and Alteration in an Animal This Helmont couches under the Name of pleasing the Archaeus 3. That it should take away all Grievances of the sensitive Soul or Archaeus because its Grievance is the Essential Form of Diseases for even Morbid Matter unless it causes a Grievance causes no more Disease than it does in a dead Carcass as Helmont and common Reason assures us therefore Disease and Grievance are only Two Words signifying the same Thing and nothing is capable of Grievance in an Animal as such but the sensitive Soul 4. It should compose comfort enliven encourage and invigorate our sensitive Soul and Spirits as being the Principles of Motion in our Animal Nature in order to self Preservation for Nature or those active Principles within us is the Curer of Diseases and we Physicians only its Ministers to offer it good Means c. 5. The Principles of a Panacea should be agreeable to the best noblest most active and predominant Principles of our Bodies 6. Those Principles in the Panacea should be more vigorous than ours to reduce them when deficient and exalt them when depressed clog'd c. 7. It should be a general Resolver of Humours for which Cause the Liquor Alcahest is so much extolled for a Panacea Hear what the great Physician Claudius de la Courvee says Uni morbosae semper preter Naturam humorum coagulationi unique eorundem colliquationi oui perpetuo intendit natura diligenter studeas hujus adjuvandae illius corrigendae modum si assecutus fuâ—ris habebis in Praxi secretum onmi auro potabili omnique Antidoto prestantius denique plus poteris in Praxi quam si cursus Astrorum Metallorum vires aut totam callueris panaceam 8. It should after such Resolution of Humours compose concentrate combine and unite the good Principles 9. It should discuss the bad and useless Parts 10. It should open the Pores to give them their Exit by that most universal natural plentiful kindly and easie Evacuation 11. That after all it should like the Liquor Alcahest remain very much unaltered in it self Now whatsoever is endued with these Eleven most noble Qualifications must be in the Estimation of any Rational Physician or Phylosopher a glorious Panacea that is fitted to take off the Matter and Form of all Diseases or Grievances as far as it is in the Power of a Natural Medicament or Alterative so to do Therefore let us see how the pure Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium is furnished therewith 1. It is so highly agreeable and pleasing to our most nice Sensation at Stomach which is given us for a Touchstone Watch and Iudge of what is agreeable and beneficial to our Bodies that nothing in the whole World is so agreeable and pleasing to it and therefore nothing is more agreeable and beneficial to our Animal Nature it would imply a Contradiction that the Stomach which is given us and accordingly qualfied to make a true Report of what is or is not agreeable and beneficial to us should always tho' it may by Accident possibly give us a false Report of the Agreeableness of Things It would be more than Prophaneness to attribute such deceitful unkind and unwise Contrivances to the infinitely Good and Wise therefore the Stomach does infallibly testify and assure us that it is most agreeable to our Nature seeing it is always so to it Agreeableness and Disagreeableness with which is appointed and ordain'd by God and Nature to be the Test and Touchstone of what is agreeable or otherwise to our Animal Nature Obj. Why then being so agreeable to the Stomach should it not create an Appetite but rather lessen it Ans. Tho' some may be so weak as to make such an Objection because Things agreeable to the Stomach are commonly reputed to cause an Appetite yet the Matter duely considered the Case is quite contrary for Appetite or Hunger is a grievous Sensation at Stomach which cannot be expected from Things that gratifie and please the Stomach which are the adequate Cure of a grievous Sensation or Hunger Thus Meat and Drink as has been shewn cure an Appetite grievous Sensation or Hunger Thus Wine and Opium do by pleasing the Stomach cure a canine Appetite c. Therefore you may Note by the by that all Meat and Drink that please the Stomach and gratifie its Sense are really Opiates in some degree causing good Humour Sleepiness c. Appetite or Hunger tho' it is a convenient Call or Intimation of Want of Supply and Recruit is as such a consequent of defect and so unnatural tho' call'd Natural because it is a Thing that happens of course to direct us how to proportion Things to the Exigence of Nature of which there would be no need if we could otherwise proportion good and agreeable Refection to our Wants thereof In short it is a Disease which Things agreeable and pleasing to the Stomach as our Panacea must cure or else it would not be a Panacea and as was shewn nothing can be a more proper Cure of Grievance or Displeasure than Pleasure Therefore what is agreeable to our Stomach and consequently to our Body must cure not cause Appetite as Meat and Drink c. Obj. But it may be said That Appetite argues a good Digestion which is good for the Body Ans. It does indeed argue a quick Digestion and great Expence of the Recruits taken in but still it is all bottom'd upon Deficiency and Digestion may be and is very often too quick as in the Boulimia or canine Appetite Nature delights in a gentle kind and gradual Dissolution of the Meat at Stomach to which you 'll find by and by that Opium very much conduces by its resolving Quality 2. Nothing in Nature is more pleasing to the sensitive Soul as appears by the whole Series of our Discourse and the explaining all the Phenomena or good Effects of Opium by that very Pleasure of the sensitive Soul Therefore 3. It as was manifestly shewn does thereby take off all Grievances which are the essential Forms of Diseases and the essential Forms of Diseases being taken away which give them being and make them to be what they are according to the Definition of an essential Form the very being of Diseases must be taken away Therefore our Sal-Volatile-Oleosum is a compleat Panacea that takes away the Essence or Being of Diseases in taking away the Grievance thereof Here it may be said that the Matter of the Distemper remains and consequently a Disposition to a Relapse as soon as the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum has ended its Operation But what need it end at all if you please It may be renewed without Danger for this is not as resinous Opium till the Matter is subdued thereby which it will also do as appears more manifestly by the following Qualifications For as has been shewn 4. It composes comforts enlivens encourages invigorates and causes a great Euphory of the sensitive Soul and Spirits which are our Natural active
From the College of Physicians Oct. 5. 1700. Mr. Smith I Have Read the Book you sent me which for the great Discoveries contain'd therein is justly Entitled The Mysteries of Opium Reveal'd It has no need of Mine nor of any other Approbation For such Extraordinary Performances as this is are more secure of a Kind Reception in the World by their own great Worth and Usefulness to the Publick than by any other Recommendation whatsoever Yours THOMAS BURWELL THE MYSTERIES OF OPIUM Reveald BY Dr. JOHN JONES Chancellor of Landaff a Member of the College of Physicians in LONDON And formerly Fellow of Jesus-College in OXFORD WHO I. Gives an Account of the Name Make Choice Effects c. of Opium II. Proves all former Opinions of its Operation to be meer Chimera's III. Demonstrates what its true Cause is by which he easily and Mechanically explains all even its most mysterious Effects IV. Shews its noxious Principle and how to separate it thereby rendering it a safe and noble Panacea whereof V. He shews the palliative and curative Use. A DEO LUX LONDON Printed for Richard Smith at the Angel and Bible without Temple-Bar MDCC TO THE KING'S Most Excellent Majesty William III. c. May it please Your Majesty HAving no Means to attone for my bold Essay to express Your MAJESTY's glorious Acts and Virtues upon a small Pillar as much too narrow to contain as my Pen was too short to reach them but by this Poor Sacrifice making one Presumption the Advocate of the other as if Offences bore no Proportion to Your ROYAL Notice and Clemency without accumulating them I humbly implore GOD's Representative in Mercy as well as Power to be a Saviour in pardoning as well as preserving I confess my Attempt as daring and assuming as that of the Arrogant and Sturdy Giants to scale Heaven being too great a Task â—or a general Consult of the most â—xalted Wits on Earth if not of Angels and refin'd separate Souls of whose Number mine by frequent Ecstasies of Thanks and Praises for the Wonders Your MAJESTY has wrought for us seems as it were ambitious to be one as well knowing that such miraculous Exploits far transcend the Conceptions and highest Flights of those that are clog'd with Bodies which had quite balk'd my Endeavours to describe them but that those uncontrollable Raptures used Violence upon my Modesty and a long defeated Expectation of better Pens render'd my Impatience outragious to find Men silent where they cannot be loud enough as if the Impracticableness of adequate Thanks had pall'd their Spirits Or the vast Cataracts of Blessings Your MAJESTY pour'd upon us had overwhelm'd Or the consequent Ease and Security lull'd them asleep Or our exuberant Prosperity overgrown the Memory of its brave and generous Author The Thoughts of which Ingratitude what Loyal or Moral Heart can bear without the highest Indignation The Fret and Ferment whereof would have even bursted its Vessel without the Vent I gave it in expressing my Thoughts upon that Pillar to mind the forgetful excite the Lethargick and give all a Model by my Paper-building to erect more sumptuous and permanent Monuments of what GOD and Your MAJESTY's unparallel'd Magnanimity Courage and Conduct have done for us Since that was my Design Gratitude my Motive Deeds and Qualifications that have no commensurate Words my Theme I hope Defects in Expression will not intercept a gracious Aspect If the Book affords any Thing new or useful Your MAJESTY is the Author as Preserver of our Lives and Establisher of the necessary Tranquillity for Thoughtful Studies and Inventions therefore I humbly present it to Your most Sacred MAJESTY as Men do Oblations to the DEITY from whom they receiv'd them making it as far as in me lies doubly Yours as is ROYAL SIR Your MAJESTY's Most Humble Obedient Thankful Subject And Servant JOHN JONES THE MYSTERIES OF OPIUM Reveal'd CHAP. I. Shews how Opium had its Name how 't is made whence it comes c. THE Opium that was in Use in Ancient Times was made thus When the Poppy which was generally the White and sow'd then only in Gardens and small Inclosures was come to its full growth and most turgid of Milky Iuice which was in the hot Countries in May and Iune they did as soon as the Dew was up in the mornings make several Incisions transversly or athwart the Heads of the Poppies yet not directly horizontal but somewhat obliquely taking care not to make them quite through into the cavity thereof holding the Knife or Instrument with which the Incisions were made with its Edge sloaping upward while it wounded the Heads and conveniently placing certain Shells to receive the Milky Drops that issued out of the Incisions and went backward among the Poppies as they proceeded in this Work 1. They chose the Time when the Poppy Heads were most turgid of Milk to take it in the best Condition for their Purpose for if they gathered it sooner it was not so Mature and if afterward some of its Vertue expired and the quantity of the Juice was less because dry'd up in some measure if not taken timely 2. They made several Incisions in every Poppy's Head to have the greater Plenty of Juice 3. They made them immediately after the Dew was up to prevent its being tainted with any of the Dew and because the great Heat of the Day in those Countreys would much diminish the Quantity of the Milky Iuice and so thicken it that it would not run out as freely as in the Mornings 4. They made the Incisions transversly thereby to cut and lay open more of the Milky Vessels 5. They made them somewhat obliquely that the Drops might the better follow and overtake one the other and thereby coalesce and grow more considerable in Bulk and that the oblique Wound might the better conduct them into the same part of the Shells that they might find all together in a mass when it was sufficiently dried or inspissated by the Heat of the Sun 6. They did not make the Incisions quite through if they could avoid it lest any of the Iuice should run into the Cavity of the Head and so be lost among the Seeds contain'd therein 7. They sloaped the Edge of the Knife or Instrument upwards as they made the Incisions that the Iuice might the easier slide outwardly especially in case they happened to make the Incisions quite through which they could not always avoid notwithstanding all the Care they used 8. They went backward as they did it to avoid going by the Shells and incised Heads lest they should disorder or discompose or throw them down or wipe off any of the Iuice with their Cloaths This being done they left the Milky Iuice in the Shells to inspissate by the Heat of the Sun into a Pilular Consistence I have been the more particular to shew Men how to make Opium of English Poppies which you 'll find of good use The Milky Iuice as it dry'd
or thickened did gradually change its colour from white to a kind of a reddish yellow or tawny colour not unlike that of a Lyon's Hair which colour you may still observe on the inside of our common Opium when rudely torn by force if taken notice of upon the tearing for the Air does soon blacken it This sort of Opium gathered in Shells c. as is aforesaid the Grecians our Masters in Physick from whom we derive the Names of many of our Medicaments Diseases c. called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies the Iuice by way of Eminence as we call the Iesuits Bark the Bark because most useful and excellent The Latines who had also their Learning and Words of Art from the Grecians called it Opium from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it being usual with them in very many Cases particularly in things made out of other Matter as Opium is made out of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Iuice to change oâ— to um or ium so that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Opos was by them call'd Opium The Latines becoming Masters of the World and of every Thing that was good and excellent and all People observing their Manners Fashions Usages c. some of the Eastern People got the Use and Name of Opium from the Latines which they in Process of Time called Oâ—ium by changing 〈◊〉 or pi into fi which is very common in all Nations because the natural Pursuit of Ease and Pleasure in the Run of Discourse changes the harder and harsher sounds into such as are easier and sweeter when they are like in sound as pi and fi are The Sound of Ï€ or pi is harder than that of fi 1. Because it quite stops the Breath which the sound of fi does not 2. Because the sound of Ï€ or p requires the motion of the Lower Lip upward against its natural gravity and the motion of the whole Lower Iaw upward by consent to help that of the Lip whereas in forming the sound of f the Lower Lip moves only horizontally which is the easiest of Motions except the Natural motion of weighty Things downward or light Things upwards yet are both those Sounds like in their formation in several other respects as 1. Because both are nonvocalized Sounds 2. Both are labial 3. The Tongue lies still in its Natural Pâ—sition in forming both 4. The Uvula Valve which shuts up the Passage of the Breath through the Nose is shut in forming both all which shews that the sound of Ï€ or p 〈◊〉 or pi is much haâ—der to be form'd than that of f or si and yet considerably like which is the true Cause why all Nations are apt to change the harder sound of pi into the â—sier and like Sâ—und of fi or of p into that of f I put pi and fi for Instance because the Likeness appears better in them by having the same Vowâ—l after both whereas when you say p or pee f or ef the Difference of the Vowels added and the sound of ee put after p and of e before f to help the Consonants to sound makes them seem unlike by reason of the different Vowels so differently placed whereas pi and fi having the same Vowel alike placed after them do truly shew their likeness without confusion It is by Reason of this Likeness That Sapphick Are sounded Saf-fick That Sapphire c. Are sounded Saf-fire or Safire That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is Translated Trophaeum or Trofaeum a Trophy Besides that the Arabians did and do very commonly change p to f Saying Faunia For Poeonia Saying Osium c. For Opium c. And this likeness of the Sound of p and f is the Reason why ph is written for f because h signifies the sound of Breath expired which if you use upon sounding p it will be the sound of f so that f is a kind of a breathing p that is ph Of which Matter the Curious in such Things may find more to their satisfaction in my Phonography when published which I hope will be suddenly if not before this Book They call it in some of the Eastern Countries Assium or Affion instead of Osium it being usual in all Countries to change the harder and harsher sound of o to that of a which is like it but easier and sweeter It is hence That we are apt to say Carat For Carot That we are apt to say Fagat For Fagot That we are apt to say Flagan For Flagon That we are apt to say Wagan c. For Wagon c. Changing the Sound of o to that of a because the Sound of a is easier and not unlike that of o as was said Some in those Parts call it Amphion or Ampion for like Reasons all doubtless deriving the Names that I have mentioned from the Greek Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Latines saying Opium whence we have it the Arabians Oâ—ium and some other Eastern People Asium or Affium and others Amphion c. The best Opium that was in Use in those ancient Times was had from Thebes the Chief Town or City of the Country of Thebais in Egypt not Thebes in Boeotia or Cicilia which is now called Theves Because as p is apt to take the sound of f so p and b are much more apt to take the sound of v which is as it were a sweeter sort of f with which it exactly agrees in its formation but that the sound of v is vocalized which sweetens it and that of f is not It is from the aptitude of the sound of b and p to change into the most sweet sound of v 1. That Children say Marvel for Marble c. 2. That b or β in Ebur Is translated to v in Ivory 2. That b or β in Guberno Is translated to v in Govern 2. That b or β in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Is translated to v in David 2. That b or β in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Is translated to v in Vado 2. That b or β in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Is translated to v in Virgilius 2. That b or β in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Is translated to v in Varro 2. That b or β in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Is translated to v in Vita 3. That p in Sapor Is translated to v in Savour 3. That p in Papilio Is translated to v in Pavilion 3. That p in Praepositus Is translated to v in Provost Which changing of b and p to v must doubtless happen in other Languages as well as those I mentioned because the sound of v is so much easier and sweeter than either yet like them in sound But the sound of b is more like that of v because the sound of both are vocalized which that of p as has been said is not so that b and v agree exactly as p and f This makes the Egyptians say Theves for Thebes as the Arabians say Ofium for Opium Who knows but this may
Why then did they write and trouble the World to peruse their Books when they were so far from explaining the Properties of Opium that they scarce ever durst mention them nor set their Hypothesises and them as much as in View of one another Was not this a tacit Confession of the Incompetency of their Suppositions I beg Pardon for calling them theirs tho' they themselves do for I cannot offer them a greater Abuse than laying their Spurious and lame Brats at their Doors Tho' one scarce need say any more of them yet lest I be thought presumptuous or saucy for so much as offering to suspect the general Foundation of all the famous Authors that ever lived as Galen Avicenna c. among the Ancients Etmuller Willis c. among the Moderns 1. I will shew you very just Causes to suspect the Insufficiency of the general Foundation viz. That Opium diminishes or disables the Spirits 2. I will prove That it does not do it by a Cold Quality 3. That it does not do it by Vapours Fumes Aura or any such Way 4. That it diminishes or disables the Spirits by no Means whatsoever Which diminishing or disabling of the Spirits Cold Quality and Fumes or Aura comprehend the Foundations of all Opinions concerning Opium that ever I read or heard of and consequently if those Two Fundamental Opinions be refuted all the Superstructures that have been in this Case must fall to the Ground CHAP. VIII The Author shews Iust Causes of his Suspicion that all Authors have gone upon a wrong Foundation in their Disquisitions of the Cause of the Operation of Opium I Have shewn you That the general Foundation of both Ancient and Modern Authors is That Opium doth diminish or disable the Spirits And now I will plainly shew Iust Causes of my Suspicion of its Insufficiency which are these 1. I observe That all Learned Men are to this day highly dissatisfied as to the Cause and Manner of the Operation of Opium notwithstanding all that has been written concerning it and that it is the common Cry on all Hands that none has illustrated the Operations of Opium to any Purpose or given any Satisfaction therein and therefore Learned Physicians are still as much upon the Enquiry as ever they were It is much more Civil and Reasonable to suspect the Foundation that all former Authors have built upon than a general Failure in all the most Judicious Master Builders that ever endeavour'd to build thereon for if all the best Architects of the whole World fail to erect a firm Superstructure upon any one Foundation what can we think but that the Foundation is infirm especially when as in our Case no Way that Care Iudgment Perspicacity and Wit could invent or think of has been left untried to build thereon so that tho' I modestly call it a Cause of Suspicion it amounts almost if not altogether to a Demonstration that the Foundation that all Authors have gone upon is naught Would not any considering Man when he sees all the Iudicious Architects of the World fail to erect a firm Building upon a certain Foandation seek for another Therefore who can blame me if I do and not blame them that did not The meanest Bricklayer or Carpenter that should be guilty of such Stupidity as to attempt to build upon such a Foundation as always deceiv'd the Builders would be thought too great a Blockhead to be employ'd in Building 2. I observed That most Men do notwithstanding that Foundation is agreed upon think it impossible to explain the intâ—icate various contradictory Phenomena's and mysterious Effects of Opium sitting contented and perswaded that it operates by an occult Quality wholly unexplicable and particularly reserved from the Knowledge of Mankind But Nature works Mechanically in Weight Measure c. Therefore it is more than probable that it is only their being upon a wrong Bottom makes it seem absolutely occult for it is impossible to find a thing where it is not or to build firmly upon an insufficient Foundation whereas had it been right and true it is not to be imagined but some or other would have thereupon done something that would have stood against all Winds and Storms which none have done 3. I observed That none durst venture to lay the whole no nor one half of the Burthen of the Phinomena's or Effects of Opium upon that Foundation foreseeing doubtless that it could not bear them and that if they laid any more Weight thereon the whole would totter and fall to the Ground The Project in every Hypothesis is to perswade Men of the Truth thereof and the only way to do it is to solve all Phenomena's thereby for if it fails but in one it is an infallible sign of its Insufficiency There was no Reason to omit any of the Phenomena's if they could have discern'd that the Hypothesis would have born them therefore as has been intimated it implies a Confession of its Incompetency 4. I observed That ancient Authors writ of Opium before it came to be of common and general Use in the Day-time with Healthy Persons as it since is in many Nations to cause a gay pleasant and good Humour take off Sadness Melancholy and Anxiety To cause Assurance Boldness Courage Bravery Magnanimity Euphory or easie undergoing of Labour Iourneys Promptitude in Business Expediteness and Serenity To excite to Venery c. Which Effects cannot be explained by that Supposition of disabling the Spirits and that they used Opium only Medicinally for the sake of such other Effects as might be tollerably well explicated by that Hypothesis so that they had not any Occasion nor Inducement to look any farther The Effects they gave it for was only 1. To cause Sleep 2. To take off Pain 3. To stop Fluxes 4. To Compose the Spirits 5. To cause Perspiration and Sweat All which are not inconsistent with the Hypothesis of diminishing or disabling the Spirits as the other are and therefore might well deceive them For First Sleep is caused by diminishing the Spirits by Labour Watching c. as is most notorious over the whole World so other Things that diminish the Spirits as Bleeding Vomiting Purging and many other Causes of diminishing thereof do incline us to Sleep Secondly Indolence or Exemption from Pain is caused by nothing more than want of Spirits as in Paralytical Cases Stuporâ— Obstructions or Compressions of the Nerves Syncopes Leipothymies Deliquiums Faintings after Bleeding and Sleep which as was said is so much caused by loss of Spirits c. Thirdly Fluxes are stopt or moderated by nothing better than Sleep which generally as was said proceeds from loss of Spirits What also stops or moderates Fluxes more than want of the Sense of the Irritation of Humours And what takes away Sense more than want of Spirits Thus want of Sense by the absence of the Spirits in Paralytical Intestines stops Fluxes Thus fails a Paralytical Bladder to express the Urine So a Palsie of the Membranes
Watches and Sentinels to discover and give notice of what is or is not good and agreeable to our Animal Nature That upon notice of what is good and agreeable Pleasure Comfort Satisfaction c. are conceived otherwise Displeasure Discomfort and Dissatisfaction What diminishes or disables our Spirits does us the greatest Evil that can be and consequently Sensation would according to its Office give us such notice thereof as would cause Displeasure c. otherwise these Sentinels that God and Nature have appointed for faithful Notice would instead of trusty service which is the End they are made for deceive us and consequently do us mischief rather than good which is very Prophane if not Blasphemous to assert as being highly abusive of God's Goodness and Wisdom to make Things in Nature that would not only not answer but act quite contrary to their Ends it follows then that what causes such a mighty agreeable and pleasant Sensation at Stomach which is the greatest and most accurate Judge of what is or is not agreeable to the Animal cannot be destructive or disabling of its Spirits which are the most excellent and useful Things that belong thereto Therefore Opium which so mightily recommends it self to pleases and comforts the greatest Iudge that God has given to a sensible Creature to discern what is good and evil for it cannot diminish or disable our Spirits One may say what I dare not that the Sensation at Stomach may deceive us We may deceive our selves and say so when that which pleases the Stomach does not please our perverted Imagination which makes no Argument let us therefore consider Things where there is no such vain Imagination to contradict the good Ends of Nature if the Stomach and Senses in a Brute or meer Animal which has no other means to Judge of what is good or evil for it should not Judge aright all the Animals in the whole World would soon perish It is the vain Opinion of Men that perswades them that Things are cold when hot c. as in the Case of Opium when the Senses truely inform that it is hot If you 'll stand to your Imaginations and Suppositions for such all must be without the Information of Sense against the Dictates of Sensation you must inevitably err But one may say Is the Sense at Stomach such an infallible Guide always I believe it will be very hard to give many Instances to the contrary and prove it well however if we do or may allow something of this Kind to a perverted Stomach at certain times to avoid a squabble about it it is never to be allow'd That all the Stomachs in the whole World should be pleased with one and the same Thing at all times and yet that this Thing should be so highly pernicious to the Animal as to diminish or disable its Spirits Then indeed it would follow that the most exquisite Sense at Stomach to discern what is or is not agreeable to the Animal were absolutely in vain which no Man of Reason that has any Apprehension of the Wisdom of God and Nature can assert 3. What is more notorious than that Pleasure or being pleased raises and Displeasure or being grieved depresses the Spirits Are not all People pleasant gay and good humour'd brisk prompt c. when pleased Do not Men Travel or Labour with more Ease in Pleasant Company c. But of these Matters and the Reasons thereof more in the following Chapters 4. How can Opium that revives People when they are so dispirited that they are even almost dying as when Opium is wanted by such as use to take it in Deliquiâ—ms and Agonies from Paiâ— c. diminish or disable the Spirits It is plain Contradiction to say that it should Next to Opium nothing revives People in such Cases better than Wine and those Things that produce the same or like Effects have like Nature and who can say that Wine that was made to glad the Heart of Man diminishes or disables the Spirits Or that Opium which produces all the sprightly enlivening and encouraging Effects of generous Wine in a more eminent manner than Wine and in the 10000th Part of its Quantity and for a longer time than Wine causes them should diminish or disable the Spirits For Instance Wine and Opium in a due quantity but Opium in a far less quantity as was said cause a pleasant gay and good Humour Courage Bravery Magnanimity Promptitude in Business Expediteness in Management Serenity Euphory or easy undergoing of Labour Iourneys Fatigues c. Both take away Sadness Grief Melancholy Fear Depression of Spirits c. Both cause Promptitude to Venery Sine Cerere Baccho friget Venus So Wine and Opium prevent and cure Cold open the Pores promote Perspiration and Sweat especially the following Mornings as Sir Theodore Mayern my self and others have observ'd of Opium and is notorious as to Wine Both cause Sleep and take away the Sense of Pain and require a greater Dose than ordinary in Proportion to the Pain Both take off Shiverings from Fear Cold or Ague Fits and cause Mirth Contentation and Acquiescence Driness of the Mouth Thirst a Sense of Heat within us a Dreaming Condition pleasant Dreams if the Quantity of Wine be not grievous by its Heat Load c. Nâ—cturnal Pollution and in some Constitutions both cause Vigilancy but Wine and Opium cause that more rarely than Sleep Both stop and cause Vomiting if they stay too long at Stomach Both moderate Hunger 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and are good in a canine Appetite Both cause Swimming in the Head c. So Both in an Excessive Dose Do cause at first Mirth and afterward a kind of Drunken Soper in some in others Fury or Madness Sardonick Laughter and Weight at Stomach Vomitings Hiccoughs great Heat at Stomach Debility and laxity of all Parts Faltring of the Tongue Scotomies and Darkness of the Eyes Vertigo's Laxity of the Cornea of the Eye Dilatation of the Papilla Deadness of the Eyes to the View Loss of Memory Venereal Fury a high Colour profuse Sweats Purging sometimes Alienation of the Mind Loss of Memory and lastly greater or lesser Effects according to the Dose Constitution c. So A long and lavish Use of both Causes a dull and moapish Disposition Dropsies Fall of Humours upon Weaken'd Parts a Sleepy Disposition Want of Appetite Weakness of Digestion Aptitude to Sterility and Abortion early Decrepiteness Stooping in the Back Trembling of the Hands Weakness of Memory Shortness of Life Difficulty and Danger in suddenly leaving them off Revive such as sink for Want of either and supply the Want of each other How can any have the Face to say that a Thing which agrees so with generous Wine in Effects can be a Diminisher or Disabler of the Spirits The Mischiefs of excessive Doses and lavish Use of either is no Argument against their inspiriting Nature if it were then Wine is no Cordial tho' made to glad the Heart
truth is That God and Nature have given us our Senses for that end and present Refection in Cases of Faintness Depression of Spirits And what more proper to convey Comfort to us than what is sensible of it 2. It is another thing to add by way of Nutrition to our Spirits which are insensible Things and therefore never properly comforted any more than a Plant that is nourished as well as they But the sensitive Soul being pleased must needs conceive Satisfaction Comfort Ioy c. How he can be pleased when sensible of nothing I know not nor how he can be comforted without being first pleased nor how pleased but by Sensation 3. The Essence of Animal Comfort does not consist in having many Spirits for one in most grievous Pain and Misery by which he is much discomforted cast down depressed in Spirit c. may have great plenty of Spirits and one that has not half as many highly comforted by pleasing Objects of Sense good News c. 4. If we staid for Comfort by a Meal of Meat c. till it added to our Spirits we might stay long enough nay if we staid for Comfort till we found it by that Addition we should never find it for we cannot in that case find what we do not feel We possibly after two or three days eating and drinking may find our selves stronger but after all suppose us in very great misery at the same time Where 's the Comfort of it when the Spirits are otherwise depressed by Pain ill News c. 5. Hunger is a grievous Sensation at Stomach which is cured and we comforted by causing a pleasant Sensation by Meat Wine c. instead thereof and not by adding Spirits which is a great Mistake It is true indeed that we are comforted but it is most manifestly by pleasing the exquisite Sensation at Stomach which God has placed there for that End Hence it is that all Cordials must be pleasing to the Stomach or else they are no Cordials and that Wine and all such Things as please the Stomach are apt to take away much of the Sharpness of Hunger for a time at least 6. How should Wine which has a great Acidity in it and so very good for Digestion cure a canine Appetite which is a grievous Sensation but by causing a pleasant one in its room by which means the grievous Sensation is taken off For Pleasure and Grievance or Displeasure which are Contraries cannot be in the same Subject at one time Thus it is that Opium takes off Hunger canine Appetite c. But of this hereafter 7. How should a Quart of Wine drank in a minute or two have all the comfortable Effects of Wine in a quarter of an hour while it is at Stomach if it were to stay for this Comfort till it added Spirits to ours since the matter of Effluvia or Fumes passing into the Rloud is disproved 8. Why should our Comfort be so great while it is at Stomach and none by that time it is got into the Bloud but that the Stomach being very sensile the Spirits of the Wine do highly please by their Agreeableness thereunto It matters not whether it had Spirits or no so it caused a pleasing Sensation for a Draught of Water in a high Fever and when we are very faint with Thirst very much comforts us without any Spirits as does a Venison-Pasty a hungry Person by agreeable Sensation taking off the grievous Sensation called Hunger and all its consequent Faintness c. before it can add any Spirits by Nutrition 9. What need we seek any farther Do not we find a pleasing Sensation at Stomach when we are comforted with any thing and the Comfort to bear a Proportion to the Pleasure 10. Are not we prompt blithe gay and brave while the Wine is at Stomach And very often fit for nothing dull heavy mopish c. by that time it is got into the Bloud Therefore we may safely conclude That the Spirits of the Wine do comfort us by causing a pleasing Sensation and not by adding its Spirits to ours according to the settled Sentiment of the World that is not yet arrived to the Learning or Knowledge why the most common Cordial comforts them What Spirits has a Grain of Opium while at Stomach to add to ours or can it add if it had them Yet no Wine comforts us as much as Opium because it pleases us so much as was and will be yet much more fully shewn Note That besides what was said of the Grievousness of the three Contractions to tiâ—e the animal or sensitive Soul he is much deprest and cast down upon the Perception of Grievances as Hunger Pain c. Because they 1. Affect him with Grief and Displeasure and consequently with Discomfort Anxiety c. because of the very Dolour 2. With Care and Solicitude how to be rid of it 3. With the Toil of Defensive Contraction to endeavour it All which causes Melancholy Depression of Spirits Pusillanimity Perturbations Frets Discomposure Dissatisfaction Anxiety Solicitude Peevishness Discomposure Discomforts Listlesness c. as you see in such as are Hungry or in Pain to which if you add the Fatigue and Effects of the Defensive Contraction and the Intentive as far as it is exercised for Self-preservation in this Case you may observing what has been said easily solve all the Phenomena's of grievous Sensation and as easily conclude what must be the Phenomena's and Effects of pleasant Sensation by the Rules of Contraries viz. Satisfaction good Humour Ease Comfort Ovation of Spirits Relaxation c. of which we are going to speak CHAP. XIV Of the Nature of Sensitive Pleasure and its Effects upon the Animal as far as it concerns our present Purpose SEnsitive Pleasure is a Complacency of the sensitive Soul resulting from the Agreeableness of the Object to the Organ of Sensation Thus are we pleased with what is agreeable to the Eye Ear Tongue Stomach c. And what is agreeable to those Organs is agreeable to the Animal in general 1. Because God has made and appointed them especially the sensile Membrane at Stomach to be as it were the Touchstone of what is agreeable to the Animal 2. Because the Membranes or Organs are of the same active Principles with the Animal's Body in general otherwise they would not be fit Tasters Triers or Touchstones of what is good or bad for the Body in general Now the active Principles of the Membranes or Organs are Volatile Salt and oily Parts or a Sal Volatile Oleosum which is predominant in them and all the Parts of the Body therefore such Things as have a Volatile Salt join'd with some oily Parts must be in a special manner agreeable and pleasing to the Membranes for simile fimili gaudeat Hence it is That what abound in Volatile Salt as Snails Earthworms and Things of that kind are such fine Anodynes and so pleasing to the Membranes c. That the Seed of Animals
are reputed Opiates Borellus speaks of a Soporiferous Aura that proceeded from ones Thumb cured by a Caustick I have read of a Cataphora from Worms a Soporiferous Fume from the Womb and very many such sorts of Instances which Things are now easily conceived for 't is but supposing a Fume of the Nature of Sem. Animale or its Aura for I can no longer doubt but it is an Opiate and it would have much the same Effects with Opium if it were fit to use it after the same manner Having shewn 1. Which are the predominant active Principles in Opium and how combined c. 2. Which of them produces the usual and laudable Effects of Opium And why in general I come now to the Third Particular viz. to shew III. Which of them produces its ill Effects And why It s ill Effects are these viz. Nauseas Vomitings which are generally very dismal with great distress and sometimes dangerous Swimming in the Head Hiccoughs Distresses Anxieties Convulsions Faintings Leipothymies Syncopes c. 1. Note That its grievous Effects are at or about the Region of the Stomach or particularly the Mouth or Pit thereof or thence arising by Consent 2. Note That seeing there is nothing so good but may cause evil Effects in an excessive Quantity this Enquiry is more properly What Principle or Principles of Opium do cause those ill Effects in an ordinary Dose for what will in a moderate Dose will be sure cause them in an excessive Dose 3. Note That all the constant Effects of Opium as you may observe in the Enumeration thereof in the Fourth Chapter are good and laudable Effects it follows therefore that the bad are accidental 1. It is not the Earthy or Phlegmatick Part of Opium that causes those ill Effects because they are Passive Principles and consequently have not such a Power besides that they are known to be innocent 2. Opium has all those ill Effects when both the Earthy and Phlegmatick Parts are separated from it as when an Extract of well torrefied Opium is made in Spirit of Wine for by that means the Phlegmatick Part is dried up and the Earthy Parts subside and are separated yea such Extracts made by Spirit of Wine do cause those evil Effects rather more than crude Opium with its Earth and Phlegm in it as Experience assures us and Reason will plainly confirm by and by however fond the World is of such Preparations 3. It is evident from the Premises that the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium cannot cause those Vomitings Hiccoughs c. for they are the Effects of grievous Sensation at Stomach but the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum causes a most agreeable and pleasing Sensation at Stomach 4. Nothing quiets Vomitings Convulsions â—coughs c. more than that Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium 5. Experience informs us That the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium separated from all other Parts and Principles thereof never causes such evil Effects as I and another Physician in London can testifie as does also Le Mort in the most Learned Dr. Love's Collectanea where he says of such a Preparation thereof as contains only the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum That Nunquam Anxietates circa Praecordia aut Phantasias conciliat That is It never causes Anxieties about the Mouth of the Stomach c. for that is most properly to be understood by Praecordia Wedelius testifies the like of such another Preparation and so do several Authors tho' they did not in the least know why but only by Experience 6. It s Fixt Salt is innocent in its Nature and but the 32d Part of Opium which is too inconsiderable in an ordinary moderate Dose to cause any sensible Effect It follows therefore That is must be the Resinous Part of Opium which it has in a considerable Quantity that must cause those ill Effects This manifestly appears 1. Because a Tincture of Opiam in Water which takes up none of the Rosin but lets it fall into the Bottom never causes any such ill Effects which it does not also if reduced to an Extract by Evaporation yet have they all the usual good Effects of Opium 2. Wedelius in his Opiolog assures the same of the like Preparation in Phlegm of distilled Vinegar L. 2. Sect. 1. C. 5. P. 92. 3. An Extract of Opium in Spirit of Wine does often cause those ill Effects and no other Preparation causes them as often Wedelius ibid. A Laudano opiato cum Spiritu Vini correcto solum ferâ— observavimus ortos Vomitus a nostro vero quod cum Phlegmate Aceti distillati fieri diximus nunquam Vomitum vel Nauseam saltem contigisse meminimus That is We have observed Vomitings almost only from Laudanum prepared with Spirit of Wine but never any Vomiting or Nausea from that prepared in Phlegm of distill'd Vinegar Which he confirms L. 1. sect 2. c. 4. p. 62. saying in Latine That a curious Observation is to be noted by which it appears that an Extract of Opium with Spirit of Wine shews more Narcotick Force by which he means That it causes more ill Effects than prepared in distilled Vinegar Whereas that in Spirit of Wine has nothing more in it than that in Vinegar besides the Râ—sinous Parts Therefore these do cause all the Mischief Note also That an Extract in Spirit of Wine has in it Quantity for Quantity more of the Râ—sinous Parts than Crude Oplum both because the Earthy Parts that help'd to make up the Bulk are taken away in that Preparation and because the 〈◊〉 of Wine imbibes the Rosin more greedily than other Principles of the Opium so that every Dose must in Proportion have much more Rosin in it than Crude Opium Therefore it is no wonder that it causes those ill Effects more frequently since the Rosin is most certainly the Cause thereof as has been and shall be more fully and beyond all contradiction proved Yet is this the Preparation boasted of by the blind and inadvertent World it would amaze nay terrifie a Man to see what great Care is taken to be sure to render Opium mischievous by solicitously using Spirit of Wine in extracting Laudanums and then and not till then they boast of the Preparation as Charas and very many others do calling it not without great Ostentation and desperate Folly their Laudanum May it be theirs and none others a Turk would be a Mad-man to use it for Crude Opium because it has much more of the pernicious Principle in it It is the common and much esteemed way first to extract it out of Water and then it is very good laudable and innocent but thought nothing worth till they extract the Rosin that is all left behind by the Water in Spirit of Wine and add it to the other then do they with great Authority praise it that is when they have wisely added the Poison to the Panacea It is as if they added Ratâ—bane to a Cordial and not think the Cordial worthy Commendation till they have done so 4. It appears That the Rosin is
to disparage the Performance as mean and obvious like that of the Circulation of the Bloud or America when found out did not the newness of the Thing the baffled Endeavours of all Mankind and the seeming Impossibility of ever finding it out which was almost agreed upon speak in its behalf Consider that nothing can be plain and easie but what is true and consequently nothing valuable but what is so what 's true Knowledge but the Knowledge of Things as they really are And when a Thing is known as really as it is it must be plain and never so till then for to take a Thing to be what it is not is all Darkness Errour Puzzle Confusion and Vanity as all Discourses of Opium have hitherto been It is no Wonder then that the Cause of the Operation of Opium grew more and more obscure while they stated the Cold Quality of very hot Opium the Belching up of Vulcano's of Fumes from the Stomach to the Head which have no Existence their acting as a Poison of the Animal Spirits their fixing and coagulating them their clogging them by Adherence or clouding them their wedging themselves among the Animal Spirits none knows how and thereby disabling them their stuffing the Pores of the Brain or compressing it and thereby hindering the Generation of Animal Spirits to be the Causes of the Noble and Pleasant Operation of Opium without any Foundation in Nature or the least Evidence of Sense or Reason but vain Phantastical Imaginations form'd in the Chimera-Forges of their Wanton Brains while they endeavour'd Right or Wrong to appear considerable Folks by doing nothing to the Purpose in a kind of pretty plausible and imposing manner thereby stuffing the unwary World with wrong and vain Conceptions and impertinent Prejudices which are the greatest Obstacles of Knowledge I would fain know which of those Hypothesises can tollerably solve 1 in 10 of the Phenomena's that I have enumerated or indeed any one Phenomenon truly mechanically and demonstratively yet are those Whims the glorious Productions of Thousands of years Studies and solicitous Disquisitions tho' every one that took Opium actually felt the true Cause of its Operation viz. The pleasing Delight that it occasioned by affecting the Membranes and Animal Spirits after the manner that I have at large set forth Good God! what blund'ring Groper is Mankind Who daily felt the Cause it ne're could find Tho' Thousands sought it with an eager Mind CHAP. XXIV Of Opium separated from its noxious Part or Rosin and whether it is a Panacea c. THus far have I spoken of Crude Opium jointly with its Rosin or noxious Part now I will consider it separated from it and shew how to do it Galen says That it is very difficult to find an excellent Remedy without a noxious Quality And it is as difficult to find any Thing so noxious as not to afford a good Medicament which you see in Vipers Scorpions Mercury c. All or most Physicians unanimously agree That Opium has such a noxious Quality that causes Vomitings Hiccoughs Distresses Anxieties Convulsions chiefly at or about the Region of the Stomach and that if it were freed from it it would be the noblest of Medicaments Who can otherwise imagine seeing it is so excellent and universal a Remedy as it is now used in the World without such an excellent Preparation thereof wherein the noxious Principle is separated from it Of which Paracelsus says That whoever shall enjoy it will be a Professor of no less Knowledge than Apollo Machaon or Podalyrius tho' he was the greatest Master of Arcanas Panaceas c. yet does he confess That a Preparation of Opium stood him in stead and perform'd his Business when all his great Medicaments fail'd him and that it will dissolve Diseases as Fire doeâ— Snow or uses Words to the same Effect Helmont being in a kind of Rapture upon Consideration of its Excellency bursts out into this Exclamation Happy is the Sick Man whose Physician knows how to separate the deadly or noxious Part from Opium Platerus aâ—firm'd That he could with a Preparation of Opium preserve the broken Wheel of Life Etmuller says That Opium may 〈◊〉 be esteem'd a general Remedy and the main End of his Tract De parvis Morborum Initiis is to shew how Volatiles more especially Salia-Volatilia-Oleosa as that of Opium may in small Quantities alter us and cure our Diseases It were endless to tell you the Eulogies of the Learned concerning such a Preparation of Opium which they generall conclude to be a most noble Panacea therefore many and very solicitous have been the Disquisitions of the Ingenious and Industrious to find out this heroick generous and most glorious Medicament I am fully satisfied that the pure Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium duely separated from its noxious Rosin Dross c. is the very Thing some of the Reasons that convince me are as followeth viz. 1. Because Opium has no other Principle in it that signifies any Thing as to its laudable and noble Effects but its Sal Volatile Oleosum as has been shewn 2. Because the Sal Volatile-Oleosum of Opium produces all its good Effects 3. Because the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum duely separated from its Rosin and other Principles produces no ill Effect in a moderate Dose This added to what has been Discoursed at large of the Principles of Opium is I think sufficient to satisfie any Man that the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium so separated is the great Panacea that is sought for However because we are upon the greatest Thing in Physick as may be well inferr'd from what has been already said and that the World has been under great Fears Iealousies and Blindness concerning this Matter and the Use of Opium it will be well worth our While to give all imaginable Satisfaction in this Case therefore I will First Lay down all the requisite Qualifications of a Compleat Panacea as far as I can collect out of the most Eminent Authors and my own Consideration thereof Secondly I will particularly enquire as to each of the Qualifications whether the Sal Volatile-Oleosum of Opium duely separated from every other Principle of Opium is furnished therewith Thirdly I will shew you how duely to separate its Dross Rosin c. so as to leave a pure sincere Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium for Use. The requisite Qualifications of a Panacea are these viz. 1. That it should highly please our Sensation at Stomach because the Stomach is contrived and appointed by God and Nature as the Touchstone to try a Sentinel truely to inform and a Critical Iudge to determine what is or is not agreeable to our Nature in general and therefore as has been shewn endued with a wonderful sagacity and nicety of Sensation for that End It follows then that a Panacea should be very pleasing and agreeable to the Stomach and therefore very cordial 2. That it should be highly pleasing to the sensitive Soul which is the Principle of all Motion Action
noxious Rosin and all Filth and Dross of the Opium 2. It must be kept entire without weakening or any way altering it or adding a new Quality thereto Therefore 1. Opium must not be torrefied according to the Common Practice 1. Because the finest and most volatile Part which is the very best is thereby lost 2. Because the resinous and earthy Parts which are not spent that way grow more in Proportion to the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum so that torrefying cannot be allow'd unless preserving the Bad and destroying the Good be allowable The vain and ostentatious Pretence of destroying I know not what narcotick Sulphur which is a Nick-name given by Ignorance to the best Parts of Opium is most insufferable stuff 3. Because all Empyreùm which renders it very nauseous can hardly be avoided in torresying it but suppose it were What need is there otherwise so to damnifie it as is aforesaid Obj. It is found to be more innocent after such Torrefaction Ans. I grant that it happens so sometimes but it must be meerly by Accident either 1. Because it meets with a strong Digestion at Stomach Or 2. By the Custom of poudering it which is always directed and done after the Torrefaction by which means the resinous Parts being divided and severed become less liable to a Coalescence at Stomach and consequently less offensive and more subduable Especially 3. When it is mixed as generally it is with other things that keep the Parts of the Rosin from Coalescence and leave them more conquerable by the Digestion as the Ancients found by Experience who therefore did generally if not always mix it in a small quantity with many other things in great quantity in the form of Electuaries as in Venice-Treacle Mithridate c. though nothing in them corrected the Opium otherwise than by dividing and segregating its Parts This indeed is like that of divide impera or interlining suspected Soldiers with trusty or friendly ones to prevent a mischievous Conspiracy But how much better is it to have no Enemy to contest with by a due and compleat separation of the Rosin from the Opium Otherwise you must be obliged to good Accidents if ever torrefied Opium becomes safe because all the noxious Rosin is left in it Therefore if after Torrefaction you will give it in a Mass without poudering it and mixing it with other things you 'll find its ill Effects to be as bad if not worse than ever as you will also if you afterward extract it out of Spirit of Wine reducing it into the Form of Pills by which means the severed Parts of the poudered Rosin do again coalesce into a lumpish Condition which renders it worse than crude Opium as Wedelius my self and others do testifie because the Opium being somewhat weakened and all the Rosin remaining the Dose of the Opium and consequently of its Rosin must be increased As suppose 8 Grains of crude Opium has 2 of Rosin 2 of other Dross 2 of Phlegm and 2 of Sal-Volatile-Oleosum and that 2 Grains of the crude Opium containing half a Grain of the Sal-Volotile-Oleosum was the Dose then if in torrefying it one Grain of the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum be lost and another of the Phlegm there will remain only 6 Grains of the Opium with the Virtue of one Grain of the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum in it therefore 3 Grains of it must be now used to have half a Grain of the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum which 3 Grains will contain half the Rosin of the whole Mass that is one Grain whereas there was but half a Grain thereof in the 2 Grains of crude Opium Therefore torrefied Opium is in it self much worse than crude Opium And it is yet worse if after Torrefication you make an Extract of it in Spirit of Wine for then the Dâ—oss and Phlegm being separated from the 6 Grains nothing will remain in the Extract but the resinous Part with less of the Virtue of the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum which is not taken up so greedily as the Rosin is by the Spirit of Wine besides that some of this Volatile Part may be lost and that the Rosin is now more compacted as not having as much as the drossie earthy or watry Parts to sever and keep its noxious Particles at a distance to render them as was shewn more subduable and digestible at Stomach See what Pains the inconsiderate World does take and exceedingly hoast of to render Opium by Torrefaction Extraction in Spirit of Wine c. at least twice as nozious as crude Opium without accounting how far the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum that remains is impair'd by the Fire and Spirit of Wine It is therefore no Wonder that Wedelius declares That he found more Mischief by such Extracts out of Spirit of Wine than any other Preparation of Opium It is plain then II. That we must not extract it out of Spirit of Wine or any such sulphureous Menstruum 1. Because more apt to extract the Rosin than the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum 2. Because the Rosin will be more compacted 3. Because the Spirit of Wine may in some measure alter it III. We must not extract Opium first out of Water and afterward out of Spirit of Wine and then mix them together and evaporate them to an Extract For this is as was said wisely taking care to add the Poison to the Panacea or Rosin extracted by the Spirit of Wine to the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum extracted by the Water besides the Impair and Loss made of the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum by the Spirit of Wine and the Evaporation how gentle soever it be Here it will be seasonable to note That there is a general great Fault committed by Preparers of Medicaments especially such as pretend to most Curiosity therein in endeavouring right or wrong to have all the Principles of the Plant c. join'd together in their Medicaments however noxious or contrary to the Purpose as you see in the Instance just now mentioned whereas they had much better do as the great Helmont says Pharm Dispens Modern 12. Saâ—guinem a cruore Parenâ—hymale Plantarum distinguere separare discant Tyrones si quicquam laude dignum per simplicia egisse meditentur That is Let Beginners learn to distinguish and separate the true Bloud of Plants from their Cruor or dead Gore and Parenchyma if they think to do any thing Praise-worthy by Simples You 'll find this to be very pat in the true Preparation of the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum whose Ruby-colour makes it look like Bloud while the Rosin Earth and Dross make the Appearance of a dull and dead Cruor or Gore If they took a Tincture of Opium in Spirit of Wine and used it so it would not be so bad for then the resinous Particles are disseminated and not so liable to Coalescence at Stomach but so great is the Stupidity that they take care by reducing it into the Form of an Extract to combine them and make them as noxious as is possible and then they think them worthy to be boasted of as their Nostrums
the Pores Therefore 1. It is of excellent Use to carry away noxious Vapours or Effluvia's by the Pores of the Skin to prevent Putrefactions and cure them to carry off venomous Particles in the Plague infectious Distempers Bitings of Serpents mad Dogs c. ill Fumes Wind in the Bloud or Habit of the Body that causes Stitches Tumors c. 2. To carry off noxious Humours the same way especially such as stagnate or offend in the Habit of the Body as in Colds intercutaneous Water Leâ—cophlegmatia and sometimes in Dropsies as Dr. Willis observes in Declinations of Diseases to carry off the concocted morbid Matter in Rheumatisms and Gouts particularly that which is call'd the Wind Gout 3. When Perspiration is any way hindred as by grievous Passions Sensations or Pain acid austere or cold Humour by which many Diseases are caused Thus 't is very useful in Grief Sorrow Anxieties Solicitude Melancholy Panick Fears Gachexies Scurvies Hypochondriacal Cases wherein it performs wonderfully when all things fail as you find in Chap. 24. 4. To promote the Menses or Lochia when stopp'd by reason of the constriction of the Pores by such grievous Passions or Sensations or by acid austere or cold Humours external Cold c. by its relaxing and opening the Pores and Ways and soliciting the Parts by a gentle agreeable Titillation Hence some justly call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is An Opener of the Mouth of the Veins or Bloud-Vessels by which means as has been shewn Puberty Coition c. do kindly and naturally cause the Menses to flow while the same Relaxation causes an Increase of Bloud as it does of Milk by widening the Vessels This is all Mechanical Truth that will answer upon Experience as the most Ingenious Dr. Edw. Brown can witness who is the only Man as far as I know that seems to have this Practice 5. It promotes Urine by the like opening or relaxing of the Pores of the Kidneys by its titillating Volatile Salt as Cantharides Bees Pismires Millepedes c. do 6. It may probably be of great use in cutaneous Distempers either by taking large Quantities of proper Liquids and sweating them out again by its help to wash of ill Particles or to open the Pores for the admission of external Medicaments Note That they are natural Fluxes it promotes and unnatural ones that it stops which proves its operating as an entire Friend to Nature both ways I. The Form may be which you please or is most agreeable to the Patient II. The Dose moderate except it be when extraordinary Relaxation or opening of the Pores is desired III. The Vehicle should be such as is proper to prepare the Humours to pass by Sweat or insensible Perspiration or the Bloud by the Menses and Lochia therefore should generally speaking consist of attenuating Things as Volatile Spirits and in the Plague venemous and contagious Cases of Alexipharmacks of Diureticks to promote Urine and so in all Cases of what is proper in the respective Humours for their Exit or Passage IV. The Time because Sleep conduces to open the Pores may be at the due distance before Bed-time but that hinders not but it may be given when there is occasion at any other time In the Plague it should be so often given as to keep the Pores always open Mayern glves an Instance of a Physician that had all Signs of Death Petechiae a Carbuncle c. who recovered by taking Laudanum 6 times a day I suppose 24 Hours or the natural Day is meant thereby V. The Regimen must be such as is proper convenient and usual in the respective Cases for 't is endless to mention all it requires a Volume To cause Sweat much temperate Liquids must be always given especially in Fevers or dry Bodies as the Hypochondriacal c. Most part of the Liquids should be given before the Opiate that they may have time to get into the Bloud by that time the Opiate operates which does so as was shewn while 't is at Stomach To move the Menses proper means should be used for a due time before the Use thereof because the Effect expected in this Case from Opiates is only to open the Ways or Pores So Humours in Leucophlegmatia's c. should be duly prepared for the like Reason To cause Perspiration it is convenient in cold Constitutions and old People gently to warm the Bloud with 2 or 3 Glasses of generous Wine a little Garlick Onions Selery or the like to attenuate and cause Evaporation which Heat promotes but if you over-heat the Bloud it hinders Perspiration by its growing grievous for what is so causes Contraction and closing of the Pores Note That nothing can be so good to cause Perspiration or Sweat because it not only opens the Pores but takes away any grievous Passion or Sensation that may close them and atenuates resolves c. by its Volatile Salt CHAP. XXXVIII Of the Use of the Panacea c. as a Titillative THis it does as was shewn by its Volatile Salt as Cantharides Bees Pismire Sem. Viril c. Therefore 1. It is of great use to excite to Venery cause Erections to actuate a dull Semen for the sake of lawful Propagation 2. To increase the Semen 1. By the Titillation of the Venereal Parts which invites it thither by the Agitation thereof as Frication of the Breasts and those Parts cause Increase of Milk and the Semen 2. By the Pleasure thereof relaxing the Parts which causes a greater Flux of it as of Milk to the Breasts and Nourishment to any Part. It is observable how desirous Rachel being Barren was of the Opiate call'd Mandrake so that she parted with her Beloved Husband to her Sister Leah for a Night to purchase it Whether it was any means to cause her to Conceive which she did afterwards is not to be determined tho' it seems not altogether unlikely 3. It s Use to increase Milk is spoken of in the Chapter of its Use to Relax only it does it here as Titillating and there as Relaxing 4. It conduces to move the Menses by its Titillation 5. The Titillation of its Volatile Salt as Cantharides c. do moves us to Urine I. The Form is wholly indifferent II. The Dose must be large and generally greater than any I have mentioned and possibly requires a Repetition thereof to excite to Venery tho' I shall not prescribe any more than I have in the Table of Doses but leave it to Iudicious Physicians to do as they think â—it where there is a just Cause for its Use which I will not expose to every lustful Goat It is not unlikely but one great Cause of the Ignorance of its Use to excite Venery in these Western Parts of the World may be the smallness of the Doses that we use besides the Reasons mentioned in Chap. 8. and that such Circumstances might occasion the Disputes and Contradictions that have been about the Effect of Opium whereas there is