vertues, 'tis neither strong in smel, nor tast, and therefore there is no excess of it in heat and cold, but 'tis rather temperate, or if there be any excess in it, 'tis rather in cold; yet 'tis dry in the second, of thin substance, yet with a certain astrictive power, and a kind of substantifical moisture, so that by the use of it men do grow Fat. Whence also the decoction of it doth easily sowr. When it was first brought over by the Portugals into France and the neighbouring provin∣ces, it was wonderfully cryed up by the Merchants, as being of thin parts, and having power to digest, to more urine and sweat, to consum Excrements of al sorts, to clense the Bowels, free from obstructions, clear the blood from corruption, to cake away pains in the Joynts, to be good for the Venereal disease, and because 'tis temperate, it may safely be given to any age, sex; any time of the year, and to those that are feaverish; al which faculties whenas they are not in Guajacum, by some of that time it was made use of not only for the cure of other diseases, but also for the cure of the pox it was preferred before Guajacum. Which very thing caused that Charles the fifth Emperour, being sick of a most grievous Gout, was the first almost that would make tryal of the use of this Root, upon the advice of some Phy∣sitians. But experience afterwards lessened that same; and Jul. Palmarius writes of this business de lue Vener. Cap. 14. that many to their great detriment have pre∣ferred this root before Guajacum, and that he hath found by experience, that also in a very strict diet it hath been uneffectual against this disease, oftentimes also the sto∣mach is seen to become so moist with the use of its decoction, and the Native heat opprest, that a great Lientery, and crudity hath often followed in those who had but weak Fuell for their implanted heat. Besides these discommodities and faults, he writes also that it doth oftentimes cause swelling of the Spleen and hardness, in those that use it long; neither doth he grant it to have extraordinary vertue against this disease either by its whol substance or occult quality, when as after the use of it, they who thought themselves wel, do dayly fal into a relapse of the same Disease. The same also is confirmed by Gabriel Fallopius Lib. de Morb. Galli. Cap. 60. who writes that he hath used this Root again and again, for the Cure of this Disease, but could do nothing with it, in the interim he writes that he hath used it with happy success for the dropsie, to moderate the mobility of the Humors in hot bleared Eyes, and in a hot distemper of the stomach and Liver. And other Phy∣sitians also agree in this, that this Root for the Cure of the French Pox is far in feri∣our to Guajacum and Sarsaparilla, although it be profitable to preserve and streng∣then the heat of our body, and therefore for other diseases. And if by chance any one, who could not be cured neither by the decoction of Guajacum nor by the unction of Quick-silver, hath recovered health by the Decoction of China Jul. Palmarius thinks this is the Cause of it, because Nature rejoycing in the Variety of Remedies and weary of the stronger, at length is easied by those that are less effectual. Yet Garzias ab Horto, relates of the Root being fresh, that it doth so exceedingly heat, that if any one use the pure Decoction of it, or drink it hot, by reason of the too great heat of the Medicine he wil fal into exceeding heats of the liver, Erysipilaes, and Phlegmons, and other most grievous Symptoms. But when as 'tis brought over to us insipid and somtimes dusty, there is no cause to fear any such thing. Neither doth this only happen in this plant, but also in many others, that the Ali∣mental juyce hath far other vertues, then the dryed Plants: and therefore though perhaps this Root being fresh in China may have great vertue to Cure the Venereal Disease, yet it is not necessary, that it retain the same with us.

But divers prepare the decoction of this root diversly, * 1.98 Jul. Palmarius writes that the common way of preparing it is this, that to two ounces of the root, cut in∣to rounds, and put in an earthen pot, there is poured four pound of water and let them steep twelve houres, afterwards boyl with a gentle fire to the consumption of

the one half. Fallopius boyles two ounces of the root in twelve pound of water, to the consumption of half, but according to the nature of the disease the proportion of the root and water may be varied: and the root may be boylled from one to three in twelve pound of water. Yet Septalius adviseth us here, that this decoction is most commodiously prepared, if one ounce of the root fresh and not rotten be boyled in ten pound of water, & two ounces in twelve pound of water. For he writes, though many physitians, to save charges, whenas many cannot take al that decoction in one day, and they feare if they should keep it another day it would grow sowre, do boyl half the portion of China in half the quantity of water, and boyl away the half, or two thirds, thinking that so they have both saved their purse, and prepared the decoction as strong, yet they are very much deceived, and if they have not lost their taste, they shal easily know, that that first decoction is much more powerful, than the second, and the reason is ready, because 'tis not enough to give a proportion of the root to the water, but the time of boyling is cheifly to be considered, and the action of the heat of the fire, and the reaction of the water. For whenas, foure houres space, imagine, ought to be allowed, to extract the vertue out of a most hard root, and communicate it to the water: how much time wil be spent in boyling away six or eight pints of water, if taking but the half quantity, viz. half an ounce of China with six pints of water, we suffer the half to wast or two thirds, which wil be con∣sumed in less than two houres space, the water being less able to resist the action of the fire? nor let any one dare to say that we may prevent this inconveniency, by making a less quantity of fire, and if it he boyled by a slower fire for to extract this vertue out of a more solid substance, there ought also to concur a due quantity of fire.

Out of the remainders another drink is prepared by some for dinner and supper, * 1.99 as out of Guajacum. Yet Palmarius thinks that al the vertue of that root is trans∣fused in the liquor at the first boyling, and therefore for ordinary drink he boyles three ounces more of the root in eight pound of water til two pints are consumed and he ads raisons and liquarish, nay some also drink the first decoction, at dinner and supper, whenas it is not unpleasant to the tast.

Some also do admonish us, that we provide no more of the decoction at once than may be spent in one day, whenas it quickly growes sour when 'tis cold, therefore they command also that it be kept on warm ashes: but experience hath taught us that it wil last four dayes. Yet because it growes sour, that very thing tels us that this root hath in it, somewhat spirituous and alimental, which is the cause of fer∣mentation, and hence of acidity.

Consult concerning this with Amatus Lusitamus centur. 1. curat. 98. and es∣pecially centur. 2. curat. 31.

CHAP. XVI. Of Sassafras wood.

THey use also for the cure of the Veneral disease that wood which is connonly called sassafras, which is imported form the Island called Florida: * 1.100 it is of an aromatical taste like fennel: 'tis hot and dry in the second degree, of a thin substance and endewed with an opening, discussive, and attenuating faculty; * 1.101 and therefore is commended by them who have sailed to the Indies, against long tertian feavers, evil habit of the body, and dropsie, and to strengthen the stomach, and against ne∣phritical paines, it is comended also for the gout, to move the courses, and many o∣ther diseases, to treat of which is not proper to this place; 'tis used also for the cure of the French pox, yet most physitians agree that 'tis less effectual than Guaja∣cum and sarsaparilla, and the decoction of it is prepared almost as that of Sarsapa∣rilla.

Chap. XVII. Of Sope-wort,

Last of al sopewort is commended by some physitians for the cure of this disease which is bitter, * 1.102 accid, and endewed with an abstersive and opening faculty, and is praised for the French pox and contumacious paines, which cannot be over come by other remedies. 'Tis reported to be the invention of Zapata a spannish Empirick: tis used both in the decoction, and in substance, the decoction is prepa∣red after this manner.

Take of green sopewort two handfuls, * 1.103 infuse them al night in eight pound of water, than boyl it ••••l the s••pewort is boyled enough, then strain one pound of it with half a pound of water and the harbs now boyled; and squeez them, and reserve it for a mornings d••aught to provoke sweat; taking seven or eight ounces. But that which remains sweeten with raisons or sugar for drink at meales, in summer and Cholerick bodies you may add one handful of Sowthistle or basterd Navel∣wort.

But tis a remedy unpleasing to the tast, Eustachius Rudius takes of soap-wort six pugils or more, and infuseth it in twelve pound of water, and boyles it to the con∣sumption of half. But as Septallius hath observed, tis too great a quantity of water to so sinal a portion of soap-wort.

But the Root Cheifly is used in substance, * 1.104 and Rudius doth very much com∣mend it in ancient french pains, and out of it he prepares this pouder.

Take of ground pine two ounces; of white dittander one ounce and half; of Ze∣doary six drams: of the root of soapwort three drams: of pearl prepared half a dram.

Make a pouder for 9. doses, but who can take for one dose almost four drams of pouder? and the other medicines do far exceed the soapwort, which notwithstan∣ding ought to be the basis.

CHAP. XVIII. Of Compound Alexipharmaca.

BUt though al the medicines hitherto reckoned up, * 1.105 are good to destroy this dis∣ease, yet some are more effectual then others, and besides some have other qualities, for the which they are useful sometimes for this, sometimes for that end, as was said of the simples: and therefore seldom one of these medicines is used, but for the most part, many of them together. Indeed if the disease be simple, and none of the bowels be affected, nor there is no eminent distemper in any part, which may hinder the use of Guajacum, that wood is the most excellent of al, because it resists this disease both by its occult and manifest qualities: but if any disease be joyned with it, tis oftentimes most profitable to add sarsaparilla and China and there are added by some manny altering medicines, of which whenas we spake before, in this place we shal ad nothing of them, but this, that we must have a care least by the mix∣ture of Succories and endives and cooling medicines which are added to moderate the heat of Guajacum which yet is not so much to be feared, they hinder sweating which is only to be desired, and which brings more benefit, then a little heating can do dammage: next of al least by the admixtion of other things the drink be made un∣grateful and nauseous, therefore passing by these that we may speake somewhat of the mixture of alexipharmaca, if the nature of the patient be very hot and dry, and

the humors violently fal from the head on the lungs, breast or other parts, Guaja∣cum wood is not commodiously given alone, whenas it doth farther heat and dry the parts, and by its heat make the humors run and move, but then sarsaparilla is saf∣er, and China more comodious, which doth at once moderate the heat, and hath an astrictive power, by which it stops defluxions: on the contrary if the strength be feeble, and there be a weaknes of the sight, sarsa is not commodious, whenas it loosenss the stomach, and duls the fight, if there be a great consumption (if so be it hath not its original from the Venereal disease, for then this disease being taken away as the cause, that wasting also ceaseth, and the body begins to be nourisht better) Guajacum and sarsaparilla are not safe, But then china is far more profitable, as that which moistens substantifically, as they speak. Yet Ludiciptalius commends Sasaparilla above al the rest against a consumption, lib. 7. animadv. num. 214. as shal be said also hereafter in the last chapter. So if cruel paines molest the pati∣ent, or gummous tumors, or exceeding ulcers be joyned with them, Sasaparilla is most profitable, which doth discusse the french knobs, and easier appease the pains, then Guajacum. Thus according to the constitution of the Patients, and the Nature of the Diseases joyned with it, 'tis good somtimes to use Guajacum alone, somtimes Sarsaparilla, somtimes China Root, and somtimes to mix al of them, in a greater or lesser quantity, and somtimes the bark of Guajacum is added, somtimes three or four ounces weight to one pound of the wood, and they are boyled in fifteen pound of water. For examples sake.

Take Of the wood of Guajacum half a pound; of the bark of the same, of sarsa∣parilla each three ounces: of China root one ounce and half. Infuse them twenty four houres in twelve pound of water, afterwards let them be boyled to the consum∣ption of half, for a sweating drink. Poure on the remainder twelve pound of water, let them stand and infuse eight houres, afterwards boyl them to a consump∣tion of a third part, for drink at meales. Or.

Take of the Wood of Guajacum one pound; the bark of the same, Sarsaparilla of each thre ounces. Boyl them in sixteen pound of water, to the consumption of half. Or.

Take of the wood of Guajacum, China root each one ounce an half; Sarsaparilla one ounce; infuse them twenty four hours in six poundof water, afterwards boyl half away. Poure on the residue ten pound of water, boyl it to the consumption of three pound: Strainit and give it for drink at meales. Or,

Take of wood of Guajacum eight ounces; of the bark of the same four ounces; sar∣saparilla, sassafras wood each two ounces. Boyl them in twelve pound of water to the consumption of two thirds that there remains four pound, towards the end ad four pound of wine. Poure to the remainder sixteen pound of water: boyl it to thecon∣sumption of half, & towards the end ad four pound of wine, make a drink for meales.

In this place we must not omit a question, concerning the use of purgers, * 1.106 whiles the decoction is drank to wit whether they ought to be mixt with the decoction or to be used at the same time with the decoction. For some do wholy reject them, and hold that purgers are neither to be mixed with the decoction, nor to be used apart, for this reason, because the bodies are wont diligently to be purged before they come to the use of these decoctions; next of al because purgers and sweaters do cause contrary motions. Others on the contrary do mix purgers with these de∣coctions, that by benefit of them the blood may be purefied, and the belly constant∣ly kept loose: others do not mix purgers with these decoctions, but purge at cer∣tain intervals, every eighth or tenth day, or at a longer distance, as need requires. which last opinion seemes to me to be trewest. For though the body be purged be∣fore the use of these decoctions, yet some may easily remain, and ever and anon be collected, and sweating doth purge onely the thinner humors, but leaves the thick, neither after this manner are there caused contrary motions; for that day, that pur∣ging is ordered sweaters are not administred; but if purgers were mixed with the sweaters then there would be contrary motions. And besides by the admistion of purgers, the decoction being to be used so many weeks it would become nauseous and ingratful.

Hercules Saxonia also holds de lue Vener. Cap. 38. * 1.107 That purging may be or∣dered every day, to wit in those, in whom sweat cannot, or ought not to be caused: he thinks sweat cannot be provoked in them, who either are of such a hard and thick Skin, that they can by no means sweat, or in those who fal into fainting and swou∣ning fits, as soon as sweaters are administred: but he thinks they ought not to sweat, in whom the Veneral disease possesseth not the Joynts, nor the Skin, nor the super∣ficies of the body, but hath rather taken up its seat about the bowels; but this opi∣nion seems not to me to be agreeable to truth: for whereas he thinks, that some ought to have purgers administred because they cannot sweat by reason of the thick∣ness of their Skin, or because they presently fal into swouning fits, is agreeable neither to reason, nor experience: for scarce any one hath so thick a Skin, that the pores wil no way open for sweat, and though on the first daies sweat doth not prelently follow, yet after that the Humors are attenuated by the use of the deco∣ctions, the passages and pores are opened, then sweat succeeds; especially if those Laconick Baths be applied as shal be said hereafter. And the Patient may so mo∣derate his sweating, that he need not fal into fainting or swouning fits: and they that cannot endure sweating, wil not easily endure purging. Last of al purgers cannot performe the same, as those sweaters do. But that in some bodies sweaters are not to be administred, is salf: for though the disease may have its principal seat about the Liver and bowels, yet it cannot be, but also vitious Humors do abound in the whol body, whenas the Liver infected with this disease doth generate virulent blood, and distribute it to the whol Body.

Chap. XIX. Of the manner of using these Medicines.

AS concerning the manner of using these Medicaments, * 1.108 first of al the decoction of Guajacum is administred, for the most part in the morning, and afternoon two hours before Supper. In the morning 'tis given from five ounces to eight or nine ounces before the evening, from three ounces to six ounces; the pouder is given to two drams, the extract to two scruples. Yet somtimes the evening drauft is omitted, especially at the begining, before the patient is accustomed to the De∣coction. For what was said above of moderating the quality of the decoction, that also is to be observed concerning the quantity of the Decoction to be given, that the sick be not offended and overcharged which too much of it; which unless it be observed, it happens somtimes, that the sick fal into Feavers, con∣tract Crudities, and there is caused a loosness, ill habit of body, and a Drop∣sie.

After the same manner we must give the Decoction of Sarsapatilla, China Root, and the compound decoctions. For though some do prescribe here divers doses, yet he shal not erre, that shal administer them in the aforesaid manner.

And indeed after the mornings drauft, * 1.109 we must endeavor that the Patient sweat; for expetience teacheth, that they that sweat not upon the taking of these Medica∣ments, are ••carce clearly freed from this Disease: but that sweat may flow the easier, let the Patient sleep one hour after he hath taken the Medicine, for so the Medicine is deduced into act. * 1.110 As for the time of sweating, first of al it is sufficient, if the patient sweat one hour, afterwards by degrees let him rise to more. But the man∣ner of sweating is various; most do suffer their Patients to sweat in bed, which that they may do the easier bottles ful of warm water, or hot brick wrapt up in Cloaths, must be placed under the Arm-pits and sides of the Patient. Some provide a woo∣den Mantle such a one as Andreas Tenzelius, hath discribed and set forth in Exeges. Chymiatre: which manner of sweating is not a little toublesome. But not without cause most men do prefer before al kinds of sweating in this disease, that which is

in a bath or sweating place as that which brings less trouble to the sick, when as weak Patients sweating in their bed, may use a Bath and a sweating place, and the heat of the bath may be made more intense or remiss at pleasure, be made dry or moist as the condition of the sick requires: yet a moist hath, and gently heated by the Vapor of hot water is most commodious; whenas that hot vapor of the Water, doth open and Lax the pores of the Skin, that the sweat flows the easier, and without any trouble to the sick: but dry baths are altogether laborious, and ought not to be used in dry and Melancholy bodies.

But those sweating baths are twofold, * 1.111 first of al those gaeat ones in which a body may walk, such as are our baths so commonly called in which many at once may sweat and be washed; such though they be used for the cure of this disease by Barbers in Italy, yet they ought to be eschewed, whenas if one that is lightly infect∣ed, receive that which exhales from another grievously infected, he may be infect∣ed more, and 'tis more commodious that every sick body sweat by himself. Then there are baths or smal sweating places in which one alone closed up may sweat: such are made of bords of wood Joyned together, which again are twofold, some which can receive a man upright. Without bowing of his body, Jul. Palmarius dis∣cribes it de lue Vener. Cap. 17. of a Square figure, seven Foot high, and four foot long and broad, whose description you may see there. With us others are in use made up of boards mutually receiving and received by one another, square, but oblong. of that bredth, that a man may without any impediment set and extend his Arms, but two stories high, one where the Patient sets, so high, that as he sets he may put forth his Head, through a hole of the bords strictly fitted for the neck, but the lower part is of that depth, that if the Patient setting stretch forth his Feet, he cannot reach the lowest board: and it hath a little door, through which the sick may go into it, and a window behind, which may be opened upon neceffity: and it hath another little door towards the feet, through which an Iron or brass Vessel is put in ful of stones or refuse Iron red hot; and a Pipe in the upper part of it over a∣gainst the Vessel, through which either plain hot water, or some convenient de∣coction is poured on the stones or dross by degrees, as much as the Patient can en∣dure, from whence the Vapor exhaling diffused al through the body doth provoke sweat: and though after this manner the head be thrust forth, yet that doth no hurt, neither is it unprofitable, even where the head is affected; for though it stands forth, yet that sweats plentifully enough: in the interim the Patient doth not at∣tract again by drawing in his breath those filthy Vapors which do Evaporate from his body, but the free and pure ayre by which he is refresht, that he doth more easi∣ly and happily endure sweating. But in what bath soever sweat is provoked, after the sweating is over the bath ought to be opened, that those filthy Vapors may be blown away and discussed by the free Air.

The most convenient time for sweating is the morning, * 1.112 yet somtimes we may sweat after noone, in which case the strength of the Patient is to be considered for there are some who wil easily endure sweating twice a day, other who but once, others who are not able to endure sweating once every day. But the Medicines which moue sweat must be taken upon an empty stomach, and an hour or two after the taking of the Medicine sweat must be urged.

But we must sweat so long as the strength of the Patient wil bear it, * 1.113 and if the patient sweat in a bath, or sweating place, and is not able to endure any longer the heat of the bath, he must be laid in his bed, in which afterwards sweat wil flow of its own accord, and without any loss of strength; the sweat must afterwards be wiped of, and after sweating the cold ayre must in no wise be admit∣ted.

But how often we must sweat, * 1.114 and how long the use of these Medicines is to be continued, cannot be defined in general. They commonly teach that these de∣coctions are to be continued for forty daies, yet somtimes twenty five daies or thirty do suffice: and somtimes in a more grievous Disease we must persist in the use of

these Medicines til sixty daies and more. For we must sweat so often and so long, til the Malignity of the Disease is overcome, and the vitious and vitulent Humors are discussed by sweating, and al the Symptomes cease, especially the running of the Reins and Callous skars. For as long as these last. We must remain in the use of these Medicines. Nay though al the Symptomes do vanish, yet it is good so to continue the Medicines for some daies, that also the Maligne dispositions of the parts may be taken away, that there be no fear of a relapse.

But after noon, though sweat be not moved, yet the same decoction given then, may insensibly discusse the vitious Humors, and destroy the virulent disposition imprest both on the parts and Humors.

CHAP. XX. Of other common Alexipharmaca.

BUt some trust not to those Alexipharmaca alone, * 1.115 as Guajacum, Sarsaparilla, China Root, and Sassafras wood, but add also common Alexipharmaca. This was first done by Fernelius, who gave to those that were to drink the decoction, half a dram or one dram of this Opiate, or Alexipharmacal antidote, which is prepared thus.

Take of the Leaves of water Germander, * 1.116 half an ounce; Poley of the mount. Penny royal, white Hore-hound, Origanum, Calamint, St. Johns-wort, cen∣tory the less; French Lavender, ground pine, Germander, Spikenard, of each two drams; of the Seeds of Anise, Fennel, Parsly, wild carrot, Libistick Rue, Basile, Clary, Cresses, of the Berries of Bay, Juniper, of the Seeds of Male Piony, of each half a dram; of the Roots of round Birth-wort, Gentian. Dittander, Ʋalerian, Asarabaccha, of each one dram; of Nut-megs, Cloves, Pepper, Saffron, of each four scruples; of Cinamone, Myrrh, Castor, Styrax Calamite, of each three drams; of good Honey as much as is Sufficient, make an Opiate.

Jul. Palmarius, Fernelius his Scholer followed him, who, as was said be∣fore in Lib. 1. de lue Vener. Cap. 7. writes, that Fernelius, was most averse from the use of Quick-silver, and first dared to promise the Cure of this Disease without the help of that, and did take care for the compounding of many Alexiphatmaca at his House, which he administred against the Mischeif of this Disease, with Gua∣jacum and also without it, two of the which, which he found to be most excel∣lent and efficatious, he describes, the first was discribed even now, the other is this.

Take of Divils-bit, Scabious, Burnet, flowers of Marigold, Mullein, Plan∣tane, Balme, Rue, Broom, Origanum, Rosemary flowers, Red Roses, of each three drams; of the Seeds of Citron, Sorrel, Fennel, blessed Thistle, of the Roots of Dittander, Gilliflowers, Tormentil, round Birthwort, Gentian, Ze∣doary, Roman Woolfesbane, of each two drams; Hartshorn, shavings of Ivory, Wood of Aloes, Yellow Saunders, Choice Cinamome, of each half an ounce; Saffron, Cloves, Nutmeg, of each two drams.

And he relates that he called the first composition, the greatet Opiate, the o∣ther the less, and that he gave for a dose half a dram of either with the like quan∣tity of conserve of Bugloss and half a scruple of Mithridate, and somtime without Mithridate; but that he, after Fernelius departed this life, out of them both did compleat one, adding also certain other Medicines, which he found to be pre∣valent against poysons, and most fit to provoke sweat, the description of which is this.

Take of water germander half an ounce; of divels-bit, scabious, burnet, * 1.117 Poley Mount, peneroyal, calamint, white sweet smelling Horehound, origanum, mint, St. Johns-wort, centory the less, French Lavender, Germander, Ground Pine, Plantane, Balme, rue, Time, Elder, each two drams; of Hyssop, the lesser Sage, Oake Ferne, vervin, both speedwels each two drams; Flowers of Betony, Marigould, Mullen, Broome, Rosemary, Jasmin, Sage, Red Roses, St. Johns wort, Bugloss, Burrage, Violets, Water Lilies of each three drams; Seeds of Anis, both Parsleys, wild Carot, Scarlet Graines, St Johns Wort, Libistick, Rue, Lovage, Basil, Berries of Bay, Juniper, seeds of both Pionies, Hart∣wort of each on dram and half; Seeds of citron, Sorel, Blessed Thistle, Fennel, of each three drams; of the roots of male Piony, Round Birthwort, Gentian, Sweet cane, Flowerdeluce of Florence, Sweet Cyprus, each one dram; of Angelico, Dittander, Gilliflowers, tormentil, Zedoary, Romane Woolfesbane, of each three drams and an half; of choice perle three drams and hal; of Harts horn, Sha∣vings of Ivory each one ounce; wood of aloes, yellow saunders, bone of the heart of a hart, both currals each half an ounce; choice cinamon one dram and half; Balsome wood, if it may be had one ounce; of al pretious stones, each half a dram; of Nutmeg, mace, loves, myrrh, styrax, Calamite, Benjamin, Saffron, Castor, each half a dram; juice of liquorish one ounce; oyl of the seeds of Fennel, Anise, of Sage, mint, juniper, Nutmeg, Cloves, red opobalsamum brought out of America if it be to be had of each one dram.

Let al the the herbs, flowers, and rootes be gathered at that time they are of grea∣test strength, let them be dryed, and kept in paper cases, then al of them being re∣duced into a most fine pouder, let them be mixt with wine and honey, and be boyled into an electuary, til it comes to the thickness of wel prepared mithridate: yet the flowers may be candied and kept with sugar, that they may be mixt with the other things towards the end of their boyling, to one pound of honey mix two ounces of the pouder. Let it be kept in a most large earthen vessel, whose third part may be empty, least it swel up, and grow hot, neither let it come to that use we shal by and by speake of, before it be three years old. He ads there also a cordial wa∣ter, and an alexipharmacal pouder, their discriptions are these; the Cordial wa∣ter.

Take Of the leaves of sage, mint, marioram, rue, hysop, origanum, * 1.118 the tops of betony each one handful. Bruise them al and put them in a great earthen vessel in a warm place and cover them with the water of blessed thistle, that they be under it, every day stir them with a stick, and before they soure, (which wil he the fourth or fifth day after) Strein out the liquor and keep it, casting away the Faeces. A∣gain.

Take of plantane leaves, marigold, balme, mullein, St. Johnswort centory the less, burnet, each two handfuls. After they have beensteeped four dayes and strei∣ned cast them away, and take again of water germander, Bivels-bit, fennel, par∣sly, bugloss, burage, angelico of each one handful. Which also being steeped, so many dayes streined and then cast away.

Take of the roots of angelico, dittander, tormentil, betony, Zedoary, each half an ounce; of galangal, three drams; Nutmegs, Cloves, each one dram; seeds of Fenel, Citron, Sorrel, Blessed thistle, Juniper berries each two drams; Shavings of Ivory, harts horn, wood of aloes, Yellow Saunders, cinamon each one dram; Safforn half a dram; make a pouder of it and mixe it with the Liquor streined, then weigh out of the amulet against this disease, and of choice mithridate each one pound and half; of old treacle foure drams; and being mixt with the said liquor and pouder, and put up in a glass alembick, or an earthen one glazed, expose them six or eight dayes to the heat of June, til they grow hot, and be perfectly fermented, and at length distil them in a double vessel with a most gentle fire. If the same simples be put into a new pot with the water of bastard saffron and be heat∣ed fifteen dayes in warm horse-dung, there wil be extracted a more excellent Water.

Take of the aforesaid water three ounces; Syrup of Lemmons and Violets, of each six drams; Make a dose.

A Description of the Pouder.

Take of the shavings of Ivory, * 1.119 the younger Harts-horn, Choice Pearles of each half a dram; wood of Aloes, Yellow Saunders, the bone of the heart of a Hart, of each one scruple; Seeds of Fennel, Coriander prepared, of each one dram; the Leaves of Mint, Plantane, Vervin, Burnet, of each two scruples; the Roots of Tormentil, Betony, Zedoary, of each half a dram; the dryed flowers of Betony, Marigold, Broom, of each half a dram; Sugar of Roses three times as much. Make a fine Pouder.

The dose is one spoonful beforemeat, and before a drauft of the sweating drink, if the Patient refuse the use of the Opiate.

And in cap. 13. Lib. de lue Vener. where he disputes, whether this Disease may be perfectly cured by the use of Guajacum alone, or whether there be need of the assistance of other Medicines joyned with it, at last he concludes with a distincti∣on, that the vertue of Guajacum is neither so great, that that alone can wholly Extirpate, the Roots and whol malice of the Venereal poyson, nor so weak, that it can perform nothing without the help of others; that by the use of that only, the Humors be wasted, al Symptomes wil at length be allaied, and wholly lie hid, but yet the taint of the disease, which hath already taken possession of the solid parts, cannot in most bodies be wholly overcome, and extinguisht by that re∣medy.

Rondeletius, * 1.120 doubtless followed these men also, who de morb. Itali. com∣mend his Treacle water, which provokes sweat in the inveterate Italian Disease, and takes away the pains, the description of which is this.

Take of Treacle, one pound; of Sorrel, three handfuls; of the flowers of Cha∣momel, Peny-royal, Pomegranates, blessed Thistle, of each two ounces. Mix them al in white wine and distil them.

Of which water give three ounces to drink with three ounces of Sorrel and Bugloss water, when the Patient goes into his bed or hot house.

Platerus also thinks that it is confirmed by experience, that the decoctions of other plants, besides Guajacum, Sarsaparilla, China, Sassafras; can performe the same in this disease as they do, and therefore fals into this opinion, but evilly. That the late mentioned Medicines which are accounted alexipharmaca of this dis∣ease, do work rather in the cure of this disease, by moving sweat, then by an oc∣cult quality, and therefore he thinks that not only a decoction of box wood, Ju∣niper, Cedar, Cypress, and Savin, Agallochus, Rose-wood, but also the de∣coction, and Treacle water, which are given in Pestilent Feavers, are profitable also here.

Aurelius Minadous de lue Vener. cap. 53. * 1.121 when he had spoken many things in the praise of Treacle at length concludes, that Treacle also may be used against the venereal virulency, as a most excellent Alexiterum, not as if it were to be numbered amongst them, which of themselves are said to expel this virulency, but amongst them, which expel it by accident, in as much as it doth strengthen the spirits, by a Conformable proportion to them, so that they being now made strong, are able as the principal agent, together with the Treacle as their instrument to overcome the malignity of the venereal virulency.

The same Author cap. 44. * 1.122 commends Trochisks Cypheos in this Disease, as being such, which do principally strengthen the Liver, which in this Disease is chiefly affected, and free it from Excrementitious Humors, which are collected in this Disease, being powerful to concoct, cleanse, and dry up the Excrement and therefore as Galen thought this Composition was to be preferred before al o∣ther Medicines written by Asclepias, Andromachus, and other most Famous Phy∣sitians for the affects of the Liver, so he thinks the same is to be used and Magnifi∣ed beyond al others in this Disease.

But as I wil not disswade any one from the use of such common Alexipharmaca in the cure of this Disease, whenas in other cases it is a custome, when any one hath drank poyson, or any waies taken it, and knows not what it is, to give treacle and common Alexipharmaca: so I wil counsel no body. that he confide only in these Medicines, and neglect those proper ones. And I see it done by very few Physitians, as being taught by experience, that this Disease cannot wholly be ex∣tirpated without Guajacum, Sarsaparilla and the like, neither doth it follow, that therefore, because some sick of an incurable French Pox, could not be cured by Guajacum wood, that we must place more hope in these Medicaments. For they that could not be cured by those proper Alexipharmaca, wil much less be cured by these common ones.

CHAP. XXI. Of the Cure by Quick-silver.

ANd this is the chief kind of Medicine for the cure of the Venereal disease, * 1.123 and this is the chief manner of curing it. For there is also another way of cu∣ring the same Disease by quick-silver, which was first brought into use by Chy∣rurgions and barbers, afterwards also was applyed by learned Physitians. For when∣as, as was said before by Fracastorius, certain Barbars had found out amongst the Medicines of our ancestors for the filthy scab joyned with the pains of the joynts, unguents compounded of Mercury and Sulphur, other Medicines profi∣ting little, they began to use them. The use of which being not altogether un∣successful, afterwards quick-silver was used in the cure of this Disease by many learned Physitians.

But though it be not my purpose in this place to treat of quick-silver, which the Chymists cal Mercury, but rather of the use of it in curing this disease, yet I shal admonish you of a few things in general. Quick-silver is reckoned amongst the mettals, and 'tis called Silver from its color in which it resembles silver, * 1.124 but quick because tis alwaies moveable: and its Nature is altogether wonderful, which many learned men admire, and which hath tortered the wits of many Chymists, and deluded their pains. For though it be mortified, fixed, or what way soever it oftentimes seems to be changed, yet it is easily reduced to its former quick Na∣ture. And though it be reduced into the smallest bodies, and transmitted through leather, or be otherwise reduced into atomes, and a strong form, yet it retaines in them its whol Nature and essence, and returns to its former quick body.

Naturalists and Physitians differ concerning its temperament, * 1.125 whiles some hold it to be cold others hot. Matthias Ʋnzerus, hath collected the arguments of both in Anatom. Spagyr. Mercu. to alleage al which at large in this place, is not our intent, for you may consult with him on that business in the alleaged place; yet by and by we shal make mention of some of them: but Ʋnzerus himself, cap. 12. goes the middle way, and holds, * 1.126 that some natural things have often∣times in them diverse, and wholly contrary vertues and faculties, and some of them are manifest, others occult, and that these depend on the specifick form, those on the first qualities of the Elements, which he proves by the examples of Worm∣wood, Rhubarb, Vineger, and others: and he thinks Mercury is to be reckoned in the number of these which may be considered both as crude, and as prepared: the crude he thinks hath mixt qualities, and is partly hot, partly cold, and that diversity is to be attributed to the divers parts of the matter of which it consists, some of which are very thin, Subtile, pure, and Spirituous, but some are thick, earthy and feculent: but he thinks that Mercury prepared hath no longer any

cold quality, but they are wholly taken away by the outward help of fire, or by the Application of the menstrua, and therefore that it is very hot

Hercules Saxonia, * 1.127 holds the same de lue Vener. Cap. 39. Whiles he teacheth, that this Medicine doth exulcerate, and cause heat and inflamation; on the other side it causeth numness, Palsies, and other cold affects, and that it proceeds from the inequality of its temperament, and because 'tis an imperfect mixt body, and if it be prepared by calcination, that the cold substance doth fly away, and that which is left, is fire,

But these authors erre very much, * 1.128 indeed it cannot be denied, that there are many Medicines, which have Heterogeneous parts, by vertue of which, they produce divers effects, which parts also may be separated by the help of art: But that Quick-silver hath such parts, is fals, neither was there yet ever found any Chymist, who could show the diverse parts in it, and separate them by art: for the whol is Homogene∣ous, if there be any thing so in Nature, and either it al flies away, or al remaines, and what way soever it is prepared, * 1.129 at last it al revives wholly Homogeneous: and whatsoever Chymist can show any Heterogeneous parts in Quick-silver, as in Rhu∣batb, shal be in my esteem a great Apollo. Neither is precipitate of another Na∣ture then that which is crude, neither doth Quick-silver loose any thing by its pre∣paration, and that prepared does differ from the crude only in external form which is caured by the admistion of other things, which somtimes are Salt parts as happens in Mercury Sublimate and Precipitate, somtimes only watry as when Mercury is reduced into water by a retort without the admistion of any other thing, as the same Ʋnzerits teacheth Lib. 2. de Anatom. Mercu. cap. 2. n. 4. for this water is nothing else but the Quick-silver resolved into the smallest bodies or Atomes by the strength of the fire, and mixt with watry Vapors, or the moist Air. Yet in that there ap∣peare no effects of cold, but rather of heat, and that very water, as other mercuri∣al waters, wil dissolve gold in like manner, Saxonia is mistaken, for Quick-filver is no imperfect mixt body, but a body that hath the most perfect mistion, and can∣not be destroied, by any art of the Chymists, but every where retaines its form, neither whiles it is calcined (or rather exposed to the sire, for Quick-silver cannot properly be said to be Calcmed) do the cold parts fly away, and the fiery stay be∣hind, but if those parts which are raised up be received, they are of the same Nature with those that remaine, as is wel known to the Chymist.

Therefore whenas this Reconcilation is of no force, * 1.130 let us see who is in the righter whether those who hold Quick-silver to be hot, or those that say 'tis cold. But I think that they are altogether of the righter judgment, who think it to be hot; for that appears by its great penetrating and corroding vertue, so that it penetrates and Eats into Mettals, and the flesh, nay the very bones are corroded by Mercury preci∣pitate and sublituate. And Libavius writes in tract, de igne natu. cap. 30, that he knew by the relation of a most learned Physitian, that a certain Chyrurgion dying by the too frequent use of Mercurial Medicines, had his bones plainly britle or frangible.

But whenas they object first of al, * 1.131 that whiles 'tis quick and whol it doth not corrode: the cause of that is, because it cannot infinuate it self into the body, and worke upon it, whenas al its parts are most closely knit together, nor cannot be mix∣ed with other bodies; but the Medicines prepared out of it as Mercury sublimate, Precipitate, [unspec 1] Oyl of Mereury, and it there be any more of this kind, have a great power to burn and corrode not only by the reason of Salts commixt, which is very little, but because 'tis resolved into the smalest bodies, and being mixt with the Salts it can adhere to the body, and by the benefit of things admixt, most intimately in∣sinuate it self into it.

Secondly, [unspec 2] whereas Quick-silver appears cold to the touch, that is common to it with steel, Brass, Lead, Wine, things of their own Nature hot, which by accident feel to be cold.

Thirdly, [unspec 3] whereas some also from the effects would collect quick-silver to be cold, in that they are very much deceived; and they attribute those effects to cold, which have their dependance elswhere. Truly, they that drink the waters infected with quick-silver on the Alps, are sick of divers fluxes, and are taken with a bron∣chocele. Goldsmiths, and others, who often deal with quick-silver, are seldom healthful and long lived, but are obnoxious to numnesses, tremblings, palsies, con∣vulsions, lethargies, suffocating, catarths, and appoplexies. Thus Fernelius re∣lates of a certain Goldsmith that imprudently admitting the vapour of quick-silver only, presently became stupid, drowzy, and wholly speechless. Ferdinandus Ponrertus relates that the same happend to another, lib. 1. de vene. cap. 3. And Forestus, lib. 8. obser. 5. writes, That a certain yong man learning the Smiths art upon the atching of a Cup with quick-silver, had all the hair of his head fell off, and that his face became extraordinary pale, and all his body tremulous; and many o∣thers have observed the same. And Jacobus Oethoeus, in his observat. reports, That a certain yong Noble man troubled with Crab-lice in his Privities, used Mercu∣rial Oyntment to drive them away; upon which his Yard grew cold and sluggish, and unfit for Venery. But here is a fallacy of the cause, for quick-silver doth not do these things by cooling, but because it hath a peculiar and occult quality, that is an enemy to the Nerves and Brain, as appears in many other stupifying poy∣sons.

Fourthly, That which is Objected, is easily Answered; to wit, [unspec 4] That the damage brought upon mans body by quick silver, is cured by the use of hot things; as Sage, Hyssope, Origanum, Clary, Rue, Castor, and the like: For those Medica∣ments are not therefore applied to the preternatural affects caused by quick-silver only, because they are hot, but because they are friends to the Brain and Nerves: and furthermore, as they themselves grant, by a specifick property are enemies to the Mercurial virulency; and that such things are not therefore applied because they are hot, but because by a peculiar vertue they are friends to the Nerves, it ap∣pears by this, because other hot things, as Ginger, Pepper, and the like, which have no specifick property freindly to the Nerves, do not perform the same.

But concerning the Occult Vertue and Propriety of Quick-silver, we chiefly meet with two doubts; First of all, Whether it be poysonous: next of all, Whe∣ther it be rightly applied for the Cure of the Venereal Disease.

Concerning the former Question, Whether Quick-silver be Poysonous, * 1.132 we have already treated before, in tractat. de Chym. & Aristot. consens. & dissens. cap. 19. where we speak of Mercury, and we said there, That Matthias Ʋnzerus de anatem. spagyr. Mercu. did endeavour to prove at large, That Mercury is not poysonous, with whom others also agree; especially those who urge Experience and the Autho∣rity of learned Physitians. Avicen, lib. 4. Fen. 6. tract. 1. sum. 1. cap. 2. writes, * 1.133 That Quick-silver doth not hurt many that drink it; for that with its qualities goes forth by the stool. Haly Abbas lib 1. pract. cap. 35. Rhases in no. ad Mansor. de potu argen. vi. do affirm the same. Brassavolus also doth testifie in lib. de stirp. exami. That he hath given Quick-silver to Infants to expel Worms. And Fallo∣pius de Metallis cap. 37. holds, That Mercury may be taken into the body without the fear of any hurt; and he relates that Beasts do swallow quick-silver without any harm: For when they abound with Worms, which your Leeches know by their breath, if they swallow four several times half a Filbert shell full of Quick-silver cast into their mouths, they are cured, no worse Disease succeeding it. And he witnes∣seth that he hath given to Children in extream danger, whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 means have availed nothing, the quantity of two or three grains of Millet with evident success. The same Author, de Morb. Gallic. cap. 76. writes, That he saw a Woman which drank a pound of Mercury to cause an Abortion, yet without any hurt. Matthiolus also reports in lib. 1. dioscorid. cap. 170. (which also Eustachrus Rudius relates, That he hath often observed, when he practised Physick there) That in the Town Gorritiensis the Nurses do give Quick-silver to little Children to drink in the

quantity of two grains of Millet for the Worms in the Belly, without any trouble at al. And the Midwives when great bellied Women lie long in labor, do presently give to drink a scruple weight of Mercury without any inconvenience: and Georgi∣us Agricola relates, that a certain Woman did oftentimes fraudulently give Quick-silver to her Husband that she might kil him, and nevertheless he continued health∣ful nay it hath been observed that some thirsty in the night, have in the dark taken up Vessels ful of Quick-silver instead of drinking Cups, and with a wide Throat have taken of the Quick-silver in a great quantity, yet have cast it forth again by the stool without any hurt. And Eustachius Rudius, add Lib. 5. de Morb. occult. cap. 15 that he hath seen this, and that others have observed it, that some bodies have been dissected, in which no smal quantity of Quick-silver hath been collected in the Cavities of the bones, from the unction in the French Pox, who notwith∣standing have lived many years after the unction. Which seems not possible to be done, if it were poyson by Nature.

But Galen, * 1.134 Aetius, the reconciler, Cardan, Fernelius, Ferdinandus Pon∣zettus, Jul. Palmarius, whom I alleaged in the quoted place cap. 19. de. consens. et dissens. Chymic. cum. Aristotele. do differ from these. And experi∣ence it self hath brought most eminent men into that opinion, by which it is evident, that quicksilver doth no less cause numnesses, convulsions, tremblings, palseys, epilepsies, apoplexies, syncopes, than other poysons, nay somtimes death it self. And some do report, that they are seldom long lived, who digg up the veins of quicksilver; and though they be very strong bodied, and of the best temperament, that they can scarce hold out in that work to the fifth yeare, but by drawing in the venenate vapors they are taken with a trembling of al their parts.

And the opinion of these we think altogether more consonant to truth as being that which is confirmed by experience it selfe: * 1.135 but as concerning the experience of those, who write that quicksilver hath often been drank and given without any hurt, that doth not excuse quicksilver from its venenosity. For to the compleating of an acti∣on, there is required a right application of the agent to the parient, and some stay, which whenas it was wanting in the alleaged examples, the quicksilver could do no hurt for quicksilver is given either alive or prepared, if it be taken alive tis 'less hurt∣ful, for whenas quicksilver is a body most exactly mixt, and the least parts of it do most pertinaceously cohere to one another, from whence also 'tis continually move∣able, whiles it is whol and alive it brings little or no dammage to our body, but presently is cast forth by the stool. For in like manner as a leaden, or other met∣tallick bullet, if it be swallowed whol is presently cast forth of the body, and brings no hurt, but if it be resolved into the least parts, and contract rust, may do very much mischeif, as that history concerning lead doth sufficiently teach us, which Fernelius recites de lue Vener. cap. 7. So also if quicksilver be taken whol, move∣able, and coherent to it selfe, and by reason of its mobility be presently again cast forth of the body, it brings no dammage; but if it be resolved into the smallest par∣ticles, and especially with the admistion of salts, and by their help be as it were fixt to the body, and penetrate into it, both inwardly and outwardly applyed, it caus∣eth most greivous evils, as sublimate and precipate do sufficiently teach us, neither is there any reason for any one to ascribe that corroding faculty to the salts mixed; for there is no falt in the some which exhales when Silver is gilding over, and yet that very fume is highly burtful; neither can so little salt as is mixt with sublimate or pre∣cipitate, cause so great hurt, whenas salt though it be given in a great quantity, doth no such thing.

But as concerning prepared mercury, * 1.136 I know indeed, with how great prayses some do extol mercurial medicines. Some cal precipitate the angelical pouder, and o∣therwise prepared mercury of life. Some commend the flowers of mercury of which we spake in consens. et. dissens. Chym. p. 365. others mercurius dulcis, and so highly, they write if it be rightly prepared and given 'tis as gentle as manna, ta∣marinds, cassia, and therefore they use it in the slightest diseases, which might ea∣sily

be taken away by more benigne medicines. But these commendations are too much, neither is their rashness commendable, who give quicksilver in any disease, whenas we have every where examples of them, who by the use of the medicaments, have not only been cast into danger of their lives, but have plainly perisht by them. Whereupon Guish. Fabricius in Epist. ad D. Doringium lib. 3. observat. annexa. thinks that that called mercurius vitae may somtimes be called mercurius mortis, and mercury of lise eternal. And how much mercurius dulcis, which is counted the gentlest of al, may somtimes prejudice, was said in the alledged place; but that quicksilver may somtimes be given without any dammage coms to pass, either because 'tis crude, or retaines the nature of that alive: and therefore as was said even now, can work little on our body, of which sort is mercurius dulcis, and the flowers of silver mercury, or because it is in its kind fixt. For as whol mettals though they be taken into the body, they do not affect it unless they be resolved, so so also whenas fixt mercury doth as it were put on the nature of fixt mertals, so it doth not hurt, as that which is stil volatil, and can easily insinuate it self into the body.

Yet prepared Mercury ought not rashly to be used and be given in every disease or body especially at the begining, * 1.137 but in those only in whom there is great store of vitious humors, which that may empty, and where the body is strong, for as Mer∣cury sublimate and precipitate outwardly applied in sordid ulcers, doth mundefie them, and toucheth not the sound flesh as long as there is any filth, but if it be layd on the sound flesh it eats that: so also if quick-silver taken into the body do find cor∣rupt humors on which it may work, it doth not easily damnefie the more inward parts, but it workes upon the humors, and causeth that they be emptied; but if there be no such humors there, it also assailes the sound parts. But whenas Quick-silver given inwardly is not used onely for the Venereal disease, but to drive away many other diseases, we wil speak no more of that here; but let us now inquire con∣concerning it, whether it can, and how it may do good in the Venereal dis∣ease.

As concerning one of them therefore, * 1.138 to wit whether quick-silver ought to be given in the French pox, and whether it may be safely, and by what vertue it acts, Physitians do very much differ. Epiphanius Ferdinandus indeed, Histo. 17. thinks that amongst ninety Authors that have writ of the Venereal disease, that there are onely foure, who have disallowed of the use of Quicksilver in this disease, viz. Casparus Torellus, Montanus, Minadous, and Fra••astorius, but there are many more, which Johannes Baptista Silvaticus doth recon up Contr. 34. which Sil∣vaticus himself is in the number of those, who denny Quick-silver to be an enemy to the essence of the french pox. For Ʋlericus ab buten, a German knight and Physi∣tian Cap. 4. in lib. de morb Gall: writes that in his time scarce one in a hundred that was anoynted with Quicksilver did escape a relapse, the benefit of it lasting but for a few dayes. Sebastianus Aquilianus lib. de morb. Galli. Cap. 4. Cals the cure of this disease performed by quicksilver, sophistical, and writes that al anointed with it in his age suffered a relapse. Gaspar Torelus bishop of St. Justa, in his declammation against unction with Quicksilver, cals it a pernicious medicine and thanks it is to be shunned as the plague. Joh. Baptista Montanus, tract. de morb. Gal. writes that quick-silver doth indeed repress the disease for a certain time but does induce an evil quality in the part, and in no wise remove it, wherefore in process of time, al things become worse then they were before. John Fernelius lib. 2. de abdit. morb. caus. cap. 14. writes that he beleves nothing less, then that a medicine made of Quick-silver can cure the Venereal disease, since that in his judg∣ment it only takes away the simproms, leaving the root behind. Victor Favintinus cap. 7. de morb. Gal. thinks the cure of the disease with Quick-silver is false, de∣ceitful and daingerous. Meither does Fallopius magnesie this cure, as appeares by his book de morb. Gall. Cap. 76. Bernardus Tamiranus also hath openly condem∣ned this cure lib. 2. de morb. Gall. cap. 13. as also some others: to whose opinion

as I said John Baptista Silvaticus joynes himself, and writes that he doth not be∣leeve, that quick-silver can wholy cure this disease, and that tis an antidote diame∣trically repugnant to the Venereal evil: he doth not deny indeed that this medicine may allay some evil and vehement accidents of the disease, but that tis diametrically adverse to the essence of the french pox, which is an occult property, inimicous to the liver, and that it can overcome that, he doth not beleeve. But though at the first rise of this disease, Carpus the Chyrurgion first made use of this medicine (whome perhaps that barbor followed, whom Fracastorius makes Mention of) being moved by this reason, because he had observed that the ancient Arabian Phy∣sitians did make use of Quick-silver against the contumacious scab, and many other rebellious diseases of the skin; yet experience hath no way confirmed this remedy as the best, and therefore it hath been rejected by many physitians: for if Quick-sil∣ver were one of the antidotes of this disease it would have alwaies and every where answered the expectation, and there had bin no need that more effectual remedies should have been sought for from the remotest Countries beyond the Seas, which have hitherto be••n used with most happy success, that no man doth any farther doubt of their efficacy in this Disease; and though Quick-silver doth heal French Ulcers, yet it doth not follow, that 'tis an Antidote against the Virulency of it as neither those Medicines, which heal Buboes, or Carbuncles in the plague, can for that reason be accounted for Antidotes. Aurelius Minadous agrees with these, Lib. de Virul. Vener. cap. 39. Who wholy rejects the use of Quick-silver in this Disease, moved thereunto by three reasons; the first is, because he never saw any restored to health by the use of it; on the Contrary he hath rather observed many that by the use of Quick-silver have sufferred worse Symptomes in so much that they have affirmed, they have received greater dammage from the supposed Reme∣dy, then from the Disease: the second is, that Quick-silver is hurtful by Reason of its excessive coldness: the third is because no body can explain, after what man∣ner Quick-silver doth good in this Disease. To which some add a fourth Reason, that of it self it is poyson; and a fifth that many have died by the use of it.

On the contrary many other Physitians do very much commend the use of Quick-silver in this Disease: * 1.139 and that I may now pass by others, Epiphanius Ferdinandus, Histor. 17. writes that he can make good by Oath, that he hath perfectly cured, leaving no evil Symptomes, a hundred and fifty people Frenchi∣fied of al Ages; Sexes, and of diverse Temperaments, and at divers seasons of the year; and he names another most experienced Physitian, Johan. Laurentius Pro∣topapa, who hath affirmed to him by Oath' that he hath cured above a thousand men Frenchified with the Mercurial Unguent with most happy success, and he writes that we ought to give God thanks, that he would make known so wonderful a remedy for so great a disease.

That we may quit our selves of this difficult controversie, * 1.140 First of al we think the use of Quick-silver is not wholly to be rejected in the Cure of this Disease, nei∣ther do the reasons alleaged before by Minadous, o••others evince it: for first of al as concerning experience, here one experience may be opposed against another, and there are many Physitians who taught by experience it self do with wonderful prai∣ses extol Quick-silver in this Disease. The Second reason, that Quick-silver is to be rejected because it is cold, is fals, for the effects of Quick-silver as was said be∣fore, do teach us that it is rather hot then cold. Thirdly, concerning the manner how it works, and cures this Disease, we shal fee hereafter. And though that manner could not be found out, yet the experience must not therefore be denied; for there are many Medicines that work by occulr qualities, whose manner of acting cannot be perfectly explained. Fourthly, though Quick-silver be poysonous yet 'tis not therefore wholly to be rejected in this disease, whenas other venenate things come into Physical use, as opium, Cantharides, Oyl of Scorpions and others. But Fiftly whereas some could not be cured by mercurial Medicaments, this is not to be

ascribed to the quick-silver, but rather to the ignorance of the Physitian, who did not rightly apply this Medicine, or to the negligence or disobedience of the pati∣ent, or to the vehemency of the Disease, which could be overcome by no Medi∣cine, though the best that is.

But as quick-silver is not wholly to be rejected, * 1.141 so we think it is not unwarily and rashly to be used, but only upon urgent necessity, to wit then when this dis∣ease could not be cured with Guajacum wood or Sarsaparilla. For we must come to the use of quick-silver for two causes especially, the first is when the Disease is so stubborn, that it wil not yeild to those usual Medicines: Secondly when there is something present, which doth not admit of the use of the Decoction of the wood and Sarsaparilla, especially the heat and inflamation of the Kidneys and Liver. And Eustachius Rudius writes Lib. 5. Cap. 15. that he hath cured some, who if they had used never so little of Guajacum, though corrected with cold things, were presently taken so with a heat of Urin, that an Inflamation of those parts arising, they have hardly escaped death; and therefore in such cases som∣times, wil we or nil we, we are compelled to make use of quick-silver, as the same Rudius speaketh; and that oftentimes may be done safe enough, so that he writes he hath anointed with quick-silver even infants infected by their Nurses at suck, and hath cured them.

Yet we must not come rashly and inconsiderately to this unction, * 1.142 but first of al we must confider, whether there be any thing present that doth prohibit it: for first of al unction with quick-silver is not admitted, when the strength is but feeble, and therefore in old men it seldom takes place. Secondly, if the body do stil abound with many vitious Humors, for then the quick-silver doth not easily penetrate: and by a commotion of the Humors it causeth grievous Diseases and Symptomes, therefore the body must first of al be emptied. Thirdly, if the Air be too hot, and if it be dog daies. Fourthly, if the body be extenuated, if there be a Feaver, Ulcers of the mouth, and inclination to a quinsie; this kind of Medi∣cine also is not convenient for them who before the French Pox, suffered numness, tremblings, Palsie, and pains in their joynts.

But that quick-silver may rightly be made use of, * 1.143 we must first of al enquire after what manner it is to be given, and what it can performe, and do in this dis∣ease, on which business the hinge of this controversie turnes. Where first of al we are not of their opinion, who think quick-silver to be an Alexipharmacum of this Disease. Quercetan indeed affirmes it in Consil. de lue Vener. where he writes that Mercury is the only true and sole Alexipharmacum of this Disease, especially if it be inveterate. From whom Felix Platerus doth not much dissent, who writes that Mercury by its occult qualities and propriety contrary to this disease, doth quel the Venenate quality of that disease, but this cannot simply be admit∣ted, for when as there are three things in this Disease, first of al that Malignant quality imprinted on the parts dedicated to nutrition, and especially on the Liver, or an occult Disease; Secondly, vitious Humors, generated in the Liver evilly affected, and polluted by this Malignity: Thirdly, Diseases and Symptomes which are raised every where in the body by those vitious Humors, we do not deny in∣deed that Quick-silver may conduce somwhat to the Evacuating of the vitious hu∣mors, as shal be said here after, and hence also to the taking away of the Diseases and Symptomes which do arise from them; but that it doth overcome the malig∣nant and virulent disposition it self, which is the property of an Alexipharmacum, is that which we deny. For first of al experience doth not confirm it, neither hath that Alexipharmacal vertue of Mercury been hitherto proved by any one, by any solid argument; but whatsoever it performes, it doth by salivation and vio∣lent purging, which is not the property of an Alexipharmacum, for otherwise al Medicines purging vitious Humors should be called Alexipharmaca. This rather is manifest, that some cured by mercurial Medicines, after a long interval of time

have relapsed into this Disease, that occult and Malignant disposition being left in the body. Secondly, that quick-silver is no Alexipharmacum, appears also by this, because 'tis no way friendly to our body, but rather hurts the brain, Heart, and other Members, and causeth most grievous Diseases and Symptomes in the jawes, which Platerus endeavors in vain to remove from Mercury, and to ascribe them to the virulency of the spittle. For thirdly, Quick-silver causeth salivation, not only in the French pox, but also in other bodies, which are not Sick of the French Disease, and besides hurts in the mouth, inflamation, Exulceration, Stinks, injuries of the Teeth, which is obvious for every one to experience and observe, but that is more consonant to truth, that quick-silver is to be numbered amongst Evacuating Medicines, whenas 'tis evident by experience, that by benefit of that, many thick, tough and virulent Humors are emptyed by the mouth, somtimes also by sweat, or other waies, and that it doth not much good in this Disease, unless salivation ensue: therefore when it is applied, it can be used only for this end, to evacuate virulent Humors, which being emptied, whenas the Symptomes caused by them do vanish, 'tis concluded by many, that it may be administred for the Mitigation of the symptoms, when as yet it doth only mitigate or take away the Symptomes by accident, the virulent Humors, on which they depend, being taken away. Which cure notwithstanding, as Fernelins is of opinion, is the cruellest of al, and so hard, that many would rather perish of the Disease, than be cured with so great danger, so bitter hazard: but that quick-silver may be applied to external and contumacious Ulcers, is known to every body.

But to evacuate vitious Humors it may be used three manner of waies; * 1.144 either to move by stool and vomit; or to cause sweat; or to cause Salivation and spit∣ting. Coneerning the giving of quick-silver to move by stool or vomit is already spoken before, and the Chymists are large in the praise of it; and do extol it with wonderful commendations: * 1.145 and Crollius calls Mercury the Balsome of Nature, in which there is both a vertue incarnative, and regenerative, which doth wonder∣fully renew, and purge from al impurities, and therefore cals it a divine Medicine: to whom Beguinus assents, who in Lib. 2. Tyrocin. Chym. cap. 3. writes that Mercury is the chiefest Alexipharmacum against al corruption and putrefaction: from whom though Platerus do not wholly dissent, while he teacheth, that this Disease may easily be cured by purging with Mercury, and truly in no long time, but very speedily, being scarce drank twice or thrice, from whence is raised a plentiful flux of the belly, and also vomiting, somtimes also sweat and Urin is provoked: yet he cannot deny, that it doth perform this by a violent irritation of Nature, and not without danger.

But I would have a Physitian rather timorous, than bold and rash in the use of this Medicine, * 1.146 for that which Pliny said was the poyson of al things, Lib. 37. cap. 6. that wil not spare mans body, but offends the stomach, Liver, Guts, and al the bowels, and is especiallly an enemy to the Nerves and brain: but though the Chymists affirme that being prepared it may grow more mild, and that it may not hurt, they precipitate it, sublime it, and prepare flowers of it, Aquilam, Aurum vitae, and other things; yet though you expel Nature with a fork, she wil stil re∣turne: for as it was said even now out of Platerus, it purges violently and not with∣out danger: and as Fernelius Lib. de lue Vener. cap. 17. writes of this business, upon the giving of prepared Mercury, (doubtless he meant precipitate) presently from the compass of the whol body, Humors of al sorts break forth upwards and downwards, with so great force, and so violent, that the spirits being exhausted, and the strength wasted, the sick do either die presently, or lie some daies with∣out strength like unto dead men: somtimes al the mouth is inflamed, and con∣tracts a Gangreen, putrid Ulcers and very stinking, and somtimes the jaws swel, that the Patient for some daies is not able to swallow at al: although somtimes it work more gently, yet it purges violently enough.

But if it do work more mildely, either it retaines the nature of that which is crude, or being fixt it doth almost put on the nature of a fixt mettal: of the first sort is metcurius dulcis, of which Angelus Sala saith in the riper aged it works little, unless it be given in a great dose, to wit thirty five grains, and then it easily raiseth salivation; and that this is true a certain Physitian wel known to me, learnt to his cost and found it so by experience, as we have said de consens. et dissen. cap. 18. but if it be more fixt, it doth not move the belly; therefore it must needs be that it have a middle nature, if it ought to purge, that it may stimulate nature, where yet alwaies to hold that medium is very difficult. Yet amongst those me∣dicines, we have nominated of prepared mercury, that which is called mercurius vitae doth easily challeng the first place, so that I think it would be needless to make mention here of more medicines prepared out of mercury; but we must note this concerning mercurious vitae, that it is no pure mercurial medicine, but there is con∣tained in it some part of antimony as appears by the vitrum and Regulus, which may be made out of the mercurius vitae, but can by no art be prepared out of mercury alone, but that they may be made of antimony is wel known.

Yet when we are minded to administer mercurius vitae, * 1.147 and other mercurial me∣dicines, we must diligently consider Mesues rule, that it is a grane of wisdom, not to come to strong medicines, but where weak ones wil not satisfy. If therefore this evil be new and gentle which may be cured by gentler purgers, and by the deco∣ction of Guajacum or Sarsaparilla, we must not rashly come to the use of quicksil∣ver. But if the evil be stubborn and inveterate, and there be many virulent humors in the body, mercurial medicines may be given without danger: for then 'tis not easily to be feared, that it should assail mans body, when it hath vicious humors enough to work upon. And oftentimes necessity compels us to come to the use of quicksilver, and some do hope in vain, to affect the same buismess by weak medi∣cines often repeated as by stronger taken plentifully at once. For experience hath long since taught us, that we do oftentimes spend our time in vain in such medicines given against pertinaceous diseases. On the contrary that strong in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and amongst them quicksilver, after once or more times taking, have happ••ly overcome pertinacious diseases, whose cause was about the stomach, the cavety of the liver, the spleen, pancreas, the cal, and from thence was communicated to other 〈◊〉〈◊〉. * 1.148

Secondly out of quicksilver are prepared sweating medicines, to wi••the whit∣spirit of mercury, or the white or red oyl of mercury, one drop of which or two are given to drink in treacle water and spirits of Guajacum, or some such like de∣coction to move sweat, as also other preparations and fixt medicaments of quicks••••∣ver: and in case that quicksilver performe that, for which end it is given, and move sweat, and discuss the vitious humors by it, 'tis not so dangerous a medicine. * 1.149

The third way is by Salivation, and many indeed do place al their hopes of the cure of this disease in Salivation, so that Platerus writeth, unless that in the cure by quicksilvet Salivation be raised by the use of it. And at last be supervenient, the cure doth not succeed, neither is it fitting so much to condemne the use of it and who∣ly to reject it for the faults which happen in the mouth in this cute, or for other accidents, amongst which convulsions are cheifly to be feared, which are wont som∣times to happen, if there be any great error committed in the use of it, whenas af∣terwards in the cure the faults of the mouth are easily corrected again. On the con∣trary Fernelius de lue Vener. cap. 6. doth exactly set forth this manner of cure and describes its inconveniences: so great saith he is the cruelty and harshness of this unguent, that the patient presently begins to languish the second or third day; for by its extraordinary tenuity it doth melt and dissolve, whatsoever is in the superficies and whole compass of the body, and at length by its extream cooling faculty with which it is endued, it drives them to the inward parts, from thence into the stomach and breast, from which afterwards it drives them upwards by a continuity of parts to the throat and mouth, with so great and so violent an injury, that the teeth, to which as also to the brain 'tis peculiarly an en∣emy,

do in al presently, grow loose, and in some become blackish and al drop out. Some things it discusses out of the body by sweat, some by its purgative faculty it casts forth by stool, with a great deal of torture. And breifly to comprehend al, al certainly who are thus cured have their jaws exulcerated, their tongue and pallate swollen, their gums and teeth loose, and spittle runs through their mouthes with∣out any intermission, smelling worse then any stink, with so great contagion, that the lipps by touching of that contract ulcers, and the cheeks are ulcerated within: the stomach being cooled and disturbed with the stink, the sick are destitute of any appetite to meat, and being tormented with into lerable thirst, yet they are scarce able to drink, their whol mouth being but one ulcer. Besides their tongue stam∣mers, * 1.150 their eares grow deaf, in some incurably. Al the house about stinks.

And indeed that manner of cure is bitter enough, that one ought not easily to ad∣mit of it, and therefore 'tis not be used when the evil is new and light, but when 'tis inveterate and contumacious, and when other remedies as the decoction of Guaja∣cum, Sarsaparilla, and the like, have first of al been tryed in vain; neither must we come to the use of that unless the body before be diligently purged, least too great a quantity of virulent humors be turned rushing to the mouth and jaws; neither is this cure convenient for old men, nor for weak bodies, nor those that are wasted, and are sick of a weakness of the nerves, and have weak heads, and subject to dstil∣lations, least by the quicksilver, it being hurtful for them, these parts be more de∣bilitated.

Therefore as Hercules Saxonia de lue. Vener. cap. 39. writes of this subject, they are neither to be approved of who use mercurial unctions without any differ∣ence, neither must we hold with them, who wholy reject the use of them. For somtimes this disease is so contumacious, that 'tis not cured with the decoction of Guajacum taken fifty dayes, and twice or thrice a day, but grows worse; whenas therefore the patients are weary of taking any more decoctions, and also of sweat∣ing, * 1.151 and hungring, that they may not be left without al help, 'tis better to admi∣nister a dangerous remedy then none at al.

But what way quicksilver doth raise salivation, Authors do differ, Eustachius Rudius lib. 5. de morb. occult. cap. 15. disputes at large of this business, and first of al he worthily derides them who hold that quicksilver by its most intense cold∣ness, or repressing faculty doth repel the humors from the external parts into the innermost parts of the body; for repelling thinges are of thick and dry parts but quicksilver is of most thin parts: neither do other repeling medicines, nay not the most cold ayre, or coldest water, performe any such thing; neither can here be gi∣ven any reason, why the repulsion should be to the mouth and not to other parts that are neerer. This therefore must be inquired, why quicksilver is moved to the head, and is cheifly purged through the mouth. Many are of opinion, neither doth that displease Platerus, that quicksilver doth cause spitting by a peculiar vertue: but he explains not the manner; neither doth this please Rudius. For saith he if quicksilver be moved to the head by vertue of its whol substance, and by a peculiar property, it doth that either by a similitude or contrariety of substance; it cannot be by a similitude of substance, because quicksilver doth rather hurt, then befreind the brain and nerves: and therefore as cantharides do invade and offend the bladder, the Sea hare the lungs, so also in this manner quicksilver seems to assault the brain. But Rudius overthrows that opinion two waies, first of al, because he hath proved before mercury, to be no poyson, secondly because he thinks he is able to render a reason from the manifest qualities, why quicksilver doth assault the head; where first of al, he supposeth this that mercury as opium hath heterogeneous parts and that 'tis made up of parts of a different nature, yet so, that the hot parts do predominate; and that 'tis compounded of an aery and earthy substance but very much attenuated with heat, which like unto smoak scarce enduring the heat, flyes away in fume and is dispersed. Therfore amongst al other medicines of this faculty it doth most powerfully extenuate the humors, discuss, and convert them to motion,

and therefore doth purge by sweat, by stool, by the mouth, and so partly by its purgative vertue, partly by the heat of its thin parts doth draw the hu∣mors along with it, and that it happens so, that the thinner going to the skin are emptied by sweat, but the thick and unfit to be emptied by sweat, being extenuated together with the quicksilver turnd into vapor are drawn up into the head and then causing distillations do fal down again; and at length he conclu∣des, whenas quick silver outwardly anointed doth not remain in the stomach, as other purging medicines do, but assails the head; 'tis no wonder if it principally purge by the mouth.

But indeed he doth not this way satisfie the doubt, and this is a great peice of ig∣norance both in things phylosophycal and Chymical. For first of al that Quick silver cannot be cleared from venenosety, was said before, and proved, and the rea∣sons for the contrary answered. And Rudius himself in the chapter even now al∣ledged, reckons up so many and so greate evils, which mercury doth cause, that they cannot al be reduced to manifest qualities: which that I may compendiously reduce, Quick silver hath a corroding faculty, * 1.152 causeth a trembling and weakness of the heart, hurts the animal faculty, weakens the substance of the nerves and their pro∣per unity, whence are raised incurable tremblings and greivous torments, and ma∣ny using of mercurial medicines, have suffered cunvulsions, falling sickness, and apoplexy. Nay the same Rudius reports that some after unction have fallen into raving and madness: but whereas he endeavors to reduce that operation of mercury by which it causeth salivation, to the manifest qualities in that he laboures in vain, for first of al there are no such heterogeneous parts in mercury as he phansieth, as was said before, neither could any Chymist ever yet show them, and whether Quicksil∣ver be burnt, or whether it be reduced to water, or what other external forme so∣ever it puts on, it retaines its whole essence, and with a litle labour may be reduced to its ancient forme. Besides Rudius renders no reason, why Mercury out wardly anoynted on the body, is rather moved to the head then to the stomach, and carries the humors thither with it: for whereas he thinks, that it is resolved into vapour and carried up into the head, tis fals, whenas it may be collected whol both in the mouth, and in other parts.

'Tis more agreeable therefore to trueth, * 1.153 that quicksilver is offensive to the nerves and brain, as the tremblings which it causeth do sufficiently de monstrate, and there∣fore that it creepes up by the nerves to the brain, and carries the vitious humors thi∣ther with it, which together with the vitious humors whenas nature and the expul∣sive faculty of the brain doth expel, and cast down to the jawes, hence follows sal∣ivation: and quicksilver whether outwardly applied, or inwardly taken, stil creeps up to the head, and causeth much spitting.

But there are divers wayes of using Quick-silver to raise a flux, * 1.154 to wit either 'tis outwardly applied to the body by unguents, plaisters, epithems and lavatories so called, by a girdle, by bracelets and Rings, by suffumigations; or tis taken in∣wardly, by al which ways not withstanding there is nothing else done, but that the Quick-silver may be reduced into the smallest parts that it may the eafier pene∣trate into the body yet what way soever tis broke into peices, it keeps its nature, and the least parts are easily again united to one another and returne to their ancient corpulency, that it hath bin observed, that sometimes a great quantity of it hath bin collected in the veins, and cavities of the bones.

Yet the most common way of applying Quick-silver is by unction; * 1.155 but that unction may be performed rightly, sometimes are to be observed before unction, some in the anoynting, and some after unction, before unction the body, if need require, must be emptied either with purging medicines or bleeding: for if very many vitious humors abound in the body, tis to be feared, that by the use of these unctions they rush together in a heap to the jawes and suffocate the patient, or being rapt up to the brain do cause an apoplexy, or palsie, and therefore first of al part of them ought to be emptyed. Also if their be plenty of blood, least the patient may

suffer an inflamation of his jawes or a feaver, tis good to take away a little blood. Falopius also, that part of the matter may be consumed, the bowels strengthened, and not be offended by the Quicksilver, gives the decoction of Guajacum eight or ten dayes before unction.

As concerning the unction it self, the basis of these unguents is Quick-silver, which must be chosen pure, or vivified by cinnabar, and it must be mixed with hogs-grease hens-fat, butter, oyl, turpentine that it appeare no longer quick to the sight, which is commonly called mortifiying of it. * 1.156 Some also ad to six ounces of Quicksilver, four ounces of red sugar. Some do mix divers other things to correct the malice of Quick-silver, and indeed this or that according to the different constitution of the disease, which notwithstanding profit little. For those oyly and unctuous things, or other things, do stick on the skin and superficies of the body, and cannot follow the Quicksilver into the innermost parts of the body, nor correct its malignity. But those things which are necessarily mixed, are mixt, to that end, that the quicksilver may be reduced into the smallest bodies and ••o may the easier insinuate it self into the body. Some also in the composition of this unguent, think we ought to have respect to divers things: and therefore Hercules Saxonia, if there be hard knobs, ads those things which do mollifie, as the sat and grease of geese, ducks, the Marrow of oxe bones, butter, oyle of sweet almons; if there be ulcers he bids us ad drying pouders, Franckincense, Myrrh, al••e, Litharge, white lead, which if they be il conditioned, he ads Cincabar precipitated. Besides he commands us to mix medicines, which strengthen, the parts: more over 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bids us ad those things, which do respect the principal parts, and those that are most hurt, and therefore if the joynts be affected he bids us ad ground pine; if the liver, hepatick means; if the stomach, things stomachical, But besides the rest he doth aprove of oyle of Guajacum added to the ointment; al which as we do not wholy disallow of, so they ought to be explained. First of al, if the unction be ordered cheifly for tumors or ulcers, medicines may commodiously be mixed with it, but if saliva∣tion and emptying by spittle be cheifly intended there is no need of that laborious composition. Secondly Quick-silver it self if it be reduced into smallest parts, doth easily penetrate, neither hath it any need of helpers, and there is nothing that can penetrate easier then that. Thirdly I can scarce be perswaded, that medicines out∣wardly anointed, can penetrate to the stomach and liver, and strengthen them; this likes me best, that he thinks oyl of Guajacum ought to be added to those un∣guents.

The Quantity of Quick-silver that is used, * 1.157 is sometimes more, sometimes less, according to the vehemency of the disease, and the patients strength. Yet we must not exceed seven ounces which is sufficient for strong bodies, in weak bodies 'tis suf∣ficient to use three foure or five ounces; but every time use two or three ounces; of the unguent, or for every dose take two scruples; in tender children for every place so much oyntment as is the bulk of a lentil is sufficient. Such oyntments therefore may be made thus.

Take of mercury six ounces; * 1.158 of hogs-grease without salt one pound; Kil the Mercury with the grease and mix it exactly, then ad of the marrow of an ox••leg half an ounce; of Turpentine three ounces; of the oyl of it one ounce, of the oyl of Guajacum two ounces; mix them.

Or Take of venice Turpintine one pound, of Quick-silver seven ounces; mix them diligently, then ad of hogs-grease eight ounces; oyl of sweet and bitter al∣monds of each two ounces, pouder of cinamon two drams; Musk six granes mix it and make an ointment.

Eustachius Rudius commends this form, which he used with most happy suc∣cess for many yeares at Utine, in the great hospital of that City, with so much safe∣ty, that not one of them perisht which he had in cure.

Take ake of Quick-silver one ounce and half; Fresh Sows grease three ounces;

pouder of mastick one ounce; oyl of mastick one ounce and half; Saffron half a dram; two Sweet apples of a middle size. First of al let the sows grease be most exactly mixed with the mercury, then ad the mastick finelypoudered together with the oyl of mastick and Safforn, and afterwards the aples through ripe cleansed from the parings and core.

Or, Take of mercury killed with spitle three ounces; old oyl four ounces; of Fran∣kincense prepared as common mastick two ounces, mastick one ounce; hogs-greese two ounces and half; oyl of bayes one ounce and half; virgins wax two ounces; oint∣ment of diaitbaea one ounce and half; sagapen one ounce; of wax as much as is sufficient. Make an Ointment.

Or Take of mercury two ounces; of hogsgrease three ounces; turpentine one ounce; pouder of orice franqincense, mastickeach two drams; oyl of chamemel, white lillies, bayes of each two aunces; Stirax half an ounce; mix them.

Or Take of hens, hogs, and beares greace each one ounce; oyl of white lillies, bayes each two ounces; mercury six ounces; mix the greases in a morter, after wards ad the mercury, and stir them an houre in the morter, then ad of frankin∣cense mastick, myrrh, amoniacum, stirax, pouder of Arabick, lavinder each half a dram make an ungnent.

The Places which are anointed are the joynts and the spaces between, and the less fleshy parts in the hands, elbows, feet, knees, sometimes in strong bodies the emunctories of the liver are anointed, and the backbone. Fallopius expects the hands, and first of al anoints the feet transversly about the begining of the feet, af∣terwards the spaces between the joynts of the leg, then the midle of the thighs, * 1.159 the middle of the Elbow bones, and the midle of the Armes, afterwards the whole back.

The most commodious time for anointing, is the spring and autum, the winter and summer are less convenient and the unction is to be performed in the morning, upon an empty stomach, in a close and warm place, beginning at the lower parts, and so passing to the upper unction is seldom ordered twice on the sameday.

The patient anointed must either be ropped up in linnen, or the parts anointed be covered with course flax or hemp and so the patient be placed in his bed. * 1.160

But the unction is to be continued so long, til salivation or a loosness, or some other evaccuation succeed; and the symptomes be lessened and cease; and truely if a loosness follow, it is not suddenly to be supprest, yet we must have a care least the guts suffer any hurt, casting in by Clyster chaly beat milk, or the juyce of pti∣san with milk, or the decoction of barley and afterwards if need require, come to astringent meanes.

Some think that sweat alsoought to be moved; but if nature tend to salivation, tis not convenient to move sweat, least there be contrary motions caused; but if na∣ture of her own accord tend to sweat, tis not to be hindered, yet unction is scarce to be continued above three dayes at one time; sometimes also there presently fol∣low greivous symptomes as great ulcers of the mouth, swellings and inflamation of the tongue and jawes, the swallowing is hurt, the teeth loosened, an extraordina∣ry flux of virulent humors from the mouth, a dia••rhy or dicentery, and then we must presently forbear anointing, yet sometimes it hapens but very sildom, that no such greivous symptom followes. But only sweats, and pustles are multeplied al over the body.

When unction is now perfected, and the spitle runs wel, * 1.161 let the parts anointed be washt with wine, in which sage, Arabick, lavender, flowers, rosmary, grownd pine, bayleaves, calamint origanum have bin boyled, afterwards lay upon them some plaister for the nerves.

At last when the unction is past, we must use our endeavor, that the mercury be not left in the body, and that no evil be contracted neither in the mouth nor other parts; and therefore we must move sweat in a Laconick bath keep gold money in the mouth, shaveings of gold must be dranke, or bullets or pils made up of lease gold must be swallowed: for the mercury is imbibed by the gold, and with it is emptied out of the body, and so al evil that might happen is prevented.

To asswage pain, the mouth and jawes must be washed with warme milk or the Decoction of Barley: to hinder inflamation let the patient use the decoction of plan∣taine or plantaine water, or of Vine leaves, with the syrup of Mulberries and dry roses, the teeth must be washed with the decoction of sage, or with Sage, colum∣bine water, or austere wine; after unction we must not presently desist from the cure, but the decoction of Guajacum as being the alexipharmacum of this disease, must be drank stil for certain days, which if it be intermitted, a relapse is wont easily to follow upon it.

Secondly, * 1.162 emplasters made of mercury are wont to be applyed in this disease, which though they cause less trouble, yet they are less effectual to empty by spitting. They are prepared of the same matter of which the ointments are, to which also we may ad cinnabar: but quicksilver either is mixt with usual plaisters, as diachylum Ireatum, melilot, or new ones are compounded. The plaister called de ranis with mercury, is also in use. These plaisters are spred upon linnen cloth, leather, and are applyed to the same places as the ointments, especially to the hands and feet, al∣so to the emunctories, and somtimes to the back bone, and they are worne continu∣ally night and day, and every third or fourth day are renewed: this cure is less troublesome, and upon faire daies the patient may go abroad, yet the cure is not so perfect, and therefore must be continued longer.

Thirdly, * 1.163 Linnen clothes wet in mercury water, are applyed to the same places in the forme of an epitheme, and because sublimate is most commodiously dissolved in water, the same places which are wont to be anointed, are besmeared with mercury dissolved in this manner, which medicines are commonly called lavatories, which are prepared of mercurius sublimate one ounce, which is disolved in two pound of some liquor.

For Examples sake.

Take of Mercury sublimate one ounce; of Scabious, Rose, Fumitory water, each eight ounces; Sage water four ounces. Let them boyl and be mixed.

The use of it is this, with a cloth wet in this liquor, let the knees and feet be be∣smeared, and the armes from the elbow towards the hands, and that must be done in the morning and towards the evening, in a warme place and continued for ten days, til spitting follow.

Fourthly, * 1.164 Girdles and bracelets are made of Mercury killed with spittle and mixt with the white of an egg, which mixture is spred upon cotton, and that is sowed into leather or cloath, and of that girdles or bracelets are made.

Fiftly, Also this disease is cured by suffumigations made of quicksilver, but this way of cure is more dangerous than that by unction, * 1.165 nay it hath been deadly to some, and therefore is not to be made use of, unless al other meanes have been tried in vain, and only on very strong bodies; for this way of cure is very violent, whenas the patients that do admit of it, every day are wont to voide ten pints of virulent spittle; but it takes not place in those that are weak, wasted, endewed with a hot and dry distemper, not in those, which are troubled with a difficulty of breathing, or are sub∣ject to distillations from the head on the breast, or who spit blood, or are taken with a lientery, or dysentery: but physitians do cheifly use those suffumigations in a contumacious French ophthalmy, and upon an imminent shedding of the haire, which cannot be hindred by other medicines; for this suffumigation doth fasten the haire. Yet then a particular suffumigation may be appointed.

For we must note here, * 1.166 that there is difference of suffumigations in this dis∣ease; for some are universal which are received by the whol body, and therefore also do empty the whol body; others partitular, which are applyed only to certain parts: again some suffumigations are prepared of benigne medicines, as frankin∣cense, myrrh, oyl, Cinamon, Styrax calamite, spikenard, Amber, Ammonia∣cum, benjamin, wood of aloes, Amber greese, Musk, Gallia moschata, and the like, which though they may be fitted for the use of certaine parts, yet they do not destroy the venereal disease.

Those therefore which are proper to this disease, are chiefly prepared of mercury and of those things made of Mercury, cinnabar, Mercury precipitate, subli∣mate.

As concerning those universal ones, their basis as was said even now, is mercury any way prepared; some ad the Greeks Sandarach, and yellow arsnick, but whenas they are most pernicious poysons, they are not safe enough applyed, neither do they cure this disease in particular that we may give you some formes.

Take Of Factitious Cinnabar three ounces; Myrrh, Frankincense, Mastich, * 1.167 each one ounce; Liver colored aloe, Styrax calamite, Benjamin, each half an ounce: make a pouder.

Or Take of Cinnabar three ounces; Myrrh, Frankincence, wood of aloe, Laudanum, Ammoniacum, each one ounce; mix them with turpentine, make pills.

Or Take, of Cinnabar three ounces, Mercury precipitate three drams; Fran∣kincense, Aloe, Mastick, Myrrh, Benjamin; Styrax Calamite, each half an ounce: make a pouder. Epiphanius Ferdinandus reports the following forme is much in use at Naples in the Hospital for those that are incurable.

Take, of Litharge five ounces; of antimony, Cinnabar, each one ounce; of Pontick Rhubarb six ounces; Polipody of the oake three ounces. Sweet cane, Cinamon, Laudanum, Roses, Mace, Nutmegs, Alum, Verdegrece, Aloe, each three drams; Red lead, the Greeks Sandarache, each one ounce. Gumme caranna, two drams; Water of Roses and Citron Flowers, as much as is sufficient, mix them according to art.

But it seemes to me to be a forme made up without al reason which containes ma∣ny things unprofitable, and also hurtful.

That is safer which Ferdinandus himself proposeth.

Take of Cinnabar, Mercury sublimate each one ounce; Gumme of the Olive tree Laudanum each half an ounce; Nutmegs, Bay and Juniper berries, each three drams; Mar••oram, Coppras one dram and an half; Turpentine as much as is sufficient to incorporate it, make a mass.

But those medicines whether they be reduced into pouders, or pills or trochisks, * 1.168 are used after this manner: first of al the patient that he may be able to undergoe this cure (fit sauce for him, and they are deservedly thus handled who defile them∣selves with lust) you must give him two reare eggs, a morsel of bred dipt in strong wine, and a draught of wine, and a spoonful of conserve of roses; then let him rest quiet for a quarter of an houre; in the interim let that Venereal bed, or rather prison, viz the sweating place be heated, and in that hot house or dry bath prepare a tent, or a pavilion of thick linnen cloath; under which the patient may sit naked in a low seat; under the same pavilion place a pot or vessel ful of burning coales, on which by degrees cast either the pouder, or the pills, or trochisks, that the sume from thence may be dispersed through his whol body, and be received by the naked body of the patient; when the smoak abates, strow fresh water on the coals, and continue so doing for a third or fourth part of an houre, for half or a whol houre, as the strength of the patient can indure it. For we must carefully observe, that the patient faint not, which doth often happen; if it be collected by his stammering speech, he must presently be taken forth and be refresht with fitting medicines. But that faintings may be prevented, the patient may be permitted to draw the cold ayre by intervals through a reed, and put forth his nose without the pavilion.

But these suffumigations are applied either once or twice a day and indeed for three, six, or nine or more daies, according as the purgation doth sooner or later succeed, for when this comes, or a loosness, we must presently sease from the suffu∣migation. After the patient hath sweat sufficiently under his tent. Being wrapt up in linnen he must be laid in his bed, that he may there continue his sweat for an houre or two. * 1.169

But particular suffumigations are not applyed to the whol body, but only to

parts exulcerated or affected with pain; but then Salivation is not moved, neither is that the intent, but it is used only to take away diseases and symptomes in the ex∣ternal parts, viz. for the falling of the haire suffumigatons are applyed to head; to the hands and Feet for their paines, and when they suffer Chaps and Clefts.

Last of al also a flux may be raised by taking Quick-silver inwards which though it was not known to Fernelius, * 1.170 yet it hath been taken notice of by the more mo∣dern, and Quick-silver is used to this end by Rondeletius, Platerus, and others. Such are those Pills called Barbarossa which have Quick-silver in them; but Physi∣tians give Pills made of Mercury so, that at one dose there is given six or seven grains of Mercury, and they give them almost every day, and so long, til a flux followeth, and this cure they continue for thirty daies. Yet Platerus admonish∣eth that this kind of cure is not easily to be admitted, and not unless the Disease be inveterate, when other Medicines premised availe nothing. He also thinks that it is commodious, if it be presently cast forth by stool either by its own weight, or by the admistion of other things; but if that be done, doubtless it wil not cause Sa∣livation; therefore 'tis better that Mercury what way soever prepared, be given in a less dose, than can cause purging either by vomit, or stool: viz. that the half, or third, or fourth part only of that dose be given, which otherwise is wont to be given to purge. For example sake, precipitate or Turbith Mineral is wont to be given at other times to vomit or purge to the weight of six grains, but if only three, or two, or one be given, by the continued use of it a flux is raised: and therefore he that would use such Medicines, shal do very right, if first of al he give the ful dose of the Mercurial Medicine to purge, the second day half so much, the third day a third part, the fourth day a fourth part, and continue so, til the spittle run, yet he need not so precisely observe it: and tis altogether safer in this disease to give those Mercurial Medicines, which do not move the belly with great violence, nor so great danger, yet by their continued use do provoke spitting.

CHAP. XXII. Of the Diet to be observed in the Cure of the Venereal Disease.

A Diet in the cure of this Disease is strictly to be observed; * 1.171 first of al let the Air in which the Patient is conversant, be hot, that insensible transpiration may be free, and sweating be not hindred, but rather promoted, yet not so hot, as to make faint. Therefore if need require let the patient keep himself in a warm cham∣ber the whol time or his cure, and let not him expose himself to the free Ayre, un∣less it be somwhat hot by reason of the season of the year, and then not before noon. Yet they whose course of life wil not allow them to keep at home, let them guard themselves with Cloaths against external cold, and as much as they can shun the cold Air.

As concerning their Meat, * 1.172 there is much discourse indeed every where in this Dis∣ease concerning a slender Diet: but whenas a slender Diet is that which doth in some sort impair the strength, or which doth little preserve the enfeebled strength, such diet is only convenient in acute diseases, which whenas they last not long, the strength also somwhat debilitated is able to hold out to the end of them: but when∣as the French pox is a Chronical disease, and the Cure is extended for many weeks, if the strength be dejected by a slender diet, it cannot hold out till the end of the dis∣ease. But that Physitians do chiefly feed their Patients with bread and raisons, I think this is the cause, because they would give the most simple food, and that of good juyce: for whenas variety of meats doth easily supply vitious humors, and flesh, and fish, and the like meats are more easily corrupted, then bread and raisons

they prohibit the sick variety of meats and flesh, and would have them contented only with bread and raisons: therefore that course and form of diet is to be observed which may suffice for the conservation of strength, though not to encrease it, but must no way oppress Nature. The meat also must be of good juyce, and simple, and which no waies affords matter for the generation of excrements, nor may call away Nature from resisting the Disease to the concoction of that. And therefore the patient must not be allowed above two dishes, and meat must be given but twice aday; therefore when the sick is prepared for the use of Medicines, let his diet be such which may not impair his strength, but rather preserve it, nay, in some sort encrease it, that the patient may afterwards be able to undergo the evacuations that shal be ordered, and a more slender diet: but when Sweaters or Quick-silver is ad∣ministred, if the strength wil bear it, we must use a more spare diet, lest the vertue of the Medicines be hindered by plenteous nourishment, and let the superfluous hu∣mors in the body be rather wasted, than heaped up, and let the passages by which they ought to be expelled, be al kept free and open: but let not the diet be too slender, lest the strength fail, but be able to hold out til the perfect cure of the dis∣ease, which is wont to be long first; and though somwhat is to be bated of the accu∣stomary diet in the cure of this disease, yet that is not to be done presently at the beginning, nor that change is not suddenly to be made; but the first eight daies by little and little, somwhat must be substracted from the accustomary diet; as also the last eight daies of the Cure, by degrees he must return to the former course of diet; yet we must alwaies have respect unto the strength, and diligently consider what that is able to endure, and we must have a greater care of that, than of the dis∣ease, as without which the Cure cannot be perfected.

But how much concerns the quantity of the meat, we must also respect the strength, and the disease; for by now much the strength is stronger, by so much 'tis able to suffer the less quantity of meat; but the strength is demonstrated by the ha∣bit of the body, the temperament, custom, the age, season of the year, the Coun∣try, and condition of the sick; of which we have spoke in its proper place. In brief, as much as possible may be, somwhat must be bated of the accustomary food, which also the people of India, from whom the manner of curing this disease was derived to us, are reported to do; yet so, that alwaies respect be had unto the strength: For if the patient be strong, his Body of a cold constitution, that he can easily endure hunger; flesh is not to be given any more after eight daies, but the patient must be content with bread and raisons: but if the strength be weak, the bo∣dy slender, cholerick, some flesh also may be granted, viz. the flesh of Chickens, Hens, Partridges, Veal, Kid, and tender weather, as also Hens Eggs: but Hogs flesh which is hard of digestion and distribution, and doth encrease the morbifick matter, is chiefly to be eschewed; as also corruptible Fruits, and soft fishes: and truly the most commodious Food in this disease, is raisons, and to be preferr'd be∣fore alother meats: besides, they do not easily putrefie, and they afford good juyce and nourishment, and correct the malignity of the vitious Humors; whence some are of Opinion, That Raisons in this Disease are not only meat, but medicine too; and especially those greater ones called Cybebae, are most profitable, in which there is greater plenty of nourishment, and a more abstersive and strengthening faculty.

Concerning bread here is some doubt; many commend Bisket, * 1.173 nay admit of that only, which as we do not disallow of in strong bodies, which are moist and abound with flegm and excrements, being inclined rather to putrrefaction, then adust, and in those who have strong teeth, and are accustomed to it: so also Bread once wel baked, and not too moist, may safely be permitted, as a nourishment most familiar to al Natutes, Sexes, Ages and any season of the year: neither must we cause any trouble to the patient, by forbidding common bread, if he desire that rather then Bisket: nay Bisket seems to have its discommodities; for it staies longer in the sto∣mach, and is not so easily disgested, and for the right disgesting of it there is need of a greater strength of the stomach, which notwithstanding for the most part in

those that are sick of the French Pox is very languid: besides whenas in those sick of the Venereal Disease for the most part adust Humors do abound, by Bisket they are increased, on the contrary by common bread as being more moist they are made remperate, and at length more nourishment and good blood is afforded from it, as being best tempered, and in meats that which is best tempered, is to be preferred be∣fore that which is intemperate.

Many also do weigh out the quantity of the meat, and write that at one meale, four ounces of bread, and two or three ounces of flesh wil suffice; but this cannot be so accurately observed in al men, but here there is no smal regard to be had to Na∣tures and custome.

As concerning their drink, * 1.174 Authors also do not fully agree concerning that, some think nothing is to be given for drink but the decoction of Guaiacum and Sarsapa∣tilla, and wholly forbid wine, and think tis as much to be denied in this Disease, as in a pleurisie, and are of opinion that wine is not so much as to be tasted of, the whol course of the cure; and Fernelius writes that wine is so averse to Guajacum, as tis to Hemlock, de lue Vener. cap. 13, But for this cause chiefly they forbid Wine, because the body and Humors which before were adust, and which grow hot by the use of Guajacum, by the use of wine are inflamed. But indeed this rea∣son seems not sufficient; for that Second decoction may heat as much; as wine, if it be thin and dilute and moderately drank: therefore the strength is here to be consi∣dered, and whenas wine hath a notable agreement with our body, and doth streng∣then the heart and al parts, and especially the stomach, is most easily distributed into the whol body, doth most speedily nourish, and so fortifie Nature, that it may the better be able to oppose the Disease; the use of it is not simply to be re∣jected, especiallly in those who are less hot, and have a flegmatick body stuft up with crude Humors; yet the use of wine is so to be moderated, that it do no way inflame the body; but those that can abstaine from wine without any hurt, let them drink that second decoction made of Guajacum and that plentifully at meals, and other times, when they are thirsty, yet they to, may somtimes take a drauft of wine to strengthen the stomach. After the same manner if the Cure be ordered by Quick-silver, at that time when Evacuation is not yet made by the mouth and spitting, and the patient can chaw meat, he must be nourisht with the best bread and good flesh, and dilute wine must be given him: but when Salivation begins, and the Patient can chaw no longer, by reason of the loosness of his teeth, he must be nourisht with suppings, and Barly Ptissan, and flesh broaths with bread in it, and whenas an Inflamation of the jaws is feared, he must abstain from wine. But after the cure is finisht, though the Patient may reurne to his accustomary Diet, yet tis most convenient that he be nourished with meats of good juyce, from which the best blood may be generated; for whenas the body is extenuated, and the veins emptied, we must wholly take care, that the body or Vessels be not filled with vitious blood, but tis commodious that they be restored and filled with good. Neither must it be granted, that upon recovery he presently arise from a smal quantity of meat, to a great, whenas al change to extreames is dangerous. And when it may be feared, that the Liver be heated by the use, of hot and dry Medicines, conserve of Roses, Violets, the pouders of the three saunders, Diarrhodon Abbat. must be given for some weeks; and let the courses of diet, especially in Summer time, be cooler, provided chiefly of Barley, the Whey of Goats Milk also is good. But if there be any fear, that some reliques stil and Malignant disposition of this disease be remaining in the body, * 1.175 give a Physick wine made with Guajacum and Sarsaparilla which is most commo∣diously prepared at vintage time, if to every Gallon of wine one pound of Guaja∣cum, and three ounces of Sarsaparilla be added, and let cool with the new wine af∣ter the accustomed manner; but out of vintage time those Medicines may only be steeped in Wine.

Sleep is not only convenient in the night, * 1.176 but also a day times, when the Pati∣ents sweat, it may be granted.

Al violent exercise is hurtful; * 1.177 for whenas the strength is impared by it and there is a greater transpiration and dissolution of the body, thence it comes to pass, that the patient cannot be content with that smaller portion of nourishment, which is wont to be used, in this Disease. But he must wholly abstaine from Venery, as the greatest enemy to this Disease: let sweating in his Chamber be instead of ex∣ercise, and frictions which may be done with the same labor when the sweat is wip∣ed of: let the affection of his mind be composed to mirth.

We must use our endeavor that the belly be kept loose, * 1.178 and whenas by reason of the smal quantity of meat it is wont easily to be bound, it must be loosned with Clysters, and Raisons with leaves of Seny; nay by intervals to give some purgers is not only profitable, but also necessary: for though those Laxatives do empty the first passages, yet because they reach not to the more distant places, and by sweaters only the thinner parts are Evacuated, but the thick are left behind, tis good after seven or ten daies, or after a longer space, or need requires, to give a purging Me∣dicine agreeable to the body of the Patient.

CHAP. XXIII. Of the Cure of the Diseases and Symptomes, which are wont to be joyned with the Venereal Disease.

WHenas divers Diseases and Symptomes are wont to be joyned with the Ve∣nereal Disease, some are very large in explaining, what way those Dis∣eases and Symptomes ought to be removed: but whenas those Diseases are for the most part manifest, and we have treated of their cure in former Books, I think it not worth my pains to treat at large of them in this place: and therefore I shal only alleage certain few things, and those principally which are proper to this Disease, let the rest be fetcht from their proper places.

Ʋlcers.

As concerning the Ulcers of the Yard especially, * 1.179 which are very common in this Disease, we have spoke of them in general Lib. 3. Pract. Part. 9. Cap. 11. that we may add a little, the Root of the Yard being guarded with a defensive Oynt∣ment, the Ulcer must be washt with the Decoction of Scabious, Horehound, and especially Soape-wort, and Guajacum: afterwards let the Ulcer be anointed with some convenient unguent; those Oyntments are chiefly profitable, which have Mercury in them, either a live, or sublimate, or precipitate, or Cinnabar. And in Ulcers of the Yard, and rottenness of the Nut, as they speak Hercules Saxonia writes there is no Medicine yet found out more profitable then precipitate: yet it ought not to be applied, but where there is a thick filth, but in clean Ulcers tis not to be used Eustachius Rudius Lib. 5. de Morb. occult. Cap. 19. commends two Oyntments especially. The first is:

Take of Oyl of Roses, sweet Almonds, of each half an ounce; * 1.180 Oyntment of Rozin (which is made of pure oyl, Rozin of the Pine, Turpentine, and Yellow Wax) six drams; Mercury Precipitate, one dram; a little Wax. Mix al over the fire, except the Mercury precipitate, and taking them of the fire stir them care∣fully, til they are cool, then add the precipitate; yet according to the Nature of of the Ʋlcer, and the part affected with it, you may add more or less of the mercury precipitate.

The other is this.

Take of Oyl of sweet Almonds, Oyntment of Roses, of each three ounces: new wax, one ounce: Mercury precipitate half an ounce. Mix them.

And those Oyntments are good not only for the Ulcers of the Yard, but for French Ulcers of other parts, for the Disease called Ficus, swellings in the Fun∣daments, and Crusts.

The Balsame of Mercury also is good, which is thus prepared.

Take of Quick silver dissolved in spirit of Nitre, to one pound of this dissoluti∣on, pour of Oyl of Olives, three ounces. Let them stand and digest eight daies, afterwards separate the oyl and keep it for your use.

Or, Take the Yelk of one Egg boyled hard, Honey one ounce. Mix them over a gentle fire, let them boyl, and add of Mercury Sublimate, half a dram.

After mundification this Oyntment also may be used.

Take of the best aloe, half an ounce; Crocus Martis, two drams; Frankin∣cense, red Lead, of each one dram; Honey, half an ounce; Turpentine, two drams; the Yelk of an Egg. Mix them.

But occult and hidden ulcers are wont to lie hid either bound up under the fore∣skin, * 1.181 or else are in the internal passage of the Yard; if the Ulcer be under the fore-skin contracted, either a convenient medicine is to be injected by a syringe, and afterwards a tent dipt in oyntment is with a probe to be applied to the part affected or the fore-skin must be cut long waies, and necessary Medicines be layed to it.

But if the ulcers be in the very passage of a mans Yard, * 1.182 they are hard to be cured, and have caruncles joyned with them, or fleshy excressences, which hin∣der the emission of the urine, therefore in a slight ulcer, we must inject Plantane water, in which Alum, litharge, and white Lead have been boyled, but in more grieous ulcers use this Liniment.

Take of Mercury precipitate, one ounce; Mercury sublimate, one dram; burnt lead, two drams. Grind them on a Marble stone, wash them often with Rose∣water, and let them dry in the shade. Afterwards take of Hogs Fat, six ounces; White Wax, two drams. Let them be dissolved over the fire, and add the pouder, and two scruples of Camphire. Make a Limment, which must be besmeared over a Candle made of five ounces of White Wax, and one ounce of Turpentine, and let the Candle be put up into the Ʋrinary passage: or let some convenient plaister wrapt over a smal probe, be thrust in: the Caruncle being taken away a drying and consolidating oyntment must be cast in.

But if there be an ulcer in the womb, * 1.183 and that sordid and creeping, the evil is incurable: but the slighter are cured by injections of Alum waters, in which Guajacum and Sarsaparilla is boyled, or with pessaries of the juyce of Plan∣tane, with pouder of Aloes, Bole Armenick, white Lead and the like. In a very sordid ulcer the Oyntment Aegyptiacum may be added, or some Mercurial un∣guent: and at last a drying and consolidating Oyntment may be used, as that of Tutty, or the like.

In more grieous ulcers suffumigations of the Womb are most profitable, but whenas the Pipes are overheated by the coals, these candels of Hercules Saxonia are good for a fume.

Take of Styrax, Calamite, Beniamin, of each six drams; wood of Aloes, seven scruples; white Frankincense, one ounce; Ladanum, one dram and an half; Orrice, Cloves, of each two drams; Damask Roses. six drams; Cinnabar, two drams; coales of Willow, half a pound; Aqua Vitae as much as is sufficient. Make Candels.

By the same Medicines the ulcers of the Guts are Cured.

But to the ulcers of the jaws whenas such Medicines cannot be applied make a Gargarisme of the Decoction of Sarsaparilla, * 1.184 the bark of Guajacum, the Leaves

of plantane, scabious, mittle, red roses, pomegranate pil, sumach, to which ad a little alume the decoction may be made in water, and towards the end ad a little austere wine; after they are washt, the ulcers must be clensed with oyl of sulphur, ad∣ding a convenient liquor, or the compound water of alum, which is thus pre∣pared.

Take of mercury sublimate, roch allum, each one ounce; * 1.185 Grind them on marble stone, then ad to them juyce of Lemons three ounces, plantane water one pound and an half; rose water nine ounces; Boyl them in a glass to the consumption of the fifth part.

But you must have a care, that no part of such medicines be swallowed down; but∣ter of antimony so called is very efficacious, if the ulcer be gently touched with a piece of cotton moistned with the butter; but there is need of the same caution here: but whenas it cannot alwaies be prevented, but somewhat wil slide into the stomach, and so such medicines cannot be given safely enough; but on the contrary, other more gentle medicines are of little efficacy, these ulcers are hard to be cured, nay oftentimes are incurable; the solution of gold is more safely applied to these ulcers, prepared after this manner.

Take fifteen leaves of Gold, roch alume, nitere, Salt, each one ounce; grind them on marble, and poure to it some drops of spirits of vitriol; afterwards poure on it spirits of wine two fingers bredth above it, and let them stand in warm ashes, last of al boyl, that the leaves of the gold may be dissolved, and the spirits of wine grow yellow. Seperate the Spirits of wine by distillation, then poure more on again and digest it, and do this so often, til the spirits of wine dissolve the gold, and the salts be left at the bottom; at last seperate the spirits of wine by distillation till tis dry, and pour on spirits of turpintine and digest it eight dayes in a warm place, till the gold be dissolved, with this solution wash the part affected twice every day.

Ulcers of the nose are cured by errhines, or infusions, by pouders strewed on it, * 1.186 by suffumigations made of Guajacum and cinnabar.

Clefts of the bands and feet.

If there be chaps and clefts in the palmes of the hands and soles of the feet, * 1.187 let them be washt with the decoction of Guajacum, its barke, scabious water, german∣der, cinquefoile; and if there be hardness with it, take also marsh mallowes, or the root of wild cowcumber, afterwards use an ointment of butter, goose-grease or hens, ammoniacum, bdellium, apples, to which ad alittle of unflaked loome, or precipitate, or the oyntment proposed before.

Or Take of hogs-grease as much as you please, and put as much oyl of tartar to it, that by it the oyntment may be made sharpe.

If the evil yeeld not to these, apply a particular suffumigation of cinnabar; Hercules Saxonia de lue vener. Cap. 30. writes that he hath observed a certain woman who for eight years together had clefts in her hands, and had used the help of al the Venetian and Padua doctors to no purpose, was in a short time easily cu∣red with the juce of an herb, which some cal mugwort, others tansie, being careful∣ly dropt with a feather into al the clefts, and forbearing to wash her hands at al, and that he hath found the same juyce profitable in ringworms and Crusty Uloers.

Buboes.

Concerning buboes which are wont often to break forth in the groines in the Ve∣nereal disease, we must hold fast this in general, that we do our endeavor, * 1.188 to help the expulsion of that matter, which nature assayes and indeavors to thrust forth to the more ignoble parts; whenas sometimes by this evacuation nature is wont to free

her self from al that disease; therefore if a buboe break not forth enough, and in∣creaseth but tendeth not to suppuration, we must use our endeavor to draw it forth and suppurate it. Therefore the thigh of the same side must be rubbed, and scatifi∣ed about the lower part, or else a vein must be opened about that place; but on the bubo it self there must be layd strong drawing medicines. As,

Take of sagapen, Ammoniacum each three drams; opoponax, Bdellium, each two drams; mustard, pepper, Pellitory of spain of each one dram; blacke sope half one ounce; mix them and with wax and pitch, make an emplaster.

Yet if nature be opprest with the plenty of virulent matter, that it cannot expel it al, then 'tis good to give a purge, that part of the butthen being taken off, nature may the easier expel the rest.

When the tumor hath broke forth enough, we must take care it be speedily open∣ed, and be kept open a long while; that it may suppurate we must lay on it those maturatives, which are wont to be applied in inflamations, of the mucilage of mal∣lows, marsh-mallows, wheat and flax seed, figs, hogs-grease, goose-grease, and the like; or the simples diachyled, or that compound with gums; when 'tis mat∣tered, we must not expect that the bubo should open of it self, but it must be opened betimes, least the virulent humor detained there do hurt other parts; the tumor be∣ing opened the forementioned digestives and abstersives must be layd on, to which there wil be need sometimes to ad a little of mercury precipitate, and the ulcer must be kept open a long time.

Yet in cold buboes there is no such feare, that the matter should ascend to other parts, but if purgers and sweaters, and proper alexipharmaca be applied, some∣times the bubo doth wholly vanish without any danger.

Gummosities and Nodes.

Truely Such tumors and nodes, which do rise in places void of flesh, as the fore∣head, the skul, and the outward part of the legs, do oftentimes vanish, if the dis∣ease be perfectly cured; especially after the use of sarsaparilla, which is most effectu∣al in discussing of these diseases; and after the use of mercurial unctions, which are applied to such tumors yet if after the cure is inded such tumors and nodes remain, things emmollient, attenuating, and digesting must be laid udon them, and that are strong, as the rootsof wild cowcumber, bdellium, sagapen, opoponax, and cheifly am∣moniacum, or diachylon with gums, or a mercurial cerote; this is good and proved by experience.

Take Of the plaister diachylum with gums one ounce; fimple diachylum half an ounce; mercury killed with spittle one ounce, oyl of guajacum as much as is sufficient make aplaster.

Or, Take of Ammoniacum, Opoponax, Gume of ivy dissolved in aqua vitae, hens and goose grease each one ounce and half; the marow of a calfs leg one ounce ladanum; styrax, calamite, and liquid each two drams; the pouder of hermodactil roots orrice, each three drams; cinnabar one dram; quick silver mix with turpin∣tine six drams; oyl of lillies and wax as much as is sfficient, make acerote.

Also the lavatories made of mercury, mentioned before, are good in these tu∣mors.

If these things do not satisfie, the tumors must be opened with causticks, es∣pecially if they be not in the joynts, nerves, tendons, and the place must be kept open, and the bone underneath, which for the most part is hurt, must be sera∣ped.

Smal Bunchings and pustles.

Bunchings also and smal pustles, thymi, verrucae, favi, * 1.189 as in other parts of the body, so especially they are wont to rise in the head, about the arsehole, yard and privities in the french pox: which though sometimes after a universal cure they va∣nish of their own accord, yet sometimes also they require a peculiar cure.

This sort of bunchings which are in the head, must be washed often with the de∣coction of guajacum, and cheifly of the barke of it and sarsaparilla; some use oyl of scorpions and vipers: to which if they yeeld not, they must be anointed with some mercurial unguent, or the compound water of allum, prepared of roch allum and mercury sublimate, which some also prepare thus.

Take Of roch allum, Mercury sublimate each two drams: grind them, ad of plantane and rose water each one pound: Boyl them in a glass to the consumption of half, afterwards let them stand fifteen dayes that the allum and mercury may sink to the bottom, and let the cleare water be poured off, and kept for your use.

If the pustles be in the mouth, use washing of the mouth with the decoction of guajacum, or if there be an inflamation, with chalybeate whey, to which may be added roses and plantane; and if the pustles be soule, ad scabious and ten graines of alum to every pint of the whey or decoction. The compound alum water even now described is most profitable; yet in pustles of the mouth, tis not safe to use that alone, but it must be diluted with a treble or quadruple quantity of rose and plen∣tane water. But the pustles of the arsehole and yard, must every day be often fomen∣ted with a linnen cloth wet in the decoction of guajacum and sarsaparila; for the same the alum water even now described is very good: or if the evil be stubborn, some ointment must be laid upon them, with pouder of precipitate, such as were pro∣posed before, or precipitate mixt with foure times as much of the white of an eg; w^ch layed upon such excrescenses of the arsehole, in 24. houres space extracts and roots them out: after wards drying and cooling things must be layed on. Some cut off the french warts with Scissers, and afterwards take out the root with the medicines even now proposed: also if the extream part of the wart be toucht with oyl of vi∣triol, it dries up and falls off.

Falling of the Hair.

The falling of the haire wich is joyned with this disease, doth happen rather from the knawing off, of the roots of the hair, than from other causes, * 1.190 both in the head and beard which that it may be cured, generals being premized first the hair must be shaved off, if the patient wil allow it: for al do not admit of it, especially religious men, whose diseases must be kept private as Hercules Saxonia writes de lue Vener. Cap. 38. then astringent things must not be used, by the use of which the evil is made worse, and ulcers and paines of the head do follow upon it the matter being re∣tained: but those things rather are to be used, which do discuss and clense away that vitious matter which eates of the haires: as a lye in which have bin boyled Gua∣jacum and its bark, farsaparilla, leaves of fumitory, betony, scabious, southern∣wood, wormwood penyroyal, asarabaca, agrick: and if the skin be dry, mallowsmarsh∣mallowes, pellitory of the wal must be added: then the other medicines must be applied, which are propounded lib. 5. pract. par. 3. sect. 2. cap. 3. and 4. al which if they satisfie not, particular suffumigation for the head and face, must be prepared of quick-silver and cinnabar, by which remedy in the space of six or nine dayes, the falling of the haire is stayed. But for the most part, if universal purgers, and emp∣tiers be applied, and the matterknawing the haires be taken away and proper lotions be used, afterwards haire doth succed of its owne accord in the place of that that fel away, see more in the place alledged de Alope. et Capil. deflu.

Pains.

Also most grievous pains do often afflict those who are sick of the Venereal Dis∣ease; * 1.191 but they are most commodiously taken away by medicines proper to this dis∣ease: but Sarsaparilla is chiefly good to take them away; therefore if the pains be very urgent, on the first daies you must take a greater quantity of Sarsaparilla, and a less of Guajacum: and though the matter being dissolved and melted, the pains be encreased til the second week, because Sarsa hath an extraordinary attenuating faculty, without any astriction of the bowels; yet we must not desist from the use of it, but the patient must be told of it: afterwards when the pain is ceased, we may encrease the quantity of Guajacum, and China Root may be added also to mitigate those pains: but by intervals, almost every week, give proper purging medicines; but to the places pained apply fomentations of Guajacum, Leaves of Penyroyal, Sage, Rosemary, Chamomel flowers: Oyl of white Lillies also, of Rue, Scorpions▪ Vipers, Guajacum, are good: if the pain be very urgent, we may give also Lauda∣num Opiate. Upon the use of al which, if the pain depart not, those mercurial Un∣guents, which we propounded before in the universal Cure, must be anointed on the places pained; or by the addition of wax make Cerotes of them, and lay them on the parts pained, or some other plaisters above propounded; to which also may be added, Castor, Hermodactil Roots, Orice, and other Arthritical Medicines; espe∣cially Vigo's Cerote of Frogs is of good use to lay asleep those pains: and this Cerot of Platerus is good too.

Take of Quick-silver three ounces; stir it with one ounce of Turpentine washt with Aqua vitae; adding Bears grease, the marrow of a Calves Legg, of each an ounce and half: Oyl of white Lillies, Chamomel, Dill, bayes, worms, or Foxes, of each half an ounce: Spike or Turpentine two drams: Euphorbium, Frankin∣cense, of each half an ounce: Liquid Styrax six drams: Hermodactils two drams: Castor one dram: Wax as much as is sufficient. Make a Cerote.

Also the aforesaid Lavatories prepared of Mercury, formerly propounded, appli∣ed to the parts pained, especially the Legs, do allay the pains.

The Running of the Reins.

The Running of the Reins, * 1.192 which also is frequent in this Disease, is not to be stopt at the beginning, nor rashly: whenas Nature doth endeavor to purge the virulent matter through that place, which if it be supprest flies up to the Head, nay infects the whol Body: but if it do not stop when the decoction hath been used til the third week, let the Region of the Loyns, and Perinaeum, be anointed with astringent Oyls, made of Mastich, Mint, Roses, Mirtle.

But let Medicines be given of the seed of the Chast-tree, Lettice, Hemp, to which add a double quantity of the pouder of Sarsaparilla: and those Medicines may be given either in the form of a pouder, or with Syrup of Water of Lillies, be reduced into the form of an Electuary. 'Tis good also if every day there be given two or three drams of Water-lillies, with one or two scruples of Turpentine: Some also do give for this Running of the Reins, green Mercury precipitate, or the Rozin of Guajacum and Turpentine, which is washt with Violet Water, and adding the Yolk of an Egg, and the Decoction of Sarsaparilla, 'tis reduced into the form of a Potion.

A Consumption.

At last it often happens, * 1.193 that either by the violence of the Disease, or the Cure not rightly ordered, the sick come into a deep Consumption: For the Cure of which, the common Medicines for a Consumption wil not suffice, but there is need

of Specificks. Which kind of Remedy Audovicus Septalius animadvers. Lib, 7. n. 214. doth propound, and writes that by it, he hath wholly freed very many from this disease, and from such a Consumption. But 'tis prepared thus.

Take of choice Sarsaparilla cut smal, six ounces; infuse it twenty four hours in fifteen pound of warm water, in a warm place, in a vessel shut: afterwards boyl it with a gentle fire till five pound be wasted: then with a spoon perforated take out the Sarsaparilla, and bruise it in a marble morter: then cast it into the same water again, adding two pound of lean Veal, Coriander seed prepared one ounce, or in∣stead of it, so much of the shavings of Guajacum, or three drams of yellow Sanders sliced, according to the condition of the Patients body and humors: and the vessel being covered, let it boyl again with a gentle fire, till there remain five pound; and towards the end aromatize it with three drams of choice Cinnamon: then strain it, squeezing it hard, and keep it for your use in a glass or glazed vessel.

Of which let the patient take in a morning four hours before meat, six or seven ounces; but in the evening three hours before supper, four or five ounces: And if it be Summer, or a Hectick Feaver is joyned with it, he adds of Barley excoriated or husked, four ounces: and he continues the use of this Medicine many dayes, som∣times to the hundreth day.

Let the rest be sought for out of the Cure of the particular Diseases, and out of Fallopius de morb. Gal. who hath writ at large concerning the Diseases and Symp∣tomes which are joyned with this Disease.

FINIS.

Mris. Culpepers Information, Vindication, and Testimony, concerning her Husbands Books to be Published after his Death.

SO great are the Afflictions wherewith our Heavenly Father hath been pleased to exercise me his poor Hand∣maid, that I have not only lived to see my dear Hus∣band, (the Stay and Solace of my Life) taken from me: but it hath been my hard hap also to see his Reputation, and Memory (which wil be dear to al Posterity, for the Works he hath written for the Common Good of this Nation) blemished, and Eclipsed, by the covetous and unjust Forgeries of one, Who, though he calls himself Nathaniel, is far from being an Israelite in whom there is no guile; who was not content to publish a Hodgpodg of un∣digested Collections, and Observations of my deer Husband deceased, under the Title of Culpeper's last Legacy; but to make the Deceit more taking, he steeled his Forehead so far, and brased it so hard, as not to be ashamed to forge two Epistles, one in mine, and the other in my Husbands Name; of the penning of which, he nor I, never so much as drea∣med: And yet he impudently affirmeth in my Name, that my Husband Laid a severe Injunction on me to publish them for the general good, after his decease; and that they are his last Experiences in Physick and Chyrurgery. And in the Title of his Book, he said, They are the choycest, and most profitable secrets, resolved never to be published til after his Death. At which Expressions in the Title and Epistles, are as fals as the Father of Lyes; and every word in them, forged and feigned. And he knew wel enough, that no discreet, honest man, that was a friend to my Husband, or me, would ever have agreed to such infamous and dishonest practices; and therefore I desire all Courteous Readers of the Writings of my Husband, to take notice of this Deceit, and to assure themselvs that it never entred into his head, to publish such an undigested Gallimoffery, under the promising and solemn Name of his Last Legacy, and that whereby he gained his Reputation in the World, as the Imposter makes him speak in his forged Epistle. And I desire any in different Reader, that hath observed my Husbands lofty, and Mascu∣line manner of expressing himself in his Prefaces, and Epistles Dedicatory, whether in case he had been minded or disposed to take so solemn a farewel of the world, as the Forger makes him to do; whether, I say, he would have done it in such a whining fashion, and so in the Stile of a Balade-maker, as to say, And now, if it please Heaven to put a period to my Life, and Studies, that I must bid al things under the Sun farewel: Farewel to my dear Wife and Child, farewel Arts and Sciences, farewel al worldly Glories, adiew Readers. Certainly my Hus∣band would have been far more serious, and materi∣al, in such a case, as any discreet man wil Judg-Neither can it be thought, that in such a solemn Valediction, he could possibly forget his wonted re∣spects to the Colledg of Doctors, to whom he did so frequently address himself, in divers of his writings.

Courteous Reader, I shal say no more touching the abuse of the Book-seller, only to prevent (as much as concerns me) thy being abused for the future, know, That my Husband left seventy-nine Books of his own making, or Translating, in my hand, and I have deposited them into the hands of his, and my much honored Friend, Mr. Peter Cole, Book-seller, at the Printing-Press, neer the Royal Exchange (for the good of my Child) from whom thou mayest expect to receive in print, such of them as shal be thought fit to serve thee in due season, without any Disguises or Forgeries, unto which I do hereby give my attestation. Also my Husband left seventeen Books compleatly perfected, in the hands of the said Mr. Cole, for which he paid my Husband in his life-time: And Mr. Cole is ready and willing (on any good oc∣casion) to shew any of the said seventy-nine Books, or the seventeen, to such as doubt thereof.

And if any Person shal question the Truth of any part of this Vindication, or Epistle; if they wil take pains to come to me, I wil face to face, justifie the truth of every word thereof, as I have subscribed my Hand thereunto in the presence of many witnesses.

I profess in the presence of the great God, the sea••∣ther of al hearts, before whom Mr. Brooks and I must one day give an account of al our Actions: That I have not published this Epistle or Vindicati∣on, out of any dis-respect to Mr. Brooks (for I much respect the man, and would be glad to serve him to my power) but only to cleer my Husband from the folly and weakness cast upon him by the means above expressed. And out of tenderness to Mr. Brooks, I first tried other means of keeping, and afterwards of repairing my Husbands Credit, and then stayed long to see if be would repair (in any measure) the wrong done to my Husband, and my self. I desire to be,

From my House, next door to the Red Lyon in Spittle-fields, October, 18. 1655.

Your Servant (in, and for the Truth) Alice Culpeper.

Mris. Culpeper did the 18. of October, subscribe this Epistle in Vindication of her Hus∣band's Reputation, before Ten Witnesses, as she had done another Epistle on the ninth of October, almost in the same words with this, except neer the Conclusion.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Names of the french disease;
• * 1.2

  The French Disease. The Italian. The Nea∣politan. The Spanish The Indian.
• * 1.3

  Syphilis; Pudenda∣gra. The great Pox. The Vene∣ral Diseawses Whether it be a new Disease.
• * 1.4

  The Origi∣nal of the Veneral dis∣ease.
• * 1.5

  A Coin.
• * 1.6

  The Vene∣ral diseas, is from an oc∣cult quality.
• * 1.7

  What it is.
• * 1.8

  Capivac∣cius opinion
• * 1.9

  Hercules Saxony.
• * 1.10

  Aurelius Minadous.
• * 1.11

  The Vene∣ral disease depends on an occult quality.
• * 1.12

  'Tis a dis∣ease.
• * 1.13

  Not hot and dry.
• * 1.14

  Not cold and dry.
• * 1.15

  But occult.
• * 1.16

  An exa∣mination of Aurelius Minadous opinion.
• * 1.17

  The Vene∣ral disease is not a Body.
• * 1.18

  Whether it be a Vapor or a spirit.
• * 1.19

  The Vene∣ral evil is an occult & venenate Disease.
• * 1.20

  What is the subject of the Vene∣ral Disease.
• * 1.21

  Not the Priveties.
• * 1.22

  Not the skin.
• * 1.23

  Not the spermatical parts.
• * 1.24

  Whether the liver.
• * 1.25

  Whether al the parts.
• * 1.26

  The Au∣thors opini∣on.
• * 1.27

  The Vene∣ral disease is an enemy to the natu∣ral faculty.
• * 1.28

  The Vene∣ral disease is contracted only by con∣tagion.
• * 1.29

  Whether it be alwaies contagious?
• * 1.30

  The first original of the veneral Difease.
• * 1.31

  Whether it were first of al an epi∣demical dis∣ease.
• * 1.32

  How the Veneral dis∣ease was brought into Europe.
• * 1.33

  Leonhar∣dus Fiora∣vanti his o∣pinion of the Veneral disease.
• * 1.34

  Andreas Caesalpinus.
• * 1.35

  Aurelius Minadous.
• * 1.36

  The Vene∣ral disease is contrac∣ted only by Contagion.
• * 1.37

  How many waies the con∣tagion may be contracted.
• * 1.38

  Somtimes 'tis Haere∣ditary.
• * 1.39

  Whether it can infect at a distance.
• * 1.40

  How the Veneral dis∣ease may be contracted.
• * 1.41

  How men are infected by women in Copulation.
• * 1.42

  How Wo∣men by men.
• * 1.43

  Other waies of contagion
• * 1.44

  How the Veneral vi∣rulency doth penetrate into the bo∣dy.
• * 1.45

  What parts are chiefly affected.
• * 1.46

  The manner of the gene∣ration of the veneral dis∣ease.
• * 1.47

  The defini∣tion of the veneral dis∣ease.
• * 1.48

  The Differ∣ences.
• * 1.49

  At its first rise this dis∣ease was more grie∣vous.
• * 1.50

  Degrees of the veneral disease.
• * 1.51

  The diag∣nostick signs of the cause.
• * 1.52

  The signs of the vene∣ral disease in its begin∣ning.
• * 1.53

  The signs of this dis∣ease increa∣sing.
• * 1.54

  Signs of an inveterate Pox.
• * 1.55

  Signs of the differen∣ces.
• * 1.56

  Whether this disease shal cease.
• * 1.57

  Progno∣sticks.
• * 1.58

  Prevention
• * 1.59

  Indications
• * 1.60

  Preserva∣tory.
• * 1.61

  Curative.
• * 1.62

  Vital.
• * 1.63

  Four things to be done in the Cure of the Veneral disease.
• * 1.64

  Whether the cure may be perfected without sweating.
• * 1.65

  The decision
• * 1.66

  Prepara∣tion and purging of humors.
• * 1.67

  Alexiphar∣maca of the Veneral dis∣ease are ne∣cessary.
• * 1.68

  What they are.
• * 1.69

  The Indi∣an wood.
• * 1.70

  Two fold. Guaja∣cum. The holy wood.
• * 1.71

  The Choice of Guaja∣cum.
• * 1.72

  How the age of this wood is to be discerned
• * 1.73

  The bark of Guajacum.
• * 1.74

  The vertues of Guaja∣cum.
• * 1.75

  Whether pock-wood do nourish.
• * 1.76

  † Whether the decoction of Guajacum, sar∣saparilla, sas∣safras China root, do fatten.
• * 1.77

  The decocti∣on of Guaja∣cum, Sarsa, Sassasras, Chi∣na root, nou∣rish not but by accident
• * 1.78

  Medicines made out of Guajacum.
• * 1.79

  The man∣ner of pre∣paring a de∣coction of the wood. Whether it ought to be boyled in Wine.
• * 1.80

  The propor∣tion of wood to the water.
• * 1.81

  After what manner 'tis to be boyled.
• * 1.82

  A chymical Vessel.
• * 1.83

  Distilled water from Guajaum.
• * 1.84

  The second decoction.
• * 1.85

  Wine of Guajacum.
• * 1.86

  The third decoction.
• * 1.87

  An Elect∣uary of Guajacum.
• * 1.88

  An extract of Guaja∣cum.
• * 1.89

  The oyl of Guajacnm.
• * 1.90

  The spirit of Guaja∣cum.
• * 1.91

  Sarsapa∣rilla.
• * 1.92

  The native place of sar∣saparilla.
• * 1.93

  The vertue of it.
• * 1.94

  The manner of giving it.
• * 1.95

  The decocti∣on.
• * 1.96

  The second decoction.
• * 1.97

  China root.
• * 1.98

  The de∣coction of China.
• * 1.99

  The Second decoction.
• * 1.100

  Sassafras-Wood.
• * 1.101

  Its vertues.
• * 1.102

  Soapwors.
• * 1.103

  Its deco∣ction.
• * 1.104

  The pouder.
• * 1.105

  Compouond Alexiphbr∣maca in the Veneral dis∣ease.
• * 1.106

  Whether purgers ought to be mixt with the deco∣ction.
• * 1.107

  Whether purgers may serve instead of sweaters.
• * 1.108

  The manner of using these Medi∣cines. The dose of the decocti∣on.
• * 1.109

  Sweat.
• * 1.110

  The time of sweating.
• * 1.111

  Baths two∣fold.
• * 1.112

  When we must sweat.
• * 1.113

  How long.
• * 1.114

  How often.
• * 1.115

  Common Alexiphar∣maca.
• * 1.116

  Fernelius, his antidote.
• * 1.117

  Palmarius his antidote
• * 1.118

  Galmarius his Cordiol water.
• * 1.119

  Palmarius his Alexi∣pharmacal Pouder.
• * 1.120

  Rondeletius his Treacle Water.
• * 1.121

  Whether treacle be good in the Venereal disease.
• * 1.122

  Trochisks Cypheos.
• * 1.123

  Of the cure by Quick-silver.
• * 1.124

  Quicksilver whence so called. Its wonder∣ful Nature.
• * 1.125

  Whether Quicksilver be hot or cold.
• * 1.126

  Matthias Ʋnzerus his opinion.
• * 1.127

  Hercules Saxonia.
• * 1.128

  The authors opinion.
• * 1.129

  Quicksilver is Homoge∣neous.
• * 1.130

  Quick silver is hot.
• * 1.131

  The answer of the rea∣sons against it.
• * 1.132

  Whether quick-fil∣ver be Poy∣sonous.
• * 1.133

  'Tis denied.
• * 1.134

  'Tis af∣firmed.
• * 1.135

  The Au∣thors opini∣on.
• * 1.136

  Mercury prepared.
• * 1.137

  In what disease pre∣pared Mer∣cury is to be given.
• * 1.138

  Whether quick-silver be to be gi∣ven in the cure of the venerealdis∣ease. The nega∣tive opinion
• * 1.139

  The affir∣mative opi∣nion.
• * 1.140

  The Au∣thors Opi∣nion.
• * 1.141

  When quick silver is to be used in the Venereal Disease.
• * 1.142

  Things pro∣hibiting un∣ction with Quicksilver.
• * 1.143

  Whether Quick silver be an Al∣exipharma∣cum of the Venereal Disease.
• * 1.144

  How many ways quick∣silver doth Evacuate.
• * 1.145

  By stool and vomit.
• * 1.146

  'Tis to be given wari∣ly.
• * 1.147

  When it is to be given in the Vene∣real disease,
• * 1.148

  Sweating medicines made of quicksilver.
• * 1.149

  Salivati∣on by quick∣silver.
• * 1.150

  When un∣ction with quicksilver is to be used.
• * 1.151

  How quick∣silver doth raise a flux.
• * 1.152

  The hurts of Quick silver.
• * 1.153

  Quicksilver an Enemy to the nerves
• * 1.154

  The wayes of ussng quick silver
• * 1.155

  How the unction with quick∣silver is to be ordered.
• * 1.156

  How Quick silver is to be prepared.
• * 1.157

  The quanti∣ty.
• * 1.158

  Formes of Meacurial Ʋnguents.
• * 1.159

  The time for anoint∣ing.
• * 1.160

  How long unction is to be continu∣ed.
• * 1.161

  What is to be done af∣ter unction.
• * 1.162

  Mercurial plaisters.
• * 1.163

  Lavatoris of mercury.
• * 1.164

  Mercurial girdles and bracelets.
• * 1.165

  Suffumi∣gations of mercury.
• * 1.166

  Their dif∣ference.
• * 1.167

  Formes.
• * 1.168

  The man∣ne•• of pre∣paring these suffumiga∣tions.
• * 1.169

  Particu∣lar suffumi∣gations.
• * 1.170

  Internal Medicines causing Sa∣livation.
• * 1.171

  Diet. The Air.
• * 1.172

  The Meat. Whether a slender diet be conveni∣ent in the Venereal disease.
• * 1.173

  What kind of bread is to be given.
• * 1.174

  Their drink
• * 1.175

  Wine of Guajacum.
• * 1.176

  Sleep.
• * 1.177

  Exercise.
• * 1.178

  Excrements
• * 1.179

  The Cure of Venereal Ʋlcers in the Yard.
• * 1.180

  The Mercu∣rial Ʋn∣guent.
• * 1.181

  Hidden Ʋlcers.
• * 1.182

  Ʋlcers in the passage of the Yard.
• * 1.183

  In the womb
• * 1.184

  Ʋlcer of the Jaws.
• * 1.185

  The com∣pound wa∣ter of alum.
• * 1.186

  Of the nose.
• * 1.187

  Clefts of the hands and feet.
• * 1.188

  The cure of buboes.
• * 1.189

  Bunchings and pustles.
• * 1.190

  Falling af the hair.
• * 1.191

  The Cure of pains.
• * 1.192

  The Cure of the Run∣ning of the Reins.
• * 1.193

  A Con∣sumption.