A treatise of dreams & visions. Wherein the causes natures and uses of nocturnal representations, and the communications both of good and evil angels, as also departed souls, to mankinde, are theosophically unfolded: that is, according to the word of God, and the harmony of created beeings. To which is added, A discourse of the causes, natures and cure of phrensie, madness or distraction ... By Philotheos Physiologus

London: n.p., 1689. FIRST EDITION. Modern bonded leather; title page trimmed or repaired at top. Note in pen at bottom of title indicating the name of the author and dated 1695, engraved label of Samuel Hirst, watchmaker of Leeds, pasted on verso of title, his ownership inscription to title. First edition. The first of two parts treats the meaning and significance of dreams, initially dealing with the nature of sleep (including those who walk and talk therein), the causes of dreams specified, the meanings of certain types of dreams and how people communicate with angels through dreaming.The second part is an appendix “shewing the cause of madness, and several observables relating thereunto.” He makes an analogy between dreams and madness, and thereby approaches a description of psychosis. In this period, physicians still held strongly to the concepts of humors and religious beliefs, yet the text definitely indicates a more modern understanding of and respect for people suffering from mental illness. Tryon talks about the pointlessness of drugging people with “stupifying medicines” and also cautions against “too much company, prating, and especially the Teazing of such distermpered People with unnecessary Questions.” He mentions “New Bethlam” hospital, and begs the governors of the hospital to “restrain their inferior officers from admitting such swarms of people of all ages and degrees, for only a little paltry profit to come in there, and with their noise and vain questions to disturb the poor souls.”

Tryon (1634-1703), an English merchant, was self-taught in medicine and astrology. He wrote a number of popular self-help books, as well as works on slavery, education, and temperance. He was convinced that pacifism and benevolence to animals were keys in leading a spiritual and long life. His devotion to vegetarianism and abstinence from alcohol and tobacco were taken up by many of his readers; in addition to his influence of Franklin, Lewis Gompertz, founder of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, counts himself as a follower.

Wing, T-3197.