A Collection of Chirurgical TractsBeckett, William
Science
A Collection of Chirurgical Tracts
Beckett, William
Surgery
is natural for Mankind to regard chiefly the good Opinion of those
with whom they converse, and to neglect that of Strangers: Now in
this Community, Lewdness not being esteem’d a Reproach, but rather a
Commendation, they will set a Value on their good Name, and stand as
much upon the Puncto of Honour, as the rest of Mankind; being mov’d by
the same commendable Emulation, and deter’d by greater, or at least
more certain Punishments. Besides this Reformation in Point of Honesty,
the Publick will receive another Benefit in being freed from those
nocturnal Disorders, Quarrels and Brawlings, which are occasion’d by
vagrant Punks, and the Number of private Brothels dispers’d throughout
the City, to the great Disturbance of its sober Inhabitants.
We have already mention’d the _French Disease_ as one of the worst
Attendants upon Lewdness, and with good Reason; for in the Enjoyment
of this Life, Health is the _sine qua non_: _i. e._ the greatest
Happiness. And this Distemper has one Thing in it peculiarly
inveterate, as if it came out of _Pandora’s_ worst Box; there is
no other Disorder, but what at some Age, or in some particular
Constitution, will abate of itself without the Application of
Medicines; but this is such a busy restless Enemy, that unless
resisted, he is never at a Stand, but gathers Strength every Day,
to the utter Disquiet of the Patient. Now it is so evident that the
_Publick Stews_, when well regulated, will prevent the Spreading of
this Plague, that a prolix and tedious Proof of it would look like
Declaiming. As this Disease has its Spring and Source entirely from
publick Whoring, and from thence creeps into private Families; so
it likewise receives continual Supplies and Recruits thro’ the same
Channel: When this Source is once dry’d up the Nation will naturally
recover its pristine Health and Vigour: And this cannot fail to happen,
if due Care be taken to keep the _Stews_ free from Infection; for what
young Fellow will be so industriously mad, as to take Pains to run
his Head into an Apothecary’s Shop, when he may with so much Ease and
Conveniency, and without the Fear of a _Reforming Officer_, both secure
his Health and gratify his Fancy with such a Variety of Mistresses.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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