The copy of a letter written by E.D. Doctour of Physicke to a gentleman, by whom it was published The former part conteineth rules for the preseruation of health, and preuenting of all diseases vntill extreme olde age

A Preface to the Reader.

THe life of man is so precious, as that all which a man hath he will giue for the ransome thereof. Neither is this care of preseruing his owne life alone, naturally implanted in the heart of man; but that he may saue the life of others also, how dan∣gerously will he aduenture! somtimes casting himselfe into deepe waters to saue one from danger of drowning; sometimes break∣ing into an house flaming on euery side, to deliuer one from peri∣shing in the fire. And this naturall instinct hath beene the cause also, that publike persons haue by holesome lawes prouided for the safety thereof, and priuate men haue spent their thoughts in discouering those stratagems whereby the life of man is oppug∣ned. Now because none are more pernicious enemies to the same than are these Empericks (who vnder colour of drawing out

the threed of mans life, doe most cruelly cut the same in sunder before the time) there haue beene some in all ages, that haue ve∣hemently inueighed ••ga••••st them, and laboured with all dili∣gence to suppresse them, as it were to quench some gri••uous fire. But hitherto all labour hath beene lost, that was spent that way: for (like the Lernean monster against which Hercules fought) in the roome of one, seuen others haue arisen, and haue by oppo∣sition growen, both in number and estimation also with many: and that partly by their owne diuellish and detestable practises, and partly by the folly of others. And first for themselues, they will falsly vaunt what admirable cures haue beene performed by them: that No mottall man is able to doe more than they can doe. They will promise confidently to cure any disease though neuer so desperate; as, to breake a confirmed stone in the bladder, or els To lodge it in some part of the bladder, that it shall neuer paine them after. And vnto such as are there∣fore left by the iudicious Physician, because sentence of death hath already passed against them on an * 4.1Indicatory day, they will warrant life, and that to the end they may be imployed after their betters, which is no small credit vnto them. Now if they be found to haue missed the cushion, and the party dies (as was fore∣told) then will they pawne their liues that the disease was mista∣ken by the first Physitian, and that if they had beene called to the cure but one day sooner, it had beene a matter of nothing to haue saued his life, for the partie died because he was let bloud (if that were aduised by the other with good discretion) or because he was not let blood (if that were omitted vpon iust cause.) On the contrary, the learned Physitian (though he haue no religion) will not, for his credit sake, be found to vtter any vntrueth; is very sparing in reporting his owne cures, thinking it a part of high wisdome, that another should praise him, and not his owne lips: and knowing how coniecturall in his Art many things are, dares not promise more than he can iustifie by Art, lest he make himselfe ridiculous: and not being ignorant of the desperate con∣dition of some, and how incurable many diseases are, doth freely and ingenuously professe (though he be many times dismissed for his labour) that they admit of no perfect cure, and will not feed

men with a false hope, that he may be fed by their purses: nor will seeke his owne praise by vniust censuring of others. Neither is the number of Empericks thus onely increased by these their cunning sleights and crafty cousenages, but also by the childish dealing of those that imploy them. For (as a learned D••uine of our times sayth of witches (one sort of Empericks) they doe so * 4.2dote vpon them, that though she faile in twenty things, yet if she do but some one thing aright, and that very small, the world loueth her and commendeth her for a good & wise woman: but the Physition if he worke six hundred cures, yet if through the waiwardnesse of his Patient, or the pu∣nishment of his Patients sinne, he faile but in one, that one faile doth turne more to his discredit, than his manifolde, goodly and notable cures doe get him praise. The chiefest cause why they be thus addicted vnto them, and magnifie them aboue the learned Physician, is partly because they can imploy them for a lesse reward (wherein notwithstanding they are often times deceiued) and partly because they will supply the place of a foole to make sport with, aswell as of a physitian to cure their infirmities. Therefore are they called in the beginning to the cure of ordinary sicknesses wherein is no danger at all; whereas the other is then sent for, whenas either by medicines, not fitting the disease, the sicke person is brought to the pits brinke, or at the least by trifling away the opportunity of time with medicines that doe no good, the disease becommeth incurable. Heere if the sicke person dies, all the fault will be layed by those that fauour these Empericks vpon the last Physitian, that they cannot see but that moe die vnder the hand of the learned Physitian than vnder o∣thers, that they haue no good lucke, because they often times die to whom they come. By these and the like speeches, sicke per∣sons are discouraged from sending for any other Physitian than him whom they first imployed for feare they should die. But it were wel if these silly persons knew how dangerous a thing in sick∣nesse a little delay is: for then would they consult with the most able Physitian in the beginning of any infirmity how slight soe∣uer it seemed to be. For it is not so in this businesse as in matters of law, where if any error be committed in the first proceeding by

the ignorance or insufficiency of him that was imployed, it may be reuersed or (to vse their owne terme) trauersed, and come to a new triall, by which it will plainly appeare what difference there is betweene the learned and ignorant lawyer: But in this matter of greater importance where the life is in question, the opportunity of time that is let slip can not be recalled, and therefore though the learned Physitian knoweth what things should fitly haue beene vsed at the first, yet when he is called to the cure, there is no place for him, because remedies are good in their season only, and then are they Gods hands: but when the opportunity of vsing them is past, then either they are nothing or hurtfull. And here kinde neighbours also, especially those of the better sort, come now to be censured as faulty; who visiting a sicke person persuade him to such a course, or such a medicine, as formerly they haue had experience to haue done good to others in the like case. Here if they mistake the disease or the nature of it, who conceiueth not what hurt may ensue, though altogether against their wils? But admit the thing prescribed be not hurtfull, yet whilest the re∣medy is vsed, the seasonable time slippeth away, and the disease groweth desperate: and thus by their vnseasonable good will they hurt them more than if they hated them. Notwithstanding, be∣cause that which they do, is in vnfained desire of their welfare, & of a compassionate affection they haue of the distressed estate of their neighbor; they are rather friendly to be admonished that hereafter they desist and aduise nothing without the direction of a Professor of that Art, than to be sharply reprehended. As for the Empericks (amongst whom also you may recken our com∣mon Apothecaries) because they haue not so much humanity in them as to mourne in the miseries of others; but all that they hunt after is how they may inrich themselues, though it be with the losse, not of the goods alone, but of the liues of men also, they must be proceeded against with all rigour and extremity, as we do with members that haue the Gangrene and are now come to perfect mortification, wherunto we apply nothing either to clense or comfort the part, but cut it off that it corrupt not other sound parts. But this is the magistrates duty, and must be left vnto him. That which is to be done by priuate persons, that is, to in∣form

the magistrate of things amisse, that he may redresse them; and to giue a caueat to such as will be warned, is performed by a learned man in this Treatise; wherein such multiplicity of rea∣ding is ioyned with plainnesse and perspicuity, that such as be learned may finde that which will thorowly satisfie them, and the simpler sort shall haue no cause to complaine of the obscuritie thereof, to whose vnderstanding also he laboured to frame this booke. If any shall reade it without preiudice, he shall be con∣stramed to confesse that the world is much abused by this kind of (rauenous birds shall I call them which pray only vpon dead car∣cases? nay, of) sauadge and cruell beasts, which feed vpon li∣uing men, and make many carcases for the wormes before the time; vnlesse (peraduenture) they so torture them before, as that there is no flesh to be found on them, but only the skin to co∣uer the bones. Much bound vnto him therefore is this age, and the ages succeeding for this his learned paines, if men will not wil∣fully run the brittle barke of their life vpon the rocks and sands, discouered by him as by a skilfull pilot. Let him therefore be of high account with thee (good Reader) not onely because he is learned, but also for that he hath so well deserued of humane so∣cietie, aduertising all men of great danger which they may pre∣uent, descrying and vncasing these masked enemies of mankind, that hereafter, not the asses eares will be seene thorow the lions skinne, but they will appeare to all that will not wilfully shut their eyes to be such as they are indeed. Incourage him by thine acceptance of the first fruits of his endeuors, and &;so mayst thou reape grea∣ter fruit of his labours in time to come. Farewell.

A Discourse of Empiriks, or vnlearned Physicians.

THe second thing which you require of me, is to set downe at large my opinion concerning Empiriks. This I know, if it should be knowen, would be a worke sub∣iect to much enuy and hatred. For whe∣ther I mitate such authors as I haue read, or speake out of my selfe, I shalbe compel∣led to lay a grieuous accusation vpon * 4.3them. And although Tully sayth, it is a bondage not to speake against whom we l••st▪ yet he seemeth to speake that as an Oratour in pleading, and not from h••s owne iudgement: for in sundry other places he incli∣neth * 4.4to the contrary. He came alwayes ioyfully to the defence and acquit ng of the suspected, but heauily and as it were drawen to the accusing of any, as plainly appeareth in the first inuectiue that he made. One reason hereof he rendreth in these words: I haue often scene those that haue ript vp other mens faults openly, to haue more grieuously offended the minds of the hearers, than those which cō∣mitted * 4.5them. And another he giueth in these: The life of them, which accuse no man, is much freer. Therefore hauing duely exa∣mined mine owne strength, I would gladly haue eased my weake shoulders of this heauy burthen, did not the continuall flow of your manifold kindnesse towards me, prouoke me to the performance of any office, that may seeme acceptable vnto you. I am further en∣couraged vnto this, first, by the nature of the accusation, that stand∣eth vpon a manifest and infallible truth: next, by the hamous facts of the accused, which tend not to the losse of credit or goods, but of the pretious life of man: in regard whereof I might rather to be iud∣ged, as carried with a desire of the publike good, than with an hu∣mot of any piruate or personall respect.

* 4.6 The name of an Empirike is deriued frō the Greeke word which signifieth experience: and by an Empirike is, as you know, vnder∣stood a Practitioner in Physicke, that hath no knowledge in Philo∣sophy,

Logicke, or Grammar: but fetcheth all his skill from bare and naked experience. Ignorance then is the difference whereby these men are distinguished from other Physitians. But because ig∣norance is sometime clothed with the outward garments of know∣ledge, and men are commonly iudged of by that which is most appa∣rent, * 4.7I will set downe some outward marks, whereby they may easi∣ly be discerned. [unspec 1] The first shall be their loquacity, or much speaking: Langius brandeth them with this marke in his Epistles, and compa∣reth * 4.8them to geese that are alwayes gagling. [unspec 2] The second, their hasty, rash and vnaduised iudging of diseases, and promising the cure of them, before they know the causes. The th rd, their forwardnesse in disgracing and slandering other Physicians, whom they know to be many degrees before them in the knowledge of the Arte. The fourth, the magnifying of their owne sk ll, the extolling their [unspec 4] pra∣ctise, and amplifying their strange and admirable cures. These I on∣ly mention, hauing a fitter place to speake more largely of them. I am not ignorant that there was a sect of Physicians amongst the an∣cients called Empirici: Rome was full of these when Galen came thi∣ther: they had more than a superficiall knowledge in the ground of * 4.9Physicke, and wrot many learned books. I purpose not to speake of any such, but only of those that haue no taste of learning, but spent their youth either in mechanicall trades, or in some other course of life that barreth them from the knowledge of any of the liberall sci∣ences. Neither shall my words extend only to the baser sort of them, whom I holde not worth the naming, but vnto all, whosoeuer they be, that hauing not applied their tender yeres to study in the Gram∣mar schoole and Vniuersity, are notwithstanding sometimes fortu∣nate by multitude of patients, and famous by popular applause. And * 4.10to auoid confusion, first, I w••ll lay downe the difficulty of the Arte of Physicke, [unspec 1] the ample and large lim ts of it, with the necessity of other kinds of learning that must goe before it; whereby all Empi∣riks must needs be disabled. [unspec 2] Secondly, my intent is to discouer part of the manifolde errours, and incuitable dangers of their practise. Thirdly, I will take away the obiections which are vsually brought in defence of them. Last of all, I will make knowen vnto you the true causes of their popular fame so falsly ascribed vnto them. All [unspec 4] which being duely considered, it will plainly appeare that Empiriks * 4.11are as farre behinde rationall Physicians (as they are called) in the knowledge of our Art, as Thersites was behinde Achilles in fortitude; or as farre as an ordinary man commeth short of the strength of that mighty Sampson. Neither is it my purpose to vouchsafe them that cred••t, as to compare them with such a Physician, as Tully faineth his Orator to be, or Castilio his Courtier, one complete, absolute, per∣fect, as Hippocrates was, of whom a learned man of this age speaketh * 4.12thus; Qui in hominibus excessisse mihi humanum fastigium videtur: but the contention shall stand betw••xt the best Empir••ks that can be, and

* 4.13 the ordinary and middle ranke of scholars that pract se Physicke. And yet you shall finde, I doubt not, that of the Poet to be heere true, Great things are compared with small.

* 4.14 Touching the first, the deepe and profound knowledge contei∣ned in this Arte, the long time of study that it requ reth, the ambi∣gu ty and hardnesse of iudgement, and the perill of experiments are * 4.15all expressed in the first aphorisme of the renowmed father of our Arte, The life of man is short, &c. as if he should say, After that a man hath spent almost his whole life in the painfull and diligent stu∣dy of Physicke, he shall not then be able to see into the depth of it: his experiments shall be subiect to danger, and his iudgement shall meet with many ambiguous scruples. And in a 4.16another place spea∣king of Physicke, he sayth, it bringeth great labour and trouble to him that professeth it Furthermore, he b 4.17appointeth sixe guides or leaders to the study of this Arte. This is confirmed by Galen, with some difference of words, but they agree in substance; He that will attaine to the knowledge of Physicke, must first be apt and fit for it by nature; then he is to apply his minde to study in his youth; and of continue with labour and diligence: this is to be done in a fit place, that is, in schooles of learning; there he must heare the best learned men, and reade the most approued authours; there he must learne the method of the Art, and then he shalbe fit to begin to pra∣ctise. * 4.18The necessity of this timely beginning, of hearing many lear∣ned masters, and of long perseuerance in diligent study, is prooued by that which Galen speaketh of one particular thing in Physicke,* 4.19 The whole life is required to the perfect knowledge of the pulse. What can be here said in defence of Empiriks? Hippocrates and Galen, the most competent iudges of all matters belonging to our Arte, re∣quire many things in all the professors of it, two whereof are not to be found in the best of them: for whosoeuer examineth their e∣ducation, shall finde that they neuer applied their youth to studie; neuer had learned man to instruct them; neuer vnderstood method or order of study, and therefore can follow none in their practise: for want whereof all they do is confused, disordered and dangerous. * 4.20The ancients did signifie the difficulty of this Arte, by placing a cragged or knotty staffe by the picture of Aesculapius; meaning there∣by that it was a deepe, intricate, and profound study, full of knots and doubts, which can not be explaned or dissolued, but by such as haue long laboured in the diligent search of the secrets thereof. * 4.21Apollo was accounted amongst the heathen to be the god of Phy∣sicke, and to haue reuealed it vnto Aesculapius his sonne: * 4.22so there is the same god of Wisdome and of physicke: and learned Physicians were called by the ancients, The sonnes of the gods. But Empiriks whose yoong yeeres were neuer blessed with the knowledge of infe∣rior Arts, cannot in their riper age attaine to any meane knowledge in this diuine profession. He that applieth not his minde to the study

* 4.23of the liberall sciences when he is yoong, shall practise Physicke dan∣gerously in his full age. It is well knowen that scholars bestow al∣most twenty yeeres in study, first in the Grammar schoole, and then in the Vniuersity, before they can take the degree of Doctours.* 4.24 If there had beene a more easie and compendious way to this know∣ledge, all ages had greatly erred in following this long, laborious, and chargeable course. I might inlarge the difficulty of this Arte in setting downe the definition and diuision of it; but I desire to auoid ted. ousnesse: therefore I will omit the former, and touch the latter briefly. This I note by the way, that the knowledge of both these ••s necessary to euery meane Physician, being the first step and entrance into that study. This can not be comprehended without Grammar, Logike, and Philosophy:* 4.25 for where a Philosopher endeth, there a Physician beginneth; and the other two are necessary guides to this. Therefore Empiriks being ignorant of all these, are not to be called Physitions, the Artists name being iustly denied to them that vnder∣stand not the Arte. Physicke is diuided into fiue parts: these haue no proper English or Latine names, and therefore are strange to the best Empiriks. [unspec 1] The first comprehendeth those things which are of the essence and nature of man, and are in number seuen: The ele∣ments, the temperament, the humors, the spirits, the parts of the body, the faculties, and the actions. [unspec 2] The second searcheth out dis∣eases with their causes and signes. [unspec 3] The third expresseth and expla∣neth the signes whereby the courses and times of diseases, and con∣sequently of life and death, are prognosticated and foreknowen. [unspec 4] The fourth preserueth health and preuenteth diseases. [unspec 5] The last tea∣cheth the meanes to take away diseases, and to restore the body to perfect health. The particulars contained vnder these heads are al∣most infinite, and haue filled many large volumes. * 4.26Galen wrot 659 books of them. That which hath beene written since will fill great libraries. * 4.27Out of all the best of these the learned professours of our Arte haue increased their knowledge, and confirmed their iudge∣ment: whereas Empiriks haue not read any of them, being ignorant of the languages wherin they are written, and also destitute of other learning necessary to the vnderstanding of such books. Of the fiue foresayd parts of Physicke Empiriks haue little to do with foure; for vnder these the theory and speculation of our Arte is comprised, and that is farre aboue their capacity: therefore they exercise themselues in the last, wh ch comprehendeth the practise only. This reason is sufficient alone to bring all their practise into contempt with all men that haue any taste of learning: for if of fiue parts necessary for euery Physician to know, they be vtterly ignorant of foure, and haue but a slender and superficiall skill in the fift; if they rush into the practise of an Arte,* 4.28 hauing neuer learned the theory, which is in all learning ac∣counted necessary to be knowen before the practise can happily be attempted, they shall be driuen into infinite errours, and precipitate

many of their patients into the graue. I need not adde further proofe of the antecedent, I know you see a manifest and vndoubted truth in it:* 4.29 those things are to be learned in schooles only, into which Empi∣riks were neuer admitted. Further, there are in the Arte of Physicke sixteene indications, as we ca••l them: the knowledge of these is as necessary to direct a Physician in the cure of diseases, as the Pilots Card in sailing. They are as guides and conducters to leade vs into the vnderstanding of all things that may helpe or hurt our patients. * 4.30The consideration of euery one of these is so necessary, that the o∣mitting of one doth oft times marre the cure, as Heurmus affirmeth. Empiriks can not attaine to the knowledge of these, though they had the experience of Nestors yeeres. If it please you to heare some few of the obseruations, that the methodicall cure of one disease requi∣reth, you may thereby coniecture the difficulty of the healing of that and others. * 4.31I take for example a Pleurisie; wherein I omit as imper∣tinent to this place,* 4.32 the vsuall errour of Empiriks in taking other dis∣eases for this, and the danger of the sicke by the course of Physicke built vpon a false foundation. First the learned Physician is to search out the proper signes of this disease, and by them to distinguish it from others that haue some affinity with it: then he looketh into the cause of it, into the differences, and into the symptomes or accidents that attend vpon it: he examineth the naturall constitution of the patient, his present state of body his former course of life, his age, his strength, the time of the disease, the season of the yeere, &c. he con∣sidereth the qualities and quantity of the humors; from whence the matter of the disease floweth; whether from the whole body, or from one part; by what passages it mooueth; whether swiftly, or slowly; whether vehement paine draweth it, or the sharpnesse or plenty of the humor stirreth vp or prouoketh the motion. Out of an aduised consideration of all these, first a diet is to be appointed: this can not be the same in euery one that laboureth of this sicknesse, but it requireth great variety and alteration agreeable to the foresaid cir∣cumstances. Then followeth the consultation of the meanes of the cure: * 4.33what kinde of euacuation is fittest; whether opening a veine, or purging, or both, or neither: for sometimes the matter of the dis∣ease is discussed by outward medicines, and requireth neither of these two helps. Sometimes there is a fit vse of fomentations, and after them, of bleeding, as Hippoc. did,* 4.34 when the disease could not be mitigated by these outward meanes, he opened a veine the eighth day. * 4.35In many other cases it is necessary to take away a great quantity of bloud in the beginning: therefore Heurnius sayth, Blood can not be taken away too soone, nor in too great a quantity, if the patient be strong: but in weaknesse it must be done often & by small quan∣tities. In some bodies Arte forbiddeth taking away of any bloud, * 4.36though the patient be strong, and inioyneth purging. In some cases the passages are to be stopped, and the humor to be made thicke af∣ter

bleeding, lest new matter should flow to the place affected. Af∣ter the flux is stayed, then the weake parts are to be strengthened, and the matter impact in the side to be prepared or tempered, that it may be cast vp by coughing with greater facility. Heere is a broad gate opened to a large field of medicines of sundry sorts, as oint∣ments, * 4.37plaisters, syrups, potions &c. Some of these are very hot and much opening; some very cold and binding. In the vse of these, and also of all the former things, the Empirike is plunged into many doubts, and the patient into as many dangers: if he take away too little blood, he taketh not away the disease; if too much, he taketh a∣way life: if he purgeth when he should open a veine, or doth this when that is required, he committeth a pernicious errour: if he iud∣geth not rightly of the humor abounding, of the complexion &c. (of which only Arte is the competent iudge) he can attempt nothing in the cure safely, nor so much as appoint a fit diet. If he prescribeth lo∣call or outward medicines of too hot operation, the heart is thereby inflamed the ague exasperated, and life indangered. If there be in them any defect of heat, the matter of the disease is bound faster into the side and chest with as great perill. If inward medicines be not proportioned to euery vnnaturall affect in the body, and to euery offensiue quality, as now heating, then cooling; now moistening, then drying: sometimes extenuating or making the humor thinne, sometimes incrassating or making it thicke; sometimes opening, somtimes stopping, &c. the patient doth neuer receiue any good, but commonly much hurt by them. * 4.38Neither is the Pleurisie only to be respected, but there must be a vigilant eye vpon the Ague also, which alwayes accompanieth the other, and may kill the patient as well as the Pleurisie. Moreouer there may be great malignity in the humor, as Gesner reporteth in an epidemiall Pleurisie all died in whom a veine was opened,* 4.39 and all liued that receiued cordials. In the great variety of these doubts, difficulties and distinctions there is a necessa∣ry vse of sound iudgement, confirmed by long study and profound knowledge both in Philosophy and Physicke. It is therefore cleere that the practise of Empiriks, being destitute of these helps, must needs be vnfit and full of perill. It may well be compared to his, that Forestus mentioneth,* 4.40 who wrot out sundry receits ouer night, and put them confusedly into a bagge: in the morning when patients came to him, after he had looked on the vrine, he put his hand into the bagge (saying to the party, Pray that you may haue a happy lot) * 4.41and plucking out that which came first to hand, he gaue it as a reme∣dy for the disease. Though our Empiriks haue a farre better colour for their practise than this was, yet in effect they often agree.

* 4.42 But I proceed to lay open some few of their grosse and palpable errors in their practise, for to speake of all requireth a whole volume. I will begin with their mistaking of diseases, a common errour with them, & exceeding dangerous to their patients. Diseases are knowen

* 4.43 and distinguished by their signes. The knowledge of this is compre∣hended vnder the second part of Physicke before mentioned, where∣of, because they are ignorant, they must needs fall often into this fault. This is seldome discouered but when rationall Physicians haue opportunity to looke into their practise; then they see the disease ta∣ken to be in the liuer, when it is in the lungs or kidneis; to be in the heart, when it is in the head or mouth of the stomacke; to be in the brest, when it is winde in the stomacke extending that region: and many such. What though they can iudge of the gout, the palsie, and the dropsie? so can simple women doe: but to iudge rightly of the causes and differences of these diseases, of the manifold differences of Agues, of simple and compound sicknesses, and of sundry diseases of the head; that requireth Arte, which is not in any Empirike.* 4.44 Hippoc. sheweth the misery that fel vpon many of the Scythians by mistaking their disease and the causes of it,* 4.45 and thereupon by taking a wrong course in the cure; of strong and able men, they became as effemi∣nate as weake women, and spent all the remainder of their wretched life in the offices of that sex. * 4.46Heurnius reporteth that an vnlearned Physician by mistaking the cause of the disease, put his patient into a bath, wherein he died presently; and the Empirike was iustly accused for killing of him.* 4.47 Guanerius setteth forth the deadly error of another in the cure of a sicke man, who after extreme & intolerable paines, ended his life. A learned Physician hauing a melancholike patient depriued of the right vse of his inward senses, amongst other things in the cure, appointed his head to be shauen, and then to be anoin∣ted and bathed according to arte: * 4.48an Empirike hearing of this cure, gat the receit of the outward medicines vsed in it; and not long af∣ter, lighting vpon one sicke of a phrensic or inflammation of the braine, thought it to be the same disease with the former, because both the patients were madde: therefore he followed the steps of the other, with great confidence of the cure: this grieuous error in mis∣taking both the disease and the cause of it, brought the miserable man to a speedy and of his life, farre more cruell to himselfe, and more terrible to the beholders than the sicknesse could haue done. The reason of this is plaine and euident to euery meane Physician. The cause of rauing in the former, was a cold humor; in the latter, a hot: therefore hot medicines, which were fit to cure the one, were as fit to kill the other. But admit the Empirike had beene called to the cure of the same disease, proceeding from the same cause, yet he could not haue obserued the circumstances which arte required, and therefore his receit was vaine and vnprofitable. If the course of these blinde practisioners could be obserued, it would be found to be like to this in euery disease. Our books are full of such wofull examples. A huge volume will not conteine all the tragicall histories of the sicke of this age, manifestly killed by the ignorance of Empiriks, be∣ing not able to discerne one disease from another, or to distinguish

of their causes, or to proceed orderly in the cure. The eye can not discerne colours but by the light▪ nor Physitians diseases but by lear∣ning. In the night not only indiui lua, but species are mistaken; as a man for a beast, or a tree for either of them. It is alw••••es night with Empiriks: ignorance is darknesse, and knowledge is as the cleere light of the sun. And doubtlesse the learned Physitian hath as great aduantage ouer Empiriks in discerning of diseases, as they that iudge of the eyes obiect by the sunne, ouer those that iudge of it by the starres. They do the oftener fall into this errour, because some dis∣eases agree in two or three signes, and yet are farre different. The perfect examining and comparing of signes, and referring of them to their seuerall causes, can not be performed without Arte. But suppose they could distinguish of most diseases, whereof they come farre short; yet to know the disease is not one step to the cure, vn∣lesse the method and maner of proceeding in it, be as well knowen. But to proceed in discouering their errours: the two most effectuall and vsuall meanes for the cure of most diseases, are opening a veine and purging. The speciall obseruations that are required in both these, are farre aboue the apprehension of vnlearned Empiriks; therefore they can not vndertake any thing fitly and safely in either of them. * 4.49What a great regard is to be had in preseruing bloud in his naturall quantity and qualities, is euident in that it giueth nourish∣ment and strength to the whole body: and it is as it were the meat whereby the natiue heat is fed, as Galen sayth:* 4.50 therefore it may not be drawen out of the body without mature deliberation. * 4.51The things that are to be obserued in opening a veine, are reduced vnto ten heads: these I must not mention, because I labour to be short. Many of these conteine such doubts and difficulties, as require much reading and deepe knowledge. Empiriks alwayes take away blood without due examination of these, (for how can they examine those that they know not?) therefore oft times they take away life also. * 4.52Experience, their only mistresse, can not teach the difference of diseases, of complexions, and of the rest. What though they can iudge of them in a large latitude, as to perceiue a difference betwixt a great disease and a light, betwixt strength and weaknesse? this eue∣ry ideot can do: as when two plots of ground are obiect to the eye, the one farre exceeding the other in greatnesse, euery beholder per∣ceiueth a great difference; but the iust proportion of that difference can not be found out, but by measuring them according to the rules of Geometry. So Empiriks for want of learning can not iudge of these things in so strait a latitude as arte requireth. But beside the foresayd ten heads, other consultations are necessary, whereof Em∣piriks are lesse capable than of the former: as what veine is to be opened; whether a large or small orifice be fitter; what quantity of bloud should be taken; whether it be safer to doe it at once, or at sundry times; whether emptying simply, or reuelling, or diuerting

be required; at what time of the disease it should be done; how many things do inhibit opening of a veine, or perswade delay. The learned Physician is bound by the rules of his Arte to consult of all these and many other, before he dare attempt so great a worke: * 4.53 but the Empirike not foreseeing the perill of omitting these consul∣tations, runneth rashly into it, and abuseth this excellent remedy to the losse of the life of many a patient, * 4.54as Galen plainly sheweth. * 4.55Er∣rours in this kinde are obuious and common to them: one openeth a veine vnder the tongue (by following some English booke, or imi∣tating some learned Physician, not knowing the obseruations neces∣sary in that he attempteth) in a squinsie, the patient being full of blood and the disease in the beginning: whereupon followeth pre∣sent suffocation, by drawing a greater flux to the place affected. An other, as ignorantly, openeth a veine on the arme vpon the criticall day, when there are signes of the crisis by bleeding at the nose: by this action nature is crossed in her regular course, and compelled to yeeld to the disease. A third omitteth letting of blood in a sharpe disease, sundry indications, which he vnderstandeth not, concurring to perswade it, and none to disswade. A fourth taketh away too lit∣tle * 4.56blood in a great disease, or too much in a light. All these Empi∣riks increase their credit out of these deadly errours, by extolling their owne skill, falsifying strange cures performed by them, and af∣firming that if they had come in time, they would not haue failed in the cure of these diseases: now they had performed all that arte re∣quired: the best Doctour in the land could haue taken no other course. They that are eye and eare witnesses of these secret tragoe∣dies, can hardly suspect the ignorance of these confident and glori∣ous Empiriks to haue beene the cause of them. Thus you see Sir, how infortunate, or rather indiscreet they are, that commit their bodies to the cure of an Empirike, whose ignorance often bringeth death, where the disease threateneth no danger at all.* 4.57 It is a misera∣ble thing when greater peril hangeth ouer the patient from the Phy∣sician, than from the disease. The countrey is full of such pitifull practise. The Empiriks lance is oft times as deadly as the Butchers knife. He that promiseth life with his tongue, bringeth the instru∣ment of death in his hand. Therefore whosoeuer regardeth his life, let him not suffer a veine to be opened without the aduice of a lear∣ned Physician.* 4.58 In other cases where life is not presently indange∣red, gr••euous effects follow. The taking away of blood from wo∣men and weake men, casteth them into palsies, gouts, dropsies, and such like di••eases. Galen in many places doth inculcate the danger of opening a veine often; it wasteth & consumeth the spirits, dimi∣nisheth naturall heat & strength, and hasteneth old age accompani∣ed with many infirmities. Yet the common people, ignorant of this, flocke together to Empiriks in the Spring to be let bloud, as if it were a preseruatiue against all diseases. Few or none are refused,

because they bring money; few receiue good, many hurt, because the fornamed obseruations are neglected. The blame of this pub∣like hurt lieth iustly vpon the head of Empiriks, who partly for their owne gaine, and partly for want of iudgement, haue led the multi∣tude into this errour.

* 4.59 Touching purging, as it is more common and vsuall than letting of bloud, so the errours committed in it are as many, and in many ca∣ses procure equall danger to the sicke.* 4.60 It is called a great worke, for it bringeth great ease and comfort to the afflicted when it is perfor∣med according to the rules of Arte; and on the other side, it tormen∣teth them, doubleth the disease, and indangereth life, when it is vn∣dertaken rashly and vnaduisedly by such as vnderstand not all things that are to be considered in it, as none of our Empiriks do. I confesse that experience will teach them what medicine will purge gently, and what strongly; but what is that to the whole mystery of pur∣ging? for the same authour sayth in the same chapter, * 4.61He that will purge any man must diligently obserue and marke almost an infinite number of things. In which words he vtterly excludeth all Empiriks from medling with it, because they are ignorant of the limits and marks whereby they should be directed in it. * 4.62Al__o in other place dis∣coursing of the danger of purging, he concludeth thus; No man ought to giue a purging medicine without great consideration. * 4.63Hippocr. in sundry places sheweth the perill of rash purging; against which he giueth this precept: Nothing is to be done rashly or negli∣gently: speaking of that action. Ignorant boldnesse in the vse of pur∣gers, with dangerous successe attending vpon it, was neuer so com∣mon as in this age.* 4.64 Purgers are too full of perill for the vnlearned to touch. One sayth well of them; In what thing soeuer God hath pla∣ced admirable power and vertue, there he hath also placed danger, as it were the keeper of that vertue. This hath an vndoubted trueth in most purging medicines; the hurt and danger whereof common∣ly breaketh out when they are vsed by such as can not order them according to Arte. In respect of this danger the Herbalist, and others that haue written of simple or compound purgers in our vulgar lan∣guage, giue this necessary caution; Not to vse them without the counsell of a learned Physician. And this is vsuall amongst those of our profession; The further that any of them hath waded into the depth of it, and the profounder knowledge that he hath, the more hardly he is drawen to communicate the vse of purgers with those that haue not studied the Arte: * 4.65because the errors in giuing them are many and great; and the safe and fit vse is hidden and locked vp with other mysteries of Physicke, in the writings of Hippoc. and Galen. A light errour herein bringeth oft times exceeding danger; if the me∣dicine be too strong, or too gentle; if the quantity faileth in defect or excesse; if the first qualities agree not with the disease and temper of the body; if it be hastened before the iust time, or delayd after: the

* 4.66 patient hath either his disease prolonged thereby, o•• his life shorten∣ed. The first consulation about this action, is▪ Whether it be fit to purge, or not. Here the Artist discourseth methodically of euery par∣ticular concerning this point, which I passe ouer to auoid tedious∣nesse, holding it sufficient to point at the generals. After this point is cleered, and that Arte perswadeth purging; then there arise other things very aduisedly to be considered: as the nature of the humour offending; whether it requireth preparing, or not; in what part of the body it lieth most; what kinde of medicine is fittest; whether it should be in a solide, or a liquid forme; whether it should be brought out at once with a strong medicine, or often with gentle, &c. Empi∣riks can not consult of these things without Arte, much lesse iudici∣ally resolue of so many intricate circumstances and deepe points of learning: therefore their practise must be subiect to many errours. * 4.67Alas then, in what miserable estate are their patients? for one errour followeth in the necke of another, like the waues of the sea. Euery new medicine threateneth a new danger. Confusion attendeth vp∣on ignorance:* 4.68 only Arte obserueth order and method, without which no disease can be certeinly cured, as Galen affirmeth.* 4.69 The vsu∣all all maner of purging amongst Empiriks is, To giue a medicine full of scammony; which, as Galen witnesseth, is of all purges the greatest enemy to the stomacke: it draweth ill humors vnto it, and leaueth a long offensiue loathsomnesse behinde it; it ouerheateth the body, breedeth winde, raceth and excoriateth tender bowels, and so pro∣cureth incurable fluxes. This is their common purger, because it worketh plentifully, and is of small price: the one pleaseth the vul∣gar, and the other profiteth themselues. They that vse gentler medi∣cines are also subiect to dangerous errours; one draweth the humor downward, when nature attempteth to expell it vpward; another prepareth that, which should without delay haue beene sent out of the body; a third purgeth raw humors, * 4.70contrary to that approoued rule of Hippoc. all of them wanting Arte to obserue natures operati∣on towards a perfect crisis, doe oft times hasten her sure and stedfast course, and driue it into such violence, as can not afterward be stay∣ed. All these and infinite other errours Empiriks commit in their practise, which learned and iudiciall Physicians, guided by the rules of their Arte, can not fall into.* 4.71 There is one sort of these Empiriks, that vse but one kinde of purging drinke for all diseases. This is a la∣mentable kinde of practise: it driueth many into vncurable dysen∣teries, hectike feuers, and consumptions, and casteth them by heaps headlong into their graues. But I leaue these as the baser sort of them, and most woorthy to be purged out of the common wealth, and returne againe to the great magnifico's. * 4.72There was about six yeeres since an epidemiall or popular flux raging thorow most pla∣ces of this land. This disease stood vpon great putrefaction and cor∣ruption of humors. The course for the cure was to resist this putre∣faction

to temper and prepare the matter offending, and to driue it out with gentle purgers fitted to the humor, complexion, strength, and season. Then the parts weakned were to be corroborated and strengthened both by inward and outward medicines. * 4.73Empiriks, be∣ing not acquainted with this disease, and finding little written in their English books for the cure ofit, tooke a contrarie course, and first of all gaue strong binders. This was very acceptable to patients for a while, for it stayed the violent flowing of the humors, it procu∣red present sleepe, and mitigated paine. By this preposterous and dangerous course, though some few, that had strong bodies, and re∣ceiued this medicine towards the end of the disease, when almost all the infectious matter was expelled, recouered their health; yet a great number had their lines cut off: * 4.74some died sleeping, being stu∣pied with that poisoned medicine: others had their ague increased, by stopping in the corrupt humor: in many the flux broke forth a∣gaine with farre greater fury. * 4.75If these Empiriks had euer read of the danger of this medicine, that it is neuer to be giuen to yong or old; nor to women; neuer to any but only in great extremities, and with many cautions; they might haue auoided this deadly errour. But it was strange to see how the multitude flocked to those that were bol∣dest in the vse of this medicine; for the fame of it for present reme∣dy was spread abroad by them that gaue it, and the danger concea∣led. Thus the simple people greedy of the pleasant bait, swallowed downe the killing hooke. It was not easie for one to take warning by another, the subtill Empiriks had so prouided for the credit both of the medicine and of themselues: for when any died, they gaue out that the medicine was not giuen soone enough, (whereas the sooner it commeth, the more perill it bringeth) or that the patient committed some fault, which was the cause ofhis death: for many had beene cured by this in other places. Another pernicious error, whereinto ignorance carrieth them, is to seeke out medicines in the titles of diseases: as in some English bookes in the title of an Ague, they finde that Sorell is good for it, and Carduus ben••dictus al∣so; the one being very hot, and the other colde. Heere Arte is ne∣cessary to distinguish of the humour and the complexion: for he that giueth that which is not fit for both these, bringeth no light danger. * 4.76Galen vtterly condemneth medicines giuen without distin∣ction, and sheweth the danger of them by an example in the practise of an vnlearned Physitian, who hauing cured many of patnes in the cares proceeding from a colde cause, gaue the same medicine in a hot cause with vnhappy successe. * 4.77Also he reporteth a greater error in another Physician, who in the beginning of a sweat brought his patient into a bath; whereupon followed present death. If all our learned Physitians should bring together all the pitifull examples that they haue obserued in the practise of Empiriks, they would fill large volumes.* 4.78 Galen sayth, many die because they obey not their

Physician. But they that ob••erue the practise of our Empiriks, may as truly say, many die because they obey their ignorant and vnlearn∣ed Physicians. If their deadly errors could be perceiued by others, as well as by those that professe the Arte,* 4.79 some of them might be as famous as Themison, of whom Iuuenal sayth, Olde age is subiect to as many infirmities, as Themison killed patients in one Autumne. Galen sette••h forth their errors very liuely in these words; As often as they visit their patients, so often they erre by their inartificiall attempts. But I will examine their errors no further.

[unspec 1] * 4.80The reasons brought in defence of Empiriks are now to be con∣futed. * 4.81The first and maine reason is, their experience, the very foun∣dation of all their practise. It is thus defined by Ga••en; It is an obser∣uation and remembrance of that which hath fallen out often and af∣ter the same maner. This definition vtterly maimeth the practise of our best Empiriks: for by this it is cleere that experience reacheth not to the theorie and speculation of the Arte; it teacheth not the knowledge of the difference of the constitutions of mens bodies, nor of the causes of diseases, nor method of curing them:* 4.82 for none of the••e fall out after the same maner: but it respecteth only some few things in the practise; for in that also are many occurents, that fall not out after the same maner, and therefore can no•• be learned by experience. Diseases, as they haue sundry causes, so their symp∣tomes and accidents are variable. * 4.83Heurnius speaking of one disease, sayth, it deludeth the Physician a thousand wayes. What can expe∣rience learne in this great variety? I confesse it is a necessary and ef∣fectuall meane to confirme the knowledge of a Physician. The e∣uent and successe of things past must be carefully obserued and layd vp in memory to be compared with things to come. Many things also are found out by experience alone, as the nature of simples; wherein Galen commendeth it highly: * 4.84In finding out the vertue of medicines we must begin at exper ence, sayth he. * 4.85To this agreeth that which he speaketh of the same argument in another place. This first taught that Rubarbe purgeth choler, and Agarike flegme. Gesner amongst others, was exceedingly industrious in this kinde, & found out many things in our Art by his experience, as he affirmeth in his Epistles. But this bringeth nothing to the credit of Empiriks: for what are these few things in comparison of all those that are requi∣red in a Physician? One reporteth that a yong man walking by the sea side, and finding an old boat, purposed to build a ship therewith, neuer considering what a great number of other things were requi∣red to so great a worke. Experience helpeth no more towards that great building of the Art of Physicke, than that did towards a ship. No learned man euer ascribed any commendation to experience in this Arte, but when it was ioyned with learning. * 4.86Pliny speaketh thus of them that practise by experience without learning: They learne by our perils, and they trie experiments by our death. Expe∣rience

alone, with a little helpe of nature, maketh men skilfull in me∣chanicall trades, in merchandize, and in other kinds of buying and selling; but the deepe knowledge conteined in the l berall sciences, and in other learning rising out of them, requireth much read ng, long study, great meditation; and after the theoric or speculation of them is obteined, then practise and experience confirmeth and esta∣blisheth them: but without the former, the latter is weake, lame, and maimed. * 4.87Galen in sundry places expresseth the danger of experience without learning, and sheweth into what grieuous errou••s Empiriks fall for want of knowledge. * 4.88They runne rashly and without reason from one medicine to another, hoping at the last to finde out that which shall helpe. A dangerous and desperate kind of practise, when for want of the light of Arte, they are compelled to wander gro••ing in the darke dungeon of ignorance,* 4.89 not knowing wh ch way to turne. And yet in Galens time there were no such Empir••ks, as in this age; it was not then heard of, that a man vtterly ignorant in the foundation of all learning, durst presume to intrude himselfe into the practise of that deepe and intricate science. * 4.90The difference be∣twixt an Artist and him that worketh by experience, is set ••oorth by Aristotle: an Artist knoweth the causes and reasons of things subiect to his Arte: an Empirike knoweth many things also; but he is igno∣rant of the causes of them. What thought he can in some things sa∣tisfie the ignorant vulgar with some shew of reason? euery simple man can doe this in his trade: yet in the great and maine points of the Arte, Empiriks can yeeld no sound reason, being vo d of the knowledge of Philosophy, from wh ch the causes of such things are drawen. * 4.91Galen setteth Physicke, as a perfect man vpon two legges; Learning, and Experience:* 4.92 therefore the best Empirike is but a lame and left-legged Physician. It is a full consent of all learned in Phy∣sicke or Philosophy, * 4.93That nothing can be happily done in the Art of Physicke without method and order: and it is as true that experience can not teach this method. This is confirmed by Plato; * 4.94He that thinketh he hath learned an Arte without the method of ••t, let him know that he hath but the shadow of the Arte, and not the Arte it selfe. Therefore all the practise of our long experienced men, being destitute of order and method, can haue no approbation amongst the learned, but it is to be vtterly reiected and banished out of the common-wealth, as a pernicious and perillous enemy to the liues of men. It is like to the walking of a blinde man in a knowen path, wherein, if there be a hole digged, or a blocke layed, he is in danger of falling so if there be any hidden thing in the disease, in the causes, or symptomes of it, as there is commonly, the Empirike is beyond his skill,* 4.95 he stumbleth and falleth; and the life of the sicke is in ieo∣pardy. * 4.96Moreouer, if an Empirike light vpon a rare disease, not seene before by him, or vpon a new disease, whereof he neuer heard, what safe course can he take here? he wanteth learning, and experience

hath taught him nothing that bringeth any sparke of hope in this case. Here he is vtterly confounded: yet he will neuer confesse his ignorance, and counsell his patient to send to a learned Physician: but not knowing what to do in the disease, nor able to giue any rea∣son of it, he p••onoun••••th the patient to be bewitched; and so lea∣ueth him. Therefore though the vulgar may suppose that experience is sufficient for the cure of common and ordinary maladies, yet it is absurd and senselesse, to imagine that it can inable then: in rare, ex∣traordinary, and new sicknesses. * 4.97An Ague, that seemeth to be but an ordinary and light sicknesse, may haue some malignity in it, or may be secretly fixed in some principall part, * 4.98or be accompanied with some other disease. Heere experience can not distinguish: that must proceed from Logicke, and from knowledge in Naturall Phi∣losophy, but especially from anatomy and the grounds of Physicke. * 4.99Therefore experience is a blinde and weake guide to direct in these cases; and no patient can assure himselfe that his disease is not with∣in the compasse of some of these. How can any man then call an Empirike to the cure of his body without great danger? You see, sir, what a weake ground experience is to build all the practise of Phy∣sicke vpon. Learning is as it were the very soule of this Arte, which hath his full perfection when it is confirmed by experience: but this wi••hout that is to be condemned as a dangerous thing. But some men are so full of grosse ignorance, and so dull of conceit, that not∣withstanding all that hath beene sayd, they will be obstinate in their senselesse opinion, that sufficient knowledge for the practise in Phy∣sicke may be gotten by experience alone. I will not deale with these vnlearned men; I write onely to you whom I know to be learned and iudiciall, and therfore satisfied in this point: and yet I will adde this out of Galen: * 4.100He that hopeth to heape vp the speculation of the Arte of Physicke by experience without learning, hath need of a thousand yeeres. This grand reason of experience is further vrged of some by the example of Atturneys at the common law:* 4.101 most of these haue nothing to direct them but experience and obseruation, and yet sundry things passe thorow their hands as substantially and effectually performed, as by learned Counsellers: therefore vnlear∣ned Physicians well instructed by experience may do some cures as well as great scholars. The answer to this is easie: There are many things in law which belong meerely to Atturneys, and require no learning: also they follow presidents and vsuall formes, and many things wh ch they doe, are plaine transcripts, written out of bookes verbatim, wherein they cannot erre, if they follow their paterne. But it is farre otherwise in Physicke: there is no vsuall forme to follow in iudging or curing of diseases; things seldome fall out after the same maner; the Physician must alter and change his course, as the disease and accidents require, wherein experience can not guide him, but the rules of the Arte. But if I should grant that Empiriks are as At∣turneys,

then it must follow that learned Physicians are as learned Counsellers: and as Atturneys in doubtfull cases aske the opinion of them, so should Empiriks do of the other: this would make their practise farre freer from danger, and preserue the ••ues of many of their patients. But the case of an Atturney and of an Empirike is not alike: if by his fault his client lose the day, the matter may som∣times be brought about againe; but if life be lost by the error of the Empirike, it can not be restored.

[unspec 2] * 4.102 The second reason brought in defence of Empir ks is, That they reade English books sufficient to instruct them in their practise. This reason seemeth to proceed from one that vnderstandeth his mother tongue only: for if his iudgement were confirmed by the know∣ledge of learned languages, he would not vrge this weake argument. All the large volumes of Hipp. Gal. Auicen and all other famous Phy∣sicians both new and olde, were first written in the Greeke or La∣tine tongues, or afterward translated into one of them; the igno∣rance whereof hath in all ages beene accounted a strong ba••••e to exclude all men from the profession of that Arte. That which is written in English is very little and light in respect of the whole: ne∣ther can it be perfectly vnderstood without the helpe of Grammar and Logicke, as euery meane scholar will confesse. All nations Chri∣stian, wherein the ciuill law is vsed, can not affoord one man of any meane account in that profession, that vnderstands not the Latine tongue, wherein their large books are written. And I dare confi∣dently affirme, that Physicke is as profound and intricate a study as the Ciuill law, and requireth as much reading and knowledge o•• tongues, as that doth. Therefore I see not why the practise of our most famous Empiriks should not be brought into base and con∣temptible account.* 4.103 What though there be a profitable vse of Mini∣sters in our Church, that vnderstand English books only, being yet able to execute their office in some commendable maner? yet this reason holdeth not in Empiriks: for first there is farre more Diuinity than Physicke written in our vulgar idiome; all the grounds and principles of religion are set forth at large in it: whereas no part of Hipp. Gal. &c. is translated into that tongue Secondly, Ministers haue farre greater helps in hearing the learned of that profession, and in frequent conference with them: whereas Empiriks labour alwayes to auoid the presence and company of learned Physicians,* 4.104 being not able to speake any th ng sensibly in their profession, nor willing to haue it knowen that they aske counsell of any man, be∣cause they carry themselues as if they had the complete and absolute knowledge of the Arte. Thirdly, the maner of teaching differeth farre from the maner of practise, and is not subiect to so many er∣rours. But on the other side, as no Minister is able to confute a lear∣ned aduersarie, that hath not skill at the least in the Latine tongue; so no Empirike is able to encounter with sicknesse, that great aduer∣sarie

to nature, without weapons fetched from the Greeke or La∣tine tongue. M. Latimer sayth in one of his sermons; English Diui∣nity will neuer be able to expell Popery out of this land: and it may as truly be sayd; Engl••sh Physicians can not cure English diseases.

[unspec 3] * 4.105 The third reason is; They do many cures. Th••s maketh much for their credit with them that perceiue not the falshood of it. All cures are artificiall, naturall, or casuall. No man of iudgement can ascribe artificiall cures to them that are not Artists.* 4.106 I am not ignorant that nature is sayd to cure all diseases; nor how that is to be vnderstood:* 4.107 but by naturall cures I meane those that are performed by the strength of nature alone without any helpe of medicines; and doubt∣lesse many of their cures are of this kinde: for when the disease is dangerous or vnknowen, as it is often to them, there the most cir∣cumspect of them commonly giueth some light medicine, that hath no power to alter the body, or mitigate the disease, as is required: * 4.108this is, as one sayth, to leaue a ship in a great storme to the violence of the waues. If in this case the patient recouer by the aid of nature, then this fortunate Empirike and his companions extoll and mag∣nifie the cure, as if rare and extraordinary skill had beene shewed in it, when it was meerely naturall. * 4.109By casuall cures I meane not such as are meerely casuall, and beside the purpose of them that giue the medicines: of this kinde are the histories in Galen,* 4.110 of two despe∣rately sicke of the leprosie, to both which was giuen wine wherein a viper had beene drowned: both the giuers had a purpose to kill them; the one of compassion, the other of hatred: but both the pa∣tients were cured by the secret and admirable vertue of the viper. * 4.111Like to this is that which we reade of a woman that gaue her hus∣band the powder of a toad to rid him out of a painfull dropsie; but by the violent operation of the poison all the matter of the disease was expelled, and the man recouered. But by casuall cures I vnder∣stand such as are performed by hap or chance in respect of the Arte, * 4.112being done without order or method; as when one shooteth neg∣lecting all the fiue things required in an Archer, and yet hitteth the marke: this is a meere chance, and falleth out seldome. * 4.113Such are the cures of Empiriks. Fulnesse of blood in the veines, and of ill humors in the body, are the common causes of most inward diseases: here the learned Physician first collecteth all the signes of the disease, then he referreth them to their causes; and hauing diligently reuolued in in his minde all the indications belonging to the Art, he proceedeth to the cure by taking away the cause of the disease. The Empirike in the same case, not knowing how to gather the signes of the sick∣nesse, much lesse how to referre them to their causes, attempteth the cure without consultation, and by a weake and inartificiall conie∣cture openeth a veine, or giueth a violent purger; by both which rash and vnaduised courses many lose their liues: but when any re∣couer, the cure may fitly be called casuall, more by good hap than

by learning. * 4.114Light errors in the cure of a disease doe neuer appeare in a strong bodie, as Hippoc. saith, nor in a light disease, no more than the ignorance of a pilot in a calme: but a great disease and a vi∣olent storme trieth the skill of them both. Sometimes grosse and gricuous errors are obscured and hidden: for where the strength of nature weareth them out, and the patient recouereth his health, the Empericke can neuer be stained with the blot of them. Therefore since almost all inward diseases proceed from fulnesse, some are cu∣red in strong bodies by emptying, though that be done confusedly and without Arte. But this reason is further inforced, that sundrie sicke persons recouer vnder them, which came out of the hands of learned Physitians. This is no argument of their knowledge, for in long diseases patients are commonly desirous of change, when som∣times the cause of the disease is taken awaie before, and nothing re∣quired but time to gather strength. Moreouer they that are tired with long sicknesse, do vsually submit themselues to a stricter course both of medicines and diet vnder their second Physitian: and though nothing be administred in either of these agreeable to Art, yet some few may escape, as a shippe or two, in the losse of a great fleet, may passe by rockes and sands, and a••iue at the wished hauen. Also some that haue beene afflicted with long sicknesse, are willing to submit themselues to a farre stricter course vnder their second Phy∣sitian, than vnder their first▪ and are easily induced both to abstaine from things hurtfull, be they neuer so pleasing to them, and to take that which is offensiue. And although the best of these vnlearned Practitioners cannot prescribe diet or medicine fitting to the temper of the body, and agreeing to the nature of the disease: yet a slender diet of rosted meats, and a drying drinke (which is a common course with them all) doth sometimes cure an old disease proceeding from a cold and moist humour, though all things be done confusedlie without order or methode. * 4.115Fernelius affirmeth, that some great and dangerous diseases haue had an happie end by a slender and strict diet onel••e, without any Arte. And this is the reason why learned Physitians doe sometimes faile in the cure of diseases of this kind, be∣cause intemperate patients will not be barred from eating & drink∣ing according to their appetite, but as fast as the Physitian dimini∣sheth the matter of the sicknesse by emptying, so fast they renew it a∣gaine by filling. * 4.116Therefore a seruant, that by the basenesse of his condition, is bound to follow all that which is prescribed agreeable to the rules of our Arte, is cured in a shorter time and with more fa∣cility, than those which are free, and wi••l not subiect themselues to ordinarie meanes. An Empiricke then, that hath opportunity to draw patients ••rom their owne houses, where they haue all pleasant things at command and to bring them into his strict custodie, may well heale some by abstinence onely: as a 4.117Plin. reporteth of one Iu∣lius a Romane, and b 4.118B••neuenius telleth of a patient of his: both which

were cured of a dropsie by abstaining from drinke.* 4.119 Furthermore, ig∣norance, the mother of boldnesse, maketh Empiriks more aduentu∣rous in their practise, and more hardy in the vse of strong and vio∣lent medicines: by reason whereof they plucke vp the roote of some disease which a warie and circumspect Physitian, forseeing the per∣ill, would not attempt. And although this kind of practise be alwaies full of danger, and bringeth many a man to vntimely death, yet it is in daily vse with many ignorant practitioners. And when one a∣mongst many receiue health by it, then the Emperike taketh occasi∣on to magnifie himselfe, and to disable the former Physitian, were he neuer so learned: his owne fame together with the others infa∣mie is blased abroad. But if their practise with other mens patients were well examined, it would plainly appeare, that for one that re∣couereth, very many end their liues, or increase their disease. * 4.120Tully saith, he that shooteth all day long, is like to hit the marke some∣times: and they that haue many patients may cure some in despite of Arte.* 4.121 Their cures are farre more noted because they doe earnestly endeuour to make them obiects to the eies and eares of all men, and labour as carefully to conceale the dangerous and deadly effects of their ignorant and desperate practise from the view of the World. Men that runne thorow many great actions, if the few happie and fortunate they performe be set vpon a stage in the light of the sunne, and all the bad and vnhappie hidden in the darke, the vulgar shall finde much matter of commendation, though some few sharpe sighted shall see iust cause to condemne them. It is vsuall with Em∣pirikes to extoll and magnifie their owne cures, and with their smooth tongues to allure simple & credulous men to applaude and giue credit to their hyperbolicall and amplified discourse, and vaine glorious brags of their woonderfull and rare cures. But learned and ingenious Physitians account it an odious and hatefull thing to boast of their cures, & therefore they haue commonly lesse applause and commendation of the multitude. * 4.122When mens actions merit no true and iust praise, they are woont to seeke for false: and he is allow∣ed to commend himselfe, whom no other will commend.

[unspec 4] * 4.123The fourth reason to inable Empiriks is, that they haue excellent medicines, yea some of them haue rare and admirable secrets. This is like a plaine iugling tricke, wherein things seeme to simple behol∣ders farre otherwise than they are. Hippoc. Gal. and other renow∣med Physitians had no secrets, though some things in their bookes haue a sound and outward shew of them. * 4.124For Hip. saith, holy things (meaning the secrets of Physicke) are not to be discouered to pro∣fane persons. And Galen speaketh to the same purpose, we write not these things for the Germanes, nor for other rude and barbarous people no more then for Beares, or Bores, or Lions: but for the Gre∣cians, and for those that imitate their studies, though they be of the stocke of the Barbarians. This they wrot to shew the base account

that the learned Grecians made of the rude and illiterate Barbarians: But it is manifest out of their works that they had no purpose to con∣ceale the mysteries of their Art from learned men. * 4.125For Hipp. swear∣eth to teach his scholers all the mysteries and secrets of Physick.* 4.126 And Heurnius, speaking of Hippocrates, saith, so great was the bountie of that great master, that he knew nothing whereof he would haue vs ignorant. Also Galen hath these words, A louer of the truth ought to hide nothing that he hath found out.* 4.127 And in another place he vt∣tereth his disliking of concealing secrets in these words.* 4.128 It seemeth to me a very rude and clownish part to hide those things which be∣long to health. * 4.129And he protesteth that he hath communicated to o∣thers all the secrets that he had found out. If it were esteemed odious and intolerable amongst them that had no knowledge of God, to locke vp those things in secret, which might preserue the bodie in health, or bring an happie and wished end to grieuous diseases: much more ought it to be condemned amongst religious Christians. But in this boasting of secrets the common sort are carried into a double errour: for First, Empiriks haue no such secrets: Secondly, if they had, they cannot make a fit and safe vse of them. For the former, no man of iudgement can imagine that they haue them by their owne reading, that reade so little, & vnderstand farre lesse: and (that which is much more) that are ignorant of the languages, wherein it is most probable these secrets should be inclosed. Neither is it credible that any learned man should discouer them rather to this ignorant brood, than to those of their owne ranke, learned and ingenious. All the secrets contained within the Art of Physicke are soonest found out by the profoundest scholers & greatest students. Therfore if any be in the hands of Empirikes: the same, yea many more are knowen to the learned. Touching the latter, it is euident (as hath beene partly prooued before) that diseases are not cured by medi∣cines & receits, but by a learned and methodical vse of them, where∣unto Empirikes cannot attaine. And if it were possible for any of them to ingrosse all the secrets of the world, yet his practise should deserue neuer the better estimation, for they should be but as so ma∣ny sharpe weapons in the hands of a mad man, wherewith it is liker he should do hurt than good. The sharper a toole is, the more skil∣full workeman it requireth: and the more effectuall or excellent a medicine is, the greater knowledge should be in him that vseth it. An ancient Physitian saith, medicines vsed by the vnlearned are poison.* 4.130 Apollo the God of Physicke is said to hold sharpe arrowes in his left hand, threatning danger to the patients where medicines are sini∣sterly or vnlearnedly vsed. Medicines cannot be rightly vsed, but by them that vnderstand the whole methode of Physicke. The vnlear∣ned Physition before mentioned abused his excellent medicine for the eares. * 4.131Galen taught one a present remedy for paine in his sto∣macke, which he vsing afterward in the same disease, but proceeding

* 4.132 from another cause, was farre worse for it. Medicines therefore do oftner hurt then helpe, be they neuer so excellent, if there be not Art in the giuing of them, to fit them to the cause of the disease, and other circumstances required. But to impart to you my confident opinion of these secrets grounded partly vpon my own obseruation, and partly vpon intelligence from learned and honest Physitians: they are but triuiall and common things knowen to euerie meane Apothecarie, or of baser account than the meanest drugge. One of these ignoraut and vaine glorious fellowes hauing spent a few mo∣neths in following the warres beyond the seas, and being desirous to liue at home with more case and lesse perill, resolued to become a Physitian. To the effecting heereof he procured some common re∣ceits from an Apothecarie and returned hither. Heere he gat some shifting companions to him, promising them part of his gaine, if they would extoll his skill and magnifie his medicines as rare and admirable secrets, farre fetched, and bought at a great price. * 4.133Thus he obtained great fame. One of these medicines so highly commen∣ded, came by chance to the hands of an Apothecary: it was a very fine and pure white powder: and being diligently examined, it was found to be nothing but the simple powder of an egge shell: yet the cosener valued it as thirty shillings the ounce. Thus subtill and de∣ceiptfull Empirikes grace their vile & contemptible medicines with the name of secrets, that they may the easier allure and illude the simple people, who are delighted with the supposed nouelty and rarenesse of them. And as they deceiue many with that falslie impo∣sed name, so they vse another subtiltie to conceale them from those that know all vsuall medicines by their colour, smell or taste: for they mingle something with them onely to alter these qualities. By this tricke, that sauoureth of cosenage, and requireth a false tongue to purchase credit to it, many of our Empiriks extoll their fame and increase their wealth. All these things duely considered, may make the very name of a secret, out of the mouth of an Empirike, to be as a watchword to all men of iudgement to beware of the medicine, * 4.134and of him that boasteth of it: for there is alwaies much falshood and deceit in the one and commonly little good, or rather much danger in the other. They which are knowen to haue no learning, seeke to establish their credit by these meanes, and they haue pre∣uailed much, not onely with the vulgar, but with many of the better sort, whose iudgement, though it be sound in most politicke and ci∣uil affaires, yet in this it is much defectiue. For they esteeme too light∣ly of the deepe and intricate arte of Physicke, (wherein all the helps of nature do faile without a learned teacher, diligent and long study, and continuall meditation) and are too forward in commending and vsing them, that haue raked vp together a little practise out of * 4.135English bookes or the bils of learned Physitians, and haue no ground of any learning to direct them.

[unspec 5] * 4.136 The fifth and last reason to grace Empirikes, is their great skill in vrines, whereby they oftentimes tel the disease as well as a learned Physitian. This maketh as little for their estimation, amongst men of iudgement as any of the former. For diseases haue many signes whereby they are made knowen, all which must be compared toge∣ther and examined: the vrine is but one signe and that doubtfull and vncertaine:* 4.137 for those diseases that are in the lesser veines, or in others parts of the bodie without the veines, cannot be discerned by it. The head is subiect to many diseases that appeare not in the vrine: so are the eares, eies, nose, mouth, throate, necke, breast, mid∣rife, bowels, ioints, flesh and skinne: diseases incident to all these partes doe neuer discouer themselues by the vrine alone. * 4.138Moreouer sometimes the same kind of vrine is to be seene in diseases of a con∣trarie nature, as in a phrensie, which is a hot disease, and in a cold distemper of the stomacke, the vrine is often in both of them pale and raw. In this case, he that giueth medicines out of the vrine, in∣dangereth the life of the sicke. For the deceitfull vrine pursueth hot medicines, which in a frenzie are deadly: also the vrine is sometime red and high coloured as well in the weakenesse of the liuer, as in a vehement ague: if in the former, the Empirike trusting to the water (as many haue done in this case) openeth a veine, he sendeth the pa∣tient headlong to the graue, * 4.139whom Arte might easily, or peraduen∣ture nature would alone haue recouered. In the plague somtimes the better the water is, in the greater danger the sicke is: for the pestilent humour is impact into the hart, & nature not able to expell any of it. Forestus saith, * 4.140that in a great pleurisie with a vehement ague, the wa∣ter is sometimes good, though the patient dieth. And euen in those diseases wherein the vrine affoordeth most knowledge, as when the disease is in the great veines, liuer, kidneies or bladder, there are sud∣den changes and alterations able to hinder the iudgement of a lear∣ned Physician. * 4.141Therefore Galen saith, the vrine is sometimes good this day, ill to morrow, and the third day good againe. Beside, ru∣barbe or saffron maketh it high coloured: so doth fasting, watching, and violent exercise. Leeks and such like giueth it a greene tincture, and cassia maketh it blacke. If you require further proofe of these bare assertions, and a full discourse of the light and doubtfull con∣iectures that are gathered from vrines, I refer you to a learned trea∣tise written of that argument by Forestus. There it is substantiallie * 4.142prooued by sound reasons, and the testimonies of our most famous authours, that the vrine in most diseases giueth no light to a learned [unspec 1] Physician, wherby he may find out the disease without other signes. [unspec 2] That no medicine can fitly be prescribed by the vrine alone. That [unspec 3] it can not shew conception, nor yet distinguish sex certainly. That this custome of sending vrines to Physicians was not vsed amongst the ancients and learned Physicians, * 4.143nor is at this day in Italy and other places: but that it is newly brought in by ignorant and deceit∣full [unspec 4]

Empirikes partly for their owne gaine gaine, and partly to dis∣grace learned and honest Physicians, who abhorre to tell strange and plausible things out of the vrine, which Arte and a good con∣science cannot iustifie. * 4.144The foresaid Authour in the same booke, speaking of these vnlearned Physicians, saith, their discourse out of vrine conteineth nothing but monstrous and glorious lies, full of cosenage and deceite. And by this foolish babling out of the vrine, the vulgar are caught in a snare, spoiled of their mony, and often depriued of their liues. The lesse knowledge an Emperike hath, the larger discourse he maketh out of vrine, the more subtillie he exami∣neth the messenger, and gathering from him part of the disease, he repeateth the same in other words, amplifying and enlarging his speech, so as the simple hearer imagineth that he vttereth much knowledge out of the vrine: but if any man of iudgement heard him talke, he should find no truth in the matter, nor any sense in the words. If it please you to consider what manner of men most of these Empirikes are, (such as haue forsaken that occupation or last and laborious course of life wherein they were brought vp in their youth, and addicted themselues to professe that Arte whereof they are vtterly ignorant) you may easily perceiue that they are compel∣led to vse all staudulent and deceitfull meanes to establish their cre∣dit. Ignorance cannot purchase estimation, vnlesse it be couered with the cloake of knowledge. Craft and subtilty will preuaile when simple and honest dealing shalbe of no account. Large and strange talke, be it neuer so foolish and false, is pleasing to the mul∣titude, but bare and naked truth, vttered in few words, is lightly regarded. * 4.145This allureth the common people to flocke to Empirikes and leaue learned Physicians: for there they shall heare that the braine is perished, the hart is swelled, the lungs are consumed, the liuer is dried and the spleene wasted: and in all these they will war∣rant the cure: whereas first it is certaine, they can discern none of these by the vrine:* 4.146 and then it is as certaine that they can cure none of them. Their light coniectures out of vrines stand vpon such casie and plaine rules, that a simple woman vsed to be about the sicke, may vnderstand them. For sicke vrines are for the most part high coloured, or very pale. In the former, they speake of a feuer that of∣fendeth the head, procureth short and troubled sleepes, taketh away appetite, bringeth a loathsome taste to the mouth, oppresseth the heart, and causeth paine in the backe: this lesson serueth for all y∣rines of that colour: and oft times it fareth thus with the patient, for most agues haue these common symptomes. In pale vrines they haue another lesson: there they pronounce the stomacke to be weak, flegme to abound, want of digestion, heauinesse after meat, inclina∣tion to sleepe, the body full of winde and subject to stitches. These two obseruations with a nimble tongue, and much tautologie are sufficient to get a great opinion amongst the multitude. Vnto these

two rules they adde a carefull cie to him that bringeth the vrine:* 4.147 they obserue his countenance, his apparell, the vessell wherein it is, and such like. There is a prettie history of this in Forestus: * 4.148A poore man brought his wiues vrine to a famous Empirike: it was in winter, and some of the water was spilt and frozen on the outside of the pot. The Physician marking the heauie countenance of the fellow, con∣iectured thereby that the patient was some deere friend of his, and very sicke. And hauing viewed the vrine, he said, is not this your wiues vrine? I perceiue she is very ill. The simple clowne answea∣red, Sir, your skill is excellent: you haue iudged right. But what see you more? The subtill Empirike seeing the vrine to be well colou∣red, and to giue no suspition of any inward disease, gessed it to be some outward thing. The credulous and foolish man said, I wonder at your cunning: go on I pray you and tell me how her side came to be blacke and blew. The Empirike taking hold of these plaine words, imagined that it happened by some fall or blow, and asked him if she had not a fall. He taking this question to be an absolute and vndoubted assertion, still magnified his skill, and said further vn∣to him, if you can tell me where and how she fell, I will hold you to be the onely Physician in this land. The Empirike smiling at his simplicity, and considering with himselfe the manner and fashion of poore country houses, answered, it was like she fell off a ladder. This simple fellow admiring the answeares as proceeding from rare and extraordinarie skill, asked further if he could see in the vrine from how many staues she fell. He presuming that the poore mans house was low, said, from eight staues: the clowne not satisfied with this, shaked his head, and desired him to looke better in the vrine, and he should find more. This crafty imposter perceiuing that he had ges∣sed too few, and remembring that which he had spied before on the pot, demanded of him, if he spilt none of the water by the way, which being confessed, he said, there you may finde the rest of the staues, for I am assured there are no more to be seene in this vrine. This is their vsuall maner of telling wonders out of the water, when they meet with rude & seelie people. * 4.149Therefore the same authour saith, it is cleere that this diuining Arte of telling strange and admi∣rable things out of vrines, is meere cosenage, whereby they do craf∣tily circumuent and deceiue the credulous and vnwarie multitude. How light account Hipp. made of vrines in respect of other signes, doth plainly appeare in that he wrot so largely of them, and so spa∣ringly of this. * 4.150For discoursing of sharpe diseases, he filleth all the first booke, and part of the second with other signes and marks to know and iudge them by, before he maketh any mention of the vrine: and when he commeth to that, he passeth it ouer briefly. The pulse also giueth a farre greater light to the Physician, than the vrine.* 4.151 There∣fore Gal. wrot 18. bookes of that, which are extant, besides that vp∣on Archigines, which are lost; and not one of this. Rhases saith, the

strength of the sicke is the mistresse of Physicians, and the vrine ne∣uer sheweth that strength consisteth of the symmetry and perfect temper and proportion of the naturall, vitall and animall spirits. The fountaine of the first is in the liuer: of the second in the hart: of the third in the braine. The vrine sheweth a little of the first: much lesse of the second, which is farre more to be regarded: and nothing at all of the third. If they that had the perfection of Arte cannot iudge of the strength of the sicke by the vrine, into what danger doe Emperiks bring their patients in purging and letting of bloud by the vrine alone? they must either arrogate to themselues farre deeper insight into vrines, than these men had, which is absurd, or else con∣fesse that they haue led the people into a grosse and dangerous error, by perswading them that their diseases may be perfectly knowen and perceiued by that alone. I haue presumed vpon your patience in being so long in this point, because it is the great pillar of their credit.

[unspec 4] * 4.152Now I come to the fourth and last part, which is to shew the cau∣ses of Empirikes fame. These are deriued partly from themselues, and partly from the vulgar. Some of those from themselues haue beene touched before, as the extolling and magnifying their owne cures, both with their owne mouthes, and by procuring popular fel∣lowes which frequent Innes and Tauerns, to be trumpetters and sounders abroad of their praise, without any regard of truth. Their boasting of rare and admirable secrets, knowen to no other man. * 4.153 Their large, senseles and fained discourse out of vrines. To these be∣fore mentioned may be added sundry reasons,* 4.154 as the cariage of themselues in all their practises, so as they may seeme to be ignorant of nothing appertaining to Physicke. This cannot be effected with∣out a false tongue and colourable actions. * 4.155Also they interlace their common talke with strange and vnusuall words and phrases, not vn∣derstood of the common sort: they rap out lame sentences of an En∣glish booke (alas poore Priscian) hauing not a rag of Grammar to couer their naked ignorance with. They hold this as a rule, to be full * 4.156of words, and sometimes violent in their babling, all tending to publish their owne skill and disgrace others. Some of them shew to their patients and acquaintance such bookes as themselues vnder∣stand not, as if they learned their practise out of them. Others haue anatomies of mens bodies, which they shew at euery opportunitie, holding the beholders with long and foolish discourse out of them, and pointing at the very place, where they imagine the disease to be seated. This pleaseth plaine and vnlearned persons exceedingly, and bringeth them into a confident opinion of the truth of all that is vt∣tered, and also of profound knowledge to be contained in it: in both which they are deceiued, for ignorance is an inseparable marke to all Empirikes, and falshood to most.* 4.157 It is vsuall with the best of them falsely to grace themselues by stealing away the credit of other mens

cures: as when a learned Physician prescribed a course to a patient, and by reason of the distance of place, or his emploiment otherwise, leaueth the execution of this to one of them dwelling neere: if this patient recouereth, the Empirike maketh it his owne cure, and yet he was but the instrument directed by another, and did no more then belongeth to an Apothecarie. This fraudulent deuise hath ad∣ded much to the credit of some: for when any of these cures are per∣formed, the Empirike publisheth with protestation that he folowed not the course set downe by the Physician, but tooke another farre fitter and more effectuall. But in this case, if the patient die, then he la••••th the blame vpon the other, affirming that the medicines were vnfit: and if the cure had beene committed to him, he would not hauefailed in it.* 4.158 There are yet more deuises amōgst them to inlarge their credit, for some of them are risen to that height of impudency, that they blush not to brag of their degrees taken in the Vniuersity, and that they haue disputed with Doctors, and beene approued by them, and might take that degree: and yet they neuer came in any schole of learning, nor are more able to reason with any yong stu∣dent in that profession, than to contend with a Lion in strength. * 4.159Moreouer they promise the cure of all diseases committed to them, wherein when they faile, they impute the fault to some error com∣mitted by the patient, or to some secret thing in the body, which Arte could not foresee. Also they make diseases seeme greater and more dangerous than they are indeed: affirming euery light cough to be a consumption of the lungs: euery common ague to be a bur∣ning seuer: euery stitch on the side to be a pleurisie: euery little swel∣ling in the body or feet to be a dropsie euery old vlcer to be a fistula, and euery ordinarie bile in time of infection to be the plague: by this deceit they get much more money, and farre greater credit, when they cure any of these, than they should do if they dealt truly. * 4.160Further they perswade their familiars that they are vsed in their pro∣fession by the chiefe personages in, or neere the place they inhabit, often naming those whom they neuer saluted. Last of all they con∣ceale the course of their practise from all that can iudge of it: for the better effecting where of they neuer send their bils to the Apotheca∣ries, as learned Physicians doe, nor will admit any other of that pro∣fession to haue accesse to their patients. For their owne conscien∣ces accusing them of ignorance, they may iustly feare that by either of these meanes their vnfit and dangerous practise should be disco∣uered, and consequently their credit impaired. Heere they are of∣ten compelled to arrogate much vnto themselues, and to assure their patients that they are not inferiour to any man in the skill of their profession. Thus masked ignorance, affecting and pretending knowledge, is induced to violate both naturall and religious lawes, in preferring gaine and estimation before the health and liues of

men: in suffering none to be admitted to those cures which them∣selues cannot perfect, & might with facility be performed by others. By these and such like reasons they increase their reputation and in∣large their practise amongst the common sort. Other reasons heere∣of are drawen from the simplicity of the vulgar, who being vtterly ignorant of the causes of naturall things, are thereby void of suspiti∣on and so credulous that they beleeue euery thing they heare of these Empirikes, and are by these meanes brought into an ouerwee∣ning of them. Out of this erronious opinion they ascribe as much vnto them, as vnto the profoundest Physicians. * 4.161Tully reporteth that they which inhabited the Iland called Seryphus, and neuer went out of it, where they saw no other beasts but hares and foxes,* 4.162 would not beleeue that there were lions or panthers in the world: and if a∣ny man told them of the elephant, they thought themselues mocked. So it is with the simple multitude, they know onely their neighbour Empirikes, which are but as hares and foxes: and if they heare of li∣ons, that is, a sort of Physicians, as farre aboue them in the know∣ledge of the Arte, as the lion is aboue the hare and fox in strength, they will not be brought into that opinion, but reiect it as a false and fained fable: for the first conceit of the admirable skill they imagine to be in those whom they know, hath taken so deepe root in their mindes that it cannot be plucked out. How Empirikes, be they ne∣uer so ignorant, are magnified by the simplicity of the rude and sot∣tish people,* 4.163 Poggius setteth foorth in this tale: there was one of the meanest of these Empirikes that had but one kind of pill for all disea∣ses or infirmities whatsoeuer: and by this together with his cogging, had purchased great fame, and was esteemed cunning in all things. There came vnto him a foolish clowne that had lost his asse, desiring his counsell for the finding of him: the Empirikes skill reached not beyond his pill, yet seeming to be ignorant in nothing, and desirous to take his money, he gaue him that to swallow downe, and told him that by the vertue thereof he should find his asse againe. The simple felow, returning homewards, felt the operation of his pill, and going out of the high way into a field, spied his asse feeding there: thus being in possession of that which he had lost, he confi∣dently beleeued that this was wrought by the extraordinarie lear∣ning of this cosening Empirike, and extolled him aboue all other Physicians. Credulity leadeth men into many grosse opinions, and specially in this Arte.* 4.164 Pliny saith, it falleth out onely in this Art, that credit is giuen to euery one that professeth himselfe skilful in it, when as no lie bringeth greater danger. Moreouer the base opinion that the ignorant multitude conceiueth of the deepe and profound Arte of Physicke, maketh much for Empirikes: * 4.165for the common people hauing nothing in themselues, but that which experience and ob∣seruation hath taught them, cannot lift vp their dull conceits any

higher, but confidently imagine that all knowledge is obtained by that alone, and needeth no helpe of scholes. Therefore they iudge no otherwise of this learned and mysticall profession, than of ordi∣narie mechanicall trades, supposing it to be as soone and easily lear∣ned, as the plaine craft of a tailer or carpenter. This foolish and senseles opinion increaseth the reputation of Empirikes and procu∣reth them many patients: for heereby their light and superficiall skill is esteemed equall to the complete and sound knowledge that is in the most iudiciall professors of that Arte. Euen as a plaine countrie fidler is thought by his neighbours not to be inferiour to cunning Musicians. Another reason that moueth the vulgar to vse them, is the hope they haue to be cured by them with lesse charge. But this deceiueth them on both sides, for oft times their diseases are left vn∣cured, and commonly the subtill Empirike draweth more money from them than a learned Physician would doe. Their practise is al∣so further inlarged by the ignorance of the common sort, who when they are sicke, vse to inquire after one that hath cured the like dis∣ease. Heere is worke for these popular fellowes, who haue filled ma∣ny credulous eares with a false report of their cures.* 4.166 I confesse it was an ancient custome amongst the Egyptians to lay their sicke in open places, and to inquire of them that passed by, what they had heard or tried to haue holpen in the like case. But this was before the Arte of Physicke was perfected and brought into a methode. * 4.167Now the case is farre altered: there is a learned and iudiciall course confir∣med and established for the cure of all diseases. Therefore now the patient is to enquire after him that hath greatest knowledge and soundest iudgement in the Art, and not after him that is reported to haue cured the like sicknesse: for many cures are falsely attributed to Empirikes: and besides that, some diseases are healed by chance, and some by nature, as is before shewed. There is yet another errour in the multitude that profiteth these ignorant men much. For many binde themselues to that Physician whom they haue vsed before, be he neuer so ignorant, supposing that he knoweth the state of their bo∣die better than a stranger. But in this they are also vtterly deceiued, for no Empirike can know the state of any mans body: * 4.168Philosophy teacheth that and not experience. All that he can know is but whe∣ther the body be easie or hard to purge, and what is that in respect of all other things before mentioned, which are necessarie in euerie Physician? Therefore let euery man of iudgement vse him that can by Art find out the complexion and constitution of his body: that knoweth how to distinguish one disease from another, and prosecute the course fit for the cure, turning and altering it to euery occurrent. And let him that hath recouered out of the hands of an Empirike, rest satisfied in his happy fortune, and euer after commit his body to the best learned. These are the weake and lame reasons whereupon

the fame and great practise of these ignorant men is built. If in this * 4.169tractate I had imitated Galen, and others that haue written of them, it should haue beene farre sharper and much more pearcing. For Galen compareth them to theeues: these, ••aith he, lay waite for men in mountaines and woods, those in townes and cities. Langius and * 4.170Oberndorf, two learned Germanes lay gri••uous accusations vpon them. The former speaking of their patients, saith, whole armies of them are killed, but verie few cured. And in the same Epistle he ad∣deth, I dare sweare that thousands of their patients perish euery yeere by their deadly errors. And doubtlesse many of our Empirikes in England are not inferiour to those of Germany in boldnesse and ignorance. The other forenamed Germane imposeth many base tearmes vpon them, as coseners, mountibankes, murderers, and such like. * 4.171There is much odious matter heaped vp against some of them by Guin••er, Erastus, Libauius, Cardan and many others, all which I o∣mit. leonem ex vngue. The Physicians of the colledge of London take an oath at their admittance, to pursue vnlearned Empirikes and im∣postors, confounding the names, as if all Empirikes were coseners. * 4.172One calleth the baser sort of them, analphabetos nebulones, not hauing learned their crissecrosse. No man can heere obiect with iudgement, that all these learned men wrot out of a weake perturbation, & that it was, as the Poet saith, one enuying another: * 4.173and that these are contentions amongst Physicians rising from varietie of opinions, as in other professions. For all these men oppugned are vtterly igno∣rant and vnlearned, and dare neuer attempt to speake one word of their profession in the presence of a learned Physician. It is therefore knowledge against ignorance:* 4.174 naturall and christian compassion mouing these learned & ingenious men to protect the liues of their brethren by opposing themselues to the blind practise of Empirikes, who fight with their eies shut against sickenesse, * 4.175the great enemy to nature, as the men called Andibatae did against their enemies. I re∣member a story of a blind woman famous for her skill in Physicke, by whose dore a porter passing with a heauy burthen vpon his back, fell downe and cried out for helpe: the compassionate woman came speedily with aqua vitae, and feeling for his mouth, offered to powre in some, whereas halfe an eie would haue serued her to haue eased him of his burthen. * 4.176It is vsuall with Empirikes, for want of the eie of learning, to bring as ridiculous and senseles meanes of helpe to their patients: for when they see not the cause of the disease (as they do very seldome see it fully) they cannot fit a medicine to it. They may fondly purpose, foolishly consult, and largely promise to performe great matters in Physicke:* 4.177 but in execution they will be found like to Hermogenes his apes, who assembled themselues toge∣ther to take counsell how they might be secured from the violent incursions and assaults of greater beastes, they concluded to builde

a strong fort: they agreed vpon the matter and forme thereof. Eue∣ry onè was assigned to his seuerall worke: some to cut downe tim∣ber, some to make bricke, other for other offices. But when they met to begin this great building, they had not one instrument or toole to worke withall, so their counsell was ouerthrowen. So Em∣pirikes may attempt to build vp health in a sicke body: they may promise the cure of diseases; but what can be expected at their hands sith they want all the tooles of Galen and Hippocrates necessarie for so great a worke? * 4.178The consideration of all these things hath often moued me to compare their patients to them that crosse the seas in a smal leaking boate with an vnskilful pilot: they may arriue safe at the wished hauen: but wisedome trusteth to the strongest meanes, which alwaies promise, and commonly performe greatest securitie. One thing I will adde more of this odious generation: the multitude of them in this country is incredible. Out of one rotten and maligne stocke spring many riotous branches. * 4.179One master sendeth foorth many iourneymen, which haue beene his apprentises. If these old breeders be maintained, we shall haue, within these few yeeres, more Empirikes, than butchers; more killers of men, than of oxen. * 4.180The number of them is so increased, that they are at enmity one with another. It is a sport to heare one of the most eminent of them (be∣ing placed in a chaire for his great skill) raile vpon vnlearned Phy∣sicians, * 4.181and yet he himselfe was neuer admitted vnto Grammar schoole. But this doth exempt them from all suspition of ignorance amongst the vulgar, and procureth them many patients. But the more they are admired, and the greater number of patients they haue, the more they exceed in craft and falshood. * 4.182For ignorance cannot purchase admiration, vnlesse craft and subtilty be ioint-pur∣chasers with her. But to draw to an end, sith Empirikes are vtterlie disabled by the difficultie of the Arte of Physicke: * 4.183by their educati∣on in their youth▪ by the want of grammer, logicke and philosophy: by their palpable ignorance in the theorie and speculation of that they professe: by the manifold errors they fall into. Sith experience cannot teach them the methode and order of curing diseases: nor reading of English bookes affoord them any mediocrity of know∣ledge. Sith most of their cures are naturall, or casuall: all their se∣crets triuiall and common ▪ their discourse out of vrines, grounded vpon subtiltie and deceit: their fame and multitude of patients ri∣sing from fraude and falshood in themselues, or from follie in the vulgar. Finally, sith there is a full consent of all learned Physicians iustlie condemning them. I may firmly conclude that their practise is alwaies confused, commonly dangerous and often deadly. There∣fore whereas Ludouicus a 4.184Mercatus saith, it is a good medicine some∣times to take no medicine at all. And b 4.185Forestus affirmeth, some∣times the whole worke is to be left to nature, which when Empiriks

see not, they often kill the sicke. In my opinion this distinction of time may be cut off, and both these sayings made generall; for where the pactise is wholly ingrossed by these men, there the best medicine is alwaies to take no medicine at all: * 4.186and the whole worke is euer to be left to nature, rather then to be committed to any of these. For though they cure some, yet they kill many: the way of erring in the practise of Physicke is so ample and broad, and the path, leading to the methodicall cure of diseases, so narrow and straight. Thus, Sir, you haue that which you required, directions for your health, and my opinion of Em∣pirikes. God almighty blesse you with the bene∣fit of the former, or preserue you from the perill of the latter.