A friend to the sick, or, The honest Englishman's preservation shewing the causes, symptoms, and cures of the most occult and dangerous diseases which affect the body of man : with a particular discourse of the dropsie, scurvy, and yellow jaundice, and the most absolute way of cure : whereunto is added a true relation of some of the most remarkable cures affected by the author's most famous cathartique and diueretique pills.

THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.

Worthy Reader,

IT may perhaps be thought an high Presum∣ption (especially by such that judge no∣thing well done, but what they have the ho∣nour to do themselves) for me that may be accounted the least of all men, able to put my self to such a publick Censure of those most Learned and great Proficients in this Honourable and most Noble Art.

However, because I would not hide my Talent that the Lord hath given to me, and so be termed an unprofitable Servant, having through the wonderful goodness of God, found out those and such like Remedies, and that by a diligent Care, and long Study, have had thereof large Experience, (which is the Daughter of Time, the Mother of Wisdom, the true Rewarder of Travel, though the Jewel

of a few) and not doubting but that they will prove very profitable, not only to the Di∣seased Patient, but to the young Student in Physick; for whose sakes I could by no means neglect the Publication hereof.

Another, and the most principal Obliga∣tion, was from a serious Consideration of the Great Necessity, and Lamentable Misery that I daily behold, some of the meaner sort of people, being intollerably tormented with most dangerous and grievous distempers, and must absolutely perish having not wherewith∣all to be at great Charges in long and tedious courses of Physick.

Neither to give to old Dives his large fee before-hand, without which he will not put his foot into the Styrup, nor his horses in the Coach.

These Reasons seriously considered, were the absolute Motives to force me more to the publishing of this small, and I hope be∣neficial Treatise.

And that the Honest English Man may reap thereby the greater Benefit, I have purposely omitted all Philosophical, Eloquent, and hard crabbed words, (though not Ignorant thereof) which more affright the honest and harmless Patient, then Cure his languishing Disease.

Yet notwithstanding the real and best of my Endeavours to promote the Interest of my Countrymen, and to do them service, in giving them some certain Rules how to help themselves in times of Necessity.

Black mouth'd Envy, that severely Barkes though, cannot Bite, will still Snarle, and look upon me with a squint Eye, as if I had done some Injustice to the very Laws of Friendship, and common Society.

And the grand Reasons are, that my Pills in the Dropsie, have wrought more won∣derful effects then any other Medicines yet have done.

Since which time, to defraud the Ignorant, every fracturated fellow in their Pamplets pretend to Cure the Dropsie, though it be but with Aloes, and Sena, &c. infused in Brandy, and the Lungs of an Oxe applied to the Belly, which preposterous Courses have of late killed many, some of good worth.

But perhaps some of the fore-mentioned will be apt to Judge that I have published this Treatise purposely to promote my own Interest, because I have in some Chapters made mention of my Cathartique and Diure∣tique Pills; in answer to which, I will assure the Reader I have not made mention thereof

but where they are absolutely necessary, and I question not, but those that are acquainted with me and them, will believe that what I have here imparted, is to the utmost of my power really to promote the well-fare of my Country, and not my own Interest, (Which in Duty to God and Man I am bound to do) this being first intended not for private use, but for a publick good.

So not valuing the Threats of some of the same faculty, knowing the snares they have laid for others, themselves will be ta∣ken in: When I shall be from their rigid Malice shelter'd under the Wings of the Al∣mighty, and there live above the Praise or Dispraise of Men.

But yet must humbly acknowledge my self, Dear Countrey-men,

Your most humble and faithful Servant to Command, W. Sermon

From my house in East∣harding-street near the Sign of Goldsmiths hall, between Fetter-lane and Shoe-lane London July 12. 1673.