Transcriber’s notes:
Several features of this book are unusual: it has two slightly
different lists of contents which do not correspond precisely with the
text, and there is a preface midway through the book; it has confusing
page numbering (omitted from this transcription) which restarts in
successive sections of the text using mixed arabic and roman numerals;
the text displays an unusual mixture of italics, small capitals,
full capitals, and variable letter spacing (some of which do not
display correctly on handheld reading devices); much of the spelling
is archaic, and both spelling and punctuation are inconsistent. Some
obvious typesetting errors have been corrected but the spelling and
punctuation otherwise remains true to the original text. Illustrations
are only decorative, not informative.
In this transcription paired underscores denote _italicised text_ and
a ^ (caret) indicates superscripted text.
Footnotes have been positioned below the relevant paragraphs.
[Illustration]
A
COLLECTION
OF
_Chirurgical Tracts_.
I. Of WOUNDS of the HEAD and BRAIN.
II. NEW DISCOVERIES relating to the CURE of CANCERS.
III. CHIRURGICAL REMARKS on several curious CASES.
IV. The HISTORY and ANTIQUITY of the VENEREAL DISEASE.
V. A NEW METHOD of curing CONSUMPTIONS by Specific Medicines.
Written and Collected
By _WILLIAM BECKETT_,
Surgeon and _F. R. S._
_LONDON_:
Printed for E. CURLL, in _Rose Street, Covent-Garden_.
And Sold by C. RIVINGTON in St _Paul’s Church-Yard_,
Mess. BIRT, WARE, LONGMAN, HITCH, WOOD and Company,
in _Amen Corner, Paternoster-Row_, J. CLARK, in
_Duck-Lane_, and J. HODGES, on _London-Bridge_. 1740.
(Price Four Shillings.)
THE
CONTENTS.
I. _Some Account of Mr_ BECKETT’s Life _and_ Writings.
_Addressed to Sir_ HANS SLOANE.
II. Chirurgical Remarks _on_ Wounds _of the_ Head _and_ Brain.
III. New Discoveries _relating to the_ Cure _of_ Cancers.
IV. _The Case of Dr_ Keil _by Mr_ Rushworth _of_ Northampton.
V. _Three curious Dissections by_ John Ranby, _Esq; Surgeon
to his Majesty’s Household_.
VI. _A New Method of curing_ Consumptions _by Specific
Medicines, by_ Thomas Nevett, _Surgeon_.
VII. _The Natural_ Secret History _of both Sexes_. _By_ Luke
Ogle, _Esq_;
VIII. Laws _and_ Regulations _of the_ Stews _in_ England.
IX. _The_ History _and_ Antiquity _of the_ Venereal Disease
_in Three Letters to Dr_ Douglass, _Dr_ Wagstaffe
_and Dr_ Halley.
[Illustration]
To the HONOURABLE
Sir _Hans Sloane_, Bart.
PRESIDENT
OF THE
_Royal Society_, and _M. D._
SIR,
It is with the greatest Satisfaction that I now lay before you the
Performance of those Commands, with which you were pleased to honour
me, of collecting the _Chirurgical Pieces_ which were singly published
by Mr BECKETT in his Life time.
This Gentleman might be said to have been begotten in his Profession,
as being the Son of Mr ISAAC BECKETT, Surgeon of _Abington_ in
_Berkshire_, where he was born in the Year 1684.
He received his Education under Mr PLEDWELL, then Master of the
excellent Free Grammar-School belonging to that Town, served four Years
of his Apprenticeship with his Father, and the three last with Mr
_Joseph Bateman_, of St _Thomas’s Hospital_ in _Southwark_.
Mr BECKETT died, SIR, at his Sister’s House in _Abington_, _November_
the 25th 1738, in the 54th Year of his Age, and lies interred in St
_Hellen_’s Church there.
Of this his Native Place, he drew up a _Brief Account of it’s History
and Antiquities_.[1]
[1] See Mr ASHMOLE’s Antiquities of _Berkshire_, 3 Vols. 8vo. p. 111
of Vol. 1st.
A faithful Account of his WRITINGS is prefixed to this Volume; your
Generous Patronage of which, he would himself have looked upon as the
greatest Honour and Friendship that could be conferred on his Labours,
and for which, I most humbly request your Acceptance of the Grateful
Acknowledgments of,
SIR,
_Your Obedient,
And Obliged,
Humble Servant_,
_June 29, 1740._ E. C.
AN
ACCOUNT
OF THE
WRITINGS
OF
_WILLIAM BECKETT_,
Surgeon, and _F. R. S._
VIZ,
In the Year 1709, He Published, I. _Chirurgical Remarks, Occasioned
by the Death of a_ CHILD, _whose_ CASE was _printed_ in that Year by
_Daniel Turner_, Surgeon. To these Remarks Mr _Beckett_ subjoined, _An
Account of a_ Wound _of the_ Brain _by_ a Bullet; _with Reflections
thereon_. And at the End of this TRACT, Mr _Beckett_ gave an
_Advertisement_ that He had almost ready for the Press, _Annotations
and Practical Observations on the Learned and Ingenious Monsieur_
GENDRON’s _Enquiries into the Nature, Knowledge and Cure of_ CANCERS.
II. _In the Year_ 1711, He published NEW DISCOVERIES _relating to the
Cure of_ CANCERS. _Wherein the painful Methods of cutting them off,
and consuming them by Caustics are rejected, and that of dissolving
the Cancerous Substance_ is recommended; _with various Instances of
his Success in_ this Practice _on Persons reputed incurable. Also a
Solution of Four curious Problems concerning_ CANCERS, viz. I. Whether
the Cancerous Juice _is corrosive or not_. II. _Whether_ Cancers _are
contagious or not_. III. _Whether if the extirpating a_ Cancerous
Breast _happens to be successful, it ought to be looked upon as a
Consequence of performing the Operation better than our Predecessors_.
IV. _Whether a_ Salivation _will Cure a_ Cancer.
_This Treatise came to a_ Second Edition _the following Year_ 1712:
_To which, besides some Corrections_, Mr BECKETT _added_ TWO _other
Problems with their Solutions_, viz. V. Whether _Cancers_ are curable
by _Caustics_. VI. Whether _Cancers_ are curable by _Internal
Medicines_. In this Piece all that he promised relating to GENDRON is
inserted. And to the present _Third Edition_ He subjoined, by way of
_Postscript_, a very valuable _Receipt_ for the Cure of _Cancers_,
which he informs us was communicated to him by his late eminent
Brother Surgeon Mr _Dobyns_ of _Snow-Hill_. He had it from Mr _Pain_ a
Gentleman of _Northamptonshire_, in whose Family it had been, in the
highest Esteem, for above 200 Years. Mr _Beckett_ likewise adds, that
he transcribed it from the Original _Manuscript_.
At the End of the _Second Edition_ of his _Treatise_ on _Cancers_,
Mr _Beckett_ gave an _Advertisement_ that “He was then preparing
for the Press, _Chirurgical Collections_, which would consist of
His own _Observation_ of _uncommon Cases_, also, the most curious
things relating to Surgery, taken from the Performances of the
_German Eruditi_, in their _Acta Lipsiæ_, the _Miscellanea Curiosa_,
_Philosophical Transactions_. _Memoirs for the Curious_, _Voyages_,
_Travels_, _Natural Histories of Counties_, and many other things that
would afford useful Observations. In this Collection was to be a great
number of Figures of Cases, Instruments, Machines, _&c_. all curiously
engraven on Copper Plates. This Undertaking was wholly designed for
the Improvement of the Art of Surgery; and the _Introduction_ to it
was to give an Account of our famous _English_ Writers in _Physic_ and
_Surgery_, for many hundred Years past.”
The great and deserved Practice which attended Mr _Beckett_’s _New
Method of curing Cancers_, obliged him to postpone the Publication
of his _Chirurgical Collections_, as above recited; and which, upon
a mature Deliberation, he changed into a much more extensive and
useful Design; and, by Mr _Innys_ at the West-End of St _Paul_’s, and
Mr _Hooke_ in _Fleet-street_, Booksellers, He published _Proposals
for printing by Subscription in 2 Volumes_ 4to, An Account of the
Lives, Characters, and Writings, _both Manuscript and Printed_, of
the most eminent _British_ Authors in _Physic_, _Surgery_, _Anatomy_,
_Pharmacy_, _Botany_ and _Chemistry_, from the Conquest to the Year
1721. To which was to be added, A large Collection of Records,
principally taken from the _Tower_, containing Grants of particular
Favours and Privileges to the most noted _Physicians_ and _Surgeons_
by the Kings of this Realm for many hundred Years; whereby, besides
other curious Affairs not to be met with elsewhere, the Time in which
they lived was to be ascertained, as to several of them, has hitherto
remained absolutely undetermined. The whole faithfully collected and
reduced to the most exact Order of Time.
This Work was proposed at the Price of one Guinea in Sheets.
Between the Years 1717 and 1720, Mr _Beckett_ published in the
_Philosophical Transactions_, Three Letters concerning the _History of
the Antiquity of the Venereal Disease_. I. To Dr _Douglass_. II. To
Dr _Wagstaffe_. III. To Dr _Halley_. Proving _That Disease_ to have
been _known_ and _cured_ in _England_ long before the Discovery of the
_West-Indies_.
Of these Pieces Dr _Astruc_, a _French_ Physician, full of the Vanity
peculiar to his Countrymen, seems doubtful as to their Proof, because
he had never seen the Manuscripts, nor rare printed Authorities, cited
by Mr _Beckett_; and treating of Dr _Turner_’s _Syphilis_, speaks
slightly of that Gentleman, because he is of the same Opinion with Mr
_Beckett_.
From the Publication of a small Pamphlet consisting but of 24 Pages,
8vo, Intituled, “A _Letter_ from a Gentleman at _Rome_, to his Friend
in _London_, giving an Account of some very surprizing _Cures_ in the
_King’s-Evil_ by the _Touch_, (of the Chevalier _De St George_) lately
effected in the Neighbourhood of that City, 1721. Wherein is contained
the compleatest History of this _miraculous Power_, formerly practiced
by the _Kings_ of _England_, ever yet made public; the _Certainty_ of
_which_ is confirmed by the most eminent Writers of this Nation, both
_Catholics_ and _Protestants_, as, _Malmsbury_, _Alured_, _Brompton_,
_Polydore Virgil_, _Harpsfield_, &c. and Drs _Tooker_, _Heylin_, Mr
_Collier_, Mr _Echard_, &c. _Translated_ out of the _Italian_.” And the
following Motto prefixed by the Catholic Translator, _viz._
_King_ Edward the Confessor, _was the first that cured this Distemper,
and from him it has descended as an Hereditary Miracle upon All his
Successors_. To dispute the _Matter of Fact_, is to go to the _Excess
of Scepticism_, to _deny our Senses_, and to be _incredulous_ even to
_Ridiculousness_. See _Collier_’s Ecclesiast. History Vol. I.
Mr _Beckett_ took an immediate Occasion to explode all these Legendary
Assertions, and fully proved the Truth of Mr _Collier_’s positive
_ipse dixit_ to lye on the other side of the Question, in two Letters
which he Published, I. To Dr _Steigerthal_, intituled “A Free and
Impartial Enquiry into the Antiquity and Efficacy of _Touching_ for
the _King’s-Evil_.” II. To Sir _Hans Sloane_ in “order to a compleat
Confutation of that supposed _supernatural Power_ descending from
_Edward the Confessor_ to the succeeding _Kings_ of _England_. Also,
A Dissertation concerning the ancient Method made use of, for the
curing _Diseases_ by _Charms_, _Amulets_, &c.” To which is added, _A
Collection of Records_.
When in the Year 1722, it was feared that we should be visited
with the _Plague_ in _England_, after it had raged so violently at
_Marseilles_ in _France_; Dr _Mead_ published his _Preservative_
against _Pestilential Distempers_. And, among several other _New_
Pieces written, and _Old_ ones revived upon this Occasion, Mr _Beckett_
voluntarily lent his helping Hand for the good of his Country, by
giving his Judgment, and Publishing (Anonymously) _A Collection of
Pieces_ Written during the _Plagues_, which happened in the two last
Centuries.
Mr BECKETT’s _Chirurgical Observations_, made at St _Thomas_’s Hospital
_Southwark_; Published last Summer, were prepared for the Press by
Himself, and Inscribed to Sir _Hans Sloane_ and the _Royal Society_.
TO
Sir HANS SLOANE.
_Honoured Sir_,
The last Paper Mr _Beckett_ ever wrote, was an Address to you for a
private Favour; in which he says, he likewise had reason to believe
that Dr _Mead_ would be his Friend. He therein acquainted you that he
had, “contracted such a Cold by sitting to write, with his Neck against
a North-Window, as he feared would be his Death; and if so, _adds he_,
it may be said I dye a Martyr to the _Improvement_ of the History of
_Physic and Surgery_.” Thus concluded his Paper which he did not live
to sign; it was found among his _Collections_ relating to the _Lives
of the British Physicians, Surgeons_, &c. He had copied fair, for the
Press, the greatest part of his Papers; and tho’ it was an _unfinished
Work_, yet from his Character, and the great Pains he had taken, I knew
it would be very acceptable to the Public. Accordingly I put it to the
Press, and intended to have published it in two Volumes in _Octavo_.
Young Dr _B_ * * * *, was recommended to me as a proper Editor: I sent for
him and shewed him the Papers; but soon found, that he was much too
young both in Character and Ability for such an Undertaking. I printed
one Sheet, in _Octavo_, (of which there were but two Copies taken off)
upon this, Dr _Milward_ informed me, that he had been for some Years
compiling _An Universal History of Physic_. He expressed his Desire
of purchasing Mr _Beckett_’s Papers, and being fully convinced, from
his Learning and Candour, that he would do Justice to the _Author_’s
Memory, I readily let him have them. And Sir, that you, might in some
measure be apprized of Mr _Beckett_’s PLAN, I have to this Volume
prefixed his Introduction to the Work.
_I Remain,
Honoured Sir,
Your Most Obliged,
And Obedient,
Humble Servant_,
E. CURLL.
INTRODUCTION
TO THE
HISTORY
OF
PHYSIC and SURGERY.
_Concerning the Antient State of Learning, and the Antiquity of the
Practice of_ Physic _and_ Surgery.
_Britain_ has been very happy in furnishing the World, in very early
Times, with a great Number of famous and learned Men. Of the first
Sort were the _Druydæ_, who, it is said, had their Original and Name
from _Druys Sarronius_ the fourth King of the _Celts_, who died _Anno
Mundi_ 2069. Next the _Bardi_, who celebrated the illustrious Deeds of
famous Men, who had their Name from _Bardus Druydus_ the fifth King
of the _Celts_. _Cæsar_ assures us, (and a noble Testimony it is)
that the Learning of the _Druydi_, was first invented in _Britain_,
and from thence transferred to _France_; and that, in his Time, those
of _France_ came over hither to be instructed. A celebrated _German_
Writer, as quoted by Mr _Ashmole_ in the Prolegomena to his _Theat.
Chem._ says, that when the World was troubled with Pannonic Invasions,
_England_ flourished in the Knowledge of all good Arts, and was able
to send her learned Men into other Countries to propagate Learning:
And instances in _Boniface_, a _Devonshire_ Man, and _Willeboard_, a
_Northern_ Man, which were sent into _Germany_ for those Purposes.
Mr _John Leland_, a famous Antiquary, in the Reign of King _Henry_
VII, who was excellently well acquainted with our _British_ Authors,
assures us, upon his own Knowledge, that we have had a great Number
of excellent Wits and learned Writers, who, besides their great
Proficiency in Languages, were well acquainted with the Liberal
Sciences. And Bishop _Nicholson_, in his Historical Library says, I
think we may without Vanity affirm, that hardly any Kingdom in the
World has out-done _England_, either in the Number or Goodness of her
Authors; and that even in the darkest Ages our Lamps shone always
as bright as any of our Neighbourhood. When School-Divinity was in
Fashion, we had our _Doctores Subtiles_, _Irrefragabiles_, _&c._
But as the History of the Learning of this Nation in general is not
my present Design, I shall confine myself more particularly to what
relates to Physic and Surgery. An Historical Account of the Antiquity
and Progress of which Faculties, with the successive Improvements
they have received, has not hitherto been attempted by any Hand. And
indeed the Difficulty which must attend an Undertaking of this Nature,
must be very great, by reason of the little Knowledge we are able
to get, in this Kind, from those Manuscripts which yet remain among
us. The ancient _Britains_, who went without Cloaths, may be very
well presumed to live without Physic; but external Accidents they
must be liable to, as well in their Wars as from other Causes; and
History informs us, they had Methods of Cure for such Misfortunes. The
_Saxons_, while they possessed _England_, had their Leeches, a sort of
Surgeons, but very little skilled in Methodical Practice. But under
the _Normans_ that Science began to be much more improved. About this
Time the _Monks_ and _Fryars_, and others in Religious Orders, out
of a pretended Charity to their suffering Fellow-Creatures, intruded
themselves into the Practice of Physic and Surgery, and continued it
many Years, notwithstanding the Decree of the Council of _Tours_
in 1163, where Pope _Alexander_ III. presided; which forbids any
Religious Persons going out of their Cloisters, to hear the Lectures
in Law or Physic; and that it is absolutely forbidden, that any
Sub-Deacon, Deacon, or Priest, exercise any Part of Surgery in which
actual Cauteries or Incisions are required. Most of the Physicians who
practised in _England_ about this Time, were likewise well skilled in
the Mathematics and other Parts of Philosophy; but the Surgeons of
those Times were so much addicted to Astrology, as make some Parts of
their Writings very obscure. After this both Physic and Surgery began
to flourish much more, by the public Encouragement given very early by
many of our Kings to several of the Practitioners in both Faculties,
as will appear by the List of our Kings Physicians and Surgeons, to
be inserted in it’s proper Place. _Hector Boëtius_ informs us, that
_Josina_, King of _Scotland_, who lived above a hundred Years before
our Saviour, well understood the Nature of _Scotch_ Plants, and their
Use in Physic and Chirurgery; and _John Bale_, afterwards Bishop of
_Ossory_ in _Ireland_, assures us, he wrote a Book, _de Herbarum
Viribus_. _Buchanan_ relates, the _Scotch_ Nobility were anciently
very expert in Chirurgery, and it is particularly remarked of _James_
IV, King of _Scotland_, _Quod vulnera scientissime tractaret_. It is
said, that when _Scribonius Largus_ attended the Emperor _Claudius_
in his Expedition to _Britany_, he wrote a _British_ Herbal, or
Description of divers Plants in this Island. And our most learned and
famous King _Alfred_, is said to have written a Book upon Aristotle
_de Plantis_. _Cinfrid_, a famous Physician, is mentioned by that
early Writer _Venerable Bede_, in his _Histor. Ecclesiasticar._ page
307, 308. And _Ernulphus_, another eminent Physician, in the Time of
_Nigellus_, the second Bishop of _Ely_, is likewise recorded in the
_Anglia Sacra_, Vol. I. p. 625. Many more Particulars might, in all
Probability, have been met with relating to my present Design, had
not one very great Misfortune attended the Suppression of the Abbies,
which was the Destruction of a prodigious Number of Manuscripts. _John
Bale_, before-mentioned, though an utter Enemy to Popery and Monastic
Institution, remonstrates against this Piece of Barbarity, in pretty
strong Terms, to King _Edward_ VI. Covetousness, says he, was at that
Time so busy about private Commodity, that public Wealth was not any
where regarded. A Number of them, which purchased those superstitious
Mansions, reserved of those Library-Books, some to serve their Jacks,
some to scour their Candlestics, and some to rub their Boots, and some
they sold to the Grocers and Soap-sellers, and some they sent over Sea
to the Book-binders, not in small Numbers, but at Times whole Ships
full. Yea, the Universities of this Realm, are not all clear in this
detestable Fact: But cursed is the Belly which seeketh to be fed with
so ungodly Gains, and so deeply shameth his natural Country. I know,
says he, a Merchantman (which shall at this time be nameless) that
bought the Contents of two noble Libraries for forty Shillings Price;
a Shame it is to be spoken. This Stuff hath he occupied instead of
gray Paper, by the Space of more than these ten Years, and yet he has
Store enough for these ten Years to come. A prodigious Example is this,
and to be abhorred of all Men, which love their Nation as they should
do. Yea, what may bring our Nation to more Shame and Rebuke, than to
have it noised abroad, that we are Despisers of Learning? I judge this
to be true, and utter it with Heaviness, that neither the _Britons_,
under the _Romans_ and _Saxons_, nor yet the _English_ People under the
_Danes_ and _Normans_, had ever such Damage of their learned Monuments,
as we have seen in our Time. Our Posterity may well curse this wicked
Fact of our Age, this unseasonable Spoil of _England’s_ most noble
Antiquities. _Bale_’s Declaration upon _Leland_’s Journal, published
1549. And Dr _Thomas Fuller_, in his Church History, speaking of the
same Thing, tells us, Divinity was prophaned, Mathematics suffered
for Correspondence with evil Spirits, Physic was maimed, and a Riot
committed on the Law itself. However, notwithstanding this Devastation
which was then made among our Manuscripts, our Colleges, and some of
our Libraries, will furnish us with a great Number relating to almost
all Parts of Learning: Some of which, more especially the most ancient
ones, I shall here first give a Catalogue of, and then some more modern
ones, confining myself to those which more especially relate to Physic
and Chirurgery. And, first, we have in the _Norfolk_ Library, belonging
to the Royal Society,
_Libellus de Arte Medicinali in Lingua Pictica conscriptus._ And in
Cottonian Library,
_Præcepta nonnulla Medicinalia; partim & Divina ad dierum rationem
Saxonice. Galbe. A._ 2. 3. 1.
_Exorcismi quidam & Medicinalia; partim Latine partim Saxonice. Galbe.
A._ 2.
_Medicinalia quædam Saxonice & Latine Vitel. B._ 3. 4.
_Herbarium, Latine & Hibernice ordine Alphabetico. Vitel. F._ 14. 34.
_Tractatulus de Morbis, Latine & Hibernice mutilis initio & fine._
_Astronomica quædam & Medica Literis Saxonicis Membr. in Corpus Christi
Coll. in Oxon._
_S. Dustan de Lapide Philosophorum._ In the same College.
_Tractatus Botanicus in Lingua Cambro-Britannica._ In Jesus Coll. Oxon.
_Medicinales Quæstiones Magistri Henrici de Wynton super Isagogen
Joannitii._ In New College Library in Oxon.
_Liber Phlebotomiæ._ By the same Author, in the same Library.
_Tractatus de effectibus quatuor Qualitatum, secundum magistrum
Ursonem._ In New College Library.
_Practica Chirurgiæ. Tho. Sculling, continens quatuor partes._ In New
College Library.
_Guilielmi Scoti Medici Watlingtoniensis celeberrimi Liber de
differenciis Urinarum._
_Joannis Ketham Chirurgia parva._
_De Virtutibus Herbarum & notabila Chirurgica._
_Liber rerum Medicinalium quondam spectans ad Pharmacopolam Edw. IV.
Regis Angliæ in quo continentur Medicamina quam plurima pro Rege &
Magnatibus præparata._ In Mr _Hen. Worsley_’s Library.
_William de Pine_, his Chyrurgery.
Receipts and Observations for curing Emrods, Fistula’s, Leprosy, Aches
in the Joints, Tetters, Worms, Cramps, and _Noli me tangere_, in a very
ancient Hand. By _Robert Williams_ of _Cockwood_.
A Treatise containing the whole Rules of Physic and Surgery, _M. S.
Vetus_. Formerly in Dr _Tyson_’s Library.
Medicines of Master _Willeam du Jordyne_, given to King _Henry_, Regent
and Heuter of the Reume of _Fraunce_. In Mr _Thoresby_’s Library.
A approbat Treite for the Pestilence, studied by the grettest Doctours
of Fysick amongs Thuniversitie of Cristen Nations yn the Time of St
_Tho._ of _Canterburie_. In the same Library.
A Book of Surgery, wrote in the Year 1392. Divided into three Parts.
The first of Anatomy. The second of Wounds, Imposthumes, Dislocations,
and Fractures of Bones. The third, the Antidotary of Surgery. Formerly
in Dr _Tyson_’s Library.
Friar _Theodore Chalk_’s Chirurgical Receipts, on Vellum. Dedicated to
Archbishop _Valentine_.
Here beginnen gud Medicenes for all Yevels yat any man may have yat gud
Leches have drawn out of ye Bokes yet Galien Aschipeus Ypocras hadden.
For yai were the best Leches yat were in ye World. On Vellum, in my
Possession.
I proceed now to give an Account of some of our early Writers, besides
those already mentioned. And first of _Maugantius_, who was by Birth a
_Briton_, a famous Physician and Mathematician; who, says _Leland_, for
his eminent Learning, was made President of a noble College (in those
Days) of two hundred Philosophers; which _Geofrey_ of _Monmouth_ extols
to the Skies, under the Name of _Legionum Urbs_; which _Bale_ supposes
to be _Chester_, excelling all other _British_ Cities, at that Time,
in Wealth and _Roman_ Structures. This Place being most pleasantly
situated, Astrologers, and other Artists, settled in it to observe
the Motions of the Stars, and undertook to forewarn Mankind from the
Comets, and certain Indications of the Planets, what should come to
pass. Hence _Maugantius_, said to be superior to all others in this
Art, being questioned by King _Vortiger_, whose chief Physician he was,
about the prodigious Conception of _Ambrose Merlin_, after a Recital
of various Philosophical Reasons, did, at length, it seems, give him
Satisfaction therein. This Person, who was the most renowned Scholar of
his Country, and who is said to have composed several Books, flourished
in the Year of Christ 470, when King _Vortiger_ was much distressed
by the invading _Anglo-Saxons_. I have before observed, that there
were several Dignitaries of the Papal Communion as well as those of
inferior Orders, besides the _Monks_, who very early took upon them
to practise Physic; and that they were absolutely forbid to exercise
that Profession, by the _Roman_ Assembly, in 1139. Of this Sort was
_Frabricius_, or _Faricius_, as he is sometimes written, who practised
Physic not long before this Time. He was the eighteenth Abbot of the
Monastery of _Abington_ in _Berkshire_; to whose Care _Godfrey de Vere_
committed himself, to be cured of a grievous Disease he then laboured
under; and, as an Acknowledgment for the Care the Abbot had taken of
him, he bequeathed to the Abbey before-mentioned, the Church belonging
to his Estate, in the Village of _Kensington_, near _London_, with 240
Acres of Land, _&c._ which was confirmed by the King; a Copy of which
Grant will be given in the Antiquities of that Town, and the History
of it’s Abbey. This Abbot departed this Life the VIIth of the Calends
of _March_, _Anno_ 1117. Soon after him flourished _Athelardus_, a
Monk of _Bath_, who was so diligent in searching out the Mysteries and
Causes of Natural Things, that he deserves to be equalled with some of
the ancient Philosophers. Having a very promising Genius, while very
young, and continuing, as he grew up, to improve his Parts, and fit
himself for great Affairs, he left his native Soil, and, with much
Alacrity, went to visit foreign Parts. In his Travels through _Egypt_
and _Arabia_, having found many Things he sought after, he came Home
again with good Fruit of his Labours and Improvement of his Learning.
He was, without Dispute, in Philosophy, Astronomy, Physic, Mathematics,
and Rhetoric, no ordinary Proficient. Some of his Works he Dedicated
to _Richard_, Bishop of _Bayeux_: In the first Work he treats of the
Principles, Qualities, and Effects of Natural Things, against the
vain Opinions of the old Philosophers. In the Preface it appears, he
wrote in the Year 1130, under the Reign of _Henry_ I. I might here
enlarge upon the great Fame and Merits of _John Giles_, a Native of
St _Albans_, who made such Progress in the Study of Physic, that he
was made Professor of that Faculty at _Paris_ and _Montpelier_, and
Physician to _Philip_, King of _France_. After his Return to his own
Country, he was, according to _Matthew Paris_, consulted by _Robert
Grosthead_, the learned Bishop of _Lincoln_, in his last Illness;
of which he died in 1253. He has written, _De re Medica_, and _de
Prognosticis_, and some other Things. He flourished about the Year
1230, in the Reign of King _Henry_ III. _Hugh de Eversham_, deserves
in this Place to be remembred, who was a Man of great Learning, a
Physician by Profession, and perhaps the best of his Age. He was well
known in many Countries, being a great Frequenter of the Universities.
With the severer Studies of his Art, he mingled the pleasant Science
of the Mathematics, and particularly Geometry and Astronomy. This made
him known to many in _France_ and _Italy_, and among the rest, to Pope
_Martin_ IV, who invited him, by Letters, to come to him, and solve
some Questions in Physic, which were then newly started: Accordingly
he went without Delay, and performed what was required readily and
learnedly. He published _Super Opere Febrium Isaac_. _Medicinales
Canones_. _Problemata quædam_, and some other Things. He flourished the
Year 1281; when he was created Cardinal Presbyter of St _Laurence_,
by the said Pope _Martin_, in the Reign of _Edward_ I. He is said to
have died by Poison at _Rome_, _Anno_ 1287; although _Cicæonius_, to
palliate this Matter, says he died of the Plague.
_Chirurgical Remarks_
ON
A WOUND of the HEAD
RECEIVED
By a CHILD from the Blow of a Cat-Stick in throwing at a COCK on
Shrove Tuesday, 1709.
Addressed to
Mr _WILLIAM COWPER_, Surgeon.
_SIR_,
I do not question but you have had the Curiosity to read over a
very _remarkable Case in Surgery_, not only upon Account of the
Recommendation the Name of the Author[2] gives it, but partly because
I know you have been for a long time of opinion, That this Age wou’d
distinguish it self by the Advances that _Medicine_ has, and will
receive; I need not observe, to a Man of your Capacity, how just,
according to my Opinion, our Author has been in relating all the
Particulars of the Case he gives us the History of: Nor need I intimate
to you how peculiarly the Prescriptions were adapted to the several
alterations that were observable in that little Patient: I will only
take the freedom to make some Remarks on a considerable Circumstance,
which perhaps we shall find obstructed so methodical a Procedure, in
order for a Cure.
[2] This CASE was published by Mr _Daniel Turner_, Surgeon.
Our Author is of opinion, _That his Death was owing to the effused
Blood from some Vessel upon the_ Pia Mater, _which had been ruptured
by the Concussion or Shock of the said Vessel, from the Force of the
Blow; which Blood pent in (for want of a Discharge) had formed an
Abscess, thereby deluging the Surface of the Brain with Matter: And
this, tho’ continually draining off thro’ the Orifice in the upper
Membrane, yet some part thereof lying beyond the Elastic Power of the
said Membrane to raise up, and out of the Reach of Medicine to deterge
and mundifie, was at length imbibed by the Vessels, where missing the
Salutary Crisis, sometimes observed in the Empieme and Pleuritic Cases,
it was conveyed by the Circulation to the Heart, and at length, we are
to suppose, somehow effected the Nervous System, bringing on the fatal
Spasm._
Thus you see, _Sir_, how plain and consequential the Account of the
Child’s Death is; but even here, I hope, I shall do no Injustice to the
Author, if I inform you, I cannot perswade my self that the Matter was
imbibed by the Vessels, purely because _some part thereof lay beyond
the Elastic Power of the_ Dura Mater _to raise up, and out of the Reach
of Medicine to deterge and mundifie_, as our Author’s Words are; but
that it is reasonable to believe, that some part of it was reassumed
by the Vessels, when it could no longer discharge it self as before;
for if you will give your self the trouble of looking back to the 32d
Page, you will find, that no sooner was the _Orifice choaked up by a
caked Matter_, but the mischievous Effects of the Suppression of the
Discharge soon began to discover themselves by the Rigours the Child
was attended with; and we find our Author soon after fearful of such a
thing.
By this we may see how circumspect we ought always to be, lest
we interrupt the Design of Nature when she is about to expel any
morbifick Matter, the ill Effects that attend it oftentimes discovering
themselves after different Manners; We look upon a continued Discharge
of Matter to be, as it were, a natural Evacuation, and that it’s
immediate Stoppage, without other Means, being made use of to divert
and evacuate it, to be succeeded by a greater Fulness and Distention of
all the Vessels, as is observable upon the Suppression of the _Menses_,
_Hemorrhoides_, or _insensible Transpiration_, there is this Difference
to be observed that the ill Accidents that attend the Stoppage of
the Discharge of Matter are not so much owing to the Distention and
Plenitude of the Vessels, but according to the ill Quality of it,
’tis disposed to render the Patient feverish more or less, which is
generally ushered in by Rigours, and sometimes succeeded by Spasmodic
Contractions.
For a further Illustration of this, we will take the liberty to
relate the Case of a Man of about Forty Years of Age, who was for a
considerable time incommoded in his Business, by reason of a violent
Contusion he had received on the Upper-part of his Left Arm, a
little below the Shoulder: After some time it was succeeded by an
Apostemation, upon the opening of which I was informed, a considerable
Quantity of Matter discharged, which was not of any ill Colour or
Smell, the Matter continuing to make its Exit the same way for several
Weeks, at length formed a _Sinus_, which might be easily traced to the
Upper and Fore-part of the _Os Humeri_. The external Orifice of this
was endeavoured to be dilated, but it not only put the Patient to a
great deal of Pain, but pent in the Matter, and caused the contiguous
Parts to tumifie very much. About this time the Axillary Glands began
to swell and pain him, and by their Pressure on the Limphaticks the
whole Arm became Oedematous; soon after some part of the Matter
made it’s way out under the Arm, upon which it almost ceased to flow
from the _Sinus_ on the upper-part of it. In short, upon this the
Patient found himself very much indisposed, he lost his Appetite, was
attended with Shiverings, became feverish, and at length died violently
convulsed.
On Dissection we found the Surface of the Lungs to be interspersed
with blackish Specks, the left Lobe adhered to the _Pleura_, and the
_Pericordium_ contained a much greater Quantity of Liquor than usual,
though its Colour was natural. The Right Auricle and Ventricle of
the Heart were very much distended, and the Diameter of the _Arteria
Pulmonaris_ considerably enlarged: on the Division of the Integuments
of the Abdomen, a very large Quantity of yellowish fœtid Matter
discharged it self, which was somewhat viscid; we found that the
Intestines floated in this, for the Abdomen was full of it. In the
lower-part of the Concave Side of the Liver there was a very large
Abscess discovered, which contained a Fluid of the same Colour and
Consistence with that which we took notice of before. There was an
Orifice in the lower part of the Abscess capable of admitting the
End of one’s Finger; by which, without doubt, Matter discharged it
self into the Abdomen. The Spleen was of a very odd Figure: On it’s
convex Side there were a Multitude of Streaks, that proceeded from all
Parts of it, and centered in one Point, which proceeded only from the
Disposition of the Fibres of it’s internal Membrane. It was almost full
of Blood, which in the middle was corrupted, and stank abominably.
After it was cleared from the contiguous Parts to which it adhered, and
taken out of the Body, it weighed four Pounds and a half.
There might have been something more observable upon the Dissection
of this Body, but the short time that was allotted for it did not
give us an Opportunity of making that strict Enquiry as seemed to be
necessary. _Blancard_. in his _Anat. Pract. Rationalis_, _p. 252_. has
much such an Observation as this which we have related. See likewise
_Schenckius_, _Lib._ 3. _Obs_ 26. But I do not doubt, _Sir_, but you
have made some curious Remarks on Cases of this Nature, tho’ I am
pretty positive you will agree with me in this, That the immediate
Cause of the Death of the Person we have been speaking of, was the
giving a sudden Check to the Discharge of the Matter. It was the Work
of Nature in this Case (and what she was endeavouring to perform) to
disburden herself of those disproportionate and offensive Particles,
which by their Continuance in the Body would but have occasioned an
irregular Motion of the Fluids, and consequently a Discomposure
of it’s whole Frame: For the animal Body being nothing else but a
Congeries of Canals, filled with different Liquors, it must necessarily
suffer very much, and it’s Actions be irregular, if any Heterogeneous
Particles become incorporated therewith. We must here allow, that in
Discharges of Matter of a long Continuance, sometimes the Diameters of
the Fibres and Vessels may be so much enlarged, that the nutritious
Juices may be thrown out with the other, and so occasion a general
Emaciation: But this may be easily rectified at the Beginning, without
Detriment to the Patient, by making use of some spirituous and
moderately astringent Remedies, to recover the natural Tone of the
too lax Fibres and Vessels, and give the Matter a proper Consistence.
It is to be observed in such Cases as these are, that the Part from
whence the Matter discharges, if it be the Leg or Thigh, first loses
it’s former Fulness and Dimensions, tho’ soon after there appears an
Emaciation of the whole Body. Such an Abscess as we discovered in the
Liver of the Person before mentioned, we are inclined to believe might
have been found in the Child, had the Abdomen been dissected; for
several Authors have assured us, it has frequently been observed to be
the Consequent of Fractures of the Skull, tho’ I am apt to believe
it never happens, but when the Matter has received a Check in it’s
Discharge.
I shall now take the Liberty to observe, that the imprudent Application
of Repellents to some Tumours, and inconsiderate Healing of old Ulcers,
with the unhappy Method of Procedure, in order to the Cure of some
Diseases, very often discover themselves, by their being succeeded by
very ill Effects. _Non tamen in omnibus Huxionibus repellentia adhibere
licet,_ (says _Sennertus_) _Partibus ignobilibus, præcipue iis, ad quas
natura interdum humores protrudere solet, ut sunt Glandulæ post aures,
& in collo, sub axillis, in inguinibus adhibenda non sunt, ne humor ex
iis repulsus ad partes principes & nobiles feratur._
The same Author informs us in his _Paralipom._ _ad lib._ 5. _Pract.
Med._ of a Boy, fourteen Years of Age, that died upon the Accession
of an Epileptic Fit, which was caused by the striking in of the Scab
by the imprudent Use of Liniments. And _Baglivi_ allows, that the
irregular Cure of the same Disease may be succeeded by a Spitting of
Blood, an Apoplexy, Dropsy, lingering Fevers, _&c._ The Healing of old
Ulcers, without having a Respect to those Circumstances that ought
to precede such an Undertaking, generally lays the Foundation for a
Train of mischievous Accidents; for the Patient soon begins to be
sensible of an Unactiveness of the whole Body, is sleepy, has a weak
Digestion, Head-ach, and is feverish, which is attended with very
profuse Night-Sweats; and these we have several times observed to be
the Forerunners of the Patient’s Death, though sometimes all these ill
Accidents may be prevented by an Imposthumation in some part of the
Body or other.
Now to account for such remarkable Alterations, in such Subjects,
we are obliged to take notice, that here is the Suppression of the
Evacuation of a Humour, that had been constantly discharged for a long
time; and this, we have before observed, will cause a greater Fulness
and Distention of all the Vessels. Now the Quantity of the Blood being
very much encreased by the Addition of this viscid Juice, the Celerity
of its Motion must be considerably abated, upon which Account it will
enlarge the Diameters of the Vessels, by relaxing their Coats, and pass
with so great a Difficulty through the Capillary Vessels, that if it
arrive at any Part where the Fibres have lost their due Tensity and
Spring, it is disposed to stagnate, and produce an Imposthumation. If
this does not happen, as the Motion of the Blood continues to be very
languid, the Quantity of Spirits filtrated in the Brain will be less
upon two Accounts: _First_, Because as the Blood moves more slowly,
all the Parts of the Body through which it circulates, will receive a
much less Quantity of it in a given Time, than they must have done,
had it moved with a greater Celerity. _Secondly_, The Viscidity of the
Blood, together with it’s Motion diminished will lessen the Quantity of
Spirits, according to the 20th and 22d of Dr _Wainright_’s Propositions
of Animal Secretion.
Now this being so, it is no wonder to observe such an Inactivity of the
Parts, Sleepiness, weak Digestion, _&c._ to attend a Person under such
Circumstances: For the Quantity of Spirits being so much diminished,
the Parts can never be sufficiently influenced by them to perform their
respective Functions with that Force as usual. To this we may add, that
they are in a great measure deprived of their Power and Spring, and
Sensation in general is not near so strong and lively. From hence it is
evident, that when Nature has found a Passage whereby she may disburden
herself of any excrementitious Humours, we ought for a considerable
time to give proper Internals, and make use of some other Method, as by
Issues, or such like, whereby we may divert the Course of the Matter,
which, if I may so say, has been so long together determined to pass
the same way. Beside this Advantage which will accrue by that Method,
there may be near the same Quantity of Humours evacuated; and so those
unhappy Accidents, will be prevented, and the Ulcer cured.
I am perswaded, that it is not without a great deal of Difficulty
that we can sometimes divert the Tendency of Humours to a Part; and I
can bring several Instances of Sores that have been healed, where the
suppressed Matter has discovered it self, by an Aposthume near the
Place where the Sore was, a short time after it had been healed.
_Fælix Wurtz_, who was a very judicious Surgeon, informs us, That it
sometimes happens, that in a little time after a Patient has been
cured of a Wound of the Head, he feels violent Pains there, which
indicates that Matter is collected in the Part. He adds, That many die
of it, by reason the Cause is not understood by some Surgeons. This
Remark proves, that the Wounds were not kept open long enough, or else
that the Surgeon acted imprudently in not making use of proper Means
to divert the Tendency of the Humours to that Part; not but it will
abundantly more easily happen to those Parts that are depending, and
where the Weight of the viscid Fluid will incline it to settle.
I knew a lusty Fellow, about twenty five Years of Age, that had an
Ulcer on the internal Ancle of his left Leg near twelve Years: It had
been cured three or four times, but he always found himself very much
indisposed after it, till it broke out again, and the Matter had a
free Discharge: At length, upon his coming from Sea, it was healed
again, upon which he was seized with a violent Pain in his Head, Loss
of Appetite, which the next Day was succeeded by a violent Fever
and Looseness. His Physician ordered, among other Things, a large
Blister-Plaister, to be applyed to the Leg on which the Ulcer had been.
The Patient recovered; but what was very observable, was, that the Sore
the Blister-Plaister had made terminated in an ugly Ulcer, which would
not heal, though various Applications were made use of. If Nature had
been in this Case compelled, as it were, and forced to a Compliance in
the healing of this Ulcer, it is probable the Matter would have been
thrown upon another Part, and so occasioned a Disease there.
By this we may see how cautious we ought to be not to proceed in
a Method contrary to the Dictates of Nature; for if we do, we
consequently disturb her regular Motions, upon which she oftentimes
commences a new Work, which, if it does not tend to the Subversion of
the whole Oeconomy, there ensues a Permutation of the Disease, by the
Translation of the Matter from one Part to another.
It would be impossible to recount all the obscure Motions Nature makes
use of to accomplish such Ends: We will only mention some where the
Disease has been perfectly changed from what it was before by such
Methods. _Mear_ gives us an Instance of a Dropsie of the Breast,
which succeeded an ill-cured Hydrocele. _Hildanus_ observes, that an
inveterate Ulcer of the left Leg being unhappily healed up, the Patient
died of a Pleurisy some Months after.
To this I may add an Observation of a Man that had an old Ulcer on
each Leg, which being attempted to be cured, as the Matter gradually
lessened, he was deprived of his Sight. There was no Alteration to
be observed in the Eyes of this Person, but only a Dilatation of the
Pupils, as is generally observed in a _Gutta Serena_, which was judged
to be his Case. In short, upon the running of the Sores, though he had
been perfectly blind, he effectually recovered his Sight again.
I will not tire you, _Sir_, with the Recital of any more Cases of this
Nature. What has been hitherto said, I hope is sufficient to incline
you to believe, that the immediate Cause of the Death of the Child I
spoke of in the former part of the Letter was the Suppression of the
Matter, which had continued to discharge in such large Quantities so
long together. And that such a sudden Stoppage of a Discharge of Matter
may procure a Patient’s Death, though the Symptoms that proceed may be
different. I have likewise shewn the Difficulty there is in Diverting
the Tendency of the Matter to a Part, and mentioned how one Disease is
sometimes converted into another: But of what Use these Remarks may
be I leave you to judge. To me it seems reasonable enough to suppose,
that as a regular Method of Practice is not the Effect of a Man’s
Sagacity, but the Product of repeated Experiences, every thing that
occurs may tend, by a proper Application, to the Illustration of the
Art. What else has made some Men so famous for their Prognosticks? Had
not our great Master _Hippocrates_ a Respect to the Suppression of the
Discharge of Matter from Ulcers, when he expressed himself thus, _Ulcus
lividum & siccum, aut cum virore pallidum lethale est?_ And this we
have known to be true in several Cases.
Well then, does not this sufficiently prove, that where we have
Cause to fear a Suppression of the Discharge, we ought to remove any
Impediment that may embarass Nature in her Work, and advise a proper
Method to promote the precipitating the morbific Matter? For so shall
we, by joining our Forces with those of Nature, still keep her in due
Course; and that when she is grown languid, and departing from her
former Measures.