in the behalf of Democritus; which place being seated, from our latitude of 52, 16 degrees southward, there will arise a different consideration, and we may much deceive ourselves, if we conform the ascent of stars in one place unto another, or conceive they arise the same day of the month in Coos and in England; for, as Petavius computes, in the first Julian year, at Alexandria, of latitude 31, the star arose cosmically in the twelfth degree of Cancer, heliacally the 26th; by the compute of Geminus, about this time at Rhodes, of latitude 37, it ascended cosmically the 16th of Cancer, heliacally the first of Leo; and about that time at Rome, of latitude 42, cosmically the 22nd of Cancer, and heliacally the first of Leo; for unto places of greater latitude it ariseth ever later, so that in some latitudes the cosmical ascent happeneth not before the twentieth degree of Virgo, ten days before the autumnal equinox, and if they compute heliacally, after it in Libra.

Again, should we allow all, and only compute unto the latitude of Coos, yet would it not impose a total omission of physick: for if in the hottest season of that clime, all physick were to be declined, then surely in many other none were to be used at any time whatsoever; for unto many parts, not only in the spring and autumn, but also in the winter, the sun is nearer than unto the clime of Coos in the summer.

The third consideration concerneth purging medicines, which are at present far different from those implied in this aphorism, and such as were commonly used by Hippocrates. For three degrees we make of purgative medicines; the first thereof is very benign, not far removed from the nature of aliment, into which, upon defect of working, it is ofttimes converted, and in this form do we account manna, cassia, tamarinds, and many more, whereof we find no mention in Hippocrates. The second is also gentle, having a familiarity with some humour, into which it is but converted if it fail of its operation; of this sort are aloe, rhubarb, senna, &c. whereof also few or none were known unto Hippocrates. The third is of a violent and venomous quality, which, frustrate of its action, assumes as it were the nature of poison, such as scammoneum, colocynthis, claterium, euphorbium,

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tithymallus, laureola, peplum, &c. Of this sort Hippocrates made use even in fevers, pleurisies, and quinsies; and that composition is very remarkable which is ascribed unto Diogenes in Ætius,* that is, of pepper, sal-ammoniac, euphorbium, of each an ounce, the doses whereof four scruples and an half, which whosoever should take, would find in his bowels more than a canicular 5 heat, though in the depth of winter. Many of the like nature may be observed in Ætius, or in the book De Dinamidiis, ascribed unto Galen, which is the same verbatim with the other.

Now in regard of the second, and especially the first degree of purgatives, the aphorism is not of force, but we may safely use them, they being benign and of innoxious qualities; and therefore Lucas Gauricus, who hath endeavoured with many testimonies to advance this consideration at length concedeth that lenitive physick may be used, especially when the moon is well affected in Cancer, or in the watery signs. But in regard of the third degree, the aphorism is considerable; purgations may be dangerous, and a memorable example there is in the medical epistles of Crucius, of a Roman prince that died upon an ounce of diaphonicon taken in this season; from the use whereof we refrain not only in hot seasons, but warily exhibit it at all times in hot diseases; which when necessity requires, we can perform more safely than the ancients, as having better ways of pre

Tetrab. lib. i. Serm. 3.

5 canicular.] Such as is the heate of the dog-dayes in the hottest countreyes, where the dog-star sheweth his force most.-Wr.

6 aphorism.] Aphorisme is a general rule grounded upon reason, ratified by experience; but in this place he gives this name to that received opinion, that during the dog-dayes all physicke is to be declined; not by cause itt was grounded upon truthe, but bycause itt was generally supposed to bee soe; the ground whereof relating to those countreyes onlye which lye under the torrid zone, hee refutes in this chapter most judiciouslye, and determines the state of the question most excellentlye in the two following periods in four propositions or conclusions. First, that in preventinge there is no use of

that rule, for that noe wise man will defer the physick till the dog-dayes, having fitter times in the spring, and the fall, wherein to take such physick with greater advantage. Second, that the heate of the dog-dayes in our clymates is not soe greate as that of the torrid zone in their spring. Third, that in chronical diseases physick may safely bee deferred till those dayes bee over. Fourth, that the strength of the aphorisme is grounded cheefly upon a point of wisdom; that itt must needs bee dangerous to adde fire to fire, i. e. when the bodye is overheated in the dog-dayes to adde the heat and acrimony of purging medicines, but yet where the case is desperate, as in sharpe fits, wisdom must give way to necessity; better purge than dye.-Wr.

paration and correction, that is, not only by addition of other bodies, but separation of noxious parts from their own.

But besides these differences between Hippocrates and us, the physicians of these times and those of antiquity, the condition of the disease and the intention of the physician hold a main consideration in what time and place soever. For physick is either curative or preventive; preventive we call that which by purging noxious humors, and the causes of diseases, preventeth sickness in the healthy, or the recourse? thereof in the valetudinary; this is of common use at the spring and fall, and we commend not the same at this season. Therapeutick or curative physick we term that which restoreth the patient unto sanity, and taketh away diseases actually affecting. Now of diseases some are chronical and of long duration, as quartan agues, scurvy, &c. wherein, because they admit of delay, we defer the cure to more advantageous seasons; others we term acute, that is, of short duration and danger, as fevers, pleurisies, &c. in which, because delay is dangerous, and they arise unto their state before the dog-days determine, we apply present remedies according unto indications, respecting rather the acuteness 9 of the disease, and precipitancy1 of occasion, than the rising or setting of the stars, the effects of the one being disputable, of the other assured and inevitable.

And although astrology may here put in, and plead the secret influence of this star; yet Galen in his comment makes no such consideration, confirming the truth of the aphorism from the heat of the year, and the operation of medicines exhibited. In regard that bodies, being heated by the summer, cannot so well endure the acrimony of purging medicines and because upon purgations contrary motions ensue, the heat of the air attracting the humours outward, and the action of the medicine retracting the same inward. But these

7 recourse.] Recurrence.

8 at this season.] That is during the dog days.-Wr.

acuteness.] i. e. the sharp and fierce condition of the disease, admitting noe delay of any requisite helpe in physic.-Wr.

1 precipitancy.] Precipitancy is properly the swift motion of a man falling

headlong, hence itt signifies the soden passings of occasions in diseases, which once let passe can never be redeemed, and by those means endanger the life of the patient, by suffering the disease (which might have been timely prevented) to get such a masterye as noe physick can quell.-Wr.

are readily salved in the distinctions before alleged, and particularly in the constitution of our climate and divers others, wherein the air makes no such exhaustion of spirits, and in the benignity of our medicines, whereof some in their own nature, others well prepared, agitate not the humours, nor make a sensible perturbation.

Nor do we hereby reject or condemn a sober and regulated astrology; we hold there is more truth therein, than in astrologers; in some more than many allow, yet in none so much as some pretend. We deny not the influence of the stars, but often suspect the due application thereof; for though we should affirm, that all things were in all things, that heaven were but earth celestified, and earth but heaven terrestrified, or that each part above had an influence upon its divided affinity below; yet how to single out these relations,* and duly to apply their actions, is a work ofttimes to be effected by some revelation, and Cabala from above, rather than any philosophy, or speculation here below. What power

soever they have upon our bodies, it is not requisite they should destroy our reasons, that is, to make us rely on the strength of nature, when she is least able to relieve us; and when we conceive the heaven against us, to refuse the assistance of the earth created for us. This were to suffer from the mouth of the dog above, what others do from the teeth of the dogs below; that is, to be afraid of their proper remedy, and refuse to approach any water, though that hath often proved a cure unto their disease. There is in

Hic labor, hoc opus est.

2 refuse to approach any water,] The horror of water in this disease, though a very general, is not an invariable symptom, even in the human subject.

3 hath often proved a cure, &c.] "Morin relates the case of a young woman, twenty years old, who, labouring under symptoms of hydrophobia, was plunged into a tub of water with a bushel of salt dissolved in it, and was harassed with repeated dippings till she became insensible and was at the point of death, when she was still left in the tub sitting against its sides. In this state, we are told, she was at length fortunate enough to recover her senses when, much to her own astunishment, as well as that of the by

3

standers, she found herself capable of looking at the water, and even of drinking it without choaking."—Good's Study of Medicine, iii, 362.

Dr. Good enumerates a variety of modes of treatment which have been adopted, and medicines which have been prescribed, with most uncertain and only occasional success.

An American plant (Scutellaria lateriflora, or Virginian skullcap,) has been used with great success by several American practitioners: and so powerful has been its influence, that it has been made the subject of a separate publication by Dr. Spalding, of New York, in 1819. It appears to have been discovered by a

wise men a power beyond the stars; and Ptolemy encourageth us, that by foreknowledge we may evade their actions; for, being but universal causes, they are determined by particular agents; which being inclined not constrained, contain within themselves the casting act, and a power to command the conclusion.

Lastly, if all be conceded, and were there in this aphorism an unrestrained truth, yet were it not reasonable from a caution to infer a non-usance or abolition, from a thing to be used with discretion, not to be used at all. Because the apostle bids us beware of philosophy, heads of extremity will have none at all; an usual fallacy in vulgar and less distinctive brains, who having once overshot the mean, run violently on, and find no rest but in the extremes.*

Now hereon we have the longer insisted, because the error is material, and concerns ofttimes the life of man; an error, to be taken notice of by state, and provided against by princes who are of the opinion of Solomon, that their riches consist in the multitude of their subjects. An error worse than some reputed heresies; and of greater danger to the body, than they unto the soul; which whosoever is able to reclaim, he shall save more in one summer, than Themison* destroyed in any autumn; he shall introduce a new way of cure, preserving by theory, as well as practice, and men not only from death, but from destroying themselves.

A physician. Quot Themison ægros autumno occiderit uno.—Juvenal.

Dr. Lawrence Van Derveer, of New Jersey, who used it successfully in hydrophobia, as early as 1773. From him the remedy was communicated through his son to other practitioners: and was very extensively used at the date of Dr. Spalding's pamphlet. It is taken in a decoction of the dried plant; a tea-spoonful and an half to a quart of boiling water: the patient taking half-a-pint of this infusion, morning and night.

Dr. S. states that the scutellaria has been given to more than 850 persons bitten by animals believed to be rabid, and that in only three instances had hydrophobic symptoms supervened, and

in each of these cases the quantity of the plant actually taken had been very inconsiderable. It had also been given to more than 1,100 animals under similar circumstances, and with nearly equal

success.

* extremes.] This censure fitlye reaches all clymats of the worlde and all times for a prudent caution. For as in the state of corrupted nature, this fallacy is (more then epidemical, that is) universall: soe (to the comforte of the worlde) being once swalowed, and put in practise, itt never failes to pay the practisers in fine with their owne coigne, viz. destruction and ruin.-Wr.