I Give you thanks for your Charitable and Pious ad­vice sent to me, and ta­ken out of the last Chap­ter of Ecclesiasticus. It is very fit for me, who am now growing into old Age, the inconveni­encies of which, are already incumbent upon me. The Inhabitants of this Kingdom being disturbed with Tumults, and I at a distance from my Lordship of Aubonne: In that place it would not have been difficult to have found a Sanctuary, where I might have took a fare­well of the World, and there quietly have [Page 2] resign'd my Soul into the hands of my Saviour. But perhaps it is otherways decreed by Gods over-ruling power, to resist which, were im­pious and wicked. I know not if there yet remain such a happiness for me, (which the troublesomeness and incommodity of the journey, proceeding from the distance of the place, and length of the way, forbids me to hope) that I may yet enjoy your Company: But if God do grant it, it will be much to my satisfaction and content; if otherways, accept favourably of the friendly and kind propensity of my mind; and my desires to be near and present with you: I am ready by all sort of services to deserve your favour. But being separated from you by a fatal necessity, since I cannot assist you nearer hand, (for the honour you confer upon me, in desiring my advice) in the recovery of your health (which I wish to God you may injoy better) though this present intemperate Weather doth not savour it; but rather puts a stop to the use and efficacy of Medicines; yet for all that, as improper as the Weather is, accept of, and follow the Councel I here send you, the which I offer to you with an affectionate mind.

I do not doubt but that Mr. de Gras hath exactly and throughly examined your Con­stitution in general, and the unequal distem­perature of all your parts, both Natural, Vi­tal, [Page 3] and Animal; and I do firmly allow of the conjectures, constituted by so Learned a Man, and one knowing in the Art: but since I have been acquainted with you from your Cradle, nay, with your Ancestors before you, the last fate of whom, was throughly examin'd and look'd into by me. I suppose this affair ought to be deeper inspected.

Your Illustrious Father, of happy memo­ry, had the thread of his Life broken off be­fore its due time, by a continual Cough, and an incessant defluction upon his Lungs: But as to what concerns your self, (if I remember rightly) you are like him in every thing, both in your Mind, and in your Body, you had always weak Lungs, you wax Lean, (of which I have been an eye witness) and often­times also you did use to spit blood, though in small quantities: This I suppose, That as those parts which are weak by Nature, are subject to suffer by all sort of injuries, so the Lungs are so above the rest, both upon the account of their proper Texture, which is rare and spangious, as also by reason of their Sci­tuation, by which they easily receive the Mor­biffick Causes, as well from the superiour parts which lay over them, as also those which to their great prejudice are transmitted to them from the inferiour parts.

I do not deny but that the Stomack perfor­ming [Page 4] of its Office ill, the Mesentery filled with Obstructions, and the Liver generating acrid and thin blood, may (from the depraved condition of the aliment they afford) evilly affect the Brain and Lungs; whose Excre­ments, whether they are transmitted thither (from other parts) or Congested there, are yet very Liquid, as long as they remain in their state of Fluidity, which is common for all dissolv'd Tartars; but having gain'd a place, and being lodged in the Pipes of the Lungs, they Coagulate into a glutinous and muci­laginous substance, producing that Asthmatick and P [...]isical disposition, or difficulty of Breath­ing, with which you are molested. For this mischief, viz. the Leanness and Corruption of the whole Body, is occasion'd, and doth proceed from these Excrements, although there be no present Aposthumation, Vomica, or Ulcer, yet do these Excrements threaten the same effects, and no less mischievous.

That you may receive relief, there is a ne­cessity by a good Diet, to amend the Vices of the antecedent Causes, in their Fountains or Spring-heads, reducing by degrees to a better state, the deprav'd Faculties of the parts, in which the First and Second Concoctions are per­form'd. Secondly, to hinder the Flood and defluction from the Brain, and that by streng­thening, drying, and diverting to other [Page 5] parts, that humour, which otherways per­pendicularly flows from thence upon the Lungs. Thirdly, repairing their Balsom, re­trieving them from put refaction, by the sorce of Medicines indow'd with a Balsamick power. And if in the course of doing this, in the mean time the Anacatharsis, or upward Evacuation happen to be difficult, or stopt, care must also be taken of that: And at last there must be Analeptick means made use of to refresh and restore the parts which are ten­ding to a decay and Consumption.

1. That you may attain this end, follow exactly the advice given you by your Physi­tians concerning Diet; which if I should par­ticularly describe, this Councell would swell into a Volume.

2. Upon the account of the Brain: prepare Emissary passages for it, besides such as it hath naturally of its own: I do not disapprove of Issues in the Arms, but they are no way com­parable to those which are made in the Shoul­ders upon the Region of the Omoplats, or Shoulder Blades, at an equal distance from the Spine (or Back-bone) perhaps you will object your Leanness, to which I answer, That I have not spar'd those which have been extenuated, and I find them to be more effi­cacious then those made in the Neck, betwixt the first and second V [...]tebra's. Wherefore [Page 6] omit not this remedy; and in this case, it is sufficient to put in, and closely press down five or seven Pease, applying a sticking Plaister upon them: I approve of the Plaister pro su­turis, which is compos'd of moderately war­ming, and gently adstringent things, which doth powerfully strengthen and confirm the parts, and helps to suspend the defluction: The place of this may be supply'd by a Capp or Coife, which I make of dryed Bettony, Rose­mary, Red Roses, and the Barkes of new Pi­stacho Nuts, adding moreover yellow Amber, and the Seeds of Roman Nigil, with a few Cloves: Keep your Head neither too hot, nor too cold, but nevertheless, let it be so co­ver'd, that the cold may not offend it. I cannot forbear to press upon you the advice of Celsus, whose words are these; Nothing is so profitable to the Head as cold water is. Therefore he that hath this part infirm, he will d [...] well, in the Summer time, to hold his head for a good while together, every day, under a large spout of Water, or to cause it to be Pumpe [...] upon.

Let your Capp be covered on both side with whited brown Paper, and quilted betwix with Tow, or Flax; it is convenient to sum; with some Cephalick Powder, in the compo­sition of which, there ought to be a larg [...] quantity of yellow Amber: I know not i [...] [Page 7] you ever have used to take Tobacco. You may make a powder of Colts-foot, the Bark of Pi­stacho Nuts, Rosemary, yellow Amber, and a twelfth part of Tobacco: To which, if the Lungs abound with tough Phlegm, and there be an Asthma, you may add as a power­ful help, (and wonderfully beneficial) a little Orpiment, (for as D [...]sconides says, it is very useful in these Diseases) you cannot be igno­rant how it is to be made use of, to wit, in a Pipe, you may use it Morning and Evening, passing the smoke through your Nostrils, or only blowing it out at your mouth, as you shall find it to be most effectual.

In favour of the Lungs, it is particularly advantagious to drink thin Metheglin, or Meade, not too strong, but well fermented or wrought, composed with Agrimony, Bettony, both kinds of Veronica, or Fluelling, and both sorts of Lungwort, Colts-soot, and a large quan­tity of Iulubs. This kind of drink if it be made right, is not unpleasant to the Tast. Wine is hurtful for you, but I doubt whe­ther you can leave off the use of it: but if you can abstain from it, do. A Syrup made with the flesh of Tortoises, Snails, the Lungs of Animals, Froggs, and Craw-fish, all boyl'd in Scabiose, and Colts-foot water, adding at last Sugar Candy, will prove very useful. Lac Sulphuris is a precious Balsom, which may be [Page 8] taken in a rere Egge, with a few grains of Benz [...]min and Sugar, or it may be made into Tabellets, with Sugar and the pulpe of Marsh Mallow Roots: These sort of Medicines re­quire to be used long, nevertheless, forbearing the use of them for some days; least Nature being accustomed to them, should at last neg­lect them, though they are precious, as she useth to do other things. The unadulterated Balsom of Peru, either black or white (if you can procure it) taken to the quantity of four or five drops at a time in Oxymell, is highly conducive; also the Ruby of Sulphur rightly prepar'd, with the white Aetherial Oyle of Turpentine S. A. but as this Operation is artificial, so the preparation of it should be committed to an expert Artist: The before said suffumigation promotes Expectoration: If the Phlegm be yet Tough, take care to pre­pare an Oxymell, with the Pectoral decoction, well clarifi'd, Sugarcandy and Honey, made sharp with Oyl of Sulphur: and this upon urgent necessity may be licked with a Liquorish stick bruised at the end.

As to what relates to restoration or nu­trition, persist in the use of Cock-broath, made with China Roots, and cleansed Barley, besides the use of the beforomentioned Syrup of Tor­toises, but Asses Milk, with Sugar of Roses, is to be used both Winter and Summer, and [Page 9] is very prevalent to this intention: I also ad­vise you to change the Aire; for the scituation of your House is absolutely unwholsome for you: The next Spring go to Delph, and find out the House of your Noble Brother, nay, travel as far as Aurange, Lunell, Biterras, and Mompelier, staying in those places some Months, or longer. I have not time to say any more, but this one thing, if perchance any of your Relations come about you, have a care that they do not contract the same Disease in their Lungs. You ought to follow this my advice exactly in every particular; which if you do, undoubtedly it will prove beneficial to you for preservation. God pre­vent an ill Omen.

Dated London, 1645.

APologies are remote from the busines [...] in hand, and are needless: for yo [...] are not guilty of any injury to me [...] My Friends, and your self above the rest [...] them, ought to esteem me altogether of ano­ther mind, from the custom of those wit [...] whom Complements and Ceremonies is usua [...] amongst their familiar acquaintants, (whic [...] can hardly be practic'd by sincere minds.) [...] at any time I admit any one into my intimat [...] friendship, and addict my self to serve hi [...] (which I have long since done to you, and devoted my self to your whole Family) [...] never impeach them for being nice, or omitting of officious occasions, nor interpret any thing [Page 11] in the worst sense, being secur'd of their con­stancy; supposing business doth hinder my friends, or that there is some other great occasion, that is the cause of the intermitting of their writing to me; but if my pains may be useful to them at any time, I never deny it to them, greedily laying hold of all opportu­nities to deserve well at their hands, when­soever occasion doth offer it self, chiefly where I may be assistant by my Art, or Pro­fession.

I have long been afraid lest this Disease, which hath threatned you a great while, should at last break out into act. I was here­tofore throughly acquainted with the Nature and Constitution of your Illustrious Father, and Grandfather, (who are to be reverenc'd by me upon many accounts) the depraved Con­stitution of whose Lungs, I could not so well alter, but that it hasten'd their fate. Their infirmities are descended to you by way of Inheritance, together with their great En­dowments and Virtues. If you have done any thing which hath hasten'd this misfortune to fall upon you, it is unknown to me, and it were necessary that you acquainted me with it; for accurate instruction is necessary, that you may receive the full advantage and fruit of my advice. I particularly wish to be in­form'd what kind of Tumour that was on [Page 12] your Breast, and what those acrid Medicines were, which your Physician writes you have made use of; and whether they were Mercu­rial or no: also the quality, and quantity of the matter you excluded by Vomiting, it were convenient to know whether it were purulent and stinking, or not. These things being well inquir'd into, are of great moment to­wards the Cure of your Lungs, which are the Basis and Original of your Griefs, a Consum­ption is but a fingers breadth off from you, and evil is threatned, unless you seasonably use your utmost endeavours to extricate your self from the power of it, with which, to my sorrow I perceive you are already insnar'd, I have often observed Aposthumes to break in the Lungs, some of them with good success, some of them with ill; God preserve you from them. Ulcers of the Lungs, because the Lungs are in perpetual motion, and are filled with large Vessels, and constantly receiving hu­mours, both from the upper, and inferiour parts, do difficultly admit of Cure; but all our endeavours must be made use of, and the success submitted to God, expecting from his will a happy event: You have already been under the Cure of Experienc'd Men of Art, which their own accounts testifie. And a­mongst our rules, this is the Chief: If all things be done rationally, and success do not pre­sently [Page 13] follow (the intentions and indications of Cure remaining still the same) we are to insist upon the same Medicines, without any alteration, unless something happen which absolutely com­pells us to it.

But to satisfie your desire, because you ex­pect my advice, I will, having begun, pro­ceed farther, submitting my Councel to the judgement and experience of those Learned men, under whose hands you now are, (I being at so great a distance from you) And in the first place I advise, as soon as the Weather shall be more temperate, That you try the Change of Air, experimenting another and more propitious one, without delay, being carried in a Litter, or otherways, so that the motion may not hurt you, beginning your Journey with the rising of the Sun, and get­ting into your Inn before Sun-set. Travel to Volcas, Aurange, Mompilier, Bitteras, &c. breath dry Air, the heat of whieh you may easily temper in the House, according to the conveniencies the place allows: Galen, the Master of Physicians, used to send Consump­tive Patients to Tabias, not that he might be rid of the care of them, but to dry up the Ulcer and Defluction, by drawing in of a more pure Air, indow'd with a drying faculty, and a Balsamick power from the Plants which grew there.

[Page 14] Some years since a Gentleman of these parts, call'd Mr. Cotton, who was in a confirm'd Con­sumption, spit matter mix'd with blood, and was extreamly extenuated, being a mere Skeleton, cover'd with a dry skin. This Gen­tleman was sent to these parts, and upon his return, he was absolutely recovered; he liveth healthy with his Family, and is Father of many Children. I have seen (that I may discover the Efficacy of the Air in Diseases of the Lungs) a Gentleman, who having re­ceived a deep wound in his Breast, he was twice Cured thereof by making an Aperture in the opposite side, which necessity compell'd to be made betwixt his Ribs: which Aperture became a Fistula; He travel'd into Spain, where after five years stay, the Fistula healed up; returning to his own Country, which was a cold and moist Climate, it open'd again of its own accord: and he was healed again by going into Spain for the same number of years as formerly. From hence it will plainly appear to you, that the Air pervading all the Bronchia, or Pipes of the Lungs, and passing directly to the Heart, is more efficacious in exerting the force of its native, or acquir'd qualities and virtues, than any other sort of remedy whatsoever.

The Second head regards Drink: If you can forbear Wine altogether, you will do very [Page 15] well to do so: for whether you drink much or little, it doth affect, and will afflict your head. I hear they make good Beer at Geneva; if you can get that which is small and clear; or else the Decoction of Barley well fermen­ted, and without Hops, that may be com­modious for you: which moreover you may render Medicinal by the addition of China roots, or the roots of the greater Canes, or Reeds of Narbon, and with Tro [...]matick, or wound Herbs and Pectorals; amongst which the Male Veronica, Bugle, and self hete, are the best: If you leave your native Soil, and your own House, (which are not healthy for you to dwell in) there may be prescribed a weak Hydromel, or Meade, or else a thin drink made with Raisons, but well fermented, and impregnated with the virtue of the fore­said simples, and others as Pimpernal, the greater Comfory, AElurop, Plantain, Midlin, broad leaved Lungwort, (which is a Moss of an Ash-colour, growing upon old Oaks) These kind of Drinks rendred familiar and ordinary, and pertinaciously continu'd by their constant use work wonders; they being endow'd both with a Nutritive and Medicinal Virtue. Arcaeus an approved Author, (a Spaniard) doth much commend Guajacum in Ulcers of the Lungs, and I know by experi­ence it is very successful; nor is the use of it [Page 16] to be feared in lean bodies, for its accrimony and heat, (if you proceed by degrees to use it) may be temper'd, by adding the larger quantity of Water, or it may be boyl'd in Barley Water: or else the Roots of China, or Reeds, are harmless, and without heat, dry sufficiently; moreover, do not descend from the necessary advice given you about Diet, by your Physicians.

Cows Milk is useful to condense and nou­rish well; but to refrigerate and cool, Asses Milk is more efficacious; it detergeth, and cleanseth better, and carries off the watery Excrements by Urine, (to which intent also lignum Nephriticum conduces, being added to your ordinary drink,) add to this, that it leaves nothing untouched, but brings it away with it self, if only it pass well: And this your own experience will make out to you, there being this occasion given to make proof of its effect: Follow what your Physicians advise you; The force and virtue of the Milk will be augmented, if the Beasts feed upon Herbs, which are appropriate to your Grief.

I commend Sugar of Roses, with which sweeten your Milk. I firmly hold upon this account, that a Syrup made with Vulnery Herbs, and Wood Tortoises, (in Narbon call'd Garrige) shell Snails, the Tayles of Craw-fish, green Froggs, (of which you have plenty) [Page 17] will be of great use to you for the future, di­lating'an Ounce of it with a draught of Milk. You may cast in a fourth part of Rose-water into the Decoction of the aforesaid simples, being clarefi'd before the Sugar is put to it: I would have to be added to the Tabblets of Sugar of Roses which you use, some truly prepar'd Blood stone: Harts-borne well and Philosophically calcin'd by the vapour of some Pectoral Water, and I approve of Crabs Eyes, prepar'd after the common way: Con­cerning the Lapis haematitis, or Blood stone, read what is delivered of its virtues in your Disease, by the most experienc'd amongst the Ancient Physicians Alexander Trailianus, cap. 1. lib. 7. Practicae, under the title of; Such things as are convenient for those which spit blood, from the defluction of an acrid humour; which I also think useful for those which spit blood by reason of an Anastomasis, and all sorts of Haemoptysis, proceeding from the Breast, let the Cause which produces it be what it will.

A Cough is the most troublesome Symptom of these kind of Diseases; for it irritates and shakes the Lungs, and will not permit the mouths of the Vessels to close, nor grow to­gether. Take care therefore to prepare Bec­ [...]hical, or Pectoral Tabblets of an Extract made without the least burning, but per­form'd [Page 18] with the vapour of water; let it be made of the best Liquiris, macerated in the waters of Fluellin and Mullin: adding to it new made Penidies, Blood Stone, and Manus Christi, composed with Pearls and Corals: If you are not inclin'd to sleep, procure it by intervals with Art; take care therefore to prepare, either Diacodion Tabellatum, or use Syrup of white Poppies, dispensed as it ought to be; using them at the hour of sleep, and taking them in the Cream of Barley, beginning with half an Ounce, or three Drams, and so proceeding by degrees to an Ounce at most, if necessity require it; but have a care you use them not, if they may be spared.

As to General Remedies, viz. Purgation and Blood-letting, let the use of the first be seldom, always avoiding strong Purges, for it is enough to use Laxative Ptisans, prepar'd with Senna, Tamarynds, Cassia, and Syrup of Cichory, with a fourfold proportion of Rhu­barbe, sometimes adding new granulated white Calabrian Manna, all being well clari­fied. Neither omit letting blood, which let it be frequent, rather then much, according to indications: moreover, the revelling and derivative Medicines prescribed by your Phy­sicians, are to the purpose, and therefore to be apply'd at convenient times, according to advice: As to the Issue which is in your Arm, [Page 19] I do not dislike of it, but according to my Judgement, I had rather have one made by burning in the Neck, betwixt the first and second Vertebra's, or two Issues made upon the Shoulders, betwixt the superiour Angles of the Omoplats, and the Spine of the Back.

Besides these, let Medicines be provided ready against the Paroxysme, that is, when the blood doth abound: in this case I do no [...]ess approve of opening a Vein in the Foot, than in the Arm, or let a Cupping-glass be ap­ply'd to the region of the Liver: use Oxycrate made with Plantain water and Frog Spawn: Let Trochises, or little Balls, be made with Gum Tragacanth, dissolv'd in Plantain water, and compacted with a Powder, composed with half a part of Rock Alom, reduced to a subtile Powder, a fourth part of Harts-borne, calcin'd with fire till it be white; also a fourth part of prepar'd Blood stone, and coro­ [...]ted Manus Christi, the weight of all of them. Hold these Balls in your mouth, and let them melt by degrees, and so swallow them; for they dissolve but slowly: The effect of Alon [...] [...] this cafe is very great, it may be given at [...]he hour of sleep, to the quantity of a Dram [...] Barley Broath, several days successively; it may also be dissolv'd in Milk that is turn'd, [...]d become thin by Boiling in it Plantain, Mullin, Allheale, Pimpernell, Tormontill, and [Page 20] Vinca per Vinca, or Periwinckell, clarifying this Milk, by settling and adding Alom to it, that so it may be given with Apozemes, or Iuleps. I cite here this Experiment (taken out of our Authors) because by the prescri­bing the use of it I have gain'd honour and credit, especially in the ordering the use of it to a Noble Matron, afflicted with a desperate Haemoptysis, or spitting of Blood from the Lungs; ejecting from thence divers pounds for several days together. I ordered to bruise the tender Leaves of red stinging Nettles, and to give five Ounces of the juice pressed out of them, and clear'd by settling; Twice in a day, (if there be added to this an Ounce of rightly prepar'd Syrup of Coral, the Medicine will be more efficacious.) And although she was then Threescore Years Old, weak and helpless, yet she was restored to perfect help for five years. You may put the Coun­cel I have given you into use: for now I have nothing more to say. If God grant you Life, it must be restor'd by proper Re­medies, I shall always be ready to serve you, in the preservation of your Health, as far as my Experience in the Practice of my Pro­fession will enable me.

London, February 20, 1657.

[Page 21] This Illustrious Nobleman is now living, An­no 1674. He is more then Threescore Years Old, a Batchelor, hath [...] or Shoulder Blades which stand off like Wings, shewing by his Habit of Body, and all other signs, his na­tive propensity to a Consumption, spitting Matter, perpetually afflicted with a Cough, only using drying Food, as Salt-meat, Herrings, and smoaked Meats: finding moist Food to be hurtful for him.

WHen I carefully take under exami­nation all those Symptoms with which you have been molested and tired out, and having also an Eye to your Temperament, I do constitute the root of a [...] those Griefs with which you have been affli­cted, to be in a Melancholly humour, not only ge [...]erated in the Liver, and evilly separated or expell'd, worse wrought upon in the Spleen (remaining to the hurt of the Stomack, an [...] those parts, by which it ought naturally t [...] be discharg'd) but also mixed in the Veins with the rest of the Mass of Blood, nay, ex­tended as far as the Brain, which this offensiv [...] Enemy of Nature, doth assault as an Organi­cal part, upon whose temperament an altera­tion being made by it; from hence the Prin­ciple [Page 23] Functions of the Soul do act erroniously at sometimes: And from this humour, and from nothing else, is the Original of your fore-pass'd Melancholly afflictions, returning upon you by fits; the settling of humours in the parts near the Fundament, (the malig­nancy of which humours consists in a Septick, and Corrosive Salt) hath begotten that great Ulcer, which is now turn'd to a Fistula.

That troublesome heat of the Palm of your left hand, and the sole of your Foot, doth plainly shew the power of the Spleen, affecting the upper as well as the nether parts; also the intense dryness of your Mouth; all which are in­duced by Sulphurious, Nitrous, and Vitriolate exhalations sent up from the Bowels: More­over the Stupor and Numbness of your Arms & Legs, which affects you only by Periods and Fits, not constantly: to all which may be added the [...], or stuttering of your Tongue, returning by intervals; from these without doubt I say, is the Idea of your Melancholly afflictions: all which may be constituted to proceed from the Reciprocal flowing of that juice from the Spleen to the Brain, and con­trary ways flowing back again; which often­times introduceth grievous Symptoms, as the Epilepsia, and others, insomuch that it is not absurd to make a presage from these signs, of the near approach of a Palsie, though I think [Page 24] the danger may be prevented, if you be but strong enough: let us omit the Cure of the Fistula, since it is almost healed: But lest we Triumph before the Victory be gain'd, we must allow the space of five or six Months, to expect whether perhaps any new budding of the Disease, do not cause us quite to lay aside our conceived hopes of a perfect Cure; for the Melancholly humour is not unlike the dispositions of the most sort of Poysons, which by the force and efficacy of Antidotes, are somewhat weakened, and the Tempest which they brought with them allay'd, and the in­troduced Symptoms ended, so that Nature being restor'd to her former state, doth easily overcome what remains: Let us direct our aim then at this point, since in my judgement, any other method of Cure, though it may appear never so useful, will prove ineffectual for the future.

I do not touch upon your Diet, being cer­tain, that those to whose care you have com­mitted your health, will not pretermit any occasion of either doing what is fit, or omit­ting what is inconvenient; let us proceed to remedies; of these I think it will be vain for the future to continue in the use of slight ones, which are usually prescrib'd, more for the comfort of the Physician, then the Sick; which are really adiaphora, or indifferent, [Page 25] they are innocent truly, but by being so, they afford no help: This Evil is to be pluck'd up by the Roots, otherwise it will be perpetu­ally hatching, and producing a new Brood. Let Vomits lead on the first and main Battle, as well for their efficacious removing the filth of the first regions of the body, as also to re­move by their specifick efficacy (from which only the Triumph and Victory over Melan­cholly is to be expected) future impedi­ments. Of these, I know none more preva­lent, nor of less danger, than the infusion of Crocus Metallorum, made in Canary Wine, al­lowing an Ounce of this to a Pint of the Wine; of which if you are easie to Vomit, you may take the first time one Ounce, adding of simple Oxymel half an Ounce, and one Ounce of Car­dus Beneditus Water: if you are hard to work upon, then you may take from the quantity of ten Drams, to an Ounce and half of it, though I think it safest to begin with a small Dose, except the vehemence of the Disease perswade otherwise. Vomit three or four times, nay more, making use of no other Medicine be­tween: but if your endeavours to Vomit prove fruitless, the Stomack may be easily moved to it by drinking of Barley Water, or thin Chicking Breath, nay only with warm Water; procure this sort of Evacuation at least three times, allowing the space of two or [Page 26] three days between, after which, apply your self, to Purgation, beginning with Elleborat, and Hypochondriack Apozems.

If by rubbing and pressing hard with your hands, the whole Abdomen and the Hypochon­dries, there be found pertinacious obstructions there, it will be necessary then to exhibit some preparing Medicine for 7 or 8 days together, which being perform'd, the Purgation of the humour is to be administer'd again: If there be any occasion to open a Vein (from which nevertheless I expect little benefit) let the Physician that is present take care of that: I note this one thing to you, that I prefer the opening of an inferiour Vein in the Malleoli, or Ancles, rather then a superiour in the Arms, unless there be somewhat else that hinders it.

The Body being thus conveniently Eva­cuated, the whole business of the Cure is to be directed to the use of Steel, in this Cure the chief Medicine: There are three Weeks at least to be imploy'd about the foresaid ge­neral praescripts, and in the mean time, care must be had of that intense dryness of your Tongue, which is so troublesome to you, which I hope in a small time will be dissipa­ted, from which no great danger is threa­ten'd; so that care be took, that the Body be cleansed from those hot, dry, and vitrio­lick juices, (of the nature of Canker of Brass) [Page 27] which doth enduce this intense and unsatisfy'd thirst; in which case there is great relief found in the opening the Veins, situate under the Tongue, by which the heat of the Lungs and Heart is allay'd, and the Brain effectually discharg'd; if you find the Brain to be pos­sess'd (with this matter) and if you find the continual Numbness of the Members to remain, together with an imbecility to move, apply a great visicatory to the Nuck of the Neck, and make two Issues in the topes of the Shoulders; The Head being shaved, put upon it Ferne­lius his Cataplasme, or some other Epispatick: Anointing the whole Back-bone every day with Balsom of Earth-worms, or Batts, &c. And when the Weather is convenient for it, go to the Baths of Borbon, or Aquense, which are not far from your House, and use to wash your Body with them, and let the whole Spine of your Back be dropt upon by these Waters.

I do firmly believe your Panick fears will vanish, if you devote your self to the use of Steel, by the virtue of which, I have seen many Melancholly persons deliver'd, the weak­ness of whose Limbs did declare, that they were already Paralitick: And among these, a certain Maid of Honour, committed to my [...]re the last year, by the Queen of Bohemia, who by the force of this Melancholly juice, [Page 28] had the motion of all her Limbs took from her, whom by Gods assistance I restor'd to the Queen again, Merry, and enjoying a firm health, to the admiration of all those which had her in Cure before me, in whose judge­ment she was afflicted with a Palsie, I pro­ceeded altogether another contrary, and yet common way, by the help of which she at­tain'd her health: For 'tis only old Dogs that are the best Hunters.

But concerning your Fistula, I think it is not far from being healed, if your Chyrurgion may be credited, who is a most expert man, to whom, (which you before desired me to do) since I have lately writ, there is no need that I take up my pen again, that he may be further satisfy'd of my kindness.

Outward Remedies are needless for the fu­ture, but lest I should seem to be wanting in my Care and Friendship, if there is any thing needful to dry and confirm the Cicatrice, use the Balsom of Sulphur, of which you have heard me spake often, which will supply the place of all other Medicines which are fit for the part affected: you may apply Emplastrum Diasulphuris to the part; which since it needs some detersion and cleansing, upon that ac­count it is convenient to use the solution of Crollius his Lapis Mirabilis, or another accor­ding to my judgement, of equal efficacy, con­sisting [Page 29] of pure Bole-Armenick, White Vitriol, and Camphor, prepar'd according to Art: or you may well use the Mercurial Water descri­bed by Hartman; made of Mercury sublimate, freed from its corrosive Spirits by Tynne, ac­cording to Art.

When the fear of a Palsie shall be dissipated, and the humour bred in the Hypochondries overcome, and cut off; also when it shall only remain to imploy our endeavours, that the Cure of the Fistula be made firm and un­doubted; And that the birth of the same germinating kind of Ulcers, (in those lower parts subject to corruption) may be preven­ted, then the use of Mercurial Medicines taken inwardly, will be seasonable, which in con­venient time and place shall be prescribed to you with necessary cautions; as also certain other exsicating Medicines, taken from the Classes of Minerals, and these such as pro­mote a Diaphoresin, (or transpiration) at the pores, whose power and faculty is to discuss malignant vapours, and to hinder de­fluctions; These produce different actions, according to the divers distemperatures of the receiving parts; which Distempers they master and overcome, by their particular ef­ficacious impressions: But enough for this time, and I will only subjoin an orderly de­scription of certain Medicines promised a­bove: [Page 30] If you please, you may make use of Mr. Favonius the Apothecary, who will be very careful in their preparation: If your Fistula be healed, and Cicatriz'd, that it may long remain so, it is necessary you go to Geneva, &c.

In the first place prepare the Stomack for the space of two days before, that so you may Vomit easily.

As, ℞

• Of simple Oxymel, ℥ iij.
• Oxymel of Squills, ℥ j.

Mix them for 4 Doses, taking them in a draught of Ptisan, at a large distance from Meals.

Then, ℞ Of the infusion of Crocus Metal­lorum; made with Canary Sack (proportion­ing ℥ j. of the Crocus, to ℥ xvi. or a Pint of the Sack) take (I say) of this infusion phil­ter'd through a Papire, ℥ j.

• Of the water of Carduus Benedictus, ℥ j.
• Simple Oxymel, ℥ ss.

Mix them, and make a draught, to be given in the Morning, with observing a due and regular order, in the time of its Operation.

Let this Medicine be repeated Thrice, in­terposing the space of two, or three days be­twixt each time of taking, according to the strength and disposition of the Stomack; a regard being had to the Operation of the Me­dicine; If there be occasion, those that can [Page 31] bear the Operation well, may increase the quantity of the infusion to Ten Drams, or an Ounce and half.

In the days between, it will be necessary to soment the Hypochondries, and region of the Stomack, with an emollient, inciding, and Opening Decoction: by this means, the hu­mours which are to be discharg'd by Vomit, will be render'd fluid, and the Operation will succeed with the less trouble.

After taking the third Vomit, a day or two being allowed for quiet, let there be given the following Apozem.

• ℞ Of
  • the Roots of female Fers,
  • Cichory,
  • Lions Tooth,
  • The Middle-Barke of an Ash-tree,
  • the Roots of sharp Leav'd Docks,
  an. ℥ j.
• Marsh-mallows, ℥ ss.
• • The Barke of Caper-roots,
  • Of Tamariske,
  an. ʒ x.
• The fresh Roots of Polypody, ℥ iij.
• Of
  • the Leaves of Fumaterry,
  • Germander,
  • Ground Pine,
  • Agrimony,
  • Bettony,
  • Of all the sorts of Maiden-hair,
  an. M. j.
• • The Flowers of Cowslips,
  • St. Iohns wort,
  an. P. iij.
• [Page 32] Water-Lillies, P. ij. ss.
• • The Tops of Rosemary,
  • Marjarom,
  an. P. j.
• The Seeds of male Piony, ʒ iij.
• Of sweet Fennel,
• Of Corryander prepar'd, an. ℥ ss.
• Of Carthamum, fresh, full, and such as sink in water, ℥ ij.
• Raisons of the Sun stoned,
• Iujubs, an. ʒ iv.
• Sweet smelling Apples, cut into bits with their peels on, N. iij.

Make a decoction of all these in a s. q. of wa­ter, in which was steeped before for the space of four hours,

• Sparkling Tartar of White Wine, ʒ vi.
• Clean picked Senna Leaves, ℥ ij.
• The small shings of true black He [...]or roots, ʒ iv.

After a sufficient decocting, strain it; which reduce by gentle Boyling to ℥ xv. in which dissolve,

• • Of the solutive Syrup of Damask Roses made with Agarick.
  • Of the Syrup of Cichory, with a fourfold proportion of Rhubarb,
  an ʒ j. ss.
• Spirit of Vitriel, gut. xii.

mix them, and make an Apozem for three days, to be taken a Mornings, with care, and keeping within doors, either every day, or every [Page 33] other day, according to your strength: and this to be done three hours before you take any Broath.

If it seem convenient either between, or after these Purgations, to open either of the Saphena Veins, let that be committed to the pleasure of your Physician which is present with you.

Afterwards let the peccant juices be prepar'd again and again, and the obstructions of the Bowels powerfully recerated by this following Medicine: ℞

• The Decoction of sweet seuted Apples,
• Nephriteck wood, adding a little [...] ℞ iij.
• Small White Wine, lb j.
• • Spirit of Salt,
  • Vitriol,
  an ʒ j.

Mix them exactly in a flat glass dish, then [...]resently drop leisurely into it, of Oil of Tur­ [...]ar, made per deliquium, q. s. to extinguish [...]ll acidity, or sowerness, add to th [...].

• • Syrup of the flowers of red fluelin, with the Violet flower,
  • Syrup of Cowslips,
  an. ℥ [...]j.
• Cl [...]on water, one spoonful.

Make a perfect mixture of them by long agi­ [...]ating them together: Take of this Liquor [...] v, for a Dos [...], twice in a day, at a good [...]stance from Meals, do this eight days toge­ther: [Page 34] which time being elapsed, repeat Purging, Thus. ℞

• Clean pick'd and small cut Senna Leaves, ʒ iv.
• Choice Rhubarb, ʒ ij.
• The stringy fibers of true black Hellebor roots, ℈ iv.

To these being strain'd, pour such a quan­tity of the strain'd Decoction of Tamarynds and Tartar, as is sufficient to make the infusion for a whole Night upon warm Ashes, adding,

• Of Lavender flowers, ℈ j.
• One blade, or flower of Mace.

In the Morning after a gentle boiling, strain it, in which reduc'd to a Dose, dissolve,

• • Syrup of Damask Roses with Agarick,
  • Calabrian Manna,
  an. ℥ j.
• Spirit of Vitriol, gut. iv.

Mix them for a Potion to be given in the Morning, with a careful governing of yourself.

This being perform'd, your Body is suffi­ciently fitted for the use of Steel; the metho [...] of taking which, was sufficiently describ' [...] to you the first time: In the interim, Sir while you are at leisure betwixt making u [...] of the prescriptions, and that will take up good space of time, (but absolutely necessar [...] to the right preparing, of the peccant juice and the Cure of your Body) In the mean sp [...] use these things which have a respect to t [...] [Page 35] dryness of your Tongue: As a Syrup made with the white of an Egg, and Sugarcandy.

Trochisch's of Liquoris, prepar'd from its Extract mix'd with Sugar of Roses, adding a [...]ittle of the Mucalage of Gum Tragacant.

The distill'd Water of Milke, with the Sy­rup de Mucilaginibus taken by a Spoon, or put of a glass Bottle, or out of a phyol with a narrow mouth.

The use of Rock Chrystal truly prepared, with Conserve of Violets, or Water Lillies, is good.

An injection into the Iawes made with Bar­ley water, and Milke warm from the Cow, ei­ther by it self, or adding a little Sal pru­ [...]lla.

Syrup of the Juice of the greater Semper­ [...]uive or House-leek, boyl'd with Sugar, adding [...] little of the same Sal prunella: see that you [...]se them by turns, lest Nature being too much accustomed to one, frustrate or reject [...]eir effect.

I doubt not but those Symptoms which [...]hreaten a Palsie, will either be diminished, [...]r for the most part removed, by the before [...]rescribed Medicines, which Symptoms if they [...]ould persevere, though but a little, that [...]he fearful mind of the Patient may be satis­ [...]'d; by the advice of the Physicians which [...]re present; let there be apply'd to the head [Page 36] being shaved, Fernelius his Cataplasme against Catarrhs, described in his Councels, for divers days together: Apply to the hinder part of the Neck a large Visicatory, with which ex­cite a Blister, which keep running a long time.

Affix a couple of Pyroticks, or Causticks, to the superiour angles of the Shoulder Blades, with which large Ulcers being made, let them be kept continually open with many Pease, applying upon them a strong sticking and drawing Plaister. Morning and Evening anoint the whole length of the Back-bone with our[?] Balsom of Batts, rubbing it very well in with a warmed hand.

I believe, and I hope, that the Ulcers which [...]ere caus'd by the incisions about the Funda­ment are closed, and confirm'd by a Cicatrice: it happen to be otherwise, let them be [...]ashed with the dissolution of the Artificial [...]one, which is call'd Lopis Mirabilis; or [...]uch the Ulcers with Mercurial water made sublimat, delivered from its Corrosive Spirit, [...]d deaded by Tin: apply Balsom of Sulphur them, such as is describ'd by Rulandus, [...] put upon them a Lead Plaister, with [...]alk, or Emplastruin Diasulphuris, which [...]dicines may be approved of as specificks Ulcers of the Fundament, and the circum­ [...] par [...]d.

[...] there be any internal Symptoms conti­nue, [Page 38] or bud again, these evils are to be reme­died by Mineral Medicines, such as are mad [...] of Mercury and Antimony rightly prepar'd which shall be prescribed by us, in their du [...] time, according to the degree of urgent ne­cessity.

WHen the P [...]st had-now come three times to us, and yet no ac­count was written to me con­cerning your health, I [...] was possessed with care­ful and troublesome thoughts, by reason of the great and dreadful Symptoms describ'd in your last Letter, upon the account of which I writ, and sent you my Advice and Coun­cel: But your last Letter hath expell'd all my fears, which doth manifest, that the trouble­some dryness of your Mouth, and all those Symptoms which were praelud [...], and fore-run­ [...] of a Palsie, did wholly seize upon the un­look'd for arising of an Apostbume in your right Cheek, which as well upon the opening of it by Mr. Iuis, as also at your Ear, did [Page 41] pour out laudable, and well digested Pus, (or Matter.)

As to your Fistula's, heretosore so afflictive to you, they are shortly to be closed up with a Cicatrice, for they are now almost healed, by the acurate care and diligence of your Chy­rurgion; for which, both from my self, and all experienc'd Artists, he worthily deserves praise, which I will publickly make known, whensoever you require it, although I am equally averse to admit, or impart adulatory expressions.

Before your Sores can attain a perfect con­solidation, the greatest part of the Winter will be past over, and the subsequent Spring will be near at hand; at which time you will much better pass through that tedious course of Diet and Medicines which are to be made use of, then you can do in the height of Win­ter. Wherefore since it is necessary to pre­serve, and repair your life, that something be couragiously taken in hand, and yet no­thing urgeth to begin it now: my opinion is, that you Elect a proper time, in which, without interruption, you may prosecute the course of your Cure, and use your Medicines successively, in due orde [...], and with advan­tage; which if they be otherwise administred by fits, or broken intervals, and not with one steady course, although they be artificially [Page 42] and properly prescrib'd, yet they cannot have the least success: I advise (to compleat the Cure) that as soon as Dr. Guenalt, &c. shall think fit, your Body be emptyed by Purging, according to the method I have prescribed; from thenceforth you may safely be quiet, only studying how to repair your strength, as well by aliments of good juice, as by gentle Cordials, such as the Majestery of Pearls, red Corals, and Crabs Eyes, sometimes given in Broaths, sometimes with the Confection of Kermes, and Syrup of Queen-Apples, procu­ring gentle Purgations betwixt whiles, with Laxative Ptisan, compos'd only with Senna, or sometimes adding Cassia, Tamarinds, and Manna, Clarifying all of them well, some­times putting to the same quantity of the in­fusion, a double Dose of the Purgers, upon the account of cleansing. From the going through this course, to the time that remains to the Vernal Aquinox, I advise you to rest; but when that time is come, then apply your self to the other course, nourishing your body afresh, insisting in the method I sent you be­fore; according to which, having used the general remedies, the Prascripts of which you have by you, you are to make use of the Essence of Steel, which I send to you mix'd, and prepar'd with my own hands: And in my Opinion this sort of remedy is so powerful, [Page 43] and so fitting for you, that if it agree with your nature, which I suppose it will not be repugnant too, I think the use of it is to be continu'd for threescore days together, accor­ding to the rules I have prescrib'd: This be­ing perform'd, I hope your Bowels being strengthen'd, the humours will be amended, and the Collection of all the Causes of [...]he before past accidents being cut off; nay the fear of a recidiva, or relapse, which might happen upon closing up the Fistula in the Fundament, which though it be a thing to be desir'd, yet it is osten full of danger, when nature of her own accord seeketh a vent: And this is confirm'd by Cardinal Rich [...]leus Arm, who possibly might have injoy d a longer li [...], if the Cure of his Fistula had been prosecu­ [...]ed with less diligence.

In the using of the Steel, let necessary Pur­gations be interposed, having a care from henceforth of such as have Aloes in them, they irritate, and offend the Fundament, un­less their bitterness be altogether taken away, which though it may be perform'd by Art, yet in my judgement it signifies little to at­tempt that thing, which hath less utility then Ostentation in it.

Having taken your Essence of Steel (which ought not to procure any loathing to you) warm Bathes are to be thought off, and the [Page 44] use of Asses Milk, and of mineral Waters: but the place of these I believe will be sup­ply'd by the Steel. I wish I could be by your side to direct you; but whether that will be hereafter or no I know not, although I heartily wish that I may once again see my Country.

The Steel sent to you, was prepar'd wholly and compleatly with my own hands; and by Gods assistance you will receive more advan­tage from it, than from all the rest. God give it his blessing, &c.

MY last Letters gave you a large account how to make use of the Steel, which as I suppose is the chief, and apt remedy to recover your health, it only remains that I send it to you ready prepar'd, which I now do: you are to receive seventeen Ounces weight of the Syrup, which that it may be tem­per'd, and fitted to be used, according to the rule laid down in my former Letters, take order to have this following Syrup carefully made.

Take sweet smelling Apples, commonly call'd Queen Apples, (with short Stalkes) as many as you please, cut away their rind, afterwards draw a water from them in a dou­ble Vessel, in a boiling Balneo Maria, till you [Page 46] have got a sufficient quantity, pour the fore­said water upon the rinds, which have been first laid upon a Table until they are almost dry, add to them new Lemon peels cut small, distil this Water again by a Body of Belvee Earth, or Tin; or so that the Distiller may carefully avoid the breaking of the Vessel in a large glass Alimbeck, and head of the same Metal; put into the inward part of the spout of the Alimbeck, a Nodule or little Bag, made with fine Linen, and fill'd with half a Dram of Ambargreece, and six grains of Mosck: put the Vessel into a Kettle of Water, filled with Hay, or Saw-dust. Make the joining of the Body, Head, and Reciver, fast with Lute, or Paste, made of Meal, Quick-lime, and the White of an Egg; draw a Water from this by distillation; in which, with a gentle heat, dissolve as much white Sugarcandy, ground to a fine powder, as it can possibly contain, to make it of the consistance of a Syrup, of which take exactly twenty three Ounces dilute, and mix it with that quantity (of the prepar'd Steel) which I send to you, which is sufficient for you to use threescore days, which is the time prefix'd by me. This Syrup is included in an Earthern Bottle, well stopt, and sealed with my own Seal, which Note, least it be chang'd.

I would willingly have sent you the whole [Page 47] prepar'd, but that the price of the carriage would have been insufferable: keep this as a Treasure for the recovery of your health, (which perhaps you will not attain too in the place you now dwell in) take it all, leaving no remainder of it; I wish I were nearer you, for my presence would conduce much for the right use of so great a Remedy, although you cannot want expert directers when you shall be in that vast City of Paris: Give me an account of the success, chiefly if the desire of recovering your perfect health, shall call you home, and hinder you from expecting the Spring, which assists the effi­cacy and operation of Medicines.

As to the swelling behind your Ear (it is a thing of difficulty, and for the most part eludeth the force of Medicines) I hardly think you are in that condition now, that upon the account of that you need my advice, since I imagine this grief of yours is already past the declination; but if there do remain any stubborn hardness, let that be overcome by some Mercurial Remedies, which will ad­vance the power of other Medicines, and effi­caciously overcome the hardness. I do often make use of them; and I do find, if all hope of suppuration be gone, yet these do so rarifie the humours, that nature is able to dissolve that humour that was congeal'd, into the [Page 48] form of perfect Matter: This (besides other Experiments) happen'd in two Pestilential Tu­mours, of which one was under the Arm-pit, they retain'd their hardness for six weeks, though the Malignity was extinct; yet by the help of Mercurial Remedies, they were brought to a happy suppuration.

IN convenient time, as the next Spring, a little after the Equinox, the general prae­scripts being before made use of, and by them the peccant juices carefully prepar'd and eva­cuated, then exhibit the Chalybeat Medicine. Continue the use of it (according as it ageees with you) for threescore days; observing ne­cessary cautions: Wherefore let this number of days be so divided, that there be exhibited of our Steel Syrup, two Drams for six days, three Drams for as many days; four for xii days, five for xii days more, six for eight days together; seven for eight days. eight for eight days; let it be given in any grateful Liquor, whether it be in Clarified Whey, the water of Apples, of Fumaterry, Burrage, Baume, or thin Capon Broath, Wine, small Beer, &c. or in the Restorative Water, of which, mention is made in what follows.

After the taking of the Medicine, you must walk, or use some other gentle exercise, [Page 50] by which the body may be moderately warm'd, without procuring sweat; but for­bear Dinner for four hours, which may be sufficiently large, according to your Appetite, and the disposition of your Stomack easily to concoct meat of good juice: But let your Supper be sparing, not cramming in Meat before the former Food be digested; let your ordinary Drink be Oligophorick Wine (that is, such as will bear but little water) of a Brick colour, or a Flesh colour, very well diluted with the Decoction of cleansed female Fern roots, of Lentisk, or Mastick wood, and Nephritick wood.

In the passing through the Chalybiate course, let your body be purged by this fol­lowing Potion the days which follow, the xij. the xxiv. the xliv. the Lij. and the Lx. giving the draught four hours before any Broath, ob­serving due Orders.

℞

• Fresh Polypody roots,
• Pulpe of Tamarinds, an. ℥ ss.
• The clean picked Leaves of Senna, cut small, and sprinkl'd with well sented White Wine, ʒ v.
• The small strings of the roots of true black Ellebor, ʒ j.
• • Tragee Commun.
  • Cream of Tartar,
  an. ʒ ij.

Make a decoction in a sufficient quantity [Page 51] of the distilled Waters of Fumaterry, and Water Lilly flowers; add to the straining,

• Of choice Rhubarb ℈ ij. infused by its self in Baume Water.
• Of yellow Sanders, ʒ ij.

reduce them all unto a small Dose, in which dissolve,

• The solutive Syrup of Damask Roses with Agarick, ℥ j.
• Calabrian Manna, ℥ ss.

Mix them, make a Potion to be taken in the Morning.

In the days betwixt, let the Chalybeate Syrup be dissolved in a draught of Laxative Ptisan, prepar'd with Senna and Liquoris, according to Art; do this every third day.

Let the restorative Water be prepar'd of the juice of the pulpy flesh of a Calf, a Capon, [...] Weather, the hart of a Lamb, and a Calf, distilled in a body and head; to which let there be added the juice of Queens Apples, [...]ew Whey, and the Blood of a Golt Pig, a Lamb, a Calf, all agitated so long till they [...]re freed from the Fibers and Strings. Some Cinnamon and Mace; and let them be distill'd [...] a double Vessel; to the distilled Liquor [...]dd the fourth part of the strongest and best [...]d Wine, and distil it again: reserve the Li­quor in a glass Viol, close stopt for use. [Page 52]℞

• • Syrup of Queen Apples,
  • Of the flowers of red Fluellin,
  an. ℥ vi.
• Of Citron Peels, ℥ iv.

mix them, and drop into them as much Spirit of Salt as will make them mode­rately sower, add,

• Of Confection of Alkermes, ℥ ss.

Reserve it for Iulips, mixing ℥ j of this Syrup, with four of the aforesaid Water; to be taken five hours before Dinner, and two before Supper, those days in which you take the Martial Syrup: or if your Stomack be any way disturbed with this drink, betwixt the two Meals, then you may take it at the hour of sleep, chiefly if you perceive that the Spi­rits are low, or any inclination to swounding▪

These things being perform'd exactly, and in order, there will be place for the usual strengtheners and renovators of the Body, and the Specificks against Melancholly: warmis [...] Baths of fresh Water, Whey of Asses Milk and perhaps Mineral Waters. All and every one of which are to be prescrib'd according a [...] occasion shall offer, and according to the suc [...] cess of the former.

In the interim, let there be prepar'd by th [...] hand of a'careful and expert Artist, the fol­lowing Bezoartick Pastills; than which the [...] is nothing more precious to defend the Hea [...] and Brain against the impulse of any sort [...] malignant vapours.

When the Melancholly vapours are oppres­singly urgent; the Palpitation of the Heart, or other vaporous disaffections assaulting, let there be given ten, twelve, fifteen, or twenty grains, in Confection of Alkermes, the Water of a Stags head, Treacle water, Wine, or any other Cordial Liquor.

These things being exactly performed, this Noble Gentleman was Cured, though he followed his Pleasure, &c.

I Participate in the evils which happen to my Friends, and suffer by consent, or sympathy with them, chiefly if they be such to whose service I have devoted my self, my Genius compelling to do so: I hear that a troublesome Catarrh afflicts you, which by Day gives you some respits, but by Night is exasperated and very troublesome: The dis­position of these sort of disaffections is, that they grow worse when the Night approaches, at which time Phlegm predominates over the rest of the humours.

Now since your Body in general is sufficient­ly purged already, it remains particularly to cleanse your Brain; and afterward, by means of drying Medicines to strengthen it.

To which intent I advise, that in the Mor­nings, two days together, and again every [Page 95] other day for some time, you use a Gargarisme, composed of twelve spoonful of White Wine, four spoonfuls of Vinegar, three of Hony, and two of Mustard distemper'd, and as the cu­stom is, ground together; let this Mixture be warm'd, and take of it a spoonful or two, Gargarising with it, and carefully spitting out whatsoever Phlegm it draws from the Brain: Reiterate this Gargarisme five, six, or seven times, until you find your head emptied, and made lighter; if there remain any heat in your Iaws, that will be removed by Gargu­ling with a temperate Oxycrate, or mixture of Vinegar and Water.

Cause to be prepar'd a Powder made of Mastick six Drams, Yellow Amber three Drams, Benzomin two Drams, Red Roses, and Corian­der Seeds, of each two Drams and a half; fume those things you cover your Head with in a Morning, and at Night going to Bed, with this powder; or rather a Cap made of Tow, or Wool, quilted, and make a paper Coif to be worn perpetually, putting over it the fore­said Cap: 'Tis absolutely necessary, for the Cure of the present sickness, and to prevent greater dangers which are ready to fall upon you, that you defend your self the whole Winter against the injuries of the Cold: In the Mornings use Frictions, or rubbings of the upper parts of your Elboes and Arms, and [Page 96] the whole length of your Back-bone, with moderately warm linen Cloths: Apply to your Pole, hot Bread newly drawn out of the Oven, and cut in the middle; or rather a Mornings, apply dry Cupping Glasses.

All these things being observed, unless you go to Stool of your self, your Belly is to be loosen'd, to which purpose Glysters are use­ful: But if you abhor them, than at the be­ginning of your Meal use Prunes, stewed with Senna: If my advice prove effectual to you, I shall be abundantly satisfi'd, &c.

FRom the relation of the compression of your Throat. which is not fix'd and stable, nor continual, and is without an Ul­cer, Tumour, and Inflamation: And from your perceiving an agitation in the region of the Hypochondries, from whence acrid and hot vapours are carried to the Throat, (which is the Tube and Funnel of the Chimny) in the extremity of which there resides a Distemper which proceeds from another place, just as the Nostrils are exulcerated by acrid Phlegm, and Choler inflames and vellicates the Fundament in Bloody-fluxes, although the cause of those evils lurk in other places. We suppose this [Page 121] Disease is only a Symptom of an internal cause afflicting you, to wit, of the Hypochondries, Liver, and other adjacent parts, with a no­table hot and dry distemperature, upon which account the Belly is bound, and all the Thin and serous humours are snatch'd into the Veins, there being lodg'd plenty of Choler, and other gross humours, in the chief Veins of the Me­sentery, and the natural Caveties of the Bowels.

This foundation being laid, it is easie to procure help by Diet, and generous cooling and moistening Evacuators: And if your reco­very do not presently follow, according to wish, you must not therefore abstain from Medicines, (a word is sufficient to an under­standing Physician.)

Prescribe your Diet to your self by strong refrigerators: I understand you have used weak mineral waters, such as Monfran (once or twice a year:) I hear to evacuate, you have frequently let Blood in your Arm: use Laxative Ptisans with Cassia and Senna, and other slight sort of Purgings of that kind, with Syrup of Roses, and Peach-blossoms: uni­versal Baths; and also use Milk, and clarified Whey, in which Fumaterry hath been insused; drink Asses-milk plentifully: persist in the use of these, according to the vehemence of your contumacious and habitual Disease, which otherwise no doubt will encrease, and bring upon you worse Symptoms.

WE have been made acquainted with the Disease with which N. D. is af [...]licted, which in my judg­ment is an off-spring of the distemperature of the Bowels, whose office is to prepare the nou­rishment; from which Bowels, plenty of va­pours ascend to the Head, which afterwards fall down to the Throat, and parts adjacent: The parts which are affected are the spaces betwixt the Laryngx, or Tope of the Wind Pipe, and the Bone Hyoides.

To the Cure of this Disease, frequent and iterated Purgation is necessary, to be begun with this usual Ptisan following.

℞ Of the common Ptisan made of the roots of Cichory and Bugloss Flowers, two pounds: in which infuse of Oriental Senna Leaves, ʒ ij. strain it, and pre­pare [Page 123] a Ptisan, of which take two or three Wine Glass-fuls in a day, one upon an empty stomack, another a little before Dinner, the third about four of the Clock in the Afternoon.

This Purgation being perform'd, in the use of which you are to persist for five or six days, first the Basilica in the right Arm, then that in the left Arm is to be opened. Let Bathing follow this letting of blood, for seven or eight days; other Topical Medicines, as Oils, Poultises of Swallows-Nests, &c. are altoge­ther useless; for having used the former Medi­cines, health will follow: If any thing remain of this Disease, it is easie to look to its spe­cifick cause; but in this case we are to be warned of the effect.

WE do collect from your Note sent to us, (in which the Symptoms with which the Noble D. is af­flicted are related) that there is some les­sening of the Disease; and that it did arise from vapours in the Head, whi [...]h descended by the way of the Throat: And because there is less plenty of these dry vapours, from hence there doth not follow so great a distention of the part; but on the contrary, they being confin'd within their first region, from hence there follows a greater distention of the Hypo­chondries then formerly: from hence ariseth that kind of affection or Disease we call Windy Melancholly, which is now much flighter then it was: Nor is it needful to enquire, if there be a Phlogosis, or Infla­mation or no, in those places; for this is certain, wheresoever adust Melancholly lur­keth, there is always present and joyn'd with it a distemperature, the reason is, that [Page 125] the presence of the vapours doth suppose heat, which stirs them up.

But to the Cure of this Disease, the now prescribed Remedies are to be insisted on, after­wards proceeding in the use of the following.

Let the beginning be with opening a vein, unless it have been perform'd already, and first strike the Basilica, afterwards the Sa­phena; in the intermediate time let there be constantly used Semicups, or half Baths, in which the Patient sitting, let him take the Decoction of Scorzonera, with the simple Syrup of Apples, not omitting Pimpernel: the third or fourth day after the Encathisme, or sitting in the Bath, this following Purgation is to be made out of hand.

℞ The foresaid Decoction, lb j. in which infuse Oriental Senna leaves, ℥ j. in the straining dissolve clean Pulp of Cassia, ʒ ix. strain it again, and make an Apo­zeme, to be taken at three Doses, with­out the Syrups: adding to every Dose Syrup of Dodder, ℥ j. and so make an Apozeme to be taken in the Bath.

After the celebrated use of the Bath, let Bloud-Leaches be apply'd to the edge of the Fundiment: And after that, sit in a Chair with a hole thorow it, a B [...]son of hot water [Page 126] being placed underneath it, that the Haemor­rhoides may be excited by the vapours of it: which if by Natures assistance you can cause to appear, it will be a good Omen. And after­wards persist in the use of altering Remedies, adding to them Capper roots, and Tamarisk wood: these things being rightly perform'd, send us back word, how the Patient finds himself then.

The Patient was restored a little while after by using the Mineral Waters, and Cha­ [...]byate Wine.

ALthough the Disease of this Noble Vir­gin, is called the Epilepse, and is no­ted to be fixedly rooted and confirm'd, as having eluded and baffled many Medicines, yet I hope God (the chief Physician of Chro­nical diseases) giving his blessing, in progress of time she will be freed from it; and by changing her Age and Temperament, (which happens in Climacterick years, to wit, on the seventh year, by the help of the natural heat, grown more and more viget and lively) she will overcome that pernicious Diath [...]sis, or indisposition: chiefly when Nature, at her appointed time, shall have cleansed the body of this Maid of its impurities, by the coming on of that Flux which is familiar to the Sex. And this is the rather to be hoped, for that those which have been by, and present when the Fits invade her, and have noted the signs going before, do deny it to be idiopathical [Page 128] but rather assert it to be produced by Sym­pathy, and consent of parts: That is, its Ori­ginal is not to be derived from the evil Con­stitution of the Brain; but wholly from the inferiour parts, chiefly from the Bowels, (with whom the Brain consents by affinity) from which gross vapours ascend upwards, chiefly in the time of sleep, which is stirr'd up from their proper Mine by the heat then go­ing to the inward parts: And this is mani­fest from the pain which is perceived in the upper part of the Belly, before the assault of the Paroxysme, or Fit; and the turbulency, and want of sleep going before it, indicating the Bowels are filled or stuffed with vitious humours, (to which perhaps may be joyned Werminous, or Wormey matter, a thing fa­miliar to that Age) which first pour sorth vapours, which procure those terrifying wants of sleep, and afterwards produce the Epilep­tical Insults, by obstructing the passage of the Animal spirits, and hence for a time inter­cepting their action, untill those vapours be dissipated, or are transmitted to the inferiour parts.

Now since according to my judgment, the antecedent, and first cause of this rebellious and troublesome disease, is constituted and made by those depraved humours, and that vitious Minera, we may well hope they will [Page 129] be taken away, and their effects removed in time, by the Divine assistance and blessing: And that the rather, because perhaps all things have not been prescribed with a fit and due Method, nor Chymical Medicines made use of, by the help of which most perti­nacious diseases are overcome; which sort of Medicines are to be rightly used, slighter ones having been first made use of.

Let the first scope, or intention of Cure be to purge the Sink of the Body, by the help of the Emetick, and Purging Medicine, noted A. taking of it presently, in a double proportion of Breath; walking after it the space of an hour, to make it act the better; also taking several spoonfuls after it of Broath, (some­what more then warm) till it begins to nau­ceate; by which the Vomiting will be the casier: If perchance the Epileptical Paroxysme shall happen whilst it works, that ought to be no cause of fear, since it is an effect of the commotion of the humours stirr'd up by it, which ceasing the Fit also will cease.

Let the second intention be, to prepare the Morbifick or offending humours with the De­coction prescribed for that purpose, and no­ted B. of which a draught is to be taken six days successively in the morning, two hours be­fore Dinner.

The third thing that occurs is, that the [Page 128] [...] [Page 129] [...] [Page 130] humours thus prepar'd, be excluded by the pargation, in the form of a Potion, noted with the Letter C. let her drink that two hours before she take thin Broath: Let her be al­lowed to Dine two hours after that; but in the mean time let her keep the House all day.

Let the fourth scope be, to remove thos [...] vapours w [...] are the authors of the Epilepti­cal Fits, [...]ne other place, by making Issu [...] ▪ in a conv [...]ent place, to wit, in the inwar▪ part of the Legs; [...]so procure a constant Eva­cuation of the Ex [...]rements of the Brai [...] which otherways b [...]ng joyn'd to the vapour: arising from the lower parts, they are there­by melted, and prove mischievous; for bein [...] become liquid again, and being first express [...] or squeez'd out of the Brain, they fall dow [...] upon the Throat, and produce that Stertor, o [...] Snorting, which is manifestly perceived bo [...] before and after the Fit: we may obtain t [...] delivering of the Brain from these Excreme [...] titious humours, by making of another Iss [...] in the Pole, which after full six months m [...] be permitted to be stopt up, making anoth [...] in the Arm, if there be occasion.

The fifth scope regards Specificks, design' [...] [...] strengthen the Brain, and marked with [...] [...]ter D. the application of which is [...] to the judgement of the Apothecary.

[...]f the Disease resist these Medicines, mo [...] [Page 131] efficacious ones must be made use of, viz. Chymical ones, which are frequently used by the most excellent Physicians of our times, as Dr. Quercetan, and Dr. de Mayerne, and are marked with the Letter E.

As also Peacocks-Dung must be used, which I look upon as a Specifick remedy amongst these Medicines.

If the Paroxysmes do continue, or are pro­tected, there is to be given a spoonful or two of Rondeletius's Water of Swallows: also Ru­landus his Aqua Benedicta, and for the cut­ting of Phlegm, which produceth the Snorting, there may be given one spoonful of Oxym [...]l of Squils, or Sea-Onions, with the like quan­tity of Oil of sweet Almonds.

Let there be joyn'd to these Medicines, an exact rule of living, eating of the most whol­some food; let the Dinner be larger then Supper, which ought to be a good while be­fore going to Bed, walking gently after it, that the digestion may be the better: let her abstain from all hot nourishments, Saeces, Spices, from all sort of Pulse, Parsni [...]-roots, Cabbage, Garlick, Onions, Leek [...], Ch [...]s, and other flatulent and vapourous Meats, and suchas are of difficult digestion: As to Drink, abstain altogether from pure and good Wine for some time, because it is a high incentive of these kind of Diseases: in the place of [Page 132] which let her use the Decoction of the Roots of China, Paeony, and a little Calamus aromaticus, and a few Leaves of Bettony: Let her avoid the Crepusculum, that is, the d [...]wn of the day, and Twilight, and all external injuries of the Air; let her beware of violent exercise; Passions of the Mind, chiefly Fear and Grief; which s [...] she avoid as much as is possible.