A short discourse on the rise, nature, and management of the small-pox, and all putrid fevers occasioned by the death of our late incomparable queen : together with a philosophical account of an excellent remedy for these and many other diseases / by T. Byfield ... Byfield, T. (Timothy) 1695 Approx. 34 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 15 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A30809 Wing B6400 ESTC R16240 12393767 ocm 12393767 61067 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. A30809) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 61067) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 956:3) A short discourse on the rise, nature, and management of the small-pox, and all putrid fevers occasioned by the death of our late incomparable queen : together with a philosophical account of an excellent remedy for these and many other diseases / by T. Byfield ... Byfield, T. (Timothy) 26 p. Printed for John Harris ..., London : 1695. Reproduction of original in 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 Smallpox -- England -- Early works to 1800. 2003-10 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-10 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2004-11 Paul Schaffner Sampled and proofread 2004-11 Paul Schaffner Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-01 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A Short DISCOURSE Of the Rise , Nature , and Management OF THE Small-POX , And all Putrid FEVERS . Occasioned by the Death of our Late Incomparable QUEEN . Together with a Philosophical Account of an Excellent REMEDY for these and many other Diseases . By T. Byfield , M. D. and Fellow of the Colledge of Physitians in Dublin . LONDON , Printed for Iohn Harris at the Harrow in the Poultry . MDCXCV . Price Six Pence . A DISCOURSE Of the Small-Pox , &c. OUR late Universal Loss , as it has given opportunity to many Reverend , Learned and Ingenious Persons to oblige the World with the just Character of this Great and Good PRINCESS , than whom , these Nations in many Ages have not afforded a Nobler Subject : So for the sake of all those who are yet to run the Risque of this Distemper for their Lives ; that the lesser Barks may happily avoid those Rocks , on which the Royal Soveraign was lost , I shall with all plainness and brevity give an account of the Rise and Nature of the Small-Pox , and all Putrid Feavers , for if that be not throughly understood , persons are liable to innumerable Errours and Mistakes , which too oft ( God knows ) prove fatal to those they are concern'd about . I very well know what I have to say is unusual , but since it is most true ; for I take not these Notions on Trust but Tryal . I confess I can't but deeply regret the World was not better acquainted with what I now offer to their serious Consideration before the Glory of our Age was past receiving any Advantage by it . But to proceed : The very Hypothesis of my Discourse is this ; That the Venom of these Distempers is of a Sulphureous and Viscous Nature , and being so , there is but one way to Expel or overcome it ; all other Experiments being not only altogether useless , but highly injurious . Those that have taken the pains to enquire into the Causes of things , have found that Sulphurs are both the Life and Venom of Bodies . The first of the Nature of Light , so rarified that 't is not perceptible , but by its Effects , some of which are these , it Tinctures the Blood in which is its chief Residence , it Irradiates and enlivens the whole Body , every part of which is animated by it : If it be supprest , Diseases prevail ; if assisted it has power sufficient to work them off ; if extinguisht , Death necessarily and inevitably follows , for 't is the Animal Soul. The other Sulphureity is of a far different nature , the Matter out of which all Fiery Diseases are shap't ; 't is Crude , Viscous , Corrosive and Malign ; yet Nature deals well enough with it , throwing it off continually by her proper Passages ; till by some accident or other they are obstructed , being pent up it returns , and being a more materiated Fire , feeds on the gross indigested humours , assimilating to its likeness whatever it lays hold on , and thus it grows more Corporeal , Dense , and a potent Venom ; insinuating its Contra-natural Heat into the whole Mass of Blood , which is thereby immediately inflam'd and corrupted : And according to the quantity and Venemous quality of this unnatural Fire , the Distemper terminates in a Fever less or more Malignant ; or in Small-Pox , Measles , &c. The Spirit of Life , not able to keep House with this Guest , there arises a terrible Contention ; and since on the decision of this Quarrel no less than Life depends , a Fundamental Knowlege is here most necessary , not only of the Cause , but of the Nature of the Cause ; since it produces a clear Judgment , and a certainty in Practice : Whereas when People Act in the dark they are always at a loss , and know not to what they owe the success or misfortune that befals 'em : But trying many Experiments the poor Patients oftimes , as their last Refuge , are forc't into the cold Arms of Death , the only shelter from so many Calamities . To my Purpose ; this Venom being , as I said before , Sulphureous and Viscous , 't is further requisite to know the Nature of this Sulphureous Viscosity , since 't is easie to deal with what we understand . Now in few Words , the Nature of such Bodies is at first to ascend in the form of a light and thin Vapour , which unduly detain'd grows more ponderous , gross and corporal , and then most difficult to be expel'd , till by some inward Agent it be again rarified into the form of a Vapour . And this Task the Spirit of Life only is able to perform : Tho' at present , being overpower'd by these Sulphureous Mists and Fogs , it likes lie the Sun behind a thick Cloud unable to expand its Beams : But when it receives auxilliary Force by proper Cordials of a temperate and lively Nature , with ease it drives out this Intruder , and restores the Body to its former Vigour and strength . For do not mistake , and think that Cordials alone do this , 't is impossible . And this is the reason why compassionate Ladies , Nurses and old Women , whom Experience only makes Wise , often serve the Intention of Nature by promoting her Design , tho' by plain and Ordinary Means , which refresh the Animal Spirits , and enable them to go through their Task . Yet there is a vast difference in Cordials and things of that Nature given in this case ; for that only is a true Medicine which is so qualified that it chears the Spirits , expels the Distemper , and at the same time abates the Fever ; nay carries off a great part of the Malignity insensibly through the Pores , which would have turn'd to Small-Pox , and tho' not an Opiate , gives an Enjoyment not to be understood , but by those that feel it . And as Opiates always make dull , stupid and Stomach sick ; so this makes brisk , lively and cheerful ; and yet when the time of rest comes , causes the Sleep to be sound and sweet . And now I 'm oblig'd to show the uselessness and danger of other Methods : And since Bleeding is the first thing commonly prescrib'd , I shall begin with that , and do solemnly protest , it is my Opinion , that in this Distemper there is no more occasion for a Chyrurgion than there is for a Bone-setter ; nor is it only useless , but highly dangerous ; for when the Blood is in a great Ferment in order to throw off what ever is obnoxious , at that time to let any of it out , is as if we should do so to Liquors in Fermentation , which every Body knows would hinder their Working over ; to which there is required a fullness . To fat People 't is more pernicious , their Natures are not so fiery , but more apt to receive a check , and have the Venom congeal'd before it reaches the Superficies ; To lean hotter Constitutions 't is less dangerous , tho' safe for neither . No fear People should burst or dye for want of outlets , every Pore will prove a Portal wide enough , when the Matter is sufficiently rarified from within : But when the Blood is let out the empty space is immediatly fill'd ( for Nature admits no vacuum ) with a cool thin Air , which causes this Vapour that is of a heavier Nature to flat ; sink , and fall back on the Vitals , of which an undeniable Proof is the depression of the Spirits , and sick Qualms of dangerous consequence , if immediate relief be not given . Nor is this all , for the Blood as I said before , being the very Mansion of the Spirit of Life , as the Scripture it self bears Witness , you part with your dearest Friend , under pretence of expelling an Enemy , which yet you can never do this way , tho' you should draw it half out ; no more than you can fine thick muddy Liquors by such unlikely Experiments ; For what 's left is as bad still . But we daily see when by a lively Principle within they have work't out and thrown off all that is of a contrary Nature , they fine and grow clear , without any more adoe , and then are at rest , as all Agents are when they have attained their end . Another common Practice is Blistering and Sweating , which tho' not quite so bad , are yet without use , but not without danger . For as it is impossible to draw out inward fiery Venoms ( unless they were beforehand mounted near the Skin ) by an outward Application , which only attracts Watry Substances : So considering this Distemper as such , a fiery Venom , 't is hereby depriv'd of the Moisture necessary for its Latitude and Allay , in both which respects 'tis of vast concern to keep it within , that joining with the heat or unnatural fire , they may between them from an Air , and so rise with ease and safety to the Patient ; And being thus temper'd and allay'd they are generally of a large sort , that don't leave deep Marks . Whereas , were the the Moisture drawn off , as the Heat wou'd grow violently intense , so neither would it ( without great force ) breath out : But circulate and prey on all it finds within , to the utter extinction of the Lamp of Life . I know the general Incentive both to Blood-letting and Blistering , is that the Fever is high , and they fear it may get into the Head , and these are of great use to prevent it , as also to hinder such a number of Small-Pox from coming out . I grant indeed there is a likelyhood of these Sulphureous Fumes in their rising , to get into the Head , nay of making the Patient talk Idly too , for they are of an intoxicating Nature , but of no more Danger than the Fumes of Wine , provided no Errour be committed to make them strike back . For when they come to the Superfices of the Skin , the Watry and more Aerial Part , which as a Vehicle helpt it thither , easily passing through the Pores Wings away ; and the other being Sulphureous and gross , receiving a check from the Air , settles there in its own Fiery from , and then the Head is clear and settled , the Spirits brisk and lively , the Appetite pretty good , and the Fever abated . As for the other Advantage pretended of preserving a good Face , I have more than once observ'd this : That when Physitians by Drawing-Blood , or giving cooling things , &c. have sunk the Spirits , and hinder'd the kindly coming out , which is never so well as at Natures first attempt , the Patient on the return of the Venom , growing Heart-sick and opprest almost to Death , to gain the Point they have lost , they have been forc't to double their Files , and heap Cordial upon Cordial , which being Common Preparations , and so not divested of their own unnatural heat , as they ought to be , have increased the Fever , and drove out more than can well be maintained : And these Pit most , are a very smal sort , and of great virulency and danger . Because Nature now having done her utmost , if she be baffled once more , a thousand to one resigns . But that I may comprize all in few words , whatever rebates , drives back , stupifies , dejects , overcools , makes great discharges of any kind ; or on the other hand , whatever over-heats , drives out too forcibly , and fires the Spirits , is directly contrary to these Distempers , which ought so to be manag'd , that the Natural , not Unnatural Heat be assisted , the former being the very Agent that must do the Work ; which if allow'd : A Medicine rightly qualifi'd ought to have these properties ; That it be stript of all false fire , which would assist and heighten the Distemper . That instead thereof it be plentifully furnisht with the Salubrious Principles of Life and Sanity , readily joyning in this extremity with that Vital Spark within us ; That it be of Ability to clear the first passages insensibly in the Operation ; yet most sensibly in the Effect : For this is no time for Violent Means : That it likewise be endow'd with a Power to compose and quiet the Spirits , by bringing to equality and unity the Principles which are at Variance : And not as Opiats ( which stupifying the Senses for a while ) detain and tye down , not only the Spirits , but the Distemper , hindring its going off in its proper season , and Nature from assisting ; so that when its Somniferous Virtue is spent , you find you have lost time , the Patient only growing sensibly weaker , but the Distemper remaining in its full Vigor and more Fatal . ) And that in a word , by its innate Virtue ( with God's blessing ) it can bring you safe thro' this dangerous Disease to your desir'd Health , and a more than ordinary Strength ; and such a Medicine is the Panacea , of which the following Discourse Treats . Some Account of a Universal Remedy . THE Contemplation of Man's Body ( tho' Dead ) in its wonderful Structure by Anatomical Display is a curious View : But the consideration of him alive in his vital Form and Spring of Action enlivening the whole , is a more Elegant Review . 'T is to my purpose at present to behold him inform'd with the principle of Coelestial Fire , enkindling vital Airs , and stretching 'em thro' the whole Circumference , promoting thereby an animal Nourishing Heat to every Organ of the Body , and by a Magnetick Love , panting after the Universal Breath of the World , and sucking thro' the Medium of the Air , a continued Reparation of Enlivening Beams to his Central Spirit , from the Fountain of Life and Form , the Sun. Having thus United the Lesser to the greater World , by joyning breath to breath , my design is to shew how this inbred Fire is maintain'd , may be enlarg'd , and when perverted and wrought into a destructive Heat and Fire against Nature , by Art , may be reclaim'd to an Oleose , Soft , Nourishing Heat , from its harsh , inrag'd consuming Fire . But before I proceed , I must take care to keep under the warm influences of the Sun , and regard him as the common Parent of us all , and the Soul of the World , a Globe of Central Sulphur Gloriously Illuminating dark and shady Bodies ( I had almost aid Understandings too ) whose Masculine Principle , endow'd with an hidden Fecundity bestows quickening Virtues on all the scatter'd Natures of the Earth , whereby numberless Efficacies and vital Breathings are convey'd thro' Spiritual Channels , for the avoiding Corruption , and replenishing them with Light , Adequate to that Tincture of Light which powerfully informs mixt Bodies : So that He may truly be call'd the Heart of the Universe , deriving Life to all parts , and impregnating decaying Nature with new Vitality . This Magazeen of the Empyrean Heaven , where the Light first seiz'd upon matter , fills with Light and Life , the soft and yeilding Natures of the Air , which cannot be suppos'd a nothing , or an empty space , but an Essential Body of its own , admitting of great Powers and Virtues , where the matter is swallow'd up by its Form , and Translated into a Nature almost Spiritual . For where Form and Matter meet in equal poise or just Equality , the matter 's rescu'd from all Blemishes and Accidents , and freed in a wonderful manner from Infection and Corruption . The Air thus richly stor'd with beams of Life and Universal Sperm supplies the various kinds of being on the Earth , according to the strength of their Specifick Magnets . And it does so superabound in Principles , they cannot take em off her hands , and she so lusts to be Imbodied , that where there 's an aptness to Congelation , she 'll strike the form of her Spiritual Essence : As I have strictly observ'd the Rime in an Hoar-Frosty Morn exactly shot into Stiria , which are the Signatures of abounding Volatiles . And now 't is time to derive this flowing Bounty to the Sons of Men , who lift up their Heads to Heaven for Life and Breath , and all things , and well they may ; for I know not where else they 'l feed their vital Flame : Since nothing more humours the Tincture of Life in Man , or his animal Fire , than the Nutritive beams from the Sun. For that Spark of Original Sulphur which transmutes into Redness , the Mass of Blood is the Spring of Natural Fire and radical Moisture , and the Sun in the little World , Man ; discenter'd from the great Luminary : But held in Life by the intercourse of large Breathings , whereby he repairs his Store from that inexhausted Fountain . In vain then shall I look for a fit Remedy amidst the Domestick or Exotick Drugs for Man. By Food he may , and must supply a Faecunda Terra , but this is but dunging the Ground , by Respiration he must support his Vital Air. Having thus pointed out the Noblest Principle of Life in Man , I wou'd give a little aim at a suitable Medicine adequate thereto , as the most apt to repair and set him right when decay'd or over-power'd ; and of such a Nature are the undetermin'd Sulphureous Sparks of the Universe collected at certain Seasons of the year , when the Air is richly impregnated : but the manner of attracting , and further knowledg of what is taken , together with the Artful handling of the matter are too curious and troublesome Niceties . For who wou'd take the pains to reunite Atoms , and consult the Poise so strictly in the cotempering of Principles , as just to give the Dominion to a living Sulphur : but such a temperament obtain'd becomes a Medicine Spiritually fixt , and a noble Preservative against the Spirit of Diseases , and its consequent Materiation by contact with material Thus our internal Air maintain'd ( by Art upon Nature ) free from disturbance or Venoms , is always salubrious and pleasant . It plain enough appears , that the truest Medicine for the Life of Man is a well exalted Sulphur ▪ whereby it becomes Spiritualiz'd , not Volatiliz'd . But betwixt these two words lies seven years labour , with brains too . 'T is sufficient then to suggest the Nature of it , that it may appear at least harmless . Since I assum'd this Notion of Sulphur , as the most Essential Principle of Life , I have revolv'd again and again the most powerful Specifick Sulphurs , especially those of the Mineral Nature , which are difficulty enough obtain'd in Purity , and notwithstanding Art , they will retain some Portion of their Specifick Venoms , which are not to be destroy'd but by the Death of the Species : So strongly is Nature determin'd to the preservation of her Kind . I could Instance in many of 'em that retain very Churlish Qualities after all the pretended Art about them , such as Vomiting , Purging , Sweating , &c. meerly as Venemous to our Bodies , tho they are banter'd off , as having a Contest only with Offending Humours . I have us'd 'em in my Practice , and know as well what they are , and can do , as another . After abundance of Experiments and Tryals , for the attaining of Noble Pleasant Medicines : I must confess , I think my self not a little Fortunate in my Art of drawing down from the Sun and Air plenty of illuminated Sulphurs , and in my Skill of ordering 'em so as to result in the most effectual and pleasant Remedy ; which is Preservative , Curative and Restorative , able at once to season the whole Fountain , so as to cleanse it self and all its streams . Far unlike to other Medicines , which are reputed Good for some One Disease , and that mistaken , kill instead of cure . But this Medicine ( dilated in an appropriate Vehicle , ) is render'd dispensable to all Persons , under any Circumstances , and as salubrious as the most refin'd Air. And this I call my Panacea , which I think abundantly more difficult to make , than to make it appear to be of such General Use , as the Nature of the Thing imports , and the Experience of it can attest . But I 'le not much concern my self to gain Proselytes . I would have it valu'd only at the Rate of its Real worth , and my self not too much undervalu'd for being the Author of it . Universal Matter once obtain'd , may be Reasonably thought productive of a Universal Remedy . Now no passive actuated matter is undetermin'd , and I have already declar'd against Specificks , and Dead Matter is not for my turn . The Living , Permanent , Active Matter of the World is my Subject , which ( after 't is render'd fusible by Art ) penetrates the very Center of Life , bringing with it the Riches of Superiour Orbs , Generously enriching Nature's Store with Beams of Life and Balmy Fire , enlarging her Magnetick Virtue ; whereby she Vigorously attracts both Air and Common Food , assimilating them to her wholsom Nature . Hereby tender Stamina Vitae become Robust , the body haile and strong , quick and bright , able to dispel diseasie Forms , and resist their first Attempts . For the due Feeding , and Maintaining the Animal fire in its Resplendent Lustre , at once forbids all Jars , Discords , False Fire , &c. and gives a Free Enjoyment of the body in all its necessary and pleasant Actions . Truly to sweeten , unite and strengthen the Mass of Blood , is of huge Advantage : And 't is not Vomiting , Purging , nor Steel , nor Alkalisate Powders , nor washing with Waters will do the Business : A Course of pure Air , with Temperance , bids fairer , and many are relieved thereby . But to restore Essential Sulphur , the Origin of the Tincture of the Blood , and subdue fixt Salts , inferring Corrosive Fires , and renew and increase a sweet Vital Air , is the Work rather of a Philosopher than a Phisician . For the doing of all which this Panacea is a Compleat Medicine , altogether Philosophical , and an entire Dispensatory . Having now Regal'd the Spirits with this lively Mellow Remedy ; from so good a stock we may derive fresh Vigour to the branches , Plumpness to the whole , and cause every part to rejoyce with 'em ; for their Nourishment depends so much on a wholesome Fountain , that Health or Diseases are communicated to 'em according to the decay or strength , Purity or Impurity of it . And what a Catalogue of Distempers is assign'd to the sundry Organs of the Body , and Elaborate Methods and Medicines for their Cure ? When as a well inform'd Principle of Life , benignly darts at once kind Rays throughout the whole , assisting with proper Vigour the Faculties , duely to separate what ought to be discharg'd through the cleansing Ducts , and refine and purifie what should be retain'd . What need then is there to run out the Ordure by Violent Purgatives , and the wholesome Juices too , sharpened and envenom'd first by Physick , even to the Excoriation of Bowels , and damage of the adjacent parts ? Many are mistaken in this Point , and many take the Advantage of it . The blood is not at all purified thereby , nor sweetened ; but often exasperated and fretted by such Contraries . Besides , the bowels well fill'd keep out Wind , Cholicks , Gripes , Twistings , and many more Disorders : And what Hurt in the Congestion of wholesome Food ? It seems to be the design of Nature , by the Length , Windings and Position of the Guts in such order , that there should be due Retentions . Digestion in Dung we that experiment by Heats , know to be the Truest and most Natural . The Scituation then of the Great Gut call'd Colon , the last but one , and the Amassment of the Feces in it , lying under the Great Organs of Digestion and Separation , shew that Nature had a design from that warm bed to comfort and assist the Neighbouring Viscera . For such as are always flurting and jerking their bowels with purging Physick , less than one yard of a strait Gut ( from the Pylorus to the Anus ) had been better for them . Nevertheless , I don't say , but discreet Evacuations , at some times , are truely Necessary for some , and the Drinking of Cleansing Waters , in their Seasons , as Epsom , North-hall , &c. The Danger of Vomits , Diaphoreticks , Blisters , Salivations , improper Bleedings , Opiates , internal Stiptick Medicines , &c. ought to be discover'd ; but I 'le pass 'em by at present ; for the very thoughts of 'em Jar my Nerves . Since I can with this Remedy keep the stomach and bowels clean from Choler , Flegm and Wind , and make a quick and clean Digestion , what needs Vomiting and Purging ? 'T will cause a Generous Transpiration ; No occasion then to melt and waste the Nourishing Iuices with Provokers of Sweats , sometimes to a Colliquation , Faintness and Death . 'T will cleanse and strengthen the Glands , first separate flowing and unclean Serosities , then keep 'em Tite from an Overflowing : forbear to swell , inflame and corrupt 'em by Salivation with Mercury ; or to distort Nature by forcing a little water through the Skin with Blisters . And if this proves an Antiferment , 't will often save the Hazard of Bleeding in many Diseases . It helps to sound and undisturbed sleep ; No Use then of Opium . It reconciles great disorders , and always is on Nature's side ; No need then of Iron Chains to bind an Enemy in your breast . While some lay on with Vomit , Purge , Blister , Clyster , Helter , Skelter , blowing up , pulling down , like the Insurancers from Fire , I can deal with Life so subtily , as to touch her to the quick ; yet so kindly , that instead of crying Oh! I sweetly feed her Vital Flame , and give fresh Vigour to her Languishing or Fretted Spirits : And from a Rich Store-House derive 'em strong and mellow to all the withering and enfeebled branches , Reconciling Feuds and Quarrels by giving satisfaction to every disturb'd Member of the Body . All the Juices thus enrich'd , are Supple , Generous and Quick : All the parts supply'd with both are Agil , Plump and Strong . I have been more than Twenty Years a Great Seeker of Medicines , and have been at Great Expence every way about 'em , and have at any Rate possess'd my self of the Reputed Best . And I sincerely profess I slight 'em all for this , knowing it to be a Truth in Nature and Art , and as great a Truth in Practice . The Height of common Chymistry is to mount a Volatile Salt , that is quick , pungent and fugitive . This Medicine is no such thing : But being greatly enricht with spiritual Sulphurs , and retain'd by its own Magnet , is permanent and fusible , yet innocent and efficacious . But that the design'd Benefit of this Discourse may not be lost , I must , for the sake of some persons , descend to particulars . To Declining Age , when the Fire abates , and Moisture , Clouds and Cold Diseases prevail , with the Decay of Organs by the Impoverishment of Spirits , through their often Eclips'd and declining Sun : Nothing more aptly repairs the Central Fire and Radical Moisture ; whereby not only Diseases are dispers'd , but the whole body is replenish'd with proper Nourishing Juices : So as to recover , in some measure , Quickness and Strength of Parts ; at least to furnish 'em with Good Appetite , strong Digestion , liberal Expulsion of Wind , Large and Clean Breathings , free from Clammy , Tough Humours ; Clarity of Brain and Senses , and an entire dissipation of the Winter Diseases . So that Prolongation of Life , and pleasant Enjoyment of it need not to be doubted , since God gives means thereto . Therefore to be perswaded at Seventy to sit quietly down with the Common Wear and Tare of Nature is more than needs : For such hail Principles as could reach thither , may with timely good Repair , pass on I know not whither . To such as are coming into the World , as well as those that are going out , and bring with them hereditary Diseases , or an unthriving Nature , 't is of singular Advantage : For next to the benefit of being deriv'd from Parents of a sound and strong Constitution , there is nothing more beneficial than to convey by their first Food Fundamental Principles of Health , which may prove as lasting as their Lives . To be drank by the Nurses while the Children suck . 'T is a Compleat Medicine to such as have a general disorder , or decay of body and spirits , and know not where to lay the blame . For Consumptive Persons , and those endangered by it , aptly suits all their Complaints , and needs no Second , provided there be a proper Regimen , and careful avoiding of injurious things . For in a Hectick the blood having suffered a great dissolution and separation , the Spirits of it are turned into a kind of Wildfire , which flies about , and wanting allay , burns and consumes a person almost to Nothing . Now this excellent Medicine here becomes a Peace-maker , sweetly attracting back again ( by Vertue of its Magnetick Quality ) the dispersed Spirits ; and by reason of its likeness to the most constituent parts of the blood , joyns it again , and determines its Action within its own proper Sphere . And then all things go well , and Symptoms disappear ▪ Thus this Distemper , commonly accounted incurable , is forc'd to yeild the Victory to this salutiferous Remedy . In every Scorbutick Distemper 't is very available , and acts as variously as the Scorbutick Form is various ; for being a Medicine truly Natural , Nature can use it any way to her own benefit . And it is so Fortunate , that it cannot be taken to amend the blood , but 't will into the bargain communicate Health and Vigour to all the parts of the body . For Fevers of all sorts , especially malignant , 't is incomparable . Whereas in the use of other Medicines , these Distempers hold a considerable time , with imminent danger , and often end in Death ; I have many a time , with great pleasure , beheld , this Noble Medicine surprising us with its admirable Effects ; taking off common Fevers in a few Days ; sometimes in 24 Hours totally . And as for malignant Fevers , it secures the Vitals from being overcome by their Venom ; and keeps 'em up through the whole Course of their sickness , from running very low . Here I omit to account for the Small-Pox , because of the Preceeding Discourse . Yet I may say thus much ; That I have had five Patients at one time sick of the Small-Pox , and through the blessing of God on this Medicine , not one miscarried ; altho I did not visit after they were out ( having never had 'em my self ) but only gave directions to those who attended ' em . I might mention the several Concerns of Women and Virgins , to whom I abundantly dispense it : But here I 'le only particularize that restless and uneasie distemper of Vapours , for which 't is valuable , by removing the Cause , in reducing the parts distended , and expelling those Fumes that fly upwards . I might add , how it obliges Women in Labour and Lying-in , assisting in all their Circumstances , and is the most Natural Cordial . The bare Experience of ir for Cholicks , Cholical Dispositions , and tender Bowels ; how it recovers the strength of Fibers , gives a Liberal Expulsion of Wind , and makes the Belly always easie ; were a sufficient , Character . For melancholy people , such as are Dropsical , short-breath'd , Asthmatical , Paralytick , Lethargical , Apoplectick , and many others , as tho I had nam'd them all ; 't is abundantly qualify'd . But I chuse rather to nullisie than enumerate Diseases . 'T is as easie and pleasant to take as Canary , and may be us'd as Entertainment , all the while receiving health and pleasure . No one can injure himself with it . And 't is so loose and free from Physical Rules and Hours , that it ought not to be rank't with the unpleasant Crew of Medicines : But reposited with the most Delicious Wines . From my House in Great Carter-Lane .