Chapter 19

The time of the year invites me to intimate to you, that among the other Uses of the Experiment, I long since presented the _Society_, of preserving Whelps taken out of the Dams womb, and other _Fætus's_, or parts of them, in _Spirit of Wine_; I {200} remember, I did, when I was sollicitous to observe the Processe of Nature in the Formation of a Chick, open Hens Eggs, some at such a day, and some at other daies after the beginning of the Incubation, and carefully taking out the _Embryo's_, embalmed each of them in a distinct Glass (which is to be carefully stopt) in _Spirit of Wine_: Which I did, that so I might have them in readinesse, to make on them, at any time, the Observations, I thought them capable of affording; and to let my Friends at other seasons of the year, see, _both_ the differing appearances of the Chick at the third, fourth, seventh, fourteenth, or other daies, after the Eggs had been sate on, _and_ (especially) some particulars not obvious in Chickens, that go about; as the hanging of the Gutts out of the _Abdomen_, &c. How long the tender _Embryo_ of the Chick soon after the _Punctum saliens_ is discoverable, _and_ whilst the Body seems but a little Organized Gelly, _and_ some while after _That_, will be this way preserv'd, without being too much shrivel'd up, I was hindred by some mischances to satisfie my self: but when the _Fætus's_, I took out, were so perfectly formed as they were wont to be about the seventh day, and after, they so well retain'd their shape and bulk, as to make me not repent of my curiosity: And some of those, which I did very early this Spring, I can yet shew you. I know I have mention'd to you an easie application of what I, some year since, made publick enough; but not finding it to have been yet made by any other, and being perswaded by Experience, that it may be extended to other _Fætus's_, which this season (the _Spring_) is time to make provision off, I think the _Advertisement_ will not seem unseasonable to some of our Friends; though being now in haste, and having in my thoughts divers particulars, relating to this way of Preserving Birds taken out of the Egge, and other small _Fætus's_, I must content my self to have mention'd that, which is _Essential_, leaving divers other things, which a little practise may teach the Curious, unmention'd. Notwithstanding which, I must not omit these two Circumstances; the _one_, that when the Chick was grown big, before I took it out of the Egge, I have (but not constantly) {201} mingled with the _Spirit of Wine_, a little Spirit of _Sal Armoniack_, made (as I have elsewhere delivered) * by the help of _Quick-lime_: which Spirit I choose, because, though it abounds in a Salt not Sowre, but Urinous, yet I never observed it (how strong soever I made it) to coagulate Spirit of Wine. The _other_ circumstance is, that I usually found it convenient, to let the little _Animals_, I meant to imbalme, lie for a little while in ordinary Spirit of Wine, to wash off the looser filth, that is wont to adhere to the Chick, when taken out of the Egge; and then, having put either the same kind of Spirit, or better upon the same Bird, I suffer'd it to soak some hours (perhaps some daies, _pro re nata_) therein, that the Liquor, having drawn as it were what Tincture it could, the _Fætus_ being remov'd into more pure and well dephlegm'd Spirit of Wine, might not discolour it, but leave it almost as limpid, as before it was put in.

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_An Extract of a Letter, sent lately to Sir _Robert Moray_ out of _Virginia_, concerning an _unusual_ way of propagating _Mulberry trees_ there, for the better improvement of the _Silk-Work_; together with some other particulars, tending to the good of that _Plantation_._

I am disappointed at this time of some Rarities of Minerals, Mettals, and Stones; but you may have them any other time, as conveniently, &c. I have planted here already ten thousand _Mulberry trees_; and hope, within two or three years, to reap good silk of them. I have planted them in a way unusual here, which advances them two or three years growth, in respect of their being sown in seed: And they are now, at writing hereof all holding good, although this has been a very long and bitter winter with us, much longer and colder, than ever I did find it in _Scotland_ or _England_. I intend likewise to plant {202} them all, as if they were _Currants_ or _Goos-berries_, so thick as hedges; whereby one man may gather as many of them, as otherwise, when they are planted in trees at distance, four persons my do. Expedient is the benefit of this Trade. Having discoursed of this new way to all here; they are generally inclinable to it; considering that the Planting their Trees, as before, at distance, and letting them grow high, has been the main obstruction of that work hitherto, and the loss of their time and gain: but being in hedges, they will be always young tender plants; and consequently will be easily cut in great quantities with a pair of Garden Sizzers. But there may be suggested yet another, and perhaps a better way; which is, to sowe some Acres with _Mulberry seed_, and to cut it with a sith, and ever to keep it under. I have also bethought my self of a new way, for a few hands to serve many Worms, and that more cleanly than before: which also will be a means, without more trouble or pains, to separate unhealthy worms from healthful; and by which a great many more may be kept in a room, than otherwise upon shelves, as is usual here. Besides this, I have sown a little _French Barley_ and _Rice seed_, and am thinking on a way of un-husking them with expedition, and so preparing them for the Merchant, as they use to be: But if you can inform me, how they are prepared, you may save me some labour. If I had any _Coffee_ in husks, or any other vegetable commodity, from the Streights to try, I would here make tryal with them. Its like, that some of those Merchants that are of your _Society_, and keep a Correspondency there, may assist in procuring them. By the latter ships I intend to send you a New sort of sweet sented _Tobacco_, which I have not yet had time to improve.

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_A Method, by which a Glass of a small Plano-convex Sphere may be made to refract the Rayes of light to a _Focus_ of a far greater distance, than is usual._

This is proposed by Mr. _Hook_, in consequence of what was {203} mention'd from him in _Numb._ 4 _pag._ 67, of these _Transactions_.

Prepare (_saith he_) two Glasses, the one exactly flat on both sides, the other flat on the one side, and convex on the other, of what Sphere you please. Let the flat Glass be a little broader than the other. Then let there be made a Cell or Ring of Brass, very exactly turn'd, into which these two Glasses may be so fastened with Cement, that the plain surfaces of them may lye exactly paralell, and that the Convex-side of the Plano-convex-Glass may lye inward; but so, as not to touch the flat of the other Glass. These being cemented into the Ring very closely about the edges, by a small hole in the side of the Brass-ring or Cell, fill the interposed space between these two with _Water_, _Oyl of Turpentine_, _Spirit of Wine_, _Saline Liquors_, _&c;_ then stop the hole with a screw: and according to the differing refraction of the interposed Liquors, so shall the _Focus_ of the compound Glass be longer or shorter.

But this (adds the _Proposer_) I would only have look't upon, as one instance of many (for there may be others) of the _Possibility_ of making a Glass, ground in a smaller Sphere, to constitute a Telescope of a much greater length: Though (not to raise too great exspectation) I must add, That of _Spherical_ object glasses, those are the best, which are made of the greatest Sphere, and whose substance hath the greatest refraction.

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_Observations about _Shining Worms_ in Oysters._

These Observations occur in the _French journal_ of _April_ 12. 1666. in two letters, written by M. _Auzout_ to M. _Dela Voye_; whereof the substance may be reduced to the following particulars.

1. That M. _Dela Voye_ having observed, as he thought, {204} some shining Worms in Oysters; M. _Auzout_, being made acquainted with it, did first conceive, they were not Worms (unless they were crushed ones) that shin'd, as having not been able then to discern any parts of a Worm; but only some shining clammy moysture; which appeared indeed like a little Star of a blewish colour, and stuck to the Oyster-shell; being drawn out, shone in the Air its whole length (which was about four or five lines,) and when put upon the _Observers_ hand, continued to shine there for some time.

2. That M. _Auzout_ afterwards, causing more than 20. douzen of Oysters to be open'd at Candle-light, really saw, in the dark, such shining worms in them; and those of three sorts. _One_ sort was whitish, having 24. or 25. feet on each side, forked; a black speck on one side of the head (taken by him for a _Chrystallin_) & the back like an Eele, stript off her skin. The _second_, red, and resembling the common _Glow-worms_, found at Land, with folds upon their backs, and feet like the former; and with a nose like that of a dog, and one eye in the head. The _third_ sort was speckled, having a head like that of a Sole, with many tufts of whitish hair on the sides of it,

3. That, besides these, the _Observer_ saw some much bigger, that were grayish, with a big head, and two horns on it, like those of a Snayl, and with 7. or 8. whitish feet, but these, though kept by him in the night, shin'd not.

4. That the two first sorts are made of a matter easily resoluble, the least shaking or touch turning them in into a viscous and aqueous matter; which falling from the shell, stuck to the _Observers_ fingers, and shone there for the space of 20. seconds: and if any little part of this matter, by strongly shaking the shell, did fall to the ground, it appear'd like a little piece of a flaming Brimstone; and when shaken off nimbly, it became like a small shining Line, which was dissipated before it came to the ground.

{205} 5. That this shining matter was of different colour; some, whitish, some, reddish; but yet that they afforded both, a light which appear'd a violet to his eye.

6. That it is very hard to examine these worms entire (especially the white ones) because that at the least touch they doe burst, and resolve into a glutinous moysture; whence also if it were not for their feet, that are discover'd in their matter, none would judge them to be Worms.

7. That among those, which he observed, he saw two more firm, than the rest, which shone all over; and when they fell from the Oyster, twinkled like a great star, shining strongly, and emitting rays of a violet-light by turns, for the space, (as touch't above) of 20. seconds. Which Scintillation the _Observer_ imputes to this, that those worms being alive, and sometimes raising their head, sometimes their tayle, like a Carpe, the light increased and lessened accordingly; seeing that, when they shone not, he did, viewing them by a Candle, find them dead.

8. That forcibly shaking the Oyster-shells in the dark, he sometimes saw the whole shell full of lights, now and then as big as a fingers end; and abundance of this clammy matter, both red and white, (which he judges to have been Worms) burst in their holes.

9. That in the shaking he saw all the Communications of these little Verminulous holes, like to the hole of Worms in Wood.

10. That in more than 20 douzen of Oysters he shook no shell (10. or 12. excepted) but it emitted light: And found some of this light in sixteen of the Oysters themselves.

11. That this light occurs more frequently in big, than small Oysters; in those that are pierced by the Worm, oftner, than {206} in those that are not, and rather upon the Convex-side, than the other; and more in fresh ones; than in the stale.

12. That having somewhat scaled the Convex-side of the shell, and discover'd the Communication of the holes, wherein the often-mention'd viscous moysture, that has any form of insects, is found; he smelt a scent, that was like the water of a squeesed Oyster.

13. That the Worms give no light, when irritated, but if they do, the light lasts but a very little time, whereas that which appears in those, that were not angred before, continues a great while; the _Observer_ affirming to have kept of it above 2 hours.

So far the _Journal des Scavans_; which intimates withal, that if the _Observers_ had had better _Microscopes_, they could have better examin'd this matter.

But since the curious here in _England_ are so well furnish with good ones, 'tis hoped, that they will employ some of them for further and more minute Observations of these Worms; it being a matter, which, joyned with other Observations, already made by some excellent persons here, (especially Mr. _Boyle_) upon this subject of Light, may prove very luciferous to the doctrine of it, so much yet in the dark.

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_Some Observations of the Effects of _Touch_ and _Friction_._

The Operations and Effects of _Touch_ and _Friction_ having been lately much taken notice off, and being lookt upon by some, as a great _Medical_ Branch, for the curing of many diseases and infirmities; it will perhaps not be unseasonable to mention (here also) some Observations relating thereunto; which may give an occasion to others, to consider this subject more, than has been done heretofore, and to make {207} further Observations and Tryals concerning the power of the same.

And _First_, the Illustrious Lord of _Verulam_, in his _History of Life and Death_, Histor. 6. §. 3. observes, That _Motion_ and _Warmth_ (of which two, _Friction_ consists) draws forth, into the parts, New Juyce and Vigour. And _Canon._ XIII. he affirms, That _Frictions_ conduce much to _Longevity_. See the same, _Connex._ ix. §. 26. &c.

_Secondly_, The Honourable _Robert Boyle_, in his _Usefulness of Experimental Philosophy_, _sect_ 2. _ch._ 15. considering the Body of a Living man or any Animal, as an Engine, so composed, that there is a conspiring communication betwixt its parts, by vertue whereof a very slight impression of adventitious matter upon some one part, may be able to work, on some other distant part, or perhaps on the whole Engine, a change far exceeding, what the same adventitious matter could do upon a Body not so contrived: Representing, I say, an Animal in this manner, and thence inferring, how it may be alter'd for the better or worse by motions or impulses, confessedly _Mechanicall_, observes, How some are recover'd from swouning fits by pricking; others grow faint and do vomit by the bare motion of a Coach; others fall into a troublesome sickness by the agitation of a Ship, and by the Sea-air (whence they recover by rest, and by going a shore.) Again, how in our Stables a Horse well-curried is half-fed: How some can tell by the Milk of their Asses, whether that day they have been well curried or not: Arguing hence, that if in _Milk_ the alteration is so considerable, it should be so likewise in the _Blood_, or other Juyces, of which the Blood is elaborated, and consequently in divers of the principal parts of the Body. Where also (upon the authority of _Piso_) he refers the Reader to the _Brasilian_ Empiricks, whose {208} wild _Frictions_, as unskilfully as they order them, do strange things, both in _preserving health_, and _curing diseases_; curing Cold and _Chronical_ ones by _Friction_, as they do _Acute_ ones, by _Unction_.

_Thirdly_, The learned Dr. _John Beale_, did not long since communicate by some Letters; _First_, that he could make good proof of the curing or killing a very great and dangerous _Wen_ (that had been very troublesome for two or three years,) by the application of a dead mans hand, whence the Patient felt such a cold stream pass to the Heart, that it did almost cause in him a fit of swouning. _Secondly_, that, upon his brothers knowledge, a certain Cook in a Noble Family of _England_ (wherein that brother of his then lived) having been reproached for the ugliness of his _Warty_ hands, and return'd for answer, that he had tried many remedies, but found none, was bid by his Lord, to rub his hand with that of a dead man; and that this Lord dying soon after, the Cook made use both of his Lords advise and hand, and speedily found good effect. (Which is also confirm'd by what Mr. _Boyle_ relates in his lately mentioned _Book_, of Dr. _Harvey's_ frequently succesfull triall, of curing some Tumors or Excrescencies, by holding on them such a Hand.) Here is _Friction_ or _Touch_, to mortifie Wens, to drive away swellings and Excrescencies: And why not to repell or dissipate Spirits, that may have a dangerous influence upon the Brain, or other parts; as well as to call forth the retired ones into the habit of the Body, for Invigoration? _Thirdly_, that a Gentleman, who came lately out of _Ireland_, lay at his House, and inform'd him of an aged Knight there, who having great pain in his feet, insomuch that he was unable to use them, suffered, as he was going to bed, a loving _Spaniell_ to lick his feet; which was for the present very pleasing to him, so that he used it mornings and evenings, till he found the pain appeased, and the use of his feet restored. This, saith {209} the _Relater_, was a gentle touch, and transpiration; for he found the Spirits transpire with a pleasing Kind of Titillation. _Fourthly_, that he can assure of an honest Blacksmith, who by his healing hand converted his Barrs of Iron into Plates of Silver; and had this particular faculty, that he caused Vomitings by stroaking the Stomack; gave the Stool by stroaking the Belly; appeased the Gout, and other paines, by stroaking the parts affected.

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_Some particulars, communicated from forraign parts, concerning the Permanent _Spott_ in _Jupiter_; and a Contest between two Artists about _Optick Glasses_, &c._

[Sidenote: _See _Numb. 1_. of these _Transactions_; by the date whereof it will appeare, that that _Spot_ was observed in _England_, a good while before any such thing was so much as heard of._]

_Eustachio de Divinis_ (saith the _Informer_,) has written a large Letter, wherein he pretends, that the Permanent Spot in _Jupiter_ hath been first of all discovered with _his_ Glasses; and that the P. _Gotignies_ is the first that hath thence deduced the Motion of _Jupiter_ about his _Axis_; and that Signior _Cassini_ opposed it at first; to whom the said _Gotignies_ wrote a letter of complaint thereupon.

The same _Eustachio_ pretends likewise, that his great Glasses excell those of _Campani_; and that in all the tryals, made with them, they have performed better; and that _Campani_ was not willing to do, what was necessary for well comparing the one with the other. _viz._ To put equall _Eye-glasses_ in them, or to exchange the same Glasses.

The said _Divini_ affirms also, that he hath found a way to {210} know, whether an Object glass be good or not, onely by looking upon it, without trying. This would be of good use, especially if it should extend so far as to discerne the goodness of such a glass, whilst it is yet on the Cement.

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_An Account of Dr. _Sydenham's_ Book, entituled, _Methodus Curandi Febres, Propriis observationibus superstructa_._

This _Book_ undertakes to deliver a more certain and more genuine Method of curing Feavers and Agues, than has obtained hitherto: And it being premised, _First_, that a Fever is Natures Engine, she brings into the field, to remove her enemy; or her handmaid, either for evacuating the impurities of the blood, or for reducing it into a New State: _Secondly_, that the true and genuine cure of this sickness consists in such a tempering of the Commotion of the Blood, that it may neither exceed, nor be too languide: This, I say, being premised by the Author, he informs the Reader;

In the _First Section_, of the different Method, to be employed in the cure of Feavers, not only in respect of the differing constitutions and ages of the patients, but also in regard of the differing seasons of one and the same year, and of the difference of one year from another. As to the _Former_, he shews, in what sorts of _Patients_, and at what time of the Feaver, Phlebotomy, or Vomiting, or both, are to be used; and when and where not: In what space of time the _Depuration_ if nature be not disturbed or hindred in her work, will be perform'd: When _Purgatives_ are to be administred: How that _Diarrhea's_ happen, if the _Patient_ had in the {211} beginning of the Feaver an inclination to vomit, but no vomit was given; and that those symptoms, which commonly are imputed to a malignity, do, for the most part, proceed from the Relaxation of the tone of the Bloud, caused by Medicines too refrigerating, or by the unseasonable use of Glisters in the declination of the disease. As to the _Latter_, he observes, that one of the chief causes, rendring the Cure of Feavers so uncertain and unsuccessfull, is, that _Practitioners_ do accommodate their observations, they take from the successful cure of some Feavers in one season or the year, or in some one year, to that of all Feavers in any season, or in any year whatsoever. And here he observes, _first_, how vigorous the blood is in the _Spring_, and how dispirited in _Autumn_; and thence regulates the letting of bloud, and Vomiting, and the giving of Glisters. _Next_, how difficult it is, to assign the cause of the difference between the Feavers of _Several years_; and to prognosticate of the salubrity or insalubrity of the following part of the year: where yet he insinuates, that, when _Insects_ do swarm extraordinarily, and when Feavers and Agues (especially _Quartans_) appear very early, as about _Midsummer_, then _Autumn_ commonly proves very sickly. _Lastly_, what method and Cautions are to be used in the Cure of _Epidemical_ Feavers.

In the _Second Section_, he treats of the _Symptoms_, accompanying _Continued_ Feavers; as _Phrensies_, _Pleurisies_, _Coughs_, _Hicoughs_, _Fluxes_, &c. Shewing, both whence they are caused, and how they are to be cured: Where having inserted a considerable _Paragraph_, touching a certain _Symptomatical_ Feaver in the _Spring_, to be cured like Plurisies; he mentions among many Observables, this, as a chief one, that _Laudanum_, or any other _Narcotick_ given against the _Phrensy_, in the beginning, progress, or height of a Feaver, does rather hurt, than good, but in the declination thereof, is used with good success. To all which he subjoins a particular {212} accompt of the _Iliac Passion_ (esteem'd by him to be sometimes a _Symptome_ also of Feavers;) not only discoursing of its cause (a preposterous inversion of the Intestins, proceeding either from Obstruction, or Irritation,) but adding also a very plain way of Curing the same; and that not by the use of _Quick-silver_ or _Bullets_ (by him judged to be frequently noxious) but only by _Mint-water_; and the application of a Whelp to the Patients stomach; to strengthen the same, and to reduce it again to its natural motion.