(1040)
He further voucheth his own Trial (p. 179.) that Knarsborough hath 2. Ounce of Salt in a Gallon, though it be 40. miles distant from the Sea: And that he hath found also by tryal, the 16th part of the Nothern Sea-water near Scarborough to be a body of Salt (an Ounce of Salt for every pint;) and he conceives the Southern Seas to contain a greater proportion of Salt. Hare we must distinguish, that the 2. Onnces of Salt above mentioned, to be found in every Gallon of Knarsborough-water, belong to the Well there called the Sulphur-well: And for the healing properties of the Sweet well (es they call the other Well at Knarsborough) he refers to the Ingenious and illustrious Experiments of Dr. French and Dr. Dean.
All which being considered, we cannot but add, that whoever discovers such healing waters, and publickly prescribes the safe and right use of them, does really distribute larger and nobler Almes, than if he built and endowed a Savoy. For this prolongs life, and restores health, (whch is sometimes better than life) both to rich and Poor, to Natives and strangers, to Neighbors and Travellors.
We cannot take off out hands here, without annexing our Authors related Experiment of Carps (p. 25.) which were taken out of Ponds newly drained, and being put with fresh water into a Copper Brewing-vessel, to be preserved but for one night, were all found dead in the morning. This he imputes to the poisonous steams of the Copper communicated to the cold water.
Among the Causes of Hot-Springs, he doth (p. 181.) alledge a considerable remark on an Observation, made by the late Lord Fairfax, of some heaps of White powder, which he found sweat out of the Earth near Bath (in Somersetshire,) which being put into the water, makes it hot; as my self (saith the Doctor) did experience 5. or 6. years after his Lordship had taken it up.
As to his last Experimentai Demonstrations and Observations, How the fall of Rain and Snow may generally and most frequently be the cause of out purest, liveliest and most lasting Springs, they doe all agree most punctually in all circumstances, with the Experiences and Observations of an Antient and very Worthy Gentleman, who lives on th side of Mendip-hills, and hath had his Eyes always from his Youngest days upon the fairest and fullest Sources and Amnery's, I say not of Mendip but I think I may say of this Island. This Gentleman hath given to a friend of his the Instances and Particulars under his own hand, both for the Springs about Mendip, and in other parts of England; and hath many other Ancient Witnesses to joyn with him in the same Certificate. And yet Dr. Wittie attributes much (some will say, more than enough) to the Conversion of Air into Water in the Subterraneaous Channels: For the Illustration of which he himself knew a Sergeant, belonging to Hull, who in a Diabete did void above 6. quarts or 12. pounds of Urine every 24 hours, for some weeks together, till all his Musculous parts were dissolved into Urine; the measure whereof did farr exceed the weight of his whole Body, and of his Meat and Drink: In all this time he drank not 3. pints of drink in a day. I know net whether I dare alleadg here Sir Kenelm Digby's relation, he recited of the Nun, which voided 200 pounds of Water, as from her bladder, every 24. hours, for some weeks together: or that Older record of a sick Maid in Italy, who did every day voyd 36. pints or pounds of Urine for the space of 60. days; during which time there were collected 1740. pounds of Urine more than the weight of all her Meat and Drink, that she had taken. Horum & similium sides penes Authores este.
ERRATA in Numb. 50. to be thus corrected Pag. 1001. l. 14. read Hippocrates. p. 1005 l. 1. r. as farr as the Tropick. p. 1007. l. 25. r. (from the Lizard) p. 1009 l. 14. r. are not many. ib. l. 20. r. hints, easily p. 1012. l. 14. r. not very rare. ) p. 1013. l. 16. r this kind ib. l. 18 r. to breed. ib l. 21. r. Histoire p. 1015. l. 22. r. their head. p. 1019. l. ib. r. Zwelfer. ib. r. Pharmacopæa.
LONDON, Printed by T. N. for John Martyn Printer to the Royall Society, and are to be sold at the Bell a little without Temple Bar, 1669.
