A New method of curing the French-pox written by an eminent French author ; together with the practice and method of Monsieur Blanchard ; as also Dr. Sydenham's judgment on the same ; to which is added annotations and observations by William Salmon.

A New TREATISE OF THE Venereal Distemper.

CHAP. I. Of the Venereal Distemper in General, of the Name and Original thereof.

THere are no small Contests recorded by Authors, that are betwixt the People of several Nations, concerning the Name and Original of this Disease, which we call Venereal, because it is an Effect of Venus's Game; or simply, the Pox, by reason of the resemblance that the Blisters appearing in some sort of Pox, bear to those of the Small-Pox, which are called Variolae by the Physitians: In which, because there is something that is shameful and sordid; every one, to excuse himself, is forward to ascribe to his Neighbour the Source and Ori∣ginal of this Distemper. Whence it is, that

the French, Spaniards and Italians, do upon this account, charge one another, with volleys of continual Reproaches: But in my opinion, if it be considered, that it is two hundred Years ago, or more, since such Questions were start∣ed, Prescription upon Prescription ought to put an end to the Plea, and purchase to every one an indisputable Right to that which he does possess for these two Ages past, and more.

But why do I talk of two Ages? 'Tis cer∣tain, that, though the Pox has not been e∣qually known in all Ages, yet it is very near as ancient as the World, or at least, as the impure conversation of Men, with common and debauched Women, which was before Noah's time, when the World began to be Multipli∣ed. As we read in the VI. Chap. of Genesis, For all flosh had corrupted his way upon the Earth. Authority, Reason and Experience do evident∣ly prove that the Venereal Disease began from that time.

For, we may say, once for all, without making a forceable Entry on the Divine's Pro∣vince, that God, having at all times hated Fornication, as an horrid Sin, did likewise in all Ages of the World, punish the same, with innumerable Miserys, and bodily Diseases, a∣mong which the Venereal one is to be recko∣ned, as the effect of impurity, and the Re∣ward

that is promised to such profligate extra∣vagancy. XIX. Chap. of Ecclesiasticus, He that cleaveth to Harlots will become impudent, Moths and Worms shall have him to Heritage.

Besides, both Experience and Reason do prove the Antiquity of this Disease, for if it be true, as no body can doubt of it, that at this day, the Pox does proceed from a Cor∣ruption of Seeds which have been mixed in the same Matrix, Reason does oblige us to believe that the same thing happened to the Debau∣chés of old, and that consequently, they could not be free from the Pox.

But 'tis known, that if a Virgin, that is perfecty sound (if the Matter be so ordered as to free her from all suspicion of the Venereal distemper) shall keep Company with half a dozen young Fellows, as sound as her self, and be debauched with them severally, time after time, some one or other of them shall quickly have the Pox, and all of them, by a repetition of Venereal Acts, shall at last be infected.

There are but too too many Examples of such Truths, and Histories might be composed of the Misfortunes that have hapned, in debau∣ches of this Nature, if the Circumstances were not too tedious to be related.

Books do sufficiently furnish us with such Tragical accounts; and those of Judgment

are well enough satisfied, that the Pox may be got after that manner. We shall give the Natural Reason of it, when we speak to its Cause in Chap 5.

And from this we may observe, that what some Authors say of the Original of the Pox is altogether fabulous, as when they refer it to the Stars:

We shall speak of this in the Problems which we shall give upon a great number of Questions concerning the Venereal distemper.

'Tis true, that those who catch this Disease at this day, do not all get it, in this manner; the most part have it by Tradition, and a communication from one to another; it is an infectious distemper, whence it's natural pro∣perty is such, as to communicate it self, and produce the like Contagion, seeing that the Cause of it is a true Ferment, and it is of the Nature of a Ferment to multiply it self inde∣finitely, hence, there needs no more than one grain of this Venereal Ferment to infect the whole World, as there is only need of one Grain of ordinary Leven, to work upon and to reduce into it's own Nature, such a quantity of Paste as should require all the Grain in the whole World to compose it; we shall speak of this Venereal Ferment, after we have given a general Idea or Description of the Venereal Disease.

CHAP. II. Of the Venereal distemper, of it's Description and Symptoms in general.

SEing a Discourse does yeild no satisfacti∣on to the Reader, unless the Subject matter which is managed thereby be re∣presented by a distinct and clear Idea, I thought it convenient not to proceed further, until I shall have once shewn what the Pox or Venereal Distemper is.

'Tis true, that herein I cannot follow that Method, in which, when one has occasion to explain a Subject, he must give the Definition of it, that is to say, express its Essence and Nature by two Artributes, which are called Genus and Differentia, because, since that Genus ought to be such as contains, and de∣notes the Species immediately under it, and next to it, and the difference must be essential to that which is defined, we cannot make use of any of those Genus's, since the Disease does com∣prehend but three things, viz. an intempera∣ment, an ill conformation, and a solution of continuity, and we observe that the Pox does consist sometimes in one of these, and some∣times in another, and often times in all the three; but it cannot be said, that it is always one of them, for instance, an Intemperament, that

(as some pretend) is always found with the French-Pox, which is very hard for any one to be sure of, if it be considered, that an intem∣perament, being the excess of one or more qualities, the Pox is often discovered in such cases, where 'twill be very difficult to affirm, that it is that predominant quality, and what shall be said of those who have the Pox for ten years, or more, without any appearance of hurt done to any bodily function? 'tis ne∣cessary therefore to use a Term in this case that is more transcendent then that of an In∣temperament.

As to the other Attribute, called differentia, it must be taken from something which im∣mediately follows the Essence or Nature of the Thing; that is to say, from some essential propriety, which does always agree with every Pox, and only with the Pox; and there is no such difference found; whence it is, that the Disease cannot admit of a Regular Defini∣tion.

But neither must it be imagined, that the Description that we are about to give, is ab∣solutely compleat and perfect, because that does depend on very many circumstances; as for Example, one cannot exactly comprehend the nature of that Pox which remains conceal'd in the Body, for a long time, without exhibiting any sign whatsoever, of which we shall speak

elsewhere. Whence it is, that I cannot blame those, who, to rid themselves of this trouble, do not at all define the Pox, nor write a long Treatise of that Disease, alledging with good Reason, that 'tis of very small importance to know how to define the Pox, provided they have but the skill and good fortune to cure it.

The Pox is a disposition against Nature, contagious upon the touch, occasioned by a ferment of the same Nature, arising from the corruption of the Seeds of divers Persons received and retained in the Wombs of Com∣mon Women, upon which one or more of these Accidents do follow, viz. Heat of Urine, or a virulent Gonorhea, or Running of the Reins, Chancers, Buboes, or Poulains, Tu∣mours, Boyls, Condyloms, Nodes, Glands, Pains, Spots, Blisters, Tetters, Scabs, Ulcers, Rotteness, and a Caries of the Bones or Carti∣lages, Falling of the Hair, and many others which proceed from these, or may be common to this and other distempers.

Nevertheless some of the first of these Acci∣dents mentioned in the description, may fol∣low upon other Diseases, but 'tis observable, that when they proceed from the Pox, they are attended with something that is sin∣gular, which discovers them to be the Effect of the Pox, as we shall shew, when we come

to speak of them in particular, or give the marks, by which we may discern that distem∣per from other Diseases.

And seeing the Pox does unavoidably draw after it innumerable Evils upon the Body, not to reckon those of the Mind, which appear by turns, by a great many fantastical repre∣sentations, in a thousand different shapes; One said well that the Pox is the Protaeus of Diseases and a Collection of all Distempers.

CHAP. III. How many Sorts there are of the Venereal Distemper.

IT appears, by the Description which we gave in the former Chapter, that we allow of only one sort of Pox, and here we affirm, that that which they call Heat of Urine, a Chancre, or Bubo, is not of a different nature from that which is called the great (or French) Pox, as we shall prove by three Arguments that are without exception.

The first is, that Heat of Urine, does as infallibly turn to the French-Pox, as the Chancre or the Poulain, upon a neglect, or ill management of the Cure; and therefore

they must of necessity be of the same na∣ture.

The second is, that the French-Pox, and the forementioned accidents admit of the same cure, in so far at least, as they are malig∣nant or Venereal.

And the third is, that the French-Pox, is often∣times nothing else but a Collection of those Accidents, which is manifest in Practice; and we shall give the reason thereof in the follow∣ing Part of this Discourse.

There is therefore no essential difference betwixt Heat of Urine, Chancres, Buboes, and the French-Pox, neither as to the Nature of the Malady, nor the cause whence they proceed, nor finally, as to their specific Remedy.

There is, nevertheless, an accidental dif∣ference, which does consist in this, that the French-Pox does generally seize the whole Body, because the Mass of Blood is thereby infected; upon which account, it may be called, an Universal Pox and Heat of Urine, the Chancre, and the Bubo attack but one single Part, either for that the Venereal Ferment has not been carried far, since it was first communi∣cated, or, that Nature has expelled it, by a vigorous influence, and, as it were, by way of an imperfect Crisis, as may be seen in Bu∣boes, or finally, by some other Accident, and therefore this may be called a particular Pox.

In which there is also a notable difference, as to the manner of using a Specific Medi∣cine, and some other circumstances, which are best observed in Practice, as we shall shew in the Chapter concerning the Method of curing both sorts of the French-Pox.

'Tis further observable, that there is ano∣ther sort of particular Pox, that is to say, which lyes in one Part of the Body; for it often happens in Practice, that after the Universal Pox is cured, there still remains a lurking poyson in some part of the Body, as in the Caries or Gangrene of some Bones, in some Node or Tophus, which admits of no dissolution by the action of Mercury, when all the rest of the Body is very well cleansed; and which consequently requires a particular Remedy.

Although the Pox is the same in all Per∣sons and at all times, and has a specific Me∣dicine, which is Mercury, yet it cannot be well cured but by accident, unless the Temper, Age, Sex, Tenderness (with other like circum∣stances) of the Persons thereby infected, be duely considered.

For Men are commonly more strong, Women more delicate, more moist, and their Monthly Courses must direct us in the choice of a par∣ticular Method, when we go about their Cure; whereof we shall give an Example in the proper Chapter.

Those who are of a Melancholy Temper are commonly cured with the greatest diffi∣culty, because their Humors are more stubborn and tenacious, and because they abound in acid, and frequently in austere humours, which are worse then the other.

Choloric Persons are easily moved, but suf∣fer cold or heat less than others, wherefore the Bile, with which they abound, must not be ir∣ritated, by a suddain change of those qualities. Those of a Sanguine Constitution must be often blooded, and Phlegmatic Persons fequent∣ly inured to drying Medicines.

Infants and Old-men, being more tender and feeble, ought to be look'd after accord∣ingly, neither the one nor the other is fluxed, especially, if they be respectively, very young, or decrepite.

For this and many other Reasons, easy to be understood, Mercury, which in this Age is the common Medicine for this Disease, ought not to be Prepared always in the same manner, and I will say, by the by, that he that will still make use of the same Preparation, shall fall into a great many Errors, and fail in the Cure of ma∣ny that labour under this Disease.

'Tis further alledged that the Times or Ages of the Pox are to be distinguished, viz. its beginning, its encrease, its state, and its de∣clination, but seeing it is not an acute Disease, and

besides those times are not determined equally, and have not a regulated course, I think it im∣possible to bring the thing into a true light.

Because, for Example, there have been some persons, who have had the Pox, for the space of ten Years or more, without any remarkable ap∣pearance, or fatal consequence, and others, who in the space of three Months, have become almost rotten. There are some, who upon a Chancre neglected or ill cured, shall be for two or three Years free from the consequent marks of the Pox, and others, who in six Months time, shall be therewith covered all over, the thing depending less or more on the activity of the Venereal Fer∣ment, with which they are infected, and on their good or bad constitution; we shall treat of those Questions in the Problem; in a word, the Times of this Disease are so uneven and uncertain, that there can be no standing Rule given, by the help of which we may discern them, Experience being the best guide in this matter.

And 'tis not, in my Opinion, a thing of so great importance, as to make it needful for me to in∣sist any longer upon it, in this Chapter, because that which follows, and treats of the different degrees of the Pox, shall fully clear all that is necessary to be understood, in order to the giving a right Judgment of the state of this Disease.

CHAP. IV. Of the Degrees of the Pox, and its Progress.

THat the Subject Matter of this Chapter may be made the more manifest, 'tis to be supposed that the several ways how one may get the Pox, may be reduced to three, for either the Disease is original, that is, con∣tracted in the Mothers Womb, or, it is got by Copulation, or lastly, by some other external Contract, viz. by lying with those that have the Pox, or in their Linnen, after their Sweat∣ing, by Drinking after them, by Sucking or giving Suck, or in some other like manner.

Secondly, It must be supposed, till it be proved in the following Chapter, that the Cause of the Pox is a sharp and biting Fer∣ment, which without all Question is of the Nature of an Acid, upon which account it can coagulate or thicken the Humors, with which it is mixed, but especially the Phlegm, with which 'tis more readily mixed, then with the rest of the Humors, because there is something of an Acid naturally in all Phlegm.

Thirdly, 'Tis to be considered, that this Ferment is by so much the more active, as 'tis the more exalted by a long Corruption,

and as it does pass from a Body that is more warm and open, to another that is likewise heated, and contrarywise, that it is the less active, and consequently works more slowly, when such Conditions happen to be contrary. In these respects, the Ferment is rendred more or less fixed or volatilized.

These Grounds being laid, I shall give a View of its ordinary Progress, beginning with that which follows upon Copulation, which is the most common way of its Communication.

If a Man has the Pox, he emits into the Womans Matrix, a Seed that is full of that Venereal Ferment, which insinuates it self into those parts which are naturally disposed to re∣ceive it, as being soft, spongy, and very full of small Glands that are almost imperceptible in their natural Figure and Position, though they be at this day pretty well known by A∣natomists, and sometimes do so much encrease, that they may be discerned with good Eyes. 'Tis those small Glands that easily imbibe the Venereal Ferment, which, in them, is fur∣ther corrupted, that is, it does become more sharp by remaining in them, and seeing it has the Nature of an Acid, it does fix and coagulate the Liquors that are contained in those small Glands, whence there does arise a hard small Tumor, accompanied with Pain, which is that we call a Chancre; and because

Heat does put that Ferment in Motion, which thereby does become more sharp, there hap∣pens a Corrosion of the Substance, and a small Ulcer begins to grow, the Limits whereof remain as yet hard, and this Ulcer encreases by little and little; this is that they call a Chancrous-Ʋlcer, and which we call a particular Pox, seeing it does only affect one part; or if one pleases, he may take this for the first Degree of the Pox, or the first Ad∣vance that this Venereal Ferment does make, according to our Example.

That Ferment always multiplying, does corrupt the ulcerated Parts that are next to it, and especially the Liquors that ferment more easily; hence it is, that the Blood that is car∣ried by the Arteries for the Nourishment of the Parts, does receive some Particles of that Ferment, and in returning by the Veins, ac∣cording to its due Circulation, communicates those Particles to the Mass of Blood, which by degrees, comes to be sufficiently disposed, by the Accession of such Particles for a Fer∣mentation and Corruption, that is, to become it self a Venereal Ferment.

Thus we see how an Universal Pox may proceed from a small Chance, that was only at first a particular Pox.

And the Mass of Blood may be corrupted a thousand times, according to the Force of

the Ferment, or Constitution of the Person.

If the Ferment be volatile enough, and the Party have Bile or Choler predominant in his Constitution, there does arise a sort of Turgen••y, which makes the Humors glide, sometimes on the one side, and sometimes on the other, from whence wandring Pains do proceed.

If the Ferment is more fixed, and the Per∣son Melancholy, the Blood likewise becomes fixed, and does coagulate, and its Motion consequently becomes unequal and slow, which is the Cause of Weariness, want of Appetite, and decay of the Animal Spirits, ill Concocti∣on, and ill Nourishment, together with a Depravation of the Expulsive Faculty, Sup∣pression of the Menstrua, Hemorrhoids, &c.

If the Ferment be very acid, and the Person Flegmatic, that Ferment does entan∣gle it self in the Flegm, which it makes vis∣cous and thick, whence the Body comes to be chill'd, puffed up, and bleak.

If the Person be Sanguine, it does produce an unequal boyling in the Veins and Arteries; hence Inquietudes, Watchings, Heats, Va∣pors, sometimes in one Part, and sometimes in another, &c. Every one may here discern by his own Reason, the Consequences of that Corruption of the Mass of Blood, for all cannot be contained in a small Treatise.

And this is the second Degree of the Pox, or if you please, the first Step to the Univer∣sal Pox.

'Tis not easie for the Mass of Blood of re∣main any long time in this Condition, but it discharges it self into all Parts of the Body, which it does moisten, and through which it does pass by a continual Circulation.

And such discharges do always happen with a great deal of Inequality, for it is a constant Ma∣xim in the admirable oeconomy of the Body, as 'tis everywhere else, that the Stronger does over∣power the Weaker, Nature that has a continual Propensity to disburden it self when oppressed, though it be provided with ordinary passages, for expelling the Impurities of the Mass of Blood, yet does not always take the same ways, especially when she is strugling with an Adversary that treats her with the greatest Violence.

And therefore, if the Venereal Ferment be (though in a very small quantity) in the Mass of Blood, it may be pushed on by Heat to the Glands of the Emunctories, though by reason of its Weight, it goes downward more easily: And thus we see that there grows cer∣tain Tumors in the Groin, which are called Buboes or Poulaines. Sometimes the same Matter is carried towards the Arm-pits, and frequently towards the Glands of the Neck,

which become thereby very much infla∣med.

Sometimes we see the Pox of such a sort, that a great Number of Glands do appear, in which case, there is a strong ground to believe that the Lymph and Lymphatic Vessels have contributed to that Discharge, seeing, that ac∣cording to the Principles of Anatomy, the Lymph cannot pass from the Arteries in the Lymphatic Vessels, otherwise then by the Glands, through which it is filtred.

If there be a great quantity of the Fer∣ment, the Mass of Blood does discharge it self by an Ebullition upon the whole Skin, up∣on which we may see Spots, which are no∣thing else but Venereal Fumes; that by rea∣son of their being gross, do settle on the Sur∣face, Blisters, which in a little time grow hol∣low, and turn to Chancers or Scabs, as well great as small, Tettars, Boyls, Warts, accord∣ing to the predominant Humor.

If the Blood discharge by Sweat, any se∣rous Humours betwixt the Muscles, these Se∣rosities, by pricking the Members, do cause Pains that resemble a Rheumatism.

If these Serosities march along the Mem∣branes, a Nerve or a Periostium, they cause fixed Pains, with which, those who have the Pox are miserably tormented.

If those Serosities affect the Joynts, they shall excite the Venereal Gout.

If that serous Matter settle at the Roots of the Hair, it does cause, by corroding the Roots, the falling off of the Hair.

And this is another Degree of the Pox. If those Serosities grow confirmed and hard∣ned all along a Bone, they produce Nodes, which make yet another Degree.

If they sink into the Substance, and penetrate even to the Marrow, they cause profound Pains, and becoming more sharp by their stay there, corrode the Bone, which likewise be∣falls the Cartilages.

And this is the utmost Degree of the Pox; 'Tis true, there is another Degree, worse then any of the former, because it makes the Dis∣ease incurable, and the Patient is unavoidably lost, which is, when the virulent Matter does discharge it self on a Noble Part, and corrupts it; for besides that, the lost Substance can never be repaired; the bad Symptoms that ac∣company this Pox, and the Condition of the Noble Part that is affected, admit of no spe∣cific Medicine.

'Tis evident therefore, that there are so many degrees of the Pox, as it does make ad∣vances to take deeper root, and that from the Surface, it does pass to the Mass of Blood, from thence to the Flesh, from the Flesh to

the Membranes, and from the Membranes to the Bones.

Nevertheless, all these Degrees which I have described, do not keep always the same Order, for oftentimes the Pox doth pass from one Degree to another inperceptibly; and sometimes there is a Gangreen or Caries per∣ceived in the Bones, without the Precedency of other Accidents, as it was in our Explication, and this arises from some particular Dispositi∣ons of the Ferment, or of the Parts of the Body, so that one Part does make a greater Resistance than another, and the Ferment makes a longer stay in one Part than in ano∣ther. And therefore Judgment may be best made of it according to the Disposition and State of the Patient, in which case Reason will be joyned to Experience.

'Tis easie, by this Example to judge of the Progress and Degrees of the Pox in all other kind of Examples: I shall further explain some of them, which may serve as a Rule for the rest.

I suppose that a common Woman has the Pox, and though she were not infected, if she has a particular Conversation with many Men, the Mixture of so many Seeds does oc∣casion such a Corruption in the Passage of her Matrix, that degenerates into a proper virulent Ferment, as we shall explain in the following Chapter.

If then in that Case, another Man shall keep Company with that Woman, and heat himself by Copulation, he shall attract some Particles of that Ferment, which adhering to his Yard, shall produce some Chancer, in the same manner as we have explained the for∣mer, and have the same Progress, very near, as the other.

But if the Venereal Ferment, which is in the Passage of the common Woman, be suf∣ficiently volatilized, and the Passage of the Yard, which made a Penetration, be sufficient∣ly open, that Ferment being put in motion, shall enter into that Passage, and go to the small Caruncle, that hinders the involuntary Emission of Seed, from thence to the Prostatae and Parastatae, which are the Repositories of the Seed, and shall produce in these Parts an Inflammation and an Acrimony in the Seed (which shall corrupt it) and after a little time, one Ulcer or more in the same Parts, so that the Seed so corrupted and fermented, shall be involuntarily emitted by continual Irritations; and 'tis this involuntary Effusion of Seed that makes the first Degree of the particular Pox, which they call Heat of Urine, and after∣wards a Gonorrhea or Running of the Reins, of which we shall treat in a Chapter apart.

This Venereal Heat of Urine may continue in some a longer, in others a less time, with∣out

bringing the great Pox; because of the Effusion of some other Humors with the Seed, that proceed, as it may be supposed, from some Ulcers, and carry off a part of the Ve∣nereal Ferment of those Ulcers, and blunt the Activity of what does remain therein, whence it comes to pass, that in such a Case, 'tis something slow in its Operation; but when that Ferment is volatilized or raised by Heat, the Blood which does pass through those Parts, gradually attracts into the Mass of Blood, so many Particles as are sufficient to corrupt it; after the same manner as we have said, of a Chancer at the beginning of this Chapter; and this is the Universal Pox, which makes the like Steps in its Progress with the other, which is already shown, and needs no Repetition.

If the Venereal Ferment is yet more vola∣tile, it passes not only into the Seminary Ves∣sels, but also (without any stop) into the ad∣jacent Veins, and mixing it self with the Blood, does corrupt it, and this Blood does corrupt that which is next to it, and so on, till the whole Mass be infected, and thus there is an Universal Pox, when there was no other Symptom that preceded, which is commonly very surprising, and very much deceives the World.

But if Nature be strong, before this Fer∣ment is much multiplied in the Mass of Blood,

'tis separated by way of Crisis, and forced to∣wards the Glands of the Groin, where there grows a Bubo or Poulain, and sometimes two together, when the Matter does much abound.

This may happen, when the Heat is so strong, and the Ferment so volatile, that it is expelled through the Pores with the Sweat, without the Help of any Medicine; but to speak the truth, I know very few that come off with so cheap a Cure, and he would be ve∣ry unadvised, who would trust to such a Chance.

After what has been said, 'tis very easie to conceive, that in what way soever the Pox is got, it does make very near one and the same Progress, that is, the Venereal Ferment acts by degrees, beginning at that place which it first seized, diffusing it self insensibly into the neighbouring parts, which it does corrupt, and these corrupting others, until the whole Body be involved in the same Catastrophe, then this Body can bring the same Fatility on an infinite number of others, because the Fer∣ments have no Limits, as we are now about to shew by what does follow.

CHAP. V. Of the Cause of the Pox, and of the Nature of the Venereal Ferment.

HItherto we have used the Term of a Venereal Ferment, which we supposed to be the Cause of the Venereal Distemper, and I think, that I cannot find a more proper one, for giving such a general Explication as shall agree with all the Opinions of reasonable Au∣thors, who have treated of this Disease; I shall also use the same in the following part of this Treatise, for this reason, because no Body can be mistaken therein, unless he ap∣ply thereunto some extravagant Idea, as that of an Occult Quality, or a Quintessential Agent, which has served the turn of the Antient and the Ignorant Race, who loved not to be in∣volved in intricate Affairs, nor puzled with hard Questions; and also for another reason, because those who are prepossessed with another Opinion, about such kind of Subjects, will not grant (unless it be proved) that the Cause of the Pox is rather a Salt than a Mercury, or any other Principle; or that it is a true mixt Body in which a Salt is predominant; and yet none will deny this to be a true Ferment, since it has all the Qualities thereof, which

purpose, in this Chapter, to make good, upon plain and demonstrative Reasons.

I say then, that every Ferment is a Body whose Principles are resolved, exalted, and in such a Motion, that being applyed to another body of its own kind, can penetrate, move and finally Convert that Body into its own Nature.

And since I know that this definition does agree to all proper Ferments, that I may ex∣plain it in such a manner as does best suit the subject in hand; ordinary Leven and common Vinegar will suffice for Examples in this Matter.

A bit of Leven being put in a proportiona∣ble quantity of Flower that is reduced into Paste with Water, shall put the Parts of that Paste into such a motion, that it shall be sen∣sibly corrupted and become Leven, like unto that which was put therein, and this Levened Paste shall turn another Paste into Leven, and this shall change another, and so infinitely. But the first Leven was made of the like Paste, and it can change nothing but Paste, into its own nature.

This change or conversion does evidently appear to be made by a motion, and agitation of the Parts of the Paste, that is to say, that the Leven which is sharp and penetrating (which may be sufficiently, known by the Smell) by the means of it's acid, or sharp

points, does enter into the Parts of the Paste, and in dilating and expanding them by the Motion, sets at liberty the Spirits which were in the Flower or Paste, and gives occa∣sion to the adjacent Ethereal matter to enter into it, which joyning it self with those Spirits, does encrease the Motion, and drive the parts of the Leven yet further into those of the Flower, which thereupon are more divided, and this gives entrance to new Ethereal Mat∣ter, and disengages new Spirits, that encrease the Motion more and more, and in fine, it does continue the same, until the Flower be very much divided, all the principles be in Motion, and receive a determination like, to that of their first mover, which was the Leven, and that was nothing else, as appears, but a Motion, Attenuation and Resolution of the Principles, which will be yet more mani∣fest by the Example of Vinegar.

Seeing Truth seldom appears on the Sur∣face; 'tis worth the while to observe what happens in the Generation and Multiplication of Vinegar. Wine is a Compound of five Principles. Of Spirit, Salt, Sulphur, Water and Earth, in such a Proportion, that the Spirits are predominant, and the rest of the Principles of a moderate quantity: If it hap∣pen by any acciddent, that the Spirits evaporate, or that the acid of the Air (which the Wind

does often-times carry with it) does enter into the Vessel, or that heat alone does excite motion in this Wine, the Essential of Salt the Wine, which is naturally Acid (as we see in the Chrystal of Tartar) and is be∣twixt a fixt and a volatile, does more volatilise or raise it self, and being attenuated does dilate and expand it self over the whole substance of the Wine, and get the Mastery over the Spi∣rits, which it does clog and bear down, yet not destroy, as some have pretended, but in vain, because, 'tis in no wise hard, at one Tryal to recal those Spirits from strongest Vinegar, provided it be made of Wine, and not of other Liquors. And 'tis by this exaltati∣on of its own essential Salt, which comes to be predominant over the rest of the Principles, that Wine is turned into Vinegar, which is a true Ferment that will turn a proportionable quantity of Wine into Vinegar, and this shall change another infinitely. That is to say, that there needs no more than one drop of Vinegar to turn all the Wine in the World into Vinegar, successively.

This being supposed, 'twill not, in my o∣pinion, be difficult to compleat the Expli∣cation, and shew, that the cause of the Pox is a Ferment, which ows it's original to se∣veral Seeds that are corrupted and Fermen∣ted.

I have said, at the beginning of this Treatise, that the most of those who get the Pox, have it by Tradition, or by Communi∣cation from one another; and there, we did not meddle with the Manner of the Forma∣tion of that Ferment; but, because we would proceed, and search into it's first source, 'tis by this way of Reasoning we may find it out.

Experience does teach us that the Pox is an infectious Disease, which is communicated from one to another indefinitely, that it is the same in all, that 'tis cured with the same Medicine, and that consequently its Cause is aways the same, whence its Cause must be a true Fer∣ment, because nothing but that, does admit of these qualities.

And because Leven must be of the same kind with the Paste, the Venereal Ferment must necessarily be composed, of the same Matter of which the Persons therewith in∣fected are composed.

The Seed is the first Matter of which Man is composed, the Seed has relation to all Parts of the Body, to the solid Parts, it being the foundation and basis thereof, to the Spirits, since it abounds with them, to the Blood, and other humors, because it does proceed from them.

The Seeds is very proper to degenerate into a Ferment, when it is corrupted in some cir∣cumstances, because it does contain Principles that are very active, and fit to be exalted.

We cannot therefore find the Original of the Venereal Ferment, any where but in Seed that is much corrupted, nor is there any Seed that is corrupted, but in the Wombs of com∣mon Women which keep company with ma∣ny Men. The Seeds of one Man and of one Woman only can never degenerate into a contagious and Venereal Ferment, seeing that according to the Laws of Nature, which is always uniform, if they take good care, those two Seeds, are afterwards capable of no alte∣ration, but for the Generation of a Natural Birth, or some other production, or, if some disposition be wanting for such a Genera∣tion, those Seeds are lost, but never produce any bodily harm, at least no contagious or Venereal distemper.

'Tis therefore somewhat else that is necessa∣rily required to make the Seed degenerate into a Ferment, that is Venereal, and altogether against Nature.

It shall therefore happen when a Common Woman has kept company with many Men, that their Seeds (which are of different, and often times of opposite qualities) being mixed in that womans Womb (which is naturally fitted to preserve the

Seeds with all their Spirits) do forcibly justle a∣gainst one another, and 'tis very hard to ima∣gine, but that in this Combat, some Spirits (with which each Seed abounds) shall vanish or be destroyed, and because the seeds have viscous Parts, the rest of the Spirits are entangled therein, whence there proceeds a mixture of Principles, and so great an Agitation and At∣tenuation of Parts, that the Salts that are in the Seeds are, by that oc∣casion, exalted, and do expand themselves through the whole, and so prevail over the other principles which compose the Seed. And therefore this compound of several Seeds becomes a Ferment which is capable of corrupting other Seeds, and all the Parts of the Body, by reason of the relation they have to the Seed; and 'tis this Ferment which is to be called Venereal, because it is the cause of the Ve∣nereal Distemper by a peculiar determination which it received in that corruption, that occasi∣ons it to exert it's force in one certain manner only, as we have shewn in Vinegar, which proceeds from the corruption of Wine, that is, from the resolution of the Principles of Wine.

And seeing Milk, which has a great re∣semblance of Seed, becomes easily Acid, by the exaltation of its own Salt, we have reason to believe, that in the present Case, the Fer∣ment that proceeds from the corruption of Seeds and the exaltation of their own Salt is also of the nature of an Acid.

Reason and Experience will confirm this opinion, if after great Sylvius de Leboe's Ex∣ample, we make some reflection on Acids, and upon the Principal Symptoms of the Pox.

We have said, that the Principal Symptoms of the Pox were the Chancres, Ulcers, Heat of Urine, Bubo's, Pains, Nodes, Glands, Scabs, Tetters, and the Rottenness or Caries of the Bones.

'Tis evident that these Symptoms can pro∣ceed from none other, but a cause that is sharp, biting and coagulating, for the Chancre be∣gins ordinarily with a hardness, that denotes the coagulation of some juice, and then it be∣comes an Ulcer, and this is made by corrosion. In heat of Water, there is an Inflammation, Pain and Ulcer which shews an Acrimony, the Nodes and Glands proceed from the thickning and coagulation of some Liquors thatly all along the Bones, and in the Glands, with which our Bodies abound. The Itching that accompa∣nies Scabs and Tetters does manifest the

sharpness of Salt to be the cause, and the cor∣rosion of the Bones does prove the same.

All sharpness does proceed from Salt; This Proposition is general, and 'tis very easie to prove it; for of the five Principles which we reckon'd in mixt bodies, Spirit, Sulphur, Salt, Water and Earth, there is not one but Salt, that by it's Points and stiffness, is capable of Acrimony; the Spirit being very subtile and swift, Sulphur exceeding sweet and unctuous, Water very soft, and Earth without Acti∣on.

'Tis thought with good reason, that all Salts are Originally Acid; but because it does not belong to the present Subject; 'tis to no purpose for me to discuss that proposition; 'tis sufficient that there are solid grounds, upon which we should admit a Salt; of whatsoever kind it be, as the Principal Salt of all, and a Principal most simple, and which being in∣timately United to the Principles of mixed Bodies (which cannot be perfectly resolved by any Chymical Art) is the cause of the dif∣ferent Salts that are acknowledged at this day, and are drawn from mixed Bodies. But how different soever these Salts are, they are nevertheless reduced to two sorts, which are, an Acid and Alkali, the proportionable mix∣ture whereof makes a third which is called Salin, and however the matter has been exa∣mined

before this time, the Salts that are ad∣mitted to be in an Animal are reduced to these two. And upon this account (that we may return to our Subject) we may say, that all Acrimony depends on one of these Salts, viz. an Acid, an Alkali, or a Salt that is com∣pounded of these two.

Now that we may determin, if the Salt that produces the Acrimony of the Venereal Fer∣ment is an Acid or an Alkali, 'tis necessary to make the following reflections.

The Essential Salt of Bread and Wine, which is the Principal Aliment we use are Acids, common Salt with which our Victuals are seasoned is Acid, the essential Salt of Fruit and Plants which we eat, is Acid, the Fer∣ment of the Stomach is Acid, the essential Salt of the Chyle is Acid, that of Milk, which in all appearance is nothing but Chyle, is A∣cid, and therefore that of the Seed must be the same: whence 'tis probable, that when the Seed is Fermented by the exaltation of it's own Salt, it does become Acid, and therefore the Venereal Ferment must be so too.

'Tis true, that 'tis possible for the Salt of the seed not to be Acid, because so many Concoctions that precede the generation of Seed, might entirely have changed the nature of the essential Salt, which was in the Aliment and in the Chyle; and in effect, we see that

Bile is made of the Food and Chyle, and yet it must be considered as an Alkali: but we must also observe, that Bile is nothing else but a Recrement, which is particularly made up of some parts of Salt and Sulphur, that have been scorch'd by the great heat of di∣gestions, and it principally proceeds from this strong heat, that a Salt, tho' first an Acid, is changed into an Alkali, it being thereby forcibly Joyned to a Terrestrial Matter; and yet it cannot be said, that the Seed is made up of a burnt Substance, since on the con∣trary, it ought to be the most gentle, pure and noble matter of the whole Body; and therefore if it is made by the means of an acid Ferment, 'tis necessary that this Acid remain in its Composition, although this does never appear but when the Spirits that are predominant therein, are as it were vanquish'd and fetter'd by the exaltation of its own essential Salt, which we affirm to be an Acid.

All this is lyable to many Objections, which with the Answers thereunto would take up too much time. They who are not willing to acquiesce in the Hypothesis, may if they please, suspend their Judgment, and if they will be at the pains to examine it, as the mat∣ter requires, they will grant me this at least, that although what is proposed by way of objection may be true, yet that (in all cases)

would not change the System, nor force of other Proofs.

The effects of the Venereal Ferment do manifest that it is Acid, since 'tis evident that it does condense and coagulate the Hu∣mours excites sharp and piercing Pains, cor∣rupts the Flesh, Membranes and Bones, as much almost, as other Acids; and ordinari∣ly without any blackness or gangrene; whilst that corrosion or corruption that pro∣ceeds from Alkalis's is always attended with a blackness, mortification and a gangrene, as in the Plague, the reason whereof is, that since an Alkali is produced by the force of Heat, it is by so much the more Fiery and Caustic as the Heat from which it did proceed, was violent. And therefore it is to be consider'd as a potential Fire.

Nevertheless it does not follow, but that a gangrene may sometime seise such Parts as are infected with the Venereal Distemper, when the Body is much heated, abounds with Choler, and is under a Fever at the same time, but especially when one is careless of himself, or takes hurtful Medicines, as we have seen some Patients who had fallen into ill hands, but that happens by accident, the Acid of the Venereal Ferment being in less quantity or weaker then the Bile which is an Alkali: for in that Case the Alkali is predo∣minant,

and being irritated by the Acid, does produce Effects contrary to those of the Acid.

And likewise, 'tis from this various Mix∣ture of an Alkali and Acid, and their dif∣ferent proportion, whether it be in quantity or vigour, that we see in the Venereal Distemper, so great a Variety of Symptoms, and are frequently mistaken in our Judgment about the nature of that Disease, and the effect of the proper Medicines: wherefore 'tis needful to make our Observations with great care and consideration, and not to imagine that all Patients are to managed after a like man∣ner.

CHAP. VI. Of the Signs of the Venereal Destemper, and of the Conduct that is to be used, that one may neither deceive nor be deceived.

'TIS sometime easy enough to discover the Pox, especially if one has had some experience: but it often falls out, that the Signs which appear are so obscure, ambiguous and equivocal, that it is very difficult, and frequently impossible (even for the most judi∣cious and experienced) to know it.

From thence it is, that so many Impostures flow. The number of those who pretend to Cure this Distemper, is so considerable in the World, that there is scarce one, even to the most whifling Journey-man Apothecary, but gives himself out for an Able Man in this re∣spect; from which we may conclude, that for one of sufficient Skill in these Affairs, you may find many thousands that know lit∣tle or nothing; and there are not a few a∣mongst the rest, who are governed by their Interest, and who, in expectation of Half a Guinea, will perswade those that consult them, that they have the Pox, and having gained their point, treat their Patients with a thousand Sham-Offices, that are unworthy of the Character of a Man of Honour, who would rather choose to starve, or never gain one penny during his Life, then Affront the most inconsiderable and poorest Creature in the World. The Sick who know not their own Condition, or who oftentimes are ashamed to make it known to those who could Assist them, become a Prey to those Ignoramuses, or to those Cheats.

I am resolved, in this Chapter and else∣where on all occasions, to lay down the most certain Rules, by which the Venereal Distem∣per may be discerned, that the Ignorant may learn to know it; and I shall give wholesome

Counsel to those who have had the misfor∣tune to get this Disease, that they may shun the Ignorant, and avoid all Imposture.

Heat of Urine is not hard to be discerned in Men; 'tis somewhat more difficult in Women. Of this we shall treat in a Chap∣ter by it self, and therefore, that we may neither be tedious, nor repeat what has been said already, the Reader may consult the re∣spective Places.

We shall also speak of a Bubo or Poulaine, by themselves; in one of the following Chapters.

As for the Chancre, as it is considered as a particular Pox, we shall treat of it in a Chapter apart, which 'tis needful to read, in order to get a clear and solid Notion of it.

I suppose also, that the Reader remembers what was said in the fourth Chapter of this Treatise, for his help to distinguish the par∣ticular Pox, from the Universal; The diffe∣rent degrees of the Venereal Distemper were described there, which as I think was suffici∣ently explained, so far as to prevent mistakes about it; it being observable, that in doubt∣ful cases we must always prescribe some Re∣medies by way of precaution, provided they be no ways hurtful to the Patient.

For Example, a Nurse, by giving suck to an Infant that has the Venereal Disease, has got a Chancre in one of her Breasts, and has had it for some time, never thinking of it nor dreaming of a Cure: Although you have no manifest signs that this Chancre has infected the Mass of Blood; nevertheless seeing it is very hard to conceive, but that some Particles of the Ferment have glided into the Blood; 'tis Prudence not only to mind the particular Cure of the Chancre, but also to prescribe some Medicines for cleansing the Blood, as some doess of Mercurius dulcis mixed with a Purgative that is proportioned to the Consti∣tution; or some slight Diet, for what re∣mains, we shall treat thereof in the Chapter concerning the universal Cure, and that of the Chancre.

And this is a Rule that is very useful in the Cure of the particular Pox, that is, which does only effect one Part.

As we must notneglect the Remedies of Precaution, for the depuration of the Blood (which may have received some Particles of the Venereal Ferment) during the time that necessary Medicines are applyed to the Part affected.

So we must not proceed to the great Re∣medy so long as we have no certain marks of the Universal Pox.

I call that the great Remedy which does cause a Salivation, which I believe to be most natural and proper for curing the Uni∣versal Pox.

I shall now give the Rules concerning the Universal Pox.

When a great number of Signs do appear, as a Chancre, Heat of Urine, Pains in the Night, Nodes, Glands, Scabs, Chancrous Ulcers and others mentioned in the description of the Venereal Distemper, in the Second Chapter; every one may know it to be the Pox.

If there be a Chancre and Botch in the Groyn, one whereof does follow upon the other, it is a sign of the Universal Pox; for 'tis very evident, that such a thing cannot happen, unless the Mass of blood be infected, according to what we said, in the Fourth Chapter.

And 'tis the same, when there is Heat of Urine and a Chancre, or heat of Urine and a Poulaine or Botch in the Groin.

If one of these three, a Chancre, heat of Urine, or a Poulain is accompanied with some other Sign, as some Nodes, Glands, Pains, Scabs, virulent Tetters, Caries of the Bone, 'tis a Mark of the Universal Pox.

And also when there is no Chancre; Heat of Urine, or Poulain about the Person, if it

appear that he was either neglected or ill cu∣red; if any of those Accidents supervene, as Pains, and especially about the middle of the Arms or Legs, a great Scab, that is no ways like to an ordinary one, but especially, if it happen on the Head, or any virulent Ulcer without an external Cause it may be believed to be the Pox.

Nevertheless, a Woman may have her Whites, which may be taken for a virulent Gonorrhea, and she may have at the same time Pains, which yet shall not consequently be the Pox; and therefore on such Occasions, 'tis needful to proceed wisely in Business, and study the Discourse I shall make anon, of the Heat of Urine.

If there be any Chancre in the secret Parts or Breasts, and also elsewhere, which is dryed up, either by it self, or by Medicines, and that Chancre, after a considerable time, come again in the same place, without any manifest Cause there is some reason to beleive that the Pox has passed into the Mass of Blood; but if the Chancre return in another place, though never so near to the first, 'tis so without all doubt.

When the Body is covered with Blisters, and these Blisters are turned into Chancres, that is to say, into round Ulcers, the sides whereof are hard, and the middle somewhat

white, or (as they say) resembling the Eyes of a Partridge, there needs no other proofs to as∣sure us of the Pox.

Pains alone over all the Body in the mid∣dle of the Members or Limbs, or Nodes or Scabs on the Head, which happen after keep∣ing company with infected Persons, are Marks of the Pox.

If Pains be in the Joynts, it requires a more strict Examination, and the Patient ought not to be treated, as if he had the Venereal Di∣stemper, unless there be a Concurrence of more evident Signs, because that may be a single Gout, and the same is to be said of a Rheumatism.

And herein 'tis very easie to be mistaken, for the Pox is often concealed under the Name of the Gout and Rheumatism. Ne∣vertheless, so long as there are no other Signs, as Chancres, Virulent Ulcers, great Scabs, Nodes, or the like, though the Pains hap∣pened after an unclean Conversation, the Pati∣ent is not to be exposed to the great Re∣medy.

And the Nodes that lye near the Joynts in Gouts, give an Assurance of the Pox, if they are not accompanied with other Signs; for such Nodes are often seen in Gouty Persons, who are not liable to the least suspicion of having the Pox.

An intollerable Pain, and such as has not yielded to ordinary Means, has passed fre∣quently for the Pox; but in that case 'tis up∣on some Asiurance that the Party has had some Chancre or Heat of Urine for a long time, from whence it is concluded that the Pox did proceed.

But upon such Occasions as that, he who knows himself to be under those Circumstan∣ces, does very little tender his own Health, if he do not consult with the most able Men, and those whose Profession it is to cure the Ve∣nereal Distemper, will have no sense of Ho∣nour and Conscience, if they do not, upon mature Deliberation, undertake his Cure.

And because from this Case, which does often happen (as may be seen in such Trea∣tises as contain Medicinal or Chyrurgical Consultations) I draw a General Rule for the Patients, and those who cure them.

I say that no Person ought to be underta∣ken, as having the Venereal Distemper, so long as no convincing Signs thereof do appear; otherwise, this were to undertake the Cure without knowing the Disease, and pretend to restore a Man to Health, without any Assu∣rance that he is sick.

'Tis better, whenever the Signs are not certain, to stay till some one does appear, that determines the thing, and if there be any

Grievances that do absolutely require some Help, they are, in my Opinion, to be looked upon as single, and it a Purgative be needful, Mercurius Dulcis may serve the turn, that be∣ing an harmless Medicine, which never has any bad Effects, if it be prepared, prescribed, and given as it ought.

And if the Mass of Blood be sensibly cor∣rupted, it may be depurated by easie Me∣thods and gentle Medicines, such as promo∣ting of Transpiration without excessive heat∣ing of the Body, for which purpose, at this day, we safely use the Volatile Salt of Vi∣pers, or Vipers themselves, or the like.

There are also some Cases, in which 'tis better to use gentle Means, when we are not fully assured of the Venereal Distemper.

As for Example, After one has been cured in appearance of some Chancre or Heat of Urine; if Weariness without Labour, Loath∣ing of all manner of Food, an Indispo∣sition to the Venereal Action do follow, there is great probability that some Virulency is transmitted to the Mass of Blood; never∣theless, seeing these, when single, are but doubtful signs, and may very well be the Fore∣runners of some other Distemper, I think, he should be very precipitant, who would sali∣vate this Person, and that therefore, gentle Means (as we have said) are more preferable.

As also, if nothing appears but some Piles or Warts in the secret Parts, without any other sign, 'tis not to be thought the Pox, because these Accidents in that place do ordinarily pro∣ceed from a Decay and Weakness of those parts through a long and frequent use of Ve∣nery.

But if, together with such signs, there be some Fissures, which come towards the Anus, Chancrous Hemorrhoids, and Warts in other places of the Body; in such a Case, there is sufficient assurance of the Distemper.

If there be Chancres, with a Caries of the Bone, in the Palate or Nostrils (I mean such Chancres as are perceived in Persons who have the Venereal Distemper, which differ ve∣ry much from those that are called Cancers) 'tis called the Pox, which is also very hard to be cured, as we shall shew in the Chapter that treats of the Cure.

If there be a Line of Pimples that cross the Fore-head, which begins with the Impression that the Hat does make, and which does not disappear with a Scab on the Fore-head, Face, or Head, or Spots in other places of the Body, provided it be known that the Party has had some ill Conversation, it may be said to be the Universal Pox.

I saw lately a Sea-man, who, after having had a Venereal Chancre for the space of three Years, of which he was ill cured, became full of Glands or Tumors, some of which broke in his Neck and Breast, just as the Kings Evil, with no other difference, but that his was the Venereal Kings-Evil.

We frequently see Persons who have their Bodies covered all over with Tetters, very large and thick Crusts, if they have had any Conversation with Persons infected, or lay in Bed with them, or in their Linnen that is made Contagious by their Sweat, it is the Universal Pox.

I have seen a young Woman, who had ne∣ver known a Man, and who was covered all over her Body, the Privities only excepted, with those Crusts of an Inch thickness, and as broad as ones Hand, without knowing that she had laid with any suspected Woman; she could not be cured for the space of three years, though during that time, some who passed for famous Men, prescribed Medicines to her. I cured her with Bathes, Whey and Mercury, without Salivation, and within seven Months she perfectly recovered, and no Tetter or o∣ther Accident has ever returned, though it be now fourteen years since she was cured. And from that time, I have been more confirm'd in the Opinion I had, that Mercury is an excel∣lent

Remedy for Tetters and the Scab; I also give it on the like Occasions, at all times, e∣specially when the Scab is more obstinate then ordinary, and to have the Cure the more spe∣dily done, during all the time that I was Phy∣sitian to the Hospital of St. James, I have us∣fed with good success, a Mercurial Purgative for those that had the Scab.

I brought that Example of the Maid, only to shew, that there are some Cases that require the use of Mercury, though there be no Pox at all in the Case, or when we are least assu∣red of it, and especially when we see that Mercury is otherwise a proper Medicine for the Symptom that is apparent, and when we observe that ordinary Means do no good, whence also an Indication may be drawn, if the Symptom be not Venereal, it may at least appear to be such as requires almost the same Medicine.

Yet I do not pretend that this Indication is either general or certain, and I am not, in this, in Mercurial's Mind, in other respects, a very great Physician, who says in his third Chapter, concerning the Venereal Distemper, That when the Disease does not yield to ordi∣nary Medicines, nor to those that the Antients have taught us, 'tis in effect, a sign (as he says) that 'tis the Pox.

On the contrary, I am of the Opinion, that every thing should be examined, all Circum∣stances exactly weighed, and a prudent Deli∣beration used, that nothing be undertaken but upon weighty reasons, and if, after all the Efforts that are made for knowing the Truth, no signs shall appear, that may mani∣fest the Distemper to be Venereal, 'tis not to be medled with under that Name, without knowing it to be of that Nature.

CHAP. VII. Of the Prognostick of the Venereal Disease.

AFter that which we have said in the fore∣going Chapters, it will not be difficult to find what is the Prognostic of the Pox, for after having examined if the Pox be ori∣ginal (which makes it the more hard to be cured) or contracted since ones Nativity; to∣gether with the Difficulties which may arise from the Constitution, Age, &c. And by considering what was said in the Fourth Chapter, concerning its different Degrees; it will be easie to judge, that it is so much the more difficult to cure, as it is the more rooted in the Body: And therefore, seeing the last Degree is that of a Caries or Rottenness of the

Bones, 'tis also that which is most hard to be cured, especially when that Caries is in the Skull or Nose: I will also say that 'tis so difficult, that the Cure thereof ought not to be expect∣ed by any use of bare Mercurial Pills; and the outward use of Mercury by Friction, is to no purpose, because it never reaches the Caries of the Bones, that it may destroy or remove the Venereal Ferment that adheres to those parts.

I know by Experience, that the surest Course that can be taken about this kind of Pox, is by way of Vapour, which does reach the infected Bones; but seeing this Method is somewhat dangerous, and may have ill Con∣sequences, it requires both Judgment and Dex∣terity to accomplish it.

The Venereal Distemper is not commonly Mortal; there have been some who have had it for the space of thirty years or more, and when they dye, it does not so much proceed from this Disease, as from others which were contracted through the Disorder that is made by the Venereal Ferment, which does so much corrupt the Humors, that it hinders the Nou∣rishment and other bodily Functions, or when it disgorges it self on some noble part, it does so corrode and corrupt it, that the Loss is ir∣reparable, whence it comes to pass, that in such a Case, Death is unavoidable.

It frequently happens, that the most part of those who have the Venereal Distemper, do not suffer themselves to be dealt with to good purpose, and that upon a great many Consi∣derations. Some are thus backward, because they have not enough to pay for their Cure; others, because their Estate or Business do not permit; a third sort, because they are guided by Physicians who have no Skill, or if they have, yet may be mistaken, though they were the most able Men in the World, seeing the Pox is sometimes so concealed, that it is im∣possible to know it in all its Circumstances. There are some Bodies of such singular Dis∣positions, that Mercury cannot produce the desired Effect upon them, notwithstanding all the Precaution and Means can be used; those who have Practice in these Matters, know ve∣ry well, that they cannot perform a Cure at the first, especially those who make use of Mercurial Oyntment; there have likewise been some, whom Salivation by Friction could never work upon; 'tis true, that at this day, 'tis advised, when these Difficulties do occur, that we should make use of a Dose of Mercu∣rius Dulcis, that the Salivary Vessels may be∣gin to open.

But I could wish that it were an easie Mat∣ter to raise a Salivation, by the Means of the Unguent, and if so, can any one be assured that

a sufficient Quantity of the Mercury shall enter into the Body, to excite a Salivation to that degree which is requisite, or that it shall not enter in too great a Quantity, so as to cause a Suffocation, or some other Catastrophe, which shall be worse than the Disease.

I am of the Opinion, that it is impossible to be exact in this Matter, because, as we shall shew in the Chapter of the Cure, it does depend on the Disposition of the Skin (which in some, is too much shut, and in others too open, whence it does admit of a greater or lesser quantity of the Mercury that is in the Unguent) and not on him who applies the Un∣guent, how well soever he may observe the Rules.

And therefore it often falls out, by reason of some of those Faults I have shewn, that the Venereal Distemper is not cured, but only its Symptoms, and that some of the Venereal Ferment does still remain in the Body, which in process of time, does lodge and entangle it self in the Humors, in such a manner, that some Inconveniences do afterwards ensue, which do not resemble the Pox, though they have in effect sprung from it as their proper Foun∣tain.

From thence it is, that there are so many hereditary Diseases, so many scrophulous Tu∣mors, so many old Ulcers, so many Gouts and

Rheumatisms, so many white Courses amongst Women; and in a Word, from thence arise the most part of those Diseases which we ob∣serve in Families, and which unhappily have only ordinary Means applied to them, because their Source is concealed, and the Physicians themselves many times, dare not be inquisitive concerning their Original.

CHAP. VIII. Of Mercury, and if it be the Specific Medicine for the Venereal Distemper.

NOT to stand upon the Etymologies that Authors have given of Mercury, nor the different Names that it has got, nor the Influence which it receives (as is thought) from the Planet Mercury, nor the places where it is found; I only say, that Mercury or Quick-silver is a Metallic Liquor, the Nature whereof is as wonderful as it is singular for it is extreamly heavy, seeing it comes ve∣ry near to the weight of Gold (which is the most ponderous Body of any we know, and that which may be called the most fixed Bo∣dy too, because it does resist the Fire more then all others) we may add, that it has a nearer Affinity to Gold than any other Me∣tal,

because it does more easily unite it self to it than to other Bodies, and goes as to a Load∣stone, a considerable way, to find it, which has been matter of admiration, that there should be a Sympathy of a most active and moveable Body, with another that is of all Bodies the most fixed.

And yet the least Action of the Fire makes this Liquor extreamly swift, volatile, and in∣visible. Mercury is a gross Body, seeing it is very opacous, and it is exceedingly subtile, seeing it does penetrate the Pores of our Bo∣dies; those of the Vessels that contain it, when ever the Fire does work upon it, and those of Gold, which are incredibly small, by reason of its compactness; and which is more, it does produce surprising and quite opposite Ef∣fects; it heats sometimes, and does cool at o∣ther times; it does purge some by Salivation, others by Stool, and a third sort by Transpi∣ration, and as though it were never the same thing, one Man is purged at one time with six Grains of Mercury, who at another time cannot be purged with thirty Grains.

And 'tis this great Unconstancy and Diver∣sity of Mercury, that has very much perplexed, to no purpose, the Heads of very able Men, who endeavour'd to explain its Nature, and give some regular Definition thereof; upon which account, I have sometimes said, by way of di∣version,

that in this Matter, 'tis needful to follow Aristotle's Precept very closely, who said, That (a) De∣finitio debet esse rei immutabilis, i. e. A Definition ought to be of such a thing as does not change.

If Mercury be a Bank that splits the Judg∣ment of the Learned, and a Stone of stum∣bling to so many curious Men, who are assi∣duous in making new Discoveries, and more especially, to draw an universal Medicine from this Metallic Liquor, without knowing its Nature: What can the more Ignorant pretend, who know nothing of it, unless it be some pi∣tiful Receit, to sublime or precipitate the same with a Corrosive (which they can never any more separate) or barely to mix it with Purges or Oyntments, and with this they would pass for Workers of Miracles. 'Tis indeed an Abuse, and one ought to use Dili∣gence, if he cannot know the Nature of Mer∣cury to the bottom, to find out a Method, whereby it may be, in such a manner prepa∣red, as it may be given without danger. For if we examine the ordinary Receits thereof that are found in Authors, we shall find that all of them give us the same Song, which they borrow from one another, and that none of them does examine what he proposes to us, which will be more manifest, after I have

delivered my Opinion of Mercury, and my Experiments upon using it.

Although Mercury is an homogeneous Bo∣dy, and it is as easie to separate the Principles that compose it, as those of Gold, though this principal Metal does contain such as are very closely united and well digested, and those of Mercury are not so strongly joyned, be∣cause it is only a crude, imperfect and undi∣gested Metal, or rather a Substance that comes somewhat near to a Metal; nevertheless, Rea∣son and Experience do evince that it does contain such Principles.

First, a great deal of Salt, but not an Al∣kaly, as some pretend (for there was never a∣ny such found in the Mines) but an exceeding Acid Salt, very like that which is in Sulphur Mineral, which is known by distilling it by it self, by a Method that all Chymists are well acquainted with; for it is resolved into an A∣cid Liquor, as the Acid of Sulphur drawn off Per Campanam, which would not happen, if the Salt of Mercury were an Alkali, from which there can never be so much as one drop of an Acid drawn, seeing they are opposite. And this is an evident proof of my Asser∣tion.

Notwitstanding what has been last said, Mercury may sometimes Operate not unlike to an Alkali, but upon a quite different reason

which is, because it's Salt is Fettered by a great deal of Sulphur.

For 'tis not to be questioned, but that there is much Sulphur in Mercury, not at all imflammable as the common Sulphur, but Mettallic, incombustible, and as pure Origi∣nally, as that of Gold; the Proof of which is, that there are no Mettals but do consist of Unctuous Parts, for 'tis their Oyl that makes them capable of extension; if then Mercury be a substance that has a near affinity to Mettals, as 'tis not to be doubted; it con∣tains Unctuous Parts as well as Mettals. Ex∣perience does plainly confirm this, for Mercury does easily mix with common Sulphur, Fat, Turpentine and Resins, by which it appears, that they consist of substances that are alike; but the resemblance it has of common Sul∣phur is yet greater, because, this having a great deal of an Acid Salt in it's composition, has a double relation to Mercury, that is to say, by it's Salt and by it's Sulphur.

There is also without all question, contained in Mercury a subtile and volatile Earth, a Metalic Water, which makes it Fluid, and a Spirit which is it's proper Mercury. I shall not stay to give the Proofs of a Matter that is so very conspicuous in it self.

We shall now endeavour to explain what is observable in Mercury, together with the ef∣fects which it does produce.

It is ponderous, because it abounds with Salt, and experience does shew, that Liquors are by so much the more heavy, as they con∣tain the more Salt; the same may be obser∣ved in all sorts of Wood; which is sufficient to perswade us, that it is likewise Salt which makes Mettals ponderous. Some believe, that it is the Sulphur that does produce this quali∣ty, and I also think, that this is not useless, but that it does much contribute thereunto, by uniting the Salt to the other Principles; but it cannot be the Principal cause thereof, because it self is very inconstant, and there are some Bodies which are surcharged with Sul∣phur, which weigh nothing in comparison with others, which cannot be said of Salt.

And it will not evince the contrary, to say, that this great quantity of Salt which we ad∣mit, cannot be drawn either from Mettals or Mercury; for this reason does only prove our want of Skill, for we see, that in Glass, there is a great deal of Salt Kali, and yet it is so en∣tangled in the Flint, which they use for making of Glass, that it cannot be separated from it, by any ordinary Art, much less can it be done from Mercury, which flies away with the least heat.

It is Volatile, and the least fire does make it evaporate, because, seeing it is Liquid, the fire does easily penetrate into it, and divide it into such small Parts, that it can then raise it into Vapours, and reduce it into that State, in which it was at first; for Mercury is nothing but a Mettalic Vapour, which is raised by the Central heat of the Earth, and condensed in the Surface, by the external heat. It is true, that this Mercurial Vapour, meeting, in its way with some Sulphurs, with which the Mines abound, does, by joyning therewith, compose a mixture that makes the Mineral Cinabar, not unlike that we see in Artificial Cinabar, which is only a mixture of Sulphur and Mercury, that may be easily separated by putting filings of Iron into the Cinabar, and then distilling the whole in a Re∣tort.

It is Opacous, because it has straight pores, and such as never can be disposed in a right Line, without changing the Nature of the Mercury, being composed of Spherical Parti∣cles that are in a perpetual motion.

It is penctrating, because it does easily di∣vide it self into Atoms, and is in a continual motion.

It resolves Tumours, and dissolves Phlegm, because it is penetrating, and composed of an Acid Salt and of Sulphur, which are very

proper dissolvents, because Phlegm contains much of an Acid, wrapt up in Unctuous Mat∣ter; And therefore there is a great Affinity betwixt the one and the other: and Tumours proceed from a Phlegm, that is made thick and hard by an Acid, and therefore, the Mercury does dissolve it, and the resolution that afterwards happens, does proceed from the natural heat and motion, which does assist the Mercury in its Action.

It does produce cold Diseases in some Per∣sons, and is a great Enemy to the Brain and the Nerves, especially when it is taken crude or ill prepared, because it's Mettallic Sulphur, which is crude and indigested, and by the Action of heat draws other Parts with it, does turn into a Vapour, that always joyns with some Volatile Acid, which it finds in the Bo∣dy, and this Vapour, being carried through the Body, with the Blood, and especially to the Brain, does settle there, by reason of the coldness of that Part, as it does also stay in the Nervous parts, which are likewise cold; and fixing it self in their Pores does obstruct the passage of the Spirits, and stop their course; And hence it is, that those who take Mercury out of the Mines and who are em∣ployed in the Works, do commonly fall into a Palsey, by reason of the ill effects of the Mer∣curial Vapours.

On the contrary, it does heat some others, by Accident, when it is unskillfully mixed with Purgatives, that are proper for causing heat, or when it is prepared with sharp In∣gredients, that make violent Irritations, which raise an Effervescence in the Humours; or when that Acrimonious preparation, and that Purgative have procured, without Discrimi∣nation, a voidance of the serosities which were in the Blood; for in that Case, the Active Principles of which the Blood is composed, not being tempered and restrained by those serous Parts, making nearer approaches to, and being altered by one another, produce that great heat, which follows upon a Fermentation a∣gainst Nature.

It does excite Salivation, because, when it has once entred into the Body, the heat does reduce it into a Vapour, and seeing there is an Acid in all sorts of Bodies, those Acids do easily joyn themselves to the Mercury, which in it self, does contain an Acid Salt, as we have said, and those Acids being in Conjuncti∣on therewith, make it Corrosive, in the same manner almost as the Acids of Vitriol and Sea. Salt do communicate a Corrosive quality to common Sublimate, which, as is most mani∣fest to all, has no force, but by the points of Salt, which are joyned thereunto, in Sublima∣tion, without being able to dissolve it entire∣ly;

for the Mercury does retain its round Eigure, as may be seen by a Microscope (and those Salts are by their Points, fixed in the lit∣tle Globs of the Mercury, end-wise,) so that the Mercury is the more easily carryed to the head, where it does, with no difficulty stay, by reason of the cold that it meets with there, and because it does joyn it self more readily to the Phlegm then to any other Humours, upon the account of the Acid which it contains, and the Salivary Vessels do always contain a Phlegm that is the matter of the Saliva, the Mercury does dissolve the same, and for that reason, it is more abundantly evacuated by the Salivary Vessels, and seeing the Phlegm does attract the Mercury, which is become Acid, as we have said, the extremity of the Salivary Vessels is Corroded, and likewise the mouth is thereby all Ulcerated, whence it comes to pass, that the Salivation or Flux is encreased, and that an extraordinary quantity of Phlegm, does Issue out of the mouth till the same Phlegm, by its continual Course, has wash'd these Ulcers, and drawn to it self the Mercury that had lodged there, and then, by degrees, it does occasion a closing and healing of the Salivary Vessels, which makes the Salivation to cease.

Sometimes Mercury does only Purge by stool, and 'tis thought, that, in such a Case, it does meet with some Alkalious Matter, which makes it let go those Acids, and precipitates the Mercury into the lower Parts, not unlike to what is observed, when Sublimate Corrosive, dissolved in common water, is precipated by the Oyl of Tartar, or by its Salt only, which I believe may be done; but I have observed, that it is more difficult to excite a Salivation in Melancholy Persons, then in those that are Choleric, or of any other constitution, and that those Melancholy Persons are frequently Purged by stool, which gives me ground to believe, that seeing those Persons abound in Acids, and that the Acids are more fixed in them, then in others, those same Acids may very well stop the Mercury, and hinder it from ascending to the head, whence it comes to pass, that being more heavy, because sur∣charged with those fixed Acids, it is forced to pass by stool; so we see, that when there is a dissolution of Mercury made with Acids, as the Spirit of Sulphur, the Spirit of the Oyl of Vitriol, of Allom, &c. those Acids are the more fixed, and the Mercury is sublimed with the greater difficulty, and if it be taken at the mouth after a convenient Dulcoration, it does Purge more by stool then by Vomit, and is not proper to cause Salivation.

It does, without doubt, proceed from the defect of those Acids, that the Mercury not finding enough thereof, to make it sublime to the Head, or to precipitate it downwards, is carried off by Transpiration only, and that there are some Persons who can neither be Flux'd nor Purged with Mercury.

From thence it is also, that one may be well Purged with a small quantity of Mercury, at one time, and that a considerable quantity thereof shall have no effect upon him at ano∣ther time, for there is not the same quantity of Acids in the Body, at all times, which de∣pends on the Diet, the Season and the Passions, together with many other circumstances which every one may easily observe.

From which we must conclude, that Mer∣cury does act in so many different manners, according to the different dispositions of the Person who receives it, or the different man∣ner of it's preparation.

And finally, it is from thence that we are to draw a Consequence, that is the most im∣portant of all others, that those who adven∣ture to give Mercury, without knowing it's right Preparation and the effects which it is capable to produce, as well as the Constitution of their Patients, do a great injury to them∣selves, and a greater to the Sick, whom they

unhappily expose to a great number of Acci∣dents and Dangers which they cannot pre∣vent, so long as they are not capable of know∣ing them.

It remains, that we examine, whether Mercury be a Specific Remedy for the Ve∣nereal distemper.

A Specific Medicine is that which does cure a certain Disease, at all times, in all places, in all ages, and in all degrees; and seeing we have shewn, that the Venereal Ferment is of an acid Nature, that it fixes on the Phlegm particular∣ly, it may be said, that Mercury is the most fit Remedy of any we have yet known, for the Cure of the Venereal Distemper; for if it is not become absolutely incurable, by the de∣fect of the Person who is subject thereunto, as by the Corruption of some noble Part, or the Complication of some mortal Disease, I believe it may be compleatly Cured; but seeing I have made it appear that Crude Mercury is very dangerous, as well as that which is Corrosive; the former, because it is an Enemy to the Brain and all the Nervous Parts, as we have formerly shewn; the lat∣ter, by Irritations, Corrosions and other De∣predations which it makes in the Stomach and elsewhere; I can Advise no body to use either of them, although I know very well, that some have been Cured both by the one

and the other, because those Cures were causal, and if there happens to be Success at one time; the Sick are nevertheless always ex∣posed to danger, or to the fury of some o∣ther Accident worse then the Venereal Di∣stemper; I shall make this more manifest in the following Chapter, in which I shall shew the common way of using Mercury, and af∣ter having demonstrated the danger that is apparent upon such a manner of using it, and the small assurance that one can pro∣mise himself, of curing the Sick that way, I shall establish another Method which may be practised at all times, and is incomparably more gentle, more easy and more certain.

In the mean time, although this Method has many Advantages above the common way, yet the Sick are exposed thereby to some inconveniences, when Salivation is to be excited, which ordinarily cannot be so effect∣ed, but that there will be Ulcers in the Mouth, tho' we have sometimes seen gentle and protracted Salivations without any ill Ac∣cident to the Mouth, which proceeded from a good management of the Mercury; and the like Success may happen by taking what time is needful for the Cure.

But seeing there is no better Medecine; known then that, and that all others that have been hitherto used, are ineffectual, or in

all Cases, tedious and most dreadfully trouble∣some, we are forced to use it. We may also say, that Mercury is an admirable Medicine for many other Diseases; the wonderful Ef∣fects that we perceive every day of Mercurius dulcis does prove the Excellency of this Re∣medy, and there are so many Able Men at this day who make Experiments on Mer∣cury, that we may reasonably hope, that some or other of them will at length, Com∣municate to the World, some extraordinary preparation thereof, which will make it manifest that Mercury is a soveraign Remedy for the Venereal Distemper; whilst I expect this, I shall ingenuously declare, that having of a long time observed the different Effects produced by Mercury (that is prepared a thousand ways) in a great Number of Per∣sons subject to the Venereal Distemper, whom I have cured; I have found by Experience that Mercurius dulcis sublimate is a Remedy that will never do any hurt, if one knows how to use it, but it is also so weak, that how little soever the Pox has taken root, it is not to be expected that it can be cured thereby; yet there are some Persons of so delicate a Constitution, and whose Humours are so fluid, that they may be Cured with twenty or thirty Doses thereof, provided it be mixed with a Purgative, and convenient Vehicles. I

have often, on such occasions, prescribed this Receit.

Take of Mercurius dulcis sublimate well prepared, and the Powder of Vipers, of each six Drachms, Cristal of Tartar in fine Powder, and Scammony in Powder, of each half an Ounce, the Trohisicks of Alhandal, two Drachms, mix them altogether with so much Powder of Pale Roses as may suffice to make up a Mass of Pills, whereof a Drachm is to be taken, or one Drachm and a half, with your ordinary Diet, Exercise, &c.

I have also found by Experience, that we may use with very good Success (even in the case of an inveterate Pox) the Golden Precipitate, the preparation of which is as followeth.

Take one part of fine Gold, and three parts of Mercury revived from Cinabar, make an Amalgam of both in the ordinary form, and put this Amalgam in a fit matras, well luted, digest them over a fire, with a gentle heat at the first, that the Mercury do not ascend and separate it self from the Gold, encrease the fire by little and little, till all the Mass shall be changed into a Red Powder, and which will become of a dark red Colour up∣on continuance of the heat: That it may be well done, it is necessary to digest the Ingre∣dients for three Months together, after which

it will be sufficiently fixed, so as it may be safely given. The Dose is from three to twelve Grains for the strongest Persons, mix it with a convenient Purgative, for Example, with the Polychrest, or the Catholic Pills.

I cannot enough extol the Vertues of this Medicine, and he who shall use it skilfully, will not repent the time he bestowed in the digesting of it, and no sooner shall he have made the Experiment of its Vertue, but he will reject all other Receits which are found in Books.

It does ordinarily purge by Stool, and sometimes by Vomit, it must not be washed before it is used, otherwise it will loose some of its Acrimony which was communicated to it by the fire, without which it will not purge as it ought.

It may be taken every third day, unless the Patient have a Loosness or Purgation in the Morning in which it is to be taken; in which case, it is to be given on another day when it is stopp'd; in the Intervals the Patient must be let Blood less or more, according as his Blood abounds, or is corrupted.

When there are Nodes or Tetters, or the Body is dry, Bathes must be used, for E∣mollition of the Parts, for humectation and encreasing of the fluidity of the Humors, and bringing them to such a Condition,

as they may easily yield to the Medica∣ment.

All the difficulty is to determine, what Number of Doses is requisite to each Person that has occasion to use it, for although the Accidents have wholly disappeared, it does not follow, that the Patient is perfectly recovered, for there still remains some Ferment in the Parts, or in the Blood, from which the Pox will in a short time spring up again, when it has not been altogether rooted out, as we have sometimes seen, when we had less experience: And therefore to be sure, some Dose of the Medicine ought to be taken after all the Acci∣dents have quite vanished, that no Leven be left in the Blood; a Decoction of Vipers may be given for some days, by which means, there will be an insensible transpiration that shall carry off all the rest of the Venereal Ferment, and that shall so perfectly cleanse the Blood, that the Patient will be beyond the danger of a relapse. It is truly said,

Heureux celuy qui pour devenir sage; De maux d'autry, fait son apprentissage. i. e.

That Man is happy, who grows Wise By other Men's Calamities.

There is no Pox but what may be Cured by this Medecine, such a degree of it only

excepted, where there is a Caries or Putre∣faction of the Bones of the Nose or Skull, which cannot be throughly effected, but by a method that is extreamly troublesome and tedious. And therefore, in this case, it is better to salivate the Patient, not by the means of an Unguent, which I would advise no body, because of its ill Consequences, which we shall shew in the next Chapter, besides that it cannot do any good in such an Exigency, for this reason, because the Mercury does not penetrate so far as the putrified Bone, to de∣stroy the Ferment that infects it, but this Salivation must be procured by Fumigation or Vapour for which we shall shew the best method.

I leave all other Medicines which were used by the Antients, as Guiacum, Sarsa-parilla, Sassafras and China-root and also Box, which has been used of late, by some modern Ar∣tists, because no body doubts of the insuffi∣ciency of these Remedies, and every one is satisfied that there is no Cure to be expected from them, and they serve for no other pur∣pose but to heat such Bodies, as require them, for attenuating the Phlegm, by making a Ptisan thereof, for their ordinary Drink.

CHAP. IX. Of the Method of Curing the Venereal Distemper, and that Salivation is the most short and the most certain way, provided that the Mercurial Unguent be not made use of to excite it.

IT must be agreed upon by all, that the Pox may be cured by all such methods, as will effectually evacuate the Phlegm, in which the Venereal Ferment does particu∣larly ly, and which will depurate the Blood; And therefore, Sudorifics, Diuretics, Vo∣mits, Purgatives and Salivation are the means that are the most proper and convenient for that end.

But after all, I must freely declare, that al∣though these Remedies be all good, yet Sali∣vation is to be preferred to all the rest, as be∣ing the best, the shortest, the surest, nay I will say, the most natural method: for if we observe the Oeconomy of our Body and the ways which Nature has provided for the eva∣cuation of superfluous Humours, we shall find that she voids the Excrementitious Matter that remains after the first digestion, with the more gross Parts of the Bile and the Pancrea∣tic Juyce, by stool; the superfluous Serosity (after it has served as a Vehicle for the Nutri∣tive juice, with which all the Parts of the

Body are nourished) partly by the Veins, and partly by insensible Transpiration; the menstrual Blood by the Matrix; the Hemorrhoid Blood by the Hemorrhoid Veins; some other parti∣cular Excrements by particular Passages, as by the Ears, the Hair, by Expiration, &c. And, Lastly, as to the Pituit or Phlegm, the Sali∣vary Vessels are appointed for the Evacuation thereof: The likeness that is betwixt the Pi∣tuit and Saliva is well known; They being the same Matter, and only differing in con∣sistence; for the Saliva is the first Matter of the Pituit, the Saliva is continually swallow'd down, and when it is in the Stomach, it grows thick, and in the digestions, it does intermix it self with the most Viscous Part of the Ali∣ment and is afterwards carried into the Gut cal∣led Duodenum, where it does continually mix it self with the Bile and the Pancreatic Juice, which make a Fermentation together, by the means of which it does so fall out, that the more gross Parts are precipitated, or forced downwards with the Excrementitious Mat∣ter, to be evacuated by stool, and the purer Part is carried by the Venae lacteae to the Heart, and from thence, by the Arteries, to all the Body, with the Blood, from which it is gran∣dually separated by the Conglomerated Glands that lye on either side of the Mandibulum, and from thence it is carried by the Salivary Con∣duits,

to the Mouth, in which the Pituit that descends from the Brain, does mix with it, there being a considerable quantity thereof, produced in the Head, by reason of the coldness of that Part, which Pituit does insensibly pass through the Infundibulum, from whence it is Filtrated, through the Pituitary Gland, into the Mouth, so that it is easie to comprehend how the Phlegm is carried from all places of the Body into the Mouth, and that by it's na∣tural motion; And therefore, in a Salivation, which is excited by Mercury, the Phlegm be∣ing put in a quicker motion then ordinary, does easily draw to it self all the impurities of the mass of Blood, and especially the Venere∣al Ferment, because of its Acidity, as we have said elsewhere, and by that means the P••••••d is compleatly purified.

It is true, that it seems that the sweat may effect the same; which certainly would be so, if we had a Sudorific, that could without any violence, separate the Pituit from the mass of Blood; but seeing it is Viscous, it is very difficult, to reduce it into Vapours by any Remedies that we know, to the end that it may transpire through the Pores of the Skin; and if one will needs attempt it, he must heat the Body very much; whereas the Maxillary Glands have naturally a Consiguration fit for making this separation, which is enough (with∣out

using other reasons) to prove, that an Ar∣tificial Salivation is only an imitation and an Acceleration of the natural.

They also who are conversant about this Matter, know by experience, that it is more difficult to stop a Flux then to raise it, and therefore they who give it by the Unguent do always expose the sick to a mortal danger, because they cannot measure the quantity of Mercury, which ought to enter into the Bo∣dy, for puting that Pituit in motion, which is not precipitated, and opening the Pituitary Vessels by little and little; whence it does come to pass, that a great deal thereof does enter into them at once, which makes the Pituit and the rest of the Humours ascend to the Throat and Head, and produces Inflamma∣tions, which are ready to choak the Pati••••••, a thing which does very frequently fa••l out; upon which account, every one concerned ought for the future, to think of such means for exciting Salivation, as may be gentle, and safe.

This did oblige me to apply my self with all diligence to search for another kind of prepara∣tion of Mercury then what is to be found in Authors, by the means of which I can excite a Salivation, by giving, at the most, half a Drachm thereof, to the strongest Person, in four or five Doses, which will also Purge by stool, and a little by Vomit, Urine and Tran∣spiration;

and will give motion enough to the Phlegm to pass by the Mouth for as long a time, as when Salivation is excited by Friction, but in a manner that is imcompara∣bly more gentle, all the trouble which ensues upon Friction, being thereby avoided, which to speak the truth, is so great and intollerable (besides the danger to which the sick is ex∣posed) that if those who have the Venereal Di∣stemper knew the same, I am verily perswaded, that there is not one of them amongst a hun∣dred, but would rather choose to endure the Disease all his life time, though it should be never so short, then meddle with such a mis∣chievous Remedy.

That I may make it appear how intollera∣ble that method is, I shall shew in what man∣ner those that have the Pox are commonly treated when they are to undergo Salivation by way of an Unguent.

I suppose that the Patient hath no other Di∣sease in complication with the Pox, which would require distinct Remedies, that ought to be first given, and that the Venereal Di∣stemper is only to come under considera∣tion.

I do likewise suppose that the Person that is to undergo the Friction is of a good and strong Habit of Body, to engage with the Re∣medy, without any great Preparation, for the

correcting of the evil qualities that are predo∣minant in his Blood.

Now the Patient is to be prepared, First, they give him a Glister to dispose him for bleeding; the next day they let him Blood; and afterwards repeat bleeding, according as the Patient is more or less Sanguine or Pletho∣rick. They purge him at least, three or four times, for carrying off the more gross Excrements; and after that, they Bathe him for eight or ten days, to make the humours fluid, to open the Pores of the habitude of the Body, and to make the Mercury pass more easily through the Skin. Some, for the better opening of the Pores, give a Sudorific, putting them three or four times in a Sweat, placing the Patient under a Canopy, archet, or any other Instrument proper for that purpose: And in the mean time, they give him a Ptisan to drink, to cause heat, and put the humours in Motion, and withal dimi∣nish his Diet gradually, till he be wholly re∣duced to Broths.

After that, they begin Friction, with the Mercurial Unguent, which they have prepared before: This Unguent is ordinarily prepared according to this form, or some other that may be reduced hereunto, buy putting more or less Mercury in it. Take six ounces of Quick-silver, beat it in a Marble Mortar, with

it's cover of Wood, with three or four ounces of fine Turpentine, when the Mercury is ex∣tinguished, add thereto a Pound and a half of Hoggs-lard, and one ounce of the Oyl of Laurel; the Unguent must be beaten a long time, for dividing the Mercury, the beating being to last for the space of seven or eight hours, this is called the Gray, or Neapolitan Unguent, which is the same that the Apothe∣cries sell for the Scab, with this difference, that the latter has a less mixture of Mer∣cury.

This Unguent is then taken, and after ha∣ving made a great fire, with a Screen before it, they make the Patient warm himself in his shirt, that the Unguent may make a far∣ther entrance, and they rub it on him, for that time, very well, from the Soles of his Feet to above his Knees, and from the Wrists, to his Shoulders, using in this Friction, two or three ounces of Unguent; after that, they put the Patient in a Bed very warm, oblig∣ing him to keep very close and covered, ha∣ving, before that, so ordered the Bed and all the Room, that the Air is shut out, and the wind can have no entrance, keeping a good sire on, by Night and by Day, even when the wheather is but moderately cold.

The next day following, they put the Pa∣tient in the same Posture, and making use of

a little more of the Unguent, they rub all his Body (the Head, the fore-part of the Breast and Belly being only excepted;) and after∣wards commit him to his Bed warm as before.

On the third day, they repeat the same, and if they do not perceive the marks of an approaching Salivation, they continue the like method, by a fourth, a fifth, and a sixth Fri∣ction, and if after all, the Signs of Salivation do not appear, they think it the best way (in∣stead of using more Frictions which may prove mortal) to give the Person, a small Dose of Mercurius Dulcis by the mouth, to deter∣min or begin the Salivation.

Then it is, that whilst the Mercury, af∣cends to the head, the Patient finds pricking Pains in his Mouth, which are followed with Ulcers therein. And because the Phlegm is ordinarily carried thither with a Rapid Moti∣on, it does draw along with it self the other humours, which inflame all the Head and Throat, and put the Patient in danger of be∣ing suffocated: yet if the Salivary Vessels be opened, and the Pituit sufficiently Fluid, it does run swift enough, and two or three Pounds of the Saliva are every day evacuated at the mouth.

This Salivation, that it may answer the de∣sign, ought to continue at the least for the space of fifteen, and at the most, thirty days; and

during that time, the Patient is to eat nothing but Broth, some yolks of Eggs upon the re∣mission, and a Ptisan made with Guiacum which is something offensive to the taste.

They give the Patient a Glister every other day, and sometimes Purge him gently, especi∣ally towards the end of the Salivation, which being over, they give him a formal Purge, they let him again Blood, and put him to sweat, according as he is more or less dried by the Salivation.

To this it must be added, that the Patient is not to stir out of Bed, and that his Linnen must not be shifted for seven or eight days, and that he must wear the same shirt that he had on when the Friction was begun, which would be no matter of great hardship for some old Souldier, who might possibly wear a dirty and lousy one much longer time; but for those Gallants who pretend to neatness, I verily believe, that they need no other Ar∣ticle of Pennance from the most rigid Confes∣sor.

What has been said of this Matter, is sup∣posed to be in a Mans Case; for, as to the Female Sex, if their monthly Courses do not proceed regularly, proper means are to be us∣ed to regulate them, before the Remedy be applied, and if the Woman be with Child, there are Measures to be taken, with regard to all particulars.

I also supposed, that the Persons who re∣ceive the Friction, is of a good Habit and ea∣sie to be cured; for seeing by this Method, the Mercury has entred into the Body with∣out any proportion, and that this Entrance does depend upon the Disposition of the Pores of the Skin; It does frequently happen that those Pores are very much shut, and that on∣ly a very small quantity of Mercury does en∣ter, which not being capable to dissolve the Phlegm, which is over all the Body, does still leave some Venereal Ferments behind, upon which occasion the Pox does quickly appear again. And when the Pores are too large, a great deal of Mercury gets an entrance, which does attenuate the Phlegm with too great ce∣lerity, and draws it to the Head, and to the Salivary Vessels, with the other Humors, whence not only a danger of Suffocation does ensue, as we have said, but also this pre∣cipitated Motion does hinder the equal distri∣bution of the Mercury, through all the Body, and the resolution of the coagulated Humors, which the Mercury would otherwise perform therein; so that in this Case there can be no Cure any more expected; it is so far true, that a great or small quantity of Mercury does sig∣nifie nothing in this Method; and neverthe∣less, it does not depend on him who does ma∣nage the Friction, to make it enter more or

less, as we have said, but wholly on the Dis∣position of the Pores; whence we may draw this Consequence, that those who undergo a Method of Cure by the Unguent, are not re∣stored but by accident, and that they are more obliged to their good Constitution than to the Physician who prescribes the Medicine.

That will not happen, if Salivation be ex∣cited by taking Mercury at the Mouth, be∣cause in this case it may be entertained as long as it is thought necessary, and also augmen∣ted, when we perceive that it is not copious enough.

This way of Salivation is not dangerous, because it is excited by little and little. It is more gentle, because there is one part of the Matter discharged, which the Mercury does evacuate by Stool, Vomiting, Urine and Transpiration. It is not troublesome, there being no need for all that dolorous Fatigue to which the Patient is exposed by means of the Unguent, and by this Method, he may get out of his Bed when he pleases. It is short, because this Remedy is given to all, and the time from the giving of the Mercury, to the appearing of the Salivation, being ordina∣rily but six or seven Hours, is sufficient to pre∣pare the Patient, if need be; and this Prepa∣ration is only some Bleeding, which is done to those who stand in need of it, and some

Broth made of Herbs, to those who are of a hot Disposition of Body; the Salivation being once over, there is a Purge given with some Royal Ptisan, and the Work is done.

It is true, that when the Skin has been in∣fected, some gentle Sudorific may be given by way of precaution, viz. a Glass of the Water of Carduus Benedictus, with a little Cinnamon Water, and some drops of the vo∣latil Spirit of Sal Armoniac, to be drank every Morning, for three or four days together; Which is an admirable Remedy for procuring Sweat without any Trouble, in a manner that is the most gentle that can be imagined. If it be advisable to sweat more copiously, there may be six grains of the volatile Salt of Vi∣pers added thereunto.

This Method of procuring a Salivation by Mercury taken at the Mouth, is not unknown to able Men. It is also practised in places of greatest renown. Some make use of crude Mercury, which is extreamly dangerous, for Reasons mentioned else where; others, white Precipitate, which I do not believe to be with∣out danger, because it is prepared with Aqua Fortis, the salt Spirits of which do unite them∣selves so strongly to the Mercury, that they cannot, by any means, be again separated, though it may be sweetned with washing, and the Spirit of Wine, and may be also prepared

without Aqua Fortis; but since I have not seen these Medicines tryed, and have great cause to suspect them, I will not determine any thing concerning them.

I only know, that Mercurius Dulcis subli∣mate, which some use, is not in the least dan∣gerous, by reason of its preparation, which Experience has confirmed to be very good: But seeing it is necessary that a great quantity thereof be given to each Patient, there ha∣ving been one Person that had the Venereal Distemper in the first Degree, who took more than six hundred Grains, before his Cure could be effected; I shall not make use of such a Remedy so long as I can make a Sali∣vation with a Mercury that is more sweet than that, and in so small a quantity, that the Work may be very easily compleated, by tak∣ing fifteen or twenty Grains, and at the most thirty, for the most robust Persons, in three or four Doses.

To make it appear that the thing is very easie, we must make the following Observati∣ons, which shall withal, most clearly contain all the Process that I use in my way of pre∣paring Mercury.

First, to proceed upon sure Grounds, we must banish every thing that is sharp, for the Mercury does find enough of that in the Bo∣dies of those who have the Venereal Distem∣per;

there is also enough in all Bodies, which joyns with it, and gives it force enough to open the Salivary Vessels.

Secondly, Seeing Mercury is a great Enemy to the Brain, and to the nervous Parts, when it is crude or ill prepared, it must not be given crude, nay, not with a Purgative, which sends it off by Stool, for this is not the way to procure a Salivation, because it cannot be doubted but that there is a way to prepare it so, as it shall not be dangerous, as we see for example, in Mercurius Dulcis, which is known by Experience to be a harmless Remedy.

Thirdly, That in what manner soever Mer∣cury be prepared, it can never be so divested of its own Nature, but that it will always keep a Character of its first Form, which it can easily resume in all the ordinary Preparati∣ons, and that it is good to divest it as much as is possible, at least, as much as is necessary, that the Mercury may not be revived in the Body.

Fourthly, That for this reason, the Mercu∣ry must be given in as small a quantity as pos∣fible; and it is to be observed, that when Friction is allowable, as it is in Persons of a good Constitution, there does very little Mer∣cury enter into the Body, although the Un∣gu•••• does contain much of it; and it is so far thus to be presumed, that there are some

judicious Persons who have maintained an O∣pinion, that in this case, nothing but the sin∣gle Vapor of the Mercury does enter into the Body, and if one had the Curiosity to gather the Mercury that remains in the Linnen, there would be the same weight found, that was put in the Unguent at the first.

Fifthly, That although the Mercury be made fit to go to the Head, and raise a Sa∣livation; yet this Salivation shall do no good, if it be not performed by such a motion as is called Critical; that is to say, that the Vene∣real Matter must be separated from the Mass of Blood, that it must be conveighed out of the Body by the most convenient Passages, which will not happen, if the Mercury be not a double Mercury, which may exert its Acti∣vity from all Quarters, and be distributed through the whole Body, in conformity to the motion of the Blood, that it may be in a Capa∣city to seize upon the Venereal Ferment in all the parts of the Body; and therefore we must think it to be much better, if we could joyn it inseparably by way of Fermentation, to some domestick Spirit, that is well acquainted with the Affairs of the House, to conduct it through all those Stages.

Sixthly, When this is once effectually per∣formed, we shall only have a Medicine which will be more proper for Transpiration than

for Salvation: And therefore there must be an Assistant that is no Stranger to this Kind, which must be made fit to produce all these necessary motions.

Ignorant Persons may imagine that I talk to be seen, and not to be understood; but Men of reason, who by Study and Industry, do in some measure know the Nature of the Subject about which I treat, will understand me at the first reading, and do me the Right to declare in my Favour, that it is not possible for me to explain more clearly and faithfully, the preparation of a Medicine of this impor∣tance.

And for such Persons it is, that I have writ∣ten this Treatise; 'tis just, that they receive the Benefit of it, and that, in the mean time will invite others, by their Example, to In∣dustry and Study. Qui nucleum ex nuce vult excorticat nucem. i. e. He that would have the Kernel must crack the Shell. I further declare, that neither Ambition nor Covetous∣ness moved me hereunto. What I offer has a Foundation in reason, which assisted me in the finding of it, and this reason is seconded by a very fortunate Experience.

By this means we may cure the most in∣veterate Pox, I have already excepted that De∣gree of it, where there is a Caries of the Bones of the Nose or the Skull. Yet we may rea∣sonably

think it sufficient. Nevertheless, from the time that I first discovered this Anti-vene∣real Medicine, although I have cured a great number of those who had the Venereal Distem∣per, I have not yet had enough of such Persons, who had their Bones so very much putrified, as to afford me an Occasion of establishing by Experience, an absolute Assurance of the thing. No body, in these days, does suffer himself to be eaten to the Bones by the Vene∣real Distemper, they look to it, in some rea∣sonable time, without exposing themselves to the Fatality of the last Degree, but because I have formerly seen many, even of this sort, who could not be cured, either by Mercurial Pills or Friction, which were given them with no small Rigour; I have, with good success, used on the like Occasions, a Fumigation or Vapour, with Turpentine or Balsam of Peru, the Crust of Bread in Powder, and a little Mercury, and thereby raised a happy Saliva∣tion, proceeding gently at the first. Yet this Method is not absolutely without Danger, al∣though Mr. Sylvius de Leboe has said of it, that the Fumigation is the safest way; it is easie, by making the least Observation, to be of a contrary mind, and I shall demonstratively prove, that this Remedy cannot cure all sorts of Pox, and if another way can be found for curing the Caries of the Bones, I would not

advise any one to use this; but seeing this Method is not used in this Country, and there are very few who knows how to practise it, I shall no longer insist on it.

I do not here prescribe any particular Me∣thod for Infants, because I know they may be very well cured without salivation, by the on∣ly use of Sublimate, or in all Cases, by that of the Golden Precipitate.

Neither do I particularly consider as yet, the Case of Women, who have irregular Courses, because we know by experience, that the Remedy I have given does infallibly pro∣voke the Menstrua, and that it does not in the least divert Salivation: We have also obser∣ved, that the same Remedy does provoke the Haemorrhoids in Men who are subject to them, without diverting Salivation.

And upon this account, it ought not to be given to Women with Child, for fear of an Abortion; but the Solar Precipitate is to be used, and that with great moderation and pru∣dence, and in Case the Cure cannot be com∣pleated before she is brought to Bed, by reason of her being near her Time, which will hin∣der the Continuance of the Remedy, it may be conveniently done afterwards, and in gi∣ving it to the Mother, the Child will be cured at the same time, if some Grains of the Vola∣tile Salt of Vipers be given to it from time

to time. Or the Mother may be salivated in that Case, if the Physician pleases.

There is no need of a separate Chapter for a Description of the Medicines that may cor∣rect the ill Accidents that frequently follow upon Salivation, that is made by the mercurial Unguent which, to speak the truth, are so dreadful, that they are enough to strike us with Horror, when we read them in Authors. You may judge how intolerable they are to the Patients, and what a Tragedy they are to the Spectators: For if the Medicine be well ordered, there will no ill Accident ensue, there needs only a common Gargarism to qua∣lifie the Ulcers of the Mouth, yet this is not to be used too often, unless there be an Haemor∣rhagy, least the Ulcers be closed up too soon, and so the Salivation have not a due time for its Continuance, which ordinarily, is at the least fifteen, sixteen or twenty days, or at the most thirty days, which happens very seldom, unless when it is thought necessary to be enter∣tained so long.

CHAP. X. Of the Chancre.

I Speak not here of Chancres that are the Accidents of the Venereal Distemper, be∣cause these are cured by the same Remedy, that is proper for the Pox, but only of those that are the particular Pox, the Ferment of which has not been carried farther than the part which at first received it; and whereof we have spoken sufficiently in the preceding Chapters, with respect to the Theory; so that it is needless to repeat the same thing. As for the Practice, I differ somewhat from some Authors whom I have seen, not from a Spirit of Contradiction towards any Person, but be∣cause I learned by Reason and Experience, that this sort of Chancres may be more succes∣fully and easily cured, otherwise than by the ordinary Methods.

They alledge that all Chancres of the right Sort, ought to be Cauterised, and then brought to Suppuration; and for this purpose, they make use of Red Precipitate, of Lapis Infer∣nalis, or the common Caustic, or Sublimate Corrosive, and they Cicatrize the Chancre with a Suppurative, after that they use the Ordinary Remedies, and in the mean time

they Purge the Patient frequently with Mer∣cury, for the depuration of his Blood, be∣cause they suppose, that it would be very ex∣traordinary for the Chancre to remain in a Part, for any long time, without transmit∣ting insensibly some Particles of the Venereal Ferment into the Mass of Blood, which may produce the Universal Pox, if it be neglected, and besides that, those who use the greatest Precaution, give Diaphoretics to the Patient, after those Remedies. All this is attended with an insupportable Pain, and unspeakable trouble to the Person, besides the unreasonable time which it requires. I am confident, that if Vigo's Plaister, with a little Mercurius Praecipi∣tatus dulcis be applyed to the Patient, and if some Doses of the Solar Precipitate be given to him; The most inveterate Chancre shall be safely Cured without pain, without trouble, and in a little time.

If there be a Phymosis or a Paraphymosis (that is to say, the former, when the Glans is so enclosed within the Prepuce, that it can∣not be uncovered, or the latter, when it is so uncovered that it cannot be again covered) but the latter especially, being attended with an Inflammation and a Pain; the same Solar Precipitate, after once Bleeding, is an Ef∣fectual Remedy.

CHAP. XI. Of the Heat of Ʋrine and the Virulent Go∣norrhea.

IT would require a Book by it self to treat of this kind of Pox exactly; yet all sorts of Persons meddle with it, and there are those who pretend that they can easily Cure it with Water and Sugar, others with a bare Royal Ptisan, which is to be taken every day, till the Cure be Compleated, a third Sort, with the Salt Polychrest or Chrystal Mineral; in a Word; every one does flatter himself with the Fancy that he has found an Excellent and easy Method for Curing this Disease.

Yet they who are most Conversant about those things, and who are to be Credited, are obliged to acknowledge, that if there are sometimes Heats of Urine that may be easily Cured, there is also a great number of others which are hard enough to be Cured; and that oftentimes the great Disease might be more easily Cured then any Venereal Heat of Urine whatsoever, especially, if it be not well lookt to at the beginning, and if the specific Remedies be neglected, or ill admini∣stred.

I have seen no approved Treatise of this Subject, but what does give Rules that are to be observed, for a good Cure. And therefore, I shall not here particularly treat of them. Yet I hope, within some time, to give some singular Observations upon this Subject, which I would have willingly done in this Impression, if they had been ready for a publication.

Yet that this Treatise may not be altoge∣ther Defective, I shall here lay down a Me∣thod of Practice for ordinary occasions.

I do not repeat what I have said in the fourth Chapter, touching the Theory of this particular Pox: for although I did not very much enlarge upon it, you may there find that which is necessary for the Knowledge of it's Nature, and the manner of it's Pro∣duction.

First, If the Person be of a very hot Tem∣per, and Plethoric, and the Pain, and heat of Urine considerable, there is no danger in Bleeding him, and repeating it as often as it shall be thought necessary; The Blood must be taken in the Arm, to make a true revulsi∣on, and not in the Foot, which would draw the Humours more upon the part.

They were formerly, very scrupulous to let Blood, and especially, in the Arm, because they

believed, that that might attract the virulency into the mass of Blood, and thereby occasion the great Pox, but they were undeceived, af∣ter they saw that both reason and experience do manifestly justify Phlebotomy. The circula∣tion of the Blood does plainly shew, that if there were any danger in letting of Blood, the practice would be as dangerous in the Foot as in the Arm; and experience shews, that bleeding in the Arm does so much contribute to the Cure, that it is the means of preven∣ting the Pox, because it cools and suppresses the inflammation, and thereby hinders the pro∣gress of the Venereal Ferment, it disburdens the Sanguinary Vessels, and so makes way for Purgatives and Diuretics to operate with the greater Efficacy.

Yet I do not alledge, that all sorts of Pa∣tients ought to bleed, but only those who are hot, Sanguine and Plethoric.

I Advise withal that the Virulency be not neglected, and that the specific Remedy, which is Mercurius dulcis, be not forgotten, which is sufficient for this Disease, if it be given with convenient Purgatives, as Cassia, fine Catholicon, or Confection of Hamech, and repeated from time to time, as necessity shall require.

Nevertheless this Remedy will be inef∣fectual, or very slow on some occasions, as when the hot Urine is roapy, which happens when the Inflammation is very great, and the Patients suffer great Pains, that cause a Convulsion in the Nerves of the Yard, which by dilating themselves in their breadth, do re∣tire toward their Original, and so make the Yard crooked or twisted; In this Case it will be found, that one Dose of the Solar Preci∣pitate seasonably given, will be a very safe and effectual Expedient.

In the mean time, care is to be taken, that the Patient may be Cooled, which is one of the first things to be done, and 'tis to be re∣membred, that if he be heated from the be∣ginning, by a Purgative, the Malady be∣comes thereby very Rebellious, and the Symptoms are exceedingly encreased; or the virulent Matter shall be thrown upon the Stones: Emulsions are the best means that can be used for cooling, after which, if it be thought convenient, there may be given some very cooling Prisan for Example, of whole Barley, the Roots of Water-lilly, Sorrel, Marsh Mallows, and of Liquorice, Linseed, the Cold Seeds, white Poppy Seed, and some Lemmon juyce, all boyled together in a proportionable quantity of Water, which

must be always a great deal, because the Pa∣tient must drink as much of the Ptisan as his Stomach can bear.

When the accidents disappear, so that the virulency is mitigated by the means of Mer∣curious Dulcis, that the running is not so great, and becomes prety white, if an Ulcer be thought to be in those Parts that are the Seat of the Gonnorrhea, there must be put in the Pri∣san a little of the Salt Polychrest, or Crystal Mineral, or which is much better, the fixed Salt Armoniac, which is a gentle and power∣ful Diuretic for cleansing Ulcers, after which, to consolidate the Part, there must be given, for some mornings, in a little Wine, twelve or fifteen drops of a mixture made by distillation, of two parts of the Balsam of Peru, one Part of the Ethereal Spirit of Turpentine. Or, this following preparation of Antimony may be used, which is a good remedy for drying an Ulcer; it stops the running of matter, gently and insensibly, and also expells the re∣mainder of the virulent matter, by sweat, when it has not been sufficiently taken off by preceeding Medecins.

Take equal Parts of good Antimony, and of Harts-horn calcined to a whitness, mix these two substances very well upon Marble, put the mixture in an open Earthen Vessel, set it

in a Wind Furnace, you shall calcine them, by stirring the matter continually with an Iron Spatula, till the smoak thereof be well over; after which the whole is to be put into a Crucible with a large bottom; calcine them therein over a great fire, for the space of two hours; you shall have a Powder, white as Snow, and which for some great and peculi∣ar advantages, is preferable to the vulgar Dia∣phoretic Antimony; which will be manifest by experience: The Dose is, half a Drachm with the Conserve of Roses, or any other conserve, or water of the like nature, as you please.

No injections are to be used, if they may be avoided, but sometimes we are at last ob∣liged to use them, and that we may have one that is proper and safe, this is to be made use of.

Take a handful of Hors-tail, as much of red Roses, and five or six Flowers of a Pome∣granate, or their peeling in proportion. Let all be boyled in three pints of Claret Wine of a good Body, to the diminution of the half, then strain it through a Linnen-cloath to free it from the grosser Parts, and make an injection with it three or four times a day.

All these Remedies will be unprofitable, if the Patient does not observe good Rules for

governing himself, he must be continent, use no violent exercise (especially what may prove troublesome to the Reins, such as much walking, riding) avoid drinking of Wine, Sauces, play, watching, and the like.

CHAP. XII. Of a Bubo, or Poulain.

THE manner how a Venereal Bubo or Poulain is produced has been spoken of in the fourth Chapter, we need only add here, that seeing the Poulain is produced in a cri∣tical manner, it is not to be imagined, that it is a perfect Crisis; and when such a tu∣mour does appear in the Groyn, which makes a Poulain, although the Venereal matter of that Poulain has been separated from the mass of Blood, and the Blood is entirely cleansed from it, yet there does always remain a great deal more, and even when the Poulain does suppurate very well, there is some time re∣quired, before the mass of Blood can be freed; and possibly this will never happen, unless there be great care taken, both to draw forth the matter by external Remedies, as by Cup∣ping Glasses, and Vesicatory Plaisters, and like∣wise to give frequent and strong Purges by

Specifics; besides a Sudorific diet, which some prescribe, the better to consume the Venereal Ferment, with which the whole Blood is in∣fected.

And upon this account, we ought to look upon this sort of Pox, not as particular, but Universal, because the virulency thereof does reside in the Blood, and it is upon this ground, that I am of opinion, that it does re∣quire the same Remedy. I further affirm, that by that means, it shall not only be Cured with all imaginable assurance, but likewise in a much less time, then according to the ordi∣nary method.

To understand this well, we need only observe, that two or three Month's time is often times requisite for perfecting the Cure of a Poulain. When it begins to appear, they apply Cupping-Glasses to it, to draw the mat∣ter outwards, and stay it in that Part, which puts the Patient to a great deal of Pain; after which, they apply very attractive Plaisters or Cataplasms, and very frequently it is a Month before that Bubo come to a state of suppurati∣on, especially in those who are of a cold and Melancholly temper; for in those that are Sanguin it does suppurate more easily: when the Purulent matter is of some maturity, they open the Bubo with a Launce or Cauter, and

dress it as they do other tumours, till the sup∣puration be over, which is of a very long continuance: in the mean time they Purge the Patient frequently with Mercurial Pills they confine him to a Diet Drink and after all, there are some who make him sweat a little, or empty him by Diuretics.

If the Solar precipitate be used every third day, and Vigo's Plaister with Mercury, be applyed to the Bubo; Poulains shall be Cured without danger, if what we said in the Eight Chapter be observed, where we spoke of the Golden Precipitate.

By this method you will find that Pou∣lains are resolved, and the consequences are not to be feared, because, according to the Precautions that we have laid down, the Blood is so well depurated, that there remains no Venereal Ferment; and no Man can upon any good ground oppose this method, be∣cause, it may be often observed, that Poulains do disappear, (what ever may be pretended) after all kinds of suppuratives have been es∣say'd, and the Patient has endured a long Fatigue. And therefore, there is a necessity, to use the same methods as in the great Distem∣per, or, if it be not done in that time, those who differ from me, are constrained to use this way, when they see the ordinary signs of the Pox appear. Those who have practice

about Poulains, know very well that what I say, is true, and if they would be at the Pains to reflect on their own method, if they would take a view of the sick whom they have not recovered, or have cruelly tortured, and if they were disposed to quit the prejudices with which they are Blinded, they would quickly embrace what I propose, seeing it is a more certain, gentle and short way.

But if a Poulain comes to suppurate of it self; it would, in this Case be very foolish, to drive the Venereal matter into the Body, to evacuate it by stool, or any other way than by the Part it self; which ought to be cauteri∣zed or launced, without expecting any thing but the Maturation of the abscess it self. The matter must be let alone, to run so long as it can of it self, by keeping in the passage a Tent of Lint only, and the like upon the Plaister which we have mentioned, and in the mean time, the other Remedies of which we have spoken are to be given, as if the Bubo had not been opened.

I declare, it is very much to be wished that Buboes did suppurate of themselves, and also, that if instead of the drawing Plaister, the matter could be so ordered that all the Venereal matter, with which the mass of Blood is infected, might be evacuated through the passage that is made after suppuration;

the sick would receive some comfort, under the extraordinary pain which they suffer, and the wearisom time that is taken for the Cure: But to suffer much, to be patient beyond pa∣tience, and to take an extraordinary Number of troublesome Medicins, all this, I say, is sufficient to open the Eyes of those who are most stupid, and oblige them to consider what I propose to them.

I know very well, that it is a matter of some difficulty, for those who have been pre∣vented with a contrary method, to accommodate themselves to this: reason, how Pregnant so∣ever it may be in it self, has ordinarily no power over those who are not in a condition to use it themselves, or (if they be) are en∣gaged by their interest, not to change; the continuance of the Disease, a great Number of Cataplasms, Pills, Ptisans maintain the Trade of not a few in the World, and are valuable enough to purchase some Lucre, which is fairly advanced by the Pains that the sick en∣dure, who being ignorant of the Nature of the Disease, do never think it great but when the pain is great, and when the Cure takes a long time: Nevertheless, because there are some able Men in all places, who hearken to reason, and who are so laudably disposed, that they suffer themselves to be convinced,

I hope, that there may be some one of such found, who will grant me one thing at least, which is to examin impartially what I offer; and when he shall find that what I affirm is not contrary to reason; it must also be en∣quired, if experience does agree with reason; by this means he will judge rightly, and if there be any cause for it, he may give me the lye, but I have no reason to be affraid of the charge, because, before I offered any thing to the World, I did three things, I rea∣son'd, I practised, and frequently reflected on my own experience.

Notes

• 'Tis by reason of the Salts with which the Seed abounds, that Voluptuous Men are called Sala∣ces, which is de∣rived from Sal, and Venus is said erta mari.
• (a)

  C. 8. lib. 1. Poster. &c. 1. l. 1. de Animâ.