CHriftian dutie inciteth every man to extol Gods great mercies towards mankind , and namely , ( which is the scope of this ensuing Treatise ) for his blessing concerning the gift of healing , and for the originall or first finders out of the Science . In the arguing whereof , many ancient and modern Writers have taken great pains in searching out and describing ( for memories sake ) unto posteritie , who were the first discoverers of that noble Science or Mystery of the healing mans body ; but not without severall and different opinions , and strong contradict●ons : Yet , giving venerable and due respect unto all , I will crave leave for my self to think and believe that the originall foundation of Medicine proceeded from God alone ; being more then sufficiently explained so to be by Moses that divine Historiographer , in his sacred History of the first creation of heaven and earth : For he witnesseth that before man was created , all herbs and plants sprang out of the bowels of the earth , with their infinite varieties of flowers and seeds , with different odours , sapours , colours and forms , endued ( no doubt ) with many and great vertues , Solu● expraescientia Dei , onely of the fore-knowledge of God . Wherefore to attribute so great excellencies , so many wayes in use for the health and wel-being of mankind , to any other than to the divine bounty of God alone , would seem ( in my apprehension ) not much lesse than blasphemy ; for it could never be , that humane reason could have found out the knowledge and vertues of these things , unlesse God himself by his secret prescience had shewed them to man .

For God , the Architector of the world , when in the beginning he created Adam , and inspired him with the spirit of life , made him not onely a living creature , but also indued him with such understanding , that he knew the natures , the forces , the proper faculties , virtues , and dangerous effects of al things which the said universal world then contained or produced : so that the glory of the invention of the mystery of healing of mans body , came from God himself , and may not be so much undervalued as to be ascribed to humane ingenuitie . Yet neverthelesse ( under favonr ) we may so far venture to conceive , that the The gift of healing is no lesse then one of the gifts of the H. Ghost . same gift of God , namely the gift of healing , might by his holy Spirit be , and was transcendent successively on those whom he had preordained , and chosen unto the medicinall function , to the end that they might be the better enabled to search out and apply wholsome medicines in due season , according as they were inspired or taught ; for all excellent knowledge commeth from above : and this opinion is also assented unto by holy Scriptures in sundry places .

But withall , complying with our Ancestors as much as may be , touching the first generall professors of this art of Medicine ; The most Writers affirm the Grecians were the first that tooke upon them to professe the art of Medicine , and they likewise utter speeches to the same effect , affirming Apollo to be the first Inventor of Medicine ; and by Apollo , it is suggested , that they either understood the Sunne , which through the penetrating heat thereof , produceth , comforteth , tempereth and cherisheth all creatures as well animall , and vegetable , as minerall : Or they meant , under that name of Apollo , some Noble man , who was instigated thereunto through an excellent and divine power ( no doubt by Gods fore-knowledge ) and also endued with learning and diligence in that noble art of Medicine , who performed some excellent cures : alluding whereunto , Ovid speaketh thus of Apollo , Inventum medicinae meum est , opifexque per orbem , Dicta est herbarum subiecta potentia nobis .

And after Apollo the succeeding Inventor is said to be Aesculapius , which ome Writers stile to be his sonne , brought up in learning by him , who did somewhat more set forth and polish this Art , being as then rude and rustick , and therefore he was reputed as one of the gods . Not long after those times ( as Writers report ) did flourish Chyron , termed the Centaure , who also excelled in the knowledge of the medicinall plants .

This Aesculapius ( as other ancient Histories witnesse ) had two sonnes , viz. Podalyrius and Machaon , who followed their Fathers steps , and professed the art of Medicine , and cured the wounded souldiers in the Trojan Wars ; and these chiefly practised that part of healing which is now called Surgery . After them the knowledge of the art of Medicine grealy increased , though for a time it was in a hereditary way left by them to their posteritie ; and through their studie and diligence was that part called Physick which cureth inward diseases , also by a more prudent and diligent search found out .

And further , authors witnesse , that out of this most learned Aesculapius his Stock , did spring Hippocrates , begot by Heraclida in the I le of Ch●os , Prince of all the Physicians that ever were before him , who perfected the art or mystery of Medicine or healing , and digested it into a method in the Greek tongue . And after him six hundred yeares followed Galen , a man not only exquisite in the knowledge of Medicines , but also in many other sciences . And what was left in the writings of Hippocrates obscure and intricate , Galen faithfully interpred and illustrated it , and put it into many Volumes , and established universal precepts , and methodical rules , and reduced the Science into a more perfect Art .

And further , we read in Histories , in the infancie of this art , that it was a custome amongst the Babylonians and Assyrians , who then were very ignorant in the art of healing , to appoint the sick languishing people to be carried and laid in Porches and Galleries , or to carry them into the Market places and crosse Streets , that passengers might counsell and exhort them to those things , by which they might eschue the like diseases , or had known some to be recovered : and it was not lawfull for any one to passe by the sick with silence , but he must utter some words of comfort at the least .

Strabo also ( a Greek Writer ) witnesseth , that it was of old a custome amongst the Grecians for the sick to betake themselves unto the Epida●rian Temple of Aesculapius , that sleeping there , they might be admonished by the gods in a dream what was good for their healths : and being freed from their diseases , they caused those remedies , by which they were recovered , to be written in Tables , and fastned to the posts of the Temple . Such was the zeal and superstitious blindness of the heathen people in former ages , and the ceremonies which they performed in a grateful remembrance for future times .

Also Hippocrates is reported to have copied out all those things , and so from them first to have amended the medicinall art . And it is likewise by the ancients reported , that brute creatures have bin much conducible to the first finding out of some particulars in this art : so that man not only from man , but also from brute beasts and birds , hath learned many good things , which by them have been demonstrated , as namely , the vertues of divers herbs , by which they did preserve themselves from diseases , through the mere instinct of nature , ( as the blindness of the young Swallowes is said to be removed by the herb Celedona , &c. )

Seeing therefore so great and so many good helps have concurred together to the perfection of this excellent art of Medicine , for the health and wel-being of mankind , who then needs to doubt thereof , or may say that it did not proceed , as from the beginning , de praescientia Dei ? seeing that man , the most noble of all the creatures of God , and for whose sake all other earthly creatures were created , receiveth such unspeakable comforts thereby : which caused Herophilus heretofore to term the medicinall Science to be the hand of God : for ( saith he ) as we having got a fall , do with our stretched-out hand endevour to free our selves out of that dirt or pit we were fallen into ; even so we , being at the point of death by the assaults of sicknesse , do succour our selves by the salutiferous remedies of good Medicines , and do thereby , as it were , draw our selves out of the jaws of death ; so as Homer , the Prince of the Greek Poets , doth affirm in his verses , that one good man that can heal well , is more worth then divers other men ignorant in that art : for what person is , or can be more necessary , or more usefull in any Common-wealth or place , then the expert Artist , skilfull in the divine science of healing ? which Science bringeth a man in favour with men of all degrees , yea , to be acceptable to Princes Kings and Emperors , being both profitable and commodious every where to Prince and people for the preserving of health , and repelling of diseases from them and their subjects , which also gaineth to himself honour and riches : for , as Histories record , unto Hippocrates by King Abderas ( for healing of Democritus his madnesse ) was given an extraordinary great reward ; and moreover the heathen nation , men , women and children , gathered themselves together , and in a triumphant manner proclaimed him ( with aloud voice ) to be the saving god , and honoured him with the name of Pater Patriae , the father of their Countrey . And the Athenians , because he had freed Athens from the pestilence , celebrated playes with triumphant pomp to his honour , placing on his head a crown of gold weighing a thousand crownes , and honoured him with the great magnificence of a King ; and likewise built him a statue for a perpetuall eternizing of his wisedome and learning .

It is also reported by ancient Writers , that one Erasistratus , Aristotles nephew , received by a voluntary contriburion from King Ptolomie , an hundred talents of gold , as a reward , for that he reftored his sonne to health from a desperate disease : and likewise , that Augustus the Emperor appointed rich statues to be set up to the honour of Antonius Musa : and that one Quintus Stertinius received yearly for about 50. years together , out of the Emperors treasury at Rome , twelve thousand crowns for his great skill in the mystery of healing : and that if any sick person of sort did call him out of the Citie for his advice , he did pay him 50. crownes a day for his skill . Moreover , it is said , that for curing Pope Honorius the third , he every moneth received foure hundred crownes out of the Treasurie of Rome .

Ancient Histories make mention , that in former times the most noble and honourable personages ( yea , Kings and Princes ) were greatly delighted in the study thereof , esteeming themselves much graced and dignified thereby ; and thereupon , being greedy of getting renown , have given plants denominations from their own names , as Gentian from Gentins King of the Assyrians ; Lysimachia , an English water-willow , from Lysimachus King of the Macedonians ; the composition of Mithridate from Mithridates King of Pontus and Bythinia ; the herb Achillea from Achilles ; Centauri from Chyron the Centaure ; Arthemasia from Caria Queen pf Arthemasia . And further , Writers do affirm , Attalus King of Pergamus , Solomon King of the Jewes , Evax King of the Arabians , and Iuba King of the Moores , with infinite more ( too long to recite ) did as it were burn with a desire of learning the medicinall art , some in the herball part , others in the searching the vertues of drugs , others of minerals , and did also write and compose whole volumes in that Mysterie , for the benefit of posteritie yet extant ; wherein are contained infinite salutiferous Antidotes , by the mixture of many simples into one medicine .

And whereas there hath been a question amongst some of the Ancients , by what name they may most properly call the Artist ; the more learned sort are justly stiled by the title of Physicians , and the more experienced sort are called Chirurgions , or Surgeons ; by means whereof , sometimes there hath grown difference and offence , which I doe advise each discreet Surgeon to avoid , and that they give the Physician his due honour and precedence , comparisons being odious and unmannerly amongst good men . Also the Artist of old , before the art was distinguished , was called amongst the Grecians Iatros , and amongst the Latines , Medicus , and in our countries ancient language , by report , he was termed a Leech : and all those denominations signifie no other thing but one and the same , viz. A curer of diseases , sicknesses , wounds , apostmues , ulcers , &c.

And whereas all men may judge such infirmities cannnt be cured without fit instruments , which are first and chiefly by the hand of man , ( who doth make ready fit medicaments and applications ) to be administred to the foresaid diseases in due order and time : The first instrumental part of Medicine was , and is , that which both the ancient and later writers term Chirurgia , or the Handy part of healing .

The second is Dieta : a special instrument to cure , without which neither wounds , apostumes , ulcerations , nor tumors against nature ( as Hippocrates and Galen do affirm ) can well be cured ; for that diet must be prescribed according to the temperature of the body , and nature of the wounded part : and Galen also prescribeth a diet for those that have ulcerations , whether cancrous or otherwise proceeding . Wherefore I conceive him to be no just and charitable Judge , that denieth this instrument , namely diet , to belong to a Chirurgion as well as to a Physician : for that reason and experience both do allow and approve thereof , as an unlimitable instrument , fine quibus esse nequit . And whereas Galen saith , in lib. 3. De methodo medendi , all arts are grounded upon experience and reason : if any one can declare , either by experience or reason , a way how to cure ulcers , tumors , wounds , fistulaes and other like diseases incident to mans body , as the French Pox , the Plague &c. the cures of which diseases by statute Lawes are appointed to Surgeons , and to do it without the use of diet , and other both inward and outward helps , which these learned men ( as Hippocrates and Galen ) used , and have with no small labour found out by reason and experience , then I will easily yield , and be glad to learn , and will not onely learn , but highly extol it : but if on the contrary , no man can shew me any other way to heal the former recited diseases ; then I see no just hinderance , but that each true Artist , being legally a Surgeon expert , may and ought freely to make use of diet to perform his cures .

The third general instrument used in the curing of diseases , is Pharmacum , in Latine , Medicamentum , or Medicine , granted to be of several sorts . Each man will conceive that medicine is a principal part of healing and curing of sores , diseases and sicknesses : for who is he that can cure a wound , a tumor , an ulcer , yea , but an ague with his hand onely , without fitting medicines ? Surely no man : Then it must necessarily follow , that Chyrurgia , Dieta , & Pharmacum , viz. Surgery Diet and Medicines ( I mean both outward and inward ) are unseparable companions , and therefore all to be used in the● art of curing mans body ; and that in the person of one man , and why not in the Surgeon that practiseth in military occasions , as in ships and camps more especially ? where neither his Majestie nor the Merchant alloweth Physicians nor Apothecaries any place , and there the whole scope of healing the bodies of the bravest and most valiant warriours and hardie Sea-men , are upon all occasions wholly referred to the skill of the Surgeon . Wherefore it were a very ungodly thing , and in reason most unjust , to forbid a Surgeon to learn all , or any thing that concerneth his calling : and all those that are of opinion to hinder a Surgeon from using outward and inward medicines , have quite misconstrued Hippocrates and Gale● , shewing themselv's enemies to art , reason , and true experience , for that it is manifest , each of these aforesaid three branches of healing , do mightily further the other , to make the Surgeons cures perfect ; for by these three together , and not by any one of them simp ly of it self and alone , we may boldly conclude to have healed well and honestly , and as we should do .

I have , I confess , too long insisted upon this argument , but the cause is , there be some at this day that do indeavor to sever the instruments of healing asunder , against the publick good , for their own private lucre , and would have inward medicine practised onely by themselves , and confine the Surgeon onely to outward medicine , and outward healing , as one Tragus an ancient Writer maketh mention , affirming , that there were certain sorts of men in his dayes which did use the art of curing severally ; namely , some by inward medicines onely , and some by outward , and some by diet onely , every one according to his education and profession of curing : all these three contending , and each one affirming his way the best ; in conclusion , their errours were confuted by Hippocrates , who gave to each of them ( as learned Writers affirm ) a patient to cure , whom all of them endeavouring to recover , failed in their performance : notwithstanding , afterward by the wisedome and skill of Hippocrates , they all were reconciled and united ; for he , having well weighed and considered each of their weaknesses and errours , willed them apart to set down how long time he , or they would take , to cure his or their appointed diseased patients ; whereupon he and the rest agreed on a set time ; which being expired , Hippocrates found that although each Artist had shewed his utmost skill , yet their patients were not accordingly cured . Hereupon he with much mildnesse and kind perswasions ( as is recorded ) so appeased and instructed them , that each of them by the very same means and medicines they formerly took , being all used together to each party , quickly and perfectly cured their severall patients . Whereby also it is manifest , that it is not just nor safe for the Common-wealth , neither can it be approved , that the best of the antient Fathers in Physick and Surgery did , or indeed could divide or separate these three parts of healing .

But it may be that some will object that Valeriolus , Tagaultius , and some oth●rs say , that a Surgeon ought not to give inward medicines , without the counsell of a Physician . To clear this , I answer , first it is expedient and just ▪ where learned counfell may be had , to make use of it , for that by much counsell there is safetie : neverthelesse , know , that it is uncharitable to forbid an expert Surgeon at any time , or in any place , the use of the in●truments and medicines which are necessary to this art , for the curing of his patients : for certainly T●g●●lt ius and V●leriolus meant it of them that practised the art of Su●gery in those times , being Impostors , and illiterate , and such as did not understand the principles of their art , nor the differences of diseases ; and those were justly to be inhibited , as in every well governed Common-wealth it is fit it should be . But as concerning worthy Artists , viz. Surgeons apprpoed by the Lawes of the Realme , they ought to be free to exercise their art ▪ and the same Author concludes with Mr. Gales comparison ( who was a late good Writer in Surgery ) which upon the like difference he then made of a Shipwright and a Carpenter , who were both of necessitie to use one and the same instruments to perform their severall works withall : even so must every honest Artist , legally bred in the art of medicine , be tolerated to practise , by what title soever you please to call him . Then , if so , he must by consequence have the free use of all such instruments and means as may best and with most ease perfect what he intends , to wit , the cure of mans body : for although the Carpenter may say unto the Shipwright , Thou art not to use the a●e , the adds , the saw , the hammer , nor the plain , &c. For that all these tools appertain , and are proper to me for my art , and I cannot build without them ; even so might the other make a like fair answer , and say , They are also as proper for my Art , and without them I cannot build . In like manner might the Joyner and other Tradesmen say . And no lesse may it be said of the art of medicine : for whether he be called Physician , Surgeon or Le●ch , or what other name men please to impose upon him , if they admit , yea and appoint him to cure wounds , tumours against ua●ure , ulcers , erisipelaes , herpes , the French pox , the pesti●ence or whatsoever other disease is incident to mans body , it is but fitting that he be free to have the proper use of all medicines and instruments , most apt and meet to bring the same his intended scope to pass , yea , and that without offence of the Law , notwithstanding any by law made by any , for private lucre , to hinder the prosecution of the well-healing of the diseased people . For who is so fit , or to whom doth the whole use of all good medicines so justly appertain unto , as to the Surgeon that is expert , who by his Majestie is prest , and thereby commanded , as well as by Christian dutie tied , upon all occasions to heal wounded and other diseased p●rsons ?

Galen in his third and fourth books De meth●do medendi , doth name the Artist Medicus that doth cure ulcers and wounds , &c. and many ancient Writers call him Medicus Chirurgus : whereby it appeareth , that the Surgeon is Medicus à medendo , and retains the name Chirurg●s by performing the art of healing in a practick way , namely , by the hand ; and therefore is rightly termed Medicus Chirurgus , and thereby is capable to use all medicines for healing . And if so , of necessitie he must not be fo●●idden lawfull practice , otherwise how shall he well perform his scope of healing , when he is either in Ship , in Camp , or but any where in the Countrey , where Physicians either are not at hand , or will not come , as when and where contagious diseases happen , namely , the small and great pox , or the pestilence , &c. Now here in all conscience the Surgeon is to be admitted to shew his utmost skill for healing mens infirmities , without danger of any Law , if he be a man lawfully called as aforesaid , to the exercise thereof : otherwise it were very unreasonable that the Surgeon alone should be pressed out of the healing of his Majesties subjects , where no Physician nor Apothecary is admitted to advise , assist or direct him , and yet to practise should be held unlawfull for him , when he performeth his best in any action or part of healing for his patients good . But God be thanked , there are both ancient and modern good Laws , Orders and Ordinances , which do manifestly enable a Surgeon to exercise his science , and to breed up servants to be expert therein , for the better continuance of the art , and for the future encrease of good and able Surgeons , for the service of his Majestie , and the Common-wealth . And to manifest the same , his Highness not onely alloweth the use of inward and physical drugs and medicines to the Surgeons for his own service , but is further gratiously pleased ( out of his own Coffers ) to pay for them , as elsewhere in this Treatise more at large will appear .

Thus much in generall by way of Preface . Now the Author in this following Treatise desires to excuse himself , by way of Apologie , to the Chirurgicall Reader , for his over ▪ forwardnesse in the unfolding to the vulgar what he hath hereafter done by his explaining of a Surgeons Chest ; which he never intended , untill ( nolens v●len● ) he was put upon it , who , having in his younger daies spent divers years in travel in forraign nations ▪ for the gaining of knowledge and experience in his calling , setled himself in London , where , according to the weak talent of his education , he endeavoured to obtain some answerable perfection therein , that so by doing good he might give the better account of the dutie of his calling , by cursing of such as committed themselves to his weak skill ; in which endeavours before he was ( in his own opinion ) worthie thereof , it pleased the honourable Societie of Merchants trading to the East Indies , in the beginning of the Trade , to make choice of him , and to appoint him Surgeon generall for all their imployments , as well by Sea as Land ; reposing in him also the credit and trust for ordering and appointing fit and able Surgeons , and Surgeons Mates for their ships and services , as also the fitting and furnishing their Surgerie Chests with medicines , instruments , and other appurtenances thereunto . Which credit and weightie charge , so neerly concerning the lives of their servants reposed in him , instigated him to imploy all his endeavours to answer their so great trust imposed on him : For the effecting whereof , hee had no way better to recompence them , then by reducing their Surgeons Chests , with all the particulars thereof , into an order and method , which was never undertaken before by any , although very requisite : but being once done ▪ it would not onely benefit them , but also be a perpetual good for the service of his Majestie , and the Common-wealth : ●or by want hereof the said East India Companie , and many of their servants , as also many other publike actions abroad of great consequence , have suffered much ; and namel● , by unworthy impostors under the names of Surgeons , ( to the dishonour of God , and scandall of the true professors of the art of Surgerie , by many mis●ries undergone both by the hardie Sea-man , and valiant Souldier ▪ ) For remedie whereof , and in want of some more learned and expert then himselfe , he undertook the work ; the said honourable Company being ever most willing , without limitation or grudging , to beare the rea●onable charge thereof ▪ and to give approbation of the Authours weak endeavours , ( which otherwise could never have been done ) who ( through Gods mercie and their favourable acceptance thereof ) hath performed the said charge , and continued their servant ( to their contents ) for full twentie foure yeares alreadie : Yet notwithstanding , his dutie ( by reason of the trust reposed in him by his said honourable Masters ) wa● not therein fulfilled ; for he was ( if he would fabricate a new invented Surgeons ●he●t ) also tied in Conscience to instruct all and every Surgeon ( that was to make use thereof in their services ) in the knowledge and us● of all such m●dicines and new inventions as were of his production and induction . And although it well might be conceived divers of them in knowledge otherwise exceeded him , yet nevertheless in the true use of new medicine , how good soever , which he had intruded upon them , not being within their owne former breeding and practice , he was obliged also to instruct them in the uses and dangers incident by mistakes , ( fit to be foreseene ) and that by writing . As also he was further tied ( for his owne reputation sake ) to performe the same in some methodicall and plaine way .

And because untill that time no Writer ( that he could possibly finde out ) had ever handled or written any thing worthie of note of that subject , namely , of the methodicall composure of a militarie Surgeons Chest ; he was put upon the toyle and studie of new inventions , for the fit composure of medicines and instruments , and that without the helpe of Authours , yea , and without the help of the Surgeons themselves , that were to use the said Chests , who ( especially the more ignorant sort of them ) for their own private ends , and in part to cover their imperfections and absurdities , forcibly withstood him . Yet notwithstanding all such discouragements , after he perceived in himself any hope or abilitie of effecting the worke , he proceeded on with courage , being confident of the goodnesse and usefulnesse thereof , for the preserving of mens lives and limbes ; and would also in time to come prove profitable both ●or the service of his Maiestie , and the whole Common-wealth , as at this day is manifest .

For this Work hath already turned the whole composure of the Surgeons Chest into its own forme and method , both plain and easie , being free from all exceptions of absurd fraud or collusion , and also free from the former obscure , imperfect and ridiculous errours , and impertinent intrusions , whereby every unworthy ignorant impostor ( as under a vizzard of hidden skill ▪ made use of the art of Surgery , and thereby put up whatsoever they pleased into their Chests , under pr●tence of extraordinarie skill , great secrets , unvaluable , unsearchable , and not to be prized treasures , ( which long time they had concealed ) but being searched into , appeared for the most part faulty , fraudulent , and full of poore blinde ignorance : whereby , as is said , divers unskilful persons intruded themselves , not onely to be entertained into the Merchants best ships , but also into his Majesties service , yea , and that into his best ships , as great Surgeons , without either judgement , sound medicines , or once viewing of any their provisions , and without examining any their abilities in their callings ; making their abbettors believe that those which sought to view their Surgeons Chests , came but to learn some of their ( no ) skill , or for some of their ( lesse ) money at the fairest .

Finally , though the worst might seem never so commodious , yet not onely to such as before are rehearsed , but even to Sea-Surgeons in generall , it seemed harsh and unreason●ble ; and namely ( wherein in part they were to be excused ) for that their exceptions had a good shew of reason , in that they held it not fit that one Surgeon should make ready a Chest for another Surgeon , and the absent Surgeon not versed in the practice of the things made and appointed for his use : and this was held not onely unjust , but ridiculous ; and that justly , had not instructions , namely , the Surgeons Mate been written . And it hath since been observed ( the instructions being put forth ) that the same absent Surgeons , after better informing themselves ( by the Authors direction set forth in Print ) of the integritie and innocent way thereof , with the fairnesse of the Worke also , and the utilitie of the said Treatise , have commended it , and approved thereof : so that by a few yeares practice of the younger sort of Surgeons , it is now brought into common use and generall good liking ; so that it hath gotten credit , and it is with all Surgeons common in use , yea , even in his Majesties service , being first made use of in the Rochell Expedition , and the Author then having the charge of pressing , furnishing , and ordering of his Highnesse whole Navic and Land services , with Surgeons , and Surgeons Mates , with all their provisions .

This present Work , being now the third Edition , as it were of the method of the Surgeons Chest , the Authour entreats ( as the former hath had ) may receive a charitable Construction upon the egresse thereof ▪ and albeit the benevolent Reader no doubt ) may see and apprehend divers e●rours and meane passages therein , ( discovering thereby the Authours many weaknesses ) yet that he of his clemency would either amend them , or in love cover them , considering that Facilius est inventis addere , quam nova invenire .

And further , if any Reader of his own calling , condemne or contemne him , for so farre explaining the hidden mysteries of the art to the Vulgar , saying , By your rules every young youth may proceed , not onely to furnish , but also to make some use of a Surgeons Chest , though he never truely served for it ; The which the Authour will confesse to be an errour and weaknesse in him , and therefore craveth pardon ; but withall ( for his defence ) alledgeth , That he had an earnest desire by such an errour to doe a publike good , not onely for the benefit of every worthy young Surgeon but chiefly , and indeed for the Common-weal , and safetie of the lives and limbs of many of his Maiesties loving subiects : Quia non nobis solum nati sumus : Nascitur indignè per quem non nascitur alter .

Now , unless the Surgeons Chest had been reduced into a method , could one Surgeon at sea well have succeeded another in the use of a practice unknown unto him ? For by death all mens thoughts perish , and so doth every mans private inventions and practises ; and by consequence , his death might have produced much dammage upon ( otherwise ) a hopefull designe , the want whereof many a worthie and valiant sea-man , by lamentable experien●e hath felt , before the Surgeons Chest was thus digested ; because then every unworthie Surgeon ( how weak , as is said , or deficient soever ) had power , if he pleased , to practise , to the dishonour of God , the scandall of that most laudable Mysterie of healing , and the great danger of mens lives , procured by their ignorance and errour : for things known may be indged of , but unknown things stand by hazzard and chance : Cognita judicio constant , incognita casu .