Ars chirurgica a compendium of the theory and practice of chirurgery in seven books ... shewing the names, causes, signs, differences, prognosticks, and various intentions of curing all kinds of chirurgick diseases ... : to which is added Pharmacopoeia chirurgica, or, The medical store, Latin and English ... / by William Salmon ...

CHAP. XVII. Of WOƲNDS made by Biting of VENEMOƲS BEASTS.

I. THEY are called in Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, pl. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. in Latin, Morsus Bestiae, pl. Morsus Bestiarum; in English, The Biting or Bitings, of a Beast or Beasts.

II. We shall comprehend in this Chapter the Bitings and Stingings of all living Creatures, even the Bitings of Mankind: not that we think every Creature is Poi∣sonous, yet we are apt to be∣lieve, that there is somewhat

of Poison or Malignity, more or less, in the Bitings of all Crea∣tures, Man as well as Beast.

III. And therefore we shall lay down our Considerations in a fivefold order, as they have re∣spect either to Biting or Stinging; the first of which is made by Mankind by Beasts, by Serpents, and by Insects.

IV. These Wounds then are, 1. By the bitings of wild or tamed Beasts and Human∣kind, not esteemed poisonous. 2. By the bitings of Mad-dogs, and Mad-men, which require the same order and method of Cure. 3. By the •…•…ing of Serpents; as the Viper, Rattle-snake, &c. 4. By the biting of the Taran∣tula. 5. By the stinging of Scorpions, Hornets, Wasps, Bees, &c. of all which in their order.

I. Of Biting of Wild-Beasts, and Human-kind.

V. We intend to treat of those Wounds here which are made by the biting of Human-kind, and of Beasts in their own nature not Venemous; as of an Ass, Ape, Baboon, Bear, Cat, Dog, Horse, Leopard, Monkey, Squirrel, Ty∣ger, &c. concerning which, yet Celsus, lib. 5. cap. 27. saith, That all Bitings of wild Beasts whatsoever, have in them some certain kind of Venom.

VI. Moreover, these Creatures when they bite, are for the most part enraged; and Wrath or Rage has in it a great power to disturb the Humors, and cor∣rupt them; which vitiousness of the Humors is easily commu∣nicated into the Spittle, and by the Spittle as easily conveyed into the Wound; which thing is manifestly evident, in such as are bitten by a mad Dog or Man.

VII. But if it is supposed that such Wounds are altogether free from any Virulency whatever, yet the Contusion it self (for Teeth are seldom so sharp as to wound, and not also bruise) renders all Wounds whatsover the more dan∣gerous and grievous, and makes them the more difficult to be cured.

VIII. The Prognosticks. These Wounds are dangerous as well in themselves, by reason of the Contu∣sion, as also because the Spittle of the furious and enraged Animal is supposed to have something of Ma∣lignity joined with it; but much more dangerous, if the Nervous and Tendinous Parts are bitten or wounded withal.

IX. And if they are made by one Man's biting of another, they are not without their danger. Guilielmus Fabricius Hildanus, Cent. 2. Obs. 84. & 85 gives us three Instances. 1. A Mer∣chant, who in his Cups was bitten by another, on the very tip of his right Fore-finger; upon which, his whole right Hand became inflamed, and a Gangren presently began to follow, with Convulsions, a great burning Fever, Swooning, and continual Restlesness. 2. A Physician, who was bit, by put∣ting his Finger to the Mouth of a Woman who had a Frenzy, to feel her Tongue; upon which

biting, he was presently taken with a vehement pain, not only in his Finger, but thro' his whole Arm. 3. Another Man was bitten sorely to the first articu∣lar of his Thumb, by another furious and enraged person; up∣on which he was instantly taken with a vehement pain thro' the whole Arm, and soon after with a Fever, and Swooning-fits.

X. The Cure. If the Wound is made by a Beast that hath blunt Teeth, whereby there is a Contu∣sion, the Blood is to be well squeezed or prest forth, out of the Wound; and Purging-medicines are to be given, (if need so require) to prevent the greater afflux of Humors.

XI. And to prevent the Evil from being communicated to the more superior, or other adjacent Parts, you must apply Defensa∣tives made with Oxycrate, or some other like thing: and to the Wound it self, for easing the Pain, promoting Suppuration, and keeping the Wound open, some proper Anodyn, matura∣tive or digestive.

XII. As, ℞ One Egg, Butter ʒiv. Oils of Violets and Roses, A. ʒij. Saffron ʒss. mix them. Or, ℞ The yolk of one Egg; Turpen∣tine, Honey, A. ℥ss. mix them well together; then add Oil of Roses, or Oil of Ben ʒiii.

XIII. And you may (if need require) apply over this Cata∣plasm. ℞ Althea-roots ℥ j ss. flowers of Camomil and Melilot, A. M.j. Wormwood-tops P.ii. boil all to softness, and beat them to∣gether; to which add the yolk of one Egg, Mithridate ℥i. Oil of Camomil q.s. mix, and make a Cataplasm.

XIV. If you should fear, that there is Virulency in the Wound, you may apply this. ℞ Un∣guentum Basilicon, Strasburgh-Turpentine, A. ℥i. yellow Palm-Oil, or Oil of Ben, Mithridate, A. ʒvi. yolk of one Egg.

XV. And that what is bruised, may be converted into Pus, you must use this Digestive. ℞ Ung. Basilicon, Rosin, Honey of Roses, A.℥i. yolk of one Egg, mix them. Or this: ℞ Strasburgh-Turpentine, Mastich in pouder, A. ℥i. Honey of Roses ℥jss. yolk of one Egg, mix them.

XVI. And if any Malignity is feared, you may apply this: ℞ Strasburgh-Turpentine, Mithri∣date, A.℥i. Aloes, round Birthwort∣root, Myrrh, Orrice-Florentine, A. ℥ss. all in fine pouder, pouder of Zedoary, and Winters Cinnamon, A. ʒi. mix, and with Honey of Roses, q.s. make a Liniment.

XVII. The Wound being di∣gested, and well cleansed, you must fill it up with Flesh, with proper Sarcoticks, and at last with Epu∣loticks produce the Cicatrice.

XVIII. If a Gangren is feared, as approaching, you must pursue the Cure, as we have directed in the Chapter of a Gangren. Or thus: Bathe all the adjacent places with Spirit of Wine Campho∣rated; and upon the Wound apply very hot this following Mixture.

XIX. ℞ Strasburgh-Turpentine Gum Elemi, A. ℥i. yolks of two Eggs; pouder of Earthworms ʒii. Frankincense, Camphir, A. ʒi. mix them.

XX. If the Pain increases, bathe with this: ℞ Powers of Amber, Powers of Juniper, A. ℥i. Spirit of Sal Armoniack ʒii. Guttae Vitae ℥ss. mix them: and over all, apply some proper Anodyn Cataplasm: after which the Pain being something eased, you may apply Empl. Album, and so Cure it as another bruised Wound.

XXI. But mean season, or du∣ring the whole course of this Cure, give inwardly every Night a Dose of Our Theriaca Chymica; and every Morning fasting this mix∣ture: ℞ Aq. Bezoartica, or Spi∣ritus Cordialis ʒvi. Syrup of Li∣mons ʒiii. Spiritus Opii Composi∣tus ʒiss. mix for a Dose.

II. Of the Bitings of Mad-dogs, Mad-men, &c.

XXII. Whether the Patient is bitten by a Mad-dog, or by a Mad∣man whose Madness came thro' the biting of a Mad-dog, the Signs, Symptoms, Prognosticks, and Methods of Cure are all one, and therefore in Treating of the one, we Treat of the other also.

XXIII. This Poison or Venom which causes this Madness, con∣sists not in the first qualities, as Heat, Coldness, Driness, or Moi∣sture, but in a Specifick Proper∣ty peculiar to this kind of Dis∣ease, which is called in Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, (aquae metus) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, morbus, quo ali∣quis à Cane rabioso commorsus a∣quam timet; also 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. in Latin, Hydrophobia, & Rabies; a Malady in which the Patient is always extreamly fear∣ful of Water.

XXIV. Now it is necessary in the first place, to know whether the Dog which gave the Wound be Mad, or no, which you may know by these Signs. He refuses his Food, and his Water also, (be∣cause he is afraid of Water) Slaver or Snivel comes forth from his Mouth and Nostrils, he carries his Tail under his Belly, hangs his Tongue out of his Mouth, which looks either yellow, blackish, or reddish, his Eyes are red and fiery, and he looks wild, becomes lean, and barks but little, and that hoarsly; sometimes he runs swiftly, sometimes he stands still, he knows not his Owner, but runs fiercely upon all Crea∣tures, and oftentimes in run∣ning strikes his Head against Posts or Trees, and when in this Condition, other Dogs will shun him.

XXV. The Signs. If the Madness is beginning, the Patient becomes discontented and angry without any just Cause; he feels a gnawing and heaviness in his Stomach, complains of unrea∣sonable Weather, tho' it is fair, his Body also becomes heavy and lumpish.

XXVI. If he sleeps, his sleep is very troublesom, and he is full of fears without any cause; he drinks less than usually, and be∣gins to murmur and speak to himself, and desires Candle∣light in the Day-time.

XXVII. In the place wounded, tho' it is healed, a pain is felt, which ascends towards the Head,

whither when it is come, a Ver∣tigo is caused, so that he cannot walk steadily forwards; now when these last Signs appear, you may be sure that Madness is at hand, or not far off.

XXVIII. If the Madness is present or manifest, the Face then and Body become red, he looks wildly, is very trouble∣som, and foams at the Mouth, and spits upon those that stand by.

XXIX. Sometimes they snarl and bark like Dogs, and many times offer to bite; they vehe∣mently hate or are afraid of Water, and all Liquid things, which if proffered to them, or they come near them, they be∣come more fierce, and are more offended.

XXX. Their Pulses are small and inordinate, their Ʋrine comes away by drops; and the Madness increasing, they Vomit either yellow or black Choler, and become Costive.

XXXI. Their Limbs become more and more lumpish and heavy, their Voice becomes hoarse, and they are troubled with difficulty of breathing, putting out their Tongues as if they wanted Breath, or Air, or were vehe∣mently hot.

XXXII. A Day or two before they Die, some of them are trou∣bled with the Hiccough; and a little before Death with Con∣vulsions, and a dreadful gnash∣ing of the Teeth.

XXXIII. The Prognosticks. The Patient being bitten by the Mad-dog, the Poison is received; but it manifests its self in Madness in some sooner, in others later: some grow Mad in a few Days space, as in a Week, more or less; some in a longer time.

XXXIV. But its general time of manifesting it self, is upon the Revolution of the Moon to the same place of the Zodiack, where she was when the Wound was made, which is a Months time.

XXXV. Yet if the Wound was great or deep, or manifold, and the Dog vehemently Mad, the Pa∣tient may possibly become Mad, upon the next New or Full Moon; or if they escape the New, upon the next Full; or if they escape the Full, upon the next Change.

XXXVI. Sometimes the Poi∣son lyes dormant for a much longer time, as for a Year or two, before it manifests it self in Madness; but this is caused from the weak∣ness of the Poyson first received, or the shallow, remoteness, or hard place where it is lodged; and therefore if it manifests not it self in a Month or two, the Pa∣tient is generally supposed se∣cure or perfectly well, more especially if the proper means both Internal and External have been used beforehand.

XXXVII. If the Wound is not deep, nor has offended a Nerve, Artery, or Vein, there is great hope of Cure, and that the Pa∣tient may do well.

XXXVIII. But if the Person who is bitten, begins to have the fear of Water before him, and be∣comes Mad, the hope of Reco∣very is very small; nor did I ever know one such to escape.

XXXIX. The Cure. There are three Intentions of Cure;

1. To draw forth the Poyson out of the Wound, that it may not get deeper into the Body. 2. To strengthen the principal Parts, that they may be able to resist and repel the Poyson. 3. To destroy the power of the Poyson it self.

XL. The first intention is an∣swered in some measure by applying a Ligature, three or four Inches above the Wound: but Celsus, lib. 5. cap. 27. advises, that it be not too strait, lest the Part be∣comes benummed.

XLI. If it is in a place which will not admit of Ligature, then you must apply a Defensative, made of fine Bole, Terra Sigillata, Catechu, Sanguis Draconis, mix∣ed with Whites of Eggs.

XLII. Then you must scarifie the Wound, if it is not large e∣nough already; or apply Cup∣ping-glasses with much Flame and Scarification, to make the stronger Attraction.

XLIII. If the place is such as cannot be Cupped, yet it is always to be scarified, and the Blood to be drawn by a dry Sponge, not wet in Water: after which you may ap∣ply hot Pigeons or Chickens, being first cut asunder.

XLIV. After these things are done at the first, you must apply other Topicks of a very strong At∣tractive quality, as Cataplasms made of Garlick, Shelots, Leeks, Onions, Mustard-seed, Cresses, Rue, Salt, Leven, Honey, Mi∣thridate, Pigeons-dung, Tur∣pentine, Burgundy-Pitch, &c.

XLV. Galen, de Antidot. lib. 2. cap. 1. very much commends an Emplaster made of Opopanax, Pitch, and Vinegar; and he af∣firms that he never knew any that died, upon whom this Em∣plaster was applied: the Com∣position is this. ℞ Pitch lbi. which melt, and add thereto Opo∣panax dissolved in the sharpest Vinegar, strained, and reduced to a just consistency ℥iii. mix, and make a Plaster.

XLVI. Now these Attractive Medicines are to be applied in three or four Days after the Wound is made, otherwise they will be unprofitably used.

XLVII. Bleeding in this Case is very pernicious, for it strongly draws the Poyson into the Blood, and so corrupts the whole Mass, whereby, at length, it seizes both Heart and Brain: Purging, in like manner, is also as delete∣rious, especially in the begin∣ning, because it draws the Poy∣son from the outward Parts, to the inward.

XLVIII. But if the Poyson has already possessed the inward Parts, Purging will then be necessary, for the evacuating of the empoisoned Humors, or morbifick Matter, and it ought often to be repeated, and that with the strongest Eme∣ticks, or Catharticks, or both by turns, which ought to be begun after the 20th Day, and before the 40th Day, with Tartarum Emeticum, Vinum Antimoniale, Infusion of Crocus Metallorum, Wine or Vinegar of Squills, Our Family Pills, Pilulae Panchyma∣goge, Pil. Catharticae, Pulvis Cornachini, Sal Mirabile, &c.

XLIX. The second Intention is performed, by giving inwardly Mi∣thridate or Venice Treacle, mixt

especially with a proportionable Dose of Volatile Sal Armoniack, or Salt of Hartshorn, or Salt of Amber, giving ʒiss. every Morn∣ing fasting, and every Evening at bed-time; but for this pur∣pose Our Theriaca Chymica al∣most a Thousand times exceeds them, which you may give eve∣ry Night going to Bed; and every Morning a Dose of Our Tinctura Cordialis, in a Glass of Canary, both which are to be continued for Forty Days at least together.

L. In this Case, Galen, de Antidot. lib. 2. cap. 11. and Dioscorides, lib. 6. cap. 37. commends the Antidotus de Can∣cris fluviatilibus, thus made. ℞ Ashes of River Crabs ʒii. Gen∣tian in Pouder ʒi. generous Wine half a Pint: mix them for a Draught; which is to be taken every Morning for Eleven Days. Galen affirms that none ever died, who rightly used this Pouder of Crabs.

LI. The third and last Intention is to destroy the power and force of the Poyson it self; and this is done chiefly by the help of Volatile Alkalies: Volatile Salt of Beans is an Admirable Thing in this Case, so also the Volatile Salts of Hartshorn and Sal Armo∣niack, also the Volatile Salt of Vipers: but that which exceeds all other things, is the Volatile Salt of the Livers of Mad-dogs, which radically destroys the Poison, and may be given daily a gr. x. ad ℈i. in any fit Ve∣hicle.

LII. But because every one can∣not attain this, or it is not ready at hand, you may make use of the substances of the Liver and Spleen, by drying them, and re∣ducing them to Pouder; of which Pouder you may give à ℈ii. ad ℈iv. in a Glass of Choice Cana∣ry in the Morning at Ten a Clock, and in the Afternoon a∣bout Five a Clock; this is known to be a Specifick.

LIII. As to the Volatile Salt of the Livers and Spleens of Mad∣dogs, because it will be difficult to be gotten in any considerable quan∣tity; you may make it of the Flesh of the Dog, joined with them, which is to be cut into very thin slices, and then dried in the Sun, or an Oven, till they are perfectly dry, and being cut into bits, is to be put into a Glass Retort, and distilled in all respects as you distil Volatile Salt of Vipers.

LIV. Guil. Fabricius Hildanus, Cent. 1. Observ. 78. has this fol∣lowing Cure. A Young Man was on the 30th of July, 1602. wounded in the Arm by the Bite of a Mad-dog. On the first of Au∣gust (says he) he came to me; I scarified the Bite, applied a Cupping-glass with much Flame, and extracted as much Blood as I could, then I washed the Arm in Posca, in which Venice-Trea∣cle and a little Sea-sait were dis∣solved; for the slaver of a Mad∣dog, if it dries upon any part of the Skin, unless it is quickly and diligently washed and wi∣ped off, may cause Madness; and after this he cauteriz'd the Bite all over, very deep, with an actual Cautery.

LV. And by the way he advised

Young Chirurgions, that they take special Care, that they cauterize not such Bites superficially, but ra∣ther to err in the excess of their depth, than in the defect, because as it is a dangerous and desperate Disease, it must have a severe and desperate Cure; and he knew one who had no Benefit by an actual Cautery, because it was not made to enter deep e∣nough.

LVI. After the Cauterizing, he was not careful to asswage the Pain, because unctuous things, as Butter, Oil, &c. which relax the Eschar, he approved not of, in such Ʋlcers, they hindering the evaporation of the Poison, and re∣pelling the Blood, and with it the Venom to the Noble Parts: And since Pain, as Galen says, at∣tracts the Blood and Humors, out of the Body to it self, it is probable that if it is moderate, it may do good in such a Case as this is; therefore after the Burning, he applied Cotton dipt in Aqua Vitae, in which Theriatae Andromachi was dissolved, to the Ulcer.

LVII. Afterwards he laid to it the following Plaster spread upon Cloth. ℞ Onions a little boiled, Leven, Mustard-see, A. ℥ii. Theriaca Andromachi ℥ss. Rue, Scordium, A. Mss. beat them to∣gether in a Mortar, with a little Honey. The next Day he cut the Eschar every where, as much as he could, and repeated the Ap∣plications of the aforesaid Medi∣cines, and so proceeded till the Eschar fell off: afterwards, lest the Lips of the Ulcer should close, he put Pease into it twice a Day, applying the prescribed Plaster, keeping the Ulcer thus open for three Months.

LVIII. But in the interim, he strewed twice or thrice a Week, the following Pouder upon the Ʋlcer: ℞ Red Precipitate levigated, Pouder of Bezoar-stone, and of Angelica-root, A. ʒi. mix them: This, says he, wonderfully at∣tracts the malignity from with∣in to it self: and inwardly he gave Alexipharmicks, as Venice-Treacle, Mithridate, Bezoar, Burnt Harts-horn, and the fol∣lowing Pouder in Borage and Bugloss Water. ℞ Ashes of River Crabs ℥v. Gentian-root in Pouder ℥iiss. Olibanum in Pouder ℥ss. mix them. He neither bled, or purged him, lest he should have drawn the Poison inwards, but by this means he was per∣fectly Cured. See the Third Edition of Our Synopsis Medicinae, lib. 3. cap. 21.

III. Of the Bitings of Serpents, as Vipers, Rattle-snakes, &c.

LIX. The Signs. When one is bitten by an Adder, Viper, Rat∣tle-snake, or Slow-worm, &c. the Part becomes of a leaden Colour, sometimes reddish, or of a reddish black, and very painful; and if it is not pre∣sently Cured, much black and fetid Pus does come forth from the Sore, like as from a filthy Ulcer.

LX. What we shall say on this Subject, we shall chiefly deli∣ver from Monsieur Charas out of his new Experiments upon Vipers. 1. A Dog was bitten in his upper Lip by

an angry Viper; he was not much moved at it at first, but by little and little grew sad, and his Jaw began to swell; a little while after he vomited up the last Food he had eaten, and dis∣charged by Stool: He refused his Food, and would touch none of it, and lay in a prostrate manner without complaining: the place prickt grew livid, and the lividness extended to the Neck and Breast, as also the Swellings, and at length after Forty Hours he died; without nothing was observed but the Tumor and lividness in the Part prickt, and places adjacent; but being opened, in the Trunk of the Vena Cava, a little Blood was found coagulated, and the rest of the Blood in this place, in the Heart, and in all other places, was of a dark Colour, and of an ill Consistence, like Blood in part dissolved and corrupted; the Stomach was of a darkish Colour, but the Me∣sentery and Guts were darker: The Heart, Liver, Lungs, and Spleen were not altered at all, but of a good Colour, and re∣main'd in their natural Condi∣tion.

LXI. A Dog bitten at the Ear. He howled when he felt the bi∣ting, and continued howling for half an Hour, then was quiet. The place prickt grew livid, and swell'd, as also the Parts ad∣jacent, he vomited not, but voided some Excrements, would neither eat or drink, and died ••n 24 Hours after he was bitten: Outwardly nothing was seen but the lividness and swelling. Be∣ing opened, all the inward Parts were in the same Condition with those of the former Dog, save there was found in the Ves∣sels no coagulated Blood, but only it was of an obscure Co∣lour, of an odd consistency, and in a disposition to coagulate.

LXII. 3. A Dog bitten on the tip of his Nose by an enraged Viper. He howled when he felt himself bitten, but was soon appeased, fell to licking the place prickt, and to seratching it with his Feet or Paws. He lay not down, but continued that exercise for some time. The place bitten became somewhat black and blue, but swell'd not; and a little while after the Dog cat and drank, as if nothing ailed him, gradually the lividness disappeared, and he grew as well as ever. In this Case, I suppose the biting of the Viper scarcely pierced thro' the Cutis, which was the principal reason of the Dog's recovery.

LXIII. 4. A Puppy seven or eight Days old, bitten on the Leg by an enraged Viper. He howled as soon as bitten, and so conti∣nued till he died, which was a∣bout an Hour after. The place prickt was swell'd and livid; and being opened, nothing was found but some lividness in the Stomach and Guts, and some blackishness and ill-consistency in the Blood, but all the other inward Parts appeared sound.

LXIV. 5. A Dog bitten on the Belly by an angred Viper. He cri∣ed presently, but not long. The place bitten was very livid, and swell'd much, the Tumor and

lividness reaching over all the Natural Parts: he drank often, but would eat nothing, and was always for two Days in this Con∣dition, without growing worse. (I suppose the Skin was scarcely penetrated). Then he was bitten again, and that twice, near the same place; he howled much, and the Swelling increased, and extended it self over the whole Belly, as also the livid Colour, but it went no farther: The Dog often lickt his Wounds, and drank store of Water, and at length fell to eating, and in five or six Days was Cured per∣fectly, without any other Reme∣dy than that of his Tongue lick∣ing the Wound. (Either the Skin was not perfectly penetrated, or else the Attractive Virtue of the Tongue by often licking, drew forth the Poison).

LXV. 6. A Dog deeply bitten on the Tongue by an inraged Viper. He cried vehemently, so as to be heard a great way, and conti∣nued tossing and vexing him∣self for half an Hour together, and then died. He was open∣ed, his Heart, Liver, Lungs, and Spleen, were found and well; but his Tongue was ex∣ceedingly livid: his Mesente∣ry covered all over with black Spots, some of which were blacker than Lentils, under which there was coagulated Blood; the Stomach and Guts were also grown blacker; the Blood very black, and beginning to coagu∣late in the Heart, and in the Vena Cava, being like Blood curdled and corrupted.

LXVI. 7. A Pigeon and a Pullet were bitten by an angry Vi∣per, almost at the same time, in the most fleshy Part, viz. under the Breast. Soon after in both there was observed a very swift and extraordinary beating of the Heart, which continued, still increasing, so much, that in less than half an Hour they were both dead. They were opened, and in both there was found a little Blood coagulated in the Heart, and Vena Cava, and all the rest of the Blood blackest, and ready to be coagulated, and as it were, to be corrupted; but the Heart, Liver, and all the inward and outward Parts were of a very good Colour, and in a very good Condition, ex∣cept the lividness which appear∣ed only upon the place bitten.

LXVII. 8. Another Pigeon bit∣ten on the Leg twice, a little The∣riaca being given it beforehand. Upon the first bite, it went too and fro in the room, and shew∣ed not any sign of Illness: but upon the second bite, it grew Sick by little and little, and died in half an Hour after. The Place which was first hitten, was much more livid than the Place which was bitten the second time.

LXVIII. When I was in Caro∣lina, I had a Dog bitten by a Rat∣tle-snake upon his Throat. The Dog cried out immediately, presently grew Sick, Vomited up all that was in him, and re∣fused his Food, and then ran home, and laid himself down. He would sometimes cry, some∣times whine, and sometimes groan bitterly; outwardly the

place bitten was livid, his whole Neck was extreamly swelled, as also his Head, and Eye-brows, which seemed to hang over his Eyes. He died in the space of 24 Hours, but at times, to the last moment groaned vehement∣ly, as if he had been Heart-sick, and with frequent Convulsions wonderful to behold: Being o∣pened, the Heart, Liver, Lungs and Spleen seemed to be well, the Stomach, Mesentery, and Guts were spotted all over with livid and blackish Spots; and the whole Mass of Blood both in the Heart, Arteries, and Veins was every where coagulated, and looked almost of a black Colour.

LXiX. The Causes. From what has been observed, it appears, that in the biting of a Viper, Rat∣tle-snake, &c. the Poison goes not directly to the Noble Parts, for that no alteration was ever ob∣served therein, but the Cause of Death is from the Poison imme∣diately entering into and work∣ing upon the Blood, coagulates it, and corrupting it, separa∣ting its Parts, and disturbing its Circulation, thereby hindering the Communication of the Spi∣rits thro' the whole Body, de∣priving the Noble Parts of them, and destroying or contamina∣ting them, with its deleterious Gas.

LXX. The progress of the Poison is from the place bitten; and the swiftness of its motion from the magnitude of the Arteries or Veins, which receive it, or which the Teeth did light on. As in the Tongue of the Dog which was bitten; the Tongue being full of Veins and Arteries, 'tis no wonder that the Poison meeting with them, and finding a large way, and very short, should so soon produce its Effects, and cause Death so much the more speedi∣ly, than that which meets with small, slender, long and wind∣ing Branches, tho' in this latter Case, it will not fail to do the Work at last.

LXXI. The Vomiting and ex∣tream Pains in any Part, chiefly in the Viscera, proceed either from the coagulated Blood, or its dispo∣sition to Coagulation, hindering it in its course of Circulation, for that the Spirits contained in the Circulating Blood, finding their passages stopt by the Congela∣tion, and endeavouring to make way for themselves, do Vio∣lence to the Viscera and lateral Parts, and so excite those ex∣tream Pains which the Patient reels; as also Vomitings, by weakening the Tone of the Sto∣mach, &c.

LXXII. And the Cold Sweats, Faintings, Swoonings, and Con∣vulsions with which such Patients are assaulted, are caused from no∣thing else, but the defect and di∣minution of the Spirits, and the obstruction of their concourse to the more Noble Parts, with the weakness and putridness of the Blood, which is destinated as their Vehicle to convey them.

LXXIII. The Prognosticks. The biting of any Poisonous Serpent, as the Viper, Slow Worm, Rattle-snake, &c. is always dangerous; and if it is not immediately pro∣vided for, is for the most part Mortal.

LXXIV. Our Common Vulgar Snake is without danger, tho' it bites never so deeply: and the biting of the Chicken-snake, or long black Snake of Carolina, is also safe, my self was bitten in the Night-time upon two of my Fingers, by one of those large black Snakes, making in all five Wounds, which bled, and were sore, but healed of their own accord, without any more than the first pain or trouble.

LXXV. If the biting of a Viper or Rattle-snake is deep, and in a considerable place, if no Remedy is presently applied, they Kill in a few Hours time. A Rattle-snake bit a young Man in the Woods in Carolina upon one of his Legs, and no Remedy being ready, he was Dead in about half an Hours space.

LXXVI. If Remedies be appli∣ed both outwardly and inwardly, and not almost immediately upon the receiving of the Wound, they oftentimes prove abortive: and if timely used, yet many times the hazard of Life is not small: and where the Patient recovers, it is sometimes three or four Days before he is fully out of danger.

LXXVII. The Cure. The An∣cients bound Ligatures three or four Inches above the Wound, held up the Member as high as might be, scarified, and if they could, ap∣plied Cupping-glasses with Sca∣rification; where they could not be applied they only scari∣fied, and applied Defensatives about the Part.

LXXVIII. Then they drest the Wound with Antidotes, Electua∣ries and Treacles mixt with Oil of Scorpions, Orvietanum, and the like, mixt with Pouder of Vipers.

LXXIX. And inwardly they gave Simple and Compound Anti∣dotes, as you may find in Dios∣corides, lib. 7. in Nicander in his Theriaca and Alexipharmaca; in Grevinus, de Veneris, lib. 1. cap. 36, and 37. where he has ga∣thered them together. Petrus de Abano, in lib. de Venenis, cap. 4. commends these following, viz. Hypericon, Swallow-root, Elecam∣pane-root, Radish, Dittany, Birth∣wort round and long: and these he affirms to be equal in Power and Virtue with Theriaca Andro∣mach; it self against Poyson.

LXXX. But there are many other particular Simples as good or better for the purpose intended, than those before enumerated, as Angelica, Bawm, Bay, and Bay-berries, Contra-yerva, Camo∣mil, Gentian, Germander, Ju∣niper-berries, Lavender, Master∣wort, Myrrh, Pyrethrum, Rue, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Scor∣dium, Southernwood, Saffron, Tansy, Time, Wormwood, Marsh and Roman, Virginian Snake-root, Zedoary, &c. of which you make Pouders, Ele∣ctuaries, Tinctures both Spiri∣tuous and Saline, Volatil or Chymical Oils, Spirits and Wa∣ters, &c.

LXXXI. The Ancients, before Mithridate and Treacle were in∣vented, used only the Juices or Pouders of the Herbs and Roots inwardly, and applied the same outwardly to the Sores, as the Native Indians in the Continent

of Florida do at this Day, when they make use of the Virginian Snake-root, with which, in this kind of Cure, they do Won∣ders: After the Invention of Compounds, the Ancient Greeks and Romans used Mithridate, Theriaca Andromachi, Diatessaron, and other the like Composi∣tions.

LXXXII. The Viper-catchers, if they are bitten, they apply to the Wound the Pouder of Vipers, or the Vipers Head beaten to a Mass in a Mortar, and take the same Pou∣der inwardly: others use Tro∣ches of Vipers; and others a∣gain commend the Pouder of Tin as a Specifick in this Case, both, or either of which may be mixed with a little Mithridate, and so taken or applied.

LXXXIII. But after all, the Medicaments that are proposed, I am confident none of them exceeds, nay, comes not up to, the three fol∣lowing Medicaments, with which I have Cured several who have been bitten with Vipers and Rattle-snakes, viz. 1. Our The∣riaca Chymica. 2. Volatil Salt of Vipers. 3. Virginian Snake∣root.

LXXXIV. The Theriaca Chy∣mica you may give from ℈i. to ʒi. either alone, or dissolved in Ange∣lica-water, or some Syrup or other fit Vehicle; it may be given, 1. Upon receiving the Wound. 2. Morning and Evening daily. 3. If Fainting, Swooning, or Convulsions are induced. 4. If there is present a Vomiting, and it is constantly Vomited up, it is to be repeated till it will stay.

LXXXV. The Volatil Salt of Vipers or of Rattle-snakes, which is inferior to no other thing in the World, and may be given from ℈i. ad ʒi. three, four, or six times a Day, or as oft as need shall require; or instead thereof the Volatil Spirit of the Viper, &c. which is the Volatil Salt dissolved in the Flegm, and is made exactly as you make Spirit of Harts-horn. Indeed all Volatil Animal Salts, have a power to resist and de∣stroy the Poison of Serpents of all kinds.

LXXXVI. The Virginia Snake∣root does incredible Cures of this kind: you may give the Pouder à ℈i. ad ʒi. in some fit Vehicles, twice or thrice a Day: or the Tin∣cture thereof extracted with Sp. Vini, à ℥i. ad ℥ii. in a Glass of Wine, twice or thrice a Day: or the Elixir thereof extracted with the Powers of Angelica, Rosemary, or Juniper-berries, in the same proportion. I Cu∣red a Dog which was bitten in the Foot with a Rattle-snake, by giving the Pouder inwardly, in a strong Decoction of it in Milk, and applying the green Root beaten to a Cataplasm outward∣ly to the Wound, in less than three Days the Dog perfectly re∣covered.

LXXXVII. These things being said, we will give you two Histo∣ries or Observations of Cures of this kind, performed by two very knowing Men, viz. Ambrose Pa∣raeus, and Monsieur Charas, which are well worth the reading, and so conclude our Discourse upon this Title.

LXXXVIII. Paraeus, lib. 20.

cap. 23. says, A Man was bitten on the Hand (as he was gathering Hops on a He dge) by an Adder or Viper: He suckt the Wound im∣mediately with his Mouth, thereby to ease the Pain, and draw out the Poison; but as soon as the Tongue touched the Wound, presently it so swell'd, that he could not speak: His Arm swell'd also, even to his Shoulder, and his Pains were so sharp and acute, that he twice Swooned away in the presence of the Chirurgion.

LXXXIX. His Countenance was yellowish and livid, like to a Dead Man, so that his Recovery was despaired of: yet his Mouth was washed with Theriaca dis∣solved in White-wine, adding to it a little Aqua Vitae; the Arm was scarified with many and deep Scarifications, and the Blood which was waterish, and sanious, was suffered to flow forth plentifully from the Parts about the Sore; and the Scari∣fications were washed with Mi∣thridate and Theriaca, dissolved in Aqua Vitae.

XC. The Patient was laid in his warm Bed, and made to sweat, but not suffered to sleep, lest there∣by, the Poison should have been drawn into the inward Parts. These means so prevailed, that the next Day, all the malign Symptoms vanished: wherefore to finish the Cure, I (says he) thought good that the Wound should be kept long open and washed with Theriaca Androma∣chi; nor was I (says he) de∣ceived, for within a few Days after he recovered.

XCI. Charas in his new Expe∣riments upon Vipers, cap. 1. has this Observation. A certain Man by handling an enraged Viper was bitten on the lateral inside of his right Thumb, with one of the great bent Teeth. The pricking was no more than that of a Pin, it seemed not deep, and on the surface there was only a very small hole, with a very little redness, so that it was not dis∣cernable but by its Colour: nor was there either on or about this little hole any sign of the yel∣low Liquor contained in the Bags about the great Teeth, which is wont to be cast upon the Wound when a Viper bites deep.

XCII. Strong Ligatures were made above the place bitten, the Part wounded was scarified, and an Iron Spatula heat red hot, and often repeated, was held very near to the prickt place, to keep the Pores open, and attract back, and draw out some of the Poi∣son: and Theriac. Androm. ʒii. was given in a Glass of Wine.

XCIII. In less than a quarter of an Hour after the biting, the Patient felt some debility, and cal∣led for a Chair, he grew very pale, his Pulse grew quick, low, and almost interrupted: after which followed Convulsive mo∣tions, and a kind of Tetanos, for he had a stiffness of his whole Body, chiefly of his Neck, and Muscles of his Head.

XCIV. He then complained of a great pain about his Navel; he was cold in his extream Parts, and in his Face; which was all over covered with little drops of cold sweat; and his Lips, espe∣cially

the lower, was also swell'd: a while after he went to Stool, and then swooned away.

XCV. At the same time he Vomited the Treacle before given, and all he had eaten at Dinner, undigested; and he became so weak, that he was not able to get up to his Chamber again, from whence he came down.

XCVI. And by reason of the quickness, weakness, lowness and inequality of his Pulse, and his frequent swoonings, as well as his cold sweats, Viper Pouder ʒi. was given him in Treacle-water and Carduus-water; and a great Cataplasm of Theriaca Androm. was applied upon the Heart and Stomach.

XCVII. The Mixture he Vo∣mited up presently; Pouder of Vi∣pers was then given in some Orvie∣tan; this he also Vomited up: during all this time, he had his Senses, and the use of his Reason. This Vomiting not giving time to the Remedies to be resolved, and communicate their Virtues to the Noble Parts, it was thought proper to have recourse to the Volatil Salt of Vipers, be∣cause that being exceeding Sub∣til, and Volatil, and very quick∣ly transmitted to all the Parts, even the most remote, the Pati∣ent might thence feel its Effects with more speed and efficacy, than from all the other gross Medicines, which had been cast up, as soon as they had been taken down, whereby they were made ineffectual, by not im∣parting their Virtue to the Blood, where the necessity re∣quired.

XCVIII. For this Cause-sake then, there was given of Salt of Vipers ʒi. in Treacle and Car∣duus Waters: and about a Quart of this Mixture was given him: he kept it a little while, and then cast up a part of it, mixed with store of Viscous Phlegm. He took another like quantity of the same Mixture, which he also kept for some time, and then Vomited up as much of it as might be remaining in his Sto∣mach, and therewith much Phlegm.

XCIX. More of the same Com∣position was still continued to be gi∣ven him, as fast as he Vomited it up; he had also several Cly∣sters, to mitigate the violent and rebellious Pains, which he felt in his Belly about his Na∣vel.

C. His Lips remained yet swel∣led, his Pulse ill, his Sweats cold, and his Faintings continued very long; but persisting in the use of the Volatil Salt of Vipers, his Vomiting at length ceased, and he kept the Eighth Dose in his Stomach, which was given him about Four Hours after he received the Wound.

CI. From that time the Sym∣ptoms lessened, and the coldness began gradually to retire, and give place to the natural Heat, which was manifestly restored about Five Hours after the biting, his Pulse also returned, and was even and strong, but somewhat high.

CII. I left him not (says Charas) before the Mortal Sym∣ptoms ceased, and then he was carried to his Lodgings, whither I

accompanied him, and he was put to Bed, and there was given him a Mixture made of Confect. Hyacinth, Confect. Alkermes, A. ʒi. Syrup of Limons ℥i. Carduus-water ℥iv. mixt together: it was given him at three times, from Three Hours to Three Honrs.

CIII. He had also Citrons to smell to, and now and then he took some slices of them with Sugar: he took also good Broths, and drank Ptisan made with Roots of Scorzonera, and Raspings of Harts-horn, made pleasant with Syrup of Limons: a little Wine was also given him sometimes: and Confectio Alkermes was dis∣solved sometimes in his Broth, sometimes in his Ptisan.

CIV. During all the great Ac∣cidents or Symptoms, his Finger was not changed, nor any swelling upon it; but that began when those Symptoms ceased: the Pains a∣bout his Navel still continued, but a little abated, for which reason Clysters were prescribed: his Belly was a little stiff, but not swell'd, his Tongue whi∣tish, not dry, his Eyes faint and wan, his looks pale, and his Lips still tumified.

CV. The Tumor of the Finger extended it self that Night over the whole Hand, which was often anointed with Matthiolus his Oil of Scorpions, mixt with Hungary-water: but for all this anoint∣ing, the Tumor went forwards to the Arm the next Day, with pain and redness, and ascended to the Eye.

CVI. Then Fomentations made of the Roots of Angelica, of Ma∣ster-wort, of Carline Thistle, and of Birth-wort, with the Tops of Centory, Calamint, Hypericon, Scordium, and Wormwood, boiled in White-wine, which were con∣tinued for some time, with a∣nointings with Oil of Srorpions between whiles.

CVII. This was done with great Care, but no great Effect succeed∣ed upon it, and he again Vomited up even his Broth; but this Vomi∣ting continued not, yet the Pain in his Belly remained obstinate, and the swelling, and redness of the Hand and Arm still encreased: and from the beginning of the third Day, it seized on the Shoulder of the same side, descending to the Arm-pit, upon the whole Breast, and all the adjacent Parts, even to the whole Region of the Liver, the continual use of the Fomentation, and Oil of Scor∣pions doing nothing.

CVIII. And since the External Remedies proved succesless, we had recourse to Internal Ones: In the Evening of the third Day, Pou∣der of Contra-yerva ad ʒi. was given in Cordial Waters, mixt with as much of Confect. Al∣kermes, for all which, we saw no abatement of the Redness, Tumor, or Pain; but on the contrary, the swelling seemed to seize on the Left side.

CIX. For this reason, we found it necessary to return to the use of our first inward Remedy, the Vo∣latil Salt of Vipers, which had an apparent good Operation, and struck at the Root of the Mischief: Thus in the Morning of the fourth Day there was given Salt of Vipers ʒss. in Carduus-water ℥iv. he was well covered, and made to Sweat.

CX. The Dose wrought accord∣ing to expectation, for the Sick sweat not only abundantly, but found also a great amendment in all the ill Symptoms which remain∣ed. His Pain about his Navel was almost insensible, the swel∣ling of his Lips, and that which was in the Region of the Liver, Breast, and Arm-pits, vanisht; the other also of the Shoulder, Arm, and Hand, was much a∣bated, together with the Red∣ness and Pain.

CXI. Finding the Symptoms thus to abate upon giving the last Dose, the next Morning another like Dose was given him, and all the Symptoms still much more a∣bated, he sweating powerfully with∣al. And tho' the Patient found himself exceedingly amended, yet the next Morning he had such another Dose again, and the Morning following one Dose more, whereby all the Symptoms vanished, and were perfectly taken away.

CXII. In the interim there was applied to the Finger, a little Emplaster to cicatrize the Scarifi∣cations which were at first made, and were healed in a few Days af∣ter. Thus in about a Weeks time, the Patient went abroad, and did his usual Business, and was as well as if he had never been bitten of the Viper at all.

CXIII. From this Observation, which deserves to be kept ad per∣petuam rei memoriam, and writ∣ten in Letters of Gold, the mighty Virtues, Power, and Force of the Volatil Salt of Vipers is manifest, in overcoming the Poison which so violently exercised its fury over the Natural Heat, and all the Noble Parts: and its activity and pe∣netration is manifest, in pursu∣ing the Poison, and expelling it from the remotest parts of the Body, where it had fortified it self, and endeavoured to regain the place it had lost, and where, in the mean time it seemed to despise and profligate, all other the most generous and power∣ful Remedies.

CXIV. And now we are speak∣ing of the Volatil Salt of Vipers, (tho' it is forreign to this present Discourse, yet) we will give you one other Observation of the same Charas, of a certain Man who had such a vehement and continual pain of the Head, upon the Forehead near the Temples, which was even so doubled and redoubled, that he could not chew, nor so much as open his Mouth to swallow a little Broth, but with extream Pain and Anguish: and tho' all things were done to him that could be imagined, as Bleeding in the Arm and Foot, Purging often, Frictions of Neck and Shoul∣ders, Vesicatories and Attra∣ctives behind the Ears, opening the Temporal Artery, exhibiti∣on of powerful Sudorificks, which were continued Morning and Evening for many Days to∣gether, by which he sweat very plentifully, pulling out one of his upper Teeth which was sound, thinking thereby to give some vent to the Humor, &c. yet these means were used in vain, and left the Patient as bad as they found him.

CXV. At length it was resol∣ved, that a Dose of the Volatil

Salt of Vipers should be given him, in Wine: this one Dose presently removed all the Pain, which caused as great a wonder in the Assistants and Standers by, as satisfaction to the Patient. And by this so surprizing an Effect, with what hath been said afore∣going, the power, forces, effi∣cacy, and virtue of this Salt is better demonstrated, than by all the Rhetorick and powerful Reason imaginable to be offered in the World. Action demon∣strates better than Words; and the Effects of things, more than the most florid Harangues.

IV. Of the Biting of the Tarantula.

CXVI. The Tarantula is a great over-grown Spider, very frequent in Apulia, called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. and in Latin Phalan∣gium and Tarantula, from Taran∣ta, an ancient City of Apulia; but they are inhabitants of other places besides Apulia, for I saw several of them in Caro∣lina, a Province of Florida.

CXVII. The effects of the Biting of the Tarantula might almost seem fabulous, if it were not attested by great Autho∣rities, as Matthiolus and Epipha∣nius; besides whom Ferdinandus, Kircherus, and the most faithful Gassendus, declare themselvee to be Eye-witnesses thereof: be∣sides, it is a thing not only known, but common in Apulia.

CXVIII. This kind of Insect is most frequent in Summer-time, and many times bites the Country-man, leaving a Venom or Poison behind it: and the Biting is known by sickness at Stomach, a pain immediately coming upon the the bitten Part; with swelling, and itching, which in a little time will be in various parts of the Body.

CXIX. Presently after the Bite, there will be also in various places a numbness and trembling, Con∣vulsions, a loosning of the Members, with other Convulsive Symptoms; a great diminution of strength, and other wonderful effects, as Matthiolus and Ferdinandus have related.

CXX. These Authors have not reported it to be of any great dan∣ger, being more troublesom than any thing else: but I have been informed from one who has been an Eye-witness of the Distem∣per, that one of his Acquain∣tance, who had been bitten, and had too long neglected the Cure, was afterwards affected with an incurable Trembling and Palsy, which no means that for several Years had been con∣tinually tried, could either take off, or relieve.

CXXI. The Cause. Without controversy, there is a poisonous Infection given with the Bite; which affects not only the Bloody Mass and Vital Spirit, but passes withal into the Lym∣pha and Nervous Juice; thereby disturbing the Animal Spirits, by which it is presently con∣veyed thro' the whole Human Body, affecting all parts.

CXXII. This Venom multi∣plying it self (like Leven in the lump) and flowing every where, the Animal Spirits are presently

brought into Confusion; and being irregularly and inordinately moved, they induce Convul∣sions, or Convulsive Motions; which are accompanied with Pain and Languishing, sometimes with Contractures, and some∣times with Resolutions, or Loosning of the contained Parts, and other Paralytick Disaf∣fections.

CXXIII. The Cure. In the Country where this is common, the People have an admirable and wonderful Remedy which never fails, and this is by Musick. Those who are bitten by a Ta∣rantula, tho' they are very sick, yet as soon as they hear pleasing Musick, they are eased of their Pain and Sickness.

CXXIV. For upon the hearing of the Musick, says Matthiolus, they fall a leaping, and begin to dance and jump about; and con∣tinue it for a long time, as if they ailed nothing; but if it happens that the Musick gives over never so little a time, they immediately fall to the Ground, and return to their former Pains and Sickness, unless by the in∣cessant Musick, they dance and leap, 'till the Poison is wholly shaken off, and vanished.

CXXV. For this end there∣fore many Musicians are hired, and they continually play, taking their course by turns; one being weary, another beginning to play; that the noise and Musick may be without intermission, and that those who are bitten may Dance so long, 'till they are perfectly cured.

CXXVI. And, says Ferdinan∣dus, poor People do waste almost all they have in hiring these Mu∣sicians, who scatter themselves up and down all the Country; for this only purpose, to play to such as are thus bitten, where the People leap and dance about the Villages, in publick Streets and Fields, for a Day, two, three, or more, yea a Week or more together, 'till the Cure succeeds; which 'tis proba∣ble, may be sooner and better accomplished with some Tunes, than with other-some; as Kir∣cherus and Gassendus have inti∣mated from their own Observa∣tion.

CXXVII. For they assert, that these distempered People are not affected or excited, indifferently with any Musick; but with some particular and certain kinds of Tunes; and that they leap and dance more to some Measures, than to several others.

CXXVIII. And truly good Mu∣sick, by its Harmony and Sweet∣ness, does congregate and ease, or quiet the dissipated and disturbed, or restless Spirits, (witness that of David to King Saul;) and disposes them in such an order, that instead of tumultuating, whereby Convulsions are indu∣ced, they move harmoniously, and give liberty to the poi∣sonous Gas to evaporate and transpire: for by the length and continuity of the motion of the Body, and all its parts, the fury and rage of the Poison is worn out; and the Spirits being much wearied, at length rest themselves, and the Patient wholly shakes off his Madness.

CXXIX. As to the Medical

Cure, you may, as to Externals, use strait Ligature two or three Inches above the Wound if it may be, and Scarification, or Cupping-giasses therewith: also Vesicatories, or red-hot Irons held very near, are useful for extracting the Venom: so also to anoint the Spot with Oils of Vitriol or Sulphur, and Medicaments which are of a vehement, strong, and attractive force, are immediate∣ly, and with all speed to be applied.

CXXX. A Cataplasm made of Phalangium, or Spiderwort, and presently applied upon the Bite, is said to be a Specifick, and to attract or draw forth the Poison, after an admirable manner: and Authors say, that this Plant is found to be an effectual Cure for the Poison of that kind of Spider called Phalangium, or Tarantula.

CXXXI. You must avoid Bleed∣ing and Purging, and only give inwardly Sudorificks and volatil Alcalies; as Spirit and volatil Salt of Harts-horn, of Ox and Sheeps Blood, of Urine, of Sal Armoniack, of Ox-horns, and of Vipers; giving à ʒss. ad ʒi. and Sweating well upon it, and repeating the Dose twice a day, 'till the Patient is well.

CXXXII. ℞ Volatil Salt of Harts-horn, or of any other Crea∣ture ℈ii. Mithridate ʒjss. Saffron gr. xii. mix, and make a Dose, to be given in a Glass of Wine. Where note, that the Salt of Vipers in this case, is beyond compare; and all things which move Sweat, open the Pores, and are Neurotick, are proper to be exhibited.

V. Of the Stinging of Scor∣pions, Hornets, &c.

CXXXIII. This Title does not properly belong to this Chapter, yet because it has some affinity with it, in respect to the Malignity that a Sting infuses into a Wound, we thought good to add it by way of Appendix, and to treat of it in this place.

CXXXIV. The Signs. Stinging may be known by the Sense of Feeling, and the Creature that stings, by the Sight. There is exquisite Pain, more especially if it is done by a Scorpion or Hornet, and the Pain is some∣times so great as to cause In∣flammation, Tumor, Apostema∣tion, Convulsion, Gangren, and Mortification, according to the place which may be unhappily stung, and carelesness of looking after it.

CXXXV. The Prognosticks. If a Nerve or Tendon is stung, the pain is the greater, and Convulsions are presently excited, with In∣flammation and Tumor, Trem∣bling over the whole Body, Fainting and Swooning, cold Sweats, &c.

CXXXVI. If an Artery is struck by a Scorpion, it infuses Poison into the Blood; the place looks livid, and without a speedy course is taken, an universal conge∣lation of the Blood follows, and the Patient dies in a few days, sometimes in a few hours. Pa∣raeus says the stinging of a Scorpion is mortal, unless Re∣medies are applied in time.

CXXXVII. And this I believe

was the case of one whom I knew, who was wounded by the sting of a Scorpion, just upon the Pulse of of the right Wrist: the pain was not extream at first, but after∣wards the Hand and Arm swel∣led, grew livid and full of pain, which was extended to the Shoulder, Armpit, and Brest, with a vehement Colick, or pain of the Belly. There being no body near which had Skill, no∣thing was done 'till the next day; at which time Fainting, cold Sweats, and Convulsions seized the Patient; the Chir∣urgeon being come, he endea∣voured to let the Sick Blood, but in vain; for the Blood was so coagulated, that he could not bleed: he lay in this con∣dition, without any help, (for the same things were applied outwardly, and given inwardly: yet as they were advised with∣out skill, so they were without effect) the Patient continued growing worse and worse, and on the third day in the morning died; being dead, the Body was opened, and all the Blood in the Heart, Vena Cava, and other Vessels was found coagu∣lated, and of a blackish co∣lour, &c.

CXXXVIII. But this is not general or universal, for many stung with Scorpions live and do well, and it is rare that any one stung by them dies: but it is true, that many great and evil Sym∣ptoms oftentimes follow upon their stinging, and sometimes very hazardous accidents ensue.

CXXXIX. The stinging of a Hornet is less dangerous, and yet less dangerous are the stingings of Wasps or Bees: to these, if any reasonable means are applied, they recover upon the spot al∣most, the vehemency of the pain being upon the first making the Wound.

CXL. The Cause. The Cause of this exquisit Pain and evil Sym∣ptoms, arises from the Poison or Malignity contained in the Sting; for the Sting is a kind of hollow Pipe, filled with a malign and acrimonious Liquor, the small end of which seems to be stopt or covered with a small thin Cuticle; or a congelation of its internal Juice; this Sting entring into the Flesh of any Creature, the venomous Juice contained within it, or in the Parts adjacent to it, is ejected thro' into the place where the Sting enters, and there left in the substance of the Flesh, Nerves, Tendons, Membranes, Arteries or Veins, whence come the Accidents which ensue.

CXLI. And so according to the dignity and sensibility of the Parts stung, such are the Symptoms, either more or less, in number; or greater or lesser in magnitude, sen∣sibility, and danger: if a Nerve or Tendon is hurt, the pain is more acute; if an Artery or Vein, the Blood may be in dan∣ger of coagulation, especially if the mischief was done by a Scorpion.

CXLII. The Cure. If one is stung by a Scorpion, inwardly Su∣dorificks and Alexipharmicks are to be given; Volatil Animal Salts, as Volatil Salt of Serpents, Vi∣pers, Rattle-snakes, or of the

Blood of Beasts, &c. mixt with Mithridate, Our Theriaca Chy∣mica, Juice of Alkermes, Saf∣fron, and other the like things; and Sweating ought frequently to be provoked.

CXLIII. Outwardly, Anodyns and strong Attractives are to be applied, and Cupping-glasses, with Scarification: the Pain is eased, and the Stinging cured by taking a Scorpion or Scorpions, beating them, and applying them to the place stung, as Dioscorides saith. The Oil of Scorpions is both an usual and certain Remedy, being anointed upon the place. Snails beaten with their Shells, and laid there∣on, presently allay the Pain. Sulphur vive in pouder mixed with Yurpentine and applied, is extraordinary good: so also a Cataplasm of Rue-leaves laid thereto. The Milky Juice of the Figtree-leaves, or unripe Figs may be laid upon the Wound: or a Cataplasm of Calamint, with juice of Rue and Barley-flower. A Cataplasm made of Briony-roots boiled, and mixed with Sulphur and old Oil, is approved; or made of the Herb Scorpioides, with juice of the same Herb, Mithri∣date and Barley-flower, than which few things are more commended.

CLXIV. The Cure of the Sting∣ing of Hornets, Wasps and Bees, is more easy: the Sting if it remains in, is to be taken forth; and the Place stung, is to be suckt hard with the Mouth; or Pot-ashes may be mixt with Leven and Oil-olive, and ap∣plied: and if it can be conve∣niently, the Part may be put into Water, as hot as can be endured, for an Hour together, and at last washed with Vinegar, or Salt-brine. The milky juice of unripe Figs mixed with Ho∣ney, or Mithridate, is approved of; so also a Cataplasm made of Hornets, Wasps or Bees, beaten in a Mortar, and applied.

CXLV. A Cataplasm of Cres∣ses, eases the Pain, and discusses the Tumor: so also a Mixture of Ox or Cow dung mixed with Oil, Vinegar, Honey, Mithridate, and Salt, and applied very hot. An Emplaster made with Tur∣pentine, Frankincense, Wax, A. ℥i. Oil of Hornets, Wasps, or Bees, q.s. is a famous thing: and not inferior is a Mixture of Turpentine, Mithridate, and pouder of Sulphur vive: Cloths also also dipt in a Mixture and and Dissolution of Honey, Salt, and Vinegar, and applied ex∣ceeding hot, not only ease the pain, and discuss the Tumor, but also perfects the Cure.

CXLVI. An Observation of the Biting of a Viper, made by James Wass, a Chirurgeon of the City of London. One Samuel Hilden, of Charlton near Greenwich, of about 25 years of age was bit∣ten by a Viper on the eighth of July 1695, it was on the upper part of the Forefingers end. Coming to me (says he) about 3 hours after the Bit was given, I found an Escar upon the place of the Wound, so hard as I could scarcely make an Incision upon it with an Incision-knife: it was opened

about an Inch an half, or nearly two Inches in length, from the root of the Nail to the middle Joint; to which I applied a Digestive mixed with a little Venice-Treacle; his Hand and Arm were mightily swelled, as big as the Skin could hold, of a dark purple or livid colour: the Pain was vehement, and general over his whole Body, and the Poison withal mightily affected his Head; his whole Hand and Arm, even above the Shoul∣der, were well bathed with Camphorated Spirit of Wine; and inwardly a very strong Tin∣cture of Radix Serpentaria was given, a full Spoonful at a time, in a Glass of Canary; which being repeated every four hours, for about forty-eight hours, in∣duced a violent Sweating, by which the Malignity was fully cast out, so that the very Sheets were stained yellow with the Humor sweat forth; and in a weeks time after, he was seen well upon the Exchange, Lon∣don.