MEDICASACRA
ACOMMENTARYOnthemostremarkableDISEASES,
MentionedintheHOLYSCRIPTURES.
ByRICHARDMEAD,
FellowoftheRoyalCollegesofPhysicians
atLONDONandEDINBURGH,
andoftheRoyalSociety,
andPhysiciantohisMajesty.
TranslatedfromtheLatin,UndertheAUTHOR’sInspection,ByTHOMASSTACK,M.D.F.R.S.
LONDON:
PrintedforJ.BRINDLEY,lateBooksellertohisRoyalHighnessthePrinceofWALES,inNewBond-street.MDCCLV.
Πἁνταδοχιμἁζετετὸκαλὸνκατἑχετε.
D. Paul. 1 Ep. ad Thessal. v. 21.
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
BOOKSwrotebythelatelearnedDr.MEAD,andsoldbyJ.BRINDLEY,Bookseller,in New Bond Street.
ENGLISHPIECES, viz.
I.AMechanicalAccountofPoisonsinseveralEssays,4thEdition.Price5s.1747
II.ADiscourseonthePlague,9thEdit.Price4s.1744
III.----ontheSmallPoxandMeasles;towhichisannexed,aTreatiseonthesameDiseasebythecelebratedArab.Phys.Abubeker Rhazes.Price4s.
IV.----ontheScurvy;towhichisannexed,AnhistoricalAccountofanewMethodforextractingthefoulAiroutofShips,&c.withtheDescriptionandDraughtoftheMachinesbywhichitisperformed:IntwoLetterstoafriend.By Samuel Sutton,theInventor.Price3s6d1749
V.----ontheInfluenceoftheSunandMoonuponhumanBodies,andtheDiseasestherebyproduced.4s1748
VI.MedicalPreceptsandCautions.Price5s.1751
VII.ACommentaryontheDiseasesmentionedintheHolyScriptures.Price4s.1755
The above seven Discourses are all translated under the Author’s Inspection, by Dr. STACK, M.D.F.R.S.
LATINPIECES, viz.
VIII.DeVariolisMorbillisLiber,huicaccessit Rhazes MediciinterArabasceleberrimi,deiisdemMorbisCommentarius.Price4s.1747
IX.DeImperioSolisacLunæinCorporaHumana,MorbisindeOriundis,EditioAltera,Auctior.Emendatior.Price4s.1746
X.MedicaSacra;sivedeMorbisInsignioribusquiinBibliismemoranturCommentarius.Price3s6d1749
XI.MonitaPreceptaMedica.Price4s6d1751
N. B.TheabovearetobehadeitherinSets,uniformlybound,orseparate.
MEMOIRSOFTHELIFEANDWRITINGSOFTHELATEDR.MEAD.
Itisanatural,norcanitbedeemedanillaudablecuriositytobedesirousofbeinginformedofwhateverrelatestothosewhohaveeminentlydistinguishedthemselvesforsagacity,parts,learning,orwhatelsemayhaveexaltedtheircharacters,andtherebyentitledthemtoadegreeofrespectsuperiortotherestoftheircotemporaries.Thetransmissionofsuchparticulars,haseverbeenthoughtnomorethandischargingadebtduetoposterity;whereforeitishoped,thatwhatishereintendedtobeofferedtothepublick,relativetoagentleman,whoisuniversallyallowedtohavemeritedsolargelyintherepublicofletters,andmoreparticularlyinhisownprofession,aprofession,notlessusefulthanrespectable,willnotbejudgedimpertinentordisagreeable.
OurlearnedauthorwasdescendedfromadistinguishedfamilyinBuckinghamshire,andbornatStepneythesecondofAugust1673.Hisfather,Mr.MatthewMead,washeldingreatesteemasadivineamongthepresbyterians,andwaspossessed,duringtheirusurpedpower,ofthelivingofStepney;fromwhencehewasejectedthesecondyearaftertherestorationofkingCharlestheIId.Nevertheless,tho’hehadfifteenchildren,ofwhomourRichardwastheseventh,hefoundmeans,withamoderatefortune,togivethemacompleateducation.Tothispurposehekeptatutorinhishousetoinstructthem,andtheyweretaughtlatinratherbypracticethanbyrules.
Party-rageperhapsneverrunhigherthanaboutthelatterendofCharlestheIId’sreign;herebythislittledomesticacademywasdispersedin1683.Theking,orratherhisministers,weredeterminedtoberevengedonthose,whomtheycouldnotprevailontoconcurwiththeirmeasures.Mr.Mead(thefather)wasaccusedofbeingconcernedinsomedesignsagainstthecourt;whereforebeingconsciousthatevenhisbeingapresbyterian,renderedhimobnoxioustothoseinpower,hechoserathertoconsulthissecuritybyaretreat,thentorelyuponhisinnocence;tothispurposehesoughtandfoundthatreposeinHolland,whichwasdeniedhiminhisowncountry;havingfirstplacedhissonRichardataschool,underthetuitionofanablemasterofhisownprinciples:underwhosecareouryounggentleman,byareadygenius,strongmemory,andcloseapplication,madeagreatproficiency.AtseventeenyearsofagehewassenttoUtrecht,tobefurtherinstructedinliberalknowledge,bythecelebratedGrævius,withwhomhecontinuedthreeyears.
Havingdeterminedtodevotehisattentiontomedicine,heremovedfromUtrechttoLeyden,whereheattendedDr.Herman’sbotanicallectures,andwasinitiatedintothetheoryandpracticeofphysick,bythetruelyeminentDr.Pitcairn,whothenheldtheprofessorialchairofthisscienceinthatuniversity:hereouryoungstudent’sassiduityanddiscernment,soeffectuallyrecommendedhimtotheprofessor,whowasnotverycommunicativeofhisinstructionsoutofthecollege,thatheestablishedalastingcorrespondencewithhim,andreceivedseveralobservationsfromhim,whichheinsertedinoneofhissubsequentproductions.
Hisacademicalstudiesbeingfinished,Mr.MeadsoughtfurtheraccomplishmentsinItaly,whitherhewasaccompaniedbyhiselder brother[1], Mr.Polhill,andDr.ThomasPellet,afterwardspresidentofthecollegeofphysicians.
Inthecourseofthistour,Mr.MeadcommenceddoctorinphilosophyandmedicineatPadua,thetwenty-sixthofAugust1695,andafterwardsspentsometimeatNaplesandRome:howadvantageoustohimself,aswellashowusefultomankindherenderedhistravels,hisworksbearampletestimony.
Aboutthemiddleoftheyear1696,hereturnedhome,andsettledatStepney,intheneighbourhoodwherehewasborn:thesuccess,hemetwithinhispracticehere,establishedhisreputation,andwasahappypresageofhisfuturefortunes.Ifitberemembered,thatourauthorwas,whenhebegantopractise,nomorethantwenty-threeyearsold,thatonlythreeyears,includingthetimetakenupinhistravels,wereappropriatedtohismedicalattainments,itmaybe,notunreasonably,admitted,thatnothingbutveryuncommontalents,join’dtoanextraordinaryassiduity,couldhaveenabledhimtodistinguishhimself,atthisearlyaperiodoflife,insoextensive,andsoimportantascience.
In1702,Dr.Meadexhibitedtothepublic,amanifestevidenceofhiscapacityfor,aswellasapplicationtomedicalresearches,inhismechanical account of poisons;whichheinformsuswasbegunsomeyearsbeforehehadleisuretopublishit.Thesesubjects,ourauthorjustlyobserves,hadbeentreatedhithertoveryobscurely,toplacethereforethesurprizingphœnomena,arisingfromtheseactivebodiesinamoreintelligiblelight,washisprofessedintention;howwellhesucceeded,thereceptionthispieceuniversallymetwith,evenfromitsfirst publication[2], sufficientlydeclares.In1708hegaveaneweditionofit,withsomefewadditions,theprincipalofwhichconsistsinsomestricturesontheexternaluseofmercuryinraisingsalivations.Hehasconsiderablyfurtherexplainedhissentimentsuponthesamehead,intheeditionofthisworkprintedin1747.
Thislasteditionhasreceivedsomanyadditionsandalterations,asmightalmostentitleittothecharacterofanewperformance.----Astiffnessofopinionhasbeenbuttoocommonlyobserved,especiallyamongwritersonscience;andagehasbeenseldomfoundtohavewornoutthispertinacity:afavouritehypothesishasbeendefendedeveninoppositiontothemostobviousexperiments,withadegreeofobstinacyeverincompatiblewiththerealinterestsoftruth.Onthecontrary,ouringeniousauthorhassetbeforehisliterarysuccessors,anexampleofsagacityandfortitude,truelyworthyofimitation,inthevictoryheobtainedovertheseself-sufficientpre-possessions;lengthofyearswassofarfromrivettinginhimaninflexibilityofsentiment,that,joinedtoamostextendedexperience,itservedonlytoteachhim,thathehadbeenmistaken:hiscandidretractionofwhathethoughttohavebeenadvancedamissbyhimself,cannotbebetterexpressedthaninhisownwords.“NeitherhaveI,sayshe[3],beenashamedonsomeoccasions,(astheLatinssaid)cædere vineta mea,toretrenchoralterwhateverIjudgedtobewrong.Dies diem docet.Ithinktruthnevercomessowellrecommended,asfromonewhoownshiserror:anditisallowedthatourfirstmasternevershewedmorewisdomandgreatnessofmind,theninconfessinghismistake,intakingafractureofaskull,forthenaturalsuture;[4]andthecompliment,whichCelsus[5]makestohimonthisoccasion,isveryremarkableandjust;”norisitlessapplicabletoDr.MeadatpresentthanitwastotheCoansageinhisday.“More scilicet,inquit,magnorum virorum, & fiduciam magnarum rerum habentium. Nam levia ingenia, quia nihil habent, nihil sibi detrahunt: magno ingenio, multaque nihilominus habituro, convenit etiam simplex veri erroris confessio; præcipueque in eo ministerio, quod utilitatis causâ posteris traditur.”
Theinsertionofadditionsandimprovementsinthetitleofneweditionsofbooks,hasbeentoogenerally,thoughsometimesjustly,understoodaslittleelsethanacontrivanceofthebookseller,toanimatealanguishingsale;butthisisfarfrombeingthecaseinrespecttotheworksofourauthor,whosematurersentimentsonmanyofthesubjects,hehadbeforetreatedof,cannotbewellcomprehended,unlessbyacarefulperusalofhislatercorrections,seeingthealterationshehasthoughtfittherebytomakeinhisearlierproductions,arenotlessnecessarytobeattendedtobytheprudentpractitioner,thantheyarereallyinterestingtotheunhappypatient:thetruthofwhichcannotbemoremanifestlyevinced,thanbyhislastpublicationofhisessaysonpoisons;whereinheentirelysubvertshisformerhypothesis,andbuildshisreasoningsuponanewfoundation;healsotacitlyadmitshisformerexperimentstohavebeentooprecipitatelymade,andtheconclusionsdeducedfromthem,tohavebeentoohastilydrawn.
Toillustratewhathasbeenadvanceduponthishead,itwillnotbeimpropertoobserve,thatwhenDr.Meadfirstwrotetheseessays,hewasofopinion,“Thattheeffectofpoisons,especiallythoseofvenemousanimals,mightbeaccountedfor,bytheiraffectingthebloodonly:buttheconsiderationofthesuddennessoftheirmischief,tooquicktobebroughtaboutinthecourseofthecirculation,(forthebiteofarattlesnakekilledadoginlessthanaquarterofan hour)[6]togetherwiththenatureofthesymptomsentirelynervous,inducedhimtochangehis sentiments[7],”andtoconclude,thatthepoisonmustbeconveyedbyamediumofmuchgreaterquickness,whichcouldbenootherthantheanimalspirits.
Fromhenceourauthorisledtoprefixtothelasteditionofthisperformance,aninquiryintotheexistenceandnatureofthisimperceptiblefluid,withwhichwehavebeenbutveryimperfectlyacquainted.Hehasalsoaddedseveralnewexperiments,tendingtoconfirmthistheory,andexplainthepropertiesoftheviperinevenom,particularlybyventuringtotasteit;atthesametimehehaslikewisecontradictedsomeofthosehehadformerlymade,wherebyhehadbeeninducedtobelieve,thispoisonpartookofadegreeofacidity:forinstance,heformerlyassertedthathehadseenthissanies,“asanacid,turnthebluetinctureofheliotropium,toaredcolour;[8]”whereashismoremoderntrialsconvincedhim,itproducednoalterationatall.
Theessaysonthetarantulaandmad dog,arelikewiseconsiderablyenlargedinthelastimpression;especiallythelatter,inwhichisnowcomprehendedaregularandeleganthistoryofthesymptomsattendingthebiteofthisenragedanimal,thereasonoftheconsequenthydrophobia,andmoreextensivedirectionsforthecure:alsoanaccuratedescriptionofthelichen cinereusterrestris,itsefficacy,andmannerofacting.Acompositionofequalpartsofthisplantandblackpepper,wasinserted,atourauthor’sdesire,intotheLondondispensatory,intheyear1721,underthetitleofpulvisantilyssus,whichheafterwardsalteredbyusingtwopartsoftheformer,andonlyoneofthelatter,asitnowstands:in1735healsorecommendedtheuseofthismedicineinaloosesheet,intitled,a certain cure for the bite of a mad dog.
Intreatingofpoisonousminerals,exclusiveofwhatisaddedconcerningmercurialunctions,ourauthorhasgivenanewanalysisoftheantientandmodernarsenic;andhisessayondeliteriousplants,hasaffordedhimanopportunityofenquiringintothecicuta,somuchinuseofoldforkilling,especiallyatAthens,andwhichissaidtohavebeenadministeredtoSocratesinconsequenceofhiscondemnation.Tothishehaslikewisesubjoin’danappendix,concerningthemischievouseffectsofthesimplewaterdistilledfromthelauro-cerasus,orcommonlaurel,whichwerefirstobservedsomeyearssinceinIreland,where,forthesakeofitsflavour,itwasfrequentlymixedwithbrandy.--Hisobservationsuponvenemousexhalations,arenotlessextended,noroughtthe,aswellusefulasornamental,platesaddedtothislastedition,topassunnoticed,particularly,“Theanatomicaldescriptionofthepartsinaviper,andinarattlesnake,whichareconcernedintheirpoison,”byourgreatanatomistthelearnedandingeniousDr.Nichols.
In1703Dr.Meadcommunicatedtotheroyalsociety,aletterpublishedinItalyin1687(acopyofwhichhemetwithinthecourseofhistravels)fromDr.BonomotoSeignorRedi,containingsomeobservationsconcerningthewormsofhuman bodies[9]; wherebyitisintendedtoprove,thatthedisease,wecalltheitch,proceedsmerelyfromthebitingoftheseanimalcules:thisopinionisespousedbyourauthorinoneofhislatest performances[10], whereinthereforehedirectsonlytopicalapplicationsforthecureofthistroublesomedisease.
Theproofsouryoungphysicianhadalreadygivenofliterarymerit,recommendedhimsoonaftertheabove-mentionedcommunication,toaseatamongthatlearnedbody;inthesameyearhewasalsoelectedoneofthephysiciansofSt.Thomas’shospital,andwasemployedbythesurgeonscompanytoreadanatomicallecturesattheirhall,whichhecontinuedtodoforsomeyears.
In1704appearedhistreatisede imperio solis ac lunæ in corpora humana, & morbis inde oriundis.AtthistimetheNewtoniansystemofphilosophy,fromwhenceourauthorhadchieflydeducedhisreasoningsuponthisabstrusesubject,wereneitherthoroughlyunderstood,noruniversallyreceived:neverthelesswhatevercavilswereraisedagainsthishypothesis,itwasgenerallyadmitted,thathisobservationshadtheirusesinpractice.
Thedoctorthoughtpropertorevisethisjuvenileproduction,andtogiveaneweditionofitin1748;whenhenotonlyalteredthedispositionofsomeoftheold,butalsointroducedmorethanalittlenewmatterintothatwork:particularlyhehasplacedsomemathematicalpointsinaclearerlight,thantheybeforeappeared;hehasenteredintothediscussionof“adifficultquestion,whichhasraisedgreatcontentionamongphilosophers:viz.whereaswaterismorethaneighthundredtimesheavierthanair,howdoesithappen,thatthelatterwhenrepletewithwateryvapours,depressesthemercuryinthebarometer;sothatitsfallisanindicationofrain?[11]”hehasalsoenquiredinto“theweightoftheatmosphereonahumanbody,anditsdifferentpressureatdifferenttimes[12];”andhehasillustratedandconfirmedthemedicinalpartbyseveraladditionalobservationsandcases,thatpromiserealutilitytothepracticeofphysic.Tothewholeisnowfirstadjoinedacorollarytendingtostrengthenhisreasoningsuponthesubject,byobservationsoftheeffectsofstormsonthehumanbody;wherein,fromthecaseofaladywhowasseizedinaninstantwithagutta serena,(thatrenderedhertotallyblind)onthenightofthegreatstormwhichhappenedin1703,heisledtogiveadistinctaccountofthecauseandcureofthatmelanchollydistemper.Thisworkisalsoremarkablydistinguishedbymanycuriousobservationsourauthorreceivedfromhisingeniouspreceptorintheartofhealing,Dr.Pitcairne.
Ourauthor’sdistinguishedgeniusfor,andsedulousattentiontotheinterestsofhisprofession,procuredhimanacquisitionoffartherhonours,aswellasrecommendedhimtothepatronageofthemosteminentofthefaculty:in1707hisPaduan diplomafordoctorofphysick,wasconfirmedbytheuniversityofOxford;in1716hewaselectedfellowofthecollegeofphysicians,andservedalltheofficesofthatlearnedbody,exceptthatofpresident,whichhedeclinedwhenofferedtohimin1744.Radcliff,themostfollowedphysicianofhisday,inaparticularmannerespousedDr.Mead,andin1714,uponthedeathoftheformer,thelattersucceededhiminhishouse,andthegreaterpartofhispractice;someyearsbeforewhich,hehadquittedStepney,andhadresidedinAustinFryars.
Party-principleswerefarfrominfluencinghisattachments;thoughhewashimselfazealouswhig,hewasequallytheintimateofGarth,Arbuthnot,andFriend:hisconnections,moreespecially,withthelatter,aremanifestednotonlyintheirmutualwritings,(ofwhich,morehereafter)butinthatwhenDr.FriendwascommittedaprisonertotheTowerin1723,uponasuggestionofhisbeingconcernedinthepracticesofBishopAtterburyagainstthegovernment,Dr.Meadbecameoneofhissecuritiestoprocurehisenlargement.
In1719,anepidemicfevermadegreatravagesatMarseilles;andtho’theFrenchphysicianswereveryunwillingtoadmit,thisdiseasetohavebeenofforeignextractionorcontagious;yetourgovernmentwiselythoughtitnecessary,toconsiderofsuchmeasuresasmightbethemostlikelytopreventourbeingvisitedbysodangerousaneighbour;orinfailurethereof,toputanearlystoptotheprogressoftheinfection.Dr.Mead,whosedeservedreputationmaynotunjustlybesaidtohavemeritedthatmarkofdistinction,wasconsultedonthesecriticalandimportantpoints,bycommandoftheirexcellencies,thelordsjusticesofthekingdom,inhismajesty’sabsence:howequalhewastothismomentoustalk,sufficientlyappearsfromthediscoursehepublishedonthatoccasion:theapprobationthisperformancemetwith,maybeestimatedfromthereceptionituniversallyfound;sevenimpressionsweresoldofitinthespaceofoneyear,andinthebeginningof1722,theauthorgaveaneighth,towhichheprefixedalongpreface,particularlycalculatedtorefutewhathadbeenadvancedinFrance,concerningtheabsenceofcontagioninthemaladythathadafflictedthem:healsonowaddedamoredistinctdescriptionoftheplague,anditscauses;andconfirmedtheutilityofthemeasureshehadrecommended,forpreventingitsextension,fromexamplesofgoodsuccess,wherethesamehadbeenputinpractice:tothesehehaslikewiseannexed,ashortchapterrelatingtothecureofthisdeplorableaffliction.--In1744,thisworkwascarriedtoaninthedition,wherein,tousethedoctor’sownexpression,hehas“hereandthereaddedsomenewstrokesofreasoning,and,asthepainterssay,retouchedtheornaments,andheightenedthecolouringofthepiece.”Hereitmaynotbeimpropertotakenotice,thatitisinthislastimpressionofhisdiscourse on the plague,thatourauthorappearstohavefirstadoptedhistheoryofthepropertiesandaffectionsofthenervous fluid,oranimal spirits,uponwhichhehasalsofoundedhislatterreasoningsonthesubjectofpoisons,aswellasinrespecttotheinfluenceofthesunandmoononhumanbodies.
In1723,Dr.MeadwasappointedtospeaktheanniversaryHarveianoration,beforethemembersofthecollegeofphysicians,when,everstudiousofthehonourofhisprofession,heappliedhimselftowipeofftheobloquy,thoughttobereflecteduponit,bythosewhomaintainedthepracticeofphysicatRome,tohavebeenconfinedtoslavesorfreed-men,andnotdeemedworthytheattentionofanold Roman:whichorationwasmadepublickin1724,andtoitwasannexed,a dissertation upon some coins, struck by theSmyrnæans,in honour of physicians[13].
ThispublicationwassmartlyattackedbyDr.Conyers Middletonin1726[14],whowasrepliedtobyseveral,andparticularly,asitissaid,byDr.John Ward,professorofrhetoricinGresham College.Thisgentlemanwassupposedbyhisopponent,tohavebeenemployedbyDr.Mead,whodidnotchusetoenterpersonally,intothislittle-importantdebate;uponwhichpresumption,Dr.Middletonpublishedadefenceofhisformerdissertationinthesucceedingyear[15];whereinhetreatshisrespondentswithnolittle contempt[16]. Themeritsofthisdisputearenotintendedtobeherediscussed,butitmaynotbeamisstoobserve,thathoweverdispleasedDr.Middletonmayhavebeenwithhisantagonists;inaworkpublishedseveralyearsafter,hespeaksofourauthorinthemostrespectfulmanner.Intreatingofanantiquepicture,hesays,hebelievesittobethefirst,andonlyoneofthesorteverbroughttoEngland,“donecMeadiusnoster, artismedicædecus, qui vita reveranobilis, velprincipibus in republicaviris, exemplum præbet, pro eo, quo omnibus ferepræstatartiumveterum amore, alias posteaquasdam, & splendidiores, opinor, Roma quoquedeportandascuravit.”[17]
Inrespecttothiscontroversy,ourauthor’seulogist[18]takesnoticethatthereisreasontobelieve,thatDr.Meadhimselfhadsomethoughtsofmoredeterminatelyexplainingorconfirminghissentimentsuponthissubject,inaworkwhichheleftunfinished,andwhichwasdesignedtohavebeenintitled,medicinavetuscollectitia ex auctoribusantiquis non medicis.
However,thisliteraryaltercation,didnotintheleastaffectourauthor’smedicalreputation,forin1727,soonafterhispresentMajesty’saccessiontothethrone,whomhehadthehonourtoserveinthesamecapacitywhileprinceofWales,hewasappointedoneoftheroyalphysicians,andhehadthehappinesstoseehistwosons-in-law,Dr.WillmotandDr.Nichols,hisco-adjutorsinthateminentstation.
Afterhavingspentnearfiftyyearsintheconstanthurryofanextensiveandsuccessfulpractice;afterhavinglived(truelyaccordingtohisownmotto,non sibisedtoti)beyondthatperiodassignedbytheroyalpsalmistforthegeneraltermofmortality;whentheinfirmitiesofagewouldnolongerpermithimthefreeexerciseofthosefaculties,whichhehadhithertosoadvantageouslyemployedintheserviceofthecommunity,farfromsinkingintoasupineindolence,orassumingasuperciliousdisregardoftheworld,hestillcontinuedhisapplication,eveninthedeclineoflife,totheimprovementofphysic,andthebenefitofmankind.
Whenhewasgrownunequaltothedischargeofmoreactivefunctions,andaretirementwasbecomeabsolutelynecessary,hetooktheopportunityofrevisingallhisformerwritings:tothisretreattherefore,andthehappyprotractionofsousefulalife,theworldisindebtedfortheimprovementsthatappearinthelattereditionsofthoseworks,whichhavealreadybeentakennoticeof.Itwasnottillnowthatourauthorcouldfindleisuretoperfecthisdiscourse on the small pox and measles[19],whichhadbeenbegunbyhimmanyyearsbefore.
Asitwastheprincipaldesignofthesememoirs,tolaybeforethepublicaconciseandcomprehensivehistoryofDr.Mead’swritings,theoccasionofthisuniversallyadmiredperformance,cannotbebettergiventhanfromtheauthor’sownaccount,containedintheprefacetoit,inwhichalsohisconnectionswith,andattachmenttoDr.Friend,arefurtherillustrated.
ItappearsthatDr.Mead,fromhavingobservedintheyear1708,thatsomeofhispatientsinSt.Thomas’s Hospital,recoveredfromaverymalignantsortofthesmallpox,evenbeyondexpectation,byaloosenessseizingthemontheninthortenthdayofthedisease,andsometimesearlier,firsttookthehinttotrywhatmightbedonebyopeningthebodywithagentlepurge,onthedeclineofthedistemper;findingthesuccessofthisexperimentinagreatmeasureanswerabletohiswishes,hecommunicatedthismethodofpracticetoDr.Friend,andmetwithhisapprobation.
Thelatterbeing,soonafter,calledtoaconsultationwithtwoothereminentphysicians,onthecaseofayoungnoblemanwholaydangerouslyillofthesmallpox,proposedourauthor’smethod;thiswasopposedtillthefourteenthdayfromtheeruption,whenthecaseappearingdesperate,theyconsentedtogivehimagentlelaxativedraught;whichhadaverygoodeffect:Dr.Friendwasofopiniontorepeatit,butwasover-ruled,andthepatientdiedtheseventhdayafter[20].
Fromtheresultofthiscase,thegentlemenofthefacultyweregreatlydividedinopinion,astotherectitudeofthispractice,insomuchthatDr.Friendthoughthimselfunderanecessityofvindicatingit;andthereforesenttoourauthorforthepurportoftheirformerconversationuponthistopic,desiringitmightbereducedintowriting.Suchwasthefriendshipthatmutuallysubsistedbetweentheselearnedmen,thatthisrequestwasgrantedwithouthesitation,andDr.Mead’sletterwasshewntoDr.Radcliffe,whoprevaileduponourauthortoconsent,thatthesamemightbeannexedtoDr.Friend’sintendeddefence;which,howeverhewasadvisedbysomefriends,todropatthattime;wherebythisletterlaybytillthelatter’spublicationofthe first and third books of Hippocrates’s epidemics,illustratedwithnine commentaries concerning fevers.Ofthesetheseventhtreatsofpurging in the putrid fever, which follows upon the confluent small pox:towhichareannexed,insupportofthisopinion,lettersfromfourphysiciansonthatsubject,andamongthemthatfromourauthor,whichhehadtranslatedfromtheenglishintolatin,enlargedandnewmodelledtoservethispurpose.
Thisworkgaverisetoacontroversy,maintainedwithanunbecomingwarmthonbothsides:amongDr. Friend’sprincipalopponents,maybereckonedDr. Woodward;who,notcontentedwithcondemningapractice,experiencehassinceevincednotonlysalutaryingeneral,butinmanycasesabsolutelynecessary;likewisetreateditsfavourerswithcontemptandill-manners,andmoreparticularlyourauthor[21];whoseresentmentuponthisoccasion,appearstohavebeencarriedtoajustlyexceptionablelength,seeingithadnotsubsidedtwentyyearsafterthedeathofhisantagonist[22].
Dr.Mead’sdailyacquisitionofknowledgeandexperience,enabledhimtoenlargetomanybeneficialpurposes,thisperformance,which,inallprobability,wasatfirstdesignedonlytoillustrateandvindicatethesentimentscontainedintheaforementionedletter;anditisbutjusticetosay,theapplauseithasfoundamongthelearned,aswellfortheeleganceofitsdiction,astheperspicuityofitsprecepts,isnomorethanwhatistruelyduetoit.----Tothisdiscourseissubjoin’dalatintranslation,fromthearabicofRhazes’streatiseonthesmall poxandmeasles,acopyoftheoriginalhavingbeenobtainedforthispurposebyDr.Mead,fromthecelebratedBoerhaave,betweenwhomtherehadlongsubsistedanintimatecorrespondence,nordidtheirreciprocallydifferinginsomeopinions,diminishthefriendshiptheymutuallymanifestedforeachother.
Theyear1749,furnishedtwonewproductionsfromourauthor;atranslationofoneofwhichfollowsthesememoirs.Theotherisentitled,a discourse on the scurvy,affixedtoMr.Sutton’ssecondeditionofhismethod for extracting the foul air out of ships.
Itismorethanpossiblethat,but,forthepatronageofDr.Mead,thiscontrivance,whichconfersnolesshonourtotheinventor,thanutilitytothepublic,mighthavebeenforeverstifled:ourauthor,thanwhomnoonemoreardentlywishedfor,ormorezealouslypromotedthegloryandinterestofhiscountry,beingthoroughlyconvincedofitsefficacy,soearnestly,andsoeffectuallyrecommendedittothelordsoftheadmiralty,astoprevailovertheobstinateoppositionthatwasmadeagainstitsbeingputintopractice.Tothesamepurposein1742,heexplainedthenatureandconvenienciesofthisinventiontotheroyalsociety[23],andwiththesameviewheconfessedlywrotethelastmentioneddiscourse,ofwhichhemadeapresenttoMr.Sutton.
Hismedical preceptsandcautions,whichappearedin1751,andwashislastpublication,affordsanindisputabletestimony,thatlengthofyearshadnotintheleastimpairedhisintellectualfaculties.Ourauthorhashereinfurnishedthepublic,withtheprincipalhelpsagainstmostdiseaseswhichhehadeitherlearnedbylongpractice,ordeducedfromrationalprinciples[24].Whocouldwiththesameproprietytakeuponhimselftobeaninstructorandlegislatorinthemedicalworld,ashewhohadbeentaughttodistinguishtruthfromfalsehood,inthecourseofsoextendedanexperience,protractednowtoalmostthreescoreyears?tothismaybeadded,thathehassocontrivedtoblendtheutile dulci,byembellishinghispreceptswithallthedelicacyofpoliteexpression,astorenderthematthesametimenotlessentertainingthaninstructive.
However,thisworkwasproductiveoftwootherlittlepieces,fromtwogentlemenofthefaculty:onebyDr.Summers;whoinapamphleton the success of warm bathing in paralytic cases,controvertsDr.Mead’sassertion,that“hotbathingisprejudicialtoallparalytics”...“calidæveroimmersiones omnibus paralyticisnocent[25].”--SomereflectionsupontheadvocatesforMrs.Stephens’smedicines,inthecureofthestoneandgravel,byourauthor,occasionedalettertohimonthatsubjectbyDr.HartleyofBath.Theformerexpressedhimselfinthefollowingmanner;“Nequetemperaremihi possum, quin dicam in opprobrium nupermedicisnonnulliscessisse, quod insanopretioredimendi anile remediummagnatibusauctoresfuerunt.[26]”...“NorcanIforbearobserving,tho’Iamextremelysorryfortheoccasion,thatsomegentlemenofthefacultyafewyearssinceactedapartmuchbeneaththeircharacters,firstinsufferingthemselvestobeimposedon,andtheninencouragingthelegislaturetopurchaseanoldwoman’smedicineatanexorbitantprice.”[27]Ofthisthelattercomplainsasanunmeritedindignity,“Illudinterea(inquit)tanqueminopinatum, & ab æquitatetuaalienumqueriliceat,TE,qui in obviosquoscunquecomisurbanusesse, bene autemmerentibus de re medica, veletiamliterariaquavis, summa cum benignitatefaveresoleas, in lithrontripticifautoresacerbiùsinvectumfuisse; & non potiuslaudiillisdedisse, quod arcanum sine pretiovulgatum, virorumdignitate, fide, ingenio, artisnostræperitiâillustriumexaminisubjecerent, nequealiamviamadpræmiumreportandumaperirivoluerint, quamquæ, verislicètreruminventoribusfacilismunita, jactatoribustamenfalsiloquisessetimpervia.[28]”...Inthemeanwhile,Icannotbutcomplainofitasathingunexpected,andgreatlyinconsistentwithyourusualcandour,thatYOU,whoaresocourteousandhumanetoallmankind,andsoremarkablythepatronofthosewhoexcelintheprofessionofphysic,orindeedinanybranchoflearning,shouldsoseverelyreproachthefavourersofthislithontripticmedicine;andnotratherhavecommendedthem,forsubmittingasecret,communicatedtothemwithoutfeeorreward,totheexaminationofsomeworthyphysicians,eminentforintegrity,ingenuity,andlearning:andforendeavouringtoexcitethemunificenceofthepublickinsuchamanneronly,astorenderitaccessibletothetrueauthorsofanimportantdiscovery,butimpervioustoboastingimpostors.
InenumeratingtheobligationstherepublicoflettersisundertoDr.Mead,itwouldbeinjusticetoomittakingnotice,thattohisgenerosityandpublicspirit,itisfartherindebtedforthefirstcompleteeditionofthecelebratedhistoryofThuanus.[29]
Toenlargeuponhisliterarycollections,andothercuriosities,wouldatpresentbeuseless,seeingtheworldwillsoonbeapprizedoftheirvalueandcontentsfromthecataloguesthatarealready,andareyetabouttobepublishedofthem;itmaythereforesufficetosay,thathedidnotshewmoreassiduityandjudgmentincollectingthem,thanhedidcandourandgenerosityinpermittingtheuseofthemtoallthatwerecompetentjudges,orthatcouldbenefitthemselves,orthepublicbythem.
Itmay,perhapsnotunjustly,besaidnoSubjectinEuropehadacabinetsorichlyandsojudiciouslyfilled;towhichthecorrespondencehemaintainedwiththelearnedinallpartsofEurope,notalittlecontributed;norcantherebeanhigherinstancegivenofhisreputationinthisrespect,thaninthekingofNapleshavingsenthimthetwofirstvolumesofM.Bajurdi’saccountoftheantiquitiesfoundinHerculaneum,withtheadditionalcomplimentofaskinginreturn,only,acompleatcollectionofourauthor’sworks,towhichwasadjoined,aninvitationtovisitthatnewlydiscoveredsubterraneouscity:aninvitationthatcouldnotbutbegreatlypleasingtoageniussoinquisitiveafterknowledge,andwhichhedeclared,heshouldverygladlyhaveembraced,hadnothisadvancedyearsbeenaninsuperableimpediment,tothegratificationofhiscuriosity.Inshort,hischaracterabroadwassowellknownandestablished,thataforeignerofanytaste,wouldhavethoughtitareproachtohim,tohavebeeninEnglandwithoutseeingDr.Mead.
Ashisknowledgewasnotlimitedonlytohisprofession,thedeservinginallscienceshadnotonlyfreeaccesstohim,butalwaysfoundawelcomereception,andathistablemightdailybeseentogetherthenaturalist,theantiquarian,themathematician,andthemechanic,withallwhomhewascapableofconversingintheirrespectiveterms;heremightbeseenunitedthemagnificenceofaprince,withthepleasuresofthewise.
Hismunificencewasconspicuousinthattherewasnoremarkablepublickcharitytowhichhewasnotabenefactor,particularlyhewasoneoftheearliestpromotersof,andsubscriberstotheFoundling hospital.
Letthesespecimensofhissuperiorabilitiesandmeritsufficeforthepresent,norletenvyordetractionattempttosullysoexaltedacharacter.--Soonafterthepublicationofhismonitapræceptamedica,thisornamentofhisprofession,anddelightofhisacquaintance,grewmoreandmoresensibleofthenaturalinfirmitiesattendinghislengthofyears;andwiththeutmosttranquillityandresignation,quietlysunkintothearmsofdeathonthe16thofFebruary1754.Towhommay,withthegreatestpropriety,beappliedapartoftheepitaphinscribedtothememoryofthecelebratedGuicciardini,atFlorence;
CujusOtiumanNegotiumGloriosiusincertum:NisiOtiiLumenNegotiiFamamClarioremreddidisset.
TheEND.
THEPREFACE.
Mydecliningyearshavinginagreatmeasurereleasedmefromthosemedicalfatigues,inwhich,forthepublickgood,(atleastasIhope)Ihavebeenemployedaboutfiftyyears,Ihavedeterminedtopasstheshortremainsoflifeinsuchasortofleisure,asmayproveneitherdisagreeabletomyself,noruselesstoothers.Forgoodmenareofopinion,thatwemustgiveanaccountevenofouridlehours,andthereforethoughtitnecessary,thattheyshouldbealwayswell-spent.
Havingfrommyearliestchildhoodentertainedastrongpassionforlearning,afterIhadchosentheartofmedicineformyprofession,Istillneverintermittedmyliterarystudies;towhichIhadrecoursefromtimetotime,astorefreshmentsstrengtheningmeinmydailylabours,andcharmingmycares.Thus,amongothersubjects,Ifrequentlyreadtheholyscriptures,asbecomesachristian;andnexttothosethingswhichregardeternallife,andthedoctrineofmorality,Iusuallygaveparticularattentiontothehistoriesofdiseases,andthevariousailmentsthereinrecorded;comparingthosewithwhatIhadlearnteitherfrommedicalwritersormyownexperience.AndthisIdidthemorewillingly,becauseIhadremarkedthatdivines,thro’anunacquaintancewithmedicinalknowledge,frequentlydifferedwidelyintheirsentiments;especiallyonthesubjectofdæmoniacscuredbythepowerofoursaviourJesusChrist.Foritistheopinionofmany,thatthesewerereallypossessedwithdevils,andthathisdivinevirtueshoneforthinnothingmoreconspicuousthaninexpellingthem.Iamveryfarfromhavingtheleastintentiontounderminethefoundationsofthechristiandoctrine,ortoendeavour,byaperverseinterpretationofthesacredoracles,todespoiltheSonofGodofhisdivinity,whichhehasdemonstratedbysomanyandgreatworksperformedcontrarytothelawsofnature.Truthstandsnomoreinneedofthepatronageoferror,thandoesanaturalgoodcomplexionofpaint.Anditiscertain,thattheopinionwhichhasbeenprevalentformanyages,ofthepowergrantedtodevils,oftorturinghumanbodiesandminds,hasbeenseveralwaysmadesubservienttothesubtledesignsofcraftymen,totheverygreatdetrimentandshameofthechristianreligion.
Whatsensiblemancanavoidjustlyderidingthosesolemnceremonies,practisedbytheromanpriests,inexorcising,astheyarefondoftermingit,dæmoniacs:whileproperpersons(hiredand)taughttocounterfeitcertaingesturesandfitsoffury,suchasarebelievedtobecausedbyevilspirits,pretendthattheyarefreedfromdevils,andrestoredtotheirsensesbyholywater,andcertainprayers,asbyinchantment.Butthesejugglingtricks,howgroslysoevertheymayimposeontheeyesandmindsoftheignorantmultitude,notonlyscandalize,butalsodoarealinjuryto,menofgreaterpenetration.Forsuch,seeingintothecheat,oftenrushheadlongintoimpiety;andviewingallsacredthingsinthesamelight,aftertheyhavelearnt
Relligionibus atque minis obsistere vatum:[30]
theyadvancefarther,andbyanabominableeffort,endeavourthoroughlytorootoutoftheirmindsallsenseandfearofthesupremedeity.InwhichproceedingtheyactasifapersondoubtedoftheexistenceoftheIndies,becausetravellersrelatemanyfalshoodsandfictionsconcerningthem.Henceitcomestopass,that,incountriestoomuchgivenuptosuperstition,verymanyatheistsaretobemetwithevenamongthelearned,whomtheirlearningandknowledgeoughttosecurefromtheseerrors.Thereforetobefreefromthisfolly,istheprincipalpartofwisdom;nexttowhich,isnottocorrupttruthwithfictitiousopinions.
Andindeeditisfrequentlytomeamatterofwonder,whyourspiritualguidessostrenuouslyinsistonexhibitingdevilsonthestage,inordertomakethedivinityofChristtriumphovertheseinfernalenemies.IsChrist’sdivinepowerlessmanifestedbythecureofthemostgrievousdiseases,performedinaninstantathiscommand;thanbytheexpulsionofevilspiritsoutofthebodiesofmen?Certainlyallthewonderfulthingsdonebyhimforthegoodofmankind,suchasrestoringsighttotheblind,firmnessandflexibilitytorelaxedorcontractednerves,callingthedeadtolife,changingthepropertiesoftheelements,andothersofthesamekind,aretestimoniesoftheomnipotenceofthecreatoroftheworld,anddemonstratethepresenceofGod;whoalonecommandsallnature,andathispleasurechangesandinvertstheorderofthingsestablishedbyhimself.Whereforeitcannotbedoubted,thatHe,whohasperform’dthesethings,hadthedevilssubjecttohim,thattheymightnotobstructhisgraciousresolutionofrevealingthewillofhisfathertomen,andcorrectingtheirdepravedmorals.
Buttoresumethesubjectofdæmoniacs,theopinion,whichIproposeinthistreatise,isnotpurelymyown,butalsoofseveralotherpersons,beforeme,eminentforpietyandlearning.Andindeedamongourowncountrymen,itwasinthelastcenturydefendedinanexcellentdissertation,bythattreasureofsacredknowledge,thereverendJoseph Mead.WhereforeasIhavethehonourtobeofthesamefamilywithhim,andamthesonofMatthew Mead,averyabledivine,IalwaysthoughtImightlaysomeclaimtothesestudies,byakindofhereditaryright.
Iamnotinsensibleofthedifficultyofremovingvulgarerrors,especiallythosewhichrelatetoreligion.Foreverybodyknowsthepowerofeducation,inimprintingonthemindnotions,whicharehardtobeeffacedeveninadultage.Childreninthedark,fearghostsandhobgoblins;andhenceoftenquakewiththesamefearthroughthewholecourseoftheirlives.Whythendoweadmire,ifwecanhardlyunlearn,andclearourmindsof,somefalsenotions,evenwhenweareadvancingtooldage?Norwillthisbedeemedindeedamatteroflittleimportancebyhim,whoconsiderstheseriousevils,intowhichmankindareoftenled,bythingsthattosomemayappeartrifling,asbeingnothingmorethanbugbearsofchildrenandwomen.Mysoulisseizedwithhorroronrecollecting,howmanymillionsofinnocentpersonshavebeencondemnedtotheflamesinvariousnations,sincethebirthofChrist,uponthebaresuspicionofwitchcraft:whiletheveryjudgeswereperhapseitherblindedbyvainprejudices,ordreadedtheincensedpopulace,iftheyacquittedthose,whomthemobhadpreviouslyadjudgedguilty.Whowouldbelievethatanymaninhisrightsensescouldboast,asamatterofmerit,thathehadcapitallycondemnedaboutninehundredpersonsforwitchcraft,inthespaceoffifteenyears,inthesoledutchyofLorraine?[31]Andyetfrommanyhistories,whichherelatesofthosewhosuffered,itmanifestlyappears,thateveryindividualofthesecriminals,hadnocompactswithdevils,astheythemselvesimagined,butwerereallymad,soasopenlytoconfessthattheyhaddonesuchfeatsasareimpossibleinthenatureofthings.Butsoithappens,thaterrorgenerallybegetssuperstition,andsuperstitioncruelty.WhereforeImostheartilyrejoice,thatIhavelivedtoseeallourlawsrelatingtowitchcraftentirelyabolished:whereasforeignstatesstillretainthisbarbarouscruelty,andwithvariousdegreesofobstinacyinproportiontotheirignoranceofnaturalcauses.Anditisbuttootrue,thatthedoctrineofdæmonsissounderstoodbythevulgar,asifthedevilwastobeesteemedasortofdeity;oratleast,that,layingthefearofhimaside,nodivineworshipcanwellsubsist;altho’theapostlehasexpreslysaid;For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.[32]
Andhereitmaynotbeimproper,onceforall,toinformthereader,thatIhavegenerallymadeuseofSebastian Castalio’sversionofthebible,because,uponcollatingitinmanyplaces,IfoundittobenotonlyexcellentLatin,butalsoveryaccurate,andparticularlywelladaptedtothesenseandmeaningofthewordsintheHebrewandGreek.
NorcanIrefrainfromdeclaring,thatIhavenotwrittheseessaysfortheprofaneorvulgar;butforthoseonlywhoarewellversed,oratleastinitiatedintheologicalormedicalstudies:andforthisreasonIchosetopublishitinLatin;whichlanguagehasformanyagespastbeenmadeuseofbylearnedmen;inordertocommunicatetoeachother,whatsoevermightseemtothemeithernew,orexpressedinadifferentmannerfromthecommonnotions.WhereforeifanypersonshouldintendtopublishanEnglishversionofthisbook,Igivehimthistimelynotice,thathewilldoit,notonlyagainstmywill;butlikewiseindirectoppositiontothatequitablelaw,wherebyeverymanisallowedtodisposeofhisownpropertyaccordingtohispleasure.[33]
Buttobringthisprefacetoaconclusion;itismanifestthatthechristianreligionrequiresofallitsmembersinamostespecialmanner,topracticeeveryactofhumanityandbenevolencetowardseachother.Whereforetheutmostcareoughttobetaken,thatthisbeneficentdispositionofmindbenotcorruptedbyanymeanswhatsoever:andnothingcontributesmoretowardsbringingonthiscorruption,thanopinionsderogatoryfromthedivinegoodness.Uponthisaccount,assuchisthemisfortuneofourtimes,thatitisnotonlyallowed,butevenbymanydeemedacommendableaction,tooppugn,andbyeverymethodtoinvalidate,thedoctrineandauthorityofthechristianreligion;nointerpretationsofthehistoriesofmiraclesoughttobelook’duponasoutofseason,providedtheyappearneitherimprobable,norrepugnanttothenatureofthefactsrelated.
Infine,itwasnotmyintentiontotreatofeverydiseasementionedinholywrit;buttoconfinemyselfmoreparticularlytothose,thenatureofwhichisgenerallybutlittleknown,oratleasttosuchasIhadsomepeculiarmedicinefor,ormethodofcure,tooffertothepublic;andtoperformthistask,inthesameorder,inwhichtheyoccurinthosesacredwritings:exceptingonlyJob’sdisease,towhichIhavegiventhefirstplace,onaccountofthegreatantiquityofthatbook.TheSaviouroftheworld,inordertomakehisdivinepowermanifesttomankind,curedmanyotherdiseases,bothofthebodyandmind,besidesthosewhichIhavementionedinthiswork:thenatureandcausesofallwhichdiseases,whosoeverwouldintendtoenquireinto,mustofnecessitycompileabodyofphysic,whichwasnotmypresentdesign.Butifprovidenceprotractmylife,Iamnotwithouthopesoflayingmoreofmythoughtsonthissubjectbeforethepublic,forthehonourwhichIbeartomyprofession,unless
Frigidusobstiteritcircumpræcordiasanguis.
Inthemeantime,whateverbethefateoftheseessayswithmyreaders,Ishallrestsatisfiedfromaconsciousnessoftherectitudeofmyintention,inhavingthusemploy’dsomeofmyhoursofleisure.
CHAPTERI. - THE DISEASE OF JOB.
Job’sdiseaseisrenderedremarkablebysomeuncommoncircumstancesandconsequences;suchasthedignityoftheman,thesuddenchangeofhiscondition,hisextraordinaryadversity,hisincrediblepatienceunderthem,hisrestorationtoamuchhappierstatethanhehadeverbeforeenjoyed,andlastlythesingularnatureoftheillnesswithwhichhewasseized.
HishabitationwasinthelandofUz,which,accordingtothelearnedFriderickSpanheim,[34]wassituatedinthenorthernpartofArabia deserta,towardstheEuphratesandMesopotamia.Hewasaveryillustriousman,themostopulentofalltheOrientals,veryhappyinsonsanddaughters,ofamostuprightlifeandexemplarypiety.NowitisrelatedthatGod,inordertotryhisintegrityandconstancy,permittedSatantoafflicthimbyallmeanswhichhecoulddevise,exceptthetakingawayofhislife.“Inpursuanceofthispermission,Satanbroughtthemostdreadfulcalamitiesonhim;forallhisoxenandassesweredrivenawaybytheSabeans;hissheepandservantswereconsumedbyfirefromheaven;hiscamelswerecarriedoff;hissonsanddaughterswerecrush’dtodeathbythefallinginofthehouseupontheminaviolentstormofwind;andsoonafterhehimselfwasafflictedwithscabsandfoululcersalloverhisbody;sothathesatedownamongtheashes,andscrapedhimselfwithapotsherd.”Thusfromaveryrichmanhebecameextremelypoor,andfromtheheighthofprosperityhesunkintothedepthofmisery.Andyetalltheseevilsdidnotgivetheleastshocktohisfirmnessofmind,nortohispietytowardsGod:[35]whereforetheLord,movedbyhisprayers,putanendtoallhiscalamities;gavehimtwiceasmuchwealthashehadlost,andmadehimmoreprosperousthanhehadeverbeenbefore.[36]
NowthebookofJobmayjustlybeesteemedthemostancientofallbooks,ofwhichwehaveanycertainaccount:forsomeareofopinionthatitwaswritteninthetimesofthepatriarchs;manyothers,thatitwascomposedaboutthedaysofMoses,andevenbyMoseshimself;andtherearebutfewwhothinkitposteriortohim.[37]Formypart,IembracethelearnedLightfoot’sopinion,thatitwascomposedbyElihu,oneofJob’scompanions,chieflybecausehethereinspeaksofhimselfasofthewriterofthishistory,[38]andifso,itwillappeartobeolderthanthedaysofMoses.Howeverthisbe,itismostcertainthatthisbookcarrieswithitmanifesttokensofverygreatantiquity;themostmaterialofwhichseemtobethese.InitthereisnottheleastmentionmadeofthedepartureoftheIsraelitesoutofEgypt,ofMoses,ortheMosaicLaw.AfterthemannerofthePatriarchs,Job,astheheadofhisfamily,offeredsacrificesinhisownprivatehouse,forthesinsofhischildren.[39]WhenhedeclareshisintegrityhescarcelymentionsanyotherIdolatry,butthatmostancientone,theworshipofthesunandmoon,[40]whichweknowtobeveryold,andtohavefirstobtainedamongtheneighbouringChaldeans,andPhœnicians.Infinehisownage,protractedfarbeyondthelifeofmaninMoses’stime,isaproofofitsantiquity,forhelivedahundredandfortyyearsafteranendhadbeenputtohiscalamities;sothatitisreasonabletobelievethathelivedabovetwohundredyearsinall.Forthathewasaged,whenhismisfortunescrowdedonhim,maybehenceinferred,that,altho’histhreefriendsarestiledoldmen,[41]yetinhisdisputeswiththem,hedoesnotseemtohonourthemfortheirage,asElihudoes.Toavoidprolixity,IjoinwithSpanheiminopinion,thatJob’stimecoincideswiththebondageofthechildrenofIsraelinEgypt,soastobeneitherposteriortotheirquittingthatcountry,noranteriortotheirenteringit.
Buttheresubsistsadisputeofadifferentnaturebetweenverygraveauthors,andthatis,whetherthisnarrativebeafableoratruehistory:IfIwereallowedtointerposemyopinion,Iwouldsay,thatitisnotaparableinventedbyὑποτύπωσις,butadramaticpoemcomposeduponatruehistory;andperhapswiththisdesign,thatfromtheexampleofthisillustriousandupright,yetafflictedandmostmiserableman,thepeopleofIsraelmightlearntobearwithpatience,allthoseevilsandhardships,whichtheyweredailysufferingintheirEgyptiancaptivity.Thatthisbookismetrical,aswellasDavid’sPsalms,theProverbs,Ecclesiastes,andSolomon’sSong,isgenerallyallowed:andthepersonsofthedramaareGod,Satan,Jobandhiswife,histhreefriends,andElihu.Wherefore it is,saysGrotius,a real fact, but poetically handled.[42]Poetrywascertainlyaveryancientmannerofwriting,andpoetswerewonttoembellishtruehistoriesintheirownway,asweseeinthemostancientamongtheGreeksandRomans.AndamongtheHebrewslikewise,longafterthetimeabove-mentioned,EzechielcomprisedthehistoryofthedepartureoutofEgyptinadramaticpoem;uponwhichaccountheiscalledbyClemensAlexandrinus,the poet of Judaic tragedies.[43]Norindeed,inmyopinion,cantherebefound,inthiskindofwriting,anythingmoreadmirable,andbetteradaptedtomovethepassionsthanthispiece;whetherweregardthesublimityandeleganceofstyle,thedescriptionofnaturalthings,orinfine,theproprietyofthecharactersascribedtoallthepersonsconcernedinit;allwhichcircumstancesareofthegreatestmomentinadramaticperformance.
...Quo propiusstesTecapietmagis.
Theneareryoubehold,Themoreitstrikesyou.
BeforeIclosethischapter,itmaynotbeimpropertooffermyconjectureconcerningthediseaseofthisillustriousman.Butprevioustothis,itispropertoremark,thatitisnotJobhimself,orhisfriends,buttheauthorofthebookthatattributeshiscalamitiestoSatan;forthisauthor’sintentionseemstobe,toshew,byastrikingexample,thattheworldisgovernedbytheprovidenceofAlmightyGod,andastheholyangels,whoseministryGodmakesuseofindistributinghisbountifulgifts,punctuallyexecuteallhiscommands;soSatanhimselfwithhisagentsareunderthepowerofGod,andcannotinflictanyevilsonmankindwithoutthedivinepermission.Thus,when the Sons of God(angels)came and presented themselves before the Lord,itissaidthatSatan came also among them.Nowthewordastaretopresentone’sself,asMosesMaimonides[44]observes,signifiestobepreparedtoreceiveJehovah’scommands,butSatancameofhisownaccordandmixedwiththemwithoutanysummons.
Nowastothedisease,itisplainthatitwascuticular,andasitiscertainthatthebodiesoftheHebrewswereveryliabletofoululcersoftheskinfromtimeimmemorial;uponwhichaccountitis,thatlearnedmenareofopinionthattheywereforbidtheeatingofswine’sflesh(which,asitaffordsagrossnourishment,andnoteasilyperspirable,isveryimproperfoodinsuchconstitutions)whereforebyhowmuchhotterthecountrieswerewhichtheyinhabited,suchasarethedesartsofArabia,themoreseverelythesedisordersraged.Andauthorsofothernations,whodespisedandenviedtheJews,saythatitwasuponthisaccountthattheyweredrivenoutofEgypt;lesttheleprosy,adiseasecommonamongthem,shouldspreadoverthecountry.[45]Butthereisanothermuchworsedisease,sofrequentinEgypt,thatitissaidtobeendemialthere,[46]thoughitmayalsobeengenderedinthishotcountry,ImeantheElephantiasis.Perhapsitwasthis,whichisnearlyofthesamenaturewiththeleprosy,thathadaffectedthebodyofourrighteousman:butonthissubjectweshalltreatmorelargelyinthesubsequentchapter.
Est Elephasmorbus, qui propter flumina Nisi.GigniturAegypto in media.
CHAPTERII. - THE LEPROSY.
Amostseveredisease,towhichthebodiesoftheJewswereverysubject,wastheLeprosy.Itssignsrecordedintheholyscripturesarechieflythese.Pimplesaroseintheskin;thehairwasturnedwhite;theplague(orsore)insightwasdeeperthantheskin,whenthediseasehadbeenoflongstanding;awhitetumourappearedintheskin,inwhichtherewasquickflesh;thefouleruptionsgainedgrounddaily,andatlengthcoveredthewholesurfaceofthebody.Andtheevilissaidtoinfect,notonlythehumanbody,butalsothecloathsandgarments,nay(whatmayseemstrange)utensilsmadeofskinsorfurs,andeventheverywallsofthehouses.Whereforetherearepreceptslaiddownforcleansingthesealso,aswellasthelepers.
Medicalauthorsareofdifferentopinionsconcerningthecontagionofthisdisease.AndwhereasneithertheArabiannorGreekphysicians,whohavetreatedlargelyoftheleprosy,havegiventheleasthintofthisextraordinaryforceofit,wherebyitmayinfectcloathsandwallsofhouses;theRabbindoctorsdispute,whetherthatwhichseizedtheJews,wasnotintirelydifferentfromthecommonleprosy;andtheyallaffirm,thatthere never appeared in the World, a leprosy of cloaths and houses, except only in Judea, and among the sole people of Israel.
Formypart,Ishallnowfreelypropose,whatIthinkmostprobableonthesubject.Onekindofcontagionismoresubtilethananother;forthereisasort,whichistakenintothebodybytheverybreath;suchasIhaveelsewheresaidtoexistintheplague,smallpox,andothermalignantfevers.Butthereisanothersort,whichinfectsbycontactalone;eitherinternal,asthevenomofthevenerealdisease;orexternal,asthatoftheitch,whichisconveyedintothebodybyrubbingagainstcloaths,whetherwoollenorlinnen.Whereforetheleprosy,whichisaspeciesoftheitch,maypassintoasoundmaninthislastmanner;perhapsalsobycohabitation;asFracastoriushasobserved,thata consumption is contagious, and is contracted by living with a phthisical person, by the gliding of the corrupted and putrefied juicesofthesickinto the lungs of the sound man.[47]AndAretæusisofthesameopinionwithregardtotheElephantiasis,adiseasenearlyalliedtotheLeprosy:forhegivesthiscaution,“Thatitisnotlessdangeroustoconverseandlivewithpersonsaffectedwiththisdistemper,thanwiththoseinfectedwiththeplague;becausethecontagioniscommunicatedbytheinspired[48]air.”
Buthereoccursaconsiderabledifficulty.ForMosessays,“Ifintheleprosytherebeobservedawhitetumourintheskin,andithaveturnedthehairwhiteinit,andtherebequickfleshwithinthetumour;itisanoldleprosyintheskinofhisflesh.Butiftheleprosyspreadbroadintheskin,andcoverthewholeskinofthediseasedfromhisheadeventohisfeet,thepersonshallbepronounced[49]clean.”Butthedifficultycontainedinthispassagewillvanish,ifwesuppose,asitmanifestlyappearstome,thatitpointsouttwodifferentspeciesofthedisease;theoneinwhichtheerodedskinwasulcerated,sothatthequickfleshappearedunderneath;theother,whichspreadonthesurfaceoftheskinonlyintheformofroughscales.Andfromthisdifferenceithappened,thattheformerspecieswas,andthelatterwasnot,contagious.Forthesescales,beingdryandlightlikebran,donotpenetrateintotheskin;whereasthepurulentmatterissuingfromtheulcersinfectsthesurfaceofthebody.Butconcerningthedifferencesofcuticulardiseases,Iheartilyrecommendtothereader’sperusal,whatJohannesManardus,equallyvaluableforhismedicalknowledgeandthepurityofhisLatin,haswrittenuponthesubject.[50]
Thereisnotime,inwhichthisdiseasewasnotknown;butitwasalwaysmoresevereinSyriaandEgypt,astheyarehottercountries,thaninGreeceandotherpartsofEurope;anditisevenatthisdayfrequentinthoseregions.ForIhavebeenassuredbytravellers,thattherearetwohospitalsfortheleprousaloneinDamascus.AndthereisafountainatEdessa,inwhichgreatnumbersofpeopleaffectedwiththiscuticularfoulnesswashdaily,aswastheancientcustom.
Moreoverwereadtheprincipalsigns,whichoccurinthedescriptionoftheMosaicleprosy,exceptingonlytheinfectionofthecloathsandhouses(ofwhichbyandby)recordedbytheGreekPhysicians.HippocrateshimselfcallstheλεὑκηorwhiteleprosyΦοινικἱηνȣσοςthePhœniciandisease.[51]ForthatthewordφϑινικὴoughttobereadΦοινικἱη,appearsmanifestlyfromGaleninhisExplicatiolinguarumHippocratis;wherehesaysthatΦοινικἱηνȣσοςisadiseasewhichisfrequent in Phœnicia and other eastern regions.[52]IntheforegoingchapterIsaidthattheLeprosy(Leuce)andtheElephantiasis,werediseasesofgreataffinity:[53]inconfirmationofwhichnotionthesameGalenobserves,thattheonesometimeschangesintotheother.[54]NowthesetwodistempersarenowherebetterdescribedthanbyCelsus,wholivedaboutthetimeofAugustusCæsar,andhavingcollectedtheworksoftheprincipalGreekwritersinphysicandsurgery,digestedthemintoorder,andturnedthemintoelegantLatinwithgreatjudgment.Thushedescribestheleprousdiseases.Three are three species of theVitiligo.It is namedἄλφος,when it is of a white colour, with some degree of roughness, and is not continuous, but appears as if some little drops were dispersed here and there; sometimes it spreads wider, but with certain intermissions or discontinuities. Theμἑλαςdiffers from this in colour, because it is black, and like a shadow, but in other circumstances they agree. Theλεύκηhas some similitude with theἄλφος,but it has more of the white, and runs in deeper: and in it the hairs are white, and like down. All these spread themselves, but in some persons quicker, in others slower. TheAlphosandMelascome on, and go off some people at different times; but theLeucedoes not easily quit the patient, whom it has seized.[55] But in the Elephantiasis,saysthesameauthor,the whole body is so affected, that the very bones may be said to be injured. The surface of the body has a number of spots and tumors on it; and their redness is by degrees changed into a dusky or blackish colour. The surface of the skin is unequally thick and thin, hard and soft; and is scaley and rough: the body is emaciated; the mouth, legs and feet swell. When the disease is inveterate, the nails on the fingers and toes are hidden by the swelling.[56]AndtheaccountsleftusbytheArabianphysicians,agreewiththesedescriptions.Avicenna,thechiefofthem,saysthatthe Leprosy is a sort of universal cancer of the whole body.[57]Whereforeitplainlyappearsfromallthathasbeensaid,thattheSyrianLeprosydidnotdifferinnature,butindegreeonly,fromtheGrecian,whichwastherecalledλεύκη;andthatthissamediseasehadanaffinitywiththeElephantiasis,sometimesamongtheGreeks,butverymuchamongtheArabs.Fortheclimateandmannerofliving,verymuchaggravatesallcuticulardiseases.
Nowwithregardtotheinfectionofthecloaths,ithasbeenfoundbymostcertainexperiments,notonlyintheplague,andsomeothermalignanteruptivefevers,asthesmallpoxandmeasles,buteveninthecommonitch;thattheinfection,oncereceivedintoallsortsoffursorskins,woollen,linnen,andsilk,remainsalongtimeinthem,andthencepassesintohumanbodies.Whereforeitiseasytoconceive,thattheleprousmiasmatamightpassfromsuchmaterialsintothebodiesofthose,whoeitherworeorhandledthem,and,likeseedssown,producethediseasepeculiartothem.Foritiswellknown,thatthesurfaceofthebody,letitappeareversosoftandsmooth,isnotonlyfullofpores,butalsooflittlefurrows,andthereforeisapropernestforreceivingandcherishingtheminute,butveryactive,particlesexhalingfrominfectedbodies.ButIhavetreatedthissubjectinamoreextensivemannerinmyDiscourse on the Plague.[58]Andtheseseedsofcontagionaresoonmixedwithanacridandsalthumor,derivedfromtheblood;whichasitnaturallyought,partlytohaveturnedintonutriment,andpartlytohaveperspiredthroughtheskin,itnowlodges,andcorrodesthelittlescalesofthecuticle;andthesebecomingdryandwhite,sometimesevenaswhiteassnow,areseparatedfromtheskin,andfallofflikebran.Now,altho’thisdiseaseisveryuncommoninourcolderclimate;yetIhaveseenoneremarkablecaseofit,inacountryman,whosewholebodywassomiserablyseizedbyit,thathisskinwasshiningasifcoveredwithsnow:andasthefurfuraceousscalesweredailyrubbedoff,thefleshappearedquickorrawunderneath.Thiswretchhadconstantlylivedinaswampyplace,andwasobligedtosupporthimselfwithbaddietandfoulwater.
Butitismuchmoredifficulttoaccountfortheinfectionofthehouses.Foritseemshardlypossibleinnature,thattheleprousspotsshouldgrowandspreadondrywalls,madeofsolidmaterials.Butuponaseriousconsiderationofthedifferentsubstancesemployedinbuildingthewallsofhouses,suchasstones,lime,bituminousearth,hairofanimals,andothersuchthingsmix’dtogether;Ithoughtitprobable,thattheymaybyakindoffermentation,producethosehollow greenish or reddish strokes in sight lower than the wall(orwithinthesurface)[59]which,astheyinsomemeasureresembledtheleprousscabsonthehumanbody,werenamedtheLeprosy in a house.Forbodiesofdifferentnatures,veryeasilyeffervesceuponbeingblendedtogether.Whereforewemayreasonablysupposethatthismoistureormouldiness,graduallycomingforthandspreadingonthewalls,mightproveveryprejudicialtotheinhabitants,byitsstinkingandunwholesomesmell,withouthavingrecoursetoanycontagiousqualityinit.Andsomewhatanalogoustothisisprettyfrequentlyobservableinourownhouses;where,whenthewallsareplaisteredwithbadmortar,thecalcariousandnitrosesaltssweatoutupontheirsurface,ofacolouralmostaswhiteassnow.Thepowerofinspectingtheirhouseswasinvestedinthepriests;who,whentheyobservedthisfoulness,gaveordersfirsttohavethewallsofthehousescrapedallaround;andafterwards,ifitcontinuedtobreakout,topulldownthehouse,andcarrythematerialsoutofthecityintoanuncleanplace.
Iamwellaware,thatallthisisrelated,asifGodhimselfhadstruckthehousewiththisplague.Butitiswellknown,thatthatwayofspeakingisnotuncommoninthejewishhistory;asinunexpectedevilsanddreadfulcalamities,whicharesometimessaidtobedonebythehandofGod,tho’theymaybeproducedbynaturalcauses.NorcanIbeeasilyinducedtobelieve,withsomedivines,thatGod,whocommandedhispeopletobealwaysfreefromeverysortofuncleanness,wouldvouchsafetoworkamiracle,inordertoinflictthismostfilthypunishmentonanyperson.Thusmuchisindubitable,thatthepreceptsofthemosaiclawwereconstitutedparticularly,toavertthepeoplefromidolatryandfalsereligion,andatthesametimetokeepthemclearofalluncleanness.[60]Tothisendconspiredtheprohibitionofeatingblood,carrion,oranimalsthatdiedspontaneously,swinesflesh,andthatofseveralothercreatures.[61]Forallthesemeatsyieldagrossnutriment,whichisimproperandprejudicialindiseasesoftheskin.
Butinordertoclosethesetheologicalresearcheswithsomewhatmedical,Iamconvincedfromexperience,thatthereisnotabettermedicineknownagainstthisfilthydisease,thanthetincture of CantharidesoftheLondon Dispensatory.Itsremarkablevirtueinthiscase,isowingtothediureticqualityoftheseflies.Forthereisagreatharmonybetweenthekidneysandglandsoftheskin,sothatthehumorsbroughtonthelatter,easilyfindawaythro’theformer,andarecarriedoffbyurine:andontheotherhand,whenthekidneyshavefailedintheperformanceoftheirfunctions,anurinoushumorsometimesperspiresthro’thecuticularpores.Butsuchcatharticsaretobeinterposedatproperintervals,asaremostproperforevacuatingthickandacridhumors.
CHAPTERIII. - THE DISEASE OF KING SAUL.
When“KingSaulwasabandonedbytheSpiritofGod,andanevilspiritfromtheLordtroubledhim;hiscourtierspersuadedhimtocommandhisservantstoseekoutsomebodythatwasagoodplayerontheharp,whomightsoothorcomposehimbyhismusic,whentheevilspiritfromGodwasuponhim.”WhichwhenSaulhaddone,bysendingmessengersforDavid;“wheneverithappenedthatSaulwasseizedwiththatevilspirit,Davidtookhisharp,andplay’donit;andthusSaulwasrefreshedandbecamecomposed,andtheevilspiritdepartedfrom[62]him.”
Nowtomeitappearsmanifest,thatthisking’sdiseasewasatruemadness,andofthemelancholicoratrabilariouskind,astheancientphysicianscalledit.Andthefitsreturn’donhimatuncertainperiods,asisfrequentlythecaseinthissortofdisease.Norcouldthecauseofthatdisorderbeasecret,seeinghehadbeenlatelydeprivedofhiskingdombyGod’sexpresscommand.Likewisetheremedyapplied,towit,playingontheharp,wasanextremelyproperone.Forphysicianshavelongsincetaughtus,thatsymphonies,cymbals,andnoises,wereofservicetowardsdissipatingmelancholicthoughts;[63]thepowerofwhichwehaveaccountedforinanotherplaceupongeometricalprinciples.[64]Hencealsoitmoreplainlyappears,thatthedisorderwasowingtonaturalcauses;forotherwisehowcouldthemusicofaharpdriveitaway?Counselandprudenceinamanwas,intheHebrewlanguage,usuallystiledtheSpiritofGod;andapersondeprivedofthesequalities,wassaidtobetroubledwithanevilspirit,thatis,tobemad.
IamnotignorantthattheJews,byamannerofexpressionfamiliaramongthem,arewonttodescribediseasesofthiskind,tothepowerofevilangels,asministersofGod;andthatevenatthisday,someverylearnedmendefendthesamenotion.Butformypart,ifImaybeallowedtodeclaremythoughtswithfreedom,Icannotthinkitrighttohaverecoursetothedivinewrathfordiseases,whichcanbeprovedtohavenaturalcauses;unlessitbeexpreslydeclared,thattheyweresentdowndirectlyfromheaven.Foriftheyfallonusinpunishmentofoursins,theintentionofthesupremelawgiverwouldbefrustrated,unlessasurerulewasgiven,wherebyhisvengeancemightbedistinguishedfromcommonevents;inasmuchastheinnocentmaybeequalsharersinsuchcalamitieswiththeguilty.Moreover,itseemsreasonabletobelieve,thatevilsinflictedbytheomnipotentjudge,mustbeeitherincurable,orcurablebyhimselfalone;thattheconnectionofhispowerwithhisequity,maythemorebrightlyshineforth.Bysuchacriterion,aremiraculousworksdistinguishedfromtheoperationsofnature.Foritwouldbeimpietytosuppose,thatthealmightycreatorofheavenandearthintended,thathisworksshouldbeperformedinvain.Whereforeitisworthyofourobservation,thatgreatcareisalwaystakeninthesacredhistories,tomakethedivinepowerinsuchcases,appearmostmanifesttoall.ThuswhentheLordhadinfectedMiriam(orMary)withaleprosy,forasincommittedbyher,andconsented,onthesupplicationofMoses,tomakeherwhole;itwasnotdonetillsevendaysafterward.[65]Gehazi’sleprosyremainedinhimandhisprogenyforever.[66]KingAzariahwassmotewiththeleprosy,fornothavingdemolishedthehighplaces;andhewasaleperuntothedayofhisdeath.[67]AnaniasandhiswisewerestruckdeadsuddenlybythemiraculouspowerofSt.Peter.[68]Elymasthesorcerer,wasstruckblindforaseasonbySt.Paul,forhisfraudsandwickedness.[69]Thereforesincethreatsandplainindicationsofdiseases,inflictedinanuncommonmanner,arealwaysmanifestlydeclared;whensoeverthesearewanting,whymaywenotsay,thattheeventwasbynomeanssupernatural?AndIdesire,onceforall,thatthissentimentmayholdgoodwithregardtoseveralothercalamities.
CHAPTERIV. - THE DISEASE OF KING JEHORAM.
OfkingJehoramitisrelated,that,“forhiswickedlife,theLordsmotehiminhisbowelswithanincurabledisease,sothathevoidedhisintestinesdailyforthespaceoftwoyears,andthendiedoftheviolenceofthe[70]distemper.”Twoimpiouskingsarerecordedtohavehadthesameend,AntiochusEpiphanes,andAgrippa;ofwhomitwassaid:Εἰςτἱτὰσπλάγχνατοιςȣσπλαγχνιζομένοις.[71]