CVRES WITHOVT CARE OR A SVMMONS TO ALL SVCH WHO FINDE LITTLE OR no helpe by the use of ordinary physick to repaire to the Northerne Spaw WHEREIN By many presidents of a few late yeares it is evidenced to the world that infirmities in their owne nature desperate and of long continuance have received perfect recovery By vertue of Minerall waters neare Knaresborow in the West-riding of Yorkeshire Also a description of the said water and of other rare and usefull springs adjoyning the nature and efficacie of the Minerals contained in them with other not impertinent notes Faithfully collected for the publique good by M. St. Tibul. felix quicunque dolore Alterius disces posse carere tuo LONDON Printed by William Iones dwelling in Red-crosse-street 1632. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THOMAS LORD WENTWORTH of Wentwoth Woodhouse Baron Newmarch and Oversley Viscount Wentworth Lord President of his Majesties Councel established in the North Lord Leiftenant of the County of Yorke Lord Deputy of the Kingdome of Ireland and one of his Majesties most honourable Privie Councell RIGHT HONORABLE I Had once I confesse rashly given leave that this small Treatise should put on the Printers livery without the convoy of a protecting passe But as I cast my last eye upon it it appeared to me like a naked man ready to encounter an army For there are not more men then vollies of censorious shot that stand ready prepared to batter any novelty This consideration forc't me suddenly to looke out for a defensative guard against the daring boldnesse of this criticall age Wherein I was not long unprovided For who is hee that casts his dazeled eye on the brightnesse of your redoubled rayes of honour or fixeth his serious thoughts on your Lordships superintendencie in publique affaires dilating it selfe not onely from the north to the south but spreading its influence as farre as the regall eye of great Brittaine doth command and findes not in himselfe a tye to offer upon the altar of your Lordships meriting greatnesse an oblation of his respect And who so fit to patronize these waters not more wonderfull in their effects then happy that they are seated where your iudicious government doth blesse the country then your Lordship whose eminency in those parts doth of right challenge the appropriation of what rariety soever the listes of the North doth empale Be pleased therefore in all accomplishments most noble Lord to admit of these waters which even as they neighbour to your spacious revenues claime an interest in your safegard submitting to your honours shielding protection and favorablely to accept of the tender of his most humble service who would willingly improve his best abilleties actually to be honoured with the title of Your Lordships most humble servant Mich. Stanhope To the Reader IT is plaine I have not the least intent to gull thee in magnefying the Northerne Spaw nor yet to tyrannize over thee by confining and terminating thy beliefe within the circle of my bare relation by a generall avernment of what I write for in nomination the parties who have received benefit by the water I open unto thee a large field for thy satisfaction If it doth appeare to thee by conferring with any of them that I have erred in some circumstances stumble not at it So long as I retaine the substance it matters not for the shaddow Nor thinke it strange that I omit others who have made use of the water since it proceedes not out of ignorance of what hath past but out of a tender regard I have not to burthen thy patience supposing that the culling forth of the most remarkeable instances would bee as satisfactorie to the judicious as many heapes of examples My purpose aymeth rather at a compendious realtie of things then multiplicity of stories Most of the parties I know and have had conference with them the rest I have received from such authenticall testimonie that I doubt not but their information is of sufficient validitie to beget an undoubted confidence of their truths If any of those mentioned in the following discourse out of a nice scrupulocitie thinke themselves disparaged by particularising their names I am sorry that they should be so ignorantly curious since former times have afforded many presidents written by way of Councell such as are those of Fernelius Crato and many others wherein diverse of eminent quality besides their names have their diseases anotamised without the least conceived jealousie of their reputations They ought rather to blesse God who hath in mercy vouchsafed them such easie meanes of their recovery and glad themselues that others by their example may be encouraged to have have recourse to the water for their reliefe It may be it is exspected that I should satisfie the learned in one particular namely what assurance I can give that this our Spaw doth partake with Vitriol and Iron which once confirmed there will necessarily follow an apparant probability of its ample performance of all and more then shall fall within the compasse of the following relations This I foreseeing necessarily premising the conclusion I desire that they would please to take for proofe of the infallibility of Vitriol the taste of the water which is very acide and rough upon the pallate in plainer English ynkish and so like to Vitrioll or Copperes called anciently Attramentum sutorium that there is little or no difference betwixt the taste of the water and the substance of Vitrioll touched with the tongue or a drop of the oyle thereof mixed with a little water Besides take a glasse of the water which in it selfe is translucid and very cleare equaling the choicest spring let the quantity be a pinte or thereabout put to it so much Gall in powder as will cover our common farthing stirre it never so little and the water receiveth a perfect Clarret dye Or take a greene Oake sticke bruise it at the end and with it stirre the like quantity of water and within a small space it is turned into a pure Saphir blew or standing a while with the sticke in it to a Violet colour both which hath beene often tryed As for iron we account it a demonstrative note the discollering of the earth and stones where the current of the spring runnes for it makes the channell red which proceedes as may be supposed from Rubrique otherwise called mater ferri And the better to confirme that the water is no stranger to iron it is very well knowne that the whole soyle where this water riseth is full of iron stone the plenty whereof hath beene such that the working of iron stone hath beene a meanes to exhaust a world of wood growing in that part there being yet to see the remainder of a great iron worke within halfe a mile of the spring Nor is the iron stone so concealed but by digging in most places it is easily found much of it appearing in broaken bankes and in the surface of the earth I might boldly
adde hereunto for further proofe the discollering of the stooles of such as drinke the water giving them a blacn or deep green dye a common observed note in iron waters as also the operation of the water in all manner of obstructions wherein who knowes not that iron doth claime an unparaleled excellency but the ensuing discourse will make this good Other notes an exact minerallist would easily produce to whose discussing and disquisition I willingly leaue matters of this nature they being improper for the spheare both of my capacity and profession How it comes to passe that these waters are thus vertuall the learned can easily make appeare for the mineralls that intermixe with them once granted from their natures will arise abundant satisfaction to all that are rationall of their excellent use As shortly thus Sulphur say they that write of it attracts resolves mollefieth discusseth cooles and dries Salt whereof our Sulphur spring containes a great proportion is astringent detergent purging dispersing attenuating preserving from putrefaction Yron saith our learned Dr Iordan hath an opening or deopilating quality and an astringent also Vitrioll according to Diascorides doth heate and binde It hath an exceeding subtilty of parts saith Tho. Iordanus and is of a penetrative quality From their abstessive and incisive qualities it is noted that these waters doe loosen and scatter viscuous and clammy matter they attenuate the grosse and after by their penetrative quality the Liver Spleene the meseraique veines reines and other partes are deopilated and by this meanes freed from such diseases as proceede from obstruction Dr Turner in his discourse of Baths and minerall waters saith that waters partaking of iron and Brimstone coole and dry that they are proper for all soares of the Kidneyes and Bladder they both prevent and cure the strangury Dry up rumes are good for them that are short winded or stopped in the breast that spit bloud they cure the greene sicknesse are very fit for cold flegmatick men that would gladly have children and have none and so for women whose default doth proceed from too much moistnesse of the matrixe they are good by drinke or glister against wormes and fit to allay the paines in the small guts He saith also that where iron beareth the chiefe rule as it doth in our Spaw such waters are excellent for all manner of itch hardnesse of the milt diseases of the joynts stiffenesse of the sinewes cramps proceeding of moistnesse numnesse or sleepinesse in any part dizinesse of the head the flixe weake Kidneyes pissing of blood heate of urine the oft too much and unwilling making of water gnawings and paines in the belly Waters saith Mounsieur Pigray in the observations of the German Spaw whereunto ours are little I am but too modest inferiour partaking of iron and vitrioll revive the spirits provoke appetite facilitate digestion free from all manner of obstructions they oppose wonderfully the generatton of the stone and hinder the knitting of the gravell with the glutinous raw and vescuous humor The Hermetically learned saith Hermannius Wolfus in his tractate de viribus usu aquarum in Agro Cassellano note that Vitroline waters have a faculty of mundefying and purging all the parts of the hody corroborating the braine curing the Epilepsie exciting the appetite killing all sorts of wormes opposing the Palsey Dropsie Iaundise breeding of the stone suffocation of the matrix all inward oppilations prevent the goute with many other excellent qualities as may appeare in that his discourse in the third chapter Which faculties joyned with the other minerals our waters partaking with them all how usefull these these waters may be I leave to the consideration of those who are able to deduce particular instances from assured generall grounds With these authors agree many learned ones whose opinions I spare to transcribe being very unwilling to embarque my selfe in the discourse of these misteries whereby I may be thought saucely to snatch the pen out of the Doctors hand to whom I leave thee for further satisfaction the former authorities being sufficient to grace our waters and confirme their vertue They who with some violence put me upon this taske of recommending to the generall notice this water with its consiing springs might if they had pleased have undertaken it with a more plaucible entertainment but their profession tending to prescribe to those who are to use the water I suppose caused them to forbeare their paines least a relation from them might seeme to reflect at their particular interest wherein I am altogether free Omitting therefore all further apollogies for I feare the gates are growne too great for the Citty rather then the publique should not bee benefitted I have adventured bluntly to step upon the stage Wherein if I may but be so happy as by my weake though willing pen to invite any to the water for their good and that I may receive of thee that which an honest intention may challenge the Plaudite of a favourablr acceptance I shall thinke my small paines largely recompenced and shall wish thee all successe in the use of these waters and thy being partaker of that water whereof whosoever drinkes shall never after be a thirst M. S. A Catalogue of such persons as have received benefit or cure by Minerall waters of Knaresborow in Yorkeshire Of the Stone M rs Rolfe of Hadley in ihe County of Suffolke pag. 6. Henry Curra of Whardale of 50. yeares p. 6. Henry Rowley of Linton aged 60. yeares p. 7. M rs May of Yorke very old p. 8. William Shan of Medley p. 13. Of Vlcers in Kidneis M rs Barker of Doare p. 7. M rs Ellis of Beaverly cured of the like Of Mallencholly Mr. Sacheveril of Darbishire p. 8. M rs Ayre of Rampton p. 9. Of shortnesse of Breath One Wallis aged 50. yeares p. 14. The Countesse of Buchingham p. 14. Of weaknesse in the Limmes M Foules an Advocate of Scotland p. 11. The Lady Vavisour p. 13. Of Swelling Maude Bogge aged 50. yeares p. 18. A poore man of the like p. 18. A poore woman of the like in her breast p. 19. Of severall other infirmities William Tompson of the Hecticke Feaver p. 10. Mr. Rauden of a strange sort of wormes p. 12. The Lady Hoyle a strange cure p. 15. A poore Boy of the Falling-sicknesse p. 16. One Smith a Shoomaker of the Scurvey p. 19. A Minister of a violent Flixe with many others A RELATION OF CERTAINE PARTICVLAR CVRES DONE BY Vertue of Minerall waters neare Knaresborow in the west-riding of the County of Yorkshire BEFORE entrance be made into the insuing narrations it will not be amisse for the satisfaction of such who are meere strangers to the knowledge of these waters to let them know that it is now full sixe yeares since notice hath beene given to the world by a booke called Spadacrene or the English Spaw written by Doctor Deane a learned Physitian of the City of Yorke of certaine minerall waters seated in
Ile have taken notice of a Spring seated underneath the Castle of Knaresborow commonly called the dropping Well famous for the turning whatsoever is cast into it or casually falls in as Mosse leaves sticks and the like into stone whereupon it is that this Spring is visited of many by way of admiration But time hath of late discovered a physicall use of this water namely that it is an infallible cure for a flixe This yeare 1631. it was my chance to bee a witnesse of this particular A Minister of Yorkeshire one Greatheed came to Knaresborow to give his attendance on a noble Gentlewoman whose infirmitie did crave the aide of the Spaw water He not intending to drinke of the water seriously thought hee might safely now and then as many do for companies sake take a few draughts of the Spaw water within a weekes stay by what accident I know not hee was overtaken with a violent flixe which continued three dayes in such a degree of excesse that there was just cause to feare At that time there was happily in the house a Physician of good note one Dr. Webbe a Gentleman of extraordinary curious parts besides his exact knowledge in his profession to whom these Northerne waters are indebted for his carefull examination of them and his willingnesse to advance their dew fame whose advise being craved and time it was to advise for the party was brought so weak that he was stept into a degree of convulsions he out of former experience in a noble Lady in the same case who all other meanes failing had received present helpe by this dropping Well presently caused him to drinke a draught of the said water which without dallying instantly staied the flixe so that within a few dayes he became a strong man These fore rehearsed truths considered whether may not Knaresborow challenge any place in Europe for variety of usefull and rare springs If it be objected by any for there is a snarling generation that have ever something to say though to no great purpose against any thing that they have met with those who have beene at these rare waters and have found little or no benefit by them I answer was there ever yet any medicine heard or read of of that unvalluable worth that was an assured Catholicon against all diseases I but say they your waters have failed even in these particular instances which you have mentioned I grant it and yet no derogation from the waters efficatious use A disease is curable at one time which at another admits no possibilitie Veniente occurrite morbo Sero medicina paratur c. A young twigge may easily be pul'd up but let it grow and there will be much adoe to make it wag If it be replied that such as have repaired to the water were but newly entred into their distempers and yet returned no better then they came thither without any long quarreling about the matter I say it is a wonder that diverse who drinke of the water returne not worse For how many if they were well examined prepare their bodies which how grosse an omission it is let the learned judge Besides how few are there who keepe an ordinary diet How many depart in a chafe from the water because they have not found themselves in a weeke as sound as a Bell when as the world knowes their bodies have beene crack't and crasie for many yeares And yet these gallants gilty perhaps of all these errors complaine of want of vertue in these waters when the greatest want is in themselves being refractory and averse in observing a methodicall course without which the most elaborate and choice recepts that ever were are liable to disparagements But I have done squabbling with these humorists and for the benefit of the more ingenious sort I desire that for their owne sakes they would if necessity hale them to these waters for they are no more to be played withall than any other physick take notice of these following cautions which require a necessary observance of all First undertake not thy selfe to judge of thine owne body what correspondence the water may have with thy infirmitie but repaire to the learned Physitian to whom it properly belongs to determine of thee Secondly being once resolved to use the water fit thy self for it by taking a day or two before thou drinke of it some such apt preparative as best may sute with the quality and nature of thy distemper For this purpose advise with an understanding Physician especially one that is acquainted with the waters use for hee it is and onely hee that knoweth how to vary prescriptions and to apply to every one that which is most proper Thirdly resolve during the time of thy drinking the water to keep an orderly diet in the quality of it avoyding all meates of grosse nourishment and in the quantity let thy meales be spare but especially thy suppers And if that at other times thou art indulgent to thy appetite now doe as Salomon adviseth in another case Put thy knife to thy throat and restraine thy former liberty which strictnesse would be observed to very good purpose a moneth after thy departure from the water according to the opinion of the best observers Fourthly keep thy selfe according to the season in such a degree of temper that neither immoderate heate nor coldnesse of the aire offend thee but of the latter there is the more feare the mornings being often cold The place and scituation of these waters doe a little too much expose all conditions of people that repaire to them to the inconvenience of a cold piercing aire therefore it were to bee wisht that those of the more tender sort whether of sexe education or accidentall weakenesse would during the time of their drinking the water every morning when they goe to the fountain be armed with an indifferent warme garment which if it be not put off till the water have had its operation which for the most part is four hours after the drinking unlesse the day prove more then ordinary warme were not amisse For I am perswaded these same slash't carbonadoed sutes so much in fashion are no small prejudice to most that weare them And yet how many are there both of yeares though not of discretion in this and of weake constitutions but more weake judgements who rather then they will not bee at the command of that same grand dominering Tyrant Mounsieur Deformite care not how soone they leave the world rather then live out of the fashion be it never so uselesse and monstrous Fiftly attempt not to drinke these waters but with a prepared patience to attēd the issue of their opperation according to the usuall time allotted for them which ought to bee a moneth at least The precipitate and hasty parting from them is no small cause why many finde not the benefit which they expect In the close before thou leave the place it is very convenient to take a gentle purge
rudenesse of the place how voyde it is of all provisions and Christians of all others should remember that they are not borne for themselves but that they ought to cast an eye upon succeeding ages But if ye will leave this worke for others now your owne turnes are served yet something according to the old saying hath some savour Me thinkes the neighbouring poore of the place who are not a few might taste of your bounty whom ye shall finde the best treasurers and stewards of your liberality Or looke upon some poore desolate Parishes that border upon the Spaw which save the ordinary service scarce once in a yeare know what the comfortable refection of a teaching Minister meaneth what a sort of starved soules there are for want of the word dispensed to them and by supplying that defect God shall be honoured and a blessing will be the readier to attend the waters Yet why doe I strive to rouze and stimulate your beneficence by prescribing to you wayes of thankefulnesse Where true charity is it needs no prompting but can finde a thousand dry channels to moisten with its welcome streames I hope this little blast I have made bold to give will be sufficient either in you or some other if the world be not drawne dry of generousnes to make your expressions breake forth into a flame of bounty To conclude for my ambition to promote the common good hath perhaps as some may thinke caused me to expatiate a little too farre since it is undeniable by the preceding particulars that these waters are worth the cherishing Cease then who ere thou art whose snarling vaine Will not permit thee see thy Country's gaine To staine these waters with thy bleare-ey'd looke Or mis-interpret this truth-speaking Booke But if thy dreggy and distemper'd bloud So cloud thy braine thou canst not see what 's good Repaire to these our waters which can quell Those mistie vapours and all fogs dispell Ye Chimists whose high-perching wits aspire T' extract the quintescence of all by fire Dreame ye no more of what was never knowne But by suppose that all effecting stone The gate to wealth and what mans heart can thinke Which makes your brains to sweat your pens with inke To blur your papers for ye doe but leave Behinde darke mists of words that doe deceive Here would ye spend a few of these lost dayes Ye now bestow O with what worthy praise Might ye endeare your Country's good and finde Matter well worth your labour to unbinde By your extractions those same linkes and chaines Of hidden secrets which as yet remaines Vntide that their proportion duely knowne Their use might be divulg'd to every one And ye bold brazen scattered Empericks Who purge mens purses with your cheating tricks Leave to disport your selves with your conceats Of jugling powders that can worke all feats The learned know and who best judge must grant Y' are grosse impostures blinde and ignorant Come sit you downe by these our waters bankes Note well their rare effects what severall rankes Of starved bodies here receive their cure Which would ye marke in time ye might procure By your observing to direct and guide Such as to long sad weakenesse haue beene tide For here are wonders of no common straine Diseases cur'd without or griefe or paine The shaking Palsy here gets steady lims The giddy Megrim and the braine that swims The Vlcer of the Kidneyes and the stone That is not fixt all such as make their moane Of perturb'd fancie rising from the Spleane The viscuous bowels that want making cleane Distemper of the Livers fiery heat Weake indigestions both of drinke and meate Flixes Cathars obstructions in their kindes Disturbing painefull flutulent grosse windes Wormes of all sorts the Epilepse the sicke Who plainely doe appeare they 'r Asthmatick These and what not that Art could ever cure Nature presents them with a water pure Which fitly us'd in its due season can Restore a dying to a living man Had Gallen met with waters such as these Or that same grave well-vers't Hypocrates Or those Arabian sages learned men Rases Averroes or that Avicen These with the rest were they alive to see Our waters how they sute to each degree Of age and sexe and with what ease they doe Effect their operation they would wooe To be spectators of these rare events Nature unheard of to the world presents My pen's too dull to blaze them I have done 'T is vaine to prove ther 's brightnesse in the Sun FINIS