A treatise of the nature and use of the bitter purging salt contain'd in Epsom and such other waters by Nehemiah Grew. Grew, Nehemiah, 1641-1712. 1697 Approx. 69 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 33 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A42118 Wing G1960 ESTC R27397 09825943 ocm 09825943 44220 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A42118) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 44220) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1358:21) A treatise of the nature and use of the bitter purging salt contain'd in Epsom and such other waters by Nehemiah Grew. Grew, Nehemiah, 1641-1712. 64 p. [s.n.], London : 1697. Reproduction of original in the Cambridge University Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Mineral waters -- Therapeutic use. Saline waters -- Great Britain. 2007-11 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2008-04 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2008-05 John Pas Sampled and proofread 2008-05 John Pas Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A TREATISE OF THE Nature and Use Of the Bitter Purging Salt Contain'd in EPSOM , And such other VVATERS . By NEHEMIAH GREW , M. D. Fellow of the College of PHYSICIANS , and of the ROYAL SOCIETY . LONDON , Printed in the Year 1697. ADVERTISEMENT . THat this Salt is made and sold in greater or lesser Quantities , by Francis Moult Chymist , at the Sign of Glaubers-Head in Watling-Street ; And this Translation at no other Place . 〈◊〉 TO THE READER . THE Reason of my publishing this Book in English is , the general Use I observe to be made of the Bitter Purging Salt in this Town and elsewhere , by all sorts of Persons , and that promiscuously , in all Cases , as Peoples Fancies or Humours prompt 'em , without any Advice beyond Publick Fame , or the good Woman that last visited . The Sellers of this Salt are likewise such as use to dispose of other Catholick or Universal Medicines , who neither know how to direct the Buyer , nor care what becomes of the Taker , so as they attain their End , their part of the Profit . There is indeed this difference ; That other Medicines that have grown Popular were always usher'd out with printed Directions , or Certificates of it's Virtues and numberless Cures , as Daffy's Elixir , Spirit of Scurvy-Grass , Atkins 's Oil for the Gout , &c. Nay , the very Disciples of Ponteus afford for publick Benefit a printed Encomium for a Voucher to the Twelve-Penny Packet . This I thought sufficient to Vindicate my Translation of Dr. Grew's Nature & Use of the Bitter Purging Salt , which I intend to give to those who buy any quantities of the Salt. And I 'd have the Reader take notice , That this is no Quack-Bill , no boasting Rhodomontado of any Ignorant Pretender , no guilded Bush to set off bad Wine , but the Observations of an Ingenious Physician , Fellow of both Societies , and publish'd by him in Latin , for the Information of the Practicers of Physick , and for no Private Interest or Profit . But , I can scarce believe the Doctor ever foresaw the Consequence of his Commendations wou'd be the pushing every Body upon the Use of it Hand over Head ; therefore I doubt not his Pardon for my Translating it without his Knowledge , my Design being not to discover the secret Method of its Preparation , but to prevent by these Directions the Mischiefs he tells us may ensue the Abuse of so good a Medicine . Farewell . Part the First . OF THE NATURE OF THE Bitter Purging Salt. CHAP. I. How the bitter Purging Waters were first Discovered . THE Mineral Waters arising near Epsom in Surrey , the chief of all the bitter Purging Waters , were found out by a Country Man , in or about the Year 1620. For near , the first Ten Years , none but the Country People made use of them , and they only to wash External Ulcers . Afterwards the Lord Dudley North , Father to Francis the late Lord-Keeper , labouring under a Melancholy Disposition , for which he had formerly Drank the Spaw-Waters in Germany , was resolv'd to try the Vertue of these Epsom Waters flattering himself ( I suppose ) that he had found Chalybeate-Waters at his own Door . However , tho' they answer'd not his desire and expectation as to their Nature , yet he did not repent of his Experiment , but from that time drank these Purging Waters , as a Medicine sent from Heaven , with abundance of success . Many others , encouraged by his Example , try'd the operation of these Waters ; and amongst the first , Maria de Medicis , Mother to the Wife of King Charles I. the Right Honourable George Lord Goring , Earl of Norwich , and many other Persons of Quality . These , and all others , who drank the Epsom-Waters , came not for Pleasure but Health , and therefore always consulted their own , or some Neighboring Physician , for the Rules they were to observe . In a little while Physicians came of their own accord to these Waters by whose Authority they acquir'd so great a Reputation , that 2000 Persons have been there in one Day , to drink or divert themselves . About 30 Years since , many of the Inhabitants of London , whose Business or Poverty obstructed their going to Epsom , had the Waters sent to them . Thus the Ice being broke , others brought great quantities to Town , which they sold as well to Sick Persons as Apothecaries , and continue still to do so . No wonder then that so few sick People go to these Waters , 't is not that the Modern Physicians esteem them less , but because the Numbers of such as Drink at home , and at other Wells of the same Nature , do every Day mightily encrease . For a few Years after the Discovery of the Epsom-Waters was publish'd , others of the same sort ( found out by Enquiry or Chance ) grew into tolerable Repute and Use . The Names of the Principal are , Barnet in Hertfordshire . North-Hall in Hertfordshire . Acton in Middlesex . Cobham in Surrey . Dullidge in Surrey . Strettham in Kent . Besides these , the Curious and Inquisitive may discover very many more to us unknown , especially if they take along with them this Direction , that sweet Waters generally arise from the tops of Hills , but these from the Bottoms . CHAP. II. Of the Nature of the Bitter Purging Waters . THese Waters have no taste , but a moderate bitterness , which is very sensible . Some that have Travelled into Syria and Egypt , mention bitter Waters in those Countries ; and St. James , in his Epistle , takes notice of sweet and bitter Waters , as very common things in the Eastern Parts ; all which bitter Waters , 't is probable , are of this sort . These Fountains are not of an equal Strength nor Vertue , but some are much stronger than others ; with the strongest Dullidge is justly reckon'd with the gentler Epsom . These Waters in their Springs are without smell , but kept some Days or Weeks in Vessels close stopp'd , they putrifie and stink , especially in Summer time ; which will happen to all Waters , and sometimes also to the clearest Spring Water , as we are told by those that Sail near the Equator . Pour a little of this Water to Sirrup of Violets , and 't will remain blue and unchang'd , as if 't were mix'd with common Spring-water . By the adding Lime water , it gives a whitish Muddy colour , as if some drops of Milk were mix'd with it , and the white parts will , in about an hours time , subside in the form of a cloudy curdling , produc'd from the Union of the chalky Lexivial , and the acidity of the Cathartick Salts . All these Waters will curdle Milk , if it be added to them when they are hot , or boiling , but not at all if mix'd when they are cold . The Waters of any of these Wells , evaporated in a glazed Earthen , or any other proper Vessel , will yield a kind of a Cream a top , and a sediment at the bottom of the Vessel , of both together , 6 , 8 , or 10 Drams from a Gallon . This Cream is of an Ash colour , Stony substance , and resembles Plaister , but certainly not at all Lixivial , for every one knows that the Lapis Calcarius , or Lime-Stone , calcin'd , altho' actually cold , will grow very hot by pouring Water upon them , and emit a very great and thick fume , and that apply'd to any part of the Body 't will burn . Therefore Chirurgeons use it for a Potential Cautery ; but the fore-mentioned Cream calcin'd in a Crucible , and Water pour'd upon it , causes neither smoak nor heat , nor does it acquire any the least Pungency . Sometimes , as in Acton-Waters , the thin Minute Particles of which it consists Will be very resplendent and brittle , and wholly insipid , tho' Calcin'd as aforesaid , yet by the pouring on any acid Liquor , chiefly by Spirit of Nitre , an Ebullition , with a sensible heat , will be excited . The lesser part of this Sediment is like in substance to the before-describ'd Cream ; the remainder is purely Saline , but compounded of two kinds of Salts , one a Muriatick or Sea-Salt , the other a Salt proper or special to these Waters , whose Nature and Vertues I here design to treat of . In Epsom-Waters , the Muriatick Salt is about the 20th part of the whole Saline Composition ; it is something more in Dullidge , and in most of the fore-mentioned Springs . In its biting Tast , as well as in the Figure of its Chrystals , 't is not unlike Common Salt ; whence it is that Waters , in which there is less of this Muriatick Salt , purge not so strongly as others . The other Salt , as we have said before , is the proper , or peculiar Salt of the Purging Waters ; 't is made after the same manner as all Lixivial Salts , viz. by Evaporating , Filtring , and Chrystalizing , Calcination only excepted . In this Preparation , the Earthy or Plaistery part , is first to be separated from the Saline ; then the Muriatick Salt , and a yellow and thick Liquor from the proper Salt of the Waters . CHAP. III. Of the Nature of the Bitter Salt , peculiar to the Purging Waters . THis Salt , if it be rightly prepar'd , is of a delicate whiteness equal to new fall'n Snow . This bitter Salt is much more evident in the Salt it self , in a dry Form , than in the Water , and smites the Tongue with a very penetrating Pungency , but without any Acrimony . If you dissolve a Dram of this Salt in a Pint of Common Water , which is its Natural proportion , 't will have the same property of curdling Milk , and be ennobled with the same bitter Tast and Purging Vertue peculiar to its Mineral Water . And therefore 't is not improperly distinguish'd from the Sal Mirabilis , ( made of Oil of Vitriol , and Common Salt ) and from all other Salts , by the Name of the Bitter Purging Salt. This bitter Purging Salt , from the different manner of evaporating its Water , or degree of Cold , to which 't is afterwards exposed , and other circumstances , will shoot into Crystals of a greater or lesser Magnitude . But let the Dimensions be what they will , the Figure is the same ; for most of their Crystals , if they shoot not too thick , are small rectangular Prisms , with four parallel sides ; the two opposite sides something flatter than the other . Sometimes they have two more sides , and are Sexangular ; but these are so small that the naked Eye can hardly discover ' em . Their length is about half an Inch , but their thickness not above a fith , sixth or seventh part of their length ; their Basis , a lump of the same ; the Summit very different , having sometimes three , but for the most part four sloping Plains , and with the fore-mention'd parallel sides make obtuse Angles , or pointed , or oftener sharpned , like a Pen Knife : One of the sloping Plains is generally bigger than the other three taken together , and of a Pentangular or Sexangular Figure ; the opposite to this Quadrangular or Pentangular ; the other two Triangular and less ; the last , sometimes invisible , without a Microscope . These Cristals , in their Oblong Figure , do most resemble Salt-Petre ; in their Rectangular they come nearest to Sea-Salt . This bitter Salt , dissolv'd in common Water , and standing some Days in a Glass Vessel , shoots into Branches like little Trees round the sides of the Glass : To the producing this Figure , the before-describ'd Cristals of this Salt and of Sal Nitre ( the points of which are terminated sometimes into Right , sometimes into Acute Angles ) are very proper ; the sloping Plain of one Cristal joyning to the parallel Plain of the others . Which I have also demonstrated to be done in the Generation of Leaves , by the Figure of their proper Salts . Plant. Ang. 9. lib. 4. p. 1. c. ult . Where note by the way , That in that Discourse I have set down the Figures of Sal Nitri and other Salts , not altogether as they appear to us , but , probably , as they do exist in the Plants themselves . Five Drams of this bitter Purging Salt , mixt in a Vial with half an Ounce of common Water ; and shaken together , by that Agitation only and the gentle Heat of the Hand in Winter , will all presently dissolve , except a few Grains ; by which you observe it to be more dissolvable than any other Salt. 'T is distinguish'd also by its Specifick Gravity from all other Salts ; 't is heavier than Allom , lighter than common Salt , and than Nitre , as we shall hereafter prove in the fifth Chapter . A dissolution of this Salt , and Salt of Tartar , and any other Urinous or Lixivial Salt , will generate a white Coagulum , or a Nuetral Salt , of the taste of neither , but something Styptick . Strong and new Oil of Vitriol , poured upon this Salt , will cause a moderate Ebullition ; from whence we may conclude it to be of an Alkaline Principle , and in some manner Lixivial . But if you add any other Liquor that I know of , either Acid or Alkali , to this Salt , 't will neither ferment nor grow hot . This Salt in a Crucible , with a strong fire , will melt and swell like Allom into a white Porous and boiling Calx . But this Calx will ( except about a 40th part of the whole ) dissolve in a sufficient quantity of common Water , which the Lapis Calcarius , or Lime-Stone , will not . This Calx , in a Crucible , with a vehement fire for an hour , will be as hard as Alabaster , nor will it afterwards be softned by the Air : Much otherwise 't is with the Lime-Stone , which Calcin'd , and expos'd to the Air , falls to Powder . Altho' by this Calcination it loses some part of its weight , yet its bitterness continues , and is rather increas'd . The Calx of the bitter Purging Salt , by the affusion of Spirit of Salt , or any other Acid , will presently ferment , which is more or less conspicuous according to the strength of the aforesaid Spirit ; from whence also we may allow it to be in some sort Lixivial . From a Pound of this Salt Distill'd in a Glass Retort well Luted , with a Rever-beratory Fire , you 'll have in the Receiver a little above half a pound of an Acid Spirit in smell and tast , every way equal to common Spirit of Salt. Oil of Vitriol pour'd upon common Spirit of Salt , yields a dark and smoaky Vapour , which will likewise happen , if you drop the same Oil very strong into the Spirit of the Purging Salt. 'T is very well known , that all the Chalybeate Waters will change to a Purple , by the addition of Galls , as will White-wine Vinegar , tho' more obscurely ; but the infusion of Galls will be in no wise alter'd by the Spirit of the Purging Salt , tho' an Acid , nor by the Spirit of 🜍 , or Oil of Vitriol , from whence , as well as many other ways , the different Nature of these , and other Acids , may be shown . I took 8 Glass Bottles of River-Water , and with some drops of Sirrup of Violets colour'd them all blue alike ; one of which I let stand without any thing else added to it . To a 2d I put a little Sal Nitri ; to a third some of the bitter Purging Salt ; to a fourth a little Lime-Water ; to the fifth a dissolution of the Calx of the Purging Salt ; to the sixth an infusion of white Tartar ; to the seventh the Distill'd Spirit of the Purging Salt ; to the last , a little of both Lime-Water and the Purging Salt. In the three first , the Cerulous colour remain'd only a little faded . In the 4th and 5th , the Cerulous colour was converted to a manifest Green ; in the former turbid and paler , in the latter like a Smarag'd , very deep and clear . In the 6th and 7th it turn'd purple ; in the first obscure , but the latter was like a true Amethyst . The green colour , in the 4th and 5th , vanish'd in about 3 hours , but the 5th was much deeper , and more durable . From this manifold Experiment we may observe , that as Nitre , although by accension it will yield a fix'd Lixivial Salt , and by Distillation an Acid Spirit , yet has neither a Lixivial , nor Acid tast , therefore gives neither green nor purple colour to the Sirrup ; so we may conclude the Purging bitter Salt to consist of like principles , that is not solely Acid , but also Alkalious , and a little Lixivial . But it may be evidently demonstrated , that its principles do partake of both , by the acidity of its Spirit , and the green colour ; its Calx gives Sirrup of Violets like Aqua Calcis , and other Lixivial Liquors . In the last Bottle the colour was deeper and more durable , by the combination or union of the twofold Alkalious Salt , the bitter Purging Salt , and the Calcarious , as Ink is made by the union of two Astringents . And 't is very plain , that the existence of these Salts , and their efficacy in altering Colours , depends not on the fire , because the infusion of white Tartar will , like the Spirit of the Purging Salt , die the Sirrup of a purple colour . Lastly , Take notice that I call the Alkaline Principle in this Purging Salt potentially , and after a sort Lixivial . For , as we have observ'd in this Chapter , you can perceive no Lixivial tast even in the Calx of this Salt , which does not hinder , but that an Alkaline Principle may be in this Salt , as appears from the fore cited Experiments , tho' it has never endured the fire , but after Calcination it is prov'd to be I know not how Lixivial . I call it Lixivial , tho that , nor any other Name in Use that I know of , is justly adapted to its Nature , for there is a want of proper Words to express our meanings in nothing so much as in Philosophy , such as should lead us through the Footsteps of Nature , and Intelligibly express its admirable variety . CHAP. IV. Of the difference between the bitter Purging Salt , Allom , and the Muriatick Salt. FRom the fore-cited Experiments , and those we shall now mention rightly understood and compar'd , 't will evidently appear that the Purging bitter Salt , tho' it may have some Qualities common to other Salts , does differ in its Nature and Species from all other Salts . Very many have confidently affirm'd it to proceed from an Aluminous Minera , but inconsiderately , for from whence is it they prove it , but because they coagulate Milk , which is no reason at all , for by the same ridiculous Argument , Vinegar , Wine , Beer , and whatever curdles Milk , must be Aluminous . Nor does it appear from hence , that like Allom , when melting , it swells and rises in bubbles , for Borax melted will have the same Elevation , but Borax does not curdle Milk , therefore is not Aluminous , nor from thence can the bitter Purging Salt be so . Moreover , from an Ounce of Allom calcin'd half an hour in a Crucible , there will remain half an Ounce of Calx . To this pour a sufficient quantity of common Water to dissolve the Saline parts , and there will remain about 52 Grains of an insipid and simple Earth at the bottom of the Vessel , which is six times as much as the like quantity of the Calx of the bitter Salt will leave behind it . Nor is the Spirit of Allom Distill'd with a strong Fire any thing like the Spirit of this Salt , for the first has a greater acrimony , and much less grateful tast ; and which is worth Observation , a Fetid smell very like to the Spirit or Gass of Sulphure . The tast likewise of this bitter Purging Salt and Allom is so different , that nothing can be more ; for that of Allom is austere and has no bitterness , the other no manner of austerity but wholly bitter . Besides , they are evidently distinguish'd by their Natural Figures for the Chrystals of Allom , the Factitious at least considering its Altitude are something flattish , and consist of 8 Planes ; two , viz. those at top and bottom , Sexangular and Parallel : The greater and less sides of these Planes are so placed alternately , that the 3 greater answer to the 3 less . About these are plac'd 6 Quadrangular Planes with unequal sides and angles , the greater bending towards the Centre of the Chrystal , and the less accordingly How very unlike this is to the before-describ'd Figure of the Purging Salt , may easily appear by comparison . Nor can this bitter Purging Salt with more Justice be reckon'd amongst the Muriatick or common Salts , which well purify'd has a very different tast from the Purging Salt , and also from Allom ; its Figure is likewise as different , for it shoots not long ways , but contracted almost in the form of a Cube . Besides , the Purging Salt calcin'd in a Crucible , with a strong Fire , emits no visible vapour , nor loses more than half of its weight ; but common Salt thus calcin'd , as 't is much more fluid , so it ascends in thick smoaky vapours , leaving scarce an 18th part of the whole in the Crucible . Neither ( which may seem strange ) does the Spirit of common Salt Distill'd , as the Spirit of the Purging Salt , coagulate Milk , unless added to it when 't is Boiled . To be certain of this , I try'd the following Experiment . To a Pint of River Water , impregnated with a Dram of the bitter Purging Salt , and boiling , I threw in 3 or 4 Spoonfuls of Milk , and let it boil again ; presently the curdled Milk swam upon the Water . It did the same with as much of the Spirit of the bitter Purging Salt. Lastly , Instead of the Spirit of the Purging Salt , I us'd the Spirit of common Salt , and that much stronger than the former Spirit , in the same proportion and method , but the Milk remained fluid in its Natural state without any coagulation . CHAP. V. The difference of the bitter Purging Salt from Nitrous and Calcarious Salts . NOR does this Salt differ less from all kinds of Nitrous Salts ; from which , by its bitter tast alone , it s enough distinguish'd . Nor less by its Figure , for the Chrystals of Nitre shoot not into four corner'd Parallel Planes , but always into six ; nor into right Angles , but obtuse , and their tops seldom terminate in 4 sloping Planes , but mostly in 2 , and sometimes in 6 , and those more equal than in the Purging bitter Salt. The Purging bitter Salt thrown into the Fire is not at all inflamable but Nitre burns with a bright flame and roaring noise , till the most part of it evaporates . I have said the most part of it , nor do I retract my assertion , for in the 3d Chapter we have observ'd about a 20th part to remain after the deflagration , which is in no wise Nitrous , but Lixivial , from Wood-Ashes mix'd with it by the Nitre-Makers . But further , the bitter Salt in a Spoon , held over the flame of a Candle , will melt in a moment , and bubble up as if thrown in to the fire ; but Nitre , with such a heat ; will scarcely melt , but take up at least 8 times the space of the other , and emits a most resplendent flame . On the contrary , tho' Nitre melts with difficulty , 't is when melted much more fluid , for in a Crucible , in a strong fire , it boils not like Allom , or the bitter Salt , but flows like Rosin or melted Metals . From Nitre melted in a Crucible arise thick Exhalations , which you never see from the bitter Salt , tho' in the strongest Fire . Add likewise , that they differ from one another in their power of coagulating Milk. For half a Dram of the Purging Salt , thrown into half a Pint of Milk , will turn it very gray ; but Nitre mix'd after the same manner , tho' in much greater proportion , has no such effect . The solubility of Nitre , as we have before prov'd , is two parts in three less than the Purging Salt , for half an Ounce of common Water will , in the Winter , by agitation and a warm hand , dissolve not above a Dram and half of Nitre . It s gravity is likewise very different , which appears by the following Experiment . I put Oil of Turpentine into a Cylindar to the height of 3 Fingers ; I then put in two Ounces of the Purging Salt , which rais'd the Oil a Finger higher , but from an equal weight of depurated Nitre , the Oil was elevated not higher than 3 fourths of a Finger ; therefore the bitter Purging Salt is a 4th part lighter than Nitre . But Water impregnated with the Purging Salt occupies a less space , its bulk considered , than the same quantity with as much Sal Nitri dissolved in it . That is , Water instead of Oil mix'd with the Salts in a Vial ; when they are dissolv'd , the former subsides lower than the latter . Lastly , I Distill'd Dantzick Vitriol , Sal Armoniack , and a like quantity of the bitter Salt , instead of Nitre , in order to make the Aqua Regia . Now if this had been a Nitrous Salt , this Water wou'd , like Aqua Regia , have dissolv'd Gold , but we could find no such power in this Water . Nor is it the Nitre of the Ancients , for 't is nothing like that of the Egyptians so often mention'd by Hypocrates ; something like which is describ'd by Dioscorides and Pliny to be of a purple colour and biting ; nor that of Etius , like Earth calcin'd and quench'd with Wine . Nor , lastly , can it be reckon'd with the Sal Calcarius ; for the Purging Salt , or Water only , coagulates Milk with a much harder Curd , and greater plenty of Serum , than the Lime Water will. And , if that Power of Coagulation were equal , how many Liquors have we mention'd that curdle Milk , which are neither Calcarious nor Aluminous . Spirit of Nitre , dropt into the Cream that swims atop of the Lime-Water , or upon Lime it self , will cause a visible Ebullition ; but the same Spirit will have no such Effect upon the Purging Salt. There can be no where more difference in the taste of Things , than between the Purging Salt and the Calcarious ; for the one is Lixivial and Sweet ; the other , as it were Cold and Bitter . Lime will , by pouring a little Water upon it , presently fall to Powder . On the contrary , the Calx of the Purging Salt powder'd , will , by the same means , run immediately into a hard Substance , and in a few Moments be like a Stone . Lamb's-Conduit Water , mixt with Lime-Water , will in a very little time grow white , with a dark clowdy Curdling ; as it will with the Purging Waters : But , if you mix it with Water impregnated with the Calx of the Purging Salt , no Muddiness nor Colour will follow . Common Water impregnated with this Salt , and afterwards evaporated , will restore you the whole quantity you dissolv'd , without any waste ; but Lime-Water evaporated , the Salt is for the most part transmuted into a stony and tastless Substance : The Cause of which is , that the Saline Parts of the Aqu. Calcis do so intimately imbrace and unite with any other Aerial Salt , that they make a third Nurtral Salt ; as in Oil of Anisseeds and Vitriol , shaken together , you have a Refine , properly so call'd , which , if you wash , will yield you no manner of taste . This may be illustrated by the following Experiment . I kept Lime-Water in a Glass close stopt with a Cork , and as much in an open Vessel , for a Week or longer ; that in the stopt Vial had no Cream upon it ; but that in the open Vessel where the Air could freely arrive at the Water , was cover'd with an insipid and stony Cream . But Water , in which the Purging Salt is dissolv'd , kept in an open Vessel , and many Days expos'd to the Air , will have no Cream at all on its surface : And that which appears in boiling the Purging Waters , is not in the least Calcarious , as we have formerly prov'd . Add also the very different solubility of these Salts ; for half an Ounce of the Bitter Purging Salt will be easily , and without Heat or much Agitation presently dissolv'd in six times its quantity of Water . But to the dissolution of so much of the Calcarious Salt , is required two Gallons and a half of Water , which is 640 times its weight . For so much common Water is necessary to edulcorate an Ounce of Calx Vivens ; which done , there remains in the bottom of the Vessel about half an Ounce of pure white and Insipid Calx . But the Bitter Purging Salt is eminently distinguish'd from the fore-mention'd ( if there were no other way ) by its Medicinal Virtues , as we shall evidently demonstrate , in the latter Part of this Tract , where we speak of its Use . In the mean time , we do not deny a small Portion , as well of Nitre and common Salt , as of a stony Substance , may be contained , not only in the Purging Waters , but even in the Salt it self . And , indeed , 't is probable that no Body , existent in Nature , is purely simple . Silver , every one knows , is mixt with Copper or Lead ; Gold , with Silver in the same Mine Vein ; nay , and Metallick Mass : But it does not follow , that Silver and Copper , or Gold and Silver , do hereby constitute a third Species ; but the two , or more , separable Metals exist together . Nor , can we inferr an Identity of Bodies from their agreement in some qualities ; for Lead and Gold do so agree ; both are solid , opacque , ductile , fusible , heavy Bodies , &c. and therefore are both Metals ; but nothing is Gold , that has not all the qualities of Gold. For Gold does not differ more ways , nor in a more eminent manner from Lead , than the Bitter Purging Salt is distinguish'd from all other Salts ; and therefore is in its own Nature the most Noble . CHAP. VI. Some additional Observations of the Nature of the Bitter Purging Salt. THE most special Qualities of this Salt , that we have already describ'd , are a taste gently and almost simply Bitter ; and of all sorts , that we know , most resembling the Crystals of Silver in similitude of Taste . For these , indeed , are bitter , but very much so , and not without some Austerity joined with it . I have in another place observ'd the Lapis Calaminaris to have some Qualities common with Silver , therefore I dropp'd into the Powder of this Stone some drops of Spirit of Nitre ; and the fermentation over , I wash'd the mixture with common Water . This Water , like the Chrystals of Silver , is not only very styptick but bitter , and is the only bitter Mineral that I know of , except the Salt of Luna , and the Purging Salt. But whether the Purging Salt do arise from any Silver Minera , wholly or in part so , or from the Lapis Calaminaris , or rather from any other , I leave undetermined , being never able to get any of the true Minera of this Salt. But this is very plain from the forementioned Experiments , that the Bitter Purging Salt is compounded of some parts in their nature Acid , and others Alkaline , and a little Lixivial . In Salts compounded of various Principles , the Proportion , the Nature and the Union of those Principles are to be consider'd . Some Acid Particles are frequently found in Lixivial Salts , but in a small proportion . But in Tartar , which is the Salt of Wine , the Saline Parts are much lesser than the Acid , which exist in a much greater proportion . And 't is almost the same in the Bitter Purging Salt , with this difference only , That in the former the Acids are actually mix'd with the Alkaline , but in the latter Potentially . Moreover , all Lixivial Salts are Acrimonious , but those commonly call'd Testaceous are not without reason accounted the more gentle . As likewise are some Acid Liquors , such as the Juice of Wood-Sorrel , a Dissolution of the Cream of Tartar , &c. but the Purging Salt is gentler than any of these . Indeed , by Distillation it gives an Acid Spirit , but this Acid Taste is not perceptible till its Principles are intimately dissolv'd and divided by a most violent Fire . For the Salt it self has neither Acrimony nor Acidity . Nor is it Tastless , but very subtle and biting , and therefore a most Efficacious Medicine . It s Admirable Subtilty will appear by its penetrating any Earthen Vessel , if not very well Glaz'd about the bottom ; of which , on the outside , there will be a woolly or hoary Concretion in colour like an Amethyst . The Principles of this Salt are also more closely united than in Tartar , and afford many other Remedies . For the Union is so firm , that one of its parts , viz. it s Acid , cannot be above the one half of it separated from the other , and that not without a reverberatory Fire . Whence 't is , that when other gentle Purges frequently elude the Physicians expectation , this does very seldom or never deceive him . For such Medicines do work most upon the Humours of the Body , which are least alterable by those Humours : In the number of which this Salt , and other Minerals , are to be accounted . Last of all ; This Salt , tho' it does consist of different Principles , is very pure , if rightly and diligently prepar'd ; insomuch that it does not retain the thousandth part of any extraneous Body with it self . For , if you evaporate destill'd Water , impregnated with an Ounce of this Salt , 't will yield not a Particle of any Heterogeneous Salt , stony Sediment , or Cremor , but the very same Ounce of most pure Salt. The End of the First Part : Part the Second . OF THE USE OF THE Bitter Purging Salt. CHAP. I. Of the more General Use of the Bitter Purging Salt. THE Use of the Purging Waters of Epsom , &c. is so excellent and manifold , and so very well known to London Physicians , that no Body can doubt of it . For in many grievous Diseases , Experience has prov'd 'em a most efficacious Remedy , endued with no unwholsom Quality ; which , rationally prescrib'd , I never knew attended with any unexpected ill Effect . One Objection there is brought against these Waters , with some shew of Reason ; 't is , That the Waters in boiling separate a stony Cremor : From whence we may fear a Matter may be supply'd , fit to generate the Stone in the Body . This Objection is answer'd by two Experiments ; one before-mention'd ; and the Second drawn from Physical Observations . For 't is plain , from what we have before prov'd , That this stony Cremor does not arise upon the Purging Waters , nor upon Aqua Calcis , unless expos'd to the Air , and in an open Vessel ; and therefore no stony Substance can be generated by the Waters in the Body . But , say they , the Air is mixt with the Humours of the Body . We grant it ; and likewise with Waters ; as may be demonstrated by the Air Pump . But Waters cannot petrifie without the free and open influx of the Air. Add likewise , That the Air cannot enter the Body , but as it were through a Strainer . Secondly , Practice contradicts this , for 't is notoriously known , not only to me , but to many other Physicians , That after drinking these Purging Waters plentifully , by intervals , for 20 to 30 Years together , Persons have been always free from the Gout or Stone in the Kidneys or Bladder , and enjoy'd a perfect Health . And the fore-mention'd Lord North , who drank both Epsom and Barnet Waters , live'd free from those Distempers to 85 Years of Age. And this Lime-Waterm , which so suddenly proceduces a stony Substance by the admission of the Air , is frequently and safely given by physicians . And our Sugar-Refiner use it in the purifying their Sugar ; by which means the Treacle is better seperated from the concrescible part ; and it acquires a greater fineness and whilteness . But , if the Purging Water is a good Medicine , how much more is the Salt to be accounted so ? For , if we should , for Arguments sake , grant what is objected against the Waters ; yet that will make not at all against the Salt , depurated from its stony Substance . Moreover , if the Water you take do abound with plenty of the Muriatick Salt , sometimes it may Purge too violently ; but the purified Salt , which is freed from it , is of all Purging Medicines the most gentle . 'T is likewise totally free from the Malignant Quality of most Catharticks ; it does never violently agitate the Humours , nor cause Sickness , Faintings , or Pains in the Bowels . It never fails a Physicians design in Purging the Patient ; nor ever puts him in fear of a Hypercatharsis . Besides , the strength of the Waters is not at all times alike ; for 't is either encreas'd by a dry Season , or diminish'd by a wet ; 't is stronger in Summer , weaker in Winter ; and 't is common for those that fell them , upon occasion , to mix 'em with common Water : From whence the Physician , prescribing the usual Dose , frequently fails of success . But the Salt of this Water , purely and rightly prepar'd , is every Particle alike , and endued with the same Purging Virtue . Add to this , That the London Physicians do not prescribe the Waters crude , but , for the most part , boiled : For taken this way , the Dose being lessen'd , and the Strength increas'd , they slip easier through the Stomach and Guts . In Summer you boil to the consumption of a third , but in Winter to half the quantity ; which will require two or three Hours . But the Purging Salt of the Water , dissolv'd in any convenient Liquor , and once boil'd , is a Medicine always in a readiness ; accommodated to Apothecaries , chiefly to sick Persons , who , in urgent Cases , suffer much Pain and Uneasiness while the Waters are so long a boiling , and may often times be in danger . The last , tho' not the least , considerable is , That the Water kept a little too long , especially in Summer or hot Weather , will stink ; but the Salt of this Water , neither Age nor Place can corrupt . But some , I foresee , will Question the wholsomness of this Salt , from the Acid Spirit it yields in Distillation ; but this Objection does as much oppose the Use of the Water , as of the Salt contained in them : For the same Reason , we may as well pretend to leave off the Use of Honey , Sugar , or White-Bread ; every one of which , by the help of Fire , will yield a Distill'd Spirit violently Acid and Biting . Wine also , and the wholsomest Food , when its Principles are let loose by Fermentation , or any other way , do obtain Noxious , and sometimes Poysonous Qualities . Nay , even the Food of Infants , their Mothers Milk , will in a warm place presently turn Acid ; but by dissolving the Purging Salt in a proper Vehicle , its Principles are neither deprav'd nor divided , but 't is given in its compact Body , or united Essence , as we are fed with the forementioned Eatables . For as the Salt it self , so also the Water we drink , from which this Salt is prepar'd , is sensibly , tho' moderately bitter , and without any mixture of Acidity . CHAP. II. Of the Method of prescribing the Bitter Purging Salt. THis Salt may be taken Dissolv'd in any Vehicle agreeable to the Palate , or grateful to the Taste of the Patient ; such as Spring-Waters , Barley-Water , Water-Gruel , Posset-Drink , Whey , &c. I do most commonly prescribe common Water Boil'd , and Aromatiz'd with a little Mace , to two , three , or four Pints ; of which I add half an Ounce , or an Ounce , or a greater Dose of the Salt. As for Example : Take of Spring-Water two Quarts , Mace a Dram , boil a little and strain it ; then dissolve in the strain'd Liquor an Ounce or 10 Drams of the Salt for an Apozem , to be taken in the Morning in the space of two hours , hot , warm , and sometimes cold , with a little Exercise . This Apozem you may give by it self , or during the Working of other Purging Physick . It is proper also , when there is occasion , to add Senna , Manna , or both , to the Mace , to promote the efficacy of the Salt , in this or the like Form : Take Spring-Water four Pints , Mace a Dram , Senna three Drams , boil them gently , and add of the Bitter Purging Salt an Ounce , Flakey-Manna an Ounce and half , or two Ounces , and strain it . The Lord Dudley North was the first that drank the Purging-Waters with Milk , which did not at all agree with his Stomach , because he mix'd them cold ; but Physicians afterwards altered the Waters , by adding Milk when they were boiling , which way , if you please , you may also most safely take the Salt it self . For Example : Take of the Salt an Ounce or 10 Drams , dissolve it in 3 Pints and half , or 4 , of common Water , and when it boils pour in half a Pint of Milk , and strain the Curd from it . In the Summer , when Medicinal Waters are every where frequented , the Chalybeate , or the Purging-Waters , taken immediately from their Springs , is the best Vehicle . A Dram , or a Dram and half of this Salt , taken in 3 or 4 of the first Glasses of Tunbridge , or any other Chalybeate Water , for the three or four first days , will render the Humours and first Passages better prepared for the design of Drinking . Chalybeate-Waters do frequently bind , which will be prevented by a small quantity of this Salt dissolv'd in the first and last Glass . But 't is best of all taken in its own Waters , for a Dram of it , dissolv'd in every Draught , does Purge with more certainty and a less quantity of Water , and by consequence is less burdensom to the Stomach ; 't is sometimes also very proper in Glisters , to mix 3 or 4 Drams of it instead of Sal Gem. CHAP. III. Of the more particular Use of this Salt , and first of all of its Use in Diseases of the Ventricle . WHat I shall now insert of the Purging-Waters and their Salt , is not from uncertain conjectures , but is demonstrable by the daily Experience of other Learned Men as well as my own ; all whom have us'd both the Salt and the Water , in the following Diseases , with happy success . And first of all , this Purging-Water , or its Salt , is a most Amicable Medicine to the Stomach , exciting an Appetite , and promoting a good Digestion ; which it does partly by its Acid Principle , partly by the bitterness of the whole , or its Alkaline Mixture . But chiefly from the former , because it affords a Spirit in some sort Analagous to the Spirit of the Salt , with which all Meats are season'd ; and also from the latter , for we do every day Experience the Stomach to be strengthned by this , and most other Bitters . 'T is also well known , that the Appetite is chiefly strengthned by the Use of Compound Salts , for almost all Pickles are prepar'd not with Salts alone , but with Salt and Vinegar . French Red-Wine we allow to be very wholsom with our Food , because of its Tartarous Salt , of all others , the most Compound ; and Salt of Steel , a very Compound Salt , is as Famous among Stomach-Medicines . The two Universal Digestives , Bread and Spittle , do one of them contain an Acid , and the other an Alkaline Salt , and mix'd supply the place of a Compound Salt. And the Natural ferment of the Stomach consists of Acid and Alkaline Particles ; the first from the Arteries , or the Blood , the latter from the Nerves , or the Excrement of the Animal Spirits , which may be prov'd by very many Arguments not here to be insisted upon . Therefore while there is the Natural proportion of either Salt in the Stomach , Concoction is duly performed , but when either prevail , sometimes the Acid , sometimes the Alkaline , are necessary to restore it to its Office. When the Concoction of the Stomach is Vitiated by too much , or improper Meat and Drink , Vomiting often follows ; for the quieting which , the Bitter Purging Salt , or Waters , is a most excellent Remedy , for the same reason that the Salt of Wormwood , and Juice of Lemons , is so Famous , tho' this Salt is highly preferrable to it , with one stroke destroying and carrying off the Peccant Salts . Also in the Cardialgia , or Heart-burning , and other pains of that kind , no Medicines can be more safe and efficacious , nor in a hot Hypocondriack Disposition . In the fore-mentioned Cases , I have sometimes prescribed the Purging Waters , or Salt , without any other Medicine , but more often with the assistance of other Remedies , as Bleeding , Vomiting , and the like ; for 't is not the part of a prudent Physician , in dangerous Diseases , to trust his Patients Health , and his own Reputation , to one only Medicine , tho' never so Famous . Remedies of this kind may be infinitely varied according to the Indications . Some Forms of which I shall here add . For a lost Appetite . Take of Spaw , or any other Chalybeate-Water , or if not to be had , Spring-Water Aromatiz'd with Mace , a Quart , or three Pints , of the Bitter Salt half an Ounce six Drams , or an Ounce ; drink it warm and fasting . And all sorts of Chalybeate-Waters may be drank warm , which is better , and without the loss of its subtile Spirit , by dipping a Bottle close stopt into hot Water for a few Moments , and after pouring out a Glass , stopping it as before . While you take these Waters an hour before Dinner , take also 20 , 30 , or 40 drops of Elixir Proprietatis , in a Spoonful of Sherry or Hock , and Wormwood , and continue their Use every Day , or every other Day , for four , five , or six times . Or , Take of the Conserve of Roman Wormwood two Ounces , Garden-Scurvy-Grass an Ounce , Candid-Ginger half an Ounce , Aromatick-Powder of Cloves a Dram and half , of Winters Bark , of the true Salt of Wormwood , of each a Dram ; with Sirrup of Cloves make an Electuary , and take the quantity of a Nutmeg every Night going to Rest ; and of a small Wall-Nut every Day an hour before Dinner , with a little Wormwood-Wine , if the Patient be not subject to the Head-Ach . Or , Take of the Filings of Steel new and shining 3 Ounces , Roman Wormwood half a handful , Roman Cypress-Roots , Calamus Aromaticus , of each a Dram , Galangall the less ; Cinnamon and Saffron , of each half a Dram , White-Wine or Sherry a Quart , digest in a Vessel close stopt , with a gentle heat , for 3 Days , shaking the Glass every Day , and take two or three , or four Spoonfuls , two hours before Dinner . In Vomitings . Take of any Chalybeate-Water , or Maced-Water , three or four Pints , and dissolve in it six , eight , or ten Drams of the Purging Salt , to be drank in the Morning , hot or cold , as you please ; and repeat it three or four Days following ; or every other Day , if there be occasion . And to this joyn the Use of the following Pills . Take of red Roses , of Cinnamon , of each a Dram , Cloves , Salt of Steell , of each a Scruple , Saffron half a Scruple , Chimical Oil of Mint eight Drops , with Sirrup of Steell ; make 24 Pills . Take three every Day two Hours before Dinner , and at Night going to rest . Sometimes a Fomentation of red Wine , with Venice Treacle , red Roses , and Mint infus'd in it hot , is very profitable . In a Bastard Collick . Take Senna two Drams , Macea Dram , boil in Spring Water to three or four Pints . Add to the strain'd Liquor six , eight or ten Drams of the Purging Salt. Take this Apozem as there is occasion , either with or without Senna , and by it self , or with the following Pills . Take of Stomach Pills with Gums 25 Grains , of Steell-Filings powder'd ten Grains , with Syrup of Steel ; make four Pills , to be taken going to rest , and the Apozem as above , the following Morning , and repeat 'em for three Days successively , or longer . Sometimes 't is necessary to mix Extract of Gentian , or some other Bitter with the Pills , and also a little Laudanum , if the Pain be violent . In a hot Hypocondriack Distemper . Take of any Chalybeate-Water three or four Pints , dissolve in every draught half a Dram or a Dram to eight times , and drink it cold . Or , instead of Chalybeate-Waters , use simple Milk-Water , or distill'd from Borrage or Pimpernel . In the Heart-Burning . In this Disease the Salt , taken as in the former , will have very good success . CHAP. IV. Of the Use of the Bitter Purging Salt in Diseases of the Intestines and Parts adjacent : And first of the Collick . IN this Disease there is no need to advise the Learned and Experienc'd Physician in the first place to let Blood , and seldom or never to omit it . Then 't is most Advisable to give this or the like Glister . Take of the common Decoction for Glisters one pound , with the addition of 3 Drams , or half an Ounce of Senna ; to the Ingredients to it strain'd , add half an Ounce , or more , of the Bitter Purging Salt , Species of Hiera Picra a Dram and half , or two Drams , brown Sugar two Ounces From the Use of these , and the like Glisters , Chollick Pains are often dissipated ; at least , by their passing up the Intestines , the way is opened . Oftentimes Pill Rudii one Scruple , or half a Dram , with a Grain of Laudanum , is given with good success . And sometimes crude Mercury , if the Patient will swallow a sufficient quantity ; that is , four , five , or six Ounces : Especially , if taken with two Ounces of the Tincture of Hiera Picra in White-Wine , or any other proper Purging Medicine . But the most Noble , of all Remedies , is the Purging Water , or the Salt taken in this , or the like manner . Take of Spring or River Water , aromatiz'd Lib. iij , Chamomile Flower , or Mint-Water six Ounces , Bitter Purging Salt an Ounce , or ten Drams , Flakey-Manna an Ounce and half , or two Ounces ; make an Apozem , and let the Patient take about 17 Ounces at a time , hot , so often that the whole may be taken in an hour , or an hour and half ; yea , tho' some part of it be Vomited . The force of this Medicine may be sometimes increas'd by the addition of the following . Take one or two Spoonfuls of the Tincture of Hiera Picra , before every draught of the Apozem . In Worms . This Salt , if the Nurse give the Child a Dram and half , or two Drams , in its Pap , 't will exterminate the Worms , especially if the Physician will give before it , in any proper Vehicle , a Grain or two , or three , of Mercurius Dulcis , according to the Age of the Patient , or Chrystals of Silver . Or if the Purging Salt be given in Bitter Glisters , in the Stone , Here also , as well as in the Chollick , we must begin with Bleeding , which very often requires a repetition . To this , a Vomit is properly added of the Vinum Benedictum , or Salt of Vitriol , especially if the Patient has a Nausea ; by the force of which , the Stomach , generally the offending part , is not only Unloaded , but the whole Nervous Body continuous with the Kidnies , and in this case very much affected , is mightily reliev'd . Then give the following Glister , especially if no Stool succeeds the Vomit . Take of Chamomile-Flowers a Handful , Seeds of Cummin , Sweet-Fennel , Parsley bruis'd , of each an Ounce ; Marshmallow-Roots , cut and bruis'd , two Ounces ; boil these in common Water to a Pint , in the strained Liquor dissolve Venice-Turpentine an Ounce , the bitter Purging Salt half an Ounce , Syrup of Althea three Ounces . If the pain encreases , add to the Glister 40 or 50 drops of Laudanum . These , or the like Glisters , will frequently bring away the Urine , either with , or without a Stone , or Stoney Matter , and the Pains vanish . But if the pain continues stubborn , we must have recourse to the following Apozem , as a most powerful Remedy . Take of Barley-Water Maced 3 or 4 Pints , of the bitter Purging Salt 6 or 8 Drams , Syrup of Althea 3 or 4 Ounces , take this warm in an hour and halfs time , more or less , altho' the Patient does Vomit some part of it . In heat of Urine . The above-mentioned Apozem is effectual , whether it proceed from the Acrimony of the Blood , or from a Venereal taint . In suppression of Urine . Which happens either without a Stone , or with so great a Stone as to stop the Urinary passage . But if this Disease has continued for some days , Bleeding , and that plentifully , is the first thing necessary ; then a sharp Glister , with Syrup of Buckthorn , and the Purging Salt , must be Administred , and while it Works , drink the fore-mentioned Apozem , or some Draughts of it , and expect success , especially if before every Draught you take a Spoonful of the following Mixture . Of Fennel , and Saxifrage Water , of each an Ounce and half ; Salt of Ambera Dram , Tartar vitriolated a Scruple , Millepedes prepar'd two Drams , Syrup of Althea an Ounce Mix. In a Diabetes . In which most dangerous kind of Disease , if there be need of a Medicine that will gently purge , and cool very much , this is the safest of all purging Medicines , and , indeed , the almost only one ; by the help of which , and the constant Use of the Chalybeate-Waters , I have recovered some young persons from the very Gates of Death . In the Jaundice . Also in this Disease , bleeding is seldom to be omitted , but sometimes to be repeated if the Patient be Feverish . Vomits are here very Useful , for as much as they exterminate the Morbifick Sordes of the Stomach , as well as press out the Boil stagnating in its Vessels ; and therefore , if there be occasion , it ought to be now and then repeated ; but if the Use of these , or other Remedies , prove unsuccessful , we may suspect the Biliary passage is stopp'd , either by the bigness , or number of the Stones generated there : Therefore we ought to persist in this Method prudently , and with courage . In any sort of Jaundice , Calculous or Simple , the Purging Water , or its Salt , is an excellent Medicine , given in this or the following manner . Take Pill Ruffi half a Dram ; Rhuburb , Volatile Salt of Urine , of each half a Scruple , with Syrup of Wormwood ; make 6 Pills , and take them at Night going to rest . The Morning following take this Apozem : Shavings of Hartshorn two Ounces , boil them in 3 or 4 Quarts of Water , to two ; then add Mace and Turmerick of each a Dram , boil a little , strain and add an Ounce of the bitter Purging Salt , as much Syrup of Steell , and make an Apozem , to be taken as above directed . If the Physician sees fit , in the place of the Pills give the following Draught . Take of the Tincture of Hiera Picra an Ounce and a half , or two Ounces of Syrup of Cichory , with Rhuhurb an Ounce , Tartar vitriolated half a Scruple ; mix and take it at six or seven in the Morning : Two Hours after drink the foregoing Apozem , and repeat these Medicines at least every other Day . If Aloeticks are too hot , give in their place the Infusion of Rhuburb . CHAP. V. Of the Use of the Purging Salt in Cephalick Diseases : And first in Madness . VVHere , besides Bleeding and frequent Vomits , Chephalick Unguents , Setons in the Neck , Vesicatories , especially to the Leggs , Catharticks and other Remedies are frequently us'd . But to quicken the working of all , even the Helleborate Purges , nothing is more proper than the Purging Water , or its Salt , prescrib'd after the following manner : Take of Bawm and Borrage of each a handful , infuse 'em in four or five Pints of boiling Water , in a Vessel close stopt , for half an Hour . To the Infusion strain'd add of the Bitter Salt ten Drams or less , Syrup of Violets three Ounces ; mix and make an Apozem , to be drank by it self ; or , instead of Posset-Drink , with any other convenient Purge . Or , take 8 Drams of the Salt in 8 Draughts of the Spaw , or other Chalybeate Water , in a morning fasting . In the Intervals of other Catharticks , especially in the Summer , 't is very beneficial , taken in the preceding Method ; for it wonderfully quiets the raging Disorders of the Humours and Perturbations of the Spirits . In the Head-Ach . In which Distemper , especially arising from a hot Cause , or in a hot Constitution , I have never found any thing so efficacious as the following Method : In the first place bleed a sufficient quantity , and from such Veins as the Circumstances of the Patient do indicate . This done , give a Vomit , if the strength will permit : After , let the Patient take the following Medicines : Of Scammony powder'd , Rhubarb powder'd , Mercurius dulcis , each half a Scruple , or 12 Grains , with Syrup of Buckthorn , make five Pills , to be taken at four or five in the Morning , and sleep after 'em : Three hours after drink the following Apozem : Of Water aromatiz'd with Mace 3 or 4 Pints , of the Purging Salt 6 Drams , or an Ounce , Syrup of Violets two Ounces ; mix and take it , keeping your Chamber . Repeat this Apozem and Pills every 3d or 4th Day , and without the Pills in the intervening Days ; and continue this Method for a Fortnight or three Weeks , if the Case require it . In a Virtigo . Here also we must begin with Bleeding in the Arms , especially if the Disease be the consequence of too much drinking . Then apply Cupping Glasses with Scarification to the Shoulders and hinder part of the Head. For in this Disease , as well as in the former , and for Inflamations of the Eyes , I do always prescribe 'em to that part rather than another , and with better success . These things premis'd , take the following Pills , &c. Of Mastick Pills two Scruples , Chymical Oil of Marjoram 5 Drops . Take 'em at night going to rest , and next morning the following Apozem . Of Spring Water aromatiz'd a Quart or three Pints , distill'd Water of Sage four Ounces , of Marjoram two Ounces , of the bitter Purging Salt 6 Drams or an Ounce , mix and make an Apozem , to be taken as afore-mention'd . Sometimes 't is good to take before every Draught a Spoonful of the following Mixture . Of Marjoram and Sage of each two Drams , Roots of Gentian , Species of Hiera Picra , of each two Scruples , White-wine four Ounces ; digest 12 Hours in a close Vessel , and clarifie the express'd Tincture by settling . CHAP. VI. Of the Use of the Bitter Purging Salt in some other Diseases : And first in Hysterical Fits. IN this Disease , after the most terrible Symptoms are quieted by Opiates , ten or twelve Drams , or two Ounces of the Tincture of Hiera Picra in equal parts , White-wine and Hysterical-water may be given , with very good success . But , if the Physician thinks fit to purge with a more temperate Medicine , the bitter Salt may be properly and safely taken ; especially , if , in the room of the Aromatiz'd Water , you use the Spaw or Bawm-water , as a Vehicle for the Salt. In the Wandring Gout , vulgarly , but erroneously , call'd the Rhuematism . For this seises the Muscular Parts only , and that none but the Joynts . 'T is a stubborn Disease , and frequently eludes the force of many Medicines . Bleeding must begin , and be repeated at least every other day , to four times ; and , if occasion , to five or six . After the first or second time , a Vomit is very proper ; for , as long as the Stomach is disordered , it daily transmits a new supply of Morbifick Matter to the Blood and Joynts . But Catharticks , and of the strongest , sometimes for several days together are never to be omitted ; for one strong purge does often weaken this Disease , more than bleeding 3 or 4 times repeated . But the operation of the Purging Waters , by the help of their Salt , when the Patient is Feverish , ( as they almost always are ) is much more gentle , and performed without any fermentation of the Humours , if taken in the following manner . Of the Powder of Resinous Jallap half a Dram , Scammony prepar'd six Grains , Calamelany half a Scruple , with Syrup of Buckthorn ; make a Bolus to be taken at five in the morning , sleeping after it two or three Hours ; and then drink the following Apozem . Of Pearl-Barley an Ounce and half , Currance three Ounces ; boil in Spring-water to a Quart or 3 Pints , adding towards the latter end Mace half a Dram , and when it is strain'd , of the bitter Salt an Ounce , Flakey-Manna an Ounce , or an Ounce and half . If the Patient be difficultly wrought upon , and other Indications require it , add to the first Draught six Drams , or an Ounce of the Syrup of Buckthorn , and repeat the Bolus and Apozem every 3d or 4th day , as the Physician shall Advise , or with longer Intervals , till the Patient be perfectly recovered . In the beginning and increase of the Disease , at least every other Night , and always after a Purge , let a proper Opiate be given to prevent any new Ebullitions of the Humours , and their Influx upon the joynts . When Purging must be forborn , because of a Fever , or the weakness of the Patient , Vesicatories are apply'd above or below the Joynt with very great benefit . And sometimes the Serous Latex of the Blood is so very hot and fiery , that it will not yield to the united strength of the foremention'd Remedies , without the help of Blisters , to separate some part of it from its remaining more Balsamick and gentle . In this Disease , Sweats , tho' very plentiful , seldom profit , but Diureticks very much ; and therefore the Apozem , with the Purging Salt , is very proper , working at the same time both by Urine and Stooll . In the time of the Cure , abstain from all Wine , Vinous and Malt Drinks ; Posset-Drink is , of all Liquors , the most proper for their constant Drink . In a Scorbutick Itch , Not Contagious , but arising from the Scurvy , and affecting sometimes the whole Body ; at others a particular part , as the Pudenda , &c. I have often Cur'd with the Apozem alone , without any other Purgings ; and some perfectly tired out and tormented with perpetual scratching . I 've blest with a happy Deliverance , especially if you join with the Use of the Apozem the Chalybeate-Waters , and drink them daily and plentifully instead of Malt Drink . This Apozem is likewise very profitable when the Small-Pox are dry'd off , and may very properly be drank with common Catharticks instead of Posset-Drink . Lastly , 'T is good for Travellers , who by much riding , especially in the Summer , are generally Costive ; but two or three Drams of this Salt , in a Draught of Spring-Water , will cool and relieve them . CHAP. VII . Of the Abuse of the Bitter Waters and their Salt. 'T IS the Duty of a Physician , not only to shew the Use of Remedies , but also to Admonish the Reader of their Abuse , by which he prevents a treble injury to himself , to the Patient , and the Medicine ; therefore this Salt must not at all be us'd in some Diseases , and in others with particular respect had to the Causes and Symptoms . In all Hydropicks 'tis hurtful doubtless , because the Natural heat of the Blood is decayed , and the Spirits contain'd in the Grumous part of it are very poor . Moreover , in such persons , the Use of moist things , tho' in their Food , do increase the Influx of the Serum of the blood into the Morbid parts . 'T is also improper in a Synochus , where tho' the Cause of the Disease must be sometimes lessen'd by Purges , yet such must be moderately hot , as the bitter Potion , Pill Ruffi , and the like , by which the Concoction of the Humours may , at the same time , be promoted ; and therefore all things that cool too much ought to be avoided . Nor is it good for such as labour under Intermittent Fevers . Nor in a Chlorosis , or Green-sickness , where warm Fermentations must be excited ; and because the Humours are too Acid , they must be alter'd with stronger Alkalies . This Salt is also forbidden to all that spit Blood , lest by its exquisite Subtilty , and penetrative Force , it should tear open the Mouths of the Arteries . And in the Cholera Morbus , where violent wastings of the Spirits do attend , as sudden Evacuations . To the quieting such turbulent and over-hasty Motions of Nature , Cordials and Opiates are to be given by intervals ; but , after the Disease is tamed , if Evacuation be needful , the Patient of a Bilious Constitution , whether Natural or Accidental , he may take this Salt with a good prospect of success . 'T is not proper for Paralyticks , lest it more enervate the Muscles , already destitute of their native Heat and Vigour . But , if the Disease arise from a hot Cause , as Wine , or Vinous Liquors , this Salt may be given safely and profitably to the Patient . 'T is not to be given Women with Child , without a great deal of Caution . Nor in a suppression of Urine , before you certainly know it does not proceed from an Ulcer of the Bladder , or a large Stone ; for in both Cases the Patient ought to abstain from all Diureticks . Otherwise we have given it with admirable success ; I mean , for the forcing away of Urine and Stones of no little magnitude . FINIS .