AMongst those Afflicti­ons and Diseases which molest Hu­main bodies, and portend their early dissolution, and Exit, before the fatal and determinate time, the Gout above all others deserves our Compassion; for this cause, that it is reckoned by many men (though very erroni­ously) [Page 2] amongst those Diseases that are absolutely incurable: So that the Sick person is left with a Prognostick: And the endea­vours of Physitians in this Dis­ease, is only imployed about the mitigation of pain, by the appli­cation of Topical or outward Me­dicines to the grieved part; they striving rather to please their Patients desires, than to perform their own office and duty: for most Physitians are more desirous by compliance to gain themselves Credit, than to procure the Health of the Patients, commit­ted to their care, they being only intent upon pacifying their cryes; the possibility of restoring their Patients to their perfect Health, doth not so much as once come in their thoughts.

And if this Disease be narrow­ly examind, without doubt it will hardly seem to deserve a [Page 3] slighter censure; for its Cause proceeds with so slow and Tor­toise-like a pace, that it gains ground, and is augmented by degrees, not produceing its full effect, untill it hath first wrought the parts into a depraved [...], or distemperature by means of the included humors, and then by often errors in Diet, and an intemperate Life, it getteth to so vast a height, that the Sick seems to be placed (as it were) upon the brink of a Precipice, where beholding the magnitude of the accumilated matter, and the length of the way which must of necessity be gone back before there can be a return to former health; they are frighted, and cast away all hope, and take up an aversion and loathing to all sorts of Remedies. Add to this, that the Gout seeks out Rich and Great mens Houses, and [Page 4] there it fixeth its chief Fortress, (or Garison) to whose commands (the Fates so pleasing) all such yield obedience, in so much that you cannot extort an assent from such men, to those precepts which are requisite for the reco­very of their healths.

But it is not at all true, that God hath Created Nature a Step-mother, and destitute of help, or that there is any dis­ease (whose [...], or Essence, doth not consist in a mere priva­tion) which doth not admit of a Cure: But if the singular Na­ture of the Disease, or its cause doth withstand a Cure, we may indeavour to give help, even to such (though they refuse to be govern'd by the Precepts of Phy­sitians,) either by metigating the fierceness of their pain, or by preventing the frequent returns of their Paroxsysm's, or Fits[?]; and [Page 5] at last, by taking care lest the parts by omitting their usual Offices, and by long Idleness, grow torped, and become unfit for the imployments they are designed for: And that these scopes or intentions may be ob­tained by Art, in any subject whatsoever, is most certain; if the Patient be yet capable of receiving the benefit of those Medicines which are to be ap­plyed, and is not already come to the ut-most and last extre­mity.

That we may with the more clearness, manifest the nature and quality of the Gout, we are not to regard the division of the humors into four parts; for though they appear distinct when they are voided from a humain body, we are to look deeper into the thing, and to consider that all the Excrements of the body do [Page 6] admit into themselves, & contain in their Composition, Salt. E­specially the Liquid humors, as Urine, and Sweat, whose thinner parts being discuss'd into Vapors, there will remain a saline Sedi­ment: From hence we may infer that Salt; as long as it continu­eth within the bounds and pro­portions allotted it by Nature, is inoffencive; but when it exceeds that, and abounds, whether it be Liquid, and mixed with its dis­solvent, or separated from it, and be coagulate, or become solid, it cannot be accumulated together in the body without hurt. For, as in the Macrocosme, or grea­ter World, there are divers sorts of Salts, of which some are sweet as Sugars; others sower as Vitriolet Salts; some are bitter as the Salt of Soot; others truly Salt, as Sea Salt, and Salt-Gemme; others Volatile, as Sal-Armoniack; [Page 7] others insipid, of which sort are those which are contained in Pibbles, Gravel, and other stones: So likewise in the Microcosme, or body of Man, there are ge­nerated Tartarous Salts, which according to their native propri­eties, and disposition, produce distempers, which from thence are called Tartarous Diseases, which in respect of their mate­rial cause, and peculiar dispositi­ons, are divided into two sorts; the one taking its origin from the solution, the other from the coagulation or concretion of these Tartarous Salts; which disposition is nourished, and furthered much by the distemperature of the parts, upon which the native heat acts according to the de­grees of their proper Essence[?], and essential mixtion; and so either dissolves these Salts, as it doth in the Livers of those which are [Page 8] Hydropical; or it doth cause a Concretion, as it happens in the Kidnies, and Bladder, of those which are Obnoxious to the Stone.

The four first Elements, (or the four humors) being dismissed, let us pass over to the Examina­tion of their Succedana's, or those principles constituted in their place, which by the Spagirists or Chymists, (who resolve subluna­ry bodys into their principles by the help of their fires,) are as­serted to be three: They calling whatsoever is watery, and vola­tile, Mercury; and styling all that is fat and devourable by fire, Sulphur; and giving the name of Salt to all the fix'd and dry parts, separated from the impure and dead Earth.

This Salt is of the nature of Balsom, which the body being deprived of, it certainly becomes [Page 9] putred. Wherefore, since there is a constant dissolution, and dissipation of this triple sub­stance, these principles require to be restor'd and repair'd; for we are nourished by the same things of which we are constitu­ted: But the Elementary substan­ces which we receive to sustain our selves, are various, both in their composition and tempera­ment; and in every sort of ali­ment, one of the aforesaid prin­ciples doth always abound above the rest, wherefore it is a necessa­ry consequence then, that who­soever useth such Meat, in which Salt doth radically abound, he shall experience in himself the increase of the same Principle.

And here we may admire Divine Providence that hath or­der'd the serous humor (an Ex­crement of the first Concoction) to be Liquid; in which, when [Page 10] the Aliment is dissolv'd into the form of Chyle, there is made a separation of the (aforesaid) three substances, and the Salt is al­most all dissolved by that Icho­rous Liquor▪ which being mixed with the blood, it becomes a Ve­hicule to it; and thus being trans­mitted with it to the smallest parts of the body, it serves them instead of a Balsom; and the o­verpluss of it, constituting the Lixiviate body of the Urine, floweth out at the place destina­ted for its Excression; and if there be any unuseful and super­fluous parts of it left behind, af­ter the third Concoction is per­formed, they are sent off by Sweat; or else seeking an Exit by insen­sible transpiration at the Pores, it degenerates into thick scurfe and foulness, sticking to the skin.

[Page 11] And this happens in those bo­dies which are well constituted, whose faculties are vigorous, and their functions perform'd without defect; but if by default of the parts, or through ill Diet, Na­ture be oppress'd, and the Se­cretions and Expulsions of Ex­crements be slowly perform'd, then of necessity this Salt will accumulate and gather it self to­gether upon the parts, and a­bounding in quantity, whereas be­fore it preserved them like a Balsom from Putrefaction: Now on the contrary, wheresoever it is convey'd, and remains, (al­though it be dissolved, and of a liquid form, like Brine) yet it inflames the parts, and villicates and gnaws them, exciting pain.

Moreover, since the natural proportion betwixt the dissolvant, and the thing to be dissolved is such, that the most subtle Liquor, [Page 12] will hardly receive into it self a­bove the fourth part (of any thing) in proportion to its self; if the Salt exceed in the afore­said watery Latex, or Liquor, then of necessity it will be stopt in its passages and Vessels, in which it will grow together, and be coagulated into different sort of Stones, according to the nature of the predominant Salt.

And here we may consider the various Concretions which hap­pen in the bowels of the Earth; as also those which are made by Art: For Allom, when it coagu­lates, hath one form, Salt-Peter another, Sea-Salt another, and Sal-Armoniack another, different from all these: Nay, he that shall remove his contemplations from the Coagulations of Salts, to those which happen to Stones and Marcasits, (or Minerals), he shall find several of them so ela­borately [Page 13] form'd according to Ge­ometrical Rules, that he will be forced to acknowledge that Art is out-done by Na­ture. Upon this subject, read what the Tran­slator of this Treatise hath writ in his Phi­losophical Es­say of Putrifi­cation; Printed Anno, 1672.

From what hath been said, we may infer, that Tarta­rous Diseases are the off-spring of a certain Native, (or Seedy) disposition of generating their like; or rather (as I may say) a powerful separating and assimulating of that Salt which we call Tartar from the Aliments, (which is contained in them) or if you will, the viti­ous and evil disposition of the aforesaid Aliments (indiscreetly taken into the body) overcome­ing the Tone of the Faculties, and depraving the Functions, which [Page 14] at length, through the frequent concourse of these Procatartick, or procuring causes, must necessari­ly be oppressed and over-whelm­ed: Wherefore these sort of Diseases, are either Hereditary, and transmitted by Parents in­fected with the same Infirmities, to their Children, or accidenta­ry, and ingendred in us by our own default.

According to the Philosophi­cal Axiome, received opinion, or Dogma, the definition of the Gout is thus stated. That it is a painful solution of the conti­nuety of the Ligaments and Ner­vous parts (which are very sen­sible) incompassing all the joynts, introduced upon them by the sharpe and biteing quality of a certain Tartarous matter, or Salt, separated from the mass of Blood, and transmitted to those parts (as being most weak and aptest to [Page 15] receive it,) together with its proper Vehicule the serous hu­mor; that being unuseful to nu­trition, and unfit to coagulate in­to flesh.

This definition of the Gout ac­knowledgeth but one cause of it, and shews the devision of it into a hot and cold Gout, to be futile or vain. Yet doth not this hinder, but that the Arthretick (or Gout) pains may be mitiga­ted by the application of reme­dies of a contrary nature: But then it is to be considered, that the Spirits, together with that humor which predominates a­bove the rest, and is generated by the Temperament of the body, doth flow to the part grieved with pain, (in aid thereof.) And so in a Phlegmatick temperament the pained parts are whitish, and swell without inflamation; and in the Sanguine and Cholerick, [Page 16] their pains are cruel and great, and require sudden relief: But in whatsoever sort of Gout it be, the pains do never cease (I spake not of the use of Narcotticks, or stupifying Medicines here) until the Salt the Parent and cause of the pain be diluted by some gen­tle Liquor (a good Diet being instituted, as the forbearing of Wine, and using to drink Wa­ter impregnated with the virtue of such things as are usually given in Fits of the Gout) or else a diversion of those humors be made, which impetuously rush upon the parts; and then that Salt, if it be Volatile, will be discussed into the habit of the body, or outward parts; or at length it will be temper'd and mitigated by internal Medicines, such as are Sugar of Lead, and Salt of Tartar.

[Page 17] I omit the opinion of those, who derive the Original of the Gout from the Liver, or Brain: For in my judgment, the first fountain of its material cause, is in the Stomack; which after­wards is from thence deriv'd, and by all the Genus venosum, (or Veines) poured out upon, (and render'd habitual to,) those parts afflicted. (Either by hereditary right, or ill Diet:) which parts attract the acrimony of the hu­mor, which insinuates it self into them, as being very weak, and therefore prone to receive, and suffer, and less apt to resist its power.

For every pain of the Ioynts, is not to be called the Gout, but that only which proceeds from the aforesaid Tartarous matter, and brings forth this effect; leaving upon the parts a great debility after the pain is gone.

[Page 18] There is a sort of wandring Gout, called by the English, Nin­ning; it is Erratick, and shift­eth place, sparing no joynt, but invading all of them successively, and often-times possessing several of them at once; whose set-time, (the inflamation being finished) is determined by Hippocrates to be forty days. This ariseth from a general Cataclysme, or flood of humors, which happeneth in Ple­thorick, or full bodys, abound­ing with such serous watery hu­mors; which falling into the ca­veties of the Joynts, prove af­flictive to the adjacent parts, more upon the account of their filling, and stretching them, than from their being accrimonius. This depraved Diathesis falls not un­der this disquisition here; since it is easily taken away, either by frequent Phlebotomy, (or bleeding) or else by large Evacuations with [Page 19] Hydragogol, or water-purging Medicines; which means make a revultion and subduction of the peccant and offencive humors.

But dismissing this Distemper, let us remove our discourse to that trucculent and rebellious Disease, particularly call'd Poda­gra, which Hippocrates, according to certain conditions, pronoun­ceth either curable or incurable, lib. 2. Praedict. (says he) De Po­dagra haec dico, quicunque aut se­nes sunt, aut circa articulos calcu­los tophaceos Concretos habent; aut aerumnose viunt, aut siccam habent Alvum, hi Omnes sani hu­mana arte fieri non possunt, quan­tùm ego novi: Sanant quidem hos Optime Dysenteriae si successerint, sed etiam aliae eliquationes valde prosunt, quae ad internos locos re­punt: Qui vero juvenis est, & circa articulos nondum tophaceos callos habet, concretos, & accu­rate [Page 20] vivit, & laboris amans esti & Alvum bonam habet, ad obedi­endum pro studiorum ratione, hic sani Medicum intelligentiam ha­bentem nactus, sanus fieri poterit. ‘(That is), concerning the Gout, I say, That those which are old, and have soft stones gathered a­bout their Joynts, or live De­bauchly, or are bound in their Bellies, all these cannot be cured by humain Art, as far as I know. But such are best cured by a Bloody Flux; also other sorts of Purgations, which carry the hu­mors inwards, are very advanta­gious to them: But he that is young, and hath not yet any Sto­ny Concretions about his joynts, and liveth a very regular life, and is a lover of labour, and hath a loose Belly, and ready to obey directions; these certainly may be cured by a careful and understanding Physitian.’

[Page 21] I trusting to the Oracle of this great Man, do believe the Gout may be prevented and hindred, even in those which have it He­reditarily, though not in every individual person: But in such, in whom it is in its first begin­nings, and before it hath left, and deposited any stony sediment in the Caveties of the Joynts; and by its native efficacy, hath har­dened the glutinous liquor of those parts into a stone. These I say, I believe are capable of a cure: This seems to be rashly spoken, yet it is most true; if Gouty persons would but observe the first Aphorisme of Hippocra­tes, which teaches that the Phy­sitian ought not only to do his duty, but the Patient, and those which are about them, and as­sist them, should do theirs also. For outward causes must also conspire towards this Cure.

[Page 22] As to the prevention of this Disease, Galen handles it per­functorily, and slightly, supposing it sufficient to use Purging and Blood-letting in the Spring and Fall; adding to these a regular course of Diet: And this he thinks is not only sufficient to prevent it in those who have not yet been seized with it, but also for those who have already been afflicted with it: But we add, that the concurrence of many other things is requisite; of which sort, Diet justly challengeth the first place, for such nourishments ought to be chose which are Euchymick and Eupeptick, that is, of good juyce and easie digestion; com­manding the Patient to forbear all sorts of Foods that are Glu­tinous, Tartarous, or impregnated with Salt, and such as are easily Coagulated. The kinds of which are to be learned out of such [Page 23] Books which treat of usefull or noxious Diet. Drink is of great moment in this affair, which be­cause it serves to dilute the meat, it therefore affords the principle matter to the Ichorous Excrement, (of which we have discoursed be­fore.) If this participate much of the aforesaid Tartarous matter, without doubt it attracts to it self (from its similitude of sub­stance), the like matter contain'd in the Aliments, and therefore promotes the increase of the Gout. For Viscous and thick drinks, of which sort are Beer and Ale (which have not work'd well) are very apt to coagulate, and do easily produce the Stone: As on the other side, simple drinks, and uncompounded, and such as have little of Salt matter in them, are less prone to generate these kind of Diseases: From hence those which drink water, so it [Page 24] be unmix'd, are less subject to the Gout; chiefly Rich men, who out of curiosity cast clean Flints and Pibbles into the Wells and Fountains, from whence they draw their Waters; for these stones cover themselves with the Musi­lage and Slime, which the water by running through the Earth, had contracted and brought along with it; and these being removed, they cast in others: or they make use of Rain-water receiv'd in Cisterns filled with Gravel. Mead, made with Rain-water, well pu­rifi'd, and throughly wrought, till it become clear, and leave no­thing in the bottom, is of excel­lent use; and this may be made Medicinal by adding of Cepha­lick, Neurotic, and Arthretick Herbs; (that is) such as are ap­propriate to the Head, Nerves, and Joynts; of which sort are Bettony, Ground Pine, Cowslips, Primroses, and the like.

[Page 25] Wine taken in to large quanti­ties, turbid, and not sufficiently freed from its Tartar, is very hurtful; both because from the constant, and too much use of it, the native heat is dissipated, the Concoction of the Stomack im­peded, (chiefly of flesh-meats, which in this liquor grow hard;) as also the Liver is offended, and accride, and serous blood gene­rated, the Brain rendr'd weak, and the strength of the Nerves impar'd, Cathars and Defluxions provoked, whose matter being condenc'd in that Region, falls perpendicularly upon those parts of the body that are under it, and destroys all that it meets with, chiefly those parts which are weak.

Amongst Wines, some are of that nature, that, although they seem watery, yet they prick the Tongue and Pallate; such abound [Page 26] with a Vitriolin Tartor, sharp, pontick, and pricking: Others are of a more generous kind, and abound with more plenty of spirits, whose strength is quickly abated by mixing them with wa­ter; and these chiefly infest the Brain, as the other do the Ioynts: But there is an Artificial way found out, to take away the hurt­ful vapours of such Wine, and this is perform'd by transcolating or straining it by a double glass­instrument, call'd by the French Montevin; and with this Engin, it is deprived of its superfluous Tartar, pouring into it any liquor indow'd with a precipitating fa­culty; of which sort is Oyl of Tartar, (by the help of which, Wine inclining to be soure, is sweetned) also the solution of Litharige, or Sugar of Lead, made with Vinegar: The solution of Crystals, made by often repeated [Page 27] reverberations, and extinctions in Nettle-water, and dissolv'd with the Accid Spirit of Turpentine, according to Art.

But it is hard, and tedious, to use medicated meats and drinks at our Meals: Those therefore which cannot refrain from Wine, let them elect those which are less hurtful and Oligo­phorick; diluting them well with water, not taking more than is needful, and abstaining also from too plentiful feeding. Let this be the first, or prime rule of health, not to satiate themselves with Food, nor over-burthen the strength of the Stomack with a superfluous [...], or fulness, by which means the native heat will act upon the subjects commit­ted to its charge without trou­ble, and this is healthful. Nor ought there more new Food to be taken in, till the former be con­cocted: [Page 28] Also let their Diet be simple, and the chief Sawce to it, hunger; exciting an Appe­tite, if it be wanting, by mo­derate exercise at convenient hours (that is, before, not after meat,) by which the drowsie heat will be excited, even as fire cover'd with ashes, is, by stir­ing it up.

But since we have mention'd Exercise, whose Essence consists in motion, we may bring in under this head, Frixtions, or Rubbings, as well of the whole Body, as of the Ioynts: These open the Pores, draw out the superfluous matter which (is suppress'd,) and call back the natural heat to the parts; which is the chief instru­ment and Master workman of the Faculties: Wherefore, because there is no nourishment which doth not contain some impuri­tys in it, which turns to Excre­ment, [Page 29] we must take care that these superfluities be Evacuated by the natural passages, (or E­munctiorys) in convenient quan­tityes, and at fitting times; which if Nature perform not, Art must supply that defect, carefully re­garding that the Belly be kept loose. And that the Stomack ne­ver abound with impurities or filth: So that the first concoctions may not be as it were a Ferment to the rest, which would give a Salt accrimony to the succeeding Aliementary juice.

To perform these intentions, certain familiar Medicines con­duce much; such as are Pilulae Mastichinae, Macri, Aloes im­pregnated with divers juices; al­so Stomachical, Epatick, and o­ther gentle Medicines, which we call Eccoprotick: 'Tis of great concern to examin well, if the Urine answer in proportion to the [Page 30] Drink that is drank; for if it do not, 'tis very requisite to take Potions, and other forms of Diuretick Medicines, at conveni­ent times; that is, betwixt Meals. Of which sort is the Vinous Li­quor, which is made with fully ripe Iuniper Berries bruis'd and boyl'd in water, adding a little Yeast or Mustard to it, to promote the Fermentation. Or there may be taken a little of the red liquor made according to Art, by di­gesting Spirit of Wine upon Salt of Tartar.

To provoke Sweat is also won­derful beneficial; whether it be procur'd by exercise, or by going once or twice in a month into a Hot-House; some times also taking Glysters when the Stomack is empty.

Let them avoyd all extremi­ties of the Weather, chiefly cold and moist Air, carefully defending [Page 31] their Ioynts from it. Let both their Sleep and Watchings be mo­derate; for the excess of either is hurtfull. The same judgment is to be given of Venery, which is extreamly offensive to Gouty People; for experience doth testi­fie, that the Salt and Nitrious humors, with which those which have the Gout do abound, are of­ten stirr'd up by these kind of conflicts: Concerning which, a certain person being asked which was the most convenient time to perform them in; he presently answer'd, Whensoever any man de­sires to make himself weak. Last­ly, if a moderation be to be ob­served in all those things which concern the Body, much more ought it to be so in those things which relate to the Mind; for the assaults of it will destroy the Organs of the Body, unless they be govern'd by the motions of reason.

[Page 32] Behold a short [...], or description, of the principle Can­nons of Diet, to be observed by those which have the Gout; as also of such things which ought to be avoyded by the Gouty. By way of prevention from this evil, we will subjoyn some reme­dies, (chiefly such as are Purga­tive) by which this evil, happily whilst it is in its first beginnings, (and as they say, in the Herb) may be taken away, or avoyded, by drawing off its cause before it break out into act, and fall up­on those parts, in which, it useth to exercise its Tyranny and But­chery.

Vomits are the most precious Pro­phylacticks, or preventer of the Gout which may be largely provoked by the help of Emetticks, where the joynts are yet lax and limber, and the Disease is at the door, and ready to fall upon them. And [Page 33] this may be done both to those Gouty persons, which have had former fits, and to those which have not yet sustained any; and govern themselves; not submit­ting to the advice of Physitians, but indulge their own genius, (most commonly) to the de­struction of their health.

Amongst the Classes of Vo­mits, this is the most try'd, and never given without success, viz. The infusion of Crocus Mettalo­rum, made into a fine Powder, well washed, and steep'd in two, or three Ounces of White-wine, for the space of 24. hours, giving the straining of it, with an ounce of simple Oxymel; in a morning, upon an empty Sto­mack, taking a little fat broth after every provocation to Vo­mit. But this kind of Medicine performs it's Operations with some violence, and therefore is [Page 34] not equally convenient for all Constitutions, but only for such as are fitted by nature for it: But it takes away the Disease by the Roots, neither is it ever given in vain; and although it be ac­companied with some trouble, and molestation, yet is it inno­cent and harmless, so it be ad­ministred in a seasonable, and con­venient time.

Clean white Vitriol given to the quantity of a Dragme, dissolv'd in Barley-water, or else given in any Conserve; and drinking up­on it, a great draught of the same water, in which a large quantity of Liquorish hath been boyl'd, doth wash, and also strengthen the Stomack, in ten­der and easie bodies: And in such cases, in which the humors are not to be drawn from the farthest, or remote parts of the body. The Emultion also of 25. [Page 35] or thirty grains of Cataputia, or Spurge (the greater sort) being made with the Broath of a Chicken strain'd, or else with Bar­ley-water, sweeten'd with Sugar, adding two or three Almonds, is very good in this case.

There is another sort of Vo­mits; very useful, and less diffi­cult: And that you may appre­hend the reason of this the bet­ter, we are to remember what was said before, That the primi­tive matter of the Gout, is gene­rated in the Stomack. 'Tis the Opinion of the Arabians, that it is convenient to be Drunk once in a month: And this would not be so much amiss, if it left us the use of Reason, and did not turn us into the nature of Swine. But this advice will agree well e­nough with Debauchee's, and Glutonous persons, who devour all things without distinction: [Page 36] Let these once, or twice in a month, stuff their Stomacks a­bove measure, with variety of Meats, chiefly such as is fat; drinking upon it more than ordi­nary of what sort of Liquor they please; so loaded, let them re­main quiet for one hour; after which, let them walk half an hour gently: at last, putting their Fingers into their Throats, let them provoke themselves to Vo­mit, and to throw up, not only the meat they have eaten, but also the formerly collected Slime sticking to the sides of the Sto­mack, and which (after eating almost to Vomiting) doth mix it self with the Aliment, and is diluted by the Liquors, and drink which is drank: For Nature en­deavors every single concoction, to collect what she finds in the hollow of the Stomack, that she may convert it into the form and [Page 37] substance of Chyle, and after­wards change it into Blood: In some there is requir'd a longer time to perform this in, (almost two hours) according as the Sto­mack doth more slowly obey the act of Chylification. As to the Motion which was requir'd as ne­cessary before the act of Vomit­ting, that is sufficiently made out by Navigation; which as Hippo­crates notes, (and common expe­rience confirms) doth help to provoke these kind of Evacua­tions.

Besides Vomiting, 'tis neces­sary to Purge the body, having premised before a preparation of it, with brisk and spirituous Me­dicines, which [...], and with power, act upon such sort of Tar­tars; of which kind are the soure Spirit of Vitriol, of Sulphur, and of Salt, which may be exhibited in any so [...]t of Liquor, or Con­serve, [Page 38] or otherwise: Also the Cream, Salt, and Spirit of Tartar, prepare the matter for Expul­sion.

Purges which are peculiar for the Gouty humors, are truly Hy­dragogol, or purgers of water, of which there are a vast number. Syrup de Rhamno, that is, Syrup of Bucks-horn, is esteem'd a Spe­cifick against this Disease, and is to be taken immediately before Meat; the Dose of it is two or three Ounces.

Cream of Tartar is a most use­ful Medicine; if you add to it 10, 12, or 15, grains of the Extract, or Rosin of Scamony (precipi­tated in Rose-water,) dissolving them together in White wine, or taking them in Broath, with a drop of the distill'd Oyl of Cina­mon; also Cydonium Laxativum, or the purging Quinces of Ly­ons is of the same effect. Also [Page 39] Iallop root taken to the quantity of a Dragme; or four scruples in White-wine, is a pleasant and use­ful remedy: nor of less virtue are the Berries of Dwarfe-Elder, and the Oyl made of them by boyling and pressing. Electuarium Caryocostinum is singularly com­mended: But the most powerful of all remedies is Mercurius-dul­cis, which may be happily given to the quantity of a scruple, adding by way of Stimulation, and that it may not make too long a stay in the body, 23. or 25. grains of Pilulae Cochiarum Minorum, faithfully made up; adding for correction, a few leaves of Gold, and a few drops of the distill'd Oyl of Rosemary, Anniseeds, or Cynamon.

Let not very generous Medi­cines be used too often, but only in the beginning of the Spring and Fall: But Vomits only ought [Page 40] to be frequently used, as was said before; and also the Pills called Pilulae Usualium.

Niter, or Salt Peter, doth be­long to the Classis of Evacuators, for it sends forth the Tartarous substance by the way of the Kid­nies and Bladder, which matter doth easily Coagulate into Stones, in such as are inclin'd to the Gout. Let it be taken in the wain of the Moon, to the quan­tity of a Dragme, or two, in Sugar'd Barly-water: Also Anti­monium Diaphoreticum fixum, pre­par'd Crollius his way, is good to provoke Sweat, when given with Rob, or the thicken'd juice of Elder-Berries, once or twice in a month, according as the party is full-body'd, or irregular in his Diet, going into a Hot-House, or being in Bed when it is ta­ken.

[Page 41] As to the rest do as it is in the Adage, Take care to keep your Head and Feet warm; & in other things, live as the Bruits do; (that is) eat at convenient hours, and avoyd plentitude or fulness. He that observeth the aforesaid rules, though he be naturally inclined to the Gout, shall hardly be seized with it, so that these things be perform'd carefully, and in or­der.

Now it is time to afford help to those which are actually af­flicted with the Gout: And that these may receive manifest re­lief and help, I have found, (and am confirm'd in it,) by often re­peated experiments; either by prohibiting the fits, or hindering their often, or frequent returns, cutting off the length of them, or mitigating the fierceness of the pain, or by sooner restoring strength to the joynts and other [Page 42] parts, made weak by the length of the disease.

To the defence of such, be­sides those general and neces­sary Indications: 1. Of Evacua­ting the Tartarom matter, draw­ing it away from its original Fountain, the Stomack, at the be­ginning. 2dly. Preparing the same by all temperate means. And 3dly. Excluding the matter so prepar'd, by Purgation. And 4thly. Of drawing off the great­est part of it, by the way, and Vessels design'd for the Excre­sion of Urine. But 5thly. More­over, the superfluous matter is to be dissipated by Exiccating and Obsorbiant things. 6thly. By procuring (by the way of inter­ception,) a Consumption of that part of the matter which hath e­scaped the power of other Medi­cines. 7. Blunting the accrimo­ny of the Salt in the parts of­fended. [Page 43] 8thly. Dissolving it in­to vapours, whilst it yet remain­eth under a liquid form. 9thly. If necessity require it, to fix and condence the same in the place from whence it flows. 10thly. Pain sharply urging to it, to lay it a­sleep by Narcottick Medicines, which perhaps may seem a Pa­radox to some men. 11thly. By strengthening the joynts betwixt the fits, by which they will not be so subject to Defluxions for the future; and this is to be per­form'd by applying of strong Ro­boraters betwixt the fits. 12thly, and lastly, (if it may be done) dissolving the aforesaid Matter and Salt, before it be throughly harden'd in the Joynts; and if possible, let this be performed at the beginning of its Concre­tion. For to Cure the knotted Gout, there are no less remedies requisite than the Philosophers-Stone, [Page 44] or Medea's Bath, in which Iason put off his old Age, and became young.

But Vomits ought to precede all these things, as being the most necessary of them all; of which we have discours'd before: but whether they are to be made use of seldom or often, necessity, and the orderly, or erregular manner of Diet will teach. But this E­radicating Vomit of Crocus Me­tellorum, or of Salt of Vitriol, is conveninent of it self, and may be used at any time. When the other fore-mentioned things are only to prevent this Disease in those which have never yet been afflicted with it. It is also con­venient often-times to provoke Vo­miting after Supper, the Stomack being filled with Meat; the trou­ble of which is recompenc'd to the Sick, and amended by the Rest of the following Night. Let this kind [Page 45] of Evacuation be made use of, at least once in a month, as being a most efficacious help, chiefly in the Spring and Fall; or if neces­sity require it, at the beginning of every Season.

This is worthy our Remark, That the Salts commonly called Alkalys (which are made of Ve­getables by Calcination) do dul­cifie the most Corrosive and pungent Spirits; amongst which sort of Salts, or Alkallys, Salt of Tartar is the most powerful. The same thing doth happen in our Bodies, in which the Salts are acuated by their spirituous sub­stances: but if their poynts be broke and blunted by Alkalys, then they become weak and in­offensive. Neither can the use of Salt of Tartar be hurtful to any body, taken in Broath, or else in some Conserve of Bettony, of Ground-Pine, or of Cichory: [Page 46] for let it be taken under what form soever, it is highly beneficial to those which have the Gout; not only because it tempers the salt matter, but because, it also brings forth the Salt and Tartarous Mat­ter, (the cause of this distemper) by Urine. The Salt of Ground-Pine, Bettony, Wormwood, Dwarf-Elder, &c. produce the same ef­fect. Sugar of Lead may be safe­ly taken inwardly, with appro­priate Conserves, and it doth actually mitigate and sweeten (the humors) as its tast doth witness: but it taketh off, and abateth Venerial desires (perhaps much to the advantage of the Gouty Patient.) These sort of Medi­cines ought to be exhibited in the Wain of the Moon, having before made use of the gentler kind of Eccoprotick, or easie purg­ing Medicines.

[Page 47] We have discours'd above of the Purging Medicines that are most convenient in the Gout; to which we will add this Specifick; to wit, our Arthretick Powder, which ought to be used once in a month, from the quantity of a Dragme to four Scruples, about the full of the Moon, when the humors most abound, and are turgent; and this according to the Magnitude of the Disease, having a respect to the strength of the Patient. Those which are Plethorick, or full body'd, and greatly afflict­ed with the Gout, such may use to take it at suspicious times, (when they expect a fit) one, or two days before the New of the Moon; taking it either in the fat Broath of a Capon, Cream of Barley, White-wine, or Whey; to drink a draught of which, after the taking of the Medicine, is Convenient.

[Page 48] ℞. The rasepings of a humain Skull unburyed, and the roots of Turbith, Hermodactyls, Iallop, Sena-leaves, Cream of Tartar, Diagrydium, (i. e.) prepar'd Sca­mony. Cloves, Ana. ℥. j. Mix them and rub them in a Morter to a fine Powder. Bairus, an Italian Physitian, doth highly extol Cary­ocostinum, whose Ingredients, since they are very hot, and its Operation a little too vehement, I think it scarce safe for dry bo­dys, but only for very cold and moist ones; so that my before described Powder, may supply the place of this, and all other Purges, excepting Mercury, whose energy and power exceeds all others: We have spoken be­fore of the manner of exhibiting it, that it ought to be joyned with such things as will cause it to work quickly, such as are Pilulae Cochiae Minores, and the [Page 49] like Purgers, which have Colocyn­thidy, Scamony, and black Elle­bor in them; out of which, if you please, you may prepare an extract of the consistance of Pills to be mixed with Mercury.

If any one be already seized with a fit of the Gout, then is it very desirable that he be deli­ver'd from it, or at least that he be less (or mildlier) afflicted with it. Such after universal purging of the three Regions of the Body, and having used a Sudorifick Diet, let such (I say) use for the space of a years time together, the follow­ing Pills; which although they cause no sensible Evacuation, yet by the long and uninterrupted use of them, they send forth the Tartarous matter by Urine, (of the usefulness, or conveniency of which hath been treated before) by a faculty altogether Specifick; upon which thing the Physitian [Page 50] ought always to be intent, let his method be what it will: It also strengthens the joynts.

℞. Powder of Ground-Pine, ℥. ss. Spanish Liquors, ʒ. ij. Betto­ny, ʒ. 1. ss. The Stones of Med­lars, ʒ. iij. all being beaten into a subtile powder, with a sufficient quantity of Venis-Turpentine, make a Masse for Pills, which are to be taken every day, from a ʒ. j. to a ʒ. j. ss. or two Dragmes, three hours before eating, walk­ing, or using gentle exercise af­ter them.

The Basis, or foundation of this remedy, is the Chamapytis, or Ground-Pine, which many mix alone with Turpentine; others add Bettony, the use is as before. The year being expired, use this Remedy every Spring and Fall, for the space of thirty or forty days together; observing this, that if the Belly be loose, then leave [Page 51] Nature to her own work, with whom the Medicine will conspire. But if it be otherwise, then pro­voke it with the usual Pills: or at the same time taking stronger Purgers (if it be requisite) as is before said; in the mean time, shunning an ill Diet, and having a care that what one hand hath built up, the other doth not pull down.

Obsorbients are indowed with a manifest quality, and power of drying; to which, if Specificks be added, their effects will be more brisk, lasting, and noble: This faculty is in all sorts of Bones, whether they are Calcin'd or not, but humain bones of the same kind with those parts which are afflicted, are more efficatious, by reason of their similitude.

℞. Of the aforesaid Bones, ʒ. iij. Crude Harts-horn, Cal­cin'd Harts-horn, of each two parts; [Page 52] Crabs-eyes finely powdered, one part; of the powder or mealy Pith, of Sarsaparilla, four parts; rub them all into a Powder, to which, if you please, you may add the Seeds of Annise, Fennel, Coriander, Cinamon, Amber, Mosk, but in small quantities, and only to procure a pleasant smell or tast: take Morning and Evening a whole spoonful of this (at a good space from eating) after the Gouty person doth desist from the use of the aforesaid Pills of Ground-Pine, or in the intermediate times when he doth not take them.

Issues made (by burning) in the Arms or Leggs, do intercept those humors which flow to the joynts, and bring them forth a­nother way, and are a great comfort and relief, both as to the preservation from, and Cure of the Gout, especially if the sick [Page 53] party do not observe a good Di­et; in which case they must of necessity admit of them.

Now follows those Remedies which respect urgent pain. To the inquiring after which, the Physitians industry is forced, by reason of the impatience of the Sick, and the vehemency of their pain. Let there be called to mind then what was formerly said, viz. That Agile, moveable, and Acid, or soure particles of saline matter, being mixed a­mongst themselves, do mutually temper each other; and by do­ing so, they take off the pains of the Gout.

The Lixiviums, or Leys made with the Ashes of Coleworts, Vine­branches, Pot-ashes, Tartar, and the like Alkallisate Salts, do all of them agree in the faculty of mitigating of pain; chiefly if they be mixed with Vitriolin sub­stances, [Page 54] in which is hid an Ana­dine Sulphur, and a Salt indow'd with a powerful discussive vir­tue. White Vitriol dissolv'd in distilled water of Coleworts; al­so Lead (by its native sweetness) take off the Mordacety and biting of the Gouty Salt, being out­wardly apply'd with the before­mentioned Colewort-water: as also doth Fern, in whose Ashes lurks a Salt of excellent virtue: The Phlegme of White Vitriol, and the water of Froggs Spawn, and the like Liquors, (to which often-times Narcotticks are added) are useful upon a double account, both because they take off the sence of pain (of which beneath you shall hear farther) and also by means of their sulphurous Na­ture, with which they temper the humors.

The greatest part of those which endeavour to give help in [Page 55] the Gout, do very improperly make use of Medicines in the form of Cataplasmes, or Poul­tesses; from whence there is more hurt then advantage re­ceived; because they shut up the Pores, which ought rather to be opened: and this we should labour to do, that so the Lixivium may draw forth the matter whilst it is yet in a liquid form. To the obtaining of which end, Apoplecti­cal waters are to be apply'd, (which are so much commen­ded by Authors) and are com­posed of the fore-mentioned Salts and Vitriols.

Oxoronia Swingeri; also the water of Urine, and Vitriol, long macerated, putrifi'd, and digested together, these are highly bene­ficial. Camphor is also of excel­lent use in easing of pain, for it opens, penetrates, attinuates, di­gests, and promotes insensible [Page 56] transpiration, upon the account of its subtile Particles; it is use­fully apply'd with the aforesaid waters, and that in the most in­tence and extream pain.

I have seen some dissolve Opi­um, digest, and afterward distill it, and apply these sort of mix­tures with much advantage to the joynts, even in the extremest hight of pain; the efficacy of this is advanced by the addition of Camphor: In this particular these recited helps are suffici­ent, although others no less ge­nerous may be produced and prescribed.

Sleep puts a stop to all Eva­cuations but Sweat: And there­fore where the Defluxion is ve­hement, and the pain intence, there is nothing more grateful and beneficial than to procure it: Nor can any thing come in competition with Laudanum, of [Page 57] which there may be exhibited two, three, or four grains at the hour of sleep, nay many nights successively; for by rest and quiet, the humors will be con­cocted, Nature recovers her strength, and ariseth to over­come her Enemies. There are other somniforous Remedies Suc­cedanous to Laudanum, but that excels them all.

The greatest part of Physitians rise up against, and oppose the use of Narcotticks, and stupify­ing Medicines; pretending there are other helps more safe to take off the vehemence of pain; and in their Opinion, it is better not to abate the pains at all, or to stop the Complaints, and Crys of the Sick, then to render them weak and feeble, by these sort of Medicines: This is certainly a very pleasant thing, and ought to be taken for a plausible ex­cuse, [Page 58] as if by the use of these Medicines, so great an im­becility and weakness could be brought upon the Sick person and his joynts. 'Tis true, Narcotticks taken inwardly, if they be not aptly and carefully used, are not without danger; because unsea­sonably given, they do (as I may say) cause a kind of Conge­lation in the Brain, and intro­duce upon the Spirits, an [...], or stedfastness, not by reason of refrigiration, but by a fixing quality, which is the issue of the Luxurient Sulphur contain'd in these Medicines; from whence there is induced an immobility upon the animal Spirits, hindring their influx; and from thence, Death by suffocation follows; but where there is extream pain, no­thing of this need to be feared: For 'tis certain, that one day of extream pain doth inflict more [Page 59] weakness upon the Nerves, then the application of Topical Medi­cines, (though they be Narcot­ticks) can procure in six days time.

But let us suppose that by these means some sort of stupor, or numbness, doth remain upon the parts, there are thousands of Remedies, able and powerful e­nough to remove, and wash off that fault; as Baths, Fomenta­tions, Plaisters, Hot houses, and others, which perform this in a short time; add to this that Nar­cotticks outwardly apply'd, being joyn'd with their Antidotes, and Correctors, are harmless and in­offencive.

Almost all Authors make use of Henbain in vehement pains of the Gout: And some assend to the use of Opium: If the Spleen be grown very hard, we apply Hemlock to it, without the least [Page 60] danger; which is also very usefully laid upon the Eyes, although they are so near the Brain: I for my part do not fear (happy success having always approved of it) to make use of both these Plants, in the form of a Poultis, joyning to them Cassia, Camphor, Saf­fron, Sperma-Celi, and humain Fat, which is a most excellent Ana­dine in this case.

The pain being pacifi'd, we are to come to the use of Robo­rating and strengthning means; amongst which, Wine is the best, which as outwardly applyed, it is very beneficial and friendly to the Nervous parts; so inwardly taken, it is highly injurious and offensive to all the propagations of the Brain; as the Membrains, Merves, Marrow, &c.

Those that would be inabled to resist the Assaults of the Gout, must of necessity make use of [Page 61] such Medicines as have a faculty to, dry, and strengthen the Ner­vous parts, whose Tone and na­tive Temper, require to be pre­served by their like. Paulus Aegi­neta, an Antient and Learned Physitian, adviseth to rub the joynts of Gouty people, with a li­nement made of Salt and Oyl, which Medicine is very useful, the pains being first abated; but its chief excellency consists in preventing the Gout. This Oyl is prepared with yellow Violets, (they usually call it Cherinum) by the repeated infusion of fresh Flowers in it, by which it becomes most excellent, especially if there be added to it the Flowers of Mullin.

℞. of the said Oyl, lb. j. decre­petated, (that is Calcined) Sea Salt, ground upon a Pouphiry to a most subtile powder, of white-Venis-Sope, of each four Ounces; mix them, and make an Oyntment, [Page 62] like Nutritum: With this, in the Evening anoynt all the joynts, chiefly the hands and feet, which are more Obnoxtious to these pains than the other parts: Then afterwards, going to bed, put on Socks and Gloves. I knew a cer­tain Learned Physitian, who had been afflicted with the Gout thirty years, (this was Monsieur Quartier, Physitian to the Duke of Bollion:) he lived as many years more, and the residue of his life, (for he was above a hundred years old when he died) by the benefit of the above-described Linement: And ten years before his Death, he was seen to walk as firmly, as if he had never been afflicted with this Disease of the Gout. Perhaps many will think the method of Cure by a strict Diet, a tedious way, because thus their pains and care are never at an end. And it is superfluous (say they) to pre­scribe [Page 63] such a course to Country people that use much exercise, and live soberly. And for the Rich, they hate to take pains, and trouble themselves, and have all things done for them by the help of their Servants, and debauch when they please, yet will not regard these Rules, or indure any method that is tedious.

The Fit being over, 'tis com­com to use Emplastrum Diachal­citeos, which truly is innocent, but of little advantage. There are better Medicines commonly to be had, as the Plaister of Hermo­doctyls, the Majesterial Plaister of Red-lead, (call'd Emplastrum San­dicis.) Gum Caranna, dissolv'd with Spirit of Wine; and Taca­mahacca are of singular use and virtue: Emplastrum of Bettony, with Mastich, Storax, and Ben­zoin, dissolv'd with Spirit of Wine are very good: Balsom of Dwarf-Elder [Page 64] made with Earth-worms, Sucking-puppies, and a little Salt, is most excellent. Baths and Fo­mentations made with Neurotick herbs, (that is such as strengthen the Nerves and Brain) boyled in a ley of Steel'd-water & Red-Wine, with Salt, Sulphur, and Allom, do wonderfully Corroborate: Milk of Allom is singularly good, and is thus prepar'd.

℞ Aqua Vitae, (or Brandy) lb. j. The Whites of six new-lay'd Eggs, shake them along-time together, with three or four big lumps of Alom, in a well-glaz'd Earthen-Pot; (it is sufficient to agitate and stir it about:) The Medi­cine will be more Efficatious if there be first infused Nervous herbs in the Brandy, such as Mar­jarom, Sage, Rosemary; but if this be warm'd with the White of the Eggs in it, they will grow hard, and it will separate into [Page 65] Curds; it is therefore better to warm them single, both that, and the red Wine, (that is the best Aligant, if you can procure it;) and the Vessels being took off from the fire, to add a dou­ble or treble proportion of the other, though Allom Milk; and to dip Linnen-cleaths in this, and apply them warm to the parts; but what need any more, since the aforesaid things are sufficient.

They do but make themselves ridiculous, who undertake to dis­solve the knots of the Gout; for if they be once throughly har­den'd, to attempt this, is to wash the Blackamore: But whilst the matter is yet Viscous and Slimy, I think the thing not altogether impossible, if we can attain a re­medy that will enter into it, and doth agree with the matter in si­militude of substance; and such an one is Sal-Armoniack, both [Page 66] that which is Natural, and that which is Arteficial, and compoun­ded of Soot and Urine; but the volatile Salt of Urine, made pure by often subliming, exceeds it in efficacy.

The Pores of the parts being sufficiently open'd, by the help of a Bath, a Hot house, or a Lixi­vium, or Ley made with the Sco­ria or yellow dross of the Regu­lur of Antimony; (whose Sulphur is a powerful attractor, and hath a great dissolving faculty.) Let there be taken Salt of Urine, mixing it with the best Spirit of Wine, and foment the joynts with this mixture. Oyl of Arsenick doth digest this slimy matter, and draw it to the superficies of the skin; neither is there any Me­dicine can equal it upon this ac­count, if a little of it be mixed with May Butter, or some other Fat, and the joynts be lightly a­nointed [Page 67] with this, it sometimes dissipates these Tumors, and causeth a certain viscous matter to sweat forth at the Pores, which looks like Fat; and many times there will arise Pustels, which poure out drops of water, not unlike Eggs exposed to the fire.

But the main point about the use of this remedy, consists in this, That you make not too much hast: For to effect this, there is most commonly requir'd the space of twelve or fifteen days time. Some as Dariolus attempt the opening the parts about the joynts with a Cautory. And before the matter is harden'd, they usefully apply Blistering-Plaisters: But I am of opinion, that the former advice is unnecessary, and that such as op­pose the antecedent cause of the Disease with inward remedies, may well forbear the use of out­ward ones; or at least may ab­stain [Page 68] from these painful ones, for it is cruel to add affliction to af­fliction.

Before I conclude, I will say somewhat to Blood-letting, which ought to be performed by way of prevention in full Bodies, and such as live highly and plentifully: Open a vein in the Arm, of such in the Spring and Fall. In Me­lancholly Constitutions, open the Haemorrhod Veins; and in Women, procure their Courses if they be stop'd. Galen undauntedly af­firms, that it is a present remedy in the highest Pains, most violent Defluxions, and great Inflamati­ons: These three many times meet together in the first assaults of the Gout. And in such a case, according to the urgent necessity, who will deny but that it is often to be ordered? And since this re­medy is of that high usefulness, I beseech you, what can there be of [Page 69] more hope, of greater certainty, and of less hazard? But whether this, or Purging, is to be preferr'd in urgent pains, is a question? al­though Barius asserteth of himself, that being extreamly afflicted with the Gout, by taking in the height of his pains, of his Electuary Ca­ryocostinum, he always was restor'd to the liberty of his feet, in so much, that of himself, without any body to support him, he was able to go from his Close stoole.

I faithfully give Credit to what he says; for he was a Learned, Antient, and Experienc'd Physi­tian: But yet it certainly appear­eth that Gouty persons either should not be purged in the height of of their pains; or that this should be done [...], by carrying the mass, and heap of humors, that increase this Disease another way. This danger may be prevented, if the same day the Purge is given, [Page 70] there be exhibited at Night a Dose of Laudanum, as hath been said before; by which the Orgas­mus, or oppressive swelling of the humors is stayed, the Spirits fixed, and at length the cause being di­minished, the Disease doth abate, and Nature is restored to her for­mer liberty.

These Rules being laid down, it will not be difficult to bring in­to use, more particular Reme­dies, besides the aforesaid Speci­ficks; but the great number of them would frighten the Sick, and cause Confusion, both in the mind of the Physitian, and those that assist the Sick: And though I have mentioned a great many Medicines, yet it is none of my intention that all of them should be used to the same party: (or upon the same Subject,) for it is the part of the Physitian to Elect those which he judgeth most con­venient [Page 71] for him that is Sick: For Medicinal Advices ought to be directed by the Masters of that Art, who will give advice for the right and most opportune use of them; and from this the use­fulness (and advantage of the Sick) ariseth; otherwise a Medi­cine is as a Sword in the hand of a Mad man; and if any one, who is ignorant of this Art, in­tend to imploy and make use of them, they will find themselves deceived by their ill mannaging of them: Let such learn to know, that the whole quality of the Cure is chiefly profited in the Election of a fitting time, which is a thing not obvious to every body, but only to those which have acquir'd gray-hairs in the Operations of this Art; and this knowledge is not gain'd in a day, nor a year.

[Page 72] Before I conclude, I think fit to give you notice, that this Tract was Extorted from me by a Friend, and was written by me in favour and respect to him, to sa­tisfie his Curiosity rather than ne­cessity.