The Triumphal Chariot of Antimony. 23 



else all your healing efforts will be 

 fruitless.* 



An external disease, admitting of 

 external treatment, cannot be driven 

 inward without fatal results. If, while a 

 tree is putting forth leaves and blossoms, 

 you were to drive the sap inward or 

 downward, you would not only obtain no 

 fruit, but probably blast, wither, and 

 destroy the entire growth. 



There is a great difference, then, 

 between fresh wounds, inflicted with a 

 sword or dagger, or in some other way, 

 and old wounds which have an internal 

 origin. Fresh wounds can be perfectly 

 cured only by external remedies ; but in 

 the case of internal diseases the external 

 application of oils, plasters, ointments, and 

 balms will be of little avail. The inward 

 fountain of the disease, whence the 

 morbid humours flow to the outward 



*What is here said, about internal and external diseases, 

 merits careful attention. If the Reader be wise, he will 

 understand that Basilius here speaks ironically, in order to 

 lead all scorners and ignorant persons astray. While others 

 yield to indignation at his method of instruction, the true 

 student will gather the fruit which hangs in clus'ers among 

 the thorns. 



