CHAP. I. Of the Principles of Natural things.

THere is nothing more rarely to be met with, in the Vulgar Philosophy, where Natural things are unfolded, with the vain figments of Forms and Qualities, than the word Fer­mentation: but among the more sound (especially of later years) who respect the Matter and Motion chiefly in Bodies, nothing is almost more usual. But Fermentation hath its name from Fervescency, as Ferment from Ferviment or grow­ing hot. The word is well known in making of Bread, and in the purgings of new Wine, Beer, and other potable Li­quors: thence it is also applyed to other things, which are wont to swell or grow turgid, after the same manner: that at length it signifies, whatsoever Effervency or Turgency, that is raised up in a Natural Body, by particles of that Body variously agitated.

Bodies of a divers Consistency and Habitude, are apt to a Fermenting, viz. either Thin or Thick, Liquid or Solid, Animate or Inanimate, Natural or Artificial; in all which is found an Heterogeneity of parts or particles, to wit, there are in them some substances light, and always endeavouring to fly away: and also there are others thick, earthy, and more fix'd, which intangle the subtil Particles, and de­tein them in their Embraces, whilst they endeavour to fly away; from the strivings, and wrestlings of these two twins, in one Womb, the motion of Fermentation chiefly proceeds; but on the contrary, what things do not Ferment, for the most part con­sist of like Particles, and are of the same Figure and Conformation, which indeed consociat among themselves, without any Tumult or Turgescency, lye quiet, and enjoy a deep peace. If Must, or new Wine, or new Ale or Beer, be closely Bottl'd up, or put into Vessels of small vent, they will grow so very hot, that often the Ves­sels are in danger of breaking. But if the same Liquors, being Distilled by them­selves, and then what is seperated shut up, from thence no motion or heat will fol­low. Wherefore, Distilled Waters, hot Spirits, Oyls, fixed Salts of Herbs, and very many other more simple preparations of the Chymists, remain a long while [Page 2]without any alteration or Fermentation, Perhaps some of the Particles do evapo­rate, but the rest do not tumultuate. In the mean time the juice and blood of Ve­getables or Animals, as also all Liquors Concreted, and compounded of may things quickly Ferment, and from thence enter into divers turns of changes. The Spirit of Wine being closely shut up in a Phial shews no sign of growing hot, but if but a lit­tle Oyl of Turpentine be added to this Spirit, the Particles of the Liquor will so leap forth, that I have seen it break a Glass Hermetically Sealed. All Distilled Waters of Herbs, so they be kept simply in a Glass, will remain incorrupt a long time, but if you add to the same Sugar or Syrrup, it presently grows soure and is corrupted: Wherefore, that the Fermentation of Bodies may be rightly unfolded, we must in­quire, what those Particles or Substances are, and of what Nature of which mixt things are Compounded, and from those being put together, and mutual strivings, motions for the most part naturally proceed.

Altho there be many and divers Opinions of Philosophers concerning the begin­nings of Natural things, yet there are three chiefly deserve our Assent, and Faith, before the rest. That famous fourfold Chariot of the Peripateticks obtains the chief place, which emulous of the four wheel'd Coach of the Sun, is hurried by a quick passage, through the fictitious Heaven of the first Matter, and measures that vast and empty thing, with a perpetual reciprocation. For they say, all things are Con­stituted out of Water, Air, Fire, and Earth; and that out of the divers transposi­tion of these, Generation and Corruption, as also the changes of all alterations what­soever, do arise. In the second place, and next, stands the Opinion of Democritus and Epicurus, which lately also hath been revived in our Age, this affirms all Natural effects to depend upon the Conflux of Atoms diversly figured, so that in all Bodies, there be Particles Round, Sharp, Foursquare, Cylindrical, Chequer'd or Streaked, or of some other Figure; and from the divers changes of these, the Subject is of this or that Figure, Work, or Efficacy. The third Opinion of the Origination of Na­tural Things, is introduced by Chymistry, which, when by an Analysis made by Fire, it resolves all Bodies into Particles of Spirit, Sulphur, Salt, Water, and Earth, affirms by the best right, that the same do consist of these. Because this Hypothesis determinates Bodies into sensible parts, and cutts open things as it were to the life, it pleases us before the rest.

As to the four Elements, and first Qualities from thence deduced, I must confess that this Opinion doth something help for the unfolding the Phaenomena of Nature, but after so dark a manner, and without any peculiar respect to the more secret recesses of Nature, it salves the appearances of things, that 'tis almost the same thing, to say an House consists of Wood and Stone, as a Body of four Elements. The other Opi­nion, which is only a piece of the Epicurean Philosophy, forasmuch as it undertakes Mechanically the unfolding of things, and accommodates Nature with Working Tools, as it were in the hand of an Artificer, and without running to Occult Quali­ties, Sympathy, and other refuges of ignorance, doth happily and very ingeniously disintangle some difficult Knots of the Sciences, and dark Riddles, certainly it de­serves no light praise: but because it rather supposes, than demonstrates it Princi­ples, and teaches of what Figure those Elements of Bodies may be, not what they have been, and also induces Notions extremly subtil, and remote from the sense, and which do not sufficiently Quadrate with the Phaenomena of Nature, when we de­scend to particulars, it pleases me to give my sentence for the third Opinion before-mentioned, which is of the Chymists, and chiefly to insist upon this in the following Tract, to wit, affirming all Bodies to consist of Spirit, Sulphur, Salt, Water, and Earth, and from the diverse motion, and proportion of these, in mixt things, the beginnings and endings of things, and chiefly the reasons, and varieties of Fermenta­tion, are to be sought. If any one shall object, That the Atomical, and our Spagyric Principles, are altogether subordinate, to wit, that these, tho at the last sensible, are resolved into those, only to be signified by Conception; I shall not much gainsay him, so it shews that those Conceptions are real. I being dul and purblind, leave the more accurate to quick sights, being content to be so wise as to perform the business of the outward Sense with Reason: for I profess, it pleases not me, to devise or dream Philosophy. But that our Work may more rightly proceed, it will be neces­sary, to speak first a few things of these kind of Principles in general, and of thier Affections.

I mean by the name of Principles, not simple and wholly uncompounded Enti­ties, but such kind of Substances only, into which Physical things are resolved, as it were into parts, lastly sensible. By the intestine motion, and combination of these, Bodies are begot, and increase: by the mutual departure and dissolution of these one from another, they are altered, and perish. In the mean time, what Particles are gathered together in the subjects, or depart away from them, will appear under the form of Spirit, Sulphur, Salt, or of one of the rest.

CHAP. II. A description of the Principles of Chymists, and the Properties and Affections of them.

1. SPirits are Substances highly subtil, and Aetherial Particles of a more Divine Breathing, which our Parent Nature hath hid in this Sublunary World, as it were the Instruments of Life and Soul, of Motion and Sense, of every thing; whilst they of their own Nature are always enlarged, and endeavouring to fly away, lest they should too soon leave their subjects, they are bound somtimes with more thick Particles, that by entring into them, and by subtilizing them, and variously unfolding them, they dispose the substance to maturity, as is to be observed in the Vegetation, and Fermentation of Bodies; somtimes being restrained within some spaces, to wit, the Vessels or Bowel of living Creatures, they are compelled more often to repeat the same measures of their motions for the performing the works of Life, Sense and Motion. From the motion of these proceed the animation of Bodies, the growth of Plants, and the ripening of Fruits, Liquors, and other prepa­rations; they determinate the Form and Figure of every thing, prefixed as it were by Divine designation: they conserve the bonds of the mixture by their presence; and open them, by their departure, at their pleasure: they bridle the irregularities of Sulphur and Salt. The perfection and state of every thing consists in the plenty and exaltation of Spirits, and the fall and declination, in their want and defect.

As to the Subjects in which the Spirits are: Minerals because they are of a more fixed nature, wanting Motion and Vegetation, are almost without Spirits, or at least are contented with a few. For the birth and growth of Vegetables, they are required in a more moderate quantity. In the Constitution of a living Creature, where there is greater Use of Spirits, for Sense and Motion, a far more plentiful quan­tity is found. In the works of Art, and chiefly in those which ascend to perfection, by Digestion and Fermentation, there are found to be a sufficiently great proportion of Spirits: but in all subjects whatsoever, whilst the immersed Spirits are mingled with the other Principles, their condition or state comes under a threefold considera­tion: for they are either depressed and scattered, and so involved with more thick Particles, that they are very little seen, or shew forth their powers, as in things undi­gested, crude and unripe, may be perceived, in which the Spirits can hardly extri­cate themselves into motion, and from which they can hardly be drawn by Distillation. Or secondly, the Spirits flying forth from the thick substance of the rest, are full of vigor, shake and rightly dispose the more gross Particles, subtilize the thick, digest the crude, and bring things to the steme or height of maturity and perfection: or last­ly, Spirits having obtained the height of things, do luxuriate and make excursions out of the Body: hence those that remain, are by degrees lessened of their plenty and strength, until being less in power than the Particles of the Salts and Sulphur, they are put under their yoak, and by little and little are destroyed and driven away out of the Subject; on this threefold state depends the beginnings or rudiments, the maturity and exaltation, and the defect and end of things.

It is observed, when the Spiritous Latex is drawn forth of any Liquor by Distilla­tion, that the vapor or steam is not elevated into dew, that is, come together in lit­tle drops or dew, every where poured forth, as it is wont to do in watery things; but [Page 4]it is divided into streaks, and many little rivulets, and renders the Alembic mark'd in every part, with straight lines, only not meridional, leading from the Centre of the top, to the brim of the Circumference. The cause of which seems to be this, to wit, since that the spirituous substance is very subtil, it is not easily Collected into Li­quor; neither is it fixed every where about the sides of the Vessel, in its ascent, as wa­tery Liquors; but always stretches further, and unless when it comes to the top it self of the little head, doth in no wise stay, but there the spirituous breath, being re­strained as it were in a punct, and being brought backward, it begins to gather into dew: wherefore, from that top, as it were the Fountain, the Spirits flowing forth on every side by streams, descend in streaks towards the mouth or brim of the Alem­bic. And when those lines wholly disappear, it is a sign, that the spirituous sub­stance is quite still'd forth, and that the watery breath only ascends.

2, Sulphur is a Principle of a little thicker consistency than Spirit, after that, the most active: for when the Spirits first break forth from the loosned substance of the mixture, presently the Sulphureous Particles endeavour to follow. The Tempera­ment of every thing, as to Heat, Consistency, and amiable frame or contexture, de­pends chiefly on Sulphur; from hence also for the most part arise, variety of Colours and Odors, the faimess and deformity of the Body, also the diversity of tastes. In the Bosom of this the Spirits immediately in which as in a Copula, they are united, by the more hard embraces of the rest. The substance of Sulphur, though less subtil, is yet of more firceness and unruliness than the Spirits are, for this unless it be restrained, by the embrace of the others, as it were in bonds, and its Particles be detained one from another by the interjection or coming between of the rest, not only leaves the subject, but destroys it self, with too impetuous an eruption. Indeed the little bodies of this being gently moved, do cause digestion, and maturation, sweetness, and many perfective qualities in things: being a little more strongly moved, they induce heat, and an excess of qualities, inordinations, and chiefly a stinking savour: but being more impetuously moved or stirred up, they bring in the dissolution of Bodies, yea a flame and Burning.

The substance of Sulphur is never seen sincere, yea it consists not of it self from others, but vanishes away into Air: its Particles being concreted and chained together, with Salt and Earth, are fixed as it were immoveable, as is seen in Metals and some Stones: or being Diluted with Spirit and Water, and temper'd together with the rest, exist in motion, by which means (as was before said of Spirit) they are in a threefold state, within the substance of the mixture: for either first of all its little bodies being involved with Salt and Earth, or too much drenched with a watery hu­midity, are obscured, so that they exercise but little of virtue, from whence the hu­mid and cold temper of things exists, their qualities are Obtuse, Dull, and of small virtue or force, and the Bodies less apt to be inflamed, as is discerned in unripe Fruit, raw Juices and green Wood. Or secondly, The Particles of Sulphur begin to shine forth with Spirit, to be more thickly heaped or rolled together, and to appear eminent above the rest of the Principles. And so by its motion, they evaporate the superflu­ous moisture, digest Crudities, and induce a warm temper in things, active qualities, a lively force and maturation, or ripeness: which kind of exaltation of Sulphur may be observed in Wine and Liquors long Fermented, in ripe Fruits, in the Youth and florid Constitution of living Creatures. Or thirdly, The Sulphureous Partickles be­ing gathered into vigor, grow too hot, loose the bonds of mixture, and desire to fly away; and from their diverse manner of departure and separation, the dissolution of Bodies variously happens: For either they evaporate with Water and Spirit, by de­grees, and without tumult, and leave their subjects lean and dry, which, when the Sulphur is wholy gon, fall into Ashes: Or secondly, in Bodis which abound with Sulphur, when the mixture is loosned, and the Spirits begin to fly away, the remai­ning Particles of Sulphur are wont to be very much moved, and to grow exceeding hot; and being shut up in a thick substance, are gathered together more nearly, (as in Dung and Hay growing hot) and conceive heat, and somtimes Burning: breaking forth after this manner, by heaps, and impetuously, they breath out a stinking smell, and bring on a rottenness to the subject. There is a third manner of eruption, where­by the Sulphureous Particles go forth of Bodies, when they withdraw themselves, as it were with violence, and being gathered together, break forth into fire and flame: whereby indeed becoming unbridled and untamed, they break all bars or lets, and wholly destroy the substance or frame of the Subject: By this means, by their own and [Page 5]proper effervescency they procure a Burning, as when they being layed up wet, or the wheels of Carts, or Axeltree, made hot by motion doe fire, or because Sulphur is inkindled by Sulphur: for its Particles being impetuously moved, shake or move all that's near them, and carry them into the like motion of Conflagration, as shall be more fully shown hererfter, when we shall discourse concerning the na­ture of fire.

3. Salt is of a little more fixed nature, than either Spirit of Sulphur, nor so apt to fly away; but bestows a Compaction and Solidity on things, and also weight and duration, It retards the dissolution of Bodies, and promotes Congelations and Co­agulations, and very much resists Putrefaction, Corruption, and Inflammation; to wit, forasmuch as it fixes the too volatile Sulphur and Spirit, and detains them in a Body: wherefore ponderous Woods, Stones, Metals, and what abound in Salt, are hardly enkindled, and remain a long while free from Corruption. Not only the duration of the individual, but also the propagation of the Species, depends ve­ry much upon the Principle of Salt, because the fertility of the Earth, the growth of Plants, and especially the frequent faetation, and bringing forth of young, in living Creatures, takes their Original from the Saltish Seed: hence it is, that Venus is said to arise from the Sea, and Lust is called Salacity. For Salt having obtained a flux, gathers together, and stirs up into motion, the idle, or too much disjoyned little Bodies of Spirit or Sulphur, and excellently keeps them together with itself, for the producing the first ground-work of things.

Salt within the frame of the mixture, is either altogether fixed, when its Particles being almost destitute of Spirit and Water, but bound together with Earth, or Sul­phur, or both of them, grow into Stones, Metals, of Minerals of another kind; which fixity in Nature is imitated in making Glass, and Earthen Ware: or Salt is loosned from its fixedness, to wit, when its Particles being mixed with the other Principles, and chiefly with Spirit and Sulphur, and Diluted with Water do unfold themselves, and being diffused through the mixture, do Ferment with the rest: whilst the little Bodies of the Salt are after this manner put into motion, there is ob­served of them a threefold State or Condition, to wit, of Fusion, Volatilisation, and Fluxation.

I call the State of Fusion, when the little Bodies of the Salt being Commixed with the rest, begin as to their smallest parts to be dissolved, and diffused, and ex­plicated here and there, through the whole substance of the mixture, as may be ob­served in the Germination of Plants, in the first Conceptions of living Creatures, and in the beginnings of Fermentations; hence Spring only a rude and indige­sted formation of things, an ingrateful savour, and for the most part bitter of biting.

From these first Rudiments of Motions, the Saline Particles ascend by little and little, to Vigor and Volatilisation, together with Spirit and Sulphur: to wit, where­by they run through the whole substance of the Body, and variously move its matter, and dispose it towards maturity. Some little Bodies sharpen, and stir up into Moti­on, others Fix, Establish, and Congeal into a stony hardness. If there be plenty of Spirits and Sulphur, the Particles of Salt, as their handmaids, go about to unite, and associate themselves intimately with them, that they are not only snatched toge­ther with them, through all the recesses of the mixture, but (the subject being ex­posed to Distillation) Salt also ascends in the Alembic, even as the Spirit. From the Volatilisation of Salt, Beauty, and Fairness, and savour chiefly sweet, happen in things, as in the florid blood of living Creatures, in ripe Fruits, as also in Sugar, Milk, and Hony, we know by experience.

I mean the Fluxation of Salt, when the saline Particles, which being first gather­ed together, with Earth, or Sulphur, of associated with Spirit, and so remain sepa­rated one from another, afterwards the bond of the mixtion being loosened, they be­come wholy free, and unloosened from the yoak of the rest: for so they flow together, explicate themselves through the whole frame of the subject, and whilst Spirit and Sulphur for the most part fly away, these exercise a dominion over the remainder, and induce a soureness into the whole mixture: by reason of this Fluxation of Salt, Wine, Milk, Blood, and Eateable Things, at first grateful and sweet, grow ingrate­fully soure when they begin to Corrupt; and for this Reason, all Salts whatsoever, having gotten a Flux, by a violent Distillation by Fire (that is, being driven from the Combination of Earth) grow sour, than if the same sour Liquor, be put upon the insipid dead Head, the Whole lastly becomes salted.

Salt being deprived of the Company of the rest, (except the Earth) becomes at last fixed, as is observed in Sea-Salt, or the incineration made of Herbs, whose Par­ticles so cleave together, that they cannot be pulled asunder by the strongest Fire. When Vegetables are Distilled, some Saline Particles, though but few, made fit for Fusion, ascend with the rest; and from thence some Distilled Waters retain a genuine savour of the mixture: The parts of living Creatures being exposed to Distillation, yield a Volatile Salt: when Minerals, or ponderous Woods full of Salt, are brought un­der by Chymistry, the Distilled Liquor is like to Salt that hath gotten a Flux, and is very sour.

Spirit and Sulphur easily unlock the substance of the mixture, and make way for themselves; but Salt cannot, unless it be snatched forth of doors together with the Spirit it self. As Spirit and Sulphur being outwardly applyed, in dissolving or bur­ning a Body, open as it were the doors for their Companions shut within, so also, Salt Liquors Distilled, do the same thing. For Stygian Waters strongly Corrode Metals, and are seen like a flame put to them, to burn and consume the same.

Salt resists Inflammation, for that it detains the Sulphureous Particles in its Bosom, and hinders them from breaking forth. But excepting that Sal Nitre encreases the burning of Sulphur, which indeed happens by accident, because that Salt, as it were an Hermaphrodite, grows very turgid with Sulphureous Particles also, combined in the mixture; wherefore, when the Salt is melted by other fired Sulphur, the shut up Sulphur, breaks forth with violence, and (like a blast from a B [...]llows) shakes the in­kindled fire round about, and drives more impetuously the subject into a Body: In the mean time, if your put the flame to Nitre, it will not be inkindled at all; but being put to a Sulphureous Body, it promotes its enkindling; but the other Salts, less turgid with Sulphureous Particles, or rather destitute of them, being mixed with Sul­phur, hinder its inkindling, and somtimes put it out.

So much for the Active Principles, which effect, as it were, the first ground-work of Bodies: those which follow, chiefly bestow on them Consistency and Substance. For from hence exist either Liquids or Solids, Small things or Great. For Water and Earth, fill the little spaces that are empty, through the Combination of the rest, with their coming between, and amplifie and enlarge the lineaments of he Body, otherwise too short and contracted.

4. Water is the chiefest Vehicle of Spirit and Sulphur, by whose intervention they consociate one with another, and with Salt; for the other Principles, being dissolved by a watery humor, or at least diluted, continue in motion, without which they grow stiff, as congealed things.

When Water is wanting, the active Principles meet together too strictly, and mu­tually rub against, and consume themselves; and when for this reason, the suppliment of food is cut off, the Body grows withered. If humidity abounds too much, these Elements are estranged or dissociated too much one from the other, wherefore the subject becomes sluggish and slow, and of less efficacy, and unapt for motion. Be­sides, Bodies too moist, are lyable very much to rottenness and Corruption; because from too much Humidity the Combination of Spirit, and Sulphur, and Salt, is too loosely effected; that they do not mutually embrace one another, nor are retained with their embracement, in the subject. Indeed Water abounding easily evaporates, and then the frame of the mixture being loosened, and the doors set open, Spirit and Sulphur easily break forth, the way being made, and leave the subject, as it were vapid, or made sharp with Salt: for from hence, the infusions of Vegitables, De­coctions, Juices of Herbs, and all Liquid preparations, if the quantity of Wa­ter be greater than the rest of the Principles, and improportionate, quickly Cor­rupt.

Water is most easily drawn forth out of every thing by Distillation, for when Spi­rit and Sulphur are often intangled with nets of Salt or Earth, they hardly let go­their embraces, and are not obedient but to a more intense heat, and often times re­quire a previous Putrefaction. Water most easily, and often with no labour, is dri­ven out of every Body. But most often it snatches in its flying away, some more loose Particles of Spirit and Sulphur, and carries them with itself, forth of doors.

5. As the interjection of Water in Liquids, so of Earth in Solids, fills the empty little Spaces and Vacuities, left by the other Principles. For these, hin­der the active Principles from a too streight embrace, whereby they should rub against themselves, and cleave one to another; also by its thickness, it retains [Page 7]too Volatile things: besides, it inlarges the due substance, and magnitude in Bo­dies.

The more that Earth abounds in any thing, it is so much the less active, but of longer duration: hence Minerals endure a long while, then next the grea­ter Trees; in the mean time Animals, and the more slender Plants, are but of short age.

In Distillations, Earth ascends the Alembic, almost not at all, or but in a very little quantity: for the most part it is left, with a portion of Salt, for a Caput Mortuum or Dead Head; therefore it is called Terra Dammata, or damned Earth: because, when the other Principles are freed, the Prison being as it were broken, this is still detained: besides, Earth being deprived of the Company of the rest, is of no Use, nor capable of change, or exaltation.

Thus much for the Elements or Principles of Natural things, considered apart, and by themselves. It follows, that some of their Affinities and Conjugations be un­folded: because these very strictly cohere with those, and very hardly or not at all are joyned with others. Out of the mutual Combination of some, and disagreement of others, various Affections arise, the knowledg of which gives no little Light to the Doctrine of Fermentation.

There is a certain Kindred and Similitude of parts, between Spirit and Sulphur, which are agil or light, and easily to be dissipated in both; wherefore, Spirit being driven forth of the Body, draws abundantly with it Sulphureous Particles, as is dis­cerned in Spirituous Liquors Distilled out of any thing; to some of which if you mingle Water, the Liquor appears as it were troubled with precipitated Sulphur, but the Spirit without the Sulphur is undiscernably mixed with the Water, which however by reason of is Volatility, may be also easily drawn away and separated by Distillation.

Altho Spirit and Sulphur are Principles very resembling, and (because of a ready motion) either are inflameable, yet they are not one and the same, as is asserted by some: For Sulphur Copiously subsists in Bodies almost destitute of Spirit, to wit, in common Sulphur, Antimony, and other Minerals; in which its Particles are very fixed, and of their own nature almost immoveable, which is very far from the Nature of Spirits: For they abounding in any mixture, never lye idle, and always in motion, bring various alterations to the Subject where they dwell; then if they abound in strength, they easily and without tumult carry themselves forth of doors of their own accord. But Sulphur, altho it abound, doth not easily evaporate, but hath need of a strong heat, or an actual fire, that may make a way for it; and lastly, it breaks forth, not without a stink or burning: yea, if you endeavour to Distil Oyly and Fat things, although very Sulphureous, with a moderate Fire, they are wont to yield a Liquor only Waterish, and not inflameable; but if we provoke generous Wine, which swells with Spirit, by the gentle heat of a Bath, a most burning Water will Still forth, and apt wholly to be inflamed.

Spirit is not presently joyned with Salt: For Sugar and Salts are scarcely dissolved, by the rectified Spirit of Wine, but are after a manner associated by a long dige­stion and circulation; as is perceived in the Volatile Salt of Animals, of Tincture drawn forth from the Salts of Herbs, or of Minerals, by the Spirit of Wine. If that Spirits excel in plenty, and virtue, they assume to themselves, and Volatilise the Saline Particles. And therefore the Salt contained in the Juice or Blood of Animals, being associated with Spirit is volatilised: also the Spirit of Wine, being Distilled by many Cohalations, with the fixed Salt of Herbs, renders it Volatile, and makes it pass through the Alembic; but if the power of the Salt be greater, it tames the Spirit and fixes it. Hence the blood, being become Salt, by means of an ill dyet, becomes less Spirituous. Fixed Salts, and the Oyl of Vitriol fix the Spirits, grown too volatile, and unbridled; and Coagulate the Spirit of Wine it self.

But Sulphur is a more fit subject of the Spirit, by the coming between of which it easily is united with Salt and the other Principles; and as Spirit best agrees with Sulphur and Water, so Sulphur intimately cleaves to Earth and Salt.

As to Sulphur, besides its affinity with Spirit, it hath a great relation with Salt it self, to the volatilisation of which it doth not a little help: wherefore in Bodies which abound with a volatile Salt, there is found plenty of Sulphur, as in Amber, Soot, Hornes and Bones, as also in the excrements of living Creatures; where Salt and Sulphur are in motion, and evaporate from the subject, a very stinking smell is sent [Page 8]forth; for Sulphur being sharpned with Salt, pricks more strongly the sensory, and strikes it with its sharpness; in the mean time, Sulphur exhaling with Spirit, both pleases the sense, and excites a very pleasant Smell.

Sulphur is as it were distracted between Spirit and Salt, and adheres at once to both parties. In the Distillation of Amber, Turpentine, Harts-Horn, and the like, a cer­tain lesser part of Sulphur, being united to Spirit, first ascends, and causes a Yellow Oyl, or clear Liquor of a grateful smell: the other part of Sulphur, being joyned to the Salt, is driven forth in the second place, and is Distilied with a most stinking smell, in the form of a red or black Oyl: In like manner, in the Circulation of the blood, a pure and delicate portion of Sulphur, being mixed with the Spirit, supplies both the Animal and Vital Spirit with matter; the other more thick part, being Boyled and Rosted with Salt, is layd up in the Choledock Vessels (or belonging to Choler) as it were a certain excrement separated from the blood. As Spirit does not easily Cohere with Salt, so Sulphur does not with Water: wherefore Fat and Oyly things, as also Gumms and Sulphureous Resines, either swim upon the Water, or sink down to its bottom. But Sulphureous things, Salt coming between, are com­mixed with a Watery Liquor, as we see Oyls imbued with Sugar or Salt, to be dissol­ved in common Water, which otherwise would flow separate.

Sulphur is not so tractable in Distillation, as Spirit, Water, or Salt: for the Parti­cles of this, being very Viscous, stick together among themselves, and also to others, that they cannot easily be pulled from their embrace. Hence among Sulphureous things, there are some, which are not forced, but by a strong and burning heat, into a stinking Oyl, and very empyreumatick, or smellin go Fire: but others, more per­tinaciously cleaving together, are not to be loosened by Distillation, but are only broken into integral parts; and so ascend under the form of a dry Breath, as common Sulphur, Benzoin, Camphor, and the like.

Salt, besides its affinity with Sulphur, is also most strictly united with Earth; wherefore Stones, and the more hard Minerals, consist chiefly of Salt and Earth. The Acid Spirits of Minerals, (which are only Salts resolved into Liquor by Distilla­tion) if at last they be poured on the Caput Mortuum, Cohere with a strict embrace to it, that there will be need of a most strong Fire, to drive them forth again. Also in Glass, the union of Salt and Earth is so strictly made, that it will not suffer a Divorce by any means. Salt also is most easily dissolved in Water; and it melts of its own accord, in a moist Air: and these are as easily separated one from ano­ther.

By reason of these Combinations, these Principles have got various Appellations, and not Congruous in their own Nature to themselves. For Sulphur, for as much as it is Associated with Spirit, is called pure and sweet; when with Salt, impure and stinking, for as much as with Salt and Earth, it is called thick and Earthly; when the Spirit assumes to it self Sulphureous Particles in a moderate quantity, it is seen to be sweet; when saline, sharp; when both, bitter. Salt has a diverse disposition, and is known by many names, by reason of its various mixture with the other Elements, and chiefly with Earth: for besides the Titles of Fluid, Fixed, Volatile, for this rea­son it is termed Marine, Aluminous, Nitrous, Vitriolick, Armoniack, or of some other kind. By some, these kind of Conjugations are esteemed, but wrongfully, as so many divers Principles, when they are but more simple mixtures, by the coming together of the first Elements, and being loosened by Distillation they openly shew their Race, from whence they are. For all Salts whatsoever being driven into a Flux by the Fire, shew Liquors very near of Kin one to another, to wit, Acetous: by the like means Spirit and Sulphur are compelled to put off their Masks, and to re­sume the Native Species common to each.

And so much for the Principles of Natural Things, and of their Affections and conjunctions. It is abundantly manifest, that these kind of Substances are in every Body, (besides the Analyses of Bodies Chymically instituted) also from the Mutati­ons, and effects of Things, which happen of their own Nature. When Must is Ripened into Wine, is not Spirit, a Sulphureous part, also Salt, and Earth Conspi­cuous to our Tast and Eyes, besides the watery Liquor? Also the Juice of every Plant being exalted by Digestion, exhibits the same sincere, and as it were distinct: what is greater, things subject to the Flame, when they seem to be burnt, and reduced al­most to nothing, they go into these kind of Particles; besides the Salt remaining in the Ashes, the Smoke and Flame grow together into Soot, as it were a Meteor, in which [Page 9]are comprehended together, Spirit, Sulphur, Salt, Water, and Earth, as it were in a certain compendium of the mixture. For the active Principles abound in Soot more than in any other inanimate Body.

But because with some there hath spread a certain suspicion, that those our Princl­ciples, chiefly the Saline and Sulphureous, are to be produced for the most part by Fire, and are no ways to be found in mixt things, unless after the coming between of that: I will witness to you in some instances, that the thing is plainly otherwise. Concer­ning the first, It is commonly known, that the Ashes of every Plant, being once E­lixivated, or made into a Lye, if it be afterwards Calcined, will not yield any thing of Salt; besides if Concretes being Distilled, Exhale or Breath forth a very sharp or acid Liquor, their Calx is not saltish; and on the contrary when the Salt being Vola­tilized or brought to a Flux, ascends the Alembic, you shall seek for it in vain in the dead head. To prove the existency of the Sulphureous Principle in Vegetables, take Guaiacum, or a piece of any other ponderous Wood, and being put into a Glass Retort, draw it forth by degrees; it shall exhibit, together with an Acid Liquor (which water is saltish) in great quantity, a blackish Oyl (which part of it is Sulphureous.) It appears from hence that this was in the Body before the Distil­ling, and in no wise produced by its Operation, because if you proceed after ano­ther manner, that the Sulphur may be taken out of the Concrete before Distillati­on, the Liquor that comes forth will be almost wholy deprived of its Oyliness: Wherefore, if you pour Spirit of Wine to those Chips of Wood, it will Ex­tract in a great quantity, by this Menstruum, a pure Resine, which is the Sul­phureous part if self: then if you Distill (as before) in a Retort, the remaining Chips being washed in common Water and dryed, you will have a very little Oyl only. What is more to be admired, and confirms also more fully the truth of this kind of Origination, some Bodies, which being almost destitute of Spi­rit and Sulphur (because chiefly Volatile) consist chiefly of Salt, Earth and Wa­ter, are separated into these Elements by Distillation: the same mixture in num­ber, and wholy known by the same accidents, is restored to them, being min­gled together again; for example, if you Distil Vitriol in a Reverberating Fur­nace, you shall have a Phlegm almost insipid, or a Watery part, then a Liquor ve­ry sour, or a Salt having gotten a Flux, and in the bottom, a Red Earth, and finely Purpled: this being rightly performed, if the two Distilled Liquors be poured to the dead head, you shall have the same Vitriol, as you had before, and again revived, in the same Colour, tast, yea and almost in weight. In like manner you may procced, with the same success, with Nitre, Sea-Salt, Salt of Tartar, and perhaps with Alum and other Minerals: So that those Con­cretes, which consist of fixed, and stable Elements, may like a Mechanick En­gine be pulled into pieces, and presently without hurting the Machine, be re­stored or made whole. But there is enough spoken concerning the Principles of Natural Bodies. These being thus premised, we will proceed to the thing proposed in the beginning, to wit, the Doctrine of Fermentation.

CHAP. III. What Fermentation is: Its Division as to the Subjects, and first of Minerals.

FErmentation is an intestine motion of Particles, or the principles of every Bo­dy, either tending to the perfection of the same Body, or because of its change into another. For the Elementary Particles being stirred up into mo­tion, either of their own accord or Nature, or occasionally, do wonderful more themselves, and are moved; do lay hold of and obvolve one another: the fubtil and more active, unfold themselves on every side, and endeavour to fly away; which notwithstanding being intangled, by others more thick, are deteined in their flying [Page 10]away. Again, the more thick themselves, are very much brought under, by the endea­vour and Expansion of the more Subtil, and are attenuated, until each of them be­ing brought to their height and exaltations, they either frame the due perfection in the subject, or compleat the alterations and mutations designed by Nature.

Fermentation is an action or motion meerly Natural, and what doth perform it, are only Particles Naturally implanted in the Concrete; yet as to the subjects in which they are found, it is wont to be variously distinguished. And either things of Na­ture are said to ferment in a threefold Family, of Minerals, Vegetables and Animals; or the Works of Art, to wit, when Actives are applied to Passives by an outward A­gent. Though the Term and consideration of Fermentation, are chiefly due to Ar­tificial things, and things made by Hand, yet it will not be from the puropse, to speak first somthing of Natural Things, that a Comparison being made of either, the Truth of our Hypothesis, and the certainty of the Principles may be confirmed. But this only lightly and by the way, in this place I shall pass over, because their more full handling belongs to Physiology, or the Doscourse of Natural or Physical Things.

In the first place, as to Minerals, altho in the Bowels of the Earth, the Fermenta­tion is less conspicuous than in the Supersicies, yet it easily appears that the Elementary Particles, or the Fermentative Principles, are included in the depth of the Earth, as in a certain pregnant Womb: which there constitute Concretes, and things gathered together, by strict Embraces, the Productions of Minerals; but being loosned, and moved in the Bosom of the Earth, or exhaled upwards, cause the appearances of Me­teors.

First, The Generation of the more hard Minerals, induces rather Congelation than Fermentation; because indeed these Principles, growing together in every Subject, are so fixed, and as it were bound together in Bonds, that they are not able any ways to move themselves, or to depart one from another. This kind of Fixation chiefly de­pends on the plenty and greater proportion of Salt and Earth, (somtimes with an addi­tion of Sulphur) than there is of Spirit or Water, To wit, Salt and Earth, being most smally broken, and resolved even into a Vapour, lay hold of one another, and stiffen into a hard matter, and at last not to be loosned; almost after the same manner as making of Glass, and the burning of Bricks and Earthen Ware, are performed. For Glass consists of Salt and Earth, which when being broken into most small bits by a very intense Fire, they suffer a Flux, they mutually lay hold of one another, and so strictly and intimately come together, that they arenever to be parted. Glass is more fragil, or easie to be broken, than Earthen Pots, or Minerals, because it has a greater plenty of Salt, than of Earth, which is more plentiful in Earthen Ware, and in Mi­nerals: To some of which, also happens a modicum of Sulphur, and for that rea­son they are more tenacious and ductil; as is to be observed in Metals, when in the mean time stones, and what contain little of Sulphur, are fragil, and apt by every stroke, to fly to pieces. In Vitrification there is need of a violent Fire, for the fusion of the Salt and the Earth, (whose Particles, as is commonly said, are the Pestles of the Chymists) but within the Bowels of the Earth, there is not required such a fusion by Fire, for the Concretion of Minerals, because Salt and Sulphur exist, being na­turally resolved into most simple Particles; which, when they lay hold on the Earth, easily stiffen into Metal, or into a stony hardness. There are some Fountains found out, which, for that they folw with a Primitive Salt, and resolved into small Parti­cles, what every Bodies are immersed therein, they cause them presently to become stony. We have read also, of Men changed into Stones, yea a whole City to have been stiffned into a stony substance, by the Air, or by some Vapour brought forth of the Earth: The Faith of which thing is left to the Authors.

Meteors are made out of the same Principles by which Minerals are made, and con­ceived almost in the same Womb: but loosned from Concretion wandring here and there, and diversly fluctuating: or which being included in Subterraneous Vaults, and there moved, produce divers Springings up of Fountains, or ebullitions of hot Vapours; or exhaling from the Dens of the Earth, and being mixed with Airy little Bodies, they cause within the Region of the Atmo-Sphear, as it were a diverse fashio­ned Landskip, of Clouds, Winds, and the appearances of other things, in the Superficies of the Earth, or on high: in either there are highly active Principles, chiefly Salt and Sulphur. Spirits are either deficient in Meteors, even as in Minerals, or are found only in a very small quantity or proportion: to wit, they are almost wholly excluded from these, by reason of the strict frame of the Subject, which [Page 11]doth not easily yield space, and passage for their motion; also they abstain from those ( viz. Meteors) by reason of the lax, and wholly loose structure of Matter, from whence they, who are mighty in swiftness, easily break forth, and desire to fly away.

Within the Bosome of the Earth, the Saline Particles being loosned, even into a Vapour, and then kneaded with an Earthy Matter or the moistning of Waters, they cause Eruptions of Fountains, and Acidulous or Spaw Waters, which resemble the disposition of Vitriol, Alum, Nitre, somtimes of Iron or Copper. Also the Sulphu­reous little Bodies being loosned, and gathered together, inkindle an Heat, and som­times Subterraneous Fires; by whose Breaths the Dens and Caverns being made Hot, like an Hot-House, whilst the Watery humors pass through them, they from thence conceive their Heat, and supply the Springs of Hot Fountains for Bathes.

In like manner, in this visible and Etherial world, Vapours both Sulphureous and Saline, and of a diverse Kind and Nature, perpetually breath forth, and are dif­fused through the whole Region of Air. From hence the diversity of winds, the vicissitudes of Cold and Heat, Rain, Snow, Hail, Dew, and Hoar Frost, and what are of this Nature, have their Origine. Concerning the particular instances of these, the famous Gassendus may be consulted, who in his Epicurean Philosophy, most aptly deduces the Phaenomena, almost of all Meteors, and the reasons of them, from the Exhalations of Sulphur, and Salts, either Nitrous, Vitriolick, Aluminous or Armo­niack.

CHAP. IV. Of Fermentation for as much as is observed in Vegeta­bles.

IN Vegetable, Fermentation is yet more plainly discerned: for whilst they Bud forth, Grow, Flower, hear Fruit, Ripen, Decline and Dye, we may observe the divers motions of Particles or Principles, their various Habits and Tempers. I intend not here to describe the several ways and proceedings of these. It will be suf­ficient, for the undolding the Doctrine of Fermentation, to take notice of some chief instances, concerning this Subject.

If is manifest, by dayly Experience, that all Plants whatsoever, exposed to a Spa­gyrical or Chymical Operation, may with little labour, be resolved into the afore­said five-fold Elements; But in some there is found a greater plenty of Salt, in others of Sulphur; in some Spirits abound: Water, and Earth, are in most proportionated, according to the Bulk and magnitude of the thing. Plants in which Salt abounds, with a mean of Sulphur, and a little quantity of Spirits, are for the most part of long Age, somwhat big, or flourish all the Winter, or tho their Leaves fall, they keep a Nutricious Juice under the Bark. Of which sort are the Oak, Ash, Elm, Box-Tree, and all ponderous Woods and Shrubs.

In some Sulphur abounds, wiht a little Salt and Spirit, as are the Pine, the Firr­Tree, Cyprus Tree, Juniper, Ivy, Olive, Cedar, and Myrtle Trees, and all resinous Plants; which, for the most part have a sweet smell, and are perpetually Green, by reason the juice, wherewith they are nourished, is viscous, and not easily to be dis­sipated. In others, besides plenty of Salt, and Sulphur, Spirits also are found, in a greater proportion, as are Fruit-bearing Trees, and especially the Vine, from whose Fruit the Juice being wrung out, and purified by Fermentation, grows very big with Spirit. Of this rank are Plants for the most part Medicinal, also such as pro­duce Curious, and Odoriferous Flowers, But in some Water and Earth luxuriat in too great a quantity above the other Elements, as in cold Plants, and such as grow in too rank a Soil.

The Germination of Plants happens after this manner, either it is made out of the Seed, Root, Trunk, or of its own Nature, from the naked matrix of the Earth. First, the Spirit being shut up within, by the Ambient Heat and Moisture loosening the frame of the mixture, being loosned, it presently endeavours to fly away: But be­ing held back in its flight, by the more thick Particles of the rest, stretches forth more largely its Den, and together with the other Principles, with which it is bound, thrusts forth on every side, into length and breadth: even as a little bundle of Silk, being contracted into wrincles and folds, is opened here and there: In the mean time, the little Spaces left by the enlargement of the Spirit, and as it were made hollow, are filled up by the next Matter, driven even into the Vacuities. And after this manner the Architect Spirit, with his Ministers, Salt and Sulphur, still stretching forth it self, like a Snail, frames for it self an Houfe, whose Inhabitant it is, and by dilating it self, stretches forth that, until at last it hath wrought the Plant into the due Bulk and Figure designed by Nature.

You may take notice, that the times of the year, for the Budding, Flowring, Ripening, and decaying of Vegetables, are of great Efficacy and Virtue: All the Winter, the Womb of the Earth, as it were shut up, is almost barren: for the Spirituous Particles, which are wont to actuate the rest, and as it were to lead the dance of Natural Mo­tions, are either chased away by the Winters Cold, or being Congealed in their Sub­jects, are fixed: Wherefore at this time Germination and Vegetation are very rare, unless that some irregular Plants, which are composed of plenty of Spirit, Salt, and Sulphur, dare to break forth. But in the Spring, when the bowels of the Earth be­gin to be a little warm, by the Vicinity of the Sun, presently they are impregnated with a wonderful Fecundity, and produce the effects of their Seminality. Not only the Superficies of the Earth, but also the Water and Air, every where, grow big with Spirituous Particles; which as it were raise up from the Dead, the little Bodies of Salt, and Sulphur, and bring them into Motion: Therefore, besides that the Plants Bud, the Juice and Blood of living Creatures is quicker and more apt to abound. At this time the Birds and Fishes build their Nests, and bring forth Eggs: also we may per­ceive in our selves the Blood to flow high in the Vessels, and usually to Ferment too much. For all things are then full of this Aetherial Substance, and the whole Bulk of Nature, as it were inspired by a lively Fermentation, is abundantly fruitful of Motions and Generations. Yea, these our Principles, at first separated and disper­sed one from another, led as it were by an Appetite of Copulation, enter into mutual Marriages, and being Married together, almost with infinit Embraces, cause a most ample Seeding, and Germination of the Herby State.

At the beginning of the Summer, (and perhaps in some sooner in some later) when sufficient time hath been granted for the Stature and Magnitude of every Plant, and that it is now come to the highth of increase; it behoves Nature to perfect her Work, and to cook and ripen the Substance, as yet rude and undigested: Wherefore the active Principles leisurely extricate themselves from the more thick, and creep forward to­wards the top, there being placed with a mutual increase, they are formed into Flowers and Blossoms, from which at length (for that they are of a soft and light texture) Spi­rit and Sulphur easily evaporate, and the frame of the mixture quickly decays. But Nature careful of the perpetuating every thing, when it cannot keep for ever the indi­viduum, is so provident, that the Species may not wholly perish: Wherefore she in­stitutes new and more firm and lasting Combinations of Spirit, Salt and Sulphur. For she selects from the whole Substance of the Plant, the more noble and highly active Particles, and these being gathered together, with a little Earth and Water, she forms in the Seed, as it were the quintessences of every Plant; in the mean time the Trunk, Leaves, Stalks, and the other Members of the Plant; being almost quite deprived of the active Principles, are much depauperated, and are of less Efficacy and Virtue.

About Autumn, after the Seeds are framed, (as it were pledges left in memory of the Plant) the Particles of Spirits, Salt and Sulphur, which remain, being now placed in their Strength or Exaltation, endeavour a Dissolution, and Departing one from another. And first of all, the Spirits evaporate by degrees with the Watery humour, through the Doors fet open by the Summer Sun, with which the more pure parts of the Sulphur, make also their Journey: in the mean time the Salt being fixed with the Earth, and more thick Sulphur, is left behind: Wherefore in most the Leaves fall at this time, and in those of a tender and light Constitution, the Principles are [Page 13]wholly dissipated, and the Trunk and Stalk, together with the Root, wholly die. In some, after the falling of the Seed, with the Leaves, the Stalks wither; in the mean time the Principles, which may renew the Plant in the next Spring, are pre­served in the Root.

Also Winter coming on, the face of things is wholly changed; and the Elements, which in the Spring did affect to be Joyned and to Marry one with another, seek no­thing more than Divorces. The Spirits fly away from very many things, and wan­der in the Air; in the mean time the Particles of Salt and Sulphur lie as it were be­nummed and asleep. Not only the Bodies of Vegetables, but of very many Animals, are left as it were dead all the Winter, till they are raised again to life by the Spirit, returning with the Vernal Sun, and as it were animated anew. But this little Branch being made concerning the Vegetation of Plants, it is now fit that we proceed on our Journey to Fermentation, by the Rule of our before established Method, to what is to be observed, concerning the parts, and humours of Living Creatures.

CHAP. V. Of things to be Observed of Fermentation about Ani­mals.

IT is so certain that the Bodies of Animals, consist of the aforesaid Principles, that it wants no proof. For they so plentifully swell up, with Spirit, Salt and Sulphur, that their Particles are obvious to the sense: Wherefore th [...] are moved with a more swift motion, and more excellent senses of Life, and Functions of Heat, in the Sujects, in which they are implanted, are inlarged. It would be too much labour, and tedious, here to describe, the several manners and processes of Fermen­tations. The first beginnings of Life proceed from the Spirit Fermenting in the Heart, as it were in a certain little punct. The motion of this, is not as in Vegetables, slow and insensible, and only to be known by their increasing; but presently becoming rapid, is conspicuous to the Eyes: because the Spirit leaping from the Punct, as from a Prison, being stirred, and having obtained the Vehicle of Blood, swiftly runs forth; and leaping forth, it cannot wholy fly away, it makes hollow spaces for it self in the thick substance, in which it is included, for its excursion, being compelled some other way backward. Lastly being returned to the Heart, it Ferments the more, where­fore it stretches forth further the spaces of its Excursion, and so easily makes an hollow way for its return back; and after this manner, for the carrying about the Blood, Arteries and Veins, as Channels and Rivulets are framed through all the parts of the Body: and on such a Vicissitude of Motion, or Reciprocation, depends the life of living Creatures, which, that Nature might preserve a long while, she placed the Ferment in the Heart, by whose instinct, or endeavour, the Blood grows impetuously Hot, and as it were inkindled into a Flame by its Deflagration, diffuses the effluvia of its Heat round about on every side: for by the Fermentation, or Accension which the Blood suffers in the Bosome of the Heart, very many Particles of Spirit, Salt and Sulphur, endeavour to break forth from its loosened frame: by which being much rarified, and like Water boyling over a Fite, the moved and boyling Blood is carried through the Vessels, not without great Tumult and Turgescency. We would speak more in this place, both of the Natural Fermentation of the Blood, and the Fea­verish, but that we reserve this Consideration for a peculiar Tract, where we Treat of Feavers.

Besides this Ferment constituted in the Chimny of the Heart, upon which the motion and heat of the Blood very much depends, there are others laid up every where in the Bowels, of a diverse disposition, by the help of which, both the Chyle (which is the Rudiment or Beginning of the Blood) and the Animal Spirits, its Quintessence, are truly framed. There are others also which serve for the perfecting the Blood, trans­muting it into other Liquors, and freeing it from Excrementitious Matter: It will [Page 14]be too far from our proposed method, to wander, to insist upon each of these, and to reap anothers Harvest: Wherefore I will only add in this place, some select instances, which may illustrate the Doctrine of Fermentation.

It is commonly received, that the Concoction of the Chyle, in the Ventricle, is made by the means of a certain Acid Ferment: That such a thing is the Acid belch­ing in a full Stomach, and the want of it in the loss of Stomach, in Feaverish and Dysenterical people do testifie, &c. and its restitution a sign of Health: to which may be added this Observationn; Chalybeat Medicines being taken at the Mouth, a little after excite a Sulfureous savour in the Throat, as if hard rosted Eggs had been eaten: which seems wholly to be made by the Acid Ferment of the Ventricle, gnawing the Iron, even as Spirit of Vitriol, being sprinkled upon the fileings of Steel, ex­cites such a stinking and Sulphureous Odor. Some say this Ferment is breathed into the Stomach from the Spleen, but by what means that may be done doth not yet ap­pear by Anatomical Observation. It seems not improbable that this Ferment is im­planted in the Ventricle, that it is only made by some remains of the perfected Chyle, which fixed in the folds of the Ventricle. and there growing sowr, puts on the Na­ture of Ferment; even as a portion of Dough being fermented or levened, and and kept to a sowrness, becomes a convenient Ferment or Leven, for the making of Bread. In like manner this kind of Acid humour being prepared from the Aliments, and long carried in the Ventricle, promotes the Concoction, and subaction or subdu­ing of the Food. For Acid things, which are full of Salt, carried out to a Flux, ex­cellently conduce both to the Fermenting and Dissolving of Bodies: Wherefore by the action of this, Salt and Sulphur, with which eatable things very much abound, are broken in the Ventricle, and are reduced into very small parts. The Chyle being after this manner Fermented, acquires a Milky colour, by reason that the Sulphureous Particles are dissolved together with the Saline, and mixed with the Acid Ferment. For if you pour an Acetous humour to any Liquor impregnated with Sulphur and vo­latile Salt, it presently grows white like Milk; as may be discerned in the preparing the Milk of Sulphur, or the Resinous extracts of Vegetables. Yea, the Spirits of Harts Horn, or Soot, being very full of Volatile Salt, if they be poured to any Acid Liquor, or simple Water, acquire a Milky colour.

Concerning this Ferment hid in the folds of the Ventricle, it is observed that it is after various manners, and changes the Aliments by a diverse means: for tho in a sound Constitution it is indifferently Acid, and chiefly owes its force and energie to the Salt being brought to a Flux; yet it often declines from this laudable condition, and conteins in it self either too much of sowrness, or less than it ought to have: In the former Case, where the Salt hath got too sowr a Dominion, all things taken in, (the Saline Particles being carried forth to a Flux, and the rest unduly brought under) presently grow sour: as most often happens in Hypochondriack Distempers: on the other side, where the Volatile Principles obtain the first place, (Fermentation being too hastily made) the Sulphureous parts of the Chyle are suddenly, and as it were force­ably exalted, and the unconcocted of the Saline, pass into Choler: which ordina­rily happens to those abounding with bitter Choler. They therefore who have the Ventricle affected after this latter manner, Sweet and Fat meats being eaten, they are troubled with a bitter and bilious Taste: Again, they who suffer the contrary dis­position, altho they eat the most simple Food, send forth plentifully Acid and Stinking belchings: and indeed this seems to come to pass even after the same manner, as when a little too much Yest is put to the Batch of Dough, it becomes bitter; or when too great a Portion of sour Ferment, or Leven is put to the same Dough, the Bread from thence contracts a mighty sowrness.

As the Blood in the Heart, and appending Vessels, the Chyle in the Ventricle, so the Animal Spirit is wrought in the Brain, whose Original and Motions are very much in the dark. Neither doth it plainly appear, as to the Animal Spirit, by what work­man it is prepared, nor by what Channels it is carried, at a distance, quicker than the twinkling of an Eye. But it seems to me that the Brain with Scull over it, and the appending Nerves, represent the little Head or Glassie Alembic, with a Spunge laid upon it, as we use to do for the highly rectifying of the Spirit of Wine: for truly the Blood when Rarified by Heat, is carried from the Chimny of the Heart, to the Head, even as the Spirit of Wine boyling in the Cucurbit, and being resolved into Vapour, is elevated into the Alembick; where the Spunge covering all the opening of the Hole, only transmits or suffers to pass through the more penetrating and very subtil [Page 15]Spirits, and carries them to the snout of the Alembick: in the mean time, the more thick Particles, are stayed, and hindred from passing. Not unlike this manner, the blood being delated into the Head, its spirituous, volatil, and subtil Particles, being restrained within by the Skull, and its menyuges, as by an Alembick, are drunk up by the spungy substance of the Brain, and there being made more noble or excellent, are derived into the Nerves, as so many snouts hanging to it. In the mean time the more crass or thick Particles of the blood, being hindred from entring, are carried back by Circulation: But the highly agil and subtil Spirits enter the smallest and scarcely at all open pores of the Brain and Nerves, and run through them with a wonderful swiftness: For there is need only of such Receptacles and Channels, for the Animal Spirit, in which there are none, or at least very small cavities or holes; other­wise the blood or excrementitious humours, their Followers and Companions would not be excluded. Also, besides, if these Spirits should run about through too open and loose spaces, being easily dissipated, they would fly away: wherefore, when there is need of a Pipe for the transmitting of blood, or serous water, the Spirit of Wine runs rapidly through the secret passages of the Instrument or Leather. Neither doth the more strict frame of the Brain and Nerves serve only for the straining of the subtil from the thick, and the pure from the impure; but also that spirituous and most sub­til Liquor, being as it were distilled from the blood, gets yet a farther perfection in the Brain; for there being inspired by a certain Ferment, whereby it is yet more volati­lised, it is made more fit for the performing the offices of motion and sense. Because the substance of the Brain is exceeding full of a Volatile Salt, which is of great Virtue for the sharpning and subtilising the Spirits; therefore the Spirits of Harts Horn, or of Soot, are far more penetrating than Spirits of Wine.

The Seminal Vessels and Genital Parts, do so swell up with Fermentative Parti­cles, that there is nothing more: here Spirit, Salt, and Sulphur, being together compacted, and highly exalted, seem in the Seed to be reduced as it were into a most noble Elixir. These kind of active Principles do not only Ferment in the Womb, for the forming of the Child or Young ones, but also as it were with a living Ferment, they inspire through all the Body, the whole Mass of blood, that it may be more Vola­tile, and more sharply Hot: wherefore in women who have the Ferment of the Womb in good order, their Face is furnished with a curious and flourishing colour, their heat is more lively and copious; moreover, the Mass of Blood growing too rank, there is need of emptying it every Month by the Flux of their Courses; but when this Fer­mentation from the Womb is wanting, both Virgins and Women become Pale, and as it were without blood, short winded, and unfit for any motion. Also in men, from the Seminal Ferment, happen abundance of heat, great strength, a sounding Voice, and a manly eruption of Beard and Hair; by reason of the defect of this, men grow womanish, to wit, a small Voice, weak Heat, and want of Beard are caused.

Since we Treat of Ferments, which are found in the Animal Body, we may here opportunely inquire, what is the use of the Spleen: concerning which all good things are said by some; that it is as it were another Liver, and serves for the making of blood, for the Viscera of the lower Belly: It is by others reputed to be of a most vile use; that it is only the Sink or Jakes, into which the Feculencies of the blood are cast. By reason of its structure, we make this sort of conjecture; because the Arte­ries, do carry the blood to this, and the Veins bring it away, neither any other thing is carried in, or conveyed out, and for that its substance is filled with black, and stagnating blood, it seems that it is as it were a store-house for the receiving of the earthy and muddy part of the blood: which afterwards, being exalted into the Na­ture of a Ferment, is carried back to the blood for the heating of it: Wherefore, while the blood being carried by the Arteries enters the Spleen, somthing is drawn from it, to wit, the muddy and terrestrial Particles, which are as it were the dregs, and Caput Mortuum of the blood; that by this means the whole Mass of the Blood, might be freed from the Melancholick or Atrabilous Juice; which is separated in the Spleen, even as the yellow Bile or Choller, is in the Liver: wherefore, for the most part the Spleen is of a black or blewish colour, by reason of the Feculencies or dregs there lay'd up. But as this Juice deposited in the Milt or Spleen, is not altogether unpro­fitable, but by reason of the plenty of fixed Salt, is of a very Fermenting Nature; it is not presently, as the Choler, cast into the sink, but is farther Cooked in the Spleen, and being exalted goes into a Ferment; which being lastly committed to the [Page 16]blood promotes its motion and Volatilisation: Wherefore, as somthing is drawn from the blood, entring the Spleen by the Arteries, to wit, the Crude Juice of Me­lancholy; so somthing is continually added to the same, flowing back through the Veins, to wit, the same Juice concocted and exalted into the Nature of a Ferment: Even as Chymists, in Distilling, that the Liquor may be made better, separate the Subtile and Spirituous parts, from the Caput Mortuum, and then pour them on it again; and this work they so often repeat, till the Caput Mortuum or dead Head, is by frequent Distillation Volatized, and the Liquor rightly exalted, even in all its Particles. That this is the use of the Spleen, it is a sign, for that this inward being ill affected, the blood either ferments too much, as in the Scorbutick and Hypochondriack Distempers; or if the Spleen be obstru­cted, or beset with a Scirrhous Tumor, the blood is destitute of fit Fermentati­on, and causes the Dropsie, Cachexie or evil disposition of the Body, or the Tym­pany.

As we assert, the Earth and muddy part of the blood, which consists chiefly of Earth and fixed Salt, being separated in the Spleen, to pass there into a Ferment; so it seems not improbable, that also the Adust, or as it were the fiery part of the blood, to wit, the Yellow Bile, which consists chiefly of Salt and Sulphur, being se­parated in the Liver, and from thence transmitted to the intestines, serves for some use of Fermentation. For this being mixed with the Chyme or Juice, fallen from the Ventricle to the intestines, makes it there to grow hot and to swell up; whereby both the Elementary Particles are more overcome, and by reason of the Rarification or swelling up, the purer part is wrung forth into the Milky Vessels, for the Nutriti­ous Juice.

We are not only born and nourished by the means of Ferments: but we also die: Every Disease acts its Tragedies by the strength of some Ferment. For either the Sulphureous and Spirituous part of the blood, being too much carried forth, boils up immoderately in the Vessels, like Wine growing hot, and from thence Fea­vers of a divers kind and nature are inkindled: or somtimes the Saline part of the blood, being too much carried froth, suffers a Flux; and from thence it being made acid, austere, and somtimes sharp, is apt for various Coagulations: from which the Scurvy, Dropsie, Stone, Leprosie, and very many Chronical Diseases arise.

Yea we also endeavor the Cure of Diseases by the help of Fermentation: For to the preserving or recovering the Health of man, the business of a Physician and a Vint­ner, is almost the same: the blood and humors even as Wine, ought to be kept in an equal temper and motion of Fermentation: wherefore when the blood grows too hot, even as Wine, it is usual to empty some out of the Vessels, and to allay its Fervor with temperat things. If any extraneous or heterogeneous thing, is mixed with it, unless growing hot of its own accord, it drives it forth of doors; Purging, Vomiting, and Sweating Medicines, by shaking and fusing the blood and humors, promote its seclusion: when that the blood is depauperated, and grows less hot than it should do, Cardiacks, Digestives, and especially Chalybeats or steeled Medicines restore its vi­gor and Fermenttation: no otherwise than Wines growing sowr or degenerating into a deadness or want of strength, are mixed with more rich Lees, whereby they may Purge or grow turgid anew. I could easily unfold the Curatory intentions, as also the effects and operations of every Medicine, according to the Doctrine of Fermen­tation; but I design aparticular meditation for this thing: for the perfecing of which serious work, God willing, I have determined to add to the business of Medicine, as I hope, somthing not unprofitable.

Having thus far wandered in the spacious field of Nature, we have beheld all things full of Fermentation; not only in the distinct Provinces of Minerals, Vegetables and Animals, do we discern the motions and effects of this, but also the whole Sublunary world, seems as if one and the same substance were planted, and very pregnant through the whole with Fementative Particles; which in every Region and Cor­ner of it, as little Emmits in a Mole-hill, are busied in perpetual motion and agitation; they fly about here and there; somtimes upwards, somtimes downward they are hur­ried, they variously meet one another, associate themselves, and again depart asunder; with a continual Vicissitude they enter into divers Marriages, and suffer Divorces, on which the beginnings, the death, and transmutations of thins, depend. These lit­tle Bodies do not only very much abound in the bosome of the Earth, or in the midst of the waters, but they are especially diffused through the whole Atmosphear of the [Page 17]Air in thick heaps. It is sufficient that I have noted in this place, some examples in a word: I have not determined a more full speculation of them here. It is time that we proceed from Physical things, to the works of Art.

CHAP. VI. Of Fermentation, as it is performed in Artificial things.

IN the works of Art, so various and manifold provision of Fermentation is per­ceived, that it is altogether impossible to enumerate their several Species; or to reduce the divers instances of this to certain Classes or Heads of distribution. Making use of the thrid of the following method, we will subjoyn some exam­ples, (which have happened to our observation) by whose rule, many others may be laid open.

Concerning Fermentation, which is made in the Subjects, made by hand, or hu­man industry, these three things are chiefly to be considered.

First, of what Nature and Composition Bodies are, that are most fit for Fermen­tation, and which are less convenient for it.

Secondly, What things are requisite about Fermentation, to wit, what are wont to promote, or also to hinder its motion in every Subject.

Thirdly, How manifold the motion of Fermentation is, and the end of it; also what are the effects and alterations which follow it.

As to the first, That all Bodies, (when tending to perfection) may truely Fer­ment, they are required,

In the first place, That there be some parts loose and disjoyned; otherwise the Fer­mentative Particles will not be stretched forth, or move from place to place: Where­fore in the more hard compacted things, or in viscous things, or too much boyled, or evaporated too a spissitude or dryness, Fermentation does not succeed. What are Li­quid, as Wine, Beer, the Juices of Fruits and Herbs, easily and quickly swell up; next to these what are soft, tho they are of a thicker Consistency, as Bread, and most Eatable things, and Medicinal Compositions.

Secondly, It is required that there be an Heterogeneity of parts, or a confusion of all the Principles together; to wit, that some Particles do oppose othess, and stir them into motion. For the more simple Bodies, in which one, or at most two Ele­mentsonly are strong, with a very small proportion of the rest, are unapt to Ferment: because like Particles, or Symbolical Elements, lie benumed and quiet. But between the unlike, therearises presently a strife for domination, and some provoke others into motion.

Thirdly, There is a third condition, that there be neither too much Crudity, nor Maturity of parts, in the body Fermenting. In the Former, the active and subtil particles, are not easily extricated from the more thick, nor are brought into motion: as it appears in Juices, which are pressed forth from unripe Fruit; also in Beer which is made of Barly or Mault, not come forth or germinated. In the latter the Particles being made too volatile, are not contained in the bond of the mixture, but presently evaporate, and dispose their Subjects to Putrefaction. Wherefore, Juice expressed from Summer Fruits, or others too ripe, will not easily pass into Wine, but it will quickly corrupt. And for this reason, extravasated blood, milk, and urine, do not Ferment, but quickly putrifie.

As to the second thing proposed, there are many ways by which Fermentation is either promoted or hindred. The first and chiefest, is the adding of a certain Fer­ment to the body Fermenting; the Particles of which, when being first placed in vigor and motion, may raise up the others, idle and sluggish, in the to-be-fermented Mass, and may drive them into motion. But there is a two-fold Ferment; either absolute, which is the same kind of Body, in which the active Particles, being alto­gether [Page 18]placed in their vigor, are notably in motion, and so whilst they are commit­ted to the Subject in Fermenting, snatch with them into motion other Particles there of the every kind before sluggish: by this means Barm or Yest, beaten Eggs, and such like, stir up a Fermentation almost in every thing. Or the Ferment is respe­ctive, to wit, which consists of Particles, very much of one kind, which meeting other of another kind, in the Mass to be Fermented, grow hot with them, and so produce in the mixtnre a turgency or rising up of all the parts together. After this manner Saline Particles having gotten a Flux, grow very hot, with other Salines, either fixed or alchalisater; as appears when acetous Liquors are poured on Corrals, Harts Horn, shells of Fishes; also when the Spirit of Vitriol, and the Salt of Tartar, are put together, a great ebullition is excited.

There are some accidents and external circumstances, which variously conduce, either to the provoking or hindring the motion of Fermentatio; of which sort, are chiefly the condition of the Ambient Air, the placing or laying up of te body Ferment­ing, and the means of conserving it.

The Southern Air (in which hot and humid Particles every where abound, which also entring easily any Bodies, obtain the force and place of a Ferment) impresses a notable motion of Fermentation in very many things: Wherefore in drinkable Li­quors, it doth not only raise up at first, the force of effervescency or growing hot, but also for a long while afterinduces new swellings up in them being Fermented. On the contrary, the Cold and Northern Air, binds up, and very much fastens Bodies; and in very many things hinders them fusions, and flowings of the Elements, and oftentimes, either hinders Fermentation from being stirred up, or restrains it being begun. Also the hot Summer Air, because it too much moves the active Principles, drives away the Spirits and subtile parts, exalts the Sline, and Sulphureous into a Flux, and so perverts their equal motion; and either the Sulphur or Salt being too much carried forth, it easily brings to Bodies a rancidness or putrefaction, or a mouldiness; which nothing favours the business of Fermentation.

It is a vulgar opinion, that some select times of the year, to wit, those in which the Vegetables of every Kind flower, cause anew the motion of Fermentation in the Juices, and other things prepared of them, after they had Fermented a long time before; so that Beer, when the Barly, and Wines in the time that the Vine, flowers, conceive risings up, or new Fermentations: they say also, that Bread and Flour, when the Wheat is in Flower, is want to become sooner musty and moldy: also that spots or stains of the Juices of Fruits, as the Mulberry, Blackberry, Rasberry, and such like, being in Cloaths, are wont to be gotten forth again, at that time when those Fruits are Ripe. Concerning these things, I ingenuously confess, that I have not made tryal of them, by my own proper observation; so as to dare to affirm it for truth in every part: I will therefore lightly pass them over, for it would both grieve and shame me (lest I should relate false things) to Philosophize concerning doubtful things.

Concerning the laying up of the Fermenting Body, these things are chiefly to be observed. When things first being to Ferment, that they are not to be shut up in too close Vessels, neither while the Liquors are hot, are they to be put into Bottles or Casks. For the Particles, at first boyling up, and as it were rarified, desire a very large space: wherefore the Fermentation of Wine or Beer, is begun in open large Ves­sels: but when they grow less hot, those kind of Liquors, lest the Particles being set and moved into motion, too much, should fly away from the Subject, they are kept best, either in a cold Cellar, or close Vessels. In the preparation of Vinegar, we bo­serve the contrary, to wit, it is wont to be placed in a hot place near the Chimney or Oven, or exposed to the Suns beams: to the end that the vinous Spirit being depressed, the Saline part might be exalted into a Flux, and so might give a sharpness to the Li­quor. There is another observation, that Liquors do Ferment better in wooden Ves­sels, than in Glass, or Stone: For by long infusion, some Saline little Bodies are got froth of the Wood, especially the Oaken, which promote Fermentation.

As to the third thing proposed, concernign this thing; although to speak properly, the motion of Fermentation, is only a carrying forth of the Principles confused to­gether, from a state of Crudity towards maturity; and the end of it, is a tendency to the perfection of every thing: yet use or custom hath obtained, that this word is attributed to very many other motions of Natural things, and includes other ends, and effects, far different. Therefore when the Fermentative Particles in any Body, [Page 19]are greatly in motion, the alterations which follow thereupon, may be in some re­spect referred to these three Classes.

First, it either respects the exaltation, and perfection of the parts of the same Bo­dy; or the resolution, and corruption of them.

Secondly, Or the dissolution of the parts of another Body is intended; or the praecipitation of those loosened.

Thirdly, By the motion and action of these kind of Principles, a coagulation, and also a congelation, now of the same Parts, now of different Bodies, are induced. It remains, that we briefly run through every one of thse Species of Natural Motions, and ways or manners of Fermentation.

CHAP. VII. Of Fermentation, as it is seen in the exaltation of Bodies, and tendency to Perfection.

THE Exaltaion of the parts, is perceived best in Works, or in all things appointed for human use, forasmuch as they get a greater perfection and vigor, by Fermentation; as, chiefly Aliments and Medicines do: in many of these, we endeavour to carry forth the Spirituous Particles above the rest; and so to procure in the mixture, a grateful sweet tast, and other agreeable qualities; as we may observe in Bread, Beer, Wine, Cider, and many others: But in some, we strive to exalt the Saline part, the Spirit being somawhat depressed; as in Vinegar, Meath, Broths, also in Sauce, Pickle, or in Preserved things, which are made of Salt and sharp Liquors. We rarely on pourpose carry forth the Sulphureous part above the rest, for from thence a stinking smell, and ingrateful rammishness, are wont to happen to eatable thinds. Among foods set apart for mans use, Bread, Beer, Wine, and Cider, have the first place; which own mostly, whatever they have of virtue, or strength, to Fermentation.

Concerning the making of Bread, these things are chiefly to be observed: the Meal of Wheat, or Barly, or of any other Grain, being kneaded with common-water, is reduced to a mass, to be afterwards baked in an Oven. If there be nothing else added to this, it becomes forthwith heavy, and ponderous like Clay, clammy, and of an ingrateful tast, and of difficult digestion: but if in the kneading it, there be added a Ferment, the Mass presently grows hot, the bulk swells, and afterward being baked, it is made light, spongy, of good digestion and grateful to the tast. If you desire to know the reason of the difference, it is this. The meat of the Grain is imbued with a moderate proportion of Spirits, also of Salt, and Sulphur; but the Particles of these, are overwhelmed in the Mass, with a viscous humidity, being kneaded with water; so that they move not themselves mutually, nor are in motion: wherefore in the baking, some superfluoous humidity evaporates; what remains is cleaving, viscous, and becomes pressed close like Clay, and ponderous. But when a Ferment is min­gled with the Mealy Mass, the active Particles of the Ferment being first-stir'd up in­to motion, take hold of their Companions in the Mealy Mass, and carry them with them into motin. By this means, whilst some move others, they shortly are all stirred up into Fermentation; tumultuating here and there, they compass and run through the whole Past or DCough, they subtitise and attenuated the clammy and ter­rene parts, and they lift up the mass, with the motion, and make it hollow, with little holes; which yet in the mean time, lest it become too spungy, and whereby the parts made hollow, and attenuated might more exactly be mixed, it is wrought with long kneading, then afterwards, before the Fermentation ceases, and before the hollowed parts sink close down, it is baked in the Oven. In the baking, the superfluous moisture evaporates, and moreover, very many Particles of Spirit, Salt, and Sulphur, fly away; wherefore, the mass becomes lighter, and less ponder­ous, in the mean time, those which remain in the Bread, being much exalted, [Page 20]and brought to maturity, cause in it a laudable consistency, with a grateful smell, and tast.

The Ferment commonly used, is a portion of the Mealy Mass, and unbaked, which is kept, being imbued with Salt, to a sowtness (it is called in French Levain, because it lifts up the Mass) or the flowring of Beer, or Ale, called Yest or Barm; or for want of these the lees or dregs of Beer, or beaten Eggs, are made use of. In the mealy Ferment, the Saline Particles having gotten a Flux, do chiefly predominate; as also in the faeces of Beer: wherefore the Bread Fermented by these, is made harsh and somwhat sowr: In the mean time, Yest being very big with Spirit, Ferments the Bread more potently, and brings to the Mass lightness, and a very grateful sweet­ness. Beaten Eggs abound with Spirit and a Volatile Salt, and do yet more cause the Bread to Ferment, and render it more Spongy: without doubt there may be o­ther kinds of Ferments used; for whatever are big and turgid with Spirit, or abound with Salt carried out to a Flux, seem to be fit enough for this use.

Somtimes the mealy Mass is kneaded with Sulphureous matter, as Butter, Sewet, Fat, or such like, which being baked in an Oven, while it is hot, it is seen to be light and spongy, (to wit while the Sulphureous Particles, are kept in motion by the heat contracted in the Oven) afterwards, when this Mass grows cold, it becomes heavy, weighty, and very close: to wit, the ascititious heat being exhaled, the Sulphure­ous Particles, before carried forth, at length sink down; and when the Particles of the rest, not being excited into motion, the Mass therefore becomes as it were Infer­mentated: For in these kind of Subjects the Sulphureous Particles, because they are very viscous, hinder the motion of the rest, nor can they themselves persist in motion, longer than they are forced, by the actual heat.

Bread is somtimes made of the flower of Wheat, or Barly, that is Germinated or Maulted, which without any Ferment added to it, becomes so exceeding hot, that it can­not be contained in a compacted mass, but that in the baking it spreads abroad: the reason of which is, in such Flower, by the Maulting it, the active Principles are before placed in their vigor, and exaltation; wherefore in the kneaded Mass, when they are urged, by the heat of the Oven, they run forth inordinately, and force the more thick parts, hindring them, and as it were fling them down head-long. We have said enough of making Bread; we will now pass to Beer.

Beer is made of Mault or Barly, germinated and dryed, which is performed after this manner: First, the Barly is put into common water for three days, that it may intumifie or swell, then (the water being let out from it) it is flung in a heap upon a dry floor, moving it twice or thrice a day, lest it grow too hot, until it begins to germinate, or bud forth, or put out little shoots of Roots. Afterwards, by frequent casting it about, it is hindred from germinating or springing forth any farther, and lastly, being lay'd upon a Kiln, it is made dry by rosting it; by this means, it yields a meat wonderfully sweet.

The reason of this kind of process is this; the Barly is permitted to spring forth, that its active Principles might be brought or set into their strength, or exaltation: for when it germinates, the Spirit, Salt, and Sulphur, at first asleep, and sluggish, do swell up or grow big together, and their sluggishness being cast off, they are pre­pared to exercise their powers. The other preparations, hinder the Barly from ger­minating further, lest that its Principles being very much loosned, should exhale too much, and fly away from the Subject. The Meal of the Barly thus prepared grows sweet, because the active Principles are set in exaltation like Fruit brought to a ma­turity: wherefore also the Liquor impregnated with this Meal, grows very turgid or big with Spirituous and Fermentative Particles; when the simple decoction of Barly, scarce Ferments at all, nor is kept long, but that it becomes musty, and insi­pid.

But Beer is made after this manner; upon the Meal of the Barly, prepared as above said, boyled water is poured, and is suffered to be macerated, or mashed, for some hours, that it may be sufficiently impregnated with the active Particles of the ger­minating Barly, now placed in their vigour: This Liquor being satisfied or filled, is drawn off clear from its setling, and is lastly boyled, that it might get a somthing more thick consistency, and be able to be kept the longer: Then, when it is somwhat cold, it is Fermented, a Ferment, or the flowring of Beer or Yest, being put thereto, and so tun'd up in a Barrel. Concerning its Fermentation, these things are especial worthy of observation.

If it macerate with, or stand too long on, the Maulted Meal, the Liquor becomes thich and clammy; and afterwards will hardly Ferment or Work at all: the reason of this is, because the active Principles, in this work, are of a prompt motion, and move together with them, the earthy Particles; with which, if by a long stay, the passages and pores of the Liquor are filled; being too full, they are wholly obstru­cted, and as the contents in the Stomach, stuffed to a furfeit, scarcely Ferment at all.

If too hot, or too cold, the Liquor be put into the Barrel; as in the great heat of the Summer, or the cold in the Winter, Fermentation doth not rightly succeed: for by too much heat, the Particles are dissipated one from another, that they cannot, mu­tually take hold of one another, and so work; by too much cold, they are bound up and fixed, that they scarce enter into motion, neither perform it strongly.

When the Liquor of the Beer Ferments in the Vat, the active Principles do on every side explicate themselves, they precipitate in the bottom the more thick, and Earthy, being partly driven as it were into flight, and partly sticking to them, they lead them as it were Captive to the top, and there make hollow bubbles continu­ally growing up, and bring them as it were to servitude. After a due Fermentation, the whole space of the Liquor is rendered clear and without dregs, in which the Spi­rits with a little Salt and Sulphur, do abound; in the mean time, in the settlement or dregs, a little of Spirit and Sulphur, with a greater plenty of Salt and Earth remains. So long as these shall be in their places the Liquor will be clear, sweet, and Spirituous, but if long kept, or not shut up closely in a Barrel, great part of the Spirits will fly away: in the mean time, by the defect of these, the Saline Particles being exalted, and having gotten a Flux, impregnate the whole Liquor, and make it sowr; for when Beer, as also Wine, goes into Vineger, it doth not happen because they are wholly deprived of Spirits, (for so they would degenerate into a tastless thing) but because the Tartareous or Saline parts, are carried forth to a Flux, and infect the Li­quor with their sharpness; in the mean time, the Spirits being less in power, are de­pressed, that they cannot resist them. Very hot weather, Thunder, the noise of great Guns, or the tunning it in the open Air, suddenly makes Beer grow sowr, for by these means the Spirits being disturbed in their equal motion, are dissipated; and in the mean time, the Saline or Tartarous parts, being before separated, and depressed, are moved, and carried forth into a Flux.

Indeed it plainly appears that the Spirituous parts in Vinegar, are not wholly de­stroyed, but suppressed only whilst the Saline are placed in a Flux; because from Vine­gar, may be Distilled, a Liquor exceeding hot and burning, like the Spirit of Wine, after this manner: With the Distilled Vinegar, a Salt is extracted from Minium, or Lead Calcined, of which you have plenty, and shall distil it in a Retort, the Vinous and burning Spirit is driven into the Receiver; the reason of which is, because when the Saline Particles of the Vinegar are united with the Salt of the Lead, the Vinous Spirits yet remaining are then freed; and having obtained their own right, they are urged from their lurking places by the heat of the Fire: but those Spirits are not pro­duced from the Lead, because if you give thereto a more vehement Fire, the Salt of the Lead, will be melted into a Metal.

But we will return to Beer, from whence we have digressed; to which, how great a perfection happens, by Fermentation, appears by this experiment. If you take Beer new made, not yet purged by Fermentation, and place it to be Distilled in a Bladder or Cucurbit; only a vapid or tastless water ascends, without any Spirits, and strength at all: but if you proceed after the same manner with Beer truly Fermented, you will have a hot water, and highly Spirituous. And this takes away the objection of some, who say that water being even impregnated with the Meal of Mault, should not be any more boyled, lest the Spirits should exhale; because the Spirits, before Fermentation, are so obvolved with the more thick Particles of the rest, that they cannot break forth from the Concrete.

The more the Beer is impregnated by the Mault, the stronger it is, keeps the longer without sowring; which is helpt if Hops be boyled therein, from which at first it grows bitter, but afterwards recovers a grateful sweetness; the reason of this is because the pores of Liquor, which are empty of the Particles of the Meal, when they are possessed by those of the Hops, the consistency is made more compact, and is more full of Fermentative Particles; wherefore there is not quickly given any room for the Flux of the Salt. But that the Liquor being at first bitter, afterwards grows sweet, [Page 22]happens for this reason; because the Spirituous and Sulphureous parts, supplyed by the Meal of the Mault, come not so soon to maturity, because of the others mixed with them from the hops being boyled therein: but when this happens, that they grow to maturity, they easily excel all the others, and impart a sweetness to the whole. Not only Hops being boyled in Beer, keep it long from sowring, but also many other bit­ter, or sharp things, do the same: for these, forasmuch as they exceed in a Volatile Salt, hinder the flowings of others Salt; wherefore, some are wont to put into the Barrel, a piece of Sassafrass Wood, the tops of Wormwood, Broom, the Firr­Tree, the rinds of Oringes, also Spices in a small quantity; by which means, the Drink, tho of a smaller substance, is kept a long while from sowring. Thus much concerning the preparation of Beer, on the consideration of which, (as also of Bread) we have stayed long, because the word Fermentation is chiefly due to these. Let us pass next to Wines. Excepting the Blood of Animals, there are no Liquors that grow hot, like Wines; there is found in none a greater plenty of Spirits, Salt, and Sulphur, or a more re­markable turgescency, or swelling up. The Fermentation of Wines, and the hand­ling of them Fermenting, are wont to be taught among the Vintners or Wine­Coopers, as a secret only to their Apprentices, or the Adepti of their Art. Among them there is delivered a certain Physical Science, or Method of Medicine, by which means, the impurities of Wines are purged forth, their heats attempered, or also their defect, or sickness may be healed. There are many ways to be used, besides that of sophisticating, as a secret, by which depauperated and tastless Wines are sold for sound and rich. But as to our proposition, that the Doctrine of Fermentation might be illustrated, these three things ought chiefly to be considered, concerning Wines: First, Their desaecation or cleaning, and their going into parts. Secondly, Their immoderate effervescency or growing hot, from what causes it is wont to be stirred up, and by what means to be suppressed. Thirdly, The declination of them, when they grow worse: and by what remedies they are kept that they do not quickly pass into a tastlesness or Vinegar.

1. As to First, That Fermentation may beging in the Must, there is not (as in Beer) required, the putting to any Ferment, for the Juice being expressed from the Grapes, doth so greatly swell up with active Particles or Principles, that it presently of its own accord, grows remarkably hot: but it is a usual thing in some regions, when the Grapes are trod, to besprinkle them with Quick Lime, by the provoking of which, as a Ferment, the Liquor pressed forth, grows more fervent, and is sooner purged. The Must or new Wine, is at first put into open Tubs, for that they cannot be contained in close Vessels, for their great heat or working, which so boyls up, that water over a Fire grows not more hot: when the Wine is a little cooler it is put into more close Vessels, in which it is further purged by Fermenting. In the purifying, the Spirituous and Subtile Particles greatly shake the more thick dregs, and dismiss them from themselves on every side, that the Mass of the Vinous Liquor, being made free from the mixture of the dregs, is rendred clear and without dregs. The Faeces or Lees of the Wine consist of Salt and Sulphur, with a little Spirit and plenty of Earth; which whilst the Wines grow hot, being separated by degrees, either by Co­agulating themselves mutually, are affixed to the sides of the Vessels under the Spe­cies of Tartar, or like Lees or Mother, settle to the bottom. In the mean time the Liquor swimming over them, is very clear and exceeding Spirituous.

Somtimes the defecation or clearing of Wines is hardly brought about, as a Vinous Liquor is not easily freed from the mixture of Tartar: wherefore Vintners are wont to put to the Wines some Bodies that either clear them, or precipitate them, so as the Earthy matter swimming in them, may sooner settle to the bottom: The things which so clarifie Wines are of two sorts: for they have either viscous parts, as Clew, the Whites of Eggs and such like, which stick close to the faeculencies of the Wine with laying fast hold on them, and carry them with themselves towards the bottom: Or else they abound in a precipitatory strength, which while they enter into the pores of the Liquor, thrust forth the more thick Particles from thence, and strike them down to the bottom; as are the dust of Alabaster, Calcined Flints, and such like.

2. Wines tho at first they were well cleared, yet afterwards they conceive immo­derate effervescencies, so that the Tartar, being stirred up from the bottom, it at length mingled with them; also the Spirits being loosened, now the Sulphureous Particles, now the Saline being too much carried forth, render the Wines unsavory, clammy [Page 23]or sowr. We will consider these things, from what Causes they come to be so, and by what means they are Cured.

Wines very often contract heats, when they are full of Tartar or too rich Lees: For Tartar or Lees, tho separated from the Liquor of the Wine, and depressed to the bottom of the Vessel, yet for that they consist of plenty of Salt and Sulphur, they still send from themselves Fermentative Particles, by the inspiration of which the Wine is kept in an equal motion of Fermentation: and as the Wines are leasurely ripened, so the Salt and Sulphur which lurk in the Tartar, are by little and little ex­alted; until at length, being carried forth to a Flox, they infect the Vinous Liquor, with a troubled feces or dregs, and compel it to grow immoderately hot, andn to boil up. Against these too great heats of Wines, there is necessity, that they be pre­sently drawn off or rack'd, from this too rich Lees, and put into another Vessel, or else it comes to pass, by reason of its too great disturbance, the Sulphur being very much exalted, that they become unsavory and ropy; or the Spirit being lost, and the Salt carried forth to a Flux, they contract a fowrness, and turn to Vine­gar.

Neither doth Wine grow more hot than it should do, only from Tartar, or too rich Lees, but by too great agitation, immoderate heat, or by an extraneous or strange Body put to it, and not miscible, or that cannot mingle with it: for by these and other ways, the Sulphureous part of the Wine grows hot, and from thence con­ceives ceives a fervour, and undue boyling up; for the setling of which, besides the racking or drawing it off, from one Vessel into another, they use to pour plenty of Milk, into the Pipe or Barrel, by whose mixture the heats and tumults of the Wines are presently appeased; but as by this means the Spirits of the Wine are very much overcome, it cannot keep long, but soon after degenerates to Vinegar or without tast; therefore the Vintners are necessitated to sell presently the Wines mended by this Artifice, and very suddenly to draw them off.

These kind of heats of Wines, tho they be timely appeased, before they wholly spoyl the Wines, yet they leave some viciousness, by which the Vinous Liquor is al­tered from its due colour and consistency, and is mande less grateful to the Palate: for Wines made hot, oftentimes become of a more deep colour, viz. they degenerate from a watery and clear colour, to a Citron or Red, and give to the tast a rankness; all which indeed proceed, from the Sulphur being too much carried forth and exal­ted: For these kind of distempers of Wines, they proceed after this manner; for the mending the colour, oftentimes simple Milk, or boiled with Glew or fine Flour, is poured into the Hogshead or Pipe; for these procure a certain separation of the ex­alted Sulphur, and with its whiteness give clearness, or restore the colour to a bright­ness. Mucilaginous, clammy, or ropy Wines, are amended by the infusion of burnt Alum, quick Lime, Gypsum or Plaster of Walls, Salt and the like; for these cause a new Fermentation, that the more thick Particles are thrust forth from the rest, and precipitated towards the bottom. The unsavouryness is helped by the same means.

3. As to the third proposition; Wines are depauperated or made poor, when by a long effervescency the Spirit and more pure Sulphur, being exhaled, the Saline Par­ticles begin to be exalted: in this case their languishing strength is sustained with cer­tain remedies, as it were Cordials.

As the Spirit and Sulphur being too much carried forth, and exalted, is cured by the drawing off the Wines from the rich Lees: So the same being depressed, the re­medy is that they be put to a more rich Tartar or Lees: wherefore the Vintners, are wont to pour the depauperated Wines, destitute of plenty of Spirits and Sulphur, and which begin to grow sowr, by reason of the Salts being carried forth to sound and fresh Lees or Tartar; that they might as it were anew inspired with Spirit and Sul­phur, ferment and recover new strength and vigor, besides they make Syrups of generous and rich Wines, with Sugar and Spices, which they pour among the stale and deadish Wines. Further. for Wines turning to Vinegar, they are said to admi­nister profitably, some other remedies. Gratarolus praises with many more, Lard and Swines flesh salted, wrapt in Linnen, and put into the Cask: and truly it is proba­ble that the Sulphureous odor of this doth restrain the Flux of the sowring Salt; for this end the same Author commends Leek-Seed, Pine-Nuts, blanched Wheat, boiled Wine, Ashes, the shavings of Willow, and many others, for the Salt readily acts on these kind of Subjects, and spends its force; even as Virgins sick of the Green­sickness, [Page 24]desire greedily to eat such like absurd things, that may satissie the extrane­ous, and for the most part sowrish Ferment of the Ventricle, but very hurtful to them­selves. There remains another kind of Cure, whereby small Wines almost corrupted, and growing vapid or smachless, recover new vigor for a time, to wit, a portion of Rhenish Wine, or others, very Fermentable, is laid up, and hindred from Ferment­ing, from whence it is made a perpetual Must (commonly called Stum) if a little of this Liquor be poured into a Cask of stale Wine, and jogged together, it gives a fresh, and new Fermentation to the whole: so that that Wine will froth and boyl, and shut in a Glass will leap forth; but the drink mended by this Artifice, is accounted very unwholsom, for that it is apt to stir up an immoderate Fermentation in our blood: wherefore it is prohibited by Edict, that the Wine-Coopers or Vintners make not use of this kind of Sophistication.

It is usual thing also, to stop up close, in Stone or Glass Bottles, for a time, small Wines, and new Ale or Beer, which being afterwards opened, the Liquor ferments so impetuously, that being almost all rarified into froth, it flies forth of the Bottles: which besides contracts such an acrimony or sharp cutting, that it can scarce be swal­lowed: The reason of which (as it seems) is this: The turgency or swelling up, and the notable acetosity, sharpness, or quickness of thse kind of Liquors, proceeds chiefly from the Salt being exalted, and having gotten a Flux; for when as the Liquor, be­ing full of much Tartar and little Spirit, is shut up close in a Vessel, all the Particles together are forced to be fermented, and when they cannot be separated, and fly away from one another, they do the more trouble one another, and break themselves into small bits; that by this means the bond of the mixture may be wholly broken; but the little bodies loosened one from another, and as it were freed by reason of the closeness of the Vessel, are forced together: wherefore when the Vessel is opened, all the Particles at once being ready for flight, like Air suddenly rarified, break forth with noise and tumult; and because the Saline parts having gotten a Flux, by reason of the plenty of Tartar, are stronger than the Spirit and Sulphur, from thence the nota­ble cutting sharpness is caused in the Liquor.

Cyder comes next to the Nature of Wine, to wit, of the smaller sort, which kind of Liquor, is only the Juice pressed from Apples, and brought to maturity by Fer­mentation: concerning this kind of Drink, it is worth observation, that if it be made of Summer Fruit, or too much ripened, it will not keep in strength, but pre­sently degenerates into a deadness: but if it be prepared of very unripe, and sowr Apples, it contracts a bitterness, for that the Spirits do not sufficiently arise in this, but give place to the Salt, having first gotten a Flux: but in the other, they are not long enough retained, but wholly fly away, before the mass of the Liquor attains to full Fermentation: but there are Fruits and Apples, exceeding fit for this business, which being indued with a more firm consistency, are not quickly corrupted, neither do they attain their perfect maturity or softness, but of a long time: The Juice of these wrung forth, and put into a Cask, does not grow hot, as Beer, with a great frothy head, but after the manner of Wines, with a noise, like a Pot boyling over the Fire: whilst Fermenting after this manner, it is made clear, the more light recre­ments, are carried upwards, and remain in the Superficies, as the flowering: but the more thick parts and Tartarous settle plentifully in the botteom; but the more solid Crust, or Cogulated Tartar, is not fixed to the sides of the Vessel: which is a sign Cyder is a more wholsom Drink, nor so infestous to the nervous stock, because it a­bounds less with a sharp Salt than small Wines. The Liquor swimming over these Faeces or Lees settling in the bottom, enjoys it as it were its food, and is kept by its inspiration in strength; from which if it chance to be drawn forth, it quickly grows sowr: for indeed this kind of Drink, is in great danger to be destroyed by the Flux, or sowmess of the Salt: against this il, to preserve it, some are wont to cast into the Caks Mustard Seed bruised, or Mustard Balls, for that the Volatile Salt of this hin­ders the Flux of the acetous Salt, so that the Liquot thereby presently grows clear, and keeps the longer: another kind of remedy against the sowrness of Cider, is, that as soon as it begins to grow sowr, it be drawn off from its Lees, and kept in close stop­ped Bottles, with a little Sugar; for by this means it ferments anew, and because, together with the Flux of the Salt, the Spirits being carried forth, are deteined from flight, a very grateful sharpness is caused to the whole Liquor. Also, almost by the same preparation, and the like process of Fermentation, a potalbe Liquor is made out of Pears, which is however above measure sweet, and if plentifully drunk, renders the Belly loose, as if they had taken Physick.

So much for Fermenting Liquors, whose virtue consists in the Spirit being carried forth, and obtaining the height of perfection: there remains other preparations, whose vigor is placed in the Saline part being exalted, and having gotten a Flux; among these, Vinegar is of chiefest note, the way of making of which, being wholly unlike the aforementioned, requires a method of Fermentation, very different from those before described: for example, small Wines, or more generous or strong Beer, being put up into the Cask, are exposed in the Summer time, for a long while to the Suns Beams, or else in the Winter, they are kept near a Stove in some hot place; after this manner, whilst some Spirits evaporate, the rest being put under the yoak, the Saline parts are exalted and infect the whole Mass of the Liquor with their sharp­ness: but not only Wines long kept, or Stale Beer, out of which the Spirits of their own accord, begin to go away, but fresh Must, or new Beer, pass after this manner into Vinegar; for the Country-women are wont to place without doors all the Sum­mer, strong Ale, and hghly impregnated with Mault, in a Cask, by which means they make an exceeding biting and most penetrating Vinegar.

Yea after the same manner almost, our kind of Hydromels, Honnied Drink, or Meath are wont to be prepared: to wit, they boyl sixteen parts of Water with one part of Hony, to the consumption of a third part, adding then some Spices, toge­gether with a sharp Ferment, they place the Cask and Liquor for many days in the Sun, and after wards in a Wine-Cellar. It seems the Sunning of it is used, that there­by the Saline parts being brought towards a Flux, might somwhat restrain the nause­ous sweetness of the Hony: and by that means the sweet being tempered with sharp­ness, a most pleasing tast is afforded to this Drink.

By reason of the sharpness arising from the Flux of the Salt, also very many eatable things are wont to be prepared after various manners; hence the flesh of living Crea­tures, and especially of Fishes when they swell with too much Sulphur, are pickled with Salt Brine or sharp Liquors, that the Salt being brought forth, they may be­come more grateful to the Stomach. It would be a tedious brsiness to insist here on particulars; but I will in this place describe a certain noted kind of Oaten Broth, Crewel, or Flumery, which profitably nourishes Feverish, also Consumptive and Hectick people.

This kind of Drink, that it many become gratefully sowrish, the Meal of Oats is put into common water for about three days, till it acquire a somwhat sowr tast: then, this infusion is placed upon the fire, and with a Ladle is stirred about until it boyls, and when it rises up ready to flow over the Vessel, it must then be poured forth into a platter, and presently cooled; it will appear like Gelly, and may be cut into bits; which if heated soon melts. In this preparation may be observed, that by a long in­fusion of the Grain, the Saline parts being brought forth, do get a Flux; then these so impregnate the Liquor that the more thick Particles being by the heat brought in­to its pores and passages, they are so strictly shut up, that they cannot easily sink down, but that the whole mixture becomes like Gelly.

It would also be too great labour to heap together here, the various Condites and kinds of Pickles, for it would be to describe under that rank the whole Art of Cook­ing and Diet. For in both the only aim is, that for healths sake and for pleasure, the active Particles in our food. may be placed in their vigor and exaltation; for so they greatly please the Palate, and by a more easie digestion go into nourishment: for this reason, not only Drinks, and Consections of Corn, and Herbs of a diverse nature and kind are thought on; but also we variously prepare flesh, both boyled and rosted, and add to them sauces, that the Particles, now the Spiritous, now the Saline, being carried forth to a Flux, might please the tast, with a certain sharpness. Those which are of a more fixed nature, are brought to exaltation, by Sauces made of Sugar, Salt, or Pepper. They are wont to keep some flesh almost to putrefaction, that by that means, the active Particles being place din their strength and motion, may become of a more grateful tast. Here might be in terwoven, a long discourse concerning Me­dicinal Compositions, but because this subject, deserves a peculiar consideration, I will say nothing more of it here. Let us next see by what motion of Fermentation and Habitude of Principles, Natural Bodies tend towards dissolution; or what is the progress of every thing to Putrefaction and Corruption.

CHAP. VIII. Of the motion of Fermentation, which is observed in the Death, also in the Putrefaction and Corruption of Bodies.

NAtural Bodies in which Spirit, Salt, and Sulphur, are found in but a mean quantity, do not stay long in the same state: for these active Principles are employed perpetually in motion: As soon as they come together, they tend from Crudity and Confusion towards Perfection, for the fake of which, when they have reach'd the height, they are able to come to, they are not quiet in this point; but from thence they make hast towards the dissolution of that thing. Those which are more volatile do first of all break forth from the loosened bond of the mixture; then the rest separate into parts, until the form of the mixture wholly perishes: The Spirit being carried forth to the top, flies away first with the water, and the more pure Sulphur, and by its expiration, diffuses a very grateful odor; afterwards the more thick Sulphur, with the Salt, being loosened from the band wherewith they were tyed, and having gotten a Flux, by degrees evaporate, and together disperse a very stinking smell: together with these, the water parts flow forth, and the frame of the subject breaks, or falls down into Earth or a Caput Mortuum.

This kind of process may be observed both in natural things, and also in Subjects prepared by Art: Concerning Natural things, the disjunction of the Elements, and their separation into parts, may be seen both in the death of living Bodies, or the extinction of life and vegetation; and also in the corruption of them being dead, and in their reduction to a rottenness.

As in Vegetables, the growth and maturity depend on the combination and mutual cleaving together of the Principles, so the decay and death depend on their go­ing asunder, and separation, in Plants and Fruits; being by degrees cxalted from a crude and sowr Juice by Spirit and Sulphur, they come to maturity; to which a sweet tast and smell, and a pleasant colour happen: then presently the same matter, the Spirit and Sulphur, and the rest of the Elements leisurely flying away from the sub­ject, is soon reduced to a filthiness and rottenness: If after the subtil and more pure Particles of Spirits and Sulphur are flown away, there still remain plenty of Earth and Salt, with some Sulphur, the matter does not putrifie, but grows dry with an hoariness: but if the thick Salt and Sulphur, having gotten a Flux, break forth from the Subject, together with the rest, the bond of the mixture being loosened, pre­sently the external humidity, possesses the spaces left by these, and the Body is resolved into rottenness.

Also all Animals whatsoever, have set bounds of their growth and duration: For they ascend from their beginning, by slow increase, to motion and sen ation; then to the strength and exaltation of Nature: in which point they stay not, but from thence, by equal steps, make hast towards their fall.

If the cause of this kind of limitation be required, we say that Mother Mature hath placed in the primigenious seed of every thing, such a stock of Spirit, Salt and Sul­phur, which might suffice for the producing the utmost thrids or lineaments of Bo­dies: so that the growth and ascent of the thing, to its height or acme is only an evolu­tion, or unrowling of that radical matter, and protension or stretching it self forth into a greater dimension; in the mean time the little spaces and vacuities, which are made by the protraction of this matter, are filled up by the active Particles, supplyed by Nutrition, which also by a continual series of motion are ripened, exhaled, and give place to others succeeding. As soon as this seminal matter is unfolded and ex­alted to the height, that it cannot be moved, or expanded further, the matter is then brought to the state of its perfection: from thence some Particles of this Radical sub­stance, together with the secondary supplyed from the Nourishment, begin to evapo­rate; and others dayly, and then others, being after this manner consumed, both [Page 27]the solid parts, by degrees decrease in their substance, as also the Nutritious Juice and Blood, even decline for the worse, till by a long wasting, the props of the Body, are made dry or withered, and the blood so depauperated, that it will not suffice for sustenance to the vitalfire: just as it may be perceived in a Lamp, if the Oyl being continually consumed, in its place be put water, the Liquor is rendered poor, and diluted, that it is not able any longer, to cherish at all the flame of the wick.

When the Life of animals perishes, (either it expires after the aforesaid manner leisurely, and like a Candle or Lamp is extinguished, the Oyl or Tallow being con­sumed; or it is choaked by a hasty death, being snatched away by Fate, or the vio­lence of a Disease) presently the Spirits, with Salt and Sulphur, flowing together in the blood; and also planted in every part, cease from their regular motion, and are moved into confusion: then they partly exhale from the pores, with the vanishing heat, and partly being shut up within in the Cavities, inordinately Ferment, with the remaining Particles, and make a swelling up of the inwards, and of the whole Body. But afterwards the frame of the solid parts being by degrees loosened, and the Sulphureous Particles, together with the Saline, having gotten a Flux, begin to eva­porate; from thence a strong stink and corruption arise. The active Principles, breaking forth by heaps, do often mutually take hold of one another, and being combined in the superficies of the Carcase, produce Worms: at length when they are wholly exhaled from the Subject, what remains salls into dust.

It is a usual thing for Worms to be generated in Vineger when it is corrupted and lost its strength, which being exceeding small; and somwhat long and smooth like Eels, swim in the Liquor, and may by the help of Glass be exposed to our Eyes; these beeing seen, it is commonly said, that the sharpness and pricking of the Vine­ger proceeds from these little Creatures, which is a vain thought that deserves not a refutation; for they are only to be found in dead Vineger; and I pray from whence have they their teeth sufficient for the gnawing of Iron? But the whole corrosive force of Vineger is more truly referred to the Salf having gotten a Flux: in the mean time those little Creatures seem to be begotten by this means; it is sufficiently known, that when very many Subjects are brought to putrefaction, the active Principles being thrust out of doors, yet still affecting their old dwelling, remain somwhere about the neighbourhood, and being joyned together, do often produce living Bodies; where­fore, when moist things putrifie, most often little Worms grow on their Superficies; but in Vineger the business is a little different, to wit, because the Elementary parit­cles are more fixed, therefore when the mixture of the Liquor is wholly dissolved, the active Principles, although loosened, yet breaking very hardly and difficultly from the substance, meet together in the bowels of the Subject, and there mutually cherishing one another, cause those little Creatures in the midst of the waters.

Also the Bodies of living Creatures, being prepared for our Food, are disposed to­wards putrefaction, if they are put up for some days, till the active Particles are loosened, and begin to be in motion, tending to exhalation; wherefore both the Flesh becomes more flaccid, and in eating more tender and soft: and if they are kept longer, till the Saline and Sulphureous parts being carried forth into a Flux, do break out, presently a stinking smell and putrefaction is induced.

There are many ways whereby flesh is wont to be kept from putrefaction; the chief of which are, that it be pickled with Salt or Spices. Things are kept a long time in­corrupt and very grateful to the tast, with Salt: Dead Carkases are imbued with Spi­ces, that they may remain a long while in their Sepulchers. As to the first, Brine or salt Pickle hinders the eruption of the Sulphur, and fixes it in the Subject by its em­bracement, and retains it. Spices, as they consist of very active Principles, stir up a new Ferment in the Subject, the dead Carcase; and the implanted Elements of this, joyn into the society of their motion, and retain many of their Particles flying away, yet longer in the body: As Salt and Spices are made use of for the preserving long flesh, and Sulphureous things, (which also preserve all other things from Putre­faction) so Vegetables, and their Flowers and Fruits are better conserved with Su­gar: for this by cherishing the active Particles of the Subject, restrains them within, and besides, renders the Confections, of a very grateful tast.

Minerals, chiefly the solid and hard, because they are indued with plenty of Salt and Earth, with little of Sulphur, and with a less quantity of Spirits, therefore they rarely, or not at all conceive Putrefaction: there is the same reason for resionous things, which tho they abound in Sulphur, with Salt and Earth, yet because there is but a [Page 28]small portion of Water and Spirits, therefore their frame is not easily loosened, nei­ther are they obnoxious to Putrefaction. Among Minerals, Common-water only, falls under this rank: for this, if it stand still, or is kept long in a Vessel, its Salt and Sulphur, though but in a little quantity, having gotten a Flux, begin to evaporate, and together to induce Putrefaction: but so long as water is in motion, these parti­cles are still involved with others, and so by their mutual embrace, are detained from evaporation.

Artificial things and preparations, are no less subject to Putrefacton than Na­tural things; for Bread, and all manner of Eatable things or Food, Wine, Beer, and other Drinkable Liquors, also Medicinal Confections, being long kept, first lose their strength and vigor, and then afterwards are Corrupted: concerning which, we may observe these following things.

The more the things are Compounded, and have all the principles conjoyned to­gether, the sooner, and the easier, do they enter into Putrefaction; wherefore Eat­able things, prepared of Flesh, Broths, Decoctions of Herbs, also many Medicines made after the Calenical way, are wont) unless preserved with very much Salt or Sugar) to be Corrupted in a short time: In the mean time, Distillations, and Chy­mical Preparations, which consist of Homogeneous, or not much different Particles, are kept sound a long while.

In Compounded things, if there be too great quantity of water, things sooner putrefie, for so the frame of the mixture is too loose; so that the fixed Principles cannot take hold of the Volatile, or keep them back from flight: but those in which Spirits abound with moderate Salt and Sulphur, if they are kept in a close Vessel, that they may evaporate but little, continue a long time, as may be perceived by strong or generous Wine. The next to these, are those things which are preserved with Hony or Sugar, or in which the Saline Particles are in in great plenty be Nature.

Many of these, whilst they are corrupted, are either made Moldy or Rank, or they grow sowr, or degenerate into a vapidness, or without tast: things are made Moldy, when the subtil Particles in the exhaling, are deteined by the more thick, and cleaving together by their mutual embrace on the Superficies of the body, grow into a soft Down or Hoariness, even as Moss is brought forth by Stones or Wood exposed to moisture.

Rankness or unsavory Tast, happens chiefly in Sulphureous things, for Oyly and Fat things, by Heat or Age, become Musty or Unsavory, to wit, when the Spirit be­ing very much exhaled, the Sulphureous Particles are two much exalted, and begin to evaporate.

Sharpness or Acidity is induced from the Salt, being to much carried forth and loosened, for when the Spirit is depressed, or exhaled, the Salt being fused, conceives a Flux, and so brings in a Sowrness: hence Wine, Beer, Cydar, also Milk, very many Eatable things, and the Juices of Herbs, when they are long kept, or if they are moved by too immoderate heat of the Air, or shaking, do easily grow Sowr.

Liquid things, degenerate into a vapidness or tastlesness, when the active Prin­ciples, are for the most part gon forth, and nothing eminent besides Water and Earth, or of the subtile parts, is left in the Subject.

That I may contract what is aforesaid; the corruption of every thing, is only the separation and departure of themselves from one another into parts of the princi­ples before combined, (the bond of the mixture being loosened) which motion, by reason of the diverse disposition of their breaking forth, (either with or without a stink) ends in Putrefaction or Rottenness.

Where Spirits abound, and that there is also plenty of Sulphur and Salt, and the Particles being loosened from their bonds, break forth in heaps; the mixture putre­fies with a stink; also if it consist of a thick substance, so that all the parts are not rightly ventilated, it conceives a heat from the Putrefaction: in such a Corruption, the stink proceeds from the exhalation of the sharp pointed Sulphur, or made prick­ing with the Salt: Putrefaction follows, for that the external humidity, enters into the place of the Particles flying away: But the heat is produced by the Sulphureous Particles being moved together in heaps, and being shut up within the Subject, that they gather together, and being united act more strongly. But if there be ing the Subject a lesser proportion of Salt and Sulphur, so that when the mixture is loosened, the Particles are moved more slowly, and evaporate leisurely; the Body grows dry, and is reduced to a wasting, without any ill smell, Putrefaction or Heat.

It will not be from the purpose to inquire in this place, from whence some empty Vessels, and more moist bodies, by lying long, conceive a certain stink without Pu­trefaction; also other things being put into them, or lying near them, are wont to partake of their Evil; for which affection, a proper Latin word is not easily to be met with; in our Idiom it is called Mustiness, and in some sort seems to be designed by the word Mucor, unless that [...] or Mucor, points at Bodies infected with a cer­tain Down or Hoariness, (which we call Moldiness) which here never happens. The consideration of this matter is not improperly referred to the Doctrine of Fermenta­tion, for this Tincture or Impression of a stink, unfolds it self far abroad, as if it were a certain Ferment, that the Vessel but lightly imbued with it, infects whatever Liquors are put into it, and infusions of them, even new and often iterated; we may observe a twofold effect of this thing: For somtimes the Vessels being almost empty, at first vitiated, afterwards infect most Liquors, which they by chance re­ceive, with a musty odor: somtimes more moist compacted, and solid things, being kept long, somwhat close in a Cellar, contract this vice of their own accord; when in the mean time the contagion is not perceived to be in the place where they were kept; which things either may become musty, not because they are corrupted, for in most Spirit, Salt, and Sulphur, being yet contained, in the bond of mixture, the frame of the matter is kept whole, but the vice only consists in this, that from the Subjects after this manner disposed, effuvia's as it were aculeated or sharpned fall off, and therefore become ungrateful to our smell and tast.

First, that any Vessel may conceive a mustiness, there seems to be required in the first place, that is in ward hollowness be large, and its mouth narrow; th wit, where­by a passage may lie open to the outward Air, and rest may be granted to it being en­tred in: for Juggs with broad mouths, also Bottles close shut, do not easily get this fault. Secondly, that besides the more ample inward hollowness, the sides of the Vessel be indued with pores, and very small passages; for in these kind of little spaces be­smeared with humour, the Air being strictly shut up, remains more quiet, and is apt to stagnate: Wherefore Glass Bottles are not so apt to suffer this evil as Wooden, or Stone Bottles. Thirdly, that some moisture, tho very little, stick about the sides of the Vessel, or in its bottom, whereby the Air being entred may be intangled: for if the Bottles be hung up, with their mouth downwards, that all moisture may drein out, they will never be musty.

In the second place: when Bodies, without any contagion of a Vessel, contract a mustiness or moldiness of their own accord, we may observe, first, that they are of that kind, which consist of Heterogeneous Particles, that is, a mixture of all the E­lements together; because the parts of Vegetables and Animals, and preparations of them, easily receive this evil; Minerals for the most part remain free from it: Se­condly, that there be plenty of humidity in the concrete, for the more dry continue a long while without any hurt: Thirdly, that the Bodies be either kept in a heap un­moved for a long time, or else in some close Cupbord, or Cellar, without Air; for so Wheat or Grain, in a heap, unless it be often moved, as also all Eatable things, be­ing put up in a close place quickly grow musty.

According to these positions we conjecture, that mustiness is made an affection to a moist inanimate Body, from the ambient Air, being admitted within its pores, and being got in there stagnating, whereby the Elementary Particles of that mixture, be­ing combined together with those sent in by the Air, are exalted into the Nature of a Ferment; that they diffuse themselves on every side with wonderful activity, and their effuvia's, as it were sharpned, ungratefully strike against the sensories of the tast and smell. When therefore, some Subject becomes primarily musty, a certain portion of the Air placed near, and hindred from ventilation, enters into its pores and passages, and there being intangled with a tenacious matter, is wholly shut up within the substance of that Concrete. From the mixture of the shut-up Air, the implanted little Bodies of the matter, especially the Sulphureous and Saline, acquire new heads; that afterwards, when they are exactly to be mixed with no other Body, yet very greatly Fermentative, tho intermingled with any other thing, retain their own Nature, and being diffused through the large substance of the matter, infect the whole; to wit, they dispose by that means, the Particles of that new matter, that they being armed with sharp points, bring in like manner a trouble to our senses: But in the mean time, from the mustiness, whether primarily arisen, or received by Contagion, the mixture of the thing is not dissolved, nor the Principles dissipated; [Page 30]yea those things which are wholly tastless, do scarce at any time become musty: the musty smell depends chiefly on the active Principles, disposed by a peculiar rite, by the involved Air and their effluvia's; wherefore if they almost wholly fly away from any Subject, that is rendred almost incapable of this affection.

There may be observed a certain likeness between mustiness and an Empyreuma, or tast of fire or burnt-too, for as in this, the Particles of the fire being intangled, and included by a tenacious matter, by their long ftaly there, pervert the implanted little Bodies of Salt and Sulphur, from wherece their effluvia's, strike our Senses with an ingrateful sharpness; moreover, being mingled with other things, they affix to them, the disposition of their pravity; so in mustines, the Particles of the Air, being obvolved with a viscous matter, and stagnating, they change by their presence the Sa­line and Sulphureous little Bodies, from their due temper, whereby they being as it were gifted with sharp preckings, do strike bitterly our sensories, and being exceeding Fermentative, diffuse their Odor to others: the alteration being either way contra­cted, can scarce be blotted out, by any mixture with other things, or emendation by Art: The chief means of helping of either, is by placing it in a reciprocal traje­ction, viz. Empyreumatical things, or tasting of the fire, are to be a long while ex­posed to a more moist Air, whereby the Particles of the Fire may exhale: and musty things are to be held to the Fire, or put to such things which may sweeten their Na­ture, to wit, quick Lime, Sulphur, or Srygian waters, by which the parts of the in­cluded Air are driven away, and so the remaining little Bodies of the mixture are wont to recover their pristine state; wherefore, if musty Liquors are distilled, the water falling into the Receiver, will be deprived of that stink: But the smatch of Fire or Empyreuma, is not so easily mended by this Artifice.

So much for Fermentation, and the motion of the Principles, for as much as within the Confines of the same Subject, they dispose it, either to maturity and perfection, or to wards dissolution and corruption. It now follows to treat of the motion of the same kind of Particles and Principles, for as much as some of one Body do act on o­thers of another Body, and by dissolving the mixture, do wholly draw them forth, and send them outward, or by precipitating it cause them to go into parts.

CHAP. IX. Of the motion of Fermentation, as much as is to be ob­served in the Dissolution of Bodies.

FOR the Solution of Bodies, there are two great solvencies, or Menstrua, which exist from Nature, to wit, Water and Fire: Fire, if it be next and immediately applyed, destroys most Bodies, drives away the Princlples one from another, and as it were dissipates them into Air, Earth only, with a little Salt, being left behind; if it be mediately applied, it brings awsy some Particles, so that in the mean time others remain: After which manner it serves chiefly for Distillations, and Chymical Operations, and is also used in the Preparation of necessaries for our Food, both about the Boyling and Rosting of Meats. Water does not so readily de­stroy Bodies, but it draws forth some parts from the Subjects, and receives them into its own Bosom, and firmly retains them for various uses: But as it does not easily pe­netrate every Body, but leaves almost untouched those which are of a more fixed Na­ture, various ways are thought of, whereby the Menstruum of water is made sharper, and is rendred fit for the dissolving of any Bodies whatsoever. For by means of the Bodies, which it ought to dissolve, and of the parts which it ought to receive in it slef, it is armed as it were with some Weapons; with which it is able to unlock any Subject, and to possess now these, now those Particles. The Menstruum of water is sharpned with Spirit, Salt, or Sulphur: to wit, either with each of these, or with more of them joyned together; we will first speak of the watery Menstruum, with the various sharpning of it, and afterwards of the fiery dissolvent.

Common water most casily dissolves the more simple Bodies, except sulphur; and hides their Particles, in its pores and passages; it readily receives Salts of every kind, and easily imbibes Spirits; it loosens the frame of Earth, and cherishes its more the­der little bodies, in its embrace; but it is hardly mixed with Fat, and Oyly things, and receives not their Particles, but by the coming between of others, but drives them forth to its Superficies, as not miscible, or thrusts them down to the bot­tom.

Water in some measure enters the more compounded Bodies, whose frame is som­what loose; and then receives into its bosom, some not simple Particles, but resem­bling the nature of the whole mixture: hence most Vegetables, also parts of living creatures, and some Minerals, being put into common water, do impregnate it with a certain virtue; and from most Metals, by a long maceration, it takes away some strength, though but small. Some Bodies are dissolved by water, which yet a Sul­phureous or Spirituous Menstrua leave almost untouch'd; as the Gums Tragacanth, Arabic, &c. also Salts and Sugar.

The first and most common way of sharpning, whereby simple water may more easily enter the Bodies to be dissolved, is, that it be furnished with fiery Particles, or darts of adventitious heat; for so it is driven more deeply with a certain force, into Bodies, and destroys some thrids, as it were the smallest mites, in their most inward recesses. Wherefore we are wont to boyl for a long while, the matter to be dissolved in water, or at least to infuse it in warm water, by which means, the more tenuious, and certain subtil Particles, which resemble the nature of the Subject, are easily drawn forth, and impregnate the water, with the virtue of the whole mixture.

So much for the simple, or natural Menstruum of water, to wit, for as much as its activity is wont somtimes to be promoted, by fire or ascititious heat. But this can­not be so simple, but that it contains in it self some Particles of another kind; as many be gathered from its easie Putrefaction; for oftentimes it is impregnated with Spirituous, Sulphureous, or Saline breathings, contracted from the Air or Earth, that for the drawing forth the tinctures of very many things, somtimes it excels an Artificial Menstruum; for that Acidulous or Spawish waters, Mineral waters, Rain water, and May Dew, are of frequent use among Chymicks, for the remarkable fa­culty of dissolving, with which they are strong. Besides, 'tis a vulgar observation, that some waters most easily dissolvs Sope, and being throughly mixed with the same, causes in the liquor a great spume or froth; such, if they be rubbed between the fin­gers, feel soft and gentle; but other waters, which being handled with the hands, are more harsh, refuse the mixture both of Sope and Oyl, and so are accounted un­profitable for the washing of Cloaths: these sort of waters, if they should be evapo­rated in a Glass, oftentimes affix a Crust to its bottom and sides; because they are impregnated, more than they ought, with Saline Particles, with which, when the Saline parts residing in the Sope combine, the Sulphureous are carried away, and they being excluded the pores, are thrust forth as not miscible, to the top of the Liquor. When Flesh is boyled in these waters, it grows very red; which tincture indeed being thence contracted, is a sign, that those waters are somwhat imbued with Vitriol, or some other kind of Salt. But we will pass to Artificial Menstruas, in which the wa­try Liquor is furnished with Spirit, Salt, or Sulphur, being gathered apart, or many of them together.

The Spirituous Menstruum of water is made, when from a Body swelling with Spi­rits, a clear and limpid water is distilled; as from Wine, or strong Beer, or other Bodies truly Fermented, and brought to exaltation: The kind of dissolvent is hardly to be had so sincere, but it is mixed with the Particles of more pure Sulphur, and somtimes of a volatile Salt. The former kind of Liquor is called Spirit of Wine, which being subtil, and very penetrating, easily enters the Bodies, and parts of Ve­getables, and also of living Creatures, but hardly Minerals, or not at all: it extracts from many things, not any Particles, or resembling the Nature of the whole mixture, (as common water) but chiefly Spirituous, and Sulphureous, the rest being almost untouched; wherefore, it is wont to be used for the resinous magisteria of Vege­tables, (which it draws fofth almost sincere or without mixture, under the form of Cum or Resine) in the mean time, it is not so fit as common water, for the extracts of Plants, which are not so indued with Sulphur: from Sulphureous things, as Ben­zoin, Sulphur, Olibanum, Styrax, Amber, and the like, it draws forth excelent Tinctures: It dissolves the fixed Salts of Herbs, also of Pearls and Coral, before pre­pared [Page 32]with Vinegar, by a long digestion, and receives their Tinctures into it self: it leaves Sugar, and Gums, being dissolvable in water, almost untouch'd. But there is another Spirituous Menstruum, that is sharpned with a volatile Salt, such is the Li­quor which is distilled out of blood, Harts-horn or Soot; it is far stronger than the former, and cuts most Bodies, except Metals, into parts, and oftimes destroys the forms of the whole mixture: yea it most excellently dissolves secondarily, the most fixed Metal, to wit, Gold, being first reduced into a Calx, by its proper Menstruum, and reduces it into a Tincture, or potable Liquor.

They are accounted Sulphureous Menstrua, which are brought forth of Sulphure­ous Bodies, under the form of an Oyl: these are prepared, either by distillation, such as are chiefly the Oyl of Turpentine, Juniper, and the like; or by expression, such as are wrung forth of Olives, Almonds, and other Fruits, or Seeds of Vegeta­bles. Things distilled are of more efficacy, than preparations by expression; either of them draw forth some Particles, from Vegetables, or Animals; by the vertues of which, these Oyls being impregnated, they are made fit for Medicinal use. Yea they are conveniently enough made use of, for the extracting of the Sulphureous Particles of Minerals, which somtimes they draw forth sincere or unmixt: But if Oyl of Turpentine, or Lin-seed Oyl, draws forth by dissolving, the combustible part of common Sulphur, in the mean time, the remaining Saline parts, and untouched by the Menstruum, grow into Crystals; as is obvious to every one, in the preparing the Balsam of Sulphur.

Mineral Bodies, in which the bond of Concretion chiefly depends upon Sulphur, as are the Fire-Stone, Antimony, common Brimstone, and the like, are in some sort dissolved by a Sulphureous Menstruum, which draws forth of the Body, Particles of the same kind, the Saline being almost untouched: wherefore Oyl of Turpentine, Lin­seed, &c. draw forth a Tincture from these; in the mean time, Saline Menstrua such as are distilled Vinegar, or Stygian waters, profit little for the dissolving their Bodies: but that these, unless before Calcined, hardly are touched. But on the contrary, where the frame of the mixture consists of a Saline bond, such as are Iron, Copper and the lik, Saline Menstrua, as Aqua fortis, Spirit of Vitriol, Salt, &c. receive in the dissolving, the Particles of the same Nature into themselves, the Sul­phureous being almost untouched. This plainly appears, in the solutions of Metals, but chiefly and remarkably in Camphire, which Stygian waters reduce into a Liquor, in form of an Oyl, swimming on the Menstruum; to wit they dissolve its frame, and receive some Saline parts, on which the Concretion depends, into themselves; in the mean time the Sulphureous being untouched, they are gathered together apart, on the Superficies of the Liquor. There is somthing to be wondered at concerning Antimo­ny: to wit, that its Concretion being very irregular, that Mineral becomes exceeding unlike, not only to other mixtures, but also to it self; for it is very lax, nevertheless much compacted; it lies open to the least injuries, yet is almost impervious to the greatest, so that it may equally number its losses, with its Victories: some of its Par­ticles lie so loose, that they are brought away by any Oyly Menstruum, or by a common lixivium or Lie: others in the mean while do so pertinaciously stick together, that Aqua Fortis cannot touch them, only Aqua Regia being poured upon it can know it; which so strongly resists it, that the fume raised up from thence, presently obscures the whole Room wherefore there seem to be in this, parts wholly of a different Nature, some imperfectly mixt, viz. Earthy and Sulphureous, which are easily loosned by a fit solvent; in the mean time others wholly Metallic, perfectly mixt, coming near in some sort to the Nature of Gold it self; which therefore are only to be dissolved, by a fit Menstruum of Salt.

The Saline Menstrua are of divers kinds and natures, viz. of Vegetables, Animals, or Minerals. Among Vegetables are eminent, the sowr juices of Fruits and Herbs, Coun­terfeit Vinegars, acid Liquors distilled out of ponderous Woods, as Guaiacum, the Oak, and Box; in all which, the Saline Particles having gotten a Flux, either by Art or by Nature, give a notable sowrness: or the Vegetable Menstruum consists of Salts of Tartar, or made by the cineration of Herbs, and dissolved, which by the Fire are ve­ry much whetted, and acquire an acritude; in these the Saline Particles are fixed, and in a condition opposite to a Flux. To the rank of Animals I refer the Spirit of Urine, Harts-Horn, &c. which although they are impregnated with Spirits, yet the take their chief forces from a Volatile Salt. But the strongest Saline Menstrua, are drawn forth of Minerals, such are acetous Liquors, which are most strongly [Page 33]forced by fire, out of the Salts of Nitre, Sea-Salt, Alumn, Chalcarth or Vitriol, and such like.

Those which are drawn out of Vegetables, as Vinegars, and acid Liquors do best of all dissolve Corals, Pearls, Shells, and Shelly substances: because in these there is great plenty of Alcalizat Salt, with which the fluid Salt, which abounds in those kind of acetous Menstrua's, desires to be most strictly united; wherefore they being applyed to the body to be dissolved, enter its pores and passages, loosen the Compli­cations of the Particles of the Alcalizat Salt, and snatch them into their own Em­brace. Even after the same manner, the fluid Salt in a Vegetable Menstruum, ap­proaches the Volatile Salt in the Horns of Animals.

These kind of Menstrua's do corrode some Mettals towards the Superficies; but do not so potently unlock their bodies by diffolving, as Stygian waters, some Sulphureous subjects, being before loosened by Calcination, do enter aptly enough, and from thence carry forth Saline Particles. Wherefore, for the Salt of Tinn, Lead, An­timony, Soot, and others, being first reduced into a Calx, we use distilled Vine­gar.

The Salts of Tartar, and the fixed Salts of Herbs, although they serve for praecipi­tation, rather than dissolution, yet because they consist of sharp, and very penetrating Particles, they are of egregious use: For watry Menstrua's are chiefly sharpned with these, for the extracting of the Tinctures of Vegetables. And altho bodies which abound with an alcalizat Salt, as Pearls, Coralls, &c. are left wholly untouched by reason of the Homogeneity or agreeableness of the parts in either; and that also, they but little gnaw, only on the Superficies, being put upon Mettals, and grow together with their Salt, and Sulphur into rust; yet Sulphureous bodies they readily enter, so they be loosened by the fire, and unlock and pull assunder their joyntings or complexi­ons; wherefore, for the making of the Milk or Magisterium of Sulphur, the Salt of Tartar most excellently conduces.

Saline Menstrua's are most strong, which are forced by distillation out of Minerals, to wit, out of Vitriol, Niter, Sea Salt, Alumn, Arsenick; Acetous Liquors are di­stilled either from these single, or from many of them mixed together; which as they are of the highest sharpness, like to fire, readily enter most bodies, but chiefly Me­tallic bodies, and such as consist of a Saline bond, and dissolve them easily into most small parts. These Liquors are only Saline Particles, which being driven by the force of heat, from the embrace of their Earth, having gotten by that means a Flux, are converted into water: as actual fire chiefly assaults Sulphureous bodies, and by de­stroying the body draws to it self the Consimilary parts; Stygian waters (which are also called potential fire) easily pull assunder bodies, which very much abound with Salt, as Mettals; and break them, inviolable by fire, into most minute parts.

Concerning the Solutions of Minerals, we may observe, that their frame is not ea­sily destroyed, or loosened into parts, as other Concretes of Nature; but for this, most stong Menstrua's, and those chiefly Acetous, distilled from Salts, are required; the reason of which is, for that the Concretion of Minerals, depends mostly upon great plenty of Salt, binding the rest of the Particles, as with a bond; wherefore their substance is more solid, more hard, and compact, and only gives place to a Saline Menstruum. When any Mineral, or Mettal is dissolved, the fluid Particles of the Salt, in the Menstruum, most easily enter the most strict Complications, of the fixed Salt in the mixture, and impervious to any other solvent, loosen them from their binding, and snatch them into their Embraces: after this manner, the Particles of the Salts being united, and dilated by the Liquor, are hidden in the pores and passages of the Menstruum; and together with these, stick, and are also supped up, by the Menstruum, the more pure and minutely divided bodies of Earth or Sulphur, which were in the mixture; in the mean time, the more thick, and more stufed with Earthi­ness, are praecipitated to the bottom of the dissolving Liquor: wherefore Gold and Silver are wholly devoured by the Menstruum; but Iron, Lead, &c. and also Metallick recrements, send forth from themselves, in the dissolving, Heterogeneous Particles, as so many offscourings: when Minerals are broke into parts by this means, the divided Particles, and most minutely broken, (so long as they equally cohaere with the Parti­of the fluid Salt, which are in the Menstruum) being dispersed through the Liquor of the Menstruum, and hidden in its pores and passages, are supped up, and rendred in­visible. Yea also, the humor of the Menstruum being taken away, the remaining [Page 34] Calx, which consists of the Particles of a mixt, and fluid Salt, combined together, is dissolved in any other Liquor: but if after a Metallic solution, the fluid Salt be drawn off, from the Particles of the thing soluted, or by Calcination, it neither poyses any Liquor it is put to, with a new adjection of fixed Salt, nor do the little bodies of the thing soluted fall through the pores of the Menstruum, nor are they lastly supped up, by any Liquor added to them.

But that among Metals, some are corraded by any acetous Liquor; in the mean time others, as Silver and Gold, require a peculiar solvent, as it were to be unlocked by an appropriat Key: and what is more wonderful, common Aqua fortis, which eats Silver, leaves Gold altogether untouch'd: Gold, and has no power upon Silver: The reason of those may be thus understood: Gold and Silver are more compact Metals, very much cleansed from earthy matter; wherefore they are not broken into parts by any solvent, but only by those kind of Menstruas, which consist of a Salt homogeneous or agreeable with them. But as the frame or substance of Silver depends upon a Vi­triolic Salt, and that of Gold, on an Armoniac Salt (or of a more perfect kind, to wit, such as is wont to be most strictly complicated with Sulphur) hence Aqua fortis, so long as it is strong with a Vitriolic Virtue, combines with the Salt of the Silver, and therefore unlocks its frame or substance, but doth not loosen the concretion of Gold, which depends upon an Heterogeneous bond: If that to this Menstruum, Sal Armoniac be added, the power of the Vitriolic Salt is blotted forth, and the Saline darts of the solvent are made fit only for the Gold, the Silver being untouched.

When Minerals are corroded by acetous Menstrua's, we are not therefore to think, the same always to be resolved into Elementary parts: that the Salt and Sulphur of them, may be had sincere or unmixt, by this means (altho some boast, that they are easily able to shew such Analyses of Mettals) for that it appears to our observation, and frequent experience, that many of these are of so compact and solid a Concretion, that they cannot be broken, but into integral parts: as for example, Gold and Quick­silver, after what manner almost soever handled, when they are reduced into mani­fold Calxes, will at last by a strong fire acquire their proper forms: viz. the Saline Particles of the Menstruum, loosen the bond of Concretion, whereby the most minute integral parts of the mixture stick one to another; but the same solvent, is not able in all things, to break assunder the Copula of the first mixture, whereby the Elements are mutually bound together: so that for the most part Metallic Calxes, are only little bodies of the Concrete, broken into most small little Globes, being involved by the Saline Particles of the Menstruum: Wherefore, fire being applyed, those corrosive Salts being pulled away from their Embrace, are wholly driven away; then the Metallic lit­tle bits, or dust, as so many little particular Globes being fused, by the intense heat, coming together into one Mass by melting, resume the Species of the Metall: where­fore, they who commonly affirm, that the Salts of Minerals for the most part, are only the Saline Particles of the solvent, conjoyned with the Metall, reduced as it were into fine flower, without doubt speak truth in the preparations of Sol and Mercury, or of Gold and Quicksilver; also the Salt or Sugar of Saturn or Lead, is nothing else: But that sweetness comes only from the Vinegar; for if in the distillation [...] Vinegar, the joyning of the Vessels are closed with Clay, and Salt, Chaulk and Horse-Dung, on the Superficies of this, grows together a most white Salt, wonderfully sweet, in every thing like to that Sugar: but from some, viz. from Iron, Copper, and Silver, are prepared fictitious Vitriols, which are for the most part Saline: For that the same, by distillation, amy be forced into acetous Liquors, as the Metallic recrements.

Besides the solvence hitherto recited (which, by means of the Particles, which are strong in them, act upon a peculiar and determinate matter) I know that Chymists do boast wonderful things, of a certain universal Menstruum, by whose inspiration every body what ever, may be easily reduced to its Principles, or first Elements: And tho Helmont have bragged, that he had attained to this Secret by his own Labour, and now dayly the Adepti of Chymistry, do aspire to this end; yet the hopes and endea­vours of most, have failed them in this work, even as in the Philosophers Stone. There are also some other famous Menstrua's, viz. The Aqua vitae Tartarisated of Quer­citan, and his Philosophic Vinegar, which are of noted use in the preparing of Medi­cines; but since I know nothing, or any strange thing they have done, in the dissolu­tion of Bodies, we will pass them over.

So much concerning solvent Menstrua: about bodies to be dissolved, a certain pro­vision should be instituted, whereby indeed their complections may more easily be un­locked, and cut into most minute parts: Wherefore the Concrete is now pounded into powder, now cut into little bits, that the way might lye open for the solvent, to its most inward recesses. If that the frame of the subject be harder, and more strict, that it will not give place, but of a long time, to the Menstruum, before the disslolu­tion is begun, there ought to be administred some aperitives, or openers, whereby the concretion may be first loosened, and somwhat opened: wherefore, the tincture of Steel, is more easily extracted, if its filings be sprinkled with the juice of Limons, or the Spirit of Vitriol: in like manner Harts-Horn, or the shavings of Ivory are handled when we would have the decoctions of them quickly made: when formerly I have been very solicitous about this thing, viz. that I might render the more hard bodies easily soluble, in any Menstruum, and that I had especially tryed many things about Iron; after several experiments, at length by a certain chance, and almost thinking of somthing else, I found out a preparation, whereby without any Corrosive, or Acid Liquor, by the mediation only of a gentle heat, the body of Iron is opened, that being reduced into powder, gives immediately a tincture, to any Liquor, that neither Salts themselves, are sooner dissolved in common water: By this means, I am wont to prepare suddenly, in great quantity, Mineral waters, which ex­actly resemble our Tunbridg Spaws; and to render Wine, Beer, Milk, or Whey, with no trouble Chalybeated. By this means, Syrrops, Tinctures, Extracts, or Magisteria our of Steel, are most easily to be had. Moreover, plainly by the same Artifice, Corals, Pearls, Eyes, and Claws of Crabs, and all shelly things, are prepared, that their powders presently impart to any Menstruum, a tincture, or the virtues of the whole Concrete. And in this preparation, no strange quality is introduced to the Subject, nor its own proper quality lost.

When I had by this means, learnt to unlock all Bodies whatsoever, consisting of a Saline bond, presently from the Analogy of this, was made known the means of unlocking Subjects, whose Concretion is wholly Sulphureous: for I am wont so to prepare common Sulphur, that its powder immediatly impreg­nates any Liquor, with the tincture and virtue of Sulphur. The Spirit of Wine, suddenly contracts a deep colour, and very red, that being put into it. Common water by the infusion, or decoction of the same Powder, is rendered clearly Sulphureous, and gilds Silver, and by this means, from that Tincture, a praecipitation being made of White Wine, or Vinegar, the Milk of Sulphur is easily prepared, in great quantity. Out of Sulphurated Wine by this infusion, I make a Syrrop, than which there is scarce found a more excellent remedy, in the distempers of the Thorax. By this means, Tinctures, Extracts, Magi­stries, are prepared from Sulphur, with no labour, and without any smatch of the fire. By the same way preparations from Amber, Benzoin, and other Sul­phureous things, easily dissolvable in any Menstruum, are composed. But enough and too much of this: we will now pass to the other great dissolvent of Na­ture.

CHAP. X. Of the Nature of Fire: and by the way of Heat, and Light.

WE may almost pronounce the same thing of Fire, what the Philosophers of old did of the first Matter, to wit, that it was potentially every where, and in all things; but in none, in act. For among these sublunaries, Fire hath got no existence of its own Nature, or certain means of duration: It is produced almost in every Subject, but is retained long in none, but it suddenly vani­sheth, and expires: yea unless some external accidents, oftentimes should concur for its production, I think it had not at all been in the world. Some have dreamed, that its Sphear is scituate under the Moon: but this was introduced only, for the making the Hypothesis of the four Elements: for such a thing seems consonant neither to Sense, nor Reason. That we may rightly search out the Nature of Fire, we must seek in what Bodies it is chiefly to be found, and how they are disposed; and then we may proceed to the unfolding its essence.

The Subjects most convenient both for the producing, and the maintaining of Fire, are of that kind, in which there are very many Particles of Sulphur, and but only a moderate portion of Water, Salt, and Earth: for these do hinder its inkindlings, and being plentifully poured on it, extinguish it being inkindled: Wherefore Bituminous, Fat, and Oyly things, quickly take flame: so also Chips, Straw, light and dry Wood: in the mean time, Metals, Minerals, the glebe of the Earth, Dung, wet Straw, and green Wood, are hardly, or not at all to beinkindled.

Secondly, we observe, that all the time Fire continues in the Subject, Sulphureous Particles fly away in heaps, and from the departure of these, the substance of the burning body is by degrees destroyed; in the mean time, very much of Salt and Earth, remains in the form of Ashes, after the burning.

There is a third observation, that when the Sulphureous Particles are wholly, or for the most part flown out of any Subject, the burning wholly ceases, and the form of fire is quite destroyed; nor can it be renewed in the remaining matter, wanting of Sulphur.

Fourthly, we will note, that somtimes some Bodies conceive a burning with­out the advention of another fire, only by their own effervency, and by the in­testine motion of the implanted Particles, and of their own accord are reduced into Ashes; as when wet Hay is layd up close, it first grows hot, then afterwards breaks forth into smoke and flame; or the Wheels and Axeltrees of Carts or Wains, being heated by too great agitation, are inkindled.

According to these positions, we may affirm, that the form of fire, wholly depends upon Sulphureous Particles, heaped up in any Subject, and breaking forth from it in heaps: and that fire is no other thing, than the motion and eruption, of these kind of Particles, impetuously stirred up. For Sulphur is of an exceeding fierce and un­tamed Nature, whose little bodies, when (the yoak of the mixture being shook off) they begin to be thickly heaped together, diffuse themselves on every side like a torrent, break whatsoever obstacles are in the Subject, destroy whatever comes in opposition, or fling it down headlong. Nor do the only unlock their proper Subjects, but also lay open the gates and doors of any other Subject near, that they can reach to, and there incite to the like fury, all the consimilary Particles of Sulphur, and provoke them to an eruption: wherefore fire every where inkindles fire.

The Sulphureous Particles, while they, heaped together within the confines of their Subject, or on its Superficies, are agitated with a rapid motion, but are detained by the Embrace of other little Bodies, from a more free eruption, and more aggregated, constitute the form of fire; as is to be seen in burning Coals, or in glowing Iron; but when these sort of Particles fly away by heaps, from the same Subject, and bound together, they produce flame, which is only an heap, or rather a torrent, of the Par­ticles of Sulphur flowing together, and conjunctly flying away: if Watery, Earthy, [Page 37]and Saline Particles, are commixt with the Sulphureous breaking away, and are able to disjoyn and separate them, only smoke is excited; which afterwards, the Sulphu­reous little Bodies more plentifully breathing forth themselves, and getting together, breaks forth into flame.

The inkindling of Fire happens very many ways. The first and most simple is, when from hard bodies struck one against another, but oftenest from a Flint struck against Steel, sparks of fire break forth; which being received in Tinder, made of a Linnen Cloth burnt to blackness, dilate themselves, and then a Match or Sulphurated thing being applyed, they cause the inkindling of a flame. Secondly, a fire often happens in dry Wood, and dry things, when by the too great attrition of the parts, and agaitation, being made hot, they conceive an inkindling of their own accord. And thirdly, when Bodies abounding with Sulphur, as Hay, or Flax laid up wet, (of which mention was before made) grow hot of their own accord, and afterwards are inkindled. The fourth way, is the most usual, of introducing fire into any Sub­ject, that it may be inkindled by another fire. We will a little more consider the se­veral processes of these.

1. Hard Bodies struck one against another, shake forth little sparks of fire: as a Flint with Iron, or with a Flint; Indian Canes, the Fire Stone, and many other things. The reason of this is, because the Particles of Sulphur, which reside in the Superficies of a hard Body, if they are smitten by another hard Body, are not able to go back inward, (because in hard things there is not afforded any cession of the parts, from place to place) nor can the smitten Particles of Sulphur evaporate by degrees; but that by reason of the vehemency of the stroke, they are necessitated to break forth in heaps: Wherefore, when by this means, many of them are moved together, and are aggregated, they exhibit the apparition of fire, The sparks being received into the half-burnt Linnen or Tinder, are dilated into a greater fire, for that the Sulphure­ous Particles, in such a Subject are eminent, and are brought as it were to the very top it self of eruption or breaking forth, wherefore by the least spark being moved or stirred up, a way being made they fly away.

The very same reason is for Wood being made hot, and afterwards fired, by too great attrition; by which means, the Axeltrees and Wheels of Chariots, or of Mills, are frequently fired: for the Sulphureous Particles, being by this means very much moved, are more thickly heaped together; and when, having as it were made an Army, they are able to remove, or strike away the rest, they presently break forth in Troops, and by their going away cause a burning.

In Hay or Dung laid up wet, the Particles of Sulphur very much abound; which having gotten the watery Latex for a Vehicle, run themselves into motion: but when for want of Ventilation, they cannot by little and little exhale, being straitned with­in, and so brought into their exaltation, they are able to joyn more one to another, and mutually to incite themselves: then afterwards, being very much heaped toge­ther, they unfold themselves more largely, and begin to break the Dens of the Sub­ject, and so produce a burning. For it is to be observed in any Subject, when the Particles of Sulphur, being more slowly moved, fly away by degrees, neither heat, nor fire, but only a dryness, and leanness, succeed. But if they are more rapidly moved, than that they may be able to exhale leisurely, a heat is stirred up in the Sub­ject: then if yet they are agitated more vehemently, and impetuously, and being more thickly agglomerated or heaped together, they break forth in heaps, a deflagra­tion or flame follows the heat.

Fire being inkindled in any Subject, enters and inkindles, whatever Sulphureous thing is next it. For as Saline Menstrua, viz. Stygian waters, assault Metals, stuffed with Mineral Salt, and loosen their Saline Particles, as being of kin, from the mix­ture; so also the Sulphureous Particles, being inkindled, break whatever Sulphure­ous Particles are next them, and stir them up into the like motion of burning, with themselves.

Thus much concerning the nature and production of Fire: it remains that we next inquire into the effects of Fire, and also concerning its virtue and efficacy; to wit, what kind of Bodies it dissolves, and by what means; and also for what uses it serves for. The chief effects of Fire are Heat and Light; either of them are excited by emanations, or Effluvia, sent from an inkindled Body; but after a far different man­ner: for truly, heat is most often produced at a distance, without light; also light, without any sensible heat.

Heat, forasmuch as it belongs to the sense of the touch, is conceived, when a cer­tain passion is induced in the skin, or any other Organ of the touch, whereby the lit­tle Fibres and Nervous parts are drawn asunder, moved into light Spasms or Convul­sions, and somtimes (if the stroke be vehement) suffer a solution of the union. This is wont to be done, either by the bringing near of Fire, or of another Body made hot by Fire, or by some other means. For from either, the Sulphureous or warming Par­ticles being excited, into a more rapid motion, and breaking forth by heaps spread abroad, which, as so many little darts, being thrust into our skin, or other Sensory of the touch, either by tickling gently, they bring to it a pleasing sense of heat; or by striking it more grievously, the troublesom sense of burning or scorch­ing.

For the effect of heat, Fire is applyed to Bodies, eith immediatly, and so either for the sake of Burning, Rosting or Boyling; or mediatly, viz. by the interjection of another Body. Bituminous things, Coals, and other things dug out of the Earth, also Vegetables and chiefly their Leaves, and Woods, are burnt, for heat, necessary for human uses, and for the producing, and conserving it. Stones are burnt for Lime; Vegetables for the preparing of Salts. The flesh of Animals is wont to be Rosted, and the Fruits of Vegetables; whereby they may become better food for men. For by Roasting, the superfluous humidity is evaporated, and the Sulphureous parts be­ing stirred by the neighbouring heat, are placed in their vigor and exaltation, by which means, they afford a more grateful food to the Palat, and of better digesti­on to the Stomach. By fire Metals are fused or melted, and most Minerals, where­by they are either very much purified, or they are better formed into various fi­guresby Smiths. Metals, and very many Minerals, also Salts, although they are not inflamed, and take a firing (because they abound with less Sulphur, than Salt) yet by a violent fire, they glow, and suffer a fusion; for that the Sulphureous Particles of the Fire, enter the Saline little Bodies, tho most compact, and dissociate them for the time; which however pulled one from another, presently the fire being exhaled, come again together, and are strictly united.

Secondly, when fire is mediatly administred, the Particles of the soluted Sulphur, and heaped together into fire, are dissociated, as when a cloud is dispersed into most little drops of Rain: wherefore they lay aside the form of fire; but tho dispersed, they easily pass through any impediment, and induce a sufficient strong heat to every Subject. By this means, fire is accommodated to very many uses, the chief of which, and the more accustomed, are, elixation or boyling, digestion, and distil­lation.

In Boyling, the Particles of heat do pass into a watery Menstruum, and being united with its Particles, insinuate themselves deeply into the thing to be boyled: whose su­perfluous humidities they carry away, digest the crudities, and carry them into a state of maturity. Boyling is instituted, either that the Liquor might be impregnated with the strength of the thing to be Boyled, or that the thing to be Boyled might be made tender, by the Liquor entring into it, and its Particles exalted: for Meats and all Eatable things, are rendered more grateful to the Palate by Boyling, even as well as by Rosting.

Digestion is very much used in Medicines, that their more slow Particles, may be carried to a greater activity; and somtimes, that they being too fierce might be fixed, and rendred more mild.

The most noble use of heat, or of mediat fire, is had in distillations; for the Particles of heat, do pull away some Particles of the Subject from others, (as it were by a Spagyric Anatomy) they resolve all Bodies, into their parts and princi­ples. But the consideration of this thing, is too laborious and hard, to be inserted into this Tract.

As heat respects the Sensory of the Touch, so Light that of the Sight, and affects it so after a proper and peculiar manner, that nothing at all is discerned, besides the rays of light, direct, or reflected: for the various appearances of Colours, and the divers proportions of Bodies, and whatsoever we see with our Eyes, is only light; to wit, either proceeding directly, or strait from a lucid Body, or retorted from another Body, to the Eye, and so formed into various figures and colours. The consideration of Light, contains in it self, very many stupendious things, and is of deep speculation; which are not however proper for this place: It will suffice to take notice here, of a sew things, concerning its Original, Motion, and Perceptibility.

Light is wont to be distinguished, either that it is Etherial, which flows from the Sun and Stars; or Elementary, which only proceeds from a fired Body, enkindled into a flame. It seems, that either is only flame enkindled in a greater dimension, and di­lated into a most thin composition: for it appears to the sense, that from Sulphureous things being inflamed, (as for example) from a burning Candle, most thin Effluvia's. or most small divided little Bodies perpetually do spring; which being diffused into an Orb, and stretched forth into right Lines, as it were from the Centre to the Cir­cumference, are still expanded on every side, in a great heap, and fill all the space within the Sphear of its activity, with a luminous ray. The Particles of the flame, which first fall away or depart from a lucid Body, are still driven forward by those following behind; and so these also by others; and so by a continued Series of Particles of the flames still succeeding, the beams of light are formed, and are thickly or closly dire­cted into all parts.

The motion of these is exceeding swift; like streams of water, breaking forth with a force, they pass through the medium in the twinckling of a Eye, and, as those wa­ters, if the motion be cut off near the Spring, most swiftly vanish. When the Rays of light come directly from a Luminous Body, they constitute a medium, only clear or lucid, without the appearance of any colour or image: when the same Rays meet with a solid Body, they do not pass rightly through it, but being either broken off, they are drowned or lost, or else they are reflected and leap back or rebound, as when a Ball being cast against a Wall, with a continued motion is struck back, upon other parts, according to the Angles of what stopped it. The Rays of light, reflected from other Bodies, being fallen into the Eye, represent the Images of visible things, and the varieties of colours. For as the superficies of visible Bodies are rough, and indued with little pores, and innumerable eminences, or risings up, hence the Rays of light, being most thickly impacted in them, and reflected from every part, according to all the ways of inclinations, and directions, as for as they go, do meet together round about, into very many tops of Cones, in which the beams proceeding from the whole object, as from a base, represent the image or similitude of the whole; and in these kind of images, the medium is every where planted, that wherever the Eye is placed, it be­holds the image of the same thing, though not wholly after the same manner. But forasmuch, as the beams of the same light, being impacted in every Body, and vari­ously refracted and distorted, about its rough and unequal superficies, from thence re­flected as it were with turnings and windings into the Eye, they cause the diverse Phae­nomena or appearances of colours, to appear. For colous, and images of things, do not exist in their own nature, but as it were spectrums, only from another place, change their apparitions by the Rays of light. When dark night brings thick dark­ness to this inferior world, things are not perceived but by the Touch, and lose all their appearances: when the Sun revisits the Hemisphere, he brings forth a new Creation of things; and the whole Atmosphere is filled at once, with a sudden and manifold progeny, to wit, with infinite images of Bodies, and appearances of colours.

Therefore Light does not only illustrate the medium, that sight may be made, as some would have it; but it also creates the very objects of sight, and introduces them into the Penetralia or inward parts of the Eye, yea to the most inward recesses of the Brain. This doth the same Office for the Eye, as the Intellect doth for the Soul, to wit, it forms the Ideas or Images of Bodies, and renders them perceptible by the vi­sive faculty. Light only is able to penetrate the Coats and Humors of the Eye, to move the little Fibres of the Optic Nerve, and to stir them up into an act of senfati­on. Because the Images of things, being forged by the Rays of light, variously re­flected, and meeting together on the tops of the Cones, are stayed within the Pupil, or dark spot of the Eye; they seem as objects in a close Chamber, admitted by a small hole, to be represented to the lefe: and the Concave or Convex Glasses, whereby the parallel beams are broken, or the inverse reduced or brought back, do egregiously supply the humors placed in the Eye, beyond the industry of human Art; by the help of which, the image of every object is painted, near the thin skin of the Eye, in its just figure and proportion: and then, from the motion, which this Image impresses on the little Fibres of the Optick Nerve, the act of sight is performed in the Brain. Thus much for Heat and Light, the Speculation of which, tho it may seem to be alto­gether besides the Doctrine of Fermentation, yet forasmuch as by the motion of these kind of Sulphureous Particles, many other Physical Operations also performed, a [Page 40]brief mention of them ought not to have been overpass'd in this place. But before we shall lay aside quite the consideration of Fire, it will be here worth our while to inquire concerning some Subjects, as it were irregular, to wit, in which fire shews ad­mirable virtues, and beyond its common manner: of this sort, are among Simples common Sulphur, and Sal Nitre; among Compounds, Gun-Powder, and Aurum Fulminans.

Concerning common Sulphur we may observe, that it quickly catches fire, heat it immediatly breaks forth into flame such (as nothing besides) that by its deflagration it puts out the Kitchen fire, that it sends forth a blueish flame, and whitens all ob­jects with its Smoke or Soot. If you behold the matter of this Subject, or the parts of which the mixture is composed, its Spagyrical Analysis will exhibit, great plenty of pure Sulphur, a moderate quantity of Vitriolic Salt, a little of Spirit, Water and Earth. For when common Sulphur is dissolved, by the Spirit of Turpentine, the Sulphureous part impregnates the Menstruum, with a very deep Tincture, and the Sa­line grows into Crystals: or when it is fired under a Bell, the Sulphur wholly burns, in the mean time the Salt being resolved, and having taken a Flux, is fixed about the sides of the Vessel, and so exhibits a Liquor, most like the Spirit of Vitriol, or rather the very same. To which add, if you mingle the Oyl of Vitriol, and Antimony to­gether, and distill it in a Retort, a Yellow Sulphur, just like the common, will be Sublimed in the neck of the Retort.

I say therefore, because there are very many Particles of Sulphur in this Concrete, and that they lie loose and unbound in the mixture, (to wit, neither divided and se­parated by the coming between of Earth, or Water, nor much bound together by Salt) therefore they are of a most prompt motion: wherefore by the least spark of fire, they break forth from the loose frame; and because very many run forth adoors toge­ther, therefore not a naked fire, as in every Combustible thing besides, but first of all and immediatly a flame is inkindled. Its flame becomes blueish, because 'tis almost pure Sulphur that burns, not mixed with the Particles of Water and Earth, as it is in Wood or Straw. The very same thing happens to Spirit of Wine being inflamed. It extinguishes the Kitchen fire by reason of the little Bodies of Vitriolic Salt left be­hind; and the same being eventilated with the flame and fume of Sulphur, gives a white colour to things; the like to which, the Effluvia's, exhaled from the Spirit of Vitriol, or Stygian Waters, do effect.

Concerning Sal Nitre, we will take notice, that it is not to be inkindled at all by it self; but to be melted by an intense fire: but being mixed with any Sulphureous things, it breaks forth into a flame, with a certain force and explosion: For being ad­ded to common Sulphur, Antimony, or Tartar, it burns with a thundering noise; also if you put into melted Nitre, a burning Cole, or Wood, the flame is exploded round about, with a wind, so that the matter put in is flung up and down here and there, and often times flung clear out of the Vessel: by this kind of deflagration, what is Nitrous is consumed, the fixed Salt (which is Tartar) remains. When Nitre is distilled, Sand or Brick dust, is mixt with it in a double quantity at least; other­wise the Nitre melting is not at all loosened into a vapor. In the distilling the vapor sent forth is very red; so that the Receptacle shines with a splendor, as if a flame were shut up within it: a sharp corrosive Liquor is stilled forth, which dissolves most Metals; also Gold.

These things being truly weighed, it seems that this mixture consists chiefly of aboundance of Salt, and a little Sulphur, but these not fixed and idle, but either ex­alted, and ready for motion, and not without a certain resistance bound together: to wit, the Sulphureous little Bodies, being rouled about by the Saline, and as it were strictly pressed, still endeavour to get forth; but being strictly bound within, they are not able to rise forth by their own strength, or endeavour: but as soon as, by the mixture and inkindling of another Sulphureous Body, the Particles of the Salt are disjoyned, and their Prisons unlocked, presently the included little Bodies of Sulphur, as it were breaking Prison, fling themselves forth with violence, remove every Obsta­cle, and strike the Air violently with a sudden eruption.

The reason why fire doth not inkindle Nitre, being inclosed in a Vessel, but only melts it, when in the mean time, any Sulphureous matter being fired, makes it to flame forth with a noise, is, because the little Bodies, which fall away from the fire, enter the Nitre, make it a little loose, and dissociate the concretion of the Salt, but not so loosen it, that a way may be made for the included Sulphur: but by the addition [Page 41]of Sulphureous things, the Saline compaction is more dissolved, and is so far unlocked, that the Particles of the inclosed Sulphur fly away all together, and being freed from their straightness, do hugely stretch themselves abroad, and seek greedily an im­mense space.

That there is plenty of Sulphur in Nitre, besides its deflagration, the Genesis of it sufficiently testifies; for it is beget chiefly in places, where the Sulphureous Excre­ments of Animals abound. The use of it in agriculture argues the same thing, be­cause the fertility of the Earth depends very much upon it: And to this also, the flaming colour, shining in the distilling may persuade.

From these premises, it will not be difficult, to unfold the nature of Gun-Powder, used in Warlike Instruments. For the sudden firing, and vehement explosion of it arise, for that those very many, and almost infinite Particles of Sulphur, which con­stitute that fire-dilating Body, being fired, fly away together in a moment; all which breaking forth at once, a force being made, and desiring a most free and ample space, for their expansion, violently move the Air, and all obstacles, and so are exploded or thrust forth with a noise. There is in this mixture, common Sulphur put, because its Particles are loose, and ready for motion, and therefore apt to move a quick in­kindling: there is added Charcoal dust, because in that also, the little Sulphureous Bodies (as is seen in Tinder, that is made of half burnt Linnen) are brought to the very top of eruption; and therefore these presently conceive an inkindling, and both these being fired, and opposed to the Nitre, they quickly loosen its frame, and send forth the Sulphureous Particles inclosed in it; which indeed break forth from their im­pediments with a force, and as the blast of a Bellows, encrease the strength of the whole in firing. The Charcoal dust is added in a moderate quantity; though it a­bounds with Terrestrial matter, yet by reason of the Sulphur being carries forth in it, it accelerates the deflagration of this mixture: For the Coal and Nitre being beaten together, is sooner fired, and with a greater explosion, than Nitre and Sulphur: But if the Coals be added to this Composition, (as they are wont to make it for Cannon and great Guns) in a greater quantity than it ought, and improportionate to the Nitre, the immediat firing is somwhat retarded, by reason of the interjection of the Earthy matter; and it happens, that the Sulphureous little Bodies therein, apt to be too hastily inkindled, are a little disjoyned, and so the substance of the infused powder, takes fire successively, and by parts, and not all at once.

The reason of Aurum Fulminans does not so manifestly appear: but it seems won­derful, that the Calx of a Metal, otherways inviolable by fire, should be brough into a powder, one grane of which, if it be but lightly heated by fire, is exploded with so great a force, and yields such a noise, that is an hundred fold beyond Gun-powder. I know many deduce the cause of this, as in Gun-powder, from a Nitrous-Sulphure­ous mixture: For they suppose the Nitre drawn forth from the solvent Menstruum, to joyn together with the Sulphur of thE Metal, and so the powder from thence prepared, to get that fulminating force. But in truth, if this matter be better thought on, it will appear far otherways; because this golden thundring powder, is not at all in­kindled, as preparations of Nitre with Sulphur: for if fire be put to it, it goes off only successively, by grains, nor as in Gun-powder, doth the whole fulminate at once; but being put into an Iron, Silver, or other convenient Vessel, and for some time heated, by a sudden fire, at length all the Particles being stirred together into motion, it is ex­ploded with a mightly noise; but yet being explosed, it yields neither flame nor sparks neither is the Gold lost. For if this powder fulminates in an open Vessel; whatso­ever is of the Gold, remains after the thundering, in the form of a purple powder; and may be gathered up. That the genuine cause of this may be extricated, there are some things to be observed, concerning its preparations, which will give no small light.

For the making of this powder, it is altogether requisite, that a solution of Gold be made with a Menstruum, impregnated with Sal Armoniack, or at least Analogical to it: for I have tryed it in vain with the Spirit of Nitre, Salt, with the Bezoartic Spirit, and some others. Then next it is requisite, that the Calx be precipitated with Oyl of Tartar; for if the same be brought into a powder, with Silver or Mercury being cast in, it loses its thundring force. Also, if the Liquor of the Tartar, be too pre­cipitately poured in, that with the great heat, a repercussion of the thing soluted be made, it often loses its fulminating virtue: but a precipitation being leisurely made, the powder setling in the bottom is washed away, by the often pouring on of warm water, which, though it be most often washed and dryed, far exceeds the weight of the dissolved Gold.

According to these positions, in seems most likely, that whilst the Gold is dissol­ved by an appropriate Menstruum for this business, some little Bodies of Sal Armoniack, (or some other resembling it) being greatly akin to the Gold, do most strictly co­here with its Particles; which then by the Salt of Tartar leisurely in the precipitating infused, are more fixed, and more strictly tyed fast together: and then the explosion of this powder, or Solary Calx, is nothing else than a violent eruption of those kind of Salts, from the Cohesion or Embrace of the Gold. For when the powder pre­pared after this manner; is brought to the fire, or is otherways made hot: the heat causes the Sal-Armoniack Particles, or others of the same nature affixed to the Solar, to dissociate; which notwithstanding, (when they hardly depart one from another) are not pulled asunder, but by a strong and continued heat: yet after­wards being pulled asunder with a certain force, by reason of the sudden and violent breaking off, they strike the Air impetuously, and so cause a most strong noise, for their bulk. But in the mean time, if the explosion be made under a Silver Spoon, you will see a separation made of either Particles, here the Solar of a Purple colour, there the Saline of an Ash colour. But that this powder doth not make a noise, unless it be leisurely precipitated with the Oyl of Tartar, it is because some Particles of the Salt of Tartar, being before bound together with the Sal-Armoniac Par­ticles, do couple together, by which means all are more strongly combined: For the Salt of Tartar being pounded with the mixture of Nitre and Sulphur fixes their Par­ticles for a time; that this Composition is not presently inkindled by heat; but after­wards is exploded with a strong noise. And powder prepared after this manner seems to imitate the Nature of Aurum Fulminans: and it is probable that from other Minerals dissolved and precipitated by reason of the strict Cohesions of the Salt with the Metal­lic matter, and their violent abruptions, thundering Calxes may be prepared. That truly the preparation of this chiefly depends on the Combination of the Salts, it ap­pears, because, if in the Precipitating (as I have known it somtimes to have hapned) the Oyl of Tartar, being too hastily infused, the Complexion of the Salts is dissolved with the Metallic matter, the powder falls in small quantity to the bottom, and of a very Purple colour, whose grains are fragments of almost most pure Gold, and there­fore they do not fulminate at all: afterwards in that precipitated Liquor, very many slender Crystals grow together, which are indeed the Salts, having suffered a Divorce from the Metal. Besides, That the Salt of Tartar, trings somthing to the prepara­tion of this powder, it is a sign, because those things which take away the fulminating force from this, are of the same Nature, which chiefly work upon the Salt of Tartar; as a beating it together with common Sulphur, Spirit of Salt, Oyl of Vitriol, or of Sulphur: for these grow hot, and greedily desire to be joyned with the Salt of Tartar, and so they call it away from the Embraces of the Gold; by which means the Combination of the Salts, with the Particles of the Gold, is loosned, and therefore loses its Gun-like force. What is commonly said, that this pow­der will be presently inkindled, or exploded, by a most light heat, or by shak­ing it in an Iron Ladle, is nothing true, as appears to me, for I have often tryed it. Nor is it more worthy of belief, what is said, that this only forces downwards, and breaks the thickest hollow Pipes with its force; in the mean time, that it doth not move or shake any thing laid over it, because long since I made tryal after this man­ner; two grains of this being laid in a Silver Spoon, I covered with a Doller, then a Candle being held under the Spoon, upon the explosion of the powder, there follow­ed a great noise, and there was a little hollow made in the bottom of the Spoon, almost through, and the piece of mony was carried up with a force to the Cieling, where­fore, when this Aurum Fulminans is explosed, its force is diffused round.

Altho vehement heat, and incited, and also the emission of Smoke and Soot, de­pends for the most part upon fire; yet somtimes we perceive it to be produced in some subjects, and that in a very high degree, without its being actually inkindled. A most known instance of which thing is, quick Lime sprinkled with water: which also Sty­gian waters shew, being mingled with Iron, the Butter of Antimony, and with the Salts of the stagma of Vegetables. The learned men, Gunter, Conringius, Hogelan­dus, and almost all that have touched on the Doctrine of Fermentation, have deli­vered the effects of this Nature, as especial examples of Fermentations, wherefore it will be worth our labour, to inquire somthing concerning each of them: but on this condition (which I also have observed in other disquisitions) that I willingly let a­lone the opinion of others; for a Traveller had rather drink at the Fountains [Page 43]themselves: I will then as briefly and succinctly as I can dispatch the busi­ness.

Quick-Lime is made of the Lime Stone, also of many others (excepting only such which consist of a reddish and as it were sandy grain) being Calcined in a close Fur­nace, for many days, with a reverberating fire: by this means, the frame of the mix­ture is loosned, that it goes into a friable matter, or that may be crumbled, which by reason of the high astriction or binding Nature, in which it excels, serves most ex­cellently for the making of Cements for Walls: This Calx or Lime being taken from the Furnace, reteins still the form of Stone, and seems cold to the touch, but water being poured thereon, it swells up, and grows wonderfully hot, sending forth smoak, that it burns all Bodies that are put into it, besides it falls of it self into a white dust: To which Particles this motion and heat ought to be ascribed, viz. whether to those implanted in the Lime stone, or to the others acquired by the fire, doth not easily appear: but that we may loose this knot, if we can, I have instituted this Analysis of quick Lime. I put about half a pound of it into a large Cucurbit, then water being poured thereon, I fitted the little Head with a capacious Receiver, by and by, within five mi­nutes of an hour, the matter began to swell, and to grow very hot; then a smoak, and a breath being raised, all the Vessels became so hot, that I could scarce touch them with my hands. A clear water Distilled forth into the Receiver, about six Ounces, which was not sharp, but of a Styptic or Astringent sweetish tast; the remaining powder in the Cucurbit, I boiled with common water, and the Lye thereof made, I endeavoured to boil away with a gentle Fire; while it did evaporate, there ga­thered together on the Superfices of the Liquor, a white and crusty little skin, also of a sweetish tast, and the same being taken away, presently a new one succeeded; the humor being at last wholly exhaled, there remained in the bottom nothing that was sharp or salt.

We may Collect from this, that this heat doth not proceed from the implanted Principles of the Lime stone, viz. either Saline or Sulphureous however moved with­in themselves: for only a sweetish Salt was to be found in it, which was also Volatile; and it is a sign that there is not much Sulphur in the Limestone, because by a long Cal­cination, the form of the mixture is not quite destroyed, nor its substance wholly broken: wherefore, it is very likely, that whilst these stones are burnt in the Fur­nace, some Particles of Fire do strictly cleave to the Saline, and so reside in that mix­ture, as it were strangers; which whilst they lie a sleep, and continue idle, and being separated one from another, by the coming between of Earth, although they are ve­ry many, do not raise up heat; For all heat depends upon motion: but when water is poured to it, those fiery Particles, being thrust out of their Cells, flow together, and fly aways by heaps from that Inn; so breaking forth by Troops, they cause a very intense heat, and because diluted with water, only a smoak, and not an actual Fire.

It is a sign that little Bodies of fire, or fiery Particles, do stick a long while in mat­ters Calcined, because Iron Instruments, according as those Particles are driven forth of their pores, more or less, leisurely or by heaps, become soft or hard; tough or brittle: morover it is observed, that bricks or fresh Earthen Vessels being dipped in water, cause a certain hissing; also Tobacco Pipes, if one end be put into water, and the other brought near to the Ear, yield a certain sharp noise and rumbling: add to these, that fixed Salts being Calcined, or having suffered a Flux by the Fire, become far sharper; also Stygian waters, by reason of those kind of little Bodies involved therein, which afterwards leisurely evaporate, perpetually send forth sharp fumes: and when these are poured upon Saline Calxes, not only an Ebullition is raised, by reason of the disagreeing Particles of the Salts, which strike one another mutually, whereby they might be more strictly combined; but besides, heat and smoak succeed, which for the most part arise from the fiery Particles being shuck out of their Dens. But it is not easie to give a reason why quick Lime, and no other Concretes, retain so copiously those kind of fiery Particles, and yield a strong heat, water being poured on them.

Tis plain enough that when the Sulphureous Effluviums of Fire, (forasmuch as they are most penetrating) enter all Bodies whatsoever, brought near, affect them af­fer divers manners: those which are more lax, and stuffed with active Principles, are destroyed wholly by burning, and because their substance decays, the fiery Particles, as Soldiers in a City spoiled by themselves, do not continue long in the ruined place, [Page 44]but go farther, and move their Tents: but where the Concretion of the Subject is very compact, and that its Elements cannot be so pulled in pieces by the fire, that they rather grow stiff, as is seen in Metals, Glass, Bricks, and other things made hard, either by boiling, or fusion; the fiery Particles entered in, being re­ceived in an incommodious Inn, presently go forth again; and therefore few are wont to stay in mixt things of this kind, or in things fused, or Calcined: but if fire be so applyed to the more hard Concretes, of which sort are most stones, and shelly Concretes, that the bond of the mixture be unlocked, some parts, viz. the Watery and Sulphureous are driven away, and so some spaces are made hollow, very fit for the receiving any stranger; in the mean time, that the frame of the matter be not wholly destroyed, but that it may continue its compacted and stony form, which flows not away together with its Particles, and ever threatens its ruin; in such a Subject, chiefly the Particles of fire, possessing the spaces of the parts flown away, copiously remain; and there cleaving close to the Saline little Bodies, being detained one from another, by the coming be­tween of the earthy, lie quiet; which notwithstanding afterwards, being violent­ly driven from those Inns, are able to produce by their eruption, an intense, and almost fiery heat: in the mean time those Saline little Bodies, are so loosned, by the long familiarity of the fiery, and by the embrace of one another, and of the strangers, that they become Volatile, and being diluted with water, for the greatest part evaporate with it; and the remaining Salt, because also Volatile, and having suffered almost a divorce from all the rest of the Principles, is both sweetish, and becomes desirous of Conjunction, and astringent; and therefore al­so is of excellent use for plastring of Walls.

But that Stygian waters, being poured upon the Stagmas of fixed Salts, pro­duce heat, and the same mixed with Iron, or the Butter of Antimony, stir up a mighty ardor, with a blacking smoak, the reason seems plain. As to the Stygian waters and fixed Salts, it may be said that both these Concretes are on­ly Salts, having got divers states by the fire, and so either being very much stuffed with fiery Particles (which are the most minute atoms of Sulphur:) But they being confused together, do forthwith rush into mutual embraces, and be­cause the Particles of either, are made unlike, therefore, whereby they may be more strictly united, there is made a great attrition of parts, and together an excussion of the fiery Particles, from whence the great ebullition, with a heat is excited: when the same Menstrua, are poured on Iron, or the Ice of Antimo, the Salts of either come together, and shake forth the fiery Particles, and also the Sulphureous Particles, before implanted in either Subject; which flying away in heaps, cause a smoak with a heat, but not a flame.

CHAP. XI. Of the motion of Fermentation, as it is to be observed, in the Precipitation of Bodies.

WE have hitherto treated of the Solutions of Bodies; it remains now that we speak of Precipitation, this is performed only in Liquids, which, when as they are stuffed with Heterogeneous Particles, are compelled by a matter Precipitating those Particles, to separate one from another, and to obtain for their substance, divers places and conditions: wherefore, since in this operation, there is an agitation and motion of parts, its consideration ought to be referred to the Doctrine of Fermentation.

Precipitation is performed, either in Natural things, as thiefly in Milk, Blood, Urine, and perhaps in some others; or in Artificial things, which are of a diverse Kind and Nature: but they may be described and ranked in a certain order, according as the Liquor to be Precipitated, or Precipitating, is either Spirituous, Sulphureous, Watery, or Saline: besides, according as the Particles separated from the rest, are ei­ther Elementary, ( viz. either Sulphureous, Earthy, or Saline) or Integral, which participate of the Nature of the whole mixture, and are only very small portions of

There are two common and known ways of Precipitation, whereby is made from Milk, both Cheese, and Butter: As to the first, if any sharp thing be poured into warm Milk, the thicker and Chcesie parts, presently separate from the serous and thinner, and are gathered together into a thick substance. The reason of which consisits in this: Milk has a somwhat thick consistence, and its pores and passages are very much be­set, with the thicker (to wit the Cheesie) contents; wherefore when somthing more subtil and penetrating, (as is Rennet) passes through the Liquor, it easily thrusts forth the more thick Particles, with which the pores were possessed; which then mu­tually Embrace one another, and are separated a-part from the thin, and Eheyie Li­quor. When Milk is kept long to a sourness, it is Precipitated after the same manner, without Rennet, by warming it over the fire. For in stale Milk its Saline parts get a Flux, then being stirred up by the fire, supply by their own soumess the turn of Rennet, yea it is not improbable that the fluid Salt in the Rennet provokes the Saline Particles of the Milk, into a Flux, and that for this reason chiefly its Coagulation succeeds: for that the Saline parts having gotten of their own accord a Flux, so bind the pores of the Liquor, that the more thick Contents are willingly exterminated from them: wherefore we do say, for that reason, the same thing happens, when a Flux of the same Salt is caused by some thing else put into it. But that the Coagulation of Milk happens, not only by reason of the passages and pores being possessed by a strange Body, the sign is; because the Salt of Tartar, tho exceeding Precipitatory, effects nothing, of this, and this effect is excited almost only by sour things. Sugar hinders the Pre­cipitation of Milk, and many other Liquors, because it restrains the Flux of the Ace­tous Salt, and as it is easily Soluble, and its Particles are soft and blunt, they extrude not the former Contents implanted in the Liquor, but fill all vacuities, that afterwards there is no space whereby another Precipitating Liquor may unfold it self, and break into anothers quarters.

But Country people are wont to make Butter of the Flowers or Cream of Milk, kept for the most part to a sourness, only by shaking or Churning it. The reason of which (as it seems to me) is this: in Cream there is great plenty of Sulphur, with which also a mean portion of Salt and Earth is mixed, as may be conjectured, both by the sourness of the Liquor remaining of the Butter, or the Butter-Milk, and by its thicker consistency. In this mixture, the parts both Saline and Sulphureous are in mo­tion, and a Flux: but as the Liquor is thicker they cannot presently fly away: where­fore it remains, that if the bond of the mixture be further loosned, they will separate into parts, and that first the Sulphureous Particles, which exceed the others in power, are Congregated together with a mutual embrace; wherefore these two things, the [Page 46]Churning of the Cream performs, viz. it brings the Sulphureous parts by their often obvolution together, whereby they do the better intangle themselves, and muturally ensnare one another; besides it breaks their mixture with the rest. For this reason, in the Winter time, (when Cream is thinner, and abounds less with Sulphur) Butter is hardly made. Besides the admixtion of Salt or Sugar wholly hinders its making; be­cause by the coming between of those little Bodies, the Sulphureous parts are hindred, from a mutual adhesion.

The chief Precipitation of the blood, which is performed within a living Body, is made in the Reins; where, not without the strength of a certain Coagulum or Rennet, the serus matter is separated from the rest of the blood; just as Whey from Milk: For which reason Diuretical things are of the same Nature, as those which bring a Coagulation to Milk; and therefore, because they more Precipitate the blood by susing it, they cause a large profusion of urine. The blood being sent forth of the Vessels, separates into various substances, by its own disposition: whilst it is warm, it is variously Precipitated, by some Liquors poured to it, (in like manner Urine) not without a pleasant Spectacle. If you pour upon warm blood the spirit of Wine, Harts Horn, Soot, Vitriol, or other Liquors, chiefly Spirituous or Saline, a wonder­ful Ebullition and heat is stirred up; whence we may conjecture after what manner it grows turgid, in Feavers. But before the rest. the Salt of Tartar, and a Soluti­on of Alum, procure both in Blood and in Urin, a great perturbation of the Liquor, and falling down of the parts: for these disturb all the Contents in the pores and paf­fages of the Liquor, and by their astriction, very much lock them up for a long time.

Precipitation in Artificial things is of greater note and use: for this for the most part floolws Dissolutions, and succeeds them as it were by a certain right of Order; becaust this takes out to their Jaws, and as it were lays by, the prey, which all Men­strua take by dissolving. According to the diversity of the Menstruum, and of the Body dissolved, Precipitation also variously happens: but in some Subjects there are two chief remarkable things, concerning the manner of Precipitation, to wit, the soluted Particles, immersed in the pores and passages of the Menstruum, are wont to fall out of them; either by reason of the narrowness of the conteining space, or else by reason of the Contents being increased in weight and bigness: for in some the pores of the Sol­vent, being either leisurely bound up, or beset with a strange Body, shut forth from their Cells, the little Bodies of the thing soluted, and send them to the bottom; as may be ob­served in Sulphureous Solutions, or such as are made of the whole mixture of integral parts, in a thin Liquor; which are disturbed, and lay away their Contents by external cold, simple water, or at least by any Acid infusion. After this manner resinous Tinctures, also of Sulphur, Olibanum, Benzoin, and the infusions and decoctions of Vegetables, also Urin, Milk, and Blood, are wont to be Precipitated: but in several others, besides that the pores, and passages of the Menstruum, are either leisurely drawn together, or pos­sessed by a new guest, also somthing new grows to the Particles of the thing soluted from the Precipitating matter, whereby being increased in weight and bulk, they can be no longer sustained; but that they are necessitated to sink to the bottom. This is chiefly seen in the Saline Solutions of Minerals, which are only Precipitated by the Salts; whose Particles presently cleave to the little Bodies of the thing soluted, and increase their sub­stance, that presently they descend to the bottom by their own weight: For in Saline solutions, the little Bodies of the thing soluted, are strictly bound together by the fluid Menstruum, with the Saline Particles; and the Particles run hastily and are heaped to­gether into the Embraces of the same fluid Salt, from the Precipitating infusion of the fixed Salt: wherefore, when these three, (to wit, the little Bodies of either Salt, and of the soluted matter) do cohere together, they constitute greater grains than can be eontained in the narrow spaces of the Menstruum, and therefore being thrust out, they fall down towards the bottom: That this does truly happen after this manner, the great affinity, both of the fluid and fixed Salt, is a sign; that the Particles of both being placed near or mixed together, are presently combined in one: also, because many solutions of Minerals, are presently Precipitated by a fixed Salt, but not by Vitriol or Alum be­ing put in, which do much more bind, and stop up the pores of the Liquor. Thirdly, it appears clearly even to sense, because that the matter put for a Precipitate, far ex­ceeds the thing soluted in bulk and weight, and is impregnated by the fixed Salt ad­hering to it, But these being thus disposed, we will descend to the particular cases of Percipitations, forasmuch as Precipitation is made manifold, to wit, according to the diversity of the Menstruum, of the soluted matter, and the Precipitating infusion.

Simple water, though it do not well sustain the Particles of the mixture which it re­ceives into it self by infusion, or Cohesion, yet hardly sends them away by Precipita­tion. For the pores of this Menstruum are too open and loose, wherefore the Preci­pitating matter, doth not easily strike the little Bodies of the thing soluted: in the mean time, by reason of the more loose frame of the Menstruum, some parts of the soluted Body sink down; others of their own accord evaporate, from whence that Liquor doth not long keep the Virtues or Tincture, with which they are impregnated by another. As some more thick parts and Terrestrial may be thrust down to the bot­tom, or otherways separated, we put in the Juice of Limons, or some acid thing, or boil in it the whites of Eggs, to wit, that whatsoever is thick might cleave to their viscous substance.

Spirituous and Sulphureous Menstrua, being impregnated with the Sulphureous Particles of the thing soluted, easily lay by their burthen; for they are Precipitated by common, or any Distilled water; as is seen in Sulphureous and Resinous Tinctures of Sulphur, Scammony, Benzoin, Frankincense, and others of that kind prepared by the Spirit of Wine, or Oylof Turpentine, which presently grow Milky, by Water or Phlegm being infused. For in these sort of solutions, the pores are wholly posses­sed, that they admit nothing besides the thing soluted, and besides, both the Liquor, and soluted Matter are so thin, that they easily give place to any thing else being in­fused.

When Menstruas of this kind are filled with Saline Particles, as we may observe in the Tinctures of the Salt of Corrals, of Tartar and such like, Precipitation does not presently succeed from common water, but from an Acid Liquor, as the Spirit of Vi­triol, Salt, &c.

Saline Menstruas impregnated by the solutions of Stones or Metals, are most easily Precipitated by Saline Particles, and scarce by others. The chief Precipitatory Li­quor, is the Salt of Tartar, or of Herbs burnt to Ashes, deliquated or melted; for this strikes back the Particles of every soluted thing whatsoever, and sends them head­long to the bottom; to wit, forasmuch, as it passes through every where, the little spaces of the solvent, and sticking to the Contents, increases them in bulk, that they more easily fall out of the pores of the Menstruum, bound also together with their own weight.

What fluid Salt (as Vinegar, Stygian waters, &c.) dissolves, the same a fixed Salt precipitates; and on the contrary: because Salt of Tartar being melted, most excel­lently penetrates common Sulphur, and receives the Tincture; which then is preci­pitated by a fluid Salt, viz. by the Spirit of Vitriol, and the like: which indeed does not happen, by reason of the disagreeing Particles of the Salts, and mutually opposing one another; but for that the same are greatly of kin, and rush into mutual Embra­ces: for from hence, the little grains of the thing soluted, by reason of the cohering of both the Salts together, being increased in bulk and weight, are more readily thrust out of the little spaces of the Menstruum, and descend to the bottom. We will in this place, more sparingly insist upon instances of this nature, because the more full hand­ling of them belongs to the Chymical Work.

Precipitation is not only observed in the separation of a more thick matter, from a serous latex, and in the settling of the disturbed parts towards the bottom; but som­times the Particles shut up within the pores and passages of the Liquor, are so small and subtil, that being Precipitated, they are not discerned by the sight, neither do they quickly descend to the bottom; but from their situation and position, being va­riously changed, the colour, and consistency of the Liquor, are diversly altered. I was wont in times past, to sport with the solutions of Vegetables and Minerals, which be­ing made by themselves, were clear like Spring water, and appeared bright, being commixed, shewed now a Black colour, now a Milky, Red, Green, Blue, or some other kind. The solution of Saturn, (or Lead) being made with distilled Vinegar, appears bright like common water, if you add to this Oil of Tartar, like clear water, the mixture straight grows White like Milk. If Antimony calcined with Nitre, be boiled in Spring water, the straining seems clear, and almost without smell, which yet being dashed by any Acid thing. presently acquires a deep yellow colour, with a most wicked stink. Common water being imbued by an infusion of Mercury Sublimate, is presently tinged with yellowness, by Oyl of Tartar dropped into it. Quicksilver and Sal Armoniack, being beaten together, and Sublimated in a Matrace by the heat of Sand, go into a white powder, this being soluted by melting shows like to clear Spring [Page 48]water, which yet being smeared upon Brass or Copper, appears like Silver; and be­ing lightly rubbed on brasen Vessels, renders them as if they were perfectly silvered. A solution of Calcined Tin, being put to melted Salt of Tartar becomes bluish. A clear infusion of Galls, being mixt with a solution of Vitriol, makes Ink; if you add to this Spirit of Vitriol, or Stygian water, the black Liquor is by and by made clear like Spirit of Vitriol, or Stygian water, the black Liquor is by and by made clear like Spring water; and this Oil of Tartar reduces again to Ink. And what is more wonderful, if you write on Paper with the clear infusion of Vitriol, and frame any Letters; what you so write presently vanishes, nor is there any marks of the Chara­cters left: but if you smear over the Paper with an infusion of Galls, presently the Letters may be read, as if wrote with Ink; which yet, with a Pen run over, dipt in Spirit of Vitriol, you may put quite out at once wetting, and then again reder them, with wetting them with another Liquor of Tartar. The Sky-colour Tincture of Vio­lets, being dashed with Oil of Vitriol, becomes of a Purple colour: to which, if you add some drops of the Spirit of Harts Horn, that Purple colour is changed into Green. Brasil Wood, being infused in common water, leaves a very pleasant Tin­cture, like to Claret Wine; if you pour to this a little distilled Vinegar, the Liquor appears clear like White Wine: a few drops of Oil of Tartar reduces it to a deep Purple colour: then if the Spirit of Vitriol be poured in, it becomes of a pale yellow, like to Sack; if you add the Salt of Lead, being soluted by deliquation, the mixture grows presently Milky: by this means you may imitate that famous Water-drinker, who having swallowed down a great deal of Spring water, was wont to vomit forth into Glasses placed before him, diversly coloured Liquors, resembling the ideas of di­vers kinds of Wines: for Glasses being medicated with the aforesaid Tinctures, (so lightly that they may not be perceived by the standers by) will not only cause the wa­ter poured into them, to imitate every Wine, but will exhibit the very Proteus him­self of the Poets, changed into waters, and from thence putting on all colours, and infinite forms.

If a Reason of these kind of appearances be asked, it ought to be sought in the minute Particles, contained within the pores of every Liquor; which as to their site and posi­tion, being diversly altered, by another Liquor infused, transmit variously the Rays of Light, many ways break or reflect them, and so make divers appearances of co­lours. For when the Rays of Light pass through almost in right Lines, they make a clear colour like Spring water; but if in their passage, they be a little broken, the Li­quor grows yellowish; but being more refracted, they cause a red colour; if they are bowed back, so as to be drained, or that they cannot shew themselves, a dark or black colour arises; but if they are again reflected, to the outmost Superficies of the Liquor, they create the image of Whiteness: after this manner we might variously Philosophise about other colours, and their appearances, the diversity of which, and sudden alterations in Liquids, depend chiefly on Precipitation: because, as the Par­ticles conteined in the Liquor, are driven somtimes more near by another infusion that they clasp themselves together; somtimes are ordered into other series of positions, the diverse representation of colours is made. For Liquor being impregnated with lit­tle Bodies or Atoms, or this Nature, most minutely broken, seems as an Army of Soldiers placed in their Ranks, who now draw into close Order, now open their Files and Ranks, now turn to the left, now to the right hand, as is diversly shown in the exercising of Tacticks, or the Art Military. When two clear Liquors being mixed together shall make Ink, it is because the Particles conteined in either, approach near one another, and as it were placed in their close Orders hinder the passage of the beams of light: when afterwards, this Ink is made clear by another Liquor poured in, it is because the new Bodies of the thing put in, disperse abroad the former close joyned Particles, and drive them as it were into their open Orders.

CHAP. XII. Of the motion of Fermentation, as it is to be obser­ved in the Coagulation, and the Congelation of Bodies.

OOagulation and Congelation of Natural Bodies, no less than their Solution, depend only on these our Principles. The improportionate mixture of these, and the exaltation, and powerfulness of some above others, are the cause of either. Sprit and Sulphur being loosned from the bond, do not only pull assunder the proper Subjects, but the set upon whatever is next them; and where they are mighty in number and strength, they affect nothing more than divorces and separati­ons from the rest of the Principles, and suffer no delay: but on the contrary, Salts love to be united to the rest, and to be made into hard and solid substances; and being de­stitute of the Company of the rest, presently to enter into new Friendships, and de­sire only not to be joyned to any opposite. If at any time they are more impetuously moved, either by their own disposition, or being soluted, they destroy the substance of others, this thing seems to be done for this end, destinated as it were by Nature, that they might find out Subjects agreeable to themselves, and having through War ob­tained Peace, they might at length be more strictly united to them: wherefore when Saline Menstruums corrode Stones or Metals, they are Coagulated with their Particles, and grow together into diversly figured Crystals.

When we here treat of Coagulation, we do not take this word after the usual man­ner: to wit, as it is wont to be vulgarly usurped, when Milk is become congealed, that is, departs from its simple and equal Liquor into Heterogeneous substances, viz. Cheese, or Curds and Whey, or thick and thin; in like manner, when blood or other humors go into parts after that manner, they are said to be coagulated: also, we have else­where given this sense, to this word, tho to speak properly, these sort of motions ought rather to be referred to Precipitation than to Coagulation. But here we would have to be understood, by the term Coagulation, an alteration in Bodies of the same kind, as when things at first tender and soft, grow hard, into a stiff, and as it were stony matter: or any thing is said to coagulate, when Saline little Bodies being dis­persed abroad in any Subject, begin to be congregated and joyned together, and from thence united, either among themselves or with Earth, produce out of a soft and fluid substance, a hard and compacted. This may be perceived in the shells clearly stony, of Fruits and Seed; in Bones and Horns of living Creatures, in Shells and Shelly scurffs of Fishes; all which indeed very much abound with an Alcali Salt, or the same Volatilized. Among Handicrafts, or preparations from human Industry, the Crystalisation, Vitrification of Salts, or making of Glass, also the baking of Pots and Earthen ware, ought to be referred to Coagulation.

But it is properly called Congelation, when the Saline Particles, coming from else­where, strictkly bind together the Subjects on which they fall, fix the Particles variously moved within the substance of the mixture, and gather them together, that by that means the whole becomes stiff, and as it were stony. We may behold these kind of effects in Ice and Frost, by which soft Mud, or fluid Springs of waters grow stiff, in­to a very Marble substance. Also the same is manifestly beheld, among the Operations of Art, in the confusions of some Salts, and mutual Concretion in Sublimating; by which means, they go into a substance, now like to Ice, now to Snow. To which may be added the Artificial turning of water to Ice, which is performed by the mixture of Salt and Snow; but the instances which we have remarked in either of these, about the Works of Art, we will in this place briefly run through, and a little consider the reasons of them, and the ways of being done.

The Crystalisation of Salts, is procured after this manner; Salts of every kind are throughly dissolved in common water, and their Particles being dispersed through the whole mass of the Liquor, wholly disappear; afterwards, if this liquor be somwhat [Page 50]evaporated, that its passages and pores be somthing bound together, the little Bodies of the Salt close one with another, and mutually take hold of themselves, and joyn together, the outward cold binding them, and are figured in the midst of the water, into Crystals proper to their Nature. By this means Sal Nitre into Pyramids, Sea Salt into Cubes, Alum into eight cornered Figures, Sal Armoniack into six cor­nered, and other Salts are formed into other Figures of their own accord, after a con­stant manner.

If the Reason of this be sought after, we say that these kind of Salts are not simple Elements, but Bodies made up of abundance of Salt, with the other Elements mixed with them in small quantity; which even as other Natural Concretes, are allotted by the first Creator, peculiar manners of figurations, according to the surpassing strength of Salt and Spirit, and commixion with the rest. For in determining the Figures of Natural Bodies, Spirit and Salt are as the Rule and Compass in describing Mathemati­cal Figures: Spirit, as the moveable Foot of the Compass, or as a Pensil in the hand of an Artist, variously excurs and draws here and there diverse fashioned lineaments. But salt (as the applyed Rule) moderates the excursions of the other, and determinates them, and restrains them within the confines designed by Nature: when the Spirit is more powerful than the Salt, there happens a greater variety in the Figuration of things, as in Vegetables and Animals; because the Spirit running forth more largely, forms very many Marks of its Pourtracture, and describes Bodies not in right Lines, but intorted, and very much variegated. Where the Salt Lords it over the Spirit, as in Mineral Concretes, and chiefly Saline; Bodies grow together in less adorned Figures, and are accounted the first and more simple, and of that sort, as the Mathematical descripti­ons in right Lines or Circles. For those Salts, are as it were second Elements; and from the implanting of them in Bodies, the proper and native Figures of things, ve­ry much depend; and therefore they themselves are primitively imbued by Nature with a certain Elementary Configuration, (so that according to Plato, God in truth exer­cises Geometry) and the first regular Figures are formed in the more simple, that things compounded of them, might arise furnished with all manner of variety of fi­gures.

The fixed Salts of Herbs being prepared by Calcination, because they are almost destitute of the Fellowship of Spirits, do scarce go at all into Crystals, nor are they coa­gulated, but by a long evaporation. Sea Salt containing a very little Spirit, with great Labour goes into Cubes. Next to this Alum, guifted with a little more Spirit, is more easily coagulated, and grows into more elaborate Figures, viz. eight cornered Sal Nitre, swelling with spirit, is most easily coagulated, and is framed into a more perfect Figure, viz. Pyramidical; which consists of both Spherical, and Right Lines. But Volatile Salt, (such as is distilled out of Urine, Blood, and the Horns of living Creatures) being associated with a plentiful Spirit, is drawn into Concretes, very much varying, which imitate now the Horns of Staggs. now the Figures of Plants. Out of Mercury, with Salt, or the Calx of Silver, by an Amalgama, in the midst of the waters a Silver Tree is formed, with Stock, Trunk and Branches, painted to the Life. It is a usual thing in the Winter time, for the Air, impregnated with Saline Vapors, and fallen on the Glass Windows, to be condensed into most fair Firgures of Trees and Woods. So much for the Crystallisation of Salts: The other Species of Coagulation, is Vitrification, of which we will speak next.

Vitrification (which is also said to be the last mutation of Bodies, of which Nature is capable, and from which there is no going back) depends upon a fused Salt, and united to an Earthy matter, even to its smallest Particle: for when either matter is fused, by a most vehement fire, and divided in its smallest parts, the Bodies of either, being put into a Flux, are by so strict a marriage joyned together, that afterwards they are never to be pulled assunder.

There are many ways, and diverse provisions of Vitrification, to wit, of Sal Al­cali, with Sand or a sandy matter fused together by a violent fire, common Glass is made; which is transparent, both by reason of the abundance of Salt, and of the clearness of the Sand; for if you behold the little Sands of which Glass is made, with a Microscope, each of their little Globes appear, (as they were Glassie Gems) clear and shining. Wherefore Salt promotes; the fusion of that clear matter by fire, and then is admitted into its most strict embraces being fused.

Besides Glasses of diverse Colours and Consistences are made of Minium, the Calx of Tinn, Antimony, and some other Minerals, (when the Sulphureous part doth first [Page 51]fly away) fused, now by themselves, now with Flint or Sandy matter. The reason of all which consists in this; that Salt and Earth, being most smally broken by a violent fusion of fire, and being divided as to their least Particles, catch hold of one another, and so are bound together, by the most strict bond of the mixture. The Coalition or Coupling of these, is never to be dissolved, because there is wanting within in the mixture, other Principles, which might unlock the frame of the Subject: yea Salt and Earth, being joyned by the mediating fire, do so intimately cohere, that they affect not divorces of themselves, nor suffer them from another.

The baking of Earthen Pots and Bricks, is of kin to Vitrification (or making of Glass) whereby moist and soft Clay is stifned into a very stony hardness: But in these, there is greater plenty of Earth, and less of Salt; wherefore they are less brittle, and not transparent. Concerning these we say, that by the fire mediating, and as it were handying the smallest, broken, and divided Particles of Salt, are married to every Particle of the Earthy matter, and with them grow hard, into as it were a stony sub­stance, and that not easily to be resolved. Also in these kind of matters, prepared by human Industry, we imitate indeed, with an excellent Artifice, the Concretions of Bones and Stones, made by Nature in divers Families of Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals.

As to what respects Congelation; Salts of a diverse kind, do often meet together, and grow stiff, into as it were a new substance: But this happens many ways. Of these, some Salts being mixed together, presently grow together into Crystals: for the Acid Spirits of Minerals being added to the Salts of Tartar, or those made of the inci­neration of Vegetables turn into a white Coagulum like Snow, and with a spumeous or frothy Heat: The reason of which is, that the Particles of the Salt, having gotten a Flux, take hold of other Salts in the Spirit, Alcalisate by melting; but by reason of the first Particles of either, being made unlike, there arises a strife; then form the same consociated in one, that white settlement is made.

Not unlike the same manner, these Acetous Spirits, to wit, of Vitriol, Nitre, Salt, and others being mixed with Metals, while they corrode them, are Crystallised toge­ther with their Saline Particles: so the Spirits of Vitriol, Nitre, also Stygian waters, (which are only Salts having gotten a Flux) are formed into most elegant Crystals, in the dissolving of Silver, Iron, Copper, and other things. For Salts, even as Sul­phur, being loosned from the mixture, dissolve other mixtures, and greedily desire to be united with the Homogeneous Particles of the same Subject.

There is another manner of Congelation, when Salts being mixed with some other matter, are elevated by Sublimation out of their Subjects, and then congeal the Par­ticles of that new matter, which they carry away with them, and grow together with them (like a Meteor) on high: after this manner the Salts of Vitriol, Nitre and Sea-Salt, being sublimated with Mercury, are congealed as it were into a snowy substance: The same being sublimed with Antimony, go into a matter like Ice. After this man­ner the Natural Congelations, by which some Minerals, and chiefly Vitriols and Sul­phurs, are begot in the Bowels of the Earth, may be imitated. For of Iron and Cop­per are prepared factitious Vitriols, which are very like the Natural: Of Antimony Sulphur is made, which answers to an hair our common Sulphur in taking fire, colour and smell: for example pour Oyl of Vitriol, to the height of a fingers breadth, upon pulverised Antimony; and let it be distilled in a Retort in a Sand Furnace, a yellow Sulphur will be sublimed in the Neck of the Retort, that cannot be discerned from the common Sulphur: which is a sign that the Concretion of Sulphur is made in the Earth, when some Sulphureous Mineral is corroded by the Salt of Vitriol, whose Sulphureous parts are congealed by the same Salt. This also is an Argument, that Oyl of Sulphur, which is separated, by inkindling under a Bell from the Sul­phureous matter, is nothing else but Vitriolic Salt, nor doth any thing differ from Oyl of Vitriol.

Artificial Congelation concludes instances and examples of Congelations: to wit, whereby common water, or any Liquors being put over the fire, or in an Hot House, are suddenly congealed into Ice: 'tis a common way, and vulgarly known, Salt being mixed with Snow and Ice, and agitated or shaken in a Vessel put into water, suddenly the water about the sides of the Vessel will be frozen. This will be done if you make tryal of it, either with common Salt, or Sea-Salt, Nitre, or also with Vi­triol, Alum, Sal Armoniac, or Mercury Sublimate: For Salt of every kind, being put to Snow or Ice, loosens their mixtures, and sends away the Nitrous and Conge­lative [Page 52]Particles from the Subjects; which presently being immersed in the neighbouring water, Congeal it, as if they were freshly blown from the North.

What is more admirable; let a dish with Snow be placed over hot Coals, and in the middle of the Snow put a Glass full of water: as the Snow is melted by degrees by the fire, the water shall be frozen: for the Nitrous Particles, being driven away by the heat, by their departure, they are dashed against the neighbouring water and congeal it.

And thus much for FERMENTATION in general, and briefly of its various parts; it had been almost an infinite Labour, and from our purpose, to heap up instances in so diffuse a thing. Those hitherto brought, however chosen out of Natural Philosophy, were fit to wait upon the following Medical dissertation, that we may more happily know the Original, Progress, and State, as also the Remedies and Cure of Motions, and Mutations, in Causes, which variously happen to all kind of Bodies, and somwhat respecting the Tumults, which from thence are begot in the human Body, from the blood being irritated, and the rest of the humors; to which exercise, God willing, we will now proceed.

CHAP. I. The Anatomy of the Blood; and its Resolution in­to five Principles: A comparing it with Wine and Milk.

THE Doctrine of Fermentation being explicated, it remains that we handle the chief Instance or Example of it, to wit Feavers. For it seems that a Feaver is only a Fermentation, or immode­rate Heat, brought into the blood and humors. Its name is deri­ved from Februo (or Purgament, which also is derived from Ferveo to be Hot) which word indeed is commodiously put to every Feaver, for that the blood in this Disease grows hot, and be­sides, by its fervor, as working must, it is Purged from its fil­thinesses. But that this Fermentation or Feaverish efferves­cency, may be rightly explicated, these three things are to be considered. First, What the Fermenting Liquor is; whether only blood, or any humors besides. Se­condly, In what Principles in the mixture, and in what proportion of them, this Li­quor consists. Thirdly and lastly, By what motion and turgescency of those parts, or Particles, of which the blood is made, the Feaverish effervescency is stirred up. These being thus premised, the Doctrin of Feavers shall be delivered, not from the Opinions of others, but acccording to the comparisons of Reasons, picked (tho from ours, yet) from diligent and frequent observation, and confirmed by certain Experiments; all which however, I willingly submit to the judgment of the more skilful.

It plainly appears, even to the sense, that the Blood doth hugely boil up and rage in a Feaver, for every one (tho rude and unskilful) being in a Feaver, complains of the blood being distempered, and of the same growing hot in the Vessels, and as it were put into a fury. Also, besides the blood raging in the Veins and Arteries, it may be lawfully suspected, that that juice with which the Brain and Nervous parts are wa­tered, is wont oftentimes to be in fault; for when this Liquor is seen to be carried back from the blood, into the Nervous stock by a constant motion, and certain Circu­lation, and from thence through the Lymphatick Vessels, into the Bosom of the blood, it is probable, if by reason of a taint contracted from the blood, that humor be depra­ved in its disposition, or is perverted from its equal motion, that from thence, the Rigor, and Pain, Convulsion, Dilerium, Phrensie, and many more symptoms of the Nervous kind, usual in Feavers, do arise.

After the Blood and Nervous Liquor, two other humors, for that being apt to grow hot, fall into our consideration, viz. The Chyme or nourishing Juice, continually coming to the Mass of Blood, and the serous Latex, perpetually departing from the same, which tho they be the first and last Liquors separated from the Blood, and di­stinct from it, yet being confused with it, they ought to be esteemed as its associate parts, or complements: For the nourishable Juice being fresh brought, is accounted the Crude part of the blood, and to be assimilated; and the Serum, its stale part, and to be carried away. And after this manner, so long as either are Circulated with the [Page 58]blood it self, in the Vessels they participate of the heats of the first begotten blood, and oftentimes occasionally begin them, or increase them being begun: but by what means these things come to be done, is declared hereafter in their proper places. As to the rest of humors, which are only the recrements of the Nutritious juice, or the blood, when they are included, either in their proper Receptacles, or constrained in the narrow spaces, in the Viscera, neither wash the several parts of the Body with a continual lustration, as the blood or Nervous Liquor, or the other humors but now re­cited, are to be exempted from this rank; somtimes perhaps they may be the occasio­nal cause that the blood doth conceive an undue Effervescency, or that it persists in it longer; but it is only the blood, (with the Nervous Liquor, the alible juice, and Serum associates) which boiling up above measure, with its heat, and stirred up with a rage through the Vessels, diffuses the preternatural heat, and induces the formal rea­son of the Feaver: but how this comes to be done, is not to be known plainly, but by a more near beholding the Nature of Blood, and as it were an Anatomy made of its Liquor.

There are in the Blood (as in all Fermentative Liquors) Heterogeneous Particles which as they are of a diverse Figure and Energy, remain a long while in the mixture, by their mutual opposing one another and subaction, the motion of Fermentation is continually conserved; as is perceived in Wine, Beer, and other Liquors: then, if the mixtion of the Liquor be somwhat unlocked by the adding of Ferments, the Na­tive Particles being freed from their bonds, do yet more swell up and induce Fermen­tation, with a more rapid motion and heat: which is seen in a familiar Experiment of the Chymists, viz. when fluid Salts are mixed with Saline Liquors of another kind; from thence a great heat and ebullition are stirred up. Wherefore we ought to inquire concerning the Blood, of what Particles it consists, that it should be fit to Ferment, (as Wine, Beer, and other Liquors) of its own Nature: then by the help of what kind of Ferments, both its Natural and Feaverish heats are performed, with warmth, and a more quick motion.

The Mass of the Blood by the opinion of the Antients, was thought to consist of four humors, to wit, Blood, Phlegm, Choler and Melancholy: and it was affirmed, that according to the eminency of this, or that humor, diverse temperaments are formed; and that by reason of their fervors or exorbitances, almost all Diseases do arise. This Opinion, tho it flourished from the time of Galen, in the Schools of Phy­sicians, yet in our Age, in which the Circular motion of the Blood, and other affecti­ons of it were made known, before not understood, it began to be a little suspected; nor to be so generally made use of, for the solving the Phaenomenas of Diseases: be­cause these sort of humors do not constitute the blood, but what are so called (except the Blood) are only the recrements of the blood, which ought continually to be sepa­rated from it: For in truth the Blood is an only humor; not one thing about the Vis­cera, and another in the habit of the Body; nor is it moved at one time by Phlegm, and another time with Choler, or Melancholy, (as is commonly asserted) but the Liquor growing hot in the Vessels, is only Blood, and wheresoever it is carried through all the parts of the Body, it is still the same, and like it self. But because by reason of the abundance of the implanted heat in some, and because of the smalness of it in others, the Coction of the Aliment is now quicker, now slower performed in the Bowels, and in the Vessels; therefore the temper of the Blood (tho but one, and al­ways the same Liquor) becomes diverse: and according to the various disposition of this, it may be said that men are Choleric; Melancholic, or of another temperament. Besides, because whilst the Blood is made in its Circulation in the Vessels, some parts continually grow Old, and others are supplied anew, hence from Crudity, or too much Coction, there is a necessity that what is excrementitious should be heaped toge­ther: which notwithstanding by its effervescency, (as by the working or depuration of Wines it comes to pass) it is separated from its Mass, viz. the watry humor, fixed in the Bowels, or solid parts, is it which is called Phlegm: some Reliques of adust Salt and Sulphur, being separated in the Liver, and received by the Choleduct Vessels are called Choler; the Earthy feculences being laid up in the Spleen, are termed Melan­choly. In the mean time, the Blood if rightly purified ought to want Choler, Phlegm and Melancholy: even as when some Wines, or Beer are purified, the more light Particles are carried upwards, which constitute its Flowers or Head; and the dregs are prest down to the bottom, which grow together into Feces or Tartar: yet none can truly say it, Wine or Beer is composed of Froth, Tartar, and a Vinous Li­quor, [Page 59]But as these humors, commonly so called, are made out of the other Princi­ples, viz. Choler out of Salt and Sulphur, with an admixtion of Spirit and Water; and Melancholy, out of the same, with an addition of Earth; and as the blood is immediately forged out of these kind of Principles, and is wont to be resolved sensi­bly into the same, I thought best, the common acception of humors being laid aside, to bring into use these celebrated Principles of the Chymists, for the unfolding the Nature of the Blood and its affections. There are therefore in the blood as in all Li­quors, apt to be Fermented, very much of Water and Spirit, a mean of Salt and Sul­phur, and a little of Earth. The blood being loosned by putrefaction, exhibits the same separated and distinct. Also in the blood contained in the Vessels, or being fresh let out from them, we may discover their energies and effects: besides when in the Food, whereby we are fed, by the juice of which the Liquor of the blood is made, these same are implanted, no man will go about to deny that the blood also is made from them: wherefore I will briefly run through these, and endeavour to shew by what means the Consistency, the Properties, and the Affections of the Blood are made by them.

1. Spirits (which readily obtain the chief place) are a subtil, and greatly vola­tile portion of the blood. Their Particles, always expansed, and endeavouring to fly away do move about the more thick little Bodies of the rest, wherewith they are in­volved, and continually detein them in the motion of Fermentation. The Liquor of the blood, continually boils up with their effervescency or growing hot, and equal ex­pansion in the Vessels, and the rest of the Principles are contained in an orderly moti­on, and within the bond of the exact mixture; if any Heterogeneous thing, or un­agreable to the mixture, be poured into the bloody Mass, presently the Spirits being disturbed in their motion rage, shake the blood, and force it to grow hugely hot, un­til what is extraneous, and not missible, is either subdued, and reduced, or cast out of doors. By the irradiation, or rather the irrigation or watering of these, the Bo­dies of the Nerves are inflated, the Functions of the Viscera, and also the Offices of motion, and sensation are performed: from the want of Spirits, also from their motion being depraved or hindred, arise great vices of the Natural oeconomy or Government. The more quick motion and effervescency of these in the blood, (above what is in Wine) chiefly depends upon the Ferment of the Heart; because, whilst the blood pas­ses through the Bosom of the Heart, its mixture is very much loosned, so that the Spirits, together with the Sulphureous Particles, being somwhat loosned, and as it were inkindled into a flame, leap forth, and are much expanded, and from thence they impart by their deflagration, a heat to the whole. By reason of this kind of ex­pansion, and suffusion of heat, there is made a continual expence of Spirits, which being rarified, as it were inkindled, continually fly away, and are evaporated forth a doors: and as long as we live there is made a continual reparation of these by ali­ments, chiefly the most delicate; which contain in themselves very much of Spirit and swelling matter: from which juice being drawn by digestion, and collated to the blood, is assimilated to it and fills up its defects. When the Blood of Animals is di­stilled, the Spirits (like Aqua Vitae) ascend of a limpid colour, they are made very sharp and pricking by the adhesion of the Salt; yet they are not so easily drawn off as the Spirits of Wine, but that there is need of a more intense fire to force them, because they are hardly driven from the fellowship of the thicker parts, with which they are involved.

2. That there is plenty of Sulphur in the blood, it is plainly seen, because we are chiefly fed with Fat and Sulphureous Aliments, also the Nutriment from the blood, carried to the solid parts, goes into Sulphur and Fatness. It is most likely, from the dissolution of this, that the red Tincture of the Blood doth arise: for Sulphureous Bodies, before any others, impart to the solvent Menstruum, a colour highly full of redness; and when by reason of too great Crudity, the Sulphur is less dissolved, the blood becomes watery and pale, that it will scarce dye a Linnen ragg red. The Mass of blood being impregnated with Sulphur, and together with Spirits, it becomes very Fermentable: which however, whilst it enters the Ventricles of the Heart, there suf­fers a greater effervescency, or rather accension; and on the Particles chiefly Sulphure­ous, being inflamed; and thence diffused through the whole, the lively and vital heat in us depends. When the Sulphureous part is carried forth, and doth too much lux­uriate [Page 60]in the blood, it perverts its disposition from its due state, that therefore the blood being either depraved, or made more bilous or Cholerick, doth not rightly Cook the nourishing juice; or being inkindled throughout, it conceives heats and ardours such as arise in a continual Feaver. For the Sulphur being too much exalted; and swelling more than it ought, stirs up great heats in the blood: and they whose-blood is more plentifully impregnated with Sulphur, are most obnoxious to Feavers. By reason of the Particles of this being incocted with the Nutritious juice, and from thence car­ried to the solid parts, fatness, softness and tenderness, come to out Body. From the Flesh or Blood putrefying, by reason of the abundahce of evaporated Sulphur, a most evil stink breaths forth: In the distillation of Blood, Sulphur ascends under the form of a blackish Oyl, which also by reason of the Empyreuma, stinks most wickedly.

3. That Salt is in the blood, is evinced by the Salt; which, tho fixed, is drawn forth, by being eaten, from Vegetables, and from other eatable things, at first less volatile, afterwards by the most excellent digestion of Nature, and Circulation, is highly volatilised; that it passes through, not only without a remaining Caput Mortu­um, all the members and parts of our Body, but also the blood being exposed to di­stillation, ascends the alembic, and leaves the dead Head as insipid earth: If at any time the Saline Particles are not rightly exalted in the Blood, by reason of ill digestion, but remain crude, and for the most part fixed, from thence the blood becomes thick and unfit for Circulation, so that obstructions are begot in the bowels and solid parts, and serous Crudities are every where heaped together: But if the Salt be too much carried forth, and suffers a Flux, the Spirit being depressed, or deficient, a sour and bitter disposition is given to the blood, such as is observed in Scorbutical people, and those sick of a Quartan Feaver. Also from the Salt, for this reason being vari­ously coagulated, the Stone, King-Evil, Gout, Leprosie, and very many other Chro­nical Diseases arise. But when Coction being rightly performed in the bowels and Vessels, the Salt is duly exalted, and being associated with the Spirit, is volatilised, then by reason of its mixture, the Liquor of the blood more equally ferments; also is defended from Putrefaction, Stagnation and Coagulation: Also the Saline Particles, bridle the fiercenesses of the Spirits, and especially of Sulphur; wherefore, those who have their blood well filled with a Volatile Salt, are less obnoxious to Feavers: also hence those who often are let blood, are more apt to Feavers.

4. Besides, There are in the blood (as it is a thick humour, and hath a gross con­sistence) many Earthy Particles: from hence also, its too great Volatilisation is as it were supported, and its too hasty accension hindered: even as Charcoal-dust, is ad­ded oftentimes to Gun-Powder in a greater proportion, that all its parts may not take fire at once, and too soon. Further, from the Terrestrial Particles of the blood and Nutritious Juice, the bulk and increase of the Body proceeds. Lastly from the distilla­tion of the Blood, a light and friable Caput Mortuum, is left in great plenty.

5. Upon the watery part of the blood depends its fluidness; for from hence its stagnation is hindered, and the blood is circulated in the Vessels, without growing thick or stiff: also its too great conflagration, and adustion is restrained, and its heat attempered. When blood is distilled a clear and insipid water is drawn off, at least in a double proportion to the rest; for from hence the matter of Urine, Sweat, and every humid Excrement, for the most part proceeds.

What things were but now asserted, concerning the Principles of the blood, and the affections to be deduced thence, will better appear, if we consider consider a lit­tle the blood according to its sensible parts, and shall comkpare it with other Liquors which are in dayly use among us. Those sort of Liquors, which have a very great Analogy with the blood, are v.z. Rich Wine and Milk. As to the reasons of Fer­mentation and growing Hot, it is most fitly compared to Wine, as to its consistency, coagulation, and departure of the paits one from another, it is likened to Milk.

In the first place therefore, it is observed of Wine, that so long as it is shut up in the Vessel or Pipe, its subtil and spirituous Particles, do perpetually agitate, or very much shake others more thick, break them, and render them fit for an exact mixtion; what is heterogeneous, and unfit for subaction or mingling, is separated by its grow­ing hot: In the mean time the purified Liquor greatly fermenting is in perpetual mo­tion, [Page 61]whereby all the parts (as Atoms variously moved up and down, in a beam or streak of light) do stretch themselves forth onevery-side, and contend with a constant rowling about, from top to bottom, and from thence to the top again. By the attri­tion and refraction of the Particles very many Effluvia of Atoms, go away from the Liquor, which if the Vessel being closely shut, they are kept within; the Liquor grows too excessively hot, and oftentimes causes the containing Vessel to burst in picecs. Blood, much after the same manner being shut up within the Veins and the Arteries, is urged with a constant Circulation: The Vital Spirit makes subtil, breaks, and ex­actly molds the more thick Particles; what is heterogeneous, and not mixable, it ex­pels forth of doors; in the mean time by the refraction and kneading of the parts, Effluvia of heat do constantly stream forth, and evaporate through the pores; which being shut in, if transpiration be hindred, presently by reason of the too great boyling of the blood a Feaver is inkindled.

Secondly, we will observe concerning Wines, that they grow turgid, or swell up, if any extraneous thing, and of a Fermentative Nature, be poured to them; yea som­times, that they are moved more than ordinary of their own accord. For, when by a long digestion, the Sulphureous part of the Wine is too much exalted, it conceives a greater heat than it ought, and (unless presently appeased) perverts the disposition of the whole Liquor, with its swelling up. It seems to be for the very like reason, that the Feaverish heat which is wont to be introduced by reason of the same Causes, is stirred up in the blood, as shall be shown in the next Chapter, where we treat of the Motion and Heat of the blood.

The third Observation, or comparing of the Blood with Wine, shall be of this sort: Wines (as also many other Liquors, as for example, Beer, or Sider) have their times of crudity, matruation, and defection. For when they are first made, the Spirituous parts are so obvolved by the others more thick, that they shew themselves but little, and put forth almost nothing of strength or virtue: and as the other Particles, are not yet subtilised, nor truly concocted, the whole Liquor remains crude, and of an ungrate­ful tast, and if put to distillation, not any Spirit ascends. From this state it comes by degrees to perfection, and when the Spirits being extricated from their intangle­ments, obtain their own right, and have subtilized and exalted the more thick Parti­cles of the rest, the whole mass of the Liquor becomes Clear, Spirituous, Sweet and Balsamick. Lastly, when by a long Fermentation, the Spirits are consumed, and be­gin at length to fail, the state of defection is induced, whereby Wines, and other Li­quors, either pass into a tastlesness, or at last the Salt and the Sulphur being too much exalted, are made sowt or unsavory. In like manner the blood also, while it is Circu­lated in the Vessels, may be considered according to this kind of threefold disposition: First, in the making or crudity, which has relation to the Chyme new made in the Viscera, and freshly poured to the blood; the Particles of which, like to unripe Fruit, are crude and undigested. Secondly, In the persect state or maturation, which be­longs to the blood being sufficiently wrought, and made Volatile, according to all its Particles after it is inspired by Ferments, and its inkindling in the heart exalted. Thirdly, in its defection, which respects the blood; after it hath burned forth, and its Spirituous parts are very much flown away, and the rest growing old and poor, have need to be removed; and so they are either the Reliques of Salt, which are with the Serum strained forth continually by the Urine; or they are Particles of Salt and Sulphur, boyled and baked together, which are strained forth by the virtue of the Li­ver into the choleduct Vessels: or lastly, they are dregs and earthy recrements of the blood it self, which are carried into the Spleen, and there (as it were a Caput Mortuum, exalted by a new digestion) go into a Ferment, at length to be transmitted to the blood. Whilst after this manner, the generation of the blood, and its due maturation are truly dispatched, it is pleasingly circulated within the Vessels, neither wanting in motion or heat nor inordinately troubled with them. But if either the supplement of the nourishing Juice, be not made agreeable with the rest of the blood, nor assimila­ted with it, but that either by reason of the defect of Concoction, it is washed into a very crude humor, or because of its excess, it is rosted into a burnt matter; or if the blood growing old, does not lay aside what it casts off, and give way to a new Nutri­tious humor; I say, by reason of these kind of Vices, concerning Sanguification, or the making of blood, the blood is variously perverted from its due temper and equal motion, and now becomes Watery and Cold; now Sharp of Salt; now Acid, Austere, or by some other way degenerate, and somtimes obnoxious to stagnations, and som­imes also to immoderate heats.

We may observe these kind of degrees of crudity, coction, and defection, in the blood, both of the sound and of the sick: in healthful persons after a more plentiful re­past, Surfeit, or hard drinking, when too much of Serum or of Juice, is poured to the blood, its whole mass being too much diluted with a crude humor, becomes more watery and less spirituous; wherefore men are rendered sluggish, and unfit for moti­on or exercise. In sick persons the Phlegmatic Constitution of the Body, induces such a crudity of the bloody mass, as is discerned in the White Dropsie, the Dropsie, Pica or longing Disease, and the Chlorosis or Green-sickness. Also the state of this kind of crudity, comes in an intermieting Feaver, and in truth is the cause of the Feaverish accession, viz. by reason of the dyscrasie of the blood; the nourishing Juice being heaped up, is not assimilated to it, but for the most part goes into a crude, or other­wise degenerate matter; with which, when the mass of the blood is filled to a pleni­tude, swelling up it brings on the fit.

The state of Maturation, Concoction being finished, happens in healthful persons, some hours after Eating, especially in the morning, to wit, when the supplement of the Chyme, is spiritualised, and as it were enkindled in the whole, by reiterated Cir­culations: for then men are made more nimble and lively, and more ready for studies, or any business.

The state of Defection, is in the blood of sound men after fasting long, hard labor, and want of Food, for then the Vital Spirit being very much evaporated, the mass of the blood begins to become as it were lifeless, wherefore they presently languish, and are made weak. Moreover, the blood by a too long Coction is burned, and grows bilous, from whence those accustomed to want Food, or fasting, for the most part be­come sad and melancholic. Some Diseases habitually induce such a disposition of the blood; such are the Scruvy, the Yellow Jaundies, the Cachexia (or evil state of the Body when the nourishing Juice turns to ill humours) long Feavers, and most Chro­nical Diseases, in which, the whole mass of blood, passes from from a Spirituous, in­to either a sowr, sharp, or austere Nature.

So much for the comparing of Blood with rich Wine; what follows, being a simi­litude of it with Milk, consists in the diversity of the parts, and their setling apart, which is chiefly seen in its being let forth from the Veins, and grown cold in the dish. For when the heat and vital Spirit, which conserve all things in the mixture, are flown away, the remaining parts, depart from one another of themselves, and a separation of the thin from the thick, and of the Serum from the Fibrous blood is made. This sort of separation of the parts, succeeds almost after the same manner, as in the coa­gulation of Milk. There are in Milk, Buttery, Cheesie parts, and Whey. The like is in Blood, so long as it doth not much recede from its Natural temper: for it is good, when, being let forth of the Veins, it grows cold in the Porringer, its parts do settle after the same manner; to wit, the more pure portion, and Sulphureous (like Cream) comes together on the Superficies, which in healthful people, looks brightly red, and this answers to the flowring, or head of the Milk: under this lies a Purple thick substance, which cosists of little Thrids and Fibres joined to­gether, and as it were concreted into a clotty substance or parenchyma, such as the Liver: For the heat being consumed, and the bond of the mixture losened, the Fibrous parts lay hold on one another, and by their weight, settle into a more thick Coagulum, which answers to the Cheesie part of the Milk: In the mean time, the Serous or Wheyey parts, being thrust forth from the rest, get their own Nature, and constitute a clear Liquor, like water; which as it is thiner, as­cends to the top, and swims upon the rest. Further, as the Whey of Milk is wont to be further coagulated, and doth yet contain in it self some parts both Buttery and Cheesie, so this Liquor swiming on the blood, if it be exposed either to the fire, grows thick, like the White of an Egg a little rosted, or if an Acid Liquor be poured to it, will be precipitated into a white Coagulum. This being seen, some have thought this watery Latex, to be the nourishing juice, which imparts nourishment to the whole Body, from the mass of the blood, in the time of its Circulation, and that the rest of the blood, is only the Vehicle of Heat and Spirits, and serves for no other use. But to me it seems more likely, that in this watery Liquor is contained the nourishing juice, which is imployed on the Nerves, and the commonly termed Spermatic parts, for nourishment is supplyed to the Musculous stock, form the Fibrous blood of the Pa­renchyma, or the Liver, Lights, and Milt. After this manner, blood being not much vitiated, goes into parts like Milk; but if it be exceedingly depraved, when it settles, [Page] [Page]

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[Page] [Page 63]it shews a far different disposition, and as to its single Contents, is allotted into various appearances; for the Cream growing together on the top, is seen to be somtimes white, somtimes green, now yellow, or of livid or lead colour: also it becomes not tender, but very viscous or clammy, that like a Membrane, it can scarce be pulled in pieces. When the blood long growing hot with a Feaverish distemper, is let forth from the cut Vein, in its Superficies, instead of a Scarlet Cream, there grows together often a white skin, or of some other colour: the reason of which is, because the blood is throughly rosted, by too great Ebullition, and its more pure portion, as it were by a certain elixation, is boiled forth from a red and tender substance, to a white and tough; but if in the mean time the bloody mass be not sufficiently purged from the adust re­crements of Salt and Sulphur, the colour of this little skin becomes yellow or livid, and therefore the water swimming over it, is often tinged by the same means. Further, the Purple Crassament or thick substance, is also various: viz. somtimes it is of a blackish colour, when the blood is scorched too much, by a long effervesency. When the Fibres are vitiated, as in the Liver, they grow not together, but the Liquor like Beasting Milk, remains somwhat thick, and yet fluid; which indeed argues a great corruption of the blood; as uses to happen, in a putrid Feaver, a very great Cachexy, somtimes the watery Latex is wanting, as in Hectical people, and in too great a Dia­phoresis. Somtimes it superabounds, as in Dropical people, neither will the whole go into a white Coagulum, by heat: In some Cachectical people, the blood being made more watery, appears like watered flesh. I knew one, indued with a vicious habit of body, that was wont to have blood of a whitish colour, and like to Milk when it was let forth, and afterwards, when he grew better by Chalybiat Medicines, his blood was moderately red: but concerning the setling of the blood and its ap­pearances, there is enough. But as blood being emitted from the Vessels by its coagu­lation and departure of the parts one from another, imitates the various substances of congealed Milk, so somtimes being shut within the Veins and Arteries, like same fused by a Coagulum, enters altogether into the like mutation from Morbific causes; by reason of which change, being hindred in its Circulation, or somwhere congealed and fixed according to its portions, it produces many distempers: for it seems, that from hence the Pleurisie, the Squinancy, the Inflammation of the Lungs, the Dysentery, take their Original, and to this Cause the Pestilent diseases, ow chiefly their deadliness, as shall be said hereafter in its place.

It is sufficient that we have hitherto drawn a parallel of the blood, from which comparison with Wine and Milk, may be gathered what sort of Particles and Sub­stances, it comprehends in it self, viz. Spirituous, and very agil or nimble, (such as generous or rich Wine has) for the heat and motion; and besides soft and ten­der (such as are in Milk) for the nourishment of the Body. Yea also, this Ana­logy of it with Wine and Milk, is yet further confirmed by the use of them in our diet, out of which the blood is generated; forasmuch as Milk is the best and most simple Aliment, and with it Infants, and Children, who have need of a plenti­ful provision of blood are nourished chiefly: But Wine copiously begets vital Spi­rits before all other things, and being weak and fallen, excellently restores them, wherefore it is wont to be esteemed instead of Nectar for old men, or those of ripe years.

The Nature and Analysis of the blood flowing within the Vessels, being opened af­ter this manner, the Nutritious Juice deswrves yet our consideration, being supplyed from the blood, and separated out of the mass of blood, for the nourishment of the solid parts, and cleaving to them (whereby it may be the better assimilated) like Dew. For the Nerves, Tendons, and the rest of the solid parts of the whole Bo­dy, are washed with a certain alible juice. The Vital Spirits, having obtained the Nervous Bodies for a Vehicle of this, blow them forth at length, and expeditiously execute the actions of Sense: also that humor coming upon the solid parts, and assi­mulated with them, inlarges their bulk and growth. This is not a place to inquire after the Origine, Birth, and manner of the dispensation of this: If shall suffice on­ly, that we have noted, that it is supplyed from the mass of blood, and (as it is rendered highly probable by the most Learned Doctor Glisson, and Doctor Wharton,) after it hath past through the Nervous part by a certain Circulation, what remains, being now made as it were poor, and lifeless, is sent back by the Lymphatic Ves­sels, to the blood. Whilst this Juice, being little cocted, or purged from dregs, is sent from the depraved blood, to the Nervous parts, tis wont variously to irri­tate [Page 64]them into Cramps and Convulsive Motions; also, no few Symptoms in Fea­vers, arise by reason of the depravation, and irregular Motion of this Juice, as shall be more largely laid open in another place.

CHAP. II. Of the Motion and Heats of the Blood.

SO much for the anatomy of the Blood, as to its primary Elements and Con­stitutive parts, into which it is sensibly wont to be resolved; also as to its Affe­ctions, which appear clearly, by the comparing it with Wine and Milk: it re­mains for us next to enquire concerning the motion of the Blood, both Natural, ( viz. by the help of what Ferment, and by what swelling up of parts, it is Circulated in a perpetual motion through the Vessels) and preternatural, viz. for what Causes, and what fury of parts, when it boils up above measure in the Vessels, and conceives Fea­verish Effervescences. These being rightly unfolded and premised, we will enter upon the Doctrine of Feavers.

Concerning the Natural Motion of the Blood, we shall not here enquire of its Cir­culation, viz, by what Structure of the Heart and Vessels, it is wheeled about after a constant manner, as it were in a water Engine; but of its Fermentation, viz. by what mixtion of parts, and mutual action of them together among themselves (like Wine fermenting in the Ton) it continually boils up. And this kind of motion, (as it were truly an intestine war of the blood) depends both on the Heterogenety of the parts of the blood it self, and on the various Ferments, which are breathed into the mass of the blood from the Bowels.

As to the first: those things which have altogether like Particles do not ferment, wherefore, neither distilled waters, Chymical Oils, Spirits of Wine, or other simple Liquors are moved, as hath been already observed: but I have said, that Blood, ac­cording to the Nature things quickly irritable, doth consist of a proportionate mix­ture of the Elements; in which Spirits, for that they are very nimble, continually strive to expand themselves and to fly away: but being intangled by the more thick Particles of the rest, they are detained in their flight. And being detained after this manner, they toss about, break to pieces, and very much subtilise the more thick lit­tle Bodies, by which they are hindered; they volatilise the Salt, otherwise fixed; by a most minute kneading, and by the adhesion of it, they perfectly dissolve the Sul­phur, compacted in it self, and not miscible with the rest, and boil it in the Serum. They break the Earth, even to its smallest parts, and mingle it with the rest. But in the mean time, by the striking and molding the Salt and the Sulphur, Effluvia's of heat plentifully proceed, which being mixed with the rest, and on every side diffused, increase the motion of the Fermentation. And after this manner all being most mi­nutely broken and diluted with watery Particles, they constitute the Liquor of the Blood: which, whilst in the Vessels, as Wine shut up in a Pipe, continually ferments, and, according to all its Particles is in perpetual motion.

But the Fermentation of Wine, and of Blood, differs in this: that in Wine there is no wasting of the old parts, and a coming again of new; but the Liquor being shut up in the Vessel, remains still the same: but 'its otherwise in Blood, in which some parts are continually destroyed, and in their place others are always generated anew. In Wine, the times of crudity, maturation, and defection, are distinct, and are suc­cessively performed in the whole; In Blood, that threefold state is celebrated at the same time [...] parts: Fermentation being once begun in Wine, is continued even to the end, but In Blood, because it is washed still with crude Juices, it ought still to be renewed; by which means, the Nutritious Particles, not of kin, are assimilated to the rest of the Latex; wherefore, for this work, besides the Fermentation once be­gun in the blood, there is need of some Ferments, which may continue the same, otherwise about to leave off.

That Ferments are required for the making of Blood, this is an Argument; that when they are wanting by Nature, they are with good success supplyed by the work of Art: for fixed Salts, Alcaly Salt, Extracts, Digestives, Openers, and especially Chalybeate Remedies, help for this reason, that, as it were by a certain Ferment, they restore anew, the weak, or almost extinct Ebullition or Boiling of the Blood.

As to what respects the Natural Ferments, very many may certainly be formed, and in divers parts, or hid in the Bowels: for any humor, in which the Particles of Salt, Sulphur or Spirit, being much exalted, are contained, puts on the Nature of a Fer­ment: after this manner, the flowring or dregs of Beer or new Wine, being kneaded with Meal, and the mass kept to a sowrness, come under this rank, by which new Beer, and the like Liquors, as also the mass of Bread, are most excellently Fermented. In like manner in the Ventricle, a sowrish humour participating of exalted Salt, there helps concoction: and in the Spleen, the feculencies of the Blood from Salt and Earth being exalted, go into a Ferment.

How much vigor comes to the Blood from the Womb and Genital parts appears from hence, because by the privation, or evil disposition of them, follow, in Maids the Green sickness, in men, barrenness or loss of virility, want of Beard, and a shrill voice. But the chief Ferment, that serves for sanguification, is established in the Heart; for this is the chief fire-place, in which the cruder Particles of the Chyme, are as it were inkindled, and acquire a volatileness: which thing may be confirmed by many reasons, but especially by its effects, which we suffer in the precordia, as often as the Blood ferments more or less than it ought to do: for when it is too much in­kindled in the Heart, it is agitated impetuously, as it were by fires put under it; the signs of whose immoderate Ebullition are, a deep pulse and vehement, then almost an intolerable heat in the Precordia, with a vehement thirst; on the other side, when the Fermentation of the blood is lessened in the Heart, we are affected with an anhelous, and difficult respiration upon any motion; as may be perceived in the Drop­sie, Cachexia, and Yellow Jaundice: the reason of which is, not because the Lungs are stuffed, or filled full of a tough or clammy matter; but because the blood doth not rightly ferment, in that Repository of Fermentation; wherefore, being fallen into its Bosom, it is not presently Rarified; nor doth it soon leap forth into the Lungs, but being apt to stagnate, and remain there, causes an oppression of the Heart it self; for the helping of which, frequent breathing is made, that the blood being let forth into the Lungs, succour might be brought to it: but if by motion or exercise, the blood be more provoked into its Ventricle, than can be derived by respiration, or the pulse, into the Pneumonic Vessels, there is danger of choaking. The like happens in those that are dying: when the pulse is very small, and the blood being heaped up in the Heart for want of Fermentation, begins to stagnate and to clodder, we then breath deeply, with a noise and elevation of the breast; to wit, the blood with the ul­timate endeavour of Nature, and the whole force of the Lungs, as long as it is able to be done, is emptied forth into the Lungs, lest residing in the Heart, it should wholly choak it.

Therefore, Motion and Heat, in the Blood, depend chiefly on two things, viz. partly on its own proper disposition and constitution, by which, it being forged very greatly with active Principles of Spirits, Salt, and Sulphur, of its own accord swells up, or grows turgid in the Vessels, even as Wine in the Ton: and partly on the Ferment implan­ted in the Heart, which very much rarifies the Liquor passing through its Bosom, and makes it to leap forth with a frothy heat: that the blood, which is quietly instilled to the Heart through the Veins, running gently like a River, from thence leaping forth through the Arteries, (like a Torrent) with noise and rage, might be carried forward, to all the parts of the whole Body. By what means this is done, though it is not easie to explicate Mechanically, yet the manner, and some not improbable reason of this thing are delivered by most Learned men, Ent, Cartes, and other. They suppose indeed, as it were a fire to be set in the Chimny of the Heart, which presently inkindles the blood infused through the Veins, (even as a flame put to Wine burns it) which being so inkindled, by its deflagration (like lightning) passes most swiftly through the Arteries: so that heat, a most rapid motion, and Effluvia sent by Perspiration, are wont to proceed from the accension of the blood in the Heart only. Hogelandus af­firms, that there is a Ferment hid in the Bosom of the Heart, that compels the Liquor of the blood to boil up, and to grow hot, with heat, and a plentiful emission of Soot, just like Spirit of Nitre, when it is poured on the Butter of Antimony: so that the [Page 66]blood flowing in gently through the Veins, being forthwith Rarified into spume and vapour by the serment of the Heart, runs very impetuously through the passages of the Arteries. Tis almost the same thing, whether it be said to be done, either by this, or by that way: for the alteration which the blood receives in the Heart, may be equally deduced from a flame, or a Nitrous Sulphureous ferment, there supposed to be placed. Because, whilst the blood slides into the Ventricles of the Heart, presently the frame of the Liquor is loosned, and the active Particles, especially the Spirituous and Sulphure­ous, the bond of the mixture being broke, do leap forth from the rest, and strive to expand themselves on every side; but being kept in by the Vessels, and being forced together with the remaining Liquor, through the open passages of the Arteries, they rush with violence, and swelling up by the way they can find, and by that means, diffuse Effluvia of heat, through the whole body: there is little difference, whether this expansion of the Particles of the blood, and exertion into the liberty of motion, be said to be done by Accension, or by Fermentation, forasmuch as by either way, the frame of the blood may be so unlocked, that from thence the Particles of Spirit, Salt, and especially of Sulphur, being incited into motion, (as it were by an inkindled fire) may impart heat to the whole Body.

But this Rarefaction, or Accension of the blood in the Heart, very much depends upon the disposition and constitution of the blood it self: for if its Liquor be rightly cocted, being made volatile, and (like rich Wine) brought to maturity, it then Fer­ments there after its due manner, whereby the soluted Particles of the Spirits and Sul­phur, diffuse an equal, and moderate heat to all parts. But if the blood, by reason of an ill manner of feeding, and want of Concoction, be crude and watry, then it is less inkindled in the Heart, and from thence follow a frigid intemperance of the whole, difficult breathing and wheesing, with a weak pulse, and languishing; as in Cache­ctical people, those distempered with the Green Sickness, and such as are about to die, may be perceived: but if the blood becomes too luxuriant, and apt to grow tur­gid, by reason of plenty of Sulphur being carried forth, or of its Effluvia being re­strained, or of eating hot things; either its Accension or Fermentation in the Heart, is very much in creased, so that from thence a Feaverish heat, and greater effervescen­cies than usual, are stirred up in the whole. This various Fermentation of the blood in the Heart, according to the various temper of the same, may be illustrated by the example of Wine: fresh Must, that is yet crude, though it be boiled, or put on the fire, will not burn; but this being purified and brought to maturity, is easily inkindled, but sends forth a small flame, and quickly out. The same at first growing hot, or o­therwise warmed, if inkindled, is greatly inflamed, and for the most part is consumed by its burning.

Whilst the Blood, after this manner being rarified, or inkindled in the Heart, and from thence growing hot, through the passages of the Vessels, is resolved into minute parts, some little bodies depart from its loosned frame, which refuse at last to be uni­ted, and fitted with the rest of the Liquor: but these are of a twofold Nature; ei­ther thin, which like smoke form the burning fire, or Effluvia from a Fermenting Li­quor, do evaporate from the Liquor of the Blood, by a constant Diaphoresis, through the breathing holes of the Body; or more thick, which like ashes left after burning or the settling dregs after Fermentation, ought to be soon strained from the mass of Blood, and to be carried forth of doors: for otherwise, by their confusion, they produce notable perturbations in the Blood. Whereby the Blood growing more hot, is dissolved in the Heart, therefore these recrements, both Fuliginous and Earthy, are more plentifully heaped together; and when by reason of too great congestion, they cannot be presently subdued and secluded from the mass of Blood, they bring forth a swelling up of the Blood and Feaverish Heats.

Concerning the Motion, Heat, and Natural Fermentation of the Blood, in the equal tenor of which, the means of our Health consists, what hath hitherto been spoken, shall suffice. We will treat a little more largely of the preternatural, or too great effervescency, on which the types, and Paroxysms of Feavers depend: I call that too much, or Preternatural Fermentation, when the Blood, (like a Pot boiling over the fire) grows hot above measure, and being rarified with a swelling spume, di­stends the Vessels, excites a more quick pulse, and like a Sulphureous Liquor having taken fire, diffuses a burning heat on every sied.

This kind of motion or Fermentation of the Blood, will be best of all illustrated by an example of Wines growing hot. For Wines, besides the gentle and equal Fer­mentation, [Page 67]by which they are at first purified, at some times do so remarkably grow hot, and boil up, that they fly out of the mouth of the Vessel, and if they are closely stopped up, cause it to burst in pieces. After this manner, as if struck with fury, un­less they are immediately drawn away from the Tartar; or their Lees into another Vessel, they will not cease from growing hot, until the Spirit being very much loosned, and the Sulphur or Salt too much exalted, they are either made unsavory, or degene­rate into a sowrness.

Such an Effervescency in wont to be stirred up for two causes chiefly: First, When any extraneous thing, and not miscible, is poured into the Ton, (so some drops of Tallow, or Fat, being dropped into the Cask, will produce this motion) or secondly, when Wines being enriched with too rich a Lee or Tartar (by reason of the Sulphure­ous parts being above measure exalted) conceive heats of their own accord, and ex­ceedingly boil up. For in whatsoever substance Sulphur abounds, and its Particles be­ing loosned from the mixture, consociate together, and are bound close in one, there such immoderate heats are procured.

After a like (tho not wholly the same) manner, whereby Wines grow hot, the boiling up of the Blood is induced, to wit, either what is forein, and not akin to the Blood, is mixed with it, that when it is not assimilated, is wont to cause a Perturba­tion, and growing hot, until that Heterogeneous thing, is either subdued or cast forth of doors; and the Particles of the Blood being confused and troubled, are at last shaken forth, and that they get again their former place and position in the mixture. Or, Secondly, the Blood grows hot above measure, because some Principle, or its consti­tutive Element, ( viz. Spirit or Sulphur) is carried forth beyond its Natural temper, and becomes enraged; whereby indeed the Particles of this or that, being not agreea­ble to the rest, are loosned from the mixture; being loosned, they become more vio­lent than they ought, shake much the Liquor of the Blood, and bring forth a heat, which is not allayed, till the Blood being as it were inflamed, burns forth with the long fire of a Feaver. By either way, whether the Blood grows hot in the Vessels, by reason of the pouring in of a thing not miscible, or by reason of the rage of the Spirit, or Sulphur being carried forth, because from thence its frame is more loosned, therefore it is more inkindled in the Heart; and the active Particles first loosned from the Ferment there implanted, do grow exceeding hot, leap forth from the mixture, and disperse on every side by their motion, a strong heat, and as it were fiery: but yet with this difference, that the Effervency, which depends upon the mingling of some extraneous thing with the Blood, is for the most part short, or renewed, which, when what was Heterogeneous is separated or subdued, is quieted of its own accord, and the shaken parts of the Blood, and put out of order, casily return to their Natural site and disposition. But the Ebullition which arises from the inordination of the Spi­rit or Sulphur being enraged, is continual; to wit, here the whole mass of the Blood is so loosned, and dissolved from the strict bond of the mixture, that as an Olly Li­quor having taken fire, it ceases not to grow hot, or to be inflamed, till the Particles of Spirit, or Sulphur, or the Combustible matter, be for the most part burnt out.

There remains yet a third manner of Preternatural Fervency, whereby the Blood is subject to alteration, which happens not to Wine, but most often to Milk; viz. when at any time, from a Morbific cause, a coagulation of its Liquor is induced, so that its substance is poured forth, and goes into parts, and there is a separation made of the thick and earthy from the thin; by which means the Blood is not fitly circulated in the Vessels, but that its congealed portions, being apt to be fixed in the extream parts, or to stand still in the Heart, do interrupt the equal motion, or grievously hin­der it: For the sake of the restoring of which Effervency, greater are wont to be stirred up in the Blood, to wit, such as happen ordinarily in a Plurisie, the Plague, Small­pox, or the Venereal Disease.

CHAP. III. Of Intermitting Feavers or Agues.

BY the Premises which we have spoken of already, concerning the Anatomy, Motion, and Heats of the Blood, there now lies open an easie passage to the handling of Feavers. The Notions which are commonly set forth, concerning a Feaver, out of the force and Etymology of the word, I here purposely omit: It may be described after this manner, that it is, An inordinate motion of the Blood, and a too great Heat of it, with burning and thirst, and other Symptoms besides, where­by the Natural oeconomy or Government, is variously disturbed. As we have re­marked already, conceming the growing hot of the Blood, so now we do of a Feaver, that indeed, its accession is either short, and by fits, which is therefore termed Inter­mitting; or else great, and long protracted, which is called a continual Feaver. We will first speak of the Intermitting Feaver.

Tho an Intermitting Feaver, in our Popular Idiom, is known by a proper Name, and is distinguished contrary to a Feaver commonly taken, yet because it hath too great Effervency of the Blood joyned to it, it is to be called a Feaver. It is peculiar to this, from a continual Feaver, that it hath certain remissions, or times of intermission; that every fit begins with cold or shaking, for the most part, and ends in Sweat; that the accessions or coming of the fits, return at set Periods, and certain intervals of times, that a Clock is not more exact. Wherefore, we will first discourse concerning this Feaver in general, what fort of heat of the Blood it is which continues its fit, and from whence it is raised up. Secondly, Wherefore the fit appears equally with cold and shaking, as with sweat following. Thirdly, What may be the cause of the In­mission, as also of its certain set Periods. Fourthly and Lastly, Are added some irre­gularities of Intermitting Feavers, as when now cold, now heat or sweat is wanting; or when the Periods are wandring and uncertain, when the Remission or space of Intermission, is not equal, but now comes sooner, now later, and sometimes redoubled: and I will endeavor to shew the reasons of these: and of other Phenomena or appear­ances, which variously happen in this Distemper. These being laid open, we will go on to unfold in the next Chapter, the division of an Intermitting Feaver, and the kinds of it.

As to the first: The Effervency of the Bolld in an Intermitting Feaver, (or Ague) for the time of the fit, is as violent and strong as in a continual Feaver: wherefore, it is concluded, that the parts of the Blood, among themselves, or some Heterogeneous thing being mixed with it, do strive together, and Ferment above measure. But there is required, that they may Ferment, or too greatly boil up among themselves, that some Principle, as chiefly Spirit or Sulphur, being too much exalted and enraged, do appear above the rest; which, when it cannot be yoaked with them, brings in a continual strife and heat: but from this cause, a continual Feaver draws its rise, be­cause such an Ebullition of the Blood, being once begun, is not suddenly allayed, and when it is appeased, it does not afterwards presently return. Wherefore for an Inter­mitting Feaver, 'tis to be supposed, that some Heterogeneous thing is mingled with the Blood, whose Particles, when they are not assimilated, make so long an Ebulliti­on of the same, till either being kneaded, they are rendered miscible, or being sub­tilised, are shut forth of doors. Wherefore, such a matter being brought under, or shut forth of doors, the fit ceases, and when this matter springs again, it stirs up a new Ebullition, and so a new fit is brought on.

Concerning this Matter, which being mixed with the Blood, induces the periodi­cal Heats, and the other Symptoms of an Intermitting Feaver, 'tis very ambiguously, and diversly disputed among Physicians, where it is generated, in what seat or place it lodges, and by what means it so exactly observes, the times of its Motion, and Ebullition. But it would be a work of too much labour and tediousness, to re­count here all the Arguments, of the Ancients, and Moderns, to reduce them into or­der and to weigh their reasons; Wherefore, doubting, I propose what has come into [Page 69]my mind, when I thought deeply of the matter, and submit to the judgment of others.

Of necessity there is somthing, which brings in the Heat of the Blood exactly pe­riodical, that is generated in our Body at the several periods, or accessions of the Fea­ver, always in a set measure, and equal proportion, and is communicated to the mass of Blood; with which when the Blood is filled to a plenitade, it forthwith grows tur­gid, and conceives an heat: But this is supposed to be either an Excrementitious hu­mor, stiding down into some Mines, which by degrees, and at a set time, being brought to an increase, and moved, Ferments with the Blood: or it is the nutritious Juice, supplyed from the matter of Food, and delated in weight and measure, which, when it is not assimilated, by neason of a desect in sanguification, being heaped up to a fulness, for its own expulsion, induces a turgency in the Blood. The reason of In­termitting Feavers, is commonly explicated by the former way, and the causes of the Intermission, and set times of approach, are fetcht from the nature of the Humor, and the seat, or place where it is cherished. The Nest, or Mine of this Disease, almost by an unanimous consent, is fixed on the first shop of the Body, and from hence the rea­son of the Intermission is fetched, and the continual difference of an Intermitting Fea­ver: but they affirm the matter to be Choler, Phlegm, and Melancholy; and as these humors are said to putrifie slower, or sooner, so the Feaverish courses, are said to be absolved, in the space of the one or more days. But this Opinion, after the Circulation of the Blood hath been made plainly known to all, is deservedly rejected. For when the Blood never stagnates in the Vessels, but washes every place with a perpetual moti­on, and continually carries away their filth, it is implssible that the Mine of this Di­sease should subsist in the Mesaraick Veins, where it is commonly asserted to be: as to what belongs to the cavities or dens, for the heaping up of the humors in the Viscera, It ueither appears, by what means such should be formed without a Tumor or Impost­hume; nor by what instinct, such humors, shut up in their Nest, do increase, are consumed, and lastly spring forth again, at so exact intervals of times. Besides, what is affirmed concerning Bile, Phlegm, and Melancholy, and of their periodical moti­ons, we hold wholly suspected; because these sort of humors, are not afforded sin­cere, such as are described in the Schools: but the Blood, having gotten a vari­ous disposition, now being hotter, now colder, its nature imitates the qualities of such humors; or in its Circulating, it lays aside its Recrements, which being deposited in little Chests or Vessels, are falsely believed to be Morbific, and Preternatural humors. Wherefore, as the nutritious Juice, is the only humor wherewith the mass of Blood is dayly refreshed, and its supplements are made still in measure, and proportion, with­out doubt, the periodical heats of the Blood, are to be drawn from the accession and commixtion of this.

I have already remarked concerning the Particles of the Blood, a triple state of crudity, maturation, and defection: to wit, the nourishing Juice, supplyed from the dayly Food, comes crude, is mixed with the Blood, and being for some time Circulated, is assimilated to is, and is ripened into a perfect humor: afterwards growing stale, it goes into parts and is laid aside. Whilst after this equal manner, the Blood is continually restored, and its losses repaired, it very quietly Ferments, with­out any trouble, or immoderate heat, and is circulated within the Vessels; but if the supplement of the nourishing Juice, is not (as before) ripened, nor goes into Blood, by a perfect digestion, its Particles being confused with the Blood, remain as it were some Heterogeneous thing, and not exactly akin, in the mass of Blood; with which, when it is filled to a plenitude, the Blood forthwith grows troubled, and conceives a Feaverish heat, whereby the fresh supply of this depraved Juice, is either overcome or cast forth of doors. I say therefore, from the first instant, in which the nourishing Juice is not assimilated with the Blood, its Particles, tho mixed with it, are as yet Circulated with it, without any great tumult or perturbation, and so afterwards till the mass of the Blood is filled with them to a turgency: but then it quickly boils up, and conceives a heat: almost after the same manner, as new Beer put into Bottles, which, if they are closely stopped, that nothing may evaporate, is at first contained in those Vessels, without heat or force; afterwards when the Effluvia being still restrained, the mass of the Liquor swells up, notably Ferments, and by reason of the force of Fermentation, oftentimes makes the Bottles fly in pieces: also this happens at a set time, and in the space of so many hours, as in an Intermitting Feaver, the Liquor arises to its height of turgescency.

There yet remains a difficulty, for what cause the nutritious Juice, being consused with the Blood, is not assimilated, but degenerates into an heterogeneous, and Fer­mentative matter: I suppose this to be done, for the most part, not by the default of the Aliments, nor yet of the Bowels, but by the vice of the Blood it self. For the Blood, even as Wine, somtimes passes from its native and genuine disposition, into an acid, sowr, or austere disposition; and because the Blood makes Blood, it comes to pass, that when it is departed from its due temper, it easily perverts the provision of the nutritious Juice, by which it should be repaired. What that disposition of the Blood is, and by what means contracted, shall be told hereafter, when we speak of the kinds of Intermitting Feavers, and of their evident, and Procatarctick causes. The Heat, or Effervescency therefore of the Blood, which constitutes the fit of an Intermitting Feaver, depends only upon the assimilation of the nourishing Juice being hindered; the Particles of this being commixed with the Blood, are not (as before) ripened, nor are made into perfect Blood; but by the mixture of these, the mass of Blood (as it were new drink) is imbued with little Bodies greatly Fermentative; when the which are more thickly heaped together, and the Blood is filled with them to a swelling up, it presently grows hot, and a mighty agitation, and strife of the Particles is made, by which, they break, and subtilise one another, till at length the vital Spirit getting the dominion, and the rest being brought under, what is extraneous is thrust forth of doors, from the company of which, the Blood being freed, the remission, and in­termission of the aguish fit follows; but afterwards from a new supply of this Juice, a new fit is brought on.

Secondly, As to the shaking, or cold preceding the heat, in this Distemper, I say, when the Particles of the nourishing Juice, do proceed from a state of crudity, towards maturity, but do not attain it, they contract a notable sowrishness, with which they greatly prick, and haule the nervous parts, and cause the sense of cold: even as new Beer, which being stopped close in Bottles, passes from a sweet into an acid and nitrous tast, that for the cuttingness and cold, can scarce be swallowed. When therefore, the Particles of this sort of crude Juice, being indued with a Nitrous sowrness, do fill the mass of the Blood to a fulness, or to a swelling up, and when they being more thickly heaped together, begin to enter into a Flux, they first of all strike down the Vital Spirits, with their sharpness, and somwhat overthrow their heat; wherefore the Blood Becomes colder, and is more slowly circulated: yea, and by reason of the de­fect of heat, the sense of cold is perceived in the whole Body, and a pulse very rare exists. Moreover, when the nervous and solid parts, are watered with this sort of acetous Juice, for their last nourishment, by the Flux of this, which happens to­gether with the turgescency of the Blood, these sensible parts are pulled, and irrita­ted into Tremblings and Convulsions. And this without doubt is the true and ge­nuine cause of the cold and shaking, which are excited in a fit of the intermitting Feaver; to wit, the Flux, and swelling up of the nourishing Juice, degenerated in­to a Nitrous matter, with which the Spirits and heat being suffused, are blunted, and the Nervous Bodies being provoked, are moved into tremblings. But afterwards, when these Nitrous Particles being thrust forth, from some part, into the Superficies of the Body, the Blood is somwhat freed from their weight and oppression, the Vital Spirits recollect themselves, and begin to shine forth; but from thence a most intense heat succeeds, because, both the mass of Blood, by reason of the growing hot with the Feaverish matter, being loosened, and also its mixture being laxed, the Sulphure­our Particles are more plentifully inkindled in the Heart; and because (the pores of the skin, being possessed by the same matter, thrust forth towards the circumference of the Body) the vaporous Effluvia are restrained within, which do more shake, and make hot the Blood, that heat persists still in the Blood, until that Fermentative matter be­ing wholly burnt out, and together with the adust recrements, remaining after the burning, being fully brought under, and subtilised, and involved with the Serum, insensibly evaporates by sweat, or transpiration.

Thirdly, These things being premised, it will not be hard to shew the reasons and causes of the intermission, as also of the set periods, viz. the intermission follows, because all the Morbific matter is dispersed in one fit, and so till new be substituted, there is a necessity that a remission follow. But new matter begins to be begot, of which the last fit failed, to wit, the mass of Blood being but now emptied, receives the nourishing Juice, and perverts it (as before) by reason of its defect of due making of Blood, and of Concoction, into a Fermentative matter; but its little plenty, stirs up little or no [Page 71]trouble, or Fermentation; but when the Blood is filled to a swelling up, it presently ferments, and is in Flux, even as when new Beer, or new Wine, shut up a long while in a Vessel, at length, at a certain time, boils up, and leapes forth at the mouth of the Vessel.

But that the Fits, or Accessions, do for the most part come again, at set intervals of times, and that so certainly, that a Clock is not more exact; the reason is, because the nourishable Juice, is for the most part supplyed from the Viscera, to the Blood flowing in the Vessels, in an equal measure and manner; for tho we do not dayly take exactly, so much meat and drink in weight and dimension, yet, because we for the most part eat at set hours, for the satisfying the Appetite, from the things eaten, and the mass of the Chyme heaped up in the Bowels, an equal portion of the nutritious Juice is conveyed to the Blood through the Milky Vessels: wherefore, if at such hours, so much of the nutritious humor is poured into the Blood, which increasing to a fulness, and swelling up, it brings on the fit that day: certainly, this being finished; in the space of the same time, sufficient matter is laid up, for the following fit: But if errors in feeding be committed, and that the sick indulging their Appetite, eat more plenti­fully or inordinately, the approach of the fit anticipates the wonted hour, by rea­son of the Bloods being filled sooner with the Feaverish matter; if that the sick are abstemious, and more sparingly take their Food, the intermission is drawn out longer.

If it be yet asked. wherefore the periods of intermitting Feavers, be not of one kind, and of the same distance, but that some repeat or come again dayly, others on the third or fourth day? The cause is the diverse constitution of the Blood, to wit, whereby it is perverted from its due temper, now into a sourish, now into an acid or sharp, or into an austere or harsh disposition. By reason of the diverse evil constitu­tion of this, the alible Juice, being fresh carried, departs more or less from maturati­on, and is perverted into matter, apt sooner or later to ferment. When the Blood has acquired a sour, hot, and bilous disposition, I suppose that some part of the nourishing Juice is ripened into perfect humor, and is assimilated with the Blood, and so goes into Food, to be carried to the solid parts, and is affixed to them; but the other part of it, from the Blood being too much cocted, and depraved, is changed into a Feaverish matter, and supposing, that half of the nutritious Juice is after this manner perverted, in double the time, in which it is said to have a full Concoction in our Body, (that is after eight and forty hours) this kind of Fermentative mat­ter, rises to a plenitude, and turgescency, and then induces the fit of a Tertian Fea­ver. If that, by reason of the austere, and pontic nature of the degenerated Blood, (in which a fixed Salt, with an Earthy Faces is exalted too much) and therefore apt to ferment more slowly, only a third part of the nutritious Juice is corrupted, then in three times the space of the aforesaid time, the fit is induced; that is, after seventy two hours, in which, the period of a Quartan, is wont to be concluded. But, if by rea­son of a greater infection of the Blood, almost the whole supplement of the nutriticus Juice is perverted into a Feaverish matter; then in the space of that time, in which the plenary coction ought to be absolved in the Vessels and habit of the Body, (that is after twenty four hours) this matter arises up to the motion of turgescency, and brings on the Quotidian fit. And hence it comes to pass, that in a Quartan Feaver, strength and courage do not presently fail, whilst in a Tertian, the sick are wont to be­come more weak; but in a Quotidian Feaver, they are sooner brought into languishing, and greatest weakness: to wit, in each, as more or less of the nutritious Juice goes into the Food of the Disease, so much also is drawn away, from the strength and firm­ness of the Body. But more fully of these, when we treat of the several kinds of In­termitting Feavers, and the Causes of them.

Against the equal Circuits of these Feavers, it is argued: that for the most part, the fits do anticipate the set time of the day, by the space of some hours, and some­times also come after it. But in truth, this objection is taken away, if the times of intermission be computed, not by days, but by hours; for so the intervals which but now seemed to be now sooner, now longer protracted, will appear for the most part equal, by this Rule; forasmuch as in respect of the day, it is said a Tertian Feaver, somtimes prevents the wonted time of its accession, two, three, or more hours, or comes after it; in the mean time, every circuit exactly repeats or comes again, every time, after so many hours. Wherefore the chief differences of Intermitting Fea­vers, consist in this only, that the time of the accession in one Feaver, comes more [Page 72]swiftly, and in another more slowly, viz. now at twenty four hours distance, now at thirty four, now at seventy or the like.

From what hath been said, (unless I am deceived) it clearly appears, what the Ef­fervescency of the Blood is, which constitutes the fit of an Intermitting Feaver, from whence the fore-runners of cold and shaking, and lastly, what may be the reason of the intermission, and of the set periods. But that these, and many other appearances of this distemper, depend upon the evil disposition of the Blood, and because of the depravation of the nutritious Juice, and not from humor, lurking in some mine, will yet more manifestly appear, from the collation of the signs and symptoms, which are to be met with, worthy of note, in this distemper: then secondly, from the Pro­catartic, or more remote causes being truly weighed, which are wont to induce this distemper: and thirdly, and lastly, from the ways of the Crisis, and Cures, by which this Disease, either ceases of its own accord, or is driven away, by the help of Medi­cines.

First, Among the Signs, the Pulse and Urine, deserve the chief consideration: The Pulse, the cold fit coming on, is very rare, and low, which clearly argues, the Heat, and Vital Spirits in the Blood, to be as it were overwhelmed, by some crude matter, not easily combustible, just as a fire inkindled on the Hearth, and then co­vered with green wood, glows very slowly, and flames forth little, which afterwards, the crude humor being blown away, breaks forth into an open and very strong flame: so also, the Blood, the crude matter, which is in Flux, being somthing overcome, or dispersed, is very much inkindled; and what remains in the Blood is burnt up, when fermenting with the Particles of it, and induces a most violent heat, with thirst; wherefore the Blood growing impetuously hot, is urged with a vehement, and most swift Pulse: otherwise, it being too much heaped together in the Heart might cause the danger of choaking.

As to the Urine; that is imbued (especially in a Tertian Feaver) with a deep colour, and as it were inflamed, also when the Contents are wanting; which seems to denote a scorching of the Blood, and too adust temper: moreover, in this Distem­per, different from others, the Urine, for the most part is ill, when the Patient is pretty well, and on the contrary; forasmuch as all the time of the intermission, it is at a great distance from its natural state, it becomes filled with a red colour, and thick, being exposed to the cold, and lays down a plentiful sediment, like to Bole-Armoni­ack; which is of necessity to be so done, because in the whole interval of the remissi­on, the Feaverish matter is circulated with the Blood, and there rises to maturity, with a secret increase. But in the middle of the fit, when the heat, and burning are at the greatest, the Urine is laudable, and comes more near to the natural, viz. the Fermentative matter, being sent to the Circumference of the Body.

The symptoms preceding the fit, confirm the same thing; for many hours before the fit begins, a perturbation of the humors, and blood, is perceived; an Headach, Vertigo, sparkling of the Eyes, unquiet Sleep, &c. which plainly shew, the Blood first infected with the Fermenting matter, and the assault of the fit to be only so long deferred, until the mass of the Blood is filled to a swelling up, with the same kind of matter: The fore-runners of the approach of the fit are, now a paleness at the ends of the Fingers, or Toes, or in the Nails, somtimes a Convulsion, or numness; now a coldness, and pain in the Loins and Thighs, and somtimes a shivering and trembling invade the whole Body, which clearly shew, the Blood in the Arteries and Veins, and also the thin Liquor in the Nervous parts, first to conceive the motion of Fermenta­tion, and this Effervescency, not to be excited from any other fire-place, or mine. If it be objected, that the sick are most often infested with Vomiting, about the time of the fit; from whence it may seem to be concluded, that the chiefest hurtful matter is established in the Ventricle, and in the first passages, especially, when this distemper is chiefly cured, by the timely taking of a Vomit; I confess, very great Vomitings are somtimes stirred up, in the fit of an intermitting Feaver; but this more often hap­pens, because in the Feaverish shivering, the membranes of the whole Body are pul­led; wherefore the Ventricle also, as it is a very Nervous part, is distempered with a Convulsion, and having from thence contracted a Spasm, casts forth upwards what­soever lurks in its bosom. Besides, if that the Choler-bearing Vessels, swell up with Bile or Choler, by the same Convulsion also of the Viscera, the Bile is pressed forth into the Duodenum by the Galish passage, and is emptied into the Ventricle, and there, by its fierceness, provokes yet to more cruel Vomiting, wherefore for the most part, [Page 73]the vomiting which is excited for this reason, follows the shaking only. But that the Choler was not in the Stomach before the fit troubled it, but only pressed forth from the Choleduct passage, by the Spasm and Convulsive motions of the Viscera, and poured forth into the Ventricle, appears from hence, because if a Vomit be given in the midst of the interval, between the two fits, little or nothing of bilous matter will be drawn forth; besides, this bitter humor is of that fierceness, that it cannot be long contained in the Ventricle, but presently it will procure the pain of the Heart, and Vomiting. Besides this sort of Vomiting, excited in the shaking fit, somtimes a Vo­miting is provoked in the midst of the burning fit, or in the sweat, the cause of which is, the redundancy of the bilish humor in the Blood; of which if there be greater plenty, than what diluted with Serum may be sent forth by Sweat, a great part of it, whilst the Blood is circulated about the crevises of the Liver, is laid aside in the Chole­duct Vessels; which, when being filled to a distention, exonerate themselves, and send away the Choler to the Intestines and Ventricle, and there a Convulsion being presently stirred up, somtimes Vomiting is provoked, and somtimes the Belly be­comes loose, and the Stools liquid. In this Year 1657. I observed very many affe­cted after this manner, for when after an hot and dry Summer, about the middle of Autumn, an Intermitting Feaver generally raged, the sick were wont suddenly to grow very ill, in the middle of their hot fit, and somtimes also in their sweating, and the Sweat being struck in, to be taken with Swooning; but shortly after, when a Choleric Vomiting followed, they were eased.

Not only the signs and symptoms, but the Procatartic or more remote Causes of this Disease, clearly indicate, that it takes its rise from the temper of the Blood being changed: because Intermitting Feavers, are most frequent in the season, and places, in which the Blood receives the greatest alteration from the Air, viz. either in the Spring, when the vernal heat shutting out the Winters cold, causes the Blood, before benumed, and apt to be more slowly moved, to begin to flourish, and luxuriate in the Vessels, and from thence, to get a bilous and hot temper: or in the Autumn, when the Blood being torrified, or roasted by the Summers heat, and therefore its Spirits very much depressed, and Salt and Sulphur exalted, acquires now a sharp and Choleric, now a binding and austere disposition: wherefore, at this season, Feavers, now Tertian, now Quartan, are frequent; besides, in some places, there is that con­stitution of the Heaven, that on all men whatsoever, there comes either a Tertian or (more frequently) a Quartan Feaver; although in the first offices, where the Mine of the Disease is commonly believed to be lodged, there be no congestion of humors, by reason of an ill manner of living, or sickly disposition. Yea, they most easily fall into this Disease, who have their inwards firm and strong, and who abound with a lively heat: on the contrary, those who by reason of a weak Concoction, heap up Crudities in the first passages continually, that they are prone to the Dropsie, or Cachexia, remain free, for the most part, from this Distemper; to wit, the Blood being made more watery, (like Wine degenerated into a tastless substance) is altogether unapt to be fermented.

No less, doth the Cure of Intermitting Feavers seem to prove this our Assertion, whether it be Natural and Critical, or Artificial, and performed by the help of Me­dicines. As to the first, Intermitting Feavers are wont to be terminated, after a two­fold manner. The first is, when from the fits themselves, the temper of the Blood is altered, and oft times is reduced into its Natural disposition. For when in every coming of the fit, very much of Sulphur, and adust Salt is burnt out, and exhaled by Sweat, the Liquor of the Blood, by that means, becomes more temperate, and less torrid: wherefore, oftentimes this Disease is cured, at six or seven periods, and of its own accord ceases: but if it be longer protracted, and that the Blood being som­what changed, from the sharp and bilous temper, or disposition, is not restored to its Natural temper, somtimes it degenerates into an Acid, Watery, and also Pontic or saltish temper, from whence a long Tertian Feaver passes into a Quotidian, or a Quar­tan; also oftentimes, because the Blood is greatly depraved, by the long continuance of this Feaver, the Jaundies, or the Scurvy, or the Cachexia follow. The other man­ner, whereby this Disea [...] is terminated, is, when the change of the Air, or the Country, brings a notable alteration of the Blood: for so Feavers begun at the times of the Equinoxes, are ended about the time of the Solstices; also the sick, traveling into another Region, often grow well.

As to the cure of it, by the Institutions of the Medicines, it uses to be done two ways, viz. Empirically, and Dogmatically; and in this Disease, Empirical remedies, sought from Quack-salvers, and old Women, are more esteemed, and oftentimes do more than the prescriptions of Physicians, administred after the exact method of cureing.

Empirical Remedies, which are said to cure Intermitting Feavers or Agues, are of that sort, which drive away the approaching Fit, without any Evacuation: and are either taken inwardly, or are outwardly applyed, where the Pulses chiefly beat, viz. For the most part, they are bound either to the region of the heart, or to the hand­wrists, or to the soles of the feet; these sometimes are so commonly known to help, that some have warranted the sudden cure of this Disease, by these Remedies, under the pain of some Forfeiture: Wherefore it is worth our inquiry, how these operate, and by what way or means they stop the Feaverish accessions. It is clear, First, that those which are outwardly applyed, do immediatly impart force, and action to the Blood, and Spirits; and when they drive away the Fit, by preventing, without the Evacuation of humor, or any matter of necessity, the reason of this effect consists only in this, that by the use of these sort of Medicines, the turgescency or swelling up of the Blood, with the Feaverish matter, and Fermentation are stop'd; to wit, from the Medicine tyed about the Body, certain little Bodys, or Effluvia are communicated to the Blood, which do very much fix, and bind together the particles of it, or also, as it were precipitate them, by fusing and shaking them; and by either way, the spon­taneous growing hot of the Blood, is hindred: as when cold water is put into a boy­ling Pot, or as when Vinegar, or Alum is flung into new and working Beer, presently Fermentation ceases, and the Liquor acquires a new tast, and consistency, whereby it becomes fit to be drunk, as if it had been kept to ripen a long time. But that these Ague-stoppers do work after this manner, it is plainly seen, because those which are of principal note, do excell in a Styptic, and binding force, or else with a precipitating virtue; hence Sea-salt, Nitre, Sal-gemmae, the Juice of Plantan, Shepherds-burse, any binding Herbs pounded with Vinegar, and the like, bound to the wrists; the root of Yarrow, Tormentile, also Campher hung about the neck, are said to take away this Disease: yea, those also which are taken inwardly, are of the same rank; The Juice of Plantan, Red-rose water, Alum, for that they fix, and constrain the Blood, a de­coction of Piper, Sal Armoniac, or of Wormwood, Spirit of Vitrial, also a-sudden passion of anger, or fear, forasmuch as they precipitate the Blood, by fusing and shaking it, do oftentimes hinder the Agues approach: even as the Concussion, and shaking much, any Liquour, or the infusion of astringent things into it, hinder its spontaneous Effervescency and rage. It is usual with some Empiricks, for the cure of Agues, to tye a little knot in a Linnen rag, or a piece of Paper roled up, so strickly to the wrists, pressing hard upon the beating of the Pulse, that the circulation of the Blood is somewhat hindred, and by this means, the Aguish fit coming on, is driven away. Very many by this way, I have none to be most certainly cured of a tedious sickness; the reason of which seems to be, that whilst the Blood is hindred from its motion in any part, it grows more tumuluous in the other parts; and so, by this per­turbation, stirred up in the whole Blood, the spontaneous Effervescency of the Liquor, being about to follow, is hindred. But that the Fit, by this, or ony other means, be­ing once hindred, does not afterwards easily return, the reason is; Because, if this Fea­verish, and depraved matter, be contained longer in the Blood, it is afterwards cocted, and in some measure ripened: and therefore the Blood does not (as before) altogether pervert, either this, or the provision coming to it anew, but begins to digest and assi­milate it: besides, when the Fit is once stop'd, its custom is broke, by the instinct of which alone, Nature oftentimes repeats those her Errors: for, as when it has once made a fault, it is wont more readily to do ill after the same way; so when it once omits its fault, it more easily accustoms it self to do better.

The dogmatieal cure, is instituted for the most part, by Vomitory and Purging Me­dicines, also with the letting of Blood; with which the sick are miserably tormented, and the Disease seldom profligated or driven away; that deservedly, this Distemper is called the shame of Physicians; but Tertian Feavers are sometimes carried away by a Vomit given just before the coming of the Fit, which indeed happens (as I think) for the reason before mentioned. For I have said, That the cause of a Tertian Feaver, is an evil disposition of the Blood, whereby it passes into a sour and bilous Nature; and therefore it doth not rightly assimilate the nutritious Juice brought to it, but changes [Page 75]it into a Fermentative matter; wherefore, if the Bile or Choler be copiously drawn forth of the Blood, that Cholerick and hot intemperance is very much taken away, and that Fermentative power ceases of it self, But Emetick Medicines do chiefly per­form this, for if they operate strongly, a Convulsion is not only brought to the bottom of the Ventricle, but also the Duodenum, with an inverse motion, is drawn together to­wards the Pylorus, and the Cholerby a continual thrusting forward, being squees'd forth from the Choleduct passage, is poured into the Ventricle, which is presently cast out by Vomit; which being copiously performed, the galish bladder is almost empti­ed, and after that, it becomes a receptacle, that draws forth, and separates the bilous humor, or the particles of adust Sulphur and Salt plentifully poured into the Blood; the next Fit sometimes is by this means prevented, not because the mine of the Dis­ease is extirpated by Vomit, but because an Evacuation and motion is excited, con­trary to the Feaverish motion, and for that reason, the spontaneous Effervescency of the Blood is prevented. Also by this means, sometimes the Disease is taken away af­ter the Fit, because this way, the Blood is fully cleared from the bilous humor. It is worthy observation, that in a Quartan Feaver, Vomits profit nothing, and seldom in a Tertian, unless administred presently at the beginning, whilst the Feaverish disposi­tion is yet light, and not fully confirmed.

Concerning Intermitting Feavers in general, there yet remain some Irregulars of them, to be explicated, which vary from the wonted manner: for unless these unusual appearances be solved, this our Hypothesis will seem to be defective, and to halt in one part. First therefore, they are wont somtimes to lack the cold or shaking fit. This Intermitting Feaver is frequent in Autumn, whose fits are wont to exer­cise the sick, only with heat, and that most Violent, and in many they come with great Vomiting, but no Sweat or Cold; then after four or five periods, upon the coming on of the fit, the sick are wont to be chil, and presently after to quake, and in the declination to sweat: The reason of this was, because, from the very hot Sum­mer, the Constitution of the Blood was become sharp, and very much burnt: Where­fore, the Particles of the crude Juice, being commixed with it, were presently terri­fied or made hot, and scorched; that they did not at first, (like new Beer) grow hot with an Acrimony, and then afterwards blaze forth; but a turgescency being stirred up, (like dry wood laid upon a fire) presently the whole took fire, and broke forth into flames; but afterwards, the Liquor of the Blood being fired by several fits, became less torrid, that the depraved Alible Juice was not presently torrified, but passed into a Nitrous matter, and fermenting with a sharpness, which at first swelling up, induced the sense of cold to the whole Body. When the cold fit was begun, for the most part Sweat concluded it: which indeed hapned, because the Blood being made more watery, is more easily resolved into vapour, with the Feaverish matter, even as a watery Liquor is more easily drawn forth by distillation, than what is Oily, or of a more thick consistency.

It often happens, in the declination of this Disease, when the fits begin to lessen, that the sense of cold and shaking, by little and little are diminished, and at length vanish, and the fit only troubles the sick, with a light burning: The reason of which is, because at this time, the Blood being somwhat restored, towards its natural state, begins to concoct and ripen the crude juice; so that a great part of it is assimilated: but some Excrements, being heaped together in the Blood, bring forth as yet a light burning: but when the Feaverish Particles, do not participate of the Nitrous Acrimony, the Fermentation of the Blood is induced without any shivering, by which, what was extraneous burns forth, is either subdued, or carried forth of doors. Somtimes also, in the declination of this Disease, the fits appear without any burning, only with a light cold: The reason of which is, because the Morbific matter, being rather Ni­trous, than Sulphureous, when it is in Flux, does somwhat blunt the Natural Heat; and by that means is dissipated, and vanishes, without any great deflagration.

There is yet a great doubt concerning the intervals of the periods, which som­times seem to be double in the same Feaver, that the first Accession answers to the third, and either perhaps comes in the morning; and again the second to the fourth, and both happen in the Evening; and so forward: wherefore, the Feaver bearing this figure, is wont to be named a double Tertian, or Quartan, of which it doth not easily appear, how they should be done, if the fits depend upon the evil disposition of the Blood, and from thence on a Congestion to a Turgescency of the depraved Nourishing Juice: for which cause, they commonly affirm, that this double figure is [Page 76]stirred up, or draws its original from a double Nest, or Mine; but to me it seems most likely, that in this case, somtimes it happens for the Feaver to be simple, and of one kind, also its types or figures to be alike, and all congruous one to another, but the error to arise, because the interstitia of the periods, are not computed by hours, but days: For when as, the beginnings of the fits are distant one from another, not ex­actly twenty four hours, but either sixteen, or thirty hours, in a Quotidian; and in a Tertian, not forty eight, but forty, or fifty six, more or less, or thereabouts; it comes to pass, that every other fits, happen before, and the others after Noon. To which also may be added, that the different manner of eating, which the sick use, very often produces great inequalities of figures: that somtimes the fit is redoubled twice in a day, as I have often observed in Cachectical men, or full of ill humors, and living disorderly: but it doth not seldom happen, that Intermitting Feavers, repeat fits, which do neither observe the same distance, nor bear altogether the figure of the same mode. I have many times observed in a Quartan Feaver, that besides the set com­ings or Accessions, returning on the fourth day, about the same hour; some wan­dring and uncertain fits, did infest the sick; that somtimes on the day preceeding, the wonted fit, somtimes on that following it, another fit (tho lighter) was excited anew, with shivering, Heat, and Sweat, exactly like the figure of an Intermitting Feaver; and nevertheless, the primary Accession returned at its accustomed time. This for the most part, is wont to happen, either from diet evilly instituted, chiefly from sur­feit, and drinking of Wine; or else from Medicines wrongfully administred: The reason of which (unless I am deceived) consists in this. The mass of Blood, being wont to be filled to a swelling up, with the Fermentative matter, at a set time, often, by reason of some errors in eating and drinking, heaps up more matter, than can be easily dissipated in one fit; and when it unequally Cooks the same Fermentative mat­ter, it often happens, that it first shakes off its superfluous, or more thin part, as it were by a certain skirmish, in a more light fit, but dispels the more thick, (after the primary Accession) as yet remaining in the Blood, by a Feaverish Fermentation arising anew. And when the fits, in an Intermitting Feaver, redouble after this manner, either become more remiss, for that the same matter in either, is only divided; and eventilated by two accessions. Besides, when this Fermentative matter, or Nutriti­ous Juice, depraved in its circulation, is continued, partly in the Arteries and Veins, with the Blood, and partly in the Nervous stock, and solid parts, it may happen, that both humors do not ferment at once, but a great part of one may be dispersed in one fit, and then a great part of the other, in another fit.

CHAP. IV. Of the kinds of Intermitting Feavers, and first of a Tertian.

WE shall easily accommodate to our Hypothesis, delivered in the former Chapter, concerning the nature and beginning of Intermitting Feavers, all the Phaenomena which belong to it, and the reasons of them. But as those which are of this sort, do not observe the same space of Intermission, or of re­turn, and their figures, as to the appearances of their signs and symptoms, do not alto­gether happen after the same manner; therefore according to the diversities of these, and especially from the distance of the fits, the various species and differences of In­termitting Feavers, are assigned. The chiefest division of them is, into Tertian, Quotidian, and Quartan: We shall here remark the chief things worthy of note concerning each of them.

It is called a Tertian Feaver, not which is accomplished at the distance of three days; but inclusively from the day in which one Fit begins, from thence the other re­turns on the third. In the mean time, if the Fits be sometimes longer, viz. pro­tracted almost to twenty four hours, and the Remissions anticipated also by their ac­cessions, or comings of the Fits, the space is oftentimes less by a night and a day. This Disease is commonly distinguished into exquisite and spurious; The exquisite or exact Tertian Feaver is, which begins with a vehement shaking, to which succeeds a sharp and biting heat, which goes off in sweat, and its Fit is finished in twelve hours, and that the perfect intermission follows; In the spurious or bastard Tertian, the cold and heat are more remiss, but the Fit is often extended beyond twelve hours, yea often to eighteen or twenty. These differ as to the various disposition of the Blood, which is in the former more torrid and sharp; therefore perverts the alible Juice from Cru­dity, towards an adustion, wherefore a more vehement Effervescency is stirred up; but as the matter more equally burns forth, it is sooner finished. In the latter, besides the adustion, the Blood abounds with too much serous humidity, wherefore, the nourishing Juice degenerates into a Crude matter, and therefore less apt to be overcome, and to burn sorth; wherefore, its Fit is gentler, and more unequal, but is not finished but in a longer space.

The Essence therefore of a Tertian Feaver consists in this; That the Blood (like Beer brew'd with too high dry'd Mault) being too sharp, and torrid, does not right­ly subdue, and ripen the alible Juice, which is taken in from crude things eaten, but very much perverts it into a nitrous-sulphurous matter; with which, when the mass of Blood is filled to a swelling up, like new Beer stop'd up in Bottles, it conceives an heat: From the flux of this nitrous matter, which blunts the heat, and vital spirits, and pulls the nervous parts, first the cold, with shaking is excited; then the vital spirit geting strength again, this matter growing hot in the Blood, begins to be subdued, and inkindled in the heart; from whose deflagration, an intense heat is diffused thorough the whole body; then its reliques being separated, and involved with serum, are sent away by sweat.

This torrid Constitution of the Blood, consists in this, That 'tis impregnated more than it ought, with particles of Sulphur and Salt; wherefore, the Procatartick causes, which dispose to this Disease, are an hot and bilous temperament, a youthful age, hot dyet, as an immoderate use of Wine and spiced Meats, but especially in the Spring and autumnal seasons of the year, when the Blood (as all vegetables) is apt to flower, and to ferment of its own accord. By reason of these occasions, the liquor of the Blood, is want to be thorowly roasted, and to be changed into a cholerick temper: and when it departs from its natural Disposition so much, that it perverts the nutri­tious Juice, into a matter plainly Fermentative, the beginning of this Feaver is indu­ced; which sometimes happens from this intemperance being leasurely increased and brought to the height; but more frequently, an evident cause raises up this disposition [Page 78]into act, and we ascribe the origine of this Disease to some notable Accident. Where­fore, lying on the Ground, or taking cold after sweating, or transpiration being any ways hindred; also a Surfit, or a perturbation of the Stomach, from any thing inor­dinately eaten; and lastly, What things soever stir up an immoderate heat in the Blood, bring the lurking disposition of this Disease into act: for that, from every such occasion, the nutritious Juice, being heaped in the Blood, and somewhat depraved, conceives a Flux, and departing from the rest of the Blood, ferments with a nitrous sharpness, then being inkindled and shaken by the Spirit, and vital heat, it induces the Fit, with a very strong burning.

A Tertian Feaver, is wont to be more frequent in the Spring, at which time, the Blood is livelier and richer, and therefore more fitted for this kind of Feaverish distem­per. If this Feaver being taken, be ended within a moderate time, tis commonly said to be a Medicine, rather than a Disease; which is partly true, because, by this means, the impurities of the Blood burn out, the obstructions of the Viscera are dis­charged, and in truth the whole body is ventilated, so that 'tis wholly freed from every Excrementitious matter, and the seminary of growing Diseases. But if this Disease be long protracted, it becomes the cause of many Sicknesses, and of a long want of Health. For from hence the mass of the Blood is very much deprived of the vital Spirit, and (like Wine too much fermented) in a manner grows lifeless: wherefore the Jaundice, Scurvy, or Cachexia, follow this Feaver, being long er'e it be cured For by its frequent Fits, the vital Spirit very much evaporates, and because it is but little restored by things eaten, the Blood therefore becomes weaker, and almost without life: In the mean time, the particles of Salt, and Sulphur, are carried forth more, and exalted; from whence, the Blood is made shap, and salt, and so more unfit for Circu­lation and Transpiration.

Moreover, This Disease being long protracted, oftentimes changes its Figure, and from a Tertian Feaver, becomes either a Quotidian, or sometimes a Quartan: then sometimes from either, it returns into a Tertian. The reason of this is, the dispositi­on of the Blood being variously changed: which at first being sharp, and bilous, had perverted the nutritious Juice, by that means, that it arise to a fulness of swelling up on the third day; afterwards, by the frequent Deflagration, becoming less sharp, or in truth more waterish, it grows far weaker as to its Constitution, so that it doth very little, or not at all assimulate the nourishable humor, and ripen it, and by that means, the increase of the Fermentative matter is made sooner, and the Fits return daily: or else, the Blood from a sharp and bilous intemperance, (the constitution of the Heaven, or the year, bringing on this alteration) is changed into an austere, or saltish, and therefore more slowly perverts the nourishing Juice, and the increase of the Fea­verish matter, gathering together more flowly, it doth not conceive the Fits till on the fourth day: but if either, by the means of Physick or Dyet, the temper of the Blood is reduced from either Dyscrasie, towards a bilous, the periods also are altered, and they resume the figure of a Tertian.

Certain symptoms are wont to come upon a Tertian Feaver, which are commonly esteemed for the Crises of this Disease; and in truth sometimes, these appearing, the Distemper either clearly ceases, or begins to abate of its wonted fierceness. But these kind of signs, are chiefly these three viz. The Erysipelas, or an Eruption of pimples in the Lips, the yellow Jaundice, and an Inflamation, or swelling suddenly excited, in this or that part of the body: very often there happens after three or four Fits to the Sick, little ulcers, with a crusty scab, to break forth about the Lips, and altho there be no coming away of any matter, in all the body beside, yet from hence they presage, that the Feaver is about to depart, which sometimes the event proves true. But indeed sometimes, I have observed, that the hoped for effect has not succeeded, but that the Feaver pertinaciously, and for a long while hath afflicted them, when their Lips have been broken out. But as to what respects this Symptom, it seems to arise, for that the Blood having got a more free Diaphoresis, it not only thrusts forth adoors, the more thin, and smokie recrements, but also the more thick; and when the same, in other parts more easily exhale thorow the more open Pores, they stick in their passage about the Lips, by reason of the skin being more strictly bound together; and because the vaporous matter, abounds in particles of adust Salt, and Sulphur, being fixed in the skin, it there hinders Circulation, and therefore induces Pustles, and little Ulcers; per­haps the more hot breath, which is breathed forth from the mouth, and nostrils, may contribute something to this Distemper, forasmuch as it scorches, and burns the [Page 79]Blood, and Juices flowing thither: wherefore, it may be said, That this eruption of Pustles, denotes only a more full Diaphoresis in the whole, by which, the more thick, as well as the thin recrements of the adust Blood, evaporate forth of doors. For I have known in some, from a Tertian Feaver, little welks like the small Pox to break out in their whole body, that if by this more plentiful Ventilation, as it were a purg­ing, the Blood be so freed, that it recovers its pristine disposition, the Feaver is cured: But if (as sometimes it happens) some recrements, tho more thick, break forth, yet others stay within, and still cherish the Feaverish disposition, those little Ulcers, argue only a greater taint of the Blood, and pertinacy of the Disease, therefore it may be ob­served, when that scabs break out in the lips, if the Feaver does not presently abate, that it will be more grievous, and tedious for the future.

Sometimes the yellow Jaundice comes upon a Tertian Feaver, and cures it; (which Hippocrates has also taken notice of) the reason of which is, because, when the Blood has got a sharp or bilous disposition; that therefore it had perverted the alible Juice, and from thence had heaped together excrementitious matter, it is oftentimes freed by that Dyscrasie, when by a sudden Secretion, the recrements of adust Salt and Sulphur, are more plentiful purged forth. This the Choleduct vessels being irritated by Physick, or of their own accord, and so pouring out plentifully the Bile, from the Blood, do often perform: because Vomiting, Purging, and especially a Diarrhea or L ask, very much conduce to the cure of this Disease, yea sometimes, the Blood it self, putting forth of its own accord, thrusts forth the bilous recrements, as its off-scourings, and in the circulating puts them forth in the skin, and so inducing the yellow Jaundice, cures this Feaver.

When an Inflamation, (as sometimes tis wont) comes upon this Distemper, the Ague is commonly said to fall down into the part distempered with the Tumor. But that by such a breaking forth, this Disease is cured, 'tis no wonder; because the Blood by this means continually lays aside out of his bosom, the provision of the degenerate nutritious Juice, and transfers it to the distempered part; and therefore, the degene­rate and fermentative matter in the mass of Blood, does not easily arise to a fulness of swelling up: wherefore, the Belly being perpetually loose, hath by degrees helped some, for that the Blood by this means, readily casts forth its burthen, now growing low, and not having a more full increase yielded to it: sometimes also, a Deaf;ness suddenly arising, the Tertian Feaver has presently ceased, to wit, by reason of a con­tinual translation of the Feaverish matter, from the bosom of the Blood, into the head.

If that the Tertian Feaver, within a short time, neither by the free accord of Na­ture, declines by degrees, that it doth clearly cease within seven or ten periods, nor is cured by any of the aforesaid means, nor is removed by the help of Medicine, but that after ten or twelve Fits, the sick are still grievously afflicted, it will be a very hard task to cure it: because the Blood, from the continual heaping of the Feaverish mat­ter, and by the frequent burnings, becomes at length so depraved, that it concocts no­thing truly for the nourishment of the Body, and for the sustaining its strength; nei­ther is it able to shake thorowly out of its bosom, the impurities and excrements, whereby the Disease may make a Crisis or separation, but in truth, the same growing in strength every day, the Blood, besides its Dyscrasie or evil disposition, begins to be hurt somewhat in its mixture; wherefore, more frequent Fits infest them, nor does a perfect Remission come between, but that the sick being very weak and languishing, are almost continually Feaverish, with thirst and heat: when it is come to this pass, unless they are succour'd by remedies from Art, or that the change of the Place, and Air, bring timely help, this Disease often ends in death.

As to its cure: the method of healing is commonly directed to this one scope, to wit, that the mine of the Disease may be extirpated, and that the Feaverish matter may be eradicated out of our Body, without any cherisher remaining, or fear of re­lapsing; wherefore, Vomits, and Purges are diligently Instituted, which when pro­fiting nothing to the cure, but that the Patients strength is very much broken, the sick are lest by the Physicians, and the business is wholly committed to Nature. The In­tentions (as it seems to me) ought to be of this sort: First, a restitution of the Blood, to its natural Temper. Secondly, a prevention of the depravation of the nourishing Juice, as much as may be. Thirdly, an Inhibition of the Feaverish Fermen­tation, that the Fit may not be excited. And these Indications take place, not only in a Tertian Feaver, but in any other intermitting Feaver besides: which yet are to be [Page 80]performed, not by the same ways and remedies, but by several, according to the diver­sity of the Disease, of the condition of the sick, and of the symptoms chiefly urging. However in the curing of this Disease, there is more to be attributed to Nature, and to a good order of Dyet, or way of Living, than to Physick.

1. Concerning the first Intention, to wit, that the Blood may be reduced to its na­tural Temper, Vomits, letting of Blood, and Purging are of great use: especially, if they be celebrated in the beginning of the Disease. Vomitories help, both for that they Purge the Ventricle, that the first Concoction may be better performed, and by that means the nourishing Chyme may be more purely supplyed, for matter of the Blood; but chiefly, for that by plentifully pressing forth the Bile, form the Choleduct passage, they empty the Galish bag, as by that means, the Bile is poured forth more full from the mass of Blood; and so the Blood is purified, from the recrements of adust Salt and Sulphur. The opening of a Vein, cools and ventilates the Blood, as by that means, tis less torrified, or scorched, and is circulated more freely in the Vessels, without danger of burning. Also Purging, plentifully draws forth, and by provoking expresses, or squeeses out, the Bile, from the galish Vessels, and consequently from the mass of Blood. For this end, (to wit, the reduction of the Blood) Digestives bring help, the more temperate Vinegars, or Acetous things, forasmuch as they fuse, and alter the Blood, and do attemper its fervor. Somtimes also, the change of the Soil, and Air, notably amends the evil constitution of the Blood, before all other Remedies whatsoever.

The second Intention, is excellently performed, by Dyet, and an exact manner of living; which in this Disease ought to be slender and sparing: wherefore it is commonly said, Starving is the best Remedy for this Disease: and it appears by common experi­ence, that by a more spare eating, the coming of the Ague fit, is very often prolonged, beyond its wonted Custom. There are especially two things to be observed, concern­ing Eating and Drinking: The first, that the food be slender, that nothing Sulphureous or Spirituous be given, for so the Conflagration of the Blood will be lessened; then secondly, that the Fit approaching, or urging, nothing of Aliment be taken, where­fore, in fasting the Fit is lighter, and sooner finished.

As to the third thing proposed; the Inhibition of the Feaverish Fit, is instituted by Remedies, which stay the Fermentation of the Blood. But tho this Remedy seems Empirical, and unmethodical, and very failable to Physicians, yet I have found these Feavers to be very often cured by this means, when Medicines have profited nothing: What they are, and by what means, without the suspicion of Witchcraft, they afford help, for the curing this Disease, is before noted. We shall here only advertise you, that the use of these is most profitable after Physick, and opening a Vein, if there be need of it; and unless these be reghtly performed before-hand, those other rarely stop the Fit. But Vomiting, Purging, and breathing a Vein, unless they be presently cele­brated after the beginning, yield little help, yea, more often are wont to hinder: For whilst the Blood is strong in vital spirit, its evil disposition, may with easie labour be corrected, or amended: wherefore, if the Bile, about the beginning, be copiously drawn forth, or the Blood eventilated, it is reduced to its natural Complexion; but afterwards, in the progress of this Disease (the Spirit being now very much exhausted, and the Salt and Sulphur too much exalted) if these kind of Evacuations be admini­stred, they do more debilitate the disposition of the Blood: and therefore it is clear by observation, that the Tertian Feaver, is rarely or never cured, by these Remedies late administred, and often passes into a Quotidian. I my self have known some, in the Spring time, being strong in very good health, from a more strong Emetick taken for prevention sake, causing a violence by the Evacuation, to have presently fallen into a Tertian Feaver; and others, for some time cured of this Feaver, when they had taken a strong Purge, for the carrying away of the remains of the Feaverish matter, upon it to have fallen into a Relapse. It may be readily said, that the mine of the Disease, be­ing before at quiet, was stirred up, and brought into Act, after this manner by the Medicine: But if you consider this thing rightly, it may rather be said, that from the strong Medicine, the disposition of the Blood was very much hurt, and when at first it was prone to a bilous Dyscrasie, that it hardly did assimilate the alible Juice, from this evident cause, it forthwith degenerated, that it wholy perverted the Nutriment, into a Fermentative matter, and so conceived the Feaverish disposition. It is a common opinion, that a Tertian Feaver can scarce be cured, without a Vomit, wherefore some Medicasters, are wont under the pretext of the necessity, to give to all whatsoever, [Page 81]labouring with this Disease (tho languishing and weak) and Emetick Medicine not without great danger of life: and those whom they judge wholy unfit for such a Me­dicine, they leave as not easily cureable to Nature. But (as I have often found the contrary by experience) this sort of practice is evilly instituted; yea, I rather judge, for the cureing of a Tertian Feaver that Vomits are rarely or never to be required, unless in a strong Body, and very easily prone to Vomiting, and when the Ventricle happens to be burthened, with excrementitious matter, but instead of it, that a gentle Purge, by which the load of the humors may be pleasantly brought away may be of better use: because, a Purge in this case, doth the same thing as a Vomit, to wit, it evacuates the choleduct Vessels, that the Bile, being plentifully exhausted from the Blood, the Feaverish Dyscrasie is mended. But when the galish humor, being empti­ed forth into the Ventricle, is cast out upwards, from thence there is great hurt brought to the stomach, and a mighty perturbation excited in the whole Body: But if that humour be inticed downwards by a gentle Purge, it is sent forth of doors, without any trouble. Then, if to a gentle Purge, once or twice repeated, be added a very slender dyet, without flesh it often answers the preservatory Indication, that there needs no other Remedies, for the taking away the cause of this Disease; but that these being rightly performed, shall render beneficial those things, which being either inwardly taken, or outwardly applyed, stop the Feaverish accession. By this sort of plain and easie institution of Medicine, viz. A Purge of the infusion of Senna, and Rhubarb, a slender dyet, and a Febrifuge or Ague-resisting Topick, laid either to the wrists, or the breast, I have known very often, and in very short time, Tertian Feavers cured, with­out the use of any other destroying Physick: yea, a thin dyet only, with Amulets timely administred, hath very happily cured Big-bellied women, and also very weak old men, whose strength could not bear Purging. I have so often made tryal of this method, with good success, that I doubt not, but that a Tertian Feaver, may as easily be cured, as any other Disease, if it be at the begining handled after this manner, viz. before the temper of the Blood be more hurt, by an evil manner of Dyet, or by Medicine untowardly administred. For the truth of this thing, I will relate this following History.

A certain noble young man, indued with a bilous Temper, had caught an inter­mitting Tertian Feaver; upon the approach of the Fit, he Vomited forth much yel­low and greenish Choler, then he was troubled most grievously, for many hours, with a great pain of the Heart, and most strong Heat and Thirst. On the day of the in­termission there was taken from this person, with whom I was by chance, by my pre­scription, eight ounces of Blood, and in the afternoon was given an Emollient Glyster, he also used a most slender Dyet, ( viz. only made of Barly) He took every night going to sleep, this Opiate, viz. Conserve of Roses vitriolated half a dram, of Diascordium a scruple, also every morning of the Salt of Wormwood a scruple, in a spoonful of the Juice of Orange: but when these did not succeed (for the Fit returned somwhat more remiss, but with cruel Vomiting, as at first) besides, for that this sick person, ex­treamly abhor'd a Vomitory Medicine, (because not long before this, from a very gentle Emetick, he had Vomited almost thirty times, until being distempered with the Cramp, and Convulsions, he was brought into great weakness, whit hazard of his life) therefore, the day following the aforesaid Fit, I gave him a Potion of an infu­sion of Senna, Rhubarb, and yellow Sanders, with Salt of Wormwood, in Spring­water, by which he was Purged ten times, with ease: In the morning after, and three hours before he expected the Fit, I put to his wrists an Ague-resisting Medicine, and took from him six ounces of Blood, by which means, he mist his Feaverish Fit, and then being again Purged after the same manner, became perfectly well.

If that the Tertian Feaver, by reason of the evil Constitution of the sick, or be­cause of errors in Dyet, or committed by Physick, hath more deeply rooted it self, that after a long sickness, the Fits still grow worse, and the sick extreamly languish, with want of Strength, Thirst, and almost continual Heat, want of Appetite, wake­ings, weak Pulse, high colour'd Urine, and very full of Contents, the Curatory method ought to be a little otherways instituted; In this case, first it is to be endeavour'd, that the Dyscrasie of the Blood, may be taken away; wherefore, the sick are to be fed, with slender Aliments only, as Barly broth, or Grewel, with opening Roots boiled in it, (flesh-broth being wholly laid aside) the Belly is to be kept loose, (if need be) with the use of Emollient Clysters; besides (Purges being omitted) only digestive Medicines, which fuse the Blood, and bring away gently the serous Impurities by [Page 82]Urine, also comforting Remedies, which corroborate the Viscera, and cherish the Spirits, are chiefly to be insisted on. To this end, Apozems are fitly to be prepared, of Herbs, and Roots gently Diuretic, also Opiats help very much, of temperate Conserves, with Sal Nitre, or the fixed Salt of Herbs, with shelly powders, and the Spirit of Vitriol mixed together. When the disposition of the Blood is somwhat mended, that the Urine is clearer, and less coloured, also sleep quieter, with a re­mission of thirst, and heat following; then may be profitably administred, Reme­dies to stop the Feaverish fit: wherefore Ague-resisting Amulets may be applyed to the Wrists or to the Soles of the Feet; also the powder of Peruvian Bark, or of somthing instead of it; or also of the Barks of the Ash-Tree, Tamarisk, or Gentian, with Salts mixed with them, and drunk in White-Wine: after the comings of the fits are taken away, and the sick being to get strength, and desire Food, and in some measure to digest it, gentle Purges may be of use: but let the sick still abstain, from a more plen­tiful Diet, or participating of Flesh, and they will shortly after recover perfect Health without any violent Purge or Phlebotomy.

CHAP. V. Of the Quotidian Intermitting Feaver.

BEcause of its affinity to the Tertian Feaver, and likeness of fits, the Quotidian (or dayly) Feaver comes next, viz. whose Accession is wont to return every day. It is the opinion of some, that this sort of Feaver, is only a double Tertian, and doth arise from a dispersed matter, having gotten a twofold Nest; to which I cannot assent, and I suppose its begining is to be attributed, to a peculiar Dyscrasie of the Blood. In this the symptoms of cold and heat, are more remiss, but its is longer continued, and oftentimes it is wont to last eighteen or twenty hours: This Feaver for the most part follows a Tertian, for when the Vital Spirit is very much flown away, by the frequent deflagration of the Blood, and (the Feaver­ish disposition still remaining) the Blood is made weaker, it doth not concoct the nourishing Juice, or ripen it, but perverts almost the whole into a Fermentative mat­ter; wherefore it comes sooner to its increase, and is gathered together to a plenitude of swelling up, within double the time, than at first. But because the congested mat­ter, participates equally of crudity, and adustion, therefore the heat of the burning is lesser, and more unequal, and (like green wood laid on the fire) slowly burns; for which reason the fit endures longer.

Somtimes it happens, that a Quotidian Feaver, doth arise without a Tertian go­ing before, viz. when a Feaverish disposition, falls upon a Cacochymic Body, or full of evil humors, and stuffed with depraved Juices; for then the Blood, being poor in Spirits, perrverts in a greater measure the nutritious Juice, and in a shorter time, gatheres to a fulness of swelling up: But that which begins an every days Ague, oftentimes changes its figure, and becomes a Tertian; just as a Tertian, often goes into a Quo­tidian, because between these Feavers, and their causes, there is a great vicinity; and the constitution of the Blood being a little chaged, it makes a transition from one to another. A Quotidian Intermitting Feaver, is not so easily cured as a Tertian: For whether it comes at first simple, or follows upon another Intermitting Feaver, it is still excited from a stronger cause, and argues a greater dyscrasie of the Blood, which will not presently give way to Remedies. But also, if this Feaver be of long con­tinuance, or comes upon another Chronical Disease, it has most often adjoyned to it, besides the taint of the Blood, the infirmities of the inwards: to wit, the Blood be­ing spoiled, easily affixeth its impurities, by degrees heaped up, on the Viscera, whilst it passes through their Meanders: from hence it is, that in a Quotidian Feaver, the weight of the Ventricle, an extension of the Hypochondria, Obstructions, or Tu­mors, now of the Liver, now of the Spleen, or Mesentery, are joyned together; but these kind of distempers, are not the cause of the Feaver, (as is commonly be­lieved) but only its product. Wherefore, in this Feaver, besides the simple method [Page 83]of Cure, which is shown in the Tertian, many other intentions or coindications, come under consideration: to wit, that the Ventricle be cleansed from its load of humors, the stuffings of the Inwards freed, Infirmities corroborated; and that toge­ther with these, the Dyscrasie of the Blood may be mended, and the Accessions of the Feaver may be restrained, must by all means be endeavoured; from whence, by reason of these kind of various intentions, we come to the Cure by a longer way: In this case, Vomits (if strength will bear them) are of benefit before all other Medicines: also Purges, whereby the assiduous supply of Excrementitious matter, may be drawn forth, are often to be repeated: Besides these, digestive Remedies, openers of Obstru­ctions, such as restore the Ferment of the Viscera, and Blood, and correct their evil dispositions, are frequently to be administred. Wherefore, the fixed Salts of Herbs, and their Extracts, Acid Spirits of Minerals, and somtimes preparations of Steel, do very much help: concerning these main things, the task will be hard, when by reason of the manifold evil, many things are to be done together, yet by reason of the assi­duity of the Feaverish fit, there is leisure for the sick to use few only. In Distempers so complicated, tho the reason of the method requires, the impediments to be first removed, and then to Cure the Disease, yet I have known, this kind of Feaver, be­set with many other distempers, in a Body full of humors, often Cured, without method, and by an Empirical way; viz. after a light provision of the whole, Ague­resisting Remedies being outwardly applyed, have at first stoopped the Feaverish fit, that then there was time, for the Curing the other distempers, and more happy occa­sions of healing were granted. I lately visited a Noble Lady, who being long indued with a Cachectical habit of Body, a month after her lying in, being weak and lan­guishing, was taken with a quotidian Intermitting Feaver; after six or seven fits of it, her strength was so much cast down, that she could scarce rise out of, or sit up in her Bed; nor able to take never so little Food, tho very slender, but upon it, most grievous molestations were raised up, in her stomach; besides, the Region of her Ven­tricle, and left Hypochondrium, was wholly beset, with a hard shining tumor, and cruelly painful: by reason of her strength being mightily cast down, there was no place left for Evacuation, but the use of Clysters; also her Stomach, being very weak, loathed all other Remedies, unless very grateful, and only in a very small quantity. In this difficult case, circumscribed between narrow limits of Curing, I counselled these few things, to wit, that twice in a day, she should take this mixture, viz. The magisterial water of Earth-worms two Ounces, of Elixer Proprietatis twelve drops. Moreover, I ordered to be applyed to her Ventricle, a Fomentation, of the Leaves of Sea-Wormwood, Centaury, Southernwood, with the Roots of Gentian, boiled in White-Wine, in an open Vessel: also, that after the Fomentation, a Cake of Tosted-Bread, and dipped in the same Liquor, should be worn upon her Stomach; besides, Ague-resisting Medicines were ordered for her wrists; and with these Re­medies only, she mist her Ague fit, on the third day, and remained free from it af­terwards; then, by the use of Chalybeat Remedies, she became perfectly well, within a short time.

CHAP. VI. Of a Quartan Feaver.

IN a Quartan Feaver, the period is longer than in the rest; to wit, which is extend­ed to the fourth day inclusively; also its continuance uses to be longer, and its cure harder: because this Disease is protracted for many months, yea, oftentimes for years, and seldom, or scarce at all, is cured by Medicines.

The Fit, for the most part, begins with cold, and shaking, to which a very trouble­some heat succeeds, but more remiss than in a Tertian: Sweat for the most part con­cludes the Fit. At the first coming of the Disease, the Fits are more grievous, and very infestous, and keep the sick in their Beds; yea, they make them lose their strength, and vigour of Body: But afterwards, the trouble is more easily born, so that the Fits are suffer'd out of Bed, and somtimes in a Journy, or being about any business. If it continue long, it induces the Scurvy, or Hypochondriac distemper, and involves men in an unhealthful condition.

The causes which dispose to this Disease, are first, the constitution of the Soil and Air, because this Distemper is proper to the fall of the Leaf, or Autumn, that you rarely find this Feaver to begin, but about that time: also in some places, especially about the Sea-coasts, this uses to be general, or common to the Region, and to come upon those living there, or Strangers coming thither from elsewhere. A declining age, which is past its acme or height, also a melancholick Temper, and which, by reason of an ill manner of living, is obnoxious to the Hypochondriac Distemper, cause this: besides, long Feavers of another kind, and Chronical Diseases, often pass into a Quartan Feaver.

According to these positions, and rightly weighed, it may be said, that a Quartan Feaver, even as the other intermitting Feavers, depends upon a vitious disposition of the Blood; to wit, because the nutritious Juice, being by degrees delated into the Ves­sels, is perverted into a Fermentative matter; and the effervescency of this, heaped up even to a fulness of swelling over, constitutes the Fit of the Quartan Feaver. But as in this Feaver, there are some things, which are peculiar from the rest, we will in­quire, what kind of Dyscrasie of the Blood it is in this Disease, distinct from the others, and by what means it excites, the very remarkable Symptoms.

The opinion, which is commonly had concerning this thing, is very far from truth: almost by the consent of all, the Essence and beginning of a Quartan Feaver, is a­scribed to a melancholick humout, heaped up somwhere in the first passages, and there periodically Putrifying. Instead of this, we affirm, that in this Disease, the Li­quor of the Blood, doth pass from a sweet, spirituous, and balsamick, into an acid, and somwhat austere Nature, like Wine growing sowre: to wit, there is too great a want of Spirits, and the Terrestrial, or Tartareous part of the Blood, (which consists chiefly of Salt, and Earth) is too much exalted, and being carried forth into a Flux, induces the sourness of the mass of Blood. Even as Beer, being disturbed by Thunder, and infected with a troubled lee or dregs, grows sour. The Blood, after this manner de­generated, from its native disposition, doth not rightly dress the alible Juice, and assi­milate it to it self, but perverts it into an extraneous matter; with which, when it is satisfied to a fulness, in the vessels, and the nervous parts are watered by the Juice, from thence arising, a Flux of this matter, and as it were a spontaneous effervency follows, by which indeed, the Feaverish Fit is induced, with shivering and heat, as is wont to be in a Tertian.

In a Quartan Feaver, the periods have longer intervals, because, when the Dyscrasie of the Blood is become sourish, and therefore less violent and hot, it perverts the alible Juice without strife, or tumult: wherefore, it assimilates some of it, and the deprava­tion of the rest, does not so far recede from its natural state, as in a Tertian, and from hence, its congestion to a plenitude, is made longer, and almost in another half of that time, in which a Tertian rises up to a Turgescency: And therefore, those taken with this Feaver, are indifferently well, and are strong; which is a sign, that the nutritious [Page 85]Juice is less depraved; also, the Fits are made without cruel burning, because the nutritious humor, is perverted into a fermentative matter, without great adustion.

But why this Disease is so hard to be cured, and so pertinaciously infests the sick, the cause is, the melancholic constitution of the Blood, which is not easily to be taken away, and yields almost to no Remedies. The cholerick disposition of the Blood, is mended by the frequent Deflagration, and ceases often of its own accord, even as too rich Wines are depressed, by their own growing hot, and are wont to be reduced into their due state: but this melancholick Dyscrasie of the Blood, in which, with a want and defect of Spirits, Salt and Earth are too much exalted, (as when Wines grow sour) is most hard to be restored, and is almost of the same labour and difficulty, as to put again life, and a vinous Spirit, into Vinegar: For that the Blood, depraved after this manner, may be restored, it will be needful, that its whole mass should be volatili­sed and as it were made Spiritual anew: wherefore, in this case, evacuations profit not a jot, yea, by more depauperating the Blood, oftentimes the strength is cast down, beyond help: but they had need to exalt, and make volatile what is fixed, and to pro­mote a Transpiration, or Spiritualisation, in the whole mass of Blood: From hence it is, that in this Disease, the change of the Air and Region, most often brings help, before all other Remedies: For the Spring following, oftentimes takes away those Quartan Feavers, that had arisen the Autumn before: which without doubt happens, because the changed condition of the Air, is wont to alter for the better, the evil dis­position of the Blood: also for the same reason, the change of the place, most often cures this Distemper, inexpugnable to all Physick.

If it be demanded, wherefore this Disease chiefly begins in the Autumn; and rarely in the Spring, or Summer time; I say, the Autumnal time doth most fitly produce this kind of Feaverish disposition of the Blood, for when very much of the Spirit, and Sulphur, hath flown away by the Summers heat, and that what is left begins to be bound up by the cold; the Liquor of the Blood, (as Wine growing sour by too much heat) easily degenerates into a saltish, and acidulous or sharp Nature: This al­so, the Sea air, by infecting the Blood and Spirits, with saline Vapours falling on them, easily procures: yea, also the affinity of this Disease, with the Scurvy, and Hypochon­driac distemper, plainly shews, the evil disposition of the Blood to be in fault, whereby it becomes salt, and earthy, with the want of Spirit.

Concerning Quartan Feavers, the last year was so abundantly fruitful of observa­tions, that many might collect by ocular Inspection, whatever belong to this Disease; for when the most hot Summer was past, about the end of it, an Epidemical Feaver (of which in another place you shall have a description) followed; then the Autumn coming on, when that Disease had ceased, a Quartan Feaver began very much to rage; that in very many places, the fourth part of the people was taken with it: neither did it only infest old men, splenitick and melancholick men, but of every age and tem­per, also Infants, Children, and young men ordinarily: which was clearly a sign, that this Distemper had drawn its rise, not from a melancholick humour, heaped up, by the default of the Spleen, but from the Dyscrasie of the Blood, brought in, through the intemperance of the year: for the mass of the Blood, after too great heats, even as Wines after immoderate effervescencies, was made fit to grow somwhat sour, or to get an austere disposition, and so also prone to this sort of Feaver, as is already shewed.

If the Remedies, which for the Curing of this, have been made tryal of, both by Physicians and Empericks, were collected together, their description would swell into a great Volumn; but altho there is instituted, a manifold provision of Medicine, a­gainst this evil, yet very few are cured in the Autumn. In some, about the begining of their sickness, before the Disease has taken too deep root, a Vomit hath brought help; but in most, all manner of Cathartics, tho an hundred times repeated, have profited nothing. In whom the evil had deeply implanted it self, the sick received no help, from the most studied Medicines made use of all the Autumn. But when at this time, I perceived the ordinary method of Medicine, was administred in vain, I proposed to a Noble Virgin, requiring a sudden Cure, by any means, to be performed, that if she would indure a Flux at the Mouth, for some days, from a Mineral Medi­cine, by that means, it might be hoped, that the Disease would be profligated. When she had readily assented to this, I gave her a gentle, and very safe Medicine, by which a light spitting only was provoked, and that finished within twelve days: As soon as the Salivation began, she mist her fits, but at those times they were wont to come she felt a perturbation in her whole Body, with an oppression of the Heart, and dread [Page 86]of swooning, but after the spitting was finished, she appear'd very well; and when again after two months space, she was troubled with some light fits of this Disease, from an Emetick pouder, twice or thrice taken, she was wholly cured without relaps­ing.

After the winter Solstice, this Disease began to rage less, and to cease in some of its own accord, and in many others, to be easily expung'd by the use of Physick: because at this time, the Dyscrasie of the Blood, contracted by the Summers heat, is wont to be blotted out leisurely, by reason of the cold of the Winter, and the mass of Blood growing old, as it were to put off its old spoils, and to be reduced towards its natural State. But those, who were of a melancholick temper, or had their viscera, and espe­cially the Spleen, evilly affected, or that used an ill manner of Dyet, received no change at this Tropick, but to the next period of the year, viz. to the vernal Equinox, or the Spring, kept the Disease; and then in most, the Blood being either restored of it self, or its intemperance more easily mended by the use of Remedies, this Distemper was seen to be overcome: But in the mean time, many old men, and such as were full of evil humours, or otherways unhealthy, ordinarily dyed, in all that space of time, of this Disease; also some liv'd, who could not shake off its yoak, tho the Summer Solstice were past. But altho very many had labour'd with this Feaver, as it were Epidemi­cal, almost thorow the whole year, yet none (that I know) contracted it first in the Spring, and very few grew well of it during the Autumn, that in truth, I do not doubt, the Dyscrasie of the Blood, to be the cause of this, and the cure to consist in the change of it.

The Remedies, which most often brought help, (as appeared at least to our obser­vation) were of this sort, which did restrain the Feaverish Fit: for the evils of the disposition of this sort, which did restrain the Feaverish Fit: for the evils of the changed, if now the habitual custom of the Fits were broken off, Nature recollected her self, and easily recover'd the pristine state of health, by her own endeavour. And this kind of intention, (to wit, the inhibition of the Fits) tho somtimes performed by Vomits, given a little before the coming of the Fit, (for these did not rarely stop the Feaverish motion of the Blood, by raising up another motion contrary to this) yet this Indication is far more certainly, and indeed happily effected, by the use of those kind of Medicines, which do not altogether, evacuate from the Viscera, but induce, either a certain fixation to the Blood, or a precipitation of the Feaverish matter, for a time. Wherefore, those whom I undertook to cure, in the Spring, and afterwards; I handled (and in most with good success) with this method; a provision being made of the whole, somtimes with an Emetic Medicine, somtimes with a Solutive; I was wont three hours before the Fit, to lay a peculiar Ague-Medicine to the wrists, and together, to give them to drink in Sack, an Ague-resisting pouder, and to order the sick to be kept in Bed in a gentle sweat: It seldom hapned, but at the first, or se­cond time, the Feaverish Fit, was by this means restrained, and then, by the same Re­medy, somtimes reiterated, the Disease at last wholly ceased. To this kind of practice, (besides our experience) the use of the pouder, of a certain Bark, brought of late from the Indies, seems to give some Faith, and approbation; which is said, most cer­tainly to cure this Disease; but the vertue, or operation of this, without any evacua­tion, consists in this only, that it hinders the coming of the Feaverish Fits.

Concerning this Peruvian Bark, because of late it hath begun to be in use, there are some things to be said, which offer themselves to common observation. The common manner of exhibiting this is, that two drams of it beaten to pouder, be infused in Sack, or Whitewine, in an open Glass, for two hours, and then upon the coming of the Fit, the Patient being put to Bed, that the liquor and pouder be drunk up. This potion often takes away the approaching Fit, yet oftentimes tho taken after the wont­ed manner, it prevents the next, however, either in the first, second, or third period, the Fit is inhibited, and the Disease seems to be cured, it is often wont to return, with­in twenty or thirty days; then this pouder being again exhibited, the Disease is for a time deferred about the same space, and by this means, I have known many sick of a Quartan, to have suffered some few Fits only, a whole Autumn, and Winter, and so to have detained the enemy in his precincts, till the Spring coming on, the disposition of the Blood is altered, for the better, by the help of the time of year, and of other Phy­sick, and so this distemper vanishes by degrees. Those who by this means, have pro­cured these frequent truces of the Quartan, have liv'd chearful, lively, and ready for any business, when otherwise, being weak, and pale, they were brought into languish­ment, [Page 87]and a vitious habit of Body: scarce one of an hundred, hath tryed this Medi­cine in vain, yea, if but half, or a lesser quantity, viz. the weight of but one dram, taken, it very often takes away the Fits, and suspends the same, a shorter space only; neither is it any matter, whether it be taken in strong, or small Wine, unless with the respect, to the disposition of the sick: because in a more hot temper, it may be profitably taken in distilled Water, or Whey; also, a clear infusion of it, the more thick substance be­ing cast away, produces the like effect, but of shorter durance: I have taken care to reduce this powder into Pills, with the mucilage of Tragacanth, with a little cost to the sick, to be given to some; after what manner soever it is taken, unless, to those loathing and abhorring every Medicine, it causes no manifest evacuation, and takes a­way the Fit, almost from all; neither is it only in a Quartan Feaver, but in the other kinds of intermitting Feavers, to wit, in every one where there is any remission coming between, given with good success. It is commonly ordered, that a gentle Purge should be taken before this, but in some who are very weak, and keep their Beds, this powder being taken carefully, without any previous Medicine, hath procured laudable effects. In the mean time, I will ingeniously confess, that I have not seen an intermit­ting Feaver quite cured, by this Bark, once taken: nay, rather the Fits not only of a Quartan, but of a Tertian, and Quotidian Feaver, wholly overcome easily by other Remedies, seeming to be driven away by this powder, have constantly return'd after a short time. For this Reason, they who suppress intermitting Feavers, otherways easi­ly curable, no necessity urging them, by this Medicine, for a little while, only seem to institute a deceitful Medicine, and do no more than those, who skin over a rotten ul­cer, which will shortly break out again; in truth, in some cases, the use of this will be requisite, viz. when by thy too great assiduity of the Fits, the spirits of the sick are cast down, truces are by this means procured, by which Nature may recollect her self, and afterwards may be more able to fight against this potent Enemy: also, that a Quartan Feaver, during the Autumn and Winter, may pass over with little trouble, this Bark is profitably administred: But those, who expect a longer resting time, from the assaults of this Feaver, are bid to take this powder in greater quantity, and more often, to wit, that they should take two drams, three several times one after another, whether the Fits return or no; by this means, they remain longer free, yet they retain within, the Enemy still, tho asleep.

If it be demanded, concerning the Nature of this Bark, and the virtue in sup­pressing the fits of Intermitting Feavers, it is not to be dissembled, that 'tis very diffi­cult to explicate the causes of these kind of effects, and the manner of working; because, there is not found as yet in any Subject, besides, the like efficacy; but from a singular experiment, a general Reason is not to be rightly fitted: however, from the appearances diligently Collated, we will deduce some Theses in or­der, which may make at least some steps towards, if not obtain the verity of this thing.

It is to be noted therefore, in the first place, that this Medicine, being inwardly taken, especially exerciseth its force and energy on the mass of Blood; because, it does not at all irritate the Viscera, neither causes in them any excretion, or trouble; besides, whilst it communicates its virtue to the Blood, it doth not at all put forth An­tifeaverish property; wherefore, not always the next following fit, but the second, or the third, is prevented, by the same being taken: and for this reason, that it may sooner affect the Blood, it is a usual thing, to drink the Liquor, very much impreg­nated with the same powder, for so its Particles are more easily conveyed into the mass of Blood. Secondly, the virtue of this Bark, being impressed on the Blood, stays in it for some time, and that either shorter or longer, according as either a greater or lesser portion of the Medicine was taken inwardly; for the Particles of this, being con­fused with the Blood, are a long while circulated with it, and by how much the longer they stay, by so much the more they affect its mass, and produce a longer effect: for though Aliments, and some other things taken in, for that they are presently over­come by the native heat, put off whatever they have of virtue, within some few hours, this being then assimilated or sent forth adoors, they cease to operate: yet some Medicines being taken inwardly, because they are not easily tamed, nor cast forth of doors presently, by an irritation stirred up, they remain for many days very active, and hold a long time the Juices, and the Blood, in this or that manner of Fermentation, this may be observed of some Medicines, also of Poysons, and Coun­terpoysons, the once or twice taking of which, for some days, is wont to affect our [Page 88]Bodies for a longer time; for 'tis an usual thing with Cathartic Medicines, when they work little by Vomit, or Stool, to break forth after many weeks outwardly, in Pustles and Wealks: yea, if Death be avoided, from the drinking of Poyson, every body knows, that the virulency will lie hid, a long time in the Blood and Juices. In like manner also, this powder, and perhaps very many other things inwardly taken, altho they seem asleep, yet continue to act, on the Spirits and Humors.

Thirdly, altho this Medicine acts immediately on the Blood and Humors, yet it takes not wholly away, the Feaverish Dyscrasie, implanted in them: for, as soon as its force is consumed, and all its Particles are flown away, from the mixture of the Blood, the Distemper being only suppressed for a time, at length rises up, and repeats its fits after its wonted manner, but forasmuch as Nature, by the space of this cessa­tion, becomes stronger, therefore, after the Relaps, the fits (not as before) but on the third or fourth day, according to the first figure of the Disease, are wont to return.

Fourthly, It is remarked, that this Remedy, does not stop the Feaverish accessi­ons, as the ordinary Ague-resisters or Febrifuges, by fixing, or also by fusing the Blood; for then the next fit always, and not the second, or third following after, is prevented.

According to which positions, that we may instead of a Corollary, subjoin some things concerning the manner it self of working, whereby this Medicine seems to act; we say, it is most likely, that when the Particles, proceeding from the same be­ing taken, are throughly mixed with the Blood, they compel it into a certain new Fermentation, by which, whilst the Particles of the Blood are continually agitated, they are wholly hindered, that they cannot heap up any Excrementitious matter, or enter into Feaverish turgescencies; for, as after the biting of a mad dog, or stinging of any venemous Creatures, the Blood it self, and nervous Juice, are a long while impoysoned, yet lest they should conceive presently great irregularities, Counter­poysons being taken, do hinder their Liquors, by retaining them in another Fermen­tation; the use of which, if so long continued, whilst the virulent little Bodies are quite flown away, no horrid symptom is to be feared, from that evil being contracted; but if the strength of the Remedy, being too sparingly given, be first consumed, forth with the Venom repullulates, and the old Poyson, thought to have been exploded, is at length brought into act: by the same way, when the Blood, having gotten a vitious disposition, perverts the Alible Juice, and whereby it might more rightly expel it, heaped together to a fulness, conceives Feaverish swellings up; this Peruvian Bark be­ing beaten, and administred, by the Commerce of its Particles, so agitates the Blood, tho distempered with an evil disposition, with a new excited Fermentation, and al­ters it, that it in some measure concocts the nourishable Juice, and continually eva­porates its Recrements, that they are not heaped together as before, into the matter of a fit: But, when the Particles of this Remedy, are wholly flown away, from the company of the Blood, and the whole virtue consumed, the evil disposition of the Blood, before contrancted, at length rises up, and so the Feaverish fits return, after their wonted manner. Somtimes perhaps it happens, that whilst the Feaverish fits are suppressed, by the use of this powder, by reason of the season of the year being changed, or by the help of another Remedy, or by the endeavour of Nature it self, that Dyscrasie of the Blood may be mended, by degrees, and so the Feaver may at length vanish, of its own accord. This I have known to happen, but very rarely, because almost with the same certainty, by which you expect the Feaver­ish fits to be suppressed, by that powder, you may afterwards look for their re­turn.

As to what appertains to the sensible qualities, with which this Bark is noted, it appears to abound with bitterness, and a certain stipticity, that it seems to the tast, to have the likeness of Savor, which is in most Conterpoysons, as the Root of Gen­tian, Serpentary, Contrayerva, &c. for what are bitter in act, are strong in excellent virtue, for the suppressing the force of preternatural Ferments; yea, the Root of Gentian, which is likest to this Bark, was in times past of famous use, for the Curing of Quartan Feavers. But now, altho this Peruvian powder, be the only Alexiterion or Counter-poyson, as yet found out against a Quartan Feaver, to wit, that inhibits (tho only for a time) its fits, and of other Intermitting Feavers, yet it is not to be doubted; but that there are in the world, other Medicines extant, which are as good Ague resisters; and it is hoped, that led by the example of this new invention, we may be excited, to the finding out the virtues of Herbs, almost as yet unknown: so, [Page 89]whilst we shall insist on the trial of several, and the Empirical be joyned to the Ra­tional Medicine, without doubt the Cures of the Quartan Ague, and of other invin­cible Diseases, may more happily be accomplished; which therefore I promise more willingly to this Age, or at least to the next, when being led by the Analogy of this Book, I have found out a Medicine, for the profligating of Feavers, of use not con­temptible, it not being long since variously tryed, which also I am wont to give to the poorer sort, instead of somthing else, with good success.

CHAP. VII. Of continual Feavers.

A Continual Feaver is that, whose fit is continued for many days, without in­termission: It hath its times of remission, and of more fierceness, but ne­ver of intermission; the burning is now more remiss, now more intense, but still the sick are in a Feaver, until by the temperament, or insensible growing well, the Disease is wholly Cured. Concerning this, it behoves us to inquire, what Efferves­cency of the Blood it is, which causes a continual Feaver; then, by what ways, and from what causes, it is wont to be excited: also, how it differs from that, which is in Intermitting Feavers. And these being performed, we will descend to the Species of Continual Feavers.

There are many ways, by which the Blood growing hot, induces a continual Fea­vear, the chief of which may be reduced to these Heads: The first way is, when the more spirituous, and subtil Portion of the Blood, becomes too hot, and is distem­pered, with a certain burning, which therefore agitates the other parts of the Blood, and incites it into a certain rage, so that the Sulphur, or the Oily part of the Blood, is more dissolved, and more inkindled in the Heart, also, for that cause, there is among all the Particles of the Blood, a certain syncrisis, contrariety, or perturbation, by which in truth, being confused, and put out of order, they are not able quickly to be extricated, and reduced into their former posture, wherefore, a heat and burning more than is wont to be, is stirred up in the whole Body: but when the Spirits are on­ly in fault, their heat and disorder, are wont within a short space, to be allaied of their own accord, therefore, this Feaver is often terminated within a day, and is rarely con­tinued beyond three: and therefore, is called an Ephemera, or a Feaver of a day, or Synochus of more dayr,

2. The second manner, or degree of growing hot, is when the Sulphureous or Oily part of the Blood, being too much heated, conceives a Fervor: for then, it both grows immoderately hot in the Vessels, and being very much inkindled in the Heart, produces by its deflagration, a very strong heat in the whole Body. Indeed the Blood, as to its temper, mostly depends on the condition of the Sulphur; when by reason of crudity, the Sulphur is less dissolved, the Blood is made watery and cold, and is moved slowly in the Vessels: but if the Sulphureous, or Oily part of the Blood, grows hot, beyond its Natural disposition, presently it becomes fierce, and impropor­tionate with the rest, so that, almost the whole being acted, as it were into a flame, by the Ferment of the Heart, compels the mass of Blood to grow immoderately hot, and to boil up. For as when Wines, indued with a rich Lee, are stirred up into an heat, by the too rancid Sulphur; or as Hay, laid up too wet, by reason of the want of Ventilation, conceives of its own accord a burning, the Particles of the Sulphur being loosned from the mixture; in like manner, when the Blood is not rightly ven­tilated, but being restrained from Evacuation, by reason of the admixtion of some hot thing, or a more plentiful sanguification; or for some other cause, the Particles of the Sulphur begin to be thickly gathered together; presently, all its Liquor, immode­rately boils up, by the Sulphurs being loosned, and inflamed in the Heart, and this kind of Feaver is induced, which is called a putrid Synochus; notwithstanding which appellation, tho of many rejected, for that the Blood so long as it is in motion, doth not putrifie; yet forasmuch, as in this Feaver, the mixture of the Blood, is somwhat [Page 90]loosned, by the Sulphur being too much exalted, and the mass of its Liquor being changed, from its Natural disposition, tends toward putrefaction, therefore, the term of a putrid Feaver, as hath been anciently used, may be still, with good reason, re­tained.

3. The third degree of growing hot, (and which constitutes a distinct kind of con­tinual Feaver) is excited, from a certain malignant, and invenomed Ferment, by which, when the mass of the Blood is imbued, and the Spirits, and the Sulphureous part together, conceive an heat, and their burning is not sooner appeased, than that either that malignant matter be consumed, and cast forth of doors, or else a certain coagulation, and as it were putrefaction, of the Blood, from its corruptive venom is induced, by which, both circulation is hindered, and the Vital Spirit extinguished. This malignity is wont to arise, either from a certain contagion received from without, or from some infection begotten within us; according to these ways the malignant Fea­ver, Small-pox, Measels, and also the Plague, draw their beginnings, and by their contagion, far and near set upon many.

There are therefore three degrees, or manners of growing hot, by which, the kinds of continual Feavers are determined. From the subtil portion of the Blood made hot, or the Ebullition of the Spirits, the Ephemera arises, as also the Synochus of one or more days; by the Sulphureous, or Oily part of the Blood, being too hot and in­kindled, the putrid Feaver is stirred up, then thirdly, upon an invenomed taint, infe­cting the Blood, and congealing its Liquor, malignant Feavers depend. In every one of these, by the depravation, or rather corruption of the Alible Juice, fresh car­ried into the Blood, the various fits, inequalities, and critical motions arise. But be­fore I enter upon the several kinds of a continued Feaver, it is requisite for me, to con­sider, how the growing hot of the Blood, in a continual Feaver, differs from that other, which constitutes Intermitting Feavers.

I say therefore, that the growing hot of the Blood, in an Intermitting Feaver, depends only, upon the commixtion of a certain Fermentative matter, and not rightly miscible, with the Blood, and on its growing up, to a fulness of boiling over. Because of this heat, with the Blood in the Vessels, and of the deflagration in the Heart, the fit is induced; because of its growing cool, the intermission follows, that in the coming between of the fits, neither the Spirits, nor Sulphur, become outra­gious, but the bond of the mixture being kept whole, the Liquor is circulated in the Vessels, equally, and without trouble: on the contrary, in a continual Feaver, the disorders of the Spirits, and of Sulphur, of either, or both together, by their proper Ebullition, also without the mixture of any other, stir up the Ebullition of the Blood; wherefore, there are required, for an intermission, besides the difflation or colling of the Excrementitious matter, a deflagration of the inkindled Blood, and a reduction of it to its due Temper.

The Constitution of the Blood in a continual Feaver, is of the same sort as of Wines, when they grow hot upon too rich a Lee; to wit, are mighty in Spirit, and grow turgid with exalted Sulphur, and therefore they conceive a Fervor, and greatly boil up, of their own accord, without the mixture of any other thing. In an Intermitting Feaver, the Blood is moved after that manner, as Wines, when they conceive an heat, because of somthing poured to them, that is not miscible with them: More­over, in this Feaver, the disposition of the Blood is of that sort, as of Wines, when in their decay and declination, they become ropy, unsavory, or acid, to wit, in which the Spirit is depressed, that in the mean time, either Salt, or Sulphur, or both together, appear above the rest, and infect the whole Liquor with their disorder. An Intermitting Feaver, for the most part, is free from danger, because the constitutive parts of the Blood, altho they should somwhat change their disposition, however, keep the bond of mixture, and whilst they are in power, are circulated equally in the Vessels, yea they pervert the nutritious Juice, into a matter, not altogether besides Nature, but rather infesting, with its fulness and turgescency. In a continual Feaver, besides the intemperance, the mixture of the Blood, and constitution of the Liquor, are somwhat loosned, and its corruption easily follows; wherefore this Disease often ends in death: further, the nourishing Juice is depraved, into a matter wholly viti­ous, and altogether infestous to Nature.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Ephemera or Feaver for a Day.

I Have said, the least degree of heat, which induces a continual Feaver, is placed in the subtil, and Spirituous part of the Blood, being too much agitated and heated; for this, like the Spirit of Wine, boils up on every light occasion, and conceives a fervor, by a too great motion of the Body, or perturbation of mind, by the ambient heat as of the Sun or vapours, by hot things taken inwardly, as the drinking of Wine, and the eating of peppered meats, and being irritated by such like. For the Spirits of the Blood, easily take fire, and being impetuously moved, are not presently appeased, but they move throughly other Particles of the Blood, va­riously confound, and snatch them, into a rapid and disorderly motion; also from this motion of the Spirits, the Sulphur, or Oily part of the Blood, is more boiled forth, somwhat more dissolved, and somthing more fully inkindled in the Heart, by which means, an intense heat is raised up, in the whole Body. But forasmuch, as Sulphur is inkindled, and inflamed only by small parts, and not in the whole, that fervor of the Spirits is quickly appeased, and ceases: wherefore, the Feaver which is excited by this means, for the most part is terminated, within twenty four hours, and there­fore is called an Ephemera, or a Feaver of a day. If that by reason of a greater heat of the Spirituous Blood, it is prolonged further, it rarely exceeds three days, and is cal­led an Ephemera of more days, or a Synochus not putrid: but if it should happen to be lengthned beyond this time, this Feaver easily passes into a putrid, viz. from the dayly Ebullition of the Spirituous Blood, the more thick Particles of the Sulphur, at length begin to take fire, and involve the whole mass of Blood, in its Effervescency: even as the Spirit of Turpentine, being shut up in a Cucurbit, and being put into a Sand Furnace, if it be forced with a moderate heat, boils up gently, as the Blood in a Feaver of day; but if the heat be made more strong; the Liquor grows im­petuously hot, till it breaks forth into a flame, to which the inflamation of the Blood, in a putrid Feaver, may be very aptly compared.

The Days Feaver, and Synochus simple, rarely begin without an evident cause: Besides what hath been but now said, immoderate Labour, Watchings, a sudden passion of the mind, a constriction of the pores, a Surfeit, also a Bubo or in­flamed Sore, a Wound, the coming down of the Milk in Child-bearing Women, are wont to induce them; The procatartic Causes, which dispose to this, are an hot temper of Body, an active habit, a sedentary life, and disuse of exercise.

The chief beginnings of this Disease, depend upon the presence of the evident cause: for either, little Bodies of extraneous heat, being confused with the Blood, like water boiling over the fire, make it to boil up; or this Feaver is induced, by mo­tion, or by reason of transpiration being stopped; even as Wines made hot by moti­on, or when too closely stopped in the Ton, are put into a Fervor: but what way so­ever an inflamation is first excited, presently the Spirits become enraged, and being moved hither and thither, compel the Blood to boil up, and to be inlarged into a greater space, with a spumous rarefaction: wherefore, the Vessels are distended, and the membranous parts hauled, hence follow pain, chiefly in the Head and Loins, a sponta­neous weariness, and as it were an inflation of the whole Body. If that, with the Spirit of the Blood, a certain Sulphureous part, be also in some measure inkindled, a sharp heat is diffused through the whole, the Pulse is vehement and quick, the Urine red, also thirst, watchings, and many other symptoms infest, the reasons of which are added hereafter.

Concerning the Solution, or Crisis of the Ephemeran Feaver, and of the not putrid Synochus, three things are chiefly requisite: viz. a removing of the evident cause, secondly a separation, and a scattering of the depraved, or excrementitious matter, from the mass of Blood: Thirdly, a quieting of the parts of the Blood, and a restitu­tion of them, to their natural and equal motion and site. According as these succeed, now more suddenly, now more slowly, and difficully, this Disease is finished in a shorter, or longer time.

1. The evident cause, which for the most part is extrinsick, is easily removed, and the sick are wont, presently to avoid the presence, or assiduity of that thing, and do perceive a sense of any thing that is hurtful; none taking a Feaver from Wine, will still indulge the drinking of it, as soon as any one grows more than usually hot, in a Bath, or the heat of the Sun, 'tis a trouble to them to stay longer.

2. As to the Excrementitious matter, which ought to be scattered, and separated from the Blood: this is either brought from without, as when the Blood is infected by surfeit, drinking of Wine, sitting in the Sun, or from a too hot Bath, with Effluvia, or little dry, and Fermentative Bodies; or this matter is begotten within, as when its Liquor is stuffed with recrements, or adust Particles, from the deflagraton of the Blood. Either of these matters, ought to be searated from the Blood, to be dispersed, and either by sweat, or insensible breathing forth, to be thrust out of doors, before the Feaver be appeased; wherefore, when as the pores are bound up, and transpiration hindred, the Ephemeran Feaver is longer protracted, and somtimes passes, from a simple Synochus, into a putrid.

3. The evident cause being removed, and this degenerate matter dispersed, there is required for the remission, a quieting, and reducing into order, the parts of the Blood; for diverse Particles of the Blood, being after this manner confused; and by reason of the Feaverish heat, carried up and down, they do not presently get again the former order of situation and position; but it is needful, that they be by degrees extricated, and by little and little restored, to a just mixture.

Although this Disease, after the removing of the evident cause, for the most part ceases of its own accord, within a while, yet some Medicinal Remedies may be admi­nistred, with good success, especially, when there is danger, lest the Ephemeran Fea­ver, should pass into a putrid, The chief intentions should be, to suppress the fervor of the Blood, and to procure a more free transpiration; to the which conduce, first a breathing of a Vein, a slender diet, or rather abstinency, cooling drinks, and a bring­ing away the filth of the Belly, by Clysters: Sleep, and Rest, greatly help, above all the rest; which, if wanting should be procured in time, by Opiats, and Ano­dynes.

Verily, altho the Histories, and Observations of those, distempered with an Ephe­meran Feaver, contain in themselves nothing very rare; yet I shall subjoin an exam­ple or two, in this place, whereby the delineation or type of this Disease, may be illu­strated.

A certain young Gentleman, about twenty years of Age, endued with a strong ha­bit of Body, by the immoderate drinking of strong Wine, fell into a Feaverish di­stemper, with thirst, heat, and with a great burning of his Precordia; being let Blood, he drank a great quantity of fair water, and upon it presently a plentiful sweat following, he grew shortly well: In this case, the more thin portion of the Blood, being heated by the Spirits of the Wine, fell into a rage, caused the whole mass of Blood to be shaken, and its frame to be loosned, more than twas wont; and for that reason, that hapned to be more dissolved, by the Ferment of the Heart, and to be as it were inkindled by the active Particles, loosned from the mixture; until the Vessels being emptied by Phlebotomy, the raging Blood was cooled, and by the drinking of the water, its fervor was attempered; then the hot Effluvia, being involved, toge­ther with the adust matter, with a copious Serum, and sent away by Sweat, the Blood at length recovered its due temper. Moreover, an ingenious young man, of a seden­tary life, and also very much addicted to the Study of Learning, when he had for somtime exercised himself, beyond his strength, in the hot Sunshine, he began to complain of the pain of his head, a want of Appetite, a heat of his Precordia, and of a Feaverish distemper all over; to whom, (for that he was wholly averse to Phy­sick) I ordered an abstinence from all things whatsoever, unless from Small-Beer, and Grewel; on the second day, and so more on the third, the symptoms remitted, by little and little, on the fourth, he went home freed from the Feaver, without any Me­dicine.

CHAP. IX. Of a Putrid Feaver.

SO much for a Continual Feaver, which is rasied from the most simple heating of the Blood, or its lowest degree of inordinate heat; that which depends on a greater degree of heat follows, viz. when the Oily or Sulphureous part of the Blood, being too much heated, swells up above measure, and as it were forced into a flame; and therefore from the similitude, by which humid things putrifying, con­ceive an heat, this kind of Ebullition of the Blood, because it induces an immoderate heat, is called a putrid Feaver: which name ought to be retained without injury, be­cause that in this Feaver, the Synthesis of the Blood, (as is wont to happen in putri­fying Liquors) is very much unlocked. When the Spirits only grow inraged, (as in an Ephemera) the frame of the Blood is somwhat set open, and loosened, that it is more dissolved, by the Ferment of the Heart, than is wont, and more Particles than na­turally use to do, leap forth, and diffuse a more intense heat; but yet the mixture of the Liquor, as to its chief parts, is conserved. But when the Sulphureous matter taking fire, grows hot above measure, the bond of the mixture, for the greatest part, is loosed, that its Principles are almost wholly drawn away, by the Ferment of the Heart, and the active Particles, being loosned from the mixture, break forth as it were into a flame. Wherefore, the Liquor of the Blood being after this manner rarified, in the Heart, and as it were inkindled, is from thence carried, through the Vessels, with a most rapid motion, and disperses very many Effluvia of heat, from its deflagration. Hence, the whole mass of Blood, (like water put over the fire) con­tinually boiling, distends the Vessels, pulls the Brain and Nervous parts, raises up Convulsions, and pains in them, very much destroys the Vital Spirits with its heat, wasts the Ferments of the Bowels, hinders the Offices of concoction, and dispensation, often depraves the nourishing Juice, destinated for the Nervous stock, that from thence exceeding great disorders of the Animal Spirits follow; yea almost perverts the whole oeconomy of Nature.

The course of this Disease shews it self after this manner; It rarely begins without a procatartic cause, or previous disposition: to wit, the Sulphureous or oily part of the Blood, is first too much carried forth, and exalted beyond its due tenor, which after­wards, either of its own accord, (like Hay not eventilated) begins to grow hot, or by the coming of an evident cause, it is forced into a preternatural heat. But when it grows turgid in the first place, by reason of the admixtion of a crude Juice with the Blood, now a shivering, now heat infests, which shew themselves unequally, like fire, which is covered with green wood, sends forth now smoak, now flame: But at length, the fire glowing more largely, as here the victor fire spreads it self abroad, so there (sooner than said) the whole mass of Blood is inflamed, and is urged at once with heat, and a most swift motion: Nor is this immoderate heat of the Blood appeased, before its active particles being loosned from the mixture, and then successively in­kindled in the Heart, are wholly burned out, which doth not happen, but in the space of many days. And then at length this Feaver ceases, when the remaining Liquor of the Blood, the Spirit and Sulphur being very much consumed, being made lifeless and poor, is fit only for a weak and small fermentation. From this kind of deflagration of the Blood, and also of the alible Juice, (by the same fire burnt out) the recre­ments, or little Bodies of torrified matter, are heaped up in the Blood; which yet do more promote its fervor, and ebullition, and for a time, increase the Feaverish distem­per. After the Blood hath very much burned forth, and these kind of little Bodies, are gathered together to a fulness of swelling up, the vital Spirit endeavors a sopara­tion, and tries to concoct, and to overcome, (what it may) these adust recrements, and then, having put a great many of them into a swelling up, a Flux being risen, strives to shut them wholly out. And indeed, in the subaction, and seclusion of this matter, chiefly consists the event of this Disease; for if the vital Spirit being strong, the Bloody humor (when it hath sufficiently burned forth, and shall be freed from [Page 94]these adust particles) should recover its pristine tenor, whereby it is made fit for moti­on, and a due fermentation in the Heart, the sick tends towards health; but if, by a long deflagration, and an inextricable confusion of the morbific matter, the liquor of the Blood, being wanting of Spirits, and more pure Sulphur, or those same (by the impure mixture growing ill) being as it were put under the yoak; is rendred so life­less, that it is not any longer rarified, by the ferment of the Heart, or inkindled; by degrees, its heat, and motion, together with Life it self decays.

The procatartick causes, which dispose to this Disease, are, an hot and humid Tem­per, an active habit of Body, a youthful Age, the Spring time, or Summer season, a high and rich Dyet, besides the often drinking of rich Wines, a sedentary and idle life, a Body full of gross humors, and suffed with vitious Juices; but above all the rest, it appears by observation, that the frequent letting of Blood, renders men more apt to Feavers; wherefore it is commonly said, from whom Blood is once drawn, that unless they do the same every year, they are prone to a Feaver. The reason of this is, (un­less I am deceiv'd) by the frequent letting of Blood, the Sulphur is more copiously gathered together, in the mass of Blood; in the mean time, the Salt (which should bridle it, and hinder it from raging) by this means is drawn away; for the Blood, the older it grows, becomes so much the more Salt, the Salt of all the Elements not eva­porating. But by how much the more the Blood abounds in Salt, by so much the less it aboungs in Sulphur; for Salt eats and consumes the Sulphur, and makes it evaporate: wherefre, they who are lean, and abound with a Salt Blood, are less prone to Feavers. But when, by the letting of Blood, the ancient Blood is drawn forth, in its stead another more rich, and more impregnated with Sulphur, is substituted; so that it becomes less Salt, and more Sulphurous. Hence it is, that those who often let Blood, are not only prone to Feavers, but also wont to grow fat, because of the Bloods being more impregnated with Sulphureous Juice.

The evident causes, which deduce the latent disposition of this Feaver into act, are of the same sort, which procure an Ephemeran Feaver, and simple Synochus; in this rank chiefly come, Transpiration being hindred, and Surfeiting. By reason of the effluvia being restrained, the mass of the Blood being increased in bulk grows turgid, and conceives Fervor, as it were from a certain ferment, inspired anew, and curelly boyls up; from thence, presently the pores are more obstructed, by the infartion of the effluvia, and the frame of the Liquor being loosned, the particles of the Sulphur, ex­uberating in the Blood, leap forth from the mixture, and are inflamed by the ferment of the heart, as it were by fire put to them, and so they enkindle a very intense Feaver. But from a Surfeit, both an immoderate fermentation is induced in the Blood, and also a nitrous Sulphureous matter, apt for adustion, and an inkindling is conveyed, as it were food, to the burning Blood.

In this Feaver, four times or seasons are to be observed, in which, as it were so ma­ny posts, or spaces, its course is performed: These are then, The Beginning, the Aug­mentation, the Height, and Declination. These are wont to be finished in some sooner, in others more slowly, or in a longer time. The beginning ought to be computed, from the time the Blood begins to be made hot, and its Sulphur to conceive a burning, until the ardors, and burnings are diffused, thorow the whole mass of Blood. The In­crease or Augmentation, is from the time, that the Blood being made hot, and inkind­led thorow the whole, burns forth for some time, and its mass is aggravated with the Recrements; or burnt Particles, which increase the fermentation. The state, or stand­ing of the Disease, is when (after the Blood has sufficiently burned forth, and its burning now remits) the long vexed Blood, like a noble wrestler, when his adversary is a little yielding, recollecting all his strength, endeavours a bringing under, and a separation of that adust matter, with which it is filled to a plenitude, and also, a Crisis or separation being once or oftner attempted, an expulsion of it forth of doors. The Declination succeeds after the Crisis or secretion, in which the Blood grows less hot, with a languishing fire, and either, (the vital Spirit being as yet strong) overcomes what is left of that adust and extraneous matter, and by degrees puts it forth, until it is restored to its former vigour; or, whilst the same Spirit is too much depressed, the liquor of the Blood, is still stuffed with adust recrements, and therefore becomes troub­led and depauperated, that it neither assimilates the nourishing Juice, nor is made fit for an accension in the heart, for the sustaining the lamp of Life.

1. When therefore any one is taken with a putrid Feaver, the first assault is for the most part accompanied with a shivering or horror: for when the Blood begins to [Page 95]grow hot, there is a flux made, and a swelling up of the crude Juice, freshly gathered together in the Vessels, even as in the fit of an intermitting Feaver, heat, and somtimes sweat follow, upon the shivering, by which, the matter of that crude Juice is inkindled, and dispersed: afterwards, a certain remission of the heat follows, but yet from the fire still glowing in the Blood, a lassitude, and perturbation with thirst, and waking, conti­nually infest: A pain arises in the Head, or Loins, partly from the ebullition of the Blood, and partly from the motion of the nervous Juice being hindred; also a nause­ousness, or a vorniting offends the Stomach, because the Bile, flowing out of the Cho­leduct Vessels, is poured into it, and a Convulsion from Vapors, and from the sharp Juice brought thorow the Arteries, is excited in the Stomach. In the mean time, al­tho the heat be more increased, and inequal, it is not yet strong, because the Blood as yet abounding with crude Juices, is only inkindled by parts: and therefore burns out a little, and then ceases, and at last returns; like a flame that is made by wet, and moist straw. In this condition for some days, the Disease remains, the Urine is more red than usual, by reason of the Salt, and Sulphur being more dissolved, and infected with the serum; It still retains its Hypostasis or substance, because the Coction and assimila­tion are not altogether depraved; it appears greater than ordinary, in its sediment, which is yet easily separated, and falls to the bottom of its own accord. At this time, they may let Blood, and administer Physick by Vomit, or Purge, so it be done without any great perturbation of the Blood: it often happens, from these kinds of evacua­tions, timely performed, that a greater increase of the Disease is prevented, and the Feaver as it were killed in the shell. The limits of this stadium or space, are variously determined, according to the temper of the sick, and other accidents of the Disease; somtimes, the first rudiments of this Feaver, are laid in a day or two; somtimes the beginning of the Disease is extended to more; if in a corpulent Body full of Spirit, Juice, and hot Blood, or it happen in a youthful Age, and very hot season, if the dispo­sition to a Feaver be potent, and the evident cause coming thereupon be strong, the Feaverish heat, being once begun, quickly invades all the Blood, and on the second or third day, having rooted it self, the Disease arises to its increase; but if the Feaverish indisposition, be begun in a less hot Body, a Phlegmatic temper, or a melancholy, and in old age, or a cold season, the entrance is longer, and scarce exceeds the limits of this first stadium or space, before the sixth, or seventh day.

2. The increase of this Disease, is computed from what time, the burning of the Feaver hath possest the whole mass of Blood: that is, the Sulphur, or the oily part of the Blood, having been long heated, and growing fervent in parts, at length, like Hay laid up wet, breaks forth, after a long heating, all at once into a flame; the Blood at this time cruelly boils up, and very much inkindled in the Heart, by its deflagration, diffuses as it were a fiery heat thorow the whole Body, and especially in the precordia; hence the sick complain of intolerable thirst, besides a pain of the head, pertinacious wakings, and oftentimes a delirium, Phrensie, and Convulsive motions infest: all food whatsoever is loathsom, either it is cast up again by Vomit, or if retained, being baked by too much heat, it goes into a Feaverish matter; besides, there happens a bitterness of the mouth, an ingrateful savor, a scurfiness of the Tongue, a vehement and quick Pulse, an Urine highly red, and for the most part troubled, full of Contents, without Hypostasis or laudable sediment; when the Blood is at this time almost wholly inkind­led by its deflagration, it begets great plenty of adust matter, (as it were ashes remain­ing after a Fire) with which the serum being very much stuffed, renders the Urine thick, and big with Contents: Also the Blood, being filled with a load of this, to a rising up, is irritated into Critical motions, by which this Feaverish matter, (if it may be done) being brought under, and separated, is shut out of doors; and indeed, this state of the Feaver induces that, in which a Judgment is discerned, between Nature and the Disease, the strife being as it were brought to an aequilibrium; and therefore the evacuation, which follows from thence, is called the Crisis.

The state therefore, or height of a putrid Feaver, is that time of the Disease, in which Nature endeavors a Crisis, or an expulsion of the adust matter, remaining after the deflagration of the Blood. To this is required, in the first place, that the Blood hath now for the most part burned forth; because in the midst of its burning, Nature is not at leisure for a Crisis, nor is it ever prosperously endeavored, nor in truth procu­red by Art with good Success. Secondly, that the spirit of the Blood, doth first, by some means subdue this adust matter, or Caput mortuum, separate it from the profitable, and render a period to the expulsion, for otherways, tho a copious evacuation happens, [Page 96]Nature will never be free from her burthen. Thirdly, that this matter, be gathered together in such a quantity, that by its turgency, it may irritate Nature to a Critical expulsion. If these rightly concur, a perfect Crisis of the Disease, for the most part succeeds, in which, even as in the Fits of intermitting Feavers, a Flux being arisen, whatsoever extraneous and heterogeneous thing, is contained in the bosom of the Blood, is exagitated, then being separated, and involved with serum, it is thrust forth of doors; when any thing of these is wanting, the Crisis, for the most part, is in vain, and not to be trusted, and rarely cures the Disease. For if in the midst of the burn­ing, before the Blood hath sufficiently burned forth, an evacuation happens, by Sweat, a Lask, Bleeding, or any other way, the adust matter is not all separated, or else, if for the present, it be drawn away for the greatest part, the Blood more largely flaming out, presently substitutes new, and will renew the Feaver again, that seemed to be vanquish­ed: If that this matter, not being yet overcome, nor brought to a fulness of rising up, be irritated to an expulsion by Nature, an imperfect, and partial Crisis only follows; and when the first indeavor of excretion shall be in vain, rarely a perfect, and curatory succeeds after that one time.

The Crisis in a continual Feaver, is almost the same thing, as the Fit of the inter­mitting Feavers. For as in this, when the mass of Blood, is filled to a fulness of swel­ling up, with the particles of depraved alible Juice, and fitted for maturation, there are made a Flux, secretion, and expulsion out of doors of that matter: so in a conti­nual Feaver, from the deflagration of the Blood, and alible Juice, very many little Bodies of adust matter are gathered together, with which, when the Blood is aggrava­ted, and is at leasure, a little from the burning, it overcomes them, by little and little separates them, and then a Flux being raised up, endeavors to cast them out of doors: wherefore, as the Fits of intermitting Feavers come not but at a set time, and after so many hours, so also the Critical motions, happen from the fourth day to the fourth, or perhaps from the seventh day to the seventh, for in this kind of space, the Blood being inkindled burns forth, and with its burning makes an heap of adust matter, as it were ashes, which being troublesom to Nature by their irritation, induces Critical mo­tions.

Therefore, what some affirm is not true, That the Crises depend altogether on the influences of the Moon, and Stars, and follow their Aspects, Quadrations, Oppositions, or Conjunctions: because the Critical evacuations are only determined, by the gathe­ring together, and the swelling up, of the adust matter. For, as soon as the Blood is at leasure, from the deflagration, and being filled with the particle of that adust matter, is able in some measure to overcome, and separate them, presently a Flux, or swelling up being risen, it endeavors to thrust them forth by any way; which, for that they are easily to be separated from the Blood, and the breathing places of the skin are sufficiently open, being involved with serum, are sent away with sweat. And this is the best way of the Crisis, which if it rightly succeeds, very often, wholly, and at one time, perfectly cures the Disease without danger of relapse: To this next, follows the Crisis, which which is endeavored by the Hemorrhage or bleeding at nose; for this matter, as it were the flowring, being moved with the Blood, (if it be not cast forth by sweat, by reason of a less free transpiration) is transferred from the heart, into some remote part, and frequently is cast into the head, by the impetuons rapture of the Blood; where, if a passage be open, from the private holes opening into the nostrils, the morbific matter, leaps forth of doors, with a portion of the Blood. But other­ways being oftentimes fixed in the Brain, brings a phrensie, delirium, or other grievous, and tedious Diseases of the head; yea, tis to be observed, that almost in all continual Feavers whatsoever, when they are hardly or imperfectly cured, so that the Blood is infected, for a long time with the Feaverish matter or adust recrements, that from thence, the nervous Juice (as it seems) contracting an infection, pertinacious distem­pers, to wit, watchings, also Deliriums, Tremblings, Convulsive motions, and long ad­hering weakness of the nervous parts follow. Also, there are other ways of Crisis, by which Nature endeavors, not at once and wholly, but by little and little, and by parts, to expel the Feaverish matter; now by Urine, now by Vomit, or Stool, now by breakings forth, and buboes, or biles; by what way soever, that it may be done with a good event, it is required, that the deflagration of the Blood be past, and that the adust matter be concocted, and rendered fit to be separated.

The state or standing of the Disease, is therefore not one, and simple, nor always happens after the same manner, but with a various difference of symptoms, and tend­ing to far different events. But by a prudent Physician, a Prognostication is ex­pedient to be given, in what space of time, the Disease will come to its height or standing, and what end it will have.

If the Feaver be vehement from the beginning, and suddenly invades the whole mass of Blood with a burning; if it urges constantly, and equally without any re­mission, with a ferocity of symptoms; for the most part, the Blood will so much burn forth, in the space of four days, that the adust matter, will arise to a fulness of swel­ling up, for the making a Crisis. But if its beginnings are more slow, and the ac­cension of the Blood often interrupted, the Feaver will come to its acme or height, about the seventh day. If it should begin yet more remiss, the standing of the Dis­ease is wont to be drawn out, to the Eleventh or Fourteenth day. In the mean time it is to be noted, that as the Fits of intermitting Feavers return at set times, so the Critical motions in continual Feavers, (but for the most part they observe the fourth day:) for altho the Crisis may be perfectly prorogued to the fourteenth, seventeenth, or perhaps the twentieth day, because all things, requisite to the full curing of the Disease, do not sooner concur; yet in the time betwixt, more light motions happen, by which the Feaverish matter arising leisurely, to an increase, is a little emptied, and as it were cut off by parts, until Nature may be able to enter upon its more full dis­cussion; but when the great provision of the adust matter, in the burning Blood, is heaped up in the Vessels, Nature, unless otherways disturbed, on every fourth day, be­ing tyred with the plenty of matter, trys to shake off part of its burthen by a certain swelling up: wherefore, for the most part, the Critical motions happen on the fourth, seventh, eleventh, and fourteenth days, not by the direction of the Planets, but by reason of the necessity of Nature.

As to the event, whether the Crisis shall be good or not, certain foreknowledges are taken, from the strength of the sick, the Pulse, Urine, and other signs, and concourse of symptoms: If the sick appear with some strength, the fire of the Feaver urging, hath a strong and equal Pulse, if the Urine be of a moderate consistency with some sediment, with a separation of the Contents, and easily falling to the bottom, if the Disease shall make its progress, without great Vomiting, Watchings, Phrensie, Con­vulsive motions, and suspition of malignity, the standing will be laudable, and to be expected with a good Crisis: if the contrary to these happen, viz. that presently strength is cast down, and that the sick is obnoxious to frequent Swoonings, Convul­sions, a delirium, with a weak intermitting or unequal Pulse, if pertinacious watch­ings, intollerable thirst, and Vomiting continually infest; if the Urine be thick and troubled, without sediment, or sinking down of the parts, if, the burning yet troubling, Nature is provoked to critical evacuations, a very dangerous state of the Disease is im­minent, nor may there be hoped for any thing of good from the Crisis.

Concerning the Crisis of a Putrid Feaver, we will here subjoyn a particular Prog­nostication, in which, though the things, which from the beginning did appear, might promise a most desired event, a very deadly one is imminent; I have often observed, in a Putrid Feaver, which begins slowly, and with a small burning, if the Urine be red, and when rendred presently troubled, and thick, which is not precipitated, nei­ther by the cold, nor of its own accord, puts down a sediment, and if at the same time, the sick lie for many days without sleep, tho quiet, and that they toss not them­selves up and down, their condition is in danger: and the suspition will be more, if in the mean time, they are neither troubled with a strong Feaver, nor infested with thirst, or with a very troublesom heat; because those distempered after this manner, are incident for the most part, about the state of the Disease, to a delirium, Convul­sive motions, and oftentimes fall into madness, from which they are quickly cast into death; an when these symptoms arise, the Urine is altered, from a thick and red, into a thin and more pale Urine. It seems in this case, the mass of Blood, beink taken with the Feaver, not to grow turgid, so with Sulphur exalted to the height, as Wines or Beer are wont in their Effervescencies; but (the Salt, and the terrestrial Lee or Dregs, being stirred together with the Sulphur) to be affected after the same way, as Wines and Beer, being suddenly disturbed with Thunder, and growing sour; wherefore, altho the Blood does not presently conceive an immoderate heat from the Feaver, yet its disposition being changed, it wholly depraves the Juice destinated to the Brain, and Nervous parts, and therefore, about the beginning of the Feaver, pertinacious watch­ings [Page 98]happen, then the state growing urgent, the oeconomy of the whole Nervous stock is perverted. Melancholic persons are most obnoxious to these sort of Feavers, in whom the unruliness of the Sulphur, are a little restrained, by the Salt, and Earthy dregs being stirred up with it, notwithstanding which, all being leisurely carried forth, break forth afterwards, with a greater slaughter.

When the Disease shall come to the standing, either the business is done at one con­flict, and from thence with a manifest declination, there is made a translation to life, or death, or there are made frequent skirmishes, between Nature and the Disease, and critical motions are often attempted, before the victory is yielded to either party.

1. As to the first, If after the Blood hath sufficiently burned forth, with a good pre­cursion of signs and symptoms, and its burning hath remitted, the adust matter being equally brought under, and subtilated, arises from a full increase, to the motion of boiling up; and Nature being free from any impediment or depression, is strong with able strength enough, for the decertation or strife, the Feaverish matter, for the most part, is exterminated at one motion of its flowring or putting forth, and the Blood being freed from its fellowship and infection, soon recovers its former vigour.

2. But if Nature is stirred up, to a critical motion, before the Blood hath perfectly burnt forth, or that adust matter is prepared for excretion, altho, as to the rest, things are in a moderate condition; yet from hence, but an imperfect Crisis follows, by which indeed, somthing of the lead or burthen, with which the Blood is oppressed, is drawn away; notwithstanding presently another springs up afresh, in its place, and then at set times, (perhaps in four, or seven days space) like the fits of intermitting Fea­vers, the critical motions are repeated, the second, and perhaps the third time, before the strife being ended, the matter openly inclines to this, or that party.

3. But when, with the preceeding evil appearance, of signs and symptoms, the burning of the Blood yet urging, the critical motion is provoked, without any coction of the Feaverish matter, somtimes Nature is overthrown at the first conflict, nor doth she recollect herself, but yielding her powers overcome by the Disease, is precipitated into death. Nor is the business much better, when the Crisis is at first imperfect, and in vain, celebrated, without any ease to the sick, and from thence, the next to this succeeds worse, and then in another, and perhaps another conflict, the Disease prevails, until the strength being wholly broken, and cast down, there is a plain end of life.

Thus much concerning the state and Crisis of the Disease, on whose good or impros­perous success, the event of the Disease depends; the declination of the Feaver, takes its period of this, of which we must speak next.

4 Altho the Declining of the Feaver, for the most part, is taken in the better part, that it denotes the condition of the sick growing well of the Disease, in which the Blood being almost freed from its Effervency, recovers leisurly, strength and spirits, that were lost, and expels what extraneous thing is left remaining in its bosom; yet, in a genuine enough signification, it may be used for that state, when from an ill Cri­sis, or in vain, the Blood being depauperated, and infected with an extraneous and Feaverish mixture, still declines for the worse, until at length (like Wine changed into a lifelessness) being made wholly unable for circulation, and accension in the Heart, it calls on death. Therefore, in this place, the name of declination signifies the condition of the sick, and of the Disease, which follows the standing, whether it tends to life, or to death; whether the Feaver, or life it self of the sick, at this time, declines.

As to the times of declination, it will be worth our labour to inquire, what the temper of the Blood may be, and what turns of alterations it has undergone, as often as from a good, or bad Crisis, there has been made a progress of the Disease, towards Health, or Death. To wit, first, what the disposition, or condition of the Blood and Spirits may be, from a good Crisis, and with what alterations, its spoiled Liquor re­covers its former vigor. Secondly, what their temper is, from an evil Crisis, and by what degrees it still tends to worse; and lastly, how they are, when from a doubtful state, and long weakness, the sick hardly get up at length, and recover their health.

The vice, or depauperation, which the Blood hath contracted from the Feaverish heat, consists in this: The Spirit very much evaporates, and is lost: the Sulphureous part is too much scorched, and is much wasted by the deflagration, and from its bur­ning, the adust matter (as it were the Caput Mortuum) is left, with the Particles of which, the mass of Blood is aggravated, and debilitated; in the mean time, the Sa­line and earthy parts, are too much exalted, even as is wont to come to pass in Wine, or Beer, by the use of too much Ferment. The Blood, by these ways being spoiled, [Page 99]evilly assimilates the provision of the Nutritious Juice, yea also, by reason of the roasting of the Sulphur in the Heart, or defect of it, not rightly Fermenting, or in­flamed, it untowardly dispenses the Vital Spirit, in the mean time, from the adust matter, and Salt too much exalted, it grows more fervent than it should, and more wasts it self.

1. From a good Crisis, the Spirit, tho made weaker, yet gets the upper hand, wherefore, what is left of the Feaverish matter, it by degrees overcomes, and expels; and concocts, and affimilates (so what is brought be thin or slender) the Nutriti­ous Juice: from thence, the mass of Blood is amended anew, with Spirit and Sul­phur; and the Blood which now being Salt and sharp, did continually grow hot, ac­quires at length a Sweet and Balsamic Nature, and being quickned with a lively mo­tion and heat, rightly performs the offices of life and sense.

2. From a bad Crisis, the business is otherways, the Liquor of the Blood (like Wine too much Fermented) degenerates, almost into a vappidness or lifelessness; its Spirit is greatly deminished; the Reliques which remain, are intricated, and as it were over­whelmed, with the Particles of adust matter, from whence there is yet a continual growing hot remaining in the Blood, yet without concoction, or assimilation, of the Abible Juice, or separation of the profitable, from the unprofitable: The benign Sul­phur, and the Food of the Vital flame, is much consumed, so that the Blood is less inkindled in the Heart, than it ought to be; in the mean time; from the adust recre­ments, and also the Salt, and Earth being too much carried forth, it perpetually burns in the Vessels, with thirst and heat. And because it is dayly depauperated, the Spirit and benign Sulphur being wasted, and more infected, with the Salt, and Earthy dregs being too much exalted, its Liquor in a short time becomes tastless, and is made unfit for circulation, and for the inkindling in the Heart, for the sustaining the Vital fire: wherefore there is a necessity that life be lost, even as the flame of a Lamp is extinguished, when instead of the wasted Oil, a Salt and Muddy Liquor only sup­plies it.

3. From an imperfect and doubtful Crisis, when the sick being weakned by a long imbecillity, become not well, but of a long time, the business is after this manner. The Spirituous and Sulphureous parts of the Blood, are very much consumed, by the slow deflagration; the remaining Liquor, being not Purged from the adust recrements and feculencies, is rendred very impure; but when there is yet remaining, somthing of Oil for the Vital Lamp, nor Spirits are altogether wanting, for the subduing the Feaverish matter, the Blood is still circulated, and (tho but smally) is inkindled in the Heart: yea, and by little and little the Spirits recollect themselves, set upon the matter remaining of the Feaver, and what they are able, begin to overcome it: then by a pertinacious assiduity, or coction, like a flame, wavering and half extinct, among green wood, at length rise up victorious, and restore anew, both with heat and mo­tion, leisurely renewed, a quick and lively Fermentation, in the Heart.

So much in general of the Feaver called Putrid: it remains, before we descend to the kinds, and particular Cases of it, that I recount the symptoms, and signs chiefly notable, in the course of this Feaver, and subjoyn the reasons, and causes of them, and their manner of being done.

CHAP. X. Of the Symptoms, and Signs chiefly to be noted, in a Putrid Feaver.

THE Symptoms, coming upon a Putrid Feaver, altho they argue, the oeco­nomy of the whole Body, to be for the most part depraved, and the disposi­tion, and functions of some part, or Member hurt; yet, the accidents, which a Physician ought chiefly to consider, about the Diagnosis of this Disease, and its Prognosis to be rightly instituted, may be referred to three casses or common places; to wit, they have respect to the Viscera of Concoction, viz. the Ventricle, and In­testines, [Page 100]with their Appendixes: Or secondly, to the humours, flowing in the Ves­sels, viz. the Blood in the Arteries and Veins, and the thin Liquor in the Nervous parts, together with the chief springs of either, viz. the Heart, and Brain; or lastly, these symptoms respect the habit of the Body, with the various constitution of the pores, and the extension or emarceration of the solid parts. They, who would ex­actly observe, the course of this Disease, and would fitly draw out Curatory intentions, may take notice of these three heads of symptoms, and carefully consider, what altera­tions may happen in these, as it were distinct Regions, according to the different times of the Feaver.

1. Troubles, and disorders, such as nauseousness, vomiting, want of Appetite, in­digestion, a looseness, a scurfiness of the Mouth and Tongue, a bitter savour, are wont to infest about the Ventricle, and first passages, in the whole course of this Fea­ver. These, for the most part, are attributed to the humors, first heaped together in the Stomach, and there putrifying: But besides, that the recrements of the Chyle, being throughly roasted, by too much heat, degenerate into an hurtful matter, very often, these kind of accidents happen, for that the Purgings, and the filth of the Blood, and Nervous Juice, whilst they grow hot, are carried inward, and being de­posited in the membranes of the Viscera, provoke Convulsions, and also make a filthy heap of vitious, and very infestous humor. I have often observed, that about the beginning of the Feaver, the Blood growing hot, laid aside its recrements even in­wardly, with a benefit to the sick, where, altho great molestations did arise about the first passages, yet the burning was therefore more mild, the Pulse moderate, and the Urine laudable, and these being after this manner in a Feaver, quickly grew well, with a slender diet, and the use of gentle evacuations. But if in this case I should admini­ster a vehement Cathartic, for the extirpating the humours, that Natural Purging of the Blood being hindred, presently the Feaver became strong, with a red Urine, and troubled, a deep Pulse, Watchings, and other horrid symptoms: also, oftentimes after the state of the Disease, by this kind of interior Lustration or Purging, the adust mat­ter, and excrementitious, is separated from the Blood. Hence, somtimes a Lask, somtimes a scurfie covering of the Mouth and Throat, follow: Wherefore, there is need of caution, about the accidents which happen in the first passages, lest that whilst we oppose them, we should pervert the motion of Nature; and lest whilst we fortifie these parts, against the course of the Morbific matter, we untowardly keep the same shut up, in the mass of Blood.

The Symptom chiefly to be considered, about the Bloody mass, are, an heat dif­fused through the whole, a burning of the Praecordia, thirst, a disorder of the Pulse, a red ruine, a spontaneous wearisomness, a loss of all strength, out of which rightly considered, these things following may be known, viz. what the manner of the heat is, or with what tenour the burning Blood flames forth; what times of remission, or of increase, its Effervescency observes, in the deflagration; whether it retains its Crasis, or mixture whole; for the burning of it, and circulation of it inkindled, what strength of the Heart will suffice, and what space the Vessels may require; so long as the Blood burns, what plenty of adust recrements it may heap up, by what means it may overcome, separate, or at lest endeavour to separate the same, and lastly, what way of a Crisis it endeavours, and with what success.

The accidents, which have a respect to the thin Liquor, with the Brain, and Ner­vous Appendix, are, disorders concerning sleep and waking, a debility of the whole Body, a trembling, shivering, pains, Convulsive motions, Cramps of the Viscera, Stupifaction, Phrensie; and the observation of which suggests, what the temper, and constitution of that thin Liquor may be; by what means it waters, and influtes the Nervous parts, and performs its circutes through them; how the Animal Spirits execute the functions of the Viscera; what the state of the Brain may be, whether it remain free from the incursion of the Feaverish matter, or whether it be not in danger of being overwhelmed, by reason of its critical metastasis or translation.

Concerning the habit of the body may be observed, what may be the reason of sweating, and the manner of it; whether only by vaporous Effluvia? or by sweats? or also by little wealks! whether the flesh falls away on the sudden from its wonted bulk? Or whether it retains it self a long while? What the colour of the Face is! And the vigor or habit of the Eyes? from these well laid together, the course of the Feaver may be best of all measured; at what time it will come to its hight or stand­ing? Whether Nature will prevail over the Disease or not; with what manner of se­paration, [Page 101]and with what success she will endeavor the expulsion of the Feaverish mat­ter; also by these signs may be learned, by what degrees the Blood growing hot, and often congealed, doth tend towards Putrefaction, or Corruption; whether it does any thing concoct the alible Juice poured to it; or whether or not it presently casts forth of doors, all its provision by sweat, as often happens in the declination of this Disease.

By these symptoms and signs, a yet more plentiful Indication may be had, if first it be known, upon what causes the several species of them depend; and by what provi­sion, they are wont to be raised up in our Body: wherefore I have thought it worth our labour to recount particularly the chief of these; and to explicate the reasons of them, and their ways of working. But the symptoms, chiefly to be observed in a pu­trid Synochus, or continual servor without intermissions, are, an heat in the whole Body, a spontaneous weariness, a burning of the Precordia, intolerable thirst, an ar­dor, and scurfiness of the Tongue, or Jawes, a pain of the head and loins, pertinaci­ous watchings, Phrensie, Convulsive motions, a Syncope, Heart-burning, Vomiting, Nauseousness, want of Appetite, a Loosness, a Flux, with which, not all at once, now with these, now with those, this Disease is wont to be beset.

1. Heat, which is felt sharp and biteing, in the whole Body, depends upon the too great effervency of the Blood, and the accension of it in the Heart: For the Sulphureous or oily part of the Blood, being exalted, and taking an heat, is inkindled in the heart, in a double proportion, more than it was wont; wherefore, it copiously diffuses, by its deflagration, effluvia of heat thorow the whole Body. When the Sulphur is less dis­solved, and inkindled in the heart, as in the green sickness, or the white dropsical Dis­ease, &c. Heat is wanting in the whole: but in a Feaver, when te Sulphur too much burns forth, Heat superabounds. For heat, depends not only upon the actual infla­mation of the Sulphur, or the firing of it, but an intense heat is excited without fire, in many mixtures, where the particles of Sulphur are dissolved by corrosion, or are more thickly heaped together for want of ventilation; wherefore, when Iron is corroded by any acid mineral Spirit, or when Spirit of Nitre is poured on the butter of Antimony, a mighty heat with a fume is produced; in like manner when Dung, or Hay laid up wet, are kept from ventilation, grow highly hot: it is the same reason, why the Blood burns above measure in Feavers, to wit, the particles of the Sulphur, being too much exalted and made hot, are more thickly heaped together in the Vessels, and are more dissolved, and as it were inkindled by the ferment of the Heart; where­fore, they every way diffuse heat, being loosned in the bond of the mixture, and eve­ry where stretched forth or expansed.

2. A spontaneous weariness or lassitude, is felt in the whole Body: to wit, by rea­son of the Vessels being distented with the boiling Blood, also the musculous flesh is very much stuffed with Blood, and a copious breath, that it is made less fit for motion, as they who are sick of an Anasarca, have their limbs very unwealdy by reason of the aboundance of serous humor: besides, in Feavers, by reason of the inflamation of the Blood, the Juice, which is sent for a supply to the nervous stock, departs from its due temper, that it becomes little fit, for the actuating the Body.

3. The burning of the Praecordia is made, by reason of the Blood being more co­piously enkindled in the Chimny of the Heart, which from thence boiles forth into the Lungs, with great ardency; wherefore, by how much the neerer this Region is to that fire place of heat, it is pierced therefore with the greater burning.

4. An almost unquenchable Thirst is caused, both from the glowing heat in the Prae­cordia, also by reason of the sharp and hot particles of the Feaverish matter, affixed to the ventricle, in the circulating of the Blood; which indeed, desire to be washed, even as salted and spiced meats, being plentifully eaten, or also strong, or sour things, rouled in the mouth, or throat; for this kind of distemper, calls for a more free swallowing down of Drink, as a member too much heated the pouring on of cold water.

5. The ardor, and scurfiness of the Tongue, and Jawes, as also oftentimes an ac­cretion of a certain white, or yellow, or black filth, happen without doubt, because of the heat, and soot, exhaled frmm the Ventricle, and Lungs, burning with heat: but the Tongue grows white, as often as that humidity, (with which it is naturally much im­bued) is dried up, and parched, and so the exterior skin of the Tongue, is as it were roasted, by the burning heat, from hence also it becomes scurfie; which is also seen in healthful people, when it happens, that the Tongue is scorched by broth, or any other very hot suppings; in like manner, as when the Tongues of Animals are boiled, for the use of the Table, their skin becomes white and sharp or rugged. For whether the [Page 102]spittle is drawn from the maxillary glandulas, (as the doctrine of the most ingenious Wharton hath first made known) or any other humor from the glandulas of the Jawes, or elsewhere; yet because, by the reason of the heat, and dryness, it grows too thick, and becomes clammy, also then the outward skin of the Tongue grows nevertheless white; but also it is covered with a certain filthy glew, to wit, because that humor, by reason of its thickness, may smear the Tongue, but cannot wet, or moisten it: but if it happens, that the Tongue is inwardly suffused, with a bilous humor, or outwardly tinged (as comes to pass by the use of Choler-abounding Vomits) then its hairy nap, being spongy, imbibing the yellow poyson, exhibits also the like colour. If that lastly, the heat be so strong, that it burns the Blood, and inkindles a fire, more ardent than usual, it follows, that from the fire place of the Heart, the breathing places through the Lungs, scarcely sufficing for the ventilating so great fire, soot or smoak is raised up, which being smitten to the furnace of the Pallat, strikes against the Tongue, as it were in a reverberatory, and infects it with blackness. But this same kind of blackness, (ans as other filthinesses of the Tongue) is most conspicuous in its middle parts, because the more exterior compass, is cleansed by its frequent rubbing against the gums and palate.

6. Somtimes it happens in Feavers, and especially about their declinations, that the Tongue, palat, gums, yea the cavity of the whole mouth, and throat, are covered over with a certain viscous matter, as it were a whitish crust; which being often wiped off, presently new springs again, and unless by rubbing diligently, and washing the mouth, this crusty matter be frequently wiped away, the sick are in hazard of being choaked. This kind of distemper, is most often excited in Children newly born; for they are wont, for the most part, within fourteen days with an external growing hot, to be sprinkled thorow the whole skin, with broad and red spots; if that this suffusion of redness, do not freely break forth, or vanishes away sooner than it ought, for the most part, this whitish curst follows, in the parts of the mouth. This symptom, when it troubles Infants, after this manner, is wont to be ascribed to the fault of the Milk, to wit, that being to sharp, it induces the ulcerous distemper of the mouth. In those sick with Feavers, it is commonly attributed to thick vapors, and soottie, elevated from the ventricle: But to me it seems most likely, that in either, this distemper arises, from the impurities of the whole Blood, (and perhaps in some measure of the nervous Juice) deposited about these parts: for, as often as in the mass of either humor, any extraneous thing intimately mixed, is contained, that it is not to be dispersed by sweat, nor easily sent away by Urine, that, most often, is fixed, with the serous filth about the mouth; from whence Catarrhs, tumors, and troublesom spittings are caused: For when for the chewing of the meats, the salival humor in this place ought to be plenti­fully suffused; nature very often endeavors to send forth of doors, what is superflu­ous, or otherways troublesome, by these usual ways of excretion. Hence from Mer­cury being taken, when both the Blood, and nervous Juice, are abundantly stuffed, with its most smally divided particles, and endeavor to thrust them forth, being in­volved with serum, because they are not able to exterminate those mercurial little Bo­dies, being intimately confused, neither by sweat, urine, or by any other ways, what is remaining, they endeavor to expel thorow the Arteries, and other passages, which supply the mouth with spittle, the same being involved with the serous Latex. Also in like manner, in Feavers, when from a long deflagration of the Blood, the adust matter is very much heaped together, of which no small part remaining, after the Crisis, is yet confounded with the Blood, and nervous Juice, being fixed either to the brain, or to some other place, from them it is at length supped up again, 'tis most probable, that this matter, is throughly roasted, by a long concoction, and so becomes almost like Glew, thick, wherefore, being not able to be dispersed, neither by spittle, or insensible transpiration, nor to be separated by the urinarie passages, but at length leisurely runs out, by the little Arteries, and other passages of the spittle, lying open into the Palat, as the most usual way of excretion, and forthwith by reason of its thickness grows into that glewiness. The same reason holds in Infants, whose Blood being made im­pure, by filths contracted in the Womb, presently it endeavors to purifie it self, by that exterior putting forth, which if it do not rightly succeed, by reason of the thick­ness of the matter, immediatly the viscous impurities, are exterminated by this way, as the more open. I have known some, in the declination of a Feaver, to whom, not only this kind of Crust of gummy matter, has hapned in the parts of the mouth, but a copious salivation, as if they had taken mercury, with a stinking of the breath, [Page 103]also a swelling of the Tongue, and Gums, hath been raised up for many days.

7. The pain of the Head, in Feavers is excited, because of the Meninges of the Brain, being pulled or hauled with vapors, and with a sharp Blood, and hot; for the Blood being impetuously moved, by reason of the direction of the great Arterie, is carried in a greater plenty to the Head, than to the lower parts; because the passage, from the bosom of the Heart to the head, is strait, from the same, to the inferior mem­bers, oblique, and as it were reflected; wherefore, as the membranes are very sensible, and that there the Blood is stopped, and reverberated, in its rapid course, it is no won­der, if cruel headaches are excited in Feavers. Besides, this impetuous flowing of the Blood, wherewith (as it were by a certain Ramming) the membranes of the Head be­ing distended, ake grievously; also somtime, Headaches arise, by reason of the ner­vous Juice, (which is supplyed from the burning Blood) being too sharp, and prick­ing: wherefore, when the membranes, and nervous parts, are watered, with the same, they being pulled by its acrimony, are moved into Pains and Convulsions.

8. In like manner also, the other distempers of the Head, as watchings, delirium, Phrensie, Convulsion, &c. arise, somtimes from the Blood being in a rage, and so stir­ring up inordinate motions in the Brain, and somtimes also, from the nervous Juice be­ing depraved, and therefore made inproportionate, to the regiment of the Animal Spirits: But most often, these kind of symptoms are frequent in Feavers, by reason of the translation of the Feaverish matter, from the bosom of the Blood, into these parts. For the Blood, being full of the adust recrements, remaining after the deflagration, endeavors (like the flowring of new Wine) to subdue, and exclude them from its Company, by every manner of way; which, a Flux being arisen, when it cannot ex­pel by Sweat, Urine, or bleeding, it oftentimes tranfers, to the substance of the Brain, and there fixes them: and from hence chiefly, the aforsaid distempers, when they are fixed, and firmly rooted, draw their original, when as the lighter, and that are easily moved, often proceed from the afore-recited causes.

9. Convulsive motions, happen in Feavers, for divers causes: somtimes, because of the matter being heaped together in the first passages, which there haules the mem­branous parts, with its notable pravity, and then, by the consent of the nervous stock, the Convulsion is presently Communicated to the beginning of the Nerves, in the Brain, and by that means draws aside now these, and now those parts: by which means, Worms abounding in the Viscera, sharp humors being stirred, and strong Me­dicines, induce Convulsions: or secondly, when the Feaver, is a partaker of some malignity, so in the small Pox, Measels, or the Plague frequently Convulsions happen; to wit, because the Blood is altered, from its benign and natural temper, into a destroy­ing and venomous, by which the Nerves, and their beginnings, are pierced, and forced into Convulsions. Also, oftentimes without the suspition of malignity, in a putrid Feaver, Convulsive motions are induced, by reason of the translation of the Feave­rish matter, to the Brain, as was but now intimated: so I have often observed, when the Disease is not presently cured with the Crisis, the sick ly by it, with a tedious sick­ness, and are made obnoxious to tremblings, and Convulsive motions. Thirdly, and lastly, for the most part in every Feaver, which terminates in Death, Convulsive moti­ons are the sad forerunners of it; which I think to happen, not only from the malig­nity of the matter, with which the nervous stock is pulled and pierced, but because the Spirits, very much exhausted and debilitated, do not sufficiently blow up, and distend the Bodies of the Nerves, wherefore, being released from their wonted extension, and tonick motion, they are however by a more weak indeavor of the Spirits, agitated in­to a disordered motion.

10. A syncope or swooning, is wont to be raised up several ways in Feavers, but chiefly for these three causes, to wit, either from the mouth of the Ventricle being distempered, which part, as it is interwoven with a manifold texture of Nerves, is very sensible, and because from the same branch of the sixth pare, little shoots of Nerves, are equally derived to the heart, and to the Ventricle, of the Orifice of the Ventricle, so implanted with Nerves, be distempered, with any great trouble, it is also Commu­nicated to the heart, and either the motion is stopped in it, or at least an inordinate one is excited, whereby the equal Flux of the Spirits, and the Blood, is interrupted for a time. I knew one in an acute Feaver, taken with a frequent swooning, which distemper wholly ceased, after he had cast forth by Vomit, a long and smooth Worm. Secondly, a syncope also, is somtimes induced, because the invenomed matter is circu­lated [Page 104]with the Blood, which suddenly fixes, and extinguishes the vital Spirits, and con­geals the Blood it self, that it is apt to stagnate in the heart, as usually happens in the Pest, small Pox, &c. of which we shall speak particularly hereafter. Thirdly, a syn­cope is wont to happen, by reason of the more rare texture of the Spirits, which as they are very tender and subtil, are easily unbent, by any immoderate motion or pain: so I have known some, who being quiet in bed, have found themselves well enough, but being removed from one place to another, presently have swooned away.

11. The pain of the Heart happens in Feavers, when the Ventricle, and especially its Orifices, by reason of the manifold insertions of Nerves, being very sensible, are beset with a sharp and bitterish humor, or else with an acid, and corrosive; for hence a pain and trouble arises from the acrimony of the humor, after the same manner, as when the sphincter of the fundament is afflicted, in Cholloric dejections, with pain and molestation.

12. By reason of the same cause, Vomiting, and nauseousness are wont to be ex­cited, to wit, by the Ventricles being beset, and irritated to a Convulsion, from an ex­traneous matter, and not akin to it self: Such an excrementitious matter, may be ga­thered together in the Ventricle, by three ways; for either the aliments, partly by rea­son of a want of an acid ferment, by which they should be rightly Cooked, and partly by reason of the burning heat of the Ventricle, are roasted into such a Corruption; or Secondly, this kind of matter, is laid up in the Ventricle, from the Arteries, termi­nating in its Cavity, as uses to happen in the small Pox, the Plague, and malignant Feavers; or Thirdly, meer Choler, being pressed forth from the Choleduct Vessels, into the empty intestine, by reason of an inverse motion, and as it were Convulsive, of that intestine, it is poured into the Ventricle, want of Appetite, also happens, by reason of the Ventricles abounding with vitious Juices, and because the acid ferment, is wholly perverted, by the scorching heat. These kind of distempers of the Ven­tricle, and Viscera, somtimes arise from an excrementitious matter, (to wit, alimen­tous, degenerated in the concoction) heaped together, a long while before the Feaver, in the first passages, which not seldom becomes, the occasional cause, of the Feaver it self: but somtimes, nauseousness, want of Appetite, Vomiting, pain of the Heart &c. are the immediate products of the Feaver; for when the day before the sickness, those distempered, have been well enough in their Stomack, as soon as the immoderate heat of the Blood was induced, whilst it boiled up above measure, both the Effluvia, and the recrements, being wonted to be evaporated outwardly, also the bilous humor, flowing out of the Choleduct Vessels, are poured into the Ventricle; by which, its Crasis is overthrown; also the Reliques of the Chyle, and other contents in the Vis­cera, are egregiously depraved; from whence, the aforesaid Distempers draw their Original.

14. No less frequent a symptom in Feavers, is a Diarrhea, or Flux of the Belly, which somtime happens about the beginning of the Disease, and arises (for the most part) either from the Bile, flowing forth of the Coleduct Vessels, into the Duodenum; or from the recrements of the Blood, and Nervous Juice, poured forth from the Ar­teries, and the passage of the Pancreas, into the intestines. All the aforesaid humors, (but especially the Choleric) when they are supplied in abundance, often Ferment with the mass remaining of the Chyme, that the same swelling up with a spumous rarefa­ction, irritates the intestines, and provokes to the motion of excretion: somtimes also, about the standing of the Disease, and in the declination of it, a Lask is exci­ted; and so, either Nature being Conqueress, the more thick purgings of the Blood, are this way critically sifted forth; or being overcome, the Flux of the Belly, is the effect, and sign, of the Viscera wholly losing their strength, and firm tenour. It somtimes happens in a Feaver, that the Belly is always bound, that it is not at all loosned, but by Physick, and tho the sick take nothing but liquid things, for many days, the stools are still of a solid consistence, and hard, this seems for the most part to be done, when the Blood growing sharply and exceeding hot, like fire, consumes the humidities, wherever they flow, and draws to it self, out of the Bowels, the wa­tery matter, by a Copious emission of vapours, and presently makes it to be evapo­rated outwardly: wherefore, the thicker part, being left in the intestines, is made firm, from the scorching heat as it were a Caput Mortuum, remaining after distillation.

A Dyssentery is a distemper, so frequent in continual Feavers, that some years it becomes Epidemical, and not more mild than the Plague kills many: The cause of it is wont to be, not any humor produced within in the Viscera, that corrodes the in­testines [Page 105]with its Acrimony, (as some affirm) but a certain infection impressed on the Blood, and so intimately confused with it, that, under the form of a vapour, or a sincere humor, it cannot be pulled away from the Blood: wherefore, the thrusting forwards, towards the intestines, unlocks the little mouths of the Arteries, and makes there little Ulcers, and exudations or flowings forth of the Blood, like as when from the Feaverish Blood, Pustles and inflamations break forth outwardly, with a flowring towards the skin: But it is most likely, these dysenteric distempers, which accompany Malignant, or Epidemical Feavers, arise from a certain coagulation of the Blood, as shall be more fully declared hereafter.

And here also, among the symptoms of Feavers, might be recited, what are wont to appear outwardly, in the superficies of the Body, as are Spots, Whelks, Buboes, Carbuncles, &c. but because these belong after an especial manner to a Malignant Feaver, therefore we will forbear in this place, from the consideration of them, until we shall speak of the Plague, Small-pox, the Pestilential, and Malignant Feaver.

The Pulse and Urine shall conclude here the troop of symptoms and signs in a Pu­trid Feaver, which are much heeded, for the finding out, both the state and the strength of the sick: For, as there are two things, by which our life is propped, viz. Heat inkindled in the Heart, and concoction to be made in the Viscera, and Vessels, because the Pulse and Urine, best show the alterations in either, induced in a Feaver, therefore from hence, a most certain judgment is taken of this Disease, about to end, in Death or Health. I think it is not needful, to speak of these at large, or to recount the several causes and differences of either: It will suffice for me to note here, the chiefest things of them, and what are worthy of consideration in the course of Fea­vers. And first of all the Pulse is consulted, as it were a Thermometer or Weather-Glass, constitued by Nature, that from thence, the heat inkindled, in a Feaver might be meted; which if it should be more strong, stirs up a great ebullition or boiling up of the Blood, the Artery beats more strongly and quicker, so long as the Spirits are in strength; then they being a little exhausted, the more strong Pulse is remitted; which however is compensated with swiftness, and is made quick, and small. If the Feaver be gentler, and is troubled with a lesser burning, the Pulse also declines less, from its Natural condition, and the moderation of this, in the whole course of the Disease, denotes the truces of Nature. Neither doth the Pulse only, betray the forces of the Feaver, as of an Enemy, but shews also plainly the strength of Nature, and her ability of resisting. So long as the Pulse is laudable, the matter goes well, and it shews good hopes; but from the evil state of this, a bad omen is shewn, and a despair of Health. So without a frequent, and diligent examination of the Pulse a Physician connot make a right judgment or Prognostication, or safely prescribe Physick.

1. As to the first thing, it ought to be known (as much as may be) what every ones Pulse is, according to its Natural Constitution; for it is in these stronger, in those weaker: then it is to be considered, in every moment of the Feavers, by what degrees it is distant from its Natural state: for now it is somtimes more vehement, and argues the Feaver to grow stronger; now it is depressed, below its wont, and denotes the Spirits and Strength dejected.

Those whose Pulse in Health beats weakly and languishing, when taken with a Feaver, if they have a small and weak Pulse, it is not so evil a sign, that we should presently despair of their Health: In whom the Pulse is by Nature strong and vehe­ment, if after the Crisis of the Disease, it hath scarce a moderate vigour, tho it be not wholly weak, it argues the condition of the sick to be suspected, and not safe.

If from the begining of the Feaver, before the Blood has flamed out, or if a Crisis being made, when part of the burthen is drawn away, or at another time, without an evident cause, the Pulse becomes weak, it portends evilly: but if after long watch­ings, or great evacuations, the Pulse is made a little weaker, Health is not therefore to bedespaired of, because the strength cast down by these means, or overwhelmed, may be restored, and the Spirits renewed.

When the Pulse is suddenly altered for the worse tho the sick seem to be better, as to the rest of the symptoms, you may forespeak the said prognostication of Death; and so contrariwise, altho most horrid symptoms urge, and yet the Pulse is laudable, Health may be yet hoped for. If in a strong man, that hath a Feaver, the Pulse is very small, and creepingly, or becomes like the motion of Ants, death is at hand.

2. In the exhibiting of Medicines, cautions and rules of no small moment are taken; Purging and Vomiting are forbid, by the pulse being too quick and violent; also by being low and depressed; because, whilst the Blood is too fervent, evacuation helps little, because both what is hurtful is not separated, also for that by the pertur­bation, the strength or spirits, are more debilitated. But when the spirits are broken, and strength cast down, Medicines cast them more down, and somtimes wholly over­throws them. Wherefore, when a Physitian thinks of evacuation, upwards or down­wards, he first examines the pulse, and goes about this work only, when Nature is strong and quiet; that she may at once be at leisure, for the operation of the Medicine, and may have sufficient strength.

Nor is there less need of circumspection, in sweating Medicines and Cordials: which, if administred in the Feaverish fit, do too much strengthen, the former violent motion of the Heart, and oftentimes break its strength; also, when the Pulse is very languid, if hot and strong Cordials are administred, (as when a small flame is troubled with a more strong blast of wind) life is easily extinguished; wherefore, tis a vulgar observation, that Cordials often accelerate death, for that by too much troubling the Blood, they sooner beat down strength.

There is yet the most need of the caution, and direction of the Pulse, in exhibitiug narcoticks; for these, (because they perform their work by extinguishing, and fixing the too fierce vitalspirits) if used in a weak or inconstant Pulse, either by diminishing the vital spirits, render them wholly insufficient for the Disease, or by suffocating them too much, cause a perpetual sleep: wherefore, in a languid, unequal, or formicating or creeping Pulse, opiats are to be shun'd, more than a mad Dog or a Snake.

An unequal, and intermitting Pulse, has a most evilreport, from the writings of Physitians; yet, altho of an ill note, does not so certainly portend death, as a weak Pulse: for I have known many, to have recovered, tho by those kind of signs con­demned to the Grave; because the inordination of the Spirits, and the Blood, may be more certainly and easily composed, or allayed, than their dejection restored.

2. The inspection of Urines in Feavers, before all other Diseases whatsoever, hath more of certainty, and is of greatest use: for from hence, the conditions of the sick, and of the Disease are best known, and the medical intentions, concerning what is to be done, are better directed; what observations, and rules, concerning this thing, are vulgarly set forth, are so many, that it would be almost an infinite labour and tedious­ness to recount them all: it will be sufficient here, to note the chief of them.

Concerning the Urines of persons in Feavers, there are chiefly to be considered, the colour, consistency, contents, and subsidency or setling. The colour of the Urine, shews the measure, or excess of heat in the Blood; which, as it is increased, and be­comes more remiss; the Urine also is more, or less red; the cause of which is, the ebullition of the Blood or the effervescency induced from the Feaver, to the Blood; by reason of which, the particles of Salt, and Sulphur, implanted in the Blood, humors, and solid parts, are more dissolved, and incocted with the serum, and impart to it a red­ness; even as, when Salt of Tartar, and common Sulphur being mixed one with an­other, and boiled in water, impart a deep red colour to the Liquor.

The Urines of some, are highly red, when they are but a little, or lightly Feaverish: and on the contrary, the Urines of others, labouring with a Feaverish burning, are less coloured. Who abound with lively heat, and a very hot Blood, or are obnoxious to the Scurvy, phthisis, or hypochondriac distemper, when by taking cold, condensation, surfeit, or drinking of Wine, they are troubled by any little Feaver, they render a Urine strongly red: for that the particles of Salt and Sulphur, remain exalted in their Blood, and before half loosned; wherefore, there is a necessity, that the Feaver urg­ing, they are more boiled in the serum; on the contrary, they who are indued with a cold temper, with a faint and weak Pulse, being taken with a Feaver, with a greater effervescency of the Blood, render their Urine less coloured.

The consistency, contents, and subsidency of Urines, being put as it were upon the same thrid, depend all of them, on the adust and recrementitious matter, which is remaining in the Blood, after the Feaverish deflagration: if there shall be plenty of this, the consistency of the Urine becomes somwhat thicker, and after it has stood, it is troubled by the cold: but if there be a lesser quantity of this, or otherways derived than to the Reins, (to wit, by sweat, or is called away by a critical translation, to this or that part) the consistency is made thinner, and the Liquor remains clear. Also the particles of this matter, do inlarge the contents of the Urine, which shew them­selves [Page 107]diversly, according as the nutricious Juice, is now somwhat cooked, and assi­milated by the Blood, now altogether perverted, and carried into a putrifaction, some signs of concoction, and assimulation, shew themselves, in the Urines of Feaverish persons, now a laudable Hypostasis, now some marks and rudiments of the same: A want of Hypostasis, and the confusion, and perturbation of the Urine, denote the concoction vitiated, But as this matter is more or less roasted, in the Blood, the con­tents are now of a pale, now of a red colour, like oker. By reason, that the recre­ments, confounded with the Blood, either the Spirit being strong, begin to be over­come, and separated, or the same being depressed too much, they are less able to be se­parated, also the contents of the Urine, are wont to be more or less, sooner or slower separated, from the rest of the Liquor, and to sink down towards the bottom.

As to the Prognosticks, to be taken from the Urine, we may take notice, that the colour of the Urine being somwhat more remiss, the consistency mean, the contents few, and the subsiding free or easily collected into a Cloud, portend good: on the contrary, a deep red, a thick and troubled confistency, thick and cloudy contents, which slowly or scarce at all sink to the bottom, denote a very great heat, plenty of adust matter, and its being brought under, and secretion, difficult or frustrated.

As to the Medicinal directions, the business depends on this, that we attend, by the frequent inspection of the Urine, the motion of Nature, and be helpful to the same; neither is it to be moved, by purge or sweat, but when a certain hypostasis of the Urine shews signs of concoction and separation. I thought it needless to say any more here concerning this matter, because those things are more largly handled elsewhere, in a proper place, which belong to Urines.

CHAP. XI. Of the Kinds, and Cure of a Putrid Synochus, or conti­tinual Feaver.

ANd thus much for a Putrid Synochus in general, in which is described its for­mal reason, according to the accidents and symptoms which are commonly observed in its Figure; there are besides, (I shall not say species but) some varieties, or irregularities of this Disease, in which, this Feaver somtimes declines from this common Rule, and by reason of some accidental Distempers, gets new names and distinctions.

In the first place therefore, a Putrid Synochus is wont to be divided into Sympto­matick, and essential; It is called Symptomatick, which draws its beginning from some other Distemper, or Disease before excited in the Body, so that the Feaver, is on­ly a symptom, coming upon that other Disease: of which sort is accounted, what de­pends upon the squinancy, plurisie, the inflamation or imposthume of the Lungs, or any imposthume from a wound, or ulcer in a principle part, or its neighbourhood, of which we think a little otherways, viz. That truly no Putrid Feaver is merely Sympto­matical; perhaps it may arise occasionally, from some other Distemper; but it is founded immediatly, in the Sulphureous part of the Blood being made too hot, and as it were inkindled: for without a Procatarsis, or preceeding indisposition of the Blood, the aforesaid Distempers, rarely, or not at all, cause a Putrid Feaver.

As to what respects the squinancy, plurisie, the inflamation or imposthume of the Lungs, and the like; I say, that these are the products of the Feaver, or Distempers following it; but by no means the cause of it; for most often the evident cause, went before, which produced the Feaverish effervescency of the Blood, as a taking of cold evacuation being hindered, &c. then, altho the sick do not openly grow presently into a Feaver, yet a greater ebullition of the Blood, than was wont, is stirred up, as may be easily conjectured from the Urine, Pulse, and inquietude of the whole Body. After some days, (nhw sooner, now later) an Inflamation is brought forth, in one part or other; the reason of which, may probable enough be said to be of this sort: The [Page 108] Blood, by reason of the effluvia being retained, (which are like ferment) is increased in its bulk, and grows more turgid than its wont, in the Vessels; and when for want of Ventilation, it is streightned in the space of its circulation, it easily springs forth, where it can find a passage, through the Arteries, and being extravasated, from the broken thred of Circulation, it gathers together into a Tumor: and because from this kind of tumor, an heat, and pain, are increased in the part, the Blood is more di­sturbed in its motion, and so the Feaver, at first inkindled, is more aggravated.

Further, in these kind of Distempers, we may take notice, of a certain aptitude of the Blood to be coagulated, whereby it is made less fluid, so that it is apt to be con­gealed in the lesser Vessels: even as it is to be perceived in Milk, when it begins to sour, for then it will not be boiled, nor heated over the fire, without coagulation: and in like manner, there is to be suspected in the Blood, a certain disposition to growing sour, by reason of which, it is made more obnoxious to coagulation; for it easily ap­pears, that in a plurisie, a peripneumonia, the squinancy, and the like Diseases, the in­flamation, or extravasation of the Blood, does not always depend on the exuberancy of the Blood, and plenitude of the Vessels: for oftentimes, the Blood is stopped in its motion, with a weak pulse, and a sinking down of the Vessels, and beign extravasated in the side, or elsewhere, causes a most acute pain, yea being driven from one part, by and by its fixed in another: and somtimes it begins to stagnate in the heart it self, and there oftentimes induces a deadly oppression: wherefore, some pluritical people, are wont, when the pains are gone, to complain of a great burthen, and as it were weight, fixed about the region of the Heart: And when we have opened the dead Bodies, of such as have dyed of these kind of Diseases, we have seen the Blood to be gathered together, in little bits, or oblong gobblets, in the secret parts of the Heart, and round about the cavities of the Vessels. But for that these Diseases, are wont to be handled apart from the Feaver, therefore we shall say no more of them here.

It only remains, that we inquire, whether the Feaver which acompanies these Di­stempers, is to be esteemed in the rank of those, that are called Putrid, or not? To which we reply, that most often, they are simple Feavers, in which only a subtil, and spirituous part of the Blood is inflamed; and therefore, if the extravasated Blood may be restored to circulation, by a plentiful detraction of the Blood, or an emptying the Vessels by sweat, presently the growing hot of the Blood is appeased, and the Fea­ver shortly allayed. But somtimes, when a predisposition, as in a Plethora, or fulness of good humor, or in a great Cacochymie or fulness of evil Juices, brings it on, to­gether with the same kind of distempers, a Putrid Feaver is inkindled, wholly from the same cause.

Among the symptomatick Feavers, is reckoned that which is commonly called the slow Feaver: they who are sick of this, are more than usually hot, especially after eating, any motion, or exercise; the Urine for the most part is red, the Spirits are feeble; and strength cast down, as to their appetite, and rest, they are indifferently well, they have neither Cough, nor much spitting, but they daily (like those in Con­sumptions) grow lean, without any evident cause. The fault for the most part is ascribed, to obstructions in some inward, (as the liver, spleen, or mesentery) by whose default, the aliment is not well Cooked, nor rightly dispensed. But it seems to me, that this sort of distemper, is immediatly founded in the evil disposition of the Blood, by which it is inclined, into a too salt and sour temper, and therefore is rendred less apt for nutrition, and an equal circulation. For the Blood in the Heart, just like oil in a Lamp, if it redounds too much with saline Particles, is inkindled not pleasantly, and equally, but with a noise, and great evaporation of the parts; whereby indeed, it is sooner wasted, and exhibits but a languishing, and weak flame. I opened one, somtime since dead of this Disease, in whom the Viscera destinated to concoction, were well enough, but the Lungs were without moisture, and dry, and beset through­out with a sandy matter like Chaulk. Also oftentimes, in this Disease, the Mesentery is beset, the glandules being filled with such a Chaulky matter: But whether the Blood being made more saltish, doth first bring in these kind of distempers of the Viscera, or whether the Dyscrasie, or evil disposition of the Viscera, first brings it upon the Blood is uncertain: it seems probable, that either distemper depends upon the other, and that the causes of either evil are reciprocal.

But the Feaver, which chiefly deserves to be called Symtomatic, is that which is ex­cited in Phthisical persons, from an Ulcer, or Consumption of the Lungs. For the whole Blood, whilst it passes thorow the Lungs, in its circulation, often impresses on this [Page 109]Inward, the ideas of very many Diseases; and on the other side, receives the same from it, being evilly affected, whatsoever impure thing is conteined in the mass of the Blood, as the flowring of New Wine, is cast forth by extremities of the Arteries; wherefore, when Nature being made more weak, it cannot transfer its recrements into the superficies of the Body, it deposes them, by a more near Purgation into the Lungs. From hence a Cacochymia, or fulness of ill juices, and many Chronical Diseases, end in a Consumption: in like manner, when the flesh of the Lungs wasts, or abounding with an Ulcerous matter, becomes half putrid, the Blood passing through it, is infe­cted with the purulent matter, or tabid infection, and for that cause, is stirred up into a continual Effervescency, by reason of the confusion of somthing not miscible, and wherefore, it induces an assiduous Feaver, and wholly perverts the Alible Juice. The same reason is, of Feavers, form an Ulcer, or Imposthume, oftentimes raised up in other parts: for these, even as the tabid constitution of the Lungs, cause oftentimes a Consumption, and Hectick Feaver. The full consideration of these, are not for this place, wherefore, we will return, whence we have digressed, to a Putrid Fever pro­perly called, or essential.

The Essential Putrid Synochus, is wont to be divided, into a Putrid (such as is al­ready described) into a Causon, or hot burning Feaver; and besides into a Quotidian, Tertian, and Quartan: The Putrid Synochus, but now delineated, ought to be the rule or square of the rest, to whose type, most Feavers, which are of this kind, are to be composed. As to the rest, but now mentioned, according as they vary their kind, I shall briefly subjoyn.

The Causon, or Burning Feaver, is that which performs its course, with a greater heat, almost intolerable thirst, and other symptoms, arguing a greater inflamation of the Blood: The formal reason of it, by which it is differenced from the rest, consists in this; that the temper of the Blood is hotter, that is, abounds more with fireable Sulphur; therefore, when it grows fervent, it is inkindled in a greater plenty, and with its deflagration, diffuses the Effluvia of a most intense heat, through the whole Body: its motion is acute, and quickly comes to its standing, it is compassed about with more horrid symptoms, hath a difficult Crisis, and an even full of danger.

But as to what respects those periods, or fits, in which a Putrid Feaver somtimes is wont to be more cruel, at a set time; and (as if intermitting) now every day, now every third, or fourth day, repeats as it were the Feaverish fit; the reason of this seems not easily to be explicated: especially, if we reject from this cense, the fewer humors, to the spontaneous motion of which, this distemper is commonly ascribed, concerning this mat­ter, what seems most likely to me, I shall doubtingly propose. In a continual Feaver, there are two chief things, (as we have already noted) which for the most part, induce the Ef­fervency of the Blood; to wit, the exaltation and inkindling of the Sulphureous part of the Blood, then consequently, an heaping together of the adust matter, and remaining after the burning of the Blood, to a swelling up: upon the former the continuance of the feaver, upon the other, its standing, and critical perturbations, depend: to these some times, a certain third thing happens, to wit, a fulness, and swelling up of the crude Juice, from the Aliments newly taken; which in a continual Feaver, (as in the fits of Intermit­ting Feavers) induces a greater Effeervency, at set intervals of times. But why this does not always happen, nor wholly after the same manner, the reason is this: when the Putrid Synochus is very acute, and the whole Blood almost is quickly inflamed, and highly rages, whatsoever of Nutritious Juice, is poured to the Blood, is presently burnt, and consumed by the fire; wherefore, little or nothing of it, is conteined in the mass of Blood, of rthe matter of a fit. But if this Feaver be less acute, and the Blood only flames forth moderately, and in parts, the supplement of the crude Juice, is not wholly consumed, by the burning; but is perverted, by a more gentle fire, into a Fermen­tative matter, which, when it arises in the Vessels to a fulness of swelling up, con­ceives a Flux, and by its Effervency, makes stronger the Feaverish heat, before glow­ing in the Blood, as it were by the coming of new fewel. The flowring of this matter doth not seldom begin with a light shivering, or cold, and somtimes end with sweat: but for the most part, it is exhaled by insensible transpiration. In every fit, besides the provision of the degenerate Nutritious Juice, somthing fro the adust, and burnt matter of the Blood, evaporates; wherefore, the Crisis of the Disease, is drawn forth longer, that tis hardly cured, under eleven or fourteen days; yea (for the most part) in this sort of Feaver, with fits and remissions coming between, the perfect Cure of the Disease happens, scarcely within twenty days: and somtimes leisurely, without [Page 110]any through Crisis, it remits, and then, by a long declination, it is ended in Death, or Health.

But that this kind of remission, and acerbation or growing more violent, are va­ried, according to the type of an Intermitting Feaver, that they repeat their turns now every day, now every other day, and somtimes not but within four days, the reason of this is to be sought, from the Doctrine before delivered, of Intermitting Feavers: to wit, that according as the Dyscrasie of the Blood, diversly appears, the suppliment of the degenerate Nutritious Juice, arises to the fulness of swelling up, either sooner or later; and for that reason, its Effervency, causes now more frequent, now more rare fits in this Feaver.

Concerning the Cure of Putrid Feavers, of every kind, there are four general in­tentions, on which, the whole stress of the matter depends. First, that the Blood, (if it may be done) may be defended from burning, and the flame, or fire inkindled in its Sulphureous part, the wholly suppressed; which about the first beginning of this Disease, happens to be often brought about. Secondly, that when the Blood having taken fire, cannot be presently extinguished, that at least it may perform its burning more mildly, and with lesser hurt. Thirdly, the deflagration being ended, that the Liquor of the Blood, be freed from the recrements of the adust and burnt matter, and afterwards restored, to its Natural temper and vigor. Fourthly, that the symptoms chiefly troubling may be timely helped, the which, unless taken away, will frustrate the work both of Nature and Medicine.

As to particular Remedies, with which these intentions may be served, there are various prescriptions, and forms of Medicines, not only among Physicians, but also among old women and Emperics, ordinarily in use: from which however, like a Sword in a blind mans hand, used without difference, and exact method of healing, more hurt than good, most often accrues to the sick. There will be no need here to repeat the forms of Purges, Cordials, and of other Medicines, eligantly enough de­livered among many Authors: I will add in few words, some chief indications, and Medical Cautions, which ought to be observed in the course of this Feaver, according to its various times, and divers symptoms.

1. At the first beginning of this Disease, the business will be, that the Feaver may be presently suppressed; and the inflamation of the heated Sulphur, may be inhibi­ted: to which, the opening of a Vein doth chiefly conduce; for by this means, the Blood is eventilated, and the heated Particles, too much heaped together, and almost ready to be fired, are dissipated one from another: as when Hey, apt to burn, if ex­posed to the open Air, its firing is prevented. Besides, let a slender diet be instituted, in which nothing Spirituous or Sulphureous ought to be administred; The Viscera, and first passages should be freed from the load of excrementitious matter; wherefore, Clysters are of necessary use; somtimes also Vomits, and gentle Purges; by which, somtimes timely and with judgment administred, the Feaver presently after the be­ginning, is extinguished, the Food of the fire being drawn away. If that notwith­standing this method the burning spreads more abroad, and more and more, dayly snatches hold of the Sulphureous Particles of the Blood; it must be indeavoured, (as much as may be) that the deflagration proceed gently, without great tumult.

2, When the Feaver is augmented, if the Blood be too hot, and distends the Ves­sels very much, with a vehement and strong Pulse; if watchings, a Phrensie, or a pain of the Head cruelly urge, the letting of Blood may be again repeated; Transpira­tion (as much as may be) should be freely procured, wherefore, let the sick keep in bed, for the most part; let the diet be sparing, of the most slender Aliments, also drink small, and plentiful, that the burning Blood, may be diluted with a more plentiful Serum: Clysters are administred safe enough, and in truth commodiously; but Me­dicines, whether Cathartics, or Diaphoretics, and which too much exagitate the Blood, are to be shunned, with the same industry, as blasts of wind to burning houses: but rather Opiates, and Anodines which fix and bind up the Blood, and Spirits, are to be made use of; also Juleps, and Decoctions, which refrigerate the burning Viscera, attemper the Blood, and cherish the Spirits, are often to be exhibited: acetous Liquors of Vegetables, or Minerals, also putrified Nitre, because they restrain the rage of the Blood, and extinguish Thirst, are truly convenient. Hot waters, and Spirits, Cordial, and Bezoartic powders, (so long as the Disease is not malignant) are not to be meddled with. If that the Blood be unequally circulated, and is carried more towards the Head, than the Feet, Epithemas are profitable, of the warm flesh, or Inwards of Animals, applyed to the soles of the Feet.

3. When the Feaver is at its standing, the motion of Nature is diligently to be at­tended, whether it will make a Crisis, or not; Wherefore, nothing rashly is to be attempted by the Physician; the opening a Vein, or strong Purgation, is wholly to be forbid; but after that the Feaverish burning is somwhat remitted, from the defla­gration of the Blood, and signs of concoction appear in the Urine, if that the motion of Nature be slow, a Sweat, or gentle Purge may be admitted; which however are bet­ter, and safer done, by the Physician, when Nature first, by a critical motion, hath entered upon the seclusion of the Morbific matter. If that all things are crude, and troubled, the Urine yet turbid, without sediment, or separation of parts, if the strength be languishing, the Pulse weak, if there be no Crisis going before, or only in vain, any evacuation, either by Sweat or Purge, is not to be attempted, without manifest danger of life: but it must be longer staid for, that the Spirits of the Blood may recover them­selves, may by some means overcome the excrementitious and adust matter, and then by degrees may separate it, and put it forth; in the mean time, the Spirits are to be cherished, with temperate Cordials, the immoderate Effervency of the Blood (if it still be) is to be stopped, and its due Fermentation sustained, which in truth is best per­formed, by Corals, Pearls, and such kind of powders; which indeed are dissolved by the Ferments of the Viscera, and then Ferment with the Blood, and greatly restore its weak and wavering motion. In the mean time, (whilst Nature is labouring) all obsta­cles, and impediments are to be removed, and especially the provision of excrements, heaped up in the first passages, is to be brought away, by the frequent use of Clysters.

4 By what way or method, the symptoms chiefly urging, ought to be handled, will not be easily prescribed by certain Rules; because, they themselves require somtimes to be presently appeased, and quieted, and somtimes to be quickned forward: and what is somthing more, perhaps at another time, they are to be left wholly to Nature. Some of these are too opposed, with gentle and lenitive Remedies, but others with more sharp and irritative Physic: yet in the mean time, it is a precept to be held in all, that you dilligently wait upon the footsteps of Nature: which if it works wrongfully, its disorder is to be reduced; if rightly, yet too vehemently, to be bridled: If she works rightly yet too slowly, or more weakly than she should, the business will be, that her endeavour may be incited, and helped, by the help of Medicine.

5. In the declination of the Feaver, when after a perfect Crisis, Nature is stronger than the Disease, the business goes well, nor is there much business left for a Physician: It only remains, to propose an exact manner of diet, that the sick may soon recover strength, without fear of relapsing: also it is requisite, to exterminate the Reliques of the Feaverish matter, with a light Purgation. About Diet, they often fall on the Rock of relapsing, viz. by the too hasty eating of flesh meats, or more strong Food, the sick relapse into the Feaver: for when the Viscera are weak, and the Aliments (unless very slender) not easily digested, and when also the disposition of the Blood, is weaker, that it does not assimilate the more strong nourishing Juice; if any thing im­proportionate is brought to either, the regiment of Nature is again perverted, and all goes ill. Wherefore, those growing well, should for a long time refrain from flesh, and when at length they use it, it should not be unless the Urine shall be like that of health­ful people, and no more troubled by the cold: and then indeed it will be safest, to begin with broths made of flesh, and then by degrees, to proceed to more strong Aliments.

6. When from an imperfect Crisis, things are grown doubtful, and remain yet un­determined; then is the Physicians most difficult task: The motions and strength of Nature are carefully to be waited on, whether it begins to prevail on the Disease, or to yield to it: If signs of concoction appear, and that there is strength, a gentle evacu­ation, and only by leisure, is to be celebrated. In the mean time, the symptoms most urging, are to be succoured, with convenient Remedies, all impediments to be taken away, and strength is to be sustained (as much as may be) with Cordials, and a right manner of living or diet.

7. When from an evil, or no Crisis, all things turn to the worse, and when the Phy­sician almost dispaires of Curing the Disease, he may predict its event suspected, and much to be feared, But yet, he ought not to trust to a naked Prognostication, to hin­der all things else, but that as yet, what is in the Medical Art, should be consulted for Health, tho desperate: Remedies may be administred, to the symptoms most infe­sting; the Spirits of the Blood almost extinct, may be restored by Cordials. When we despond of Health, life should be prolonged as long as it may, and at least a fair exit procured.

According to the various types but now described, of a Putrid Feaver, I might readily add very many Histories of sick people, and particular observations, made about their Cure; for these kind of examples are usually met with in our dayly practice, so that they are sufficient to fill a great Volumn; out of these however, with the good leave of the honest Reader, I will briefly propose some few, respecting the several kinds of the aforesaid Feaver, by which their Doctrine, and Method of healing them, above delivered, may be illustrated.

A Noble Matron, about fifty years of Age, of a slender habit of Body, little sta­ture, indued with a ruddy Complection, when on the fifteenth day of June, by reason of the Summers heat, she had put on more thin Garments, than she was wont, felt herself ill in the Evening; from thence she was distempered with a nauseousness, and oppression of her Stomach, she felt wandring pains, troulbing her now in her shoul­ders, now in her back, very thirsty, yet without any immoderate heat: on the second, and third day, almost after the same manner, on the fourth day after a Vomit, Viz. of the infusion of Crocus Metallorum one Ounce given, she cast forth yellow bile four times, and had three Stools, and seemed to be eased: the night following, she slept som­thing better: but on the next day, the Feaver being throughly inkindled, she com­plained of thirst, a burning of the Praecordia, and of a pain, now in her side, now in her back; presently blood was taken to eight Ounces, her Urine was of a very deep red, thick, and troubled without any Hypostasis, or setling of the Contents, her Pulse unequal, and often intermitting, the following night without sleep: on the sixth day of the Disease, early in the Morning, a small Sweat broke forth, from whence the heat somthing abated, which in the Evening again grew stronger: on the seventh day, a very acute heat, with thirst, burning, an inordinate and intermitting Pulse, as also with a mighty restlessness, and tossing of the whole Body troubled her, on the eighth the symptoms were somwhat more remiss, also in the Urine, some marks of an Hypostasis; she took that day posset-drink, with Meadow-sweet boiled in it, and sweated plentifully; and was cured of her Feaver. All the time of her sickness, for Food they gave only smal Beer, Posset drink, Barly broth, or Grewel, also frequently Clysters; Drink, and a cooling Julep, they gave her at her pleasure.

This Noble Lady, through transpiration being hindred, fell into a Putrid Synochus: the Effluvia, wont to be evaporated through the skin, being retained within, (together with the Choler flowing out of the Choleric Vessels) and fixed to the Viscera, did overthrow the dispositions of their parts, and especially gave trouble to the Stomach, and raised up pains and Convulsions, in the parts filled with Muscles and Membranes: the Pulse was unequal, and intermitting, not because of the malignity of the Disease, as in the Plague, but by reason a certain proper disposition of the Heart, by which in­deed, its ferment being not well constituted, the Blood growing fervent is not pre­sently equally inkindled, and wholly leaps forth, but a part of the Blood, in flowing in a small, then a greater, and after some turns the graatest proportion, stoping for a mo­ment of time, in the Bosoms of the Heart, produces the unequal and intermitting Pulse. I have known in many others, clearly, the like distemper of the Pulse: to wit, so long as they were free from intemperance, the Pulse was altogether equal, and or­derly, but if they were more strongly heated than usually, by any sudden passion of the mind, or too great agitation of the Body, presently they were affected with an un­equal Pulse, and between the vibrations or strikings, intermitting perhaps 4, 7, 10, or 20. and as often as they fell into a Feaver, the Pulse shewed it self after this irregular manner. When this habitual irregularity, concerning the Pulse, was not yet made known to me, by frequent experience, I was wont to suspect stil a malignity in the Disease, and to foretel a fatal event, which hapned otherwise.

On the fifth day, in this sick person, the Feaver, although slowly inkindled, came to an augmentation, and from thence past through the rest of the stations with a swift motion: on the sixth a light emptying of the adust matter, arising to a fulness, a sweat being risen, and so a certain remission of the Feaverish heat followed: on the seventh day, this adust matter arising to its height of increase, made the standing of the Disease, to which, at length on the eighth day, a plentiful sweat, with all things re­quisite to a good Crisis, followed, and perfectly Cured the Feaver: because (as it ought to be: those three things went before this criticial evacuation, viz. first a full and suffi­cient deflagration of the Blood, as appeared by the very strong heat, and plainly fiery, continued for three days before: also secondly, a congestion of the adult matter to a plenitude, as was collected by the high disquiet, and tossing about the preceeding [Page 113]and then a certain Pepasmus or Concoction of the same matter, and a begun secreti­on in the Blood. which a ceasing of the symptoms and signs of Concoction in the Urine, shewed: wherefore, the Copious sweat, coming upon so laudable a sign, so long as there was no suspition of malignity, portended nothing but good.

About the beginning of the year 1656, a Gentleman endued with all active habit of Body, without any manifest cause, (unless that being much addicted to study, he used no exercise after it) became ill; at first he complained, of a nauseousness and want of Appetite, with a great Headach: on the second day, he was affected, now with a shi­vering, now with heat, several times reciprocating, besides, with thirst, and burning of the Praecordia, with a scurfieness of the Tongue, and an ingrateful savour. On that day, he took ten drams of an Emetick Liquor, by which he Vomited seven times, and cast up a great quantity of yellow bile, and had four Stools; the night following he was unquiet, and almost wholly without sleep, and in which the sick person grew more Feaverish, with an increased heat: on the third day, when the aforesaid symp­toms were grown worse, he was let Blood to ten Ounces: his Urine was red, thick, and with a copious sediment; his Pulse quick, and vehement; at night he sweat a little, with a sort sleep, but disturbed: on the following morning, he seemed to be a little eased: yet in the evening all things grew worse, with most strong wakings, heat, and thirst: on the fifth day, by a lightsweat, the heat somwhat remitted, which yet a little before the evening, returned with its wonted fierceness, The night again was wholly without sleep, with a continual tossing up and down of his Body: In the mor­ning, by a little gentle sweating, he felt a little ease; in the evening an encrease again of all things more cruelly; the night also was very unquiet: about the beginning of the next day, a sweat, as before succeeded, and a little more plentifully: on this day was a manifest change towards health; the heat and thirst was a little less vehement; his Urine was less red, with some Hypostasis; thence, for three days, the Feaver leisurly declined; yet every night he had a certain fit, but more remiss than before on the eleventh day, he sweated more plentifully, and was perfectly Cured: all the time of his sickness, he used a most spare diet, taking truly nothing of Aliment, besides small Beer, and Posset drink made of it; he somtimes took drink, and cooling Juleps, of boiled Barly, and distilled waters; dayly, if his Belly was not loose of it self, an emol­lient Clyster was administred: he used no other Physic besides, to wit, neither Purge nor Cordial. But the Feaver being allayed, he was twice Purged, and from thence quickly grew well.

This Feaver was a Putrid Synochus, as may be conjectured by the shivering about the beginning, and then with continual heat, thirst, watchings, and other symptoms grieviously infesting, for many days: but forasmuch, as its intemperature was exaspe­rated every night, it might be called a continued Quotidian: This Disease, made its first assault without any evident cause, because the Blood being little ventilated, like Wine growing hot of it self, had conceived an ardour, from the exalted Sulphur; the Choler flowing forth from the Choleduct Vessels, and likewise the Purgings of the raging Blood, being poured about inwardly, (as it is wont to do for the most part in Feavers) presently stirred up troubles, and disorders in the first passages: therefore by reason of the excrementitious matter there heaped up, there was procured a depletion, and soon after the beginning, a Vomiting: notwithstanding which evacuation, and likewise a more strong Purging of the Belly by Stool, if administred, the Feaver be­ing wholly inkindled, because they too much agitate the Blood, and disturb greatly the Concoction of the adust Feaverish matter, for that reason bring more damage for the most part than benefit to the sick: The first station of this Disease, viz, until the whole Blood was fired, was extended to the third day; and then from thence, when the Blood flaming forth was burthened with adust recrements, its greater ebullition, with a frequent endeavour of expulsion by sweat followed: on the seventh day, when the Blood for the greatest part had flamed forth, and the adust recrements, heaped up in its bosom to a fulness of swelling up, began to be troublesom, the critical motion was stirred up: by which nevertheless, that matter not being as yet wholly subdued, nor ready for separation, the Disease was not perfectly Cured; but after another peri­od, the same increasing, at last being stirred up, on the eleventh day, brought on that other, and perfectly Curing swelling up: in the days between, because, besides the recrements remaining after the deflagration of the Blood, and reserved for a Crisis, also from the Nutritious Juice not presently taking fire, but after a peculiar manner de­praved, other matter in the bosom of the Blood, apt to a swelling up, was gathered to­gether; therefore, from the continual increase, and Flux of this, there hapned to this Feaver continual fits, (such as are wont in Intermitting Feavers) on set days, and hours.

A studious young man, about twenty five years of Age, of a dark Countenance, and Melancholic temper, without any manifest occasion, began to be sick, in the Year 1656. At first he complained of a Feaverish distemper with thirst, a spontaneous weari­ness, and want of Appetite: moreover, on the second day, of a pain in his right side, and a distention of either Hypochondrium, also, with almost continual Vomiting, waking, and very great pain of the Head; a Physician being sent for, he was presently let Blood to twelve Ounces. In the evening he grew more hot, and was light headed, afterwards, a sweat, tho small succeeding, he was better the next morning: on the fourth day again, he cast up whatever he took presently, also he was troubled with an almost continual endeavour of Vomiting. The exhibition of a Vomitory Medicine, proposed by the Physician, both the sick person, and also his Friends, taught by the danger of it before, rejected. From a Clyster given him he had six Stools, and seemed to be a little alleviated; also the night following he slept somwhat: on the fifth day he again fell into frequent Vomiting, with intolerable thirst: he burnt inwardly, but outwardly could not be felt any immoderate heat; because the recrements of the effervent Blood, which ought to exhale through the skin, seemed to stagnate within, and to flow forth into the Viscera. Therefore in the evening, this Bolus was given him, to provoke sweat. Of Conserves of Roses Vitriolate one Dram, of Gascons powder one Scruple, of Laudanum soluted in Balm water one Grain: that night he slept mo­derately, and by a copious sweat following, the symptoms seemed to be mitigated: Nevertheless on the sixth day, all things again were imbittered, and a through heat, thirst, and burning of the Praecordia, cruelly tormented him: on the seventh and eighth day the Pulse was unequal, and disordered, for the most part he talked idly, and if moved in his bed, fell often into a swound. On the ninth day, the same symp­toms stopped, also he was troubled with a contraction of the tendons in his wrists, and Convulsive motions of other parts, that we almost despaired of life. Because that morning Nature seemed to be given over as conquered, she was now to be succoured, with what ever remained of Art. Wherefore, intending a more copious sweat, as the last refuge, I gave him a Dram of Spirit of Harts-Horn, at one time, in a small draught of Cordial Julep; upon which, being for four hours very unquiet and furious, he could scarce be held in his Bed; but afterwards sleep creeping upon him, he sweat very much, and the business suddenly came to be out of all danger. On the following night, for the continuing of the sweat, I ordered to be given him, every six hours, a dose of the powder of Contrayerva; the Feaver, and the Distempers of the Nerves, shortly ceased, and the sick person became well.

This Feaver, as to the manner of its figure, may be called a Putrid Synochus; which, in this sick person, from the Blood being made hot of its own accord, like Hay heating, and so conceiving an immoderate fermentation, took its original: by reason of the Melancholic temper of the Blood, the heat was less strong, altho the symptoms were otherwise worse, and hapned to be chiefly inimical to the Nervous stock: for the Blood burning forth, as fire in a Furnace, covered with chips, glowed with a most intestine burning: therefore, the sick complained of the heat of the Prae­cordia, with an intolerable thirst, when in the mean time, the exterior parts were but little heated: for this reason, and because the Body was less perspirable, the adust re­crements of the Blood being about to make a Crisis, and which were wont to be dis­persed outwardly, at set times, being suffused inwardly, (Nature being very much op­pressed, and perpetually provoked) brought on cruel, and almost continual Vomitings; wherefore, when the Feaverish matter was derived to the first passages, by so frequent an endeavour of its expulsion, before the fulness, or concoction, no Crisis followed thereupon. Nor was the sick man the better for that irregular evacuation, yea, the Blood being still made worse in its mixture, began to be corrupted in it self, and wholly to pervert the Nervous Liquor; from whence, besides the assiduous Vomitings, fre­quent Swoonings, inequal Pulse, also Deliriums, and Convulsive motions did arise; but forasmuch, as the mixtion of either humor, and disposition, being not yet wholly loosned, or overturned, the Diaphoretic was administred, which by reason of its great agility, quickly past through both the Blood, and the Nervous Liquor, and a lively, and hasty Fermentation being raised up anew, carried forth of doors their impurities, and extraneous mixtures; the state of the Disease tending towards Death, was reduced to Health, and by this means, instead of a Natural Crisis, by the help of a supplying Medicine, the sick man, as it were recalled from the dead, quickly recovered Health.

A woman, being about thirty years old, of a strong Body, and Melancholic temper, (as might be gathered by her very austere manners) in the third month after her lying in, got cold in giving her child suck, and uncovering herself, and upon it fell presenly [Page 115]into a shivering: To this, a heat more increased than usual, followed, which after­wards, (a light sweat arising) quickly remitted. On the second and third day, she was very thirsty, and without Appetite to Food, yet without immoderate heat, that she could scarce believe herself in a Feaver: she lay quiet every night, but wholly with­out sleep; her Urine was highly red, and with the multitude of Contents, thick, and cloudy, which however not troubled by the cold, remained still after the same manner, without Hypostasis, or sinking down of the parts. On the fourth day, the heat was inkindled throughout the whole, wherefore, a Physician being then first sent for, about twelve Ounces of Blood was taken from her Arm; after the letting of Blood, and her Belly the same day copiously emptied, by a Clyster, in the evening she fell into a sweat, by which nevertheless she was nothing eased, and (tho an Anodine Medicine was given her) she wore out the whole night, (as before) without sleep. On the fifth day, from a Clyster being given, she had three Stools, and felt some ease: her Urine still remained red and troulbed: when Blood was prescribed to be taken from her Ham, the sick obstinately refused, esteeming herself to grow well; on the following night, when she had lain long without sleep, and unquiet, she at length was troubled with a fit, such as is commonly called Hysterical, after a grievous manner; and at first, with a certain numness, or sense of pricking, possessing the extream parts of her Body (especially her Feet, Thighs, and Legs) she was affected; and together with a wind, cruelly distending the Intestines, Ventricle, and Hypochondria: she felt in the bottom of her Belly, as it were a certain bulk to creep upwards; which when it had ascended to the Heart, and thence to the Brain, the sick woman presently was weakned in her Intellectuals, and all the night lay talking extravagantly and idly. On the sixth day, after her Belly was taken down by a Clyster, she returned to her self, and remained in her right mind, and seemed to be indifferently well. But in the Evening when she was moved in her bed, she began to feel the same kind of fit as before, to wit, she had a sense of pricking, as if stung with nettles, in all her body, together as it were a round thing rouling about in her belly, which creeping upwards, distended the Inte­stines and Ventricle, that she emitted by means of it blasts, and belchings: for ease sake, she required a draught of cold water. Moreover, the Remedies usual in hyste­rical distempers, as Castor, the smell of Asafaetida, the fume of burnt feathers, liga­tures, and frictions of the Legs, and the like were administred, by the use of which, she seemed for the present, free from the aforesaid distemper, and was wholly without it for four hours: but when she lay upon her back in her bed, as she had setled her self to sleep, on a sudden she complained that the same Symptoms, did at once run through her whole Body, and by and by, she fell upon it into a delirium; houling and crying out, she talked idely the whole night; the day following, her eyes being open, she lay without speech or motion: again in the Evening, when her Feaver being increased, she grew furious, that she could scarce be held in her bed: and so she remained for three days, now delirious crying out, and wailing, now as it were stupid without motion, or voice; yet still she was tormented with Convulsive motions, about the tendons of the muscles: on the tenth day, she drew her breath deep, and difficultly, with a weak, and as it were a creeping pulse, and about the middle of the night died.

This Feaver was of the rank of the Putrid Feavers, which nevertheless, by reason of the melancholic disposition of the Blood, (as we before intimated) was not very grievous, with heat or burning; but yet being very much infestous to the Brain, and nervous stock, was more difficult to be cured: The Blood being predisposed to a grow­ing bot, easily contracted the distemper by taking cold, but yet, from the salt, and earthy seculencies, together with the Sulphur being moved, it was not openly inflamed; nevertheless, burning with an intestine, and as it were shut up fire, it was more notably depraved: Hence, presently from the beginning, the Urine was highly red, and troub­led, also she continued wholly without sleep: on the fifth day, the Blood burning forth, and being filled with the recrements, or adust matter, was irritated by its plenitude to an endeavor of excretion; wherefore, this night, a swelling up being arisen, it trans­ferred its load, not dispersable by sweat, into the head, and there affixed it to the Brain, and nervous stock: From thence, presently, the wonted irradiation of the animal Spirits, being disturbed in the fountain it self, their inordinations first hapned to be felt, in the extream parts; wherefore, there was a pricking in the whole Body, the Belly inflated, the hypochondria distended, and as it were a certain substance or live thing, ascending upwards, and successively running through the Belly, precordia, and at length the head: For these kind of Symtpoms, arise not (as it is commonly be­lieved) always from vapors, lifted up from the Womb, and striving or thrusting up­wards; but, not seldom, from the Brain, and the beginning of the nerves being di­stempered: [Page 116]for, when the evil is there inflicted, that the animal Spirits nigh their ori­gine, are disturbed in their motion, neither (as before) blow up, and distend the ner­vous Bodies, presently the other Spirits, implanted in the extremities of the nerves, being deprived of their wonted influence, begin to tumultuate, and being moved in­ordinatly, and towards their beginnings, cause Convulsions in those parts in which they dwell. This irregular, and Convulsive motion, begun in the extremities, by the continued passage of the Spirits, and of the nervous parts, creeps by and by into o­ther parts, and then to others, still to those nearer to the Brain, till at length, (the whole series of Spirits, like Souldiers being carried successively backwards) the Convulsions are continued, into the fountain it self of motion; So as in truth, by this means, the Convulsive motions, are somtimes begun, a most long way, from the cause, or place of the distemper, as by this only argument plainly appears: to wit, as often as the influx of the animal Spirits, is inhibited in the leg, or arms, by a strict ligature, or by leaning hard on them, a fense of pricking, or a cramp, with a numness, is felt, first in the foot or hand, which afterwards successively ascends towards the affected part: wherefore, in this sick woman, by reason of the Feaverish matter, (to wit, the adust recrements) fixed on the Brain, by a critical translation from the bosom of the Blood; and there besetting the beginnings of the nerves, those Symptoms, imitating the histerical distem­per were stirred up: by reason of the nerves, (which are dispersed through the whole Body, by means of the spinal marrow) being distempered near their original, the fense of pricking begun in the extream parts, by and by is perceived in the whole. By reason of a like hurt, of the sixth pare in the fountain, Convulsions and distentions arise, first in its little branches, most thickly set about the Abdomen: That ascent, as it were of a certain substance, was only a tumefaction of the Viscera, and muscles, successively inflated or blown up, by the Convulsion; from thence, the same distemper (by the mediation or coming between of the branch of the same sixth pare) creep­ing along more upward, and still more near the Brain, the precordia, and then the head it self, (as by a certain vapor raised up from beneath) seemed to be taken; on the next day, when this Feaverish matter, at first lightly fixed in the Brain, was at length again amended by the Blood, the aforesaid Symptoms ceased for a time: Then soon af­ter (the Blood again flowing, and deposing its recrements again in the Brain) the same kind of distemper as before, this sick woman felt to come upon her; which however, with rubbings, the smell of stinking things, and other Remedies used in the histerical passion, was retarded for four hours, from its assault; to wit, forasmuch as the animal Spirits, being tyred out by the external object, and irritated into a violent motion, were hindred, that they could not so suddenly conceive Convulsive motions: but after­wards, when that incitation of the Spirits, outwardly exhibited, did cease, the morbific cause still troubling, those Spirits being grievously beset, not successively (as before) beginning at the extremities, but on a sudden, all, both in the Brain, and the nervous appendix, were at once acted into Confusion. The Crisis being after this manner attempted, viz. By the translation of the Feaverish matter to the Brain, the event of the Disease, both in this sick woman, and also in others, whose sicknesses I have dili­gently observed, for the most part hath a mortal success. For the Blood, unless ex­treamly depraved, and hindred, scarce ever endeavors to purifie it self, by such a Crisis: and as often as it endeavors an excretion by this means, it inflicts on the Brain, and nervous stock, an evil, not quickly, nor easily to be blotted out: also, the mass it self of the Blood, very rarely, by the motion of such a flowring, is rendred free, from the impure mixture of the Feaverish matter.

A learned young man, of a lean habit, and pale countenance, in the coming in of the Spring, being conscious of no error as to his dyet, began to complain of a weari­ness, and impotency in walking, also of a drowsiness, and sleepiness of his head: on the second day also, he was tormented with thirst, want of appetite, and an heat of his precordia: on the third day, the Physician being sent for, he took a Vomit, by which, when he had Vomited three times, and cast downwards five times, cholerick and hot matter, he became somwhat chearfuller, and the night following slept indifferently well: on the fourth day, he bled a small quantity; then his thirst, and heat very much increased: his Urine was red, with a copious sediment, and a little hypostasis. But because, after the signs of concoction in the Urine, the endeavour of Nature, as it were oppressed, appeared for separation, without sufficient evacuation, therefore he was let Blood to seven ounces, and he seemed thereby to be very much eased, yet in the evening, all things grew worse, and then for three days, the Feaver seemed still to be in­creased: on the seventh day, he complained of a great heaviness in his head, and of a darkness, turning about in his eyes: after noon, an hemorrhage or bleeding copi­ously [Page 117]followed, that for the great loss of Blood; the sick person had almost lost all his strength, and there was a very great necessity of medicinal help to stop the Blood: For this end, when a vein in his Arm was opened, Ligatures, and proper medicines were applyed, both to his head and belly, and very many other Remedies (the occasion of hasty curing urging) prescribed by every body, were tryed in vain; at length, by the persuasion of a woman, coming there by chance, a red hot Iron was held to his bleeding nose, and on a sudden, from the vapour of the burnt Blood, received into the nostrils, its Flux was stayed; this Remedy, I afterwards knew used to many, with ve­ry good success. This great hemorrhage cured the continual Feaver, to which never­theless, an intermitting quotidian followed, which afterward was quickly cured, by the method of curing already delivered.

This Feaver, beginning without any manifest occasion, and continued for many days with thirst, and heat, may be called a Putrid Synochus; which yet without any horrid Symptom, about the beginning or standing, was cured by an easie course, tho at length by a dangerous, and difficult Crisis: The turgescency of the Blood in the Spring time, and together the defect of ventilation in the same, gave the beginning to this: The Blood burning out, with a Feaverish fire, about the fourth day, had heaped up somthing of adust matter; that flowring it attempted a critical motion, tho with a small hemorrhage: The defect of a more full evacuation, the opening of the vein supplyed for a time, afterwards, the adust recrements being heaped together, in great plenty, the same being not apt to be dissipated by sweat, in a body not rightly perspira­ble, at the time nature was about to endeavour a Crisis, a mighty bleeding followed. For when the Blood, by reason of the seclusion of the Feaverish matter, is agitated with a critical motion, very many of its particles are loosned from the mixture, so that a greater swelling up being provoked, they carry forth every extraneous thing confused with them: if at this time the breathing places of the skin, be but little open, the masse of the Blood (as new Wine stopped up in a bottle of a small mouth) even more notably grows turgid, and because it cannot shake off the Feaverish matter, by sweat, it carries it self forth of doors, together with it, any way it can find; wherefore, when there lies a most easie passage, for the boiling Blood, through the vessels opening into apertures of the nostrils, from that Port (like the same new Wine when the vessel is opened) being inlarged by a spumous refraction, it abundantly leaps forth. The continual Feaver being cured, by this means, an intermitting Quoridian followed, because after a long deflagration of the Blood, and great loss of it, what Blood was re­maining, being very much deprived of Spirit, and the Salt, with the left Sulphur being thorowly roasted, easily contracted that kind of disposition, whereby it was apt, not rightly to concoct the alible juice, but to pervert it into a matter very fermentative.

A Matron, about sixty years of age, when she had sat up a certain night, going to bed in sheets not throughly dry, began to be ill, at first she was troubled with a suffo­cating Catarrh, that by reason of the serous deluge, falling on the sarynx, she could hardly breath; neither could she sleep; the next day with a nauseousness, and want of Appetite, with some little excess of thirst and heat: on the third day, an acute pain invaded her in her side, with a Cough, and the Feaver increased: her Urine was red, and clear, with a laudable Hypostasis, an unequal, and an intermitting pulse. A Physician being sent for, she was let Blood to ten ounces, also that day, her belly was copiously loosned by a Clyster: About night the pain vanished, and she slept indiffe­rently: her Urine was then red, troubled, and full of contents: on the fourth day, the Feaver was somwhat increased: In the evening troubled with a Cough very much, and by and by following thereupon the acute pain (as before) in the same side; her Urine being again clear, with an hypostasis: Her pain, from her being let Blood again ceased; on the fifth day, the Feaver was more remiss, but at night she was unquiet with heat, and a tossing up and down of her body, but without pain. The next morning she sweated plentifully, and was eased; then using still a slender dyet for some days, and being once purged, she grew well without relapsing. It is worth observation, that whilst the pain troubled her, the Urine was clear, and with an hypo­stasis, nor troubled by the cold; which however, the same being allayed, became pre­sently thick, more red, and filled with contents.

This Disease, because of the acute pain in the side, as it were a P [...]thognomic signe, might be called a Plurisie: but we have here a Feaver, preceeding the pain, and not the product of it; The evident cause of the sickness was Transpiration being hindred by the constriction of the pores; The Blood growing hot, by reason of the Effluvia being retained, and also too much abounding with a serous latex, as it were vomiting very much of it, from the Arteries terminating in the Larynx, caused the sense of the [Page 118]suffocating Catarrh: For this kind of distemper (as also the Cough with great spit­ting) arises not, for that the watery humor (as is commonly said) falls from the head, into the throat, and lungs; but because the serous Latex is poured forth, now from the pneumonic vessels, immediately into the lungs, now dropping forth from the Arteries opening into the larynx, falls down on the breast; on the third day, from the same serous humor, with a portion of the Blood, being fixed in the side, the acute pain arose; for the Blood beginning to grow fervent, when as yet it did contain in it self a crude matter, and (as it should seem) somthing sour, from the degenerate alible juice, deposed the same, (because it could not cast it forth of doors by sweat) by a proper lustration or purging through the intercostal Arteries, into the membrane surround­ing the Ribs; and there (as it is always wont in a Plurisie) either by coagulation, (which may be lawfully suspected) or by the shutting up of the vessels, the Blood being intangled with the same matter, is stopped in its motion; then being increased in its bulk, by a new coming still of the Blood, it causes a break of the union, and so an acute pain. That in this sick woman, the same kind of matter, disturbing the mass of Blood, with a portion of it extravasated, was fixed about the Pleura, it from thence hapned, because the pain urging, the urine was clear, and not full of contents: then, when the vessels, by reason of Phlebotomie, being emptied, they supped up again that matter, into its mass, before exterminated from the Blood, the urine presently be­came troubled, and again big with contents: The pulse was unequal, and intermit­ting, because of the idiocrasie or proper disposition, which she was wont to have in every intemperature: for when I. cured this woman of a Feaver, many years before, her pulse being unequal, and intermitting, had struck a fear in me, and others, of a sad presage, concerning the event of the disease, which however at that time, (as also in this sickness) ceased, prosperously, without any horrid Symptom.

A strong young man, and corpulent, after immoderate exercise, about the Summer solstice, and then a sudden cold coming upon the heat, found himself ill: At first, a want of Appetite, nauseousness, and cruel pain of the head, as also thirst, and a more intense heat than usual troubled him; on the second day, an acute pain invaded him in his right side with a Cough, and difficult breathing; Blood being presently taken plentifully from the Arm of the same side, that pain remitted somwhat, which yet in the evening returned, being made more cruel by a Cough, and bloody spittle. The night followed, without sleep, and very unquiet: on the third day, he was again let blood, besides Liniments, and fomentations were applyed to his side; Moreover pou­ders, Juleps, and antipleuretick decoctions, being taken inwardly, about night the pain almost wholly ceased. Then by and by, he was afflicted with a cruel headach, and a vertigo: on the fourth day, a stream of Blood fell from his right nostril, about two ounces, by which the pain of his head clearly ceased, and the vertigo; but in the Evening, the pain in the side before distempered, returned with greater fierceness: In the mean time his Pulse was small, and weak, that when it was consulted upon, for the letting him blood again, 'twas thought dangerous, lest his dejected strength would not admit of such a remedy: wherefore, Phlebotomie was performed only, in a very small quantity, and a fomentation, and a Cataplasme was prescribed to be diligently applyed to his side; besides twenty drops of the spirit of Harts-horn, to be taken in a spoonful of Cordial Julep, and the same to be repeated continually, with­in the space of six hours: He sweat that night very much, and the pain much re­mitted, his spitting was but little, interspersed with Blood, which, within a day wholly ceased, and the pain also leisurely vanished. The sick man took twice a day, a scruple of the same spirit of Harts-horn, and within a few days, he grew perfectly well, without relapsing.

This Feaver was a simple Synochus, stir'd up from the evident cause, viz. a Con­striction of the pores: as soon as the Blood began to be somwhat filled with adust re­crements, and so to swell up more, the matter, which should have been separated, by reason of its peculiar evil, was transferred into the Pleura, and being there fixed, com­pelled the Blood coming to it, to be coagulated, and therefore to be stopped in its circulation, and (when it could not be received by the veins) presently to be extrava­sated: from hence hapned the acute pain in the side, and bloody spittle, by and by, after the beginning of this Disease; then afterwards, the same matter being thrust out of that nest, which it had got, and being supped up again into the mass of Blood, was fixed in the head; and there inducing the like stagnation of the Blood, and (as it is probable) coagulation, caused the vertigo, and cruel pain; which nevertheless was quickly cured, by the hemorrhage being arisen, by reason of the extravasated Blood. A part of the morbific matter, being after this manner drawn away, the other part [Page 119]resumed by the Blood, was again conveyed to its usual nest, to wit, the side before distempered; where depositing its latex, (to wit, a portion of the Blood) it did coagulte it again, and compelled it to be extravasated or to flow out of the vessels: For that pain being renewed on the fourth day, with the bloody spittle, from the ebul­lition of the Blood, too extreamly, and therefore flowing out of the vessels, would not be brought away; because at that time, the Pulse was small and weak, with a falling down of the vessels, that indeed the Blood was thought to have been run all out of the vessels, for that being coagulated by the morbific matter, (and therefore tho ex­pulsed the Arteries, yet not being able to be carried back by the veins) it was stop­ped in its circulation. Upon this, an acute pain followed, because the Blood being heaped together by its frequent approach, and elevated into a Tumor, made a dissoluti­on of the union; also, by and by from the beginning, a bloody spittle came upon it, because the Blood being restrained within, in the Body, somwhere in its motion, by reason of the most tender, and easily opening little mouths of the vessels, ran forth into the Cavities; when to the same outwardly extravasated, by reason of a more thick skin, and the mouths of the little vessels being locked up, no way lay open, un­less by its being made and ripened into an Imposthume. The opening of a vein pro­fited in the beginning of the Pleurisie, because it restrained the Blood, somwhere hindred in its circuit, from too great effervency; but especially, for that, when the vessels were by that means greatly emptied, they did again receive, and render fluent, what­soever humors were before exterminated, and also the Blood beginning to stagnate in the distempered part. Also, the remedies helping most, about the beginning of this Disease, were of that sort, which hinder the coagulation of the Blood, or dissolve it in the coagulating; such they are, which abound very much with a volatile, or an alcha­lisate Salt: to wit, spirit of Soot, of Blood, Harts-horn, also spirit and salt of Urine, the pouder of the claws and eyes of Crabs, of a Boars tooth, or the Jaw of a Pike, are of known use. Among the common people, it is a custom to drink an infusion of Horse dung; which medicine indeed, I have known often to have brought help, in deplorable cases. In the mean time, all acid things whatsoever, because they more coagulate the Blood, and hinder expectoration, are highly hurtful in this Disease.

CHAP. XII. Of a malignant or pestilential Feaver in general.

BEsides the continual Feaver, which is already described, and which arises from some principle of the Blood being too much carried forth, there is another species of this, which is stirred up, by reason of the Blood being touched with some invenomed Infection, and therefore liable to enter into various coagulations, and corruptions: In which, not only the Spirit and the Sulphur, as in a Putrid Feaver, rage, and compel the Blood to grow immoderately hot, but besides, the mixture of the Blood is presently dissolved, and its liquor goes into parts; and so most horrid Sym­ptoms, with manifest danger of life, are induced in this sort of distemper. Under this rank, we comprehend malignant, and pestilential Feavers, the Plague, small Pox, and Measles: of which we shall speak presently.

Pestilential Diseases, wander so in the dark, and have an unknown original, that their causes, and beings are seldom explicated, without having a recourse to occult qualities. By the unanimous consent of all, the strength, and power of these are placed in an invenomed matter; because we perceive, from a pestilent distemper, strength suddenly to be overthrown, and life quickly destroyed, no otherwise than from the drinking of Poyson. And therefore, for the explicating the nature of the pestilence, it will not be besides the matter, first, to inquire concerning Poyson in general, and by what means it distempers our Bodies, then to shew what sort of Poyson is sprinkled in the Plague, and contagious Diseases: which being performed, we will treat parti­cularly of the Diseases but now recited.

Every thing deserves the name of Poyson, which striking into our Body, after an occult manner vehemently hurts the temper, and actions of any part, or of the whole, profligates the Spirits, or perverts their motions, solves the mixtures of the Liquors, [Page 120]and induces Coagulations and Corruptions, destroys the functions and ferments of the Viscera, and so suddenly and hiddenly brings life into danger. of these, which after this manner lie in wait for us, there is a mighty plenty, and very rich provision in the nature of things: oftentimes they are inly begotten within our body; outwardly they are abundantly supplyed from every Coast, and out of every tract of Earth, water and air, these daily arise out of the distinct families of minerals, vegetables, and Ani­mals, and so mingle themselves with our food, yea with our medicine, that we may complain with Plinie, quod non sit fateri, an rerum natura largius mala, an remedia genue­rit. That it was not known, whether Nature had begot greater Evils, or Reme­dies.

As there is great varieties of Poysons, so, as to their Subjects, and ways of hurting, there is no less diversity of them: for the most Poysons, in their whole substance are said to be contrary to us, that whatsoever they come to, with a burning force, and like fierce fire, they reduce into ashes, yet out of these, some being noted for a peculiar raising of hurt, do more endammage one part or substance than another. The sub­jects, on which the taint of Poyson, is next and more immediatly inflicted, are two­fold; to wit, the animal Spirits, or the spirituous subtil Liquor flowing in the Brain, and nervous stock; and the Blood flowing in the Vessels, and heart, when the object is carried only to one, or being improportionate, at one to either, that from thence, the disposition of the Liquors, or of the containing parts, is overthrown, whereby the necessary functions, for the performing of life and sense, are restrained, and this done latently, and as it were unforeseen, these kind of distempers, we ascribe to Poyson.

The nervous bodies, with the animal Spirit, are not invaded wholly after the same manner, by every sort of Poysons; for they are tormented, now with a Stupor, now with Convulsions, and those of divers kinds, and manners: The bile of a Tarantula causes dancing: A power sent from the Torpedo, by the Angle, or lines of the Net, stupifies the hand of the Fisher. The roots of the wild Parsnip, or the seeds of Loli­um or Darnel, being eaten, make men mad: Opium, Mandrakes, Henbane, and the like, cause deep, and somtimes deadly sleep. These and many others, chiefly impress their Poyson, on the spirituous or animal faculty, without any great perturbation of the Blood, or hurt brought to the heart.

There are also some Poysons, which most of all insinuate their malignity, to the mass of Blood; wherefore, from some Medicines, there have been produced, a yellow or black Jaundice, somtimes a Leprosie, or leprous distempers, and swellings of the whole body, vapours breaking forth from secret hollows of the Earth, also from Coals newly inkindled, often suffocating the vital Spirits, at once congeal the Blood, and stop it in its motion, whereby the flame of life in the heart, could not be continued. How much corruption of the mass of Blood is imparted from the pestilent Infection, is perspicuous to every one, from the spots and Whelks, which are as it were the marks of the blasted Blood.

If the hurt, being first inflicted to either, viz. The regiment of the Heart, or Brain, be more lightly made, it is for the most part cured, without any great offence to either; wherefore, Convulsive motions, Stupifaction, Lethargie, Melancholy, Paralytick di­stempers, do not seldom begin with a laudable Pulse, and without an immoderate effer­vescency of the Blood; and then, if the distemper does not get strength, leisurely end, and cease. There are other Poysons, which often deprave the Blood, and by dissolving its mixture, corrupt it, in the mean time the animal functions remain whole enough. But if the ferment of the Poyson be stronger, and hath more deeply fixed its roots, presently the Poyson is dispersed, from one Province to the other: for when the ner­vous parts swell up, with a virulent juice, a portion of the Poyson, is carried with the nervous Latex returning through the Lymphatick Vessels, into the veins, easily into the bosom of the Blood, and infects its mass, with the evil with which it was big: also, from the Blood being grievously impoysoned, the juice, by which the nerves are wate­red, quickly contract the infection; hence mad men are in a Feaver, and those taken with a pestilent Feaver, are most often tormented with a Delirium, or Phrensie. Con­cerning these things, we must consider, what the alteration is, or the impression of hurt, which is inflicted from the Poyson, to the animal Spirit, with the brain and ner­vous appendex; and what also, to the Blood, with the Heart and the annexed Vessels: tho here, it is not in the power of humane skill or wit, plainly to shew, or as it were point out with the finger the manner of its being done; yet we may be able to attain to some little knowledge of this thing, by reasoning, and by comparing it, with other distempers.

Concerning the former, we shall observe, that the subtil Liquor, or animal Spirits, [Page 121]wherewith the Nervous Bodies are blown up, and by whose expansion, sense and mo­tion perform their reciprocal actions, are easily perverted from their tensity, and equal expansion: for as the Nerves are of a soft texture, and the Spirits which abound in them of a very subtil substance, they cannot endure any strong or vehement objects; wherefore when any violent or improportionate thing falls on them, they are often compelled from their expansion, and excursion into flight, and a running backward, and not seldom into irregularities of motions: wherefore sudden passions of the mind distract them, and drive them into Spasms, and Convulsions; when the Alible Juice, by which they are repaired, is supplyed too sharp, sour or austere, they suffer now Palsies, and now contractures: If that some object more incongruous, (such as we have affirmed Poyson to be) should be offered, whose Particles are indued with such fierceness, or are of such a kind of configuration, that when they grow impetuously hot with the Nervous Liquor, they shake or lose here and there its more subtil or spirituous part, or wholly drive it away, and fix the remaining Liquor either with a styptic force, or by ebullition, force it into inordinate motions; hence of necessity, evil di­stempers of the Brain, and Nervous parts arise, viz. somtimes a Convulsion, Tremb­ling, Shivering, somtimes loosnings, or a stupefaction, and other symptoms of more grievous note. What things after this manner infect the Nervous Juice with Poyson, are now more thick, and only when they are applyed in a very Corporeal substance, do inflict their hurt; now they are thin, and being resolved, even into a vapour or breath, pour forth from a certain little prick, the ferment of Poyson, through the whole Nervous stock. Somtimes the Poyson of some hurtful thing, being eaten, first begins its Tragedy in the Ventricle; more often by a naked touch, leaves on the su­perficies of the Body, a virulent taint, which easily and quickly with its ferment, contaminates the Spirits, dispersed through the whole. The Infection, wherever inflicted, either within or without, is more largely dispersed from the extremities of the Nerves, by their easie passage, being from thence brought into consent of the evil, by the very many little shoots of the same branch. Often a more light touch of an invenomed thing, by the finger, or extremity of any other member, presently communicates to the Brain, the received infection, and from thence it is retorted into the whole Body, and the farthest members; the reason of this is, that both the Par­ticles of the Nervous Juice, and of the same invenomed infection, are so light, and ready for motion, that they pass through most swiftly, as the Rays of light through a Diaphanous medium, the whole mass of one another.

2. As often as the Blood contracts hurt from some Poysonous thing, the Poyson is fixed within; either slow, and of lesser activity, which does not presently betray it self, nor break forth into cruel symptoms, till of a long time after, it is ripened by a silent fermentation, and hath first infected the whole mass of Blood, as may be obser­ved in some Poysons, which are said to kill at a distance, and not till after some months, or years. Or the Poysons inspired into the Blood, are imbued with a much more acute sting, that from their Contagion, the Infection contracted, presently breaks forth into cruel symptoms, and thereupon follows now a Feaverish effervency with Vomiting, Thirst, and burning of the Precordia, now a swelling up of the whole Body, a discoloration of the skin, oftentimes a breaking forth of whelks, and bu­boes, and frequently also a sudden loss of all strength, so that sudden death, without tumult, and almost insensibly steals upon one: where by the way it is to be noted, If the Spirits of the Blood, provoked by the enemy, are able to encounter him, and to strive for the victory, this Feaverish ebullition of the Blood is stirred up from the conflict; but if the Particles of the Poyson, being far stronger, suddenly profligate the Spirits of the Blood, and extinguish life, presently the Bloody mass is corrupted, neither can it be circulated in the Vessels, nor rightly inkindled in the heart.

If it be yet demanded, what mutations, the Blood infected with Poyson, under­goes, either in its substance, or consistency, that, for that reason it is rendered unfit for the sustaining of Life? I answer after this manner; some Poysons fuse the Blood, and too much precipitate its serosity, such are Medicines, which by a strong killing Purging, or by a Profluvium of Urine, or a discoloration, or swelling up of the whole Body, or with an eruption of Pustules, cause a very great secretion of the serous Latex; in the mean time a great ebullition of the mass of Blood is induced, whereby the Vital Spirits are greatly destroyed, the Particles of Salt and Sulphur too much exalted, by the Con­coction, and are often so roasted, that a Yellow or Black Jaundies is caused.

There are Poysons of another kind, far more dangerous, which congeal the Blood, and by destroying its mixture, corrupt it, viz. the first induce a congelation to the Bloody mass, and then a Putrefaction: for when the Spirits of the Blood, being over­thrown, [Page 122]by the contagion of the Poyson, are dissipated, the equal mixture of the Liquor is loosned; wherefore the more thick Particles mutually infold one another, and (like Milk when Rennet is put to it, or growing sowr of it self) are coagulated apart: hence the Blood curdles in the Vessels, that it is less readily circulated in them: coagulated portions of this, being inwardly diluted, into the bosom of the Heart, are apt to stagnate there, and so to bring forth frequent syncopes, and swounings: being carried outwardly, and in the circulating, fixed in the skin, somtimes being more plentifully heaped together, they induce a suffusion of blackness through the whole, somtimes being more sparingly dispersed, they cause only spots, or Purple marks, like black and blew stroaks, and other appearances of malignity. But the coagulation of the Blood, quickly disposes it to putresaction or corruption; as is seen in extrava­sated Blood, which is wont to grow soon black and putrid. For the Spirit being ex­haled, the Particles of Sulphur and Salt remaining in the Blood, begin to go apart one from another, and to break the bond of the mixture, from whence follows Putrefa­ction.

These things being thus premised of Poyson in general, the reason of the method requires that we enter upon the handling of Feavers, which draw their Original, al­together from a malignant, and invenomed infection: and as under this title, the Pest or Plague easily obtains the chief place, I will begin with its consideration, and after­wards, I will speak of malignant Feavers, Small-pox, and Measels, in order. But yet, before I shall propose its definition, I will briefly inquire, of the pestiferous Poy­son, what its disposition and Nature may be; also, from whence it may be born, and lastly, by what means it is propagated into others, by contagion.

For the expressing the Nature of the Plague, Authors are wont to choose some in­venomed Bodies, and from their names to frame an Elogy of this most wicked Disease; wherefore in the definition of the pest, are commonly recounted the Nepelline, Aco­nital, and Arsenical Poyson: the Lethiferous force of which however, as it consists in a very thick matter, and does not exert or put forth itself but by a Corporal contact, doth not truly imitate the essence of the Pestilential Disease: for this is founded in a Spiritual and Vaporous infection, by which its Effluvia being every way diffused, so potently unfold themselves, that out of the best seminary or seed plot, they quickly propagate a fruitful Crop of death and destruction, By reason of its notable activi­ty, this infection may deserve to be called, as it were a certain quintessence of Poyson; the very agil and subtil Particles of this, do penetrate all Bodies, and inspire them with its ferment: for either being dispersed through the Air, or hid in a certain tender or cherishing nest, tho they strike against the human Body but lightly, and as it were through a Casement, they easily subdue it; for both the Animal Spirits, and those of the blood, they quickly infect, and by that means, shortly pour forth the Venomous taint, into all the members.

When a Pestilential Breath or Vapour, hath invaded any one, and that Poyson hath first laid hold on the Animal Spirits, or those of the Blood, or both of them at once, (as hath been already said of Poysons) the taint is quickly derived from the subtil and more thin substance of these, into a more thick matter: because it quickly ferments the whole mass of Blood, or of the Nervous Juice, and the excrementitious humors, every where abounding, and from thence is deduced into the solid parts, and fixes the evil in them. If this Disease, first possesses the Animal Spirits, presently the hurt is communicated to the Brain, and the Nervous stock, and especially to the Ventri­cle, forthwith it impoysons the humour growing in these; loosens its mixture, per­verts the regular motion, and renderr it wholly incongruous, and infestous to the more tender substance of the containing parts: by and by from thence, Cramps and Con­vulsive motions, cruel Vomitings, pains of the Heart, also Phrensies, deliriums, or pertinacious watchings, are stirred up, about the first assault of the Disease: when in the mean time, the infection not being yet dispersed through the Blood, the sick are not Feaverish, nor are troubled with inordinate Pulse, or Syncope, or appearances of marks; which symptoms however arise afterwards, as soon as the Blood is infected. If when the Spirits of the Blood are first possessed, with the impoysoned infection, either drawn in with the Air, or attracted through the pores, its ferment is presently dissipated through the whole mass of the Blood, the infested portions immediately begin to be loosned from their equal mixture, to go into parts, and to be coagulated, and the same, being delated, into the bosom of the Heart, are wont there to stagnate, and so to induce a Syncopy, Swoonings, and often sudden Death; also being carried outwardly, fixed about the skin, to cause Buboes, inflamed risings, and other marks of Poyson; in the mean time, the sick appear well in mind, nor are they troubled with Delirium [Page 123]nor Convulsive motions. If that from a more strong cause, the hurt is inflicted to both parts at once, the course of the Disease is performed with a more horrid provision of Symptoms, and especially with a Syncopy, and Phrensie at once infesting.

As to what appertains to its rise; when the Plague first arises in any Region or Country, there is attributed a twofold cause of it, viz. Primary or Metaphysical, also Secondary or Natural, subordinate to that: The very Heathens did acknowledg this Disease, wherever it raged, sent first of all from God, for the castigation of the wicked­nesses of men, and therefore for its extirpation, they equally made use of Prayers and Sacrifices as of Medicines. As to what belongs to the Natural cause, there are divers opinions. Some will, that the Pestilence newly arisen, be derived from the Heavens, and influences of the Stars only: on the contrary, others have affirmed it only to arise from the internal putrefaction of the humors of our Body: but these endeavour to deduce the cause of this sickness too far off, and these more near than it ought. We will walk in the middle way, and what Reason persuades, and what very many Authors assert, we will place the chief and first seminary or seed plot of this Poyson, in the Air; because, it seems consonant to Reason, that from the same Fountain, from which the common food of life is had, the beginnings of death, no less diffusive, are to be sought. There is the same necessity for our breathing in the Air, as of Fishes living in the Water; wherefore, as to waters infected by Poyson, the murrain of Fi­shes dying in heaps is ascribed; so men dying of an Epidemical slaughter, without any manifest cause, nothing could kill, besides the infection of the commonly inspired Air.

For the Air, which we necessarily draw in for the continuance of Life, consists of an heap of vapors and fumes, which are perpetually breathed forth from the Earth; in which the exhalations of Salt and Sulphur, being mingled with the atomical va­porous little Bodies, constitute here as it were a thick cloud: the motions of these are swift and unquiet, they are of a manifold figure, and very much diverse, wherefore some continually meet against others, and according to their various configurations, they cohere with these, and are mutually combined one with another, and from those they are driven, and fly away: from hence the reasons of the Sympathy and Antipathy of every thing, depend. From the diverse agitations of these kind of Atoms, near the superficies of the Earth, this or that tract of the Air, enters into di­verse alterations, by which, Bodies, chiefly the living are variously affected: because the intestine motion, of the Particles of every Animal, depends very much upon the motion and temper of the Particles of the Air: forasmuch as these perpetually exagitate those, raise up those lying asleep, repair the loss of those flying away, shake the vital flame with their Nitrosity, and supply it with a Nitrous-Sulphureous Food, eventilates it being inkindled by continual turns of access and recess, and car­ry away the Soot and Fumes. So long as an apt contemperation happens in either, for motion and configuration, living Creatures injoy perfect health and life; but if the little Bodies swiming in the Air, be of that sort of figure and power, that are plainly adverse to the Spirits implanted in living Creatures, they loose the mixtures of these, from the rest, from whose Elements they are collected, and pervert their motions; hence the dispositions of things are destroyed, life profligated, and, the same being scarce extinct, the Bodies undergoe putrefaction; hence the tops of Trees, or of Corn, being struck with a blast, suddenly grow dry or wither; hence among Cattel, the murrain often rages, which kills at once whole Flocks; by reason of this kind of cause, the Seeds of the Pestilence first put themselves forth, and attempt the slaughter of human kind: for as invenomed Bodies in the bowels of the Earth or concreted on its superficies, produce the Arsenical or Aconital mixtures, so these being even resol­ved into vapour, and heaped together in the Air, create most pernitious Airs, from which Malignant and Pestilential Diseases arise; the infection, which after this man­ner Contaminates the Air, the most ingenious Diemerbrochius, a searcher of this Di­sease, contends, that is only sent (as the wrath of angry Apollo) immediately from the angry right hand of God: but this were to multiply without any pretext of ne­cessity (I will not say beings but) miracles, and in every Plague to assert a Creation of new substance; when in the mean time, the virulent product of Minerals and Vegi­table, which dayly appear, and of as quite adverse Nature to us, as the Plague, clear­ly testifie, that there lives hid in the Bowels of the Earth, plenty of invenomed mat­ter, sufficiently fitted for this business. For the little Bodys, which being roled about with earthy matter, do constitute the Poysonous mixtures in the bosom of the Earth, the same being resolved into vapours, will be no less hurtful afterwards, and impress a pestiferous blast to the Air, which they wander through: wherefore, by the leave [Page 124]of so Learned a man, I should say, that it seems not improbable, that the things which first of all affix the seed plot of the Pestilence, to any tract of Air, be the Poyso­nous Effluvia of fierce Salts and Sulphurs, and (by the Divine Will instigating) breath­ing forth from the bowels of the Earth; which somtimes, being a long time before shut up, are leisurely exhaled out of Dens and Caverns; somtimes by reason of the motion of the Earth, or Earthquake, or a gaping of the Earth, they break forth in heaps; also, of the same kind, are those which ordinarily are breathed forth from the filth of Souldiers in their nasty Camps; or from unburied Carcases; or from places, beset with standing and stinking Mud: but the little Bodies after this manner exhaled, obtain their wonderful height, properties, and abilities, by a long putrefaction, that therefore they are incongruous, and heterogeneous to all others whatsoever, and so being received into the Air, ferment it (as it were a mass of Liquor) and pervert it from a wholsom and benign, into a most pernicious and wicked Nature.

Some Bodies more easily, others not so readily receive the malignant tincture of the Pestilent Air. Those who by reason of ill feeding are full of evil humors, and who by reason of fulness, have their Blood stuffed with firable Sulphur, receive the Pestilen­tial Poyson, by the lest blast of the invenomed Air, especially if fear or sadness hap­pen, which convey inwardly, and lead to the Heart, as it were by a certain attraction the most light darts of the contagion. On the contrary, those who have their Viscera clean, and the mass of Blood well tempered, and are indued with a strong, and fear­less mind, do not so easily receive this infection, and somtimes exterminate it soon, being received.

Thus much for the beginning and divulgation of the Pestilence, according to its first Fountains, and from thence the stream of the infected Air being deduced: it re­mains for us to speak concerning its propagation by contagion, forasmuch as it is de­rived, as it were extraduce from some and so to others.

We understand by Contagion, that force or action, by which any distemper residing in one Body, excites its like in another. But as this may happen, either immediately by contact, as when any one lying in the same bed with another, taken with the Plague, or mediately, and at a distance, as when it happens that the infection is trans­ferred from one house to others remote, or also if the Plague come upon any one, after many days or months, perhaps years handling a Garment, or house-hold stuff, brought from an infected house: therefore that the Nature of the Contagion, and its diverse modes may be plainly made known, we will first weigh what that is, which streams from an infected Body. Secondly, how it bears it self through the Medium of its passage. Thirdly, by what means it begets a distemper like it self, in another Body.

1. That from every Body, altho of a more fixt Nature, Effluvia of Atoms constantly fly away, and run forth, which round about constitute as it were a Cloud or Halos, and as it were cloath it, like the down of a Peach, is so much received among the more sound Philosophers, that nothing can be more. But by how much the more any thing consists of active Particles, by so much the more, it sends from it self, little Bodies of more remarkable virtue and energy. Hence the Effluvia which fall from Ambers, are able to move other Bodies from their place: emanations proceed from Sul­phureous things, which fill the whole neighbourhood with odors. And so when the Pestilential venom, as hath been already said, is from hence any where fixed, and tho in the smallest bulk, is of great efficacy and operation, there is a necessity, that some emanations, proceed from the Bodies imbued with it, which refer the nature or disposition of the same Poyson and malignity, and diffuse them on every side according to its sphear of activity. But when these little Bodies, which retain the contagion of the Pestilence, as they stream from one Body, are not presently received by another, we shall inquire, how they carry themselves, in respect of their passage, through the medium.

Where we shall presently meet with a difference in those, from many others, for that the Effluvia, which ordinarily evaporate, do not long retain the Nature or Dispo­sition of the Body, from which they flow, but either vanish into Air, or being impa­cted to other Bodies, are assimilated to them: but those Particles, which fall from a Pestilential Infection, are not easily supped up by the Air, or any other Body, so as they may be wholly destroyed; but among the various confusions of Atoms, and the dashings of other Bodies, they keep themselves untouched, For this untamed Poyson remains still the same almost, and not to be overcome by others, and tho it consists of never so little heap of Atoms, will not presently vanish; but with its ferment, im­bues the next little Bodies, and so acquires new forces, and gains strength by going; from whence it lurks a long while in some nest, and after a long time, when it assaults [Page 125]a convenient subject, puts forth it self, and imparting the taint of its Poyson to ano­ther, raises up again the Disease of the Pestilence anew, which seemed before to be ex­ploded, and tho from the smallest seminary, sprinkles far and near its deadly Poyson.

For the Pest, brings forth such most sure signs of its contagion, that some Authors contend, that for this reason it only continues among Mortals, and doth never spring up anew, but is only conserved from its nest, and carried from thence, from one Re­gion to another. Histories relate, that the seeds of this have lain asleep for se­veral years, in some Garment or Bedcloaths, and that afterwards, they being stirred, it hath appeared, and hath stirred up anew the Disease of the Pestilence, increasing with a mighty slaughter of men. When by reason of the tinder, or cherishing nest, the Plague is propagated after this manner, at a distance, the invenomed little Bodies, which remain in the infection, being moved, presently leap out, and unfold its Poy­son every way, as it were by a certain irradiation: if that they strike against an hu­man body, presently they lay hold on the Spirits, and are by their Vehicle conveyed inwardly, and then by an easie labour, they infect the Blood and Humors, wheresoever flowing in the Vessels, with their ferment, and quickly bring to them coagulations and putrefaction. And after this manner, through the most subtil Effiuvia, is made as it were a certain transmigration of the Pestilential Disease, even as when a shoot being cut off from some Tree, and laid up for a time, and afterwards ingrafted to another Trunk, tho from the smallest bud, it is able to produce a Tree of the same Kind and Nature.

CHAP. XIII. Of the Plague.

THus far we have discoursed of Poyson in general, also of the Pestilence, its beginning and propagation by contagion: it now remains, that we expli­cate the description of the Plague, its Nature, according to its accidents, and symptoms, most worthy of note; then some things shall be added, which belong to its Cure.

The Plague may be described after this manner, that it is an Epidemical Disease, Contagious, highly infestous to human kind; taking its beginning from an invenomed Infection, received first by the Air, and then propagated by Contagion; which having hiddenly and largely set upon men, causes extinctious of the Spirits, coagulations of the Blood, blastings, mortifications or deadnesses of the solid parts, and with the ap­pearances of whelks, buboes, or carbuncles, as also with the horrid provision of other symptoms, brings the sick in danger of life.

Altho the Plague be one kind of Disease, and its specifical differences, or essential are not found, yet by reason of the divers kinds of accidents, which come upon it, some diversities and irregularities of it are observed, which somthing vary the type of the Disease, tho they change not the species. For first this distemper somtimes is more universal that it rages every where through many Vilages and Cities at once; but somtimes it is circumscribed in narrower bounds, and only threatens one Region or Tract of Land. Secondly, somtimes the Plague comes simple, and unmixt with other Diseases, wherefore privily, and as it were by surprise, almost without a Feaver, or vehemency of symptoms, brings a secret killing of the sick. Somtimes it is com­plicated, with a number of other Diseases, that the business is carried with tumult and frequent skirmishing between Nature and Death. Thirdly, the degree of malignity constitutes a great difference; for the Plague in some places, and times is much more mild, that many of the sick escape; somtimes it is highly mortal, that most taken are killed, and that scarce one of an hundred recovers.

But because this Disease hides its weapons, and coming on men unawares, kills them suddenly, therefore it shall be our work, that by some signs, as it were watch­men planted, we may know the Clandestine coming of this enemy, altho we are not able to foresee it from afar. Very many signs happen, which foretel shortly a Plague about to come: to wit, if the year keeps not its Temper, but has immoderate, and very unseasonable excesses, either of heat or cold, or of dryness or wet; if the [Page 126]small-pox or Measles, do every where rage; if Boils or Buboes, accompauy reigning Feavers. Besides Astrologers are wont, from the Aspects of the Stars, or appearances of Comets, to predict the approaching Plague, but this ought rather to be called a vain con­jecture, than a certain foreknowledge. From a preceeding Famine, a most certain pre­sage may be taken, of a Plague to follow, as in the Adage- [...]. The Plague comes with the Famine. For the like Constitution of the year, which for the most part, by reason of the Corn being blasted, brings scarcity, is apt also to produce the Plague: also, an evil way of feeding which people in dearths use, eating all unwholsom things, without choice, disposes their Bodies, to the more easie receiving the Infection. Yea, also earth-quakes fresh openings of Caverns, and secret Vaults, by the gaping of the Ground, by reason of the eruptions of malignant and impoysoned Airs, often give beginning to the Pestilence. For indeed, as there is need of great diligence, to foresee, as it were from a watch-Tower, the approaching Plague, so there is no less need of care and diligence, to consider, or take notice of the same, being fresh risen, and the shooting of its first darts: For oftentimes, being too solicitous, we dread vulgar Feavers, if per­chance they end in death, for this Disease; and somtimes being too secure, contemning the Pestilence, by reason of its Symptoms, like to a common Feaver, we apprehend not our danger, till too late; wherefore, for the more full knowledge of this Disease, we will subjoyn its Signs and Symptoms both common, and Pathognomic or peculiar, and briefly describe their causes, means, and manner of being done.

Besides the signs already delivered, which by a certain demonstration à priori or be­fore-hand, bring a suspicion of the Plague about to come, there are others, the con­course of which, plainly shew its presence, in the sick body: of these, some are com­mon to the Plague, with a Putrid Feaver, some are more proper to this distemper. For the impression of the Pestilence, most often stirs up an effervency of the Blood, and so has frequently a Feaver joyned with it, that among some, in the definition of the Plague, it hath the place of a kind of Feaver; wherefore, by reason of the ebulli­tion of the Blood, and the hurt brought to the Viscera, presently there follows, a grow­ing hot, a spontaneous weariness, thirst, a burning of the precordia, often great Vomi­tings, pains of the Heart, torments of the Intestines, a scurfiness of the Tongue, or a blackness, a pain of the head, watchings, Phrensie, palpitation of the Heart, swooning, and sudden loss of strength: tho Feavers are most often beset, with these kind of Symptoms, yet if at the same time, the Plague hath spread in the neighbourhood, and a fear of it hath possessed the minds of men, hence a greater suspition of this evil is caused, especially, because, whilst the Pestilence reigns, other Diseases in any one, leave their proper Nature, and change into it: wherefore, if there happens to the distempers but now recited, a Communication of the same sickness to many, and a frequency of Burials, that it becomes every where very deadly, and spreads largely even by conta­gion; and if besides, Buboes, Carbuncles, Spots, or other marks of the pestiferous in­fection appear, the business is put without doubt, and we may with no less faith de­nounce it the Pestilence, than when we see an house flaming, with fire breaking through the Raftures, we cry out Fire. But because here is mention made of Buboes, Carbuncles, and of other Symptoms, (of which we have already spoken, where we treated of Putrid Feavers) it remains, that we briefly touch the causes of them, and the manner of their being made: They are these: A Carbuncle, a Bubo, Whelks, In­flamations, and malignant Pustles.

Concerning these in common, we say, that they are all produced of the Blood, and nervous juice, touched with the pestiferous Poyson, and coagulated in parts, in their circuit, and distempered variously with putrefaction; forasmuch as the Spirits, residing in either Liquor, especially in the Blood, are no sooner profligated, by the blast of this malignant Disease, but a coagulation is induced to the remaining Liquor, even as milk growing sour, or when some acid juice is poured to it; wherefore, portions of it be­ing more grievously touched with the Poyson, they soon curdle or grow into gobbets, and suffer corruption with blackness, like Blood out of the Vessels; from whence, pre­sently they hinder the motion of the rest of the Blood in the Vessels, and in the Heart, and by means of its ferment, more coagulate it; but whatsoever by congelation grows into curdled gobbets, unless it be presently cast out of doors, causes death quick­ly, by restraining the circulation of the Blood; and being thrust forth outwardly, to­wards the superficies of the body, it is stopped in its motion, between the narrow wind­ings of the Vessels; and being wholly destitute either of Spirit, or being struck by a blasting, produces its deadness, black and blew spots, and black or purple marks; or, by reason of the Salt and Sulphur, being exalted, by the pestilential ferment, and affe­cting new things, grow together into tumors of a various kind.

A Carbuncle, or Fiery Inflamation, is a fiery Tumor, with most sharp and burning Pustules round about it, and infesting the sick, with an acute pain; which arising in va­rious places severally, will not be ripened, but creeping more abroad on the superficies, burns the skin, and at length shakes off the lobes, or gobbets of its Corruption, and leaves an hollow ulcer, as if burnt by an Escharotick or burning Plaster.

The generation of Plague-sores, seem to be made after this manner, when Poyso­nous infections do strike into the Blood, in its own nature torrid, portions of it con­gealed, are fixed in the superficies of the Body; and in that place, because the motion of the Blood is a little hindred, a tumour at first small, is induced; which afterwards, by a malignant ferment, unfolding it self more largely, being leisurely increased, creeps into the neighbouring part: A suppuration follows not, because the matter being ex­travasated, and stagnating, is not concocted and digested by a gentle heat, but by rea­son of the particles of the outrageous Sulphur, together with the carried forth Salt, being heaped up in these Tumors, and because of the stagnation, they being presently loosened from the mixture, a burning is excited, as if a Cautery were affixed to the part: pieces and lobes of skins, eaten as it were from a covered Eschar, fall off, be­cause the Corrosive venom, impacted in the Muscles, gnaws not only to the superficies, but those that lie transvers through the whole substance; wherefore, before all the flesh is consumed, with the membranes, in which the eaten pieces were invalved, some piece, as it were cut off from the rest falls away. A Carbuncle, oftentimes but one, oftentimes more arise: somtimes they are alone, somtimes they are accompanied with a Bubo.

A pestilent Bubo springs forth, only in glandulous places, into whose substance goes, not only the Blood congealed by the Poyson, and carried through the Arteries, but the nervous juice heaped up there, and carried back into the Veins. Because this Tumor happens from less torrid juices, and in part more frigid, therefore it partakes of sup­puration. For the matter being leisurely heaped together, when (by reason of the stagnation, the vital Spirit being departed) it had lost the form of Blood, it was by a long concoction converted into matter, from the particles of Salt and Sulphur exal­ted, and restrained in the Tumor. But that these Tumors only happen in the Glan­dulas, the reason is, not that by the destination of Nature, the nest or tinder of the Disease, is carried to these parts, but as the particles of the virulent infection, abound every where in the Blood, and nervous juice, they are more readily gathered together, as in a common Family, and where the Blood being dilated to the extream parts of the Arteries, and is so not readily received, and carried back by the veins, and also the alible juice, to be carried back from the nerves, into the veins, is deposed: either of these, as it appears clearly, by late observations of Anatomists, and by experience, are made or done about the Glandulas; wherefore, when in these parts, either humors, being stuffed with the pestilent feeds of the contagion, come together at once, as it were the nest of the malignity, because of the virulency here deposed from either, is blown up.

Whelks, fiery inflamations, and purple spots, in respect of the venom, are of the same stuff, as the Tumors but now described: but in these, the product of the viru­lency, consists in a lesser substance, yet with greater danger, by reason of the seeds of the Poyson, being more dispersed: more small portions of the coagulated Blood being fixed in the skin, constitute these lesser appearances, wherefore, out of these, some be­ing increased, are ripened into little itching blisters: others, by reason of a certain blasting, or deadness of the corrupted Blood, grow into black and blew, and purple Spots.

Altho the Plague, by reason of its sudden, secret, and very swift assault upon sick people, hardly gives time or place, for a prognostick, and when this Disease, by reason of the occult manner of hurting, contains in it self nothing that is not suspected, yet there are some signs, that appear in its course, by which we are wont to foretel, either Life or Death. The business is then desperate, if the Disease pass presently into an Epidemical distemper, and makes violent assaults; if that bleeding, or only a small sweat follows, in the beginning of the Disease; if the Urine be thick and troubled, the Pulse unequal, and weak; if a Convulsion, or a Phrensie presently follow; if the Vomits, or Stools are blewish, black, or highly stinking; if the Whelks at first con­tract a redness, afterwards a blewness; if the Carbuncles are many; if the Buboes at first swelling up, disappear; if strength be suddenly lost, the face horrid, or grows black and blew; if with a shivering of the outward parts, there be an heat of the bowels, especially if these, or many of them happen in a body full of ill humors, or in an unwholsom season. On the contrary, the sick may be bid to be of good chear, if the condition of the Pestilence be lighter, and less deadly; if the Disease happens in [Page 128]a robust and healthful body, with a strong mind; if remedies may be timely had, be­fore the Disease hath possessed the whole mass of Blood. Also, if with a continuance of strength, high and equal Pulse, a suppuration of the Buboes, and a large profusion of matter, with the absence of more horrid Symptoms, the course of the Disease is performed: In the mean time, altho here we may hope all good, yet we are not to be secure, because, somtimes the snares of life, are laid privily, with the laudable appea­rance of signs, and we suffer most grievously as from a reconciled Enemy, whose fierce threatnings we seemed to have shun'd.

Concerning the curing of very many sicknesses, the business is chiefly committed to Nature, to whose necessity, Physick is the Midwife: and the office, and science of a Physician, chiefly is busied in these, that occasions of giving convenient aids, to this labouring, be attended, but the Plague hath this peculiar, that its cure is not at all to be left to Nature, but that it is to be endeavoured any way, by remedies gathered from Art. Nor are we to be solicitous of a more opportune, or as it were a gentler time, but Medicines are most quickly to be prepared, and we must not stay for them some hours, no nor minutes. But because, whilst the Pestilence reigns, there is no less need of care, that the Contagion may be driven far away, than that the Disease being im­pressed may be cured, therefore, a double task is incumbent on the Physician, to wit, that he looks to the prevention of this malignant Disease, as well as to the cure. To prescribe a method for both these, had been a work of too much tediousness, and to have given you a dish a thousand times dressed by Authors, wherefore, we will only touch lightly here, some chief Indications, and hast to other things.

Preventive cautions, either respect the Republique, and belong to the Magistrate, or private persons, to whom it should be taught, what is to be done by all men, when the Plague is feared.

The publique care in the time of the Plague, consists chiefly in these, that Divine worship be truly observed, that all nests of Putrefaction be cut off, that filths, Dung­hils, and all stinking things may be removed out of the Streets, and all occasion of the Contagion diligently avoided, and that an wholsom means of living be constantly observed by the Citizens. For which end, the use of fruits, and of other unwholsom things should be interdicted: that poor people, who have not plenty or choice of food; should be provided for, at the publique charge: If still the Pestilence begins to spread, the empoysoned force of the Air should be corrected, as much as may be, which may be best done, by the frequent burning of Sulphureous things; the infected should be sepa­rated from the sound, and the dead Carcases, and houshold-stuff should be avoided; and lastly, that able and fit Physicians, and Ministers be provided for the use of the sound, and the necessities of the sick.

The preventive means of a private person, is wont to be concluded in these three things, viz. Diet, Physick, and Chirurgery. Diet respects the six nonnatural things, among which, of the greatest moment are, the Air and passions of the mind: as to the rest, Hippocrates his precept may suffice, viz. Labour, Meat, Drink, Sleep, Ve­nus, should be taken moderately. The Pestilent Air should be avoided, by going into some other place; or corrected by the well burning of Sulphureous things, or whilst we breath it should be cured by fumigations and sweet smells, often carried near the nostrils. As to the passions of the minds, fear, and sadness, whilst the Pestilence rages, are as it were another Plague; for in these, the seeds of the envenomed Contagion, which are placed in the superficies of the Body, as it were on the edge of a whirlpool, are snatched inwardly, by a certain force, and carried to the Heart; wherefore, tis a most excellent Antidote, to be of a chearful and confident mind. I have known many, who (as Helmont was wont to say) by fortifying the Archeus, with Wine and confidence, never used any other Poyson-resisting Medicines, and remained without any hurt of the Contagion among the infected: and on the contrary, some struck with fear, when they have dwelt far from all Contagion, have drank in the seeds of the Pestilence, as if they were derived from the Stars.

Among the Chirurgical things, to be administred for preservation sake, are wont to be commended, the opening of a Vein, Cauteries, and Amulets. Where there is a ful­ness, with a great swelling up of the Blood; or in those who constantly, by long cu­stom are wont to be let Blood, it is convenient to open a Vein: For the less the Blood grows hot, and is circulated without Tumult, in the Vessels, it will be so much the longer, ere it be contaminated, by the pestiferous Disease. Issues made by Cauteries, are so much used, almost by the suffrage of all, for preservation sake against the Plague, that tis become the most common receipt: For these by a constant transmission pour forth the assiduous coming of the superfluous and excrementitious matter; and if [Page 129]that the infections of the Pestilence be admitted inwardly, they are cast forth of doors, at these open ports.

Amulets, hung about the neck, or born on the wrists, are believed to have a wonder­ful force against the Pestilence; of these, among some, of the greatest esteem, are such as are made out of Arsnick, quick-silver, the pouder of Toads, and other Poysons. That the same in this case may be profitable, besides the observations of Physicians this reason may seem to persuade somthing. The Effluvia, or atomical little bodies, emerging now from these bodies, now residing upon these, are before affirmed to fly about through the whole Region of the Air; these, as they are diversly figured, some of them easily cohere with others, but if they strike against some of another form, they oppose and overturn them: hence, the particles of the pestilent Infection, which are adverse to our Spirits, excellently agree with those little bodies of Poyson placed near, and are readily fixed to them: wherefore, the Amulets made of Poyson do this, viz. They receive the seeds of the Pestilence meeting us, into themselves, by rea­son of the likeness of parts; also, by alluring the same from our bodies, into their embraces, they in some measure, free the infected from the infection.

The Medicinal prevention hath a twofold scope: First, that the assiduous coming of the excrementitious matter or humors be taken away by a gentle purging, as often as there is need: Secondly, that by the daily taking Poyson-resisting Medicines, our Spi­rits, and Body may be fortified against the assault of the Poyson: By the former, the Food and cherishers, of which encrease putrefaction brought in by the Poyson are drawn away; by the latter, the first inkindling of the pestiferous Infection, as it were a deadly fire, is inhibited. Alexipharmies or Medicines contrary to Poysons seem to be helpful against the contagion of the Plague for this twofold Reason; Both because the mass of Blood and Viscera being filled with the particles of these, and also the Spirits before possessed with the same, they do not easily admit of the company of the im­poysoned Infection; also, because the Blood being incited by the gentle fury of these is kept from coagulation.

Thus much for preservation, it follows now, that we speak of the cure of the Plague. The doctrine of which, is either general, and comprehends remedies, which for this end, are taken from Diet, Chirurgery, and Medicine; or special, which de­livers the use, and Cautions to be exhibited, about those Remedies; and by what mens we are to oppose the Symptoms variously arising.

Diet comprehends the use of the six non-naturals, but the chief care, and medical cautions, are to be given about eating, the primary Indications of this, consist not at one and the same time together, but ought to be supplyed by turns, according to the nature of the thing, and the exigency of nature. In respect of the malignity, and of the loss of strength, Aliments are to be desired, which greatly cherish the Spirits, and bring a more plentiful nourishment: in respect of the Feaverish distemper, a more slender refrigerating Diet, and temperating the Blood, seems to be required: The Phy­sician must regard either, but he may rather intend his Remedies against the maligni­ty, than the Feaver.

The helps that belong to Chirurgery, are the opening a Vein, which seldom and very cautiously ought to be used in this Disease, because the Blood being too much ex­hausted, and the Vessels falling down, sweat is not so easily procured; instead of this, it is better to use Cupping, with scarification. For this, and Blistering, are rightly ap­plyed for the drawing forth of the Venom; moreover, against Buboes, Inflamations, or malignant Ulcers produced by them, Cataplasms, Fomentations, Plasters, Oynt­ments, and many other things, to be outwardly applyed, are to be sought for from Chirurgery, in which some Poysons, as the Electric of Poyson, are prescribed by some to be admixed; wherefore, preparations of Arsnick, to wit, the oil and balsom of it, are commended by many, in this case too of most excellent use and efficacy.

Medicines for the cure of the Plague, are either Evacuators, or Poyson-resisters: The intention of the former is, that the serous Latex in the Blood, and the excremen­titious humors, which abound in the Viscera, be thrust forth of doors; and together with them, very many particles of the invenomed Infection, every where dispersed in the Body: But these are both Vomitories and Purgers, the use of which is more rare, and only in the beginning of the Disease, also Diaphoreticks or sweating Medicines, which at some times may be suffered according as there is strength, are to be prescribed in the Plague: For these more fully, and from the whole body at once evacuate, yea, and by agitating the Blood, defend it from Congelation, and as they move from the Center, still to the Circumference, they drive the empoysoned ferment, also the Cor­ruptions of the Blood and humors, far from the heart, and so chase the Enemy with­out [Page 130]the Camp. But Vomits, and Purges evacuate less universally, and by Concen­trating the malignant matter, oftentimes carry it inwardly, and fix it to the Bowels. But these Medicines, whether they operate by purging, or sweating, ought to be of that kind, which have particles, rather agreeable to the empoysoned infection, than to our Blood or Spirits; for such a Medicine, will pass through the various windings of our body, with its whole forces and unmixt, and by reason of the similitude of either, more certainly takes hold of the virulent matter of the Disease, and carries it forth of doors with it self, by the mutual adhesion of the parts, which way provoked nature leads. Wherefore, Medicines, whether Catharticks or Sudorificks, are commended before others, which are prepared out of Mercury, Antimony, Gold, Sulphur, Vitriol, Arsnick, and the like; which, when they cannot be subjugated by our heat, or mastered, become the best Remedies against the Poyson of a pestilent Disease: for these do not only potently evacuate superfluous things, but when as they put forth very strong and untameable particles, and explicate them every where in the body, dissipate the ferments of the Poyson growing here and there, and hinder them from maturation; and as these Remedies, being of themselves not to be overcome by Nature, are necessitated to be carried outwardly through the open passages of the bo­dy, they carry forth of doors with them, whatsoever extraneous or hostile thing is met with.

As to Poyson-resisting Medicines, or Alexiterians, which are said to resist the Poyson of this Disease, without any sensible evacuation, they are (for the most part) such, whose particles are not very much of kin to Nature, so as to goe into Aliment; nor so diverse, as to provoke to an excretion. The same being inwardly taken, and broken into the smallest pieces, inspire the Blood, and juices flowing together in the Vessels, and Viscera, with their little bodies, as with a new ferment, and by moving the same gently, and by keeping them in an equal mixture, defend them from Coagulati­on, and Putrefaction; dissipate the particles begun to be heaped up, one from another, by the same gentle agitation, and hinder them from maturity; and lastly by pre-pos­sessing the Blood and Spirits, defend them from the impressions of the pestilent mark. Among these, some more simple Remedies are commended as Rue, Scordium, &c. but most of all by far are esteemed, those that are compounded, wherefore, Treacle, Mithridate, and Diascordium, some of which are compos'd of no less than fifty sim­ples; that, 'tis esteemed a crime in Medicines so compleat in all numbers, to omit one Plant, or one Dram of them in their Compositions; the reason perchance is, because very many things being put together, may make a mass, whose diverse kinds of particles being exalted, by long digestion, may stir up the greater fermentation in our Blood and humors.

Having after this manner ranked the Remedies, in which we ought to be instructed, for the curing of the Plague; now next we should speak of the method of cure, viz. What first, and then what next, should be done in order: but that this Disease hath so precipitous a Course, that there is neither place for deliberation, nor is there frequently any Physician to be gotten, for fear of the Contagion; wherefore, there is no need here of of many prescripts, or a long feries of Indications; this business is to be quickly per­formed, and may be comprehended in a few things. Therefore, when the pestilence reigning, any one is distempered with the Contagion of this Disease, the help of the omnipotent God being requested by Prayers, presently Remedies are to be flown to: If the Plague happens in a body not throughly purged, and prone to Vomiting, pre­sently let a Vomit be taken, whose operation being finished, immediatly let a sweat be provoked, by taking Diaphoreticks, and the same continued as strength can bear it, and afterwards be often repeated. Besides, let Alexipharmicks or Poyson-resisters, be used almost every moment, until by the eruption of Whelks, Inflamations, or Buboes, all the Venom be wholly driven forth of doors: but in the mean time, proper and respective Remedies, are to be opposed to the most urging Symptoms: but especially, fit helps are to be fought from Chirurgery, for the cure of the Buboes, and Plague­sores: the whole weight of this business, leans on these two Intentions, that the pesti­ferous Poyson may be every way expelled from within, and then, that the recourse of what is driven forth, be with equal diligence prevented.

Concerning the Plague, we cannot so readily write examples, and histories of sick persons, with exact diaries of the Symptoms: because these kind of sicknesses came not every year, neither when they spread, is it lawful for every Physician that takes care of his own health, frequently to visit the sick, or to stay long with them, whereby he may denote all accidents, and diligently consider the reasons of them; which task however, the renowned Diemerbrochius, did so firmly persist in, that after him, others [Page 131]may lawfully be superseded from this work: when somtimes past, in this City, viz. 1645. the Plague (tho not great) had spread, Doctor Henry Sayer, a very learned Physician, and happy in his practice, many others refusing this province, boldly visi­ted all the sick, poor, as well as rich, daily administred to them Physick, and handled with his own hands, their Buboes, and virulent Ulcers, and so cured very many sick, by his sedulous, tho dangerous Labour. That he might fortifie himself against the Contagion, before he went into the infected houses, he was wont only to drink a large draught of Sack, and then his perambulation about the borders of Death, and the very jaws of the Grave being finished, to repeat the same Antidote; After he had in this City, as if inviolable as to the Plague, a long while taken care of the affairs of the Sick without any hurt, he was sent for to Walling ford-Castle, where this Disease cruelly Raged, as another Aesculapius, by the Governour of the place: But there being so bold, as to lye in the same Bed; with a certain Captain (his intimate Companion) who was taken with the Plague, he quickly received the Contagion of the same Disease: nor were the Arts then profitable to the Master, which had been helpful to so many others, but there, with great sorrow of the Inhabitants, nor without great loss to the Medical Science, he dyed of that Disease. As to others, distempered by the Pestilence, he was wont to order this kind of method of healing, if he was sent for before the Buboes or Whelks appeared outwardly, for the most part he gave a Vomit, the prescriptions of which were of the Infusion of Crocus Metallorum, somtimes with white, and somtimes with Roman Vitriol: The Vomiting being ended he commanded them to be pre­sently put into a sweat by the taking of Diaphoreticks; and thence, some intervals being granted, for the recovery of strength, the sweating to be continued to the de­clination of the Disease: but if he were sent for to the sick, after the appearances of the marks, the Vomiting being let alone, he insisted only upon Sudorificks.

CHAP. XIV. Of Pestilential and Malignant Feavers in specie, and of others Epidemical.

AFter having unfolded the Nature of the Plague, by the order of our Tract, we ought to proceed to the Diseases, which seem to be nearest like its Nature; which chiefly are Feavers, called Pestilent and Malignant; for tis commonly noted, that Feavers somtimes reign popularly, which for the vehemency of symptoms, the great slaughter of the sick, and the great force of contagion, scarce give place to the Pestilence; which however, because they imitate the type of Putrid Feavers, and do not so certainly kill the sick as the Plague, or so certainly infect others, they de­serve the name not of the Plague, but by a more minute appellation of a Pestilential Feaver: Besides these, there are Feavers of another kind, the perniciousness and Con­tagion of which appear more remiss, yet, because they are infestous, beyond the force of Putrid Feavers, and seem to contain in themselves in a manner, the [...] or hand of God of Hippocrates, are yet by a more soft appellation, called Malignat Fea­vers.

Those Feavers differ both from the Pest, and from one another according to the degree, and vehemency of contagion and deadlyness: as the Plague is a Disease highly contagious, and deadly to human kind; tis the Pestilent Feaver, which commonly spreads with a lesser diffusion of its infection, and frequency of burials. When the infection is only suspected, and the Crisis happens beyond the event of vulgar Feavers, only not to be trusted or less safe, tis esteemed for a Malignant Feaver. They are yet more fully described thus.

When the Feaver commonly spreads abroad, which for the variety of symptoms, puts on the likeness of the Putrid Feaver so caled, to wit, when there are present, Thirst, Burning, Weariness, Anxiety, roughness of the Tongue, Watchings, Phren­sie, Vomiting, want of Appetite, Syncopy, Swooning, Heart-pains, and a concourse of other most terrible accidents; if there happen besides, spots either like to the lit­tle Flea-bites, or broad ones like black and blew strokes, and livid, we esteem this di­sease of an evil Nature. If besides these, it is not cured after the wonted manner of [Page 132]Feavers, but that the strength of the sick is cast down, without any manifest cause, and that death comes often unlooked for and unsuspected, against the Prognostic of the Physician, there is yet a greater cause of suspicion of malignity: But if it kills very many of the sick, and that those who converse with the sick, contract the evil of the same Disease, that the same Disease spreads through all the Villages or Cities, it may be said to be more than malignant, a pestilential Feaver: which is yet fully proved, if it rages in very many ordinarily with a certain common symptom, as when a Squinancy, Dysentery or deadly Sweat, such as in times past spread in England, accom­pany these sort of Feavers.

If that a Feaver arises, which Distempers many living in the same Region together, almost after the same manner, which notwithstanding observes the laws of a common Putrid Feaver in its course, and is cured almost after the same manner, this is not said to be Pestilent, but only a Malignant Feaver; unless that in some labouring with a remarkable Cacochymy, or fulness of ill humors, the appearances of Buboes, or of spots, somtimes with a deadly Crisis, and a contagion creeping upon others, betray some signs of Malignity.

If it be demanded, to which Class of the aforesaid Feavers, these sort of Pestilen­tial and Malignant Feavers ought to be placed, we ascribe them only to the rank of continual Feavers; we discharge or acquit intermitting Feavers, because by intervals they grant such firm Truces to Nature, and then they regularly and exactly observe their periods, which does not confist with an invenomed disposition. Also we except Hectic Feavers from malignity, because otherwise their mortality would not be so long delayed, but that partaking of Poyson, they would kill sooner: among continual Feavers, altho we affirm, that the simple synochal Feavers, are not free, yet they are rarely touched with this evil: but most of all, the Feaver which shews the notes of pestility or malignity, is of that sort, which resembles the figure of the Putrid Feaver so called: for when in these Feavers, besides the appearances of virulency, we per­ceive a continual growing hot of the Blood, which passes through the courses or stadia of beginning, increase, standing and declination, as in Putrid Feavers, we deservedly affirm here, the Sulphureous part of the Blood to be heated and inkindled, and by its burning to have brought in the Feaver: wherefore in these kind of Feavers, two things are especially to be noted, the growing hot of the Blood and the malignity joyned with it, of which now this, now that is the greater: also, in both there is a great Latitude, and very many degrees of its intension or heat, according to which the Feaver becomes more or less acute or malignant.

The growing hot of the Blood is performed after the same manner, as is already said concerning Putrid Feavers: to wit, the Sulphureous part of the Blood growing hot above measure, as it were takes fire by its fervor; in the time of its burning it accumulates a great quantity of adust marter, upon whose subaction and seclusion, de­pend the state and Crisis after the wonted manner of Feavers: but besides these, the Blood being infected with a certain venornous taint, in the burning it begins by reason of the malignant ferment, to be coagulated into parts, and to putrifie: wherefore be­sides the usual symptoms of the common Feaver, by reason of some congealed porti­ons of the Blood, follow either deadly Distempers, Swooning, a dejection of the Spirits, also appearances of spots and marks: besides venomous Effluvia, which de­part from the sick, that are able to raise up the like Distemper in others, by the force of their contagion; wherefore by reason of its perniciousness and contagion, and their various degrees, it is called, either a Pestilent or Malignant Feaver.

Also whilst the Blood growing hot, is infected with a venomous and malignant fer­ment, not only proper coagulations of its mass, with a disposition to putrifaction, are induced; but also the Nervous Liquor, easily contracts the taint of this, from whence it being made improportionate to the Brain and Regiment of the Animal Spirits, stirs up great irregularities in them: therefore upon these sort of Feavers, come not only spots and whelks, but most often a Delirium, Phrensie, Sleepiness, Tremblings of the Limbs, Cramps, and Convulsive motions; I have often observed, that in some certain years, Malignant Feavers have increased, which have shown their virulency, without the appearances of marks, chiefly about the Nervous stock; because in some, presently after the beginning, has followed a sleepiness, with a mighty heaviness of the Head, in others, strong Watchings, a perturbation of mind, with Trembling and Convulsive motions, but in most, either none, or only an uncertain Crisis, and instead of it, a translation of the Feaverish matter to the Brain; besides it is observed, that these Feavers creep upon others by contagion, and that very many are killed by them, that therefore they do deserve to be called Malignant.

But these kind of Feavers are somtimes first begun from a venomous infection, and the Blood being touched with the Particles of the venom, conceives of it self an Effervescency, and is inkindled; as when from a contagion or malignant Air being in­spired, any one hath fallen into a Malignant Feaver, without any evident cause or pre­disposition: But somtimes the Feaverish Distemper is induced from a proper cause, and then the seeds of the Malignity, either lying hid within in the Body, exert them­selves in the Effervent Blood, or they come from another place by the contaminated Air, as it were the Food of the flame before inkindled; for it appears by frequent ob­servation in the time in which an Epidemical Feaver spreads, that others being any way arisen, turn into it.

Malignant Feavers, as also Pestilential, for the most part are popular, and invade many at once: but somtimes they are private, and not ordinary, so that perhaps only one or two are taken in the whole Region; in such a case, it is to be suspected that they come not from a malignant Air, or Epidemical cause, but from a morbous pro­vision of the Body; for I have often observed that when in the Spring or Autumn, a Feaver sufficiently common, hath spread in some City or Town, of which very many have dyed, perhaps some one on whom an evil predisposition, and a more strong evident cause, hath brought the Feaver, hath lain by it, with more horrid symptoms, and great notes of malignity: in which case that malignity is not to be called common to the Feaver, but not ordinary, and accidental only.

Altho the greatest reason of the difference, by which these kind of Feavers are di­stinguished from one another, and from other Feavers, consists in their deadliness and contagion; yet somtimes, they are noted with a certein peculiar symptom, from which they take for that time, both the note of malignity, and the appellation of the name: hence in some years an Epidemical Feaver reigns, which induces to most of the sick a Squinancy, another time an inflamation of the Lungs, a Pleurisie, Dysentery, or some other distemper, and that oftentimes most dangerous, and contagious: so the seeds of Diseases, not only derived from the Parents by traduction, excite their fruits as it were by a certain designation, in the same part or member; but also, those received from an Infection commonly spreading, produce in all, a distemper of the same mode and figure: which yet I think to happen, not because the seeds of the venomous In­fection, respect either this or that Region of the Body, with a certain peculiar Virtue; but these so affect the mass of Blood, by a like manner in all, that there is a necessity, for the sake of washing away this stain, that a Crisis be attempted after the same man­ner in all. For when, without malignity, the Blood, by reason of Coagulation, or perhaps other causes, is apt to be extravasated, the usual places, in which portions of the same being extravasated, are wont to be fixed, are the Throat, Pleura, Lungs, and Intestines: wherefore, 'tis no wonder, when from a malignant cause, the congelation of the Blood, and for that reason an extravasation is induced, if the Disease is nested in the accustomed cherishing place of Nature.

Concerning the causes of these kind of Feavers, there is not much business: they are for the most part deduced, in respect of the malignity, from the vicious Constitu­tion of the Air; in respect of the Feaverish heat, from the morbous provision of the Body: either of these, are easily made clear, by what hath been already said, concern­ing a Putrid Feaver, and the causes of the Pestilence: If the malignity be stronger than the Feaver, and hath induced it, the impression of it is to be imputed to the inspi­red Air, or to a Contagion received from others; if the Feaver be first, its inkindling is ascribed to transpiration being hindred, to a Surfeit, or to some other of the evident causes above enumerated.

As to the signs, besides contagion and destruction, these shew the malignity of the Feaver, a sudden loss of strength, a weak and unequal pulse, and evil affection of the Brain and nervous parts, being suddenly induced, cruel Vomitings, blackness of the Tongue, a suffusion of darkness through the whole Body, but chiefly the appea­rances of Spots, Buboes, and of other marks.

For the cure of Feavers, both Pestilential and Malignant, there is greater need of Judgment, and Circumspection, than in any others whatsoever: For when there are two primary Indications, to wit, the Malignity, and the Feaverish intemperance, and when one can scarcely provide for the one, without detriment to the other, it is not easily to be discerned, which should first be helped, or soonest regarded. In respect of the Feaver, purging, opening a Vein, and cooling things, do chiefly help; but whilst these are performed, the Malignity, for the most part is increased, and being neglected, spreads abroad more largely its Poyson: against the Malignity, Poyson-resisting Cor­dials, and Diaphoreticks are required, but these extreamly heighten the Feaver, they [Page 134]more shake the Blood and Spirits before inkindled, as it were with the blast of Bellows, and force all as it were into a flame; wherefore, here is great need of skill, that these things be rightly ordered in themselves, and where there is most of danger appearing, thence the Curative Intentions are to be more immediatly designed; but so, as whilst one is consulted about, the other be not neglected. But in these cases, besides the pri­vate Judgment of every Physician, experience may supply the chief means of healing: for when as these Feavers first spread, every one almost tryes several Remedies, and by the success of them collated together, it may be easily reckoned, what kind of method is to be relyed on, till at last, by a frequent tryal, or the footsteps of those passing before, there is made as it were a high and broad Road, for the curing of these sorts of di­stempers, bounded both with various observations and warnings.

Besides these sort of Feavers, which spread on many at once, and by reason of the Contagion, deadliness, and conspicuous notes of virulency, deserve to be called Pesti­lent or Malignant; there are some others, epidemical or popular, which almost every year, either in the Spring or Autumn, rage in some Countries; of which the Inhabi­tants for the most part of them are wont to be sick, and not few, especially of the El­der, to dye: In which notwithstanding, no signs of Pestilence or Malignity appear, neither does the Disease seem to spread, from one and so to another, so much by Con­tagion, as to lay hold on many, by reason of a predisposition, impressed almost on all. But these kind of distempers, depend chiefly upon the foregoing Constitution of the year: for if the season going before was very intemperate, by reason of excess of cold or heat, of dryness or humidity, and so had continued for a long time, it changes our Blood very much, from its due temperature, whereby it is apt afterwards to con­ceive Feaverish effervescencies; and from hence a Feaver, now of this Type or Figure, now of that is produced; which presently becomes Epidemical, because it draws its beginning from a common cause, wherewith the bodies of all, are in a manner affe­cted: But such Feavers, forasmuch as they depend upon the Blood having gotten a dis­position, now sharp, now austere, or of some other kind, by reason of the temper of the year, for the most part are of the rank of intermitting Feavers: yet, by a proper provision of Symptoms, they are wont to be noted, according to the peculiar Consti­tution of every year. These are not able to be comprehended, under a certain com­mon rule, or formal reason, which may quadrat to the nature of each of these; be­cause they vary every year, according to their several accidents. However, we will give you the descriptions of these kind of Feavers, spreading of late years in this Re­gion, had at that time, for some specimen of the rest, and add it for a conclusion at the end of this Tract.

There yet remains to be ascribed to the rank of malignant Feavers, some other pri­vate Feavers, and participating of no Contagion: of which sort chiefly are those, which are wont to happen to Child-bearing women, by reason of difficult and hard labour, or by reason of the stoppage of their Courses. Indeed it sufficiently appears, by common observation, that these are very dangerous, and often mortal: for if, by the parts of the Womb being hurt, or by cold being admitted, or perhaps by any other cause, the Courses are stopped, and the humour which ought to be thrust forth, shall be confused with the mass of the Blood, it most wickedly infects it, as it were with a cer­tain venomous mixture; that by that means, presently a Feaver is excited, which with an evil provision of Symptoms, is very much beset, viz. with heat, and cruel thirst, Vomiting, pain of the Heart, and watchings, and for the most part obtains, either no Crisis, or a very difficult one: because, unless the wonted way of the flux of the Courses, may be at length restored, it is wont, after the heat of the Blood hath been continued for some days, to Communicate the evil to the Brain, and nervous stock; from whence, by and by, a Delirium, Phrensie, Convulsions, and other most wicked distempers, are most often induced, which do not seldom end in Death: but these sort of Feavers deserve a peculiar consideration which we have more fully determined to shew hereafter in a particular discourse concerning this business; in the mean time, we will undertake to propose some instances or examples of the Feavers, but now de­livered, viz. of the Pestilent, and Malignant.

The pestilent Feaver, of late years, hath more rarely spread in these Regions, than the Plague it self: of the only one of this kind, which fell under our observation, I will give you a brief description. In the year 1643, when in the coming on of the Spring, the Earl of Essex besieged Reading, being held for the King, in both Armies there be­gan a Disease to arise very Epidemical; however, they persisting in that work, till the besieged were forced to a surrender, this Disease grew so grievous, that in a short time after, either side left off, and from that time, for many months, fought not with the [Page 135]Enemy, but with the Disease: as if there had not been leisure to turn aside to another kind of Death, this deadly Disease increasing, they being already overthrown by Fate, and as it were falling down before this one Death. Essexe's Camp moving to the Thomes, pitched in the places adjacent, where he shortly lost a great part of his men: But the King returned to Oxford, where at first, the Souldiers being disposed in the open Fields, then afterwards among the Towns and Villages, suffered not much less: For his Foot, (which it chiefly invaded) being pact together in close houses, when they had filled all things with filthiness, and unwholsom nastiness, and stinking odors (that the very Air seemed to be infected) they fell sick by Troops, and as it were by Squa­drons. At length the Feaver now more than a Camp Feaver invaded the unarmed and peaceable Troops, to wit, the entertainers of the Souldiers, and generally all others, yet at first (the Disease being yet but lightly inflicted) tho beset with an heavy and long languishment, however many escaped. About the Summer Solstice this Feaver began also to increase with worse provision of Symptoms, and to lay hold on the Hus­bandmen, and others inhabiting the Country. Then afterwards, spread through our City, and all the Country round, for at least Ten miles about. In the mean time, they who dwelt far from us, in other Counties remained free from hurt, being as it were without the sphere of the Contagion. But here this Disease became so Epidemi­cal that a great part of the people was killed by it; and assoon as it had entred an house, it run through the same, that there was scarce one left well to administer to the sick; strangers, or such as were sent for to help the sick, were presently taken with the Disease; that at length, for fear of the Contagion, those who were sick of this Fea­ver, were avoided by those who were well, almost as much, as if they had been sick of the Plague.

Nor indeed, did there a less mortality, or slaughter of men, accompany this Disease: because Cachectic, and Pthisical old men, or otherways unhealthful, were killed by it; also not a few of Children, young men, and those of a more mature and robust age. I remember in some Villages, that almost all the old men dyed this year, that there were scarce any left, who were able to defend the manners and priviledges of the Parish, by the more anciently received Traditions.

When this Feaver first began, it was somthing like the figure of a putrid Synochus; but it was harder to be cured, and when it seemed to be helped by a sweat or loosness, presently it was wont to be renewed again: but for the most part, after the deflagrati­on of the Blood, continued for six or seven days, this remitting, and instead of a Crisis the adust matter being translated to the Brain, the sick for a long time keeping their Beds with raging somtimes, but more often with a stupefaction, with great weakness, and somtimes with Convulsive motions, scarcely escaped at last. About the middle of the Summer, besides the Contagion and frequent burials, this Disease betrayed its malignity, and pestilential force in open signs, viz. By the eruption of Whelks and Spots: because about this time in many there appeared without any great burning of the Feaver, an unequal, weak, and very much disordered pulse; also without a mani­fest expense of Spirits, their strength presently became languishing, and very much de­jected: In others, sick after the same manner, appeared little Blisters or Measles, now small and red, now broad and livid: in many, Buboes, (as in the Plague) about the glandulas: of these some died silently and unforeseen, without any great strugling of the Spirits, or Feaverish burning excited in the Blood: in the mean time others, by and by becoming furibundous, whilst they lived suffered most horrid distractions, of the animal Spirits. Those about to escape from this Disease, without any laudible Crisis, (unless they were the sooner freed by a sweat provoked by Art) the Brain, and ner­vous stock becoming distempered, at length, with a benummedness of the senses, tremblings, vertigo, debility of the members, and Convulsive motions, did not grow well but of a long time after. During the Dog-days, this Disease being still infestous, began to be handled not as a Feaver, but as a lesser Plague, and to be overcome only by Poyson-resisting Remedies; letting of Blood, was believed to be fatal to this: Vo­mits, and Purges, somtimes tho not often, were made use of, but the chiefest means of Cure, were accounted to be procured by Alexiteriums, and timely sweat. For this end, besides the prescripts, of Physicians, to be had at the Apothecaries, some Emperical Remedies deserved no small praise; then first of all, the pouder of the Countess of Kent, began to be of great esteem in this Country; also of no less note was another pouder, of the colour of Ashes, which a certain Courtier staying by chance in this City, gave to many with good success; and to others approving of the use of it, he sold it at a great price; the sick were wont having taken half a dram of this, in any Liquor, to fall into a most plentiful sweat, and so to be freed from the virulency of the [Page 136]Disease; That Diaphoretick (whose preparation I afterwards learnt, from the Cousen German of the Author) was only the pouder of Toads, purged throughly with Salt, and then wshed in the best Wine, and lightly calcined in an earthen Pot. The Autumn coming on, this Disease by degrees remitted its wonted fierceness that fever grew sick of it and of them many grew well; till the approach of the Winter, when this Feaver almost wholly vanished, and health was rendred to this City, and the Country round about fully and wholly.

Thus you have seen the beginning, progress, and end of this Feaver, at first only a Camp Feaver, but at length became Pestilential, and Epidemical. That at first the Disease began in the Souldiers Camp, may seem to be imputed, not only to their nasti­ness, and stinking smells, but in some sort to a common vice of the Air, for as these Feavers come not every year, their original may be ascribed, partly to the peculiar Con­stitution of the year. Because, by that means, a more light intemperance of the Air being contracted, tho it did not affect the more healthful Inhabitants; yet in the Army, where evident causes, viz. errors in the six non-naturals, very much happen to the general procatartic cause, there is a necessity for these kind of sicknesses easily to be excited. For the constitution of this year, was in the Spring very moist, and slab­bery, almost with continual shours, to which a mnore hot Summer Succeeding, and the infection of the Feaverish Contagion here first increasing, still grew worse, and dispo­sed all Bodies the more for the receiving it; wherefore, that this Disease was almost proper to this Region, and at this time Epidemical, the seed of it ought to be ascribed to its first rising from the Army, being quartered round about. But forasmuch, as it afterwards being made Pestilential, and very Epidemical, it infected most of the people living here, and killed not a few, the reason was, the evil affection of the Air; which because of the intemperance of the year being unwholsom, besides by the continual breathing forth of stinking vapours from the Souldiers Camps, and the quarters of the sick, it became at last so votious, that the infection of the Feaver, being dispersed in it, was greatly exalted, and arose almost to the virulency of the Plague. Diemerbrochius relates from the like Camp Feaver, arising in the Summer at Spires, afterwards another Malignant and Pestilential, and then the Plague it self to have accrewed. Also, it was a sign that this Feaver of ours, became at last equal to the Plague it self, besides the great force of the Contagion, and the frequency of Burials, most wicked distempers of the Blood, and nervous Liquor, being brought presently upon all, by it: because, strength being suddenly overthrown, the weak intermitting pulse, the creeping forth of measly Blisters, the eruption of Buboes, argued the Coagulation, and corruptive disposition of the Blood: besides the Delirium, Madness, Phrensie, Stupefaction, Sleepiness, Vertigo, Tremblings, Convulsive motions, and divers other distempers of the Head, shewed the great hurt of the Brain, and nervous stock.

That the figure, or Idea of this malignant Feaver, may be painted to the life, very many observations or histories of sick people, are easily to be had; of the many ex­amples of this Disease, I shall only mention a few, which hapned some years since in the house of a venerable man, and as with a mournful slaughter, so not without some admiration.

About the Winter Solstice, in the year 1653. a youth of about Seven years old, with­out any manifest cause, found himself ill, being troubled with a pain of his Head, Sleepiness, and mighty Stupefaction; with it he had a Feaver, tho not strong, with an ordinary burning, wich grew more grievous, only by wandring fits, somtimes once, sometimes twice in Twenty four hours space: presently from the beginning, he slept almost continually, also he was wont in his sleep to cry out, to talk idly, and to leap often out of his Bed; being awakned, and somtimes of his own accord awaking, he presently came to himself, and constantly called for drink; his Urine was red, and full of Contents, his pulse equal, and strong enough; in his wrists appeared light contra­ctures of the tendons, and in his neck, and other parts of his Body, some red spots like Flea-bites. At the first, was ordered a light Purgation, and a frequent taking down of the Belly, by the use of Clysters; he daily took Cordial Julaps, with Poyson­resisters; Vesicatories or blistering Plasters, were applyed to his neck, and other Pla­sters to the soles of his feet: on the sixth day, a little Blood streamed from his nostrils; on the seventh, without any manifest through Crisis, the Feaver very much abated, the heat so gentle as to be perceived only by the Touch; also, the Urine pale, thin, and without any sediment, yet he was much more grieviously troubled with sleepiness, and a stupefaction of the Head, so that his Urine, and the excrements of his Belly came away involuntarily; however, being called upon, he knew the standers by, and answe­red to their questions; These distempers, notwithstanding the Remedies every day [Page 137]grew worse: About the Fourteenth day, the sick youth became so stupid, as neither to be able to understand, nor to speak, yet he swallowed still what was put into his mouth, tho unknowingly, and his pulse was laudable enough: about this time, he fell into a Flux, excited of it self by Nature for four days, which at last ceasing, a whiteish crust or scurf, and as it were Chaulky, began to spread over the whole cavity of his Mouth and Throat, which being often in a day wiped away, new presently broke forth: when he had thus for four days more been sick, he became better in his intellect, and sense, so that he was able to know his Parents and Friends, to take notice of their words, and to do somthing as he was bid: but as his sensitiv faculty began to be re­stored, so he began to grow worse as to his speech and the Organs of swallowing; with­out doubt the matter being fallen from the Brain, into the beginnings of the Nerves, a Palsie in the Tongue and Throat had succeeded to the heaviness and stupefaction: which distemper in a short time so increased, that afterwards the sick person could not swallow at all, but that what he took in at the Mouth presently flowed back again, nei­ther could any thing go down into the Stomach; when besides the cruelty of the Di­sease, there was danger least he should be killed by Famine, an Instrument was prepared of a pin of Chalk, put into a little plaint wand, and on the top of it, a little tuft of silk made fit; and this being thrust down his Throat, opened the closing for a time, whereby the Food taken in, ws suffered to pass, after the use of this for a day or two, he was able to swallow again, and afterwardsto take his Food well enough: and within a few days, he began to speak, to discern any thing, and becoming wonderful hungry, to ask for, all day long, all sorts of Food, and greedily to devour what ever was brought to him. In the mean time, by reason of his long sickness, and the Nervous parts being grievously hurt; he was grown so Lean, that the Bones scarce sticking to the Skin, he represented exactly a living Skeleton. But afterwards, by the sedulous, in­defatigable, and prudent care of the Mother about his diet, he recovered perfect Health, and is yet living, and well.

When this child had hardly arived ot the height of his sickness, his Brother, elder about two years, on the Ides of January, was taken almost after the same manner. At first he was troubled with a Torpor and heaviness sof the Head, then growing Fea­verish, with a sleepiness and stupidity: he began to talk idly in his sleep, then being awake hardly to come to himself: after four or five days, these symptoms grew more grievous: he was able to understand little, nor scarce to speak articulately, and not without stammering. His Urine was thick, cloudy, without Hypostasis, or setling of the Contents: there appeared, as in his Brother, red spots, small, like Fea-bites; his Ex­crements both of his Belly and Bladder, came away involuntarily. But his Pulse was yet strong and equal; his Hypochondria were stretched out, and inflated with a tu­mor of the Abdomen; about the eighth day, he had a small stream of Blood: on the eleventh day of his sickness, he fell into a Diarrhaea, by which, in the space of five hours, he cast forth seven times, bilous, thin, and highly stinking stuff, from whence there was some hope of his amendment; but the next day after, the flux of his Belly ceasing, pains, and torments cruelly infested his Belly, that crying out and moaning night and day, he sent forth most heavy complaints; his Hypochondria and Abdomen were tumid like a Tympany, and mightily distended; when he could not receive any thing of ease, from no remedies, the most exquisite skill of many Physicians being tryed, on the fourteenth day he died Convulsive, in these torments.

A little after his death, viz. on the thirteenth of February, his Brother, elder than him, about eleven years old, a youth of great hopes, began to be Feaverish; and as the others, with a Torpor and heaviness of his Head, tho less strongly affected; but the heat in the Blood was greater, which was of a more hot temperament, and greater perturbation appeared, that for the first six days, besides heat and thirst, he was troubled with a continual endeavour of excretion, now by sweat, now by stool. His Urine was red and troubled; some red spots, as in the rest broke forth; on the seventh day he had a bleeding about five Ounces, which ceasing, a great benumedness succeeded, that for all that day and the night following, he could scarce lift up his Eyes: on the eighth day, a most plentiful bleeding followed again at the Nose, that there was danger, lest he should have lost his life, together with his Blood: the Blood sprang so copiously from his left no­stril, that being received in a Bason, it made little Bladders or bubbles by its fall: when he had lost above two pound of Blood, and being taken with a cold sweat, began to lose his strength, remedies were at length administred, and the Flux was yet hardly stopped. The Haemorrhage being stayed, the Youth slept soundly, and all that day be­came sleepy: yet often awakning, he remained well in his senses and was quick in sense, and understanding; and being asked of his health, he said he was pretty well; his [Page 138]Urine, which was before red and troubled, then appeared pale, thin, and with a lau­dable Hypostasis, that the sick seemed, (especial because he wanted thirst, or immode­rate heat) to be perfectly cured and freed from the Feaver: on the following morning, being the ninth day of the Feaver, he remained yet torpid, but being raised up, he living chearfully and without intemperance, seemed to be in a condition of growing well, but that he began a little to faulter in his peech: in the evening, when it was lest suspected, the Feaver being again inkindled, on a sudden he fell into a Lethargy, that he was scarce able to be awakned from sleep, and being pulled, scarce to know any body, or to speak plainly: altho so great a loss of Blood had gone before, the Pulse was yet quick, high, and vehement, also his Urine red: after deriving, and with­drawing remedies, had been used all that Night, this Youth seemed to be in a little better condition, so that in the morning, he continued a long time from sleep, but be­gan to role about his Eyes hither and thither, and to set himself up a little; yet with­out speaking, or knowledg of those that were about him: before noon, his Eyes be­ing shut again, he wholly lost the use of every Animal faculty: he lay for three days, as it were Apoplectick, with an high and vehement Pulse, with a palpitation of the Heart, and a difficult and painful breathing; his Pulse at length growing lesser by degrees, he dyed the thirteenth day of the Feaver.

On the fifteenth of February, his Sister, somwhat lesser than he was, began to com­plain of a pain and torments in her Belly, a trembling in her hands, and a painful tension or stretching out of the Muscles of her Neck, with a Feaverish intemperance, and thirst: on the last day of February, she growing plainly into a Feaver, could not keep out of her Bed: moreover she was troubled with a wandring heat, now in her Face, now about her lower parts; also she became heavy and somnolent, and awaking from sleep, could not presently come to her self. On the first of March she was lightly Purged and with ease, with an expression of Rhubarb: her Urine was thick and red; elso petechial red spots, (as in the rest) were conspicuous: we gave her after that, for four days, at several times, to wit, after the interval of every six hours space, ten drops of the spirit of Harts-Horn, in a Spoonful of Cordial Julep; the aforesaid sym­ptoms afterwards leisurly remitted, and this sick child, tho slowly, recovered health without a manifest through Crisis.

About the same time her little Brother, younger than any of these, fell sick almost after the like manner; who, yet, a loosness arising Naturally of it self, for many days, voyding Choleric and greenish stuff, was easily cured. Also in the same Family, many other Domestics, and some strangers coming to help them, the evil being propaga­ted by Contagion, fell sick of the same Disease: who notwithstanding, at length be­came well, tho with difficulty, and slowly, without any regular Crisis being made.

That this Feaver was malignant, plainly appears by the Contagion, Mortality, and appearances of spots, and many other signs; tho that infecting contagion, whereby it spread from one to another, shewed it self slow, and of lesser Efficacy; because, between the sicknesses of each of them, many days, and oftentimes weeks hapned to be, that the infection of this tho acute Disease, and the dissemination on others, was scarcely finished in four months space, in the same House. The Feaver about the first beginning seemed gentle and mild, not very terrible as to burning; but the matter being heaped together, from the deflagration of the Blood, became presently untame­able, hard to be exterminated, also enemical to the Brain and Nervous stock; where­fore in each of them, the beginning of the Disease, was to be known rather by the torpor and somnolency, than the fervor and heat; also, the Crisis, tho by several ways attempted, viz. by Sweat, Flux, Bleeding, did not happily succeed, but for most part, the Blood growing turgid with the critical motion, endeavoured to trans­fer the Feaverish matter, upon the dwellings of the Animal Spirits; yet it self not­withstanding, became not putrified by this means, but that about the standing of the Disease, both humors (to with the Blood and Nervous Juice) being vitiated, by an im­pure mixture together, and grievously touched, caused the event of the Disease, to be either deadly, or extream dangerous.

CHAP. XV. Of the Measles and Small-Pox.

IN the next place, we refer the Small-pox and Measles to the rank of pestilential and malignant Feavers, which indeed are mixt Distempers, consisting at once according, and contrary to our Nature. As to their Original, they have their seminary born with us: but as to the effect, they produce preternatural symptoms, and (as the Plague it self) poysonous; so that they constitute ar it were a certain peculiar kind of Feavers, proper indeed to men, but after another manner, than Porphyrius has assigned; for it happens for every man only, and once to be distempered with the Small-pox or Measles: if perchance any one lives free their whole life, or another more ofen fall into these Distempers, they are rare and unusual events of Nature, which lessen not common observation; yea tis fully confirmed, to wit, that all, and only men are obnoxious to the Small-pox and Measlles, and are wont to be rid of them at one sickness. Concerning the Small-pox, we will treat of them apart from the Measles, what the cause of them is, then what signs and symptoms they have, and lastly what things belong to the Crisis and Cure.

Concerning the Causes, we ought to consider in the first place, what is the secret leading Cause, to wit, which renders only and all mankind, and that once, obnoxi­ous to this Disease. Secondly, we will inquire concerning the evident Causes, viz. by what and how many ways, this latent and occult disposition, is wont to be, now sooner now later, deduced into Act. Thirdly, it shall be declared, what is the con­junct cause, to wit, by what motion and alteration of the Blood, the figure of this Disease is produced.

1. As to the first, this disposition or Natural predisposition, which inclines human kind to this Disease, seems to be a certain evil or impurity of the Blood, conceived in the Womb, among the first Rudiments of Generation; almost all Authors, would have this ascribed to the Menstruous Blood: which Opinion seems not altogether im­probable: because in a womans Womb, (otherways than in most other living Crea­tures) there is generated a certain Ferment, which being communicated to the mass of Blood, affords to it vigour and spirit, and then at set periods, procures a swelling up, and an excretion of the superfluous Blood; but at the time of Conception, when the Menstrua wholly cease, very much of this ferment is bestowed on the Faetus or Child; and its Particles, being Haeterogeneous to all the rest, as a certain extraneous things, are ocnfused with the mass of Blood and humors; with which being involved and se­parated one from another, lurk or ly hid a long while; yet afterwards, at some time, being moved or stirred up, by some evident cause, they ferment with the Blood, and induce to it an ebullition, and then a Coagulation; from whence very many sym­ptoms of this Disease arise.

These fermentative seeds somtimes are few and gentle, and so involved with other little Bodies, as they do not easily appear, and are brought into act; somtimes they are more and stranger; so that on the least occasion they are ripened into this Disease; hence indeed some are taken sooner, with the Small-Pox in their tender years: others more slowly, and not till full or more ripe age: also some easily receive the contagion, but others converse often with the sick without danger. The sooner that any one hath this Disease, the more secure they are; wherefore children most often escape, oid men, or such as are of years, are more in danger, viz. in children or young people, transpi­ration is more easie, also the habit of the Body more firm and healthful. But altho the venomous seeds of this Disease, for the most part are wont to be dispersed or blown away at once, and with one sickness; yet it somtimes happens, that a part of the in­infection being still left, the sick have fallen into this Disease twice or thrice.

2. The evident cause which stirs up these fermentative seeds, and most often brings them into act, may be said to be threefold, viz. The contagion received from some place: the disposition of the Air, and the immoderate perturbation of the Blood and Hu­mors. It is most manifest by daily experience, that this Disease doth come upon others, and spread abroad by contagion; viz. from the infected Body, continually flow Efflu­via, [Page 140]which being received by other Bodies, presently like poyson they ferment with the Blood, and suscitate or awaken the lurking or sleeping seeds of the same Disease, Homogeneous with themselves, and dispose them into the figure or Idea of this Di­sease: neither is the infection only communicated by contact, but at a distance. They who live within the same house, or neighbouring to the sick, easily receive the infe­ction; also it is cherished in Cloaths, and dissipated afar off, and transferred to more remote places. They who are of kin one to another, soonest infect each other: also they who are fearful, and extreamly dread this Disease, more readily fall into it: For by fear, the Particles of the infection are conveyed inwardly from the superficies of the Body. At what time the contagion spreads, and that the Small-pox are Epide­mical, all other Diseases almost degenerate into this. Secondly, a certain peculiar disposition of the Air, notably induces the Small-pox; hence most often it becomes Popular, and rages ordinarily through whole Regions, Cities and Villages; hence also it more often exists in the Spring and Autumn: because at that time especially di­verse manners of little Bodies, and by that means tumultuating flow about in the Air, which we draw in with the vital Air, and so various effervescencies of the Blood and Humors, and Ideas of Diseases are raised up, Neither doth this Disease become only more frequent and Epidemical, for these Causes, but also it gets a manifold Nature, that somtimes the Small-pox are deadly, and as it were pestiferous, and somtimes they are more mild and benign; to wit, as they have contracted more or less of malignity from the Air; hence also somtimes black and livid Whelks or Pustils appear, and have much of the Nature of the Plague. Thirdly, somtimes, tho the tinder of contagion be absent, and that no malignant constitution of the Air had gone before, yet by reason of the Blood and Humors being immoderately disturbed, the Small-pox do arise: so I have known some to have fallen into this Disease, from a surfeit, or im­moderate exercise, when none besides in the whole Country about, hath been sick of it, to wit, the seeds of this evil, lying hid, without any previous infection, being stirred up by a too great fervor of the Blood, and being associated, gathering toge­ther, easily defile, and infect the whole mass of the Blood, with their ferment.

3 So much for the secret leading, and evident causes, but as to the conjunct cause, viz. which is the formal reason of this Disease, or the manner of its being made, the business seems a little more intricate. It is commonly wont to be compared to Must growing hot, or Beer when it Purges in the Vat: For if you put to these Liquors, any thing of ferment: as their Particles are Heterogeneous, and of wonderful activity, presently they diffuse themselves through the whole substance of the Liquor, they ex­agitate the more thick and impure Bodies, against which they are dashed, beat them asunder, and role about them, until a flowring being made, they drive the same from the intimate embrace or company of the Liquor, to the outmost superficies. After the like manner the Heterogeneous seeds of this Disease, are thought to ferment the Blood, and then by a certain eruption of Whelks or Pustles, like the flowring, purifies it. But indeed, if we should more strictly consider the business, there will appear here a great difference: because the infection of the Small-pox, is as it were a ferment, but corruptive, and compels the Blood to grow hot, not towards perfection, but depra­vation; for when the Particles of this venomous infection strike against the receiving subject, they presently raise up little Bodies like to themselves, and born with us, with which being associated, they pass through the whole mass of the Blood, and make it to grow highly turgid, and to boil up, and after some time growing fervent, to go into parts, and to be coagulated, viz. the dispersed seeds of the Poyson, dissolve the mix­ture of the Blood, presently profligate the more pure Spirits, then they joyn its more thick Particles to themselves, and by their adhesion, render them as it were congealed: The portions being so coagulated, together with the infolded seeds of the poyson, being left by the rest of the Blood, in its circuit, between the extremities of the Ves­sels, are affixed to the skin: by which means, if Nature being strong enough, doth cast forth the whole poyson, with the congealed Blood, the remaining mass of the Blood, altho made poorer, remains however in a condition to continue life and health: but if the Blood, being too excessively congealed, cannot be purified after this manner; or if portions of the Blood growing together with the poyson, do not fully break forth, or at last do stagnate within, they wholly corrupt the Liquor of the Blood, or else being affixed to the Viscera, and especially to the Heart, they destroy their constitution and strength.

Portions of the congealed Blood, with the poyson, begin to break forth about the fourth day, (now sooner now later:) because coagulation is not presently induced, but after some time, in which the venom unfolds it self, and ferments the Blood with its effervency: First, light portions of the infected Blood, and those but few in num­ber, like to Flea-bites, are fixed in the skin: quickly after more appear, and those first broke forth, by the accession of new matter, and by the continual appulsion of the congealed Blood, increase and are elevated into a tumor: then these whelks at first red being by degrees increased, at length grow white, viz. the Blood being thrust forth of the Vessels with the poyson, by reason of the heat and stagnation, is changed into matter: about the seventh day after the eruption, the white tumors grow crusty, into a dry scab; for the more thin part of the matter being evaporated, the rest grows hard, which then having eaten, and broke off the Cuticula, or outward thin skin, falls away from the flesh or next skin.

When the infection of the Small-pox, is at once impressed on the Blood and Spi­rits, it very rarely can be blotted out, or dissipated by Medicines, or blood letting; but that its hidden disposition, will break forth into act; wherefore at first it diffuses it self by little and little, and inspires the mass of Blood, as it were with a ferment, hence an ebullition and growing hot are produced in the whole Body, the Vessels are distended, the Viscera provoked, the membranes pulled, until the seeds of he conta­gion, by fusing and coagulating the Blood, being at length involved with its congealed portions, are thrust forth of doors. The essence of this Disease will be better laid open, if that I shall recount the signs and symptoms, which are to be observed in its whole course, and shall add in order the reasons and causes of them, on which they depend: but they are those which either indicate the Disease being present, or tht foretel its state and event.

As to the Diagnosis of this Disease, by which it may be known, whether any one at first falling sick, will have the Small-pox or not; at that time are to be considered, the force of the contagion, and the concourse of the symptoms first appearing; for if by reason of the evil constitution of the Air, this Disease doth spread abroad every where, none then is taken with a Feaver, without the suspition of the Small-pox, especially if they never had them before in their lives; but if this Disease be more rare, and without fear of contagion, yet its unlooked for assault quickly betrays it self, by these sort of signs and symptoms.

1. There is a wand ring and uncertain Feaver, somtimes strong, somtimes more re­miss, observing no reason of increase, or growing continually hot, so that the sick are now highly hot, by and by without any evident cause, they are without a Feaver; the cause of which is, for that the fermentative seeds are not agitated by an equal motion, but like fire half choaked, now increases more, and now are almost quelled, and ready to expire, until the burning spreading more largly, the flame every where breaks forth.

2. A pain in the Head, and Loins, is so peculiar a sign in this Disease, that it almost alone, in a continual Feaver, signifies the approach of the small-pox: the reason of which is commonly imputed, to the greater Vessels being very much distended, by the effervency of the Blood: but indeed it appears not, wherefore the same trouble is not caused equally in other parts, by reason of the like distention of the Vessels, and wherefore in the small-pox, more than in a burning Feaver, or in other Feavers, where the Blood grows more hot, these kind of pains should increase; yea, it may be ob­served, that great pains, now in the Head, now in the Loins, do urge, when the Blood but little swelling up, the Vessels are not amplified, viz, in the beginning of the Disease, when the Feaverish disteper is not yet conspicuous, whilst the sick as yet goe abroad, and are well in their stomach, upon the first coming on of the small-pox, they betray themselves by these kind of pains. Wherefore, the cause of these kind of dolorific pains, seems rather to subsist in the nervous stock, viz. in the Brain, and spinal marrow, and that by reason of the membranes, and nervous parts being pulled or hauled, by the particles of the Poyson, these pains do arise. For it is most likely, that the innate seeds of the small-pox, are chiefly hidden in the Spermatick parts, and that first of all, the Contagion lays hold on, for the most part, the animal Spirits; hence, the first effer­vency is stirred up in the juice, wherewith the Brain, and nervous parts, but especially the Spinal marrow are watered, and from thence the evil is Communicated to the mass of Blood; wherefore, this Disease beginning, the Head and Loins are tormented with cruel pain; afterwards, the venom being translated into the Blood, the Feaverish effer­vescency is stirred up in the whole.

3. Great anxiety, and unquietness, and somtimes a swooning, infest the sick, viz. by reason of the perturbed motion of the Blood, as also its equal mixture, beginning to be solved, by the Poysonous ferment, the Blood from thence being apt to stagnate in the Heart, and to be hindred in its Circuit, causes these affections to be thus excited.

4. Cruel Vomiting, also when the Ventricle is free from an impure ballast of hu­mors, very often accompanies this Disease; the reason of which is, because the fer­mentative seeds, being stirred up into motion, by the little Arteries gaping into the Coates of the Ventricle, are deposed by every appulse of the Blood, and raise up Vo­miting, as if the particles of stibium had been swallowed; but afterwards, afloon as sweating being procured, the Poyson is driven forth outwardly, this Symptom ceases, and the sick are well in their stomach, without any purging forth of the noxious matter.

5. With these may be ranked, the Symptoms which shew themselves, according to the various habitudes of the Body, after a diverse manner, as heavy sleepiness, terrors in sleep, deliriums, tremblings, and convulsions, sneezing, heat, redness, a sense of prick­ing over the whole Body, involuntary tears, a sparkling and itching of the eyes, a tu­mor or swelling up of the face, a vehemency of Symptoms from the beginning, that the Disease seems presently to have attained its strength: the reason of all which, may easily be elucidated, if what hath been already said, concerning the Symptoms of Fea­vers, be observed; with respect to the diverse tempers of the sick, their habit, and age, as also the condition of the year.

2. As to the Prognosis of this Disease, by the Symtomatick signs, it is indicated to be either salutary, or mortal, or of a doubtful Event.

1. The business promises well, when this Disease has benign circumstances; to wit, when it happens in a good constitution of the Air and Year, at what time the small-pox are less malignant and pestilential; as in the year 1654, at Oxford, about Autumn, the small-pox spread abundantly, yet very many escaped with them: but before, in the year 1649. this Disease was more rare, yet most dyed of it. Also, thee is less danger, if it should happen in the age of Children, or Infancy, or in a sanguine temper, and good habit of Body, or in a Family, to whose Ancestors, the small-pox have not proved mortal: Besides, if in the whole course of the Disease, the Symptoms prove laudable, if in the first assault, there be a gentle Feaver, without cruel Vomiting, Swooning, Delirium, or other horrid Distempers; if the Feaver about the fourth day be allayed, with the Symptoms chiefly urging, and then some little red spots begin to appear: if on the second day, of the coming forth of those little red spots, they be­come more conspicuous, which afterwards grow together by degrees into little Pim­ples, and are ripened into matter; if about the tenth day, or thereabouts, after the eruption, the white tumors begin to scab, and by little and little from thence to fall off: if after their first coming forth, the small-pox are soft, distinct, few, round, sharp pointed, lying only towards the skin, and not in the inward parts, you may be confident the sick will do very well, and is in a good condition.

2. The appearances, which in the small-pox, signifie the business to be suspected, and full of danger are of this sort: if there be a maligant constitution of the Air that this Disease becomes Pestilential, and that many die of it: if men of more ripe years, or middle age, be taken with it; if it happens in a cold and melancholick tem­per, or in an impure or evil humoured Body, where the Blood is not rightly circulated, nor transpiration truly performed; or if the Hypochondria, or Precordia are obstru­cted, some of the Viscera infirm, or troubled with an Ulcer, or if the habit of the Body be too fat, the small-pox happen not without great danger of life; nor is it less to be feared, when presently after the beginning, a great Feaver, cruel Vomiting, Swooning, a dejection of strength, Phrensie or Delirium, come upon them, and that these desist not, upon the full coming forth of the small-pox, for these signifie a too great perturbation in the Blood and humours; also, a confusion and contumacy of the morbifick matter, which can neither be subdued, nor easily separated from the mass of Blood, or equally extruded from it: if there be an anxiety, and great unqui­etness, with an inordinate boyling up, and growing hot of the Blood; also a great thirst, a difficulty of breathing, also a flux of the Belly, or Dysentery, they shew that sweating is hindred, and that the malignant humours, restagnate towards the inward parts: The small-pox breaking forth slowly, argue the crudity, and untameableness of the matter, and the impotency of Nature, and tis much more a sign, if they come forth double, and continued, in too excessive a quantity, and confusion, and also if [Page 143]there be a disordered expulsion, and irregular, of that matter, when not in certain issues, but every where undistinguishable. The pox being hard, signifie the incoction of the same matter, being depressed, a weak expulsion; and they are the worse, if in the midst of them appear black spots; or if purple spots familiar to the Feaver, or the Plague, are sprinkled among the pox, they indicate a great malignity, and putre­faction of the Blood, such as is wont to be found in the Pestilence. Lastly, the pox being black, livid, or green, are of an evil omen, because, besides the coagulations of the Blood, they argue its deadlinesses, and corruptions, as in a Gangreen, or pestilent Plague sore; if when the small-pox being come forth, they presently grow dry, and the swelling of the parts remit, it shews a going back of the malignant matter, or of the congealed Blood, with the Poyson, and a restagnation of it to the inward parts; from whence, unless a more free Diaphoresis or sweating be excited, that it may be thrust forth of doors again, death for the most part quickly follows: For from hence, the Blood being more coagulated, enters into putrefaction, also it is apt to be hindred in its motion, and to stagnate in the heart, and Vessels. If after the coming forth of the small-pox, a flux of the Belly, or a Bleeding at nose, comes upon them, it is an evil sign, because, by this means, the Venom driven outwardly, is again called back inwardly; but somtimes I have observed these Symptoms to have hapned, with great ease to the sick, viz. Nature being before oppressed, and burthened; after this manner, part of the burthen being as it were detracted, she was eased; wherefore, she buckled her self to the work of sweating, and more readily expedited the expul­sion of the noxious matter.

As to the Curative part, since the stadium or course of this Disease, hath three sea­sons, as it were so many measures, distinct one from another, the Curative intentions ought to be accommodated to each of these; wherefore the Curative method con­cerning the small-pox, teacheth first, what is to be done so long as the Blood boyles up, and grows hot inwardly, with the motion of the fermentative matter, and before the small-pox appear, which period for the most part is finished, in four or five days.

Secondly, what means or manner of Dyet and Physick is to be instituted, after the coming forth of the small-pox, until the state or standing of the Disease, viz. whilst the whelks or pox come to the height, and being fully suppurated or ripened, begin to dry. Thirdly and lastly, what we must observe in the declining of the Disease, even whilst the small-pox growing dry, fall off.

1. As to the first, let the intention be, that we may carry away every impediment of Nature, whereby the Blood being infected by the ferment of the Small-pox, and apt to be coagulated, may yet retain an equal motion in the Heart, and without stag­nation in the Vessels, and growing hot, may expel forth of doors the congealed por­tions with the Poyson; in the mean time, there must be a caution, least the work of fermentation or growing hot be any ways hindred, or too much provoked; for by this, the mass of the Blood is agitated into congealed portions, more than it ought to be; by that other, it is restrained too much, in it motion, nor are the invenomed Particles sent forth of doors, with the congealed Blood; Nature in the work of secre­tion and expulsion, is wont to be hindred, by too great an heap of excrements in the Viscera, or by the abundance of Blood in the Vessels; wherefore, upon the first as­sault of the Disease, care must be taken, that if need be, an evacuation by Vomit or Stool, be timely procured; but only more mild Purges, and gentle, are to be used, which do not too much provoke, or disturb the Humors: wherefore, at this time, Purges, Emetics, or Clysters, now these, now those, take place; also the letting of Blood, if there be a fulness, is performed with good success.

During this growing hot of the Blood, dyet ought to be instituted slender and mo­derately cooling, viz. Barly-Broth, or Grewel of Oatmeal, Posset-drink, Small Beer or the like: Flesh, and Flesh Broths are to be avoided, whereby the Blood, by reason of the too great plenty of Sulphureous Food, may be inkindled more than it ought; also all cold, and sharp or acid things are hurtful: for these congeal and Blood more, and contract the little mouths of the Vessels, by their astriction or binding Nature, that the Small-pox come forth less freely; also hot things, and Cordials are cautiously to be administred, for by these the Blood and Humors are too much agitated, and driven into confusion.

2. When the Small-pox begin to appear, there are three things, which by a con­stant Rule we prescribe to be performed, to every sick person; to wit, that a soft and gentle Sweat be still continued in the Blood; also, that the Throat and Eyes may be preserved, from a too great eruption of the Small-pox. That the Blood lightly grow­ing hot may emit the Small-pox, decoctions of Figs, Marigold flowers, and shavings [Page 144]of Harts-Horn in Posset-drink, are commonly prescribed, and the use of them is general for a long time, almost with all people; for the same intention, we are wont somtimes in a day, to give them moderate Cordials; but the more hot and strong are carefully to be shunned. Purging and Blood letting here are most wickedly enterprised, and these, tho necessity compelled, Physicians dare not meddle with for fear of blame: For to defend the Throat and Gutteral parts, we put on the outer skin, a defence of Saffron dipped in Breast Milk, and sowed in a Rag; for these, by opening the pores, draw away the venom outwardly, from the most inward part of the Throat; also for this end, we administer Gargarisms, and things to wash the mouth, which by their restriction, restrain the coming forth of the Small-pox withing: we defend the Eyess, with peculiar Medicines, of Rose-water, and Breast Milk, with Saffron, and such like, frequently iterated, from the incursion of the Small-pox: Besides these, some­times certain most horrid symptoms do trouble, which must be timely helped with convenient Remedies; somtimes there are present, Watchings, Phrensie, Bleeding at Nose, Vomiting, Loosness, and a falling back of the Small-pox: for these and di­vers others, as occasion arises, a prudent Physician knows how to provide; in which however there is need of great caution, least whilst we take care fo the smaller mat­ters, the great work of Nature shold be disturbed by a too great molestation of Medi­cines. For in all this time there is one, and a continued Crisis: wherefore nothing is to be meddled with rashly. There is required the most care and circumspection of the Physician and Nurses, or those that administer to the sick, when this Disease is at its height or standing, viz. least that when the Small-pox. be fully come forth, and brought to their greatest height, transpiration should be hindered; for then the sick are in danger of renewing the Feaver, and of the restagnation of the Malignant matter within, whilst we study to prevent the one, we for the most part bring on the other.

3. When the Disease shall be in its declination, and the Small-pox begin to wither and Scab, the business for the most part is out of danger, nor is there much need of a Physician: let the sick, tho he grow very hungry, content himself still with a slender dyet, and without flesh: if the Scabs fall off slowly, we are wont to ripen them with Lineaments, and peculiar Medicines, to make them fall, and care should be taken that they leave not behind them too great pits: after the sick having the Sacbs every where fallen off, and are able to rise and walk about the Chamber, the filthy Excre­mentitious matter in the Bowels, is to be carried away, by two or three times Purging, and then they may be permitted to use a more plentiful and stronger dyet.

The Measles are so much akin to the Small-pox, that with most Authors, they have not deserved to be handled apart from them, but that either distemper have been treated of together, after the like manner and method. The essence and cure differ at least accidentally, or as they are greater or lesser; because in the Measles the whealks rise not up to so great a bulk, neither are they suppuritated; wherefore the sickness is sooner ended and with less danger. This distemper is wont mostly to spread upon children, more rarely among those of years, or old men, also those who first have had the Small-pox, are not afterwards so obnoxious to the Measles, but in most things, either distem­per are of kin, viz. the evil being contracted in the Womb, disposes men only, and all men once, to the Measles; the malignant constitution of the Air, and somtimes a surfeit, and most often the contagion, are wont to bring the hidden disposition into act: there are present marks of malignity, and the sickness oftentimes becomes Epidemical, and with mortality and contagion.

That I may briefly contract the sum of the matter: it seems that the Measles are a certain lighter flowring, of on extraneous ferment, contracted from the Womb; by which, some Particles being stirred up into motion, make the Blood lightly to grow hot, and to be a little coagulated: wherefore the marks from thence spread abroad, are dissipated without any breaking of the Cuticula, or outward skin, by evaporation only: but the Small-pox are a more full and strong agitation, according to all the Particles of the same ferment, which causing a greater ebullition and coagulation of the Blood, produces far more full whelks, and greater in bulk, and not to be dissolved, but by suppuration, or growing into matter: when the Small-pox preceed, they are not only exempt from the same disease any more, but also from the Measles, because they consume only some of the Particles of the ferment, leave still a disposition to the Small-pox; wherefore old men, or those of years, are not so readily infected with the Measles, because they are either freed from the contagion, by having before had the Small-pox, or else the infection of this more light Disease, is easily resisted by their more strong Spirits.

It were easie to illustrate the afore-recited Doctrine, concerning the Small Pox, with Histories and Observations fo the sick, because there is no Disease besides can supply with a greater plenty of Examples, or variety of Accidents: but of the great number of this kind, I shall only propose in this place a few Cases, and those remark­able for some irregularities.

It is a usual thing to handle all that are sick of the Small Pox, with a like, or whol­ly the same method of Curing, and manner of Dyet; wherefore, a Physician is rarely sent for to the common sort, but the business is wholly committed to some women, professing themselves skilful in this Disease: and these are wont to boyl in their broths, and all the suppings of the sick, Marigold Flowers, shaving of Harts-horn, and sometimes Figs; also every night to administer a Bolus of Diascordium: and they who grow not well by this kind of Government, tho not neglected, yet are af­firmed to be incurable, by reason of the cruelty of the Disease. But truly this kind of practice is not convenient for all alike, nor to be administred to every one indiffe­rently, as these two following Histories will make manifest.

A Young Man, about 20 years of Age, of a slender body, and more hot tempera­ture, began to be feaverish in the beginning of the Spring, at first cruel Vomitings, an oppression of the heart, and frequent changes of heat and shivering, a pain in his Loyns, a disturbance of his sancy and wakings infested him: on the third day, the Small Pox appearing, those symptoms remitted, but still the Feaver, with heat and thirst continued. Not only the accustomed Decoctions in this Disease, but also a most ele­gant Julep, of a most grateful taste, were so nauseous and troublesome to him, that he would not so much as taste the same, but with a great deal of trouble: as often as he took going to sleep, Diascordium, or any other more temperate Cordial, for the continuing his sweat, tho in a very little quantity, the night following he was with­out sleep, and in great disquiet; and then in the beginning of the morning a bleeding followed, by which means, indeed, the Small Pox being full come forth, the Life of the sick was in great danger, by reason of this occasion happening once or twice; wherefore, when I had found by observation, his blood apt to grow immoderately hot, by so light a provocation, I instituted this method as occasion served. All Me­dicines being let alone, he took for the quenching his thirst small beer, and simple Al­mond Drink, at his pleasure: for his food, because he vomited back all Oatmeal Grewel, or Barly Broth, he eat only apples roasted tender, and drest with suggar and rose water, often in a day. Nature being contented with this slender ordering, and being seen to be disturbed with any other thing, performed happily its work, that the sick person grew well, without any grievous symptom afterwards, the Small Pox from thence ripening, and then of their own accord falling off.

In the middle of the Autumn, of the former Years, a Gentile Young Man, being indued with a sharp Blood, and obnoxious to a frequent bleeding at Nose, fell sick of the Small Pox; his Blood of its own accord grew immoderately hot, that the whealks very quickly broke forth over all his Body: Posset Drink, with Marigold Flowers, and other usual things boyled in it, also Juleps, or any Cordials, tho tem­perate, and gently provoking sweat, most certainly stirr'd up a Flux of Blood in this Person; wherefore I ordered the like manner of Dyet, as in the sick Person before cited, by which he found himself better, however, in the very state or standing of the Disease, (when the Small Pox being fully come forth, by reason of a more diffi­cult transpiration, the Feaver is wont to be somewhat renewed in all) this sick Man fell into a most plentiful bleeding; that after a large profusion of Blood, the Small Pox began to flagg or fall: After that Remedies, very many, were tryed in vain, for the staying of the Blood, at length a little Bag being hung about his Neck (in which was a Toad dryed in the Sun, and bruised) he first, and immediately perceived ease; tho the bleeding was by this means stayed, and not any more returning, (whilst he constant­ly wore this peculiar Medicine in his Bosom) our sick Man still using a most thin and cooling Dyet, grew quite well; that indeed from hence it may appear, that altho the Blood in this Dissemper, is apt to be greatly coagulated, yet so long as the Vital Spirits, being strong and robust, are able sufficiently to execute their government, they indeavouring by their proper strength or forces, do best of all separate and thrust forth the congealed portions of the Blood, as it were by a certain skilful separation; and this work is most of all hindred, when the same spirits are too much irritated by Cordials, or more hot food, and agitated into confusion: But in the Plague it hap­pens otherwise, because in this, if any delay be granted, the Spirits themselves are [Page 146]presently profligated by the venom; wherefore, here they must fight close and quick, when in the Small Pox, the Physician does his business better by delay.

Concerning letting of Blood, at the instant breaking out of the Small Pox, it is very dubious: formerly, among our Contrimen, this was esteemed a wicked busi­ness, neither were they wont to admit of Phlebotomy under any pretext of necessity: but of late, experience having taught us, in some cases, it is found, that to let Blood hath been wholly profitable and necessary; which evacuation however, if it should be administred indifferently in every constitution, or when this need should be, it should be performed in too large a quantity, by that means oftentimes very great da­mage arises.

Some years before, I visited a young Gentlewoman, of a florid countenance, and more hot temperature, growing into a Feaver, after the fourth month of her being with Child: she was troubled with a cruel vomiting, a most cruel pain of the Loyns, besides with most strong heat and thirst: her pulse was swift, with a strong and ve­hement vibration or beating; altho the Small Pox had never been in that place, yet these symptoms gave no light suspicion of this Disease; however, its great efferves­cency indicated that Blood should be taken away; wherefore I took away a­bout six ounces presently, upon which the heat remitted somwhat, yet the vomiting, with a cruel pain in the Loyns, remained still: At the hour of sleep I gave her a Cor­dial Bolus, with half a grain of our Laudanum, by which means quiet sleep follow­ed, with a pleasant sweat, and an allaying of all the symptoms: the next morning the Small Pox came forth, with which, altho the sick Gentlewoman was greatly distem­pered, yet she grew well without any dangerous sickness, or fear of miscarrying, and went out her full time.

The last Autumn, a strong Man, of an active and robust constitution of body, yet of a pale countenance, and more cold temper, fell into a Feaver: on the second day he was tormented with heat and thirst, and a most cruel pain in his Loyns: when I had prescribed Blood to be taken in a small quantity, the unskilful Chirurgion, who was sent for, took from him almost half a pound; a little after, the sick man began to be all over in a cold sweat, on a sudden to loose all strength, to be troubled with a shivering, a weak Pulse and unequal, and frequent swooning: At this time being sent for, I gave him a temperate Cordial, to be taken frequently. His Spirits and Pulse being thereby restored, the Feaver was renewed, which afterwards, for some days, yea, weeks, exercised the sick man, after a very irregular manner; for he was wont for three or four days, to grow very hot, also to be infested with thirst, watch­ings, headach, and other symptoms, then to be troubled all over with a copious and critical sweat, by which indeed for half a days space he found himself better: But from thence; the Feaver still growing worse, heaped together again new matter, till it was dispersed by another Crisis, and then another. After that he had been thus feaverish, for at least twenty days irregularly, at length the Small Pox began to come forth, in several parts of his Body, here and there, and then the Feaver wholly re­mitted; yet within few days, by reason of some errors committed in his Dyet, very many of the whealks began to fall down again, few of them only being brought to maturity: However, instead of the subsiding Small Pocks, a mighty Bubo grew up behind his right Ear; from which, being soon ripened, and broke, a great plenty of matter flowed forth for many days, and so at length the corruptions of the Blood, unable otherways to be dissipated, were carried forth by degrees, and the sick Person recovered perfect Health.

CHAP. XVI. Of Feavers of Child-bearing Women.

VUlgar Experience abundantly testifies, that the Feavers of Women lying in are very dangerous, beyond the disposition of other common Feavers: also that the same differ very much, as to their essence, from both a simple and putrid Synochus, plainly appears from their signs and symptoms rightly weigh'd: wherefore, I believe it not to be from the matter, to handle after malignant Feavers, the acute Diseases of Women lying in being exceeding neer of kin to those, for their mortality or perniciousness. Yet, before I shall enter upon the unsolding these Diseases, it behoves us to consider their subjects, viz. the Bodies of Women in Child­bed, after what manner they are predisposed, and by what provision they are made obnoxious to these kind of sicknesses.

Concerning this, the first thing that offers itself, is, that the Flux of the menstruous Blood, is wholly convenient to be suffered by human kind, and at this time for wo­men, concerning whose nature and original we shall not inquire in this place; but it shall suffice to note, that in them, the particles of the Blood, to be periodically thrust forth, are very Fermentative; which, if reteined in the Body, beyond the wonted manner of Nature, are very often the cause of many Diseases: unless only when a Woman conceives with Child. For all the time of her being big Bellied, the month­ly Flowers are stopped without any incommodiousness; and in the mean time, milk, or the alible juice, is disposed in great plenty, about the parts of the Womb, for the nourishment of the Child: but after the Birth, this daily suppression of the monthly Flowers, is recompensed by a copious flowing forth of the Lochia, or what comes a­way after the Birth; and the milk within three days having wholly left the Womb, springs forth plentifully into the Breasts: at which time, Women lying in, are wont to be troubled with a small Feaver. If that the milk be driven away from the Breasts, it restagnates again towards the Womb, and is thrust forth, together with the Lochia, under the form of a whitish humour. In the mean time, the Womb, after the Birth, becomes subject to various distempers; for oftentimes, its tone is hurt, the unity is dissolved, and many other accidents are induced, which render Women lying in subject to danger: wherefore, that their acute Diseases may be rightly unfolded, it is convenient, for to consider chiefly these three things, viz. first, the nourishment of the Child, or the Generation of Milk, both in the Womb, and in the Dugs, and the metastasis or translation of it from one to another. Secondly, the purging of the Mothers Blood, or the profluvium of the Lochia, after a long suppression of the Menstrua. Thirdly, the condition of the Womb after the Birth, and its influence on other parts of the Body. And these being premised, we will speak of the Feavers of Women lying in, viz. both the milkie, and the putrid, called, and that deservedly, malignant, by reason of its deadliness.

First the Milk, and nourishing humour, being heaped up in the parts of the Womb, for the nourishment of the Child, are of a like nature, tho somewhat different in con­sistency. Milk is indeed more thick, because it ought to be received in at the mouth, and to be kept in the Ventricle, and afterwards it more thin portion to be conveyed to the mass of Blood. The other alible Juice is more thin, and like the water of di­stilled Milk, because 'tis immediately poured into the Blood of the Embryo, thorow the umbilick Vessels, without any previous digestion. Either Juice is supposed to come from the Chyle fresh made in the mothers stomach; what is reposed, or laid up in the Breast, is more thick and white, by reason of the more thin or open strainer, and coction in the greater Glanduals; on the contrary, it happens in the Womb o­therwise, where the Glandulas are smaller, and the Straining more close. But there in a great disagreement among Authors, concerning the passages, by which this hu­mor is carried, both in the Breasts, and into the Cake of the Womb. Some contend, that Milk only is begotten of the Blood, more plentifully cocted in the Glandulas, which yet, by reason of the immense dispense of Milk, which consists not with the Blood, this seems not probable. Others affirm, that the Chyle, or Milkie humor, [Page 148]is immediately conveyed from the Viscera of Concoction, thorow occult passages, without any alteration, into either receptacles. But in the mean time, while these passages lie open, it seems indeed to me more likely, that from the meat taken into the Mothers Stomach, a portion of the Chyle thence made, is presently supped up into the Veins, which having obtained the vehicle of the Blood before it be assimilated by it, is laid up in the Glandulas, destinated here and there for the receiving of it, being carried by the Arteries, and lastly separated from the mass of Blood; for as it ap­pears, that drink being plentifully taken, presently passes thorow the whole mass of Blood, and is rendered by Urine like water: and as old Ulcers, by means of the Blood coming between, prey upon the nutritious humor, from the whole Body, and pour it forth under the shape of a putrified matter, Why may not the alible Juice in like manner, being strained by the Collander of the Glandulas, before it has indued the colour of Blood, go into a Milkie humour? This indeed seems more probable, because, whilst the Milk is carried from the Womb into the Breasts, and on the con­trary, passing thorow the mass of Blood, it is wont to stir up a perturbation thorow the whole, with a feaverish intemperance; besides, in the first days, after the Birth, when the Glandulas do less rightly perform the office of secretion: Beasts, who have not the Lochia, give a bloody Milk, which is drawn forth of their Udders, that is, mixt with Blood, by reason of the plenty of it flowing forth together.

Secondly, As to what belongs to the Menstrua being suppressed, in the time of be­ing with Child, and the Lochia plentifully' coming away, after being Delivered, we say that after the Conception of the Child, the Menstrua ought to be suppressed by Divine Designation, for that the flowing of them often causes abortion; then, be­cause the Vessels are filled by a continual stilling forth of the alible juice into the parts of the Womb, the mass of the Blood doth not arise into swellings up, to be allayed by the menstruous Flux. For the same reason, Women for the most part, have not their courses so long as they give suck. Perhaps in some, indued with a more hot Blood, the monthly courses flow, both whilst they are Big-bellied, and in the time of their giving suck, but that more rarely, and is wont not to happen without trouble; yet in the mean time, the Menstrua being suppressed, during the time of being with Child, because much less of the nutritious humor is expended at tha ttime for Milk, they much more deprave the Blood, than the same being restrained at the time of suckling the Child, are wont to do: yea, from them being long suppressed, in the former condi­tion, an, as it were, envenomed taint is impressed on the mass of Blood, which, unless it be purged forth by the daily Flux of the Lochia, presently after being brought to Bed, produces grievous, and almost malignant Distempers. Wherefore, that I may give my opinion of the flowing of the Lochia, I say, that this bleeding proceeds immediately from the Vessels being broken, by which the after-Birth did stick to the Womb, and that by this way, the excrementitious Blood and humors, being partly heaped up a­bout the Womb during the time of being with Child, and partly flowing from the whole mass of the Blood, are evacuated, viz. whilst the Womb at first intumified in its bulk, falls down presently after the Birth, and is contracted into a lesser space, the Blood is plentifully pressed forth, from the Vesseis opening into it. But besides, forasmuch as during the suppression of the courses, the bloody mass is imbued with very fermenta­tive Particles, as soon as after the Birth, the mouths of the Vessels are opened, forth­with, as it were at the instant of a more large Flux of monthly courses, the whole Blood grows hot (even as Must of new Wine upon the opening the Bottle) and in­deavours to purge forth the highly fermentative particles, out of its bosom, by the go­ing away of the Lochia, as it were the flowring: And therefore, besides the Blood, which in the first days, oftentimes flows pure, by reason of the fresh opening of the Vessels, afterwards is sisted forth matter very much discloured, viz. livid and green, and this very stinking, This kind of Flux is wont to continue, at least for 14 days, yea, in some for a month; and if that by reason of any error, it be stopped before the mass of Blood be throughly purified, by such flowring, presently a Feaver, very dan­gerous, with horrid provisions of symptoms, is wont to be induced: of which we shall speak anon in its proper place.

The third consideration, previous to the Doctrine of Feavers, belonging to Wo­men in child-bed, is chiefly about the Womb it self; to wit, how it is affected after Child-bearing, and what influence it has on other parts of the Body. As to the first, there are chiefly two accidents, upon which the acute Diseases of Women in Child-bed very much depend, viz. First, The falling down of the Womb, or the re­duction [Page 149]of it, from the bulk of ingravidation, to its natural site and magnitude: Se­condly, the solution of the unity, within its cavity, by reason of the breaking of the connexion, or tying to the cake of it, or after-Birth. When the Child; with what wraps it about, is put forth, presently the sides of the Womb it self, before very much amplified or enlarged, do mutually close, and by the help of the Fibres, leisurely con­tract themselves into a narrower space; by reason of this kind of contraction, the Blood and Corruptions, or matter, are plentitully pressed forth, from the Vessels and Pores of the Womb, and are thrust forth with the Lochia. But sometimes it happens, by reason of some preternatural things conteined in the Womb, as part of the secon­dine or after Birth, a Mole or piece of Flesh, clodders of Blood, &c. also, if there happen after a painful Birth, a Contusion or great Dilaceration, that the Womb can­not rightly draw it self together, but by an inverse motion of the Fibres, ascends upwards, and is lifted up into a bulk; also the membranes being affected with a Convulsion, it self is still tormented with torments, as if it were yet in Travel; which kind of Distempers, if they long continue, by reason of the Orifice of the Womb being tied together, with the Convulsive motion, the Lochia are oftentimes stopped also: from hence grievous symptoms follow, and very often the Feaver is ei­ther first excited, or it happens, being for some other cause induced, to be rendred far more dangerous. Secondly, as to the solution of the unity, from the cake of the Womb being broken, it comes to pass, that the Birth, either at its just time, or preci­pitous, being too much hastened; then the secundine is cast forth, either whole, or being torn, or pull'd away, part of it being left behind, it is cut off as it were in half. If the Child be born at its just time, and the Birth, with what inwraps it, comes a­way from the cavity of the Womb, as ripe fruit from a Tree, whole, and without violence, the mouths of Vessels are somewhat unlocked, and the Lochia mode­rately flow; but from hence no grievous symptom is to be feared: but if the Child, not being yet ripe for the Birth, is pulled away, or breaks forth as it were by force, although the Cake, with the membrane is pulled away whole, yet the Vessels being torn, a greater hemorrhage or bleeding, and at length an Ulcerous disposition fol­lows, the little mouths of the Vessels spewing forth a stinking matter. If that part, or the whole secundine sticks to the sides of the Womb, after the Birth, it there pu­trifies, and sends forth very stinking matter or corruption, and stirs up wicked distempers: oftentimes the Orifice of the Womb is shut up, and retains within gob­bets of clodder'd Blood, little pieces of Membranes, or Flesh, which putrifying, by reason of the heat, impoyson the Blood and humors, flowing together to that place, by Circulation, from the whole body; also, by a trouble some itching or provocati­on, they stir up the parts ofo the Womb, being so very sensible, into Convulsions.

When therefore hurt is brought to the Womb, from Child-bearing, after the afore­said ways, the same is quickly communicated to other parts, not without trouble to the whole body; which thing indeed is wont to be done by a double means. For first, this happens, because the Lochia being hindred from being thrust forth, pre­sently restagnate or flow back upon the mass of Blood, and infect it as it were with a virulent taint: moreover, from the contents putrifying in the Womb, either the substance it self of the matter, or the Particules coming away from the cadaverous sub­stance, are mingled with the Blood, and nervous juice, passing thorow that place, and quickly infect their whole liquors. Secondly, hysterical Distempers, are more largely extended, by reason of the notable consent, which happens between the Womb and the Brain, with the Fibres and Membranes of the whole body, by the means of the nervous passage: for when the extremities of the Nerves, planted about the parts of the Womb, are driven into Cramps and Convulsive motions, by reason ofo the presence of some hurtful humor, the Convulsions there received, presently creep more largely upwards, by the indeavours and circumduction of the Nerves, towards the Brain; and so it happens to the Viscera to be successively inflated, and cruelly haled together, and the Brain it self at length to be pierced, and its functi­ons to be as it were overwhelmed: hence, from the convulsive motions, arising a­bout the Womb, an inflation of the Belly, and hypochondria, a rumbling, vomit­ing, sobbing, and streightness of the Praecordia, difficult breathing, a sence of choak­ing, and oftentimes a stupor, and want of speech, or at least some of these are excited: nor does the Tragedy so easily leave, but that also the Brain being hurt, by the con­tinuance of the distemper, by that means, the evil is retorted upon other parts, that oftentimes the whole nervous stock is compelled into irregularities of motions; For [Page 150]what commonly is said to be done by vapours, and the distemper, called the ascent of vapours, creeping from the nether parts, to the upper, is nothing else than the parts of the Membranes, and nervous passages, being successively driven into Con­vulsions. Further, in these sort of distempers, the hurt action doth not always be­gin, or is at first perceived, in that region or place where the hurt is inflicted, neither do the passions which are called hysterical, proceed only from the Womb; for some­times, the trouble is immediately brought from the Brain, or the Convulsions and Contractions begin in the extreme parts, and sometimes the extremities of the Nerves, somewhere in the Viscera, as the Stomach, Spleen, Reins, no less than the Womb, are haled; in which, irregularities being arisen, they are continued into the neighbouring part, and from thence to the Brain: From whence again, the Convul­sions are reflected to other parts, and not seldom thorow the whole Body. Just so the business in Child-bearing Women, and with others in Feavers, as I have often ob­served; to wit, some by reason of their Womb being evilly affected, but others by reason of a Feaverish matter fixed in the Brain, by a critical metastasis or translation, fall into passions like to the hysterical. And these things being rightly prepensed, concerning the praevious provision, in the Feavers of Women in Child-bed, there is not any thing that we should stick at in the entrance more, so that we take notice that the bodies of Women lying in, (especially those who are feeble, and of a more ten­der constitution) are debilitated, chiefly after a difficult and hard Labour; so that, by reason of this occasion only, they easily conceive feaverish intemperatures, and be­ing brought in by this or any other means, they are hardly able to bear them. We will next speak of the Feavers themselves, with which Women Lying in are wont to be sick, of which Distempers there are commonly recounted as it were three kinds, viz. the Milkie Feaver, the Putrid, the Symptomatic, or of that manner by a cer­tain borrowed symptom, but is chiefly marked with the Pleurisie, Squinancy or the Small-Pox: of which we will discourse in order.

CHAP. XVII. Of Epidemical Feavers.

HAving meditated rather a Commentary, than an intire Tract, I had thought here to have concluded our Discourse of Feavers: But forasmuch as certain Epidemical Feavers do often spread, which observe no Laws, nor can be brought to any certain rule of Doctrine, but being irregular vary every year, and for that reason, as often as any of them increase or spread abroad, presently it is called the new Disease; therefore, I thought it worth out while, because general precepts concerning these Feavers are not to be delivered, to subjoyn some particular Histories, of some of this kind; for out of the various provision of symptoms, whereby they are wont to be noted, the nature and the whole formal reason of these kind of distempers, may somewhat appear. Since therefore of late years, within a short tract of time, three popular Diseases have spread in these Countrys, I will add, as a Crown to this work, the several Descriptions of them, made at those times, when these Feavers raged.