Loimologia A consolatory advice, and some brief observations concerning the present pest. By Geo. Thomson, Dr of physick. Thomson, George, 17th cent. 1665 Approx. 45 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 14 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2004-08 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A62435 Wing T1026 ESTC R220876 99832261 99832261 36733 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. A62435) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 36733) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2138:4) Loimologia A consolatory advice, and some brief observations concerning the present pest. By Geo. Thomson, Dr of physick. Thomson, George, 17th cent. Starkey, George, 1627-1665. aut [2], 21, [1] p. printed for L. Chapman, at his shop in Exchange-ally, London : 1665. Dedication on A1v is signed: George Starkey, M.D. and philosopher by the fire.rful chymical remedies against the present pest. Caption title on p. 1 reads: Tria pharmaca loimo-sychia: or, A ternion of powerful chymical remedies against the present pest. "Elogium sulphuris" has caption title on p. 18. Some print show-through. Reproduction of the original in the British 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. 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A Consolatory Advice , And some brief OBSERVATIONS Concerning the Present Pest. By GEO. THOMSON , Dr of Physick . LONDON : Printed for L. Chapman , at his Shop in Exchange-ally . 1665. To the Ingenious and Industrious IATROCHEMIST , Dr GEORGE THOMSON , In Approbation of this his Work and Designe . SIR , UPon your Communicating to me the substance of a designe you had in hand for the publique good , in offering some things to consideration for the prevention and cure of this Pestilence which God in judgment hath sent upon us , let me assure you , and by these lines I desire to certifie all whom it doth or may concern , that I embrace your designe ( utrisque ulnis ) and willingly desire , and God assisting shall endeavour to further it in my practice , and hope all that are true Chemists will be of the same judgement , and confirm it to the world by effectual deeds , that their mind is so resolved and fixed . God prosper your designe , and bless your endeavours , preserve your person , and incourage your spirit , and increase the number of able Iatrochemists , of your mind ; which is the hearty prayer of Your Cordial friend and Brother , GEORGE STARKEY , M. D. and Philosopher by the fire . Tria Pharmaca Loimo-Sychaia : OR , A Ternion of Powerful Chymical Remedies AGAINST The present PEST . Scire tuum nihil est , nisi te scire hoc sciat alter : Si sciat hoc alter , scire tuum nihil est . AS it is the duty of the Divine to communicate what he knows to another , otherwise his knowledg is given him in vain : so it behoves the Physician to conceal the Mysteries of his Art , and to be cautious how he layes open those Arcana's he possesses , lest they be vilified and disesteemed by the vulgar , who are ready to spurn at , and tread upon the most pretious things : yet withal he is obliged not to put his candle lighted under a Bushel , but to expose it to open view , that it may illuminate those that are in darkness , without Eclipsing the Honour and credit of the noble Science of Pyrotechnical Philosophy . Wherefore seeing Ignoti nulla Cupido , no man can value any thing unless he be acquainted with the worth of it ; I have condescended to the persuasive Arguments of my friends , to divulge some Active Chymical Remedies , ( yet much inferiour to the best I am Master of ) in these Contagious times , which ( being duly taken ) will ( through a blessing from above ) be powerfull in preserving from and curing this Heteroclite and feral disease the Pest , from which ( to their infinite shame ) the Ablest of the Galenists cowardly and unworthily run away , leaving this great City destitute of their Help , when it most stands in need of it ; causing others through their detestable example to Despond , and to become faint-hearted , who otherwise by confidence and resolved Magnanimity , the best preservative in Nature ( forasmuch as none was ever infected by the Pest , but either from an Idaea or Image of Hatred , Terrour and Diffidence in the phantasie of the individual Person , or in the Archeus , the Innate Spirit of every part of the body , as Helmont hath proved ) might withstand , exclude and conquer , so truculent , sell and cruel an Enemy . Needs must the common people , who alwayes look , non qua eundum , sed qua itum est , be possessed with Pannick fear , and precipitately betake themselves to their heels , when their principal Leaders that should stoutly conduct and animate them , become Tergiversators and fugitives . If Straglers , Desertors , and Runnawayes in an Army ( when they are to go upon service ) ought to suffer loss of life and Estate ; I see no reason why these men , whose function obliges them to stand out to the last , should deserve less punishment if they deliver such a vast populous City to the fury of so implacable a Foe , a Sickness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , without striking a stroke against the one , or defending the other to the utmost of their power . For my part , although I could enjoy my ease , pleasure , and profit in the Country , as well perhaps as any Galenist ; yet I would rather chuse to loose my life , then violate in this time of extream necessity , the band of Charity towards my neighbour , and dedecorate that illustrious profession I am called to , in hopes to save my self by a speedy discession , a remote procession , and a leisurely recession , according to that infamous , and infidous advice which Galen hath given his Disciples . Far be it from me : I shall rather follow heroick Helmont , who hath taught me better things ; and shall by my personal presence , and best Medicines , put out my self to assist any one whom God shall afflict in this kind . I therefore shall recommend to the world this Ternion of Effectual Chymical Remedies , in the certain experience of whose singular vertues in malignant Fevers , I am well instructed , and am assured by some late instances , that they are Preservative and Alexipharmacal ; and taken in opportune time , Therapeutical and Sanative . The name I appropriate to the liquor , is Tinctura Polyacaea , from the excellent vertue it hath of preventing and healing many Maladies , according to my long observation of it . It Corroborates the Stomack and its ferment ; enliveneth and invigorates the Archeus , the vital Spirit , being circulated with the blood into all parts : It mortifies malignant Atoms , enabling nature to profligate and expel the poison of the Plague by sweat , cleansing away the morbifick matter by Expectoration and Urine . It may safely be exhibited at any time , in any place , to persons of whatsoever Age , Sex , and Constitution , according to these instructions following . For prevention , give to Children of half a year to two , to the quantity of a spoonful or two : from thence to six years , to two or three spoonfuls ; to elder persons three , four , five , six , or more spoonfuls , morning , noon , and night , or Pro re nata , as as occasion requires . If any find himself discomposed in his body , let him go to bed , and take one paper of this powder , which I call Pulvis Pestifugus , in a spoonful of Beer and Sugar , drinking strait after a third part of the glassful of Tinct . Polya . and another part three hours after , and so the third : let the party sweat being moderately covered , and let him not think much if he be sickish after the taking thereof . A third part or half of this Powder may be given to those that are under ten years . It is to be repeated twice or thrice , or oftner , with Tinct . Polyac . according to the magnitude of the Disease . Let Children infected take every half hour or an hour a spoonful of Polyacea . The Chymical pills which I call Tutelares , are to be taken a little before a light supper , one , two , or three , according to the age and strength of the person ; immediately after , three or four spoonfuls of Tinct . Polyac . and as much the next morning . They are very preservative , opening the Spleen , cleansing the Kidneys , purifying the blood , resisting corruption , Expectorating and Diaphoretick , causing sometimes a stool or two in twenty four hours ; if not , they are very safe and profitable . They are to be taken two , and sometimes three nights together , ceasing two or three dayes , and then repeating them . Whosoever he be that maketh use of these Chymical Remedies to a purpose according to my Rules set down , will I am certain have cause to be Grateful to the most High , and to give that respect to true Chymistry which it deserves . As I find these present Medicines applied to the welfare of mankind without abuse ; so I shall be encouraged publickly to expose ( Salvo Honore Artis Spagyritae ) better things for the benefit of my country-men , whom I plainly see are deceived and wronged on every side , both by Galeno-Chymists , and likewise Pseudo-Chymists . If any desire to be accommodated with these or more noble Chymical preparations in this sad time of Contagion , let him repair to the Place of my Abode without Algate , nigh the Blew Boare Inn. Some Observations made in reference to the present PEST . DIvers of the Learned have narrowly enquired into and descanted upon the cause of this feral truculent Disease , many accusing the Air , some Mephitical , noxious , fracedinous odours from the Earth , others condemning our Food ; most of the Galenical gang ( seduced by Astrologers ) attribute the universal cause of the Pest to the Heavenly bodies the Stars , who ( as they say ) through their malevolent Aspects , pernicious light and motion , dart an Epidemical poison into the Air , and so infect it with a Tabiferous corruption ; hoping hereby to excuse their fugitive desertion of their Patients , and gross Ignorance in Physick , from an impossibility of curing this grievous calamity . Wherefore consulting with the Augures Coeli , those uncertain conjectural Prognosticotors of our times , they have most of them made good the more certain prediction I made in Galeno-Pale without Astroscopie , a good space before this Pelt brake out among us , that they if some Epidemical contagious Disease should reign in the City ( according to their Master Galen's dictates ) would quickly run out of it . Certainly this last opinion is most absurd and ridiculous , not unlike the Physicians that patronize it : for 't were in vain for them to shelter themselves in the Country at any time from this raging Disease , if it depended upon an universal cause , so that the Air were generally conspurcated and defiled by the Stars according to their sense . I grant that the Air is Topically hurtful , by reason of those expirations arising from certain limited places , abounding with corrupt , filthy , foetid matter , which contracting a venomous serment , and exhaling , may very well annoy and infect the Spirits ; but to impute this to the innocent Stars , such glorious creatures , is only worthy of such noxious Galenists , who frequently argue a non Causa pro Causa . If I may freely give my judgement , I shall under correction deliver it thus . 'T is well known to all Physicians that have been strict investigators of the nature of Diseases , that none hath been more frequent and predominant among us , then the Scorbute , being very grassant at this day , omnia transformans sese in miracula mundi , disguised in a thousand forms , counterfeiting any disease , even those that it seems to have very little relation to , as I could instance at large . Now sometimes contemplating the strange diffusive nature and encrease of the Scorbute , the high degree of malignity it did aspire to , and how it crucified and vexed poor Mortals , making a meer mock at the Trivial Medicines of the Dogmatists , I could not be perswaded but that in process of time it would at last cause ( upon outward irritating occasions ) some Tragical Catastrophe among us , and express in a direful manner , the grievous effects of that subtil Poison which lay coached and linking in the body . Seeing then there hath been in mans body such a previous Scorbutick Malignity , and still is , being now graduated and exalted to a high pitch of virulencie , from several occasional causes from within and without ; and sith it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as it were an Ape imitating most effects , I conceive it no great Paradox or absurdity to assert , that this present Pest hath principally derived its being from this Scorbutical Disease with whose nature it much symbolizes , most of whose symptoms are parallel to each other . It is undoubted that they are both Malignant , Poisonous , and Contagious , possessing and affecting the same parts alike , the Duumvirate , that is , the Stomack and Spleen , as appears by the Symptoms and Products common to both , as great oppression about those parts , suspitious respiration , Cardialgie , Nauseousness , Vomiting , extream pain in the Head , Vertigo , Swimming , Agrypnie or want of Sleep , Lethargical dulness , profound sleep , Lypothimy , Palpitation of the Heart , Fainting , Sudden debility of the parts , unreasonable fears , terrors , despair , and confusion , Dyspnaea , irregular and difficult breathing ▪ a violent flux of the belly , various Tumours , Erysipela's , virulent Ulcers , Sugillations , black and blew stroaks , Spots red , black , and blew ; all which Accidents may be distinguished from other diseases , but are so co-incident with the present Pest and Scurvie , that they seem to differ but only secundum magis & minus . These are both Anomalous and Heteroclite from other diseases , arising , ( as I said ) from an absolute Poison in their kind , which making an Idaea or Character in the Archeus or vital Spirits , play a miserable Tragedie in this Microcosm , now concise and expedite , then Taedious and prolix , according as the venom is wound up to a high or low strain , by a strong or weak preternatural ferment . Now the occasional causes remote and more immediate , are multifarious , that concur to the production of this virulent matter in mans body , initiated , promoted and consummated , by the Archeus irritated , debilitated , and put by its scope through several outward crosse contingents from those things without which we cannot subsist , which as they are menaged , modified , habilitated , and used , so affect us to our preservation or our ruine . For the Archeus , the principal instrument of the Soul , is never idle , but is alwayes acting what may tend to the welfare of the whole , unless it be extimulated , interrupted , and debarred by any thing that is Hostile to it , so that when it cannot bring to pass what it would , it forthwith delineates the figure of that , which a strange Exotick matter endued with a seminal power represents to it : hence emerge and appear the different Idaea's of the Poison of a Mad Dog , Tarantula , and Scorpion , each of which do express inseparable uniform Symptoms , that any judicious man may discover , and with confidence conclude , that that venom came from one , and this from another kind of Animal . It is well known , that , where there is an Affinity , concordance , and proximity of Substance , there is an easie conversion of one into another . Now since this nearness of Kin plainly appears between the Scorbute and the Pest , we have very good reason to conceive , that the former hath hitherto been in its Minority , and that now it is come to Majority , or full ripe years , and acts its part with that unwonted celerity , sutable to its Magnitude , disposition of the Air , and season of the year , and may not incongruously be termed Pestis Scorbutica , they being promiscuously joyned with each other ; whence come those Phaenomena's & signs that I have observed in this modern Pest , discrete or discernable from the Ancient . 'T is certain the Pest is Morbus peculiaris suae speci●i , and had an existence before the Scorbute was known commonly among us ; yet we are forced to grant that there is at this day a strange Complication , Connexion , mutual Contexture , Transmigration , Degeneration , and Transplantation of Diseases , insomuch that the cause of the first eruption of the Lues Gallica revealed in a vision to the Laick Helmont mentions , seems to me not very improbable , that some prodigiously , transcendently lecherous Souldier at the siege of Naples , where this disease came first to light , copulated with a farcy Mare , whose very vas Naturae or Vulve was over-run with purulent and carious Ulcers . Hence this holy man conjectures that the reason why this monstrous Plague ( that is truly called Flagellum Scortatorum ) never appeared before , is , because the like portentous horrid fact ( in expressis terminis ) was hardly ever committed since the Creation . Now that there is a notable Alliance of Symptoms between the venereal Pox in Man , and the Farcy in a Horse , is well known to those that are acquainted with the nature of them , being both cured by Mercury . Wherefore upon such an unspeakable unkindly Coition , it is no wonder if there was a transition of the virous Contagious ferment of the Mare into Mans body , upon which followed a Gonorrhaea , venereous Bubo's , Nodes , and many stinking Ulcers , quite of another Tribe and Family from those that are Ordinary . Thus may Seeds and ferments of a different kind variously mixt and blended together , produce something of an irregular , Heteroclite , unusual and Hermaphroditical nature , which afterwards subsisting by themselves , may possibly propagate their like . Thus 't is not dissonant to reason , that some salacious Seaman , whose sperm was tinged with some foul filthy disease , exercising venery with a nasty Leprous-like Putrilaginous Harlot , did in some short space after , lying with a wholesome woman , infect her ; and so grafted upon her Issue that then unknown Plague we call the Scorbute , which in length of time did spread abroad and diffuse its Miasm , or infection , being at first fomented and quickned by Maritime unwholsome exhalations and fogs , and is now Rampant and grassant in all places in these parts remote from the Sea , extending its self like a Gangrene , sending out subtil Aporrhaea's or effluvium's into the Air , that contaminate those that take them in , either by the pores of the skin , or inspiration . One thing is very remarkable , that the Symptoms of the Scorbute at this day are of a discrepant and diverse face from those of former times : and withal it is to be taken notice , that it lies dormant and latitant in the body , not easily to be detected or manifested but by a Physician accurately versed therein . Therefore it ought not to seem strange , if such a Sly , Close , insinuating , Treacherous , Proteus-like disease doth easily shake hands with the present Pest , to which it is so neerly allied . This presupposed , ( and I hope I may live to demonstrate it more cleerly ) may instruct us , that Scorbutical remedies mixt with anti-pestilential and Alexipharmacal , are very convenient and effectual in this present Pest , as I have found by some experience ; and that it is a great vanity to trust to those fruitless dull Medicines of the Galenists , as Theriac . Londin . Mithrid . Diascord . Theria . Venet. Elect. de Ovo , &c. if some Active Chymical preparations can be procured , which I perceive some few honest knowing and ingenious Apothecaries labour after , with their own fingers , who are to be trusted and encouraged ten to one before a Sophisticating , ignorant , Dull , Pseudochymist , employed by a company of idle Lurdans , A sort of Men they call Galenochymists . Moreover , I observe that the doctine of Helment hath much truth in it , that never any one had the Pest , but the Soul framed a Character or Idaea thereof in the Archeus , through an Imagination of Hatred , Terror , and Horror , joyned with a strong credulous conceit that it had received the Contagion . Wherefore I infer that the principal preservative and cure of the Pest , is , to fortifie the Archeus or vital Spirits , and to expunge that Idaea of detestation and fear which caused it foolishly , credulously , and timerously , to give way to the Pestilential impression . In this case , all those things that generate Audacity and confidence in the Spirits , are of high concernment and efficacy ; but whatsoever diminish , Enervate , and Elumbate them , are to be avoided . Wherefore those Nations are highly to be commended , that forbear to mure up in too severe , solitary and doleful , manner those that are infected ; which imprisonment being tristissima mortis Imago , is enough to make one despair , to be out of heart , and to become Heautoutimoroumenos , to destroy that which might otherwise be preserved . To visit , relieve and exhilerate any one whom God hath wounded with this Pestilential Arrow , is the part of a truly-religious Samaritan ; as to flie from him , or keep aloof , when he may preserve or do him good , is onely proper to some distrustful wicked Priests , Levites , and Galenists . The Mahumetans may justly reprove and shame us Christians , who conceive themselves obliged not to omit general acts of Charity for fear of some particular nocument or damage . I humbly conceive , with submission to the higher Powers , that it might be more conducible to the body Politick and ▪ Natural , if this rigid course of enclosing the Infected so strictly within so narrow a compass were mitigated : for hereby intercourse of Trading might be kept alive , and so miserable Poverty prevented , which hath always an Equipage and Train of sad Calamities and Plagues attending upon it ; and magnanimity and undauntedness of spirit procured , which questionless would in some measure both exclude and master this Pestilential Poison . Certainly none but such an Heathen as Galen would have given his disciples such impious and uncharitable Advice , as to leave poor distressed wretches to a Lord have mercy on them , when their presence ought to comfort , and their Medicines ( if they had them ) to heal their grievous sore . Well , I hope there will be now a seasonable discovery made how perfidious and miserable Comforters these Galenists are in time of greatest exigence ; and hereby the world will be rid of a Plague far worse then this present . For I believe none but those that are stupid , blinde , partial , interested , and wilfully accessary to their own destruction , will ever look upon for the future with a favourable eye , such basely ▪ pusillanimous , and such egregiously-unskilful Physicians . Now it appears perspicuously , that they are no better then a Crumenaemulga natio , a Purse-milking generation , as one says . I wish they were not Sanguini ▪ mulga , and had not onely exhausted the Purse , but also the Veins of their miserable Patients , leaving them at length in the lurch . It were not amiss for the Magistrate to force these Fugitives to return to do their duty , and compel them to visit the sick , and to take ( as well for Cure as Prevention ) those unnecessary Antidotes they have left behinde according to their wise Directions . Upon my word , if our Governours be so pleased , I will without presumption take any of them by the hand , and draw them to some infected Patients , to feel their Pulses , to peep into Urinals and Close-stools , view their Tongues , as they boldly used to do at other times , when there was least need of them . Yea , and because they boast they are such excellent Anatomists , we will dissect together a Pestilential body , that they may ( if they can ) inform me better where the subject of that Disease is : and for Prevention and Caution , they shall take their Preservatives and Sanatives , and I mine ; and then let the world judge whom God favours most , and who fares best . If they refuse to condescend to this , I hope the sage Magistrate will be pleased hereafter to favour signally the true Artists , and to reject these counterfeit and useless Doctors , making them ( as they really deserve ) Mundi Iudibrium , a Laughing-stock and a By-word to the world . Which if the Higher powers be pleased to listen to , some other Chymists and my self will be engaged to convince by undeniable Instances of fact , that there is means to be put in practise , which may ( through a benediction of the Almighty ) be prevalent to preserve many in this vast City from the jaws of this unsatiable Monster , which otherwise are like to be devoured by it . Lastly , I cannot but take notice how that effectual means ( not to be refused by any wise man , according to Solomon ) which the good Creator ( who is Philanthropos ) hath ordained , is slightly , superficially , supinely , and perfunctorily exercised and pursued , both in reference to the Physician , and likewise those excellent Medicines that have of late been discovered , in some measure appropriate , sutable and proportionable to the grand diseases that are regnant among us . Who , but those that are bewitchedly blinde , wilfully cross and contradictory , beyond a most obstinate Jew or Fanatick , would still persist to feed upon husks , achorns , and other trash , when they may be satiated with the finest Wheat-flour , prepared in a most exquisite manner ? I think some have in them the perverse Genius of the wild Irish , that would by no admonitions and intreaties whatsoever be disswaded and warned from tying the Plow to the horse-tail , out of a superstitious observation and reverence to that old Custom of their fore-fathers ; although an infinite better way was made appear to them . I have , I suppose , ( if some refined Wits understand any thing ) ripped up , and sufficiently anatomized , usque ad Sceleton , ( so far as a short Treatise would permit ) the huge deformed bulk of the monstrous , mutilated Galenical body ; insomuch that the most wise and acute Spectators and Auditors of this Nation , ( who have taken the freedom to deliver their Judgement as the thing is in it self ) have concluded that it was high time for such an unweildy , lazie , cumbersom , goodfor-little , voracious , animal Sarcophagum , Cruorem consumere natum , a devourer of more then Bel and the Dragon , having surfeited himself with bloud and humours , should now expire or breathe out his last , and become food for the birds of darkness . Yet I perceive there are some of the Spawn or Issue of this Polyphemous Gyant left , that ( according to the Proverb , Cat to its kinde , What 's bred in the bone , will ne'r out of the flesh ) are hunting up and down for their prey ; and rather then fail of it , will feed upon Pestilential bodies , which they much loathe and detest , being afraid to come nigh them , were they not necessitated to it . These Minorite Phlebotomists and Cathartists ( being the small remainder of those many considerable ones that are vanished and gone I know not whither in a trice , ( I wish into Utopia ) who are still hankering after the food they were first nurs'd up with , have gone about to perswade the world ( some part being so mad to give credit to them ) that they are able to do something extraordinary for the Prevention and Cure of this present Infection . Wherefore an inconsiderable number of the inferiour rank , ( left behinde that large Drove which is gone to seek out fresh and more wholesome green Pasture ) out of I know not what desperate despiteful humour to the Spagyrists , to keep a little while above water their now-ready-to-sink reputation , will venture to trust to that very wise Directory , a Legacie their learned departed forefathers have left the Citie , included in their last Testament , wherein they manifest they are no longer willing to breathe in this unsanctified impure air , and upon this account have commended to them some of their Pupils dignified with the title of Honorarii , ( how well deserving , let them look to it . ) These , in hope at least to save themselves , if not their Patients , especially if they can but surreptitiously get some Chymical Medicines from us , will at a hazard , upon this pinch , try what a dry fume of Gums will do , a costly Pomander , a composition of Figs , Rue , and Walnuts , ( a ruful Medicine to trust to , if all were known ) Mattbias Plague-water , or Aqua epidemica , ( I wonder they forgat S. Luke's Water , for more credits sake ) an Electuary of London-Treacle and Wood-Sorrel , ( I am perswaded a Leg of Veal and Green-sauce is far better ) Bole-Armeniack ( no whit better then Tobacco-clay , but that 't is dearer , and farther fetched ) the eating of Sorrel for a breakfast in the Summer , ( for fear of heating ) and Barberries in the fall of the leaf , ( to keep them upright . ) If these avail not , if they light upon rich Families , ( let the Poor shift for themselves ) then they will provide for them ( taking a share with them ) Pearls , Hyacinch-stone prepared ( after their gross way ) Bezoar-stone of the East , Unicorns horn , ( equivalent to Harts horn ) Lignum-Aloes , ( strange they omitted Gold , but that I believe they mean to put that into their own purse ) made into a Dredge-powder , ( or rather a dreggie powder ) or they will make them up into Lozenges , and give them the name of Manus Christi , ( though , be it spoken with reverence , he never had the least finger in it , nor without doubt ever allowed or approved the prescription of the forenamed Concretes for the preservation or cure of the Pest. ) If these fail , they have Aq. Theriacalis Stillatitia , ( which indeed every Nurse knows is the best thing ( though sluggish enough in comparison ) they possess ; ) yea , and Ambergreese dissolved in spirit of Sack ( to make them lusty . ) Nay , they will ascend one step higher , to Balsamum Sulphuris , Elixir Proprietatis , either of which if they can make perfectly right , I will be bound to kiss their hand , had they a Plague-sore upon it . Had I not spoken of a Sore , I should have forgotten their Fontanels or Issues , by means of which they hope , if the infection enter in at one hole , it will run out at another . Lastly , they tell us they have three great Remedies ( to be magnified I am sure only for their mischievous effects ) Bleeding , Purging , and Vomiting , which rarely ( they say ) have plate in the Plague , but are generally dangerous : ( that 's truth in all diseases whatsoever , menaged by them ) and therefore not to be used , but ( I assert , not at all ) upon some extraordinary urgent indicant or just Occasion ( when I pray is that more visible then in the Pest , when a Mans life is most in danger ? ) and with the greatest caution ( equal with catching the Contagion ) which only an able Physician ( I would fain see such an one among the Galenists ) can judge of . I plainly smell the Reason of that : they would fain have their fees , but they are loath to fetch them , ( and truly by my consent they shall never be sent to them ) and therefore no Advice in General , ( nor in particular by them ) can be given . And what then signifies your three great Remedies ? no more to be trusted to then broken Reeds , being so far from relieving and supporting a poor Wretch , ( that vacillates and staggers up and down , intoxicated with this venomous Disease ) that they penetrate and wound him to the Heart , throwing him quickly flat on the ground . If these your great Remedies , be not to be trusted to , how shall any venture upon your small ones ? I wish ye had carried them all along with you , both great and small , and we should have had a fair and happy riddance both of such useless Doctors and the like remedies together . Then perhaps this populous City would have given an ear to those Physicians and remedies , which are neither generally nor particularly dangerous , as they were formerly falsly accused by you . It is one of the greatest Riddles in the world to me , that some men , very perspicacious and knowing in other things , should suffer their lives to be thus trifled and squandred away by these Galenists , the best whereof dare not confide in their own three great Remedies , and withall deter others from the use of them , being conscious to themselves that they are not really worthy of the name of Remedies , or any way to be trusted to for the cure of this fierce Sickness . We supplicate the immense God he would be pleased to give the worthy Magistrates of this City an understanding heart , that they may consult , and forthwith execute , what may be efficacious for the preventing the Depopulation and ruine that is like to be from this Contagion . Wherefore we shall humbly propose that there may be a competent number of such able Chymical Physicians employed , that may visit the infected in this City , take them by the hand , cheare them up by couragious Expressions , giving them those Active Medicines , that will ( Auspice Den ) if the Poison have not too far seized upon the Spirits , mortifie and expel it ; using all industry whatsoever to preserve the rest of the family from Contagion ; to purifie the Air , to clense the utensils of the house to purpose from any venomous Odour : which we will undertake to perform , depending upon the bounty and free gift of the Magistrate as we may deserve , ( only we desire we may have Commission , encouragement and countenance from him ) without contracting for a Stipend in a higling manner , as the Galenists of late insisted upon , and a certain Chymist too much a Suffenus postulated , when his Majesty out of his gracious care for the Town of South-Hampton , commanded an election to be made of an able Spagyrist to be dispatched away forthwith for the stopping the raging infection in that place . The person whose fortune it was to be chosen , could not rest himself satisfied with the Kings royal word and pleasure ( which would have been reward enough to a truely-ingenuous man ) but he must stand upon stipulation , upon a contract and mercenary terms , with the most potent Prince in Christendome , to the great prejudice and disgrace of this noble Art , and the disrepute of the Learned professors thereof : which unhandsome Action I for my part declare to the world , utterly to disowne , and shall always renounce the subscription to such dirty things : and to take off any aspersion upon my self in this particular , I openly protest that it was done without my consent or knowledg , having not been at their Convention this half year . For I am resolved never to joyne with some men that carry an Enterprise to bring a black cloud upon learning , and a vile estimation upon Schools of sound Education ; and shall always defend Decency , Eutaxie , and good Government in the Church and State : although the Galenical Gastri-mytho's , those deluding Whisperers , have otherwise ( but falsly ) represented me to the world , by the mouth of that paltry fellow Iohnson . Yet thus much I profess ▪ that I shall not be wanting to give due Respect to the meanest Chymist whatsoever in his Station , supposed he be Philomathes , a well-wisher to Literature , Industrious , Conscientious , and Honest in his way ; and shall also joyn with him ( as it becomes me ) for the promotion of the Spagyrical faculty , and give thanks to him for the least mite of knowledge he shall cast into this vast Philosophical Gazophylacium , wherein are contained profound pyrotechnical Secrets . After this little digression , let 's return and address our selves to the prudent Senators of this great City , to whom we humbly tender our service in our Profession for the good of the distressed Nation , not in a precarious manner , for want of Employment , or a lucriferous design for our own Interest and self-ends ( which we scorn and detest , not unwitting that merx ultronea putet , offered Ware stinks ) but really and cordially for the relief principally of our Calamitous Neighbour , whose Skin is daily Sacrificed to Moloch . If we receive an Auspicious and serene Influence from Authority , we shall plainly demonstrate , that ( imploring a blessing from the Father of Lights ) we are able to save those who would otherwise perish in the hands of the Galenists : and then we doubt not , deserving well herein , our generous Covernours will shew themselves grateful to us , and will in some proportion recompence us according to our merits : if not , ipsa quidem virtus sibimet pulcherrima merces ; we shall rest our selves contented that we have done what becomes honest and knowing Physicians : and that no Exceptions may be taken at us by a company of meerly Titular Pharisaical Chrysalides or outsides , some of us here nominated do declare without cracking ostentation ( common to our Antagonists ) that we can vindicate our selves Graduates , having taken the degree of Doctors ex condign● as in right we deserve it , not as a company of unworthy Medicasters , Asini Phalerati , that have acquired it by Custom , Money , or the intercession of Friends ; whose nakedness would become shamefully ridiculous and contemptible to the world , if they were stript of their Doctoral Gowns . For our parts , we had rather be what we ought , then seem to be : and to this I doubt not but most ( if not all the persons here mentioned ) will subscribe . Chymical Doctors . Chymical Students and Practitioners . Dr Iohn Frier . Mr Thornly . Dr Ios. Dey . Mr Tho. Norton . Dr William Currer . Mr Mar. Nedham . Dr Thomas Troutbeck . Mr Tho. Odowd . Dr Ever . Maynwaring . Mr Tho. Williams . Dr P. Massonet . Mr Iere. Astel. Dr Spranger . Mr Ed. Cooke . Dr Horsington . Mr Horsnel . Dr Geo. Thomson . Mr Febure .   Mr Tho. Smart .   Mr Kefler .   Mr Tho. Tillison .   Mr Wilson . Elogium Sulphuris : A brief Commendation of the admirable Vertues of SULPHUR . SIth many of our unfavoury Galenists , whom 't was high time to lay aside , are become on a sudden Mercuries , ( 't is strange by what art , considering their Dulness , and corpulent indisposition ) and have taken their flight from us , ( certainly Timor addidit Alas ) we know not whither , perhaps into the New world in the Moon ; Farewel Frost : Better lost then found : and we hope we shall never see them more . However , we are very glad they have left us Sulphur behinde : truly no thanks to them ; for in promptu causa est , the reason is plain : it is too divine and pure a thing , according to the Greek Etymon , for such terrestrial , foeculent Humorists to meddle with . Yet perhaps they would have attempted to have deprived us of it , if their departure had not been vel●cior Euro , being hurried away in Post-haste : and Needs must be go the devil drives . Withal , I call to minde , they do not much care for fire and brimstone , forasmuch as it is of too hot a temperament , and puts them in minde of another world , where the Causos or Burning Fever much reigns . Thus far Comically . To be serious . We have great cause to magnifie the Pantocrator and wise Disposar of all things , who hath bestowed upon poor unworthy Man so choice and rare a thing as the common Mineral Sulphur in so plentiful a measure . It is deservedly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , divine , from its excellent endowments , and eminent Medicinal properties . There is reckoned two sorts of it . One ( which is the best ) is called by Hippoc. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because it hath not gone thorow the torture or trial of the fire : it is named in the Shops , Sulphur vive , Graec. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in that it being set on fire , burneth all away , without leaving any considerable caput niort or dross behinde . The other sort , that is usually made up into Magdaleons of a Cylindrical figure , is extracted out of Pyrytes , the Copper-stone , and other Marchasites . This is justly counted the worser sort , having something Arsenical in it , a kinde of poisonous fume arising from the Pyrytes . Now the Sulphur vive was that Hippocrates made use of inwardly and outwardly , with which he provoked ( as Helment sets down ) large Sweats in the Plague , impregnating or filling generous Wine with the Gas or Spiritus Sylvestris , a most spirituous substance of Sulphur , set on fire after this manner : He took an indifferent large narrow-mouth'd Glass , putting into it a Match made with Brimstone , set on fire ; with which after he had sufficiently filled the Glass with fumes , he stopped it close , suffering it to stand till such time the foresaid fume fixed to the sides of the Vial ; and then poured so much wine into it , that filled about a third part thereof : and stopping the mouth of the Glass very close , he shaked it notably , so long , till it had imbibed or taken up all the Gas , or subtil fume of Brimstone : and this Sulphurated wine did the good old man give often with a little Fluxed Salt , for prevention of the Pest , and promotion of the Cure. Which preparation I cannot but highly commend to the world , being ascertained of the excellent vertue thereof in resisting Contagion and Corruption , having in it something Antidotal adaequately proportionable to such an Exquisite Poison ; being easily mixable with our Archaeus , and thereby mortifying the invisible Atoms of the Pest , it rectifies the pernicious odour thereof . Needs must that which so powerfully preserves bodies from fermentation , acidity , and putrefaction , be a prevalent Remedy against this contagious disease . It is very remarkable , that any liquor or juyce well satiated with this fume , will keep fourty times longer then it would do otherwise , as I have often tried in several various humid bodies . Moreover , I know not a better Antidote against the poyson of a putid Slut ; for her nastiness shall hardly offend a man , if the utensils and what she prepares have a sufficient Tang from this purifying flame . It kills most Insects , especially Lice , if the Linnen and Woollen Clothes be throughly and to a purpose sulphurated therewith , that the fume may penetrate them . Now this is not to be done carelesly and slightly , as I generally observe it is ordered . For as good never a whit ▪ as never the better . He that desires to reap the benefit of this divine Concrete , ought to put the quantity of a Walnut or more into an earthen pint-Poringer , setting it over quick coales till it take fire , placing it in the middle of a room , or the foot of the stairs , that every nook and corner may be delibuted and tinged with its odour , doing thus four or five times a day . For preventing or taking off any infection from Clothes , set this porringer with the Sulphur kindled , into a Paile or Firkin , and lay upon the mouth of it your Garments , turning them with discretion . If any thing be well filled with this Sulphureous spirit , the contagion will hardly take hold of it : if infected , it may easily be carried off by some repetitions of the ascending fume . Take notice that there ought not to be added or mixed with Brimstone any thing extraneous , as Pitch , Tarr , Rosin , or the like ; for thereby you do but castrate or geld it of some part of its vertue , as some Adulterators commonly do , that they may the better cover over their imposture of selling it at an excessive rate : thus ▪ suffitibus sua Apocrypha annexuit Satan , Most divine things are polluted by humane Inventions ; but let it be sincere and pure without fraud . What an excellent Treasury of rich endowment the great Creator hath infused into the Sulphurs of all Concretes , acute Helmont hath plainly discovered : for , saith he , In Sulphure sunt fermenta , fracedines , odores , sapores specifici seminum , ad quasvis transmutationes . These are mysterious Stories to the Galenists , every whit as strange to them , as Regeneration was to Nicodemus : Wherefore I shall leave them to their wilfully-desired ignorance , without pitie , or further instruction : for I see they are best affected with a nihil scire , so it be lucriferous in their profession , and that 's to them amabilis Insania , & mentis gratissimus Error . Yet what mundified Sulphurs can perform , I shall in part satisfie the more ingenious , by the benefit that may accrue to Mankinde from the use of the three fore-mentioned Remedies of the inferiour Tribe , which principally consist of Vegetal and Mineral Sulphurs well purified . To conclude , my advice is , that who desire to preserve themselves from this present Pest , do drink every morning either Sulphurated Wine , Strong Beer , or what Liquor they please , wherein hath been steeped a large quantity of Horse-Radish-root , with five , six , seven , eight , nine or ten drops of good Spirit of Salt ; and no doubt they will finde a far better effect , then from a Galenical Electuary of London-Treacle and Wood-Sorrel . FINIS .