BAthe , so called from the Baths in it , is a little well-compacted Cittie , and beautified with very faire and goodly buildings for receit of strangers . Although the site thereof , by reason of the vicinity of Hills , seeme not pleasant , being almost inuironed with them ; yet for goodnesse of ayre , neerenes of a sweet and delectable Riuer , and fertilitie of soyle , it is pleasant and happy enough ; but for the hot waters that boyle vp euen in the middest thereof , it is more delectable and happier , then any other of the Kingdome .

There are in it foure publike Baths , so fairely built , and fitted with such conueniencie for bathing , as the like ( I suppose ) is not else-where to be found ; besides a little Bath for Lepers , called The Lepers Bath .

They all haue the originall of their heate from one matter , namely , Sulphur , burning in the cauities of the earth , thorow which the waters flowing receiue their heate . They partake of no other minerall that I can finde : what may lye hid in visceribus terrae , I know not : of this I am sure , that such diseases as cannot receiue cure else-where , here doe .

These Baths as they differ in their heate , Kings Bath . so in their operations and effects . The Kings Bath is the hottest , and it is for beautie , largenesse , and efficacy of heate , a Kingly Bath indeed , being so hot as can be well suffered . This Bath is of strong-heating , opening , resoluing , attracting , and exiccating facultie , and therefore onely conuenient for cold and moist bodies , and for cold and moist diseases .

Hot Bath . Next to the Kings Bath for efficacy of heate , is the Hot Bath , and the difference in their heate is so little , that it is scarcely to be discerned . This Bath is good for the same infirmities that the Kings Bath is , and for the effects which it worketh , I cannot finde it to be inferiour vnto it . They are two excellent Baths for cold and moist diseases , and for very cold and moist bodies .

Queenes Bath . The Queenes Bath is a member of the Kings Bath , a wall onely going betweene them , with a passage therein to goe from one to the other . This Bath is not altogether so hot as that , and therefore the vse of it is conuenient for them that cannot well endure the heate of the Kings Bath .

Crosse Bath . The Crosse Bath is for heate the mildest , being very temperately warme : it is a dainty Bath for young , weake , and tender bodies , that cannot endure the heate of the hotter Baths , or for whom the hotter Baths may not be conuenient . It is an excellent Bath for temperate bodies , by way of preseruation , because such the hotter Baths may soone distemper , and occasion hurt : Neither is this Bath good onely for such as are of a temperate state and constitution of body by way of preseruation ; but for them and others also by way of curation , in some cases , where the hotter Baths are not fit to bee vsed . This Bath , by reason of the mildnesse of its heate , is of a notable mollifying and relaxing facultie : good therefore in contractions of any member , in obstructions of the brest , spleene , liuer , and kidneys ; and effectuall also for Aches , when it is in its prime and vigour of heate , especially for such , whose temper or habit of body shall prohibit the vse of the hotter Baths . This Bath attaines not to its perfection of heate , till the weather grow to be constantly hot , and when the other Baths , by reason of the feruor thereof , cannot be vsed , but by such whose diseases , and state of body are impensiuely cold .

The Spring being the most reuiuing , flourishing , and temperate season of the yeere ; whence is it , that sicknesses are more frequent in the same , and people sooner dye therein , then in any other season ?

THere may bee two reasons yeelded for the same : the one taken from the Winter preceding , which , by reason of its moisture , filleth the body with crude and excrementall humors , and by its coldnesse , thickning , and compacting the same , quieteth them from fluxion . But the heate of the Spring approaching , and working on those humors , rarifieth and dissolueth them ; which thereupon fluctuating and putrifying in the body , are the cause of sicknesse , vnlesse they are expulsed by the force of nature , or timely helpe of Physicke .

The other reason may be taken from the inconstancie of the Spring it selfe , which sometimes is cold , sometimes hot , sometimes moist , and sometimes drie : which sudden alterations cannot but produce feuerous distemperatures , and other infirmities , according to the disposition of the matter congested in the body , the Winter preceding . From which it may be concluded , that the sicknesses and death of people , which happen more frequently in the Spring , then in any other season of the yeere , are not so much to be attributed to the Spring , as to the Winter which hath filled the body with superfluities , and prepared it for sicknesse .

Wherefore whosoeuer will bee so prouident , The vtilitie of Physick taken in the Spring . as by the timely helpe of Physicke , to free his body , as his state and constitution shall require , of the superfluities congested in it by meanes of the winter going before , he shall be sure to be farre more liuely , healthy , and free from sicknesse in the Spring , then in any other season of the yeere , so as he erre not ouermuch in other things . And this purging of the body , and purifying of the bloud in the Spring , will not onely preserue from sicknesses that commonly raigne in the Spring ; but also be a meanes to keepe the body in a perfect integrity the whole yeere after : and therefore I commend the taking of Physicke in the Spring to all generous people , to them that leade a geniall sedentary kinde of life , especially to such as are subiect to obstructions or any yeerely disease .

You may here demand of me , What time of the Springbest for Physicke . what time of the Spring is fittest for Physicke by way of preuention ? I answer , that for them that are wont to bee affected with sickenesse in the Spring , and whose humors are too cholericke and thinne , and consequently subiect to fluxion , it is best to take Physicke at the very beginning thereof ; but for others , about the middle , or after , especially if the precedent time shall be cold , and not Spring-like .

You may also here demand of me , Whether it be so requisit to take Physicke in the Fall , as in the Spring . whether it be not so necessary to take Physick in the Autumne , which we commonly call the Fall , as in the Spring ? Whereunto , in regard of a generality , I must answer no : because the Summer prepareth not the body for sicknesse , filling it with superfluities , as doth the Winter ; yet for some bodies it is , as for them that naturally abound with crude and phlegmaticke humors , that are subiect to obstructions , to cold winterly diseases , or any melancholicke affects , as necessary to take Physicke by way of preuention in the Fall , as in the Spring ; and that for auoiding the superfluities before the Winter , for opening the obstructions , and freeing the body of superfluous melancholy , which then , by reason of the season encreaseth . And the fittest time for the doing thereof , for such as are subiect to melancholy and Autumnall diseases , is soone after the beginning of the Fall ; but for others , towards the middle thereof .

Aduertisement to beware of Empericks . But here I must aduertise you that you expose not your body to the vnlearned Empericke , that can neither finde out the peccant humors , nor parts affected ; but to such as are learned in that Art , that can well iudge of your state of body , and accordingly prescribe you remedies , as your constitution and affected parts shall require . Many men thinke , yea some of a generous note , wherein they bewray their carelesnesse , if not their stupiditie to , that whilst they are in health , they may for preuention , take Physicke from any one , it matters not from whom it bee , nor what Physicke it bee , so it worke with them . I must tell you that many ouerthrow their bodies hereby , and that there is no lesse art and iudgement required for preseruing the body in health , then for curing of it being sicke , if they did but know how the foure humors are or ought to be proportioned in their bodies , for enioying according to their constitutions a sound and healthy state , they would , I am perswaded , be more cautelous then to commit themselues into the hands of the vnlearned , who , by their inconsiderate courses , take humors from them at an aduenture , so well those which are not offensiue , as those which are , to the vtter subuersion of the Oeconomie of the body : whereof though , perhaps , in regard of their strengths , they are not by and by sensible , which is that which onely cloaketh the errors of Empericks , and as a vaile , masketh many mens eies and vnderstanding herein : yet they will , as I haue in diuers obserued to their perill , by little and little incurre a lapsed state of body .

It is strange to see the ignorance of most people , how backward they are to giue to the learned Professors of Physicke their due , ready to lay scandals vpon them ; but forward to magnifie Empericks , their Physicke , their honesty , their care , willing to excuse and passe ouer their grosse slips and absurdities . O mira hominum stupiditas ! But proceeds this altogether out of ignorance ? I suppose no : for doubtlesse many seeke vnto them , and magnifie their Physicke , because it is cheape : but such are fooles and Gulles indeed , for they wrong , and euen poyson their bodies with grosse and ill-qualified Physicke , to saue their purse .

But to answer the reasons , or rather the words which they produce and alledge in the fauour and behalfe of Empericks : To what purpose is the working of that Physicke which respecteth not the peccant humors nor parts affected , but to the ouerthrow of the body ? What is a supposed honesty in a Physicion without learning , but a snare wherein the ignorant doe voluntarily entrap themselues ? I say supposed : for I cannot thinke that man to be honest , that vsurps a calling , which with a good conscience he is not able to discharge . Or to what purpose is the care that Empericks take about their preposterous and ill-composed medicines , but to the vtter ruine of the patients body , as it too too vnluckely happened of late to a Gentleman of good worth and note , who taking Physicke by way of preuention of a Pil-boasting Surgeon , in a short space , by his ill-qualified and preposterous Physicke , incurred an incureable and mortall lapse of his stomacke and Liuer , being in his constant age and perfect strength of body . Vaine therefore and very absurd is that conceit , which many haue in fauour of Empericks , viz. If they doe no good , they will doe no harme . Admit that sometimes by their triuiall pettie medicines , they doe no harme ; yet neuerthelesse for that , I must tell you that they doe much harme : for the sicke body relying vpon their skill , and they being not able to direct and execute such courses as shall be fitting and effectuall to impugne the disease , while there is time fitting for the same , the sicknesse gets the masterie , and then ( perhaps ) when the strengths are too much weakened , and the disease become incureable , they seeke helpe of the learned Physician . So basely verily are most of our people affected to their health , that vntill some practicall Minister , Parish Clarke , Apothecary , Chirurgeon or the like , haue done their vtmost hurt , they seeke not to the Physician .

And here to vindicate our Art from calumnie , I cannot but taxe the most sort of people , that being affected with any great or difficult disease , which by reason of the nature thereof , or contumacy of the peccant humors , will haue such progresse , as that it cannot in a short time , by the medicines and best endeuors of the learned Physician , how forceable so euer , be euicted , will reiect their Physician , and betake themselues , which is an absurdity , super omnem absurditatem , to some ignorant sottish Empericke , and euery good wiues medicine , to their great hurt , and oftentimes vtter ouerthrow . But if it happen , that they recouer thereupon , they lay an imputation vpon the Physician , and grace their Emperick with the cure ; whereas in very deede the matter of their disease was wholy , or at least the greatest part therof , eradicated by such fit and powerful remedies , as the learned Physician had formerly administred vnto them : wherevpon the residue of the cure was effected by the force of Nature , not by the weake endeuors of the Empericke , or triuiall medicines of any other whatsoeuer .

I haue of purpose enlarged this Aduertisement , and doe leaue it for a memoriall and Caueat to all posteritie , especially to the Gentlemen of this our age , who , for the most part of them , very greatly wrong their iudgements and vnderstanding , in taking Physicke of the vnlearned ; and wherein they doe not only wrong themselues , but also giue occasion of hurt vnto others : for the meaner sort of people following their example , do the like , whereby it comes to passe , that in all likely-hood , more vntimely perish ( which I beleeue to be true in the Westerne parts of this kingdome ) vnder the hands of Empericks , then die otherwise ▪ Such as will not take notice hereof , in Empericorum manus incidant . And if any Asinus Cumanus , or Terra filius shall obiect , that diuers recouer vnder the hands of Empericks ; I answer in a word , that the recouery is not to be attributed to their Physick , but to the strengths of Nature , that beares vp , both against the disease , and their preposterous courses .

The substance and temperature of the Water . THis water of Saint Vincents Rocke , is of a very pure , cleare cristalline substance , answering to those cristalline Diamonds and transparent stones that are plentifully found in those Clifts . It is no lesse commendable for smell and taste , then delectable for colour and substance , and for its temperature , excels any other of this kingdom , being almost of a meane betweene heate and cold : I say almost , because it is a little more inclined to cold , then to hear , which maketh it the more effectuall for allaying the burning heat of the bowels , and yet by reason of its good temperature , not quickly offensiue to the stomacke , if it be not lapsed by cold .

But before I deliuer my censure and opinion concerning the nature and vse of this water , From what Minerals it receiues its medicinable faculties . it is fitting that I declare vnto you the matter from whence it receiues its medicinable faculties , and that is ( for I haue twice made probation therof ) from Sulphur and Niter , and from both but in a small measure : for the water at its issuing forth , carrieth with it but an obscure heat , being scarcely lukewarme , and the reason thereof is , because the heat of the water , & strength of the sulphurous vapors are qualified and abated in the passages thorow the earth ; or else it is , because this water issueth but from a small veine of sulphur . And the note that it hath but little Niter in it , besides the probation therof , is , because it can hardly , or not at all in the taste bee discerned , but by a curious and skilfull pallate for the purpose , I suppose that this water partakes of other good minerals : but I leaue that for a farther search , or to such , as shall hereafter liue more conueniently for that purpose , then I doe . But whatsoeuer minerals shall lie hid in the passages of this water , it is sufficient , that it partakes of two so good as Sulphur and Niter , and that in such a mixture , as it makes it to be of an excellent temper , and medicinable faculty in potable vses for diuers cases , as shall be hereafter shewed . It were to be wished , that the water issued forth in a more conuenient place , aswell for accesse vnto it , as for conseruing the heate thereof .

This water is frequented for no other vse , but for the drinking of it against the Stone : it hath also other excellent faculties ; but I suppose ( such is the vanity of our time ) that the fame thereof wil not long hold , but wil in a short time haue an end , as some other waters of good force and efficacy against sundry infirmities , in diuers places of this kingdome haue had , and that by reason of the absurdand preposterous vse of it : for vpon notice and experience that this water hath done some good against the Stone , people of all sorts repaire vnto it , so wel such as haue not the stone , as those that haue , or stand in feare thereof , and abundantly glut and fill themselues therewith , till they vomit and strout againe , scarcely one of fifty , I dare say , hauing the opinion of a iudicious Physician for the taking of the same , or preparing their bodies for it as is meete ; which cannot but bring a disgrace to the water : for admit that a few chance to receiue benefit thereby , some will not , The hurst that are occasioned by the vnaduised vse of the Water . but many much hurt . Neither can the water be good for all bodies that are troubled with the Stone , or subiect thereunto : and therefore I would haue you to know , that the ill and preposterous vse thereof will weaken the stomacke , subuert the liuer , annoy the head and brest , occasion Cramps , paine in the ioynts , breed crudities , rheumes , Coughs , Cachexies , the Dropsie it selfe and Consumption .

But I will proceed to shew you the faculties and true vse of the water . It notably cooleth the inflammations of all the inward parts , and yet , as I haue said , not quickly offending the stomacke , as other Waters doe ; and it is withall of a gentle mundifying facultie . The Vertue and Faculties of the Water . It is therefore very effectuall against the burning heate of the stomacke , inflammations of the liuer and reines , and adustion of the humors , being taken with fine Sugar in this proportion , as halfe an ounce of Sugar or thereabout to a pinte of the Water . In such as haue had hot liuers , red pimpling faces , and adusted humors , I haue caused a Tincture of Roses and Violets to be taken therewith , and that with singular successe . It may be giuen with other good conuenient Adiuncts , which will not onely make it the more gratefull to the stomacke , but also more effectuall for the cases aforesaid , which I leaue to the Physician to finde out , and direct as shall be best fitting for his patients body . In inflammation and siccity of the intestines , it is good to giue with this Water , syrrup or mel Viol. Sol. In inflammation of the kidneys with obstruction also in them , I haue giuen it to such as had withall hot liuers , with Chrystallo minerali , with wished effect : for the distemper of the kidneys was not onely quickly allayed therewith , but also abundance of sand and other drossie matter stopping in them purged forth .