Abstractum chirurgiae marinae., or, An abstract of sea chirurgery: designed for the use of such chirurgeons who desire to serve at sea, yet are unacquainted with sea practice : in order to their restoring to health of sick or wounded sea-men; but may all fitly serve for most chirurgeons. In three compendious books. The first containeth certain directions necessary to be observed by the sea-chirurgeon in his fitting out. The second teacheth how he should perform his chirurgical duty being at sea, both in an ingagement and at other times. The third instructeth how he must execute the phisical office imposed on him / by John Moyle.

CHAP. XVII. How to Cure a Rheumatisme.

THis Distemper called a Rheumatisme, I have often observed Seamen to be afflicted with in ships that I have been in: 'Tis like the Gout, but not the Gout; it siezeth about the Joynts of the Feet, or Hands, or both; and if a flatulent vapour be stird up with it, it shifts out of one joynt to another, and is called the running Gout: There is sometimes a light read∣ness, with small Tumour, and swoln Veins about the Joynts that it siezeth.

He that hath it, hath lamentable pain and misery, especially in the night. It never is seen to break, (although I believe by ill handling it would) for I saw the Gout broke under a Gentlemans foot by the application of Cataplasms; and together with the virulent matter, there came forth

like white seeds in abundance, harder than the matter; by which a man may see what a prodigious humour the Gout is of.

I could never find that Purging, or Sweating would do any good in this disease, but rather exasperate it; and drinking of Wine is an Enemy to it; for most of them that I have seen have it, have got it by drinking over much raw Wine, and then lying down in the cold to sleep, whence the Humours plethorick have not had that expiration through the pores of the skin as they should, and the humours could not receive the third concoction for want of heat; so Nature expels the raw humour to the outward or extream parts: And at the Joynts the Crude humours make a stop, and the blood makes not so good a circu∣lation as it should: This then is a Rheu∣matisme.

Now bleeding is the principal remedy in this grief, not only once but often, and a good large quantity at a time. The best of Oyles or Oyntments, whether hot or cold, I could never find to do any good; and Emplasters have signified as much as nothing. Bathe the part well with Liquor antipodagricus Minsichti, or aqu. Arthritica Quercitani: Then embrocate it with the quintissence of Colocynthidos fabri, and An∣timony.

I say, with the often bathing and chasing in of these Medicines, and frequent use of Phlebotomy; and when pain is insufferable, taking inwardly five or six grains of that excellent Nepenthae.

℞ Quintessentia Papaveris & Hyosciami, in a little Ale, or common Water.

There will be present ease, and speedy cure; so if a man hath a fit of the Gout or Sciatica on board, although he doth not expect you to cure him, yet he would be glad of ease if you can give it him; and you have no better way than this to do it.