The Committee being set the third time in expectation of what Objections the Colledge would offer against the Ordinance for publike artificiall Bathes , & Bath-Stoves , or whether they would approve of them .

Dr. Alston began as followeth , in these or the like words and Phrases .

THe Colledge commanded me to return humble thanks to the Honorable Committee for not giving consent to the Ordinance of Bathes , without them . ( Then he proceeded ) Having the fear of God before our eyes , and the good of the Common-wealth , The Colledge do by us return this Answer to the Honorable Committee , that they do not think fit the erecting of publike Bathes should be granted to Dr. Chamberlen , and they think them hurtfull to the Common-wealth .

And the Colledg desires that this honourable Committee signifie so much unto the honorable Hose .

Then the Committee asked if they had not brought their Answer in writing , whereupon they presented their Paper as followeth :

To the Honourable , the Committee for Bathes .

THe President and Colledge of Physitians return their humble thanks to this Honorable Committee for your favour unto them , and humbly represent that since the Honorable Committee is pleased to resolve not to enjoyn Dr. Chamberlen to attend the Colledge concerning his Design of Bathes , they can give no satisfactory Answer therein , Onely whereas publike Bathes have been by their abuse , the Causes in the Greek and Roman States , ( where there was greater necessity , and lesse danger of them then in our cold clyme ) of so much Physicall prejudice , effeminating bodies , and procuring infirmities , and morall in debauching the manners of the people , that in either of them upon the coming of the Christians into power , they were demolished or converted into other uses ; And whereas for private use there are in the houses of divers persons of this Kingdom , Cradles , Tubbs , Boxes , Chayres , Bathes , and Bathe-Stoves , in which by the help of Fumes , Vapors , water , Oyle , &c. according to the prescription of Physitians , sweat may be procured , payne asswaged , and all necessary ends of bathing attained . The President and Colledge are so confident of , and presume so much upon the wisdom and justice of this honourable Committee , & the two Houses of Parliament , that they believe , if that it shall please them to empower the said Dr. Chamberlen by any Ordinance for erection of publike Bathes , they will so regulate his design , make such provision , and take such caution from him , that none of the afore-mentioned inconveniences shall follow . And that they will neither infringe the just liberty of the Subject , nor abridge other Physitions in the choyce of their instruments , or legall practise of any part of their Art.

Fran . Prujean Collegii Medicorum . Londinensium Regisstarius . This is a true Copy . Leo . C●pley .

To the honorable Committe for Bathes , The humble Answer of Peter Chamberlen , Doctor in Physick , and Fellow of the Colledge of Physitians in London , to a Paper delivered to the honorable Committe , by Dr. Alston , Dr. Hameus , Doct . Bates , and Dr. Micklethwait , from the President , and others of the said Colledge . In humble obedience to Command of this Honourable Committee , & in Answer to the Colledg Paper .

IN the first place , I say , I willingly passe by all personal aymes , be it in the mention of my not attendance , ( which they are cause of ) or in their grand Caveats enjoyned by them on this honourable Committee , and the two Houses of Parliament , upon their Wisdoms and Justice , If they shall empower mee , &c. or in their many arguments of Abuse to prevent that IF . And am resolved ( as God shall enable me ) to swallow all private reproach and scorn , that runs not too much on the publick score .

Secondly , concerning the Matter it self , I humbly answer , that the Colledg have quite mistaken it ; for I presented only the Use of Publick Bathes , and they meddle only with the Abuse of them . Alas , who knows not , that the Abuse of wine causeth drunkennesse ; the abuse of women , whoredome ; the abuse of meats , gluttony ; and the abuse of Physick , poyson ?

Thirdly , I fear they have too much forsaken the Authors of our own Faculty , to side with Poets and the superstitious beginnings of Antichrist , in the aggravations of those Abuses .

Fourthly , I doubt whether they have not mistaken the jealous zeal of those Religious Fathers that writ against them ; for the insulting Barbarismes of the Gothes and Vandales , and other conquering Nations , in demolishing those stately Buildings . And whether the self-same writings may not more , or as fitly be applyed unto the private Houses , and those Accommodations mentioned in the Paper , Yea , to the Excellent and Famous Bathes of Sommersetshire .

Fifthly , I perceive they consulted not well with Travellers , when they affirm them all demolished , or converted to other uses in the Grecian and Romane Empires . For the truth is , that many of them being demolished , Lesser Purses , Power , and Leisure , have not been able to contend in State with the Treasure and Soveraignty of the whole world , which those Emperours had that built them .

Sixthly , I doubt whether it be not a fundamental Heresie in Physick , to necessitate hot Remedies ( as Bathes ) for hot Countries , and proclaim them dangerous in cold Clymes , notwithstanding the daily Experience in Germany , Poland , Denmark , & Muscovia , to the contrary . And the Great Canon of Physick , contraria contrariis curantur ,

Seventhly , I do verily believe , and dare adventure my Life and Estate upon it , that I can ( by Gods blessing ) more safely , certainly , suddenly , and with more Ease , cure many ( if not all curable ) diseases with them , then all our Colledg ; yea , then All Physitians in the world can do without them . Yea , such diseases as without them are wholly desperate and deadly .

Eighthly , In Answer to some tacit Jealousies , I do not do this purposely to diminish the Practise of Physitians , but verily suppose there may be a way propounded in them , both advantagious to them & the Common-wealth .

Ninthly , I do not endeavour to engrosse them to my self ; but have from the beginning , and do still humbly offer it unto the State , or any whom thay shall appoint ; wherein ( if I do not ) I verily believe that Dr. Grent will be the best able to serve them .

Lastly , I professe before God and men , that I believe the due use of them in all convenient places , may save above 10000 Lives a year . And that in faithfulnesse to Almighty God , and my native Country , I have endeavoured this service ; from the which , if the honourable Parliament or Committee can discharge me before the Great Judg , I shall give most humble thanks to God and Them , rejoycing to have so escaped the incensed Spirits of so many learned men , as now oppose me .

FINIS .