CHAP. I. Of the Name and original of the Veneral Disease .

AMongst contagious diseases , next to the Pestilence , and Leprosy of Arabians , the French Pox doth challenge the first place ; but it is called by several names : The Names of the french disease ; the most common name is the French Pox , which was therefore imposed , because it first of al in Europe appeared amongst the French . For in the yeare of our Lord 1493. and 1494. When Charls the Eighth , King of France , waried with King Alphonsus at Naples , this disease first appeared and began to rage in the Camps of the French , and therefore by the Italians was first of al named the French disease . For whereas Antonius Benivenius de abdit . morb . caus . cap. 1. relates that it happened in the year of our Lord 1496. that doubtless is thus to be understood , That now this disease did no longer contain it self in Italy , but as he speaks , had almost spread over al Europe , and began to diffuse it self abroad through the rest of its provinces ; for al other Authors agree in this , that this disease did first of al appeare at the foresaid time in the French Camp at Naples , The French Disease . The Italian . The Neapolitan . The Spanish The Indian . and there was called the French disease . But the French that they may remove this disgrace from themselves , and retort the injury upon the Italian , cal it the Italian , and Neapolitan disease , because it was first known in Italy at Naples . Others because it was brought by the Spaniards into the Fench Camp , cal it the Spanish disease , and others the Indian , for the writers of the Indies do report that in that part of America , whose longitude ends towards the North , and which they cal Florida , this disease many ages ago was epidemical ; and they write that it did generally invade , and suddenly seize on many without any manifest cause , without contagion , and especially if any one had copulation with a woman in the time of her Courses . Fracastorius cals it Syphilis , some the gout of the privicies , Syphilis ; Pudendagra . The great Pox. The Veneral Diseawses Whether it be a new Disease . some the great Pox , because pustles and swellings do every where break forth like those of the smal Pox. Most men now adays without any injury or disgrace to any Nation , do cal it the Veneral disease , because it is chiefly contracted by a contagion from Venery , and lying with unwholsome bodies .

But Authors are wont here to make this Quaerie , Whether that diseawse sprung up at Naples about the yeare 1494. were a new disease , or whether it were known to the Ancients ? Franciscus Vallesius . 1. Epidem . com . 1. And Hieron Rusnerus de Scorbuto exercit. 1. and the some other moderns , are of opinion this disease was unknown to the ancients , and they think that Hippocrates did not shadow it out by his pencil , but set it forth to the life in 3 Epid. Sect. 3. ( they are the words of Reusner ) whenas he reckons up there divers symptomes , which are seen in the veneral disease ; as imposthumations and suppurations of the flesh , the lying bare of the nerves and bones , and great fallings forth , fluxions collected not like unto matter , but far worse , a baldness of the head and chin , with and without a Feaver , St. Anthonies fire with smal Ulcers and inflamation , filthy and putrid fluxes , pains of the limbs , swellings about the jaws , inflamations of the tongue , impostumations , about the teeth , stammering , corrupt , and perplext speech , enterings into consumptions , burning Feavers , and which is worst of al , ulcers about the pubes and privities .

But Hippocrates in that place never so much as dream'd of the Veneral disease , but describes a most grievous pestilence , according to the judgment of Galen and al interpreters , and the evidence of the History it self witnessing the same . For that disease for the most part invaded with a Feaver , which is not so in the Veneral disease and was epidemical , whenas the Veneral disease is disseminated only by contagion , and no other way , and the method of curing that disease was far different from the cure of the veneral .

Dodoneus also hath observ'd upon the alleaged place of Benivenius , that a long time agoe some men have contracted some hurts from uncleane and filthy women , as Guilielmus Salicetus , Gordonius , and Vallescus de Taranta , do testify , the last of which lived in the year 1418. but Salicetus flourisht in the yeare 1270. Gordonius in the time between them both . Nay holy writ doth testefy that he that followeth harlots , shal have wormes and moths for his reward : but I do not think that those diseases were the same with the Veneral disease of this time which first of al appeared at the aforesaid time in Italy in the Camp of the French . Therefore though Paracelsus , lib. de tumorib . et ulcer . morb . Gal. cap. 3. Writes that this hapned in the yeare 1478. The Original of the Veneral disease . and lib. 1. de causa luis Gal. cap. 3. In the yeare 1480. yet he differs from the relations of al others , since al agree in this , that this disease was not known in Europe , before the yeare of our Lord 1493. although it were endemious in the west Indies a long while before , and was brought by the Spaniards out of India into Italy . For when Christopher Columbus in the yeare 1492. in the month of September undertook his first voyage into the west Indies , and spent almost two years in that expedition , he returned into Spain in the yeare 1494. whose Souldiers being infected with that disease in India , and afterwards serving in the Italian expedition , did sow amongst them this disease . For as Gabriel Falopius writes of this business de morb . Gal. lib. 1. ( Who reports his Father was in that warre ) whenas the Spaniards by reason of the deareness of provisin did drive out the unserviceable multitude , the French did privately entertain their harlots , being allured by their beauty , and so infected with their contagion contracted this disease , which afterwards was first of al spred through their camps , & hence throughout Europe .

Yet in some Countries it hath and doth yet spred more frequently , in others 't is more rare , to enquire into the cause whereof , it being a thing hateful we shal forbeare ; yet this I think is certain , that there are fewer sick of this disease in Germany , than in some other Countries . Gabriel Fallopius makes mention de morb . Gal. cap. 76. Of Jacob Carpus , who was the first almost that used the way of cure by unction of Quicksilver , who by this cure alone grew so rich , that he left befides Silver , 40000. Golden * * A Coin . Scutatces . And Capivaccius reports in tractat : de lue Vener . cap. 12. In fine , that he hath gotten by the cure of the French Pox only above 18000 Crowns of Gold . And L. Septal. l. 7. animad: n. 186. writes that at Millaine in Brolius Hospital , there is oftentimes cured seventy in the spring only , and at other seasons alwaies two hundred . But I confess ingeniously , that within these 34 yeares which I have practised at Witeberge , and by Gods blessing I do it not without profit , that I have not gained by the cure of this disease so many Crownes , as Capivaccius hath got thousands of them , by reason of the fewness of them that are sick of this disease in this place .

Yet others differ concerning its original , and think that this disease was not only disseminated by contagion from the Spaniards , but think it was contracted by the fault of the Ayr , as epidemick diseases are ; when as many every where in diverse countries began to be sick of this disease without any contagion ; of which hereafter .

Chap. II. A History of the Veneral Disease .

BUt concerning the original of this disease we shal speak more hereafter when we shal treat of its causes : now let us enquire into its nature , which that it may succeed more happily , and that it may appeare , where lyes the controversy , i● wil first propound its description and history out of creditable Authors which then lived especially Hieron Fracastorius , and Anton. Benivenius . When this disease was first made known , there rose pustles of divers kinds in the genital parts , somtimes also the head , principally in the hairy part , somtimes also the forehead , neck , breast , duggs , armes , and other parts , and from thence did spred over the whol body , in some indeed they were flat and low , but rough on their surface , when the scales were fallen off , of a color somwhat red , and the flesh under them appeared callous ; in others they were like to warts , of a round figure , which grew to the magnitude of an acorn cuppe whose figure also they resembled , and from these the lighter scales fulling off did hang forth a more tuddy flesh , from which did flow forth a virulent in●●r and of a strong smel ; but some were taken with larger pustles , which did ●otswel above the skin , which had thicker scales , from which also did flow a more pleu●●ful virulent matter , and the scales being cast , the flesh appeared more dark and somwhat livid . Some having white scales taken off there remained somwhat like unto a skar , from which blood sometimes flowing , did shew the difficulty of the cure , and it represented the likeness of a dry scabb , a disease worse than al the rest . For though it did corrode less , yet for spreading it was worse than the rest , and was diffused into divers places . Besides those external pustles there did rise others in internal places , as in the mouth , jawes , nose , and the obscene parts , which turned to malignant and creeping ulcers which eat away the parts under them , and in some eat up the Nose , in others the lipps , in others consumed the Uvula , and perforated the palate , which caused their voice to be hoarse ; neither did this evil spare the bones , but caused rottenness in them , whence some had their skul , others other bones ful of holes . Neither did those pustles and signs of the disease appear only in the external parts obvious to the eye , but it was observed in some , that those pustles & filthy ulcers had possest their very bowels . They that had this evil about their upper parts , had vitious distillations , which did sometimes eat their palate , somtimes the jaws and consills , in some their nose , and in others their eyes . Furthermore for the most part certain gummosities grew on their limbs in great deformity . For oftentimes they were prominent the bigness of an egg , oftentimes the size of a Loare , which being opened , there appeared a white mucilagmous mucous : that tenacious callus , happened most of al in the Arms and Thighs , in some it was exulcerated , somtimes it continued whole until their death . There came also cruel pains with exceeding torment , which were exasperated towards night : but those pains did shew themselves about that part of the bones where is no flesh in the Leggs , shoulder-blade , about the collar-bone , in the shoulders , head , about the forehead and temples , somtimes also in the breast bone , but not in the very joints , but about the muscles and nerves . In which case notwithstanding there was great variety . For some had pains without pustles , some pustles without pain , the greatest part was affected with both , and truly those pains somtimes went before the pustles , somtimes followed , and sometimes rose together with them : in the interim al parts languished , the body pined away , the appetite was dejected , watchings , sadness , and continual anger , and desire of repose possest them ; sometimes a smal Feavor accompanied them , but seldome : their blood , if a Vein were opened , was mucous , and corrupt , their urine thick , fat , and somwhat red without a Feavor , they went hardly to stool , and the excrements were mucous and dry . The shedding of the Hait is frequent in this Disease , especially in the Head , about the Temples , and the hinder part , also of the eybrows , and of the beard in men ; oftentimes also Buboes break forth in the groin , therefore called Veneral and Gallical , which sometimes vanish again , somtimes grow hard , somtimes suppurate ; there rise also in the privities of Women knobs , and in men in their Arie-hole , besides somtimes there happen chops and clefts in the hands and feet , and the thick Skin in the palme of the hands departs from the skin under it ; sometimes also the nails fal off : At last there happens sometimes , that in men a virulent matter flowes through their yard , in women through their privities , which flux of virulent matter is commonly called the Gallical or virulent running of the reins , although indeed it is not feed , by which flux of the y●rd , the inward passage is exulcerated , and certain caruncles do grow in the urinary passage , whence they pisse ●ot , and there is caused a dropping of the urine with pain . And this was the face of that disease at its first fise , which as Hieron Fracastorius relates , since that time seems to be altered . For almost twenty yeares after its original there began to appear fewer pustles , but more gumoseties , and the pustles became dryer , and the paines more cruel . Six yeares after again there was another change , for now there were very few pu●●les seen , and almost no pains , or much gentler , but many gumoleties , and which seen●ed wonderful in al , the shedding of the haire made men almost ridiculous , some appearing without beard , some without hair on their eyebrowes , others with bald pates , from which change Fracastorius had good hopes , and did think that the old age of this disease was now entring , and that ere long it would come to pass , that it could not propigate it self by contagion , because the matter grew dayly ●●icker , in which both fewer , and weaker seminaries are produced : but his hope did much deceive him , and this disease last even in these times , nay as some think , 't is wel●nigh worse than it was of old .

CHAP. III. Of the Nature of the Veneral Disease .

SInce then so great a Hodge-podge of diseases and Symptoms appear in this affect , we must diligently enquire what the nature of it is , of which divers Authors have their divers opinions , and as Epiphanius Ferdinandus writes of this business , in Hist. Med. Hist. 17. the Authors which have writ of this Disease , although they amount to the number of eighty ( and perhaps more ) are al almost differing concerning the Ess●●ce of this Disease , and every one defines it at his own pleasure ; for whenas this Disease was unknown to the Ancients , nor described by them , nor they had not , The Veneral diseas , is from an occult quality . as is usually wont to be , the opinions of the Ancients to insist upon , every Modern using his own liberty hath proposed his own Opinion . Truly I think this is not doubted , that 't is a Contagious , Malignant and Venenate Affect ; neither doth it seem to want any great pains to prove it , for it appears sufficiently by this , that in so smal a quantity of matter , by which this Disease is contracted by contagion , there is so great force and power of action , as no first quality , or the temperament made up of the first qualities can have ; and the variety of Diseases and Symptomes in this evill is so great , that it cannot be reduced to any manifest cause ; therefore as in pestilent constitutions , such as that A●tick one was in Thucidides , and that which Hippocrates hath described , 3. Epid. there was so great a multitude of evils , that they were forced to fly to occult qualities and a venenate cause ; so also , there being so great a filth of diseases and symptomes in the Venerous Disease , that the original of them all cannot be refer'd to any manifest quality , here also we fly to a malignant and occult quality .

But although these things be thus , yet Authors differ stil of this , What it is . whether that malignity consist only in the cause , or whether there be also some malignant Disease present . Capivaccius , de Morb. Gal. Cap 1. thinks this affect not to be the Disease , but the cause , while he defines the Veneral Disease , Capivaccius opinion that it is an excrement wholly preternatural , ab●e to hurt man many waies , produced out of humane substance by its like .

Thus also Hercules Saxonia , de lue Vener . Cap. 1. writes , Hercules Saxony . that the Veneral Disease is the Cause , not the Disease nor the Symptome , therefore , because it can exist our of mans body in Linnen , or other such kind of vertues , besides in the sweat , Seed , and Blood , being seperated from the body ; but within mans Body it infects and poss●sses also those parts which are not living and are not subject to Diseases , viz the humors and spirits .

Aurelius Minadous de virulentia Vener . holds that 't is neither the disease , Aurelius Minadous . nor the cause , nor the symptom ; nor the disease for this cause cap. 17. because 't is neither a distemper , nor evil Composition , nor a solution of unity : but he denies it to be the cause of the Disease , Cap. 9 since that is properly the preternatural , the cause between which and the Action there fals a medium , viz. the disease whenas the disease is that which doth next of al hur the Action , but the cause doth hurt it by intervention of the Disease ; but between the Veneral virulency and the action hurt he thinks there fals no medium , but that of it self by its own strength doth promarily and immediately vitiate and hurt the operations ; but that the Veneral virulency doth of it self and primarily hurt the operations , he thinks this is confest am●ngst Physitians , and therefore deems it to be presupposed , and unless this virulency did of it self and primarily hurt the operations , so many Physi●ans would no have labored in searching out its nature . He proves it is no Symptome , Cap 18. be●●●e it is no action hurt , nor quality changed , nor excrement altered That it is no action hurt , he proves by this , because the veneral vitule●cy it sel●●is that which hurts the actions ; neither is it any qu●lity changed because the qualities changed to follow the actions hurt , and besides so many diseases are seen in this virulency which are not Symptomes . But Aurelius Minadous himself , when he had rejected a●●ne opinions & definitio●s of others , at length he fi●s himself to make a per●ect definition and to explain the nature of this evil . But first of al Chap. 16 he pre●uppores this as the ground of his opinion , viz that the French Disease ought not to be defined by a quality , but rather by the name of a body , for this reason , because it passeth from one body to another , which is the propriety of bodies not of qualities , and because it toucheth other bodies , for none but bodies can touch , and be cough● again , as Lucretius hath it . Again , if it were a quality , it were either mani●est , or occu●● , no manifest one , as he proves rightly by many Arguments ; but that it is no occult quality he brings no special Argument , but repeats the general one , because 't is moved from place to place , and toucheth other bodies .

This presupposed , afterwards Chap. 30. he affirmes the Veneral virulency to be somwhat corporeal internal , and truly a spirit or a vapor , for this reason , because 't is carried , commuicated , and participated in a very short space of time . Yet he holds it to be such a vapor which is endewed with an occult quality and ve●●ue from its whol substance , or the whol mode of its nature , by reason of which quality it cannot only infect any humors of the body , but also al parts of the body , and corrup● them & turn them to its own likeness : but that this evil consists in a spiritual substance , he further proves , because some are infected not only by the act of Venery , but also by a Kiss , or the use of garments : next of al , because some have felt no other hurt from this evil , than only the falling of their hair , because the ●oots of the hairs were gnawed off by the acrid vapors . Thirdly , because some only by vehement exercise have discussed this virulency . Yet he denies that vapor or spirit to be properly an excrement , Chap. 20. whenas that is properly an excrement , which redounds from nourishment , & which is cast off from another : although he grants there that is commonly called an excrement , whatsoever is superfluous in the body , whether it be a spirit , or humor , or some other solid body , whether it be usual , or unusual , whether according to nature or preternatural ; furthermore he holds this vapor to be wandring , thin , and viscid , Chap. 21. and to be raised from a spirituous , humorous , solid substance : but he proves Chap. 22. by many Arguments that this vapor is contrary and preternatural by its whole substance , of which we shal speak hereafter ; and at last Chap. 27. he desines the Veneral vitulency , that it is a vapor by its whol substance inimicous to the natural faculty , working by degrees . And that he might unfold his mind more clearly , and not leave the Reader doubtful , to what kind of things preternatural this vitulency ought to be referred , when as he had said before , that it was neither the Disease , nor the cause , nor the Symptome , yet it primarily hurt the actions ; at length Chap. 28. he holds that 't is an externall error , and he endeavors to prove it by this Sylogisme , whatsoever doth primarily hurt the operation , and is not of the constitution of the body , is an external error , but the Veneral virulency doth primarily hurt the operation , and is not of the constitution of the body , therefore 't is an external error .

Some that they may briefly quit themselves , and hold with al men , say that this disease is a heap of al evils , Diseases and symptomes .

That we may clear our selves out of this difficult controversy , The Veneral disease depends on an occult quality . first of al 't is already proved , and shal be proved more at large hereafter , that they are in the right , who do here admit of an occult quality , and a power depending on the whole substance , as they commonly speak ; neither can they hold any other waies , Since 't is without doubt , that 't is a contagious and malignant disease while it is such . I● performes two things , to wit , it alters the body by which it is received and changeth it to its owne similitude , and indeed it alters it not by the first qualities : as shal be said by and by , since it is not expeld by the first qualities ; neither is that change alwaies with putrefaction , whenas putrefaction is not induced but by a long time , but this change is made in a moment as it were ; neither is it an adustion as John Baptista Montanus , and some others do hold , whenas there is not alwaies a hot & dry distemper present , neither is it cured by cooling and moistening things , and oftentimes there is a fordid putrefaction , in which there is no exustion .

But whereas they hold this malignity is only in that matter seated without the living parts , 'T is a disease . and that there is no such disease present , in this they erre very much . Indeed we willingly grant , that that contagious inquination , sent forth from the body infected with the veneral disease , may adhere to the garments ; neither do we deny this , that the humors in our body may be tainted with the same , yet in the interim it doth scarce follow , that the living parts remain free and found ; for as in a purrid feaver , though the humors and spirits do first grow not by the feaverish heat , yet afterwards the living parts are seized on by the same distemper , so though the humors in the Veneral disease are first infected by that occult malignity , yet there is no cause why the same fault may not be communicated to the living parts .

But though some do acknowledg that this cause cannot be idle , Not hot and dry . yet whenas they know nothing beyond the manifest and first qualities , they endeavour to reduce also the effects of the veneral virulency to manifest causes . John Baptista Montanus as was said even now , thinks the essence of this evil consists in a hot and dry distemper , but the cure tels otherwise , whenas 't is cured by hot and dry Medicines , as by the Decoction of Guajacum and the like : besides , because there is a great putrefaction in the Humors , which doth not proceed from a hot and dry distemper .

Nicolaus Massa de Morb. Galli . Cap. 5. Not cold and dry . saith it is a coldness of the Liver , declining to a little driness with an occult quality : but as concerning the occult quality he writes truly , but that it is no cold distemper , the effect doth teach us , as the Ulcers , rottenness of the bones , and the like ; and what other distemper soever they alleage . Yet they produce nothing agreeable to the Diseases and Symptomes , which appear in this Disease , nor to the Cure .

Therefore when as the action of the veneral virulency can be referred to no manifest quality . We may wel say that by that is induced an occult quality : But occult . For first of al every efficient cause is said to be a cause from the nature of its efficiency , and therefore this malignant quality doth not only alter and change the humors , but also the living parts into its likeness : again , though the morbifick cause be taken away , and this disease seem now to be overcome , yet unless that malignant disposition be destroyed the man recovers not his perfect health . For it hath been observed that the Veneral Disease hath somtimes grown fresh after thirty years past , which doubtless happened not because the Vitious Humors lay so long hid in the body ( for these would have sooner discovered themselves by their signs ) but because that malignant disposition imprest on the body was actually there , which afterwards , by degrees produced vitious humors , and corrupted , and so broke forth into act ; and Trincavellius , Lib. 11. de curand . rat . particul . affect . cap. 11. reports , that a certain Woman brought forth a Child sick of the French Disease , and every whereful of crusty Ulcers , whenas she her self never had any sign of that Disease contracted , but was alwaies wholly wel , and on the contrary it may happen , that one may have a French Ulcer , which yet , when that Malignity is distroyed , is no longer rightly said to be Gallical , but is cured by vulgar Medicines as other Ulcers .

Al which being thus , we conceive the the Veneral Disease , doth not only exist in the Humors , but also in the living parts , and that it doth consist not only in the change of the first qualities , but also there is an occult malignant quality imprinted on the parts , and therefore the veneral Disease is to be referred to diseases , and those of occult qualities . Which are called by Fernelius diseases of the whol substance , but not on every part rightly explained , as we have said before , the which if Capivaccius , and Saxonia had known , the one would not have defined this evil by the excrement , nor the other by the cause . An examination of Aurelius Minadous opinion . if the same also had been known to Aurelius Minadous , he would not have endeavoured to maintain that this evil was no Disease , but an external error . For whereas he endeavors to prove that the veneral Disease is not a Disease of the similar parts , because it is not a distemper , nor an evil composition , nor a solution of unity , in this proof he labors to no purpose , for al this we willingly grant ; but this he ought to prove , that there is no other kind of Disease in the similar parts besides the distemper of the first qualities ; but that there are such diseases , which Fernelius calls of the whol substance , we more rightly , of occult qualities , is sufficiently proved above , part 1. and this very Disease , as all other venenate Diseases do shew , that it can be referred to no other kind than to malignant qualities ; & this follows from Minadous his own supposition , and confession , which he hath Cap. 20. where he writes , that the Veneral virulency hath power not only to infect al Humors , but al parts of the body , and to corrupt and convert them to its own similitude . The same Minadous if he had known these Diseases , had not taken so much pains , to what kind of preternatural things the veneral virulency ought to be referred . For first of al there was no need of excluding from the number of causes , those vitious Humors , which are found in the bodies sick of the veneral Disease , and have power to alter and change the Humors themselves and parts of the body . For whereas he saith , that is properly the cause , between which and the action hurt the disease doth interceed , that is true of the next cause , but the antecedent causes also may do hurt , as they have the Nature of a vitious object , and external Error : and in this very Disease whiles the virulent Humors do imprint a malignant quality on he parts , between them and the action hurt that Malignant disposition and occult quality doth intercede . Therefore whereas he thinks that Humor or venenate vapour in the veneral disease , doth imediately hurt the action , 't is false , unless that humor have the nature of an external error . For al hurt actions in the Veneral disease do happen , whiles between them and the humor , or malignant vapor , a midling diseafe doth intercede , to wit , that of occult qualities .

But whereas he denies the Veneral virulency to be a quality , The Veneral disease is not a Body . and holds it to be a body , first of al he confounds the cause and the disease , next of al he doth not distinguish between the quality and its subject . For whiles we say the Veneral evil , we understand either the disease it self , or its cause : if the disease , that is a quality , as al diseases are , to wit a preternatural disposition of the parts , and indeed an occult and malignant quality : but if the veneral evil be taken for the cause , either which without , being communicated doth induce this disease ; or which is in the body , which raiseth divers diseases and symptomes , and can infect others , we grant that cause may be called a body . But we must take notice , that those humors or vapors are not said to be causes , as they are bodies , but as they have an occult and malignant quality , which Minadous himself cannot deny , while Cap. 20. he writes , That that vapor or spirit , which he cals the veneral virulency , is endewed with an occult quality and vertue , depending on its whole substance , by which it is able not only to infect any humors of the body , but al its parts , and to corrupt and convert them to its own similitude . For what similitude is that I pray , to which the Veneral virulency converts not only the humors , but also the parts of the body , unless it be that occult quality with which that vapor is endewed ?

Whereas last of al , Cap. 38. he refers the Veneral virulency to external error , because it primarily hurts the operation , and is not of the constitution of the body . But before denied it to be either the disease , or cause of the disease , or symptome , in vain doth he multiply things , preternatural ; for there are not more preternatural things , than the disease , cause , and symptome ; and the Veneral virulency , as he describes it , doth wholy belong to the causes two manner of waies , for either it induceth the like disposition into the parts of the body , or it raiseth other diseases while it eats and exulcerates the parts . But whenas he saith the Veneral disease taken for the cause , Whether it be a Vapor or a spirit . is a vapor or a spirit , that is rightly to be understood ; for indeed it can no way be denied , that it is a humor also , whenas in copulation 't is rubbed against the body , and sticks in the cloaths : yet such is its nature , as 't is also of other contagious humors , that though it be resolved into vapors and the least bodies , yet every one of them contains its whole essence , and hath power to affect others : and this thing may be declared by musk , castor , and the like . For those things , though they be bodies , and humorous too , yet are such , that though they be resolved into the least bodies , nevertheless they retain their ful strength . After the same manner it is in the Veneral disease , and other contagious diseases , in which though the malignant and contagious humor , he resolved into the least bodies , yet every one of them obtaines the same essence , and vertue , and power to infect others . But whereas he thinks that humor and vapor is not to be called the cause , but an external error , in that also he is mistaken : for an external error belongs unto the causes , from whence the Symptomes arising from an external error , are called the symptomes of the cause ; where this also is to be observed , that Physitians do not vouchsafe the name of the cause to the next cause only , but also to the antecedent , which do not yet effect the disease : therefore there is bad nourishment by reason of vitious humors , although they have not yet imprinted a distemper , and vitious disposition on the parts : but whereas he denies the Veneral virulency , considered as a vapor to be the cause , because it hurts the actions not by the mediation of a disease , but next of al , and imediately , he presupposeth that which is not yet granted , and so begs the question : for this spirit or vapor hurts the very constitution of the similar part , and imprinteth on it a malignant quality ; the which he himself cannot deny , whiles Cap. 23. he holds , that by this disease of venery many actions are hurt , but not al in al people ; but the hurt of the natural faculty is common to al , and that there is none , that is possest with this disease who is not troubled with some fault in his natural actions , and hence proceeds al that filth of excrements , and the gummosities arising from thence , tumors , pustles , pains , running of the reins , ulcers , rottenness , and such like evils ; and that the Veneral virulency hath a peculiar enmity , and discord with the natural faculty , and is inimicous to it by its whol kind , that is , by its form , by its specifick faculty , by its whole substance , and occult propriety : but he further describes the enmity against the natural faculty , that it is by its nature destructive to the natural spirit , that the Veneral virulency hath unspeakable qualities , hindering the generation of the natural spirits , and those not manifest , but occult . But whenas there is required to a natural action , the soul , the temperament , and the innate heat , or the implanted spirit , and the influent heat , he further concludes rightly , that the soul is not hurt , as that which can no waies suffer , nor the manifest temperament , as was proved hitherto , but chiefly the implanted spirit or the innate heat : al which whenas they are so rightly spoke , and the Veneral virulency is an enemy to the implanted spirit , and truely not by manifest qualities , but by its form , by its specifick faculty , by an occult propriety , by which it indeavours to change not only the humors , but also the living parts , and the implanted heat in them into its own similitude , certainly the like malignant quality , is induced into the parts : which vitious & malignant quality , what other thing I pray is it , than an occult & malignant disease ?

Al which being thus , we rightly conclude , The Veneral evil is an occult & venenate Disease . the Veneral evil is an occult and venenate disease ; for it is induced by causes of that kind , and immediately exerciseth such effects which cannot be referred to any manifest distemper , but onely to an occult quality ; neither is it cured by medicines that work by manifest qualities , & correct known distempers , but by proper and specificks , which al Physitians at this day , and especially those who lived at the beginning of this disease have testified , and to their own and patients damage have found it true . For when they followed the common way of cure , and could do no good for the cure of this disease , they began to be despised by many , til the Spanish Physitians shewed them medicaments brought out of the Indies , and bold Chyrurgeons ventered upon Quick-Silver .

But that al this may be made clearer , What is the subject of the Veneral Disease . we must enquire what is the subject to this disease , concerning which physitians do differ . Some have thought the privities are first infected : for by these parts for the most part , this evil is contracted by impure copulation , and the footsteps of this disease , unless it be perfectly cured , do chiefly appear about the privities ; the but is easily excoriated in venery , the flesh oftentimes remaines callous for a long time , with a running of the reines , and breaking forth of buboes in the groin . But though it cannot be denied , that oftentimes the original of this evil is from the privities , and doth chiefly discover it self in that place . Yet that doth not happen alwaies , Not the Priveties . but the same disease may be contracted by kissing , sweat , embraces , vestures , nay infants also may be infected by the milk they suck from their nurse , & they that are infected after this manner , have not this disease appearing in their privities .

Some , as Leonicenus do hold , say that the skin is the subject of this evil , as in the scab , tetter , and the like affects : but the skin alone is not alwaies affected , but other parts also , the privities , the jawes , the bones which become rotten , Not the skin . nay sometimes also the internal parts . Hercules Saxonia de lue Vener . Cap. 3. maintains a threefold subject ; one in the beginning ; another in the middle ; another in the disease confirmed : in the beginning he holds that the natural spirit is affected or the vaporous part of the mass of blood , then the juyces and excrementitious humors , at last the alimentary humors , but in process of the disease , adust humors ; and the parts affected are the stomach & liver , & thence chylification & sangification are hurt ; but when the evil is old , flegmatick humors are the subject of it , & the parts affected are simelar , bones , nerves , membranous bodies : but we willingly grant , that as the disease is new , or old , so and also sometimes more , sometimes fewer parts are possest and corrupted ; as we deny not this neither , that the excrementitious humors are easier corrupted than the alimentary , whenas nature doth alwaies more defend the profitable humors , than the excrementitious , into which without any difference this evil doth easily almost diffuse it self , but indeed the question is not here , what may be infected by that virulency ; but this is the Querie , what is the subject of this disease , which we have demonstrated to be ; for as in putrid feavers the spirits and humors wax hot , yet are not the subject of the feaver ; so also though a malignant quality from the Veneral virulency be imprinted on the humors ; yet they are not the subject of the disease , but only the living parts , and which of them is the subject of this disease is the question : and whiles that he somtimes holds the Liver and stomach , sometimes the similar parts to be the subject of this disease , in that he is wavering , for whether the disease be new or old , the subject is the same .

There were some others also , Not the spermatical parts . who held those parts we cal spermatical , the nervous and membranous , were the subject of this disease ; but not only the membranous and nervous parts , but also the fleshy parts are affected in this disease .

Others hold the Liver to be the chiefe subject of this disease , and this opinion is most consonant to truth , Whether the liver . but when as many other parts are affected , 't is conveniently to be explained , as shal be said by and by .

Aurelius Minadous de virul . Vener . Cap. 34. first of al presupposeth this , that there is no peculiar member in our body , Whether al the parts . which is alwaies affected in the Veneral virulency , which is true in its way , whiles somtimes this , somtimes that part is affected ; next of al he holds that this viulency is chiefly an adversary to the natural actions , or rather to their faculties , which natural power when as it is in al parts the veneral virulency is not an enemy to one part in speice , but to al , in which that power is . In the third place he adds this , That that natural vertue implanted in the natural parts , doth performe its operations without any influx , and that there is no natural faculty influent , as there is an animal influent ; secondly he confutes them in particular , who hold the Liver to be the first and perpetual subject of this disease , for it may come to pass faith he that one after an impure copulation may presently suffer an exulceration in his privities , whom certainly no body wil deny to be infected with the Veneral disease , whenas yet in him the Liver is not affected : and the same reason is for other parts , which are first affected by contagion ; nay he holds , that one external part being infected , the humors in the body may be infected without any hurt of the Liver . In the interim he cannot deny this , that this evil doth most properly and chiefly appear , when the Liver is affected , when as the operations of the Liver are necessary to the whol body . The same Author Cap. 4. endeavors to prove , that the Liver is not the subject of the Veneral disease , whenas the face saith he is the index and truest glass of the internal affects of the body , yet especially the affects of the Liver doe appear in it ; therefore if the Liver were perpetually affected in the Veneral disease , also the color of the face should alwaies appeare vitious , the which we have found false by experience ; for we have seen both men and women infected with this disease , who notwithstanding have had a fresh color in their face , and the evil hath been in their privities : again he thinks , that by carnal copulation the privites may first of al be affected , and from thence the evil may creep through the veins , and by the spirits , to the other parts of the body , and as one part is more apt and disposed than another to receive the infection , so somtimes this , somtimes that is infected , but not alwaies the Liver .

That we may cleare our selves of this controversy , first of al we must enquire from the actions hurt what part is affected , The Authors opinion . and what faculty is opprest ; but though divers actions hurt that part in the veneral disease , yet al of them cannot bring us to the knowledg of the first and proper subject . It happens indeed somtimes , that there are pains felt in the head about the muscles and bones , but that is not alwaies . Somtimes also the hurt happens in the external and internal sence , but this also is seldom : somtimes putrid vapors are inflamed , and hence a Feaver is raised , which somecal a French Feaver , but this also happens seldom . In like manner 't is in other diseases and fymptomes . One action is hurt which is common to al that are sick of the veneral disease , viz. nutrition is corrupted ; hence we see that in those who are possest with this disease , the color of their body is changed and sulled , and sometimes turns black , somtimes of a lead color , somtimes livid . There arise every where in their body divers kinds of swellings and bunchings out , also ulcers , the bones rotten , the hairs fal off , al which proceed from corrupt nutrition . From which we conclude that the veneral disease is primarily an enemy to the natural faculty : The Veneral disease is an enemy to the natural faculty . but 't is no wonder that this poyson is only an enemy to the natural faculty , whenas there are other poysons , which are inimicous to other faculties : thus the poyson of the pestilence and many others are enemies to the heart , cantharides to the bladder , mad nightshade and opium to the animal faculty .

Whence that we may briefly conclude the business , this evil indeed may be contracted by one member , yet if it be spread into more from that one , that comes to pass because the Liver is infected : yet because this poyson hath principally an enmity with the natural faculty , and the fountaine of that , or chiefe seat is the Liver , that also is primarily infected with this virulency , and through that the rest of the parts contract this evil . Therefore whereas Minadous objecteth , the color of the face is sometimes fresh , therefore the evil is not yet communicated to the Liver , but stil sticks in the privities which were first of al infected , and the force of this virulence is sometimes greater , sometimes less ; from whence also 't is sometimes sooner , sometimes later communicated to the Liver . Besides , this evil consists not in the first qualities , but in occult , whence 't is no wonder , that that malignity may consist in the blood , which to the appearance is good ; but al those things wil be yet made clearer by the discovery of the causes .