dissolve a few Grains of Salt, or Sugar, in their Infusions of _Tea_,
I answer, we here enquire not what is done, but what ought to be done;
not what is palatable, but what is conducive to preserve Health, and
restore it when lost. Though I do not altogether disapprove of _Salt_
in _Tea_, yet I absolutely condemn _Sugar_. How ill the _Europeans_,
especially those of the _Northern_ Countries, consult their Health,
by mixing their _Mustard_, and their Sauces of _Vinegar_, and
_Horse-Radish_, designed as a Preservative against the _Scurvy_, with
_Sugar_, I have already shewn, in _Class. 3. Quadripartit. Botan._ For
the same Reason, _Sugar_, mixed with an Infusion of _Tea_, infringes
and impairs its Virtues; so that, by this means, we drink, not a
medicated Water, but little more only than simple _European_ Water,
edulcorated with _Sugar_. This, no doubt, is an excellent Remedy
against Intoxication; but certainly if we read both antient and modern
Authors, we shall find, that Drunkenness may be removed by drinking
cold Water. Besides, an Intoxication, next to Madness, may be greatly
alleviated by wrapping up the _Scrotum_ in Cloths dipped in cold
Water. Hence we have but little Reason to bring _Tea_ from _China_,
_Tartary_, and _Japan_, at an extravagant Price, which might be far
better laid out, in relieving poor indigent Families at Home. But the
present _Europeans_ are vastly different from what they were before
the _Asiatic_ Effeminacy was known among us. The _Europeans_ might,
perhaps, be indulged in the perpetual Use of _Tea_, provided their
Regimen was the same with that of the _Asiatics_. Now, Regimen includes
all the five Non-Naturals, which are Air, Meat and Drink, Excretion and
Retention, Motion and Rest, Sleep and Watching, and the Passions of
the Mind. Now, all these, in _Europe_, are vastly different from what
they are in the _Indies_, as is obvious from the faithful and impartial
Accounts, given us by _Martinius_, and _Mandelslo_. This Subject is
excellently handled by _Hippocrates_, in _Tr. de Aere, Aquis, & Locis_,
who joins these three together, with great Judgment, and for very
sufficient Reasons; since each of the three has Atoms, in a manner,
peculiar to itself, which it continually sends forth, and diffuses even
to a great Distance: So that some Bodies, according to _Bartholine_,
may, by means of the Atoms they emit, propagate the Sphere of their
sympathetic Actions, to the Distance of a Thousand Miles. About the
_Equinoxes_, and _Solstices_, the sudden Changes of the State of the
_Atmosphere_, and the Variety of Vapours exhaled from the Earth,
produce surprizing Alterations in Health. And these Exhalations
rise sometimes in such large Quantities, as to be condensed, and by
their own Weight to fall down, in the Form of sulphureous Showers:
A memorable Instance of this we had in _Norway_, where, on _May 19,
1665_, a violent Tempest, accompanied with uncommon Thunder, and thick
Clouds, broke out: During this Storm, there fell from the Clouds, a
Substance, highly similar to Sulphur, which not only floated on the
Water, but also seemed to cover the Earth. When _Stobæus_ subjected
this Matter to an Examination, he found, after drying, and passing
it through a Sieve, that when it was become moderately warm, on an
heated Tile, it emitted a fetid Smoak of the same Colour with that
of the Spirit of _Nitre_, in Distillation. But this Matter could not
be fused by the strongest Fire; by which Means, however, it became
inodorous, and like small Sand, though before it resembled a fetid,
coarse Sulphur, reduced to Powder. The same Author, in his Letters
also, informs me, that, when about as much of the recent Matter, as
would lie on the Point of a Knife, was laid upon a red hot Tile, it
was spontaneously kindled, made a Kind of Noise, and emitted a reddish
fetid Smoak. Next Day _Stobæus_ endeavoured to sublime this crude
and sulphureous Matter, by itself, without any Addition, in order to
discover, whether Flowers of Sulphur could be obtained from it; but his
Labour was in vain; for though the Matter became red hot by due Degrees
of Fire, yet no Flowers appeared; only the first Steam, which, in the
Alembic, appeared reddish, in the Water, assumed a dark ferruginous
Colour: Then, by augmenting the Fire, a whitish Spirit appeared, which
gave a similar Colour to the Water. This Steam and Spirit appeared
in Distillation to be of an acrid Taste; so that _Stobæus_ justly
concluded them to contain a volatile Salt, of a particular Kind. The
same Author informs me, in his Letter, that the Rain which fell,
during the Thunder, smelled of Sulphur: And from this Observation, he
thinks, the Chemists Doctrine, concerning the Generation of Thunder,
may be confirmed. As every Substance does not act upon every other
Substance, nor sulphureous Things on those of the same Nature, he put
this Matter into Spirit of _Turpentine_, and digested it by a gentle
Fire; by which Means, it gave the Liquor a a yellowish Colour, and
a Smell, very like that of Balsam of _Sulphur_: But of these I shall
not treat at greater Length, since I am perswaded that Miracles have
ceased, and that Providence disposes of second Causes according to wise
and stated Laws. Hence it is, that about the _Vernal_ and _Autumnal
Equinoxes_, or _Solstices_, all Sorts of Diseases, and especially
those of the endemial or epidemical Kind, rage; such as the _Scurvy_,
_Measles_, and _Small-Pox_, as also the _Plague_, though often these
Disorders are confined to one City. A memorable Instance of this, we
have in the Cities of _Hambourg_ and _Amsterdam_, which, in 1663, and
1664, were afflicted with a Pestilence, which, however, did not spread
itself to _Denmark_, _Sweden_, _Britain_, _France_, and _Germany_.
But, as the _Plague_ is imported from _Africa_, it is probable, that
the Salubrity of the Atmosphere, in those Countries which escaped,
checked the sulphureous, saline, and pestilential Atoms, which first
contaminated the Air of _Amsterdam_, and then that of _Hambourg_.
But all Countries differ so widely, with respect to Air, Water, and
Situation, that none of them, even the most contiguous, are exactly
alike, and conspire in producing the same Effects. Thus, among the
_German_ Wines, the _Rhenish_ is the best; though it also differs in
Goodness, according to the particular Parts in which it is produced.
The like holds in the _French_ Wine, the worst of which is reckoned
that of _Orleans_; for which Reason, _Quercean_, in his _Diæticum, Cap.
6._ tells us, "That in the Oeconomy of the King of _France_'s House,
it is enacted, by a domestic Law, that the Steward shall give the
King no _Orleans_ Wines;" which, however, has a very grateful Taste.
The same holds, not only in Ales, but also in other Things: Thus, the
_Noremberg_ Cakes, on account of the peculiar Qualities of the Water
with which the Meal and Aromatics are made up, are far better, and more
pleasant to the Taste, than those prepared in the same Manner, in any
Part of _Europe_. This is what the Philosophers have been at so much
Pains to account for. The Air, Water, and Situation, also constitute
the Reason, why _Tea_ in _Europe_ does not produce the same Effects
it does among the _Asiatics_, especially the _Chinese_. Many Persons
of Rank and Distinction have informed me, that they could never be
sensible of the so-much-extolled Virtues of _Tea_, nor perceive that
it prevented Sleep, or rendered them more brisk, and fit for Business.
One or two Persons, however, subject to Catarrhs, have confessed to
me, that they have become far better by the long Use of _Tea_. Thus,
I have heard, that a certain Ambassador to the _Dutch_, who before
laboured under a Difficulty of Hearing, had his Disorder totally
removed, by the large Quantities of _Tea_ he drank at the _Hague_. I,
myself, have found _Tea_ to be diuretic. I own, two or three Persons
who have travelled, not only through _Europe_, but also through the
_East Indies_, have affirmed to me, that in _Japan_, the drinking
of _Tea_ infallibly removes Intoxication, and prevents Sleep; but
this Effect is not at all produced by it in _Europe_. Thus, I have
been informed, that Strangers, upon their Arrival in _Muscovy_, can
drink such large Quantities of _Brandy_, as would put an End to their
Lives in other Countries. Thus, it may happen, that the _Chinese_, or
_Japonese Tea_, with the Assistance and Concurrence of other Things,
may produce a particular Effect, which _Tea_ will not do in _Europe_.
But all these Effects are produced by _Betony_, an Herb universally
known in _Europe_: Thus, it is certain, that our _Chamelæagnus_ is the
_Tea_ of the _Chinese_, or _Japonese_. But to illustrate my Subject the
better, I shall make a few Remarks on the peculiar Genius, Regimen, and
Method of living used among the _Indians_ and _Chinese_. The _Indians_
then are fond of moistening Aliments, which guard against the Heat
of the Sun; such as Cherries, Fruits of all Kinds, Pot-Herbs, Fishes,
Oysters, Crabs: Besides, _Michael Boym_, a learned Jesuit, in his Flora
Sinensis, mentions various Fruits which are not produced in _Europe_;
whereas Nature has furnished the _Chinese_ with others, either like
to, or exactly the same with, those of the _Europeans_. The former of
these, and the other similar Delicacies of the _East Indies_, do, in
all Probability, give rise to new Diseases in _Europe_. This Jesuit
speaks of _China_ in the following Manner: "The Kingdom of _China_ is,
as it were, a Compound of the whole Globe, or rather, a Gem, in which
more Riches are to be found than in all the rest of the World besides.
In the _Southerly_ Parts of the Country, the Heats are most intense,
and produce large Quantities of all the _Indian_ Fruits, such as Dates,
Mangas, Ananas, and others: Whereas the _Northern_ Parts produce
Figs, Chesnuts, Nuts of all Kinds, Peaches, Apricots, and Pears of
various Kinds." Thus provident Nature has furnished the _Southermost_
Parts of _China_ with Fruits intirely unknown to the _Europeans_;
whereas, the _Northern_ Parts produce such as are known in _Europe_,
and suited to its Soil and Climate: Since, in the former, the Heats
are very intense, but not so in the latter. Thus Nature seems to have
prohibited us the Use of the former of these Fruits, by placing us
at such a Distance from them, and to have indulged us in the Use of
the latter, by placing us so near them; for the Precept, of sometimes
using Things to which we are not habituated, does not hold in this
Case: Since, being _Europeans_, we ought to use the Regimen, Aliments,
and Drinks, peculiar to _Europe_; for it is no less generally than
justly observed, that the natural Produce of any Country is best suited
to the Constitution of its Inhabitants. Thus _Tea_ seems by Nature
adapted to the Inhabitants of _China_, _Coffee_ to those of _Persia_,
_Chocolate_ to those of _America_, and _Ale_ and _Wine_ to those of the
different Parts of _Europe_. Thus the antient Inhabitants of _Saxony_
and _Megapolis_, before they became fond of foreign Delicacies, used
to say proverbially, _Drink Wine, and reap Benefit from it; drink
Ale, and become fat; drink Water, and die._ It is also certain, that
in former Times, the Inhabitants of _Iceland_ and _Norway_, when they
used a simple Regimen, and were Strangers to foreign Luxury, enjoyed
good Health to an incredible Age; whereas, their Posterity are not only
weaker, but hardly live beyond the thirtieth, fortieth, or fiftieth
Year of their Age: So that the _Lyric_ Poet seems to have made a just
Prophecy of our own Generation, in the following Lines:
_Damnosa quid non imminuit dies?
Ætas Parentum pejor avis; tulit.
Nos nequiores, mox daturos
Progeniem Vitiosorem._
_Europeans_ then must have their Constitutions impaired, and their
Strength exhausted, by living like the Inhabitants of _Asia_, _Africa_,
and _America_; especially since _Macrobius_, in _Lib. 7, Saturnal.
Cap. 4._ shews, that the most simple Aliments are the most salutary,
and easily digested. Besides, _Socrates_ ordered his Pupils to abstain
from such Meats and Drinks as created an Appetite after Hunger and
Thirst were satisfied. But, according to the _Chinese_, _Tea_ produces
an Appetite after Hunger and Thirst are satisfied; therefore the
drinking of it is to be abstained from. The same holds true with
respect to _Chocolate_, and _Coffee_. But I return to the _Chinese_,
who are accustomed to Water-drinking, and a frugal Life. Hence, their
Physicians, whom _Martinius_, in the Preface of his _Atlas Sinicus_,
seems to prefer to those of _Europe_, no doubt, enjoin them the Use
of _Tea_, in order to prevent the Generation of excrementitious
Humours; or, when generated, to carry them off by Stool, or Urine;
for, it is certain, from what has hitherto been said, that _Tea_ is
moderately heating, bitter, drying, and astringent. If it should,
for these Reasons, be said, that _Tea_ is justly to be commended for
a Weakness of the Stomach, I answer with _Celsus_, in _Lib. 1. Cap.
8._ "Our Countrymen ought not to be believed, who, when indisposed,
covet Wine, or Water, and instead of charging their own Luxury, lay
the Fault on the Stomach, which has no Share in it." This Passage is
equally applicable to _Tea_, _Coffee_, and _Chocolate_, and seems to
insinuate, that such Persons, in order to satiate their Thirst, falsly
accuse their Stomachs. If this were more carefully adverted to by the
Patrons of the _Chinese_ Delicacies, and especially those who look upon
_Tea_ as a _Panacea_, they would use it more sparingly, especially in a
bad State of Health; because _Celsus_, in _Chap. 3._ of the same Book,
tells us, "That Changes ought to be gradually and slowly made; since
that to which the Patient is not accustomed, proves, hurtful, whether
it be soft, or hard".
But the _Chinese_ Method of using _Tea_, is not agreeable to the
Custom of the _Europeans_, and therefore hurtful to them.
Hence the _Germans_, _Saxons_, and Inhabitants of other Nations, in the
_Baltick_ Sea, being neither accustomed to much Wine, nor to dilute it
with Water, are generally seized with malignant Fevers, when they go
into _France_, or _Italy_; because every fixed Substance fixes such
as is volatile; whereas, such as is volatile, resolves that which is
fixed. Hence the thick and fœculent Blood of the _Germans_, consisting
of saline, sulphureous, fixed, and volatile Parts, and being changed
by the Regimen of _France_, and the Heat of the Sun, is subtilized
by the _Tartar_ and _Sulphur_ of the _French_ Wine, especially in
such _Germans_ as took great Care of their Health, when in their own
Country; and in those who enjoyed good Health, their Blood is not
only subtilized, but also ferments, undergoes an Ebullition, and is
despumated. Hence arise Spots of different Colours, produced by the
Blood variously corrupted. But these I have considered more fully in my
_Digressio de Febribus Malignis_. This Doctrine is warmly inculcated by
_Hippocrates_, who, in _Lib. de Fract. Senectut. §. 6._ tells us, "That
the Age and Constitution of one Person, differ widely from those of
another." But this Assertion, how true soever, is but little adverted
to by most of the _Europeans_. But I think it incumbent upon me, for
the Reasons now alledged, to warn them against the Abuse of _Tea_;
especially since we find, that this Herb does, by no means, answer the
Encomiums bestowed upon it by the _Chinese_ and _Japonese_. I own _Tea_
is of a more drying Quality than many _European_ Herbs; but, for this
very Reason, the constant Use of it is so far from procuring Longevity,
especially in Persons of a middling Age, that it rather accelerates
old Age; which, according to _Macrobius_, in _Lib. 7. Saturn. Cap.
11._ is, "an Exhaustion and Dissipation of the vital Liquor, by
Length of Time; for old Age is dry, for Want of natural Moisture, and
sometimes moist through a Redundance of peccant Humours, produced by
Coldness of Constitution." Since then _Tea_, by Means of the Sulphur
it contains, is of a more heating and drying Nature than _Ginger_,
_Cinnamon_, _Pepper_, _Cubebs_, _Cardamomis_, or _Arabian Castus_;
hence, it necessarily follows, that it is injurious to old Persons,
and such as are of a dry Constitution, and loose Texture of the solid
Parts. On account of this dry Constitution, and natural _Marasmus_ of
old People, which no Art can prevent, they become thirsty, and more
addicted to tippling, than in their younger Years: Hence arises the
_German_ Proverb, _If a young Man knew the Pleasure of drinking in old
Age, he would be saving in his younger Years._
It is not, therefore, the native Heat, but that fatal Dryness which
renders the Members cold, and the Skin corrugated, which renders
old Persons fond of drinking; and for this Reason, I have, in my
_Commentaries_, universally commended a moistening Diet for them.
Hence, the Inhabitants of those Nations, who, besides _Tea_, daily
drink Wine, ought carefully to guard against all sudden Changes in
Diet and Regimen. Thus, when a certain celebrated _French_ Physician,
endeavoured to perswade a Person of eminent Rank, who was, generally,
twice or thrice a Year seized with a Catarrh, to change his Regimen,
and give over the Use of Wine, or, at least, dilute it with Water;
because, in all Probability, the Physician told him, that cold
Water powerfully corrected acrid Humours. Upon this, the Person of
Distinction asked the Physician, whether he was in good Health? To
whom the Physician replied he was: Then, says he, continue to drink
Water, or Wine and Water, till you can drink no more; but you shall
never, on account of slight Catarrhs, which are rarely offensive
to me, perswade me to accept of a _French_, or _Italian_ Regimen,
instead of a _Danish_, and _German_: Nor will I drink Water instead
of Wine, or Ale. I am at present full of Flesh and Blood, and enjoy a
good Appetite: My Forefathers, for many Years back, were of the like
Constitution, and used the same Regimen I do; but if, in the sixtieth
Year of my Age, I should begin to drink Water, I am afraid I should
rather resemble you than them; for you, who are a Water-drinker,
though you enjoy good Health, yet you are emaciated, have a cadaverous
Countenance, and seem to be rather a Skeleton than a living Person. I
wish all Persons, especially such as are old, would follow the Example
of this Gentleman, and obstinately reject _Tea_, which so dries the
Bodies of the _Chinese_, that they can hardly spit. It is also an
egregious Mistake, not only among the _Persians_, but also among
most other Nations, to think that the Seed _Bon_, or _Ban_, which
when toasted is called _Coffee_, and which I have taken Care to have
engraved in the Plate after the History of _Scurvy-Grass, No. 11, 12._
of my _Quadripartitium_, is of so cooling a Quality, as to produce
Impotence, even in those who use it frequently; for it only dries them.
Thus _Casmin_, the Wife of Sultan _Mahmud_, after her Husband had so
weakened himself by the Use of _Coffee_, that he had been impotent
for many Years, is said, when she saw the Preparations making, for
gelding a generous _Persian_ Steed, to have told the Persons employed
in that Work, that there was no Occasion for so much Trouble, since, by
giving the Horse _Coffee_, he would become like her Husband, the King.
This Story is, with the same Circumstances, related by _Olearius_, in
his Travels through _Muscovy_ and _Persia_. _Coffee_, then produces
Sterility in the _Persians_, not because it is cold, but because
it gradually dries their Bodies, by means of a certain Sulphur, as
peculiar to itself, as those of _Opium_, _Tobacco_, or _Agnus Castus_
are to them. As the _Agnus Castus_, or _Vitex_ is, by _Galen_, said to
be dry in the third Degree, like _Rue_, and to consist of very subtile
Parts, it is impossible it should produce Impotence by rendering the
Seed cold, which it diminishes and dissipates, not so much by the
Subtilty of its Parts, as by its peculiar Sulphur. The incomparable
_Hoffman_, both in his _Variæ Lectiones_, and in his Treatise _de
Medicamentis Officinalibus_, has treated accurately of the _Vitex_.
But, if that Author had been still alive, he would have agreed with
me in this, that what _Galen_ ascribes to the Subtilty of the Parts,
not only of all Simples, but also of such Things as act by their whole
Substance, such as _Opium_, _Tobacco_, _Agnus Castus_, _Chinese Tea_,
_European Tea_, or the _Myrtus Brabantica_, or the _Chamelæagnus
Danica_, is to be ascribed to their small sulphureous, and excessively
dry Parts. Thus the Seeds of the _Agnus Castus_ affect the Head, and
from what has been said, it is sufficiently obvious, that the Seeds of
the _Chamelæagnus_ contribute principally to intoxicate the Country
People, who prepare their Ale with it: The Seeds of the _Agnus Castus_,
according to _Hoffman_, "do not convey Flatulences to the Head, except
when they affect it by the Subtilty of their Parts (which I call their
sulphureous Quality) just as Wine, whose Taste and Smell they have,
according to _Pliny_, affects the Head, and procures Sleep." All these
Properties of Wine, as well as of our _Chamelæagnus_, proceed from
their Sulphur, which is grateful to the Nerves: But these Effects could
never be produced, only by _Galen_'s Subtilty of the Parts. But to
proceed, in the Words of _Hoffman_: "Another Proof of the Subtilty of
the Parts of _Agnus Castus_, (which I call its sulphureous Quality)
is, that its Seeds, whether crude, or toasted, discuss Flatulencies of
the Intestines, and most powerfully when toasted; since these do not
so much affect the Head as the former." Thus, it also happens, that an
Account of the artificial and careful Toasting of the _Chinese Tea_,
by which most of its sulphureous Parts are dissipated, it prevents
Sleep in the _Chinese_: Whereas, the _European Tea_, or _Chamelæagnus_,
renders the Country People, as it were, intoxicated, and disposed
to Sleep. But these different Effects are not owing to any occult
Qualities of the _Chinese_ and _European Teas_, but manifestly to the
sulphureous Parts, of which the _Chinese_ has a far smaller Quantity
than our _Chamelæagnus_. Thus, it is certain, that prepared _Vipers_
may be safely eaten, and that _Dioscorides_ roasted _Vipers_ for
Food; so vast a Difference there is between artificial Preparations,
and natural Productions. But to proceed: _Hoffman_, with respect to
toasting the Seeds of the _Agnus Castus_, tells us, "That in toasting,
the remarkably subtile Parts are dissipated." These remarkably subtile
Parts, I call sulphureous, which the _Persians_ also dissipate, by
an artificial toasting, from the Seeds _Bon_, or _Ban_, conveyed to
them from _Egypt_. Thus, the celebrated _Hoffman_, only differs
from me in Words, but not in Sentiments. The same also holds true of
_Chocolate_. I, therefore, conclude, that all these Substances are
of a drying Quality, on account of their sulphureous Parts. I would,
therefore, advise all _Europeans_ to have a due Regard to these Things,
to preserve Youth by moistening Substances, and prevent old Age,
which is brought on before its due Time, by Means of these drying and
sulphureous Commodities; though, at the same time, I do not prohibit
the Use of moderately hot Substances. Let no one condemn me for making
Repetitions; since it is a Maxim, not only of Policy, but also of
common Humanity, _That the Safety of the People, is, of all other Laws,
the most essential and important._ If, therefore, an immense Reward
was bestowed on the Man who preserved a single _Roman_ Citizen, I may,
certainly, hope for Indulgence, when, by repeated Expostulations, I
attempt to preserve all _Europe_, by perswading its Inhabitants not
to exchange our own salutary Regimen, for that of the _Asiatics_, and
_Chinese_, by following their Custom of _Tea_-Drinking. _Martinus
Martinius_, indeed, in his Preface to his _Atlas Siniticus_, greatly
extols the _Chinese_ Regimen, in the following Manner: "Their Drinks,
says he, whether prepared with Water, Wine, or Rice, must always be
warm; they macerate their _Tea_ in particular in boiling Water, which
they drink as hot as they can bear. When I was accustomed to this
Regimen, I commended the _Chinese_, and condemned the _Europeans_, who
are so fond of drinking cold Liquors; for, in _China_, the Inhabitants,
by drinking their Liquors warm, both extinguish Thirst, and so
dissipate the redundant Humours, that they hardly ever spit; nor are
they afflicted with Crudities of the Stomach, as the _Europeans_ are:
They have also fewer, and less violent Diseases; neither are the Stone,
the Gout in the Hands and Feet, and other similar Disorders, known
among them." But these Things happened to _Martinius_, in _China_,
and not in _Europe_. Nor shall he ever perswade me, to change the
_European_, for the _Indian_ Regimen. Since, according to _Martinius_
himself, some of the Inhabitants of that Country, on account of the
_Pythagorean_ Doctrine, of the Transmigration of Souls, religiously
abstain from Flesh, and think,
----_Scelus est in Viscere Viscera Condi, Congestoq; Avidum
pinguescere Corpore Corpus, Alterusq; Animantem Animantis vivero
Letho._
_Martinius_, therefore, makes an insufficient Enumeration of Causes;
since the good Health of the _Chinese_, is not totally owing to the
Use of _Tea_, but to various other Circumstances, which we shall not
here enumerate: Only I shall, from the _Amphiatridius_ of _Johannes
Boterius_, published in 1600, observe, "That in the various Districts
of _China_, the Clemency and Salubrity of the Air is so great, that
a Pestilence has never been remembered to rage universally in them."
For the Sake also of those who want the sixth Part of the _Theatrum
Europæum Johannis Bleau_, or the _Novus Atlas Martinii_, I shall,
from the Preface of the last-mentioned Author, take the following
Passage: "In Practice, the _Chinese_ Physicians surpass those of
_Europe_, who are more addicted to Dispute and Speculation, but less
successful and happy in the Cure of Diseases, than the former." But,
if a _Chinese_ Physician was to practice on the _Baltick_ Shore, where
endemial _Scurvys_ rage, it is hardly credible, that he would cure
them with greater Success, than a skilful _European_ Physician does;
since, according to _Hippocrates_, there are many nominal, but few
real Physicians. The same Author, in his _Prisca Medicina_, informs
us, "That most Physicians resemble bad Pilots, who, if they steer the
Vessel in a smooth and calm Sea, can prevent the Detection of their
Ignorance; but, when they are attacked by blowing Winds, and violent
Tempests, it becomes sufficiently obvious, that the Ship must be lost
through their Fault, and Want of Skill." But to drop the Defence of the
_European_ Physicians, I shall return to the _Asiatics_. _Martinius_
then, in the Passage last quoted, tells us, "That the _Chinese_
Physicians generally prepare their Medicines of Simples and Decoctions;
that they use Unctions, and Frictions, but not Venesections, which they
look upon as an irreparable Error. They rather chuse to reduce the
Blood to a due Temperature, by Fasting, and refrigerating Medicines;
for, say they, because Broth boils in a Pot, the Broth is not,
therefore, to be poured out, but the Fire to be removed from the Pot."
But this Comparison is certainly far from being just: And, a little
after, the Author subjoins, "In _China_ are great Numbers of Chymists,
who confidently boast of producing Gold, and preventing Death by Means
of their Medicines. The Design of these Men is like that of their
Brethren in _Europe_, to extort Money from the credulous and avaritious
Part of their Fellow Creatures."