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THese Diseases are wont to seize upon people about the beginning of Autumn; and sometimes also sooner, accor∣ding
to the temper of the foregoing Summer, whether that had been hotter, or cooler: & they some years rage so violently, as that they last the greatest part of the said seasons, miserably afflicting people all that while, and destroying very many of them; and that most especially in those Places, which the Dutch call Polders; which having for∣merly layen covered with Salt Water, and recovered since from the Sea by Mans Industry, by ray∣sing Banks against the same; they have by this means been made ha∣bitable, though not quite reduced to their pristine Nature, and purity. For there is still inherent in the same, I know not what Malignant Quality, which is generated out of the Putri'd Bottom of the Sea Wa∣ter: for which reason, at the afore∣said times specially, as also when the Ground in Sowing time, or otherwise, is broken up with the Plough, there breaketh forth a most Stincking and Contagious Aire: which lasteth, till such time as the
Issuing forth of this dangerous, and Morbifical Aire is stopped, by the Earths Pores being shut up, either by the Frost, or some other very cold Weather.
In like manner as Lakes also breath forth the like Contagious Aire; as do other Fenny, and Ma∣rish places also, when by the ex∣tream Heat of the Sun they are more dried up then ordinary: for by this means, both from the Pu∣trefaction of dead Fishes, and other Creatures, and perhaps from some Venomous ones too, dying there∣in for want of Water, this Malig∣nant Vapor is drawn up, and spread abroad.
As in Meadows also, that have layen drownd a long while under Water, after that by the continual heat of the Suns beames, the said water comes to be dried up, there is a Viscous, and Slimy Sediment left behind, which no Show••es of Raine can wash away, and dissolve; and this, by its filthy Stink, doth very often infect all the neighbor∣ing Inhabitants.
Now the Diseases, that cheifly reigne in these kinde of Places, are Bastard Tertian, and Quartane A∣gues, and many times, also Conti∣nued Feavers; and many other the like Distempers, which accompa∣ny the other, as Symptomes: among which the most usuall are, most stubborn & Intractable Obstructions, from whence oftentimes proceed Hard Tumors on the Spleen, and Li∣ver, and Violent Fits of the Collick, the Jaundise, and Stone; as also Impostumations in the Privy Parts, and continual Defluxions falling upon the Lungs, some of which bring them into a Consumpti∣on.
Of which Symptomes, seeing, as I have often said, there is much more care to be taken, then of the Feavers themselves which they at∣tend, though they be not yet quite gone, and therefore both the Re∣giment of Health, and the Medicines also, according as either of them are the more Violent, are to bee changed; I could not but give di∣rections
concerning the same, in my French Treatise; that even the meanest Countryman, and all o∣thers, that are destitute of the Phy∣sicians advise, might at least know, at what time, and what manner both of Medicines, and Meats they are to take, and what to forbear. Whom also I should here desire to take notice, that there is no trust in the Earth to be given to a sick Parties Ʋrine, unless the Physician see the Party also: Which being sent with the Sediment, (if there be any in it) all tumbled up and down, and sometimes is of a high fiery colour, and another while looks pale, and crude; there can no Certain, but rather some∣times a Contrary Judgement be made from it. As it falls out, a∣mong other diseases, in that of the Dropsy; wherein seeing the Patient ordinarily makes Urine but in a very small quantity, and that too after it had been long retained by him; you shall have it sometimes look higher-coloured, then in a
burning Feaver: as it is likewise less Red, in the height of a Feaver, then at the Beginning of it: which might deceive both the Phycisian, and the Patient, unless he saw him, so that he might observe his Coun∣tenance, Speech, and Pulse, which is the Messenger of the Heart; and so had opportunity by these to disco∣ver his disease; and by the same to be informed also, that as the Ʋrine growes Paler, the Heat of the Feaver increaseth; and that That, which had inflamed it, was now ascended upward toward the Head, and there threatned a Delirium, and a greater danger of the disease. So that it is a very plain case, that the Patients Urine is by no means to be sent to the Physician, without perfect In∣structions, and a due Care taken, that he may have withall a parti∣cular Account given him, by the party that brings it, of whatsoever concernes the present state of the Disease. Although I confess, for the most part, the Messengers, by which the sick Parties Urine is
carried to the Physician, are per∣sons that are not very able to man∣age such a business, as is the deli∣vering the Patients Account of himself to the Physician, or of bringing back the Physicians Advise to the Patient; which yet in many cases is a very considera∣ble business, and necessary to be done. And therefore I have ever refused to look upon the Ʋrine, un∣less I could see the sick party too, considering, that should I have done so, I could not possibly have satisfied either the Expectation of the Patient, or my owne Consci∣ence.
I have also in my French Treatise endeavored to lay open to the world the abominable Abuse and Cheat, that is practised by some Country Empiricks, and Quacksal∣ving Knaves, who gaping after their own unjust Gaines onely, to the most evident ruin of their Patients, are not ashamed to boast, (and the simpler sort of people believe them too) that by looking into the
Parties Urine onely, They can tell him his Destiny, whether he shall live or die: which yet is a thing that is by no possible means to be discovered from the Ʋrine: as nei∣ther hath any Author, since the world begun, ever pretended to the the same Peremptory giving of Judgement by it. So that there is no question to be made, but that, in case it should so fall out, that the party, upon whose Ʋrine any such judgment hath been made by some of these fellowes, should chance to die in earnest, this judg∣ment of theirs so made, upon pre∣tense of a bare Inspection into the Ʋrine onely, was pronounced up∣on the same either Casually, or Conjecturally only; or else was given rather by the power of Ne∣cromancy, and the like Diabolicall Arts. For the Indications, for the discovery of this so close, and lur∣king a disease, and the Medicines to be used in the cure of the same, are very far different from those, which are conceaved by these wretched,
juggling Mountebanks, to be the most certain, and proper in this case; and are, as such, obtruded upon the credulous Multitude.
Now in the next place I shall, according to my Usuall Method, briefly set down, (in favor of those that have not been at al accustomed to the Malignant Exhalations of this Ʋnhealthfull, and Dangerous Aire, and yet are necessitated, either to pass through these places, or per∣haps to make their aboad there for some time) such Medicines, and Rules of Diet, as I conceave most proper for their Preservation a∣gainst the same. And first of all, I would have people take notice, that this Epidemial Contagious Aire may possibly be spread abroad, and so not to be trusted, even before the Beginning of Autumn; especially in Hot Summers: and that too, by the space of some Weeks sooner then is usuall, in case the Heat of the Sun hath been very vehement in the Dog-days, or perhaps some good while before the same. For,
we conceave it a thing not to be doubted of, but that this Malignant Quality of the Aire is in these Ex∣cessive Heats of the Seasons much more Feirce, and Raging; and so much more Dangerous, and Infecti∣ous, then it is in other more Tem∣perate years, when the Heat hath neither been so Vehement, nor yet of so Long Continuance. So that it will in this case concern those that are careful of their health, to make timely provisions for themselves, by getting out of these parts before Summer is ended: or else if their Im∣portant, and Urgent businesse there cannot admit of this flight of theirs; their Bodies must then (as a Castle is by its Works and Trenches) be for∣tified by other Convenient Preser∣vatives. And therefore first of all I would have them correct the Ma∣lignity of the Aire by strowing Sweet Herbs about the roomes of their houses, and by sprinkling of Vineger about the house, and ma∣king Aromatical Fumigations. They must also take care of their Sto∣mack,
by drinking every morning a good draught of Wine, or Strong Ale; and in case they are to go a∣broad, they must eat a Breakefast first, & drink after it a lusty draught of the like good Wine, or Strong Ale; or at least they must sup up three, or four spoonfulls of Aqua Vitae, or rather may drink a draught of Wormewood-Wine (if it may be had) before they go abroad into the open Aire. But neither must they neglect the care of their Smell; but must fortifie their Nose a∣gainst the Contagiousnesse of this Pestilential Aire, by smelling to strong-sented things; as they must likewise their Mouth, by chewing such things, as I have prescribed in my former Discourse of the Plague. And these things, which I have here prescribed, are chiefly to be obser∣ved by such are unacquainted with this Malignant Aire, and yet are necessitated to go to these places, and perhaps to make some stay there. Yet seeing it is still some∣what doubtful, whether the Infect∣tive
Quality of this Contagious Aire may be sufficiently corrected by the aforesaid Remedies, they shall (if they be wise) do well to hasten their departure thence; that by this more certain remedy they may a∣void all disposition toward those so Long, and Dangerous Diseases: least being, before they are aware thereof, seized upon by the same, they increase the number of that vast multitude of persons that have perished thereby. For thus some very Honorable, and Eminent per∣sons, and thus also some Counsel∣lors of the Provincial Councel of Flan∣ders, having in the Vacation Time been held there by their business for some long time, and being not at all Armed against the Malignity of that Contagious Aire, when as the disease raged in those parts in an extraordinary manner; they have been infected with it; and so returning to their homes, have there either layen miserably langui∣shing for a long time; or else have in a little while died of the same.
To these I can adde diverse, both Colonels, Captains, Counts, and Mar∣quesses; who having had occasion of being in the said Parts, or in any other, that have been recovered from the Sea, by casting up of Banks against it, or else in some o∣ther Fenny Places, where they have been necessitated either to meet with their Enemy, or perhaps to keep Garrisons there; having been assaulted by these Contagious Aires, have either upon the place, or per∣haps being removed some whither else, yeilded up both the Victory, and their lives too, to the same.
All which things seeing I am very certainly assured of, as having bin a a most diligent observer of the same, ever since I practised Phy∣sick in Flanders, which is now a∣bout two and fifty years, I could not but give a light touch of the same; least if they should be buri∣ed in Oblivion, and no Notice ta∣ken of them, the world might yet be to seek for the same, both to our own great detriment, and that al∣so
of Posterity: and I have the ra∣ther discovered these things to the World, that so every wise man might the better make provision for his own safety, and in himself make that happy experiment, which is in every ones Mouth;
Foelix, quem faciunt aliena peri∣cula cautum. Hee's happy, who doth arme Himself by others harme.
As concerning the Curing of the aforesaid Feavers, as they are Epide∣mial, and also of the Symptomes of the same, seeing I my self have written abundantly in my French Treatise, and other approved Au∣thors also have treated largely of the said Feavers, though proceed∣ing from other causes, (of the dif∣ferent ways of curing whereof there is notwithstanding little regard, or notice to be taken,) I shall not here say any thing; but shall onely in this my Second Discourse add to the former, such other things, as I
found to be very rarely made use of, and yet were such as I conceived were of most excellent use in this case. And yet I know very well, that those that are of the more Cu∣rious sort in our Profession, have presently a strong prejudice against whatsoever they finde to be disso∣nant to the common way of Pra∣ctise, and which are commended to be the better, and more usefull things: and I know besides, that there are some of them, whose fin∣gers itch agen to be scribling; that so they may shew to the world, that they have lighted upon some thing which they can contradict. Which occasion of quarrelling, I confesse, they may very easily pick out of what I have delivered in my for∣mer Discourse, touching the Gout; concerning which there are found so many different Opinions, and Arguments, as that those that are unacquainted with, and have not experience of my New Way of Pro∣ceeding herein, may think them∣selves sufficiently furnished with
the same, so as to be able to hold Argument against my Reasons, though they have been confirmed by daily Experience; although they will never be able to overthrow them. As for instance, among o∣ther things it may be objected a∣gainst me, that I maintain that the Sciatica, or Hip-Gout is always cau∣sed by a Hot, and Sharp, or Salt Humor; and that the same, although it were never so Violent, and raged never so much, and was such, as o∣therwise would have been very long in curing, hath yet been mi∣raculously, and perfectly cured, by drinking a cup of Cold Well, or Fountain-Water, in the manner, and the ••imes before prescribed; provided this course be taken in the beginning of the Disease.
Besides, as this our Cold Water is used to cure most strangely, and certainly, both in this case and o∣therwise, being taken as well In∣wardly, as applied Outwardly; yet will not these men willingly admit of the same: much less will
they believe, that the applying of the same upon the part Affected, being afflicted either with a Hot, or Cold Humor, can produce the desi∣red effect. And especially they will be ready to maintain, that it is both an Absurd, and an Incredi∣ble thing, that the Blood and Spi∣rits being repelled, and driven back toward the Bowells, by the Immersion of the Legs and Feet in Cold Water, and being there heated, should return, and dispell the Cold Distemperature, and Nummednesse of the same: and again, that on the contrary, both the Spirits and the Blood, being in the same man∣ner, and by the same Cold Water driven back, and hindered from their return to the Part Affected, shall cure the said Feet, when they have been any way hurt, and are thereby inflamed. And yet that both these effects are wrought by this our Cold Water, if they please but to make trial of the same, Expe∣rience it self (which is always the Inseparable Companion of Reason)
will make manifest unto them. Which very thing Cornelius Celsus also considering, yet withall study∣ing Brevity, where he writes of this subject; he did not set down his Reasons, but left the business to the Examination of others; accor∣ding to that which is written: Quae∣rite, & invenietis, seek, and ye shall finde. Although notwithstanding I must confess that I beleeve, that it hath pleased Almighty God, though not in this case, yet in some other, (as is Evident in the Plague, and other Pestilential Diseases) not to reveale to Man the Occult Qua∣lities of some things. For, it was necessary, that nothing should be Prefect, but Himself onely.
And I beleeve, it will seem Ridi∣culous, to many, rather then Cre∣dible, that by the said Application of Cold Water, or by the Immersion of the part Affected into the same, such Wounds as I have before spoke of, with great Swellings and Bruises, may be perfectly, and more safely cured, then by any other Chirurgi∣call
way of Operation; and that, by the First Intention, without brin∣ging the same to Suppuration, and without any Pain, Impostumation or Erysipelas caused in the part affected; concerning which, I understand, I have been censured by some, that yet never made trial of this New way of Practise, but extreamly de∣cry this Truth, (with though themselves are ignorant of, is yet very certainly known to others:) and, laughing extreamly at it, de∣mand how it is possible, that so ex∣cellent a Remedy, and so ready at hand as this is, against so Common, and so Dangerous Disasters, could ly so long hid, and concealed from the world, to the so great detri∣ment, and prejudice of Mankinde. Whom notwithstanding (that they may not any longer envy the Pub∣like Good, and seem to look after their own Private Gain onely; and may forbear by striving against the Truth, to draw any more scandall upon themselves,) I do here assure, that I have found by Experience, in
very many cases, where there have been Great Swellings accompanying the Wounds, that by the Applica∣tion of the said Cold Water to the Part, or the Immersion of it in the same, for a good while together, as hath before been shewed, though this were done the next day after the hurt receaved, yet the Swelling hath fallen, and the Sore, being cleared from all Purulent Matter, hath closed up within three days, and the Part Affected hath reco∣vered its former strength againe. Yet notwithstanding I advise peo∣ple, (though, I confess, I have found it to succeed well enough, where I have had to do) that they would not be too rashly confident in this so Late Application of the same.
Neither can they want Argu∣ments, with which they may fur∣nish themselves out of the Best Au∣thors, to prove, that Letting of Blood, Purging Medicines, and Vo∣mits, and of good use in the Cure of the Plague: all which, not∣withstanding,
in those Plagues that have reigned in our times, both here, and in other places, and in that which began to rage againe at Gaunt, in the beginning of the yeer 1647. and ended the yeer fol∣lowing, I never approved of, but always held them for suspected, and dangerous. And where ei∣ther a Pleurisie, Peripneumony, or Quinsey, accompanying the Pesti∣lential Disease, seems to require the Opening of a Vein; the Skilful Phy∣sician may order matters as he shal think fit, with all due care: and yet after all his care, in so despe∣rate a Complication of Diseases, the may have very good cause to doubt that none but an unhappy success is like to follow; unless, that say∣ing of Hippocrates may here have any place, where he saies, that Probably, nothing is Impossible to Na∣ture. I confess I shall willingly as∣sent to those Authors, who though they will not allow of these Evacu∣ations, while the Venom of the Plague is strong upon the Patient,
do yet, when the said Venom is pret∣ty well overcome, and when the sick parties strength is not too much weakned, admit of Bleeding, in very Plethorical Bodies: and al∣low likewise of Purges, where the Body digests ill, and abounds with Putrid Humors: yet for as much as the Disease is not to be reckoned, now, to be within the Compasse of the Plague; and also because those, that usually attend upon Infected Persons, are not of suffici∣ent Capacity for the Managing of these Matters, I have therefore pas∣sed them by in silence.
I know besides very well, that I have rendred my self Obnoxious to the complaints of Impatient Pa∣tients, especially in the Gout; who while they desire to have that remo∣ved which cannot possibly be remo∣ved wil break out (together with the Carping Zoili of our age, of whom there is no end) into I know not what scoffing, and abusive Lan∣guage. Yet I must desire these
Gentlemen to remember, that I al∣ways excepted al Knotty, and Invete∣rate Gouts; which, as sometimes we cannot asswage the pains in them according as we could wish, so much less can we cure them total∣ly, by the drinking of Cold Water: as neither by the Opening of a Vein, the Pain, although it be not an In∣veterate one, is asswaged; so long as the Next Antecedent Cause is too strongly setled in the Neighboring Veins, and is also diffused far a∣bout through the other Veins. However it is sufficient, that it is most evidently sometimes of good use, as also that Cold Water, both in this Disease of the Gout, and in other Cases also, hath done very much good; where whatsoever o∣ther Medicines were taken, did ve∣ry little, or none at all: and be∣sides that in hath seldom failed of asswaging the pain of the same, and hath sometimes quite taken it a∣way; nay, and hath utterly exter∣minated, and banished it from the
Patient, and that in a short space of time too; especially, where the Opening of a Vein hath been joy∣ned with it.
Neither did I ever say, that we were to expect a happy success al∣ways from it: in like manner as we know, that such as are sick of a Dysentery, may begin too late to to make use of VVhey, and Purga∣tions of Rhubarb: especially when the Small Guts are very much cor∣roded, or when the Great Guts, be∣ing too much fretted by the Sharp∣ness of Humors, begin to putrifie, and are inclined toward being gangrened.
And so likewise, when in the Plague, at the very beginning of the Disease, the Patient takes not a Sudorifical Preservative; and when need so requires, doth not repeat the same: or perhaps, when, by rea∣son of some Impediment interve∣ning, it cannot be administred, or if it be administred, yet it may be overmastred by the Venom of the
Disease, which may be so strong, and powerful, as that by its exces∣sive Malignity, it can take away a man in a quarter of an houres space. So that I would have all men take notice, that I never in∣tended to maintain that this Terri∣ble, and Dangerous Enemy, was not so fearful a thing, as it is common∣ly thought to be; but I rather maintain the contrary, and say that it is really such. All that I intended to insinuate, was onely this; that if it were taken at the very beginning of it, it was much easier to be overmastered, and cu∣red, then most people imagine, sup∣posing there be nothing to hinder the putting in practise of our Me∣dicines: as I have found by most diligent observation, and by the faithful relation of many, that (by Gods blessing) have been most hap∣pily preserved by takeing such Pre∣servatives, and other things, as I have prescribed; especially, at the beginning of the Disease; wherein,
though absent, I took all the care that could be, that they might be rightly and duly admini∣stred.
As my purpose was likewise to publish to the world, by what Preservatives, and Cordials, and by observing of what Regiment of Health, very many, who in several places where the Pestilence raged extreamly, attended upon, and were continually in the house with those that were infected, though they themselves had never before been sick of the same, nor had been ever before accustomed to this so subtly-infecting an Aire, yet (by Gods mercy) were miraculously, and to the admiration of all peo∣ple, preserved, and kept from any the lest infection. And among these, and other the like things, I could not but give notice here, of how great use, and indeed how Necessa∣ry in this case Wine Vineger is; as the drinking of Whey is, in the Griping Flux of the Belly; and the
Drinking, and Outward Application of Cold VVater also is, in the Gout, and many other Pains in the Body,
The great force of which Three Liquors, and the Marvelous Vertues that God hath endowed them with, for the Good, and Preservation of Mankind, when I had by most Ex∣act, and Diligent inquiry into, and a long making use of the same with good successe, been most certainly assured of; I at length resolved to write of the same, and publish them to the world in Print, in some cer∣tain small Treatise, concerning the Disease called Cholera; and con∣cerning Epidemial Diseases, and their Symptomes, and touching the Biting of a Mad Dog. Which I the more willingly did, because I con∣ceaved, that the use of these Three Liquors may not onely be intrusted to such, as are not at all skilled in Our Profession, but rather ought indeed to be commended unto them; if there be any regard to be
had to Humane Infirmity, or Neces∣sity, if not to Mutual Charity: see∣ing that it so falls out for the most part, that either a Physician can∣not be had so timely, as is requisite in these Diseases; or perhaps, if the Disease raigne hot in the place, will not come when he is called: and also because that in the curing of those Diseases for which the use of these Liquors are designed, and in the administring of the same, all people may have (though not an exact, yet) a Confused knowledge at lest, and such as is in some sort sufficient for the business in hand; so that their administring of the same (to speake cleerly) cannot but do very much good: and especially when the Urgency of the Necessity requires the same, and cannot admit of any Delay; wherein there would be, for the most part, most Evident, and most Present Danger; as Ovid to this purpose well alludes, where he saies:
Opprime, dum nova sunt, subiti mala semina Morbi; Et tuus incipiens ire resistit e∣quus. Nam mora dat vires.
In English thus.
Acute Diseases first assault re∣straine; Whilst, setting out, horses obey the Rein. Delay addes Strength.
And as the same Poet elsewhere speakes no less pertinently, in these Verses.
Principiis obsta, serò medicina paratur, Cum mala per longas invaluere moras.
Which may be rendred thus.
Resist at first: the Cure's apply'd too late, When delay'd sickness brings ap∣proaching Fate.
Which Verses, if any where, they have place chiefly here, in the bu∣siness of the Plague, and in such other Contagious Diseases, where the Venom of the same is so ex∣treamly fierce, as that it in an In∣stant diffuseth it self through the body; and so likewise in the Gri∣ping Flux of the Belly; in which ca∣ses there is no wearing out, and Digesture of the Venom by length of time, to be expected. In like manner as I my self, being taken with this disease in the Seventy Sixth yeer of my Age (at which time also I was busie in putting this present Treatise to the Press,) per∣ceaving, toward the Evening, some Bloody Corrosion of the Guts fallen upon me; I did not at all defence
the business, but resolved present∣ly to fall to taking of Physick, (though it were then late at night) to purge out the Acrimonious Hu∣mor: and I drank as much Whey as possibly I could; and that with so good successe, as that I quite freed my self from it in the space of four and twenty hours. And the same successe have I had, in the same disease, two other severall times, by using the self same course.
And I would have people also take notice, that it was not in vaine, that in my French Treatise I gave my Judgement, that in the Jaundise, at the very beginning of the Disease, the Patient was to have Purging Medicines admini∣stred unto him; which are to be repeated also for four, or five daies together, if need so require; that the Conjunct Cause it self also, which being let alone, growes hard, and in time too sometimes petrifies, may be driven out of its Bladder, into the Guts. And to the end
that men may the easier believe how Necessary this Festination is in these diseases, I shall here, for the greater benefit of the Publike, adde, that I my self, about some fifteen daies before the aforesaid Dysentery seized upon me, was evi∣dently taken with the Jaundise; before the appearing whereof, I had a Griping Paine in my Belly; whereupon immediately followed the Whitenesse of its Excrements, to∣gether with a very Thick Ʋrine, which also had a Yellow Froth float∣ing on the Top of it: all which, together with the diffusion of Cho∣ler all over the body, as appeared by the Yellownesse of my Skin, clear∣ly shewed that it was the Jaundise. Yet notwithstanding, (by Gods blessing,) though I was of so great an Age, I perfectly recovered from this so Dangerous a Disease, with∣in five days after it seized upon me; after I had purged for three daies together, and that in a much greater abundance, then many
men, if they were of my age, would be able to bear.
And in like manner as in Wounds, which are best and most safely cured by the First Intention, the Ripening of the Purulent Matter is by all means to be prevented; so neither in the Disease, called Cholera, are people to protract the time, and expect the Digesture, and wearing out of the Malignant Humour; which, being taken in time, according as I have before prescribed, may easily be overma∣stered, by giving the party Theo∣phrastus his Pill, to the quantity of four, or five Graines; and so the patient would by this course as speedily be cured, as other∣wise, without it, he would be lost. And hence it is, that many liken this Disease to a Battell in War, in which, (as Horace saith,)
Aut cita mors venit, aut Victo∣ria laeta.
That is:
We soon are lost; Or Conquest boast.
And for this reason the Dutch call this Disease, in their Language, Kuyters Zieckte, that is, The Horseman Disease.
For very good reason therefore have we commended the Use of the aforesaid Three Liquors; seeing that, besides that by reason of their Excellent Virtue in the aforesaid Diseases, they are far to be pre∣ferred before any other the most pretious Medicines that are; they are also agreable to the Palate, and are every where to be had, as well by Poor, as Rich. For Wa∣ter is accounted a thing of no Va∣lue at all; and as for Vineger, and Whey, they bear no high price nei∣ther; and besides, because that those Diseases, in which the use of these Liquors is chiefly commen∣ded, are very frequent every where;
and are so common, as that they make our Physicians the greatest part of their business.
Neither would I have any to think, that, the vertues of these Three Liquors, and especially of Water, and Whey are to be confined within the bounds of the aforesaid Diseases onely: For, what skilfull Physitian is there that will not al∣low, that in the Heat of the Liver, a Feaverish Distemper, this Whey mixed with the Juyce of Citron may be administred for a Julip, and for an Apozeme, the same Whey, or Water, decocted with Sorrel, or Succory, or the like Herbs, and with some of the Opening Roots, or other things, of like quality, may be administred? if so be the Physician perceaves that there is any Obstruction, and that the same requires this course: into so much whereof as is strained out for use, a little Sugar may be put in to make it the more pleasant to the tast; all which Medicines may ea∣sily,
and for little charge be procu∣red by poor folks; and may with as great Advantage, and Ease be made by others too. For there is no need of any great number of Ingredients; which, by reason of the Diversity of their Qualities, prove oftentimes a hindrance to each other. For these things are enough, that are proper, and are of Vertue sufficient for the effecting of the business, when they are pre∣pared, and administred in a suf∣ficient Quantity. Nay, Whey ta∣ken alone, or Water taken alone, do many times abundantly satis∣fie the Expectation of the Physici∣an: as Gulen also tells us, that a lusty draught of Cold Water is a most present Remedy in a Burning Feaver. And, I confess, I my selfe had rather administer Whey alone in the Griping Flux of the Belly, then to give it mixt with other in∣gredients that are proper for the asswaging of the Acrimony of the Humors: neither do I approve of
putting into it so much as the lest quantity of Sugar, to render it the more pleasant to the Tast; neither yet do I allow of the putting it in∣to Ordinary Clysters; least they should cause the same to work too much, and should exas∣perate the Exulceration.
And here I shall now conclude, with this commendation of these Three Liquors; and willingly sub∣mit both this Compendious Trea∣tise, as also that which I wrote in French, both of them in my own Plain, and Ordinary Style, to the Prudent Judgement of the more Learned of our Profession, and to the Courteous Reader; and for a Close of all shall profess, that I have faithfully, and Sincerely written those things which I con∣ceaved were the Truest; without any purpose in the world of de∣tracting from any one, from whom I dissent in Opinion; nor have at all sought hereby after Fame. But my Only Design, and the drift of
my Writing hath been, to conse∣crate both my self, and all my En∣deavours, to the Publike Good; and I earnestly intreat the Reader, that he would accept of this Work of Mine, such as it is, with the same mind that it was written; and would vouchsafe to take in good part, and favourably interpret all things, as they have been written by me; and that of what things have been by Me brought into Common Practise, (though hitherto not made use of in these Cases) in those common Diseases that so fre∣quently befal Mankinde, he would boldly adventure to make due and seasonable Triall.
Vale & Fruere.