their life or if they be not killed thereby they have fallen into a prolonged weaknesse and their bodies are thereby cold wan and discoloured and all this by the ignorance of the operant who will put himself to the performance of this so noble help of Nature without being provided of all those things which are Necessary for him as well gifts of the body and minde as other externall Instruments Condition of the Phlebotomist As to be young well sighted to have a steady hand and exercised unto Phlebotomy a good Anatomist to know the scituation of the veines and of other parts of the body for without that he will be like unto a blinde man which cleaves wood But it will not be from the matter to note here that if the veines should not be apparent in the morning you must not breath them until about one a Clock in the day and then those who are able to walk let them use a little Exercise and then the most occult and Invisible veines as one would say will appear But I have not mentioned this here except onely concerning those who have small veynes and covered either with flesh or fat Also shall I not instruct the Chirurgion to fill the veines by rubbings or bathing of the Member in warme water Ligatures and assuring the sick party not to put them to any pain for it would be too Triviall What Instruments are to be used in Phlebotomy But I shall say to return to our purpose that the externall Instruments by which this opeation is to be accomplished shall be good Lancets of several fashions Ligatures Swathes Boulsters Red pouder burnt lint to stop the blood if there be need of it or with Cotton Pulverised according as we have shewn in our Chirurgie Chymique Default in Phlebotomists This default especially is found in the greatest part of the Phlebotomists of our age viz. That of the knowledge of that so excellent wonderfull Astrologie without which it is as it were impossible to be able well to exercise Physick or Chirurgery upon our bodyes which are by good right called a little world for their having a great Sympathy with the great one as I shall shew hereafter by the help of God as also the observation that ought to be made in the Concurrence of the Starres and the influence of them upon our bodyes to the end that we may avoid those unhappy accidents which we see daily to happen to the share of those who have been blooded so inconsideratly That which hath withdrawn me from picking and culling out all the conditions requisite in this operation as well for the Chirurgion as for the sick person and other things requisite thereupon is I not having intended to treat on this subject except of the two principall points of this operation under which two may be Comprehended all the rest whosoever will explain them Notwithstanding I shall content my self to have traced this little path for some one who indued with a more high Style and accompanyed with a greater knowledge provoked by one lesse then himself shall have had a desire to have the knowledg of this science appear above the small knowledge which it hath pleased the divine goodnesse to give me and to make the desires and lovers of true and perfect Chirurgery partakers thereof Provoked I say by this desire doth stretch out his sayles of Eloquence to steere in a higher or greater Sea then I do But winding up the thread of my discourse I shall content my self I say with these two principal Points that is to say the time of Necessity and the time of Election The time of necessity from whence taken That of Necessity is in all times and seasons and at all houres without considering any thing which may hinder provided that the Necessity be certainly known to be the most strong or pressing as I shall mention in its place The time of Election from whence taken That of Election is taken either from the nature of the body of the party who ought to be blooded or of superiour and external things which ought to be a fair clear and clean day and not Rainy not by no meanes at new Moon nor very near to the full And rather in the spring then any other season I shall declare also upon what parts of our bodyes the Planets and heavenly Signes do particularly rule also in what day or hour in what time or season To the end that having the knowledge of these things one may not commit so many errours in this operation as are committed by the ignorant Protestation of the Authour Protesting that I have not writ this Tract possessed with any other desire but to assist and help so many diseased persons who dye for want of being well comforted by this excellent remedy and not to receive any glory thereby But if I shall receive some one spark I do Consecrate and dedicate it from hence forward to the Authour of all things To whom Father Son and holy Spirit be glory honour and praise for ever and ever Amen CHAP. II. How the Chirurgion ought not to be Ignorant of Astrologie and the profit that proceeds therefrom as well for Phlebotomy as for all the diseases which happen to humane bodies The Sympathy of the Starres therewith and other discoveries most profitable to Chirurgions FOr good cause did the Comique Poet pronounce this Sentence which is worthy of great consideration to wit That there is nothing more unreasonable then the ignorant man who esteems nothing good but the things which he doth himself and of which onely he hath knowledge The which I make mention of here by reason of a Crue of Sophisters who dare contradict the force which the superiour bodyes have upon inferiours alleadging that the Ancients never took heed to these foolish fancies as they call them which they urge being ignorant that the great Hippocrates did Prognosticate the plague which was to happen to the Iyllnians And that onely by the knowledge which he had of this Admirable and divine science of Astrology By that meanes preserving a great number of the Inhabitants of Greece who in acknowledgement of one so great benefit did give and attribute unto him great honours which he dedicated to Hercules Besides having not read that the same Hippocrates restoring and increasing Physick did so far praise and respect Astrologie that he hath demonstrated by knowledge and concluded by reason that Physick is maimed without the knowledge of Astrology insomuch that the Athenians after his death caused his image to be engraven after they had built the Notable Colledges for Physick and Astrology Lectures Plin. Lib. 7. Ch. 37. And particularly for one Berosus a great Astrologian after the death of whom was erected in the Colledg of Athens a Statue having a tongue of Gold by reason of his Eloquence and great knowledge in Astrology St. Jerome in his Epistle to Paulinus affirmes the profit of Physick Astronomy and Astrology for the
with the water Florum Tiliae Tilia is a tree bearing fruit as great as a bean round in which are seeds like to Aniceseeds some call it the Linden tree or the like for it is most good to take away the Phlegmatick tumour as well within the body as without There is no necessity of discovering any other of these Medicines now because it is not my intent in this place for I have not brought in these two in this place but onely to shew that one may cure these kinds of Maladies and severall others without having recourse to Phlebotomy of which Medicines the Learned Chirurgion will know how to make use according as he shall see occasion and will invent others according as necessity shall require But above all I intreat those who shall read this little treatise that they will not sleight it for I have not taken pen in hand to Teach but to give wholesome advice and Councell for the sick and most necessary for the augmentation of the honour which the true Chirurgions aspire unto and which is more to provoke to do better as I have said elsewhere to the end that doing and persuing from good to better we may go into heaven with God to whom Father Son and holy Spirit be honour and glory Amen CHAP. VI. Of Veins to be blooded for several Infirmities which come upon mens bodies also of the use and benefit of Cupping-glasses with scarrification and without scarrification what must be observed in that Operation lastly of Horsleeches ALthough it is true I have with good reason here before said that it is not needful to blood for all maladies and at random without any consideration as is done ordinarily yet I shall not omit to describe the number of the veins proper to be blooded with the benefit of opening them together with the use of Cuping-glasses and Horsleeches for I shall thereby please the Galienists and Paracelsians and it is also the end which I have respected Let us begin then at the Vein in the middle of the fore-head which is between the two eye-browes usually called Recta sive preparata the breathing of that vein is good against old Infirmities for foul Ulcers Leprosie scabbiness Morphew Inpetigine in Maladies of the eyes in old continuing pains of the head in the affections of the brain in madness or raging The two veins of the Temples are proper to be breathed in the Megrim in the great pain of the head in continuing maladies old Inflammation of the upper skin of the eye call'd Ophthalmy in cloudy dulness of minde watring of the Eyes Pimples or Scabs on the Eye-lid The veins of the little corners of the Eyes which makes a little extuberance upon the Os Jugale are to be blooded against the same Maladies as those of the Temples The veins behinde or round about the eares which appear in the hollow place behinde them in the place where if you put your finger you will feel pulsation is to be breathed for the Megrim old Cathars the scald for reviving or repairing the memory for Ulcers of the Eares or Neck for clearing or mundifying the countenance for the pain and defluxion in the teeth for the pains and ripe imposthumes and Ulcers of the Head The Vein which is between the two Cartilages of the Nose for the Phrensie in acute Feavers old pains of the Head the old redness of the Face for the trouble of bleared Eyes running with water for dulness or heaviness in the Head for Hemorrhoides the itching or tickling of the Nose and Aposthumes thereof The veins under the Tongue which are called Ranulles for Aposthumes of the Throat and the mouth for the Squinacy you must first blood the Cephalique for the heaviness of the tongue for the Apoplexie and for all pains of the teeth for the pain and malady of the gums for Cathars and other defluxions of the Head for the Cough for the spots of the face and in the passions of the Jawes The vein which is between the Chin and the under lip for the stinking of ones mouth for the corroding breaking out and for chapt lips or soreness of the gums for Ulcers of the Nose for an ill complexioned face for the pains of the Dugs or Paps and for the pain of the Head The two veins of the neck called Jugulary Veins th' one on the right side and th' other on the left for the Impetigo or Ring-worm for Serpigo being Pushes and angry read wheals the Noli me tangere for the Cancer Corrosive in the swelling of the Gums for the Squinacy for the Asthma for a hoarse voyce for the Aposthumes of the Lungs for the Passion of the Spleen for the pain of the sides The Cephalique Vein which they call humerall Cubitall between the thumb and the fore-finger one may make incision of it without any danger in the superior part of it in the bending of the Arm against the infirmities of the Stomach and the shaking in the hand The Median in the bending of the Arm between the Cephalique and the Basilique which is commonly called black and the vein of the heart and this is for the evacation of all the humours in maladies of the whole body principally those of the heart and strengthens the stomach or appetite for all the Passions of the stomach of the Liver of the Spleen of the Lungs of the Breast and of all the Body The Basilique called the great Basilique of the Liver for the Spleen the Breast the Lungs the Stomach the Liver abundance of Choler and for the heat of the Liver for the pain of the Teeth of the Back of the sides partes laterales and of all the members for the Hemorrhogie of the Nose for the itching and pricking in the skin and in Feavers The Salvatella called the Splenatique vein between the Auricular or little finger and the Medicus otherwise called the Ring-finger declining towards it the breathing of that vein to wit that on the right hand is prevalent in the affections and obstructions of the Liver and that of the left hand in the stoppings of the Spleen in short the one or the other is prevalent for the pain or the Heart Yellow Jaundice to all Feavers to the obstruction in the breast for the yellowness comming in the eyes The Apoplectique or vena poplitis which is at the bending of the knee for the provocation of the Menstrue for pains in Arms for affections in the Loynes for the provocation of Hemorrhoides for pains in the Blather for passions in the testicles for the infirmity of the feet for all maladies of the Articulations The Ischiadique or Sciatique Vein under the Vein which runs acrosse the outward Ancle of the Foot calld Maleolla or round about it for the pains of the Ischium or hip-Gout the Foot-Gout Leprosie Varices or Veins sweld with corrupted blood for pains in the Bladder for the difficulty of Urine for Ulcers and swellings of the Testicles in Ulcers
are prevalent against all the distempers of the Head Eyes and Eares They being applyed upon the Reyns are prevalent against the Apotemes of the Coccix Sabbine so Hemorrhoides Gout Leprosie for the itching of the back and scabbiness there for the windiness and coldness thereof and other distempers for the windes in the Bladder They being applyed upon the Navel are prevalent against the Maladies of the Matrix and for the Cholick Upon the Hypocondries to draw back the Impetuous issuing of blood at the Nostrils and for immoderate Flux of blood from the Uterus They being applyed to the Loynes stop the Hemorrhoides and cause the pain of the back to cease as also of the Matrix and of the Loynes to repress the too strong desire of Venery to heal the scabbiness and Aposthumes within side of the Thighes They being applyed upon the Buttocks do cleanse the blood and are beneficial for the cure of the white Menstrue for the pains of the privities and of the Loynes and the Breast In the Interior part of the Coccyx for the Aposthumes of the Testicles in the Issues or sores of the sides and of the Coccyx They are to be applied on the hinder part of the Coccyx in Aposthemes and running sores of the Buttocks They are to be applied under the Ham or bending of the knee for the pulsation of the sinew near the knee which turns the Legg inwards which is occasioned by a cold humour and for Ulcers and running sores of the Feet They being applied to the fleshy parts of the Thighes they do good to all the parts of the Body for the Tumors or swellings of the Buttocks and for Aposthemes thereof for pains of the Reins of the back and the Bladder for Fluxions in the Eyes for affections in the Head for cold Aposthemes and tremblings of the knees for maladies of the stomack or breast pains of the back for Aposthemes of the Testicles for wounds and ulcers in the Coccyx and in the privy parts yea in the old pains of the Matrix for purging the Matrix of its superfluities for the Aposthemes and sores of the hands to provoke the Hemorrhoides and the Menstrue for the Sciatica Gout and Vertigo or swimming in the Head I should have spoken much more of the utility of Cupping-glasses but I forbear for brevity sake And come now to speak of observation concerning the manner of the use of them Those things which ought to be observed before applying of Cupping-glasses THose who are best versed in the Rules and Observations Astrological and Medicinal are of opinion that you ought to applie Cupping-glasses or little Horns for that purpose upon Phlegmatique persons when the Moon is in Aries or Sagittarius To the Cholerique when she is in Cancer Scorpio or Pisces To the melancholique when the Moon is found in Gemini Libra or Aquarius notwithstanding you must take notice not to scarrifie the part when the Moon is in the Sign which governs it and in generall not to use it neither with Glasses nor with little Horns when the Moon is in Leo it is true there are Horns applied at all times but it is without Fire or Candle You must also take notice not to scarrifie before four years of age nor after 60. And you must also avoid that operation in the new and full Moon The scarrifications may be made about the second or third houre of the day an houre before eating or drinking The place where one ought to applie the Cupping-glasses or Horns should be well fomented with warm water or use frictions for half an houre or an hour with a warm Linnen Cloth especially to such who you suppose have thick blood or if it be in the winter time Besides you must not apply them before the Body be empried or purged neither are they proper in a Plethorique body nor in any part affected with a Phlegmon as for the rest the wise Chirurgion will dispense with these rules according to the violence of the Maladie Necessity derogating from all Lawes Here followeth the use of Horse-leeches There is no so dull block-head but knowes what Horsleeches are they are ordinarily applied there where Cupping-glasses can take no place as on the nose upon the lips gums fingers privities Hemorrhoides at the entrance of the Os Matricis and other places One should choose them such as are bred in good clear and running waters which have yellow streaks upon their backs and not those among rushes in bad waters and which are of a horrible colour and have a great head because those are venomous Gui. Treatise 7. Section 1. Chap. 1. And you must not applie them being fresh taken but keep them a whole day in clean water to the end they may vomit forth that which they have in their Bellies Oribas Lib. 1. Chap. 15. It is good to leave them without water three or four houres space before you apply them for they will after that be more greedy You must wash the place where you applie them with warm water and then dry and rub the place with a Linnen Cloth until it be red except in places where there is great pain then having made a slight scarrification upon every place where you would applie the Horsleech put thereupon a little drop of a Chickens blood and then applie the Horsleech holding it in a clean Linnen Cloth for most commonly they will not take hold if you hold them in your naked hands and when they have suckt enough they will fall off themselves otherwise every one knowes the way to make them and to order them in these things Above all let one take heed not to applie them when the Moon is in the Signe governing the part for you must observe the same in applying these as in the operation of blooding and using Cupping-glasses I beseech the Authour of all things that all those who read this Treatise may make use of it to their advantage To whom Father Son and holy Spirit be honour and glory for ever Amen The end of the Treatise of Phlebotomie A Brief Treatise Or discourse concerning Crisis's Wherein is shewn how people do deceive themselves in their judgements upon them being ignorant of the Motion of the Starrs All things have a regular motion GOd the Creator according to his inestimable goodness Clemency and wisdome put into the nature of things well ordered and regulated motions insomuch that he hath been pleased that not any thing should move by chance or rashly but that all should move by good order and a continuall succession And so the Starrs The Elements the Ocean the seasons of the year and the Spheres of the heavens have their motions and vicissitudes and performe their Courses absolutely regular The humors have a Limited course In like manner the humors which are in humane bodies have their effects their proper motions and certain Periods so that in every one of the four Seasons of the year each humour performes its part and
parts to the exteriour The other is called perfect whereby nature even as Mistris and Lady governing the body doth absolutely and wholly reject the matter out of the body and this is done either by vomiting or by flux of blood at the Nostrills or by menstrue or by the Hemorrhoides or by sweatings as we have said above A pritty similitude of Avicen concerning Crisis Avicenna had an excellent understanding of Crisis when he saith that The Crisis is no other thing but the strife and contention of two persons pleading the one against the other in a civill case for saith he even as in one civill proceeding there doth concurr four sorts of persons that is to say he which accuseth he who is accused the witnesses and the Judge In like manner do these four concurr also in the Crisis first the accuser who is the power which governs the body secondly the Malady which is accused and thirdly the witnesses are the signes of that Malady and the Physitian is the Judge And even as the civil Judge giving sentence the one of the parties continues sorrowfull and the other is joyfull so in like manner in the Crisis if the signes are bad the Physitian adjudgeth the patient to die and then he and his kindred continue sorrowfull but if the signes be good signifying victory of the powers over the Malady the Physitian makes Judgment and passes sentence that the Patient shall recover and thereby he and his kindred continue joyfull The Common Criticall judgment of no value It is true that the greatest number of Chirurgions do passe Judgement but it is most commonly of no value and that by reason of their not being able to discern that which causeth the said Crisis or rather by reason of his not observing it for if they did calculate well the Critricall daies they would not be deceived in predicting the events and would in no wife fail to hit the Mark. You must take notice in this place that they hold that the Salutary Crisis arives ordinarily the seventh fourteenth or twentyeth day wherefore it is that those dayes are called Criticall dayes They foresee the future Crisis by the signes of Coction which appear the fourth eleventh and seventeenth daies which are called Indicative and Contemplative dayes for according to Hippocrates the fourth day is the Indice of the seventh the eighth is the beginning of the other week the eleventh also is remarkable because it is the fourth of the other week yet the seventeenth is remarkable because it is the fourth after the fourteenth the seventh from the eleventh some do not go to search so many fashions but they hold simply that the Crisis doth use to conclude either the fourth day or the seventh or else the ninth and eleventh and fourteenth daies The Common opinion concerning the Crisis is fallacious As much upon the one side as the other the one party are as good shooters in a Crosbow as the other for it is most certain that the Crisis is either sooner or latter ascribing these daies of decision to the effects of the Moon And so the Astrologers assigne the Indices of Maladies when the Moon is distant in degrees about the fourth part or about half of the Zodiac from the true place where she was at the beginning of the Maladie But because her motion is more quick or slow at sometimes then at others sometimes she arives more late and sometimes more early to such aspects that if it happen that upon a Critical day the Moon is in her house or in her exaltation with Jupiter and Venus which are benevolent and healthfull Planets that doth denote that the change will be good A most true signe concerning the Crisis And if the disease consist in a great affluence of humours it is good that the Moon be in the increase in a quartile aspect or in opposition If the Moon be in the same time in Conjunction with the Sun or Saturn it is an ill signe and denotes that it will be a very dangerous disease or else of a long continuance If the Moon increasing do accompany Saturn precisely in the beginning of the disease it doth denote that the Malady will be of a long Continuance or Mortal But if the disease happens then when she is in her decrease it is a signe that the Malady will not continue long and will not be dangerous for this cause you ought not to sleight the salubrious or nocent signes of the Starrs but to observe them exactly to the end that you may attain the honour of Prognosticating Divinely for the wise man doth oppose himself to the mutation of the heavens made on the earth And that no otherwise then in removing away or repairing the earthly matter wherein the Heavens do operate or else not finding a subject to act upon his Action is turned in an Eclipse The Charity of the Anthour is Commendable Notwithstanding I desire in this place to make known that the fall of an Innumerable multitude of men is occasioned by not knowing any thing but the name and word onely of Crisis and not the cause of the effect And that severall men who by by their extream ignorance cause the Heaven and the Earth to be opened and fix there their eares and do there bound the eyes of their understanding to the end that they may take notice of the earth covering or Entombing their errours which ought rather to serve as Scarlet to make them blush And behold the manner how It is certain that our bodies are moved and inflamed by the superiour bodies otherwise they could not suffer for in the method of the distribution of things the body of the Moon in her Sphere doth by the points of the Zodiac produce that mutation which is made from time to time in all bodies none excepted As for example Example concerning the above named opinion If it happen that some one is taken sick the Moon being in the first point of Aries infallibly on the fourth day following counting from the time of falling sick the Moon is found in a point repugnant in property to that wherein she was at the time of the first falling sick And then is the Crisis made either by vomiting flux of blood flux of the belly or sweatings as we have said before In this day is prohibited the offering force to Nature whether it be by blooding or Physick either solutive or restringent for fear that nature intending to discharge her self by sweat be not forced to do it by other Emunctory and for this cause evacuation is to be practised upon the third or fifth day from the beginning of the sicknesse And none can deny however he be opinionate of himself but that this is true A too Common errour But alas behold the evil which doth often nay most commonly happen That while men are attending the Crisis on the fourth day because of the above mentioned motion of the Moon it happens that the Moon expedites her course and comes on the third day to the point which causeth the Crisis And without taking notice thereof the Physician who would count her hours makes too much haste and onely counts the fourth day for the Crisis and without any other Ceremony being bold causeth the sick person to be blooded or purged and by that meanes sends him to ask St. Peter for his Keys to open heaven with And when the Moon becomes declining or Retrograde she is not come to that point untill the fifth day wherein happens the same oversight Behold the reason why Hippocrates Lib. de flatibus would have the Physitian to have but a few patients and to languish with them for whom as saith Paracelsus he is created father and not Doctor I should enlarge my self further upon this discourse concerning this matter to make seen to the eye and felt by the finger the great errour which is commonly committed in Judgement upon Criticall daies and should shew the true meanes of giving a true Judgement according to second causes of either life or death But because that doth require a greater speculation and that the age of a man will not suffice for it I shall so bear praying to God that he will be pleased so to blesse our Labours that what we do may be to his honour and glory the edification and benefit of our Neighbour and the safety and salvation of our own souls To whom Father Son and holy Spirit be honour and glory eternally Amen To the Benevolent Reader A Quadrine Beleeve not That In Ostentation I have writ this Treatise of Plebotomy But as a friend to life I undertook to shew its operation In this Book A TABLE OF THE Chapters CHAP. I. WHat Phlebotomy is Its properties and that which must be particularly observed for the good performance thereof CHAP. II. How that the Chirurgion ought not to be ignorant of Astrology and of the profit that comes thereby as well for Phlebotomy as for all the Maladies which do happen unto humane bodies The Sympathy of the Starrs therewith and other discoveryes most usefull for a Chirurgion CHAP. III. Of the time of Necessity wherein are shewn the Maladies wherein Phlebotomy doth necessarily fall out CHAP. IV. Of the time of Election for the Inferiour Root and of the Superiour Root which extends its self to to the knowledge of the Starrs as well in the Concurrence which they have to the parts of our bodies as upon the Humours and Maladies which happen therein CHAP. V. That it is necessary that a Chirurgion have the Astronomicall figure in his study or at least in his shop and of the benefit that proceeds therefrom as well to the Patients as those that exercise or practice it which is proved by a History and other examples Also that it is better to mundify the blood than to evacuate it with the discovery of two excellent remedies for that effect CHAP. VI. Of the Veins proper to be blooded for several infirmities which arive to humane bodies together with the benefit and the manner of using of Cupping-glasses with Scarrification and without it and of that which is to be observed in this operation and lastly of Horse-leeches  A short treatise or discourse of Crisis's wherein is demonstrated how men do deceive themselves in the judgement of them not knowing the motion of the Starrs FINIS
I perceive these to scoff at my pen perceiving I treat of an operation which hath been so learnedly deduced before our time by some of the most sublime personages which antiquity hath produced To this I answer that although one would thinke one could say nothing more upon this subject there having been severall Volumes of it yet notwithstanding they are not performed with that method wherewith I treat of Phlebotomy in this place not following the old opinions because that would be nothing but singing the same song again but discovering the fault which people daily fall into in this so important operation I describe a means so to behave ones self that one shall very seldome fall into irrepairable faults Wherein I do assure my self loving Reader that if putting off all Passions thou dost come with a favourable eye to look on these Lines which proceeding from an honest Leasure do run the hazard of Censure thou wilt confesse that it is not without great consideration that I have put hand to pen to a Treatise of this matter Not that I have been provoked thereunto by any vain-glory but possessed with a good desire to serve the Publique And truly I should have beleeved I had faild of my duty if having received something peculiar from the Liberall hand of the Almighty I should not have distrubuted it to the lovers of true Learning To the end that all their and my workes might be to the honour and glory of God for the edification and health of our Neighbour and to the salvation of our souls To which God Father Son and Spirit be rendred all honour and glory for ever Amen A Treatise of Phlebotomy A TREATISE OF Phlebotomy CHAP. I. What Phlebotomy is It s property and of that which is to be observed particularly for the good performance thereof MAny Philosophers both Graecians Latines and Barbarians after they had diligently contemplated all sorts of Animals curiously sought out their manner of living and compar'd their Condition and Nature with ours have writ that amongst all Creatures breathing and moving upon the Earth Man is more miserable then al Animals and the reasons therefore There is not any more Miserable than Man by reason of his unsatiable desire and disorderly Appetite for continually he is hunting after new food and having found any according to his taste he devoureth them after such a fashion that I exceedingly admire that the bellyes of many are not already rotten and infected by that excesse of drunkennesse and debauchery which they do commit I am amazed in thinking of it And what doth there proceed from it except abundance of Rheums Catharrs and infinite other kindes of diseases which do nothing but adulterate change and corrupt this second part of our generation The treasure of life the seat of the Naturall heate the matter or substance of the seed and of the Milke of the Duggs or Papps that is to say the Blood which is so well dispersed and mingled through all the parts of our bodies that there is not any one of those parts which doth not receive its nourishment from it and there is not any good thing in us which is not maintained and supported by It. It is the Mother of the spirits which does impregnate the seat of the faculties for the maintaining the strength of the whole Body which does foment and entertain its primitive moisture It is so replenished with spirits that the conservation thereof is the cause of our life insomuch that some have esteemed that it was the proper seat and habitation of the Life and that therefore our unruly wills accompanied with our more then unreasonable Debaucheries are causes that this continuance of our lives is almost wholly extinguished One shall see nothing else in the Countryes but Doctors and Docteresses for the renewing of this scource of our lives so many bloodings made improperly that I wonder that instead of helping their Patients they do not destroy them The diligence of the Learned Chirurgion praised Not that I would here blame the diligence of the Learned skilful Physitian and Chirurgian who as friends to nature do endeavour with all their might to preserve her in her health or integrity And that by purging and cleansing or evacuation which last is not to be done but by incision of a Veine This is called Phlebotomy 〈◊〉 word Compounded of the Greek words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies a Veine and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say division of whole parts The derivation of the word Phlebotomy Behold therefore why in particular this word is taken for making incision of a Vein by which evacuation is made of blood and other humors contained with it Galen 13. Method Ch. 6. You must take notice that there are severall sorts of bloodings As of a Veine of an Artery Scarrifications and others we will speak especially as to Phlebotomy For what causes one should open a Vein We make bloodings for six principall causes The first To Evacuate Secondly To divert turn back or make Revulsion Thirdly To Attract Fourthly To Change Fifthly To preserve And sixthly to alleviate which is according as all those who have treated of this matter have defined it But let us content our selves with these two Causes to wit Plethorall and Chachochymicall the one consists in nothing but too great quantity of humors the other in the evil quality How far Phlebotomy doth extend its self But the benefit of Phlebotomy doth not extend it self only to the evacuation of the fulness which ought to be made according to the kinde or difference of it but also to divert and to drain which are the three sorts of evacuation It serves also for great and extream paines principally when they proceed from Tention insomuch that all the learned Physitians and Chirurgions do hold that blooding is a most excellent assured remedy if the rules requisite thereunto be therein well observed yea more ready and secure then Laxative Physick which being taken works immediately and forceth its operation it not being in our power to hinder it Phlebotomy more safe then purging Physick But Phlebotomy the Reines of the Conduct whereof we hold doth nothing but what seems good unto us forasmuch as we do stopp it and draw it forth when we please And in truth among all Chirurgicall operations blooding holds the first Ranke because it is the Common remedy of diseases which proceed from Plethore and Cacochymie as we have said before both which are the Antecedent causes of diseases What Plethore and Cacochymy is Let us then define what Plethore and Cacochymie is and then we will appropriate unto them Revulsion and Derivation Plethore is nothing else then a repletion of all the humors equally increased or else of the blood onely Cacochymie is a repletion of Choller Melancholy or Phlegme Plenitude hath two kindes the one Ad vires and the other Ad vasa there is another added unto them called Supra
pure of it were separated from the impure From these things we do first learn to know the Metalique Maladies with their originall when any of the inferiour parts of the body of man is diseased secondly from whence their most specifique and Neigbouring Medicines should be drawn and those of the greatest virtue which without all doubt is from the seaven above named Mettalls and from each of them being appropriated to its Malady As to the disease of the heart the Medicine of Gold must be taken to the Maladies of the brain the Medicine of Silver to those of the Liver the Medicine of Quick-silver to those of the Lungs the Medicine of Tin to those of the kidneys the Medicine of Copper and to those of the Call the Medicine of Iron All which things are not of small worth or consequence then when they are brought to the sublime degree of their perfection the preparation whereof lies onely in the art of Chymistry An Art truly divine and whereof so many new persons date give their opinions so leightly without knowing the very habit of it Notwithstanding their ignorance makes them calumniate this so admirable Art for it is hard for a blinde man to judge of Colours From hence it appears that the bodies here below are ruled by the Superiours as true and Lawfull fathers of them But in regard I have not intended to treat more largely of these things in this place as not making to the subject taken in hand and also in regard as I have said before I do desire God assisting me to discourse more amply of it in my Treatise de Chyrurgie Chymique Medicinale Reg. 2. Ch. 5. I shall pray all young Chirurgions withall my heart that they will lend an eare to these things and embrasing my counsell to reject the old opinions from whence we see so many miseries are come they being directly contrary to true Physick And let us not fear to be punished like Asa and Ochasias for having rejected it who suffered thereby Lib. de lege Hippocrates saith of this time that Physick was so be clouded by those that exercised it that it was slighted and rejected as well by reason of their abuse of it as by the people who esteemed them Physicians and reputed them like unto Players who by their gestures and habits represent the persons who they are not In Epist ad Democrit The same Hippocrates confesseth of himself that though he had attained unto old age he had not attained the end of Physick since he doth acknowledge that he had not had the perfect knowledge of it of necessity there rests something further to be known of it To wit whether he that shall find out the rest ought to be rejected Galen 6. de la Metho is not backard to give himself the glory of having invented severall Medicines unknown and not in the practice of men before him Let us not then reject Novelties then when they are for our benefit and profit if we may call Noveltie such an Art as is as ancient as Espugerie In which in truth one can make no great progresse being ignorant of Astrologie which is very requisite and necessary to this Chirurgicall operation called Phelebotomy considering which I have undertaken this small Treatise For if our good Master Guidon of whom the whole Aca demique Schoole of Physick and Chirurgery make so great esteem hath not despised it but as he saith in his Treatise of Phlebotomie hath made a whole book of it which book is not to be found through the injury of the times wherein he discourseth at large of the observation of the Stars for this subject by much stronger reason we who pretend our selves his Schollers ought not to sleight it but to imbrace and cherish it with all our heart to the end that we may commit no errour in performing this operation This little Treatise will serve you therein for a guide by meanes whereof you shall never fail or at least not often if you take heed thereunto Culling and gathering out that which is worthy of observation which doing you will therefrom receive a great consolation according to God To whom Father Sonne and Spirit be honour and glory for ever and ever Amen CHAP. III. Of the time of necessity wherein are shewn the Maladies in which Phlebotomy doth necessarily fall Chirurgery is the most certain part of Physick CHirurgery being one of the most noble and comely parts of Physick as well for its certainty for its operations are assured as for that it hath been in all times exercised among the Greeks by their Princes and great Lords hath great extent and containes many more things then the Vulgar people do imagine It is ordinarily divided in five parts The first concerns Tumours which the Common people call Apostumes which are Maladies encreased in quantity and greatnesse The second is of Wounds which are defined to be Dissolving of continuity made in the soft parts fresh and bleeding The third is of Vlcers and the fourth of fractures which belong to the bones And the fifth and last of Luxations which is when the bones are out of their naturall place All which Maladies in the cure of them do require the ofttenest amongst the remedies that of blooding without which the cure of them cannot be perfectly accomplished as also in severall other sorts of Maladies which we shall name hereafter wherein the necessity of Phlebotomy is requisite and necessary Blooding may well serve in th' one and th' other but it is not necessary unto them but when necessity compells We will here discourse briefly of them all to the end that the young Chirurgion may know what Maladies require blooding and which not In what Maladies blooding is usefull So that for a great pain in the head which is in the hinder part of it we Lance the veines of the forehead in Squinancies they breathe the veine under the tongue Phlebotomy is necessary to all affections or Maladies which take away the breath and strangle one and to those which cause one suddainly to loose their speech Also to all great Contusions either of the internall or externall parts as to full from on high or to receive a blow Although the power or force were but small and though the blood be peccant neither in quality not quantity you must use the blooding What Delire is Galen 2. Aph. 2. In the Apoplexie Plenresie Burning feaver presently and in the beginning of the Delire which is nothing but a depraved and errant motion of the imagination hurt you must let blood provided that the powers be strong enough and the age suffer it and the season and region Lib. 13. de Metho Ch. 2. And although that be not yet provided that the power be a little strong Also such a one who after a fall vomits blood you must blood presently otherwise the blood may jelly or clott if one suffer it to rest and grow cold You must not blood the
Joynts Tendon Nerves and where one fears paine raveing and inquietude yea also when they are accompanied with a feaver And as for the Spasme coming in Wounds through repletion it must be cured by inanition and that by the good government of purging food and blooding and for a resolutive remedy friction and sulphured bathes As to particular Wounds if there happen in those of the head with fracture or contusion a Continued feaver and Raveing with great flegmatique inflammation accompanyed sometimes with the hurting of the Pericraniâ— t is then that you must take abundance of blood but yet therein the Chirurgion must consider the strength of the Patient concerning the motion of the Brain the Chirurgion seeing that the bone is not fractured but doubts that there is some vessell broaken within let him presently take some blood from the Cephalique veine on that side is hurt in a good quantity having regard to the distemper present and future and principally of the strength as I have said before and other things which ought to be considered in blooding You must take notice that in wounds by Gun-shot there doth not come forth much blood wherefore the day after he must use revulsive Phlebotomy and take so much blood as is proportionable to the fulnesse of blood and the strength of the party and he must not fear to make aversion of the blood towards the noble parts so long as in such wounds there is no venemous quality As to that which concerns the blood of great Contusions within the body it must be evacuated either sensibly or insensibly which insensible evacuation is done by bloodings Cupping-glasses or Scarrifications or by Horse-Leeches and that upon the same day or the next morning And unto this Hippocrates seems to agree in his book of Fractures in saying if any one is fallen down from on high the same day one ought to give him Physick or blood him and Galen saith upon this subject that if any one is fallen from an high place although he have but little blood or nor enough It is so that some of that blood must be drawn from him to prevent it from coagulating and corrupting in the inner parts of the body being out of his proper vessells and in the cure of the Gangreen one part of its curing lies in Purgation and blooding If the habit of the body be Plethorique or Cacochymicall Besides for curing the scald or Leprosy if those who are infected with such a disease be of a sufficient age they shall be blooded and over and above purged and blooded In the cure of the Ophthalmie or inflammation of the uppermost skin of the Eye the Chirurgion must propose three points The first is the regulating food The second is evacuation of the Antecedent matter And the third is the application of Topicall medicaments two of which I shall let alone as not conducing to this subject and shall onely say that he who ought to evacuate the Antecedent matter shall performe it by purgation and Phlebotomie and by Cupping-glasses applyed to the shoulders in like manner for the Vngula In the beginning of the curing whereof you must use purgation and blooding especially if there be great inflammation And which is more in the cure of the Mydriasis which is no other thing but a dilatation of the pupill of the eye either occasioned naturally or by accident its cure consists in nothing but applying upon the eye repercussive things and to appease the dolour or painâ— and prohibit the defluxion by regular diet but specially by Phlebotomy Cuping-glasses frictions and other things which one shall see benificiall For the pain in the Teeth occasioned by fluxion one may let blood for evacuating the antecedent matter and all by the advice of a good Chirurgion In the preservative cure of the Stone especially if there be repletion you must evacuate as well by Medicaments as by Phlebotomy and vomiting which is a singular remedy to prevent the Stone And if one should come to take it out you ought to purge the patient well and blood him two dayes after he hath taken the Physick In the small Pox or Measles diseases which are very frequent in Children you must in no wise blood them unlesse there be great plenitude or some Complication of some disease as a Plurisie Ophthalmie Esquinancy and such like or if it be not at the declination of the disease or at least the first or second day of sicknesse at the furthest But you must take notice that in several Maladies you must not attend untill the Malady appear to the end to use Phlebotomy afterwards as Galen saith but you ought to foresee it blooding them in the Spring as we shall discover in the Part concerning Election Necessity hath no set time for blooding in Finally for the Necessity to use Phlebotomy or not to use it I say that then when the disease requires it and that necessity presseth one may blood at all times in all seasons and at all houres be it night or day alwayes considering the power and strength of the patient the quantity and quality of blood taken out carrying ones self in all the Phlebotomique operations above instanced with a sound Judgement accompanied with knowledge and experience In the contrary practice the Chyrurgion will very hardly arive to his proposed end in regard that then when he shall understand it to be necessary to use Phlebotomy when the saving of ones life is in dispute and that he finds himself all alone not able to consult with any body concerning the disease he ought not to present before himself any obstacles whether of the quality or greatnesse of the Person or for fear of making the operation without advice for that will hinder him in making a good operation because fear coming upon him and causing his hand to tremble is sufficient to hinder such an effect of the operation as we expect The Plebotomist ought to be bold Times of Election divided into two Let us come now to the time of Election which is divided by Guidon into two parts to wit the inferiour Root and the superiour Root meaning by the inferiour root The disposition of the body of the time the Region the Cuâ—tome the force and strength and so of others And by the superiour Root the observation in the Concuâ—â—â—â—… of the Starrs which time of Election we shall deduce briefly not having undertaken to discourse of any other things here save that Yet as I have said before I will do it as succinctly as possibly I can by the assistance of the grace of God To whom father son and spirit c. CHAP. IV. Of the time of Election for the inferiour root and of the superiour root which reaches to the knowledge of the Starrs as well in the concurrence which they have to the parts of our bodies as upon the humours and Maladies which happen therein THe Astrologicall Science is so admirable that it hath caused all the Philosophicall
called Grande Chirurgerie I speak of it largely enough wherefore I say you shall have recourse to the Ephemerides In the mean time I will persue the declaring upon what parts of the body the Stars do rule with their proprieties And in the first place Aries is hot and dry of the nature of fire he governs the head and face of a man and it is good to blood when the Moon is there unlesse it be in the part which the Moon governs The parts wherein the Signes rule together with their property concerning blooding Taurus is cold and dry of the nature of the Earth and governs the neck and Wind-pipe and it is bad to make use of bleeding the Moon being in that Sign Gemini is hot and moyst of the nature of Ayr and governs the shoulders and Arms and hands is ill for blooding Cancer is cold and moyst of the nature of water and governs the Breast the stomach Lungs and is indifferent neither too good nor too bad for blooding Leo is hot and dry of the nature of fire and governs the back and sides and is ill for blooding Virgo is cold and dry of the nature of the Earth governs the Belly and the Intrals is neither very good nor bad for blooding Libra is hot and moyst of the nature of the Ayr and governs the Navel the Reins and the lower part of the Belly good to blood in Scorpio is cold and moyst of the nature of water and governs the parts for generation is neither good nor bad Sagittarius is hot and dry of the nature of fire and governs the Thighes is good to let blood Aquarius is hot and moyst of the nature of Ayr and governs the Legs is neither good nor bad for letting blood Pisces is cold and moyst of the nature of water governs the Feet and is neither good nor bad to let blood Aries Libra and Sagittarius are very good Virgo Scorpio and Aquarius and Pisces are indifferent Taurus Gemini and Leo and Capricorn are evil Yet we say that the Moon being in Trixe and Sextile with Venus it is a good time to purge Choller by Electuary with the Sun 't is good to purge Flegme by drinks with Jupiter 't is good to purge melancholy by Pills Division of the Signes Furthermore you must take notice that every one of the Signes is divided into 30. Degrees from whence it followes that in the whole Zodiac there are 360. degrees and again every degree is divided into 60. minutes and every minute into 60. seconds and every minute into 60. thirds and so of the rest following until ten The rising and setting of the Signes Besides you must take notice that when we have the longest day of Summer which is to say then when the Sun is in the beginning of Cancer there arises six Signes in a day which do rise directly and in the night six Signes obliquely And on the contrary when we have the shortest day of the year to wit the Sun being in the beginning of Capricorn then six Signes rise in a day obliquely and the six of the night directly but when the Sun is either in th' one or th' other Equinoctial point then they rise three Signes directly and three obliquely in a day and in the night in like manner For there is a Rule that let the day or the night be long or short as you will six Signes rise in the day and six by night so that either for the length or the shortness of the day or night neither the more or lesse Signes do rise For the knowledge of which Signes you must take notice of the Characters following as the Astrologers mark them Aries with such a Sign ♈ Taurus such a one ♉ Gemini such ♊ Cancer ♋ Leo. ♌ Virgo ♠Libra ♎ Scorpio ♠Sagitarius ♠Capricornus ♑ Aquarius ♒ Pisces ♓ Let this suffice for the discovery concerning the 12. Signes let us come now to the 7. Planets whereof we should here make a Table or Figure but because we have sent the Reader to Ephemerides in relation to the Signs we will do the like concerning the Planets contenting my self only in this place to set down their Characters for the discovery of the more easie understanding them and their differences Behold then how the Astrologers mark them Saturne thus ♄ Iupiter thus ♃ Mars thus ♂ Sun thus ☉ Venus thus ♀ Mercury thus ☿ Luna thus ☽ Here followes the difference of the Planets as well for purging and blooding as for the making other operations upon humane bodies Most good ♃ ♂ Indifferent ☉ ☽ ☿ Bad. ♄ ♂ The Chirurgion must Encounter the Starrs And you must take notice that then when Mercury is with a good Planet he augments its goodnesse and with a bad one its Malignity wherefore it is that when one is wounded you must take notice whether Mercury be not with some bad Planet which rules the part wounded and if so then the Chirurgion must Encounter the Starrs and so you must minde these things but most especially in blooding to the end that we having done nothing improperly through our negligence may have an occasion of praise and thanks-giving to the Authour of all things to whom Father Son and Spirit be honour and glory for ever Amen CHAP. V. That it is necessary that the Chirurgion have the Astronomicall figure in his study or in his shop and of the profit that proceeds therefrom as well for the sick persons as for those who exercise it which is proved by a History and other examples As also that it is better to keep cleanse the blood then to evacuate it With the description of two admirable remedies for this end The good desire of the Authour I Should desire by good reason as well for the profit of those who search relief or Remedy from Phlebotomy as for the spiritual contentment of those that practise it to the end that the whole might be to the honour and glory of God that every Chirurgion had within his shop the Astronomicall figure as formerly the Ancients had and who had recourse unto it then when they would know the Domination of a Starr on the part whereon they were to operate observing with all their power the rising and setting of the above mentioned Signes and their constellations insomuch that the Antients have not found it to be unprofitable Of the truth whereof among severall of them Arnoldus de villa nova shall be a most faithful witnesse Therefore I shall again heartily intreat the Chirurgions that they would take heed unto it and not to pretend that their Art is subject to Calumnie seeing it is they themselves which are the cause of their arts being so Calumniated whilst they neglect that which is most necessary to be known in their profession to wit Astronomie The ignorance of Astronomy is cause of great evils Insomuch that not having the knowledge of it there doth arive many evil Accidents and the