The anatomy of plants

NOW proceed to the several Parts of Animals; as Hairs, Hoofs, Horns, Shells and shelly Insects, Bones, Flesh and the several Viscera, Silk, Blood, Eggs, Musk, Castor, Gall, Urine, Dungs, Salts and Stones.

2. §. And first of all, the Hair of a mans head, with Oyl of Vitriol, maketh no Bullition at all. Nor yet with Spirit of Nitre. So that although it contains a good deal of volatile Salt; yet it seemeth either not to be alkaline, or else is centred in so great a quantity of Oyl, that the acid menstruum cannot reach it.

3. § Hares Fur, with spirit of Nitre, maketh, although a short, yet very plain Bullition and huff. Hence the Hair, and therefore the Blood, of some Animals, is fuller of Salt, at least of an Alkaline Salt, than that of some others. And perhaps the Hair of some men, as of Black’s, may be so full of Salt, as to make a Bullition like Hares Fur.

4. §. The shavings of Nails stir not at all, either with Oyl of Vitriol, or Spirit of Nitre: only with the latter they turn yellow. But Elks Claws, with Spirit of Nitre, make a small and slow Bullition.

5. §. Horses Hoof, with Oyl of Vitriol, stirs not of many hours. But with Spirit of Nitre, allowing it some time, makes a very plain Bullition, and huffs up very high.

6. §. Cows Horn, neither with Oyl of Vitriol, nor with Spirit of Nitre, maketh any Bullition, only turneth a yellow colour.

7. §. Rams Horn stirs not with Oyl of Vitriol; but with Spirit of Nitre, makes a small and slow Bullition.

8. §. Harts-Horn makes a considerable Bullition and huff, even with Oyl of Vitriol, which the rest of the Bodies abovesaid, will not do. But with Spirit of Nitre, it makes yet a greater. From the foregoing Experiments, and almost all that follow, what is before asserted of the Salts of Vegetables and Minerals, is here also evident concerning that of Animals, scil. That it is not made, but only separated by the fire. It likewise hence appears, That the proportion of Salt in the forementioned parts is very different; and that therefore some of them are never, and none of them but with good discretion, to be substituted one for another in Medicine. As also, that there is a different proportion of Salt in the several Animals themselves, to which the said Parts belong.

9. §. Next for shells; as those of Lobsters, Eggs, Snails and Oisters: all which make an Effervescence, both with Oyl of Vitriol, and Spirit of Nitre. But with Spirit of Nitre the greatest. Lobster-shells make a considerable Bullition and huff, but no noise nor steams. Egg-shells make a Bullition and huff, with some noise, but no steams. Snail-shells make an Effervescence with noise and steams. Oyster-shells make one with the gratest noise and thickest steams. Hence we may judge, in what case to administer one more appositely than another. As also in what proportion, according to their different strength. Some may be better for Children, as being milder. Or for a Body whose very sharp Blood or other Humors, are more easily kindled into Ferments. Or else may be safest, to avoid a sudden precipitation of the Humors; or for some other cause.

10. §. Oyster-shells, and the rest above-said, make a quicker Effervescence, not only with Spirit of Nitre, but even with Spirit of Salt, than they do with Oyl of Sulphur, or Oyl of Vitriol. So that these bodies, as well as Metals, have their proper Menstruums whereby they are be dissolved.

11. §. Egg-shells calcined, make with Oyl of Sulphur, or Oyl of Vitriol, or Spirit of Nitre, a greater Effervescence, than when uncalcined. As also with steams, which uncalcined, they produce not. The like is seen in calcined Oyster-shells. And the longer the Calcination is continued, the quicker and stronger will be the Effervescence. This I tryed at several terms, from a quarter of an hour, to five hours. So that after so long a Calcination, they make an Effervescence almost instantaneous. The reason hereof is, Because the several Principles whereof the Shells consist, being relaxed, and the Sulphur for the greatest part, driven away by the fire; the remaining Salt lies now more open and naked to the attaque of the Menstruum, so soon as ever they are mixed together. From hence it is plain, That Egg-shells, and the others above-said, being burnt, are far stronger Medicines, than when unburnt. It is hereby likewise evident, That a great portion of their Salt, is not a volatile, but a fixed Alkaly. To these may be subjoyned all kinds of shelly Insects. I will instance in three or four.

12. §. And first Bees, with Oyl of Vitriol, stir not in the least. With Spirit of Nitre they make an exceeding small Bullition, without any elevation.

13. §. Cochinele (the Nest of an Insect) makes some Bullition with Oyl of Vitriol, but very small: for the bubbles are not to be seen without a Glass. But with Spirit of Nitre the Bullition is more visible, and joyned with some elevation.

14. §. Cantharides make no visible Bullition with Oyl of Vitriol. But with Spirit of Nitre they do, and huff up rather more than Cochinele. Yet is this done very slowly, and comparatively with many other bodies, is not much. Hence it is not the quantity, but the quality of their volatile Salt, which makes them so strong an Epispastick. For most of those Bodies above, and hereafter named, make a greater Bullition, and yet are neither Caustick nor Epispastick in the least. It is hence also evident, as hath been before suggested, That there are divers kinds of Volatile Salts, eminently different; some being highly alkaline, others very little, and some scarce any thing so: such as those of Scurvy-grass, Anemone, Crowfoot, and many the like Plants; to whose Salts, this of Cantharides seemeth to be very near of kin.

15. §. Millepedes make a Bullition and huff, much greater and quicker, than any of the Insects above-named: and that both with Spirit of Nitre, and Oyl of Vitriol it self. Yet is this Insect of a very temperate nature. Whereby is further demonstrated, That the being simply alkaline, is not enough to make a body to be Caustick.

16. §. Again, although Millepedes make a Bullition, greater than any of the Insects above named: yet is it much less, than that of Oyster, Snail, or even Egg-shells; and of divers other bodies above, and hereafter mentioned. Hence, being given to the same intent, as any of those bodies; it is the mildest and gentlest in its operation of them all.

17. §. Millepedes likewise calcined, makes a stronger Effervescence, than when uncalcined, as do the Oyster-shells, &c. So that it appears, That all Testaceous Salts, are at least in part, fixed Salts.

18. §. I next proceed to Bones. And first Whale-bone maketh no Bullition at all with any acid. A Cartilage, with Spirit of Nitre, makes some very small bubbles, not to be seen without a Glass.

19. §. The Bone in the Throat of a Carp, makes a little and slow Bullition with Spirit of Nitre. The Spina of a Fish (that which I used was of a Cod-fish) maketh a Bullition one degree higher.

20. §. All sorts of Teeth, as Dogs, Boars, the Sea-horse, Elephant, make the like. As also the Bone of an Oxes heart. So that all these are very gentle in their operation, and fit for Children.

21. §. Sheeps and Calves Bones both of them make a Bullition yet a little higher, especially with Spirit of Nitre. Cocks Bones somewhat higher than the former. Cranium humanum a little higher than all the rest.

22. §. Bones likewise, being calcined, make a Bullition with Acids. And so doth also calcined Harts-Horn. But in neither of them, is the Bullition advanced by Calcination, any thing comparable to what it is in shells. Whence it appears, That the Salt of Horns and Bones, is much more volatile, than that of Shells.

23. §. Next for Flesh and the several Viscera. And first, dryed and powdered Mutton, with Oil of Vitriol, stirs not at all. But with Spirit of Nitre makes a small Bullition and huff. Sheeps Heart doth the like somewhat more apparently. Vipers flesh produceth a froth, but huffs not, Powdered Earthsworms make a great froth, and huff a little. Powdered Tripe makes only a little Bullition. Lamb-stones do the like. Kidney, Spleen, and Liver, with some elevation. Lungs, with bubbles very large; because extraordinary slowly. Dryed Brain makes also a little and slow Bullition. Hence there is a greater proportion of Sulphur or Oyl, and less of an Alkaly in all these parts, than there is in Bones, Shells, and divers other parts hereafter mentioned. And in some of them, as in the Brain, that Alkaline Salt which there is, may rather be lodged in some sanguineous parts mixed with them, than in their own proper substance.

24. §. I proceed to instance in all sorts of Animal Contents. And first, raw Silk, with Spirit of Nitre, makes a very small Bullition, but the elevation is considerable.

25. §. The grumous part of the Blood dryed, with Oyl of Vitriol, stirs but little. But with Spirit of Nitre it huffs up considerably.

26. §. Serum of Blood dryed, with the same Spirit makes a plain elevation, with a little Bullition. Herewith may be reckoned the White of an Egg, which is nothing but a pure Crystlalline Serum separated from the common stock. This being dryed, with Spirit of Nitre, huffs up rather more than even the grumous part of the Blood, the Bubbles are much larger, break oftner, and the elevation sooner made. Whence it seemeth, that there is a greater quantity of a volatile Alkaly in proportion to the Sulphur, requisite to the Generation, than to the Nutrition of an Animal.

27. §. The Yelk of an Egg is scarce moved with spirit of Nitre, producing only a very few Bubbles. The Salt being either little alkalizate, or else immersed in so great a quantity of Oyl, that the Menstruum cannot reach it. For the same reason Sperma Ceti stirs not with any Acid. Neither doth Civet.

28. §. Russian Castor, with Oyl of Vitriol, stirs not. But with Spirit of Nitre makes a considerable huff and froth. Yet it requires time. Wherefore it seemeth, That Castor by virtue of its alkaline sulphur, becomes so good a Corrector of the acid-alkaline sulphur of Opium; so I take leave to call it, having some reasons to believe it such.

29. §. Musk, with Oyl of Vitriol, stirs not. But with Spirit of Nitre it makes a considerable and quick Bullition, with large bubbles, which often break and rise again. Whence there is a very eminent difference betwixt Musk and Civet. Hence also, Musk is Cordial, not only from its Sulphur, but its Alkaly; by both directly opposite to preternatural Acidities.

30. §. Dryed Gall with Spirit of Nitre, for some time, is still: but at length it makes a considerable Bullition and froth. The reason why it is so long before it begins, is because the Salt, (as was observed of some other Parts) is locked up in so great a quantity of Oyl. The abundance whereof is manifest, not only from Destillation, but also from hence, In that the dryed Powder, in lying by, incorporateth all together into one body, as Mirrh, and some other softer and oily Gums are used to do.

31. §. Extract of Urine, with Spirit of Nitre, makes a Bullition with some Effervescence, which continues for a considerable time; and at last it huffs up with great bubbles. The Bullition begins presently: the Salt being copious, and the Oyl but little.

32. §. The same Extract of Urine makes a considerable Bullition and froth, not only with Spirit of Nitre, but even with Oyl of Vitriol. Hence the Salt of Urine is more alkaline than that in most of the afore-said Contents. From this and some of the following Experiments, it also appears, That the Salt which concurs to the generation of Gravel or of a Stone in the Kidneys or Bladder, is of a very different nature from the Salt of Urine.

33. §. Next for Dungs. And first, dryed Goats-dung makes with Spirit of Nitre, a small Bullition, but no elevation. That of Mice the like. And that of Cows. So that of all I have tryed, these three stir the least.

34. §. Goose-dung, with Spirit of Nitre, makes a very small Bullition and some elevation. But it requires time. Oyl of Vitriol stirs it not.

35. §. Album Græcum, with Spirit of Nitre, besides innumerable small bubbles, rises up with some great ones, exactly resembling the huffing up of Yest or Barm. Also with Oyl of Vitriol it maketh some little froth, but slowly. So that it should seem, that the Bones are a little opened by some acid Menstruum in the Dogs stomach (as the body of Steel is in its preparation with Sulphur) whereby it becomes a good mild Topick in Quinzies.

36. §. Hens dung, with Spirit of Nitre, makes a very great bullition and huff: greater and quicker, than any of the rest above-named.

37. §. But of all I have tryed, Pigeons dung, with the same Spirit, maketh the greatest and the quickest Effervescence and huff; and that not without steams. Yet neither the same Dung, nor that of Hens, is moved in the least with Oyl of Vitriol. The Cause of so great an Effervescence in these, more than in the rest, is that white part which is here mixed in a great quantity with the Dung. Which white part, descendeth not from the Stomach, but is an Excrement separated from the Blood (as the Urine in other Animals) by a peculiar Organ, which evacuates it into the Intestinum rectum; whence, together with the Stercus it is excluded. Hence it is evident, That in the said white part of Hens, and especially Pigeons dung, is contained a great quantity of a volatile Alkaly.

38. §. I proceed to Salts. And first Salt of Blood and Urine both make a more durable Effervescence with Acids, than doth Salt of Wormwood, or Salt of Fern. Hence the former are more alkaline, than the latter.

39. §. Again, though divers other Animal Salts will not stir with Spirit of Salt, or with Oyl of Sulphur or Vitriol; yet the Salt of Blood will make an Effervescence with all kinds of Acids. Whence it is further argued to be highly alkaline, and very proper for the correction, of all sorts of preternatural Acids in the body. There is little doubt, but that Spirit of Harts-horn will do the like.

40. §. The Gravel which is precipitated out of Urine; with Oyl of Vitriol makes no bullition in the least. Nor with strong Spirit of Salt. But with Spirit of Nitre, it makes a very great one, with Effervescence and steams. From hence it appears, That there is much difference to be made in the use of acid Diureticks, Nephriticks, &c.

41. §. And that I may not altogether omit to mention, what may be so much for the good of mankind, I do here declare, That for preventing (I say not, the breaking, but preventing) the generation of the Stone, either in the Kidneys, or in the Bladder, there are not better Medicines in the world, than some certain Preparations of Nitre, duly administred. Whoever shall think that any kind of acid, as Oyl of Sulphur, Oyl of Vitriol, Spirit of Salt, or the like, will have the same effects, will find themselves much deceived in their practice.

42. §. I conclude with Stones. And first, Spirit of Nitre droped upon a Stone of the Kidneys or Bladder, produceth the very same effect, as upon the Gravel in Urine. That is to say, it makes it boil and huff up, until at length it is perfectly dissolved into a soft Pulp; which neither Oyl of Sulphur, nor Oyl of Vitriol, nor Spirit of Salt will do; nor give the least touch towards its dissolution. This confirms what said before of the use of Nitre and Nitrous Spirits, if duly prepared and administred, above any other Acids, against the breeding of the Stone.

43. §. Pearls, with any Acid, make the like Effervescence, as do Oyster-shells. But Magistery of Pearls, as usually prepared, stirs not at all, with any Alkaly or Acid. So that as to the effect frequently intended by it, it is very insignificant; as of that of Corals hath been said.

44. §. Crabs Eyes, with any Acid, make an Effervescence, almost as quick as that of Oyster-shells.

45. §. Crabs Eyes likewise calcined, make a stronger Effervescence, than when uncalcined. So that these, as well as Shells, contain a fixed Alkaly.

46. §. The Stones in Whitings heads make a strong Effervescence like that of Oyster-shells.

47. §. Stone of humane Gall, Stirs not with Oyl of Vitriol. But with Spirit of Nitre maketh a little bullition just upon mixing, and after a considerable time, a little froth. Much less than what was observed before of the Gall it self. So that it seemeth to be generated of the Gall coagulated by some Acid, which hath already refracted the Alkaly wherewith the Gall abounds. This confirms the use of those Medicines in the Jaundies, or any other bordering Disease, which destroys those Acidities by which the Gall is curdled or coagulated, and so rendred more difficulty separable into the Guts.

48. §. Since the first publishing of these Observations, Mr. William Matthews an Apothecary in Ledbury, sent me part, as I take it, of a Stomach-stone, as big as a Wallnut of the largest Size, voided by a woman about 82 years of age, sometime after an Autumn Fever. It consisteth of the same Striæ, as the Bezoar Stone; and maketh some Bullition with Spirit of Nitre.

49. §. Bezoar, neither the Western nor the Eastern, doth stir at all with Oyl of Vitriol.

50. §. Western Bezoar, with Spirit of Nitre, makes a very little thin froth, and that’s all; and that it doth very slowly. But Oriental Bezoar, with Spirit of Nitre, after some time, maketh a very great Effervescence, froth, elevation, noise, and steams (as if you poured Oyl of Vitriol upon Salt of Tartar) till it be wholly dissolved by the affused Spirit, and turned into almost a blood-red. Hence it may seem to be no mean Remedy against such fretting and venenate acids, as oftentimes in Fevers, and other Distempers, lye about the Stomach, and are thence frequently translated to the Heart, Brain, Nerves, and other parts. The difference likewise betwixt the Western and the Eastern Bezoar, is so great, that in any case of danger, and where the Bezoar is relyed upon, it is an unpardonable fault, for the Apothecary, or any Person, to substitute the one for the other: unless he will take ten times as much, or ten times as little of the one, as he would have done of the other: if that will serve turn.

51. §. The Stones already mentioned, (except the great Stomach-stone) are ordinarily generated in the bodies of Animals. I have one Instance more of some other Stones which are extraordinary. In the City of Hereford lives a Maid, who often voids these Stones, and in the space of some years last past, hath voided several pounds, of several Colours and Sizes, not only per vias urinarias, but also by vomit, and by stool. The first mention made to me of them, was by Mr. Diggs, a worthy Gentleman of that City, as a thing that was there much wondred at. And some of them, upon my desire, were sent me by Mr. Wellington, an Apothecary in the same place. I have tryed what several acid Menstruums will work upon them; and find, That with Oyl of Vitriol, and especially with Spirit of Nitre the great ones make a very quick and conspicuous Effervescence. But the small ones, neither the white, nor the grey, make any Bullition in the least: for in truth, they are no other but little Pebbles and Grit-stones.

52. §. This being considerd, and the various colours and mixture of any one of the great Stones, being well observed; it seemeth plain, That although she be somewhat old (above thirty years) yet may she have a kind of μαλακία, or diseased Appetite to Stones, Bones, Wood-ashes, Tobacco-Pipes, Chalk, and such like things; which sometimes swallowing in little lumps, sometimes grosly, or finely ground betwixt her teeth; they are in her Stomach and Bowels, more or fewer of them, cemented together, either with a pituitous, bilious, or some other more or less glutinous substance. And that by virtue also of the said Cement, or any of the said, or other like alkalizate Bodies, the greater Stones, which consist of those partly, do make an Effervescence with acid Liquors. Thus far of Instances upon the parts of Animals. I shall close with some Corollaries deduced from the whole.

53. §. And first, since we find, that amongst all the Menstruums we have made use of, Spirit of Nitre, or any very Nitrous Spirit, is the most universal dissolver of all kinds of Animal Bodies; the best dissolver of many others both Vegetable and Mineral, and the only dissolver of some: Hence it is probable, That the great stomachick Menstruum, which either dissolves, or opens almost all Bodies which come into the Stomach, is a kind of Nitrous Spirit.

54. §. Again, Spirit of Nitre being a subalkaline Acid, and working more evidently upon Animal bodies, than other simpler Acids do, which yet are as strong; It hence follows, That most of the Salts of Animals are subacid Alkalies. How far this conclusion may further instruct us, I shall have occasion to shew in another Discourse.

55. §. Lastly, there being so many, say twenty or thirty degrees, from the slowest to the most vehement, in the Bullition of mixed Bodies; it seemeth, That Fermentation it self, as to the formal notion of it, is nothing else: or that from the common Luctation of mixed Bodies whereof we have now been speaking, it differs not in specie, but only in the manner of its causation, and in degree: the Aer, or some certain Menstruum lodged therein, being of no greater strength, than to produce a Bullition or Luctation of that low and soft degree, which we call Fermentation.

56. §. I have thus endeavoured to prove, by various Instances, how instructive this most easie, plain and simple Method in the Mixture of Bodies, may become to us: and that meerly by observing the Luctations which thence arise betwixt them. How much more then, if a diligent remarque be made of all those various Colours, Smells, Tastes, Consistencies, and other Mutations thereupon emergent?