to attempt the Cure of _Cancers_, must unavoidably meet with, obliged
them to enter upon several Methods of Practice, in order to be capable
of surmounting it; and there have not been wanting for these several
hundred Years last past, some Gentlemen in the Republick of Medicine
that have proposed to conquer this Rebellious Disease, by the use
of some particular Causticks, they have recommended. It is foreign
to my Design, to give an Account of the Composition of the several
Remedies, they have been big with the Expectation of Success from; I
shall only take notice of one or two not very pompous Preparations,
that by some Persons I know, have been looked upon as extraordinary
as any that have been transmitted to us. _Guido_, who I think I may
justly say is one of the best Authors of so ancient a Date, has been
very lavish of his Encomiums on _Arsnick_, and after him _Fallopius_,
_Rodericus a Castro_, _Ossenius_, _Penotus_, _Faber_, _Borellus_,
and others, have recommended it in some particular Preparations.
That of _Fuschius_, who is said to have cured abundance of Persons
of _Cancers_, in _England_, _Germany_, and _Poland_, having had the
most said in it’s Commendation, required our more particular Notice;
_Hartman_ calls it _Pul Benedictus_, which whether it deserves that
Title, we will leave to the Reader to judge, after we have faithfully
recounted the Effects of it. Its Preparation is as follows: ℞ _Arsenici
albi_ ℥i _subtilissime pulverisetur per dies 15 de die tertio in
tertium affundatur Aq. vitæ, ut cooperiat pulverem, post triduum Aq.
vitæ abjiciatur, ac nova affundatur, ac misceantur. Rad Dracunouli
Major, mense julio vel Agu. collect & in taleolas scissæ ac in loco
ventis perflatili exsiccatæ_ ℥ii. _Fuliginis Camini splendidi_ ℥iii
_redigantur omnia in subtilissimum pulverem super lapidem marmoreum,
& servetur in Vase bene clauso vitreo. Ante annum vero ad usum non
erit it a commodus_. This Powder I applied to a _Cancerated_ Breast
of a Woman, under thirty Years of Age, after having made a Sore by
applying one of the milder _Causticks_; the first Night it was made
use of, it caused a great deal of pain, and the next Day, the Breast
appeared very much tumefied and inflamed, a small quantity of Gleet,
having discharged on the Bolster: in short for fifteen Days she was
not free from pain, she had a _Fever_, was attended with frequent
_Vomitings_, _Faintings_, and several other Disorders. I could afford
her but very little Relief by Internals, or the most cool and temperate
Applications to the Breast; nor was it in my Power to remove the
dressing, it adhered so fast to the Sore. There was a Discharge of
a bloody ferous Juice for twelve Days in a moderate quantity, after
which the Matter thickened, and it began to smell somewhat offensive,
at the end of fifteen Days the Dressing dropped off, and with it came
away about two Ounces of the _cancerous Mass_. The Reader may easily
imagine that making so small a Progress in such a time, and that at
the Expence of so much Pain, I could easily prevail with my self to
desist from the Undertaking, for the second Application would have
been attended with the same Inconveniencies as the first, which to any
Persons that entertains such a concern for his Patients as he ought
to do, must be very fatiguing; in short, after this I made use of
that Remedy I had elsewhere mentioned, and which from its Effect was
properly enough called a _Dissolvent_, with this by the Blessing of
God the _Cancerous_ Substance was consumed in about three Weeks, and
a perfect Cure compleated in not many Days after, the Patient which I
saw lately continuing perfectly well, it being the first Case that ever
Providence directed me to the use of the Remedy in. _Hildan_ has an
Observation very pertinent to what we have before related; he tells us,
that the _Powder_ so much celebrated by _Penotus_, and which is much
the same with that just now mentioned, being applied to a _Cancer_, was
succeeded by such ill Symptoms, that it killed the Patient in a few
Days. We are informed in the communicated Observations of _Riverius_,
that a Foreigner extirpated a Cancer, that had began to Ulcerate in the
Breast of a Woman of fifty Years of Age, by the following Application:
℞ _Arsenici_ ʒi. _Salis Armoniaci_ ℥ii. _Sublimat. crud._ ℥iiii. _Aq;
Fortis_ ℥i. _These were to be distill’d to Dryness, then an equal
Weight of distill’d Vinegar put thereto, which was to be distilled
again, till the remaining Matter, became of the Consistance of a
Paste._ The Surgeon bathed the _Cancer_ with hot Wine, and rubbed it
with Cloths for some time to _irritate_ it, then he spread some of
his Composition on a Bolster six times less than the _Tumour_, and
applied it; in twenty four Hours time, it made an _Escar_ as large
as the Swelling, so that it wholly consumed the _Cancer_; after the
Separation of the _Escar_ he incarned the _Ulcer_ and cicatrized
it. It is very observable, that he did not engage in this painful
Process, without immediately causing a Fever, which was attended with
a _Vomiting_, _Loosness_, and much Provocation of _Urine_; which
Symptoms lasted two or three Days, for Nature was disordered by the
destructive Quality of a venemous Remedy. _Paracelsus_, _Faber_, and
some others, make mention of Arsnical Preparations, that procure but
little Pain in their Operation; I had a Design of making a Trial of
some of these Remedies, had I not in my Enquiries met with what was
very satisfactory to me, though after knowing what I have related, I
should have always cautiously avoided the use of any Remedy, in which
the _Arsnick_ had not undergone such a Preparation as I should have
approved of, because I am assured it may procure very mischievious
Symptoms, though in Substance, it do not so much as touch the Skin,
witness the _Amulets_, in which it has been the chief Ingredient, and
of which there have been such direful Accidents related by _Crato_,
_Massaria_, and _Zacutus Lucitanus_. I do not think it impossible,
but that _Arsnick_ may be prepared after such a manner as may, by
the addition of some convenient Body, or depriving it of its noxious
Particles, qualify it for effecting uncommon things in the Cure of
this Disease, without causing the Surgeon to repent the use of it. I
remember that _Helmont_ somewhere says one may easily enough correct
several sorts of Poisons, so that they shall not be deprived of their
Force, when we destroy their Virulency. Many Instances of this Nature
we meet with in Mr _Boyle_, and some others; but that which makes most
for my present purpose, is, what is mentioned by the last Honourable
Gentleman, of a very ingenious Man he knew, that was famous, as well
for his Writings, as for a Remedy to cure _ulcerated Cancers_ in Womens
Breasts, without any considerable Pain. He assured our Author that his
Medicine was indolent, and mortified the ulcerated Parts as far as
they were corrupted, without disordering the Party, and this Remedy it
seems partly by the Confession of the Gentleman, was reasonably enough
supposed to be a Dulcification of _Arsnick_; one would think that
the mention of this very Remedy, with Monsieur _Alliot’s_, and that
recommended in the preceeding Letter, should be sufficient to influence
the inquisitive of our Profession to farther Enquiries, which must be
certainly an Undertaking, worthy the noblest Spirits. To conclude, we
cannot say, but there are many Cancers that may be cured by Causticks,
but the Person that is to undergo it, may very well answer, as a
certain Patient did, who’s Thigh was to be cut off, _Non est tanto
digna dolore Salus_. _The Preservation of Life would be too dear bought
at the Price of so much Pain._ This puts me in Mind of what is related
of _Galienus_ the Emperor, who it seems had for a considerable time
been very grieviously afflicted with a _Sciatica_, a certain Physician
undertaking to cure him, performed indeed his Promise, but nevertheless
made him undergo a thousand painful Experiments; whereupon, the Emperor
one Day sent for, and thus said to him, _Take_ Fabatus _two Thousand
Sesterces, but withal, be informed I give them not for curing my_
Sciatica, _but that thou may’st never cure me again_.
PROBLEM VI.
_Whether Cancers are Curable by internal Medicines._
Though this _Problem_ at first View may seem to be too near allied
to that which proves the Impossibility of curing cancerous Tumours,
whether ulcerated or not, by Salivation; yet in regard there are
some Persons, that tell us the Disease is superable by some internal
Remedies, which operate after a quite different Manner, to those
generally given to procure a Salivation, we shall enquire into one of
the most considerable of them, related by a Person whose Memory we have
a very great Value for. And we shall the rather take Notice of this
particular Remedy, because we have elsewhere spoke of the Success of
it. It were no very difficult Matter for me to mention several internal
Medicines, out of our Chirurgical Writers, more especially those that
have been Favourers of Chemistry; but I shall purposely decline it,
because to speak freely, I suspect that most of the Remedies, though
much has been said in the Praise, have not been sufficiently examined
by those that recommended them. To this we may add, that had the
Authors of them considered the vast Difference there is to be observed
in Cancers, they would not have so suddainly and positively determined,
that their Medicines were of use in these Cases in general; seeing we
must have regard to absolutely different Intentions, in those that are
not ulcerated, and those that are, and those that are a hard Tumour,
and those that are flat, and likewise when they are conjoined with
Circumstances, which are often enough to be met with. The Honourable Mr
_Boyle_ in his _Usefulness of experimental Philosophy_, tells us, that
he was informed by credible Persons, of a certain _English_ Woman above
sixty Years of Age, who had lain long indisposed with a Cancer in her
Breast, in an Hospital in _Zeeland_, and was by Doctor _Harberfeld_,
with one single inward Remedy perfectly cured in three Weeks; the
Relation was made by a _Doctor of Physick_, who was an Eye Witness
of the Cure, and another Person who not only saw the Cure, but knew
the Woman before, and out of Charity, carried her to him that healed
her. Our Author was informed, that the _Chemical Liquor_ the Doctor
constantly made use of, does in the Dose of about a Spoonful or two,
work suddainly and nimbly enough by Vomit, but hath very quickly ended
it’s Operation, so that within an Hour, or less, after the Patient
has taken it, he is commonly well again, and very hungry. He adds,
that having some of the Liquor presented him, he found the Taste to be
offensive enough, and not unlike that of _Vitriol_, which by the Taste
and emetick Operation, was guessed to be it’s principal Ingredient.
The Relators assured our Author they had been in _England_, as well
as elsewhere partly Eye Witnesses, and partly Performers of wonderful
Cures by the help of it alone, under God, in the _King’s Evil_;
insomuch, that an eminent Gentleman of this Nation, hath been cured by
it, when _that Distemper_ had brought his Arm to such a pass, that the
Surgeons had appointed a time to cut it off. Now, who is there, that
upon reading this Account would not think the Doctor a very happy Man,
that was Master of so valuable a Secret; but alas! How satisfactory
would it be to the World if the hundredth part of the Remedies that
have been handed down to us, had a Power of effecting those things that
are ascribed to them, without being attended with any ill Consequences.
I assure you, Reader, I have made use of this very Remedy, for since
I mentioned it as the Doctor’s having great Success from it; I met
with the true Preparation of it, as it was communicated to Sir _Kenelm
Digby_ by Doctor _Havervelt_, or _Haberfield_, for the Cure of
_Cancers_, the _King’s Evil_, and old _Ulcers_. It is as follows. ℞
_Dantzick Vitriol, calcine it till it be yellow, then grind it with
Salt, or Salt Petre, the ordinary proportion with this Sublime Mercury,
which Sublime once again by it self, then take only the Cristaline
part of it; of this take_ ℥i, _grind it to a Subtile Powder in a Glass
Mortar with a Glass Pestle._ Put this into a Glass Bottle, and pour
upon it a Quart of Fountain Water, stop the Bottle close, and let it
stand thus for some Days, shaking it often; after it is well settled
pour off the clear, and filtre it; take a Spoonful of this Liquor,
which put into a Vial, and put to it two Spoonfuls of fair Water; shake
the Vial well, and let the Patient Drink it in the Morning Fasting: As
to the quickness of its Operation, and the making the Patient Hungry,
I found it at first to agree with what Mr _Boyle_ says of it; but upon
giving it three or four times, the Patient would afterward complain of
a Languidness, which was ushered in by a Sickness at the Stomach; after
this, they would be attended with a Heat or Soreness of the Throat,
immoderate Thirst, convulsive Motions of the Stomach, _&c._ Some of
which Inconveniencies would continue for many Hours together. It was
upon Account of the Melancholy Reflections of bringing the Patients
into such Disorder, and their Unwillingness to endure such Fatigues,
that I had never Courage enough to proceed in this Method. I cannot but
say, upon the Alteration I found in a Patient of mine, from the use of
six Doses of this Medicine, that it may as well as some other churlish
Remedies, cure some flat ulcerated Cancers, where there is no Tumour
to dissolve, in Persons that are capable of often repeating it, which
I think is sufficient to put us upon farther Enquiries, that we may be
able to accomplish such Undertakings without bringing upon the Patient
such a Train of mischievous Accidents.
_POSTSCRIPT._
What follows is taken from a Manuscript which at this time 1714–15,
belongs to one of the Family of the _Pains_, that have for a long time
pretended to cure Cancers: In the Margin is this Note, (_Used by my
Father, and Grandfather, and Brothers, and known as a thing excellent
by long Practice in our Family of the_ Pains:) The Book was lent me by
my Brother _Dobyns_, who had it from one of the Family, a Patient of
his.
_The Red Caustick._
To eat all Superfluous Cancerous and Schirrous Matters gathered hard in
the Edges or Sides of any Ulcer or Cancer, breeding upon the Mouth,
Face, Nose or Valva. Take of Bole Armoniac one Ounce, of yellow Arsnic
three Ounces, powder them and searse them fine, pare an Apple or two
and take of the Pulp and put so much of it to the Powder (beating of
it together in a Mortar) as will make it of the stiffness of Dough,
then make it up into round Balls of the bigness of a Walnut, dry them
in a Chamber-Window till they be hard enough. When you use these Balls
shave a little off from them into your Hand, and moisten the same with
a little Spittle, and rub it well about the hard Foot of the _Noli
me Tangere_, and all over the Head of the same, and after that you
have gathered him up into the Ligature and knit him hard up (for it
seems they used a Ligature smeared with the Medicine) then apply your
Preparation before-mentioned, and lay fine Holland Raggs dipt in the
following Red Water, all over the said Caustic, and so let it lye till
it fall off its self. _Note_, The Quantity of Caustic laid on, ought
not to be much, and yet sufficient to work its effect. It worketh with
great Pain for twelve Hours or more, and after that by Fits, like the
Tooth-Ach; as the Pain worketh off it causes great Inflammation and
Swelling about those Parts it is applied to, but this does not continue
above four or five Days; so meddle not with it till the Caustick comes
off. Then you may for three or four Days dress the Inflammation with
Diachylon Plaister, or the Red Water warm.
_The Red Water for a Cancer._
Quench unslacked Lime in boiling Water, which let stand six Hours, the
clear Water poured off, put to the Fire again; to a Gallon and half of
which, put _Camphir_ ℥ß _Aloes Succatrine_ ℥ß. _Common Bole_ ℥ii _White
Copperas or Allum_ ℥ii all powdered, which boil in the Liquor a little
while: He sometimes gave a Pill made of Deflograted Red Precipitate,
which sometimes made them spit a little.
_The Musilage Plaister to dissolve Schirrous Knots in the Breast._
Take of the white and inward Bark of the Witch-Hasel half a Handful,
cut it short and stamp it, then take of the Roots of Marsh Mallows,
Holy-hock Roots two or three Roots, clean them and throw away the Pith,
stamp all together, then take of Fenugreek and Linseed of each two
Ounces powdered, put all in an Earthen-pot, then take a Pint of white
Wine or Water, heat it scalding hot, put it to the Things aforesaid,
cover it close, stirring it every Day for nine Days, then strain out
the Musilage Liquor with which you make the following Plaister. Take a
Pint of Salad Oyl, Cerus finely powdered 8 Ounces, boil them together,
constantly stirring them, a sufficient time, which you may know by its
coming clear off a Pewter Dish when dropt on, let it cool a little
and put in your Musilage, which stir till it be as white as you would
have it, and until almost all the Musilage be boiled away, then remove
it from the Fire and put to it four Ounces of _yellow Wax_, probably
_Galbanum_ may be better, which when dissolved and the Plaister cold,
work up for use. This Plaister is sometimes used with equal Parts of
_Galbanum_.
THE
CASE
OF
Dr _JAMES KEIL_,
Represented by
_JOHN RUSHWORTH_.
I Should not have been induced to make these Papers publick, barely
on account of the rash Censures, that are frequently cast upon
the Practice of _Surgery_, not attended with Success; tho’ that
Consideration alone, in the Case of a Person of such Value and Eminency
in _Physick_, as Dr KEIL is known to have been, may be thought
sufficient to have moved me to it: But being certainly informed, That
several _Physicians_ and _Surgeons_ have before, and since his Death,
given themselves the Liberty to reflect, not only upon me for Using,
but also upon the Deceased for submitting to the Methods that were
taken with him; I think I shall not discharge my Duty, either to my
Friend, or to my Self, or indeed to the Profession, if I do not, as far
as I am able, endeavour to set what was done in a True Light.
In order thereunto, it may be requisite to look back to the Time He
first mentioned any Disorder in his Mouth to me, which was in _August_
1716. He then told me, He had preceived a Fulness in his Mouth for very
many Years; but in the last Three or Four Years it was much encreased,
and by the Bulk began to be troublesome to him, tho’ not in the least
painful: Upon examining it, I found the Tumour not only large, but also
to fluctuate, and therefore told him, until I was satisfied what was
contained in it, I could not come to a Resolution, as to the manner of
treating it; but, if he pleased, I would make an Incision into it, and
then would tell him what I thought was fit to be done; He was very well
satisfied, and resolved I should proceed accordingly.
Upon Opening it, there appeared to be nothing contained in it, but
Blood; not in the least altered in Colour, Consistence, or Smell, from
what is contained in the Vessels. The Tumour presently sunk very much,
and I dilated the Incision with my Probe-Scissers, and pressed in
some _Dossels_; and then told him, it was a fleshy Tumour, called a
_Sarcoma_, and that the Blood contained in it was only accidental; and
that the best way of extirpating it was by the actual _Cautery_; but I
let him know, that I feared it would be more troublesome to him, and
take longer Time to cure, than he seemed to expect.
We presently sent for the best _Instrument-Maker_ the Country afforded,
and gave him Directions: But that Night: talking with him of his Case,
I desired him to consider, Whether it might not be thought a Slight,
by the Learned of both Professions, if I should Perform the Operation,
upon a Man of his Character, without a Consultation; there being no
Reason (but the Loss of his Time) to be in haste. At first he seemed
unwilling to lose so much Time, yet upon Consideration, he resolved for
_London_ the next Day, where several _Physicians_ and _Surgeons_ were
consulted; they all agreed, it was a simple _Sarcoma_, and that the
actual _Cautery_ was the properest, if not the only means of curing it.
This Account I received from the Doctor by Letter; as also, that the
_Surgeons_, upon probing, found the Bone bare, and from the ill Smell
concluded it was foul: “Which, said the Doctor it was impossible for
you to discover; because after I left _Northampton_, Two _Dossels_ of
the first Dressing dropt out.” I was very glad to hear That, for those
_Dossels_ lodging so long, in that warm Part, I was in hopes might
be the Occasion of the fœtid Smell; which the _Surgeons_, not being
acquainted with, might fairly be induced to take for that of a foul
Bone: Which I mentioned to the Doctor by the first return of the Post;
and also, that I was farther encouraged in that Hope, by considering
that the Blood, that was discharged at the first Opening, was not at
all altered, neither was any Smell perceived, until after the lodging
of those _Dossels_.
Whether the Doctor ever mentioned this my Opinion, to the _Surgeons_
in Town, I know not; but when he returned to me, to have the Operation
performed, he seemed discouraged by the Opinion the _Surgeons_ gave of
the Bones being foul. But I thought I might make bold to confirm him,
in my former Opinion, the ill Smell ceasing without the Assistance of
Medicines. The Consequence proved the Assertion: For when, by several
Applications of the _Cauteries_, I had removed the whole Tumor, it was
plain to me, the Bone was not affected; and the Part healed as smooth,
and with as much Ease, and in as short a Time, as ever I met any thing
of that Nature, and the Doctor continued well, without the least
Disorder or Complaint, a Year and about Eight Months.
But then in _April_ 1718. He shewed me a small _Ulcer_, near that Part
of the Mouth that was before affected, and told me, He perceived it
began upon eating some hot Meat, that stuck to it: At first this healed
without much Trouble, but soon excoriated again; and then I could not
again perfectly skin it: For as soon as it was almost healed, it would
begin to excoriate a-fresh at the Edges, which is what is usual in
_Phagedænical Ulcers_. And tho’ I could digest it, and keep it easy,
yet it got ground of me, and spread towards the Teeth; and, near the
Root of One of the _Molares_, laid the Bone bare, which appeared to me
at the first not to be injured, but being long exposed became foul. It
not exfoliating in due Time, with the Tincture that is commonly used,
I proposed the touching of it with a small _Cautery_, I being able
very easily to come at it without making use of a _Cannula_; which, by
confining the Heat, very much injures the neighbouring Parts: The good
Effect of which Practice, of not making use of a _Cannula_, where you
can conveniently omit it, I had good Experience of in Doctor _KEIL_’s
former Case: For tho’ he had several _Cannulas_ made in _London_, by
the best Hand, yet after Twice using of them, I told the Doctor, That
if a Patient could be trusted, it would be much more easy to him,
and the Surgeon would see much better to use the _Cautery_, than when
obstructed by a _Cannula_. The Doctor was pleased with the Thought,
and pressed me, at the next making use of the _Cautery_, to do it
without the _Cannula_: The Advantage he had by it was, that it bore
four Burnings, and said, It gave him not the Pain, or Trouble he had
from but One before, and that the Parts were much less Disordered by it
afterwards. But to return:
It will not I suppose be doubted, but that proper internal Means were
all along made use of: But the _Ulcer_ still appearing to me more
threatening, his Friends pressed him, and I more than any, that he
would go again to Town, and have the best Advice it could afford; and
I resolved to accompany Him, in the Beginning of _August_ 1718. And I
cannot forbear saying I was surprized, when, upon a Consultation, my
Brothers, _Palmer_ and _Brown_, made light of it; and, without so much
as hearing what I had to say, concluded, That it was chiefly owing to
the Bones being foul; and that by drawing a Tooth or Two which they
said were affected, and by Purging with _Mercurius dulcis_, all would
be well; and so they took their Leave. Says the Doctor to me, “What say
you to this?” I answered him, That I feared they would find themselves
again mistaken as to the _Surgery_ Part; and that as to the _Mercury_,
though a good Medicine, He knew he had taken it already several Times,
without any considerable Advantage. The Doctor smiled and said, “But
since I came so far for Advice, I will not only give them a Tooth, but
also try again what Effect _Mercury_ may have.”
Another Meeting was ordered, and the Tooth-Drawer to be there: Upon
Drawing the Tooth, it appeared to be very sound. The First Dose he took
of _Mercury_, whether by Cold, or any other Accident, I know not, very
much disordered him. I could not conveniently be absent any longer, and
therefore the next Day returned into the Country, and do not know how
many more Doses the Doctor then took; but in a few Days I received a
Letter from him, in which he said, “I know nothing that has succeeded
right with me, since I came here: You know what State you left me in,
and I was a great deal worse for some Days afterwards; though I hope
the _Mercury_ has had no ill Effect, yet I should have been loath to
have been so swelled in those Parts, as I have been, willingly. The
old _Ulcers_ are not yet healed, they tell me indeed, there is no
Appearance of any new Ones, and that the _most effectual_ Methods,
which have been taken here, will _infallibly_ prevent every thing,
_&c_.”
But by his next, which I soon received, I had the melancholy News
from him, That the _Ulcer_ was broke out again larger than ever, and
therefore that he would be down with me in a Day or two, and he came
accordingly, but in a worse State than ever before. And though it again
digested, and did as before near heal, yet the returns were quicker,
and upon every new Eruption it was larger and worse; and so continued
to be, notwithstanding all the good internal Methods continually used
by the concurring Advice of Dr _Mead_, Dr _Friend_, and several other
Eminent _Physicians_; which no doubt was owing to the malignant Nature
of it.
And therefore in the Beginning of _February_ last, I could no longer
forbear expressing my Fears to the Doctor that it would terminate in a
raging _Cancer_. He was too sensible of it, and told me, “That since
I thought I could keep it within Bounds no longer, He was resolved to
try what a _Salivation_ would do:” And though I could say nothing as
to the Advantage he might expect from it, yet I frankly owned to him,
that if it was my own Case, I should be of his Opinion, that I might
make bolder with my self, than with any other Patient: But desired by
all means, he would first hear if his Friends, the _Physicians_ and
_Surgeons_ in _London_, had yet any other Method to propose, or else
would approve of that. He wrote to them, the Answer was long in coming,
which made the Doctor express himself to me with more Warmth, than I
ever knew him to do before: (For he was a Man of the greatest Command
of himself, as well as of the sweetest Temper) “What, says he, is not
their Silence enough? And will not you, whom I take for my Friend (for
fear of losing your Reputation) assist me in what I desire?” With
a great deal more to assure me of his Confidence in me, and of his
Opinion of my Ability to take Care of him in the Course. I am not so
vain, as to mention all his kind Expressions, yet if it be desired, by
any of his Friends, I will give them the Satisfaction of seeing the
Letters I had from him, when he was absent from me in _London_.
At this Time his Brother, Doctor _John Keil_, came to him from
_Oxford_; and, as I understood afterwards, had seen Dr _Friend_ there,
who was for having him salivated at _London_: But the Doctor being
determined to the contrary, did not at that Time acquaint me with it,
but began his Course, which I desired might be in the mildest Method,
by small Doses of _Calomel_, encreased gradually, which Method pleased
him very well: But Dr _Friend_ (to whom Dr _John Keil_ constantly sent
an Account of our Proceedings) gave it as the Opinion of Mr _Palmer_
and Mr _Brown_, that it should be done by _Unction_: I gave my Reason
to the Patient against it, but they still pressed it, notwithstanding
the ill Symptoms, that I thought, at that Time, forbad it; which
Symptoms they had been acquainted with. They still persisting, I
desired the Doctor would give me leave to write my Opinion my self to
Mr _Brown_, which I did hastily in the following manner.
Good Brother,
_I Have seen Dr_ Friend’s _Letter to Dr_ Keil; _and Dr_ Friend _I
understand has been so kind as to consult you, and several Others
in the Case; whose Judgments, though I have all due Regard for,
yet in the present Circumstances (though I give the Preference
to_ Unction _in some stubborn Cases) I dare not encourage it in
this: For my Reason at first, for beginning so mildly, was, that
in this uncommon Case, we might by degrees, make some Judgment of
the Effects of_ Mercury, _and then proceed accordingly: For had I
not been prevented by the Accidents you have, by Dr_ Friend, _been
acquainted with, I should have been very desirous to have gone at
least to the Heighth mentioned by Dr_ Friend. _But since I find, by
encreasing the Quantity of the Dose to a_ Scruple (_of which he has
taken four_) it has not affected the Glands at all, or made him
Spit the more; but his Stomach is much more oppressed by it, with
vast Quantity of Phlegm, viscous to a degree I have not met with,
and gives him more than common Disturbance, not to be relieved but
by often Vomiting, to which purpose the_ Turpith, _has answered
very well for the present: My great Fear is, all things considered,
that if I should proceed to_ Unction, _and it should produce the
same Effect, that it will be too many for him. If my Fears are too
great, my more than common Concern and Friendship is some Excuse
for me; as also I desire it may be to You, for this tedious Account
from_, Sir,
Yours, _&c._
Feb. 22d, 1718.
J. RUSHWORTH.
I not receiving, in due Time, an Answer to this, and the Patient being
reduced to a great Weakness, and to so great a Disorder, that he could
not bear Talking to, I writ these few Lines for him to consider of.
Dear Sir,
_As your Case now stands, I must own my self a Coward: Though Dr_
Friend _is much mistaken to think I am either unacquainted with,
or fear the common Accidents that often arise in Salivating: But
that irregular and uncommon Effects are, in extraordinary Cases,
produced by_ Mercury, Hale’_s Case is to me a sufficient Precedent,
of which I have formerly told you the Particulars; and though your
Friends in Town took no Notice of the unusual Disorder in your
Stomach, yet I should think myself Inexcusable if I should not.
And if, upon using an_ Unction, _any irregular Ferments should
again arise, weak as you now are, I should dread the Consequence.
In these Circumstances, I think it most prudent for me, to advise
you, to let what is already taken, go fairly off, and if you find
it not effectual, you may with much better Prospect, when you have
Strength, begin_ de Nova, _by_ Unction, _and have an Opportunity to
have it done by the_ infallible _Men_.