CHAP. I.
Contains Remarks on his Preface to this Essay.

HAving gone through his Novum Lumen Chirurgicum, clouded and stuffed as it is, with nothing but incoherent Mistakes and notorious Blunders; I should now go on to shew, that he not only hath the Impudence to boast of, and value himself upon, the most unreasona­ble Grounds in Chirurgery; but also, find­ing that the World will not be imposed upon one way, he endeavours to do it another; but he must expect that Physicians are not to be more easily deceived with Pretences then Chirurgeons.

[Page 32] He has pretended to such Miracles in Chi­rurgery, as might justly encourage Ingeni­ous Men to make Tryals of his Skill, but his Pretences being but Vain and False, and all that plentiful stock of Impudence which he made use of in vindicating his Folly, being not sufficient to procure him Business amongst Chirurgeons, he now is resolved to turn Phy­sician, and use all the base and insolent Means he can, to make himself taken notice of by those that are too easily credulous to specious▪ Promises, cloaked with Dogmatical and Reso­lute Positiveness.

But from what he hath already said of Nutrition in his former Book, any one that understands common Sense so much as to be able to distinguish it from Nonsense, will be satisfied, that he is by no means qualifyed for a Physician: Yet tho' he hath given the World, one would think, a clear Specimen of his Ignorance, and that he is a mere vain pretending Emperick; he hath still the Face to appear not only against Chirurgeons, but a whole Body of Learned Physicians, and tell the World, that no Body knows any thing besides himself, when it plainly appears, that he is altogether ignorant, shallow and widely mistaken in those things he most pretends to.

To make it appear, I shall in the next place take a View of what he says of Acids [Page 33] in the Cure of Distempers, and shall shew, that he neither understands the Nature of Alkalies, nor of those Acids he so much ex­tols, and also, that what he irrationally and so dogmatically asserts, contrary to all Learn­ed Writers and common Experience, is very foolishly advanced; and that the consequen­ces of such absurd Practice are very dangerous as well as the Practice it self very pernicious, and not to be followed without the greatest hazard of the Lives of those that are so much misled as to make use of him, and to com­mit themselves to the irregular and unreason­able Methods of such an absurd Practicer.

And before I examin the grand Mistakes of his Book, I shall take notice of some things he hath premised in his Preface, which will lay open his Design; and the Method he takes to impose upon those, that want Judgment to discover his Faults.

The first thing I shall there take Notice of, is, that in the fifth Page of his Preface he says, There are some particular Preparations of Steel and Antimony, the which giving as Alkalies, and as they are generally believed to be, did me very great Service; but since I have well examined them instead of Alkalies I find them to be most noble Acids, and the Distem­pers cured by them did not proceed from Acid, but Alkalious Particles.

Here we may see what Methods this short [Page 34] sighted Reformer intends to take; for where he hath not the least Pretence that Acids are useful in the Cure of Distempers, there we must expect that rather then he will not pro­mote his Doctrin of Acids, he will change the very Names of Things, and call Alkalies Acids and Acids Alkalies; for those Medicines that are used in the Cure of Distempers, and now called Alkalies, he must needs call A­cids; by which Rule, I would think him ne­ver the wiser, if he could prove, that Bitter Medicines will cure such Distempers as Alka­lies are generally used in; for it is but calling those Alkalies Bitters, and then the Business is done, and by the same sort of Reasoning (for it is all the Reasoning he can pretend to,) I might prove to the World, that he is worse then the very Beast of the Field; for it is but changing his Name and instead of calling him Mr. John Colbatch, A Wooden Statue: but this is a way to raise new Opinions indeed; If a Man must be no longer called so, but a Horse, and a Horse a Man; it would not be an Im­provement of Knowledge, but an unnecessary Alteration of the Names of Animals; at this Rate there might be as many Books writ, as foolish Men could invent Names for Things. But that Steel is not an Acid when it is used for an Alkalie, I shall hereafter shew, and that Alka­lies are not the Causes of those Distempers, that are cured by such Medicines; in the mean [Page 35] time it is altogether sufficient for me barely to Contradict him, since I have all Learn­ed and Judicious Men to confirm what I say, and he barely asserts without Proof or Autho­rity.

A little after, having made a Confession that he was an Apothecary in Worcester, a little after that he endeavours to give an Ac­count of the Qualifications of that Professi­on; that People may judge whether he was not by that means qualified for a Physician; but who would he have to judge; if he de­scribes the Qualifications of an Apothecary, that Physitians might judge, whether that Profession had qualified him for a Physician or not; he might have saved himself the trouble; for they know better what will qualify one for an Apothecary, and how far that comes short of a Physician, than he can tell them; but if he designed those that do not understand Physic should judge of him, he ought also to have informed them what Qualifications are necessary for a Physician, otherwise they are not capable of judging; but by his Writings it is plain, he is not ac­quainted with those Qualifications; neither indeed if we must judge of him by those Rules he hath laid down, as Qualifications for an Apothecary, is he qualified for an A­pothecary; for,

[Page 36] First, he says; An Apothecary must be well acquainted with the Vegetable Kingdom, not on­ly to know the Faces of Plants, but their Na­tures and Manner of Operation upon Human Bodies: Otherwise how can they tell how to handle them, so as to make Compositions as they ought to be. Now that he wants this first Qualification is very plain; for if he does not understand human Bodies, it is impossible he should know how they operate upon those Bodies; that he does not understand human Bodies is manifest from the Ac­count he hath given in his Novum Lu­men, which I have shewed to be False and Ab­surd.

But under this first Qualification he fur­ther says; Every Physician supposes the Apo­thecary so Qualified, when he prescribes to his Shop. But here I must tell him he is mista­ken; for as it is not necessary that Apothe­caries should be so Qualified, so such Qualifi­cations are not expected by Physitians that prescribe to them; for an Apothecary may compound Medicines without knowing the Nature of those Medicines that he com­pounds; for all Apothecaries make up their Compositions according to Receipts in which they are directed, how to mix them, and what Quantity of each is to be mixed; so that it is enough for one that makes up a [Page 37] Receipt to know Weights and Measures, and what Directions are writ before him, and to be acquainted barely with the Faces of things: For it not belonging to Apothecaries, to ap­ply or prescribe any Medicines, except by the Order of a Physitian; it is enough for them to know how to follow a Physitians Di­rections; which they are enabled to do, by knowing how to chuse Simples and Compounds, so as to distinguish them by their Names, and how to mix them according to Art.

He further says, Let a Phisitian prescribe like an Angel, &c. I would willingly know how he comes to be acquainted with Angels Pre­scriptions; and whether he has learnt them or not: I am afraid they are seldom catched in Apothecaries Shops, and consequently he hath been very little acquainted with them. But, as I believe, Angels are always imployed in Divine Affairs; so they chiefly are concerned in Spiritual Prescriptions; and here Mr. John Colbatch hath fetch'd his Metaphor too far.

Secondly, he says; The second Qualification for an Apothecary, is, that he understand the Nature and Operation of Minerals and Met­tals.

To understand the Nature of Minerals is the Business of a Chymist, not of an Apo­thecary, and as for their Operations, that chiefly belongs to a Physitian; whose Busi­ness it is to apply them: But he would needs [Page 38] have Apothecaries to understand every thing, because he hath been one himself.

Thirdly, he says, They must understand the Nature of Animal Bodies; but I am sure they may be as good Apothecaries, tho' they do not; for what Business hath an Apothecary with Human Bodies, since it only belongs to him to be serviceable to Physicians in prepa­ring his Medicines and obeying his Orders, and not in administering: He might as well say a Clerk who only writes according to the Directions of his Master, and whose Business it is to do nothing else, must understand those things that don't belong to him, viz. His Masters Business. What some Apothe­caries know I won't say, but I am certified by his Writings, and also by the Rules he hath given for the Qualifications of an Apo­thecary, that he is so far from being qualifi­ed for a Physitian, that he is by no means qualified for an Apothecary.

But to understand how faintly he is qua­lified for either, I shall pass on to his Book, and shew what grand Mistakes he is positive­ly and boldly guilty of.

CHAP. II.
Of the Small-Pox.

THe first Distemper he there takes upon him to give an Account of, is, the Small-Pox; and here contrary to Truth and all Experience he would suggest, that the Small-Pox do not proceed from Acids but Alkalies. And,

Page 4th, he says, Now I could never hear of any one, that by Analizing the Blood of Per­sons in the Small-Pox, could ever find the least Foot-steps of Acidity in it; though on the contrary, it doth appear, after many Tryals, that the Blood of such Persons doth more a­bound with Alkalious Particles, than that of sound People. That no Acidity can be found by Analizing the Blood of Persons in the Small-Pox, is not sufficient to determin, whether there be Acids in the Blood before Analized or not; for in Analizing Blood, as the Chy­mists call it, the Volatile Particles of the Fire, which is the Agent in the Operation, may soon destroy those Acidities; for if when our Stomach abounds with Acids we find by taking of Volatile Alkalies, that that Acidity is soon destroyed; and if we find that those Effects, which are produced in our Blood, upon a plentiful Use of crude [Page 40] Acids, or Astringents which are Acids in Po­tentia, are taken away on the contrary by the Use of Alkalies; we have much Reason to believe, that the Particles of Fire, being more powerful when in Action than those Alkalies, will soon destroy that which is called Acidity in the Blood; so that the Fire Volatilizing that Acid Matter, and exalting it to a higher Degree of Maturity, it quite looses it's pristine Qualities, the Fire and it being united into a Quid tertium, and that united and again embodied in a Vehicle, looses it's old Form, and is modified anew.

But to determin, whether there be Acidity in the Blood or not, there would be no need to analize it, tho' by that means it would not be destroyed; for when a Person in the Small-Pox is let Blood, we may see a mani­fest Ropy Viscocity in the Blood, which is a certain Sign of Acidity, it being the Nature of Acids to coagulate and thicken those Humours with which they are mixed.

And to understand in what Sense the Blood may be said to have more Alkalies than the Blood of healthful People, we must consider what is the Cause of that Distemper; but as my Design here is not to give an Account of the Cause of this Distemper, any further than tends to shew how far he is mistaken, and how little he understands it; so I shall only take notice, that the first Onset of this Dis­temper [Page 41] is accompanyed with the Initia of a Feaver; where we may observe that the Mass of Blood being naturally impregnated with a great deal of Sulphur; and that Sul­phur being as if it were depressed, or rather inviscated in a Viscous Mucus (whose Vis­cocity proceeds from Acids) these Sulphure­ous Particles are by some accidental Cause (whether it be Internal, or by the Influence of circumambient Bodies, I shall not now determine) exalted in some Measure, and caused to exert themselves; by which Exerti­on they endeavour to clear themselves of that Mucus Phlegm; which being separated from them, the whole Mass does, as if it were, run into two Parts; just as we see sweet Milk and Eggs mixed together, and heated over a Fire, begin to break, as it is usually termed; I mean just when it begins to break so little that we can scarce discern it with a Microscope; and then that Mass in some measure cleared from the Viscocity, hath more Sulphur in it, and more fierce Vo­latile Parts in it, than the Blood of a health­ful Person. But as for Alkaly, I cannot find any in it, except Alkalies are Sweet and Bal­samick.

But yet if the whole Mass of Blood, and Serum together, be compared with the whole Blood, and Serum of a healthful Person; there is more Acid in the Blood of a Person in [Page 42] the Small-pox, and less Alkaly, than in a Person that is healthful.

But this new Reformer of Physick sets a­bout his Work, like one that neither under­stood common Sense nor Reason; all that he says against a truly rational and confirmed Opinion, is, that it is not so as they say; and the Grounds upon which he concludes so, are an Observation nothing at all to the pur­pose; but to shew that he neither understands the Works of Nature nor Art; so that thus far he wants the Qualifications of an Apo­thecary. But to proceed;

Page the 5th. He says; The cause of the Small-pox, I suppose, to be from a Quantity of such Particles, being some way or other admitted into the Blood; which being of a quite different Texture from that of the Blood; and so not ca­pable of being mixed with it, cause a Hurry and Disorder there. What a very fine Account this is of the Reason of the Small-pox; and who will be the wiser for it, by such a Me­thod as this; we may answer all the Que­stions that can be asked in Physick, Geome­try, Mathematicks, Astronomy, Navigati­on and Geography without any other Qualifi­cation than the Assistance of Nature; and a common Plow-man, if this be Knowledge, might give as good an Account of things as he does: For ask a Plow-man what is the Cause of the Small-pox, and he will give just [Page 43] such an Account as he hath done, viz. That the Small-Pox proceed from something that causes them, and disorders the Person that hath them; nay, a Nurse knows more than he can pretend to; for they will give a Phy­sitian a better Account of a Distemper, than Hurry and Disorder. But there are two Words in what he says; that Women perhaps are not well acquainted with, viz. Particles and Texture; but taking away those (which he does not understand, and which only serve to a­muse People that are ignorant) and then what he says will come to no more but what I just now expressed in Words different from his only in Sound, not in Signification, as he hath used them.

And here again, I could willingly pass by a great many of his Faults, being almost tired with so many, and such gross Mistakes; but should I not trace his Impertinency and Ignorance, he is so apt to be proud of his Folly, that it would make him but fonder of what he already is so zealously panting af­ter, as one scarce able to make his way through Clouds and Obscurity.

Page the 6th, He says, Now to assist Na­ture in throwing these Heterogeneous Particles out of the Blood, to the extreme Parts; which they pretend to be mightily hindred, by a great Quantity of Acids in the Blood: They give re­peated and large Quantities of Testaceous Alka­lious [Page 44] Powders, which indeed seldom fail of an­swering their Intentions, in throwing out large Quantities of Pustles, even more than Nature is able to supply and bring to Maturity. Here he only hath put Sense into his own Philo­sophic Dress; so that when first I read it, I could scarce imagin what he meant, till I had put that Mask of it; and then it appears to be that Physicians usually give Acid-Absor­bers, to attenuate that Viscid Distempered Humor, that it might be thin enough to pass off by the Pores of the Body, in order to carry it out of the Mass of Blood; and that this they endeavoured to do by such Medi­cines as correct its Acidity; which Me­thod truly is, if used with Moderation, very reasonable. For since by the Viscocity of Blood, it appears that Acids cause that Co­agulation of the Fomes Morbi, which we see in the Habit of the Body; what can be more reasonable, than to use such Means as promote the carrying off of this Fuel, by at­tenuating it, and correcting that Acidity which makes it too thick to go off. But he says it throws out too much of this Humor to which I answer (tho' it is so simple and inconsiderate, that it deserves Correction, ra­ther than a Rational Answer) that no more of this Distempered Humor can be driven out, than there is in the whole Mass, and the less is left behind the better; for it is not [Page 45] that Matter in the Habit of the Body, that kills those that suffer by this Distemper; but that which is not driven out; and the rea­son why some dye, notwithstanding a great deal is driven out, is because a great deal is still behind; for that in the Habit of the Bo­dy, which he, like a Block-head, calls the Ex­tream Parts, is out of the way of Circulation, and is less offensive to Nature, than that which is left behind, which con­sumes and mortifies the Spirits before it can be driven out.

But this Method, it seems, spoils Angelic Faces: This endearing Expression must cer­tainly oblige the tender Parents of pretty Children to make use of Mr. Colbatch by all means; that pretty Gentleman that loves them so passionately, will be so careful of their Beauty, and spoiling of Angelic Faces; that before one of his Patients shall have its pret­ty Face spoiled with Heterogeneous Parti­cles, he will resolutely give Acids, and so thicken that Heterogeneous Humor, that ve­ry little shall be driven out. But then let good Mr. Colbatch (since he must be a Ma­ster, right or wrong) consider what the Effects of his Tenderness towards Angelic Faces will be; for if that Heterogeneous Hu­mor be thickned and not thrown out, and the Quantity of it be so great, that Nature can­not conquer it, the poor Child out of Ten­derness [Page 46] to it's Beauty must submit to com­mon Fate, and unavoidably dye; whereas, if he endeavour'd to drive it out, it might more reasonably hope for Life; tho' the Quantity of that Matter is sometimes so great, that the Habit of the Body is not able to re­ceive it all.

And let him know, that if by his Tender­ness, or rather foolish Ignorance, his Patients dye, he must once answer for it, and might as well be guilty of cutting their Throats. And here I have taken a little Pains to give Reasons against his, and in Vindication of the contrary Practice; not because what he says in Defence of his own requires it, since he only possitively asserts without Reason; but because in a Matter of this consequence, I should almost in some measure think my self guilty of the Death of those that suffer by him, if I did not give such Reasons against his Method, as People might plainly see the Absurdity of it.

But before I proceed any further, I shall make bold to ask my Gentleman one Questi­on; whether he by the Use of his Glass, hath in some Critical Enquiry or other, found to his great Regret; that this Distemper hath spoiled pretty Features or not in his own Face? If it hath, then there is one sort of an Excuse to be made for his adhering to such Practice, and just such a one as there is [Page 47] for those People, that had rather keep Poy­son in their Stomachs, than spoil their Mouths by taking a Vomit.

But there is another Question I would ask him, but dare not; and therefore shall only submit this weighty Matter to his profound Judgment, by way of Supposition, viz. Sup­pose a Man should be an Ill Man, and fre­quent Ill Houses; whether in the Enjoyment of his Pleasures, he might not pitty, that so many Faces should be spoiled by this Distem­per, and in that soft Humor, take such a Sting against all Rational Practice, as ever to abhor it.

Page the 7th. He says, The spoiling of Fa­ces is not all, but besides they throw out the (Distemper, which he calls) many Pustles by breaking of the Globules of the Blood, &c. Here I need give him no other Answer, but that I pitty him; he fain would be a Philo­sopher; and for all his stretching and straining he cannot reach it; but he ought to have try'd his Strength in private, and not to have exposed himself with his Philosophical Scraps, for breaking the Globules of the Blood is such Nonsense, that had he not made a simple Experiment, by mixing Oyl and Water, to explain his Notions of Globules, no body could know what he meant by it; and it looks so aukward; that Philosophers can­not but wonder what the Man thought of, [Page 48] when he wrote it; for his Mechanical Head sure could never hope to explain any thing, by breaking of Globules, too large to circu­late through capillary Vessels. For what Mischief would breaking of those Globules do; since the Blood without any damage, must needs be divided into much more mi­nute Particles, to circulate through the Ves­sels. All he says, Page 8, 9, 10, is to en­large what he here so obscurely delivers, to which I need give no other Answer.

Page 10. He says, In like manner, the Globules of the Blood being broken by means of Alkalious Medicines, together with too great a Quantity of Alkalious Particles, being before admitted into it, are, by that means made capa­ble of being received into the cutaneous Glands, which is the only Occasion of those Purple Spots upon the Surface of the Skin. What Effects Alkalies have upon the Coagulated Humors, I have before shewn, viz. They thin them and make them capable of passing through those Pores, they would otherwise be too thick for, and as for his Globules, if he means only, that the Mass of Blood is dissolved and attenuated; I Answer, That the Blood be­ing so dissolved, would circulate through it's Vessels only with more ease; so that it would be less subject to be coagulated in the Vessels of the Skin; but since by taking notice of the Blood in such People, it appears to be more [Page 49] clammy than it is usually in healthful Peo­ple; and since that Clamminess depends on a Mixture of Acids, we have reason to believe that it would be less apt to run into Vessels▪ that it ought not; and it is also Rational to con­clude, since the Distemper depends on Acids which coagulate the Blood; that when the Distemper is more violent, it abounds with more Acids; and consequently that they don't only cause the Serum to coagulate in the Pores of the Skin, but also sometimes the Blood in the Capillary Vessels; which coagulated, causes those Purple Spots.

But least I should not seem sufficiently to prove, that those Symptoms are caused by A­cids; I shall further observe, that, since it is the Nature of Acids to coagulate, and of A­kalies to prevent and hinder Coagulation, and those Symptoms appear to be Coagulated Humors; we must needs conclude, that they do proceed from Acid, and not Alkalizated Humors.

Page 11th. He says, But this is not all; for by the aforesaid breaking of the Globules of the Blood, these small broken Globules getting into the small Meanders of the Brain, hinder the Motion of the Animal Spirits through the Nerves. But I here ask him, hath he ever found any of those Globules in the Brain? if he has not, there is no reason to believe what is contrary to Reason and Experience. For [Page 50] Deliriums are more likely to proceed from Viscid Matter affecting the Brain; it being plain, that there is not only a great deal of Viscid Matter in the Blood, but that there is a Viscid Phlegm observable in all People incli­nable to Lethargies, and such like Distem­pers of the Brain.

From Page the 11th to the 16th. He keeps a long Harangue to no purpose, and about nothing at all to this Distemper; where he begins to preamble about the use of Acids, to the 19 Page, to which I need not say any more, having said enough of the Use of A­cids and Alkalies at the beginning of this Chapter. But here he tells us that, he hath retrieved a great many from the Jaws of Death by Acids; but he hath told so many down-right Falsities in the beginning of his Book, that we have the same reason to believe he does now; what he says, being contrary to Reason and Experience; and I rather believe so, because he mentions not one that Acids cured, where he had used Alkalies.

Page 20. I shall proceed to the Method I take in the Cure of it; which being according to Natures Dictates, is short and easie. Here he would persuade us, that Nature is short and easie, because there is very little to the Pur­pose in what he says about her; but as easie and short as she is, she is too long and too difficult for him to trace; but now he be­gins [Page 51] to give us an Example of his Dexterity in the Cure. And,

Page 21. Tells us, that he begins with a Vomit. But here he ought to confess what Learned Men's Examples he hath followed. For so, if the Stomach be soul; those Learned and Experienced Men, Dr. Sydenham, and Dr. Morton begin, therefore for this the World is not obliged to him; he not being the Author of that Method.

Page 22. At Night he gives Syr. de Meconio; For this still he ought to make an Acknow­ledgment to Dr. Sydenham, it being what he hath learnt from him.

But sometimes in the beginning, Page 25. He lets Blood; for this likewise he must make a thankful Acknowledgment to Dr. Syden­ham; it being nothing of his own Invention.

Page 23, and 24, 26, and part of the 27th, he reckons up a Parcel of Acids which he makes use of; but he mixes so much simple Waters with the Acids, that what he gives is scarce more cooling than Small-beer; and truly, if they had not worse Effects in the Blood, I should commend him for following so good a President as Dr. Sydenham; but here he varies from Dr. Sydenham, to the Dis­advantage of his Patients, and the Destructi­on of their Lives, though Preservation of the Beauty of'em.

[Page 52] And he so much depresses their weak fee­ble Spirits, that Page 27. He is forced to give them a Cordial again to take off the ill Effects of his bad and absurd Usage.

Page the 28th, He Purges them several times. And truly, if he abuses them with Acids at this rate, he had need to purge them soundly, to carry off those Dregs that he hin­dred from going off before; whereas did he manage them as those Learned Men Dr. Sydenham or Dr. Morton do, once Purging does as much good and more, than his five or six times.

Page 29 and 30. All he says is to deter People from Using any other Means than his; and to tell People that know better how to manage Children than he does, that they may safely use his Method, if they won't send for him, but let him know that it is Experience that is valuable, above a Me­thod that hath neither Reason nor Success; and surely they had rather depend on those that have their Characters from Judicious Men, than one that only commends him­self.

Page 31. He begins with his former Sup­position concerning the Cause of the Small-Pox, and giving a short Account of what Effects he laid to the charge of Alkalies, and continues a Repetition of his Complaint to Page 36. But I having already answered [Page 53] that sufficiently, there is no need I should repeat it here again now, and indeed all the Reason he has, is only to lengthen his Book; for he cannot think other People are so forgetful as himself, as to need to have it over again so soon; and if they had, it would have been the same thing to have read the first Account over again, for it was altogether as large as this, and this is equally void of, and without, Reason or Proof,

Page 36, He assigns but one general Cause of Fevers, yet owns the Particles causing them, may be somewhat different. Which is to say and unsay, and at the same time to contra­dict himself, for if the Cause differs it cannot be the same, and that the Cause is not the same is plain, because the same Cause would have the same Effects, I mean the same for­mal Cause.

Page 38. He says; in most continued Fevers I have found Alkalies equally as pernicious as in the Small-Pox, and Acids equally as Bene­ficial. That Acids are useful in most conti­nued Fevers, is not of his finding, it being the common Practice of most Physicians: And it is as generally known, that strong Alkalies, except in Malignant Fevers, are very hurtful and not at all used, except by absurd Practisers; but that Alkalies are highly to be preferred before Acids, in the Cure of the Small-Pox, I think I have given Reason enough to prove, [Page 54] except People value Beauty before their Lives▪ and had rather hazard their Children in the Hands of a Fool, than commit them to the Care of sober and wise Men.

CHAP. III.
Of the Scurvey.

HAving therefore run over what he hath said of the Small-Pox, and shew­ed, that it is neither consonant to Reason nor Experience; I shall in the next place make it plain, that he hath also mistaken in the Scurvey, which will yet be a furthor Demoni­stration, that he is not qualified for an Apo­thecary.

Page 42. But here I expect the Cry of all Mankind against me: What Say there is no Acidity in the Blood in the Scurvey? What▪ Is it but an Acidity in the Blood that is the oc­casion of Breaking out of Scabs &c. upon the Skin? What! But a Sharpness and Acidity in the Blood occasions those wandring Pains, &c.

And Page 43. Says he; My Friends, have a little Patience, and I will presently make it appear to you that those Symptoms are not occasioned by Acids, but from Acrid Lixivi­ous and Alkalious Particles.

[Page 55] Behold! How sharp Witted he is grown of a sudden? And, it lasteth for a whole Page together; what a true Picture of a short Head? And what an excessive Rapture of Zeal, my Friend Mr. John Colbatch is fal­en into? Truly, if I could believe he were of any Religion, I should perswade my self, he were inclining to Quakerism, as well as Quackerism▪ for here he seems to have a mighty glimps of the Spirit, and speaks in a very a­greeable Form. But I wonder why he should expect all Mankind to cry against him; he must either have a very ill Opinion of all Mankind or himself; if he thought he had Reason for what he did, then he spoke very harshly of all Mankind; for to say they would cry against, was in effect to say, they either did not understand Reason, or that they were such Enemies to Learning, that they could receive nothing but what was suited to their own Heads: A very heavy Charge, and much becoming such an Igno­rant Man to lay upon all the World; But I rather think he had a Self-consciousness of his own Falsness, and, like guilty Persons, did not know how to conceal it.

But the Scurvey, he says, proceeds from Alka­lious! Particles, and not from Acids, to which I answer, that it being the Nature of Alka­lies to thin and attenuate those Humors, that cause Coagulations in the Skin, it is unreaso­nable [Page 56] to say, that Alkalies cause those Things, which their own Nature inclines them to cure: But those Bloches which appear in the Scurvy, rather proceed from Acids joyned with Acri­mony; the Acids cause the Humors to stag­nate in the Skin, and the Acrimony by causing a Ferment there, makes that Matter corrupt and corrode.

Page 43. He says, The Blood of Scorbutick People abounds more with Alkalious Parts than Healthful Peoples when Analized. But as I said before, what is drawn from Blood Analized, proves nothing what was the Temper of that Blood before it was Analized: Of which, if he would but take Pains to look into the famous Mr. Boyl's Sceptical Chymist, he may be fully satisfied. For those Acrid Acid Parts of the Blood, being Spiritualized by the Fire, loose their Pristine State, and are carryed along and embody'd with other Alka­lious Particles.

Page 45, and 46. He tells a Story of a parcel of Seamen, that landing at Cadiz, were cured of the Scurvey by the Use of Lemmons and Oranges. The less Reason then hath he to be fond of, or value himself, where he owns his Knowledge to Seamen; but it is no news in Physick, that Acids joyn'd with Alkalies cure the Scurvey, it being common Practice to mix Acids and Volatile Salts in Scorbutick diet Drinks, and a Method long used by the fa­mous [Page 57] Dr. Willis and others; so that there was no need for him to have said any thing here of the Scurvey, since it is only what others have done before, to more advantage, and incomparably better.

Page 47. He says; As for Alkalies, I don't believe that any was ever cured by them of this Distemper. But I am sure that a great many are, and though a great many are cu­red by a Mixture of Alkalies and Acids, yet as many are cured by Alkalies alone.

Page 48, 49, and 50. He mentions a Preparation of Antimony and Spirits of Tar­tar, and would have these which Page 51, and 52, he says are Panaceas, to be Acids; but as they have been generally termed Alkalies, and are known to be so by their Effects; he must not think to change their Names, since he cannot change their Natures: For by their Effects we know that they correct Acids, be­cause they take away Obstructions, and dissolve coagulated Humors which are thickned by Acids.

But as I took Notice in his Preface, we see he will use all the means imaginable to make his Design good; and having said enough on this purpose there, I shall not need to repeat it again.

Page 53. He thinks he answers an Objecti­on against him, which is, That there is a mani­fest Saltness in the Blood of Scorbutick People. [Page 58] But he like a Man as dull as ignorant, cun­ningly would turn it off, and says, if they will strictly enquire into it, they will find it not an Acid but an Alkalious Taste. But does he think no Body can taste besides himself▪ People are sensible, that for the sake of his own Cause, his Reason, if he may be said to have any, will byass his Taste; whereas other People in such Cases have their Reason steady and their Taste too. But to conclude this second Specimen of his Ingenuity: He must be informed that the Blood of Scorbutick People does not only taste Salt, but those that spit much, and who know what a Salt Taste is, find a manifest Salt Taste in that Saliva.

CHAP. IV.
Of the Gout.

THe next Thing, that this eminent Man undertakes to give an Account of, is, the Gout. And truly, this I must needs say in his Praise: That though his Merit be extraordinary, and cannot place him amongst those Men who are eminent for good Works, yet he hath this mighty Chance, that it will undoubtedly eternalize him for an eminent [Page 59] vain pretending Impostor, and an Emperick ex­traordinary. For,

Page 54. He says;—Though I must confess the Gout to be a Distemper, I have not had much to do with; but by that little I have seen of it, I am fully convinced that it is not from Acids, &c.

He does well to make an ingenuous Con­fession, and be modest in some things, in or­der to expose himself the more effectually. For if this Man can make a Conclusion con­trary to all the Learned World, upon a little that he hath seen, which he does not under­stand; it shows, that he is very bold and un­reasonable; for will he pretend by a little to contradict a great deal; and will he pretend to write Universal Rules, from a little and sin­gular Observations; but it seems by this little he is convinced fully, which to me only sig­nifies he hath a very narrow Head. But that this Distemper does not proceed from Acids, I shall easily evince; and first let us see, what he says in Proof of his own Assertion, and what Reasons he gives for them.

Page 55. I have observed considerable large Nodes in which are sometimes contained a hard chalky Substance, which by many Experiments I have found to be as much an Alkaly as either Carbs-Eyes, Corral, &c.

This is an Argument indeed would per­swade one to believe much, upon a very lit­tle [Page 60] Observation, and really, if we may believe he writes in this Point as he does in all the rest, it will be feared, That little is none at all for he hath hitherto so magnified a little, as to make it a great deal of Nonsense; that here we may suspect, if what he hath seen in this Distemper be little when magnifyed, [...] must be very little in truth. And as for this Argument it shews that his head is a lump of Clay without any distinction; for tho' [...] might be admitted, that the Nodes in the Gout were like a Chalky Substance, yet would they not be as much Alkaly, as Crab Eyes, there being a great deal of difference betwixt Chalk and Crabs-Eyes, as to the Muchness of Alkalie; but what if I should say it is neither an Alkaly nor Acid, but sort of mealy Mucus hardned by Acids, are made porous by the Heat, causing those Parts of it to close and condense so as to leave Pores betwixt them. I shall not he [...] enlarge nor bring Arguments to prove the Possibility, but shall leave him to consider [...] it, and also desire him or rather advise him in order that he may comprehend this, that is so much above him, to read and consider Mr. Boyl of Alkalies and Acids; and if he does not understand that Book, if he will come to me I'll explain it to him; for I would spare no Pains to undeceive and instruct him, I see he hath a mind to learn, and perhaps, if he [Page 61] were put into a good way, though he be dull Industry might make something of him; so that I would not have him discouraged, though he hath lost his Labour in travailing so boldly and so far in a bad Way.

In the next Paragraph. Page 55, He says, Now it being granted that the Matter contain­ed in the aforesaid Nodes to be an Alkaly, how is it possible for this Distemper to proceed from Acids? He does well to ask Questions; for that is the way to be informed; and that he may learn, I shall tell him, that though that crusty Substance were an Alkaly, which I on­ly suppose, that the Answer may be di­rect; it is possible that Acids may be turned into Alkalies; for all the Difference betwixt Acids, being as far as relates to our present Purpose, that the one hath no Pores, and that the other hath Pores, to imbibe and receive the Parts of the other into them; it will be very easily conceived, that a great many of these being embodyed in a Mucilage, and that Mucilage being hardned, so as to link the A­cid Particles together; I say, it will be very easily conceived, that that Substance being made Porous, hath so far the Nature of an Alkaly.

Pag. 56. Says he, But if Men will still per­sist to assert, that this Distemper proceeds from Acids, and at the same time own the chalky Sub­stance beforementioned, which is only, &c. they [Page 62] must tacitly believe the Doctrin of Transmuta­tion, though they openly are ashamed to own it; that Noble Sentence, Doctrin of Transmuta­tion had so raised his Phansy, that truly he hath expressed this Paragraph very Nobly; but I see he cannot speak in fine Words, but he must express Non-sence, for where Men as­sert the Doctrin of Transmutation, how can they be said tacitly to believe it, except asserting be holding ones Tongue; but though, my Gentleman, thinks it a thing, that one ought to be ashamed of, and to be laugh'd at for and ridiculed; I am not ashamed nor afraid to say▪ I own the Doctrin of Transmutation, and so does he, or else he hath quoted no less than three Experiments in his Novum Lumen Chi­rurgicum (which I have proved to be Obscurum) Which he does not understand; and which fill that Book from Page 12. to the 17. But perhaps the Gentleman means, the Doctrin of Transubstantiation and hath wittily called it Transmutation, least he should strain his Mouth, with such a thundering Word; but there is a great deal of difference betwixt own­ing Transmutation in Philosophy, and that which is called Transubstantiation in Divinity; the former only asserting the Texture of Mat­ter to be modifyed anew, when it visibly ap­pears to be so; and the latter when it is ap­parent, that it is not; so that if any Body [Page 63] hath Reason to be ashamed he wants none, and he alone deserves to be ridiculed.

Pag. 57. Supposing the Acid Matter causing this Distemper to be transmuted into a chalky, alkalious Substance, the Distemper must never more pretend to come near that part; this is a very good Argument indeed, and truly when I looked upon the whole Page together, here seemed to be a Fault with an ominous Index over it, viz. Ashamed, laugh and ridicule, which Words begin the Page just before this Para­graph. But to answer his Supposition, we know, that the best Alkalies cannot operate beyond their Power, and though that Substance were an Alkaly, it would soon be so impregnated with Acids, as to loose it's Power of absorb­ing more; for such Alkalies no longer correct Acidity, than their Pores are open, and ready to receive acid Particles into them, and then they can correct no more, which is plain by putting of Alkalies into any acid Liquor, which as soon as their Pores are filled, have no further Effects.

But he says further; Pag. 57. and 58. Nay, the Blood at times, must all, or at least great part of it, pass through the Part or Parts, where this chalky substance is lodged, by which means, a Man would think it should be sufficiently guarded from any more growing Acid; and so by Consequence, when the chalky Nodes are once setled, People have not the least Reason for the future, to be in fear of the Return of the [Page 64] Distemper. To this, though what I said in the last Paragraph is a sufficient Answer, I shall add, that though the Blood should sooner than he can suppose it, run through that Part, yet the Substance he calls Alkaly, when it is once sufficiently impregnated, could cause no Al­teration in the Acidity of it; besides, though it had it's full Force active and vigorous so much as makes up the Nodes, would no more prevent the Acidity of the Blood, than a Grain of Alkaly would prevent a Hogshead of Drink from growing stale. Moreover, so little Blood could be laid down at once in those Parts, that the whole Mass being de­praved, we must conclude, that that little Blood, as soon as it was mixed with the Ma [...] of Blood again, would be again depraved and tainted; all these Objections, I say, would occur, if we would suppose, what he says to be true, concerning the Blood circulating through those Parts; but he should take no­tice, that the Blood Vessels have no Commu­nication with those Nodes, they being, as it it were, Matter extravasated, and out of the way of Circulation; but one hath always more Trouble to confute one Blockhead that three ingenuous Men (I don't mean convince one, for that is a thing not to be expected but the Reason why it is so difficult to con­fute such a one, is, because Fools make such Blunders, that have neither Sense nor Mean­ing, [Page 65] and are so widely absurd, that one must run out of Method, and Order, to trace them.

Pag. 59. He says, It may not be amiss to take Notice, that few People are troubled with the Gout, but those who drink large quantities of Wine or some other generous Liquors, abounding with Vinous Spirits, so that the Blood and o­ther Juices, being impregnated with the said Vinous Spirits, these Spirits meeting with the Volatile Alkalious Salt, of which, even the Blood of sound People, is never destitute, by means of which Salt the Vinous Spirit is Coagu­lated, &c. What is the Reason that drinking of Wine is so hurtful, I shall not here explain, but shall only shew, that he is so far from ex­plaining it that, he confutes himself, and that he is at a loss how to make even trifling Explanations of it. And first I ask him, if it be caused by drinking of much Wine, and that being Coagulated by the Alkalies in the Blood, why does not those Alkalies also Coagu­late his Acids, that he would cure it by; and how comes it to pass, that they sooner Co­agulate Spirituous Acids than more crude ones? But this Objection he did not foresee, and truly no body can blame a Man to be thus bold, that's so short sighted and inapprehen­sive of Danger, but certainly if an Alkaly in the Blood would cause so Spirituous an Acid as Wine to Coagulate, it would much [Page 66] sooner Coagulate a more crude one, and con­sequently his Medicine must do more harm than Wine; so that here I leave him to con­demn himself. A second Question I ask him, is, whether it is not impossible to cure this Distemper by Acids, if Acids cause the Alka­lies in the Blood to Coagulate, to which, the true Answer is, that it is impossible; for as long as the Blood is so impregnated, ac­cording to him, all the Acids we can take, must be Coagulated, so that they would increase Coagulations, and not cure them.

But not to ask a Man any more Questions, who does not understand common Reason, I shall prove from what he says, and also from Reason, that Acids cause this Distemper, and first, from what he says it is plain; for if he says upon taking of Acids the Alkalies Co­agulate them, it implies there was no Coagu­lation in the Blood before those Acids were taken, now if our Blood when so full of Al­kalies can be without Coagulation, and upon the taking, of Acids, it presently thickens; it must needs follow that those Acids cause this Distemper, there being no Coagulation be­fore those were taken; so that the Acid Co­agulates the Alkalizated Blood, and not the Alkaly the Acids; for that is said to be the cause of a Distemper, or a Coagulation, whose Mixture with the Blood produces such a Di­stemper, and in whose Absence there is no such [Page 67] Effect, so that here he is judged by his own Words. For as a Man's head is not the cause of it's being cut off, till the Instrument is applyed that separates it from his Body; and when Water is thrown in the Fire, the Water is properly said to extinguish it, so Acids taken into the Body, cause the Coagulation and not those Humors that are vitiated by the mix­ture of it, and these Instances I have given, that it may be plainer to People that under­stand not Physick, I mean those Gentlemen he so oft makes his Appeal to.

Besides, Acids being of a cold Nature, and cool Bodies Naturally Coagulating those Bodies, that are subject to Coagulation; and it being the Nature of Alkalies to take off Coagulations, and to prevent them, it would be absurd to say that they cause such Effects as are quite different from their Nature. And,

That it is the Nature of Acids to Coagulate, is not only plain from what he hath said, but it is also manifest, that Phlegmatick Constituti­ons are injured, and that Indisposition increa­sed by them; whereas by Alkalies, that Phlegm is attenuated and made fit to be carryed off.

The next Page he would suppose, that the Coagulations in the Stone proceed from Al­kalious Particles Coagulating Acids; but it appearing from-what I have already said, that [Page 68] Alkalies are not, and that Acids are the Causes of such Effects; I need not say any more to this, the same being an Answer to both.

I shall only here take Notice of the Strain and Humour of our Philosopher, who when he found it would be necessary for his pur­pose, does not only change the Names of things; but also calls those Humours that are Passive, Active; and on the contrary.

CHAP. V.
Of Rheumatisms.

THe next Distemper that he gives us an Instance of his weakness in, is, A Rheumatism, where Pag. 74. he says, Ha­ving by the Fire Analized the Blood of Rheuma­tic Persons, I have found it to abound more with Alkalious Particles than that of sound People. But as I said before, the Analized Blood is not sufficient to determine what Blood was, before it was Analized; but if by mixing those Substances together, which he draws from Blood, by Analizing it, they will make just such a Composition, as Blood; then I will be­lieve he takes the right Method to discover the Causes of Distempers, but if they will not, then it is evident that the Fire modifies [Page 69] the Parts of the Blood anew, and rather de­stroys than discovers it's Principles.

Pag. 75, and the 76. he would suggest, Acids are not the Cause of the Bloods Viscocity, and says those that affirm that they are, don't prove it; And I say, neither does he prove, that Acids are not; But it appearing from what I have said the Chapter before, that Acids cause Viscocity, there is no need I should make a Repetition here.

Page 77. By what I have said, I hope, I have freed Acids from occasioning the Viscousness of the Blood in Rheumatisms; which Viscocity if it can be once taken of, every one knows that the Distemper immediately vanishes, but this is not done by Alkalies but by Acids as Tincture of An­timony and Chalybeates. What he hath said, he hopes is sufficient, but truly I don't see that he hath said any thing to the purpose, as Grounds of such hopes; but if we believe him, that Rheumatick Peoples Blood abounds with Al­kalies more then healthful Peoples, which is false, it does not therefore follow, that this Distemper is caused by Alkalies, because Al­kalies according to him, cannot Coagulate without Acids; so that it thence follows, that as Acids differ in quantity more or less, so the Blood is accordingly Coagulated, and then we must conclude, that the Coagulation de­pends on the Acids, and then as I said before Acid Medicines would increase it: But here [Page 70] to prove that Acids cure this Distemper, he calls two Medicines eminently Alkalious Acids, by which Rule he may say with as much Reason, that a company of Statues took Barcellona from the Spaniards, and if any Body should contradict him and say that they were Men, he must Answer but they ought to be called not Men but Statues, as I call them, and this is just his Case, to which, I having be­fore said enough, I shall here say no more to it, but refer the Reader to what hath gone be­fore.

Pag. 79, 80, and 81. He makes an Haran­gue, that Steel is turned into a Vitriol, before it can be carried into the Blood, and consequently acts as an Acid upon it. But granting it so, I have already shewn what would be the Ef­fects according to his Supposition, viz, To encrease the Distemper, but as he is not the first that hath supposed it to work upon the Body by that means; so he is not the first mistaken in that Point, for Chalybeats don't cause such Effects, as we see they do, by be­ing turned into a Vitriol, but by absorbing those Acids in the Stomach and Pancreatick Juice; by which means, the Ferment of the Liver is more powerful, and helps to correct the Acidity of the Chyle; and the Blood not being supplyed with Acid Chyle, those Aci­dities in it's Mass, are soon altered and digest­ed [Page 71] to a higher Degree of Maturity; by a long continued Circulation and Fermentation.

Pag. 82, 83, 84, and 85. are filled up with two preparations of Steel which he ac­count Acids, and a story to tells us, that Cin­naber which he once thought an Alkaly proves to be an Acid. But it only proves so for his Con­veniency, for there is no Reason that he gives for it, and therefore we have Reason to be­lieve that it is, what all Learned Men know it to be; for it does not only correct Acids in the Stomach, but is of very great Use al­most always where the Mass of Blood hath a manifest Viscidity.

And here, before I leave this Chapter I shall observe, that those Acids in the Stomach which he says Page 80, cannot get into the Blood till vitriolized, is a Mistake; for we may take notice, that some People, if not most, that are subject to Rheumatick Pains and the Gout, feel a manifest Acidity upon their Sto­machs sometime before their Paroxysms; and when that Acidity is carryed off, they feel the dreadful Effects of it in the Mass of Blood.

But supposing it to be turned into a Vitriol, a Vitriol is but a stronger Acid, than that in the Stomach, and consequently would do more Mischief than if it were not turned into a Vi­triol as I have elsewhere shewn.

CHAP. VI.
Of Consumptions.

THe last Distemper that this Gentleman pretends to give an Account of, is, Con­sumptions; but if he had consider'd and under­stood what an Ingenious and Learned Tract Dr. Morton hath writ on this Subject, he might have been ashamed to offer such a small Parcel of Nonsense. But as there is no Reason in what he says, so there is as little he had in Writing.

Page 89. He says, my Reasons in short for the Use of Acids are as follow. The Globules of the Blood being broken, and confusedly mix­ed with the Serum, by Reason of so many Acrid Alkalious Particles mixed with it, and together with the Serum, admitted into the small Glan­dules of the Lungs, and not being capable of being discharged, cause Inflammations there, and by consequence Hectick Fevors. What he means by broken Globules thrown into the Glands, I profess is such a Peice of Philosophy, that I neither see that it hath any Meaning or Sense in it; for I have already shewed, that those Particles of Blood, which he takes Notice of, swim in the Serum confusedly, must be di­vided into an innumerable small Particles [Page 73] before they can pass through the capillary Ves­sels, and consequently can do no Prejudice by being broken; but suppose they were forced into Vessels which they ought not; Acids by Coagulating the Alkaly, would rather fix them there, than remove them. Nay allowing his own way of Assertion, which I have before confuted, viz. that Alkalies coagulate Acids, it would not help him, because those Alkalies in the Glands could not be removed, accord­ing to his own Assertion, but by Acids, and what a Removal would it be, when as his Acid Medicines were laid down in the Glands, the Alkaly would coagulate the Acid and so fix it there, as much as the Alkaly.

As for what he says Page 90, and the 91, of the Use of Alkalies, I don't believe any ra­tional Physician would ever give any Alkalies in such a Case; so that here he might have kept this Advice to himself.

Page the 92, and 93, he makes a very sim­ple Objection against his foolish Assertion, and makes an Answer to it agreeable to so great a Peice of Nonsense; but both of them being not worth while to take notice of, I shall leave them to the consideration of those, that think they deserve any thing else, besides a sharp Reprimand.

Page the 94, He tells us a story that Rive­rius cured one of a Consumption by Conserve of Roses and Oyl of Sulphur by the Bell, but [Page 74] any one may guess what a Consumption it was, since the same Remedy, will scarce cure an ordinary Cough.

From Page the 94, to the 100. He tells a long story of an old Man and a Pot of Oyl of Sulphur: But that being nothing at all to this Distemper, but a Story by the by, to fill up his Book; and least he should seem to say, not only, nothing to the purpose, but to little for a Chapter of Consumptions; I shall take No­tice of it no further.

Page the 100, 101, and the 102, he tells ano­ther story of a Man, who that being bit with a Viper, could not be cured by Alkalies and no wonder; for no rational Man would de­pend upon a Medicine he knew not the Effects of, in such a Case, but would have immedi­ate Recourse to a proper Medicine.

But to conclude this Chapter, it will give us no little Light into the strange Insolence of this Man, who notwithstanding such ingeni­ous Books, as the Learned Dr. Willis, Dr. Morton, &c. have writ concerning Consumpti­ons; and what the ingenious and truly Honour­able Theod. Mayern, and Dr. Willis have wrote of the Gout, and also Dr. Lister, with a great many more, who have largely handled those Subjects, this Man can have the Impudence to write, not only contrary to them, but also common Experience; and that too neither with any Method or Reason; for whereas those [Page 75] Learned Men have observed a great deal of Variety as to the Cause and Cure of those Di­stempers, and that the Cure is to be varyed according to the different Tempers and Con­stitutions of Men; he boldly and very ir­regularly says little or nothing to the purpose, but that, without any regard to the diffe­rence of Causes, or the several peculiar Con­stitutions of Men's Bodies; but it is not strange, that one that hath so much Ignorance, should have an equal share of Impudence; for vain pretending Quacks and Moun­tebanks have no other way to cheat the World, but by incredible Relations of Cures, that were as unlikely as false.

But I shall not here enlarge on a Subject so copious as his Vanity and Boldness makes this; but shall go on to consider the remain­ing Part of his Book, there being Matter e­nough and too much, for me to mispend my time upon.

CHAP. VII.
His Conclusion Examined.

PAGE 103, he says, For all sort of Flesh abounding with large Quantities of Vola­tile Alkalious Salts, if the said Alkalious Salts were in some measure locked up and mor­tified [Page 76] by means of the Sea Salt; What then▪ Nothing at all of a Conclusion, I here expect­ed some Inference or other would be drawn from it; but his profound Phansy, being lost and overwhelmed in a Salt Rock in Cheshire, no less than twenty yards thick, he forgot himself, or rather overlooked what he was writing; so that this Page and the next is a Speech, without applying it to any thing.

Page 105. There is some Reason to believe, that People before the Flood did not eat Flesh, but lived altogether upon Vegetables, as Fruits, Herbs and Roots, which I suppose was one great Reason of their Longaevity, and it may be ob­served in Herefordshire, and other Countries abounding with Fruit, the People are longer lived then in those Countries that want them. This truly is a Sign the Man's Thoughts have run a little further then his Wit, and then his shallow Head is capable to go with any steadiness; and truly by the incoherent Style of his Book, one would guess, he was no little way out of his Depth; But I suppose this Noble Addition to Dr. Burnet's Theory was no otherwise designed, but that People might know he had heard of such a Book; whose Arguments, he says, are to him unanswerable; but why so? Because they are too Noble and Curious for him to understand, and much more to answer; but however ingeniously that Book is writ (which truly I think, for [Page 77] the Nobleness of the Thought, the Elegancy of his florid Style, and the Command which he seems to have of his Thoughts, and Ex­pressions, with the greatest Ease, and without straining, for them, makes it one of the most valuable Books our English Language is a­dorned with) yet it's not exempt from that Fate, which all Books on that Subject have hitherto had; and it is only a sign of Mr. Colbatch his shallowness, and not of the reality of what's contained there, that makes the Ar­guments unanswerable to him, though this must needs be said of them; that though they are not really true, yet they are delivered in such a Method, that they would Insensibly wind one into a favourable Thought of 'em, if one were not sufficiently Armed with Judg­ment and Reflection; but so Ingenious and so Learned a Man, as Dr. Burnet is, being too good Company for such Ignorance as he is Eminent in; I shall not mix their Names together any further, least the Lustre of Dr. Burnet's Name should so dazle Peoples weak Eyes, as not to perceive the Obscurity of the others, and shall only consider the latter se­parately; that the Light, which might be bor­rowed from the former, may not increase the faint Obscureness of his; but that he may ap­pear in his proper Colours.

And how absurd and ridiculous it is; for to assert that eating Fruit preserves Peoples Lives, [Page 78] and is the Cause of Longaevity; whereas the generality of our English People, as well as Physicians, are certain, that Fruit causes more Distempers in Children; than any one thing amongst Non-naturals besides.

From Page 107, to Page 112. He tells a long story of a Child that was cured of a Tym­pany by being Bathed in Sea Water, but what is that to his Credit? Or what does this signi­fie to the Use of Acids in the Small-Pox, Scurvey, Gout, Rheumatisms and Consumptions? The common People certainly would laugh at him should they hear him affirm, that they all proceed from the same Cause; he might as well expect Fire to cool, heat, moysten and to dry the same Body: But as for that Case of the Childs, had he had the Luck to have advised, that Girl to Bath in Sea-Water, it would have been something for him to have talk't of, but as it is, an old Woman would have told a story that she had heard from ano­ther, as well if not better than he hath done, and now should he cure one by that same means, it would be no Credit for him, since he would do no more, than what had been done in HEREFORD-SHIRE.

Page 112, He tells us what Helmont hath found by Experience in the Stran­gury, viz. to cure it by cool Diureticks, and what Discovery is this pray, any rational Physician would have given either that, or a [Page 79] Medicine much better in the same case, but Helmont's Observations are none of his; and he hath no share in the small Credit of it.

Page 113, He says, An eminent Man took off Heart of Urine by Juice of Oranges; and what then, do not other Physicians give cold Diureticks upon the like occasion, neither do they value themselves upon such things at all, as are common and every where practised, but this it seems induced him to try Tincture of Antimony in the like case; which since I have already shewed to be an Alkaly, and that he only calls it an Acid to serve his turn, I need not enlarge any more now. But the Reason why he thinks it Acid, I believe, in this case, may be, because he observed that Acids cured this Distemper, and could give no other Reason why Tincture of Antimony should, except it were an Acid, and therefore concluded it was not an Alkaly; but to help him over that difficulty, I shall tell him, that whether that Acrimony, which causes Heat of Urin, be corrected by Acids, or dispersed and carry'd off by Sweat upon the Use of Al­kalies, it is all one, and since a Decoction of Diaphoretick Wood will cure that Acrimony as well as Diaphoretick Antimony, there is the same Reason to be given for both, and as Acids correct the Humour, and alter it, by dulling and taking off the Edges of it; so [Page 80] Antimony carrys it off by Sweat, and the Acrimony by being so diverted, the Symptom ceases.

Page 125, He says, I have only brought my Doctrin of Acids upon the Stage as a general one in Opposition to the general and pernicious Doctrin of Alkalies. A very fine Man truly, and much to be admired! He asserts only for the sake of contradiction, and really in this Point he speaks Truth; for with what other Design would he change the very Names of Things, but to seem to differ from others, in trivial Matters; for the Names of Things are so indifferent, that it matters not what they are called, so they have but a Name to distin­guish them, and when he says Tincture of Antimony will take off such a heat of Urin, whether the Name of it be Alkaly or Acid, it matters not, if it were generally, as well as all other things of the same Nature, known by that Name, but when the Names of things are given them, and generally received, it is absurd to alter them without Reason.

From Page 116, to 132, He heaps up a parcel of incoherent Stories, of specifick Me­dicines; but to what end, except to fill up his Book, I cannot imagin; for he neither gives Reason for them, neither can they any ways confirm the Truth of any thing he hath asser­ted; but, if to tell a Parcel of Tales is suffici­ent to make a Man an Author, Old Women [Page 81] are fitter to write Books, then he, being stocked with a greater Variety of Storys.

As for what he hath said of the Cortex Peru­vianus, I shall take another opportunity to give my Thoughts of it, when I have time to propose something concerning the Reason of Agues, and to examin what his worthy Friend hath said on this Subject.

But to Apologize for telling us all these Stories, he furnishes us with many more; which may indeed be grounds for an excuse for him; if we would change that old Maxim (which is all relating to the Aristotelian Philo­sophy, which he understands,) Nihil dat quod in se non habet; in English what can one expect more in a Calves Head than Brains, or as the Proverb usually runs, what can one ex­pect more of a Cat than her Skin.

Page 136, He says, that Acton, Epsom, Dullage or Northall Waters, &c. are allowed to be Acids, and according to the Difference of the Acid contained in them, they have different Operations, but I must ask him, by whom they are allowed to be so? By no Body that I know of; for Dr. Grew hath extracted that Salt and it appears to be so far from an Acid, that it is evidently in Taste a bitter pene trating Salt, and I never heard that a bitter Salt could be allowed to be an Acid, except Gall differed not in Taste from Sevil-Oranges.

CHAP. I.
In which are contained Remarks on his De­dication and Preface with an Appli­cation to Dr. Cole.

THE next and last Part of this nauseous Task, that I have under­taken, is, to examin and lay o­pen the Mistakes of his Book, con­cerning the Gout; but before I set about that, there are two Things which lie in my way, [Page 110] and which I must take notice of, viz. a De­dication and a Preface. The first thing I shall take a View of, is, his Dedication where he begins and says;

My Love to Truth and the Good and Welfare of Mankind, have ingaged me in Publishing of the following Piece. But however specious this Pretence is, it appears, that it is not for the Good nor Welfare of Mankind; but on the contrary, will tend to their great Destructi­on and the Ruin of their Constitutions; since it will easily appear, that it is made up of the same Materials that the rest of his Books are, viz. notorious Mistakes and Blunders, and such plain ones too, that one can scarce think, but that he was either conscious of them or very ignorant; But as I would not have him thought to be quite so ignorant; so I rather think, that he was conscious of the Falsness of what he asserted, and only did it with a Design to get a Reputation amongst the Injudicious, which he designed to impose up­on; how much soever he exposed himself, to the Ridicule and Contempt of the Judici­ous and Learned, by his weak and inconsistent Falsities.

And truly, thus far he is in the right, It wants a much better Champion (tho' he's pleased to call himself a Champion) to assert and defend a false Cause against so many Potent Ad­versaries, who have Truth on their side; for [Page 111] were he in the right, all that could be said of his Book is, that he is dully and foolishly in the Right; but since it will presently appear, that he is so much mistaken; he is much less to be valued, for daring and endeavouring to impose on the World.

But the remaining Part of his Dedication, being most of it a Compliment to Dr. Cole, which were it true would but sorrily recom­mend Dr. Cole to the Learned World: I shall make Remarks on what follows, and then make my Apology to Dr. Cole, for presuming to shew the Absurdities of a Book, which the Author tells the World, tho' I be­lieve falsly, is agreeable with his Practice; The Compliment bestowed on Dr. Cole, is,

I presume to prefix your Name before it, knowing, that if you but please to espouse it, my Business is done and the Conquest gained: But I dare venture to say, that though Dr. Cole should espouse his Cause, which I believe he will not, the Victory would not be gained; since the Cause hath neither Truth nor Rea­son on it's side, and here I shall, for some Reasons, make a short Apology to Dr, Cole.

The next thing that comes in view after his Dedication is his Preface; where Page the 11th he says, The History of the Blood is to be fetched out of the Fire, there being not one Page in it, that does not cost me near a days Labour and Attendance at home in my Laboratory. That he fetches it out of the fire, I am afraid is ominous; and that it will scarce be fit for any thing else, but to return to that Element; for there is so little Analogy betwixt Chy­mical [Page 117] Preparations, and the Parts of a Mans Body, that he'll discover little to the purpose there, to make the Use of them more intel­ligible; and sorry I am, he takes so much Pains to no purpose.

Page the 12 He says, The following Piece is a Composition of Observations and Speculations at Coffee-Houses, and such Places. A very fit Place for such Compositions; for any thing may serve for a News-House, for want of better; but it would have been better for him, to have considered it at home in his Study; for I am afraid he drank his Coffee so hot, that he was scarce qualified for what my Lord Bacon says, viz. ‘That a cool Head is fittest for Consideration.’

But how came he to take Observations of the Gout in Coffee-Houses? Those I thought had been only to be made with his Patients; but perhaps he had as many Patients there, of that Distemper, as any where else; and con­sequently it might be as fit a Place to make Observations in.

But why not rather in his Study? I warrant he had taken notice, that the Ingeni­ous Sir Richard Blackmore had writ his Heroic Poems in Coffee-Houses, and such like Places; and because he thought it sounded well to say so, he must needs be a Wit too; nay in time he may do well; but I would have him think of the old Saying, Nosce teipsum; for [Page 118] if he were sensible of his own Weakness, it would be better for him to take a private Thought at it, if he knows how to think.

In the same Page, He says, the Expence of his Experiments is so chargable, that it would be fitter to be carryed on at the Expence of the Nation. Nay, and he states the Charge too, a Thousand Pound a Year would not be felt by the Nation: O! what a mighty Proje­ctor? He has a Thought as extensive as the Nation; 'tis a Wonder he is not sent for to Court, he'd put them upon Ways and Means with a Witness, if not to raise Money, yet to lay it out. But O! Vanity of Vani­ties, verily every thing in Mr. John Colbatch is Vanity; No less than a Thousand a Year must be spent upon Experiments, made by a Man, who hath neither Discretion nor Judg­ment to make them, nor Philosophy to di­rect him how to make, and how to apply, them; Truly it is a Wonder, and a great one too, that the Nation does not take Notice of him; for he would be a mighty Jest were he known to the bottom.

Pag. xvth. He says, we do now grope most mi­serably in the dark, and it grieves me to the very Soul, when I see People in Distress, and know not how to help them. Poor Soul! But I hope he hath a Cordial, and a most noble Acid by him, to take a Lick of now and then, or else he might pine away; for he looks [Page 119] very thin; and what must then become of all those Angelic Faces, that brought such a mighty Qualm over his Stomach, in the Small-Pox; Ah! Beauty and Distress are two great Causes of his Grief; but I believe Mo­ney is the Root of all the Evil. Really, if turning his Books would do good, poor Man! though he does not understand them, he'd never cease to do it; but it hath proved in vain, and now he confesses himself ignorant; and truly, I think not without reason, for through all his Books, I have yet examined, he hath groped so miserably in the dark, that I had sometimes much ado to find where he was, or what Cloud he was lost in, he was so far from Truth, and the Light which ought to be in his Expressions; but (God be thanked) he's come to Moon­shine at the last; but his Misfortune is, that glimmering Light has led him into a Wilder­ness, where he is no better then in the dark, having lost his Way in Experiments, that he misapplies and makes bad Use of, because he does not understand them. But why must it be, we grope in the dark? Is Mr. John Col­batch more then one, or does he speak for his Companions? As for rational Physicians, they are not so miserably in the dark, but that they have Reason for what they do, and know what to do, tho' Distempers are sometimes so violent, as not to yeild to pro­per [Page 120] Medicines. But well may Apothecaries grope in the dark, when they pretend to things they don't understand, since even in the Light they mistake their Way most mise­rably.

Pag. xvi. He says, He hath grounded his Hypothesis upon plain Experiments, and he expects an Answer should be backed with Expe­riments. And so far I shall satisfy his Curio­sity by and by.

Pag. xvi. He says, he remembers he said in his Essay of Alkalies, he had not had many Pa­tients, and really the Number has not been much increased yet; what little Reason then hath he to write upon a Subject; where, were what he says true, as to his Pretensions in the Cure of Distempers, general Rules are not to be made by a particular Constitution; but since what he says is false, he had much less Reason to be so bold; and it is but a sorry Recommendation to his Book, that he grounded it upon such small Rea­son.

Pag. xvii. If People are once satisfy'd, that the Bloods abounding with Alkalious Particles is the Cause of the Gout and other Distempers, it necessarily follows, that Acids are only proper to correct the said Alkaline Particles. And fur­ther, Pag. xviii. He says, I do assert, that the Cause of the Gout is not the Bloods abounding with Acids but Alkalies. But in Opposition [Page 121] to this Assertion, I say, I assert, that it is not from Alkalies, but Acids; and this I shall prove, from what he hath said of the Gout in his Book of Alkaly and Acids; and because he desires that Arguments against this Book, should be backed with Experiments, I shall bring as substantial Experiments against his Hypothesis, as he hath for it, to wit, the same, and shall shew, that he hath so over­looked these Experiments, and understands them so little, that he hath drawn false Con­clusions from them, and this I shall do, when I come to his Book in its proper Place.

Page xix. He asks, if Acids abound in the Blood, how comes a Dead Body to stink so soon; every Body knows that Acids preserve Animal Substances from Stinking and Corruption. But this relating to the Cause of the Gout, I should answer it when I come to that Cause, which he hath laid down in his Book.

But for once I shall answer this Question, where it is asked; for that a dead Body stinks so soon, only shews, that a Body in a Natural State abounds with Alkalies; for a Body that is killed by some sudden Accident will stink, as soon as one that dyes by a Distemper; so that this proves nothing at all in Relation to Distempers.

Page xxiij. He says, He hath had wonder­ful and astonishing Success in the Cure of Fe­vers. And truly, It is astonishment to me; [Page 122] for I wonder how any Body ever scaped with their Lives, considering the Me­thods he takes in most Distempers; but per­haps he used his Acids moderatly, so that the Mischeif might be less conspicuous.

Page xxv. He says, I must needs confess, that I have been the warmer in some of my Ex­pressions; that thereby I might exasperate those, who are my professed Enemies, to convince me of my Errors; and if so, he did well; but he only saith this to suggest to his Friends; that they must take all that write against him to be his Enemies, lest they should believe what they say; but I profess I am so far from being exasperated towards him, or being his Enemy, that I write only to detect such no­torious Errors, and for Truth sake, and did it lie in my Power to make Interest for him in his own Trade, I would do all I could to set him in it, as far as he deserves it; for I am sorry to see him grope in the Dark so miserably, in a way he hath no Understanding to lead him; and were I his Friend, I should cordially advise him, to follow Light rather than Darkness, and like an honest Man to fall to his Trade again; now he has broke that Impostume in his Head, that filled him so much with Vanity, and a corrupted Mass of dismal dark Thoughts: But I am afraid he is not capable of Advice, being so much blown up with Conceit, that though a Wise Man would hear Instruction, yet a Fool hates Knowledg, as the Wise Man says.

[Page 123] Page xxxij. He says, If any one will by well grounded and substantial Experiments, con­vince me of the contrary; instead of being an­gry with him, I shall never cease to Love and Admire him; Indeed, I had once about a year and half ago, at the College of Physcians, a little Discourse with him; and he was so complacent as to tell a Friend of mine, he had a great Opinion of me, but truly, as I believe, I neither did then, nor deserve it now, so I was sure I had no such Opinion of him; for all that he said, was nothing, but what a Parrot might have learnt by conversing with Dr. Cole: But whatsoever good Opinion he had of me then, I dare say he will turn his Note now, though I shall take the way to de­serve his Love and Admiration, by shewing him by substantial Experiments, that he is mistaken.

CHAP. II.
Contains Remarks on his Introduction.

HAving gone through his Preface, and made my Remarks on what is Ma­terial, I shall now proceed to his Introducti­on; where,

Page Ist. He says, This Book will fall in­to the Hands of many Ingenious Gentlemen, who [Page 124] are not Physicians; for whom it will be very Natural to say, you here pretend to advance a new Hypothesis, in opposition to almost all Man­kind—and we therefore would be glad of some more familiar Demonstration, whereby we might be satisfied without being put to much Trouble.

For the satisfaction of whom, I will here lay down a Method—whereby every Man is capa­ble of being Judge, whether my Hypothesis be true or false.

Here I must needs say, he is in the right; for it will be very Natural for them to say so; and I am glad he hath the Luck to make use of so plain an Experiment, which, with­out much trouble, will very easily let People see, that his Hypothesis is false; and there­fore for the Satisfaction of those Gentlemen, I shall shew, that this familiar Experiment will prove he is mistaken; and that he hath drawn false Conclusions from it, because he did not understand it; which I shall make so plain, that every Man may be capable of being a Judge, that what he asserts is false; for,

In the latter End of Page Ist. and Page 2d. He mentions his Experiment, viz. It is well known that all Acids being poured upon Sy­rup of Violets, or into a Solution of it, will im­mediately turn it from a Blew into a very Red Colour; and as the Acid is more or less strong; so [Page 125] will the Red Colour be of a deeper or paler Dye. On the other hand, all manifest Alkalies will turn Syrup of Violets, or a Solution of it, from a Blew into a Green Colour; from whence he infers, that if the Serum of the Blood will alter the Co­lour of Syrup of Violets, from Blew to Red, it would then be plain, that the said Serum did abound with Acid Particles. But if, on the otherhand, the Serum of the Blood be mixed with Syrup of Violets, instead of changing it's Colour from Blew to Red, as Acids do: It changes it to Green, as Alkalies do, it must a­bound with Alkalies: And this Experiment, He puts Page 3. into a Logical Form, to shew how much Logic he hath got.

But to wave his Logic, and come to the Experiment; that all Acids will turn Syrup of Violets Red is false; but I shall take no­tice of that further, when I come to his 8th. Page, and here I shall shew, that granting, that all Acids will turn Syrup of Violets Red, and that all Alkalies will turn it Green, yet this Experiment is not for him, but a­gainst him.

And tho' all Acids will not turn Syrup of Violets Red, yet it's true, a great many will, and a great many Alkalies will turn it Green; this is all plain, and I allow it to be true, I likewise grant, that the Serum of the Blood mixed with Syrup of Violets will turn it Green, which I take to be a Sign, in his Sense, [Page 126] that the Serum of the Blood abounds with Alkalies; so that I grant, both that the Ex­periment is true, and that allowing the Do­ctrin of Acids and Alkalies, it proves what he would have it, viz. That the Blood abounds with Alkaly. But for all his Logic, it does not therefore follow, that Alkalies are the Cause of Distempers; for the Blood of healthful People abounds with Alkalies, as appears by the same Experiment; nay, the Blood of those that have no Distempers at all, abounds with Alkalies, and will turn Syrup of Violets Green; so that to say Al­kalies are the Cause of Distempers, because the Blood abounds with them, is to prove that healthful People abounds with Distem­pers, because, it appears by this Experiment, that their Blood is full of Alkaly; but healthful People do not abound with Distempers, Ergo Mr. John Colbatch is mis­taken.

And this I hope is so plain, that any Gen­tleman may see he is mistaken; for this is so far from shewing, that Alkalies are the Cause of Distempers, that it shews they cause Health; for healthful Peoples Serum abounds with Alkalies, and turns Syrup of Violets Green; so that this Experiment does him no Service, that he so much depends upon, but on the contrary, shews his Error.

[Page 127] And since he so much depends on this Ex­periment: And since this is to qualifie every Gentleman to judge; I have laid the Insuffi­ciency of it open, so plainly, that they may be certain, if what he says be true, there is no such thing as a healthful Person; because every Bodies Blood abounds with Alka­ly.

But to make it clearer to every Gentleman, that he not only alledges an Experiment, that proves nothing for him; but also to make it appear, that he does not understand what he is about, and that the Gout proceeds from Acids, we are to consider, what is the Tem­per and Constitution of the Blood in a Na­tural State, and how it differs from that in the Gout.

And first, in a Natural and Healthful State, if a Person be let Blood eight or ten Ounces, any Gentleman may take notice, that, if it be of a right Healthful Person, when that Blood hath settled, and the Serum and Blood are parted, the Blood will be pure and Red on the outward side, and if pressed with ones Finger, or any thing else, will be moderately tender; and the Serum of the Blood will turn Syrup of Violets Green.

Secondly, If one that hath the Gout be permitted to Bleed; when that Blood is separated, the Blood will be more Viscid, [Page 128] and the Serum will turn Syrup of Violets Green.

So that the difference between the Health­ful, and Distempered Blood, will appear to any Gentleman to be this, viz. That the Distempered Blood is more Viscid.

Again, Those Gentlemen may observe, that whereas the Healthful Blood is nothing but pure thin Serum, and Blood; the Distempered Blood will have a thick Viscid white Skin o­ver it, which is part of the Distempered Matter.

But perhaps, Mr. Colbatch will misguide his Friends, in making this Observation; where­fore I foretel them, that the Persons must not be let Blood, after a full Meal, and that the Sick, or Healthful Person, must be let Bood at an equal space of time, viz. 5 or 6 hours after a moderate Meal.

Now to any Ingenious Gentleman, it ap­pearing thus by observing Nature, that the Gouty Blood differs from Healthful thus, by such Viscidity of the Blood, and some white Coagulated Matter, which swims upon it, we must consider, what is the Cause of that Vis­cidity, and then we know, what is the Cause of the Distemper.

The Cause then of this Viscidity, is either Acid or Alkaly, if it were Alkaly, then the whole Serum of the Blood would be Viscid, like that white Viscid Matter, that sticks to [Page 129] the Blood; because it appears, the whole Serum abounds with Alkalies, by mixing it with Syrup of Violets; so that here, his own Experiment confutes himself; but that the Cause of that Viscidity is Acid, is plain, be­cause drinking much Wine, which is Acid, or any thing which causes Acidities in the Stomach, brings a Fit of the Gout on soon­er, and more violent; and any Gentleman may be further satisfied, that Acids are the Cause of Coagulated Serum, because all Acids curdle and thicken Milk, which is much of the same Nature with Chyle.

For a further Confirmation, that this Vis­cidity proceeds from Acids, I might here bring all those Arguments, I used, in Answer to what he said of the Gout, in his Book of Alkalies and Acids; but what he said there I have already Answered `and I have here shewed, that he hath alledged this Experiment against himself, and therefore I need not repeat what the Reader may easily turn to before.

From what I have said here, it appears, that the Result is this, that in a Natural State, the Blood abounds with Alkalies, that is, that it hath a great deal of Alkaly, and but a little Acid; so as to make it moderately tender; and that in a Distempered State, it also a­bounds with Alkalies, but hath too much Acid mixed with it, so as to make it preter­naturally Viscid; from what I have said, it also [Page 130] appears, that the Experiment he has alledged, is only in reference to the thin Serum, and makes no Proof of that Viscid Matter, which is the Cause of the Distemper; and in both Natural and Preter-natural Blood, it on­ly proves, that there is no Cause of this Di­stemper perceivable in the Serum, because it abounds with Alkalies; and consequently Alkalies cannot cause the Distemper, because they cannot cause Coagulation, the Serum of the Blood being full of Alkalies in a Health­ful State; so that the Conclusion from the whole is, that Acids, abounding too much, cause Coagulations, and consequently thick­en that Matter, which is the Cause of the Gout. So that, tho' there is more Alkaly than Acid in Gouty Blood, and in Re­spect of the Acid, the Alkaly abounds, yet since Alkaly in a Healthful Body does not cause the Gout, but it is the superabundant Acid by Coagulating that Serum, and Blood, which causes those ill Effects in the Gout; and because there is more Acid in Gouty than Healthful Blood; the former in Re­spect of the latter, abounds with Acids, and the Gout consequently must proceed, from too much Acid, which causes those Coagulations.

Now from hence it appearing, that his Experiment is not only invalid to his pur­pose, but very strong against it; and that he [Page 131] hath drawn false Conclusions from it; and that too, by an Observation, equally as easy as the Experiment, I shall proceed to take No­tice, how upon this fair Demonstration of his Ignorance, he boldly values himself; and not only so, but imperiously, and with Contempt, rails at the whole Learned World; as if he alone had gained the Victory, when alas! It is he alone that gropes so miserably in the Dark. And what Usage must this Man deserve? Who upon Grounds so slight, tho' true, and much more since they are false, takes occasion to huff the whole World, and to tell them, no Body is in the Right but himself.

But, that I may not pass too severe a Sentence upon him, I shall take notice, how he hath condemned the World without Grounds, and then sure it cannot be thought unreasonable, that he should have as severe a Sentence, who hath given such just Reasons for it.

Page the 3. He says, Every Gentleman is able to Reason thus with himself, my Physician tells me my Blood abounds with Acids, and up­on that score gives me Alkalies to Mortify and Correct those Acids in my Blood; But if my Physician should be mistaken and instead of A­cids my Blood abounds with Alkalious Particles, his giving me Alkalies must increase the Mat­ter of my Distemper, &c.—therefore since [Page 132] I have so fair an opportunity put into my Hands, and by so easie an Experiment am capable of being Judge my self, what Particles my Blood abounds with, my own Eyes shall be the Judge whether Acids or Alkalies are to be blamed—if the Blood abounds with Acids, he ought to be kicked out of the Common-Wealth, for endeavouring to impose upon Mankind. This is the Sentence he thinks good enough for himself, if it could be proved, that he was mistaken; I having therefore proved, that he is in an Error, may venter to enlarge a little, and say, he does not only deserve to be kicked out of a Common-Wealth, but out of all Ingenious Mens Company; and this Paragraph can no otherwise be answered than thus,

Every Gentleman is able to Reason with himself, Mr. John Colbatch tells me the Cause of my Distemper is Alkalies, and upon that score gives me Acids, to Mortify and Correct those Alkalies in the Blood: But if Mr. John Colbatch should be mistaken; and instead of Alkalies, the Cause of my Distemper should be Acids, his giving me Acids, must increase the Matter of my Distemper,—there­fore I have so fair an Opportunity given me, to see the Insufficiency of this Experiment by an easie Observation, am capable of being a Judge my self, and my own Eyes shall be the Judges, whether Acids be not the Cause of [Page 133] my Distemper, and truly it so plainly ap­pears, that Mr. John Colbatch is mistaken, and that my Distemper proceeds from Acids, that Mr. John Colbatch deserves to be kicked out of the Common-Wealth, for endea­vouring to impose upon Mankind.

Page. 4. He says, He hopes from Gentle­men he shall have Justice, tho' Physicians have endeavoured to expose him. As for Physici­ans, they surely have Reason to expose him, for a vain Pretender, since he hath given such pregnant Proof of it, and as for Gentlemen, I have made it plain enough to them, by an Observation as easie as they can wish, that he hath no worse Usage than he really deserves, and then what he pronounces is his own Merit.

And now the Reason is plain, why Phy­sicians have endeavoured to expose him, to wit, because he hath endevoured to expose Mankind, when himself alone deserves it.

Pag. the 6th. He goes on to value himself upon this Experiment, and says, an Ounce or two of Blood is to be spared in any Case, and pray let People see with what Reason Alkalies have been hitherto given in Small Pox, Rheu­matism, &c. It will plainly appear by this Ex­periment, that the Blood of such Persons abounds with Alkalies, and if so, why should we croud in more Alkalies, unless it were to prolong the Di­stemper, [Page 134] or to encrease the Number of Fees. All that I need to say to this is, since I have ma­nifestly made it appear, that Acid is the Cause of those Distempers, and that the Serum of health­ful Peoples Blood will turn Syrop of Violets green, and that the only observable Diffe­rence, betwixt Distempered Blood and Health­full Blood, is, that the Distempered Blood, as well as some Part of the Serum, is Viscid, and that Viscidity proceeds from Acids; and since an Ounce or two of Blood is so easily spared, in those Cases, Pray let People see, with what great Reason Alkalies have been given, and with what danger Acids are given; for in his Chapter of the Gout, I have shewed, that since the Blood in a Natural state abounds with Alkalies, even what he confesses about Drinking of white Wine, which is an Acid, proves, that the more Acids we take, the more that Alkalious Serum will be coagulated, and consequently the Distemper encreased, and it plainly appears by the Experiment he alledges, and the Observation I have laid down, to satisfy Ingenious Gentlemen, that Acid is the Cause of Distempers; and since it is so plain, why should Mr. Colbatch croud in more Acids, unless it were to prolong the Distemper, to increase the Number of Fees.

He goes on, People must long since have known the Truth of this Hypothesis, or they must not, if they have not known it, it is plain they have gro­ped [Page 135] in the Dark, and they have cured Diseases with as much Certainty as a Blind Man can catch a Hare; if they have known it before, then the giving of Alkalies at the rate that hath been done is a plain Argument against them, that they have not act­ed like honest Men: but I dare acquit them from this Charge, I do believe they have sworn in Verbo Magistri. Wonderful! what close arguing and what sensible Expressions of a blind Man, and groping in the Dark; this groping in the Dark is such a familiar Ex­pression with him, that one would think he were used to nothing else, and the Absurdities his whose Books are made up of, prove, he is the only Blind Man in the Proverb, or hath not Acted like an honest Man; but tho' he were not an honest Man, he is a mighty Piece of a Scholar, and hath put in two Latin words here, In verbo Magistri, to shew, that either he did not go to School long enough, or hath forgot what he learnt there; for that Piece of a Verse in Juvenal, that he hath catched by groping in the Dark is not in verbo Magistri, but in verba Magistri; and indeed, the Sence of in verba Magistri, is so much different from in verbo Magistri, that it is plain he was gro­ping in the Dark most miserably, when he wrote it; for first, it shews, he knew not what he wrote, or secondly, that he did not un­derstand it, for what greater Mark of his Ig­norance, than instead of saying, they were [Page 136] sworn to maintain the Words of their Master, he says, they were Sworn, in maintaining the Words of their Master, as if to defend the Words of their Master, were to take an Oath.

He says further, And because a few Book Learned Gentlemen, have Dream't, that the Bloods abounding with Acids, hath been the Cause of Diseases, therefore right or wrong it must be so, tho' it be contrary to the most obvi­ous and plain Experiments.

What a Block-head is this, to tell all Lear­ned and Ingenious Men, they have Dream't, what hath been confirmed and certified by all the Experience of learned Practioners in Physick; but he would have those Gentle­men, that he writes thus plain for, to think, that is, only because Physicians are his Ene­mies; but I ask those Ingenious Gentlemen, that have been so imposed upon, whether they think, Men that writ their Observations 30, or 40 years ago, and ever since, could write what they did, in opposition to him, before he made his Pretenees, and tho' all Physici­ans now were his Enemies, those were not; so that I would have Gentlemen consider, that Physicians, now in Opposition to him, only confirm by daily Experience, what was the Universal Observation of all Learned Men, before his time; and as for his most obvious Experiment, I have shewed, that it does him no Service at all, but is against him; so that [Page 137] we have Reason to think, he alone has Dream't, being in the Dark, for want of Book Learning.

He goes on; When I appeal to the Ana­lizing of the Blood by the Fire, my Appeal is then made to Physicians only, and this I have already done, but they have refused to do me Justice. As to his Appeal to Physicians, I have, where he hath made it, sufficiently an­swered it, and proved, that his Analizing the Blood, as he calls it, will do him little Ser­vice; but that Physicians may do him no Injustice, I shall refer Ingenious Gentlemen to a Book of the most famous and ingenious Mr. R. Boyle, called his Sceptical Chymist, which was writ before his, and which will satisfy them, that the Blood is turned into Substances, very much different from any thing observable in the Blood, by Chymical Analize; and that Author, who had such good Designs in all his Writings, cannot be called his Enemy (nor Truths,) having writ before him.

Page the 6th. He says, Now since Justice has been refused me by my Brethren, they can­not be angry with me for making my Appeal to those whose Interest it is to do Justice to me, and encourage me in my Honest Undertakings, I really don't see any Reason his Brethren have to envy him, nor to be angry with him, but whom does he call his Brethren? The Apothe­caries? [Page 138] Physicians are not to be ranked with Mr. Colbatch yet, except those as Ignorant as himself: But as for those Gentlemen, who value the World to come, above this, and the Happiness of a better Life, above Mortali­ty, their Interest it undoubtedly is, to en­courage him, by all means; I shall not envy their Happiness in another World, but may the Number of the Elect be soon accomplish­ed! but those that have a mind to live, de­serve to give him no other Encourage­ment, but what Substantial Shoo-leather will, according to his own Sentence, Page the Fourth, in kicking him out of the Common-Wealth.

In the same Page he says, None can blame him for writing in that warm Manner he hath done; because he hath not reserved one Se­cret to himself. But for good Reason, be­cause there is not one thing worth Reserving; but he is more to be blamed for his warm Writing, except he had made some Secret known, that would have shewn he had Reason, sawcily to contradict all Man­kind.

But in the latter End of his Page he com­plains, He hath been too much meal-mouthed, and too modest. His Modesty indeed is of a new kind, and very remarkable; and as for his meal mouth, I cannot well interpret [Page 139] it, except his disrespectful Behaviour towards his Betters, be the Meal, that fouled it.

Page 7. He says, The following Treatise of the Gout is built upon my Hypothesis of Al­kalies and Acids, upon which Score, I thought it necessary by way of Introduction to Publish the foregoing easy Experiment, that thereby the whole World might be satisfied of the Truth or Falshood of his Hypothesis.

Having therefore shewed, that his Hypo­thesis of Alkaly and Acid is False, and Inco­herent, his Treatise must need be so too; his easy Experiment, together with my easy Observation, shewing that his Hypothesis is Erroneous; so that, I might save my self the Trouble of a further Examination, were it not for the sake of Ingenious Gentlemen, who are not competent Judges.

Page the 8th. He says, Were there a­ny one Acid that would turn a Solution of Syrup of Violets from a Blew Colour to that of Red­ness, &c. I should not insist so much upon the Experiment, as I have done. To what pur­pose he hath insisted upon the Experiment, I have already shewn, but that he may insist upon it the less in his own Thoughts, I shall instance one Acid, that turns Syrup of Vio­lets Green, as well as Arsenick, his exalted Al­kaly, as he calls it, which is Mercurius Sub­limat. but perhaps he'll call it an Alkaly; [Page 140] and therefore I shall satisfy Ingenious Gentle­men, if two Witnesses against one Man will be Evidence.

The Ingenious Sir John Floyer, in the Se­cond Part of his [...], or Touch Stone of Medicines, Page 232. Hath this, ‘Mercury Sublimate is Corrosive by a particular Texture, made by the Particles of Quicksilver, dissolved by an Acid: and this vomits, corrodes and produces Con­vulsions; but this going into the Blood coagulates it, and produces Salivation: This Acid is absorbed by Fixed and Volatile Salts, and so the Corrosive Texture is destroyed.’

And Page the 19th before, ‘ Sublimate has the Acid of Spirit of Salt joyned with it by Sublimation;’ and a little after he says, it is a kind of Vitriol. And,

What he says is confirmed by the Famous Etmuller, who ‘Schroderi Dilucidati Mineralo­gia Page 260. says, Mercurius Snblimatus quocun (que) modo preparatus, nihil est aliud nisi Mercur, qui se conjunxit, cum [...]ibus Corro­sivis admistis, & beneficio [...] fortioris secum sublimavit, adeo utut etiam [...]ia sint fixa & Mercur. Volatilis nihilominus Acida [...]ia for­titer aggrediuntur Mercurium & cum eodem se uniunt, &c. And just after he says, Et quidem utut Mercur. sublimatus fiat cum [...] communi & Nitro, nihilominus nihil secum [Page 141] in Sublimatione assumit, quam [...] commune.’ From whence it sufficiently appears, that Sub­limate is, for the most Part, an Acid, most of the Ingredients which are used in it's Pre­paration being Preparations of the same Vi­triolated Acids, as Mr. Colbatch uses in the Cure of Distempers.

But undoubtedly, he'll tell them, they are mistaken, No-body can see besides himself: But these Mens Opinions will be taken before his, since he cannot at all pretend, they were his Enemies, both their Books being wrote before his Time.

Page the 8th, and 9th. He says, Physicians he owns have been able to Cure some few Diseases, but how they have done it, themselves could never tell; they, without inquiring nicely into the Natures of them, or being at the trouble of Analizing, have given Steel, Antimony, &c.— By means of which they have Cured several Diseases, but they have given them as Alkalies, when they will ap­pear to an Inquisitive Person to be Acids, &c. Now their giving of these Things hath stood them in some stead, and cured many Distempers by a way they were ignorant of. How unrea­sonably he hath changed the Names of these Medicines, I have already shewn, and there­fore I shall not repeat it again, I shall only here take notice, how he contradicts himself, no less then three times in one Page. For, First, He [Page 142] says, they have been able indeed to cure a few Distempers: And then they have cured several Distempers; and last of all, a many Distempers; and those Distempers, he says, they have cured no Body knows how; be­cause they were not at the trouble of Anali­zing: but if he were not forgetful, he would scarce think himself the only Chymist in the World; for would he allow any Body a small share of Knowledg, besides himself, he would know, that much more Pains hath been taken by wise and able Chymists, Men that knew better how to make Observations, than he does, who wants Natural Philosophy to direct him, as well as Judgment and Skill; and there are now Men so qualified. And tho' Chymistry be of great Use in Philo­sophy, as well as Physick, when cultivated by Ingenious Men, yet notwithstanding all the Pains they had taken, it proved in vain, to enable them the better to discover the Prin­ciples, or rather Texture and Complexion of those several Humors in a Man's Body; and their Insufficiency, the famous Mr. Robert Boyle hath sufficiently, shewed; and therefore we may well think, since we have Reason, his Pains will prove to no more purpose; for let him spend more time than he hath, or ne­ver so long; it will still be in Vain; for Bodies loose their former Complexion, when Chy­mically dissolved, every Particle, being mo­dified [Page 143] anew. But it is no Disparagement to Chymistry▪ neither is it the less valuable, because it will not discover ultra terminos, and beyond it's Bounds, no more than a Plow, because it is of no use at Sea.

But he says, Physicians have cured some Distempers they know not how. Here I shall take Occasion, to propose one thing to the Consideration of those Honest Gentlemen, who have had the ill Fortune to be deluded by him; they being induced to think, he hath Skill and Ingenuity, because some People recover, whom he misuses, viz. whether (since I shewed he is mistaken in all he hath asserted,) they may not reasonably conclude he cured them he knew not how? I, for my own Part, am sure he knew not how; but as for those Ingenious Gentlemen, I leave it to their own consideration; whether one Man may not sooner be mistaken, than one Thousand, who agree in the same Opinion, which Number, tho' it be not in London, yet it is double in Europe, whose Practice agree in Success and Reason, in Opposition to his, and two or three Adherents.

Page 11. He says, I have all this while been talking as a Physician, but not as a Na­turalist; for though I account for the Cause and Cure of Distempers from Alkalies and Acids, yet I don't pretend to account for all the Phaeno­mena of Nature, from those two Principles, those [Page 144] there have been those that have undertaken so to do, but I conceive they have been very much mista­ken. Truly, many have undertaken Things, that they have been much mistaken in; but for one that hath undertaken no more than he hath done, to be so grandly mistaken, is a sign of his great Weakness: And he hath all this while, I rather think, been talking as a Na­turalist, than a Physician; a Naturalist I mean, because what he says looks, as if it came from one that knew no more of what he was about, than what he had from the glimmering false Light of a dull Nature.

He goes on; There are many Phaenomena in Natural Bodies, that are not to be accounted for by the Mutual Conflict of those two Princi­ples (if I may so call them) such as Motion and Rest, Light and Darkness, Magnetism or the Loadstone, and a great many others too many here to insert. Here he is extraordina­ry modest, and having groped in the Dark so far, is loath to make any further Progress in it. But what need was there here for him, after a long tedious Blunder, about the Cause of the Gout, to give a Hint at these Phae­nomena belonging to Natural Philosophy, which he understands nothing of; but by his smattering of Philosophy, he would have People think, he knows something of it: This puts me in mind of a Dunghil Cock, that vapours and struts over a Heap of Rub­bish, [Page 145] as if he were Master Controuler of all his little Head can take a View of; and from thence take a flight to some gilded Pin­nacle, where with a mighty Crow, he seems to proclaim himself Master of that noble Edifice; when alas! He takes Possession of no more, than he covers with his Claws; and this Instance, I think, as truly represents Mr. Colbatch, as a Picture can represent a Man in his absence, for as the Cock values him­self upon his Dunghil, so does he upon his Mistakes and Blunders; and knows less in Philosophy, than the Cock does of the Pin­nacle.

Page the 12th and 13th are filled up with a Letter from Dr. Jones: I shall take no No­tice of the Letter, since it is only a Story, wherein he may affirm what Falsities he pleases, but only the Conclusion of it, which shews Dr. Jones his Design in it, viz. Make what use you please of this Catalogue to Print or what you will, it is intended for your Service. For since he wrote it, only with a Design to serve the Eternal Mr. Colbatch, no doubt, but he would strain to deserve a Com­pliment from Mr. Colbatch again; but I am sor­ry Dr. Jones wants Mr. Colbatch's good Word, which will go but a little Way.

CHAP. III.
An Examination of his first Chapter.

I Have now sufficiently answered his Intro­duction, and shewed that his Experiments and my Observation, make the Foundation he hath built this Book upon, void; and that he is but mistaken: I now proceed to his Book, and shall examin what he hath said as to the Cause of this Distemper, in his first Chapter.

Page the 15th. He says, The Gout is cal­led Articularis Morbus, because it generally af­fects some of the Joints, and according to the Name of the Joint affected, it hath a different Denomination, when it affects the Hand or Fingers, it is called Chiragra, when it affects the Hip Sciatia, when the Feet Podagra, &c. Now if according to the different Denomina­tion of the Gout, it affects a different Joint, and takes it's Name from that; I would know whether there be a Joint called the Hand, whe­ther there be a Joint called the Hip, or ano­ther Joint called a Foot; if there be not, then Mr. Colbatch hath started in a wrong Way, and the Distemper hath not it's Denominati­on from the Name of a Joint affected, but from the Parts affected, for Podagra signi­fies the Gout in the Foot, where there is no [Page 147] Joint called by that Name, but in which are contained a great many Joints; and likewise in the Hands, there is no Joint called Chira­gra, but that Part contains in it a great many Joints; and the Gout is not called Morbus Ar­ticularis, because one Particular Joint is af­fected, but because it is circa Articulos, so that the first thing he says, in this Elaborate Piece, is, a Piece full of Mistakes; and truly I think very ominous, for as the Gout is an Index of it self, so I think this is an Index of the whole Work, for to start in a wrong Road, is scarce the way to the Journeys End.

In the same Page He says, It sometimes ex­ercises it self with so much Cruelty and Tyranny, that those that are troubled with it, are almost ready to lay Violent Hands upon themselves. O Tyrant! O Cruelty! That would make Men murther themselves for nothing but Pain: But is not this a strange Imposition and Charge laid to ingenious Gentlemen, to tell them, they are ready to murther themselves; but for this Fault, if they can pardon him, I can.

Page the 16. The Gout may be divided into two Species, viz. Hereditary and Adventiti­ous. What a Judicious Division of the Gout is this, but he stoped too soon, for each of those Species are again divided into Species of another Rank; as Podagra, Chiragra, &c. But a Man that gropes in the Dark, may well be afraid of stepping too far.

[Page 148] Page the 16. The Gout is an Index of it self; and no one that feels the Pain, but is capable of discerning the difference between it and all other Pains. But this is false, for one that hath the Pain of the Gout, no more knows what other Pain is, than one that is acquainted with England and not France, knows France; for to distinguish the Pain of the Gout, from another Pain, the same Person must have that Pain too; for how does a Man in a Gouty Fit know, what Pain it would be to have his Leg cut off, or does a Child that hath cut his Finger, know what Pain it would be to have the Gout; one that never had the Tooth-ake, wonders, it can be so violent, and never knows, till he has had it, what Reason others had to complain.

Page 16. The Pain of the Gout being a deep distending, piercing, throbbing, continual, bitter Pain. This is a Description of Pain, as suita­ble in the Cramp, as Gout; for I have heard one, that I am very well accquainted with, make it just such a Complaint; but why should Mr. Colbatch call Pain bitter? Except he's resolved to agree with old Women, in calling Pain a Taste.

Page 16. I do apprehend the Parts most immediately affected to be the Glandules imme­diately joyning to the Periostium. But I appre­hend he is much mistaken; for the Glandules are neither sensible, nor are they capable of [Page 149] swelling on a sudden, so as to distend the parts to that degree, as they are in the Gout; but I here refer the Reader to what the Inge­nious Dr. Havers and others have said on this Subject. After this,

Pag. 17. He says, Father Malbranch tells us, that our Senses are given us to guard our selves from Injuries, and that they never fail to answer the end for which they were given us; they are ne­ver guilty of deceiving us. This Quotation, I suppose, is only to let us know, that he hath seen Malbranch, and must needs have a scrap out of him, tho' nothing to his Purpose, for what signifies it to tell People, to what end their Senses were given them, when he is only endeavouring to discover what Pain is; but he and his Father are here for once mi­staken; for they fail to guard us from Injuries, and very often deceive us: they fail to guard us from Injuries, so much, that they are the only Causes, that make Things Injuries, that otherwise would not be offensive, as every small Blow or bitter Taste, every terrible Sound, and threatning Word; it is true, our Senses are the only things, that make us ca­pable of Pleasure, yet are those the Instruments, which lay us open to as many Injuries; and that they are guilty of deceiving us, is plain, since we have such an Instance in himself.

Pag. 17th. He goes on; As for Instance our Taste never tells us, that bitter is sweet, or [Page 130] sweet bitter, our smells never fail of distinguish­ing heat from cold, and cold from heat, and so on: and all these proceed from a Placid Vellicati­on of the Membranes. Pain proceeds from a Con­traction of the fibers, and Pleasure from a pacid Relaxation of them. What he means by a placid Vellication, and a placid Relaxation, I believe is scarce common Sense; but I cannot but take notice here, how prettily and considerately Father Malbranch presides his Contradiction: for, first, He says Pleasure and Pain proceed from a Placid Vellication of the Membranes; and then, that Pain is a Contraction, and Pleasure a Pacid Relaxation; but the Pain that Cold causes, can scarce be a Vellication and a Contraction too, there being as much Difference betwixt stretching of a Rope, and twisting of it, when they make them, as there is betwixt hanging and not hanging; whether he deserves it or not.

The latter End of the 17 and the begin­ning of the 18. He says; And I do lay it down as a possitive Assertion, that all Pain is caused by a Stagnation of the Juices, which causes a Compression of the Membranes: But here He is positive a little too soon, for tho' it were granted, that there were a Stagnation of the Juices, yet Pain is not caused by a Compression of the Membranes, but by Pre­ternaturally affecting that which is the Sen­sitive Being, which Membranes by no means [Page 131] are; but since he does lay it down as a posi­tive Assertion, that all Pain is caused by a Stagnation of the Juices; I (that being gran­ted) lay it down as another Assertion, that were there Reason to draw such a Conclusion from the Pain of the Gout proceeds from Acids; for since it is the Nature of Acids to thick­en the Blood, and it's Serum, and since the more Acid it is, the thicker it will be, and since Acid will thicken the Serum, and Alka­lies will not; and again, since Coagulation make the Serum subject to obstruct, it must needs follow, that those Obstructions in the Gout proceed from Acids; but because he ap­peals to ingenious Gentlemen, I shall give an Instance, that Acids thicken the Serum, and consequently cause Obstructions; and so pain, that those ingenious Gentlemen may see the Truth of it; and because he shall have no way to perswade Gentlemen, that the Instance is not true, I desire them for their own satisfaction to look back to the first Page of his Introduction, where they have his own Confession, that Niter is an Acid; now almost any Gentlemen (and I dare Appeal to them;) knows, that upon tak­ing cold, some Peoples Heads will be stuffed with Phlegm, or else they will spit a great deal of Phlegm; which shews, that Acids cause the Serum of the Blood to thicken, and consequently obstruct, and sometimes cause [Page 152] Pain in the Head; but some People are not subject to spit Phlegm, nor to the Pain of the Head, and for those Gentlemen, I have another Instance, viz. that the Niter of the Air thic­kens most Liquids with which it is mixed, as Blood, &c. And in Frosty Weather, when it is, Violent enough, even Milk and Water will be Frozen which is a fort of Coagulation by a Mixture of Acids.

And here, I shall let all ingenious Gentle­men, nay and all knowing Women, understand, that Acid causes most Distempers; for any Observing Woman out-does Mr. Colbatch so far, that she knows taking cold (which is caused by Acid Nitrous Particles) causes People to fall into Rheumatisms, &c. And they know likewise, that taking cold, often occasions Stitches up and down in the Body, in which there is Pain; and consequently (by Mr. Colbatch) confessed to proceed from Obstructions.

And that they may know Alkalies do not cause Obstructions, they must remember, that the Serum of the Blood in Healthful People turns Syrup of Violets Green, and conse­quently according to Mr. Colbatch, abounds with Alkalies, yet they are not troubled with Pain or Obstructions; in the Pleurisie it is also observed, that their Blood abounds with a siezy Gelly; which Distemper happens often upon taking great Colds; the Blood being thicken­ed by the Acid Nitrous Particles of the Air: [Page 153] and these Observations I have laid down; be­cause they are suited to the Apprehensions of ingenious Gentlemen, and discerning Women who are imposed upon by him.

And I have another plain Observation, that will satisfie all Observing Women, that Acids cause Distempers; for nothing is more com­mon, than that taking cold stops Womens Courses, the Acid Particles of the Air coa­gulating their Blood, and causing Obstructi­ons, and nothing is more common, that that Children and young Women drive them­selves into the Green-sickness, by eating Fruit, which Mr. Colbatch in his Appendix of Al­kaly and Acid, owns are Acids; so that it ap­pears very plainly to all ingenious People, that are not Physicians, that all Pain and Obstructions proceed from Acids, and not Alkalies; and consequently not only the Gout, but Rheumatisms, Scurvy, Small Pox, &c. proceed from Acid; and consequently are to be cured with Alkalies; so that all that he hath said, or has to say, about the Use of Acids must be false and dangerous; and I need not go any further in the Proof of it, for all ingenious People are already satisfied; only for the Authors sake, I shall shew him what little Reason he hath to be so proud of him­self; for I would fain have him humble, because Humility may correct a Multitude of Sins, [Page 154] and God knows how much need he hath of it, who alone can tell.

Or in other Words, how many such a one, as Mr. Coblatch, hath sent to their long Home; but truly, Mankind takes less Notice of it, because, as he says, Page 26. of this Treatise.

In other Words, those he hath not killed, cry him up, but those he hath overcharged with most noble Acids, lie silent in the Grave.

Page the 19th. He says, The Gout may in general be defined to be a Pain of the Joints and Parts adjacent, occasioned from an extra­vasated Alkaline Humour, which irritates the Membranes of the Joints and Parts adjacent. A very Learned Definition of the Gout! How can it properly be called a Pain of the Joints, when it is an Irritation only of the Membranes of the Joints, except a Membrane were a Joint; but he might as well call an Acron an Axle Tree. But the Gout he says is no­thing but a Pain; he forgets how the Parts adjacent are swelled, and that an Ob­struction accompanyes it: But no wonder! when such a short sighted Man turns De­finition [Page 155] maker, that his Definitions are so de­fective.

But further He says, The Pain is occasioned from an extravasated Alkaline Humour, which irritates the Membranes of the Joints. But truly he is to be excused, he only contra­dicts himself; either he knows not how, or he forgets himself; for the Page before he said, He laid it down as a positive Assertion, that all Pain is caused by a Stagnation of the Juices; which causeth a Compression of the Membranes. But supposing it were, as he here says, an Ir­ritation of the Membranes, and the first Ac­count he gave were false, yet an Alkalizated Humor, such as the Serum of the Blood, would be incapable of causing Pain; if it were not, Healthful People would never be without Pain; but here I will appeal to those Ingenious Gentlemen, that he hath so often made his Appeal to, and shall instance another easie Observation, whereby they may be sa­tisfied, that an Acid Juice is capable of cau­sing very violent Pains; whereas Alkalizated Humours are not at all subject to irritate the Membranes, and to this end, let them take a little Vinegar, and wash but a cut Finger with it, so that the sensible Membranes may be irritated by it, and it will cause a most violent Heat and Pain, yet it tastes cool on the Tongue; from whence we may gather, that an Acid sharp Humour, when extravased [Page 156] so as to fall upon the sensible Membranes▪ will cause a violent Heat and Pain in the Gout; this is a very plain and obvious Ex­periment, and any Body may be assured of the Truth of it very easily.

Now as this proves, that Acids will cause Pain and Heat, and consequently inflame; so if those ingenious Gentlemen will but take a little Vinegar, and put an Alkaly into it, as Chalk or Crabs-Eyes, and put that Alka­lizated Vinegar upon a cut Finger, they will find, that it will not cause much Pain; but they must be sure to put none of the Powder upon the Wound along with it; and this shews not only that an Alkalizated Humour will cause less Pain, than an Acid; but also, that Alkalies will abate the pain of the Gout; for if Alkalies take ocff the sharpness of Vi­negar, why will they not from those Hu­mours, that corrode the Membrances in the Gout?

And here I would desire ingenious Gentle­men to taste Vinegar, and then that, into which they put Chalk; and they will plainly per­ceive the good Effects of Alkalies in correct­ing sharp and irritating Humours.

Page the 20th. He says, Now Acids be­ing the only things that hinder Fermentations and prevent Fevers, it is impossible they should be in the Fault, but Alkalies exciting Fermen­tations, and by consequence causing Fevers, [Page 157] they are necessarily here to be blamed, and were timely Care taken to correct the Luxuriant Al­kalious Particles, I am sure it would be no diffi­cult Matter to prevent a Fit. But what is cur­ing these Luxuriant Particles in Fevers to the Gout, he might as well say, if Dogs were kept from pulling the Hedges in Pieces on the High-Way; there would not be such Wars in the World, nor Countries spoiled and plunder­ed; for Fevers and Gout, ingenious Gentlemen know, are two different things; and he might as rationally conclude, that Killing a Mouse would Kill a Man; as that curing a Fever would prevent the Gout.

The remaining Part of the 20 Page, the 21, 22, and Part of the 23, are taken up with a Description of the Manner of this Distemper's Invasion, transcribed from Dr. Sydenham, amongst which, some simple Sentences of his own are interspersed, which already have been sufficiently answered. In the latter Part of that Page, He says; There are several Things occur in order to this Distem­per. But what he calls Things; he should have called accessory Causes; in the delive­ring of which I shall proceed to observe his Dexterity, and then make Remarks upon the whole collectively.

Page the 24. the first of the Things, as he calls them, is, Too moist a State of Air, which hinders free Transpiration; by which [Page 158] Means the Excrementitious Alkaline Particles, which should be thrown out by the Cutaneous Pores, are retained, and the Quantity of Ex­crementitious Alkaly, which is thrown out that way, those Passages being free, is not inconsidera­ble; which Particles being retained in the Blood do greatly contribute towards the Raising of this Unruly Devil, which the wisest of Physi­cians hitherto have not been able to lay, which hath been the occasion of that Saying.

But here I must tell him, that if the Moist­ness of the Air only produced such ill Con­sequences, by preventing Transpiration; all People would be equally prejudiced by it, and we should as soon see poor People troubled with it, who labour continually in moist fenny Countries; and how dange­rous would it be, for poor Country Men to encompass their Ground with Ditches, if the Dampness and Moisture that affects their Bodies there, should throw them into the Gout by stopping Transpiration, and hin­dring Nature from throwing off Excrementi­tious Alkaline Particles; but were stopping Transpiration all the Prejudice moist Air could do, that would be easily helped another way; for as it is observed by the Famous Dr. Lower, that which supplies Transpiration in Bed, runs off by Urin, when we are [Page 159] out of Bed; so although in moist Weather Transpiration should be stopped, more then in dry Weather, it would do them no harm; because the less runs off by Transpiration, the more does by Urine, and à converso.

But the Reason, why moist Air is so preju­dicial, is, because the Circumference of our Body is so Relaxed by that Moisture, as to leave the Pores open; which by admitting too much Niter into the Mass of Blood, (the Natural Heat of our Bodies being depressed) Crudities are bred in the se­cond Concoction, as the Antients called it; which External Accessary Cause, con­curring with a Natural Predisposition, and the Acid Particles of the Air joyned with those Predisposed Humours, cause such Coagu­lations, as the Obstructions in the Parts af­fected (in this Distemper) are accompanied with; so that besides the Moisture of the Air, there is a Natural inclination and pre­disposition in our Bodies, which makes that Moister Air prejudicial to Gouty Peo­ple, the Acid Coagulating their Blood, and disposing them to Crudities; and not, because insensible Transpiration is stop'd.

But the wonderful Discoveries of this Mr. Colbatch are not a little to be Admired! For he is the first Man that ever perceived the Devil to appear in the shape of the Gout; I heard indeed when I was a Boy, that the [Page 160] Devil was to be distinguished from a Man by a great Cloven Foot, but I could never have thought that Mr. Colbatch would have com­pared his Gouty Patients, to so many Devils, except he had Dream't he was a Physician to such, before he wrote this Page in his Book.

He says, The Wisest Magicians being not able to cure the Gout was the occasion of that Saying.

But why they should say Physicians can­not Cure the Gout, because Magicians can­not, I see not any Reason, except a Physi­cian and a Magician are equally the same.

Page 23. But this is one of those Devils which are not to be cast out, but by Prayer and Fasting, that is Nature her self, without help, is not able to get the Mastery of it, to rid her self from it. It seems it is a Devil in earnest, and truly I believe they are worse than Pos­sest, that make Use of such a Physician; but he hath too soon concluded, that this kind is to be cured by Prayer and Fasting, I scarce think he ever cured any by such Pre­scriptions: And I cannot but admire, what a pretty sort of a Divine he would have made, who hath such an excellent knack at interpreting Scripture; who calls Prayer and Fasting. Nature.

[Page 161] Page 24. Nature hath hitherto been rather Oppressed than Assisted, this Hydra, being not to be overcome, but by pouring in of fresh Bat­tallions armed with pointed Spears and Laun­ces upon him, viz by giving large Quantities of Medicines, whose Particles are pointed. O what a strange Metamorphosis! The Devil is turned Hydra? And what's more ingeni­ous, Gentlemen must swallow whole Bat­tallions of Armed Men with pointed Spears and Launces: Truly a hard Task, and a ve­ry strong Prescription; this sure was a Dream in Flanders, where he had reason to think of such terrible Medicines; but he unriddles this, and calls Acids Armed Men and Spears, and really not without reason; but Gentlemen have reason to fear, that such pointed Medi­cines would rather increase, than ease their Pains, since I have shewed them what ill ef­fects Vinegar hath, when applied to any Sensible part.

Page 24. Secondly, The use of many sorts of Meat, and the too great Ingurgitation of them; and then he says, The Stomach being put out of order, a foundation is laid for Di­stempers; and for that reason, Page 25. he says, As his Predecessors have explained Di­stempers by Acids, so he will by Alkalies. A very noble design, and upon very good Grounds; but it were unreasonable, for ei­ther him or his Predecessors to ascribe Acids [Page 162] or Alkalies for the Cause of Distempers, merely because the Stomach was foul; but he ought first to consider, whether of these two were predominant in the Stomach, when the foundation of such Distempers was laid, which is the way to make it appear, whe­ther Alkaly or Acid be the cause of that Di­stemper.

So that in order to a right knowledge, whether of these two are predominant, we are to consider how Digestion is carried on naturally, and then it will appear, what is the reason, that two much Meat hinders it.

I shall not here go about, to explain Dige­stion any further, than is necessary to our pre­sent Purpose, and shall therefore refer the Reader to his own Observation, who cannot but take notice, that the better his Meat and Drink is, the better he digests it, if what Mr. Colbatch says were true, in his Novum Lumen Chirurgicum, viz. The more generous our Drink is, the better; so that were he to be judged by his own Words, (which I have shewed how far they are false) Indigestion, when we eat too much, must proceed from the Fermentation in the Stomach, being too low, and consequently Crudities, or raw un­digested Chyle, must be carried into the Blood, to lay the Grounds of a Distemper; now in all Crudities, it must needs be ac­knowledged, that Acids abound, so that ac­cording [Page 163] to Mr. Colbatch his own canting Scraps of Philosophy, there wants Alkalies to break the Globules, and consequently the Gout must proceed from too much Acids.

Page 25. he says, The same Alkaly which being thrown upon the Joints, cause the Gout, —being thrown upon the Membranes of the Brain, may cause a Staggering, and may occasi­on an Apoplexy. Really since Mr. Colbatch said it, it is very much to be wondered at; that Alkalies should be so mischievous, as to coagulate the Morbifick Matter of the Gout, and cause Apoplexies, and yet in the Small Pox break Globules, and be guilty of a con­trary mischief, by thining the Blood, and throwing it out through Vessels, through which it was before too fine to pass; but any thing that's mischievous, hath such a kindness for him, that it will be black or white, as he wou'd have it, otherwise one would think, to thin, and to thicken, are widely different Acti­ons for Alkalies to do, but I have before shewn the Absurdities of what he said, as to these Distempers, and shall not now enlarge upon them.

The remaining part of Page 25. and Page 26. he fills with a Repetition of an Account, he formerly gave of the Reason, why drink­ing Wine does Men that are inclined to the Gout, so much harm, which I having in his Chapter of the Gout, (published in his Essay [Page 164] of Acids and Alkalies,) and also in this, shew'd to prove, that the Gout proceeds▪ from Acids, there is no need to repeat what I there said: Again,

Page 27. He says, Fourthly, The immode­rate use of Venereal Exercises—every Body experiences, that by a few Venereal Embraces, his Spirits become more Languid. Poor Man! one may see what comfort his poor Wife hath, if he hath one; if he hath not, one may learn how he came to be so compassionate to An­gelick Faces in the Small-Pox, he speaks so sensible in the case, but he says, every Body experiences it; truly, then the World is worse than I thought it had been, for one might reasonably expect a Boy at Ten had never ex­perienced such things, but one may see, he begun to enervate himself betimes: But to be serious,

If Alkalies were the cause of the Gout, then Venery would cure the Gout; because it draws off the Alkalies of the Blood and Spirits, by taking away those parts that invi­gorate the heat of the Blood, but since taking away Alkalies, makes Men subject to the Gout, by leaving the Blood weak and flaggy; it follows, that the Gout proceeds from A­cids, which always most abound in Blood that is least Spiritous, as more in Old People than Young.

[Page 165] Page 27. Few or none are ever troubled with the Gout before Marriage, or the use of Venery, and yet the Roman Priests who ab­jure Matrimony, are frequently troubled with this Distemper. O strange! What a mighty stickler for the Church of England? That only defends it by calling Roman Priests Whoremasters; but it is a Wonder Mr. Col­batch did not quote Hypocrates his Aphorisms, for this Observation.

Page 28. He says, Fifthly, Overmuch Sleep, and to explain how overmuch Sleep does Gouty People so much prejudice, he tells us, that his Worthy Friend Dr. Cole hath made it ap­pear, that the Nervous Fibres, during Sleep, are relaxed, and receive a large quantity of Nutritious Juice, the Superfluities of which are thrown off when awake, but when we sleep too long, so much is heaped up, that Na­ture cannot throw off the Excrementitious Par­ticles, Page 30. This is the substance of what fills part of his 28th, 29th, 30th and most of the 31st Page only repeated in a dif­ferent Form three or four times over: I shall not here dispute, what he inserts as Dr. Cole's Opinion, but shall shew, that granting it were true, it would not be of any service to him; for as it is remarkable in that Observation of Dr. Lowers, that Transpiration is much more plentiful when we sleep, than when we are awake; and more particularly may be ob­served [Page 166] by any Ingenious Gentlemen, that more of the substance of our Bodies is consumed by lying in Bed three Days, than we can reco­ver in six; so it evidently from thence ap­pears, that Alkalies are not the cause of Di­stempers; because it Alkalies were, accord­ing to what Mr. Colbatch said, a little before, Sleeping much, would cure the Distemper; for he there would have that Juice that is car­ried off by Sweat, to be Alkaly, and Page 24. says, moist Air does harm, by hindring the Evacuation of that Alkaly; but if that were true, the more we sleep, the less subject we should be to the Gout, because more of that Alkaline Humour would be carried off, by Insensible Transpiration, and consequently we must be induced to believe, that the Blood is made more dull and gross, for want of Moisture and Alkalies to dilute it; and it would be more reasonable to say, that the reason, why People are so sluggish after so much Sleep, is, because the Humours are more gross and thick, and circulate through the parts with less ease, so much alkalized Se­rum being carried off by Sweat in Sleep, and the gross parts being left behind, in which Acids abound. But one may see, that not only Alkalies turn Acid, and Acids Alkalies, to do him a kindness, but when he hath a mind. Transpiration being stoped, promotes the Gout, Page 24. But now in contradiction [Page 167] to that, Sweating much, hath the same effect; so that his Alkaly is so mischievous, that whether it be in the Body or not, it hath the same Effects there.

Page 31. He says, Sixthly, Overmuch Watch­ing, and Fasting, and Study, and Sorrow, and Care, and much Labour—occasions the Gout, —the Nerves and nervous Fibres being kept in a state of Laxity too long, by being over­charged with slimy moist Particles. Here he hath coupled no less than six words in a Gang, with a whole Troop of and's to link them together, perhaps in Imitation of, and Compliance with, a late Act of Parliament, in which it was ordered, that not above six Horses should be linked together in Service, upon the High Road, but whether that was his reason or not, I shall here take notice, that it being allowed, that the Fibres are overcharged with a slimy Moisture, proves no­thing to his purpose, but against him; for since I have already so plainly shewn, that Acids are the cause of Coagulations, and that Alkalies are not, it must needs follow, that the cause of that slimy Juice is acid; and that Acids do cause Coagulations, is fur­ther plain, by applying of Vitriolick Acids to stop Bleeding, which presently ob­structs a small Orifice, by coagulating the Blood.

[Page 168] Page 32. He says, Seventhly, Overmuch Rest and Ease do greatly contribute towards the pro­ducing this Distemper, &c. And then he says Eighthly, Sudden Rest and exposing the Body to cold or moist Seasons. And then Page 33. Ninthly, A total bearing off of any accustomed Exercise. But his Seventhly and Ninthly be­ing both comprized under what he said Fifth­ly, and what he says Eighthly; but the same he said First, these are to be carried to their proper Heads, to receive the same Answer; and I can see no reason why his Tenthly should not be comprized with the First, since keep­ing the Feet too hot, or too cold, would not influ­ence our Bodies much otherways, than moist or dry Weather, only a little more violent­ly; and he had no need to have proceeded so far as Eleventhly, since what he said, might be comprized under six Heads answerable to the six Non-naturals: But I remember Page 24. the Devil turned Hydra, and so he was re­solved to give his Hydra, as many Heads as he could, tho they were all like one another, and perhaps, he did it, to imitate Nature in the forming of that Creature.

But Eleventhly, Since an odd Number is lucky, let's see how Fortunate he is with it. Page 34. The stopping of any usual Evacuation, as the Monthly Courses in Women, and a Flux of the Hemorrhoids in Men. Poor Man! Here according to his usual Failings, and his [Page 169] laudable Custom of contradicting himself, and mistaking his own meaning, he is safe; but hath the ill Fortune to mistake in another Method, and judiciously takes the Cause for the Effect; for the stopping of the Courses and Hemorrhoids, is not the cause of the Gout, but that vicid acid Juice, that causes the Gout, also causes the obstructions of Courses and Hemorrhoids; for as long as the Blood is in a Natural State, the Courses never are obstructed, but when it is thick­ned by Acids, it obstructs in those parts; so that that vicid Matter which causes the Gout, also precedes a stoppage of the Courses, and causes both.

Having shewed you how he hath furnished his Hydra with eleven Heads, he now comes to another, and says, Secondly, That the Blood and Juices, during the time of the Fit, abound not with Acid, but Alkalious ones.

I abominate Tautologies, &c. Truly there is great sign that he abominates Repetitions, since this hath been repeated in almost every Page of his Book; and I have so often shew­ed, that these Distempers proceed from Acids, that should I repeat what I have so often confuted, it would be but unnecessary Re­petition: I shall therefore refer the Reader to what hath gone before.

[Page 170] Page 35. He says, It will raise ones Admi­ration to see how we have groped in the dark for want of making Experiments. I have often found the quantity of Alkaly that is obtained from the Blood of People labouring under a Fit of the Gout, to exceed that obtainable from Peo­ple in a state of Health. Now supposing this were true, and I only suppose it; (for he that hath told so many Untruths in his Novum Lu­men Chirurgicum, may very well be suspected any thing that he says;) still Mr. Colbatch can by no means leave off his groping in the Dark, and shewing People that he's got out of his way, in a thing he does not under­stand; for did he understand common Distil­lation, nay, or what he said himself, he would know, that the more Acids there are in the Blood, the more Spirits are drawn from it: And first to satisfie him, if any thing that's Reason will satisfie him, I shall do it from his own Words, for in his Appendix to his Essay of Alkaly and Acid, he says, All Herbs abound with Acid; yet most of them are known to yield a considerable quantity of Alkalious Salt; and did he but know what common Distillers observe, he would then learn a rea­son, why the Blood yields most of that he calls Alkaly, when it most abounds with Acid, for I have often taken notice, and it is the common Practice of Distillers, who draw Spirits from Brewed Wort, that the sowerer [Page 171] it is, the more Spirits it yields; whereas if they Distil it sweet, it affords very little, and the reason of it is plain, because when the Blood is sweet, its Parts are more smooth and alkalizated, according to him; but when the Texture of that sweet Mass is altered, and it degenerates into an acid Mass, whose parts are sharp, those sharper Particles being raised up by Distillation, form a Spirit which affects our Taste more sensibly; and where­as the Depressed Spirits easily fly away, this more gross and compacter Acid incorporates with less loss, than if the Matter from whence it is drawn, were more volatile; so that it ap­pears upon what uncertainty Men draw Con­clusions from chymically analizing the Blood, where the least alteration in the Mass of Blood, makes so great difference in the Spirit, that is drawn from it: And here, because I would have Gentlemen satisfied that his ana­lizing is of no use, I desire they would but enquire of Distillers, whether in distilling of Wort to get a Spirit from it, it is not necessa­ry to let it be a little sowre, which when they know, they will also know, what a de­ceitful Agent the Fire it self is; for what dif­ferent Effects hath it upon the least alteration of the modification of that substance, it works upon; and we see then, what a Mathematical Demonstrator Mr. Colbatch is, who is more ignorant than Common Distillers, and what [Page 172] a fit Man is this, to draw Conclusions from Experiments that he does not understand.

Page 36. He asks, What is this Cretaceous Body, but a Collection of Homogeneous Parti­cles? I say of one determinate Figure, by a Collection of Particles reason that the fire won't totally destroy its Texture, which were it a Bo­dy composed of Particles of different sizes and figures (which is that we Chymists call hetero­geneous) and the fire would destroy it. What this cretaceous Substance is, I have before told him, and how it is made up of a great many acid Particles, lodged in a Mucus, and hardned into the form of a Stone; but for his Explanation of homogeneous and hetero­geneous Particles, it appears, that he does not understand what is meant by homoge­neous, nor what by heterogeneous; and there­fore I shall tell him that a Liquor is called homogeneous, not because it is made up of Particles of one determinate figure, since in the Language of the Chymists, a Liquor which is made up of Particles of a different shape and size, may be homogeneous, but be­cause it is simple, or so compounded, as to agree with that Body, of which it is said to make a part; and so, that the Liquor, whe­ther compound or simple, exactly suits in all Circumstances, that Body with which it is mixed; and so the Blood, which is made up of several Principals, if it be in a [Page 173] Natural State, and of a right Texture, is called homogeneous; but if another Liquor be mixed with it, which is not exactly so modified; tho it be a compound Body, yet it is not called heterogeneous, in respect of the different Ingredients, of which it is made up; but because it is not exactly like Blood in all Circumstances, in respect of Blood, it is called heterogeneous; and this he would have understood, had he known the derivation of those two Words, for homogeneous comes from [...] and [...], which is to say of a like kind, and heterogeneous from [...] and [...], of another kind; so that every Body is ho­mogeneous, in respect of it self, and its own Kind, and every homogenous Body is hete­rogeneous, in respect of another kind. But he says, Were it of Particles of a different kind, fire would destroy it; but he is mista­ken, for the different Texture of Gold, Iron and Brass, does not make them more easily dissolve, tho they were mixed together, for a Body never the more easily dissolves, be­cause it is a compound; every one of these Bodies requiring as much force to dissolve them, whether mixed or not.

Having mistaken the Meaning of these two Words, from Page 36. he goes on to Page 38. to make the mistake a little more conspicu­ous, all along he proceeds to repeat what he hath several times doubled and trebled be­fore, [Page 174] and all to tell People, that Alkalies are the Cause of the Gout; but tho this be the Gentleman that abominates Tautologies, he ei­ther knew he had often repeated this stuff before, or hath an extraordinary bad Me­mory; but tho he so easily forgot, that he had said the same things before, I think I have sufficiently answered them, and made it fully appear, that what he hath said all along in defence of his Hypothesis, and in explica­tion of the Distemper, is so far from proving the Distemper to proceed from Alkalies, that all he hath hitherto said, is very strong and evident proof that it proceeds from Acids.

But here I had almost passed by a very no­table Piece of his Scholarship, and which shews him to be a mighty Man for Antiquity: A Man of a vaste Soul, and of a strong Comprehension, Page 40. He says, The Antient Romans— feigned two Goddesses, the one called Volupia, the Goddess of Plea­sure, the other Angeronia the Goddess of An­guish, Names fitted to their Natures, and the Priests of Angeronia did serve at the Altar of Volupia, to signifie that in this Life Pleasure and Sorrow were mixed together. But what's this Goddess to the Gout, truly nothing at all, but to shew what a great Lump of Anti­quity he had cast up.

[Page 175] Page 41. He says, I shall continue to assert, that the Excrements of our Bodies are all Alka­lious, such as Sweat, Tears, &c. but what is voided by Stool, is not properly to be called the Excrements of our Bodies, but the Excrements of our Food. O admirable! What a piece of Wit hath Mr. Colbatch laid here? But not­withstanding his Wit, it will do him very little Service, for I am afraid he hath so much, he does not know how to use it, which is observed in Calves-Heads, where a great deal of Brains is found, but no Ingenuity; for by the same reason, he says Stools are the Excrements of Food, and not of the Bo­dy; Sweat, &c. may be said not to be Ex­crements of the Body, but of the Blood; but that Sweat and Tears are not Alkalies, but Acids, any Body that hath acquaintance with Mr. Colbatch's Goddess Angerona, may taste Tears evidently tasting Salt; and likewise when People sweat much, their Sweat does not only taste Salt, but People that work hard, have a strong sowre Smell about them, when their Heads sweat much, which are sufficient proofs, that Mr. Colbatch is mista­ken, and Angerona hath done him very little Service.

Thus I have gone through all that Mr. Col­batch hath said, relating to the cause of the Gout; from which, I think I have made it plain, that in every particular, he is egregi­ously [Page 176] mistaken; and I have not only shewed, that he is mistaken, but that what he alledges in his own Defence, is strong Proof against him; and I have also added a great many plain and obvious Observations, whereby it is ma­nifest, how little he understands what he hath gone about; and as he hath oft been bold to tell Learned Men, they grope in the Dark, so it now appears how miserably he is lost in it; which I hope is so evident, that Gentlemen will be no longer imposed upon by him, tho he make his Pretences with never so much Impudence, since the Method he takes is so pernicious; and, as I have shewed from his own words, increases the Distemper, and pro­crastinates its Cure.

CHAP. IV.
Contains Remarks on his Second Chapter.

HAving thus run over what he has said in his first Chapter, concerning the Gout; and shewed upon what false Conclu­sions he has grounded his Method of Practice, for want of Judgment to understand those Ex­periments he made, and what gross and er­roneous [Page 177] Accounts he hath given of the Abuse of Non-Naturals: I say, having so fairly de­tected his Grand Mistakes, and so plainly made it appear, that he hath not only very short, but false Notions of things; and ha­ving all along laid him open so fairly to the View of Mankind, that they may discern his very Essentials, to be nothing but Mistakes, Blunders, Oversights, Pretence, Impudence, and Inconsistency; I might spare my self the Trouble of going any farther in laying open his intolerable Absurdities, it being certain that whatever is built upon such false Bot­toms, must not only be very false, but dan­gerous to Mankind, and of very ill conse­quence; but since I have gone so far, with no other design but to lay open his Faults the clearer, that Gentlemen might be forewarned how much they hazard their Health, if not their Lives, by putting themselves in such Hands; so, that they may be, if possible, more fully convinced, what danger they lay themselves open to by so doing; I shall for their further satisfaction, shew them the ill Consequences of his Practice, by laying open its Faults there committed.

The remaining part of his Book is made up of three parts, the first he calls the Die­tetick Cure, the second is levelled against Rational Practice, and the third is to lay o­pen his own ill Practice, which I shall exa­mine [Page 178] in the order he hath laid them in; and first I shall observe his wonderful Dietetick Rules: Where,

First, He says, Page 44. It is said by some Body, that plus Aere quam cibo vivimus, we live more by Air than Meat, and that Air doth assist in the Nutrition of Animal Bodies; the famous Instance of Vipers, so well known, is suf­ficient to evince; for let a young Viper be put into a Glass Receiver, and let the Receiver be covered over with a Bladder with holes pricked in it, and the Viper will become as large and fat as if it were in the open Fields. What the design of this part of his Dieteticks is, he best knows; I for my part can't tell what he would have by his instance, we live more by Air than Meat, except he would have People to eat no Meat, but gape for Wind continually; but why breathing of Air is so necessary, I have elsewhere shewed in my Treatise of the Heat of the Blood, and of the Use of the Lungs, and that People cannot live without Meat, a little Experience tells them. But he hath given an Instance of a Viper, that does not only live without Meat, but grows fat; but to what purpose does he mention this, except he would persuade his Patients they can live better without Meat, than with it; sure he would not persuade his Gouty Patients to be closed up in Receivers, as the Viper was; but if he would, they are a little too cun­ning [Page 179] for him yet, I doubt not; and how much soever he can impose upon them with his Me­dicines, they will sooner be pinned up in a Coffin by his Medicines, than closed in a Glass Receiver to suck Air, till he hath been in it himself.

Page 45. He says, People who are troubled with the Gout, should endeavour to live in a clear and most serene Air, that possibly they can, and avoid that which is thick and foggy and full of Extraneous Particles. That a clear Air is better than a foggy one is no news of his find­ing out, it being always delivered in Diete­tick Rules; but would he have Gentlemen to overrun their Countries? Should they go into France, or some warmer Country, per­haps they would be less troubled with it; but this is such a piece of old Advice, that few can take, and therefore he might have left it in those Books he found it in, where it was deliver'd with Judgment and Learning.

All that he further says from Page 46. to 50, is but a Reduction to six Heads, what in the Chapter before to make his Hydra more formidable, he extended to Eleventhly; and as what was there contained, was so ma­ny Blunders and Marks of his Ignorance, in reckoning up the Misuses of Non-Naturals: so here he repeats those Faults in less com­pass, and extenuated by extending them on­ly in falsely, and as simply prescribing Non-Naturals; [Page 180] which, tho he had the Dieteticks of Judicious and Learned Men writ ready to his Hand, yet fancying himself a great and able Man, he must needs mould them anew, and turn them into his own simple Form, that he might interpose two or three Sentences to re­commend the use of Acids; but I having al­ready shew'd the dangerous Consequences of the use of Acids, and that, even according to his own supposition, viz. that the Blood would be coagulated by the use of Acids, and consequently the Distemper increased, I hope Gentlemen will be so cautious of their own Safety, as not to be misguided by such a Man, who throughout his Book hath so egregiously given us lasting Patterns of his Ignorance.

CHAP. V.
Contains Remarks on his Third Chapter.

I Come now to his Third Chapter, which is irrationally levelled against all judicious and experienced Practice; where from Page 50, to 58. he hath set down a Method which was taken with Sir J. G. and Page 58. He says [Page 181] — Instead of being any way serviceable, it exasperated the Symptoms: But I here leave it to the Consideration of those Ingenious Gentlemen who are troubled with this Di­stemper, since they, by dreadful Experience find, that when they take Medicines, the Symptoms are almost Intolerable, whether it be not more reasonable to think the violence of those Symptoms proceeded from the vio­lence of the Distemper; since I have so plain­ly made it appear, all along in answer to his Books, that Acids are the Causes of this Di­stemper; and what more plain and obvious an Experiment can there be, to prove the Rea­sonableness of using Alkalies in the Cure of this Distemper, than that which I have be­fore mentioned, viz. by applying Vinegar it self to a fresh Wound, and at the same time, to another, Vinegar whose Acrimony is dul­led by the use of Chalk, or some other Alka­ly; for if the strength of so sharp a Liquor as Vinegar, is taken off by the mixture of Alka­ly, this is the strongest and plainest proof in the World, that Alkalies are very useful in the Gout, and always to be made use of by Rational Physicians, since I have so evidently and beyond Rational Contradiction proved, that the Gout proceeds from Acids; for Al­kalies do not only take off the Acrimony of that Humour, which irritates the sensible Parts, but also by absorbing part of the su­perabundant [Page 182] Acid, attenuates that matter, which by coagulating the Humour, fixes it in the part affected, and conseqently dispose that Matter to be absorbed into the fluid Mass of Blood again, to be carried off by proper Excretories, so that nothing can be plainer, than that the use of Alkalies in the Gout, is highly reasonable, since it so evidently ap­pears, from so many Instances, as I have throughout this Book given, that Acids cause Coagulations, and consequently are to be taken off and corrected by the proper Use of Alkalies.

Page 58. He says, The Medicines here pre­scribed, are those that are generally used by most Physicians; and if any Body ever received Ad­vantage by them, I dare be Burn'd▪ and that ever Men should have such dull Phansies, as not to vary from a Method that hath never once stood them in any stead, looks very odd. And as for Alkalious Medicines in general, I dare be positive that they never yet cured any one Di­stemper, but very frequently have done a great deal of Mischief, they being given in Foul Di­stempers. What mischief they do when used by absurd Practicers, as himself, that know not how to manage them; I don't now di­spute, that being nothing at all to the Gout; but since I have so manifestly made it appear, that this Distemper proceeds from Acids, and that Alkalies are of very great Use, I think it [Page 183] is all the Answer I need to give to this, that the Medicines he prescribes, are never given by Rational Physicians, and never by Quacks, without ruining Mens Constitutions in a lit­tle time, and except he leaves of such ill Pra­ctice, he really deserves what he so zealously dares, viz. to be Burn'd; and I am amazed, that this Man should have such a dull Fancy, as all the reason in the World cannot persuade him from it, tho it be so very pernicious and dangerous, and truly it looks odd enough to use his elegant Expression, that Peoples Con­stitutions must be ruined, to please his dull Phansie, and as for his Acid Medicines, I am positive, they have ruined more Constituti­ons than he's aware of; but some People are lead into their own Destruction by blind Promises, which they know not how to per­form, which is the reason he does so much Mischief.

Page 59. He says, In Chronical Distempers▪ such as the Gout, &c. there poor Mortals are let alone to languish under their Oppression, and the Physician—will be for putting the poor Wretch into a Course of Alkalies, to correct those luxu­riant Acid Particles, which he would fain per­suade his Patient that his Blood abounds with (but yet he never found any such thing there) to the pauling of his Stomach, and exasperating his Distemper; and if ever the poor Patient finds relief, it is from Opium, that is between [Page 184] whiles given; and if from that he hath any lit­tle intermission of his pain, they are generally so ungrateful, as not to set the Saddle upon the right Horse, to give the Opium its due, but presently hug themselves, and cry, God a Mercy Alkalies, and so go on with a repetatur pulv. è chelis, &c. Now as this was to be laid up­on all Rational Physicians, upon condition that their Practice was false, so having all a­long in answer to him made it appear, that their Practice is Rational and Good; and that his is false and erroneous; it must needs fall to his own share, and in his own words, to lay the Saddle on the right Horse, I must say, in Chronical Distempers, such as the Gout, &c. there poor Mortals, are let alone to lan­guish under their Oppression, and Mr. Col­batch neither understanding their Distemper, nor the true Method, that he should take with them, would be for putting the poor Wretches into a Course of Acids; and would fain persuade his Patient, that his Blood a­bounds with Alkalies, contrary to Truth and Experience, to the Detriment of his Consti­tution, depressing of his Spirits, and encrea­sing of his Distemper: And alas! If ever the Patient he imposes upon, finds relief, he may thank God for it; and the strength of his Constitution, which helps to carry off, and abate the Distemper: But what a tender compassionate Creature is Mr. Colbatch, who [Page 185] hath such a tender Love for poor Gentlemen, that will give him Money? For he is so en­raged at that Hydra! That Devil! That Gout, that he calls it all the ill Names he can, and hath such esteem for Opium, that gives them all the ease they must hope for from him; that he's offended they don't fix some Mark of Honour upon it, it hath such an excellent stupifying Quality; and truly no Body knows how much he is ingaged to be zealous for the Honour of any thing, that relates to dul­ness and stupidity, he hath so much of it himself; and indeed he may well hug him­self, and cry, God a Mercy Stupidity! O, the wonderful Effects of Opium, where A­cids would increase the Distemper.

Page 60. He says— If we do not look about us, and regain our Reputation, we may chance to be laid aside in other Distempers as well as the Gout. This is a mighty considerable piece, and shews the honest Endeavours of the Man, who is so much afraid of being laid aside, that he uses all the means he can only to get Patients; and truly without this, by his whole Writings one would guess, that the Man only Huffs, and Contradicts, and Writes, that People might think he hath something in him; but alas poor Man! He hath so much ill luck along with it, that he cannot long impose upon People, for those very Writings shew (according to the old [Page 186] Maxim, Nil dat quod in se non habet) that he hath nothing at all in him, but Pre­tence.

Page 60. He says, What I have said is not to reproach the Physicians of our own Nation, who are many of them as great Men as ever were of the Profession, and generally this City abounds with such, but my design is to undeceive Young Physicians, who are imposed upon by Foreign Authors. But our Author Mr. Colbatch must think himself a strange sort of a Wit, or the Physicians in London very easily imposed up­on, to be flattered with such a dull pretence as this; for if he did not reproach the Phy­sicians of this City, who does he mean? When Page 58. He says, The Medicines here prescribed, are those that are generally used by most Physicians; surely most Physicians must needs comprize the generality of this City; but if he would pretend only to undeceive Young Physicians, why did he in his Preface to this Book, call Physick a Scene of Slaugh­ter, since Young Physicians scarce kill, be­fore they have Practice enough to be Sub­jects of Slaughter? But this is to let us know, that he is Conscious, that he hath laid that to Physicians Charge, which properly belongs to himself, and would thus stop their Resent­ments with this dry Complement. But did he not say what he hath done was only to re­proach— as great Men as ever were of the [Page 187] Profession, but those that are imposed upon by Foreign Writers, why did he not then direct his Book against those Writers? But we must give him leave to contradict himself, to say and unsay, as odd as it looks, for his Head is made up of nothing but short Raptures with­out thought, or foresight: Besides, were what he here says true, it had been his best way to have gone amongst his Adversaries, where by a total Conquest, he would have got Credit, more than he must expect by thus weakly exposing himself amongst Men he hath nothing to say against, as he here says.

Page 61. He goes on, If the Blood's abound­ing with Alkalious Particles, be the Primary, or Fundamental Cause of the Gout, how can the giving of Alkalies be of any Use? Of no other Use than the throwing of a Company of dryed Fa­gots upon a House that is on fire, would be to ex­tinguish the Flame; and whoever should attempt such a thing, would, I suppose, be accounted little less than a Mad-man. To this I answer, that since I have so often made it appear, that the Acidity of the Serum, from whence its Viscidity proceeds, is the cause of this Di­stemper, and it hath been plainly proved, by evident Observations and Reasons, that gi­ving more Acids, is the way to encrease the Distemper: He alone is the Mad-man, that can give no reason for what he does, but what [Page 188] is plainly contradictory to his own Practice; but this is a strange sort of a Man, to call all Physicians Mad-men. Page 61. and Page 58. He says, He will be Burn'd if ever they did good; yet Page 60 says, He does not do it to reproach the Physicians of our own Nation: Whether does he talk like a Wise-man, or like Mr. Colbatch now?

But Page 61. further to let the World know that he hath a mighty Insight into a Glover's Trade, he tells a Story of a Philosophical Glover, from whence he seems to draw his Conclusions, and upon which, one would guess he had built his Hypothesis; He says,— They first throw their Skins into a Pit, fil­led with a strong Alkalious Lixivium, which makes them in a manner rotten; afterwards they make a strong Acid Solution, into which they throw their almost rotten Skins, which again reduces them to their Texture; nay, makes them firmer than they were at the first. Truly Mr. Colbatch was very happy in so Philoso­phical a Companion, for doubtless he recei­ved wonderful hints, from one that was used to grope Philosophically in Lime-Pits; and had he been Seven Years an Apprentice to him, without question, Mr. Colbatch would have been a very notable Man at the Trade, and would have handled Hides very Philoso­phically; nay, and for ought I know, might have made as Ingenious a Man at it, as Mr. Yardly, [Page 189] for he would have got wonderful Improve­ments, by such weighty Debates as would have passed betwixt them two; but of what advantage soever it might have been to him, to have improved his Knowledge in that Trade, I am sure Mr. Yardly's Story does him little service here; for it directly proves, that Acids are most pernicious in the Gout, and that Alkalies are the only Remedies to be depended upon; for if Alkalies so softned the Skins, there is a great reason to hope that they will also dissolve, and soften those Hu­mours that swell the Parts affected, being hardened and obstructed there; but if Acids will harden the Skins, when soft, consequent­ly they must harden that Alkalious Matter, lodged in the Gouty Parts, and so do more harm by fixing it there. But,

Page 62. He is happy, Quoniam successus ejus sol vidit, oneres autem tellus operiret; otherwise, because those he does not Kill, think he Cures them, but those he sends packing to another World, have not the ad­vantage of telling their Friends the dismal Cause of their Departure, and how they were sent to another World by Mr. Colbatch his Acids.

From Page 62. to Page 67. he tells a long Story of a Man that was troubled with an Iliack Passion, but why that comes in this [Page 190] Chapter, I cannot tell, except he wanted something to fill it up with.

Page 67. he says,— The Skin abounds with Receptory as well as Excretory Pores, which I have frequently observed in the Skins of many Animals, by the means of my Optick Glasses. Really he seems to be mighty inquisitive into the Skins of Animals, since he hath been ac­quainted with the Ingenious and Philosophi­cal Glover Mr. Yardly, but it seems he is not content with Mr. Yardly's Enquiry into Skins, but hath got his Opticks to them, as if he had a mind to be the Author of some new Discovery, and would help his weak sight by Spectacles. But perhaps he remembered that Malpigius and others, who had made great Discoveries in Anatomy, made use of Microscopes; and so he being a great Man in his own Conceit, must needs peep through a Glass too; But to what purpose? Truly, he hath discovered Receptory Pores as well as Ex­cretory Pores: But I ask him how he knew which were Receptory Pores by looking at them? Which is utterly impossible. And I am afraid he hath stared so much on the out­side, that he hath scarce looked enough with­in, or he would have understood things a lit­tle better than he does; and I am sorry to see one that hath so little Reason, pretend to be so saucy with all Learned Men, and not on­ly so, but Dogmatical and Positive, where [Page 191] he ought to be humble, and repent of what ill Practice he hath hitherto followed, endea­vouring to impose upon Mankind.

CHAP. VI.
Contains Remarks on his Fourth Chapter.

I Come now last of all to his Method of Cure, to undeceive these Ingenious Gentlemen, that he hath hitherto imposed upon; and for their sakes, I shall take pains to be a little more large upon this Point, than I otherwise need to be; for I having already shewn the grand Blunders and Mistakes of his Book, and that he is so notoriously mistaken in the Cause of this Distemper, and in all he hath said relating to it; and also that the Method he uses is so far from curing, that it increa­ses the Distemper; it must be allowed, that what he here delivers is false also; but to make it more evidently appear that he is mi­staken, I shall take a brief View of this Chap­ter: And first,

Page 68. He says,— When my Patient com­plains of a Crudity and Rawness of his Sto­mach, with a Windy sort of Distension and Hea­viness [Page 192] of his Body, which are certain Arguments of an approaching Fit: If he be of a Sanguine Complexion, and a Plethorick Habit of Body, I first of all prescribe Blood letting, from 12 to 20 Ounces. Whether those Gentlemen he thus uses find themselves very much weak­ned or not, after such immoderate Bleeding, they themselves are best Judges; but twenty Ounces is a great deal too much to take at one time, and if they find themselves very weak and faint after it, they had better fol­low the Advice of able and Judicious Physi­cians, and not to exceed twelve Ounces; but I am afraid those that are so much imposed upon as to send for him, will be also prevail­ed upon to submit to his irrational Method, and therefore it is in vain to advise them, they must reap the dangerous Consequences of such absurd usage, and may thank them­selves for it; I shall only here forewarn them, that when they find their Stomachs Raw, and filled with Crudities, that is sufficient to satisfie them, that their Bodies abound with Acids, all Crudities proceeding from Indige­stion, and Indigestion from too great a quan­tity of Acid Particles depressing and over­powering the Alkalious Parts, by which means, the Meat contained in the Stomach, being not sufficiently dissolved and broke in pieces, but (in the sense of our Philosophical Glover and Mr. Colbatch) being too much [Page 193] hardned and kept to a Consistence, remains crude and undigested. But if nevertheless they will let Mr. Colbatch pour in more A­cids, and by encreasing the Acidities of the Blood, so oppress Nature, that she cannot powerfully expel the Morbifick Matter; all that I can further say, is, that I am really sorry that Ingenious Gentlemen are so impo­sed upon by a Man that hath Impudence to stare them in the Face, and contradict Rea­son and Experience. But to proceed;

Page 69. and Page 72. amongst his Acid Medicines, as he calls them, an Hour or half an Hour before Dinner, he orders his Patients to take a Medicine made of Cremor Tartari, and Tartar. Vitriolat. But for what end, ex­cept to encrease the Distemper, I can scarce imagine; for the Nature of Cremor Tartar▪ being Purgative, it must needs do a great deal of Mischief, by raising the Peristaltick Mo­tion, and forcing the Meat out of the Sto­mach before it is digested, which is the on­ly way to fill the Blood with Crudities, and consequently to encrease the Distemper; so that this Method, which forces their Meat out of their Stomach undigested, and fills their Blood with Crudities, must needs recom­mend Mr. Colbatch; and he must needs be a very fine Man, who hath Impudence to boast of such Absurdities; really I cannot but ad­mire him, and wonder that he hath such suc­cess, [Page 194] as not to ruine People more fre­quently.

Page 70. He orders the following Medi­cine to be given for a Month twice a Day, viz.

℞. Lapidis hoematitis. Unc. Semis. Crem. Tartar. Unc. unam.

And really his wonderful Skill in Compound­ing, considering the Advantage of Mr. Yard­ly's Company, the Glover, and his own, be­ing bred an Apothecary, is not a little to be admired; for there is no less than Contradi­ction in this very Receipt; for as Crem. Tar­tar▪ is Purgative, so Lapis hoematitis is no less a stopper of Purging, and to give one thing to Purge, and another at the same time to stop Purging, is as absurd as if it were real­ly Mr. Colbatch: And in his own Words, Page 58. of this Treatise, That ever Men should have such dull Fancies—looks very odd, and shews the Ignorance of the Man so plainly, that no Wise-man would ever ha­zard his Life in his Hands.

Page 74, 75. and part of 76, He tells a long Story out of Polemanus, but that being nothing at all to the Gout, I shall take no notice of it, but leave him to restore it to Polemanus again, it being not able to do him [Page 195] any other Service, than to fill up two Pages in his Book.

Page 76. He says, I have hitherto but just entered into the Porch, &c. and really had he gone no further than his Porch, he had gone too far in such a bad Way, for every Page, except those Polemanus hath taken possession of, are filled with a Recipe Crem. Tartar. and Tartar. Vitriolat. over and over again, and all the Elegancy that is to be observed in what he says, is, that whereas sometimes he puts Crem. Tartar. before Tartar. Vitriolat. in o­thers the order is changed, and Tartar. Vitri­olatum comes before Crem. Tartar. and some­times he hath been so ventersome as to set Crem. Tartar. by it self, and this wonderful Variety observed in his Compositions, must needs argue him a profound Man indeed, and he may well value himself upon it, for it is nothing at all, but what Carters commonly imitate, sometimes setting one Horse behind, and sometimes another.

But really this Porch appears to be nothing but a Continuation of his Notorious Mi­stakes and Blunders, and only differs from the remaining part of his Book, as a Cloud from Rain; for as his whole Book hitherto, was nothing but a parcel of Rubbish, and confused Blunders in Theory; he now is as absurd in Practise, and as the other only pre­judiced their Minds, this does their Bodies, [Page 196] and makes them (to use his own Words in Page 3. of this Treatise) run the Risk of losing their Lives, which to every Man is the valua­blest thing in the World.

Page 76. I shall now proceed to the Cure of the Distemper it self; the taming of this fierce and angry Lyon, the expelling of the raging Ty­rant, the cutting off this Hydra's Heads. O this Mighty Champion! That can tame the fierceness of Lyons, expel raging Tyrants; and (Page 24. of this Treatise) Poured whole Battallions, armed with Spears and Launces, upon a Devil, which is not to be cast out but by Prayer and Fasting; yet did no more Service in Flanders, where he might have had work enough for his Battallions: What Punishment does he deserve? Is this the Man that wou'd have a Thousand a Year for to spend in Ex­periments from the Government? But yet he is to be admired, for he hath almost equaled Hercules in his Labours, only he is not come to the Eugean Stables yet, but truly it is a Pity, for I think that is the fittest Work for him.

But it seems we are come through the Porch, and must now proceed to the Cure, and to see how this Champion performs his Exploits, where we shall take a View of the Aedifice this Porch hath led us to: Where,

[Page 197] Page 77. He says, I first of all—pre­scribe Blood-letting, from twelve to twenty Ounces. Strange! There is no difference be­twixt the Porch and the House! They are both alike exactly so far; and the same An­swer that I gave him in his Porch, may serve in his Parlor, so I shall not repeat it here a­gain; but this is a mighty step towards eter­nalizing him for a Champion.

Page 78. He goes on with a Recipe, Crem. Tartar and Tartar. Vitriolat. and all he further says, to Page 80. is nothing but a repetition of what he had said before, when he had but just entered into the Porch (as he terms it) except a Plaister and a Salve to dabble their Gouty Toes in, to as much Purpose as the Magicians of old sounded a Kettle to turn the Course of the Sun, which would have run its Course without all that noise.

Page 80. He says, Till the Violence of the Pain is somewhat abated, I every Night give an Opiate. Very ingeniously done! as long as he finds his Acids will do no good, but rather exasperate the Distemper, he gives an Opiate to dull the Pain, so that People can­not feel how much Mischief he does them. But here I shall make use of his own Words again, Page 59. And say still he—Will be for putting the poor Wretch into a Course of Acids, to correct Luxuriant Alkalies, which he would fain perswade his Patients, their Blood [Page 198] abounds with, to the spoiling of their Consti­tutions, and exasperating of their Distemper: And now we may see, if ever the poor Pati­ent finds any Relief, it is from the Opium he gives every Night; and tho his Patients only find Relief from the Opium, he is so Ungrate­ful, as not to saddle the right Horse, and give the Opium its due, but presently hugs himself and crys, God a Mercy Acids, and so goes on with a repetatur Crem. Tartar. & Tartar. Vi­triolat.

Page 82. He says, When the Violence of the Distemper is abated, then the foregoing me­thod must be altered, and the following Medi­cines used. Truly Mr. Colbatch is a rare Man, when the Distemper begins to go off, and he dare give his Acids no longer to prolong the Distemper, and to encrease the Number of Fees: Then he lays them aside, and gives a few Medicines, that neither do good nor harm, and which in answer to his Appendix to his Essay, I have shewed, are, by no means Acids, and have laid down the English Names of them there; so that Ingenious Gentle­men may taste them, and compare their Taste with Sevil-Oranges, which is an Acid; by which means they will easily know whether those be like Oranges, but if Gentlemen would be satisfied without so much trouble, they may ask those that are imposed upon by him, whether all the Medicines he gives taste [Page 199] sowre, or sharp, which will satisfie them that he is mistaken.

Page 83. He says, Upon the going off of this Distemper—a Course of Calybeats is very proper, and rarely fails doing good Service. Here Mr. Colbatch, in the latter end of his Treatise, hath taken care to confute all that he said before in this Chapter, most effectual­ly; for as soon as he can get no more Money by his Patients, he takes care to give them Steel, Antimony, &c. which in his Essay of Alkaly and Acids, I have proved to be Alka­lies: Nay, he does not only give his Patients those Alkalies, but Castor, Nutmegs, Car­damoms, Cloves, and even Century and Gentian, all or most of which, he sets down in Page 84, 85; and which the Reader may find, in those Receipts he laid down, and condemned as Alkalies in the Chapter before this; and there he says, He dare be Burn'd, if they ever stood in any stead; yet here he says, They rarely fail of doing good Service; so that here I leave him to confute him­self.

But were his Doctrine of Acids and Alkalies true, which I have so fairly shewed, and pro­ved to be false, and were what he lays to the Charge of all Rational Physicians true, these Alkalies would cause the Distemper to re­turn; for if, as he said before, the Gout pro­ceeded from Alkalies, so great Quantities of [Page 200] Alkalies as he here uses, must needs increase the Morbifick Matter, and cause a Relapse; but since they do not, we have reason to be­lieve the Distemper proceeds from Acids, and that consequently Acids would increase it. I have now at the last, tho not without sur­prize, taken a View of his Mighty Battalli­ons which were to tame the Lyon, to drive out the Tyrant, and to cut of the Hydra's Heads. But alas!

His Promises were large, and Pretensions great, but his Performance small; and now I cannot without Wonder and Amazement be­hold the Hero, the Mighty Man of War, whose Battallions are nothing but Tartar. Vi­triolatum, Cremor. Tartar. Oranges and Lem­mons, those being all the Acid Medicines used throughout his Book internally, all the rest being already in his Essay, and its Appendix proved to be not at all Acids; and must this Man huff and hector? Must this Ignis Fatuus mislead and impose upon People? Must he call Physicians Fools and Mad-men? What Usage does he deserve? And what Punish­ment too great for him?

But, Page 87. He says, Had I prescribed much and Violent Purgings, Vomits, &c. where­in there was any danger, then People would [Page 201] have all the Reason in the World to be cautious and fearful. It's true, they would have had very great reason to be so; and tho their Reasons are not quite so great, yet the Diffe­rence is small; for tho the Proverb only says, It is ill venturing a Sword in a Mad-man's Hands; yet People are certain, a Dagger, tho not so large, is equally as dangerous, since those that are not armed against them, may as soon be killed by one as the other; so that in effect Acids are as dangerous as Vo­mits, &c. because they do mischief, with this difference, that the ill Effects of Vomits are ascribed to Vomiting, but the ill Effects of Acids are attributed to the Violence of the Distemper, and on one Consideration, Acids are more dangerous, because People take them without Suspicion, and ruine their Con­stitutions without their Knowledge, or a pos­sibility of Caution; and as that Person is most dangerous which is not known to be so, so that Medicine is of the worst sort, whose ill Effects are not taken notice of; for which reasons I have taken pains to run over his Books, not because I thought them worth Consideration, but to lay open the Mischie­vous Effects of such absurd Practice, that Ingenious Gentlemen might be no longer im­posed upon.

[Page 202] From Page 88. to Page 96. He relates two Stories, in which he gave his Acids; but what he there says being only a Repetition of the same Medicines he had given before, what I have said sufficiently answers them.

As to the first, He says, he had his Pati­ent in a Fit about a Month, in which I shall observe that Page 93. He says, This was the most dreadful Fit of the Gout I ever saw— And had not the Medicines well suited with the Distemper, to have abated the Violence of the raging Pain, I believe he had certainly never got over it. To use the Words of Mr. Col­batch the Champion, I believe he had certain­ly never got over it, had not his Distemper been very mild of it self, for from what I have already said, it most evidently appears, the Gout is caused by Acids, and consequently that they will be so far from abating the Di­stemper, that they are the Causes of that Pain; so that we have strong reason to be­lieve, that the Distemper being mild, was increased by his Acids, for the Reasons which are up and down in this Book; and also, be­cause notwithstanding the Use of his Acids, or rather by reason of them, it was the most dreadful Fit that ever he saw, and continued for a Month.

In the second Case, he thinks it not for his Credit to tell how long the Distemper continued; but from what hath gone before, [Page 203] I am satisfied it would have gone off sooner without his Crem. Tartar. and Tartar. Vitri­olat.

I have now gone through his Treatise of the Gout; and have fully laid open the grand Blunders and Absurdities, the Unpar­donable Mistakes, and Falseness of every thing he asserts throughout his Book; and have proved, by plain Experiments and Observa­tions, both that the Foundation of his Pra­ctice is false, those Experiments that he builds upon, being strong Proof against him; and also, that the Practice he builds upon that Foundation, is also Absurd and Dange­rous.

I might now go on to his next and last Book, wherein he further asserts his Doctrine of Alkalies and Acids; but the latter end of this Book containing a Relation of Fevers, I shall first make some brief Remarks upon the same.

And here all that I need to take notice of is, that whatever Credit may be got by the Use of Acids in Fevers, is not to be attribu­ted to him; it having always been the con­stant Practice of Physicians, to use Acids in Fevers, except Malignant, in which Experi­ence and Reason pleads against him; so that did he lay down any thing, as to the Cause or Cure of Malignant Fevers, by Acids, I should lay open his Ignorance by Reason, and [Page 204] back my Reasons with the success of Alkaly used in those Distempers, by Physicians, for above an hundred Years.

But since here he only gives the History of five Persons, in which he hath the liberty to tell as many Falsities as he did in his Novum Lumen Chirurgicum; and since he only tells how he managed those Patients, without laying down the Reasons of those Distem­pers, and may say what he will, Truth or Falsities, as to the success of his Medicines; all that I shall say to these is, That since all that we have to judge of in these Cases, is, his own Account of himself, which may be very likely false, since we have found him notoriously guilty of such Faults before, that we have reason to suspect him to give false Account of Distempers now, and to make them worse than they were, to applaud him­self. I say, all I need to observe, is, the Ab­surdities in those Methods he here lays down, and how much the Patients might suffer by his irregular Practice, and how injudiciously and ignorantly he manages those Acids, that have all along been used in Fevers; only with more Discretion, and Judgment, than one of his Dullness can pretend to: This, I say, might be the Subject of my Remarks, but as he always affirms that he had good Success, and is afraid to tell the Persons, least he should be disproved: I shall only say, that if [Page 205] they recovered, it was more to be attributed to the Mildness of the Distemper, than his Management; since he as an ill Painter, who abuses his Colours, makes an irregular Use of Medicines, which by a prudent Hand, might be of more use.

I shall therefore in the next place proceed to examine and lay open the Mistakes and Injudicious Blunders of his next Book, ha­ving so truly represented this, that Ingenious Gentlemen may very easily be satisfied of the Falseness of his Assertions, and how egregi­ously he hath imposed upon Mankind; which since it was writ for their sakes, I hope they will so far consider, as may prevent them from exposing themselves to his irregular U­sage, and the dreadful Consequences of it.

But all that he says in his Attempt to prove what Life is, being nothing but as if it were incoherent Scraps, and broken Thoughts, which seem to be partly stol'n from Dr. Willis; I shall refer him for an Answer to my late lit­tle Book of the Heat of the Blood, and of the Use of the Lungs; and shall first examine this Book as far as relates to a further Assertion of the Use of Acids. and shall then shew how absurdly he used Esq Turner.