AN ACCOUNT OF Dr. EAT0N's STYPTICK Balsam. LONDON: Printed, and Sold by J. PEELE, at Locke’s- Head, in Pater-noster-Row. 1723. [Price One Shilling.] To the Right Worshipful Sir Hans Sloane, Bart. PRESIDENT, To the Learned and Worthy Dr. WELLWOOD, Dr. PLUMTREE, Dr. LADD, Dr. CHASE, } Censors, AND The Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians at London. GENTLEMEN, THE following ac- count is addressed to You, appealing to Your Justice for its Protection: As You are authorized by the Government to be publick inspectors A2 into iv Dedication. into the Administration of Physick, a due Deference to that Trust, as well as personal Regard for Your Judgment, makes such an Applica- tion proper. For the same reasons, upon per- fecting the Discovery of this Stypick Balsam, I formerly presented suffi- cient Specimens of it to, the President and Censors, and several other Mem- bers of the College. I perswaded my self that would induce you to give the Medicine a fair Trial, and pass your impartial Judgment upon it; and hearing no Complaints nor Exceptions made a- gainst it since by the Learned Socie- ty, I hope I may be allowed to inter- pret this as Your tacit Acknowledgment of its answering the Purpose intend- ed; since it would be no less a Neg- lect of Your Duty to delay the De- tection of an unsafe or fallacious Remedy in so important a Case, than an Abuse of Your Power to reject DEDICATION. V reject an Improvement so much wanted. IT is to be presumed so learned a Body, formed by the Government for the Advancement of a Science for the Benefit of Mankind, must have observed with Pleasure the several Discoveries lately made both in Phy- sick and Surgery; and that You will not be wanting to animate the Cu- rious to greater Improvements, re- gardless of what fashionable Systems may be discredited, or what ap- proved Methods of Practice may be set aside by the prevailing Force of Truth. FOR it ought to be consider’d, that a true Advancement in this Sci- ence cannot be built on uncertain Theories, however plausible and in- genious; but is only to be attained by sure Experiments, not made by Ignorance or Chance, but conducted With Accuracy and Judgment, MAX- vi DEDICATION. Maxims of Physick, built on such a solid Foundation, cannot fear to be overthrown by succeeding Im- provements; or need to be support- ed by those mean Artifices, to which false Science must of Necessity have recourse: since it can never be safe but by shutting up every fresh Avenue of Truth, and guarding against any new Discovery. In the following Ac- count, I have chosen to give a re- markable Instance of this in the Management of a Foreign College of Physicians, in the Case of Sir Theo- dore Mayerne and Quercetan; and I am pleas’d that our own Country in this Point, does not afford so strong a Subject of absurd and ridiculous Op- position. AS to Your College in particu- lar, the Wisdom of the Government took early Care to check any Ten- dencies of that Nature, into which otherwise it might have possibly been surprized, by a prudent Revocation of DEDICATION, vii of some Powers originally vested in it, which seemed most liable to be misemploy’d, and sometimes by oc- casional Interpositions upon Com- plaints. AND there Is no Cause to ap- prehend that a Royal Inspection will be necessary to intervene and give a farther Regulation to the remaining Powers; since they are at present under the Management of a Presi- dent of so great Candour, Judgment and Integrity, assisted by the Cen- sors and other Gentlemen of Your College, of so much Ingenuity and such honourable Characters. And the increasing Thirst of Knowledge will, it may be hoped, sufficiently check any mean Endeavours to pre- vent the free Pursuit of it here- after. FROM YOU, GENTLEMEN, we may naturally expect all the Ad- vantages designed by the Authority entrusted to You, without fearing any Oppression from it. No Viii DEDICATION. No real Improvements in Physick will be over-look’d, no false Pre- tences will escape undetected, nor generous Endeavours to promote useful Discoveries will indirectly be discouraged; no self-interested Com- binations to decry them will be se- cretly abetted. WHILST You have these noble Aims, and pursue them by such ho- nourable Methods, may Your Col- lege prosper by Your Administration, and every Branch of Medicine flou- rish under Your Influence. I am, GENTLEMEN, Your most Humble Servant, Robert Eaton Coleman-street, London* June 23. 1723. AN ACCOUNT OF Dr. Eaton's Styptick Balsam. CHAP. I. IT is evident what great Advances have been made in several Kinds of natural Knowledge; and the particular im- provements in Physick, built on the more solid and rational Phi- losophy which now prevails, may natu- rally give a Prejudice against any thing B that [2] that seems to exceed, or even to vary from, the received Principles, and the established Practice of Physick. This Prepossession in Favour of the present Attainments, often renders it difficult, even in Physick, as well as in other Arts and Sciences, to introduce new Inven- tions, as being not yet approved of, or to revive forgotten Truths, as seemingly already condemned; and as it might be expected that some wou’d be thus pre- possess'd against the new Improvement of- fered to them in the following Treatise, it may be excused, if at least in a defen- sive way, some little Endeavour be used to guard against that Prepossession. A Balsamick Styptick in a Generous Cor- dial, is a thing so new, and so different from all other Stypticks, that it may be justly suspected by such as have not yet experienced the Force of it, or even de- cried by those who will not be at the Pains to make the Experiment for their own Conviction: For the whole Class of Stypticks, besides this, are either weak, or nauseous, or uncertain; or if made very [3] very powerful in the Styptick Property, they are dangerous, from a Corrosiveness that remains, and naturally grows in them afresh; and also they are destitute of a healing Quality, notwithstanding the most refined Preparations of them. THEREFORE, such as are less knowing in the more occult Properties of Bodies, will probably be at a Loss how to ac- count for its Operation; and even those who are more discerning, will perhaps attribute it to some Principle in Nature which they have not much considered, and with which they are not fully ac- quainted. On this Account some of the Learned, as well as the Ignorant, may be apt to retain some little Remains of Pre- judice against it, even after the visible Effects of it are no longer to be denied; but as it becomes better known, these Remains of Prejudice will easily disperse by Degrees, and vanish upon an impar- tial Enquiry. IT may seem strange, that Improve- ments in a Science so confessedly imper- B2 fect [4] fect as Physick is, should not be favour- ably received, much less discountenanced or opposed. And it is a strong Instance of the Power of Prejudice beyond the Love of Truth, that notwithstanding the Variety and Uncertainty of the Theo- ries that have been advanced, and the different and even contrary Methods of Practice that have prevailed by Turns in different Ages, and still prevail in diffe- rent Countries, that there should be e- very where so warm a Zeal for the fashionable Forms of Prescriprion, and so severe a Censure of whatever seems to vary from them. IT will perhaps be entertaining to a Reader, not appriz’d of the various Re- volutions that have happened in the State of Physick, and of the fiery Disputes that have been managed between the contending Parties, to take a View of the three great Orders, the Emperical, the Galenical, and the Chymical; to which Classes the Science and Practice of Phy- sick may be reduced; nor can it pretend to any higher Antiquity, than that of be- ing [5] ing sprung from Greece or Rome. A more ancient Learning of this kind, which pro- bably flourished among the Chaldeans or the Egyptians, and the Oriental Sages, to which the Scriptures seem to allude, be- ing in a manner lost. THE Emperical Sect, of which Diasco- rides was a Chief, meerly collected the Experience of the specifick Virtues of Simples, Sometimes mixing and mana- ging them in Medicines in such a way, as the Tradition of their Predecessors or their own Experience taught them, as be- ing deficient of Theory and Systematick Knowledge. THIS traditional Knowledge of the Emperick was esteemed but as Ignorance and Quackery by those Orders of Physi- cians, who made higher Pretences to Learning, and who chiefly followed Ga- len; tho’ at the same time these Galenists made use of the Knowledge of the Em- pericks, and begged their Experience from them. B3 THE [6] THE Galenical Sect, which easily set aside the Emperical Tribe of Practition- ers, greatly affected Methodising, and making Schemes, and Institutions of Phy- sick, founded on the empty and un- certain Notions of the natural Philoso- phy then current, which was remark- ably false and defective, even beyond all the other Sciences. THESE learned Schemes, however groundless and chimerical, built upon the beggarly Elements of that delusive Philosophy which served to amuse their Followers, yet furnish’d them with a subtle and unintelligible Sophistry, by which they dogmatically determined by what Methods Diseases should be succes- fully attack’d, and excluded such Medi- cines as did not suit with their Systems. By their infallible Decisions, many noble medicinal Secrets in the Emperical Sect were probably discarded; and instead of them, a numerous Train of mix’d Medi- cines was introduced. This brought on that subservient Branch of Physick stiled Phar- [7] Pharmacy, which supplies the Well stor’d Magazines of the Apothecary; and from such a confused Complication of Sim- ples, often ill-sorted or disagreeing in their medicinal Powers of Operation, and so wrong apply’d, is sprung up the vast Heaps of Galenical Rubbish, as it is evident from the capital and other compounded Medicines, of which fo- reign Dispensatories (to say nothing of our own) give numerous Examples. THUS the Authority of Galen, like that of Aristotle, prevailed in the Schools and Universities of Europe, and physical Institutions were received together with the Peripatetick Philosophy, with which they were interwoven. As the Theology of the Schools stood much on the same Foot, the Superstition of those Times was interested in the Defence of the Doctrines of Galen, which were built on the same common Principles. Thus the Preten- sions of the regular Physicians being sup- ported by the Power of the Popish Clergy, and maintained by Civil Magi- B4 strates, [8] strates, a kind of Popery in Physick was established. IN these Ages of imaginary Learning, Innovations in Physick were looked on almost as Heresies; and as Chymistry then began to be secretly cultivated, as an unlawful or suspected Art, not to be exercised without Fear and Caution, farther than the vulgar Distillations and Operations of the Fire, some new Ex- periments, which then appear'd surpri- sing, were treated as a kind of Magick or Witchcraft: Some Remains of this re- ligious Horrour of Novelty, even in physical Enquiries, may still be observ’d in the more illiterate Countries; and as I was told by an eminent Professor at Padua, it is even at prefect dangerous to open new Inventions in that Uni- versity. ABOUT an Age or two past, Chymi- stry began to appear more openly, and some of that Sect of Practitioners in Physick publickly engaged in it; it’s scarce credible how great an Animosity was [9] was railed against this new Sect by those of the Galenical Faction, who were so ignorant and zealous as to publish their Excommunications against the Ring- leaders of them. It may perhaps be di- verting (if not instructive to some) to see with what Rashness and Arrogance the College of Physicians at Paris treated two young chymical Physicians Quecertan and Mayern. QUERCETAN having wrote a Book about Chymical Physick, this learned and orthodox Body judged it proper, since the Shrine of their Goddess, the Galenical Systems, were in danger, to begin a Per- fection in the due Forms practised by the most approved Masters of the perfecuting Science; first by Reproaches and Ca- lumnies, then by solemn Censures. Their first Sentence was against Quercetan, in which they not only condemn his Chy- mical Books, but even the Art of Chy- mistry itself. Non tantum Libros spagi- ricos unanimo consensu Quercetani damnat sed etiam Artem ipsam spagiricam, &c. MAYERN'S [10] MAYERN’S Apology coming out, in De- fence of his Friend Quercetan, they had the Vanity to publish a second Sentence against him, which being of the same Purport with the former, one of them may suffice; it is as follows: Collegium Medicorum in Academia Parisiensi legetime congregatum, audita renunciatione Censorum quibus demandata erat provincia examinandi Apologiam Turquetti Mayernii editam ipsam unanimi consensu damnat, tanquam famosum libellum mendacibus con- vitiis & impudentibus calumniis resectum, quœ non nisi ab homine imperito impudente temulento & furioso proficisci potuerunt; ipsum Turquetum indignum judicat qui uf- piam medicinam faciat propter temeritatem impudentiam & verœ medicinœ ignorantiam ; Omnes vero Medicos qui ubiq; Gentium & Locorum medicinam exercent hortatur ut ipsum Turquetum similiaq; hominum & opi- nionum portenta a se suisq; sinibus arceant & in Hyppocrates & Galeni doctrina con- stanter permaneant, Sed & prohibet nequi ex hoc Medicorum Parisiensium ordineum Turqueto ejusq; similibus medica consilia ineat. Qui [11] Qui secus fecerit Scholœ ornamentis; hono- ribus emolumentis & Academia Privilegiis privabitur, & de Medicorum Regentium numero expungetur, Datum Lutetiæ in Scholis Superioribus die quinta Decemb. Anno Salutis 1603. G.Hero Decanus. “ The College of Physicians in the Uni- “ versity of Paris, being lawfully con- “ vened, having heard the Report of “ the Censors, to whom was referred “ the Business of examining an Apolo- “ gy, published under the Name of “ Turquett Mayern, do unanimously con- “ demn it as a scandalous Libel, filled “ with Lies and impudent Calumnies, “ which would never have been pub- “ lished but by an ignorant, impudent “ Fellow; and do judge the said Turquett “ unworthy to practice Physick, for his “ Rashness and Impudence, and Igno- “ rance of true Medicine; and they do “ admonish all Physicians that practice “ in any Place whatsoever, that they “ expell the said Turquett, and such like “ Monsters of Men and Opinions, out of “ their Territories; that they abide “ firmly in the Doctrine of Hyppocrates “ and [12] “ and Galen; And further, they forbid “ any of the College of Physicians at “ Paris ever meeting in Consultation “ with the said Turquett, or any such “ like; and whosoever does otherwise, “ shall be deprived of all the Honours, “ Ornaments and Privileges of the Col- “ lege and University, and be expung’d “ out of the List of Ruling Physicians, “ Given at Paris December 5, 16O3. AFTER all this solemn Farce, the two Physicians so rudely censured, and seve- ral other eminent Chymists of that Time, continued to propagate their Chymical Discoveries with Success; and their Re- putation remained unharmed by the vain Terrors of these Collegiate Scare-crows, dress’d up in a pompous Shew of Learn- ing, to deter others (better qualified for advancing the Science they profess’d,) from invading the Fields of Knowledge. Sir T. Mayern, upon his coming to England was contented to be placed at the Head of the Distillers Company, per- haps declining at first the College of Phy- sicians [13] sicians here, who were many of them rigid Galenists, from an Apprehension or Experience of a like Treatment from them; but it might seem invidious to renew the Memory of any little Oppo- sitions he met with, since they have been largely attoned by the just Honours afterwards paid him, his Picture being plac’d in the College, in Honour of his Memory. ABOUT this Time Chymistry began to prevail, and more powerful Advocates appeared for it in other Nations as well as our own; such as Agricola, Glauber, Helmont, Lord Bacon, Tachenius, Dicken- son, Boyl and Starky, &c. with a nume- rous Train of Followers; who intermix- ing Chymical Medicines with their Met- tallurgical Studies, at once advanced the Refining of Metals, and the Reformation of Physick. THIS new Rank of Virtuoso’s soon obliged the Galenical Sect to capitulate; thereupon a mixture of Galenical and Chymicai Medicines was struck into, and the [14] the present Practice of Physick amongst us is the Result of this Conjunction. As to the Galenical part indeed, some Improve- ments may have been since made, some old Errors rectify’d, or some new Theo- ries advanced, agreeable to the late Dis- coveries in Philosophy: As to the Chy- mical Part, which seems to have been more neglected, we have little to boast; and it may perhaps deserve to be consi- dered, whether we may not have lost several curious Specificks, by too immo- derate Contempt of the Observations of the Emperical Sect, as Quacks, which seem to be wholly confined to the Clo- sets of Matrons. THIS transient View of the Diffi- culties that have attended Alterations in the Practice of Physick, even in very minute Particulars, the most justly cele- brated Medicines, namely, Mercury, Cor- tex, Ipececuena, &c. having been introdu- ced, not without great Opposition, ap- pears almost Romantick, when we con- sider the Candour that reigns amongst us, and the Liberty that is allow’d. THIS [15] This may sufficiently secure this Account of the vain Prepossessions of another Age and Nation, from being in- terpreted as a Reflection on our own. THESE Remarks may, however, make it the less surprizing, if there should still be found in some few Persons in this happy Age of Freedom, some little Re- mains of these unreasonable Prejudices not yet wholly extinguished. To this it may be imputed, if before they were well acquainted with the Facts, some few perhaps by Design, others by Sur- prize, may have express’d a Dissidence or Contempt of this Styptick; which many of them have since seen Reason to approve and recommend. THIS will be the more excusable, since it may be hoped, that the Method of presenting this new Medicine to the World, will prevent any such Prejudices against it for the future; for here is no new Scheme of Speculation or Theory of Physick in this Point offered, but a plain History [16] History of Matters of Fact presented; so that any one, even a common Jury- man, as well as a Physician, may judge of it. To conclude this Apology; it ought to be considered, that it was rendered a Duty incumbent on the Author, to give the Publick an Account of it, both in Justice and Gratitude to his Prince and Country, his Majesty’s Letters Patents having been graciously granted for the Protection and Encouragement of him- self, and for the more publick dispensing the Medicine for the Good of his Ma- jesty’s Subjects. CHAP. [17] CHAP. 11. BEFORE an Account of this new Styptick is given, it will be pro- per to premise a De- scription of the several Kinds of Stypticks now in Use; by comparing of which it will appear, that in every Respect it equals any of them, and in many Particulars it exceeds them all. IN external Wounds and Bleedings, whether from Accidents or Surgical Intention by Incisions and Amputations, the Flux of Blood hath been and is usually stop’d, either by Actual or Poten- tial Cauteries, or by tying up the Arte- ries, or applying Turpentine, or Boles, and the like of other Astringents, or some supposed Specifick Stypticks. THE Actual Cautery is only applying a hot Iron, which is the gross Way of Farriers now used upon docking Horses C Tails, [18] Tails, which by cauterising or fearing the Part, forms an Escar or artificial Parchment like Skin, which covers the Part, and locks up the Blood in the Ves- sels, whilst the feared Skin holds on; but when it accidentally falls off, as is not unusual, the Vessels being afresh open’d burst a bleeding again, tho’ not so very violently as before. THIS gross Practice long prevailed, until the Barbarity of it was retrained by a better way of Potential Cauteries; and hereby was introduced the Use of Vitriol, Allum, Dragon's-Blood, Hæmatites Stone, and the like, each in their simple Nature, or in a Variety of artificial Preparations, all upon the same Principle of potential Cauteries. But all these be- ing of a corrosive Quality, nor being ever known to be quite freed from it by the most artificial Preparations of what kind soever, (even Rabel's and Dennis’s Drops not excepted,) so many Inconveniencies arose from them, as obliged us to seek out other Medicines for help on this Occasion. These Inconveniencies brought up [19] up the Use of Turpentine and other suppo- sed Specifcks, besides Sympathetick Powder; and for internal Bleedings were intro- duced several supposed Specificks and their artificial Management, e. g. the Blood Stone, dry'd Toads, Vinegar Stoops, Poco Sempe or Indian Moss, the Juice of Nettles, Terra Japonica, Dragon's Blood, Jesuits Bark, Tormentil Root, Saturnus prepared, and Usnea, i. e. Moss of dead Sculs, of which two last Mr. Boyle speaks with Emphasis on this Head. These and such like, together with several artificial Pre- parations of them suited to the Cases occurring of internal Maladies, com- prehend the Extent of the present Prac- tice on this Article; but the Inefficiency of these Mediciues for external, and the Nauseousness as well as the Uncertainty of them for internal Bleedings, and o- ther Inconveniencies, are notorious to the daily Practisers of Physick. And as to the Specifick of Monsieur Dennis before-mentioned, which was bought by King Charles II. at a very high Price, an Account of which was afterwards print- ed by Order of the French King’s Physi- C2 cian, [20] cian, as to the making it by a nice Pre- paration from Vitriol, and also as to Rabel's Drops, which seem the same; al- so as to that of Dr. Colebatch his Major and Minor Styptick, together with Fryer's Styptick; all these seem both dangerous as to internal and external Use, being less or more corrosive, (especially if kept long) notwithstanding the Smallness of the Quantity; Accounts of which are set forth by the Royal Society, and other Examples. Under these Uncertainties, through good Fortune, or more properly by a kind Providence, was the new Bal- samick Styptick discover’d among us, which at length being brought to a Standard Perfection, it will with Ease, Safety, and moral Certainty, answer all the Intentions proposed by all the other before-mention’d Stypticks, without the lead: Hazard of any corrosive Tendency or Inconvenience by Nauseousness natu- rally arising from the other, whether used for external or internal Bleedings. To put this beyond doubt, and shew the sovereign Balsamick and Styptick Nature of [21] of this Medicine, I shall give an impartial Account of its Progress, and ample De- monstrations of its Virtue, in the several Cases of Bleedings, external or internal, that commonly fall under a Physician or Surgeon’s Care. IT is about four Years since this Styp- tick began to be talked of, the first Men- tion of it having been occasioned in the following manner. A great Variety of Experiments had been made privately by the Author, so that he was fully convinc’d from Facts as well as Principles of the Medicine, of the Excellency and Usefulness of it. BUT being a Junior, and foreseeing what Difficulties and Prejudices would naturally arise from such a new Invert- tion, when presented to the World by himself; and it being a new medicinal Preparation from a Principle that is not cultivated by some of the first Charac- ter, and esteem’d as Oracles in Physick and Surgery; he rather concealed him- C3 self [22] self and the Medicine, than endeavour’d to divulge it at first in his own Name. HOWEVER, it was impossible long to conceal either the Medicine or the Au- thor; and it is easy to imagine the diffe- rent Censures passed upon both on that Occasion: But notwithstanding the Dis- vantages attending the first Appearance of so new and surprizing a Medicine, so slenderly recommended to the World, he did not much trouble himself about the Success, leaving it to Truth and Time. The Fame of it as a Novelty and aCuriosity spread so, that at length Sir Richard Blackmore hearing of it, gave a particular Attention to it, and was desi- rous to be satisfy’d as to its Virtue; al- ledging, that if what some Persons said of it was true, it was but Justice to the World to publish it, that Mankind might reap the Benefit. IN order therefore to be satisfy’d as to the Matter of Fact, he desired that himself, and several Surgeons and others might have some Proofs and Demonstra- tion [23] tion, if there was such a wonderful Vir- tue in this Medicine; accordingly he ap- pointed a Time, when by his Directions several of every Branch of the Faculty were invited to meet; and besides Sir Richard Blackmore and Dr. Douglas, Four other Physicians, Three Surgeons and se- veral Gentlemen were present, as Mr. Bellers, Mr. Moult, and Mr. Emmett, &c. THE Experiment was thus proposed to be performed in an open publick man- ner, and not clandestinely as in a Cor- ner, that an Appeal might be made to the Senses of all Men, and the mature Judgment of the nicest Artists. THEN before all the Company I of- fered to give an immediate Proof that this new Styptick Balsam would stop any Flux of Blood without any caustick Qua- lity, without raising an Escar, and with- out Bandage; and themselves were left to choose the Place where they would make the Wound. Sir Richard Blackmore was pleased to say, that as this was an Experiment that might very much con- C4 cern [24] cern Surgery, that himself, and he believed all the rest, would be satisfied if an emi- nent Surgeon present would direct what Tryal wou’d be the clearest Proof of the Fact. ACCORDINGLY Mr. Smith, (late Sur- geon of St. Bartholomew's Hospital) declared the opening the Crural Artery wou’d be the most strong and clear Conviction; for if it would stop such an Arterial Flux, without forming an Escar, and without a Bandage, it was what no Styptick they had would do, nor did he believe it possible. ALL the Physicians and Surgeons ac- quiescing in that Opinion, a Dog was ty’d down; and a Dram being drank of the Styptick before them all, by the Au- thor, and by as many of the Company as pleased, to shew its innocent Balsamick Quality, a large Incision was made into the Crural Artery, with the crural Vein being cut; the Blood gushed out furi- ously, But upon the Surgeon’s Appren- tice only applying a little Tow steeped in this Styptick, with the Pressure of his Fin- [25] Fingers a few Minutes, the Bleeding stop’d before all the Company, and the Lint was took off for them to see it. THE Dog afterward was ty’d down in Straw to keep him quiet, but before Morning he broke loose, and was found walking about the Room, without the least Return of bleeding. Dr. Douglas and others, surprized with this quick Effect, questioned whether the Trunk of the Crural Artery was fairly cut; therefore the Dog’s Thigh was open’d, and twas found that some Arterial Branches with the Crural Vein were cut, but the principal Trunk was not cut. THEREFORE for a clearer Satisfaction, he, Dr. Douglas, perform’d an Experi- ment of the like Kind, and without so very much Company present. ON that Occasion he himself laid open the Thigh of a large Dog, and then rais- ing the main Trunk of the Crural Arte- ry upon his Probe, made a large Orifice into it, and the Blood violently gushed out; [20] out; but upon his applying the Styptick, with the Pressure of his Fingers a few Minutes, it quickly stop’d, as in the for- mer Dog; whereupon the Dr. declared he was satisfied. AFTERWARDS, that skilful Surgeon Mr. John Douglas, ( who first happily brought on the new Way of Cutting for the Stone, for which his Brethren have endeavoured to reward and honour him, by handsomely presenting him with the Freedom of their Company) he being an absolute Unbeliever in this Styptick, full Opportunity was given for to satisfy his Curiosity : Therefore first coming with his Brother the Dr. and others, he open’d the Crural Artery, as before de- ferred; but on applying the Styptick, it stopt quickly. AFTER all these, Sir R. Blackmore was pleased further to propose, as a conclusive Demonstration of the Power of this Me- dicine, both as a Styptick to stop the Bleed- ing, and a Balsam to heal the Wound, that the hinder Leg of a Dog shou’d be quite [27] quite cut off; which being readily con- sented to, the Surgeon Douglas perform- ed the Amputation as near the Body as possible; the Bleeding was quickly stop’d, and the Wound soon healed by applying the Styptick every Day, and it was guard- ed against the Dog’s licking himself by a suitable Cover. THE preceding Experiments were performed in the Sight of several others, whose Names might be mentioned if it was judged necessary; but it’s wholly needless, since I have named three, whose exquisite Judgments in their Pro- fession, and known Characters, are suf- ficient Vouchers; and it is by their joint Consent I mention their Names. I shall conclude by adding Mr. Douglas the Surgeon’s Letter to me, which con- firms the equal Efficacy of it upon hu- mane, as well as brute Bodies, SIR, [28] SIR, “ HAving made some Experiments “ with your Balsamick Styptick, “ I thought it my Duty to acquaint you “ with the Success. First Experiment. “ I open’d the Crural Artery of a Dog “ just below the Abdominal Muscles, (in “ Prefence of several Physicians and Sur- “ geons) then I applyed the Styptick ac- “ cording to your Direction, and the “ Blood was stop’d in a few Minutes, “ and the Wound was cured in a few “ Days afterward, by the continued Ap- “ plication of the same Liquor. Second “ Experiment. I cut the Thigh of a “ Dog as near the Body as possible, and “ stop’d the Blood, and cured the Wound “ as before. Third Experiment. I ex- “ tirpated three large Wens from a Wo- “ man's Head, and the Arteries bled very “ briskly in each of them; but immedi- “ ately upon the Application of the Styp- “ tick, the Blood stop’d. Fourth Expe- “ riment. A Gentleman receiv’d a “ Wound on the Back of his Hand, which “ reached from one Side to the other a- “ bout [29] “ bout the Middle; all the Veins, and “ some of the Arteries were cut tho', “ so that a Stream run down on both “ Sides; but afterwards applying the “ Styptick, it stop'd in a Moment; from “ which Experiment, &c. I am firmly “ persuaded it will be of very great Use “ to Mankind. JOHN DOUGLAS. IT would be tedious to insert all the Letters and Accounts sent me by several others, both in and out of the Business, to confirm the same Facts; I therefore omit them, as I do also several other Proofs of the foregoing Nature in human Bodies, where Arteries have been cut, and quickly stop'd by this Styptick, in the same Manner as Mr. Douglas's Letter relates; and an Appeal might be made to many more living Witnesses who know such Instances to be true, and none can bring any material In- stances to the contrary, unless by some Acci- dent not foreseen} or some remarkable Misappli- cation. [30] cation. These Things, it’s hoped, are abun- dantly sufficient to demonstrate the first Part, viz. that it effectually stops all exter- nal Bleedings without Bandage, Escar or Corrosion, by its healing Balsamick as well as Styptick Quality, NEXT Step is to shew its equal Force and Safety as to internal Bleedings, whe- ther bleeding at the Nose, spitting and vomiting Blood, and the excessive Cate- menia. AS these Matters Fall chiefly under the Care of Physicians and Apothecaries, the former of which seldom care to pre- scribe, nor can indeed at once introduce a new invented Medicine, be it never so good, (left they should be branded as Quacks) many of the Apothecaries nei- ther have, nor at first see their Interest in having it; this naturally creates a Difficulty of producing so numerous and ample Proofs made of it by many of the first Rank; yet in all these Particulars there are not wanting sufficient Proofs from a compleat Number of suitable ex- pert Witnesses. FIRST, [31] FIRST, As to Bleeding at the Nose two Instances among several others may suffice. About the Beginning of Janu- ary 1719, Mr. Bellers in the Poultrey de- sired me to give Advice and Assistance to a poor Man, William Staines, who was then at Islington at the Sign of the Two Brewers: He had been ill about a Fortnight, and afterwards fell into a Bleeding at the Nose, which continued above Four Days and Nights, so that his Strength was exhausted, and he could neither go nor stand, and had almost lost his Senses; several of the best and usual Means that could be thought of by the Surgeon and Apothecary, had been used in vain. I went and found the poor Wretch, to his own and others Apprehension, al- most expiring; I first gave him a Spoon- ful of the Styptick as a Cordial, then made him clear his Nose as well as he could in such Weakness, thereupon ap- plying a Dosil of Lint, steeped in the Liquor, up his Nose, the Bleeding was stop'd [32] stop’d in a few Minutes; he took ano- ther Spoonful, and fell asleep quickly: I left him, and his Bleeding never retur- ned; he soon recovered. AN Account of this Fact was sign’d by the Man, and several neighbouring Gentlemen, and handed about to testify it; so that it was shewn to several emi- nent Persons of the Faculty, before I knew any thing of it, and then as a Present was sent, and now lies before me. Mr. Douglas sent me a Letter, in which was a P.S. being a Copy from a Brother Surgeon at Gloucester, lately relating what Wonderful Success he had in seve- ral Instances with this Styptick, and which he found to stop Bleeding like a Charm; particularly in the Case of a Woman bleeding at the Nose, which had baffled several Surgeons thereabouts; but by thrusting of Tents dip’d in this Styp- tick Liquor up her Nose, the Bleeding stop’d immediately. SEVE- [33] SEVERAL other Instances of the like Success in this Case might be given, but as bleeding at the Nose is so near a-kin to external Bleedings, if the Vessel can be reach’d by the Dosil, which therefore makes clearing the Nose requisite, its needless to multiply Proofs of this kind. I SHALL proceed to much more dif- ficult Cases, which are out of the Reach of Tents and Dosils, and shew by indubi- table Proofs, that the Medicine is of the same Certainty and Safety inwardly a- gainst vomiting and spitting of Blood when prudently used. AND the first is of a young Man, Mr. Nightingall, the late Mr. Doubles Partner, whom tho’ I never attended in his Illness, the Case as his Letter shewed was thus. About the Beginning of Sep- ember 1719, he was in the Evening seiz- ed with vomiting and spitting of Blood several Times, about an Hour betwixt each Fit: He was blooded, and the Sur- geon gave him about two Spoonfuls of this Balsmick Styptick, and repeated it D next [34] next Morning, for a little Blood appear’d mix’d with the Spittle; but continuing the Use of the Styptick two or three Days in that manner Night and Morning, be grew perfectly well, and never had any Relapse to the Date of his Letter, Ja- nuary 22. 1719, which was above four Months after. ANOTHER Case was of Mr. Sutton, the Brasier's Servant, J. Randel, who ac- cidentally dashing his Breast against a Post, after which Blow he spit and vo- mited Blood for a great many Weeks to- gether, less or more; but the Surgeon at last apply’d the Use of the Styptick by a Spoonful or Two a Day, which in a little Time stop’d both the spitting and vomiting Blood. IN a Letter I received from Mr. Col- lier, the Surgeon in Red-Cross Street, a- mong several other Facts of its curing great external Bleedings and Wounds un- der his Care, he adds a remarkable Case of a Patient of his, a Distiller, who, through excessive drinking spirituous Li- quors, [35] quors, had thrown himself into violent spitting and vomiting Blood, but by giving him small Draughts made up chiefly of the-Styptlck, he was soon cured; on Recovery, he returning to his irre- gular Course, he relapsed as before, and then he could find Benefit and Relief by no other Astringent or Medicine of any kind so soon as by this Styptick. THE like Success he had with it on a Shoemaker, his Patient, in a like Case of spitting Blood whom it was feared was gone into a Consumption. Wherefore he finding such Success in these Instances, was encouraged to try it in other Cases internal as well as external; he having himself frequently found it of great Re- lief upon violent Effusions of bloody Urine, caused, as he supposed, by the Stone in the Kidneys; and tho’ it no way re- lieves theStone, yet it restrained the fright- ful Symptoms of Bleeding for the Time. I HAVE a written Account from Mr. Jones, late Apothecary in Lombard Street, who, among several other Expe- D2 riences [36 riences of the Success of this Styptick a- mong his Patients, relates of one at Chelsea, who in the Small-Pox bled at the Nose, and also spit and vomited Blood, yet it was judg’d impracticable to bleed him: In that Extremity be had a Julep made up with this Styptick, of which taking two or three Spoonfuls e- very three or four Hours, the Bleeding ceased, and the Patient went through the Distemper well, and recover’d. I HAVE another Account from thence of a Patient of theirs near Seventy Years old, who, for about three Hours, had vomited Blood prodigiously, so that it had brought her into Swoonings and vio- lent Cramp-like Convulsives; they gave her of the Styptick ℥iii allay’d with Frog Spawn Water; the first three Spoonfuls immediately quieted the Symptoms, re- vived her, and in two or three Hours Time, sat up in Bed; she continued using it in this Proportion two or three Days, and finding some Oppression at her Sto- mach, advising with me about it, I re- commended giving her an easy Evacua- tion [37] tion downward, which brought gru- mous bloody Clots away by Stool, and she soon recover’d her usual Strength and continued Health. THIS Case they compare as a more remarkable Cure than another related by Mr. Prude the Apothecary, by this same Medicine in a somewhat like Case; but as Mr. Prude never spoke to me of it, nor have I the Satisfaction to know him, I forbear saying any more of that. FROM all these instances, and many more that might be brought, there is ample Proof of the Medicine being effectual and safe, inwardly as well as outwardly. And farther, it is to be re- marked, that most of these are Facts and Patients that I no way attended, nor give Account of, but in the written Words of the Patients themselves, or the Per- sons that attended them, which lie be- fore me. Therefore I shall conclude this Article of Proof, with a Relation of two three of the many Patients in these Cases under my own Care. D3 ABOUT [38] ABOUT Midsummer 1720, I was ad- vised with about Mrs. Chapman, a Gen- tlewoman of Highgate; she spit Blood, was in a Hectick Fever, and indeed in the last Stage of a Consumption: The Rela- tions enquiring of me, whether the Styp- tick might be safely and successfully given against spitting of Blood in her Case? Waiting on the Gentlewoman, and meet- ing with the worthy Gentleman her Phy- sican, upon Consultation together, he Was afraid this Balsamick Styptick was too hot and generous to be given in her Hectick Case; I proposed allaying it to the Strength of a common Cordial, and giving it so, but he added to this pur- pose, His only Fear in it was heightning her Fever, but if from the Nature and Power of this Balsamick Styptick, which himself did not know (though I did) the Bleeding might be stop'd, he advised it might be done, if I would undertake that it no way would excite the Fever. I assured him it might be done. She immediately took about a Spoonful of it alone; and being animated against being frighten’d if any Blood extravaseated should be thrown up [39] up that Night or next Morning, the spit up next Morning some grumous clottish Blood, but never after, so as to disturb her; her Fever was not in the least: in- creased, and all this was over in Forty Eight Hours, and (he recruited for some Time after. It’s true, this did not cure her Consumption, nor was it proposed to do that, but shewed the Power and Safety of the Styptick; however, some Weeks after she relapsed into her languishing Consumption, and died. I was called to a Patient in Red-Cross street, Mrs. A. White, who had vomit- ted and spit Blood a long Time, for which she had the Advice of Dr. Cade, and several other eminent Physicians, but to no effect, so that she was quite dis- courag’d, and despairing of Help; I be- ing desired visited her, and I ordered the following Mixture of the Styptick : R. Effent, Bals. Stypt. ℥iv. Aq. Ceras, ℥ii Syrup. Iperic. q. s, of this Mixture of the Styptick she took two or three Spoonfuls every 4 or 6 Hours, and in a few Days her spiting and vomiting of Blood quite D4 stop'd; [40] stop’d; but had still no Appetite, nor was she free from a Nauseousness and Oppression at her Stomach; therefore a gentle alterative Purge being given, which she repeated once a Week as Oc- casion required, without any Confine- ment or Regimen, and also continuing to take once or twice a Day of the afore- said Mixture, she recovered Appetite, Strength, and Vivacity, and marry’d Mr. Griffin in White-Cross-street in a few Months afterwards. BUT to conclude these kind of Proofs. About May last, 1722, a young Woman in Coleman-street, at Mr. Higgs's was seiz’d with violent bleeding, both at the Nose and Mouth, and in some Days lost an incredible Quantity: Thus she continued for ten Days together by Fits, the Physi- cian, Surgeon and Apothecary not be- ing able to help her; she was so reduc’d that she fell into frequent Faintings, and violent Convulsions; at last I being call’d in, by the using this Medicine, in forty Hours her bleeding was stop’d effectual- ly. [41] ly, and by other proper Medicines I cur’d her Convulsions in a short Time. FROM this Train of Witnesses it’s evi- dent, that this Balsamick Essence retains its ingrafted Virtue in a manner superior to the digestive Alterations of the Stomach, even tho’ it mixes with the Chyle, and is so transmitted to the Blood thro’ the lacteal Vessels, and to the Lungs, or wherever the Vessels are that the Blood issues from. All this will be more conspicuous by the following Article: I proceed to the last and most intricate Part of Practice of Physick of this Na- ture to which this Medicine extends, (viz.) the Excessive Catameniœ; and if it appears to stand that Tryal, it is not Va- nity to say, it will do all in a manner that any Physician, Surgeon or Apothecary can desire from it as a Styptick and a Balsam, IN these Disorders and Weaknesses of the Female Sex, much Caution is re- quisite, left whilst a Relief is given in one [42] one respect, as much Mischief is done in another; so that to have such a Medicine as this, which is safe, sure, and easy, is a peculiar Benefit and Improvement in this nice Article of Practice. IN producing the Testimonials of the Power of this Balsamick Cordial in this tender Point, I hope the Gentlemen of the Faculty, and all the World will ex- cuse me, if I don’t mention Names, ei- ther of the Patients or Physician, or at- tending Surgeon or Apothecary; it’s a Matter too nice in respect of this sort of the afflicted Objects, who I'm sure will excuse me. AMONG several other Accounts, here is a Letter before me of one, wherein the Patient’s Case, thro’ excessive Weakness, had disappointed all the Skill of the Phy- sician, who was one of the first: Rank, and baffled all the Power of the Apothe- cary’s Shop for all usual Medicines that Way. IN [43] IN this Extremity I was apply’d to, after she had been languishing for seve- ral Months; upon directing the Use of this Cordial Balsamick Styptick with a mode- rate Allay, in a few Days she wonderful- ly recruited, and in a very short Time fully recover’d. IF at any Time on the usual Season of Nature, Excess threatens, she is quickly set to right by the same Medicine. I have several Letters before me from different Persons in the Practice of Phy- sick, all confirming the same Effects from their own Experience and Practice in like Circumstances to the forementioned Case. I can appeal to, and could name some of the first Rank of Physick and Surgery for their own Experience, upon using this Medicine, both when the Patient knew, and others that did not know, what and whose the Medicine was that succeeded in this deplorable Case, tho’ the Author was absent, when other usu- al [44] al Methods had been tediously used, but in vain. AS to my own Practice with it, I never was disappointed that I know of, in the many Occasions I have had in these kind of Patients that I personally attended. AND very lately an unfortunate young Woman, whose Business required much Attendance among Ladies, upon her Af- fliction this way being related to me, she was Soon relieved by the prudent Use of this Medicine. SOMETIMES indeed, the Patient is involved with such a Complication of Disorders thro' a bad Constitution, as re- quires the Physician’s Skill to be shewn on other Intentions than merely an imme- diate relieving this frightful Symptom of the excessive Weakness. In that Case, let the Physician but take care for the other Symptoms, and they may safely rely on this for its Part. THUS [45] THUS by progressive Experiments and Proofs, hath been given an ample Con- firmation of what was proposed, viz. that this Styptick Balsam is of such Virtue, as that it will stop External or Internal Bleedings without any corrosive, nauseous or dangerous Tendency, and at once answer the Intention of all the other yet known Stypticks, without the least of the Incon- veniencies natural to one or other of them. I LEAVE daily Experience to testify whether those Stypticks, applauded for Specificks, but really prepared from Vi- triol, do not still retain somewhat of a corrosive Quality, even troublesome or dangerous in External Cases. And even that nice Preparation from Vitriol by Mr. Dennis, which was like Rabel’s Drops, still retain’d a Corrosiveness, as the print- ed Description by the French King’s Phy- sician shews. Therefore it is that the Surgeons frequently use dry Tow or Lint, and no Styptick at all, in their Amputa- tions, when only small Arteries are o- pen’d. Their common Method now is ty- ing [46] ing up the large Arteries, which in that Case prevents the need of any Styptick: For in those common Cases, in the Hospi- tals, and with other Patients, there are such calm Proceedings, by previously fixing their Rollers to prevent Expence of Blood, that perhaps not above two or three Ounces of Blood shall be lost; but in a time of Hurry and Tumult, or at Land or Sea-Fights, where there is a vast Effusion of Blood, and Crouds of mise- rable Objects, which prevent calmly ty- ing up the Arteries, there to have at Hand such a sovereign Styptick Balsam and Cor- dial all in one, would tend to save the Lives and Limbs of Multitudes, who are lost for want of such prompt Relief. The Patients themselves may hold a Compress of Tow, steeped in the Li- quor, To as sufficiently to save the Loss of Blood and Spirits, till the Leisure of the Surgeon gives a more regular As- isstance. AND as Surgeons for fear of a caustick corrosive Quality, which might produce an Escar [47] Efcar or Inflamation, now very much dis- use Stypticks for the externa] Bleedings; so much more are all skilful Physici- ans cautious as to the internal Use of such-like Stypticks. THAT for want of such a certain and safe Medicine, are they drove to the use of Jesuits Bark, Sang. Drac. Juice of Nettles, Ter. Tapon, & Lemn. Tormen- til Root, and the like uncertain and nau- seous Things; and reduced to the Ne- cessity of half starving their languishing Patients by a cool low Diet, for fear of heating the Blood, and provoking the Malady; and this even at a Time when the Patient wants generous Cordials and nourishing, to supply the exhausted Blood and Spirits; yet is forced to have a nauseous Bolus, or the like surfeiting Draughts, cram’d down upon a tender kicking Stomach, enough to give a Vo- mit to a healthful Constitution: But all this tedious Loathsomeness, which is a Reproach to Physick, and a Martyrdom to Patients, may easily be prevented, and [48] and the utmost Intention of it be gained by this Cordial Balsam and Styptick Es- sence, and with the utmost Safety from any Tendency to a caustick or corrosive, or any otherwise dangerous Quality. CHAP. [49] CHAP. III. HAVING fairly repre- sented Facts fully to confirm and demon- strate the Matter pro- posed, lt may be per- haps expected farther, that some Direction should be given more distinct as to the using it; and tho’ it's almost needless, especially to any Gentleman of the Faculty or in any Branch of Practice, yet for the general Good, a few items may not be unseason- able. ALL the Cases where this Medicine as a Styptick or Balsam may be necessary, must either be for inward or outward Bleed- ings from what Cause soever is not the Question. As for the outward Applica- tion of it, upon Bleedings by fresh Wounds or accidental cutting or prick- ing of Arteries, only holding on with the Pressure of a Finger, a little Tow or Rag steep’d in the Liquor, and the Bleeding will be stop’d in a few Mi- E nutes, [50] nutes, then tying it gently on the Part, the Intentions will be fully answer’d. IF the Bleeding should not quickly stop, the only Cause is, that the Medi- cine does not reach the Orifice of the bleeding Vessels; either some Skin co- vers the Vessels, and so prevents it, or the Smallness of the Orifice and the pres- sing the Flesh too close, hinders the Me- dicine from being suitably apply’d and entering to touch it. THUS a young Lady was disappoint- ed in using it, who had scratched her Face by a Fall in a gravelly Place; and though she apply’d the Styptick, it did not stop the Blood suddenly, because the Capillary Vessels were cover’d by the odd rubbing off the Skin, so that the Blood ouzed from under the Skin as from under a Valve, that the Medicine could not touch it. In like manner, a skilful Surgeon was disappointed in using it to stop the Bleeding upon his opening the Jugular Vein of a Patient; for the Vessel lying deep, and the Orifice being very small, [51] small, pressing it too close (I suppose) prevented theMedicine’s entring the Ori- fice and reaching the Vessel, though the same Surgeon had sufficiently seen and known its Power. AND in this manner I saw a Dog, whose Crural Artery being open’d, and the Medicine apply’d, the Bleeding stop’d in a few Minutes; but he being got loose by strugling, it bled again, and the Styptick was apply’d unsuccessfully for a long Time, till one of the Company taking Notice that the Orifice of the Artery was cover’d by the Muscle, he apply’d it carefully to the Artery, and it stop’d in a few Minutes as at first, and never bled again, These cautionary Hints I thought necessary,to prevent Mi- stakes in Surgeons and others. AS to the inward Use of it, in spit- ting or vomiting Blood, or Weakness of the Sex, by taking a Spoonful or two every Fourth or Sixth Hour, the Effect will soon he obtained; but it being so strong and generous a Cordial, it may E2 be [52] be properly allayed by some simple Wa- ter, as Cherry, Plantain or Common Wa- ter. The Reason of this will appear by an Instance of a worthy Gentlewoman (never used to drink Drams) yet think- ing she might drink of this Medicine plentifully, and that her spitting of Blood would stop the sooner the more she drank of it, therefore she took Seven or Eight Spoonfuls in the Time she ought to have taken but Three or Four, and not al- layed; this over-heated her, and her spitting of Blood not at all ceasing in Twen- ty Four or Thirty Hours, she being frighten’d, and my self indispos’d and out of Town, she sent for her Surgeon, who prudently gave her a cooling astringent Apozem, with an usual Electuary on such Occasions, a Day before I came back: I was quickly sensible how the Mistake happen’d; yet assur’d that the Medi- cine had given its Balsamick and Styptick Virtue to the Blood,so that as soon as ever her over-heating from taking too much of it was abated, her spitting Blood should cease, as in two or three Days the Event answer'd. But the Surgeon justiy went away [53] away with the Honour of doing what the Styptick did not in Appearance perform through that Mistake, though really it did in Effect; perhaps the Mistake was in me alone, and none at all in the Lady, who, however, God be thanked, did very well. TO prevent any such like Mistakes again, I commonly prescribe it in the fol- lowing manner. R. Cherry Water ℥fs. Balsamick Styp- tick Essence ℥i. repeating this Draught every sixth Hour, or Night and Morn- ing, and making it weaker or stronger, as the Case of the Patient requires; it may also be mixed into a suitable Bolus or Electuary, instead of Syrrup on that Occasion. SO long as the Medicine is not mixed with what Castrates, or prevents its Power and Nature, all these artificial Managements, which are easy to the skilful Practitioner, may be used to the E3 Ad- [54] Advantage of the Patient, without any seeming Innovation in Practice, Satis Verbum Sapienti. BUT by these Mixtures it must be re- membred, the Medicine's Force is a lit- tle allayed, and what might one way be done at twice or thrice with Safety, may be done in Ten or Twenty Times. BUT in Cases of the last Extremity from inward Bleedings, there must be no dallying by mixing it. If the vo- mitting Blood or Catameniœ be excessive, then let the Patients take a Spoonful or two unmixed; or if mixing be necessary, as little mixed as possible; and repeat it every four or six Hours till their Life is safe. And if the Catameniœ are very ex- cessive, apply a warm Cloth steep’d in Claret or Tent mix’d with the Styptick, as as well as give it inwardly. These Di- rections may suffice both for the skilful and vulgar. CHAP. [55] Chap. IV. THUS hath been shewn, by a few Instances of the several sorts of Bleedings both outward and inward, which Phy- sicians, Surgeons or A- pothecaries commonly attend, that this new Balsamick Styptick does sufficiently answer in them all, without the Danger or Nauseousness of other Stypticks. Also having given sufficiently Directions and Cautions for the using of it in the seve- ral Cases, it is hoped for the first Essay, this may be enough. And though this Medicine is new among us, and performs its Effects from a Principle not much minded, yet the Effect being so safe and certain, it is left to its own Recommen- dation. BUT though this Medicine be per- fected as a Styptick Balsam, and is not here recommended for any Thing else, yet it is but in its Infancy; nor do I un- E4 dertake [56] dertake at present, for any other Virtues that are in it, or any farther Improve- ments that may rise from the same Prin- ciple. The Principle I have communi- cated only to one Gentleman, nor did I think it proper to divulge till the Force and Certainty of it should become too visible to be denied or doubted. I own, upon my first Entrance into the Practice of my Profession, I freely disclosed the Secret to my worthy and honoured Friend Mr. Francis Moult in Hatton-Garden, whose great Experience in Chymical Operations, his Candour as my Friend, and Honour as a Gentleman, sufficiently encouraged me to intrust him with it; and he indeed is Witness to many of the Experiments I have herein mentioned, and many more. AND I must: on this Account own with grateful Acknowledgments, his encouraging me in the Preparation of it upon the Principle I communicated, and also his Readiness to assist me in or- der to perfect this Medicine my self, having [57] having not then, either a Laboratory or Chymical Convenience, nor the Experience I have since had. I own, I cannot but regret the Neglect of several Principles of Physick, which I conceive (if duly attended to by Per- sons at Leisure, and more capable of im- proving upon them) might give birth to greater Discoveries than any that I have made from them: And I leave it to be considered, whether the Loss of many noble Chymical Medicines, which elude the Skill of our present Operators, tho' brought to Perfection by diversable Chy- mists of the last Age, may not be owing to a Neglect of the Principles necessary to be considered in their Preparation. BY Omission of this, the Medicines are disused and thrown into Contempt, and scarce any thing but the Name of them is retained, but the Powers and skilful Pre- parations lost. IF it be enquir’d, what is become of many of the Medicines celebrated by the emi- [58] eminent Chymists, such as Sweet Sulphur of Venus, Mercurius Diaphoreticus, Oleum Vitrio. dulce, Oil of Sulphur by the Bell, Otto's Salt of Vipers, and the Volatile Al- calious Salts, or some other Specifick Me- dicines which cure the Plurify and Palsy without Bleeding and Blistering; the in- genious Practioners in Physick must needs own they are not now to be got, neither from the common Laboratories nor Apothecaries Shops; And the skilful Chymists will, I doubt not, confess that for want of observing some nicer Subtil- ties of this Art, uoderstood by the great Inventers of those Medicines, they are vastly defective in their Medicinal Power, according as those Medicines are now prepared. BUT it must be own’d, in justice to the Ingenious Chymists, and nice Operators we now have, that such a mercenary Spirit rules in one Laboratory under-sel- ling another, by Medicines of the same Name and Resemblance, tho’ vastly dif- ferent in Virtues from their true and false Preparations, that there is little Encou- rage- [59] ragement to Chymists to excel but in cheap Medicines. HOWEVER, to retrieve these valuable Secrets of Art and Nature, attained to and practis’d by several Physicians, is a Subject well deserves the Care and Ap- plication of the most curious and accurate Examiners into Physick and Nature’s Principles. LET it but be duly considered upon what Principle any Medicines by Art or Nature are formed to work their Cure, it will soon be evident where the Defect is, whether the Medicine be of the vege- table, Mineral, or from Animal Bodies. FOR if Medicines in their Simple Nature or Artificial Preparation are Specificks; that is, if for the most part they will certain- ly cure particular Distempers; it shou’d be considered, whether if these Specificks are adulterated by any foreign Mixtures, or pass new Ferments, and so are meta- morphosed before they are prescribed, whether they do not then become of a different [60] different Species? And consequently, whether their Specifick Property may not be weakened, if not wholly lost? and so the Patient lose the Advantage, and the Medicine its Credit. As for the gross evacuatory Medicines by Vomits, and Seige, they are suffici- ently known to every Practitioner, that its needless to point at the Principle they operate by, tho’ each of them hath its spe- cial Property for such and such Inten- tions. BUT besides Specifick Medicines, there are others which act upon general Princi- ples, and by the mechanick Laws of Na- ture commonly observed, perform their medicinal Operations almost as certainly as Specificks, when judiciously admini- stred; such are the Volatile Dissolving Diaphoretick Medicines. These by their Property dissolve, and circulating do wash away like a Soap (by Perspiration, Sweat, Urine, or gentle Seige, as best serves Na- ture, put in a sutable Regimen) the viti- ous morbisick Matter or Excrement-like Im- [61] Impurities wheresoever it is lodged, whe- ther in the Stomach, Bowels, or more remote Passages of the Animal Oecono- my, whereby Fevers and other Disorders are excited and engendred. SUCH like general Medicines also are those sweet astringent Balsams, which being rendred Volatile, easily glide thro' the Blood and Vital Juices of the Body, recruiting the languid Spirit, and unfold their lengthening Virtue to the seve- ral decaying Powers and Faculties as they pass thro’ the various Animal Digestions. THERE are other general Medicines which are Generous Cordials, or Alexi- pharmick Medicines; these, like Wine or proper Food, refresh and replenish depau- perated Nature. Yet it may be observed of these very Alexipharmick, or Cordial Medicines, some are more, some less friendly to nervous Disorders, and other Weakness (especially in the more tender Sex) obvious to a Physician’s Judgment and Care. For the simple Cephalick Cor- dials, as Snake-Root, Cochineal, Saffron, &c. and [62] and the Compounds of Venice Treacle, Mithridate, Rauleigh's Confection, together with common Compound-Waters; these are Cordials or Alexipharmicks of one kind, but the Russian Castor, Phu or Valerian Root Amber, Porcupine, Bezoar, &c. these are nervous Alexipharmicks of another kind. WHETHER some of these and the like do not operate chiefly by an alterative Fe- rment, or by a Fume, agreeably affecting the Head, Stomach, or Uterus, is a Mat- ter not unworthy of our Reflection. FOR is it not evident that several Things work powerfully upon humane Constitutions by their Scents, Savours and Odours? Witness the malignant Influence of the invisible, and to the Nose insensi- ble, Vapour diffused from Arsenick Fumes or from Cheese or Cats, &c.to several Persons; and the beneficial Influence From AssaFœtida, Galbanum, Phu, Spirits of Harts-horn, &c, which give speedy Relief in several ner- vous, hysterick and convulsive Disorders, as is plain to those who know how to use [63] use them skilfully in their simple Nature or adapt Compositions. AND it may be noted, that Medicine like a Sword, may be used for Defence or Offence: Thus the same Odours that excite Fits of the Mother and Convul- sions when they impress the Nose, if the same Things are apply’d to another ap- propriate Part, will speedily cure those Fits in Women, as much as by removing the Cheese or Cat, the sickning and fainting caused thereby is immediately relieved. THERE are other Medicines that act by a Quality wholly insensible to our common Sensations, like the hidden Virtue of the Loadstone diffusing its directive Influence within a certain Sphere and Medium, yet so as not in the least to affect any other Body but the Steel, to which it is adapted. IN a manner somewhat resembling this, a constant Vapour or Efflux is in- sensibly diffused from these Medicines operating [64] operating in a peculiar way on Bodies Prepared, and within their Sphere of Activity, without any sensible Diminu- tion of their Quantity. THUS the antimonial Cup imparts its Emetick Quality; decoded Quick- silver, its Virtue against Worms; the Porcupine Bezoar, its bitter Tinge, and Saturn prepared its sanative Virtue to ulcerous Cancers. AND now that these nicer Principles of Physick are pointed at, it would be unjust: not to mention the old forgotten Principle of medicinal Sympathy, by which some of the Emperical Tribe pre- tended to work Cures without an im- mediate Contact of the Bodies; which whether it be a Notion wholly imaginary, or whether that and some other abstruse Powers, as well natural as artificial, ever have been or can be brought under cer- tain Standard Regulations for a safe and honourable Practice of Physick, the accu- rate Experience of curious Virtuoso’s can only decide, however it may be can- vassed vased by the Inventers oF new Theories and Defenders of old Systems, AMONGST these several Hints of medicinal Principles and Properties thus transiently mention'd, a skilful Naturalist will easily observe into which Class the Principle of this new Balsamick Styptick may be ranged, and by what Virtue it performs so suprising Effects. And it is with a candid Intention thus far to dis- close the Principle of this new Medicine that I have here given a cursory Glance at the Principles and Powers by which medicinal Operations of Bodies are pro- bably performed. WHETHER upon this Principle, or some Chymical Preparations of the like Nature, other Medicines might be pro- duced of equal Certainty for other Di- stempers, I shall not venture here to de- termine, tho’ I am strongly inclined to believe there might; since it is probable, nay evident, that many concealed Vir- tues are in a manner lock’d up in Bodies, and hinder’d from exerting themselves F by [66] by certain Obstructions in their Frame and Texture, which cannot be removed till the Bodies are dissolved; but when a Key is given which unlocks a Body, new Powers and Properties are open'd in it; and then Qualities which before were as dead and unactive, and lay as buried in Darkness, are brought to light, and like the ancient Hieroglyphick of the Phœnix, arise from their own Ashes. THUS the seminal Powers lie entang- led and restrained from springing forth, in order to give Birth to the future Plant, till the Dissolution of the Seed, which (according to the fine Observation of an Apostle, expresly alluding to these acurate Works of Nature) is not quicken'd except it die, I Cor. iv. 36. But if it die or be dissolved (so as to preserve its seminal Virtue undestroyed) the imprison’d Life breaks forth and unfolds it self into a a new Plant or Vegetable. A fruitful Hint, first given by the great Master of Wisdom, John xii. 24. not dropped in vain, but from which many useful Dis- coveries as well as curious Observations may be gather’d. To [67] To conclude. Though the Novelty of this Styptick Balsam in its Nature and Operation may surprise, it’s hoped the Demonstration of Facts will convince. BUT if any seeming or accidental Miscarriage, either in the external or internal Application of it, should render the Success of it disputable, I offer and desire the most publick Experiment, ei- ther upon Brutes or on Humane Bodies, as Opportunities in Hospitals daily pre- sent, at once to determine the Enquiry, and prevent all occasion for Doubt or De- bate. This I hope may prevent Cavils against the Author, or petty Objections against the Medicine, whilst it is offered to give further Explications of the Prin- ciples of it, as well as new Demonstrati- ons of Facts, as far as can reasonably be required for the Improvement of Physick, and the Good of Mankind, F2 POST [68] POSTSCRIPT. I HAVE heard of no material Objections in the Progress of this Styptick except in two Instances, and those only in external Cases; therefore it may be proper for the Reader’s Satisfaction, to give a just Account of them as follows. THERE was a peremptory Report, that Mr. Albone the Chymist, had his Hand very much inflamed and corroded by this Styptick being applied to a Wound he re- ceived, and that it would not stop the Bleeding. Mr. Cheselden the Surgeon first told me of it, the Person being his Patient after the Accident; I immediately went with him to the Gentleman, (then a Stranger to me) who quickly gave us a quite contrary Account, and since hath wrote and signed it to this import, viz. That wounding his Hand grievously by breaking a Vial, an Artery was cut and bled furiously, but applying this Styptick Balsam [69] Balsam it stop'd and continued so several Days, and when he undres'd the Wound it appear'd skinn'd over; but then strain- ing his Hand the Artery burst and bled again: The same Styptick was again used with the same Success. A few Days after he taking Physick, wherein something was mixed to which he had an utter Antipa- thy, this put his Blood into a violent E- bulition, and the Bleeding burst out again and nothing could stop it. In this Dis- order, another Styptick was used several times but in vain, until it was applied with a tight Bandage, thereupon ensued the Inflamation and Corrosion which Mr. Cheselden found the Hand in; but that Misfortune could never with any Justice, be imputed to the using the Styptick Bal– sam, but the other. ANOTHER pretended Failure was at St. Thomas's Hospital; the late eminent Surgeon Mr. Dickenson took early Notice and recommended this Styptick, being from Experience convinced of its Effica- cy: and the Candour and Honour done by him to the Medicine sufficiently a- tones, if he had unawares miscarried in applying it. HE 70 HE having a cancerated Breast to take off, thought this a proper Opportunity to introduce it publickly into that famous Hospital; accordingly, instead of their u- sual Methods, he only used Dosils of Lint or Tow steep’d in this Styptick Liquor, and applying them to the Breast, bound it up; He and Mr. Grege the Surgeon in Ave-mary-Lane, stayed about Three-quar- ters of an Hour to observe it; then see- ing no Appearance of Blood, and thinking all was safe, they withdrew. But quick- ly after they were gone the Woman’s Breast (through some Accident) bled a- gain; Mr. Cheselden being there, was ear- nestly called, who came and cut off the Rollers, and opening the Breast dress’d it in their usual Way before Mr. Dickenson returned. Mr. Dickenson was still satisfied this happen'd not from any Defect in the Medicine; therefore some time after a Fungus grew upon the Breast, which he by taking off, laid the same Arteries open afresh, and thereupon used this Styptick with desired Succefs. THIS Account I had from Mr. Dick- enson who dy’d soon after, and from Mr. Grege; and I must acknowledge Mr. Chesel- [71] Cheselden's Candour, who allows me to appeal to him for the Truth of these Facts; also for what he ingeniously owns, viz,. That a Patient of his falling into spitting of Blood and immoderate menstrual Flux, was cured by the Use of this Me- dicine, which she took by the Advice and Di- rection of an eminent Physician, THIS with the other Facts before related, I hope is a sufficient Demonstra- tion that this Medicine is far from any corrosive Quality, by its Safety and Effi- cacy in internal Cases; and I am satisfy'd the Success of it need never be question’d if there be but the Care of a prudent Physician to guard against too hasty a Revulsion. Errors of the Press. P. 10. 1. I3. read refertum, 1. 25. r, ordine, P. 11. 1. 2. r. Academiæ. P. 14.1. 22. r. Ipecacuana. P. 22. I. 8. r. Disadvantages. P. 37. 1.24. r. or. P. 57. 1. 14. r. divers able. P. 62, 1, 6, dele , after Por- cupine. CONTENTS. CHAP. I. AN Apology for this New Medi- cine. CHAP. II. A Comparison betwixt this and other Stypticks, with an Account of Facts, CHAP. III. Directions for the using it. CHAP. IV. A Short View of Medicines, to Suggest to the Industrious the Principle of this, and to excite to Improvements in Phy- sick.