SECTION VII.
What is Poison? I answer, that, generally speaking, ’tis taken to be a malignant Quality in some Vegetables, Minerals, and Animals, a small Quantity of which is hurtful, and even mortal, &c.
The Learned in the Faculty tell us, Poisons operate in various manners; some by dissolving the Blood, others by coagulating it, and some by corroding and destroying the Solids. The Learned Sir Hans Sloane says, “Some attack equally all Parts, some only a particular one. Thus the Lepus Marinus is an Enemy to the Lungs, Cantharides to the Bladder[[33]].”
[33]. His Voyage.
Some Vegetables again, which prove Poison to Man, serve for Food to other Animals. Thus, says that learned Gentleman, Mandragora and Jusquiamnus that feed Hogs, kill Man.
HEMLOCK, that is hurtful to Man, is wholesome for Goats; yea, the Cassavi Plant poisons unprepared; but prepared, is the very Bread of the West-Indians, particularly Jamaica and the hotter Parts, with which they victual Ships. Ibid. Tea is said to be poisonous before it is cured.
This perhaps may serve to obviate an Objection made against the Goodness of the Deity, in planting a Tree in Paradise that had such malignant Influences; because, supposing that it had any Properties, which might tend to the Dissolution of the human System, yet the same Tree might be very salutary and useful to other Beings in the Creation.
Having divided Poison into Three Parts, I shall, in the next Place consider them distinctly.
I. This Contrivance of Divine Wisdom is so universal, that we find, in the vegetable Kingdom, something more than what is merely analogous to Poison, both in Land and Water-Plants; as the Napellus, Cassivi, Nux Vomica, Aconite, Cicuta Aquatica, Solanum Lethale, Aconitum Hyemale. Some Poisons are of a Narcotic Quality, as Poppy and Henbane—being taken in too great a Quantity, become poisonous. I shall only add some Instances of Persons kill’d by eating poisonous Plants, Roots, and Herbs. The Wife of W. Matthews, near Salop, who having gathered a Quantity of Dog-Mercury, which she took to be another Herb, boiled it for their Supper, which very sensibly affected the whole Family. One of the Children slept from Thursday Night till Monday Evening, then just opened her Eyes, and died immediately. The other two Children slept about 24 Hours, and, upon their awakening, fell a vomiting and purging, which, ’tis thought, saved their Lives[[34]]. A certain Woman near Kilkenny in Ireland, eating by mistake, a Hemlock-Root among Parsnips, was immediately seized with a Raving and Madness. Ibid.
[34]. Lowthorp’s Abridg. Vol. II.
Eight young Lads went a fishing to a Brook near Clonmel in Ireland, and there meeting with a great Parcel of Oenanthe Aquatica succo viroso, they mistook the Roots of it for Sium Aquaticum Roots, and did eat heartily of them. About four or five hours after coming home, the eldest of them, on a sudden, fell down backwards, and lay kicking and sprawling on the Ground, foaming at the Mouth; soon after, four more were seized the same way, and they all died before Morning: not one of them having spoken a Word from the Moment in which the venenate Particles surprised the Genus nervosum[[35]]. Of the other three, one ran stark-mad, but recovered; another had his Hair and Nails fallen off; the third alone escaped: perhaps it might be owing to a strong Constitution, and eating less of that fatal Root; or perhaps it might be attributed to his speedy running above two Miles home (after he saw one young Man fall) together with his drinking a very large Draught of warm Milk from the Cow, in his midway, and a violent Sweating, which might expel many of those venemous Particles. Ibid.
[35]. Ibid. p. 641.
An Experiment has been made upon a Dog, by giving him the Nux Vomica, which soon poisoned him. The American Physick Nut is said to be so poisonous, that no Animals make a near Approach to it. Wormwood in Persia is so venemous, that if Horses, or any other Creatures, eat thereof, they die immediately; upon which account, say the Duke of Holstein’s Ambassadors, we durst not unbit that day[[36]]. The Indians have what they call Juico Juice among them, which deprives such as drink of it of their Reason, and renders them perfect Idiots; tho’ at the same time it leaves them in the perfect Enjoyment of their Health and natural Powers.
[36]. Their Voyages and Travels to Muscovy and Persia, p. 228. A. D. 1637.
CHARCOALS prepared from Vegetables, have a poisonous Quality; for, when kindled, they exhale a Vapour, which, if it be kept up, and confin’d to a close Place, proves fatal. ’Tis said, Charcoal made in Cornwal affords a manifest arsenical and sulphurous Smell beyond others; and yet Charcoal is a commodious Fuel.
Even when the sharp Points of Nettles pierce the Flesh, they instil a kind of venemous Juice into the Wound, which gives a painful Sensation. The Leaf of a Nettle has some relation to a Sting; ’tis covered with very sharp Prickles, whose Base, which is a Bladder of a flexible Substance, has a Hole in the middle, by which this venemous Liquor runs into the wounded Part, and excites Pain.
This may be easily perceived with a Microscope; if a Man press with the Finger, the End of those Prickles against its Base: for then, thro’ these Prickles which are transparent, this Liquor is manifestly seen to mount, and to descend, as the ingenious Mr. Hook assures us, he had often made the Experiment.
In Carmania Deserta, towards the Persian Gulph, they have two sorts of dangerous Shrubs, one called Gulbad-Samour, i. e. the Flower that poisons the Wind, where there are many of these Shrubs. The Wind that passes thro’ them, kills those who are near it. The other is Kerzehre, the Gall of Asses, because it kills those Creatures, and others that eat of it; yea, the Water that falls from it is poisonous. They say, that Part of its Root which spreads to the East is Poison: for which, that on the South-side is an Antidote[[37]].——N. B. Is not our Author mistaken? for can any Poison grow in the delicious Plains of the East, consecrated to the Service of the Altar and Knee?
[37]. Tavernier, in Atl. Geo. p. 349, and 396.
An Overdose of Opium, which is the condensed Juice of Poppies, is poisonous. The Turks take Opium, which they call Affion, without any Preparation, it being merely the Juice of black Poppy, dried in the Sun, without any purification. It is wonderful, that use should make that Liquid which is Poison to us, a Cordial to them[[38]].
[38]. Wheeler’s Voyages, p. 203.
The Vapour arising from vegetable Liquors during their Fermentation, ought not to be approached too near, because it is poisonous: We have Accounts in the French and German Transactions, of People who were immediately struck dead, by receiving at the Nose the Fumes that issued from large Vessels of Wine in the State of Fermentation[[39]].
[39]. Boerhaave, p. 120, 130.
“I think, says a learned Physician, that God made no Poison, but all things in the World were made for the Use of Man; their chiefest Deleterium is either in the Quantity, or some other Circumstance, as in Lettice, Leeks,—whose Integra are Aliments, the Juices mortiferous. Those things that are pernicious, by their external Form, as beaten Glass, Sponges, have not deserved the Brand of Poison; those that are really lethiferous, are but the Excrescences of Sin, and came in with the Thorns. The Serpent was rather destructive to the Soul than the Body.”
Among the Ancients was a Plant that killed Mice with its bare smell, according to Pliny: The Poets feign it to have sprung from the Foam of the Dog Cerberus, when Hercules dragg’d him out of Hell.
The Aconite Plants also are extremely caustic and acrimonious, in virtue whereof they have produced terrible Inflammations, that end in Mortification. So great was the People’s Dread of this Plant, for its venemous Quality, that they durst not touch it and yet, ’tis said, they made use of it against the Sting of Scorpions, which is supposed to be deadned by the Touch of the Aconite, and restored to its Vigour by that of Hellebore.
N. B. The Root of the Plant is said to cure all Diseases proceeding from Melancholy, as Disaffections from the Hypochondria, Herpes or cutaneous Inflammations.
It is also reported that Arrows dipped in the Juice of Aconite Plants, proved mortal wherever they wounded.
II. The Globe we inhabit, abounds with Variety of Minerals, of a very mischievous Nature; as Arsenic, found in Copper-mines; Orpiment, a Mineral found among Copper-mines, in Stones of different Bigness, Colour and Figure. These, and others of the same venemous Nature, are less or more dangerous, according as their Salts receive a different Force from the metallic Particles.
The Mineral Kingdom is very subject to Damps, or noxious Streams, and often found in Mines, Pits,——and in Kinds various. There are also Exhalations, a sort of Fumes issuing from Body, and diffusing themselves in the Atmosphere. Some make difference between Vapours and Exhalations: The Term Vapour, they say, is appropriated to the moist Fumes raised from Water, and Exhalation, to the dry ones emitted from solid Bodies, as Earth, Fire, Minerals, Sulphur. The nocuous Effluvia sent forth from them may infect the Air, and cause epidemical Distempers, and even new Diseases. About Mines and deep Caverns, are frequently found copious Exhalations continually streaming out, which, in a Moment, destroy any Animal that comes within their reach; so much as the very Insects themselves not escaping: Therefore these Places were by the Ancients called Gehennæ, Averni,—intimating thereby, that a Mineral Pit was Hell, and that Subterraneous Exhalations were Steams from the Fiery Lake.
STRABO takes notice of a Cave or Grotto in Natolia, from whence issue pestilential Vapours that infect the Air: No sooner is any Animal put in, but it immediately dies. Bulls have been put in, and suddenly taken out dead. Sparrows that have been thrown in, dropt down dead instantly.
The Turks fancy it to be haunted by evil Spirits, because those who had the Curiosity to enter it, have either died or fallen desperately sick[[40]].
[40]. Strabo Geograph.
Mineral Poisons are more or less dangerous, as their Salts receive a greater or less Force from the metallic Particles: And hence, as the most virulent may be mitigated by breaking the Points of the saline Crystals, the most innocent Minerals may become corrosive, by combining them with Salts, as is seen in the Preparations of Silver, Antimony, Iron.
Nothing more fatal than mineral Poison, which often brings swift Destruction without remedy. To a large Dog, says the learned Dr. Mead, was given a Drachm of Mercury Sublimate, mixt with a little Bread, who after violent Evacuations, died next Morning. The same Gentleman observes, that in Arsenic is a very noxious quality: the factitious white is the most violent of all kinds, superior in force to Mercury sublimate.
These mortiferous Steams that flow from the Earth, are called Mephites, poisonous Damps; and are very common in Countries fruitful of Minerals and Mines: Damps happen in most of the Hungarian-Mines, not only in the direct Passages, where they walk on horizontally, but also in the perpendicular Descents. Now, to guard themselves against the fatal Effects of these Exhalations, they sometimes clear their way by Fire and the Bellows, but generally by long Tubes or Pipes, reaching from top to bottom, thro’ which they let the Air in and out; and by this Circulation of the Air, they carry on their Work for some time without Danger.
CREMNITS in Hungary (a small Town, reckon’d the chief of the Berg, or Mine-Towns) is famous for its Gold-Mine which has been work’d on 900 Years, where the Workmen sometimes are troubled with pernicious Damps, and many are kill’d by them; and so it happens in the Mines at Schemnits, the fairest of the seven Mine-Towns[[41]].
[41]. Atl. Geograph. p. 1640, —1, —2, —3.
Among the Minerals known to us, there are many more noxious than wholesome and the Power of the former to do mischief, is more efficacious than the Power of the latter to do good; which is evident from the little Benefit the Miner’s Health receives from any mineral Effluvia, compar’d with the great and sudden Damps, that are often caused by the Expirations of Orpiment, Sandarac, and white Arsenic, which is a deadly Poison, and most fatal of the whole Tribe of Fossils. Hence the Refiners dread nothing so much as Arsenic in their Metals; for its Fumes taken into the Lungs kill instantly, and the oftner ’tis sublim’d, the ranker it grows[[42]].
[42]. Boerhaave’s Theory of Chemistry.
MERCURY is extremely volatile, being convertible into Fumes, even by a Sand-heat. Those who practise the Art of Gilding, are but too well acquainted with these mercurial Fumes, which frequently render them epileptic and paralytic, and sometimes throw them into a Salivation. This kind of Poison is found in Friuli, a Province in Italy, belonging to the Emperor, and also in Spain, Hungary, &c.
The miserable People condemn’d, or hired to work in these Mines, all die in a little time: they are so affected with those venemous Fumes, that from Tremors they proceed to salivate, then their Teeth drop.—One of them who had been there six Years, was so full of Mercury, that holding a Piece of Gold in his Mouth a little while, it became of a Silver Colour, and when taken out, it was found heavier than before, ibid. p. 74.
COPPER is another poisonous Mineral, difficult of Fusion, and when fused, if a single Drop of Water do but fall upon it; or any Vessel it be cast in, be ever so little moist, it flies into innumerable Fragments, with incredible Noise, and destroys all the Persons near it. Ibid.
TIN, the lightest of all Metals, when urged by an easy Fire, it shines exceedingly; but this Splendor is succeeded by a sulphurous Steam, very destructive to the Lungs, and throws the Body into a Consumption. ibid.
At Mendip in Somersetshire, those who are employ’d in melting Lead-ore, if they work in the Smoke, are subject to killing Diseases. There is a Flight (or Steam) in the Smoke, which falling on the Grass, poisons the Cattle that eat it. Those who live very near where Lead-ore is wash’d, can’t keep either Dog or Cat, or any sort of Fowl, but they all die in a short time[[43]].
[43]. Lowthorp’s Abr. vol. ii. p. 576.
Such are the mephitical Exhalations in a little Cavern in Italy, call’d Bacca Venosa, the poisonous Mouth, not far from Naples, but more generally known by Grotto de Cani, the Dog’s Cave; because the Experiment of its poisonous Nature is frequently made upon Dogs; tho’ it be fatal as to any other Creatures that come within the Reach of its venemous Fumes. This wonderful Cave is (situated at the Bottom of a Hill) in Dimension, about eight Foot high, twelve long, and six broad.
From the Ground within it, arises a thin warm Fume (visible to the Eye) which is one continued Steam covering the whole Surface of the Bottom of the Cave; it does not disperse itself into the Air like Smoke, but quickly after its Rise, falls back again into the Earth. The Fumes rise about a Foot high and never higher, and hurt no Creature whose Head is above that height; but when a little Dog, or the Head of any other Creature is forcibly held in the Steam, it falls down dead, the Limbs convuls’d, and trembling; and if left there a little while, it dies, but if taken out soon, and laid in the open Air, comes to Life again, and sooner, if thrown into the adjacent Lake.
CHARLES the Great, King of France, and Emperor of the West (a Title of Honour other Gallick Monarchs have had in full view for some time) made the Experiment upon an Ass, whose Head was held in the Fume, and was soon destroy’d. Two Slaves put in with their Heads kept down to the Earth, were both soon kill’d. To this, I shall add some Experiments made by the ingenious Mr. Addison, who says——
—“A Dog that has his Nose held in the Vapour (within the Cave) loses all the Signs of Life in a very little time.” Then he observes, how long a Dog was expiring the first time, and after his Recovery, and found no sensible Difference. “A Viper put in, adds he, bore it nine Minutes the first time we put it in, and ten the second. When we brought it out after the first Trial, it took such a vast quantity of Air into its Lungs, that it swell’d almost twice as big as before, and it was perhaps, on this Stock of Air, that it lived a Minute longer.
“A Torch, Snuff and all, goes out in a moment, when dipt into the Vapours or Steams of that Cave——A Pistol can’t fire in it. I split a Reed, and laid in the Channel of it a Train of Gun-powder, so that one end of the Reed was above the Vapour, and the other at the bottom of it; and I found, tho’ the Steam was strong enough to hinder a Pistol from taking fire in it—that it could not intercept the Train of Fire, when it once begun flashing, nor prevent it from running to the very end—fire will live in it no longer than in Water, because it wraps itself in the same manner about the Flame, and by its Continuity hinders any quantity of Air, or Nitre from coming to its succour[[44]].”
[44]. His Works, vol. iii. p. 8, 97.
Nor are our Mines in Great-Britain altogether free from these fatal Damps, that have turn’d Coal-pits into Graves. In a Coal-pit belonging to Lord Sinclair in Scotland, seven or eight Men intending to work in a Place where they had been the Day before, but stepping a little further, they all fell down dead, as if they had been shot. The Wife of one of them, venturing to see her Husband, fell down dead as soon as she came near the Corps[[45]].
[45]. Lowthorp’s Abridgment, vol. ii. p. 373.
III. We come now to the sensible Region, where animal Poisons reign; that is, Poison drawn from Animals, as the Viper, Asp, Scorpion, Lepus Marinus: and here we are to encounter with an Army of Serpents, and their formidable Train.
When we speak of the Poison of Serpents, we must not suppose it diffused thro’ the whole Body, as some have imagined. Many Errors about the particular Situation of it, have been happily removed by the Learned Dr. Redi, and Dr. Mead, who observes the Viper has always been so notorious for its Poison, that the most remote Antiquity, made it an Emblem of what is hurtful and destructive, but were not agreed from whence the Poison proceeded, whether from the Saliva, the Teeth, the Gall, &c. which leads me to a Passage in the noble Italian, who says:
... That as a certain Learned Society in Italy were debating this Point, one Jacobus Sozzi (audiendi gratiâ) who was allow’d to be present, stationed himself in a corner of the Place, and hearing some of them affirm that the Poison was in the Gall-bladder, fell a smiling; and being ask’d the Reason, he answer’d, that the Serpent’s Gall was an innocent Part: Whereupon, in their Presence, he drank a Glass of Wine, mixt with the Gall of a Viper, without any ill Effect.
One of the Company said, he came thither with his Body prepared by Alexipharmicks. He, to convince them of the contrary, try’d the Experiment upon Dogs, and other Animals, by giving them the Gall of Vipers to drink in abundance, without any Danger ensuing[[46]].
[46]. Redi nobilis Aretini Experim. in Res Naturales, pag. 163, 164, 165.
In the Debate about the Seat of the Poison, the famous Italian maintains, that all the Venom of a Serpent consists in a yellow Liquor contain’d in a Bladder, at the bottom of its Tooth, which Liquor, upon its biting, by the Pressure of the Bladder, is forced thro’ a Tube within the Tooth, into the Wound, and thence ensue direful Effects. This Hypothesis he supports by a good number of Experiments upon various Animals, which were bit by a Viper, after those venemous Bags were taken out, without any Signs of Poison, or any ill Consequence at all[[47]].
[47]. Seignior Redi.
Another celebrated Physician maintains, that this yellow Liquid is not poisonous, that he had given it to Pigeons as Food, without their being at all disorder’d thereby.—That the Viper’s Bite, he had always found mortal to Animals, even after the venemous Bag was taken out, as well as before.—That therefore the Poison must lie in the irritated Spirits of the Viper, which it exhales in the Ardor of its biting, and which are so cold that they curdle the Blood, and stop the Circulation[[48]].
[48]. Monsieur Charras.
Both these are ingenious Men; their Systems are opposite, yet both maintain’d by well-attested Experiments. The Publick, however, give into the Sentiments of Seignior Redi, as answering the best to the Mechanism of the Parts.
Seignior Vigani has in some measure reconciled these two Learned Combatants, who alledges, that the yellow Liquor wherewith Dr. Redi kill’d Pullets, &c. after the death of the Viper, was either saturated with the Spirits of the enraged Viper, by whipping it before, or else (as ’tis probable) in the hot and dry Climates of Italy, those Creatures are more venemous than in colder Countries.
This Poison of Vipers seems to lie in their hollow Teeth, because the Mountebanks of old, to impose on the People, used to stop those Cavities, or hollow Places in the Teeth, with some kind of Paste, before they suffered the Vipers to bite them in sight of Spectators; which was commonly done, and succeeded according to their wish;—and sometimes, with a Needle scratch’d the Gums, and press’d out the Poison[[49]]. Pliny says, they have but one venemous Tooth.
[49]. Lowthorp’s Abridg. vol. ii. p. 815.
Dr. Mead, having given the various Symptoms attending venemous Wounds, proceeds to the Remedies; and in particular, mentions the volatile Salt of Vipers, as alone sufficient to do the Work, if given in due time, in proper quantities, and duly repeated[[50]].
[50]. Mechanical Account.
Mr. Robert Burdet, an English Merchant at Aleppo (in Turkish Asia) was bit by a Serpent about ten in the Morning, and died about three in the Afternoon. The People of that Country say, the only Cure in that Case, is immediately to suck the Wound; but they must rub first their Gums and Teeth with Oil, that none of the Poison may touch any place where the Skin is broken, and spit out immediately what they suck[[51]].
[51]. Lowthorp’s Abridg. vol. ii. p. 814.
The Learned Batavian observes, as a present and effectual Remedy in the Case of the Bite of a mad Dog, or other venemous Animal, immediately to burn the affected Part with a hot Iron, or rather thrust deep into the Wound; for by this means, the Juices about the Part being coagulated, and an Escar produced, all Communication of the Poison to any other Vessels is stopt, and thus the Cure may be easily effected. Not that the hot Iron draws out the Poison, as is vulgarly imagined, but renders the Parts uncapable of being penetrated, or affected thereby[[52]].
[52]. Boerhaave’s new Method of Chemistry, part. iii. proces. 104. p. 213.
But to come nearer home, and to a cheap and easy Antidote against the serpentine and canine Venom, by a certain Experiment lately made in England, which was thus, viz.
... One William Oliver, and his Wife from Bath, who follow the Business of catching and selling Vipers, offer’d themselves—to be bit by any Viper, that should be procured, trusting to the Virtue of a certain Remedy they had found out by chance in trying things, when the Woman was once accidentally bitten.——The usual known Medicine, even the Oil of Vipers, having no Effect in assuaging her Pains, they had recourse to the common Oil of Olives, which proved an effectual Remedy. The Circumstances of the Case were——
On the first of June 1735, in the Presence of a great number of Persons, the said William Oliver was bit by an old black Viper, or Adder, (brought by one of the Company) upon the Wrist, and Joint of the Thumb of the Right-Hand, so that Drops of Blood came out of the Wounds: He immediately felt a violent Pain, both at the top of his Thumb, and up his Arm, even before the Viper was loosen’d from his Hand: Soon after he felt a Pain resembling that of Burning, trickle up his Arm; in a few Minutes, his Eyes began to look red and fiery, and to water much.
In less than half an Hour, he perceived the Venom seize his Heart, with a prickling Pain, which was attended with Faintness, Shortness of Breath, cold Sweats: In a few Minutes after this, his Belly began to swell, with great Gripings, and Pains in his Back, which were attended with violent Vomitings, and Purgings.
During the Violence of these Symptoms, his Sight was gone for several Minutes; but he could hear all the while: He said, that in his former Experiments, he had never defer’d making use of his Remedy longer than he perceived the Effects of the Venom reaching his Heart; but this time, being willing to satisfy the Company throughly, and trusting to the speedy Effects of the Oil, which had never fail’d him, he forbore to apply any thing till he found himself exceeding ill, and quite giddy. About an Hour and Quarter after the first of his being bit, a Chafing-dish of glowing Charcoals was brought in, and his naked Arm was held over it as near as he could bear it, while his Wife rubb’d in with her Hand the Sallad Oil, turning his Arm continually round, as if she wou’d have roasted it over the Coals.
He said the Pain soon abated, but the Swelling did not diminish much; most violent Purgings and Vomitings soon ensued, and his Pulse became so low and so often interrupted, that it was thought proper to order him a Repetition of Cordial Potions. He said he was not sensible of any great Relief from these, but that a Glass or two of Olive Oil drank down seemed to give him ease: Continuing in this dangerous Condition, he was put to Bed, where his Arm was again bath’d over a Pan of Charcoal, and rubb’d with Sallad Oil heated in a Ladle over the Charcoal, by Dr. Mortimer’s Direction.——Whereupon he declared he found immediate Ease, as tho’ by some Charm——then fell into a profound Sleep, and after about nine Hours found Rest, awak’d, about six the next Morning, and found himself very well; but in the Afternoon, on Drinking some Rum and strong Beer, so as to be almost fuddled, the Swelling return’d with much Pain and cold Sweats; which abated soon on bathing the Arm as before, and wrapping it up in a brown Paper soaked in the Oil.
The learned Dr. Mortimer, relates the Success of this simple Medicine, tried afterwards on other Animals, who were purposely bitten, both by the same, and by fresh Vipers, to experience the Efficacy of it[[53]].
[53]. Dr. Cromwell Mortimer R. S. Secr. his Narrative relating to the Viper-catchers.
In the Sequel, he has occasion to mention a Remedy for the Bite of a mad Dog, under the Title of Dampier’s Powder, the Composition of which is, viz. ash Colour Groundwort and black Pepper. It was first published by Sir Hans Sloane, in Numb. 237 of the Transactions, A. D. 1720, under the Name of Pulvis Antilyssus; where the Manner of giving it, not only to Men, but to Dogs and Cattle, is accurately set down. The Doctor says, the Lichen Cinereus Terrestris is accounted exceedingly efficacious in curing Dogs bitten by mad Dogs; then adds, viz.
That King James, when Duke of York, caused this Lichen Cinereus Terrestris to be given to a whole Kennel of Dogs bit by a mad one, which were all cured, except one of them, to whom none of it was given[[54]].
[54]. Philosophical Transact. Numb. 443, for Oct. 1736.
In Norway, and on a great Moss near Warrington, are many Serpents; and their Wounds are cured by Venice-Treacle.
In Africa, they have an odd Way of curing Persons hurt by Poison; they rub the Venom of Snakes with their own Spittle, between two Stones and having mixed them well, they scratch upon the Wings of the Stomach, and to the Part so scratch’d, which is bloody, they apply a small Part of the Mixture; the rest they take inwardly.——This never fails to expel the Poison in the Wound, or in any other Part affected with it: In about a Month’s time a perfect Cure is made; in order to which, when they judge the Poison is expell’d, they cleanse the Wound, and apply to it the leaves of Buchu, Dacha, and other salutiferous Herbs: But they say, the least Neglect of such a Wound, (be it by a poisonous Arrow, or any other way) is dangerous[[55]].
[55]. Peter Kolben’s present State of the Cape of Good Hope, and of the Hottentots, writ in High-German, and translated by Mr. Guido Medley, p. 304-5.
Snake-wood is very common in the Island of Ceylon, (suppos’d to be the Taprobane of Ptolemy) which is much esteem’d by the East-Indians, who, with the Powder of it taken in Water or Wine, cure many Distempers, and among others, the Stings of Serpents, which abound in that Country.
Their Naturalists say, the Virtue of it was first discovered by a small Creature, like our Ferrets, which when stung by Serpents, runs and eats of the Snake-wood, and is cur’d.
Father Regnault, speaking of Poisons, mentions several Methods of Cure, as Incisions, Ligatures, Caustics, Vomits, Oil of Olive, Baths, Treacle, Juice of Citron.
By a Ligature, which hinders the Poison from spreading.
By Caustics, or red-hot Iron brought within a certain Distance of the Wound; because Heat attenuates the Poison by its action, and dissipates it.
This Effect of Poison has some Analogy with that which happens upon syringing (thro’ Curiosity) some acid Liquor into the Veins of a living Dog, or other Creature; for in a short time he falls into Convulsions, and dies. A Decoction of white Hellebore injected into the jugular Vein of a Dog, as soon as it enter’d the Heart, kill’d as suddenly as if shot thro’ the Heart with a Bullet. On January 4, 1679, a Drachm and a half of Spirit of Salt, diluted in an Ounce and half of Water, and injected into the jugular Vein of a Dog, kill’d him immediately. We kill’d a Dog almost in a Moment by injecting into his jugular Vein an Ounce of Spirit of Wine, in which was dissolved a Drachm of Camphire: The same Day we injected warm into the crural Vein of a Cat, 50 Grains of Opium, dissolved in an Ounce of Water, which was soon seized with convulsive Motions, and died within a Quarter of an Hour. We injected an Ounce of Oil of Olives into the jugular Vein of a Dog, which suffocated him the same Moment.
N. B. In all that were suffocated by Oil, we found their
Lungs fill’d with a very thick Froth[[56]].
[56]. Mr. Benj. Motte’s Philosophical Transact. abridg. Vol. 1. Part. ii. p. 220, 221, where you may find many Instances of the same Nature.
The Remarkables here are,
I. That a small Portion of this venemous Liquid should in so short a time do such terrible Executions: That it should so soon infect so great a Quantity of Fluid, as the whole Mass of Blood in the wounded Animal. A very learned Physician accounts for it thus, viz.
“That in the Drop of Poison are pungent Salts, by which little Bladders in the Blood are prickt, and the elastick Matter in them being let out, carries those acute Salts thro’ the whole Region of Fluids; upon which follows a Coagulation[[57]].”
[57]. Dr. Mead’s Mechanical Account.
All venemous Creatures hurt, by instilling a liquid Poison into the Wound, suppose the Wound to be given by the Tooth or Tail. The aforesaid ingenious Physician says, viz. “This venemous Juice it self is of so inconsiderable a Quantity, that it is no more than one good Drop that does the Execution.”——In order, adds he, to examine the Texture of the Liquor, I enrag’d a Serpent till it bit upon something solid, so as to void its Poison; whose Parts I view’d with a Microscope as nicely as I could.
“Upon the first Sight, I could discover nothing but a Parcel of small Saks nimbly floating in the Liquor, which soon shot out, as it were, into Crystals of incredible Tenuity and Sharpness, with something like Knots here and there, from which they seemed to proceed; so that the whole Texture in a manner represented a Spider’s Web, tho’ infinitely finer, and more minute; and yet withal so rigid were these pellucid Spicula or Darts, that they remain’d unalter’d upon my Glass for several Months[[58]]”.
——N. B. These saline Particles appeared to be Acids.
[58]. Ibid. p. 5-6.
Most surprising this! to see an Army of Flesh and Blood, tremble and fall before a single Atom of Matter! to see the Cedars of Lebanon demolish’d by the single Stroke of a contemptible Worm. So in the Moral World. Even in the Paradisaical State, how malignant the Poison of forbidden Fruit that spread Mortality over the whole human Race, and will affect Millions; dreadful Effects of once eating forbidden Fruit! What a World of Evils flows from one Disease or Disorder in the human Nature! It was by one false Step the unquenchable Fire was first kindled.
II. That Poison is not so dangerous, if it does not mix with the Blood. Even that venemous Liquid may be tasted, yea, and swallow’d without mortal Effects, say some of the Learned. Hence it is, wounded Persons have been directed to get the Venom immediately suck’d out, which has been practis’d without ill Consequences to the Sucker.
For this Method of curing venemous Wounds by Suction, Avicenna, an old Arabian Philosopher and physician, is quoted; who says, that those who suck out the Poison are in no danger, so their Teeth be sound and perfect, and their Mouths be free from all Ulcers. At Rome was an Order of Servants whose Office was to suck venemous Wounds, which they did with Safety and Applause[[59]].
[59]. Sr. Redi, p. 185.
“Many acid Substances taken into the Stomach, are, by its action turned into Alcalious; so there is no question but these saline Spicula are, partly by the muscular Motion of the Fibres, partly by the salival Juice, all broken and dissolved; or if any escape into the Intestines, the Balsam of the Bile will be an Antidote for them. p. 14.”
Creatures reputed venemous, are indeed no Poisons when swallowed, tho’ the Venom may prove so when put into Wounds.
The Venom that falls upon the Skin, is not so mischievous as that which enters into the Stomach, or is communicated by a Wound. “Yea, the Venom of a Viper, in itself, is not mortal to a robust and strong Body; and tho’ very unhappy and mischievous Accidents attend it, as Convulsions, Vomitings, &c.” yet in eight or ten Days at most, these are over; tho’ the Patient may be very ill, yet he recovers, while the Poison having run thro’ divers Parts of the Body, at last always throws itself into the Scrotum, and is discharg’d by a great Quantity of Urine: This Evacuation being the ordinary and most certain Crisis of the Disease[[60]].
[60]. Philosoph. Transactions abridged by Lowthorp, Vol. II. p. 814. Noxia Serpentum est admisso sanguine partis. Lucani Pharsalia. Amstelod. Edit. p. 266.
The Water—which amphibious Serpents frequent, receives no venemous Tincture from them. When Marcus Cato commanded in Africa (the Element of poisonous Animals) he had in his Army a Number of those Natives called Psylli and Marci, the supposed Aversion of Serpents, and who suck’d the Wounds of those hurt by them. It is said, these Psyllians inchanted Serpents, who fled at the sight of them, as if their Bodies exhaled some corpuscular Effluviums that were most offensive to Serpents, and put them into such pain that made them run. To these, the General added another Set of Persons, famous for curing the wounded by other Methods; and all little enough, Serpents being the Lords of the Country through which they were to pass[[61]].
[61]. Auli Gellii Noctes Atticæ, lib. 16. c. 11. p. 161. Herodot. lib. 4. Plutarch in Cato.
The Author of the Description of Cato’s marching the Remains of Pompey’s Army through the Lybian Deserts, observes, how the Army being almost choak’d with Thirst, and coming to a Brook full of Serpents, durst not drink for fear of being poisoned, till convinced by their Superiors, that their being in the Water, did by no means infect it: Upon which they refreshed themselves with Water from the Serpentine River[[62]].
[62]. Redi, 178. Lucan’s Pharsal.—Pocula morte carent—lib. 9.
Add to this, the Example of Queen Cleopatra, who, to prevent her being carried to Rome in Triumph, ’tis said, poisoned herself, by holding a Serpent to her own Breast. Galen mentioning this Story, relates from Authors, that she killed herself, by pouring the Poison of an Asp into a Wound made in her Arm by her own Teeth; as if under Conviction, that the Poison would not effectually answer the End, without touching the Blood. Ibid. Of which more in the Second Part of this Discourse.
III. In Serpents is an inexhaustible Store of Poison. If they discharge all their Artillery to-day, their Arsenal will be full to-morrow. ’Tis true, by a speedy repeated Emission of Poison at one time, the Viper loses its force, probably by a Diminution in Quantity; but is recruited in a Short space. Thus, one Viper cannot poison six Creatures, one immediately after another; the Truth of which is confirmed by uncontestable Facts.——An Experiment was made by Dr. Areskine, when he was at Paris.—Having got a large female Viper, he made it bite six Pigeons, one immediately after another. The first and second that were bit, died within half an Hour; one a little before the other; the third lived about two Hours; the fourth seem’d to be very sick for a while, but recover’d; the fifth and sixth that were bitten, were no more hurt than if prick’d with a Pin. Ibid.
The learned Italian, Seignior Redi, says, that having, at the Entrance of Winter, a Scorpion sent him to Rome from Tunis in Africa, he irritated it to sting Pigeons and Pullets, without any bad Effects; but upon the approach of warm Weather, after eight Months fasting it was provoked to sting two Pigeons successively, which soon died; but the third and fourth received no hurt from its Wound. The Author of the Natural History of Carolina, speaking of the Rattle-Snakes, says, they can’t renew their Poison as oft as they will; for he had seen a Person bit by one of them, who never rightly recovered, and very hardly escaped with Life; and another Person immediately after being bit by the same Snake, received no more Hurt than if bit by a Rat. p. 129.[[63]]
[63]. New Collection of Voyages, printed A. D. 1711.
N. B. Poison in different Countries, is more or less dangerous according as it is exalted and heighten’d by various Degrees of Heat; for by Increase of Heat, that venemous Quality is increased.
Objection.
How is it consistent with Divine Goodness to create such venemous Animals, that are so dangerous and destructive to their Fellow-Creatures? I answer,
I. That as the Power of God shines in the Formation of all Creatures, so does his Goodness in their natural Perfections, which is the Goodness of their Being. Every Creature is good, and if any Branch of the Creation be hurtful to another, ’tis the Effect of moral Evil, and not any necessary Consequence arising from their Creation.
This noxious Quality in Serpents, is God’s Creature, and must answer some valuable Purpose, tho’ concealed from an Eye blinded by the Venom of Sin. Nor must we forget that they seldom hurt their Fellow-Creatures, but when they are provok’d; and when they hurt, they present us with a healing Remedy, that is, the volatile Salt of Vipers, which if rubbed into the Wound, has been generally applied with Success.
II. Their poisonous Liquid must some way be beneficial to themselves. We are not told what their original Food was; but now they live by Plunder, and by their Venom they are enabled to make sure of their Prey, which otherwise might escape, or grow too strong for them, and so they might starve for want of proper Means to support Life; and what they take by their venemous Fangs and Stings, is good Nourishment.
Their Poison also, is to them as a Life-Guard. Were there not something terrible in their Weapons of War, every one would trample upon them. Add to this, that perhaps their Constitution may be so modify’d and framed, that this venemous Liquid may be as useful to digest their Food, as our Saliva is to us in that respect.
III. SERPENTS, tho’ venemous, are of special Use to Mankind, as they are Part of the Materia Medica, and bear a great Share in some of the best Antidotes, or Remedies against Poison. Vipers make a considerable Article in Medicine; their Flesh either roasted or boiled, the Physicians unanimously prescribe as an excellent Restorative, particularly in Consumptions, Leprosy.——
The learned Dr. Mead recommends the Broth or Jelly of Vipers; or, as the Antients did, to boil and eat them as a Fish, or at least to drink Wine, wherein they have been long infused: The Apothecaries sell the Pulvis Viperinus, which is only dried Vipers pulverized, Heart, Liver, and all other Parts, and past through a fine Sieve. Some call it, Animal Bezoard.
BEZOAR is a Persian Word, Pazahar, primarily denotes Counter-Poison, and is applied to several chymical Compositions of that Intention. Theriaca, or Treacle, a Name given by the Antients to various Compositions, is reckoned good against Poison.—The Basis or Foundation of the Composition is Viper’s Flesh[[64]].
[64]. Cyclopædia.
Even in Tartary, an uncultivated Nation, the Viper’s Flesh is reckoned to be wonderful good Physick. In some of the Rivers of Siam, are many Crocodiles, which the Siamese call Cayman, and use them as good Physick with Success[[65]].
[65]. Struys’s Voyages, ad annum 1657. I. c. III p. 29.
It is supposed, when Viper-Catchers were hurt, they immediately cured themselves by rubbing this volatile Salt of Vipers into the wounded Part. An Experiment was made by enraging a Viper to bite the Nose of a young Dog: The Part began to swell; to which was applied this volatile Salt, and the Dog was very well next day. The Viper was made to bite the Dog again in the Tongue, and no Application being made, he died within a few Hours[[66]].
[66]. Dr. Mead’s Mechanical Account, p. 17.
One of the first that made use of the Viper in medicinal Purposes, was (as my learned Author thinks) Antonius Musa, the famous Physician to Octavius Cæsar; of whom Pliny tells, that when he met with incurable Ulcers, he ordered the eating of Vipers; and by this means they were quickly healed. The same Author adds from Porphyrius, that the great Greek Physician Craterus, very happily cured a miserable Slave, whose Skin in a strange manner fell off from his Bones, by advising him to feed upon Vipers, drest after the manner of Fish. Ibid.
A late eminent Physician, speaking of Vipers, says,——’Tis certain, very noble Medicines are prepared from them, and a Wine from their Flesh, singular in consumptive, leprous, and scorbutick Cases: They afford also a volatile Salt, the most generous Cordial in Nature[[67]].
[67]. Dr. Charles Leigh’s Natural History of —— p. 148.
In Italy is a subterraneous Cavern, called Grotto de i Serpi, large enough to hold two Persons, perforated like a Sieve; out of which, in the Spring, issues a numerous Brood of young Snakes, of divers Colours. In this Cave they expose their leprous, paralytic, arthritick Patients, where the Warmth of the Steams resolving them into Sweat, and then Serpents clinging variously all around, licking their naked Bodies, they are soon restored to Health, by repeating the Operation. This Serpentine Cave was visited by Kircher, the celebrated Philosopher and Mathematician; who says, he saw the Holes, and heard a murmuring hissing Noise in them, tho’ he did not see the Serpents, it not being their Season to creep out; yet he saw a great Number of their Exuviæ, or Sloughs, and an Elm at a small distance laden with them. The Discovery was by the Cure of a Leper going from Rome, who losing his way, and being benighted, happen’d upon this Cave, and finding it very warm, pull’d off his Clothes; and being weary and sleepy, had, says my Author, the Good-fortune not to feel the Serpents about him, till they had wrought his Cure. Musæum Wormian. in Cyclopædia.
IV. Serpents are not only Physick, but common Food in many Parts of the World, and esteemed a most delicious Entertainment. Formerly, nothing more terrible to Men than these veneniferous Animals, but now (Men being better acquainted with their natural Qualities) are very familiar to many People; insomuch that there are but few Persons of Distinction, in France, and other Places, where they may be had, but make use of them, as a good and most agreeable Diet; and the ingenious Virtuoso makes living Vipers his Domestick Divertisement.
The Italian and French Physicians do commonly prescribe the Broth and Jelly of Vipers, to purify and invigorate the Mass of Blood, exhausted with Age and chronical Diseases.
We read of the Ophiophagi, a People so called because they are Serpent-Eaters. It is observed from Aristotle, that the Troglodytes, who are Africans, not far from the Arabian Gulph, leading a pastoral Life, lived by hunting—and fed on Serpents[[68]].
[68]. Strabo, lib. 16. Βιος νομαδιχος—Cluverii Introduct.
Among the Andesian Mountains in America, is a Serpent called Juanna, big as a Rabbit, has a spotted Skin, four Feet, and is never observed to have any Voice, is much eaten by the Inhabitants, and counted better Meat than Rabbits, as it is prepared by the Barbarians[[69]].
[69]. Ray, p. 329. Atl. Geograph. America, p. 129.
The Kanina Serpent that feeds upon Birds, is eaten by the Inhabitants, the Brasilians, and their Negro-Labourers, after they cut off the Head and Tail. Ibid. The Dutch, Portuguese, and others in that Country, feed upon the Lyboya Serpent; ’tis of a prodigious, large Bulk, and described in another Place. Ibid. In old Mexico, we read how the Indians took a certain Serpent that carried thirty Young’s, which were each a Finger long, and crept about immediately; and the old one being above 20 Foot long, served the Natives for Venison[[70]].
[70]. Atl. Geograph. for America, from Laet. p. 628.
AMERICUS Vespusius, (a Florentine, who was the first, after Columbus, that discover’d America, and wrote the History of his four Years Voyages) says, he saw some Serpents in America, which the Inhabitants commonly feed upon: They were of diverse Colours, and as big as Kids. In the History of that Country, we find the Natives of the Land fed upon Adders, Serpents, Toads,——without any Scruple of Mind, or Injury to their Health.
The Natives of Tonquin, a large Kingdom of India, beyond the Ganges, in treating their Friends, give them Arrack, a rich Cordial, in which Snakes and Scorpions have been infus’d; and is esteem’d an Antidote against all Poisons.
INDIA breeds Serpents in abundance of all Sizes, and Variety of most charming Colours: The People of Siam catch prodigious Numbers of them in the Woods, and expose them to Sale in the Markets, as Eels in England, for Animal Food[[71]].
[71]. Le Comte’s Memoirs, p. 504.
Experiments have been made upon Animals, as Pigeons, Chickens—that were bit by Serpents, which have been eaten without any manner of Hurt, or painful Sensation; yea, Serpents that were slain have been given to Dogs, who fed upon them without danger, or any uneasiness[[72]].
[72]. Sr. Redi, p. 178.
The Circulatores, or Dealers in Serpents, devour’d at their Tables even their Heads, and pour’d the Gall into their Cups when they drank, laughing at their Neighbours Timidity, who transform their Imaginations into Bug-bears.
The Inhabitants of Mount Athos, between Macedonia and Thracia, are called Macrobii, that is Long-livers, or long-liv’d; and their Longevity is attributed to their feeding on Viper’s Flesh, which is a most elegant Nutritive[[73]].
[73]. C. Gesner, p. 76.
The Ethiopians are number’d among those who feed upon Serpents, as one valuable Branch of their sustenance.
In the Kingdom of Congo in Africa, the Negroes roast the Adders, and not only greedily feed upon them, but esteem them as a most delicious Food[[74]].
[74]. Purchas Pilgrim, Part ii. l. 7.
ST. HELENA, one of the African Islands, abounds with Serpents which the Dutch eat as a greater Dainty than Eels[[75]]. We read of a Man who liv’d at Colonia Agrippina in Germany, that fed upon Spiders, as the most delicate Dish.—N. B. This Cologne is called Agrippina from Agrippina the Mother of Nero (who poison’d Claudius her own Husband, to make Nero her Son Emperor) and would have the Town honoured with a Roman Colony, as being the Place of her Birth[[76]].
[75]. Atl. Afric. p. 741.
[76]. Tacitus’s Annals, Vol. 1. B. iv.
In Cuba, an American Island, they were pester’d with many sorts of Serpents, not so much from the ill Condition of the Soil, as by an old superstitious Whim of the Savages, who in former Times were not suffered to kill them, (this being a royal game, and a nice Dish reserved for the Higher Powers) and were not able afterwards to destroy them, when it would have been suffered[[77]].
[77]. Heylin’s Cosmography, B. iv. p. 151.
The Kalmuck Tartars feed very much upon Snakes, Adders and Foxes——The Syrians eat Crocodiles, which live on the Land only.
MITHRIDATE, formerly one of the Capital Medicines in the Shops, has the Name from the Inventor, viz. Mithridates King of Pontus, who being overcome by Pompey, would have poison’d himself; but no Poison would work upon him, having accustom’d himself to eat Poison; thus described in an old Doggrel Rhyme, viz.
King Mithridates cou’d not poison’d be,
He drinking Poison oft, grew Poison-free.
After King Mithridates was vanquish’d, Cneus Pompeius found in his Closet the following Receipt, against Poison, writ with his own Hand, in this Manner, viz.
TAKE two dry Walnut-kernels, as many Figs, of Rue twenty Leaves, stamp all these together into one Mass, with a Grain of Salt.——Under this Receipt was writ——Whoever eats this Confection in the Morning fasting, no Poison shall hurt him that Day[[78]]. In America, where Lizards are very good, they eat them, and so large, that one Lizard is enough to satisfy four Men. ’Tis very probable that they were eaten in Arabia and Judea, since Moses ranks them among the unclean Creatures[[79]].
[78]. Pliny’s Natural Hist. Tom. ii. B. 23.
[79]. Calmet in verbum——Hieronym. contra Jovinian. lib. ii.
Though the Flesh of venemous Creatures be nutrimental, and eaten with a good Relish, in many Places, yet it must be allow’d our old Historiographers in some Things hyperbolize upon the Subject. Thus Avicenna, the great Arabian Doctor, and others, speak of a young Maid, who was fed with the Flesh of poisonous Creatures, from her tender Age; by which her Breath became venemous to those who stood by her. And thus Porus, a certain Indian King, is said to use Poison every Day, that he might kill others. It is a known History, adds he, of a young Woman, fed with Poison, with which the Persian Kings destroy’d whom they pleas’d.
Add to this another traditional Opinion, viz. that some particular Persons have an evil Eye, which affects Children and Cattle; yea, that some have this unhappy Faculty, tho’ at the same Time void of any ill Design. This has been an old Tradition, as appears from that of the Poet[[80]].
[80]. Nescio quis teneros oculus mihi fascinat agnos. See Martin on the Western Islands, p. 122, 123.
On the Mountains of Ceylon in the East-Indies, are Serpents of such vast Size, that they swallow young Cattle: Their Flesh is very delicate, and has a most pleasing Taste; therefore is very much eaten.
This Island of Ceylon is one of the most charming Situation on the Earth, the Key and Glory of the Indies; the Air so temperate, that, properly speaking, they feel neither Heat nor Cold; the Vales and Hills are always covered with Flowers, the Fields cover’d with Fruits of all Sorts; and in the Woods are Serpents call’d Lizards, full three Hands long, whose Flesh is excellent Meat[[81]].
[81]. Ribeyro’s History of Ceylon, presented to the King of Portugal, 1685, translated out of Portuguese into French, printed at Trevoux, 1701.
In the second Part is a more ample Description of Ceylon.
The Iguana Serpent is amphibious, lays numerous Eggs, grateful to the Taste, is very good Nourishment, preferable to Spanish Rabbits; and in the City of Mexico these Serpents are brought to the Markets, especially in the quadragesimal Days.
A Spanish Historian says, the Iguanas are shap’d like the Alligators, very ugly, as big as Lap-dogs, of several Colours; the Spaniards observe, that their Flesh tastes like the Pheasants, and feed upon it with pleasure[[82]].
[82]. Herrera’s Hist. Vol. ii. p. 14.
The learned Ray, speaking of the Liboya, that monstrous American Serpent, says, that after it has swallow’d a large Animal, its Head grows heavy and sleepy, that it can neither run nor fight; the Hunters finding it in this stupid Posture, soon strangle him with a Rope; and being kill’d, cut the Carcass into Parcels, and sell the Flesh for Food, which is reckon’d a delightful Entertainment[[83]]. The same Author adds, that both Africans and Americans having cut off the Head and Tail of the Kanina Serpent, eat the Body as part of their constant Repast. Ibid. 328.
[83]. Raii Synopsis, p. 334,—Solo reste—caroque ejus pro cibo gratissimo venditur.
BRASILIAN Serpents call’d Lizards are slay’d, broil’d as little Fishes, and eaten by the Negroes or Blackmoors that are transported into that Country from Africa.
I am inform’d of a Gentleman of the Law at Ludlow, who having prick’d a living Toad in various Parts, sucks its Moisture, and leaves it as must a Skeleton as the Purse of a Client.
Thus we see that the Almighty is so far from being chargeable with Defect of Wisdom and Goodness, in forming of Serpents, that both as Food and Physick, they may be equally improv’d to our Advantage.
I shall only add one Remark here, that if Serpents, and other venemous Creatures, are hurtful to us, ’tis only by Accident, that is, they are not vexatious to us, of Necessity, but through our own Ignorance, Carelessness, or Mistake; e. gr.
“The Birds we call Stares, safely feed upon Hemlock; Storks feed on Adders, and Slow-Worms; which, and other hurtful Creatures, would be as harmless to ourselves, had we always Caution enough to avoid them, or Wit enough to use them as we should. Thus Aloes has the Property of promoting Hæmorrhages; but this Property is good or bad, as ’tis used: if by one that has the Green Sickness, it will prove a good Medicine; if by one subject to a Dysentery, or to spitting of Blood, a pernicious Poison.”[[84]]
[84]. Dr. Neh. Grew’s Cosmologia Sacra, B. iii. cap. 2. p. 103.
And it is very probable, that the most dangerous Poisons skilfully managed, may be made, not only innocuous, but, of all other Medicines, the most effectual. Opium corrected, loses its narcotic Quality, and is safely given in great Doses, in Fluxes, Catarrhs, and convulsive Cases.
It is generally agreed, there is no Part of a Viper, not even the Gall itself, but may be swallowed without harm; accordingly the Ancients, and, as several Authors of Credit assure us, the Indians and others at this day, both of the East and West, eat them, as we do, Eels.
Spontaneous Productions of the Earth were the first Food, and still are the Sustenance of numerous Nations. It was some time before they came to the Juices of Cattle, as Milk, and longer before they commenced carnivorous, and devoured their Fellow-Animals.
Some think the Fruits of the Earth were intended as Man’s sole Food, and that nothing but Necessity or Luxury first prompted to feed upon Flesh: And indeed, by the Structure of Man’s Teeth, it looks as if they were not proper to devour Flesh; and that Nature had rather intended and prepared them for cutting Herbs, Roots,——than, for tearing of Flesh. Yea, Children don’t affect Animal Food, till their Palates be vitiated by Custom; and, further, when we feed upon Flesh, it must be prepared by roasting or boiling, which makes it harder of Digestion, than all other Animal Food; and therefore forbid in Fevers, and other Distempers.