An inquiry into the origin and antiquity of the lues venerea; with observations on its introduction and progress in the islands of the south seas. To which is added, a short view of the various remedies recommended in that distemper, from its first appearance in Europe to these times / [William Turnbull].

  • Turnbull, William, active 1779-1806
Date:
1786
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An inquiry into the origin and antiquity of the lues venerea; with observations on its introduction and progress in the islands of the south seas. To which is added, a short view of the various remedies recommended in that distemper, from its first appearance in Europe to these times / [William Turnbull]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    norrhea, and the menftrua ^5 were looked upon in all eaftern countries as having fome impurity, and even contagion about % them; therefore the Mofaic legiflator lays them under the fame reftridion with the lepers, Mr. William Becket, our ingenious countryman, was one of the laft perfons of any confequence, who denied the Ve¬ nereal Difeafe being of a modern date, and attempted to defend its antiquity, in the London Philofophical Tranfadions of 1718. He produced fho/e three papers, and tpqk an infinite deal of pains to coL * The law under the Mofaic difpenfation, forbad thofe who had commerce with women, during the period of their menftruation, to appear in public, or to enter the tabernacle of the congregation, until they brought voluntary offering for their ablution and purification. Until this was performed they were ac¬ counted legally unclean, and feverely, though not capitally, amenable if convi6led of a negle£l herein. The divine Legiflator, no doubt, enabled this moral rite, to avoid the many difeafes which fuch impure proceedings were pregnant with, particularly in thofe hot countries through which the children of IfraeJ pafTed. Ie6l