An Account of Two Books

to have found it a much other thing, than they imagined, though related to them *viva voce* by those who had formerly been there. I shall add, that the whole country from the very Walls of Catania to 20 miles on this side is full of those old Sciarri, which former Eruptions have cast forth, though the people remember none so bigg as this last, or that burst out so low. This Country is notwithstanding well cultivated and inhabited; for length of time hath either mollified much of those old Sciarri, or new mould or ashes have overgrown them; though there still remains much Country, which, it may be, will never be made serviceable. What is the perpendicular height of this Mountain, I cannot learn. It cannot perhaps be rightly taken, being so subject to alter its height and shape. But it is a very goodly Mountain to look upon, as one passes by Sea to the East-ward, standing alone by itself, rising from the very shore; and at shortest passage is reckoned 20 miles up to the top, though from Catania it hath 30 miles, as before. An account of two Books I. DISCOURS de M. STE N O N sur L' ANATOMIE du CERVEAU. A Paris 1699. in 12. In the beginning of this Discourse the Author represents, that those, who search after solid knowledge, will find nothing satisfactory in all that hath been hitherto written concerning the Brain: that all, which Anatomists agree in, is only, that it consists of two Substances, a White and a Grayish, and that the former is continued with the Nerves, that are distributed through the whole Body; and the latter serves in some places for a kind of Cortex to the White, and in others, severes the white filaments from one another. But that they are yet ignorant, what those substances are; in what manner the Nerves are Joyned in the White; and how far their extremities advance in it; from which disposition yet depends all the diversity and variety of our sensations and motions. And as for the Ventricles or Cavities of the Brain, he affirms them to be no less unknown, than its Substance; some Anatomists lodg- ing in them the Spirits, others making them the receptacles of the Excrements of the Brain; and both perplexed in assigning the source and issue of the Excrements, and the Spirits, and the manner of the production of the latter. Besides this, he finds a great defect in the way of dissecting the Brain, and having shewed the imperfection in the common ways, he proposes and recommends that (though difficult one) of continuing the filaments or threads of the Nerves through the Substance of the Brain, to see, where they pass, and where they terminate. Next, he entertains the Reader with an Enumeration of the chief Errors of Anatomists touching the brain. And here he examines particularly the Systems of Dr. Willis and Monsieur Descartes. In the former book, special notice, that the Author there lodges the Common Sense in the corpus striatum; the Imagination in the Corpus Callosum; and the Memory in the Grayish Substance which encompasses the White. But then he declares, that these assertions are very obnoxious; for whereas Dr. Willis describes that Corpus striatum, as if there were two sorts of streaks or Rays, some ascending, some descending, he finds, that a separation being made of the Gray body from the White, those Rays will be found to be all of the same nature, that is, they make part of the White substance of the Corpus Callosum which passes towards the Marrow of the Back, separated in divers Layers by the intervening of the Grayish Substance. Which being so, faith be, with what certainty can we be made to believe, that those three Operations are performed in those three Bodies? And who can tell us, whether the nervous Fibres have their beginning in the Streaked Body, or whether they rather pass through the Callous Body into the Gray Substance? In the latter of M. Descartes, he finds, that that Philosopher hath rather devised, in his Treatise of Man, such an Engine, that performs all the actions, Men are capable of, than described Man, as really he is; which he undertaketh to prove by divers instances, taken from the Cartesian fabric of the parts of the Brain: in the doing of which our Author shews great dexterity, skill, and accurateness. And from hence he proceeds, To observe the want of exactness in the Cuts or Figures hitherto given of the Brain: and although he acknowledgeth, that the best Figures, hitherto made of that part, are those of Dr. Willis, yet he finds several faults committed here and there, and conceives, there are many things to be added for making them perfect: which certainly this able Anatomist will consider further, and according to his Ingenuity, as he shall see cause, rectify, if the Author of the Book, reflected on, prevent him not. Having thus discussed the hitherto practised way of dissecting the Brain, and the little light to be derived thence, together with the defectiveness of the Figures belonging thereto, he leaveth it to the Consideration of Judicious men, what faith is to be given to the Explications made upon such unsolid foundations; and that done, he declares, which are the two only ways for attaining the true knowledge of an Engine; viz. One, by having the contrivance of it discovered by the Author himself; the other, by taking it in pieces to the very least parts, and examining them all both severally and jointly. The former not being to be expected, he excites the Lovers of real knowledge to the careful performance of the latter; excusing in the meantime those two sorts of persons, that hitherto have addicted themselves to Anatomical researches, viz. Physicians and Chirurgions, for not having made satisfactory discoveries by their labors, and alreadying on their behalf their want of time requisite for this purpose; the ill consequence of which he represents to be, that they often undertake to cure a Body, of which they know not the Structure, which is no better, (faith he) then if a man would repair or wind up an Engin, the parts of which he is ignorant of. And as for Professors of Universities or other Schools, he Judges them not so proper for that particular application, and the variety of methods of dissecting; both which is necessary for examining every the smallest part, and the observables thereof; there being sometimes required whole years for finding out one onely thing, that perhaps may afterwards be demonstrated to others in one hour; which he exemplifies by divers instances of Discoveries, made by some of the modern Anatomists. He concludes his Discourse by recommending the method which seems best and most convincing to him, for making true Discoveries in Anatomy; where he adviseth, that for obtaining the true history of the parts, we should examine and accordingly draw them in that State, in which they are found naturally, without at all forcing them, thereby to find, whether the parts are indeed joined together or separated, and what situation is assigned them by Nature itself. Where he desires, that the Anatomist would not only be intent upon the part, on which he is for the present employed, but also reflect upon all the Operations, he hath made before he came to that part, which may have caused some change or other in the same, as to its situation, connexion &c. Of which he also alleges divers Examples, especially as to the Brain. Besides this exact attention on all the Operations, he further counsels the Change of the ways of Dissecting, and deduceth the ill consequences of binding ourselves to certain fixt Laws of dissecting each part; this benefit resulting from that Change, that if it doth not always discover something new, it lets us know at least, whether we have been deceived in what we have seen formerly, especially in things dubious and contested. Of the necessity of this Change he brings manifest proofs; and having done so, he alleges the reason why he says nothing of the Use of the parts of the Brain, nor of the actions called Animal; it being impossible to explain the motions, that are made by an Engin, if the artifice of the parts be not known, and those Anatomists rendering themselves ridiculous, that discourse so magisterially of the Use of the parts, of which they know not the structure. Last of all, he observes, that when all this, he hath discoursed of, is done, that is but the least of what is to be done; in regard that for the acquiring of some good Knowledge of the Brain, there must be Dissections and Examinations made of as many Heads, as there are different species of Animals, and different States and Conditions of each kind; since that in the fetus's of Animals it will be seen, How the Brain is formed; and what could not be seen in sound and entire Brains, may be seen in such, as have been changed by sickness. II, Instead of the other Book, of which we purposed to give here au Accomp, we find our selves obliged somewhat to enlarge that which was, for want of more leisure, too cursorily given in Numb. 49. of Dr. Witties Answer to Hydrologia Chymica, concerning the Scarbrough Spaw. To do therefore right to this Worthy person, we ought among other things to take notice of what he saith in his Preface; That when he first published his Book, he had found the Scarbrough Spaw, even in 20 years Experience, to be eminently successful in the Cure of very many diseases, which had resisted all rational Methods, that had been used either by himself, or others of his Faculty. That now his Practice had been near 30 years, and that now he can add some considerable Cures, which he hath not hitherto expressed. Now to solicit this Learned Doctor and others for their farther Discovery's of Sanative Waters, and to add weight to the Argument; we may observe, that A. 1634. Dr. Tobias Whitaker, a famous Physitian of Norwich, published in English a discourse New Todogoria, or Of Drinking Mineral Waters; particularly reflecting upon a Mineral Water then discovered in Norfolk, and producing the Joyn't-advice of all Antiquity (as he pretends,) at least of the best Writers, namely of Hippocrates, Galen, Avicenna &c. generally against all use of Mineral Waters either to be taken inwardly, or for any outward application. This Discourse is recommended by the express approbation and elogies of Dr William Clement, Fellow and Register of the Colledge of Physitians in London, and by Dr. Alex. Read Fellow of the same Colledge. This may give fit Caution against the rash Use of such Waters, when ordinary Medicins may be effectual; and to take the advice of skilful Physitians in the Use of them. And for the Poor, which are not able to retain Physitians, nor to pay Apothecaries, they must abide the adventure of resorting to those kind Fountains, which doe not unfrequently cure, when all other costly and tedious Methods doe faile. And here they may find the Suffrage of many Curious and inquisitive Authors, and the evidence of much Experience: Here they may see the real and great performances of Cures, and what are the particular Cures, what the particular Ingredients, and what the mixtures, together with the several ways of Analyzing the Waters &c. As to the Sanative Properties in general of many Minerral Fountains (besides the numerous Experiments of all sorts of people for many Ages in some places, and of late discovery in other places) Dr. Witte recites the judicious testimony of Dr. Freysh and Dr. Dean concerning the Knaresborough Spaw; Doctor Jordan concerning the Baths in Somersetshire; Dr. Heer's Spadocrene; Doctor Frambearius and Dr. Ryctius of the Sauvenir in Germany, Dr. Pallipius de therm. Aquis and the Spas in Germany and Rome, de Labeo Apenniano, and the water at Cokina; Of such waters in general, Paracelsus and Helmont. And this Letter or Description of St. Alunno's Well at Cocksgrave. To which we may may now add Astrap-well in Northampton, lately discovered, together with that at Stall-bridge in Somersetshire, which last begins also to be in high esteem for extraordinary Cures of the Scorbutic, Asthma &c. which, besides common fame, is (as we were freshly informed by a worthy friend) attested by Dr. Highmore, who affirms also upon his own Tryal, that it hath a larger proportion of the Minerals, than Astrap-water; but that the force holds not, if removed from the Spring-head. And Dr. Wittie hath himself sufficiently asserted the Vertues of the Scarborough-Spaw; and particularly, that it cured the Asthma, Invoeterate Catharrus, Heiticks, Consumptions, Scurvy, Dropsy, and other diseases, when they seemed incurable: That an Alderman of Hull (to whom himself, and the famous Dr. Primrose, were, 15 years agoe, jointly Physicians for the Asthma) had in few days perfect cure by the Spaw, and is yet living to vouch the testimony: So that all the neighbourhood are taught by frequent experience to sing the old Song of Claudian, which he made for his Apennus. Publica morborum requies, commune medentum Auxilium, praesens Nomen, inempta Salus. And this old Record may put us in mind, that lofty Groves and healing Fountains have been reputed Holy in old times, and we can show the Hospitals, which have been long agoe built and endowed on purpose to entertain the poor passengers in their travels to such waters. This I had not here mentioned, but to introduce our Authors weighty remark: That these Waters loole all their virtues, yea their quantity and bulk also, though in Glasses, and under the Hermetick Seale, if removed from the Fountain-head; that then they become suddenly putrid, ill-colored, loosing the taff and fnt, and being very noxious, and begetting the Jundise and worse diseases. The like is affirmed by Dr French, that the Knarsborough Water expires through Glass and the firmest Seales. And Dr. Heer affirms of his Spadocrone, that by such removals, illas a communibus nihil discrepasse, ut quibus singulis lagenis aquae vitrum (which is guessed to be half a pint, decreat. He adds; Decedit etiam quantitate—si fons hic alio transferatur—quia spiritu turgentia plus loci quam eo privata, occupare amant. And Frum befarum reports as much of the Sanemir, that in bottles well sealed up, there wanted to every lagen (flask) one Glass of its measure (doubtless through the losse of the volatile Spirits.) Here we want instruction, Whether the decrease was as well of Weight as of Bulk or Quantity. Whatever these Spirits be, which will neither endure to travel from the place, nor will be confined in any bottle, not under any Seal; Dr Wittie undertakes to evince by good Proofs, and manifold indications, that these Scarborough waters have a mixture or tincture of Iron, Allum, Nitre, and probably of a small dose of Common Salt: Nay, he affirms punctually (p. 175) as upon his own Experiment, that 5 quarts of this water contain at the least an Ounce of Minerals, and in dry years, 10 drams; And yet that the usual dose for women to remove the Green sickness is 1 quart of water, and sometimes more. He further voucheth his own Trial (p. 179.) that Knarsborough water hath 2 Ounces of Salt in a Gallon, though it be 40 miles distant from the Sea: And that he hath found also by trial, the 16th part of the Northern Sea water near Scarborough to be a body of Salt (an Ounce of Salt for every pint;) and he conceives the Southern Seas to contain a greater proportion of Salt. Here we must distinguish, that the 2 Ounces of Salt above mentioned, to be found in every Gallon of Knarsborough water, belong to the Well there called the Sulphur-well: And for the healing properties of the Sweet well (as they call the other Well at Knarsborough) he refers to the Ingenious and illustrious Experiments of Dr. French and Dr. Dean. All which being considered, we cannot but add, that whoever discovers such healing waters, and publicly prescribes the safe and right use of them, does really distribute larger and nobler Almes, than if he built and endowed a Savoy. For this prolongs life, and restores health, (which is sometimes better than life,) both to rich and poor, to Natives and strangers, to Neighbors and Travellers. We cannot take off our hands here, without annexing our Authors related Experiment of Carps (p. 25.) which were taken out of Ponds newly drained, and being put with fresh water into a Copper Brewing-vessel, to be preserved but for one night, were all found dead in the morning. This he imputes to the poisonous steams of the Copper communicated to the cold water. Among the Caves or Hot-springs, he doth (p. 181.) alledge a considerable remark on an Observation, made by the late Lord Fairfax, of some heaps of White powder, which he found swept out of the Earth near Bath (in Somersetshire,) which being put into the water, makes it hot; as my self (faith the Doctor) did experience 5 or 6 years after his Lordship had taken it up. As to his last Experimental Demonstrations and Observations, How the fall of Rain and Snow may generally and most frequently be the cause of our purest, liveliest and most lasting Springs, they doe all agree most punctually in all circumstances, with the Experiences and Observations of an Antient and very Worthy Gentleman who lives on the side of Mendip hills, and hath had his Eyes always from his Youngest days upon the fairest and fullest Sources and Amery's, I say not of Mendip, but I think I may say of this Island. This Gentleman hath given to a friend of his the Instances and Particulars under his own hand, both for the Springs about Mendip, and in other parts of England; and hath many other Antient Witnesses to join with him in the same Certificate. And yet Dr. Witte attributes much (some will say, more than enough) to the Conversion of Air into Water in the Subterraneous Channels: For the Illustration of which he himself knew a Sergeant, belonging to Hull, who in a Tubato did void above 6 quarts or 12 pounds of Urine every 24 hours, for some weeks together, till all his Muscular parts were dissolved into Urine, the measure whereof did far exceed the weight of his whole Body, and of his Meat and Drink: In all this time he drank not 3 pints of drink in a day. I know not whether I dare alleg'e here Sir Kenelm Digby's relation, he recited of the Nun, which voided 200 pounds of Water, as from her bladder, every 24 hours, for some weeks together: or that Older record of a sick Maid in Italy, who did every day void 36 pints or pounds of Urine for the space of 60 days; during which time there were collected 1740 pounds of Urine more than the weight of all her Meat and Drink, that she had taken. Horum & similium sudes penes Authores est. ERRATA in Numb. 57. to be thus corrected Page 1001. l. 14. read Hippocrates. p. 1005. l. 11. r. as far as the Tropick. p. 1007. l. 25. r. (from the Lizard.) p. 109. l. 14. r. are not many. ib. l. 12. r. hints, easily p. 1012. l. 14. r. not very rare. p. 1013. l. 16. r. this kind ib. l. 18. r. to breed. ib. l. 21. r. thirsting p. 1015. l. 22. r. their head. p. 1019. l. ib. r. Zwillig. ib. r. Pharmacopoea. LONDON, Printed by T. N. for John Martyn, printer to the Royal Society, and are to be sold at the Bell a little without Temple Bar, 1669.