A Briefe Discourse of a Disease Called the Suffocation of the Mother
Edward Iorden
9781465663580
213 pages
Library of Alexandria
Overview
As I am desirous to satisfie all indifferent men concerning the occasion and intent of this my discourse: so I thought good to direct the same especially vnto this societie, whereof I am a member; to testifie both how iustly or rather necessarily I haue beene drawn to the vndertaking and publishing hereof: as also how willing I am to submit my selfe to your learned censure; the argument of my writing being such as none can better iudge of then your selues. And first I protest vpon that credit which I desire to haue among you, that I haue not vndertaken this businesse of mine owne accord, as if I esteemed of mine owne knowledge and obseruation in this case aboue other mens. For (if it had beene thought good to haue imposed it vppon others) I do acknowledge that there are many among vs better able then my selfe to haue written in this kind, vnto whome I would willingly haue put ouer my taske. Neither did I euer find my selfe prouoked hereunto upon any peeuish humor to contradict or to disgrace any who doe iudge otherwise of some pointes contained herein, then my selfe doe: many of them being such as I do loue and affect well. Neither vpon any fawning humor to please or flatter any person whatsoeuer; which I doe esteeme more base then begging. But disclayming both hony and gall, I haue plainely set downe the true doctrine of Phisicke concerning that disease which giues to great occasion of distraction among many good men: especially such as haue not learning sufficient to resolue them of this point, or not that moderation and humilitie of spirit to acknowledge their insufficiencie, and to hearken vnto others whom in all reason they might thinke able to direct them better in such a case. For if it be true that one man cannot be perfect in euery arte and profession, and therefore in cases out of our owne callings, we do depend vpon those which haue beene trayned up in other particular subiects, beleeuing men in their owne professions: Why should we not prefer the iudgements of Phisitions in a question concerning the actions and passions of mans bodie (the proper subiect of that profession) before our owne conceites; as we do the opinions of Diuines, Lawyers, Artificers, &c. in their proper Elements. Neither haue I done this as taking vpon me to reforme the mindes of men which are not vnder my charge (for I could willingly haue permitted euery man to enioy his owne opinion:) But being a Phisition, and iudging in my conscience that these matters haue been mistaken by the commõ people; I thought good to make knowne the doctrine of this disease, so farre forth, as may be in a vulgar tongue conueniently disclosed, to the end that the vnlearned and rash conceits of diuers, might be thereby brought to better vnderstanding and moderation; who are apt to make euery thing a supernaturall work which they do not vnderstand, proportioning the bounds of nature vnto their own capacities: which might proue an occasion of abusing the name of God, and make vs to vse holy prayer as vngroundedly as the Papists do their prophane trickes; who are readie to drawe forth their wooden dagger, if they do but see a maid or woman suffering one of these fits of the Mother, coniuring and exorcising them as if they were possessed with euil spirits. And for want of worke, will oftentimes suborne others that are in health, to counterfait strange motions and behauiours: as I once saw in the Santo in Padua fiue or sixe at one sermon interrupting and reuiling the Preacher, vntill he had put them to silence by the signe of the Crosse, and certaine powerlesse spelles.
