Spadacrene Anglica Part 6

Over and besides the peculiar and specificall faculties, which this fountaine hath, it sheweth divers and sundry other manifest effects and qualities in evacuating the noxious humours of the body, for most part by urine especially when there is any obstruction about the kidneyes, ureters and bladder: Or by urine and stoole both, if the mesentery, liver, or splen, chance to bee obstructed. But, if the affect or griefe be in the matrix or womb, then it clenseth that way according to the accustomed and usuall manner of women.

In melancholike people it purgeth by provoking the haemorrhoides, and in cholericke by siege, or stoole. If it causeth either vomit or sweat, it is very seldome and rare.

See here a most admirable worke guided by the omnipotency and wisedom of the Almighty, that a naturall, cleare, and pure water, should produce so many and severall effects and operations, being all of them in a manner contrary one to another, which few medicines composed by art can easily performe without hurt and damage to the party. Wherefore being drunke with those cautions and circ.u.mstances necessarily required thereunto, it is to be preferred before many other remedies, as not onely procuring these evacuations; but also (which is more to be noted) staying them, when they grow to any excesse. For seeing that here are minerals contained both hot, cold, dry, aperitive, astringent, &c. there is none so simple but must needs thinke and grant, that it cannot otherwise bee but good and wholesome in grievances, and diseases, which in their owne natures are opposite.

But I may instance in some few, for which it is good and profitable, and therein observe some order and methode; It dryeth the over moist braine, and helpeth the evils proceeding therefrom, as rhumes, catarrhs, palsies, cramps, &c.

It is also good and availeable against inveterate headaches, migrims, turnings, and swimmings of the head and braine, dizzinesse, epilepsie, or falling sicknesse, and the like cold and moist diseases of the head.

It cheereth and reviveth the spirits, strengtheneth the stomacke, causeth a good and quicke appet.i.te, and furthereth digestion.

It helpeth the blacke and yellow Jaundisse, and the evill, which is accompanied with strange feare and excessive sadnesse without any evident occasion, or necessary cause, called _Melancholia Hypochondriaca_. Likewise the cachexy, or evill habit of the body, and the dropsie in the beginning thereof, before it be too farre gone. For besides that it openeth obstructions, it expelleth the redundant water contained in the belly, and contemperateth the unnaturall heat of the liver.

It cooleth the kidneyes or reynes, and driveth forth sand, gravell, and stones out of them, and also hindreth the encrease or breeding of any new, by the concretion, and saudering of gravell, bred of a viscous and clammy humour, or substance. The same it performeth to the bladder, for which it is also very beneficiall, if it chance to have any evill disposition either in the cavity thereof, or in the necke of it, and shutting muscle called _Sphincter_, whereby the whole part or member is let and hindred in his office and function.

Moreover, if there chance to be any ulcer in the parts last specified, or any sore, or fistula in _perinaeo_ through an impostume ill cured, this water is a good remedy for it, in regard of its clensing, cicatrizing and constringing power, and vertue; and for that cause it is very proper and commodious for the acrimony and sharpnesse of urine, and against the stopping and suppression of urine, difficulty of making water, and the strangury.

Although it is very availeable against the stone in the kidneyes, and against the breeding, and increase of any new there; yea, and against little ones, that are loose in the bladder; yet notwithstanding it will afford little or small benefit to those, in whom it is growne to bee very great and big in the bladder: Because nothing will then serve to breake it, as _Bra.s.savolus_ saith, but a Smiths anvile and hammar.

Neverthelesse, if in this case incision be used, it will be very commodious both for mundifying and consolidating the wound, made for the extraction of it.

It shall not bee needfull to speake much of the profit, which will ensue by the fit administration of it in the inveterat venereous Gonorrhaea, causing it to cease and stay totally, and correcting the distemper, and the evill ulcerous disposition of the seed vessels, & the vicine parts.

There are very few infirmities properly incident to women, which this water may not seeme to respect much. The use whereof, after the advice and councell had of the learned Physitian, for the well and orderly preparing their bodies, is singular good against the greene sicknesse, and also very commodious and behoovefull to procure their monthly evacuations, as also to stay their over much flowing; as well to correct, as to stay their white floods; as well to dry the wombe being too moist, as to heat it being too cold, through which causes and distempers conception (for the most part) is let and hindered in cold Northerne Countries, as _England_, and the like. For by the helpe of it these distempers are changed and altered, the superfluous humidities and mucosities are taken away, the part is corroborated, and the retentive vertue is strengthned.

This hath beene so much, and so often observed at the ancient _Spaw_, that it cannot otherwise, but bee also verified at this in aftertimes, when it shall bee frequented (as those have beene) with the company of Ladyes, and Gentlewomen: Divers whereof, having beene formerly barren for the s.p.a.ce of ten, twelve yeares, or moe, and drinking of those waters for curing and helping some other infirmities, then for want of fruitfulnesse, have shortly conceived after their returne home to their husbands, beyond their hopes and expectations.

Besides all this, it is good for these women, who, though otherwise apt enough to conceive, yet by reason of the too much lubricity of their wombes, are p.r.o.ne to miscarry and abort, if before conception they shall use it with those cautions and directions requisite.

Also it respecteth very much the hard scirrhous and cancarous tumours, and the grievous soares, and dangerous ulcers of the matrix. All these excellent helpes and many moe it performeth to women with more speedy successe, if it be also received by injection. But here by the way, all such women, who are with child, are to be admonished, that they forbeare to use it during that time.

In children it killeth and expelleth the wormes of the guts and belly, and letteth and hindreth the breeding and new encrease of any moe.

I will here forbeare to write any thing of the benefits which it affordeth against old and inveterate itches, morphewes, leprosies, &c.

in regard the other three sulphurous fountaines, before mentioned, doe more properly respect such like grievances. Neither will I now spend any more time in shewing what vertues it hath in the cure of the Indian, commonly called the French, or rather Spanish disease: because experience hath found out a more certaine and sure remedy against it.

_CHAP_. 12.

_=Of the necessity of preparing the body before the use of this water.=_

It is not in most things the bare and naked knowledge or contemplation of them, that makes them profitable to us; but rather their right use, and oppertune and fit administration. Medicines are not said to be _Deorum ma.n.u.s_, that is, the hands of the G.o.ds, (as _Herophilus_ calleth them) or _Deorum dona_; that is, the gifts of the G.o.ds (as _Hippocrates_ beleeved) till they be fitly applyed and seasonably administered by the counsell and advice of the learned and skilfull Physitian, according to the true rules, and method of Art.

_Temporibus medicina valet, data tempore prosunt, Et data non apto tempore vina nocent._

That is,

Medicines availe in their due times, And profit is got by drinking wines In timely sort; but in all reason They doe offend, drunke out of season.

Therefore to know th' originall mineralls, faculties, and vertues of this worthy acide fountaine, will bee to no end, or to small purpose for them, who understand not the right and true use, nor the fit and orderly administration of it. For not only Physicke or medicines, but also meats, and drinks taken disorderly, out of due time and without measure, bringeth oftentimes detriment to the partie; who otherwise might receive comfort and strength thereby: So likewise this water, if it be not drunke at a convenient time and season, in due fas.h.i.+on and proportion, yea, and that after preparatives and requisite purging and evacuation of the body, may easily hurt those, whose infirmities otherwise it doth princ.i.p.ally respect. For medicines ought not to be taken rashly, and unadvisably, as most doe hand over head without any consideration of time, place, and other circ.u.mstances; as that ignorant man did, who getting the recipt of that medicine, wherewith formerly he had been cured, made triall of it againe long after for the same infirmity without any helpe or good at all, whereat greatly marvailing, received this answer fro his Physitian: I confesse (said hee) it was the selfe same medicine, but because I did not give it, therefore it did you no good.

To the end therefore, that no occasion may hereafter be either given, or taken by the misgovernment, or overrashnesse of any in using it to calumniate and traduce the worth, and goodnesse of this fountaine, I will briefly here shew, what course is chiefly to be followed and observed by those who shall stand in need of it.

First then, because very few men are thoroughly and sufficiently informed concerning the natures, and causes of their grievances, it will be necessary that every one shold apply himselfe to some one, or other, who either out of his judgement, or experience, or both, may truely be able to give him counsell and good advice concerning the conveniency of this fountaine. And if he shall be avised to use it, then let the party (in the feare of G.o.d) addresse himselfe for his way to it, against the fit season of it, without making any long and tedious daies journeys, which cause la.s.situde, and wearinesse.

Then, being come to the place, he ought after a dayes rest, or two, to have his body wel prepared, & gently clensed with easie lenitives, or purgatives, both fit, and appropriate, as well to the habite and const.i.tution thereof, as also for the disease it selfe, and as occasion shall require, according to the rule of method, which teacheth that universal or generall remedies ought ever to precede and goe before particulars. Now what these are in speciall, to fit every ones case in particular, it is impossible for me here, or any else to define precisely. _Ars non versatur circa individua._ We may see it true in mechanicall trades. No one shoemaker can fit all by one Last; nor any one taylor can suite all by one, and the selfe same measure.

Yet in regard it may perhaps bee expected that something should be said herein, I say, that in the beginning (if occasion serve) some easie Clyster may very fitly bee given, as well for emptying the lower intestines from their usuall excrements, as for carying away and clensing the mucose slimes contained therein. After that, it will be convenient to prepare the body by some Julep or Apozeme, or to give some lenitive medicine to free the first region of the body from excrements.

For otherwise the water might peradventure convey some part of them, or other peccat matter, which it findeth in his pa.s.sage either into the bladder, or to some other weake, and infirme member of the body, to the increase of that evill disposition which is to be removed, or else to the breeding of some other new infirmity.

_Object_. Some perhaps will here object and say, that the time of the yeere, in which this fountaine will be found to bee most usefull, will be the hottest season thereof; or (if you like to call it) the dog-daies, when it will be no fit time to purge at all.

_Answ_. 1. To this I answer and say: First, the purging medicines here required are not strong, and generous but gentle, mild and weake, such as are styled _Benedicta medicamenta_: which may with great safetie and profit bee given either then or at any other time of the yeere without any danger, or respect of any such like circ.u.mstance at all.

2. Secondly I answer; Although this observation of the dog-dayes might perhaps be of some moment in hotter countries, as _Greece_, where _Hippocrates_ lived, who first made mention of those dales: Yet in colder climates, as _England_, and such like Countries, they are of little or small force at all, and almost not to be regarded any whit, either in using mild & temperate purgatives, or almost in any other; or in blood-letting: though very many, or most doe erroniously say and thinke the contrary. So that (if there be cause) they may as well and safely then purge, as at any other time: Or, if occasion shall urge, as in plethoricall bodies, and many other cases, a veine may safely (or rather most commodiously) be then opened and so much blood taken away, as the skilfull Physitian shall thinke in his discretion and wisdome to be needfull and requisite.

Let no man here think, that this is any strange position, or a new paradoxe (for the learned know the contrary) or that I am studious of innovation, but rather desirous to roote out an old and inveterate errour, which in all probabilitie hath cost moe Englishmens lives, then would furnish a royall army, in neglecting those two greater helpes or remedies, to wit, Purging, and Blood-letting in hot seasons of the yeare: which in all likelihood might have saved many of their lives, while expecting more temperate weather, they have beene summoned in the meane time, or _interim_ by the messenger of pale death to appeare in an other world.

Wherefore let all those who are yet living, bee admonished hereafter by their examples, not obstinately and wilfully to eschue and shunne these two remedies in hot seasons, and in the time of the Dog-dayes, (much lesse all other manner of physicall helpes) not once knowing so much as why, or wherefore, and without any reason at all, following blind and superst.i.tious tradition, and error, haply first broched by some unworthy and ignorant Physitian, not rightly understanding _Hippocrates_ his saving in all likelyhood, or at least wise misapplying it. Which hath so prevailed in these times, that it hath not onely worne out the use of purging, but also of all other physicke for that season, because most people by the name of physicke understanding purging onely, and nothing else. As though the art and science of Physicke was nothing else, but to give a potion or purge. Then we rightly and truly might say, _Filia devor avit matrem_.

But for as much as most people are altogether ignorant of the true ground or reason, from whence this so dangerous an error concerning the Dog-dayes did first spring and arise, give me leave a little to goe on with this my digression, for their better instruction, and satisfaction: and I will briefly, and in a few lines shew the case, and the mistake somewhat more plainly.

_Hippocrates_ in his fourth booke of Aphorismes, the fift, hath these words: _Sub canicula, & ante caniculam difficiles sunt purgationes._ That is, under the canicular, or dog-star, and before the dog-star, purgations are painfull and difficill. This is all that is there said of them, or brought against them for that season, or time of the yeare. A great stumbling-blocke against which many have dashed their feet, and knockt their s.h.i.+nnes, and a fearfull scar-crow, whereat too many have nicely boggled. Here you doe not find or see purging medicines to bee then prohibited, or forbidden to be given at all (much lesse all other physicke) but onely said to be difficill in their working: partly because (as all expositors agree) nature is then somewhat enfeebled by the great heat of the weather; partly because the humours being then, as it were, accended are more chaffed by the heat of the purging medicines; partly, and lastly, because two contrary motions seeme then to be at one and the same time, which may offend nature; as the great heat of the weather leading the humours of the body outwardly to the circ.u.mference thereof, and the medicine drawing them inwardly to the center. All which circ.u.mstances in our cold region are little, or nothing at all (as formerly hath beene mentioned) to be regarded. For as _Jacobus Hollerius_, a French Physitian, much honoured for his great learning and judgement, hath very well observed in his Comment upon this Aphorisme; _Hippocrates_ speaketh here onely of those purging medicines, which are strong, and vehement, or hot and fiery; and that this precept is to take place in most hot Regions, but not in these cold Countries, as _France_, _England_, and the like.

Over and beside all this, those churlish hot purging medicines, which were then in frequent use in _Hippocrates_ his time, and some hundred of yeares after, are now for most part obsolete, and quite growne out of use, seldom brought in practice by Physitians in these dayes; because we have within these last six hundred yeares great choice and variety of more mild, benigne, and gentle purgatives found out by the Arabian Physitians, which were altogether unknowne unto the ancients, to wit, _Hippocrates, Dioscorides, Galen, &c._ which have little heat, and acrimony, many whereof are temperate, and divers cooling, which may most safely be given either in the hottest times and seasons of the yeare, or in the hottest diseases. Let us adde to these the like familiar and gentle purging medicines more lately, yea, almost daily newly found out since the better discoveries of the East and West Indies. So that henceforth let no man feare to take either easie purgatives, or other inward Physicke, in the time of the canicular, or dog-dayes.

The same _Hollerius_ goeth on in the exposition and interpretation of the said Aphorisme, and confidently saith: _Over & besides that we have benigne medicines which we may then use, as Ca.s.sia, &c._ Wee know and finde by experience no time here with us more wholsome and more temperat (especially when the Etesian, or Easterly, winds do blow) then the Canicular dayes: so that, wee finde by observation, that those diseases which are bred in the moneths of June and July, doe end in August, and in the Canicular dayes. Wherefore, if a disease happen in those dayes, we feare not to open a veyne divers times, and often, as also to prescribe more strong purging medicines.

Wherefore away henceforth with the scrupulous conceit, and too nice feare of the Dogge-dayes, and let their supposed danger be had no more in remembrance among us. And if any will yet remaine obstinate, and still refuse to have their beames pulled out of their eyes, let them still be blinde in the middest of the cleare Sun-s.h.i.+ne, and groape on after darkness; and let all learned Physitians rather pitty their follies, then envy their wits.

_CHAP_. 13.

_=At what time of the yeare, and at what houre of the day it is most fit and meet to drinke this water.=_

To speake in generall tearmes, it is a fit time to drinke it, when the ayre is pure, cleare, hot and dry: for then the water is more tart, and more easily digested, then at other times. On the contrary, it is best to forbeare, when the ayre is cold, moist, darke, dull and misty: for then it is more feeble, and harder to be concocted.

But more specially, the most proper season to undertake this our English Spaw dyet, will be from the middest or latter end of June to the middle of September, or longer, according as the season of the yeare shall fall out to be hot and dry, or otherwise.

Not that in the Spring-time, and in Winter it is not also good, but for that the ayre being more pure in Sommer, the water also must needs be of greater force and power. Notwithstanding it may sometime so happen in Sommer, that by reason of some extraordinary falling of raine, there may be a cessation from it for a day or two. Or if it chance to have rained over night, it will then be fit and necessary to refraine from drinking of it, untill the raine bee pa.s.sed away againe: or else (which I like better) the fountaine laded dry, and filled againe, which may well be done in an hower, or two at most.

Touching the time of the day, when it is best to drinke this water, questionlesse the most convenient hower will be in the morning, when the party is empty, and fasting, about seaven aclocke: Nature having first discharged her selfe of daily excrements both by stoole and urine, and the concoctions perfected. This time is likewise fittest for exercise, which is a great good help, and furtherance for the better distribution of the water, whereby it doth produce its effects more speedily.