are joyned with over hot women over cold men with over cold women for those distemperatures can procure no mediocrity in the Seeds and other causes necessary to Generation Some fly likewise to occult or hidden qualities which make the Sperms to agree or disagree though no excess of the first qualities can be discerned To these Authors add an hidden kind of Disposition which makes some women barren though no manifest cause of such Barrenness appear in them The Signs of Barrenness we will run over according to these four sorts of Causes propounded And in the first place Causes hindering Reception of Seed are not hard to be discovered being evident to our very Sences For tenderness of Age is easily observed and so is an over elderly state of yeers and the evil constitution of those parts which border upon the womb as when women halt have crooked wreathen Legs have their Crupper-bone deprest or are over fat as for the cold distemper of the womb we shall treat of that in our third Rank of Causes Hatred between Man and Wife is known by relation of themselves or of those that live with them Also the particular Diseases hindering the reception of Seed as Tumors Ulcers Obstructions Astrictions shuttings up Distorsions may be known through search of the Genital Parts made by a Midwife or Chyrurgion Of the Causes hindering the retention of Seed which make the second Rank we shall treat of over great moisture among those of the third Rank as for Abortion and hard Travel they are known by the womans relation The Causes of the third Rank viz. Which have power to corrupt the Seed to require more exquisite signs to know them by which we shall prosecute as followeth A Cold Distemper of the Womb is hereby known In that the Woman longs not after Carnal Embracements and feels little pleasure therein her Face is soft whitish and cloudy her feeling is dull about her Share Loyns and Thighs she voids thin and crude Sperm and with little pleasure her Courses are suppressed or they come every sparingly and keep no constant orderly time and they are pale and discolored Add hereunto Diet preceding of a cooling Nature consisting of a long use of Fruits and Herbs with much drinking of cold smal Drink A moist distemper of the womb is known by the lax and slap flaggy soft habit of the womans body her much sitting frequent and almost continual flux of Whites plenty of Courses thin and watry no appetite to fleshly Conjunctions heaviness of her Loyns aptness to miscarry plenty of Urine and a moist Diet. An hot Distemper is known by the manly and strong habit of the womans Body such as is seen in Viragoes and Amazones by a ruddy countenance black hair of the Head and Eye-brows a strong and manly voyce she is frequently disposed to be angry over prompt to all kind of actions heâ— thirst cannot be satisfied her Urine is yellow her Courses few their color is a dark red their heat and acrimony so great that oftentimes they exulcerate the secret Passages their Privities itch and they are prone to carnal Embracements they are quick and suddain in the voiding of their Seed they have frequent Polâ—â—tions and lustful Dreams A dry distemper of the womb is known by the smal quantity of Courses driness itching and choppings of the Mouth of the Womb little excretion of Sperm in the Genial Embracement trouble arising from over much carnal Conjunction and Leanness If the Seed be corrupted and Barrenness caused by Witch-craft all other signs will be absent which are wont to declare the Natural and manifest causes of Barrenness There will be likewise some alienation of minds between the married Couple of which neither of them can give any handsom account yea and somtimes they can both of them but seldom shoot forth their Seed and that with Labor and Difficulty Diet or poysons that extinguish Seed if they have been taken in we shall come to knowledg thereof by diligent questioning of the woman and those that are about her And lastly Malignant Diseases such as are of power to extinguish the Sperm as Leprous Manginess the Whores-Pox and such like are known by their proper signs The fourth Cause of Barrenness which consists in defect or badness of the Menstrual blood is known first by the over great fatness of the whol Body to the nutriment whereof the blood is carryed away and consumed and is not allowed for the nutriment of the child in the womb The same is likewise known by great Leanness of the Body and extream slenderness â—â—r when there is not blood enough to nourish the Body it can hardly superabound to nourish the Conception And in a word All such things as consume and much diminish the blood if they have preceded or be at present in the Patient they signifie want of blood in her body such as are extream labors and pains-taking immâ—derate sitting up and watching austere fastings large bleedings at nose or elsewhere 〈◊〉 or chronical Feavers Fistulous Ulcers and Issues that run much 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 over great quantity of blood doth hinder the nourishment of the Seed and of the 〈◊〉 for the Seed is oppressed with so great plenty and cannot exerciâ—e its formative faculty which is 〈◊〉 to happen in full bodyed and ruddy women such as live a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and delight â—n Feasting 〈◊〉 wombs are alwaies bedabled with a continual moisture Now the 〈…〉 on of the womans blood may be known by the ill habit of her Pody the color of her 〈…〉 her strange dispositions together with an ill diet foregoing The 〈…〉 and the Wiâ—es Seed is hardly known but if both of them be of a very hot or a very hot 〈◊〉 Constitution we may conjecture That the disproportion 〈◊〉 from those distempers 〈◊〉 more manifest causes of Barrenness do not appear It is yet harder 〈…〉 hat kind of Barrenness which depends of a certain hidden disposition no manifest 〈◊〉 thereof appearing Yet many Experiments are related by Authors whereby to know whether a Woman be â—â—turally Barren which though they carry no great certainty with them yet are Physitians 〈…〉 somtimes to make use of them in favor of Princes and Nobles who are permitted to divorce their Wives in case of Barrenness Hippocrates in â—phor 59. Sect. 5. saith If a Woman conceive not and thou wouldest know whether she shall conceive or not cover her with blankets and burn some perfume under her and if the smell proceed through her Body up to her Nostrils and Mouth know that she of her self is not Barren The same Hippocrates supposeth that it may be known whether a woman be fruitful or not by putting a head of scraped and peeled Garlick into her Womb for if the next day the smel shall come into her mouth she is apt to conceive if not she is barren Or put Galbanum softened at the fire and enclosed in Silk into the womans womb at night and bind her whol head
strain them Let him take two ounces twice or thrice in a day If the pain be great you may give the Syrup of Poppy Let his Drink be barley Water with Syrup of Violets taken cold In the progress of the Disease you must mix other Medicines with the aforesaid which may help to dissolve To this end you may prescribe these following Juleps Take of the Syrup of Water Lillies Apples and of the Juyce of Purslain of each one ounce Syrup of Sea Wormwood half an ounce Lettice Sorrel and Fennel Water of each three ounces the pouder of Diamargariton frigid one dram Make a Julep for three Doses to be taken twice in a day To these you may adrestoring Opiates Narcoticks and the like all which are to be varied many waies according to the Judgment and Wisdom of the Physitian Turpentine washed with Wormwood Water if it be given twice or thrice doth either dissolve or maturate the Imposthume of the Stomach Let this following Fomentation be applied in the beginning Take of Sorrel Roots two ounces Endive Succory and Mallows of each one handful Lettice and white Poppy seeds of each three drams white and red Sanders of each half a dram Violets and Water Lillies of each one pugil Make a Decoction adding a little Rose Vinegar Let the Stomach be fomented warm therewith Or make one with the distilled Waters of Lettice and Water Lillies with a little Vinegar and Pouder of Triasantalon After fomenting let the part be anointed with Oyl of Roses and Violets mixed or with this following Take of Oyl of Roses one ounce and an half Oyl of Violets and Rose Vinegar and of the Juyce of Sowthistle of each half an ounce Boyl them to the consumption of the Juyces then ad of red Sanders one dram red Roses half a dram Lavender and Camphire of each half a scruple as much Wax as will make an Oyntment Cataplasms in the beginning are not good because they burden the part with their weight and by retaining the heat encrease the Inflamation In the declination when the Tumor is resolved which is chiefly to be desired you may apply a dissolving Fomentation made thus Take of Flower deluce Roots two ounces the Leaves of Mints Marjoram Penyroyal Sea Wormwood of each one handful Annis and Foenugreek seeds of each two drams Grains of Kermes one dram the flowers of Stoechas Rosemary Chamomel of each one pugil Make a Decoction adding in the end a little white Wine With this foneent the Stomach After fomenting anoint the part with Oyl of Wormwood Nutineg Spike and the like of which you may make an Oyntment with a little Wax and Pouder Orris Root or Cinnamon But Emplasters and Cataplasms because they burden the part with their weight are not here good But if the Tumor tend to Suppuration foment the part with the Decoction of the Flowers of Chamomel and red Roses Then apply this following Cataplasm Take of Althoea Roots two ounces Brank Vrsine and Roses of each one handful Boyl them well and beat them together then ad of Barley meal Lin-seed Foenugreek and pouder of Chamomel of each half an ounce white and red Sanders of each two drams with Oyl of Roses and Chamomel With a little Hens Grease make a Cataplasin often to be renewed After the Imposthume is broken let the Ulcer be clensed with Hydromel given in a smal quantity To which you may ad the Manna of Frankinsence according to Galens Precept Or give it with Barley Water with Sugar of Roses in the beginning in time of heat When the Ulcer groweth old of what Cause soever it come either from sharp corroding Humors or burning Medicines or Poyson Broths of cool Herbs and drying of Barley Almonds and Sugar of Roses or new Milk with Sugar and a little Honey are very good At length Chalybeate Milk and Iron Water for ordinary drink or Water wherein a piece of Bole-Armenick or Terra Sigillata hath been steeped is very excellent To which you may put a little sharp Wine if there be but little heat in the part Then give this Apozeme Take of Barley one pugil Scabious Agrimany Burnet and Maiden-hair of each half a a handful Melone seeds two drams red Roses dried one pugil make a Decoction to one pint in which dissolve three ounces of Syrup of dried Roses Make an Apozeme for four doses to be reapted often Also the Decoction of China is excellent for internal Ulcers when there is no Feaver taken twenty daies or more sweating gently for so the Ulcer will be dried by degrees But if you fear a consumption boyl the China Root aforesaid in Chicken Broth or Pidgeon Broth with the aforesaid Herbs and Barley made clean In an old Ulcer the drinking of Mineral Waters either of Vitriol Iron or Allum for a Month together are very good In the whol time of the Disease to keep the Stomach clean use gentle Purges as Rhubarb Tamarinds Myrobalans Syrup of Roses and Diacatholicon taken once in a week Lastly To heal up the Wound use these following Take of Bole-armenick Terra Sigillata red Coral and Blood-stone wash'd all in Rose Water of each one dram Sanguis Draconis Gum Arabick and Traganth of each half a dram white Poppy seeds bruised and parched Hypocistis Frankinsence and Sarcocol of each one scruple Sugar of Roses one ounce Make a Pouder of which take a dram in Plantane Water or Conserve of Roses every day Or make an Opiate of the same Pouder with Conserve of Comphry and Roses Syrup of Quinces and Myrtles Or you may make Troches of the same Pouder with the Mucilage of Fleabane seeds or Gum Traganth All which the Patient may use by turns lest he grow weary of the same Outwardly to close the Ulcer you may apply to the Stomach a Fomentation of the Decoction of Wormwood Roses Pomegranate peels Galls Pomegranate Flowers Myrtles Frankinsence Mastich or the like And lastly anoint the part with an astringent Oyntment or apply an astringent Emplaster The End of the Ninth Book THE TENTH BOOK OF THE PRACTICE OF PHYSICK Of the Diseases of the Intestines or Guts The PREFACE THE Perfection of all Nourishment consists in these Three Operations to Ingest Digest and Egest that is To take in Concoct and send forth The first respects the Appetite The second the Concoction belongs to the Stomach But the third respects the Intestines whose office of Egestion or sending forth being moderate and according to the rules of Nature brings great benefit to the whol Body On the contrary if it be defective as in the binding of the Belly or abound as in divers Fluxes there arise divers greivous Diseases Moreover the reteining of superfluous things doth cause Chollicks Iliacks and Hemorrhoids And finally putrifactions in the Guts doth not only produce Fluxes but Worms That all these may be severally Explained this Book shall contain Eleven Chapters The First is of the Chollick The Second of the Iliack Passion The Third of binding of the Belly The
Leguers c. an ingenious and diligent Chyrurgion Apothecary or any other that hath from his youth been exercised in these kind of studies and conversant about the sick may attain such a competent knowledg in the Causes and Methodical Cure of Diseases as they may with honor to themselves and profit to the sick by Gods Blessing supply the place of a more learned Physitian For the use of such persons these Books are intended and for diligent Midwives and not that every Fool should turn Physitian or that every Reader should tamper with him or her self Also divers Honorable Ladies and Gentlewomen that out of a truly Christian and Charitable Disposition have not disdained but counted it a great Honor to be helpful to the poor in the time of their sickness may by perusal of these Books and the like confirm and encrease their knowledg and become honorable Instruments in the Hand of God of much relief and comfort to many poor distressed Creatures in their respective Countries and places of Habitation For the worthy sakes of which honorable Ladies and Gentlewomen in the first and chiefest place and for the ease of all others unacquainted with the Greek and Latin Tongues and consequently unable to understand divers terms of Art and other words drawn from the said Tongues which it was necessary to retain for brevity sake and to avoid tedious Circumlocutions I have caused a Physical Dictionary to be added at the end of these Books explaining all such terms of Art aforesaid as are used therein When the Reader meets in these Books with the names of Simple or Compound Medicaments and desires a more full knowledg of them let him have recourse to the London Dispensatory in English where he may be satisfied for it had been an endless and vain work to repeat what hath there been said If there occur accidentally the name of any Disease which the Reader would better understand let him look into the Table of the Contents of the Chapters of these seventeen Books and he shall find the Chapter intituled from that Disease in the beginning of which Chapter he shall find the said Disease described and explained Also the Reader may please to take notice That many hard phrases in these Seventeen Books are explained in the Context by more easie words following which signifie the same with the foregoing hard word As for example MASTICATORIES or Chewing Medicines giving the Reader to understand that Masticatories is as much as to say Medicines Medicines that are only chewed in the mouth to bring away Rhewm by spetting So GARGARISMS that is Medicines to Gargle in the Throat A PLETHORICK or full Body EMPYEMA or Corrupt matter gathered between the Chest and Lungs HYPOCHONDRIA or Parts under the short Ribs A VESICATORY or Plaister to draw Blisters Many such passages there are throughout these Books where the latter Clause is an exposition of the former And that thou maist know to whose great Industry and pains thou art obliged for the Englishing this most excellent piece of Art know that by reason of eight several Editions in Latin of which there hath been fifteen thousand Books sold it hath been three times translated at my charge By Nicholas Culpeper Physitian and Astrologer Abdiah Cole Doctor in Physick who hath practised Physick twenty nine Yeers in the Service of three of the greatest Princes in Europe and William Rowland a Knowing Physitian and also by an eminently learned and pious Physitian who desires not to be named being as he saies content with the applause of his own Conscience which tels him that while he was imployed about this Work he was doing that which would weigh down in profit to his Country all the good that all the Physitians in London did or could do in the same time a work that tends to profit many millions not only of this Generation but of all that shall follow till the world become one great Bone-fire or this Nation and Language perish together And it hath been he saies a longtime his Opinion That it is more rational manly generous and Christian whilst God shall please to afford him Food and Rayment to imploy his time and pains in Actions largely conducing to the good of Man-kind though little advancing his own Fortunes than in matters of petty and poor Concernment that bring great gain with them In which generous Resolution God the Author of it will he hopes preserve him to his dying day at which time the fruit and profit of his Labors will comfort him but all the gain in the world will do him no good at all Use our Labors with Diligence Care Ingenuity Compassion towards the sick and in the fear of God Attribute the Success and Honor of all thy Endeavors to him Bless him for the Light he discovers to this Generation denied to so many Millions of our Ancestors Bless him for the Piety and Noble Generosity of our Governors that give us leave to Be as Good as we Will and to Do all the Good we Can though seeming to cross private Interest Oh! what would we have given for this single Priviledg a few Yeers since Or what would the poor Protestants in France and Germany give for the like Favor How many of them have been lately Massacred or made fly from all that was neer and deer to them for want of such a Mercy as this Finally Pray for those that have taken pains in the Work and among the rest for Thy hearty Wel-wisher PETER COLE From my Printing-house in Leaden-Hall June 2. 1655. The Names of several Books Printed by Peter Cole in Leaden-Hall London and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Printing-press in Cornhil neer the Exchange Right several Books by Nich. Culpeper Gent. Student in Physick and Astrology 1 A Translation of the New Dispensatory made by the Colledg of Physitians of London Whereunto is added The Key to Galen's Method of Physick 2 A Directory for Midwives or a Guide for Womâ—n Newly enlarged by the Author in every sheet and Illustrated with divers new Plates 3 Galen's Art of Physick with a large Comment 4 The English Physitian Enlarged being an Astrologo-Physical Discourse of the vulgar Herbs of this Nation wherein is shewed how to cure a mans self of most Diseases incident to Mans Body with such things as grow in England and for three pence charge Also in the same Book is shewed 1 The time of gathering all Herbs both Vulgarly and Astrologically 2 The way of drying and keeping them and their Juyces 3 The way of making and keeping all manner of useful Compounds made of those Herbs The way of mixing the Medicines according to the Cause and Mixture of the Disease and the part of the Body afflicted 5 The Anatomy of the Body of Man Wherein is exactly described the several parts of the Body of Man illustrated with very many larger Brass Plates than ever was in English before 6 A New Method both of studying and
of three fingers and when Galen understood that he fel from his Chariot upon his back he concluded that some part was hurt in the original of that nerve which comes from the seventh Vertebrae or Spondil therefore after he had in vain applied Medicines to the fingers he used means to the back and so wrought a brave Cure The Diagnosis or knowledg of the Causes of this Disease if fetcht from the primary Causes the Diseases afore going and the temperament and constitution of the sick party And therefore when external cold Causes and moist went before when the patient is old when he is flegmatick of Constitution the weather cold diet cold and moist and an Apoplexy hath formerly been it signifies that a disease is approaching from a Cold Distemper and Flegmatick Humor But when a Palsey is caused of a Chollerick Humor or Melancholly these signs declare Feavers did go before or are present a Chollerick temper and Constitution or else a Melancholly one the coming of the disease in hot weather Summer or Autumn the use of Spices Salt and other hot Meats heavy and long passions of Mind avoiding of chollerick or melanchollick humors sharp and sowr many sharp defluxions falling upon divers parts and putting them to pain and lastly when pain and a convulsion accompany the diminishing of Sence and Motion and the patient is the worse when he takes hot and dry things but the better by the use of cold and moist When Tumors Luxations or Dislocations or Wounds cause a Palsey they are evident of themselves As for the Prognostick part in the Treaty of this Disease you may foretel events as followeth 1 A Palsey coming of flegm fixed to the substance of the nerves is hardly cured because it wil not be easie to discuss or divide the Flegm from the nerves by reason of their coldness and their weakness in expulsion or sending forth of that which offendeth which must co-operate or work together with the Medicine and in regard of the deep scituation of the Spina and Nerves so as the whol force of the Medicine cannot reach them and because the Patient must of necessity continue long in the use of Medicines which for the most part people cannot endure and therefore wil not be cured 2 A Palsey coming after an Apoplexy is seldom cured and often returns into an Apoplexy by a new flowing of the same matter into the Brain which is made weak by the former disease 3 A trembling coming upon or after a Palsey is healthful for it signifieth that the passages of the nerves are somwhat open by which some of the Animal Spirit beginneth to pass for to move the Muscles 4 If the part affected hath an actual heat in it there is hope of health but if it be alwaies actually cold it is difficult to be cured 5 An Atrophy or want of Nourishment in the Paralytick part with great paleness takes away al hope of cure for it doth not only signifie a decay of the animal Spirit but a neer extinction of the shews natural heat 6 If the Eye on that side which the Palsey happeneth be hurt thereby there is little hope for it a great want of Spirits in that part 7 A Palsey in the Legs and Feet is easier cured than in the upper parts because those Nerves are harder and stronger 8 In old men the Palsey is incurable by reason of their want of natural heat 9 In Winter a Palsey cannot be cured but in the Spring and Summer it may if other things agree 10 A strong Feaver coming upon a Palsey is good for it may consume the matter which causeth it 11 A Diarrhoea or loosness coming upon a new and weak Palsey is good for Rhasis saith 1. Cont. that he hath seen many Paralyticks cured by a Diarrhoea The Cure of this Disease is to be altered according to the variety of the Causes And since for the most part it cometh of flegm and a cold distemper we must labor chiefly to take away that cause which we must begin to do by a general clensing and emptying of the whol Body As for bleeding it can scarce do any good because the fault is not in the Blood but Flegm and this disease comes for the most part to old men such as are flegmatick and cold by nature But if plenty of crude blood unconcocted seems to produce flegm and to feed it we may open a vein in his Arm on the sound side of his Body but take but little blood least his weak natural heat should be extinguished After we have omitted blood-letting or taken a very little away we must go on to take away the antecedent Cause which is a cold distemper of the Brain which must be done as before was shewed by Apozemes or opening drinks by Pills sweating Diet Bags for the head Emplaisters Errhines for the nose neezings Masticatories Gargarisms that draw flegm Vesicatories or Blisters or Cupping head pouders Caps Fumes Magistral Syrups ordinary Pills a strengthening Opiate or Electuary by Caustick or burning by digestive Pouder and Baths A Diet Drink in this disease ought to be made of Guajacum alone and his Bark and after he hath taken a draught he must have hot bricks applied to the diseased parts but first they must be quenched in a Decoction of this good for the head made with white Wine and Vinegar and be wrapped in a linnen cloth for the stirring up of the weak heat which is in the parts and every fourth or fifth day you must purge but it is better to give a purging drink fifâ—een daies before you give the sweating that al the load of crude humors may be better cast out and afterwards the reliques and remainder may be discussed by the habit of the Body Which may be thus made Take of the chips of Guajacum three ounces of the bark of the same one ounce of spring Water four pints Infuse them twenty four hours then let them boyl to the consumption of half adding in the conclusion one ounce of Senna Turbith and Hermodacts of each two drams Let him take half a pint of this strained every morning for fifteen daies not sweating Apply a Caustick to the hinder part of the Head or to the sound Arm if the other be affected If the Legs be affected apply a Caustick to them both After his Diet let him use for his ordinary Drink a Decoction of Guajacum or Water and Honey wherein hath a little Rosemary been boyled Let him abstain from Wine which is very hurtful in this Disease but if he desire to drink Wine let Bettony and Sage be boyled therein And it is far better if in the Vintage time those Herbs are put into a full Vessel of new Wine If the Disease be perverse and stubborn omitting the usual Pills and Magistral Syrup after his Diet use stronger Medicines made thus Take of Pill Foetida the greatest and Pill Cochie the less each half a dram of Troches of Alhandal four
the Patient being fasting may sit so covered over it that the Water may not touch him but the vapor only Or you may sweat him with a dry Bath called commonly Stuphes Let the vapor of the former Decoction be received from red hot flints upon which it hath been â—prinkled A Decoction of Burdock and other Dock Roots is much commended for provoking sweat But our women use the Decoction of Danewort called Ebulus for this and diseases of the joynts by which they provoke sweat violently When the Patient hath sweat enough get him to bed and give one dram of Treacle with any proper Water distilled He must bath thus twice or thrice in a week In Autumn he must hold his Limbs in the hot Grapes or Wine-press an hour or two and afterwards anoint them with a proper Oyntment before mentioned this is to be done all the time of the Vintage Lastly Sulphur or Brimstone baths of Niter and Bitumen before mentioned are very agreeable and many times go beyond al other Medicines if the Patient use them some daies for drink bathing and washing the head after that anoâ—nt it with one of the Liniments prescribed The Chymicks â—ave many Remedies for the Cure of this Disease Among which the best are Elixir Propâ—ieâ—aâ—is Spirit of Tartar and Ballom of Galbanum All the time of the Diâ—eaâ—e let the parts affected be wrapt in the skins of Foxes Hairs or Lambs A Palâ—ey which comes from Choller or Melancholly requires the same Cure which is prescribed in the Cure oâ— Hypochondriack Melancholly but when the Disease is more Chollerick you must make choyce of those Medicines which are more cold CHAP. VI. Of a Convulsion SPasmus Cramp or Convulsion is an involuntary and continued retraction of the Nerves and Muscles to their Original Convulsion is two-fold The one Proper to which the Definition mentioned agreeth The other Improper which is called a Convulsive Motion and they are thus distinguished In a true Convulsion the retraction of the Muscles is alwaies but in a Convulsive Motion the retraction is every time new Moreover in a true Convulsion the Limb is immovable in a Convulsive Motion it is moved divers waies as in the Falling-sickness which is the chief of Convulsive Motions They differ also in respect of their Causes for a true Convulsion is either from Fulness or Emptiness but a Convulsive Motion is from Irritation or provocation Lastly they are distinguished in that the true Convulsion comes from the Disease only the Convulsive Motion from the faculty alone Which that Novices may rightly understand they must know that Galen in his Second Book de sympt caus chap. 1. hath thus distinguished the symptoms of a depraved Motion Some saith he are only the work of Nature which is constrained to move so from some violent cause Others accompany diseases Nature not assisting their production Others are by the agreement and concurrence of Nature and the Disease Now Galen by the name of Nature understands a Faculty the Operations of the Faculty are Neesing Coughing Yawning Reaching and Hiccoughs But the operations of the Disease only is Palpitation and Convulsion But the operation of both the Disease and Faculty is Trembling and imperfect Palsey or Resolution From Galens words above mentioned there ariseth a great difficulty when he mentions the Hiccoughs in the operations of the Faculty for it continueth by Irritation or provocation and is a Convulsive Motion But Galen recites a Convulsion among those operations which come only from the Disease Yet Hippocrates in his 39. Aphorism and Sect. 6. affirmeth that the Hiccough and Convulsion come of fulness and emptiness and repletion and inanition or fulness and emptiness make only a true Convulsion For the resolving of which difficulty we say that the word Repletion or fulness in its large sence comprehends Provocation according to many Authors because the provoking causes are material and therefore do in some sort fill the parts in which they are contained but thus Repletion is not the immediate cause of Hiccoughs but the mediate because it doth provoke the part in which it is to expulsion by its quantity or quality Lastly We must know and observe Hippocrates and Galen do declare a Convulsive Motion by the general name of a Convulsion so that they cannot be distinguished but by the differences mentioned Again A true Convulsion is divided into a total one by which almost the whol body is contracted and a partial one which is only in some one Member An Universal or total Convulsion is caused either from the Brain when the Muscles of the Face are pluckt together as well as the whol Body Or from the Spinal Marrow when the Muscles that move the Head and Spina or Back either before or behind or both are pluckt and drawn together Whence arise three kinds of Convulsions The first called Emprostotonos when the Body with the Neck and Head is violently contracted and drawn forward so that the Chin is joyned to the Breast and the Body looks like the keel of a Ship nay it is somtimes like a Bow and somtimes round and the Head of the Patient is joyned to his Knees and then the two Muscles which bend the Head forward are chiefly affected The Second is called Opistotonos when the Body is drawn backward and in that either the twelve Muscles which extend the head or some of them are drawn together The third is called Tetanos when the Muscles both before and behind are equally contracted and the parts drawn by the opposite Muscles being ballanced remain stiff and straight and that is called Motus Tonicus which is a most violent springing from the contention of al the Muscles A Particular Convulsion is made from the contraction of the Muscle of some part coming from the hurt of that Nerve which is ordained for his motion and somtimes it hath a peculiar name from the effect or symptome So the Convulsion of those Muscles which move the Eyes is called Strabismus of the Jaws and Temples is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Convulsion of the Mouth by Contraction of the broad Muscle on the one side is called Spasmus Cynicus a dog Convulsion and a wresting of the mouth but if the contraction be on both sides it is called Risus Sardonicus or a grinning But the wryness of the mouth may be without a Convulsion namely from the Resolution of one Muscle which being resolved the muscle on the other side draws it to the sound part and there is a distortion or wryness which is improperly called a Convulsion The Convulsion of the muscles of the Yard is called Satyriasis or Priapismus Other Convulsions want proper names But the immediate causes of a Convulsion according to the Opinion of Hippocrates and Galen are Repletion and Inanition or fulness and emptiness as above mentioned And this Opinion is confirmed by the Example of a Lute or Harp strings which use to be stretched which Instance Galen doth bring most elegantly in his Book
pass by the great consent which is between the Brain and the Diaphragma through the Nerves that come thither and by the perpetual motion of the Diaphragma or Midriff by reason whâ—reof continual vapors are sent to the Brain The Cause of a true Phrenzy is Chollerick blood to which there is joyned also Excrementitious Choller and this produceth a greater or less Phrenzy according to its divers degrees namely in heat and adustion So a Pale Choller produceth the mildest Phrenzy and an Adust or burnt Choller stirs up a bestial Phrenzy But when the Brain is inflamed and the Membranes thereof the Chollerick blood is out of its Vessels and shed abroad into the substance of those parts which is done Two wayes either when the Brain is principally affected or when it is affected by Sympathy The Brain is primarily affected when it doth immediately grow hot from an external Cause as from the Sun-beams drinking of Wine Wrath and the like so that the blood which is contained in the veins of the Brain is moved and carried out of its Vessels and this may come from a wound or stroak or contusion of the head And a Phrenzy so coming may be called a primary or principal Phrenzy But a secondary Phrenzy is that which follows burning and malignant Feavers when a part of that humor which causeth the Disease is carried to the head It followeth many times in these Feavers That Nature being disturbed by the malignity of the Cause which maketh the Disease sends some portion thereof to some flesh between the skin and the bone whence we see Pluresies shortness of Breathings Squinseys Hipatitides or Inflamations from the Vena porta and other parts to follow these Feavers So if these humors are sent to the Brain they make a true Phrenzy and then the Feaver goes before the Delirium or doting But in primary Phrenzies a Delirium appears with the Feaver from the beginning The Signs which declare a Phrenzy to come are these watchings troublesome slâ—ep much talk an urin that is first thick and after thin and perspicuous heat of the head for these declare that hot matter is carried to the head the eyes are altered because the brain being hurt they want the animal spirit There is a pain about the hinder part of the head because the jugular veins are carried to that part and send forth the Chollerick blood These are the signs of a Phrenzy present a continual doting because the Brain is alwayes affected troublesome watchings coming from the hot distemper of the Brain seldom and great violent breathing because men in Phrenzies forget to breath for when by forgetfulness or great trouble of the mind by many fancies which are presented to a doting imagination and with-draw the animal spirits Respiration or breathing is very seldom it is made up with the greatness of the blast Moreover in a Phrenzy there is no thirst or very little albert there are strong causes of thirst present because the mind is sick and the animal spirits by reason the Brain is hurt do not send their beams to the mouth of the stomack wherâ—unto thirst belongeth The Pulse is weak because the heart suffers with the brain hard because the Membrana is inflamed quick and often by reason of the great urging and somthing moist because the brain is affected Moreover there is a continual Feaver because the inflamation of the brain must of necessity cause a Feaver The tongue is rough black and yellow by reason of the Chollerick vapors which dry up its moisture An Hectical or Habitual Phrenzy is known from Hippocrat 1. Prorrhet text 33. by smal doting and little perceived when the sick do not speak but lie still and seem to sleep But a Phrenzy or Phrenitis is diâ—tinguished from a Paraphrenitis in this The Disease which produceth that is sooner known than a Delirium or Doting and by the encrease or diminution of that the Delirium is encreased or diminished and somtimes it intermits and is not constant But a Paraphrenitis springing from the Inflamation of the Midriff in which there is a constant doting is distinguished by other signs Namely â—ecause in a true Phrenzy there is great and seldom breathing but in the other little and often Little because the Diaphragma or Midriff being inflamed cannot easily be extended and dilated Often for necessity that the smalness might be made good by the frequency Moreover in a true Phrenzy the voyce is high and the Patient cryes out loud in the other the voice is low because the instrument of Breathing is hindered And lastly In the inflamation of the Midriff the Hypocondria are drawn up according to Hippocrates in Coacis and the reason is because the Midriff is covered beneath with a Membrana coming from the Peritoneum and therefore when it is inflamed it contracts the Peritoneum and with it the Hypochondria Lastly The Signs of the Causes may be known from the predominancy of the Humor in the whol Body and from the manner of the Delirium For a pale Choller makes a more gentle Phrenzy a yellow Choller make a more violent an adust Choller makes the most violent But Chollerick blood causeth the most mild of al. The Prognostick of this Disease is for the most part deadly for few escape in regard a noble part of the body is affected with a great Disease The greatest hope of recovery is when there is Dotage with laughter and a decrease of Symptoms continuance of strength as also when after the height of the Disease there happeneth some beneficial evacuation as sweat blood or looseness But these shew the Disease to be deadly The Tongue quavering and Hand trembling gnashing of Teeth Convulsion a great Chilness or Cold in the beginning of the Disease as also when the Patient picketh the Wooll or Straws about his bed You may farther Collect Death to be at hand by a drop of black blood flowing from the Nostrils by white stools white and thin urine For al these signifie a great oppression of the Brain or a flowing of Choller from the whole body to the part affected For the Cure of this Disease the blood that flows to the Head must be let forth and revelled derived repelled and intercepted and that which was there before must be evacuated and discussed The distemper of that part must be corrected the strength of it and of the whole body is to be preserved All these things may be done with the following Medicines In the beginning of the Disease at any time of the day you must let blood out of the Head vein because the Disease is very violent giving a Clyster before or if blood do much abound out of the Liver vein or first out of the middle vein and a little after out of the Head vein If the Disease come from stoppage of the Terms or Hemorrhoids upon the vein called Saphena in the foot In the next place you must open the Chephalick or Head vein that you may draw forth
He who hath a Vein beating in his Arm is like to be mad and is subject to wrath but he that hath it moving by degrees is slow and stupid Here Hippocrates calleth Arteries by the name of Veins For he doth not mean a simple but a violent Pulsation unto which he opposeth that which is by degrees So that the meaning of his saying is this They who have naturally a high strong Pulse great and swift are inclinable to anger and fury but they who have a slow pulse are dull and blockish Secondly You must regard the Sex for Men are more often mad than Women Which is to be understood of the Original Disease of Madness for Woâ—en are often mad by consent from the Matrix Thirdly The Age is to be considered for Madness comes oftener to yong men than to boyes and old men Fourthly Mark the time of the year It comes often in Spring oftener in Summer most often at the fall of the Leaf according to Hippocrates and Galen Aphor. 20 21 and 22. Sect. 3. In the Spring the humors bred at other times and kept al Winter quiet are moved and stirred and produce proportionable diseases In the Summer much choller not only yellow but black is encreased in them that are inclined to it which causeth madness at that time or else encreasing till Autumn the disease comes then These Signs are more remote and shew only in general a disposition to this disease but these following shew it to be at hand Constant pain in the head watchings short and little sleep troublesom dreams cares and thoughtfulness frights from smal causes a rash and often fury from none or the â—mallest occasion eyes not enduring light noise in the ears an unaccustomed desire of Venery Nocturnal pollutions often laughter unaccustomed and without Reason much talk not formerly used and somtimes much silence These shew that a Mania is begun But that the Mania is present you may know by the â—igns mentioned in the Definition namely a Delirium without a Feaver with fury and boldness divers are the kinds of Dotage or Delirium in divers sick men and at divers times they come according as the cause is more or less vehement for some have a rash madness and seize upon every man they meet tear their own cloathes somtimes lay violent hands to destroy themselves Others ate milder and tamer and hurt no body but speak distractedly and ridiculously somtimes they sing somtimes they laugh and have divers whimseys and symptomes much like those in Melancholly men and fools And from the variety of those symptomes you may gather the variety of the cause For immoderate laughter mirth and singing signifie that the matter offending is dashed with much blood but wrath restlessness howling striking pale and yellow color in the face shew that choller is in fault but a furious madness that laies hold on all it meets and somtimes stayeth them comes from choller burnt which is called black choller but if this black choller comes not of yellow choller but melancholly adust the Patient looks furiously somtimes is long silent and then breaks forth into earnest discourse they are unruly and untoward and somtimes cry and lament grievously The Prognostick of this Disease is A Mania is a strong Disease and continueth not only months but years even to death especially if it be haereditary All Diseases of black choller are hard to be cured and this especially because the Patient will not be ruled and take their Medicines prescribed A Mania which comes with laughter and those light symptoms is easier cured than that which comes with sadness and fury That the Disease will shortly be cured appears by Natural Evacuations by sweat stool bleeding at noâ—e or hemorrhoids or varâ—ces or crooked swelled veins appears whence Hippocrates Aphor. 21. Sect. 6. if varices or hemorrhoids come to mad men the disease is cured Bloody-flux Dropsie Tertian Ague or Quartan happening to a mad man takes away his disease for there is a remove of the humors unto the lower parts from the Head in which they produce a new Disease For the Cure of this Disease the matter offending is to be evacuated revelled and repelled the hot Distemper is to be corrected the Brain and other principal parts are to be strengthened which may be done by the means following First Let blood out of the vein of the Arm which appears most but give a Clyster before the day after bleed again in thâ— other Arm and do thus often For Platerus affirms that innumerable mad folks have been cured by Chyrurgions and others who have studied the Cure and have let them blood twenty or twenty six times not only in the Arms but Feet Forehead Nostrils Hemorrhoides if the veins appear there and also in the Hand or Salvatella This is to be done by degrees intermitting Clysters and purging Medicines here prescribed Cupping Glasses to the Shoulders and Back with â—carification are to be applyed after the other veins are opened as also Horsleeches to the Temples and behind the Ears And you must intermix Preparations and Purges proper for the matter offending when you let blood so often and they must be continued long for which use are al those which we have mentioned for preparing and purging of Choller to which we may ad these following as being more excellent and choice Take of Laâ—is Lazuli one dram and an half Diagridium half a dram the best Turbith one dram Senna half an ounce Epithymum and Cream of Tartar of each two drams Cinamon and Citron peeles of each one scruple Saffron half a scruple make a pouder the Dose to be given at once is one dram or four scruples with any proper liquor or broth Take of black Hellebore one ounce infuse it for three dayes space in four ounces of rain water boyl them with a gentle fire to three parts ad to the straining of the best clarified Honey two ounces and take one spoonful in fat broth Or Take of the Extract of black Hellebore half a scruple Sirup of Violets one ounce mix them for one Dose All Medicines made of Hâ—llebore as the Wine Syrup and Oxmel of it are very good against this Disease Heâ—ce it is reported that Melampus the Son of Amythaon the Physitian Cured the Daughters of Praetus King of Greece with Hellebor'd wine when by Madness they supposed themselves to be Cowes Antimony in this Disease is not only Commended by Chymists but also by al Galenists both in regard it doth diâ—charge Melancholly from the whole Body and also because the Patients wil be easily perswaded to take it The Dose is divers according to the diversity of the preparation of it Baths of hot Water are to be often used and after every Purge The Orâ—er of Purging Medicines for this Disease is as followeth First give altering Apozems that Purgeth for three or four dayes together after you have let blood in both Arms. After give twice in a week gentler Potions or Pouders
whol Body Also in an old Headach sweating Decoctions are very good and famous Authors declare that many have been cured thereby Which not prevailing Mercatus is bold to fly to the use of Stibium and commends it highly in his first Book of the Cure of internal Diseases and the eighth Chapter But in an old grief it is better to strengthen the head often than to use too many Evacuations Therefore Pouders and Caps and other topick or external Medicines are very necessary before mentioned in the Cure of the cold Distemper of the Brain But Pouders are more commendible because the vertue of a Cap is not so much communicated to the Brain and the pain may be encreased by the filth which is contracted by the long wearing of them Moreover An Oyntment may be applied of the Oyl of Almonds in which wild Bettony Bay leaves Mastich Lavender Mints Marjoram Thyme Penyroyal Nutmeg Cloves and Cinnamon or some of these have been boyled adding in the time of the boyling a little red Wine Or this following Chymical Oyl Take of Turpentine one pound Mastich Nutmeg Cinnamon of each one dram Cloves Zedoary Galangal Ladanum of each one ounce and an half the juyce of Ebulus or Dwarf-Elder and of the wild Cowcumber of each one dram the Oyl of Chamomel and Lillies of each half a pint red Wine one pint and an half wild Marjoram green one handful Pouder those that are to be poudered and put them into a Glass Retort and extract an Oyl with which anoint the head after it is shaved Oyl of Amber is very good and it will be sufficient only to anoint the Head therewith While you use the afore mentioned Remedies you may also use from the beginning of the Cure specifical Medicines such as this Epitheme Take of the pouder of Zedoary one dram the Water of Bettony Vervain and Elder of each one ounce Mix them and apply them hot to the part grieved with Scarlet cloth Among the proper Medicines for the Head-ach from what cause soever it ariseth Vervain is the chief whose Water distilled you may both apply externally and give of it internally to the quantity of ounces with three drops of the spirit of Salt Green Vervain alone only hung about the Neck hath cured two Patâ—â—â—â—s when many other Medicines failed as Forestus reports Zacutus Lucitanus it 〈◊〉 1. Praxis Med. mirab observat 7. 8. 9. 10. propounds four Remedies confirmed by Experience namely An Issue in the back of the hand Hors-leeches to the Temples opening of the Vein in the Forehead and the corner of the Eye which you may read in the place cited These things are to be noted concerning those Observations First That the â—â—sue between the Thumb and fore Finger is approved by other Experiments and hath cured great Headaches Secondly In the Cure by Hors-leeches Zacutus is not content to apply two or three as ordinarily is done but ten or twelve round about the Temples whence comes a great attraction of Blood which may draw forth the whol matter of the Disease Thirdly In the Curing by opening the Veins in the Forehead we must observe That that Vein was twice opened whence it appears that the first was not sufficient when ordinarily our Practitioners do seldom open it the second time if the first hath been to little benefit The hot Cause of a Primary and Essential Headach is Blood or Choller And the like Remedies are proper for both though they must be made stronger or weaker according to the strength of the Disease First then after a Clyster is administred begin with Blood-letting drawing forth more when the grief proceeds of blood than when it proceeds of choller Then give a Medicine to purge Choller not only when Choller is the Principal Cause but when blood aboundeth whose thinner part is easily turned into Choller If the matter offending is not sufficiently taken away by one purge you must purge again at a due distance After apply Repelling Medicines to the Head and Vinegar of Roses such as were propounded in the Cure of the Phrenzy making choice of the mildest And after it will be very profitable to apply Creatures newly killed or parts of them to discuss the reliques of the Disease and to asswage the pain In an Headach which goeth with a continual Feaver a Sheeps Lungs applied hot do much asswage the pain Also a Cataplasm of bruised Guords and Housleek to the feet The opening of the Saphena after sufficient bleeding in the Arm cures often times a Headach with a Feaver very suddenly You must use Cupping-glasses with and without Scarification and Frictions of the extream Parts And in the whol time of the Disease if the Belly be not loose you must every day give an Emollient and cooling Clyster and which do gently purge After general Evacuations and Revulsions you may rightly and with profit derive the matter by opening the Head Vein or with Hors-Leeches to the Forehead or with Vesicatories to the Neck In the mean while let the whol mass of Humors be qualified with Juleps Emulsions and Broths as was mentioned in the Cure of the Phrenzy Lastly If the pain be very violent you must apply Narcoticks both externally and internally as they are set down in the said Cure of the Phrenzy Here also may avail the opening of the Forehead Veins and Leeches to the Temples commended from Zacutus Lusitanus Paraeus lib. 16. cap. 4. reports that a desperate half Headach was cured by opening the Arteries in the Temples and saies there is no danger in doing it The Artery is opened as a Vein and six ounces of blood forcibly leaping forth are to be taken After apply a convenient Ligature and open it not in four daies Botallus also saies That it doth miraculously cure old Head-aches and we also have cured desperate ones the same way and never found any danger in the opening of the Artery You must apply a Plaister to the Orifice of Frankinsence Mastich Bole armenick and Hares Hair with the white of an Eg and then make your Ligature as you use to do in Wounds of the Head In all pains of the Head of what cause soever if other means fail and the greatness of the pain make thee run to extremities a Vesicatory applied over all the Head after it is shaven will cure it A Cautery upon the Coronal Suture somtimes hath perfectly cured a violent Head-ach But it is more powerful if it be applied to the Temples of which see Poterius observat centur 3. cap. 8. and our Observations thereon The End of the first Book THE SECOND BOOK OF THE PRACTICE OF PHYSICK Of the Diseases of the Eyes The PREFACE THE Diseases of the Eyes are so divers that it is very hard to lay them down cleerly and plainly and to distinguish one from the other which that we may endeavor as much as may be and cleer up our Treatise for Practice we will so divide them the Diseases by which the sight is
of the Eyes such as are prescribed in Gutta serena to which you may ad a washing of the Eyes which must be done every day thus In the morning first chew sweet Fennel seeds some space of time then fill the mouth with Wine and after it is warm in the mouth wash the Eyes therewith till they begin to smart which wil cease when you leave washing Moreover Spectacles are very good to preserve sight which do make the Objects neither bigger nor less than they naturally are And it is profitable to refresh the sight with green or sky coloured Spectales And Lastly You must avoid al things which hurt the sight and use those things which help it as is declared in the Diet for the Cure of Gutta serena CHAP. V. Of the Enlarging or Dilatation of the Pupilla THe Tunicle called Vvea out of Galen 1. de sympt caus cap. 2. is obnoxious to divers diseases and especially to Ruption Distortion Dilatation and Constriction A Ruption may come both of an external Cause as stroak or contusion and of an inward when much humor distendeth and breaketh the Tunicle But this being incurable concerneth not us A Distortion of the Vvea cannot be but in the first constitution of it because it adhaereth to the Cornea Therefore Galen in the place quoted doth only reckon it among the different symptomes of the Vvea and doth not stand to explain it because it is of no concernment in the practice of Physick We therefore omitting the first two differences wil only insist upon the explaining of the Dilatation and constriction of the Pupilla The Dilatation of the Pupilla which is a hole in the Uvea Tunicle by which the Species of Objects pass into the Eye is called in Greek Mydryasis this hurts the sight because too much light goeth into the Eye hence it is that they which have this disease see better in a darkish place than in a light Which appears by Natural and ordinary change in the Pupilla in bright and obscure places for when the Sight is exercised in a cleer light place the Pupilla is contracted that the light may go less into the Eye and not hurt it with too much by dissipating and dispersing the Spirits and hence it is that they which go out of a very light place into a dark see almost nothing at their first entry because the Pupilla being formerly contracted doth not in an obscure place receive light enough to make a perfect Sight After when they have continued a while in an obscure place the Pupilla is by degrees dilated to receive more light for the cleering of Sight and then those things which at first entrance were not seen are cleerly perceived On the contrary they which go out of a dark into a very light place cannot at first endure the light and their Eyes are much dazled because the Pupilla being much dilated before in the dark place for to get light enough into the Eye when it comes suddenly thus enlarged into a great light too much light gets into the Eye and so makes it dazle and disturbs the Sight Whence it appears that light necessary to sight ought to pass into the Eye in a moderate quantity and for the receiving thereof it is necessary that the Pupilla be moderately large Now the Preternatural Dilation of the Pupilla is either in the first original which is not to be tampered with or comes of Preternatural causes which are internal or external The nearest and immediate of the internal causes is the stretching of the Vvea which comes either of driness or repletion Driness doth stretch the Vvea and makes the form of the Pupilla larger as when leather pierced through when it is dried hath the hole larger And this dry distemper comes from long watching Feavers and other drying causes The repletion of the Vvea when it distendeth it on every side makes the Pupilla larger and this is produced either of vapors and wind sent into the Eye or of humors flowing thither or from the extraordinary encrease of the watery humor of the Eye or lastly from the swelling of the Tunicle Uvea it self To these Causes we may ad the Convulsion of the Uvea which appeareth chiefly in Epileptical fits for then all the Nervous and Membranous parts are distended and so is also the Uvea and this appears chiefly most manifest in Epileptick Children in whom the dilation of the Pupilla is so great that it is over all the Circle called Iris and therefore the sight is abolished The internal Causes are a stroak or a fall or a retention of the Spirits as in Women in Child-birth and Trumpeters A stroak or fall make a defluxion to the Eyes hence comes extending of the Pupilla retention of Spirits makes wind and humors from whence comes distention The knowledg of this Disease is not difficult because it may be seen with your Eyes especially if the Physitian knew before it became infirm how large naturally the Pupilla was as also if there be a hinderance of the sight by reason of the over largeness of it Moreover The natural largeness of the Pupilla is known by this If when you shut one Eye the Pupilla of the other is larger which will not be in a Preternatural dilatation because then the Uvea cannot be further extended Lastly If this dilâ—aation of the Pupilla be only in one Eye it is Preternatural and signifieth one Eye only is affected As to the Prognostick The Dilatation of the Pupilla from the original so is incurable but that which cometh after is hardly cured especially that which comes of driness but that which comes of other â—inuance is curable because yong diseases of the Eyes according to Galens Doctrine may be cured out old may not but with very much difficulty be cured The Cure is to be varied according to the variety of the Cause and if it come from driness which can scarce come from an internal cause but also the whol Body must be so afflicted therefore we must refresh the whol body with moist Remedies and nourishments and such as are restaurative such we use in Hectick Feavers but more peculiarly the Body is to be moistened with a bath of warm water and new milk which also must be often put into the Eyes especially womans Milk If it comes from a humor which filleth the Eye because it floweth from the Head you must purge the Head and the whol Body also and then you must discuss the humor that is fixed in the Eye Which when they may be sufficiently performed by the Remedies propounded for the cure of a Cataract or Suffusion we shall not in vain repeat them here but send you to the asoresaid Trearite for them where you shall find all things necessary for the discussing and dissipating humors contained in the Eyes Yet you may after use some astringents which may make the Pupilla which is too much enlarged more narrow for this end you may
4. de comp Med. sec loc cap. 8. But if the disease be stubborn you must foment the Eye with the Decoction of Foenugreek Marsh-mallows Fennel Rue Celondine or let the fume of the same be received into it And finally all Medicines prescribed in the Cure of a Cataract may be very proper for the cure of this But more especially when the disease is old and the redness turneth black Galen commends dried Hysop tied in a rag and put into hot water and applied to the Eye and Experience teacheth that this Medicine is of such force that the blood is drawn away by it sticking to the clout And lastly The yellow color of the Jaundice which most appears in the Eyes when the Jaundice is cured is easily discussed if you would hasten the Cure take the fume of Vinegar into the Eyes CHAP. VIII Of Ophthalmia or Inflamation of the Eyes THe Tunicle called Adnata is so joyn'd to the Cornea that many diseases are in both as the Inflamation of the Eyes though it is proper to the Adnata yet it is often extended to the Cornea and produceth divers Diseases in it namely Ulcers Hypopyon when matter is underneath Albugo or Pin and Web and others So also Pustals and other Tumors Wounds and Ulcers are common to both Tunicles Therefore because all the Diseases of these Tunicles cannot be spoken of severally we will only speak of the Diseases of the Adnata before we speak more of the Cornea Beginning with an Ophthalmy We say that it is as the word in Greek sheweth only an Inflamation of the Eye and by all Authors it is used for the inflamation of the Adnata or Conjunctiva It is called by the Latines Lippitudo or blood-shotness since Cornelius Celsus This Inflamation as it is greater or less hath a three-fold difference The first is called in Greek Taraxis in Latin Conturbatio which according to Paulus cometh from an external cause namely the Sun smoak dust oyl and the like but it may also come of an internal namely by fault of the stomach after drinking of Wine or other Distempers and this is a light Inflamation called Phlogosis with a smal pain and redness yet it somtimes turneth into a true Ophthalmy and is the original of it But a true Ophthalmy comes alwaies from an internal cause and it is a true inflamation with which tumor redness and pain it is called by Celsus Lippitudo or blood-shotness because there cleaveth a thick excrement which the Latins call Lippa The third is called Chemosis in Greek in Latin Chemosis also and it is when an inflamation groweth so high that it is very great with vehement pain and both the Eyebrows are inverted so that the Eyes can scarce be covered therewith and the white of the Eye stands higher and the red doth cover most part of the Iris or Circle In Children and such as have great Eyes this hath often happened and it comes from a great repletion and from flegmy humors There is another Difference of the Ophthalmy taken out of Hippocrates Aph. 14. Sect. 3. by which it is divided unto a moist and a dry Ophthalmy The moist Ophthalmy is that which is already described and hath a weeping But the dry Ophthalmy called by Hippocrates Xerophthalmia which cometh in dry weather is made of Choller or burnt or adust Melancholly and is such as wanteth humidity in part and therefore there is no weeping There are other subdivisions from the adjuncts for if there be an itching joyned with it it is called Psorophthalmia but if it come with hardness of the Eye-lids it is called Sclerophthalmia There is also another Difference of Ophthalmies taken out of Galen 2. de diff febrium cap. 11. where he saith That some are Periodical or such as cometh by fits to those which have a very hot and moist head and weak Eyes fit to receive a defluxion These after many yeers have a consumption of their Eyes and lose their sight hence it is called Tabida Ophthalmia or a consuming Ophthalmy or an Ophthalmy which ends in a consumption of the Eye There is also another difference taken from the immediate cause which is defluxion or congestion that is gathering of humors It comes for the most part by defluxion but by congestion only when there is either a distemper or weakness of the Conjunctiva by which there is no equality or Omoiosis in the part but many excrements are gathered together from whence through the weakness of the part cometh an inflamation The Conjunct cause of an Odhthalmy is Chollerick or Waterish or Melanchollick Blood flowing into the Eyes or gathered into them The Causes of defluxion are manifold both external and internal ordinarily known But the causes of Congestion or Cumulation are all such as distemper or weaken the Eyes so that an Ophthalmy which at the first came only by defluxion in time by weakening of the part may spoil its concoction and so it may be said to be an Ophthalmy partly from defluxion and partly from Congestion which is often seen in old Ophthalmies But when an Ophthalmy comes only by way of defluxion it is certain that it comes for the most part from the head and almost all Authors acknowledg this Notwithstanding Experience teacheth that many violent Ophthalmies come from the Liver and the humors that come from thence to the Eyes insomuch that Cauteries applied to the hinder part of the head eâ—crease the Disease which otherwise are good Remedies when the defluxion is from the head for they draw up the humors and we have often seen that old Ophthalmies which were accounted incurable have suddenly gone away of their own accord by stopping of an issue which hath long been kept open namely when the motion of the humors from the inferior to the superior parts hath ceased which before was caused by the Cautery or Issue in the Neck by Nature sending part of the humors to the weakened Eyes not far distant from the Issue That defluxion which cometh from the head either is carried by internal Veins which are under the Skull into the Eyes or by the external Vessels which is most frequent namely by the Veins and Arteries which come from the Pericranium by the Forehead and Temples to the Conjunctiva An Ophthalmy is easily known because the blood diffused upon the Conjunctiva may be easily seen and if redness appear without a tumor coming of an external it is called Taraxis or Conturbation But if besides the redness there be swelling and heat with weeping it is a true Ophthalmy and at length if it so encrease that it cover the black of the Eye and the Eyelids be inverted then is it called Chemosis Hence we fetch the signs of the Causes for if it comes from repletion and of blood alone not only the Tunicle Adnata but also the whol face will be red as also there will be a swelling of the Veins drouziness of the Sences and whol Body and a manifest swelling
If it come from Chollerick Blood there will be sharpness of tears and not only the corners of the Eyes but also the very cheeks will be corroded there will be a pricking and intollerable pain a little swelling with redness inclined to yellow and the patient hath formerly used immoderate exercise been inflamed by the Sun subject to anger and eating of sharp things his complexion is Chollerick or he is yong and the disease cometh in hot weather If it come from flegm there will be a heavy pain little heat not much redness little shooting no sharp tears but many and slimy and glutinatious If it come of Melancholly the Tumor will be smal the redness will be dusky few tears little clamminess but very thick a Melanchollick constitution and the like signs of Melancholly If the defluxion come from the inner parts of the Head there will be a pain in the Head internally coming to the Roots of the Eyes But if the defluxion come into the Eyes by the exterior Vessels the pain of the Head will be more external the Veins of the Forehead will be distended and also there will be perceived a great beating in the Temples The Prognostick is either in respect of an Ophthalmy coming or already begun An imminent Lippitudo is known by an itching and pricking in the Eyes with heat also and the disposition of the Eyes to receive defluxions doth give advantage to the prognostick of it wherefore they who have great Eyes are more subject to this disease Moreover the season doth much conduce to the breeding of it as Hippocrates teacheth Aph. 11. Sect. 3. If the Winter be dry and full of North winds and the Spring rainy and with South winds in Summer you shall have sore Eyes very common especially in women and men of moist constitutions A flux of the Belly coming upon an Ophthalmy is good according to Hippocrates Aph. 17. Sect. â—6 because the superfluity of humors is discharged and carried downwards An old pain in the Eyes is very dangerous for it signifies the cause to be violent and it is to be feared lest Imposthume Suppuration or Ulcer do follow An Ophthalmy beginning in one Eye useth ordinarily to pass to the other For the Cure of an Ophthalmy the external causes must be first removed as also the antecedent causes are to be evacuated revelled and repelled the conjunct cause is to be derived and discussed and the part affected strengthened For the performing of which Indications there are these usual means to be applied First Let his Diet be cooling and moistening of Meats that breed good nourishment boyled rather than roasted of suppings rather than solid things because the Eyes are moved in chewing let him avoid sharp things Salt and Pepper As also things that Fume and wil fill the Head with vapors As also such as quickly turn into Choller as Milk Sugar Honey and al sweet things Wine especially is not good but instead thereof use Barly water with Liquoris and cooling things Sleep is very profitable because then the Eyes rest from motion which is apt to stir up pain and defluxion besides pain is asswaged by sleep and the matter causing the Disease is concocted Let the Patient sleep with his Head high and more inclined to that side which is least affected Let him avoid almotion of his Body for rest is so profitable that Celsus commands that the first day of Cure they speak not lest by that motion matter be carried to the head The Belly must be kept Solluble for Hippocrates saith it is good for him that hath sore eyes to fal into a looseness Let him avoid Passions especially Anger Let the Air be temperate and pure without Smoak Dust and Winds and somwhat dark of the light by moving the Spirits causeth defluxion Let him have a black green or sky colored cloth before his eyes and keep not only his sore but his sound eye shut or covered for while the sound eye is moved towards the Objects the sore is moved also whence the pain encreaseth and this is the reason why men have greater pain when one eye is affected than when both The Diet being thus ordered let us lay down the Cure of the Disease and since it comes for the most part of external Causes first let them be removed lest they nourish it next make a Collyrium or Eye-water or Rose and Plantane Water with the white of an egg and Womans milk and let that be instilled into the Eye often in a day as also let a linnen clout be dipped therein and applied At the same time let him sleep as much as he can for sleep is very profitable to concoct and discuss the matter causing the Disease If it yield not to these you must use the Remedies proper for a true Ophthalmy in this Order First open a Vein having given a Clyster on the contrary Arm and do it often till you have made sufficient Evacuation and Revulsion For Avicen teacheth That in a true Ophthalmy you may let blood till they faint But Galen lib. de curat per sangu miss cap. 17. tells a story of a Steward which was freed of a great Ophthalmy by blood letting first three pound and four hours after one pound And in his 16. cap. of the same Book he affirmeth That Ophthalmies are often cured in an hours space only by Phlebotomy which could not be but by loosing of a great quantity as they did in those times in that case Phlebotomy must be regulated and moderated according to the temper age sex strength and kind of the Disease for in a Plethorick body and when it comes from blood you must take a greater quantity but in a Chollerick body or Melancholly or Flegmatick and other Circumstances which prohibit blood-letting you must take less If the whol body be ful of blood first open the Liver or Median vein after the Head vein but if you intend to loose but little blood begin with the Head vein But in them who have a stoppage of any ordinary accustomed Evacuation by the Terms or Hemorrhoids you must open the veins beneath or apply Leeches to the Hemorrhoid veins After you have bled enough you must labor to make Revulsion by applying of Cupping glasses to the shoulders and the back both dry and with scarrification Frictions also are good for the same and Ligatures in the lower parts To the aforesaid Revulsions you must ad means to derive which are by the opening of the veins of the Forehead and Temples to which some ad the opening of the veins in the corners of the Eyes others apply Horsleeches to the Temples others behind the Ears al which derivations are very profitable after sufficient Evacuation Galen 13. Meth. Cap. 22. Commended the opening of an Artery in the Temples when the Disease comes of very hot blood And though this way of Practice is not used in our times yet it is very excellent and profitable without any danger for in those lesser
pain in the Ears which do dissolve the Continuity of those sensible parts which compass the Cavity of the Ear the chief whereof are Distempers both without and with Matter Wounds Ulcers or things fallen or put into the Ears Externally A Cold Distemper doth somtimes cause pain in the Ears and it comes from cold Winds cold Laâ—hs and other very cold Causes A Hot Distemper without Matter seldom or never produceth a pain in the Ears as a cold doth For Cold is an Enemy to these Nervous and Membranous parts but Heat is a Friend to them Nor can it cause any pain but that which is excessive and wil cause a defluxion of Humors to the parts and then it is not without Matter For this Cause neither Galen nor any of the anciâ—â—t Greeks made mention of a Hot Distemper although Avicen of al the Arabians have mentioned it Now the Cold Matter which causeth pain in the Ears is either flegm or water which comes from the Brain into them or else wind coming from the Brain or the inferior parts But the Hot Matter is either Choller that fals from the Veins and Arteries into those parts or Blood from whence cometh Inflamation The afore aid Cause produceth an occult Solution of Continuity from whence cometh Pain But manifest Solutions of Continuity as Wounds and Ulcers are more evident Causes of pain Wounds come from external Punctures Cuts and Contusions But Ulcers come either after Inflamation and breaking of an Impostume or from sharp Humors that corrode the parts Finally Things that get into the Ear outwardly if they be hard sharp or any wayes piercing or biting wil cause pain You may know al these Causes thus If the Distemper be without Matter there wil be no heaviness distention or tumor And you may know that the Distemper is Cold when cold Causes have preceded as travel in Winter when the pain increaseth in cold weather or with cold Medicines and decreaseth with hot but you may know a hot distemper by hot causes preceding as being long in the Sun or heat and when hot Medicinâ—s hurt and cold do profit If the Pain come from flegm there wil be a heavinâ—ss in the Ear and the Head as also a Rhewin wil fal upon some other part besides cold Causes did prâ—cede as cold and Northerly weather cold meats or it is winter and the Patient is old and the like If it come from Wind there wil be a great pain without weight or heaviness not constant but intermitting and with noyse That it comes from Water the Patient wil have other Diseases from the same as sharp and thin defluctions upon the Teeth Eyes Ears Breast and other parts and Evacuation of serous Matter by Vomit Stool Urine or Sweat If it come from a Chollerick Humor the pain wil be sharp and pricking and there wil be sensible heat it wil be mitigated with cold things and Choller wil somtimes come forth of the heat the Body is of a Chollerick temper the Party yong the Weather hot and Diet also with the like by which the Patient is often distempered An Inflamation is known by a great beating pain with great heat and redness about the Cheeks and Temples to which there is joyned a continual violent Feaver somtimes Doting Swooning Convulsion and coldness of the extream parts A Wound is known by the blood which wil come forth of the Ear but an Ulcer by the filth or matter but because somtimes there is a defluxion of filth from the Brain by the Ears we must distinguish for it if comes from the Brain there wâ—nt before it a Head-ach and other signs of an Impostume in the Brain And first the matter is sent forth in great abundance and after by degrees while it is al spent From an Imposthume in the Ear may come plenty of Matter but then there went signs before of an Inflamation there and afterward followed an Ulcer whâ—ch you may know whether it came from an Imposthume or a Defluxion of sharp Humors by theâ—e signs following There is a constant Flux of a little filth or matter by degrees there is felt a pain burning and shooting in the Ear especially if it be picked Moreover We may conjecture of the Difference of the Ulcers For if it be in the Bone it is known by the thin Matter yellowish and by the long continuance oâ— the Disease If it be deep you shal know it by much Matter If it be clean by the â—audible Matter If it be foul by the thickness and plenty If it be virulent by the thinness If putrid by the stink of it If it be corroding by blood following If fistulous from the oldness of the Ulcer the virulency of the Matter the callosity and hardness of the flesh Finally If there be any thing fallen into the Ear either it may be seen or related by the Patient The Prognostick of pain in the Ears is divers according to the diversity of the Causes That which comes from a bare distemper is easily cured That which comes from a cold â—â—egmy ferous or windy matter is not very dangerous but uâ—eth to continue â—ong But that which cometh from hot humors and especially such as cause inflamation is very dangerous for the Brain being nigh must needs consent and be also affected from whence Deliriums and Convulsons use to proceed In this Disease yong men are in most danger for they being of a hot temper and their blood â—ot the inflamation is greater and this dissolveth the natural heat of the Brain and killeth the Patient Hence it is that they die for the most part within seven daies But old men who are colder have â—ess inflamation and so are in less danger Ulcers in the Ears are hard to be cured because the Brain being nigh doth send its excrements to those parts But those which follow an Imposthume are easier cured especially if the matter be â—audible But where the matter is virulent stinking or the like it is difficult especially if the Ulcer be cavous and the bone foul The Cure as the Diagnostick and Prognostick is to be varied according to the Cause For if it comes from a bare cold distemper hot Medicines applied to the Ears are sufficient such as are in the cure of Deafness espâ—cially Fomentations and Fumes as also the warm Oyls there described But when a hot distemper comes without matter it may be cured with Topicks which are cooling which we will shew afterwards and especially with the white of an Egg beaten with Breast milk and put into the Ear. If it come from a cold distemper with matter as flegm water or wind you must use the Medicines prescribed in the cure of Deafness First Purge the whol Body then correct the distemper of the Brain and apply warm Topicks that discuss unto the Ears If it come from a hot distemper with Choller which is of long continuance or comes by fits First revel the humor that floweth to the part by Phlebotomy by
of Smelling or neer it in the Meninges are not smelt by the Patient but by them that stand by for it is fit that whatsoever toucheth the sence of Smelling should be brought from other parts Moreover a foul stinking vapor arising from other parts as the Stomach Jaws and Brain be carried to the Processus Mamillares and so infect them that all the scents that are brought thither shall smel thereof as when the Tongue is foul with Choller all things which you tast seem bitter The Causes are easily known A cold and moist distemper of the Brain and slimy flegm coming from the Brain shew an abundance of flegm An obstruction if it come from flegm shall be known by the same signs If it come from Sarcoma or Polypus you may learn the knowledg thereof from their Chapters Now the place in which the matter causing obstruction is contained is known thus If it be in the passage of the Nostrils the voyce is hindered because the Nostrils conduce to Speech but the voyce is perâ—ect if the matter be in the Processus Mamillares or the fore part of the Brain You may know by the default of the parts from whence comes the scent which hurts the instrument of Smelling As to the Prognostick When the Smelling is newly hurt and coming of a simple Coryza or defluxion is easily cured but when it is of long continuance and from a setled distemper hardly that which comes from the ill shape of the Nostrils is incurable You must order the Cure diversly according to the diversity of the Causes If it come from a cold Distemper you must use those Medicines which were prescribed for a Cold Catarrh For the taking away of the Obstruction or stopping of the Nostrils and Processus Mamillares by flegm fastened there You must use Medicines that Purge those parts as Errhins Neezings and Gargarisms which were propounded by us in the Cure of the Cold Distemper of the Brain If the Nostrils be stopt by a Sarcoma or Polypus you must fetch the Cure from the Precedent Chapter Chap. 4. Of the Stink of the Nostrils THe Stink of the Nostrils and of the Breath do much differ for that comes only from the Nostrils and this from divers parts as from the Stomach Lungs Gums Jaws or being Ulcerated which you may know by sense or by their proper signs But the stink in the Nostrils comes of stinking Vapors either bred in the Nostrils as in Ozaena Sarcoma or Polypus or sent thither from putrid Humors contained in the fore-part of the Brain or about the Processus Mamillares or Os Cribrosum Now the Humors do putrifie in the said parts when they are too long retained in them especially if the Brain be hot and moist and they are retained either by the stoppage or astriction of the parts and in flat Noses The Diseases of the Nostrils which produce this stink are known by their proper signs above mentioned but if you find none you must conjecture that the stink comes from a putrid Humor in the Brain Processus Mamillares or Os Cribrosum The Prognostick of the stink in the Nose coming of an Ulcer Polypus or Sarcoma depends upon their Frognostick but that which comes from corrupt Humors contained in the fore-part of the Brain if it be New is easily Cured if Old uncurable especially if it come from a depression and flatness of the Nose The Cure is performed by removing the Causes and appeasing the Symptoms The Cure of an Ulcer Sarcoma and Polypus is above mentioned but you must take away the putrid Humor in the Brain Processus Mamillares or Os Ethmoides by emptying and Clensing means And first You must use Universal Evacuations for Clensing the whol body and the brain from flegmy Excrements by Pills Apozems and the like to which you may ad if there be great plenty of Humors a Sweating Diet afterwards administer Errhins that clense and bring forth the Matter conjoined And first of al Let him morning and evening snuff up white Wine from the palm of his hand in which the Lesser Centaury and Calamints have been boyled Then let the juyce of Beets extracted with the Water of Marjoram be used in like manner Or Take of Cyprus Roots and Calamus Aromaticus of each half an ounce Red Roses one pugil Myrrh two drams boyl them in white Wine for an Errhine That you may draw down the flegm more violently make this Take of Flower-de-luce-Roots half a dram white Hellebore and long Pepper of each half a scruple Annis-seeds and dryed Marjoram poudered of each one scruple Euphorbium one grain Oyl of Spike Chiry and Violets of each as much as is sufficient make a soft Oyntment in which dip the top of your little finger and anoâ—â— the Nostrils within or put it with a Tent or Pledget as big as a Pease into the Nostrils Lastly To oppose the stink you must snuff up sweet things as Galla Moschata dissolved in sweet Wine Angelica-water or the like Chap. 5. Of Coryza or Pose COryza called in Latin Gravedo is a Catarrh falling from the Brain into the Nose which Defluxion is of a crude Humor contained in the fore Ventricles of the Brain and comes for the most or an External Cause as from the heat of the Sun drinking of much Wine hot Baths and the like which do melt and dissolve the thick flegm gathered in the Brain It comes also of External Causes which Cool the Brain for then it is squeezed like a spunge and so it sends down the Humor into the inferior parts as also by over-cooling the Brain there is an encrease of flegm for through want of heat the Excrements are not concocted therefore are they sent forth through the open passages by the Expulsive Faculty This Disease appears of its self for the Humor is sent in abundance out of the Nose Among al kinds of Catarrhs that which is through the Nose is most safe and gentle easily Cured if it be New and come of an External Cause but that which is Old and comes from a stubborn Distemper of the Brain is difficult As also when it proceeds of a hot Distemper of the Liver which somtimes causeth sharp and hot Catarrhs by which the Nose is often Ulcerated and ill affected otherwaies The Cure of this Disease is by Curing the Catarrh for it requires the same Evacuations Revulsions and Derivations except that here you must not use Errhins lest they should draw the Humors to the part affected but Gargarisms and Masticatories after Universals are very good And besides these Authors do commend those things which properly belong to the stopping of a Cataarh as the vapor of boyled Marjoram or of Marjoram water taken into the Nose The fume of Vinegar sprinkled upon a red hot Iron is good for the same and the better if red Roses have formerly been infused therein If the Defluxion be very Cold dry Fumigations of Nigella Frankinsence and the like thrown upon Embers are very good for by
these the cold Distemper of the Brain is amended and the superfluous moisture consumed Chap. 6. Of Sternutation or Neezing ALthough Neezing come often to sound men and useth to be so light an Affect that it deserveth not the name of a Symptom yet somtimes it is troublesom that it requireth a Physitian As we may reade in Forestus Obs 127. Lib. 10. in his History of a certain Maid which had so grievous a fit of Neezing from a sharp salt Catarrh that she had the advice of many Physitians This is confirmed by the Old Custom of saying God bless you to him that Neezeth which some say came from hence In the time of Gregory the Great there was an ordinary Disease of Neezing by which the Patients died albeit some say that Custom is more antient Sternutation is a swift motion of the Brain with which the breath is forced out of the Nose for the throwing forth of things that offend By the Brain we understand not only the substance thereof but the whole Body with its Membranes especially the fore-membranes which are especially contracted in this Disease which we may gather from hence because when we hold up the head we Neez more easily for then the matter provoking which for the most part is windy and tends naturally upwards is more easily carried to that part But the motion which happens in Neezing belongs to the natural Expulsive Faculty of the Brain and its Membranes according to Galen 2. de symp caus cap. 1. where distinguishing Neezing from Trembling and Palpitation saith That Palpitation comes only from a Disease Trembling from Nature and a Disease but Neezing from Nature only But Galen at the first sight seems to contradict himself who in Cap. 4. of the same Book saith That a Cough and Neezing are Symptoms of the Voluntary Faculty but it is no contradiction and Galen cleers himself wisely saying That in Neezing the Animal Faculty doth concur only secondarily because in Neezing breath is sent from the Head and from the Lungs yet the Head gives the original of the motion to the â—reast for when it hastneth to send forth those things that offend in the Nose it useth both wayes at once to send forth breath One way which it maketh by it self Another way which it maketh by the Nerves descending like long arms into the breast whence Galen Com. Aph. 51. Sect. 7. teacheth That Neezing comes with antecedent inspiration or taking in of breath when Nature gathers it together to make Sternutation then the air which goes forth of the breast joyned with that which is drawn by the Nose into the Brain doth expel with Noise and violence whatsoever offendeth the Membranes of the Nostrils which have most Exquisite Sense From this place of Galen we may gather That the irritation which causeth Sternutation is made chiefly in the Nose which is confirmed Aph. 51. lib. 7. where he saith They only Neez of those thus Affected which have a sharp moisture flowing from the head as when you put sharp things into the Nose For as a Cough is a certain natural motion to purge the Arteries which are in the Lungs so doth Neezing the passages of the Nose But it may be objected That many standing bare-headed or otherwise in the cold Air do presently Neez that one would think the Brain was provoked immediatly at that time We Answer That cold Air is the Cause of Sternutation not while it doth immediately act upon the brain but because through compression of the brain and its Membranes it causeth a sharp Matter to descend to the Nostrils although therefore in this Symptom the Membranes of the brain may be provoked yet Neezing is not produced before a sharpness or tickling come to the Membranes of the Nose which are exquisitely sensible The Causes of Neezings are known by what hath been said namely What things soever can provoke the internal coat of the Nostrils such as are sharp humors or vapors either coming from the Brain or sent from the inferior parts hence men neez in feavers saith Avicen because sharp vapors are sent from the whol body into the head or it is caused when sharp things are externally put into the Nose as sharp Medicines called Ptarmica Neesings These are the external Causes which provoke neezing immediately There are many other mediate Causes which make internal Causes or move them as all alterations of the Air as above said of cold Air. Galen in his Book de instrum odoratus cap. 6. saith That neezing is provoked by beholding the Sun because the Spirits of the Brain like to a vapor are discussed by the Sun The knowledg of this Disease is manifest The outward Causes appear by the relation of the Patient but the internal from the signs of the parts affected by which the matter provoking is sent to the Nostrils and fore part of the Brain As to the Prognostick This Disease is of it self without danger But in the beginning of a Catarrh or Coryza it is very hurtful because it keeps the humor from concoction by its motion Somtimes in Feavers it is so strong that it takes away all strength and causeth bleeding at the Nose somtimes it is no waies hurtful and in sound men it expelleth the superfluities of the Brain In sick men it is held a good sign It promiseth help in Feavers especially in malignant Feavers when all things are desperate If neezing happen to a woman in fits of the Mother or that hath hard travel it is good Aph. 35. Sect. 5. Neezing provoked with Medicines is good against Apoplexies and other great Diseases of the Brain And if being provoked they do not neez it is a sign of death for it signifieth that Nature leaves to act In Diseases of the Lungs especially in a Pleurisie and Peripneumonia or inflamation of the Lungs neezing is evil Hipp. 2. Progn because from the shaking of the Brain in neezing the parts of the Breast are violently pulled and torn from whence the inflamation is encreased and there is no other evacuation of the matter causing the disease but for the expelling of flegm contained in the Gristles of the Lungs which could not be cast out by a Cough Galen sheweth that neezing is good Gal. 2. de symp caus cap. 5 6. The Cure when it is necessary or when neezing bringeth inconveniencies is made first by removing of the External Causes if it come from them If it come of an internal Cause you must remove that also by Evacuations Revellers Derivers and Discussers If a hot distemper of the Brain or any other part send sharp vapors to the Nostrils and inward Meninges Then you must open a Vein and then purge then revel the vapors with Frictions and Ligatures with Cupping Glasses to the Shoulders also use other Revelling Deriving and Discussing Medicines comb the Head pull the Ears rub the Eyes blow the Nose and hold the Breath Lastly To take away sharpness and hinder the Nostrils from being provoked it
the Patient was cured without manual Operation which is seldom seen because those Tumors are of the Nature of Imposthumes and are contained in a little bag so that when the matter hath been discussed they have been filled again If this Tumor cannot be cured with discussing Remedies you must open it which must be often done for it will not often be discussed You must not make a smal Orifice when you open it because the matter contained in the Bagg wil be again gathered and the bagg filled unto which the part being loose and soft is very much disposed but you must make a very long Incision through the height of the Tumor in both sides that the whol matter may be discharged at once then you must wash the Ulcer first with gentle things as the Decoction of Mallows and then with Clensers as white Wine and Honey of Roses or Diamoron and after with Oxymel till it be clean and free from the Bagg And finally to heal it up wash the mouth with red Wine in which Allum is dissolved Forestus Cured the like in a Woman by an Incision made on both sides and after by washing with Wine and Water mixed with a little Salt If the Disease be old and the Ulcer wil not be cured by the aforesaid Remedy let it be touched with Oyl of Sulphur twice every day mixed with Rose-water one drop of Oyl to six of Water for so the Distemper wil be corrected and the part dryed which must be often washed for confirmation with Red Wine with Allum dissolved in it If after the use of these the Disease return you must come to an actual Cautery the manner whereof is taught by Paraeus lib. 7. cap. 5. Chap. 3. Of the Taste being Hurt THE Taste as other Sences and al actions of the Body is hurt Three waies by being Diminished Abolished Depraved it is lessened when it scarce perceiveth remiss savors and strong savors but a little It is Abolished when it no waies perceiveth those savors whether they be great or little It is Depraved when the object seems to be of another taste The Causes of Diminishing and Abolishing the taste are the same only they differ in degrees for if they be light and weak they Diminish if great they Abolish the taste And these Causes are either a Defect of the Animal Spirit in the part or a Distemper of the Third pair of Nerves which come to the Tongue or the Tongue it self is Preternaturally affected The Spirits fail either by reason of their scarcity as in dying men or of the obstruction of the Nerves of the Third Conjugation by which they are carried or by reason of a Tumor bred in that part of the Head from whence those Nerves do arise The Tongue is either covered with a moist slimy matter or hath Tumors Pustuls or Ulcers and by these the proper action of taste may be diminished or abolished The Taste is Depraved when the Tongue is infected with an evil Humor as in Feavers when the Tongue is infected with Choller al things tasted are thought better otherwise if it be with salt flegm or melancholly al things appear to be salt or sowr for the outward objects being brought to the Tongue do move the vitious juyce of it which at that time striking upon the tongue most leaveth its savor thereon and so those things which are tasted seem to be of the same taste It happeneth also somtimes that the Tongue perceiveth the savors of the juyces contained in its self although no external Object be applied as Galen teacheth 1. de sympt caus cap. 4. And it is confirmed by daily Experience in men in Feavers whose tongue is covered with Choller which if it be very bitter they find a continual bitterness on the Tongue though they take nothing into their mouths The Diversity of the Causes aforesaid is known by the variety of the tasts and disposition of the Tongue for a sweet taste and redness of the Tongue signifieth blood bitterness and yellowness Choller whiteness with sweetness Flegm blackness and sharpness Melancholly a Nauseous taste sheweth that evil Humors are contained in the stomach Pustuls Tumors and Ulcers are manifest to the Eies And Lastly If the taste be hurt and there appear no change in the Tongue you must suppose that the Cause lieth in the Brain or Nerves The Cure is various according to the diversity of Causes and therefore if the Disease lie in the Brain or Nerves you must apply Remedies thereto especially such as use to be prescribed for the Cure of the Palzey but when the taste is depraved by ill Humors commonly that Symptom depends upon other Diseases especially upon Feavers which being Cured the Symptoms also are removed If the Taste be offended by Tumors the Cure thereof depends upon the Cure of the Tumors above mentioned Finally If it come from Pustles or Ulcers of the Tongue you must Cure them by blood letting and Purging of sharp Humors to which you may ad Cooling Drying and Binding Topicks in form of a Gargarism And if foul Ulcers be found let them be clensed with Honey of Roses with a little Oyl of Sulphur or Vitriol in such a quantity as may gently touch upon the Tongue Or if you wil Dry more violently Let the part Affected be often touched with the aforesaid Oyls pure and not mixed for so the Aphthe or Thrush and al Ulcers of the Mouth and Tongue are quickly Cured Chap. 4. Of the Palzey of the Tongue and the Hurt Motion thereof THE Chief Action of the Tongue is Speech and this is Abolished Diminished and Depraved by divers Causes which are referred to Similary Organick or Common Diseases As for the Similary A moist Distemper with Matter maketh the Tongue more soft and loose so that it cannot freely exercise its motions Dryness doth too much foul the Tongue as in Feavers But Organical or Diseases of the Instrument are when the Tongue is enlarged as we said before concerning Tumors which hinder the free motion of it also when the figure or shape of it is deformed as when the Tongue is naturally too short or by being partly cut off or if it be tyed too strait as also when the seventh pair of Nerves which come from the Brain to the Muscles which move the Tongue are stopped Lastly Common Diseases are Solutions of Continuity or Wounds in the part Too much moisture maketh Balbuties a kind of Stammering which keepeth men from prououncing of the Letter R. And this is either natural as in Children by reason of their much moisture who are Cured by age when the superfluous moisture is consumed But in some there is a moist distemper al their Life and they are alwaies stammerers of which Hippocrates speaketh Aph. 32. Sect. 6. thus Stammerers are most subject to long Fluxes of the Belly Galen in his Comments saith That they who naturally stammer have either a moist Brain or Tongue or both From the moist Brain much moisture may
the Root and Membrane which inwardly covers their Cavity but also in their proper substance and saith That the Teeth and other parts of the Mouth do taste as also doth the tongue And in his Book of Bones cap. 5. he saith Of Bones only the teeth are partakers of the tender Nerves of the Brain and for that cause they alone do manifestly feel Therefore pain reacheth not only to the Nerves and inward Membrane but also to the substance of the teeth The Tooth-Ach comes from a Flux of Humors either Cold and Flegmy or Hot and Watery Salt and Sharp hence comes the Distention or Convulsion of the parts these Humors either flow to the Membranes of the Jaws and of the holes wherein the Teeth are or to the Nerve which is inserted in the root of the Teeth or to the substance of the Teeth Although some think that the Teeth cannot receive into their own substance afflux of humors and distention because they are most hard and thick yet this is taught by Avicen Fen. 1. Lib. 1. Doct. 1. Cap. 5. and Fen. 7. Lib. 4. Tract 1. Cap. 4. And somtimes saith he there is matter which doth imposthumate the Tooth it self Which Opinion he confirmeth and treateth of chiefly Fen. 1. Lib. 3. Tract 3. Cap. 1. in these words It is not as some Physitians think that the Brain it self wil not imposthumate reasoning thus That which is soft as the brain and hard as a bone is not extended and that will not imposthumate which cannot be extended But this is erronious because that which is soft if it be viscous or claminy may be extended and bones are imposthumated as Galen teacheth we wil shew in our Chapter of the Teeth Moreover we say that whatsoever is nourished is extended and encreased with the nourishment and it is likewise possible that it may be extended and augmented with its superfluity and that is an imposthume This Avicen teacheth from the Doctrine of Galen who Lib. 5. de comp med sec loc cap. 8. saith Because the Teeth cannot grow without nourishment they are only obnoxious to these two Diseases following namely of want and superfluity of nourishment by want of nourishment they grow dryer and thinner and by superfluity of it there will be an inflamation about the fleshy parts Thus Galen But it is probable that pain is more usual if it be vehement in those parts which have most exquisite sence namely the Nerve and the Membrane in the hole of the Tooth next to the root which doth not only suffer distention and vellication but also somtimes inflamation of the humors flowing down for it blood be mixed with other humors then the pain hath two causes namely Distention and Compression which comes from the hardness of the Tooth which the Membrane being inflamed cannot endure and this Inflamation of the Membrane is for the most part accompanied with the inflamation of the Gums which also is reckoned by Galen and Avicen among the causes of the Tooth-ach Now the Humors commonly flow from the Head upon the Teeth and parts adjoyning somtimes from the inferior parts for when any bad humors especially watery bred in any part are abounding in the Veins Nature desiring to cast off her burden sends them to the weakest parts And if the seeth by reason of the distemper foulness or erosion are such the flux will chiefly come thither Charls Piso propounds an Experiment of this who also thinks the Toothach con comes chiefly from a serous humor lib. de morb ab illuv ser obs 7. where he reports that himself being troubled with the Tooth-ach for many daies halr an hour after he had taken a purging Medicine vomited up above a pint of cleer water with such success that ten yeers after he was never troubled with it By which Experience he alwaies prescribed Medicines that purge water to them who were so troubled and with good success Moreover he striveth to prove that it comes from this cause by this sign Because they who have the Tooth-ach do continually spet Besides the Causes mentioned there are also Worms in rotten Teeth and they breed of any matter which is contained and putrified in the Cavities whether it be excrementitious or come of putrifying meats especially flesh and sweet meats which by reason of their clamminess stick to the Cavities of the Teeth Others think that the Tooth-ach comes sometimes from wind contained between the Cavity and the Nerve which doth violently stretch the inward Membrane whence comes such intollerable pain The principal external causes of Tooth-ach are all those things which cause defluxions the chief are Cold Air South winds staying in the Sun or night Air Surfet and all faults in Diet. Ad to these things that debilitate the part and make it more fit to receive a defluxion as rotteness and hollowness in the Teeth which sometimes make violent pains The diversity of Causes is k own by divers igns For pain when it comes from hot humors is stronger the constitution hotter the age yonger if Summer there is heat sensibly in the part and inflamation of the Gums often times it is better for the use of cold and worse for hot things But if it come from a cold humor the signs contrary to these will appear If worms are the cause of pain it will be intermitting coming and going often and somtimes the motion of the worm will be felt When it comes from Wind it is known by the excess of pain and sensible stretching and it ends in short time and is easily cured with discussing Medicines The Prognostick is divers according to the variety of the Causes for that pain which comes from a hot thin watery sharp and salt humor is more violent but sooner at an end by reason of the sudden change of the humor but that which comes from a cold and flegmy humor is less and lasteth longer A Tumor rising in the Gums or Jaws takes away the pain of the Teeth for the flux is carried to the external parts so that it no longer lieth in the internal Cavity of the Tooth The Cure must be directed for the taking away the Cause and mitigating the pain for although Anodines profit but little except the defluxion be stayed yet somtimes we are constrained not only to use them but also Narcoticks or Stupefactives before we take away the Cause therefore the humor flowing to the Teeth is to be revelled evacuated and repelled and that which is there is to be derived and discussed First therefore if the pain comes of hot humors open a vein in the Arm on the same side by which the humor flowing will be revelled But if it come of cold bleeding is not so good but in regard of the defluxion it may be used because it is the chief reveller But then you must take less blood except there be a Plethory in which regard although it be from fiegm you may bleed freely according to Galen who said that
the Lungs and to Cure Ulcers Take this following for an Example Take of green Coltsfoot eight handfuls Hysop two handfuls bruise them and put them in a Pot with a little water lute it close then set it into the Oven when the Bread is half baked and then take it out with the Bread and put a Funnel into a hole made at the top and so take in the smoak through the mouth at the Lungs and put it out at the Nose and it wonderfully provokes spetting You must also Morning and Evening use a Cooling Liniment to the Breast As Take of Gum Tragacanth and Arabick of each one dram infuse them in Rose water a day and a night put then thereto of Oyl of Violets one ounce and an half Fresh Butter half an ounce Sal. Prunellae two drams Camphire one scruple Breast-milk as much as will serve Mix them in a Mortar to an Oyntment To Repair a Consumption or to Prevent or Hinder it besides Restoring Diets which are principally made of Barley Almonds Pine-nuts Rice Nuts and the like which Authors declare Milk commended at first is very good and a Bath of hot Water of Barley and Almonds bruised but this is not good in a Catarrh nor while there is a putrid Feaver nor when the Lungs are ful of Excrements Let his Drink be Water and Sugar Barley Water and Liquoris an Infusion of Liquoris a thin Hydromel or a weak Decoction of China The End of the Seventh Book THE EIGHTH BOOK OF THE PRACTICE OF PHYSICK Of the Diseases of the Heart The PREFACE THE Heart hath many Diseases Similary Organick and Common But because few will submit to the Physitian in regard of the nobleness of the part which will endure long pain but a man is suddenly gone and there is no time for Physick we who intend to bring all our Labors into practice will lay down only three Diseases of the Heart which are usual and require many Medicines and we shall bring them into three Chapters The first shall be of Swooning The second of Palpitation of the Heart And the third of Weakness Chap. 1. Of Syncope or Swooning Syncope is defined by Galen 12. meth c. 5. to be a sudden failing of all the Strength For although the Heart only suffer and the Vital Spirits are only intercepted yet when it fails the rest must suffer because they have a continual and necessary influence from it It is called a sudden failing of all the Strength that it may be distinguished from other Diseases in which the strength goes by degrees till death come nor is the Doctrine of Avicen against it Fen. 1. Lib. 3. Tract 2. Cap. 2. where he propounds the sign of a Syncope that comes by degrees for although the Causes that dissolve the Spirits do somtimes work by degrees yet when they grow great they make a sudden Syncope and therefore Avicen rather propoundeth the signs that go before a Syncope than those that accompany it Moreover This Definition may seem to agree with an Apoplexy in which there is a sudden failing of all the strength but in an Apoplexy there is strength in the Heart and the Pulse is generally great and full And also there is great hinderance of breath with snorting but in a Syncope the breath is no waies stopped The question is Why When the action of the heart ceaseth doth the action of the Brain also cease since the Animal Spirit is made of the Vital by way of Concoction and must therefore stay some time in the Brain although the Vital do not constantly come to it We answer That the Brain as all other parts for the perfecting of its actions doth alwaies stand in need of adventitious heat which is brought to it by the Vital Spirits and therefore when the Vital Spirits come not neither doth heat come for the Brain to perform its functions There are other Diseases very like to Syncope differing only in degrees from it namely Eclusis Leipothumia and Asphuxia Eclusis is a light fainting Leipothumia or Leipopsuchia or Apopsuchia is a very strong and great fainting Syncope is the greatest which if it go so far that the pulse in the whol Body ceaseth to beat it is called Asphyxia which is next unto death The word Synchope was not used by Hippocrates and the Ancient Greeks but they call'd this Disease Leipothymia Lipopsychia and Asphyxia But it was invented a little before Galens time and used for the greatest so Galen 1. ad Glauc cap. 14. saith Leipothymia is an imperfect Syncope and goes before it By what hath been said it appears that the part affected is the Heart where the Vital Spirits are all made by whose influence the Natural heat and Spirits in every part are made to act therefore when that ceaseth by stoppage of the Influx of the Vital Spirits it is necessary that the strength of all parts should fail and their actions cease The immediate Cause of this Disease is the defect of the Vital Spirits not wholly for then sudden death would come but so great that Nature is constrained lest the strength of the Heart should totally fail to fetch the Spirits from the other parts to the Heart by which means the parts lose their functions Now this defect of Spirits comes four waies Either because they are Naturally few or because they are dissipated and spent or because they are preternaturally altered and corrupted or lastly because they are suffocated and destroyed They are few by fault of the faculty making or matter from which they are made The Faculty is hurt either by a disease proper to the Heart or by consent from another part The proper Diseases of the Heart which are the chief are great distempers which overthrow the Natural temper or destroy the substance of the parts or of the Natural heat as swooning Feavers sharp and malignant Syntacticae or Colliquantes or fainting pestilential hectical or Marasmodes which consume to this come organical diseases as too much constriction and dilatation and constant solutions which come to the Ventricles of the Heart The Faculty may be hurt by consent from other parts which have great sympathy with the Heart as the Brain and Liver and somtimes from the mouth of the Stomach by reason of its neerness and exquisite sence from whence a Syncope is divided into a Heart and Stomach Syncope The Cardiaca or Heart Syncope is when the Heart is principally affected but the Stomachia or Stomach Syncope is that which comes by consent from the Stomach Somtimes it comes from the Mother by filthy vapors sent from thence to the Heart from whence comes the Suffocation of the Matrix Apnoea or want of breath and Hysterical Syncopes as those vapors do assault the Lungs Diaphragma or the Heart The fault is in the Matter when the Air or Blood is defective or corrupted from whence the Vital Spirits are generated There is defect of Air when the Respiration and Transpiration is hindered but the defect of
part which quickly is gonâ— but you must gather the Nature and quality of the Vapor by the signs of the Humor which aboundeth in any part because vapors do alwaies arise from Humors If the Palpitation come from Humors in the Heart the Disease doth not come so suddenly and continueth longer and you may know what kind of humor it is by the signs of the Humor which abounds throughout the whol Body And especially if it be from Blood from which it most often proceedeth and this is known by a divers and unequal Pulse somtimes great somtimes smal slow and swift to which the Breathing answereth in proportion the Patients heart seemeth to be bound and oppressed as appears by the exceeding heat distension of the Veins redness of Face the time being Spring the Age Region and Diet causing Blood to abound That which comes by consent from other parts is known by the proper signs of the parts affected so we know that it is from the stomach when there is want of Appetite loathing vomiting of base Humors and gnawing at the Stomach A troublesom breathing about the Pancreas or Spleen or any other disease of the Spleen sheweth that the matter lurketh there from whence the vapors fly to the Heart so suppression of the Terms and Hysterical fits declare that it comes from the Womb. The Water abounding in the Pericardium is harder to be known but we may conjecture if the Pulse be weak and faint and the Patient bemoaneth himself that his heart as it were is somtimes in Water and is suffocated and if it be constant and he incline to an Atrophy or Hectick If malignant humors cause it there will be great change in the Pulse a loss of strength somtimes fainting and other signs of malignity If it come from a Tumor there is remarkable variety in the Pulse and the motion of the Heart is different from the natural very unequal and inordinate and if the humor be hot there will be great inflamation in the Body great thirst difficulty of breathing and fainting will follow with death but if the Tumor be hard and in the Pericardium the disease is constant and the Patient decayes by degrees without any manifest cause if flesh or any more solid thing grow to the heart there will be a continual Palpitation from the beginning of the Disease to the end of Life Lastly You may know when it comes by want of Spirits by the precedent causes which destroyed the Spirits and by the quick and smal pulse and when it comes from the least labor or motion Somtimes the like befals them that are well from walking or other motion with a change of Pulse and a resembling Palpitation The Prognostick is to be taken thus It is dangerous from the hinderance of the motion of the Heart by which Life is preserved and it brings Syncopes and death For it is a true Observation of Galen Com. Aph. 41. Sect. 2. and 5. de loc aff cap. 2. All that in youth or in declining age are troubled with the Palpitation of the Heart very much die before they are old for the often Palpitation is a sign that the Vital faculty was very weak A Palpitation by Propriety is worse than by consent and somtimes deadly And that which is of an internal is worse than that which comes of an external Cause unless it be from poyson or some great wound If it come from a Tumor or solution of Unity it is incurable The Cure is various according to the variety of the Causes and first that which comes from a peculiar distemper of the Heart and Pericardium is incurable therefore we must look only at the Cure of that which is by consent which depends upon the divers diseases of the parts whose Cure must be sought in their proper Chapters But besides those Remedies which take away the Cause you must use those which asswage the Symptomes by refreshing the Heart and strengthening it and which discuss the vapors which arise from melancholly or crude waterish Humors as Cordial Juleps Opiates Epithems Perfumes which are prescribed in weakness and these that follow Take of Conserve of Balm Rosemary-flowers Borrage-flowers and Clove-gilly-flowers of each one ounce Confection of Acorns and old Treacle of each one dram the Pouder of Diamber and Diamoschi dulcis of each one scruple with the Syrup of Citron Barks make an Opiate which let him take often Take of Bugloss Rose and Orenge-flower Water of each two ounces the syrup of Clove-gilly-flowers one ounce and an half Cinnamon Water half an ounce the spirit of Roses two drams Confection of Acorns one dram mix them and give two spoonfuls now and then This following Liquor which immitateth the Juyce of Hearts described in the following Chapter is good Take of Hogs or Sheeps Hearts three Cinnamon and Cloves of each one dram Lettice and Sorrel seeds of each one dram and an half white Wine two ounces Borrage Scabious and Rose Water of each one ounce and an half Confection of Alkermes one dram boyl them all between Two Dishes and let him take two spoonfuls of the Liquor morning and evening Take of Red Roses and Rosemary-flowers of each two drams Lavender flowers one dram Angelica seeds Citron peels Cloves Cinnamon and Mace of each half a dram Saffron one scruple Musk and Amber-greece of each six grains Make a Bag with red Silk and sprinkle it with Rose water and white Wine and apply it warm to the Heart Take of Oyntment of Roses half an ounce Oyl of Cinnamon and Cloves of each six drops Musk and Amber-greece of each four grains Mix it for a Liniment for the heart Purging Clysters and Carminative to expel Wind are often to be given But in the Fit it is best to open a vein And Galen witnesseth 5. de loc aff cap. 2. That he never did it without profit Some apply Cupping Glasses without Scarrification to the Breast which they say are excellent to discuss Wind there contained Others to the Hypochondria when the matter of the Disease is there But Zacutus Lusitanus applied a Cupping Glass with Scarrification to the heart with wonderful success as you may read in prax admir obs 133. lib. 1. Others commend true Rhapontick given to two scruples in Wine or Wine wherein the same hath been steeped Chap. 3. Of WEAKNESSE ALthough Weakness of Strength doth generally comprehend the hinderance of al Actions Animal Vital and Natural yet more particularly it comprehends the Vital which are known by a Weak Pulse yet this Weakness useth to be found in al great Diseases in which Nature doth yeild or resist the Cause Therefore as in Palpitation the Action of the Heart that is Pulsation is depraved so in Weakness it is diminished Which is the same with a Syncope but it differs in this In a Syncope it is so little that it is hardly perceived but in Weakness the Pulse is manifest and not so little In this also the Animal Faculty is
Many Practitioners do not only apply these Remedies before to the Cartilage called Xiphoides like a sword but also behind upon the thirteenth Vertebra because the proper orifice of the Stomach inclineth backward but the thickness of the Vertebra is such and of the Muscles under them that the strength of the Medicine cannot pierce through to the Stomach Take of Galangal and Calamus Aromaticus of each three drams Mastich and Cloves of each two drams one Nutmeg dried Citron peels half an ounce Annis seeds one dram and an half Make a bag of these being bruised and put into red silk pricked through and into musked Cotton to be worn alwaies upon the Stomach The Skin of a Vultur dressed and worn upon the Stomach is commended for the same in want of which a Hairs Skin or a piece of Scarlet may be used Chap. 2. Of Dogs Appetite called Fames canina HAving in the former Chapter spoken of Appetite diminished and abolished now we shall speak of it depraved And this is done two waies When it either offendeth in quantity or quality It offends in quantity when nourishment is required in a greater quantity than Nature would and this is called Boulimia or Dogs Appetite It offends in quality when things are required which are evil or are not food and this is called Pica or Kitta Of the first we shall speak in this Chapter of the last in the Chapter following The word Boulimia comes apo tou bou kai limou because the Particle Bou put to other words encrease the signification as if it were compared to the greatness of an Ox. It is also called Phagedaina which word is given to Ulcers which eat the flesh and enlarge and therefore called Vlcera Phagedaina that is spreading Ulcers Now it is called Fames Canina or Dogs Appetite because they who have it are hungry as Dogs But you may observe that these two words Boulimia and Fames Canina are somtimes confounded and used for the same thing and somtimes distinguished so that it is called Fames Canina when after much feeding they vomit like Dogs But some purge rather than vomit when Nature throweth down that which it cannot concoct In Boulimia vomit doth not follow but somtimes Lipothymia There are some who feed unsatiably and yet vomit not nor purge but concoct all and if they have not presently more are sick As Sennertus reports of a Scholler who was black colored who eat not only in the day but night and digested it without vomiting he could not be satisfied with delicate meats but required gross and therefore would eat no Bakers Bread but such as the Country people made and would eat as many raw Parsnips in a Summer morning as could be bought for six pence without damage Hence it appears that this disease is a Symptome of an action depraved in respect of quantity which action being encreased is called Dog-like or an Appetite beyond Natural Measure The part affected is chiefly the mouth of the Stomach The cause containing is sence of sucking and vehement pulling which stirs up the Appetite Galen 2. de symp caus cap. 7. reduceth the immediate causes of this Disease to two Heads in these words Evil Appetites exceeding in quantity which are called by some Caninae are then when either some evil sharp Juyce biteth the Stomach or when the whol Body immoderately concocting wants nourishment for evil Juyce which is cold biteth like the Natural sucking and produceth appetite by the resemblance of Nature The immediate cause of a preternatural Appetite according to Galen is first a vicious humor and cold sticking to the Stomach Secondly want of Food by over much concoction Evil Humors sticking to the Stomach cause immoderate Appetite because they by their too much coldness sharpness and sowrness do constringe wrinkle and pull the mouth of the Stomach and so make a sence of feeling like a natural sucking and beget a false Appetite This Humor is either sowr flegm staying long in the Stomach or many times Melancholly sent from the Spleen into the Stomach which in a natural state and a moderate quantity and quality begets a moderate and natural Appetite but if it be preternatural and exceed it makes the Appetite too great The want of Food by reason whereof the Veins do continually suck from the Stomach either it comes from too great Evacuation by bleeding purging vomiting sweating and the like or from too great a Consumption of the alimentary substance by reason of the immoderate heat of the parts or the thinness of the humors and body and loosness of the pores watchings baths immoderate exercise much venery all which do dissolve the substance making humidity and by these emptiness being caused and want of food the meat is carried from the Stomach sooner than it ought Also this Fames Canina or Dogs Appetite may come from Worms which devour the Chylus as Trallianus reports lib. 7. cap. 4. of a Woman in this Disease which voided a worm twelve â—ubits long by the use of Hiera and was cured The Hermetical Physitians do lay down another cause of this wonderful Appetite namely a certain dissolving Spirit begot in the Body which by an inhaerent property doth so readily consume whatsoever meat is taken so that it doth not allow Nature a lawful and necessary bound of nourishment This they call a hungery devouring salt sharp vitriol Spirit For say they as from divers Salts Vitriol Niter common Salt and Salt Armoniack with the like Aqua fortis is made by Chymistry which will dissolve the hardest Stones Mettals into Liquor in a short time so that Gold which will not be dissolved in a month by a strong fire in a quarter of an hour will be dissolved in Aqua regia and be turned into a Liquor of the same color This Doctrine is diligently to be examined for as the digestion of the Stomach in its Natural condition hath somthing to be admired by the curious Searchers into Nature so the same being made preternatural hath somthing to be wondered at This is wonderful in the Natural digestion of the Belly that the hardest meats are digested therein and in three or four hours space are turned into a Chylous Liquor so thin that it may be strained through the narrowest branches of the Venae lacteae and that Dogs do turn the hardest bones into the same Liquor is not to be attributed to a stronger concocting heat because meat in a pot although the fire be never so hot cannot in twenty four hours or many daies be converted into the same The Galenists hold that this comes from the faculty of the Stomach which faculty works not without an Instrument because if there is an Idiosyncrasia or a certain proportion of the first qualities as is commonly reported its chief action must be from heat for cold moisture or driness do nothing to that great dissolving of food and heat as it is said hath not that power Therefore the Idiosyncrasia is somwhat more
Sparrow with the tip of his Tongue he sound it exceeding sharp The dissolving Spirit inherent in the Gizzards of Birds is proved from Physical Practice in which the Gizzards of Hens for to help Concoction are usually prescribed in digestive pouders and it is credible that they produce that effect by helping the dissolution of the meat and the same are prescribed in the Stone and they do much dissolve them and that is more manifestly declared in that from the Gizzards of Birds there is a salt taken which is excellent to dissolve the Stone out of which salt being in grea plenty in their gizzards Nature being wiâ—e and provident knows how to draw a spirit in a living Creature by help whereof with the natural heat she may dissolve solid nourishment and it is ordinarily seen that there is a spirit made of dissolving salt as of Vitriol Niter Armoniack and common salt which is more powerful to dissolve Therefore the Spirit or sharp Liquor which is sent from the Spleen into the Stomach while it is in its natural state makes a laudable Concoction but if it be changed it overthrows he actions of the Stomach as aforesaid from these Positions That a Dog Appetite was stirred up when that spirit or acid Liquor is too active and powerful to dissolve So on the otherside if the dissolving power be too weak or be detective there followeth a diminished or abolished concoction Hence Helmont saiâ—h That the 1. Aph. of Hipp. Sect. 6. which is this In long raging of the Guts if sowr belchings arise which were not formerly it is a good sign is thus to be interpreted because that sowr belching signifie that that fermentation which was lost by the disease begins to return Let us hold up this new Doctrine by our own Experiment for in the yeer past 1648. we had a great Flegnatick and Melanchollick Flux for four months and were brought thereby to extream leanness by reason al our nourishment turned into a Flegmatick and slimy substance from the debility of the Stomach which could not wel concoct the same after many Medicines used al along that time the chief part wherof prosited little or nothing at length by the often use of very sharp Vinegar in a few dayes we were perfectly cured of that violent disease by the force of which Vinegar we may conjecture that the natural sowrness which was almost lost was much restored We used this Vinegar at our meat with hard Egs which being cut in pieces we dipped therein and for some dayes we continued the use thereof in all our meates And we manifestly perceived that if the Vinegar was not very sharp it did our Stomach little good The Knowledg or Diagno is of this Disease according to the differences of hurt Concoction is divers And 〈◊〉 Apepsia and Brady pepsia are known by the same signs only differing in degrees and these signs are sowr belonings vomiting or purging forth of food either not or but half concocted some causes of refrigeration went before there is a weight extention and inflamation in the stomach inconvenience by taking cold things thin urine waterish and pale somtimes thick and red from that impure and silthy juyce which by reason of the imperfection of the first concoction could not be separated from the Chylus but being sent to the Reins with the serous humor makes the urin soul such as meth to be voided by Melanchollick and Scorbutick persons See the Explication of this Urine more at large in Sennertus lib. 3. practimed part 8. sect 2 cap. 7. but the shew Concoction depraved or Dyspepsia Nidorous stinking belchings the like taste or stink in the mouth sense of thirst and heat inconvience by hot things If the Stomach is affected principall there wil be the proper signs of its Disease but if by consent this sympathy is to be sound out from the proper signs of the part affected but if the symprome depends upon the fault of external causes or of the object it wil appear by the relation of the Patient and those that stand by from the present or foregoing Constitution of the same The Pregnostick is thus made the fault of Concoction which comes from external causes is easily helped by taking away those causes is easily helped by taking away those causes and by ordering a good diet Concoction hurt is more easily cured when it comes of humors which are brought from other parts into the stomach then when it is only from the stomach for as if those humors are purged before they fasten any disease in the stomach concoction is restored The Abâ—â—â—shed Concoction of the Stomach is worst of al because the whol nourishment of the body is frustrated from whence comes most deadly diseases as Lientery Dropsie Atrophy and 〈◊〉 The Concoction Diminished brings its inconveniencies as Chollick Cachexy or evil Habit and soâ—â—ume divers sorcs of Dropâ—es The Concoction Deptaved is the Cause of many Evils of Obstructions Scabs Feavers and the lâ—ke 〈◊〉 â—ure is wrought by taking away Causes external antecedent and conjunct which do cause 〈◊〉 and preserve this disease And first observe if the humors be brought from other parts into the stomach and in this cafe they must first be Evacuated and Revelled the disease of the part sending those humors is to be amended and the stomach strengthned the cures of the diseases of other parts must be taken from their proper Chapters But the strengtnening of the stomach may be taken from the cure or the Want of Appetite But the Hurt which comes to the Concoction from the proper fault of the stomach that chiefly takes its begâ—nning from cold or hot humors and therfore requires the same cure which was propounded for Want of Appetite coming of the same Causes which we wil not repeat Lastly If the proper Cause of the Hermeticks afore-mentioned be worth observing you must look to it first correcting the Evil state of the Lwer and then restoring the Spirits dissolving with some acid substance of whith kind is Spirit of Sulphur Vitriol Salt juyce of Lemons Pomegranats Orenges and Vinegar Chap. 6. Of Singultus or Hiccough SIngultus or Hiccough is a depraved Motion of the Stomach by which it desires to expel somthing that is hurtful It is distinguished from vomiting because that which is so sent forth is contained in the Cavity of the Stomach and it is wholly turned to throw it out But in Singultus the matter offending is fixed in the Tunicles of the Stomach therefore it doth contract it self and shakes its fibres to exclude it And that we may comprehend loathing also in this Definition we say that the expulsive motion of the Stomach is three waies For either Nature would somtimes rise to expel and cannot or it is not sufficiently raised to this motion and then it is Nausea or loathing somtimes it riseth and expelleth and then it is Vomiting or lastly it riseth to expel and cannot and that is Singultus This is a
the same Seed be put into a cloth and often smelled to When the Disease is violent these Pills following are very good Take of Castor and Myrrh of each three drams Sal gem half an ounce Diagridium and Mastich of each one dram Agarick newly trochiscated three drams Aloes as much as all the rest make them with Juyce of Mints into a mass of one dram whereof make six Pills gilded Let him take two or three in the morning twice in a week two hours before meat Plaineâ— Pills and almost as good may be made of Hiera with Oxymel of which you may give a drama In the daies between the taking of Pills give this Pouder Take of Dill seeds half an ounce Zedoary Lignum Aloes Nutmegs Cloves and pouder of Diambra of each one dram Let him take two scruples in a morning with a little sweet Wine or put to them three ounces of Common Salt and let him eat it with all his Victuals Apply this Cataplasm following to the Stomach Take of Roots of Aristolochium or long Birthwort Flowerdeluce Bay-berries dried Leaves of Riâ—e and Mints of each three drams Castor and Myrrh of each two drams Cloves and Hypocistiâ— of each one dram Make a Cataplasm with Honey of Rosemary At length when the disease is stubborn you must use the Decoction of Guajacum and Baths of Brimstone as the best Medicines That which comes from wind is cured by the same Medicines adding thereto things to expel wind Apply also Cupping-glasses to the region of the Stomach which miraculously do presently abate and take away the windy diseases of the Stomach That which comes from a sharp Chollerick Humor besides those Remedies which were prescribed in want of Appetite coming of a cold distemper most proper also to this Disease must be cured by Phlebotomy if there be Plethory or fulness by vomiting and gentle purging every third day thus made Take of the pouder of Rhubarb sprinkled with Endive Water half an ounce the pulp of Tamarinds two drams the seeds of Endive and Purslain and of Spodium of each one dram yellow Saunders and Diagridium of each half a dram with syrup of Lemons make a Mass of Pills of half a dram whereof make Four or Five Pills to be given in the Morning as aforesaid Upon other daies let him take Conserve of Roses and Borrage mixed with a little Triasantalon or the Opiate mentioned in the Cure of Want of Appetite Emulsions often used made of the Cold Seeds do powerfully asswage the sharpness of the Humor or in a disease not very hot the milk of sweet Almonds Syrup of Apples with Syrup of Quinces is to be given in a spoon He must take Broth often And must drink cold or warm Water or Ptisans often The Oyl of sweet Almonds doth asswage the sharpness of the humors Let the Stomach be Fomented with a spung dipt in Rose water Take of the Cerat of Saunders and Oyntment of Roses of each one ounce Mastich half an ounce Citron peels and pulp of Quinces of each one dram with Juyce of Housleek and a little Turpentine make two Emplaisters of which lay one to the fore part another to the hinder part of the stomach Anoint the region of the Liver with Cooling Oyntments because the Humors use to flow from thence to the stomach If you suspect any infection you must give Treacle and other Antidotes and anoint the stomach with the Oyl of Scorpions according to Matthiolus These Medicines following are good against the Hiccough of what cause soever First Expel the Humor offending by Vomit if the Patient can wel endure it and Repeat it if the Disease abate and give stronger if necessity requires As Platerus sheweth in his Practice of which he gives an example in his Observations in these words A Chirurgion being sick began to Hiccough day and night so that he could neither sleep speakwell or take meat at last being thus weak and nothing profiting him when he was in an agony we gave him not without fear but at his own entreaty a strong Chymical Vomit at hand by which he vomited abundance of choller green and black and so was cured If the Patient abhor Vomits Purge him But prepare the Humors first or before you repeat it with cutting and clensing means after use these following Apply Cupping Glasses to the Back against the Stomach or before Bind the Stomach that it may not be dilated Use Ligatures to the remote parts Take Annis-seed for they say that doth specifically cure And give often Clysters to draw the Humors from the Stomach Apply yong Creatures to the Stomach And Take Vinegar of Squils in a spoon Neezing doth shake off the Matter which is compacted in the Tunicles of the Stomach as Chrysimachus the Physitian in Plato cured Aristophanes by Neezing when he could not be cured by holding his breath and gargling of cold water Galen 8. de comp med sec loc mentiones the Medicine of Asclepiades of which he examineth every Simple and approveth them as if it had al Faculties fit for this intention namely To discuss and Evacuate the Matter hurtful by Stool and Urin to strengthen the stomach and lastly to mitigate sharpness The Composition is thus Take of Costus or Galangal Saffron Spikenard Roses Mastich of each four scruples Asarabacca and Aloes of each two scruples Opium one scruple with the Juyce of Fleabane make them into little Balls or Cakes and let him take one of a scruple in weight every morning In imitation of that you may quicklier prepare Pills for one Dose of one dram of Aloes two or three grains of Laudanum And if you wil Purge more give three or four grains of Diagridium Duretus testifieth what excellent force Aloes hath in this Disease in these words Many when they have been almost dead with the Hiccough have been cured with Purging five dayes together with Hiera after they have voided black glutinous humors Platerus reports in his Observations That he Cured a Boy of ten yeers old that was troubled night and day for eight dayes together with the Hiccough with the Water of green Nuts distilled with Rhadish first macerated in Vinegar which he gave as a Vomit and though he vomited not yet he was eased and taking a draught thereof at night was presently Cured Forestus reports That he Cured one with one draught of the Decoction of Dill-seeds Carva Purslain and white Poppy-seeds made in smal Ale Claudinus doth highly commend Diaphoenicum with Philonium Romanum when the Cause and the Symptome are very violent Lastly Narcoticks only do alone Cure this when al other things fail by stupifying of the sense of the part which is too exquisite Chap. 8. Of Nausea and Vomiting NAusea and Vomiting differ only in degrees and both are the motion of the Stomach by which it either expelleth or labors to expel things contained therein therfore Nausea is a desire to Vomit with trouble and only sending and pewking forth a thin waterish Humor
by reason of the superfluous Humor which is contained in the Veins being an Enemy to Nature yet it cannot be denied but it is greatly decayed by those grievous vomits and stools It is better therefore first to allay the violence of the Humors and after the symptomes are asswaged to open a Vein And because in this Disease the strength quickly fails by strong evacuations you must be very careful in the restoring of it by that way which is shewed in the Cure of weakness in the eighth Book and the third Chapter Chap. 10. Of Pain in the Stomach called Dolor Ventriculi IT is a sad and troublesom sence in that part from some things that gnaw and stretch it till it break or be wounded In the Stomach you must consider three parts which much differ one from the other namely it s upper Orifice and its lower called Pylorus and the rest of its Body which maketh up the whol Cavity The upper Orifice is of exquisite sence by reason of the great Nerve which it hath from the sixth Conjugation and therefore pain therein is very sharp and makes the Heart which is the most noble part and neer unto it sensible of the same from thence it is called Cardialgia and Cardiogmos for there is such a neer consent between the mouth of the Stomach and the Heart that the Ancients called it by the name of the Heart Cardia But if the Membranes of the Cavity or the Pylorus be pained it is called simply Dolor Ventriculi and somtimes Colica Ventriculi especially when it comes of wind The immediate Cause of this pain is solution of Continuity by things sharp and distending and they are chiefly Humors or Wind and somtimes Worms gnawing the Tunicles Sharp and malignant Humors as green Choller or black salt Flegm corrupt Matter sent into the Stomach from an Imposthume broken in the Liver or Breast and all other sharp Humors which may cause pain Also sharp vapors coming from those Humors use to cause this pain The Wind contained in the Cavity of the Stomach doth cause swelling and painful distension especially if it be restrained within its Tunicles which makes a very stubborn Disease and cannot easily be sent out The Diseases both of the Stomach it self and of the parts adjoyning use to breed this pain as any great distemper either hot or cold and especially an Inflamation and somtimes a Schirrus or other hard Tumor which maketh a heavy pain as also Wounds and Ulcers of the same part and swellings in parts adjoyning by wind or other waies cause this pain by compression of the Stomach Now these Humors and Winds which cause pain in the Stomach either come from the whol Body or some parts thereof From the whol Body in Feavers or when the Body is filled with evil Humors And from other parts especially the Liver Spleen and Brain from the Liver there comes Choller from the Spleen Melancholly and from the Head salt Flegm Also this pain may arise from other extraordinary Causes not usual as Schenkius observes from stones bred in the Stomach lib. 3. observat And Fabricius Hildanus observ 33. lib. 4 reports that a Woman had a piece of Rind or rusty Bacon two yeers in her Stomach wherewith she was continually pained and which after by taking a Vomit she threw up and was cured The external Causes of this Disease are either evil qualified or of sharp Nourishment which of themselves produce it or things apt to breed Wind or things taken in too great a quantity which putrifie and turn sharp or things that are too hot and breed much Choller As also strong sharp deadly Medicines either taken in too great a quantity or not sufficiently corrected and poyson The Diagnostick Signs are from the part affected and the cause And first when the pain is under the Cartilage Ensiformis or Xiphoides it shews that the upper Orifice of the Stomach is affected but that it is a true Cardialgia in the mouth of the Stomach you may know more certainly when there is a most sharp pain from the exquisite sence of the part with such trouble and disturbance that the Patient cannot stay in a place or in one posture but often swounds and fainteth by consent and sympathy of the Heart with the Stomach not only by neerness to it but also by reason of the dissipation of the Spirits by the pain Somtimes the Brain consents by Reason of the famous Nerve which is in the Stomach and the sharp vapors which are directly sent into the Head from thence from whence come Cephalalgia Hemicrania Vertigo and Epilepsie In other parts of the Stomach there are great pains but they have not so great Symptomes and therefore they are like the Chollick differing only in place The Causes also are known by their proper signs The most manifest are taken from the Excrements for Choller Flegm Wind or Worms are voided at the Mouth or Belly it is easie to conjecture that the Disease depends upon these Causes But if no Humor be discharged we may know when Choller Flegm or Wind abounds by their proper signs and the signs of Worms are to be taken out of their proper Chapter As also the proper diseases both of the Stomach and parts adjoyning which produce this Disease are known by their proper signs The knowledg of the Humor causing this pain is also taken from the time of its coming encrease and cessation Some are troubled most violently before meat and this shews that Choller is predominant which is stirred in time of emptiness and drawn to the Stomach and made more sharp Some are pained presently after meat because the raw biting Humors which before were quiet and fixed to the Tunicles of the Stomach are moved when Meat is taken or they which were in the bottom of the Stomach are raised up and disturb the mouth of the Stomach Others are pained in time of Concoction because sharp gnawing vapors arise from the Matter causing the Disease from the heat encreased in the Stomach in time of Concoction Others are pained four or five hours after meat because it is corrupted by evil concoction and so gnaweth the Stomach Some are worst after sleep and that comes from a Catarrh from the Head in the time of sleeping which being heaped up in the Stomach produceth pain afterwards Somtimes the pain is appeased after Meat because the sharpness of the Humors is qualified by the sweetness of the Meat As for the Prognostick it is most certain that Cardialgia is more dangerous than any other disease of the Stomach by reason of the exquisite sence of the Mouth of the Stomach and its great consent with principal parts The danger is more or less according to the malignity of the Cause and the vehemency of the symptomes A continual acute Feaver joyned with a great pain of the Stomach threateneth great danger as Hippocrates saith Aph. 65. Sect. 5. In Feavers if there be great heat about the Stomach and
Cardiogmos it is evil for it signifieth that there is a great Inflamation of the Stomach or abundance of bad Humors contained therein The pain of the Stomach coming from Worms or Wind is commonly least dangerous because the Cause is not so bad and not fixed to the part But somtimes from Worms ghawing in the Stomach great Symptomes happen of which the Patient suddenly dieth So when the distemper which begets wind is stubborn and habitual it is not without danger for it turneth to a dry dropsie Hippocrates Aphor. 11. Sect. 4. In a Cardialgia coldness of the extream parts signifieth death at hand The Cure of this Disease is to be varied according to the diversity of the Causes If it come from the Diseases of other parts you must cure them But if the Cause be in the Stomach alone the pain comes either from wind or sharp Humors and Chollerick or from Inflamation Imposthume or Ulcer That which comes from Wind is to be cured by Medicines that discuss and evacuate that flatulent Matter as also the flegm from whence it comes And first you must give a gentle Emollient Laxative Clyster and presently after another Carminative that is expelling wind and discussing of the Decoction of Origan Calamints Penyroyal Rue the lesser Centaury Annis seeds Fennel seeds Carrots and Cummin seeds and the like In which dissolve Benedicta Laxativa Oyl of Dil Rue and Honey of Rosemary If the pain continue you must make a Clyster of equal parts of Sack or Hippocras Oyl of Rue or of Nuts with two ounces of Aqua vitae Or make a Clyster of white Wine with Oyl of Juniper or eight drops of the Chymical Oyl of Cinnamon or Cloves which doth Miracles Then foment the Stomach with this Take of Cypress Roots Galangal Calamus Aromaticus of each one ounce Mints Origan Penyroyal Marjoram Hysop Sage of each one handful Annis Fennel Caraway and Carrot seeds and Bay berries of each half an ounce Chamomel Melilot Rosemary and Lavender flowwers of each one pugil beat them and slice them put them into two bags and boyl them in Sack then squeeze them and apply them one after another to the Stomach and all the Belly When the Matter is not so cold this Fomentation following may be prepared which is highly commended by Forestus because it hath presently cured when other things failed Take of Althaea Roots half an ounce red Roses Chamomel Flowers and tops of Wormwood of each one handful Boyl them in common Water and Chamomel Water to one pint and an half adding in the end a little Rhenish Wine Rose Water and Vinegar Make a Fomentation After Fomentation anoint with Oyl of Rue and Dill mixed with Aqua vitae and a little Chymical Oyl of Sage or Cloves After the anointing apply a Plaister of Bay-berries or instead thereof a Cataplasm of Honey and Cummin seed While these are doing if there be loathing you may provoke vomiting gently or give a Purge against flegm After Purging give Oyl of bitter Almonds newly drawn mixed with white Wine or Hippocras mixed with Aqua Clareta or Cinnamon Water This following Juleps is most admirable to asswage pain discuss wind and strengthen the Stomach Take of Wormwood Centuary the less and Agrimony of each half a handful boyl them to five ounces and ad to it being strained one ounce of Sugar Let him take it two mornings together Amatus Lucitanus commends highly the distilled Water of Chamomel flowers as a most excellent Remedy to asswage the pains of the Stomach and Entrals of which you must give three ounces warm Or in the defect of that you may make a Decoction of Chamomel flowers which is so much commended by Forestus who saith that he cured a Merchant with this only Decoction once only given of great pain of his Stomach which made him to roar which when he had drunk off he belched and fell into a sweat and all his pain vanished as by an Inchantment so that he needed no other help You may also make a Vomit at the beginning of the disease which by evacuation may abate the pain of this Decoction made with Dill seeds or Agarick or the Roots of Asarabacca dissolving therein Oxymel Syrup of Vinegar or of Roses Solutive Galen teacheth that a Cupping glass applied to the Stomach doth presently take away pain But you must use this Caution That no crude Humor or very little lie in the Stomach otherwise the pain will be encreased Also you may with good success apply Bread hot from the Oven cut in the middle either by it self or sprinkled with Spices Lastly If the pain continue violent you must use a bath of the Decoction of mollifying Herbs that are hot which is most safe and powerful for it takes away the pain by discussing the wind and sending it forth by the open pores which it will better do if you give some discussing Medicine to the Patient while he is in the Bath for both internal and external helps concurring the work will be done The Bath must be very hot that the wind may be the better discussed and the thick Humors melted If by reason of the vehement pain Clysters can neither be given nor retained you must give a Purge in the Bath and let him stay therein an hour or half an hour till the power of the Medicine touch the Stomach Somtimes when the violence of the pain threateneth danger you must give Narcoticks which being wisely given bring wonderful effects Some mix Narcoticks with their Purges that the pain may be allayed and the Matter evacuated such as the Medicine of Elidaeus commended by Forestus made thus Take of Diaphoenicon half an ounce Philonium Romanum two scruples with the Water or Decoction of Chamomel make a Potion After the pain is gone let them who are subject to this Disease be purged once or twice in a month to take away the immediate cause of wind And let them use strengtheners such as were prescribed in the Cure of Concoction hurt That pain which comes of Choller is to be cured by the evacuation thereof with a gentle vomit or Purge or with frequent Clysters that are emollient not sharp or hot Afterwards qualifie the sharpness of the Humors with cooling Juleps that thicken with Emulsions of the great cold Seeds new Milk new Oyl of sweet Almonds Yolks of Eggs and the like In the mean while omit not Opiates and other strengtheners prescribed in the former Cures And at last when need requireth use Narcoticks Apply outwardly a Cataplasm of Bread and Milk with yolks of Eggs and Saffron Or Bread from the Oven broken in the middle and dipt in Vinegar Or Foment the part with the Decoction of Chamomil-flowers Violets and Water Lillies or which is best put the Patient in a warm Bath for that is most proper After the pain is gone lest it should return let the Patient Purge twice every month and let the hot Distemper of his Belly be corrected with a
Fourth of Lienterla or Coeliack Diseases The Fift of Diarrhoea The Sixth of Dysentery The Seventh of Tenesmus The Eight of the Hepatick Flux The Ninth of the Worms The Tenth of the Flux of the Hemorrhoids The Eleventh of the pain of the Hemorrhoids Chap. 1. Of the Chollick THe Chollick takes its Name from the part affected which is the Gut called Colon which is long and winding and ordained for receiving the Excrements of almost al the Body these Excrements retained too long use to cause this pain Therefore the Causes of the Chollick are excrementitious Matter which by distending pricking or corroding can make a Solution of Continuity and these are either Winds or Humors Winds are bred of Crudities or a cold Distemper of the Stomach or Intestines and if they be not sent forth by reason of the hard excrements or other things that obstruct the Intestines they are in great plenty shut up in the Guts especially the Colon and make a very violent pain Also gross Humors Cold and Flegmatick being fastened upon the Tunicles of the Guts cause the same pain both by gnawing if they are sharp or salt as also by cooling the part which by conâ—equence must suffer Constriction and Divulsion as Galen speaks of himself That having had a great Fit of the Chollick did void glassy Flegm that was actually cold and by producing Wind which is easily raised from a gross slimy and slow Humor by a weak heat Lastly Chollerick and sharp Humors as also Melanchollick and sowr by pricking and twiching the Guts make these pains but we may doubt in the action of these Causes how the Chollick should be somtimes more violent somtimes more remiss since the same matter remaineth in the Intestines To which Doubt we thus Answer That the matter doth somtimes lie quiet and then it causeth none or very little pain but somtimes it is moved and stirred up by divers Fermentations which happen among the Humors as in an Epilepsy the sits of the Mother and Agues But you must observe diligently that those Winds or Humors do not only remain in the Cavity of the Guts for then were they easily excluded by evacuating clensing and carminative Medicines but for the most part they are fixed to the very Coates of the Guts whence it comes that they are not so easily taken off but they make a long and a stubborn Disease which wil not easily be cured So thick Flegmatick and Melanchollick humors to flow by degrees through the veins of the Cuts into their substance and do not presently cause pain but til they so encreaâ—e that they provoke nature to expel them and so being moved they cause pain or send out Vapors which being included in the Tunicles of the Intestines do stretch and extend them and finding no passage cause a long pain And Choller being after the same manner spread and sucked into the veins of the Guts and the Tunicles thereof doth stir up sharp pains which use to be long because the Choller is very hard to be pulled from the substance of the Guts There is another kind of Chollerick Chollick which turns into a Palsie not known to the Antients which comes of a Chollerick Humor not in the Gut Colon as the former but suddenly sent into the Membranes of the Abdomen and it is carried thither from the Cystis or bladder of Gall or the Mesentery in the Crisis of continual Feavers or from great anger or some other external Cause when by reason of Obstructions it cannot be sent by the common passages but by a preposterous motion it is presently sent to the aforesaid Membranes of the Abdomen hence comes a cruel pain like that of the Chollick which neither by Clysters Formentations or other Medicines can be Cured but continueth many Months by which means the body consumeth somtimes it is like an intermitting Feaver somtimes and often like a continual lingring Feaver and at length when the pain begins to cease there is a Palsie by reason the Humor gets by degrees into the back by the Membranes of the Abdomen This Palsie doth trouble the upper parts most but the Thighs and Legs commonly are pained in some they are wholly resolved and made numb because the Choller being light flyeth to the upper parts Somtimes it gets into the Brain and begets Epileptick Convulsions from whence death commonly ensueth There are other Causes of the Chollick but less usual namely Stones bred in the Guts and knots of Worms which stop them The compression of the Guts from Tumors in the adjoyning parts or narrowness by reason of Inflamation and other Tumors of the Intestines or Contorsion or twisting of them by reason of Wind which is the way to the Iliack Passion somtimes also the Matter causing the Chollick is Poysonous and Malignant and makes a Pestilent Chollick as Paulus Aegineta reports That a Pestilent Chollick in Italy infected most of the Roman Provinces Finally al hard Bodies by Obstructing and Distending the Guts may make a Chollick as stones bred there many Cherry-stones swallowed hard Cheese and the like Platerus reports That a certain Governor long laboring of the Chollick with Convulsions after the use of Clysters voided a great quantity of hard Cheese which had a long time stuck in his Guts because before his Sickness he had eaten immoderately thereof The External Causes are Cold Air which constringe and indurate the Belly or too Hot Air by which the Excrements grow hard and loose their moisture the use of meat and drink not agreeing with the Constitution as raw Fruits and binding gross meats and hard of digestion too much rest and immoderate sleep unseasonable exercises immoderate venery and other External Causes which disturbe the Concoction of the Stomach The Knowledge of this Disease generally is easie For first the pain is very sharp for if it be light it cannot be called a true Chollick from the Opinion of Galen lib. 6. de loc aff cap. 2. And it is somtimes moveable somtimes more in one place than in another somtimes in the region of the Liver somtimes of the Spleen Stomach Reins somtimes above somtimes beneath the Navel and oftentimes it is most upon the left side in which as Bauhinus first observ'd there is a little streightness for when the Excrements in the upper and widest part of the Colon grow into hard lumps according to its Capacity great and then by Wind are driven into a streighter part they must needs pass with much pain in which Symptome the Chollick and the Spleen and the Stone are not distinguished but by comparison of other signs for somtimes the pain is like an Auger boring or a Stick fastened more fixed in some part When the Stomach consenteth there is vomiting of Flegm Choller that is green or the like After Meat the pain is greater because the Stomach being filled compresseth the Intestines The Belly for the most part is bound so that the Patient cannot so much as break wind and if any
thing be voided either naturally or by art it is for the most part windy and like Cow-dung with water at the top because it is most Flegm which useth to be so Somtimes the Belly is so bound that in the heigth of Pain Purging Medicines that are very strong will not work The Signs of the Causes are thus to be distinguished If the Pain come of Flegm it is not so great unless it be mixed with wind which cannot get forth of the places wherein it is contained for then the pain is very great somtimes in one part as if it were bored through with a wimble or stick somtimes in many if the wind do remove the Patient is better for hot and worse for cold things He used a Diet formerly which bred flegm his water is somtimes more crude and white not alwaies which deceiveth yong unexperienced Physitians and somtimes in a flegmatick and flatulent Chollick the Urine will be yellow and reddish by reason of the extraordinary pain which doth inflame the Spâ—riâ—s and Humors contained in the Veins and Arteries Which Avicen wisely observed Fen. 13. Lib. 3. Tract 3. Cap. 11. Let no man be deceived saith he to think by the foulness inflamation and redness of the Vrine that therefore the Disease is hot for that is common to all Vrines If the Chollick proceed of wind there will be a stretching pain and a swelling of the Belly the Patient perceiveth a rumbling of the Belly and much wind and he is better when he breaketh it he used a Diet to breed it as unreasonable drinking of cold water often use of Pease Rapes Chesnuts Sallets Fruits and the like And if the wind be contained in the Cavity of the Guts the pain is movable not in one place and is somtimes greater But if it be in the â—oats and Tunicles of the Guts the pain is fixed because the wind cannot move and it is constant because it cannot get forth If the Chollick come from a sharp and Chollerick Humor it is most grievous pulling and pricking there is heat thirst and often a Feaver the Urine is very Chollerick It is worse for hot Meats and Medicines and better for cold By sending forth of Choller the disease is diminished and there went before a Diet breeding Choller The pains of other parts under the Navil are easily distinguished from the Chollick by their proper signs except the Stone whose signs are so like with those of the Chollick that very skilful Physitians have been deceived by them As Galen himself was as he confesseth 2. de loc aff cap. 5. when he was troubled with the Chollick he thought that he had the Nephritis and that a stone was fastened in one of the Ureters till the Humor was purged away and the pain ceased after which he found it to be the Chollick But by these following signs these two Diseases may be plainly distinguished if they be well observed First The Nephritis or pain of the stone is fixed in the Reins and comes from thence to the Testicles according to the length of the Ureter But the Chollick is movable and girts about the middle of the Belly like a girdle Secondly The Chollick encreaseth after Meat by reason of the compression of the Intestines from the full Belly but the Nephritis encreaseth not but rather decreaseth because some of the Nourishment is carried to the Reins which doth somthing asswage the pain Thirdly In the Chollick the vomiting is more vehement and the Body is more bound because the Colon lieth in the bottom of the Stomach and the Intestines being stretched or much provoked do constringe themselves that they may expel what is noxious But both the Symptomes are common to both Diseases so that you can hardly know their intension and remission because a strong Nephritick pain may cause a greater vomiting and astriction of the Belly then a weak Chollick Fourthly In a Chollick there is more ease found after Evacuation than in a Nephritis Fifthly In a Nephritis or the stone the Urine â—sâ—first clear and thin afterwards there is a sediment and at length sand and little stones are voided But in the Chollick the Urine is thick from the beginning As to the Prognostick The Chollick for the most part if it be gentle and little and not long nor in one place constantly but intermitting and not binding the Belly is curable and without danger But if the pain is very great and fixed in one place not intermitting and if the Belly be bound that nothing can get forth with great watchings and if vomiting follow hiccoughs doting and coldness of extream parts with cold sweats it is deadly A stubborn Chollick coming of sharp and Chollerick Matter degenerateth into other grievous Diseases as Arthritis Epilepsie or Paralysis which is most usual An Epidemical Chollick which is contagious and pestilent is commonly deadly The Cure of this Diseale is divers according to the variety of the Causes And first there is the same Cure of a flatulent and pituitous Chollick which begins with an Emollient Clyster after which followeth one Carminative and discussing as was prescribed in the Dolor Ventriculi from the like Cause which must be repeated twice thrice or four times in a day till the pain be gone and if he go not to stool in one or two Clysters as somtimes happeneth you must give a sharp Suppository In one of the aforesaid Clysters you may do well to ad four ounces of the Aqua Benedicta Rulandi Or two or three drams of Coloquintida boyled in an Emollient and Carminative Decoction If Clysters will not give ease you must not stay too long upon them but use some gentle Medicine It hath been observed that when a sick man had taken three Clysters without benefit that another Physitian came and gave but one ounce and an half of Manna with two ounces of the Oyl of sweet Almonds in the fat Broth of a Hen and cured the Patient But in a pain that comes from grofs flegm you must give stronger Medicines Afterwards Fomentations Oyntments Baths Emplaisters and the like are good which were declared in the Cure of the Dolor Ventriculi of the same Cause to which you may ad some specifical things which are fit for this Disease Wash the Guts of a Wolf in white Wine then dry them in an Oven in an Earthen pot till they may be poundered Let the Patient take a dram thereof in white Wine and he will be presently cured Boyl fair Water and ad to it the fourth part of Oyl and some gross Pepper let him take three or four spoonfuls as hot as he can endure it and the pain will be instantly gone Take of the best Aloes one dram Laudanum four grains Diagridium six grains Mix them and make six Pills gilded Let him take them at a convenient time They take away the pain aster one hour and then purge out the noxious humor Instead of these you may give Diaphoenicon and Philonium Romanum as is
That is most deadly in which first there is chollerick then flegmatick and after stinking vomiting and Galen 6. de loc aff cap. 2. saith none of these escape but Experience teacheth that some do as when the disease comes from retention of the faeces or Hernia Intestinalis or Rupture in the Guts They who have this Disease with the Strangury die within seven daies except a Feaver coming the Urine be more plentifully voided Hipp. Aph. 44. Sect. 6. if the Strangury come of thick and and flegmatick Humors which are plentiful in the Veins and Guts a Feaver coming thereupon they may be concocted melted and attenuated and pissed forth by which means the Ileos is cured Although Galen in his Comment upon this Aphorism saith that he is ignorant of what Hippocrates saith here and that it cannot be confirmed by Reason and Experience If Symptomes be remitted and either Medicines or meat taken at the Mouth pass through there is hope of recovery The Cure of this Disease is to be varied according to the difference of the Causes And first if the obstruction comes from the Faeces indurate or from gross and slimy flegm you must use Emollient and Laxative Medicines both internally and externally First then give Clysters of the Decoction of Althaea Mallows Violets Chamomel and Melilot with Lin-seed and Foenugreek seed or of common Oyl to a pint in which you may dissolve the third part of Butter or of the Broth of a Sheeps Paunch in which dissolve Butter Honey and Sal gem To which Decoction if there be wind as commonly there is it is good to put Carminatives and Discussers After the Matter is somwhat mollified with these Clysters you must give first some gentle Purges then stronger and last the strongest In the mean while you must apply Fomentations and Liniments that are Emollient to the whol Belly and continue them long The Paunch of a Gelding warmed in hot Water applied to the Belly is good but mollifying Baths are better especially if they be made of Air only Also you may give inwardly the Oyl of sweet Almonds either alone with white Wine To which if the pain be great you may ad the Syrup of Poppies as was shewed in the Cure of the Chollick And lastly If there be vehement pain and much flatus you may give those other Medicines which are prescribed in the Cure of the Chollick not omitting Purges which being opportunely given take away the Cause That which comes from Inflaruation of the Intestines is to be cured by often Blood-letting if strength permit both in the Arm and Foot and by applying of Cupping-glasses with Scarrification to the Groins Also Emollient Clysters and cooling are to be given made thus Take of Althaea Roots two ounces Mallows and Violets of each one handful Guord seeds half an ounce Line and Fleabane seeds of each two drams Water Lillies and Roses of each one pugil Chamomel Flowers half a pugil make a Decoction in a pint whereof dissolve two ounces of Oyl of Roses Cassia one ounce make a Clyster and in progress of time ad Oyl of Violets and Chamomel The aforesaid Emollients must be boyled in Oxycrate Or give new Milk with a little Sugar and the white of an Egg or the Mucilage of Fleabane seeds one ounce to asswage pain Or you may make a Clyster of Oyl of sweet Almonds Barley Cream strained from the Decoction of it adding a little fresh Butter and Sugar A Clyster may be made of simple Oxycrate and be every day given which is excellent against the Inflamation of the Guts Anoint with Oyl of Violets sweet Almonds and Chamomel with Mucilage of Linseed Faenugreek seed and Quinces with Axungia of Hens and Ducks and sweet Butter Also make a Fomentation of the Decoction of those Simples which were prescribed for a Clyster Also Foment in the beginning with Oxycrate and after let the Simples aforesaid be boyled in Oxycrate And make a Catataplasm of the residence of those things in the Decoction with Barley Meal Foenugreek Lin-seed and Butter with Axungia's and Oyls aforesaid Also a Bath of warm Water in which cold and Emollient things have been boyled is most convenient After bleeding give two ounces of Oyl of sweet Almonds to appease pain and if it be very great use Narcoticks If there be no vomiting you must provoke it with a draught of warm Water with Oyl of Violets for so the upper parts will be purged and the Humors will be revelled from the part affected In the whol time of Cure you must give Juleps and Emulsions prescribed in the Inflamation of the Stomach Let his Drink be Barley Water and in the beginning let him abstain from all Nourishment for twenty four hours that some of the Matter may be consumed then give him Chicken Broth. This Disease is to be attended with diligence for it is for the most part deadly The chief business in the Cure is by abstinency and this is taken from the example of those that are wounded in the Guts for they are almost famished for forty daies Therfore let men in this disease for four or five daies take only three spoonfuls of Broth every day that vomit may be hindered which doth encrease the Disease Moreover Food bringeth no comfort to the sick for it turneth not to nourishment but is plainly corrupted and the Chyle which goes from the Stomach into the Guts is mingled with the excrements retained and encreaseth vomiting He may drink more freely because it goes more easily to the Liver and it may be fit to oppose the Disease if it be well tempered Oxycrate and in a smal quantity Lastly It comes somtimes but seldom from the circumvolution of the Intestines and this is either from Wind which tottureth them or from a Hernia called Interocele or Rupture That which comes from Wind is cured by the same Medicines which Cure the flatulent Chollick But if after long use of these Medicines the belly will not be opened but all things taken are vomited up that there is little hope of health the last Remedy must be used which Hippocrates propounds 3. de morbis namely That a pair of Smiths Bellows be applied to the Anus and that they blow into his Belly Then give an Emollient Clyster with Troches of Alhandal to bring out the faeces This is good not only against the Ileos from contorsion of the Intestines but in that which comes from a grievous obstruction for by dilating the Guts it takes away the obstruction Amatus Lusitanus Curat ult Cent. 1. testifieth that he cured one desperate by this means as also Epiphanius Ferdinandus in his Physical Histories Hist 74. reports that the son of John Altimar of Naples a most expert Physitian was ready to die of this Disease and taken as it were from the Graves mouth by this means But Aurelian disalloweth it because the wind coming from the Bellows may much hurt with its cold But this may be avoided if the Bellows be
filled with wind by the fire Paraeus also propounds another unusual Medicine by which he boasteth that he cured many at deaths door namely by drinking three pound of Quick-silver in Water alone for with its weight it doth untie the Gut and open and sends down the hard excrements which Remedy is commended by others who say that it may be taken without harm But we may wel fear so great a quantity lest it extinguish the Native heat with its coldness and coagulate the Blood in the Veins therefore in a desperate case it is better to give a less quantity Some give two ounces in a rear Egg and think good to repeat it if the first Dose do not succeed well but you may see in our Observations that one ounce hath done well But when the Illiack Passion comes from the Guts falling into the Cods all the care is to place them right which must be done by the gentle hand of a Chirurgion long fomenting the part affected first with an Emollient Decoction and Relaxing Oyls giving often Emollient and Carminative Glysters so placing the Patient that his Head be low and his Thighs high for some having been hung by the Heels were quickly cured If the Hernia comes with Inflamation of the Intestine it is cured with a fomentation of cold water If wind stretch the Gut discuss with a Fomentation of Spirit of Wine See the examples of both Cures in our Observations Chap. 3. Of Astriction or binding of the Belly BY Astriction of the Belly we do not understand all kind of supression by which nothing is â—et forth downwards as in the Ileos But only a dull and slow dejection by which the faeces and reliques of Meat are seldom and not according to the quantity of Food thrown forth therefore they are necessarily indurated because of their long continuance being dried with heat and some moisture is alwaies drawn from them by the Meseraick which reach not only to the thin but thick Guts It is a Symptome of the Expulsive faculty diminished or the retentive encreased and it is the cause of many diseases therfore the Excreta and Retenta are reckoned among the six things not Natural which not keeping the Law of Nature produce divers Diseases so it being bound sends vapors to the Head and produceth Catarrhs and other Diseases of the Brain disturbs the Concoction of the Stomach and the actions of other parts The Causes of this Symptome are many And first hardness of the faeces and driness are not only Effects but also Causes of them because being hard they are more difficult to be voided and do less provoke the expulsive Faculty They become dryer and harder chiefly and oftenest from the excessive heat of the Liver which powerfully draws away all the moisture contained in the Intestines and leaves the faeces dry This is also caused by violent motion especially riding also by few Excrements through want of food or because they have no actimony to prick the Intestines as it happens in cold Meats and when the Choller doth not go to the Guts as we observe in the Jaundice And lastly Many diseases of the Guts may cause this constriction as a cold and dry Distemper Tumors Obstructions Numbness of the Anus and Palsey and many others The Signs depend upon the knowledg of the Causes which must be taken from their proper Fountains The hot distemper of the Liver is to be taken out of its proper Chapter Also Tumors and other Diseases of the Guts have their proper Diagnosis or signs and so the external Causes as little Meat or coldness thereof riding and the like are known by relation of the Patient As for the Prognostick The Constriction of the Belly is more or less dangerous according as the Cause is greater oâ—less For if it come of Inflamation or other Tumor of the Intestines it is very dangerous but from other Causes less It useth to be contumacious and long when it comes from the faeces indurate and thence come often Chollicks which return after they have been cured by reason of the new dryness of the faeces as also because though the Belly seems to have been made sufficiently soluble by purging and many liquid Excrements are discharged yet there remains somtimes many hard Excrements in the Guts which breed new pains and cannot be taken out but by many Clysters given after Purging The Cure of this Disease depends upon taking away the Causes which are to be taken from their proper Chapters But because it is commonly long especially when it depends upon a hot distemper of the Liver and dryness of the Guts and in the mean time the Belly bound brings many inconveniences We will speak of its Cure by its self which is generally done by Emollients and Laxatives made thus Take of Althaea or Marsh-mallow and Lilly Roots of each two ounces Mallows Marsh-mallows Mercury Violets and Brank Vrsine of each one handful Lin-seed and Foenugreek of each half an ounce Annis seed one dram and an half sweet Prunes three pair Chamomel and Meltlot flowers of each one pugil boyl them to a pint and an half Dissolve in the straining Oyl of Lillies and Lin-seed of each two ounces fresh Butter one ounce and an half Diacatholicon and Diaprunis simple of each six drams Make a Clyster to be given as often as need requireth Somtimes instead of this use the following Take of the Decoâ—tion of Sheeps entrals one pint fresh Butter two ounces Cassia Diacatholicon and Diaprunis simple of each half an ounce red Sugar one ounce Make a Clyster Also twice in a month or thrice you may give one pint of common Oyl alone for a Clyster And because Nature will grow dull by too much use of Clysters and at length will never officiate that way but when she is provoked by one you must endeavor to mollifie the Belly with other means For this end sweet Prunes and roasted Apples with Sugar may be taken one hour before dinner as Galen sheweth 2. defacult alim cap. 31. For if they be taken immediately before dinner they will not work Or take Chicken Broth or other Broth in which have been bovled beets Borrage and some Apples or one spoonful of Oyl of sweet Almonds newly drawn without fire with as much Syrup of Maiden-hair or two spoonfuls of this Syrup following Take of the Mucilage of Fleabane seeds and of Quinces drawn with Mallows Water one pound and an half white Sugar one pound Make a Syrup according to art That the Prunes may work better let him drink half a glass of Vinum Lymphatum or Wine and Water before and after he taketh them fresh Butter taken an hour before Dinner the bigness of a great â—ut and drink Wine and Water will do the same thing Once in a week let him use one of these following Medicines Take of Cassia new drawn one ounce Cream of Tartar one dram Make a Bolus Take of 〈◊〉 one ounce or an ounce and an half Mix
is somtimes a gnawing in the Stomach a heat in the Hypochondria there is great thirst sharp excrements and chollerick As for the Prognostick Thus Lientery and Coeliack Passion lasting long is dangerous because it catcheth a way the nourishment from the whol body from whence comes an Atrophy or a Dropsie and if it follow great and acute Diseases it useth to be deadly The Cure of this Disease is to be altered according to the variety of the Causes that produce it And First That which cometh from Flegm may be Cured by those Remedies which were propounded for the Cure of Want of Appetite coming of a cold Cause Chusing those things which are most Astringent to stay the Fux of the Belly Therefore you must begin with Purging of the peccant humor with Medicines made of Aloes Rhubarb and Myrobalans Clysters are here of little force while the Stomach is chiefly distempered except an immoderate Flux do require them and then they must be Astringent and strengthening according to the Forms which shal be propounded in the following Cures After Purging sufficiently you must strengthen the Stomach with Opiats Pouders Fomentations Plaisters and other Remedies mentioned in the place above quoted in which as I said you must not omit Astringents as Mastich Citron peels Coriander seeds Snake-weed Roots Tormentil Coral c. And besides others the Opiate following which is greatly Commended by Amatus Lusitanus is Convenient by which he saith he Cured an Old man after many other Medicines failed Take of Conserve of old Roses six ounces of the best Treacle six drams Syrup of Quinces as much as will make an Opiate of which let him take half an ounce in the morning not drinking presently after That which comes of Choller is to be cured by those Remedies which were laid down against Chollerick Vomiting as also by those which shal be described in the Cure of a Chollerick Diarrhoea That which comes from the imbecillity of the Retentive Faculty in a deadly or at least dangerous Disease is to be cured first with Fomentations applied to the Region of the Stomach thus made Take of the Roots of Snakeweed Tormentil and dried Citron peels of each two ounces the Leaves of Mints Plantane and Sea Wormwood of each one handful Nuâ—meg Cloves and Cinnamon of each three drams red Roses four pugils beat them and cut them according to art and fill two bags pinked therewith and steep them in equal parts of Iron Water and red astringent Wine or in Wine alone if there be no great Feaver and let them be applied to the Stomach warm one after another After wards use this Oyntment or some Emplaister made of those which are prescribed for Chollerick Vomiting Also anoint the whol Belly with Oyls or astringent Liniments Give Clysters of Broth in which red Roses have been boyled dissolving therein Sugar and Yolks of Eggs and somtimes Confectio de Hyacintho if the Patient be very weak And finally You may give at the Mouth strengthening and astringent things as in the Cure of Vomiting before mentioned as also thus which shal be shewed for the flux of the Belly In a Coeliack Passion the Food is sent forth crude and imperfectly concocted It only differs from Lientery in degree and is cured with the same Remedios But if the stools be altogether Chylous this Disease doth not depend upon the fault of the Stomach but upon the obstruction of the Meseraick Veins which is usual especially in Children And therefore it is to be cured by Remedies which open obstructions and strengthen the Liver because that is commonly also weak but you must use no astringents least another kind of flux should sollow These Medicines are at large set down in the Cure of the Diseases of the Liver Chap. 5. Of Diarrhoea Dlarrhoea is that kind of flux of the Belly by which the excrementitious Humors are sent forth without Blood or Food and without the Ulceration of the Intestines By the Conditions of Diarrhoea properly so called is distinguished from other kinds of fluxes because in Lientery and Coeliack Passion the Food is cast forth unconcocted or half concocted in a Dysentery and Tenesmus Blood is mixed with the Excrements as in the flux of the Liver called Hepaticus and in the Haemorrhoidal Many are the Differences thereof which that they may be cleerly explained are to be referred to three Heads The first whereof respects the Matter which is voided the second the place from whence it comes the third the Manner and efficient Cause which produceth the flux of the Belly In respect of the Matter voided this flux is divided into a Chollerick Flegmatick Melanchollick and serous or watery In respect of the place from whence it comes either it comes from the whol Body or some peculiar Part as the Brain Stomach Guts Liver Spleen Mesentery Womb and other Parts Thirdly In respect of the Manner and Efficient Cause one Diarrhoea is Critical another Symptomatical one comes from an internal Cause as a distemper or evil disposition of the internal parts another from an external as from some Medicine or Poyson These Differences are seldom found single but they are often complicated in one and the same flux So a Chollerick flux is from the Liver or the whol Body a Flegmatick from the Brain or Stomach a Melanchollick from the Spleen and a Serous from the whol Body Also these Differences are complicated from a divers mixture of Humors so that somtimes Choller Flegm and Water are sent forth by the same flux There is another kind of Diarrhoea different from the rest which is called Syntectice or Colliquativa coming from the melting away of the substance of the Body and Humors by the violent hot distemper of the solid parts such as happeneth somtimes in the Inflamation of the Bowels in a strong burning Feaver hectick or pestilential in which a fat Matter as it were mixed with Oyl or Grease is voided Lastly Fluxus stercorosus or a dungy flux is another kind in which much liquid excrement is often voided which comes from excrementitious Meats corrupted in the Stomach or a great plenty of Excrements heaped up in the Intestines The Knowledg in general is manifest namely when more liquid Excrements are voided and oftener than usually Nature doth allow The Signs of these Differences which are taken from the matter are manifest to the Senses namely Whether they be Flegmatick Melanchollick Chollerick or Serous The Parts Sending have a more difficult Diagnosis or way of Knowledg yet they are thus Distinguished If the Humors flow from the whol body there either is or hath lately been a continual Feaver or some other disease of the whol body as Cachexia evil Habit or Leucophlegmatia or white Dropsie or there hath been over-eating or drinking and there is no sign of any Disease of any peculiar part If it be Critical it is a benefit to the Patient and is easily endured and thence the Disease is either Cured or Diminished Somtimes there
the Liver which also destroyeth the Natural heat This evil disposition and occult distemper may come by burning and swooning Feavers by a hot distemper of the Bowels which melteth the Oyly substance by occult corruption and corruption of Humors by a great coldness from flegm and Melancholly abounding which doth oppress and corrupt the Natural heat and it may come by outward Causes as great draughts of cold Water Snow or Ice extraordinary eating of raw Sallets Poyson and Medicines that purge too vehemently By drinking of too much new Wine salt sharp and peppered Meats and strong things which parch the substance of the Liver To these you may add al other Causes which by too much cooling or heating do dissolve the strength and tone or order of the Liver Hitherto is declared a true and proper flux of the Liver which hath this sign there are Liquid and ferous stools like washings of flesh from the weakness of the Liver which cannot sanguifie or make blood well or from a malignant distemper which spoileth the Natural heat and moisture There is also a bastard flux of the Liver which comes of a simple distemper without any fault of the radical moisture by which distemper the faculty is not hurt but the work hindered so that instead of pure blood there comes impure and corrupt or the good turns into evil when in a true of the Liver there is never any good blood in the Liver The Blood is corrupted either by the mixture of Choller or Melancholly or some other impure Matter or from its too long staying in the Liver and the parts adjacent by which it is made thicker or burnt or rotteth or from the fault of the Spleen which doth not suck away the drossie blood and in this bastard flux somtimes thick somtimes black and somtimes blood is voided mixed with Humors of divers colors The signs of this Disease may be gathered from what hath been said For in a true flux there appear moist stools like washings of flesh which is not in other bloody fluxes if in a Dysentery at any time it is seldom and then there is choller flegm and excrements of divers colors voided and in a Dysentery there is pain and torment of the belly but in this none The Signs of the Causes are known by their proper Characters For if the weakness of the Liver come from a hot distemper there went a burning and consuming Feaver before or there is green vomits or stools thirst and a Feaver foulness of Body and want of appetite and stinking Evacuations but if it come from a cold cause the stools are less stinking neither is there thirst or consumption the whol Body is colder and blewish Somtimes there comes a Feaver from the putrefaction of Humors which changeth the said symptomes but you must examine the Causes afore going which will declare both distempers Also in this cold distemper the Patients desire much strong Wine A moist and dry distemper are known by the contrary effects A moist causeth more and oftener stools very thin but a dry little and thicker stools but there is also great thirst Lastly The external Causes are known by the relation of the Patient and those that are with him A bastard flux of the Liver hath almost all signs of a Dysentery only there is no pain of the belly nor pieces of flesh in the stools as in a Dysentery The Prognostick of this Disease useth to be evil and deadly for when a principal part is very ill by consumption of the radical moisture whose reparation is scarce to be hoped for we can expect for the most part nothing but destruction especially when the Disease comes of heat When this disease comes in Feavers there presently follows a melting of the Body and great putrefaction which presently kils the party For in malignant and pestilent Feavers the danger is encreased according to the evil condition of the Cause But when this Disease comes of a cold distemper it useth to last longer and turn into an incurable Dropsie Lastly A bastard flux of the Liver although it be dangerous yet is it less than a true because it comes only from a simple distemper and evil disposition of the Humors the tone and strength of the Liver remaining sound and may be cured by taking away the Causes that defile the Blood The Cure of this Disease is wrought by Medicines that strengthen the Liver correct its distemper and stay the flux And because it comes oftenest of a hot distemper therefore we wil first speak of the Cure of that distemper because it comes seldom of a cold Cause and is to be cured as a Dropsie First therefore although Evacuations seem to be needless by reason of the greatnâ—ss of the flux you may give Rhubarb either alone or with Myrobalans as in the Cure of Dysentery because it doth strengthen the Liver and the rather if you sind any filth in the stools for many Patients have been cured by only one scruple of Rhubarb given many daies together in Conserve of Roses Clysters are here of little worth because the Liver is affected yet somtimes you may give one of chaly beat or steeled Milk or of a gentle astringent Decoction lest the Guts should be too much relaxed But you may make Juleps to strengthen the Liver and correct its distemper thus Take of Succory Graminis or Dogs Teeth and Sorrel Roots of each one ounce Endive Succory Plantane and Dodder of each one handful Sea-wormwood half a handful red Sanders one dram and an half the shavings of Ivory and Spodium of each two scruples Corâ—ander seeds prepared one dram red Roses one pugil boyl them to â—â—e pint and an half dissolve in the straining Syrup of Quinces and simple Syrup of Vinegar of each two ounces Make a Julep for four Doses to be taken morning and evening Or Take of Plantane Water four ounces Syrup of dried Roses one ounce Spirit of Vitriol aâ— much as will make it moderately sharp make a Julep to be repeated often He may also take of these Syrups following often in a spoon Take of Syrup of Myrtles Quinces and dried Roses of each one ounce the Syrup of Succâ—â—â— simple or compound with Rhubarb one ounce and an half mix them There is an excellent Syrup made of the Tincture of Roses made in Rose Water and with Sugar of Roses brought into a Syrup Also this following Pouder given to the quantity of half a dram or a dram once or twice in a day in a rear Egg Broth or other fit Liquor may be used with profit Take of Plantane and Soâ—rel seeds of each one dram Endive Purslane Dodder and Coriander seeds of each one scruple red Roses and Troches of Spodium Gum Tragacanth torrefied of each half a dram the inward skins of Hens Gizzards dried half a scruple make a very fine Pouder Or the Lozenges made of the three Sanders with a double quantity of Rhubarb given to two drams at a time are good
of the Chollerick Humor the Excrements of the Belly are high colored and also the Urine especially if it follow a putrid Feaver when the Jaundice is a Symptome and then after the coming of the Jaundice the Feaver remains but if it be critical the Feaver ceaseth and the Excrements with the Urine are wel colored The External Causes as Poyson and venemous bitings may be declared by the Patient and those about him The Prognostick of the Jaundice is various according to the variety of Causes That is more Curable which comes from the Obstruction of the Bag containing the Gall because its passages are neerer the Guts and the Matter cleaving thereto is easily sent into them provided that the Obstruction come not from a stone which because it cannot be dissolved renders the Disease incurable The Jaundice coming from an Inflamation or Schirrus of the Liver is most dangerous for one commonly ends in an Imposthume the other in a Dropsie They who in a Feaver have the Jaundice before the seventh day are desperate Hipp. Aph. 62. Sect. 4. against which Aphorism there is another of Hippocrates opposed which is in 4. de victus ratione in acutis in these words In a Chollerick Feaver if the Jaundice come before the seventh day with chillness the Disease is cured but if it come without chillness it is deadly There is Reason for what he saith for when in the third fourth and fifth day the Crisis or ground of Judgment is healthful if it be by Sweat Urine or Stool why should not a Critical Jaundice fall upon those daies And Experience from many allowed Authors doth testifie that the Jaundice doth often happen with safety before the seventh day Now these Authors do interpret the aforesaid Aphorism thus namely That Hippocrates by the seventh day understands any Critical day and he mentioneth the seventh as the most noble day and to be taken for all the rest But that is a true Critical Day of Judgment afore which a ful Concoction of the Matter causing the Feaver did appear The Cure of the Jauudice is by taking away of the Causes For if it come from a hot distemper of the Liver or a Tumor in that part you must consult with the Chapters afore mentioned for the Cure of them But that which comes upon acute Feavers if it be Critical needs no Cure Yet if it be Symptomatical the Cure of it depends upon the Cure of the Disease upon which it depends That which comes from the Obstruction of the Cystis or Bag of the Gall is cured by taking away of the Obstruction which may be conveniently done by the Remedies mentioned in the former Chapter To which we may add these as more proper First take away part of the Humor with this following Bolus Take of the Electuary of the Juyce of Roses and Diaprunis solutive of each three drams the pouder of Rhubarb one dram Saffron half a scruple With Sugar make a Bolus which you may give once or twice if the Body be of a very ill habit As for Phlebotomy though Galen denyeth it as unprofitable yet if you perceive abundance of Blood it is very good to abate it After general Medicines this following Infusion used six or seven daies doth commonly pluck this Disease up by the Roots if it be but yong Take of Madder Roots half an ounce the greater Celandine one handful the tops of Sea Wormwood and of the lesser Centaury of each one pugil Cinnamon half a dram Saffron half a scruple Infuse them a whol night in eight ounces of white Wine and add to the straining half an ounce of white Sugar Let him take it in the morning three hours before dinner Or you may make this Decoction following Take of Celandine Roots and Leaves one handful the Leaves and Flowers of St. Johns wort of each half a handful the shavings of Ivory and poudered Goose dung of each three drams Saffron half a dram Put the Pouder of Goose dung and the Saffron in a clout and boyl them all in equal parts of white Wine and Wormwood Water to one pint and when it is strained add one ounce of Sugar Give it for three morning draughts and repeat it if you think sit Quercetan commends for this purpose the Dung of a green Goose that eats Grass in the Spring and the dried white Dung of an Hen given or divers daies to the quantity of half a dram or a dram and he saith that the Dung of these Aerial Creatures is full of Nitre and Sulphur and hath a wonderful Faculty to cut attenuate and dissolve Dioscorides commends the Juyce of Horehound for this Disease and since his time others and especially Forestus who reports that some were only cured by the use of the Syrup of the Juyce of Horehound when other means failed Gesner commends the Nettle Root thus prepared Take of Nettle Roots one pound Saffron one scruple beat them wel and take out their Juyce with white Wine and let the Patient take four ounces every morning for four or five daies and cover himself to sweat after it While inward Medicines are given let the Region of the Liver be anointed with this following Oyntment Take of the Juyce of Smallage Parsley and Succory of each one ounce white Wine Vinegar half an ounce the Oyl of Tamarisk two ounces boyl them til the Juyces and Vinegar be consumed then add of yellow Sanders and Spicknard of each one dram Wax as much as will make a Liniment After the Obstructions are taken away the yellow colour will presently vanish by the strength of Natural Heat which will discusse the Humor from the Skin But that it may sooner be gone make a Bath of warm VVater and rub the Body therein with a Bag of Earley and Bean Meal Chap. 5. Of the Scirrhus of the Liver THe Scirrhus of the Liver is a hard Tumor without pain bred of a thick Humor fastened and hardened upon the Liver This Scirrhus is Two-fold either it is Exquisite or Perfect or Imperfect That which is a perfect Scirrhus is laid down in the Definition propounded which is without Pain or Sence That which is not exquisite or perfect hath some kind of pain and comes from a Matter less hardened in a word it is a Scirrhus beginning and not confirmed but that which is exquisite is confirmed so that they only differ in Degrees A Scirrhus breeds in the Liver two waies either from Defluxion or Congestion of a thick and glutinous Humor upon the part or from Inflamation which dissolveth the thin Humors and leaveth the thick The Matter of the former is Flegm or Melancholly either sent from other parts or bred in the substance of the Liver by an evil Concoction For the producing of this Humor evil diet is a main cause if it be of thick cold and viscous or clammy Nourishment as also a Flegmatick or Melanchollick Constitution and a Natural straightness of the Liver From whence Galen saith 13. Meth. That a
had no wind coming forth of the Cavity of the Belly neither did their Bellies but their Guts sink especially the thin Guts which were so stretched with wind that they came forth so rouled together that they could not be again thrust into the Belly But we must observe that the wind which causeth a Tympany is seldom contained in the Belly alone but for the most part mixed with Water as in an Ascites not only Water but Wind also is contained and both these Dropsies have their name of that which predominateth if there be more wind than water it is a Tympany but if more water than wind an Ascites but if they be equal it is between both â—o that we may doubt whether that Dropsie be a Tympany or an Ascites The Material Cause of Wind is a crude Humor and thick whether it be Flegm or Melancholly which being stirred and made thin by heat sends forth thick vapors which are hard to be dissolved and these are called Flatus This Crude and thick Humor is partly in the Stomach and Guts but especially between the Membranes of the Midriff and Guts from whence it is more hard to be moved than from the Cavity of the parts aforesaid The 11. Aph. Sect. 6. of Hippocrates makes this very probable They who have pains and gripings about the Navel and Loyns which cannot be removed have a dry Dropsie For because the Mesentery is joyned to the Guts by the fore part and to the Loyns by the hinder part we may easily perceive that the pains which reach from the Navil to the Loyns come from the Mesentery Besides The greatness of the pain shews that the Cause is deep in the substance of the part and cannot be removed For if it were in the Cavity of the Stomach and Guts it would easily be remedied Concerning the Efficient Cause Authors differ some say from a cold some from a hot distemper They which accuse a cold distemper think they have Galen on their side who saies that wind is bred of a weak heat To whom we answer That heat may be said to be weak in respect of the Matter which cannot be discussed or dissolved thereby But this is to be imputed to the Matter which is rather defective than the Heat which is commonly too great and Preternatural And we must acknowledg with the Learned That a burnt Melanchollick Humor is most fit to breed a Tympany which proceedeth from the parching heat of the Bowels which heat doth stir that Matter and produceth from it thick vapors that are hard to be dissolved The Dropsie called Anasarca comes of a Flegmatick Humor spread through the whol Body and therefore the Body is swoln and white from whence the Disease is called Leucophlegmatia This Flegm comes from a cold Liver which instead of good Blood produceth crude and flegmatick which when it cannot be turned into the substance of the parts leaveth the crude part that is unfit for Nourishment upon them and makes them swell hence comes Anasarca or Leucophlegmatia This Disease beginning is called Cachexia or an evil Habit and turns into Leucophlegmatia from which it differs but in degree The Antecedâ—nt Causes are all things that cool the Liver too much and hinder its Concoction as too much cold and moist Diet the stopping of the Terms or Hemorrhoids Obstructions cold Tumors Scirrhus and large bleeding and other great Evacuations by which the Native heat is diminished The Signs of a Dropsie and every sort of it may be known by what hath been said In an Ascites you may know that there is water in the Abdomen by its greatness lost Swelling and broad and if you press the sides you shall easily hear a noise of Water and when the Patient turns from one side to the other and then the whol Belly lieth as it were on that side then the Feet and Cods swell but the higher part grow less the Urine is little and thick somtimes red because there goes but little water to the Reins and Bladder and staies long there by which means it becomes red and thick In the progress or encrease of the Disease there is difficulty of Breathing by reason of the abundance of water which lieth upon the Diaphragma or Midriff especially when the Patient lieth down and therefore he is forced to stand or sit most usually There is a troublesom thirst from the saltness of the Humor with which the Stomach swimmeth And lastly there is a constant lingering Feaver from the corruption of the Water which at length doth corrupt all the Bowels swimming therein In a Tympany the Belly being strook sounds like a Drum the Bulk of the Belly is less burdensom than in an Ascites There were formerly pains about the Navel and Reins when the Patient lieth with his face upwards his Belly remains hard and stretched forth nor doth it turn aside when he turneth himself Lastly In an Anasarca not only the Belly Thighs and Leggs but also the Hands Arms Breast Face and whol Body swel and wheresoever you thrust your finger upon it it will pit and leave an impression The color of the Skin is pale and Earthy the Flesh soft and loose the Water thin and white breathing difficultly and somtimes a lingering Feaver As to the Prognostick Every Dropsie is dangerous and hard to be cured and the more hard by how much the elder but Anasarca is least dangerous but Ascites and Tympany are somtimes one more dangerous than another according to their Causes So if Ascites come from a Scirrhus of the Liver or Ulcer of some internal part it is more dangerous than a Tympany but if it come of drinking too much Water or new Obstructions it is less dangerous A Dropsie is more easily cured in Servants than in Free-men in Country men than in Noble men for they will be better constrained to abstain from Drink and the like and be more patient than they who have liberty A Dropsie from the hardness of the Spleen is less dangerous than from the hardness of the Liver because the Spleen is not so Noble a part A Dropsie coming upon an acute Disease is evil nor will it abate the Feaver but cause pain and death Hipp. 2. Prognost They whose Liver being full of water discharge it into the Omentum or Caul their Belly is filled with Water and they die Hipp. Aph. 55. Sect. 7. He who hath Water between the Skin or an Anasarca if that water which is in the Veins flows into the Belly the disease is cured Hipp. Aph. 14. Sect. 6. This Aphorism seems coutrary to the former But this contrariety is answered by saying that Hippocrates in the former by Belly understood the Cavity of the Abdomen but in this Belly its self for if the water flow through the Belly the Disease is at an end Which Opinion is more clearly explained by Hippocrates in Coacis in these words In the beginning of a Dropsie if there come a flux of the belly without
want of Concoction or Crudity it is prevented You must mark that it is in the beginning for if a flux come upon an old Dropsie it is not so safe because commonly there is some fault in the Bowels by continuance as a Scitrhus or corruption of substance which begets new matter and death also Henee Hipp. in Prorrh saith that they who are to be cured of the Dropsie must be Euspiagchnous that is those that have sound Bowels free from the great Diseases mentioned Otherwise if a flux of the Belly happen with a Scirrhus or corruption of the Liver they die presently as Galen shews 2. ad Glau. cap. 5. And Avicen saith thus Straitness of breath and flux of the belly signifie death within three daies Little Urine in Dropsies is evil the less the worse because the Drink runs into the Belly and not into the Reins Hence Hipp. in Coac saith Little and thick Urine and a Dropsie that is Feaverish is deadly but if the quantity of Urine encrease we may hope well Which is elegantly laid down by Celsus And then saith he there is hope of Health when they void more Urine than they drink Therefore it is good every day to measure the Urine and the Drink and the Belly with a string especially while Physick is given to see whether it grow less or not for if it encrease notwithstanding the Medicines it is desperate Imposthumes or spots in the Legs or Hydropical men are deadly Hippocrates confirms this 7. Epid. in the History of Bion and Ctesipthon the one whereof died presently after an imposthume which ran in his left Knee the other after he had a red and blewish gathering in his right Thigh Men that are cured by Medicines for Dropsies if they fall again into the same are desperate Hipp. in Coac For it signifieth that there is some incurable fault lurking in the Bowels which after the water is emptied reneweth it again If the Patient have sound Bowels and strength eat his meat and concoct well and be not sick after breath freely have no pain cough or thirst and his tongue grow not rough so much as in his sleep if Medicines presently purge him and if without Medicines he be bound and in a Natural order and if his Urine change according to his Diet or if he be not faint If all these things be present the Patient is recovered if some of them there is hopes of amendment if none he is desperate In a dry Dropsie to piss by drops is evil Hipp. in Coacis A Tympany in a Melanchollick Body is deadly and Remedies are given in vain If in a Leucophlegmatia a strong Diarrhoea follow the Disease is cured Hipp. Aph. 29. Sect. 7. but this Diarrhoea must be at the beginning or at least before the Disease be old or the strength of the Party weakened but if it happen when the Patient is weak it is dangerous The Cure of the Dropsie consists in the Evacuation of the Matter whether it be in the whol Body or in the Abdomen or Belly in taking away the Cause that produced that Matter and in strengthening of the Bowels especially the Liver The chief and most ordinary Causes are great Obstructions and Scirrhus or hard Tumors the Cure of which Diseases is to be taken out of their proper Chapters But if they will not suffice you must use these following which are more proper in Dropsies and vary them according to the variety of Causes and the Bodies sick And first you must give an ordinary Purge by an opening Apozeme that expels slegm and water made thus Take of the Roots of Eryngus Madder Smallage Parsley and Elicampane of each one ounce Valerian Asarabacca Dwarf-Elder and Flower deluce Roots of each half an ounce the Bark of the Roots of Capars and inward Bark of an Ash and Tamarisk of each six drams the Leavs of Agrimony Ceterach Maiden-hair Germander St. Johns-wort Wormwood and the lesser Centaury of each one handful Sold anella or wild Mercury half a handful the seeds of Carrots Parsley and Fennel of each half an ounce scraped Liquoris and Raisons stoned of each one ounce clean Senna one ounce and an half Agarick tied in a clout three drams the seeds of Dwarf-Elder and Jallap Roots of each one dram and an half Ginger and Cloves of each one dram Broom Elder and Tamarisk flowers of each one pugil Boyl them in equal parts of steeled Water and white Wine added towards the end to a pint and a quarter When it is strained dissolve therein Syrup of Succory with Rhubarb four ounces Make a cleer Apozeme aromatized with three drams of Cinnamon for four morning draughts After Universal Purging let the Patient take this following Pouder once a week Take of Clean Senna Gummy Turbith Hermodacts Dwarf-Elder seeds Jallan and Mechoacan of each one dram Cream of Tartar two drams Cambugia half a dram the pouder of Diamber Diarrhodon Abbatis and Fennel seeds of each one scruple Sugar candy three drams Make a Pouder of them all of which infuse two drams or two drams and an half all night in four ounces of white Wine Let him take the Wine and the Pouder in the morning The Syrup of Rhamus solutivus or Buckthorn made of the Juyce of its Fruit called Rhein Berries with Sugar given one ounce at a time doth wonderfully purge water It must be taken presently after Dinner Or give the Magistral Syrup made of the Decoction of the Apozeme afore mentioned the dose of Purgers being encreased or this following Take of the Juyce of Damask Roses two pints the Juyce of the Roots of Danewort Flowerdeluce Succory Leaves and Agrimony of each half a pint the seeds of Danewort Mechoacan Roots and of the best Rhubarb of each two ounces Spicknard three drams yellow Sanders two drams Crystal of Tartar one dram and an half infuse them a whol night and after a little boyling strain them then put as much white Sugar as is of the Liquor boyl it into a Syrup and add to it of the salt of Wormwood half an ounce Let him take two drams with opening Broth once in a week Or instead of this Syrup or at other times when it is not taken you may give these Pills which purge the evil Humors and also open Obstructions Take of the best Aloes steeped in the Juyce of Wormwood half an ounce Gum Ammoniack dissolved in Vinegar and strained the best Myrrh and Crocus Martis prepared with Sulphur of each three drams Salt of Wormwood and Tamarisk of each two drams Diagridium and Troches of Albandal of each one dram Saffron Ginger and Salgem of each one scruple With Oxymel of Squils make a Mass of Pills of which give half a dram twice in a week two hours before Dinner Also Purging Wines are much commended for the cure of the Dropsie of which there are divers Forms But these are best Take of the Roots of Asarabacca and Mechoacan of each two ounces the French Flowerdeluce and Bark of
There is a heat in the Hypochondria and a certain Inflamation inward somtimes in one side somtimes in another from hot Humors contained therein especially when they are moved by inward or outward means so that the Face will grow hot and red from those vapors and somtimes there is an Ephemeral or Feaver for a day by those vapors sent through the whol Body The Urine is somtimes thick somtimes thin Thin when thick Humors stop the passages through which it is as it were strained thick red and troubled by reason of the mixture of the thick Matter which is very salt and therefore is called Materia Tartaria and it lies at the bottom of the Urinal like a thick Sediment Or some part of it sticks like red Sand to the sides which makes many fear the Stone without cause because this same is not bred in the Reins but in the Liver from a burnt and salt Humor and you may know this because it dissolves between the Fingers like Salt which will not when it comes from the Reins Somtimes there is a Palpitation or beating of the Heart by reason of the vapors ascending which while it labors to expel make it move violently and then the Patient thinks himself in great danger Somtimes there is a beating in the left Hypochondrion when hot Humors are there from whence vapors arise and make the Pulse or Systole and Diastole of the Arteries greater so that both the Patient and the standers by may feel it which is chiefly after heat with Anger motion or drinking of much Wine This beating is chiefly in the Coeliack Artery which is the chiefest in that part In an old Disease it is somtimes constant and this signifies an Habitual and incurable Disease An Aneurism somtimes followeth this great breathing from the enlarging of the Coeliack or some other Artery and from the hot blood in them which being very thin and full of many hot Spirits continually dilateth and stretcheth the Arteries while there is an Aneurism such as Fallopius observed Lib. de tum preter naturam cap. 14. in an old woman who being opened had an Aneurism in her Belly into which he put his fist From which mark by the way the great providence of Nature which fearing the breaking of an Artery through too much enlarging hath made the coat of it as hard as a bone as Fallopius observed in the same place Also Paraeus in his sixth Book Cap. 28. tels the like story of an Aneurism found not in the Belly but the Breast in the Venal Artery which was so stretched that it could contain his sist and also the inward Tunicle thereof was like a bone And we have seen the like about two yeers agone namely an Aneurism in the Breast by the dilatation of an Artery which would hold the fist of a Boy of fifteen yeers old and the Tunicle thereof was grown like a Gristle The evil vapors that ascend from the Hypochondria produce many Symptomes for being sent to the Pallat and Tongue they dry those parts and cause a thirst when they go to the Lungs and Midriff they cause shortness of breathing when to the Membranes of the Brain Head-ach when to the Brain noise in the Ears dimness of Sight Giddiness Fear and Sorrow and divers Melancholly Phansies And if they be malignant and very sharp they cause an Epilepsie or Falling-sickness if they come to the Nerves Convulsions and if they be stupifying they cause a Numbness and bastard Palsey Coma and Apoplexy if they get into the Brain But if these vapors be hot and dry they dry the Brain and cause watchings troublesom sleep and frightful Dreams and at first though they sleep well after Supper til midnight afterward they wake some three or four hours and some sleep again about three or four a clock others not at all The reason whereof is this Because while the Chyle is carried to the parts that serve for the second Concoction then the evil Humors lying in the Vessels are stirred and send up vapors which being sent by the Veins and Arteries to the Head cause watching and if they be quickly discussed they sleep again but if they continue long they watch the other part of the night We have formerly spoken of all these Symptomes and we say again That all are not in all men but more or sewer according to the variety of the Humors and parts affected This also is to be marked It is not Essential to Hypochondriack Melancholly that stretching hardness pain and swelling should be in the Hypochondria because the cause is for the most part in the Branches of the Gate Vein and Arteries adjoyning and sends from thence vapors to the Heart and Brain Oftentimes there is stretching in the Liver and Spleen which signifieth That the Humors stick in those parts but if there be no stretchings it is a sign that the evil Humors lie in the Veins of the Mesentery Caul Sweetbread and Stomach These proper Symptomes shew that the Stomach is affected with sowr belchings and stinking or loathing vomiting want of concoction and somtimes flux of the belly As for the Prognostick This Disease is not deadly for the most part but of long continuance many times the whol life therefore it is commonly called the disgrace of Physitians because they do seldom cure it and if the Patient seem to be cured it returns again in a few months it is also called the Scourge of Physitians because they who have it are continually asking new Medâ—câ—nes and presently satisfied therewith and dayly complain to the Physitian for others The Flux of the Hemorrhoids doth good in this Disease if it be moderate but if it continue long it is dangerous A thick Urine is better in this Disease than a thin and watery which shews that the thick Humors are detained in the Body Black Urine without a Feaver doth often Cure this Disease It s good in this Disease to have a loose Belly and bad to be bound Also Vomiting if the Patient be refreshed thereby is profitable but if it continue long it is dangerous A Giddiness and continual pain in the Head in this Disease ends in an Epilepsie Blindness or Apoplexy The Cure of this Disease is in three things chiefly first in opening Obstructions secondly in amending the distempers of the Bowels and in discharging of the peccant humor not omitting strengtheners For which a wise Physitian may use these following First give a Clyster then this Potion Take 〈◊〉 Senna half an ounce Annis seeds and Cream of Tartar of each one dram Borrage flowers Fumitory and Sorrel of each half a handful Liquoris three drams boyl them to three ounces Dissolve in the straining Rhubarb infused in Lavender Water one dram and an half double Catholicon three drams Compound Syrup of Succory one ounce Make a Potion to which you may well add in a strong Melancholly one dram of Confectio Alkermes The day following let Blood from the left side chiefly or
water-like and little in the beginning of the fit after which somtimes followeth a total stoppage if both Ureters are stopped but when the fit is past and the stone that was fixed in the Ureters is fallen into the bladder there comes forth much thick troubled Urine with a sandy Sediment The Fourth Sign is often voiding of sand and stones Concerning voiding of a stone it is evident That if the Patient voided any formerly though never so smal when he had a fit it is most certain that the Disease is the Stone But concerning Sand we cannot speak so infallible for we may see many all their lives time void Gravel and never be troubled with the stone for sand comes often from adustion of Humors in the Liver and Veins and it sticks to the sides of the Urinal and goes not to the bottom as that which comes from the Reins Besides if you rub it between your fingers it dissolveth and is like Salt when the other will not yeeld to the fingers and will not dissolve And finally because this Sand is salt it is dissolved in hot Urine nor will it appear while the Urine is so but when it is cold it grows together to the sides of the Urinal not unlike the Crystal of Tartar which being dissolved in warm water when it grows cold congealeth and sticks to the sides of the Glass so the Nature of them both is very like The Fifth Sign is a stone voided and this is most certain For if any former Sign though equivocal do appear and a stone be voided you may be certain of the Disease The Sixth Sign is a numbness of the Thigh on the same side that the Back is pained of for the stone being great doth oppress the Nerve which is in erted into the Muscles of the Loyns under the Reins called by the Anatomists Psenas and those Muscles go to the Hip for its motion such a numbness is percâ—ived by sitting upon the Thigh through the compression or in the Arm by long leaning thereon The Seventh Sign is the drawing in of one stone on that side where the pain is For the Kidneys and Ureters being provoked with the greatness of the pain do vehemently contract themselves and then the Spermatical Vessels and all the parts adjacent are also contracted and these Vessels do raise up the stone which is joyned to them so that it seems somtimes to be fixed to the Groyn And this retraction or drawing in of parts reacheth to the bladder and Guts For in great pain the belly is bound and Urine stopped so that then Purges will not work by reason they are hindered by that Contraction The Eighth Sign is loathing and vomiting by the connexion of the Kidneys with the Stomach by the Membrane that comes from the Peritonaeum and by the Nerve of the sixth Conjugation two branches whereof reach from the Stomach to the inward Tunicle of the Kidneys Therefore when those sensible parts in the Kidneys are pulled the Stomach consenting is stirred up to exclude that which hurteth and first it sends out Flegm then yellow Choller after green if the evil continue because through long pain and watching the blood is altered in the Veins and that part which is most disposed for it is turned into green Choller Finally The Nephritical pain is so like the Chollick that Galen himself was deceived in the distinguishing of them as we shewed in the Diagnosis or Knowldg of the Chollick where also we laid down signs by which we may distinguish them which we shall not need to repeat The Signs afore mentioned are equivocal and one of them can scarce give a certain knowledg Some Authors mention others which are more equivocal and uncertain but joyned with others they help the knowledg of the Disease therefore it will not be amiss to mention them Hipp. Aph. 34. Sect. 7. saith They who have bubbles in their Vrine have an old Disease in the Reins For these bubbles come from thick Humors full of gross vapors which are either bred in the Reins or sent from other parts to them that matter is proper to breed the stone and cannot be presently cured therefore the Disease is long Galen in his Comment upon this Aporism saith that the mouthes of the Arteries which come to the Reins are opened by the sharpness of the Urine and thence comes a Spirit which being mixed with the Urine maketh bubbles But it is not probable that such a gross Spirit that will remain so long should come from the Arteries and Urine being cold may long time so continue as we see many bubbles many hours swimming thereupon And also when the Arteries are opened by the sharpness of the Urine blood will also come forth And the mouthes of the Veins having thin Skins would be more easily opened and so there would be also blood mixed with the bubbles Hippocrates also Aph. 76. Sect. 4. saith They who void little bits of flesh and things like hairs with a thick Vrine do it from the Reins The bits of flesh come from the Ulcer of the Reins of which we shall speak hereafter but these thrids or hairs are said by Galen in his Commentaries to come from thick and crude flegm made long and round by the extraordinary heat of the Reins Yet Galen confesseth 6. loc aff cap. 3. that after a long search he was ignorant of the cause of their length Avicen saith that these thrids grow long in the vessels of the Reins or others for in regard these are taken away by Diureticks and the Patients acknowledg pain in the Reins it is credible that they receive their form from thence Actuarius doth directly say they come from the Ureters For when the Reins abound with flegm it goes with the Urine into the Ureters and sticking to them and growing thick by heat it gets a long shape like a thrid or hair But Fernelius writes that those hairs come from the Parastatis or kernels from his Observation in which they grow long like hairs from the matter of the seed which by force of the Disease flowing down by degrees grows thick by heat and that they appear much in those who have lately had a filthy Gonorrhoea and in those women who have the Whites or a foul Womb and in that Urine which they make next after they have known a man Others suppose that those thick Humors of which those filaments or hairs are made are first bred in the Veins but take their form in the narrow passages of the Reins through which as through a sieve they turn smal and after they descend into the Ureters in which they grow dryer till they are sent into the bladder neither can they be broken by reason of their toughness Whatsoever the cause is since the best Authors do agree that these hairs breed of thick flegm in the Kidneys or come to them from other parts it is certain that they may turn into a stone if there be an efficient cause fit
four ounces of white Wine Take of the bark of the Roots of Carduus Asininus one ounce Liquoris two drams boyl them to six ounces let him take the straining many daies It doth wonderfully clense Stone and Gravel Take four pounds of shred Onions that are white two pound of Sugar one pint and an half of white Wine distil them in Balneo Mariae till they are dry Give every morning two or three ounces for many daies together The Ashes of a Scorpion is commended by Practitioners if you take one scruple at a time with Waâ—er of Couch-grass Pellitory or white Wine but it is seldom used Mathiolus his Oyl of Scorpions is more in use a dram taken at the Mouth with the aforesaid Liquors The Chymists brag much of their Salts among which the best is Salt of Bean Cods or Stalks half a dram whereof with white Wine works very well And also Tartar vitriolate in the same quantity They commend also Spirit of Salt Vitriol Mercurius dulcis with their proper Vehicles or Liquors Outwardly you may help the Stone if you continually chafe the Reins and Ureters with warm hands anointed with Oyl of Scorpions Also many Cupping-glasses from the Kidney affected downwards applyed without Scarrification Then anoint the Part with Mathiolus his Oyl os Scorpions to which add a little pouder os Cantharides Or make a Liniment of Oyl of Wax Bricks and Scorpions of each equal parts it is very piercing and good if you fear no inflamation of the Reins You must observe in the use of Medicines to break and expel the stone That they must not be used twice or thrice but often till the passages stopt are open and while you give them you must cherish the Reins and Bladder with Baths Fomentations Oyntments and Cataplasms that the other may work the better And you must give thin Liquor as white Wine often and use inward Emollients Looseners and Openers to enlarge the Passages and temper the sharpness of other Medicines By these Remedies the pain of the Reins is cured and stone dissolved and expelled But because they who are diposed to this Disease and cured do often relapse therefore we must appoint some Preservatives that we may hinder it as much as may be And first if there be a Plethora or fulness or the Reins and Liver hot it is good to open a Vein Spring and Fall a Clyster or gentle Purge being first given And then to purge the Matter away which is proper to breed the stone before it come to the Kidneys which you may do by a Vomit twice or thrice in a month to those which easily vomit Or you may give a Purge by a Bolus of Cassia Diaphoenicon and Rhubarb prescribed in the Cure or some other convenient Medicine every month or two or three according to the habit of the Patient and the plenty of Humors and that in the last quarter of the Moon Or if there be evil Humors they must be purged Spring and Fall with a convenient Apozeme for by that not only the Antecedent and remote cause wil be taken away but also some part of the conjunct cause as also the Obstructions of the Bowels which usually accompany this disease wil be taken away if you mix therein clensing and cutting Medicines Or instead of the Apozeme you may use the Decoction of an old Cock made thus Take of Polypody of the Oak Carthamus seeds of each one ounce and an half Thyme and Epithimum of each one pugil Cummin Annis Dill Fennel Caraway and Carduus seeds of each two drams Senna one ounce and an half Gummy Turbith half an ounce Cinnamon one dram Crystal of Tartar two drams beat them and mix them together and put them into the belly of an old Cock and then boyl them till the flesh come from his bones Let him take the Broth being strained at four mornings draughts Or you may give this following Pouder commended of Solenander by the use whereof he testifieth that he cured many of the pain of the Reins giving it in the fit Take of Senna two ounces the best Rhubarb half a dram Turbith one dram and an half Hermodacts two scruples Polypody half a dram Cinnamon Ginger Gromwel seeds Saxifrage Broom seeds of each one dram pouder them finely Give one dram or a dram and an half in white or thin red Wine once in a month Carolus Piso doth extol this following Pouder Take of Annis Fennel Caraway and Cummin seeds of each one dram Coriander prepared half a dram Liquoris and Burdock seeds of each one dram and an half Cinnamon and Galangal of each one scruple Gromwel and Broom seeds of each half a dram Diatragacanth frigid two drams Diagridium one scruple Senna as much as all the rest make a Pouder The Dose is one dram with the Broth of gray Pease Or you may make a Magistral Syrup thus Take of Sparagus Couch-grass Marsh-mallow Knee-holm and Parsley Roots of each one ounce Bettony Burnet Saxifrage and Pellitory of the Wall Maiden-hair of each one handful Bazil Parsley Gromwel Broom and Burdock and Mountain Ofier seeds of each two drams Liquoris Raisons and Polypody of the Oak of each one ounce Make a Decoction to one pint and an half Infuse in the straining four ounces of Senna white Agarick two ounces Ginger two scruples boyl them a little and strain them after dissolve in it one pound of white Sugar Boyl it up to a Syrup and give thereof two ounces once or twice in a month with the Decoction of Barley Couch-grass and Gray Pease Or if the Body be very foul make Pils of Aloes and Agarick and give two or three of them every other day before Dinner After Purging give Diureticks to bring forth the slimy Matter and Sand that is about the Ureters For this end make Decoctions of the Diureticks mentioned in the Magistral Syrup with Sugar into the form of a Julep or Apozeme Or Chicken Goat or Mutton Broth to be taken many daies together after general Evacuations Also after every Purge take some of these following once or twice in a week Take of the stalks and flowers of Beans three pound Calcitrah one pound beat them and add one pound of Sugar candy the Juyce of Lemmons one pint and an half the Juyce of Oranges half a pound the Decoction of Mallows and Marsh-mallows wel strained two pound Honey one pint Distil them with a gentle fire and let them not be burnt nor the Liquor wholly consumed Let the Patient take four ounces of this Water every morning Take of the stones of Medlars and the pouder of Diatragacanth frigid of each one ounce dried Rest-harrow Roots Liquoris Melone and Gromwel seeds of each two drams Saxifrage Broom Rhadish Knee-holly Calcitrap seeds of each one dram Marsh-mallow and Sparagus seeds of each one scruple Sugar candy two ounces make a Pouder Of this let him take one spoonful thrice in a month in the morning about New moon Fullmoon and Wain drinking after
or drops in the Vrine and pain in the lower part of the Belly the Pecten or Perinaeum these have their disease from the Bladder If it come from the stone the signs thereof which are mentioned in its proper Chapter wil appear if they do not you must conclude that it comes from too much blood or sharpness thereof The abundance of blood wil be known by the signs of repletion and sharpness by the signs of Choller or Melancholly predominating also salt flegm in the Urine wil make a great stoppage of Urine and pissing of blood this hapneth often in old men that are very apt to be troubled with salt flegm And the pissing of blood from sharp humors is distinguished from that in the stone that in which there were first pains of the Reins and voiding of stones but not in the other whose Urine is cleer with no strange things therein And the Disease proceeds not only from immoderate Exercise which is ordinary to both causes but also from the passions of the mind when it comes from sharp humors which are much stirred up by passions so that they who are subject to this Disease after Anger and Sadness or great disturbance of the mind use commonly to piss blood As for the Prognostick A plentiful and often pissing of blood is very dangerous for it wil bring either a Consumption or a Dropsie And if it continue long it may cause an Ulcer in that part from whence the blood floweth if much blood flow at one time it wil cause a great stoppage of Urine in the Bladder or some other evil Symptomes as it encreaseth therein and grows evil qualified The Cure of this Disease is divers according to the variety of the cause And first if it come from blood abounding or from sharpness it must be first cured with Phlebotomy on the same side often and little for the better revulsion And by Cupping Friction and Ligatures in the upper parts and if blood flow violently Cupping-glasses must be applied to the Hypochondria For derivation let the Vein of the Ancle be opened and the Hemorrhoids When watery Chollerick Humors cause it let them be purged with Medicines mentioned in spitting of blood often repeated at distance To which also you may add these following at your discretion Take of the Pouder of torrefied Rhubarb one dram prepared Coral half a scruple Goats Whey or Plantane Water three ounces Make a Potion Take of Cassia newly drawn half an ounce the Pulp of Tamarinds six drams Eastern Bolearmenick half a scruple With Sugar make a Bolus After due Evacuations and Revulsions or at that time if need require you may use things to stop blood and knit the Veins And these are not presently to be used at the first left being stopped too suddenly it should grow cloddy in some part For this purpose the Juyce of Plantane newly drawn is much commended given four or five ounces in a morning and evening which is good for any kind of bleeding But if you fear it will cool the Stomach too much you may boyl it a little with Sugar Sheeps Milk is much commended by Forestus Lib. 24. Observ 13. Often saith he I have cured pissing of blood with only Sheeps Milk six ounces and one dram of Bole-armenick The same is an Experience of Gatinaria who also commands that none do sleep presently or exercise after it Also Hollerius and Duretus from Avicen and Hippocrates commend the same Also Decoctions of Knot-grass Horstail Purslain and Bramble tops are good for this adding the third part of the Juyce of sharp Pomegranates or Quinces Or to allay the heat of the Blood let him take the Apozeme following many times morning and evening Take of Lettice Purslain Plantane and Comphry of each one handful all the cold seeds of each one dram Jujubes three pair Liquoris half an ounce Water-lillies Violets and Roses of each one pugil boyl them to a pint and an half In the straining dissolve of Gum Traganth one dram and an half Syrup of Violets and dried Roses of each one ounce and an half Lapis prunellae half an ounce the Troches of Winter-cherries without Opium half a dram Make a Julep for four Doses To thicken and stop the blood more put one ounce of Syrup of Poppies thereto Also you may give the Pouders that stop blood as of red Coral Blood-stone Bole-armenick fealed Earth either with the Apozeme or with Rose or Plantane Water If the Disease continue give this Opiate Take of Conserve of Roses and Comphry Roots of each two ounces Sealed Earth Bole-armenick Sanguis Draconis red Coral Blood-stone and Troches of Amber of each one dram Hypocystis or Conserve of Sloes Kermes berries and Plantane seeds of each one scruple with Syrup of Poppies and Myrtles of each equal parts make an Opiate of which let him take the bigness of a Chesnut morning and evening drinking after a little Plantane Water If it yet continue it is good to give at distance the Decoction of Myrobalans in Whey or the like Hollerius affirms and Duâ—etus that the Troches of Gordonius are the best for it Christopher Vega commends the Troches of Amber given with Plantane Water and saith that he cured this Disease with giving them only once at night For ordinary Drink give the Infusion of Mastich wood in Wine made thus Take of sliced Mastich wood one ounce spring Water four ounces Infuse them in Balneo Mariae very warm in a close Vessel Keep the straining for your use But because clods of blood are often retained in the bladder which beget grievous Symptomes give warm Water and Vinegar or Mallow Water and sharp Vinegar warm Let the Vinegar be so little that it is scarce tasted Apply Topicks to the Loyns that cool and astringe Take of Snakeweed and Comphry Roots of each one ounce Plantane Purslain Hors-tail Knot-grass and Sbepheards-purse of each one handful Pomegranate peels half an ounce Sumach and Myrtle berries and Hypocystis of each two drams Acron Cups red and yellow Sanders of each one dram red Roses three pugils boyl them in Smiths Water and a little Vinegar With the straining let the Reins be fomented hot Of the same Decoction you may make a Bath to sit in adding more simples Take of Vnguentum Comitissae and refrigerans Galeni of each one ounce and an half wash it with Oxycrate and anoint the Loyns therewith Or to bind more Take of the Juyce of Plantane and Blood-wort of each two ounces Vinegar half an ounce Oyl Olive six ounces boyl them till the Juyces be consumed then add of Sanguis Draconis Mastich and Pomegranate peels of each two drams Camphire half a dram Vnguentum Comitissae four drams Wax as much as will make a Liniment put a little Vinegar to it when you use it Also a Plate of Lead ful of holes worn about the Reins is good You must guard the Liver when it comes from sharp Humors with Epithems and Oyntments When it comes from the
under the name of Dysuria being they come all of the same Causes and are cured by the same Medicines The immediate Cause of painful pissing is a solution of continuity in the Sphincter Muscle or the passage of the Bladder and therefore whatsoever can cause a wound in those parts may cause heat of Urine The most usual Cause is sharpness of Urine somtimes without mixture of other Humors which is caused by a hot distemper of the Bowels or of the whol Body or by eating of hot and sharp Meats but it often comes by mixture of hot and sharp Humors as Choller and salt Flegm Somtimes matter coming from the Reins or Bladder being ulcerated may cause such a sharpness of Urine Somtimes a white Humor like Milk comes plentifully forth with the Urine and causeth scalding which is commonly thought to be Matter from the Reins but Sennertus denies it for this Reason For if all the Reins were turned into Matter they could not afford so much as is many times voided at once every day for a week together And he supposeth that it comes from an evil Concoction first of the Stomach then of the Liver because the error of the first Concoction cannot be mended in the second hence the Chylus and then the Blood remains crude not freed from its Salt and Tartar-like parts which ought to be separated in the first Concoction and they being after sucked into the Reins and sent to the Bladder cause pain in pissing He saith that he was brought to be of this Judgment because a Learned man who was troubled some weeks with heat of Urine which he voided plentifully with half an Urinal ful of such white Matter was when nothing else could asswage his violent pains cured only with drinking of Sack Also a stone in the Bladder if it strike against the Neck of it in time of pissing causeth pain and also large Gravel which grates upon the passage of the Urine Also Inflamation or Ulcer of those parts causeth heat of Urine because the sence is more quick at that time and though the Urine be wel tempered it is troublesom as we see externally how the least touch is offensive to a sore place So in a Gonorrhoea as long as the Parastates are inflamed there is a continual heat of Urine The Knowledg of this Disease is evident for the Patient is forced to roar somtimes with pain But you must distinguish the Signs of the Causes thus If it come from sharpness of Urine it wil be thin and high colored somtimes like fire or there wil be a visible mixture of Choller Flegm or Matter the Bowels wil be distempered or the Patient hath eaten hot and sharp meats and endured great heat The Stone and Inflamation of those parts are known by their proper Signs As for the Prognostick This Disease of it self is not dangerous but very painful and according to the cause it is somtimes hard to be cured especially in old men which if they be decrepit die thereof and in all ages if it continue long it ulcerateth the neck of the Bladder The Cure is first by taking away the Cause And therefore if it come from the Stone Inflamation or Ulcer you must cure them according to the Rules in their proper Chapters But these things after mentioned wil be good to allay the Symptome They who have it from the sharpness of Urine mixed with hot Humors are to be cured by the Medicines following And first Phlebotomy is good to correct the distemper of the Liver and other parts This must be often according to the Plethory and Inflamation first from the right Arm to evacuate and revel the Matter and after in the lower Veins to derive it from the part affected for which cause Hippocrates and Galen who followed him do command the lower Veins to be opened in Diseases of all parts beneath the Reins Purging also is good of mild and gentle things that cool lest the heat be encreased Therefore do not give any thing but a Bolus of Cassia alone and indeed that is best But you may make it cooler if you add the Pulp of Tamarinds Or you may mix it with the Decoction of Lettice Purslain and Mallow Tops and give it many daies together that the sharp Humors may be brought back from the part by stool But if you desire to purge more by reason of the plenty of Humors use this following Take Lettice Purslain Plantane and Mallow tops of each half a handful Tamarinds half an ounce yellow Myrobalans one dram boyl them to six ounces and add to it strained one ounce of Cassia strain it again and then add one dram and an half of Rhubarb infused in Lettice Water with yellow Sanders Manna and Syrup of Roses of each one ounce Make a Potion In an old Dysury the purging Opiate prescribed in the Ulcer of the Bladder is very good A gentle Vomit is excellent for it revelleth from that part affected and hinders those inconveniences which use to come by purging Therefore give it once or twice in a week to them that can vomit easily By often Clysters the sharp Humors are not only brought to the Guts and sent out by degrees but the distemper of the parts is qualified They are made thus Take of Marsh-mallow Roots one ounce Mallows Violets and Lettice of each one handful Water Lillies and clensed Barley of each one pugil boyl them to a pint Dissolve in the straining Cassia new drawn one ounce one Egg and two ounces of Oyl of Violets Make a Clyster The Mucilages of Seeds of Marsh-mallows Quinces and Foenugreek may be mixed with Clysters to asswage pain But Clysters of Milk only or mixed with the aforesaid things use to be so powerful to allay heat and pain that we have known some of long continuance cured by them alone and a Bath whereof we wil speak hereafter Experience hath found out many things good to be taken at the mouth to allay heat and to correct the distemper of the parts The chief are these following Take of Water Purslain Lettice Roses and Water Lillies of each one ounce Syrup of Violets and Water-lillies of each six drams Sal prunellae one dram Mix them for a Julep repeat it often Take of Marsh-mallow Roots one ounce Lettice Endive Purslain and Mallow tops of each one handful Melone Guord Mallows Lettice and white Poppy seeds of each three drams Jujubes and Sebestens of each six pair Violets Roses and Water-lillies of each one pugil boyl them in a pint and an half Dissolve in the straining Syrup of Violets Jujubes and Poppies of each one ounce and an half Sal prunellae half an ounce make a Julep for four Doses to be taken twice in a day Emulsions also may be used although they be Diuretick because they cool and clense the passage of the Bladder Make them thus Take of the four great cold Seeds and white Poppy Seeds of each three drams sweet Almonds blanched and infused in cold Water
part of them is found out by touching seeing and relation of the Patients The Obstruction and straightness of the Vessels of the Womb are known by pain in the Loyns and parts adjacent especially in the time the Terms should flow and if any thing flow at that time it is slimy white and blackish Now the Diseases of the adjacent parts which may shut the mouth of the Womb or the Veins will appear by their proper signs You may know the abounding of blood in the Veins by the swelling of the Veins in the Thighs and Arms especially if the Woman be fleshy and red and have fed high You may suppose there is want of blood if the Woman be fat if she have had a long Feaver went before or loathing of meat The evil quality of the blood is known by the evil habit of the Body by the distemper of the Liver and other parts and especially by the blood it self if you can see some of it The preposterous motion of the blood when it flows another way is manifest of it self As to the Prognostick The stoppage of the Terms is very dangerous and many great diseases come thereof and some in the Womb it self as swellings imposthumes and Ulcers others in the whol Body and divers parts thereof as Feavers Obstructions evil Habits Loathing Dropsie Heart-ach Cough short Breathing Fainting sore Eyes Madness Melancholly Headach Joynt-gout and the like Hippocrates Lib. 1. of Womens Diseases hath shewed the encrease of Diseases from the stopping of the Terms in these words The third month after the stoppage of the Terms they begin to feel suffocations or shortness of breath with horrors heaviness of the Loyns and somtimes a Feaver But if it last long the Belly grows hard they piss much they loath meat and watch much they grate their Teeth in sleep and if they continue longer stopped the pains will be greater but in the sixth month that Disease which was formerly curable will be then incurable then she wil be troubled in mind and faint vomit flegm thirsty the Belly about the Privities will be pained there will be a Feaver and the Body bound and the Urine stopped the Back will ach and she will stammer Afterwards the Leggs Feet and Belly will swell and the Urine be red bloody and pain over all the Body especially the Neck and Back-bone and Groyns and so they die of a Dropsie Thus far Hippocrates But here is a doubt because the Author saith That in the sixt month the Disease is incurable when Experience teacheth the contrary and Hippocrates himself 4. Epid. reports that a Maid who had her Terms stopped for seven Yeers was restored to health by the return of them Hippocrates may be reconciled to himself by saying That after six months the Disease is incurable when the Terms are in the Body or Cavity of the Womb because there they putrefie and come to suppuration as in the After-birth or Blood retained But this is not to be understood of every Suppuration That Stoppage is least dangerous which comes from plenty of good Blood or fat bleeding or other Evacuations because those Causes may easily be removed That is harder to be cured which comes from heaviness of Humors Obstruction of Vessels or straitness because that stubborn Humor getting into the innermost passages cannot be got forth but by long pains and Medicines which Women are very unwilling to receive That stoppage which cometh from the distemper only of the Womb is worst because the part being hurt by propriety is hard to be cured by reason of the continual flux of Humors which the part is disposed to receive and therefore is called the Jakes of the whol Body The Cure of this Disease is divers according to the variety of the Causes And first if it come from too much blood you must abate the quantity by Phlebotomy in the Arm for if the lower veins should be first opened the blood would be drawn more to the Womb where it would make greater obstruction and distention of Vessels and break them or cause Inflamation of the Womb. After the Plethory or abundance of blood is taken away you must draw the blood down by opening the lower Veins about the time that the Patient used before to be clensed as also by Frictions Ligatures Cupping-glasses dry and with Scarrification These things done you must relax and soften the parts of the Womb with Fomentations and Baths and moistening Unguents which if they cannot master the Disease you may give Hysterical Purges and such as do properly provoke the Terms which we shal after descrhibe cusing the mildest If want of Blood be the cause as after long Feavers great Evacuations and Extenuation of the Body you must not provoke them till you have used Restoratives and blood be renewed and whatsoever is the cause of extenuation be removed which things being done the Terms do commonly flow of themselves which if they do not but Nature forgets her office you must open the inferior Veins and use the Medicines afore mentioned so that you take not away too much blood becaus the strength is little and lest the Patient fal into a Consumption But here you must diligently mark That every extenuation of the body doth not signifie want of blood but only after great evacuations consuming Causes for it comes to pass somtimes that the Terms stopt in the Veins get an evil quality which makes the blood unfit to nourish hence comes leanness although the Veins be filled with much bad blood and then large bleeding is very good as Galen confirms Comment 3. in Lib. 6. Epid. I saith he cured a Woman that had her Courses stopped eight months when she was lean by drawing much blood as also others But what happened to that famous Woman was remarkable I opened a Vein when other Physitians feared the success and were against me saying that it must hurt her not only because she was lean but also because she had no stomach to eat But these yong Physitians had a more Sophistical way to observe what happened to the Patients and to neglect the affects and Causes which are the ground of Cure I took to my best remembrance the first day a pint and an half of blood from the woman the next day one pint the third not above half a pint or eight ounces Thus Galen By which it is manifest That from lean women of this disease you may take a great quantity of blood although the women of our Age will not endure it The stoppage of the Courses comes from a preposterous motion of the blood when it is sent forth by the Nose Vomiting spitting or Hemorrhoids and the like The Cure is by repelling it from those parts and bringing it to the passage of the Womb. First while they bleed you must wash Arms Head and Face with cold Water and keep them from the use of those parts especially loud speaking then you must open a Vein beneath Two or three daies
cause and are to be cured by the self same Medicines so that the aforesaid Authors are fain to repeat the same things over and over in several Chapters not without much weariness to the Reader We therefore That we may more briefly and methodically set down the Nature of all these infirmities think it worth our labor first to set down the universal Causes of them all and afterwards to declare how those Diseases arise from the said Causes We have shewed in the beginning of this Chapter that there are two special Causes of all these Symptoms viz. the Womans Seed and the Menstrual Blood being retained beside the intent of Nature and corrupted and possessed of a malignant and venemous quality out of which malignant Vapors do arise and afflict divers parts of the Body Unto which Doctrine generally propounded two other things of greatest moment must be added viz. First That not only the Seed and menstrual Blood do produce Hysterical or Womb-sicknesses but divers Humors also of an excrementitious Nature flowing into the VVomb and by a long abiding growing putrefied and sending out filthy Vapors This is verfied by many Ancient VVomen who being destitute of menstrual Blood and of Seed are yet very much subject to these VVomb-sicknesses or Hysterical passions Secondly that not only vapors arising out of the aforesaid substances are causes of these distempers but the very Humors themselves are a cause which finding no free vent by the Veins of the Womb into which as a Common-shore Nature disburthens superfluous Humors by reason of the stoppage of the Monthly Courses or of the Whites they flow back again into the superior parts of the Body and doe infect the said parts with that vitious quality which they have contracted by their long abiding in the Vessels of the Womb or by their mixture with Seed or Menstrual Blood corrupted These Foundations being thus laid down let us see how Hysterical Symptomes are stirred up by the Causes aforesaid beginning with the Suffocation or strangling fits of the Mother which is the most frequent and principal Sickness of these kind of Women being accompanied with very many and those most grievous Symptomes For besides their breathing impaired and somtimes abolished their whol Body becomes cold their Speech and Pulse is intercepted so that they lie like dead Women and some have been accounted dead and laid out for Burial and yet afterward Revived Now this Sickness comes by fits which makes their returns somtimes sooner somtimes later and endure somtimes a longer somtimes a shorter time according to the quantity of the Humor offending which is somtimes quickly collected and somtimes long in gathering somtimes soon discussed and somtimes long before it can be discust For such like Causes of Diseases in the Body of Man have their times of digestion and exaltation which having arrived unto they do suddenly and as it were in a moment break forth into action Yea and such Humors being already collected in the Body may for a season lie hid until being stirred by some internal or external Cause they shed forth their poysonous blasts and vapors into other parts of the Body Now the most frequent and noted Caused of this Commotion and Agitation of these Humors are sweet smelling things coming neer the Patients Nose or sweet Meats taken in which quickly bring Women subject to this Insirmity into their fits also vehement Anger Terror and other grievous Passions of the Mind Now there are divers Degrees of this Sickness according as the Matter offending differs in Quantity or Malignity For somtimes the Choaking-fits with want of breathing are light and soon go over somtimes it is extream so that the Patient breaths not at all and is attended with other Hysterical or Womb-sicknesses such as Vomitings Ravings Convulsions and Swoonings or Faintings away And for the most part more grievous Symptomes do arise from corrupted Seed than from Menstrual Blood or other corrupted Humors For look how much Seed retaining its Natural Disposition is of a more excellent Nature than Menstrual Blood by so much does it degenerate when corrupted into a greater or worser kind of Venom or Poyson There are likewise other Differences of this Choaking Mother-sickness to be observed viz. That somtimes the Patients have their Breath stopt as it were somtimes they complain that they are choaked as it were with a Rope that strangled them and somtimes their breathing is much abated or abolished without any pain or sence of strangling The Reason of which diversity is this That the simple Suffocation and difficulty of breathing do arise from abundance of Vapors which do somtimes very much abound in Hysterical or Womb-sick Women especially when the Hysterical Passion and Hypochondriacal Melancholly are joyned together Which Vapors or Winds do compress the Midrif and Lungs as it is wont to fall out in the windy Asthma but the sence of choaking in which the Patient feels her self as it were strangled in her Throat depends upon a special property of the venemous Vapor as there are other Poysons in the greater World which have such a property of throatleing and choaking as is known of one sort of Mushroms And that the venemous qualities bred in Hysterical Women are divers Galen does sufficiently hint in his sixt Book of the parts affected Chap. 5. where he compares the malignity of this Vapor to the venom of the Fish Torpedo and to the sting of a Scoâ—pion which Poysons though in quantity they are smal in operation they are mighty and being received into mans Body they do in a short space of time grievously afflict the same and produce therein most vehement Symptomes As for Respiration diminished or abolished it is caused by the said Vapors being endued with a Narcotick or Stupefactive power which being mighty contrary unto the Heart and Vital Spirits their action is thereby hindered whence follows a cooling of the whol Body through defect of that Spirit which should flow from the Heart and a cessation of Respiration because there is now no need thereof For seeing that drawing of Breath is necessary to cool our Hearts when the Heart is extreamly cooled by the venemous Vapors aforesaid it needs none of that cooling which is caused by drawing in the Air and so breathing ceases because there is no use thereof We may also say That the said venemous and stupefying vapor does assault the Brain and hinder the Influx of the Animal Spirits whereby the motion of the Midrif and the Muscles serving for respiration is hindered ad hereunto That the Vital Spirits being destroyed the Animal Spirits which are made of the Vital must needs be destroyed likewise In the place before alleaged Galen resolves a Doubt which is this That seeing it is generally held that a man cannot live without breathing therefore it is impossible that Hysterical persons should in their fits be quite deprived of breathing To which he answers That in an extream cooling of the Heart there is no need of
somtime it possesses the whol Head otherwhiles the forepart and then again the hinder part thereof and sometimes it is felt about the Eyes in such manner as if the Patients Eyes would leap out of her Head Now these pains are caused by the aforesaid sharp and malignant Vapors mounting into the Head and twitching as it were or grating upon these Membranous parts Also evil humors brought from the womb to the Head may cause the said pains For vitious Blood especially the more thin and wheyish part thereof ascends from the womb into the Head and being shed into the Membranous parts breâ—ds those pains VVhich pains are somtimes pricking smarting and sore as an Ulcer by reason of the sharpness of the Vapors or Humors ascending Sometimes they are stretching as it were and swelling because of the plenty and multiplicity which discend and stretch Somtimes they are pulsatory pain beating like the Pulse when the Vapors or Humors are carried thither in the Arteries or when the Arteries of some peculiar part of the Head are filled with over hot Blood The Falling-sickness springs from the womb being caused by the aforesaid sharp and malignant Vapors which being possessed with a very great Acrimony and malignity do vehemently and sharply smite the Nervous parts whereby they come to be contracted and whilst they endeavor to expel what offends them they draw themselves together and express these convulsive mocions Palpitation of the Heart is often caused by the said Vapors being carried from the womb to the Heart and provoking the expulsive faculty to the Heart Also a Pulsation is caused in the Arteries of the Back and about the short Ribs by reason of an over hot Blood carried from the womb into those Arteries and distending them whereby their Pulsation becomes greater which smiting the adjacent parts causes a feeling of the said Pulsation in them Yet somtimes such Pulsations are caused in Hypochondriacal melancholly which when we come to the Signs of this Disease we shal distinguish Divers disorders are likewise raised from the womb in the stomach liver and spleeâ— from the stomach disorders arise as appetite lost or more than is fit or desirous of absurd things or Hiccoughs Vomitings Belchings Heart-burnings al which Symptoms do spring from the aforesaid vapors sent into the stomach by the Hypogastrick and Caeliack arteries or other blind passages those vapors do stir up this variety of Symptoms according to the diversity of their Nature and the different degrees of their putrefaction and malignity For by their heat they cause want of appetite and thirst but if they be cold they hurt digestion And the coveting of absurd things as Chalk Oat-meal Smalcoles Linsey-Wolâ—ey cloth c. is caused by the malignant quality of the Humors and Vapors as we have shewed in our Discouse touching that Symptom and according to the different kind of malignity it comes to pass that the Patients appetite inclines her too long for this or that od thing as some for Coales others for Clay or Morter Salt Cinnamon Nutmegs c. And from a certain kind of malignity springs likewise the loathing of some certain meats and which is more wonderful in some hath been observed an universal loathing of al kind of Drink as Ludovicus Mercatus relates concerning a noble Gentlewoman which would not away with any Drink and of another who though she desired Drink yet did she Vomit it al up again being likewise vexed with other grievous Symptoms Where we may conjecture that the evil Humors in that Gentlewoman had attained such a kind of malignity as that is which causes Water-Fear in such as have been bitten with a Mad-dog It is notwithstanding undeniable that the diversity of parts into which these Humors and malignant Vapors are carried conduce not a little to the variety of the Symptoms For If they are carried unto the mouth of the Stomach they stir up Belchings and Vomitings if they stick to the Coates of the Stomach they induce perpetual inclinations to Vomit if they are endued with any singular Acrimony they cause Hiccoughs or pains of the Stomach which pains may also arise from the plenty of Humors weighing heavy upon and stretching the parts containing The Liver is easily offended by menstrual Blood retained and by the Veins â—lowing back thereinto hence springs the Green-sickness by reason of bad Blood flowing from the Womb into the Liver and from the Liver shed abroad into the whol Body Hence come Swellings Feavers and other Diseases very many in the whol Body and several parts thereof forasmuch as all of them are nourished by the Liver But if the vitious Blood aforesaid do flow back from the Womb unto the Spleen Swellings Stoppings and melanchollick and Hypochondriacal Diseases are wont to be raised And To conclude Women feel divers kinds of pains in their Loyns Thighs and other parts which arise from filthy Humors and Vapors conveighed from the Womb into the said parts Al which Symptoms taking rise from the Womb shal be distinguished from others which arise from other parts and are like them but produced from different causes in our following Description of the Signes of this Disease In the first place therefore Womb-sickness is known for the most part by what hath already been said of it For the fore recited Symptoms do appear therein not al in every one but some in one Patient some in another according to the differing condition of the Causes Now these Symtoms are Breathing depraved so as sometimes the Patient seems to be choaked other whiles her breathing is lessened or wholly taken away without any trouble or Sence of Suffocation Refrigeration or cooling of the whol Body and stopping or Interception of the Pulse somtimes also a taking away of Sence and motion somtimes Ravings Convulsions Swoonings Vomitings and Hiccoughs are joyned together But for a more clear Discovery of this Disease those Signs are first to be propounded which shew the Disease approaching such as have a noyse in their lower Belly first from the Navel downwards with belching or inclination to Vomit Wearinesses Yawnings and stretchings proceeding from a flatulent matter which begins to mount from the Womb into divers parts of the Body a sad Look pale Face caused by the drawing back of the Natural heat from those Parts to it's Fountains When the Disease gathers strength a sence of strangling begins to trouble the Patient as if they had swallowed some great morsel which stuck in their Throat Afterward their breathing stops and their Suffocation is increased And in conclusion al their Vital and Animal actions are depraved diminished or abolished Hence spring Ravings Convulsions and other grievous Symptoms In some the Womb is sensibly tossed and tumbled and gathered round like a Foot-bal and felt after that manner in divers parts of the lower part of the Body And when the Hysterical or Womb-Fit begins to go over a certain moisture flows out of the Water-gate their Guts rumble they lift up
of Assafoetida in a thin rag of cloth I have known some that have worn a Foxes Pizzle and Stones dried tied about their Neck in a string and resting upon their Navel and by that means preserved themselves from the womb-fits Some wear a piece of Wolfs flesh dried or of the Liver of a Wolf not without profit As for external Remedies after every Purge or at least once in a month eight or ten daies before the monthly Purgations of blood Fomentations or Baths to sit in will be good that the Humor causing this Disease being resolved may more easily find its way by the opened Passages of the Courses and flow out with them They may be made of the Roots of Marsh-mallows Briony Roots Orris Roots Madder Valerian Angelica Mugwort Leaves Nep Feverfew Bawm Bayberries and such like To discuss the remainders of the Matter causing the Disease and to strengthen the Womb after Fomentation or fitting in a Bath as aforesaid the following Plaister may be said on under the Navel Take Gum Tacamahacca and Caranna of each two drams Alipta Moschata half an ounce Agnus Castus seeds one dram and an half of each of the Sanders half a dram Turpentine Labdanum Wax of each as much as shall suffice to make a Plaister If this Disease arise from the Seed retained use those Remedies which we have formerly set down to quench and discuss Seed in our Cure of Womb-Fury Chap. 7. Of Inflamation of the Womb. INflamation of the Womb is a Tumor or swelling of that Part springing from blood that is shed into the substance thereof And the said Inflamation possesses either the whol Womb or some part thereof and it is produced either by pure blood and is called meerly Phlegmont an Inflamation or it comes from blood mingled with Choller and it is called Phlegmone erysipelatodes a chollerick Inflamation of kin to the Rose or St. Anthonies fire or it hath its original from blood mingled with flegm and is called Phlegmone oedematodes a flegmatick Inflamation or it comes from blood mingled with Melancholly and is called Phlegmone Scirrhodes which is a Melanchollick Inflamation or Swelling The Causes which produce or encrease this Disease may be divers viz. A Sanguine Constitution over loaded with blood or infected with choller a natural loosness of the womb w th wideness of the passages air extream hot inflaming the humors or very cold compacting knitting them together and so stopping the monthly Courses flowing or ready to flow vehement Exercise immoderate carnal Conjunctions a blow or fall lighting upon the Wombs Quarters Perturbations of Mind more violent than ordinary especially wrath acrimonious or sharp vehement meats of a hot nature and whatever else is taken in of a fretting and vehement operation as Authors report of Cantharides That they are very hurtful as well to the womb as the bladder sharp Pessaries long time used or purging Medicines or strong alteratives such as barren women are wont to take and rend from all quarters Retention of the Courses encreasing the over fulness of blood or over great flux of Courses relaxing the Passages and bringing the Humors from all the parts of the Body to the Womb likewise Cupping-glasâ—es fastened about the privy parts may violently draw the blood and humors unto the Region of the Womb and there detain them Laborsom Child-birth may cause as much Abortion a violent handling of the parts of Generation by an unskilful Midwise and a troublesom inconvenienâ— bearing of a Child in the Womb. The Signs to know the Disease by are Swelling Heat and Pain in the Region of the Womb with a continual Feaver But because the strait Gut that is that which is united to the Dung-gate and the Bladder do lodg in the same quarters with the Womb therfore must we distinguish this Disease by other signs such are Suppression or diminution of the Courses and their paleness or yellowish citrine color with pain in their coming forth and in the absence of the Courses certain stinking and rotten stuff sweats through the Vessels of the Womb and bedews the VVater-Gate Whereinto if search be made it will plainly discover the Disease for the inner mouth of the womb will be sound to swell to be drawn inwards and subject to pain if touched the neck of the womb will appear red and inflamed the Veins dispersed there-through strutting with blood If the whol Womb be inflamed all Symptomes will be more vehement If the Inflamation be rather in the neck of the womb the heat and pain is spread most towards the Groyns and the Water-Gate If the former side of the womb do suffer the Bladders fellow-seeing wil be the greater If the hinder side of the Womb be inflamed the strait Gut will be more compassionate and the pain wil stretch itself towards the Loyns If the right or left side of the womb be inflamed the heat and pain wil appear most about the one Groyn and the Thigh of the same side wil be heavy and as it were in a sort burdened The Signs of the Causes are these If the Inflamation spring from pure blood al the Symptomes are milder but if there be Choller mingled therewith the Feaver is more burning and al the Symptomes are more vehement but if the blood be Flegmatick or Melanchollick the Feaver wil be less acute but the Disease more lasting and more stubborn And here we are to consider such Signs as may inform us what Humor is most predominant in the whol Body If the Inflamation turn to an Imposthume and gather Matter the pain and Feaver are encreased and shaking sits come without any certain course yet commonly they take their turn about Evening And al the other Symptomes are heightened When Suppression is accomplished al the Symptomes are mitigated and Swelling rises higher whereby somtimes the Excrement of the Guts or Urine is stopped But if the Inflamation be discussed without Suppuration the Swelling lessens and the Symptomes becomes gentler If it turn to a Scirrhus that is hard swelling the Feaver Pain and other Symptomes are diminished the Swelling abides becomes harder likewise the weight and heaviness remain both in the womb and the adjacent parts so that the Patient can hardly stir her self A good Prognostick cannot be made of this Disease because it is very dangerous and for the most part deadly But more or less danger is threatened according to the greatness of the Disease its Causes and Symptomes as thus If the Inflamation possess the whol Womb it s a desperate Disease but if only a part be inflamed there is some hope of help If a VVoman with Child have a Chollerick swelling in her womb its deadly Hipp. Aphor. 43. Sect. 5. For the Child dies by reason of the greatness of the Inflamation whereupon follows Abortion which coming upon the back of a grievous disease kils the Mother Galen in his Comments upon this Aphorism doubts if this be not true of every Inflamation of the womb as well as
in perfumed Linnen if in the morning the crown of her head shall smel of Galbanum the woman is wel purged and wil be fruitful You may try the same if you put a little Balsom mingled with Water and received in Cotton into the Womb binding it with a string to her Thigh for if the womb do draw it inwards it is a most approved sign of fruitfulness Amatus Lusitanus commends this following as a most true sign He takes a dram of a Hares Runnet which dissolved in warm water he gives the woman to drink being in a bath of hot water and fasting If the Woman do then feel pains in her Belly he pronounceth her fruitful if not barren Many seek to know the Barrenness of a woman by her Urine wherein they steep Barley which Barley if it grow within ten daies they count it a sign of Fruitfulness if not they account it a certain token of Barrenness And others Finally do powr the Womans water upon Bran or Fenugreek and take it for a note of barrenness if Worms breed there For a Conclution to these Discoveries We shall diligently consider and enquire whether Conception and Generasion be not hindred by fault of the Man or any defficiency in him For in such a Case it were vainly done to torment the Woman with a multitude of Medicines Barrenness proceeding from the Man may be known by the diseases of his Genital parts as inability to raise his Yard want of Sperm Swelling of his Stones Gonorrhoea and the rest And it gives some token hereof if the Man be faint hearted and Womanish by Nature if he want a Beard be slow in casting forth his Sperm and his Sperm be cold so that his Wife feel it cold in her Womb if he have little or no Lust to Carnal Embracements and perceive very little pleasure therein And lastly If such Causes have preceded which are of power to make the Seed unfruitful The Prognostick must be regulated according to the Method of the Causes as we have ranked them And in the first place Tenderness of Age hinders conception only for a time which cannot be expected till the Woman is more grown But Elderly years cause a Total dispaire of Conception But if the Parties Courses do as yet proceed in due season there may be yet some hope of Conception howbeit very smal especially in such Women as are at the fortieth yeer of their Age for although Women that have had Children younger are likewise wont to Conceive at that Age yet such as have never been with Child have little reason to hope that they shal Conceive at that Age because the Womb having been so long unimployed is become withered shrunken up and unfit to Conceive Child Barrenness which is caused by an evil shape of the Members as in such as are Lame have distorted Thighs or their Crupper-Bone depressed is incurable But if Barrenness proceed from over Fatness or some distemper of the womb not over old the cure is to be hoped by procuring leanness and by correcting the Distempers That Barrenness which is caused by other diseases as by a Swelling an Ulcer Obstruction whites want of Courses falling of the Womb Consumption Leprous Mangyness Whores-Pox and such like is easier or harder to cure according as the said diseases are either easie to be cured or hard For the Cure of this disease whichsoever of the causes aforesaid hath produced the same we must seek the removal thereof And in the first place the straitness of the Genital Parts in regard of youngness of Age needs no cure for as Age encreases they attain to a convenient wideness But in the mean time it is necessary that the Party abstain from Carnal Conjunction because the oversoon use thereof doth spoil the natural constitution of those parts Barrenness which is caused by lowness of stature or Elderliness of years is incurable yet endeavour may be used to help the same by Emollient and Relaxing Medicaments provided the Courses do still slow Over great Corpulency must be corrected by an extenuating Diet and convenient Evacuations If Barrenness seem to arise from a bad Course of Diet as in persons given over much to Belly-cheer to Wine or small Drink such women are to be reduced to an exact Course of Life and all excess of eating and drinking must be avoided Viragoes and strong constitution'd women such as come neer to the Nature of Men that they may be 〈◊〉 fit for conception must by all the art possible be effeminated and reduced to such manners as become their sex all meats of grosser nourishment being forbidden them and all labours and exercises their Courses being made conveniently to flow by plenty whereof they may be abated of their manly courage and grow soft and gentle And if their monthly courses shall not suâ—fice to that end their humors must be diminished by frequent Blood-letting and purging and by frequent bathing and other alteratiue remedies the whole habit of their Bodys must be moistened and cooled If Barrenness be caused by Closure of the Womb by distorsion by obstructions by Tumors or Ulcers all these must be remedied by such Medicaments as are propounded in those Chapters which treat of their Respective cures Barrenness depending upon an hidden property in the woman which is natural to her is incurable and therefoâ—e it ought diligently to be enquired after least remedies be applied in Vain If Barrenness come by witch-craft Charming or hidden power of Medicaments there is little place for Physick but the party must have recourse to prayers and supplications which being Zealously poured forth by men eminent in piety do procure Help from the Almighty Howbeit against Medicines which by a secret power do cause barrenness certaine Amulets are propounded by Authors which have a peculiar vertue to resist the malignity of such Medicaments Cardan will have it that the Pizzle of a Wolf worn about the woman will frustrate all such Incantations and fascinations Others do much commend the Adamant and the Hyacinth Stone The Antients called Saint John-wort the Divel-driver The same vertue is likewise attributed to the Squil or Sea-Onion to Eryngus â—agapenum Rue other things being worn by Man Wife Also certain it is that for the parties concerned to endeavour confidently to despise and slight all Charmes and Witch-crafts is very profitable in this case Also if the Author of the Witch-craft be not known it is good for them to Change their Habitation and to forsake their Houses Beds wearing Cloathes and other Houshold stuff wherein the Charmes are oftentimes concealed If an hot Distemper be the cause of Barrennes the same Cure is to be used which was described in the hot distemper of the Liver But if the Excess of Heat be yet more violent recourse must be had to those things which have bin described in our Chapter of Womb-fury But the camphire must be let out of those Medicines Because it is held to be a very great Enemy
and keep her self as quiet as possibly she can both in her Body and Mind also to abstain from Genial Embracements which do vehemently towze and disquiet the Womb. For while the Womb opens it self to comprehend the Mans Sperm with which it is exceedingly delighted it drives forwards the lately conceived Child not yet throughly fastened in the womb But if notwithstanding the Medicines aforesaid by reason of the vehemency of the Cause whether it be internal or external the Patient be ready to Miscarry we must apply our selves to do the best we can with these following Remedies And in the first place so soon as pains and throws shall be perceived in the lower part of the Patients Belly towards her Share in her Loyns and about the Ossacrum we must seek to allay and stop them both by things given in and outwardly applied according to the variety of Causes For if Abortion be provoked by Crudities and Winds which is most usual when it begins from an Internal Cause a Pouder must be given compounded of Aromaticum Rosatum and Coriander Seeds Yea we may give of the Aqua Imperialis if the quantity of flegm and wind be very great At the same time let Carminative or Fart-forcing Medicaments be applied below the Patients Navel such are bags of Annis seed Fennel seed Foenugreek seed Flowers of Chamomel Elder Rosemary and Stoechados mingled together Or a Rose Cake fried in a Pan with rich Canary and sprinkled with Pouder of Nutmeg and Coriander or the Caul of a Wether newly killed or his Lungs laid on warm If with these means the pains cease not let a Clyster be cast in made of Wine and Oyl wherein two drams of Philonium Romanum may be dissolved or Narcoticks may be given inwardly in a smaller Dose to allay the violence of Humors and Winds as we are wont to do in pains of the Chollick But if by reason of contumacious pains that will not be asswaged or of the violence of some external cause blood begin to come away Revelling Medicines are to be applied to withdraw the course of the blood from the Womb such are Rubbings of the uper parts and painful bindings also Cupping-Glasses fastened to the Shoulder-blades under the Dugs and under the short Ribs on both sides Yea and if the Woman be ful of Blood it will not be amiss to take some blood from her both when she begins to void blood and especially before it begins to come and the blood must be taken away at several times a little at once And if all this will not suffice but the Flux of blood continues we must proceed to astringent and thickening Diet and Medicaments and so the Pouders and Electuaries formerly described may be administred Also Juyce of Plantane new drawn and Syrup of Poppies to the quantity of an ounce with Pouder of Bole-Armoniack or Dragons-blood Also outwardly may be used fomentations binding and strengthening made of Pomegranate peels Cyprèss Nuts Acorn Cups Balaustians Grape-stones and such like things boyled in Smiths water and red Wine Or a little Bag full of red Rose Leaves and Balaustians may be boyled and applied hot to the Patients Belly Hereunto may be added the foresaid Plaisters and Cerecloaths Or for to cause the more astriction make a Cataplasm of astringent Pouders with Turpentine and the whites of Eggs which must be spread upon Tow or course Flax and applied to the Navel and the Reins warm The Tow which shall be applied to the Navel must be moistened with Wine that which is to be applied to the Kidneys in Vinegar The two following Medicaments are accounted for Secrets and it is beleeved they will certainly hold the Child in the Womb if they be used before it be loosened from the Wombs Vessels Take twelve Leaves of Gold Spodium a dram the Cocks Treading of three Eggs that are not adle Mix all very well till the Gold be broken into smal Atomes Afterwards dissolve them in a draught of white Wine and give it to drink three mornings together At the same time let the following Cataplasm be laid on Take male Frankincense poudered two ounces five whites of Eggs Let them be stirred about together over hot coals alwaies stirring them that they may not clodder together add Turpentine to make them stick Then spread it upon Parcels of Tow which lay upon her Navel as hot as she can possibly endure them twice a day morning and evening on the three daies aforesaid Chap. 18. Of Hard Child-birth HArd Travel in Child-bearing is such as keeps not the due and ordinary Laws of Nature taking up longer time than ordinary and accompanied with more vehement pains than are usual and other more grievous Symptomes Divers causes here of may be assigned both internal and external The internal depend either of the Mother of the Womb or of the Child In respect of the Mother Travel with child may become sore and hard by the weakness of her Body either Natural or in regard of Age as in very yong and very ancient women or in regard of Diseases wherewith the woman was troubled during the time of her going with Child or is still troubled Hereunto also Leanness and over great driness of the whol body may be added as also over fatness and grossness compressing and straitening the passages of the womb ill shape of such bones as border upon and embrace the womb as in such as limp wind stretching the Guts stone or preternatural tumor possessing the bladder and pressing the Womb and the ill constitution of the Lungs and other parts serving for Respiration because holding the Breath is very necessary to exclude the Child In respect of the Womb divers Diseases thereof may cause a sore Labor as Swellings Ulcers Obstructions Astrictions Stoppages arising from preternatural Causes In respect of the Child Hard Travel is caused when there is some fault therein in respect of its substance its quantity its figure and certain things thereunto belonging The Child is faulty in regard of Substance when it is dead or putrefied or some waies infected or weakened with some Disease so that it hath no ability to contribute to its own exclusion In regard of Quantity likewise the Child doth not further it s own Birth which is either discrete or severed quantity or concrete and joyned the former is called Number the latter Magnitude In regard therefore of continued quantity the child is faulty if the Body or Head of it be over great which makes the Birth thereof become difficult and laborsom in regard of the disjoyned quantity of the child or burden Labor becomes difficult as when there are more than one in the womb so the Birth of Twins is more painful than of a single Child for the most part In respect of the Figure or Scituation of the Child in the Womb difficult Travel happens many waies as when the Child endeavors to come forth with its feet or its hands foremost or puts out one hand only or
heated with the Sun Fire or Stove by which means hot air being drawn in with the Breath and received by the Pores of the Body it doth inflame the Spirits Also by Surfetting Drunkenness and especially by over large taking in of Meats and Drinks that are of an hot Nature as Peppered Meats and stroog Wines by which more Vapors are raised than can exhale Also by Retention of hot Excrements and that not only of the Dung and Urine but especially of those Sooty Vapors which are wont to pass through the Pores of the Skin if those Pores be shut up with cold an Alluminous Bath and such like Causes Also this Ephemera Feaver is bred of internal Causes as from a Bubo and other Swellings of the Thighs or Arms especially whiles they break from an hot fiery Swelling of the Extremities of the Body when hot Matter shut up together in one certain place doth offend the Heart not by its putrefaction but heat alone Also by some smal Obstruction of the Vessels by which means the sooty exhalations being retained do cause a Feaver as is wont to happen in Distillations when they arise in hot Natures and a thick habit of Body This Feaver is known both when some of the Causes specified hath gone before and also by a swift frequent and great Pulse breathing frequent and great Headach and Heat there is neither cold nor shaking no sence of weariness nor want of Appetite Yet may there be somtimes a shivering or shaking fit namely when the Feaver is occasioned by the heat of the Sun or by cold Feeling the Patients Hand we find a mild and gentle heat the Urine is concoct like that of one in health unless by some Obstruction or Crudity it be changed It is commonly terminated in the space of twenty four hours with an easie gentle Sweat yet it reacheth somtimes unto the third day which if it pass it degenerates into a simple Synochus a Putrid or an Hectick Feaver For the Cure of this Feaver the Ancients did chiefly use a bath of luke-warm Water which they did also frequently use in their Health But seeing it is in these times out of use neither is it in practice in the Cure of these Feavers Neither is it counted safe in regard of a Plethorick or Cacochymical Constitution of Body Putrefaction or flux of Rheum which may be in such bodies or may be feared wil happen But this Feaver is better cured by a Cooling and Moistening Diet as Barley Cream Cooling Broths Smal Drink and Sugar common Ptisan Drink or Fountain Water with Syrup of Lemmons Maiden-hair mixed there with But the Cure admits some variation according to the Nature of the Cause So if it spring from the Heat of the Sun or Air a cooling Diet is good and the Patient must be conveighed into a cool lodging and Vinegar of Roses must be applied to his Forehead to the Temples and former part of the Head it self if there be pain as commonly there is when the Feaver comes from the heat of the Sun If it come from being in the Cold especially if the Patient being hot with Exercise went presently into the Cold Sweat must be provoked especially towards the end of the Fit If it come from the Skins thickness and closing up of the pores the same Cure must be used and to both these Causes smal Wine very well allaied with Water may be convenient because it opens the pores and helps to sweat If the Disease was caused by Labor the Patient must rest and be nourished more liberally with Meat of easie Digestion If from weariness the Patient must be artificially rubbed Tranquillity of mind and cheerfulness must be opposed to Anger and Choller must be tempered with Meat and Drink of a cooling Nature To Sadness Recreation of the Mind is a Remedy and the use of thin smal Wine If the Feaver was caused by watching let the Patient sleep by application of things convenient If by fasting let the Patient eat cooling Meats of good Juyce If by over eating or drinking let the Patient abstain from Meat and Drink not omitting such things as strengthen the Stomach both inwardly given and outwardly applied also with an Emollient and Laxative Clyster part of the Crudities is to be taken away If Putrefaction be feared Vomit may be procured or a Purge given If the Feaver arise of Obstructions we must consider whether the Patient be Plethorick or Cacochymical viz. Whether the whol Mass of blood be over great or only some bad Humors abound in the blood If the Patient be too ful of blood blood-letting must be advised if evil Humors only abound a Purge must be prescribed And if the Obstruction wil not easily be removed this Feaver changeth into some of the other sorts of Feavers whose Cures shal be described in their proper places Chap. 2. Of the Feaver Synochus Simplex THe Causes of the Feaver Ephemera aforesaid if they light upon a Plethorick Body and thick skinned they cause the Feaver Synochus Simplex Yet may this Feaver arise only from abundance of Blood stuffing the Veins and yielding many Vapors more than can breath through the pores of the Skin This Feaver is known by a thick and swelling habit of Body the color of the Body and Face is ruddy the Head is pained with a stretching or distending kind of pain the Patient is sleepy hath a beating in the Temples is unquiet hath a straitness in the Chest with difficulty of breathing the Pulse is great even frequent full the Veins strut with blood whence a stretching kind of weariness doth proceed the Urine is thick little differing in color from a Natural Urine only somwhat redder the heat is to ones hand mild tempered with a steamy Vapor the Feaver holds an even progress for either it holds one and the same tenor or it lessens by degrees or it encreaseth equally never remitting or ceasing Whence there are reckoned three Differences of this Feaver For that which continually encreaseth is called Epacmastica That which continually decreaseth is called Paracmastica That which keeps one and the same tenor is called Homotonos or Acmastica It lasts til the fourth day and somtimes til the seventh and then it is terminated by bleeding or sweating and if it be further prolonged it degenerates into Synochus Putrida The Cure of this Feaver is performed by blood-letting by cooling and by opening the pores of the Skin Galen in the ninth Book of his Method Chap. 4. cures this Feaver by two Remedies only viz. Letting of Blood til the Patient faint away and by giving a great quantity of Water to the Patient to drink Blood-letting is absolutely necessary in this Disease because it is bred by fulness of blood and a Vein must presently be opened at what hour soever the Physitian is called unless the Patients Stomach be ful of Meat the digestion whereof must be expected for certain hours And although Blood must be plentifully drawn and Galen reports in
Double Tertian Now these Double and Triple Quartans come of Melancholly putrefying in divers parts of the Body The Signs to know this Ague by are first such things as argue that Melancholly abounds in the Patient Unto which must be added the coming of the Fit upon the fourth day which is the peculiar sign Also the form of the fit differing from the fits of other Agues doth discover this Disease For it begins with yawning and stretchings together with heaviness of the whol Body after which follows cold and then shivering and shaking in which the Patients seem to have their bones broken Also the heat is kindled by little and little in a cold and thick Matter The Pulse is seldomer and slower than in other Feavers The Urines are at first white thin and watry but in the progress they are more colored and thicker Now these signs appear in a legitimate Quartan But in a bastard Quartan the vehemence of the Symptomes being greater doth argue the Humor to be thinner and hotter But a bastard Quartan is not distinguished from a legitimate herein alone in that in a bastard Quartan the heat thirst watchings and other Symptoms are more vehement but in that the legitimate begins of it self without any Feaver foregoing but a bastard Quartan succeeds other Feavers and Agues by reason of the adustion of the Humor which caused those Diseases by means of which adustion it degenerates into Preternatural Melancholly A Double Quartan is easily known by the Course of the fits And a Triple Quartan is distinguished from a Double Tertian and a Quotidian not only by the Signs of Melancholly abounding and by the form of the Fits but also because it was first a Single or a Double Quartan before it came to be a Triple Quartan For very rarely or never doth a Quartan Ague begin with a Triple but a Simple or Double Quartan degenerates into a Triple As for what concerns the Prognostick this kind of Ague is wont to be longest of all others and that which begins in the fal of the leaf continues al Winter commonly and goeth not away til the Spring come Yea and some Quartans continue a yeer or yeers Summer Quartans are the shortest In al of them we must have a continual eye to the signs of concoction which signifie the solution of the disease to be at hand and with these for the patient to make black urine is a good token A legitimate Quartan is longer than a bastard Quartan because the former proceeds from a thicker the latter from a thinner Humor This kind of Ague is wont to be very safe from danger especially the legitimate being accompanied with no grievous affection of any of the bowels But the bastard Quartan is more dangerous and if the Liver Spleen or any other part be grievously damnified it degenerates into a Dropsie Aged persons above sixty years being taken with a Quartan Ague do for the most part dy of it because their naturall heat is too weak to overcome so contumacious an Humor An intermitting Quartan being changed into a continual is for the most part deadly Because that Feaver whose motion was outward is changed into one whose motion is inward Which mostly falls out in the Winter the cold meeting with the humours which were but outward and beating them back into the innermost Closets of the Body The which also come to pass by unseasonable use of sharp and vehement purges For thereby of simple Quartans double triple and continual are generated A Quartan Ague coming upon one that hath the falling sickness cures the same according to Hippocrates in the 70 Aphorism of the 5 Section Those that have Quartan Agues are not much troubled with Convulsions And if having first Convulsions a Quartan Ague follows they are freed from their Convulsions Now the reason which Galen in his Comment gives hereof is because the thick matter which caused the Convulsions is by the long heat of this Ague attenuated and digested Also by the shaking of the Body in the cold Fits the said Humor is more easily ejected We must also add that the evil Humors lurking in the Brain and other parts as also in the veins is transferred to the Hypochondria and more ignoble parts where the Melancholly Quartanary Humors are seated and so leaves the parts aforesaid A bloody flux coming upon a quartan Ague tends to health according to Hippocrates in the 48 Aphorism of the sixt section To such as are splenetick a Dysenterie is good Now in a quartan Ague commonly the Spleen is misaffected and a melancholly humor is common to a quartan Ague and a misaffected Spleen but this must be understood of a short dysenterie for a long one is wont to be mortal as we have it in the 43. Aphorism of the said section Such as being troubled with the Spleen have a flux of the Belly with pain if it turn into a long Dysenterie or Bloody flux they fall either into a Dropsie or a Lienterie and dy To bleed at the nose in a quartan Ague is a very bad sign Because the Humor which causes a quartan is too thick and too cold to be voided that way and because such bleeding is symptomatical and if it continue wil breed a dropsie it must presently be stopped by opening the basilica vein out of which the putrid blood may flow because the pure blood comes from the Nose The quartan Ague hath a double cure according to the two kinds thereof For the remedies used in a bastard quartan must be far different from those which are used in a legitimate one And that we may begin with a Legitimate quartan we must presently set our selves to vanquish the cause thereof not regarding the Feaver And seeing the cause thereof is an humor cold and dry thick and earthly we must use medicaments that do heat moisten and attenuate Also the Peccant Humor must be at seasonable times evacuated which notwithstanding will require a long time to do because of the extream contumacy of the Humor and length of the disease But before these medicines be used we must appoint the patient a convenient diet Let the patient therefore use meats of good juyce easy to digest of thin substance and moderately heating and moistening as the flesh of young Animals and mountain Birds new Egs soft boiled Fishes that are taken in stony Rivers In the state of the disease we may allow the patient Salt Fish Capars and Olives Galen 1. ad Glauco Grants likewise Pepper and Mustard Among Herbs Borrage is commended and Bugloss Pimpernel and Spinach Fennell and Parsly Roots but especailly Turneps which must be first boiled in water and afterwads in fat broath which is very good for such as have the quartan Crato in his Councels collected by Scholtzius brags that he had cured many of the quartan Ague by the second broath of turneps seasoned with Butter and Sugar Of fruits Apples and stewed Prunes Raisons of the Sun fat Figs Almonds
are apt to Corrup-tion so that though there be no Obstruction present they necessarily fall into a Putrefaction and a Feaver Howbeit Putrefaction being by this means brought into the Humors when Nature doth no longer rule them they are wont for the most part to breed Obstructions whereby the Feaver is augmented so that in these Feavers Obstructions may Concur which though in the beginning they were not the Cause of the Feaver yet do they follow the same being cherished by the Causes of the Feaver and being infected with Pestilential Venom The External Causes of Pestilential Feavers are the six Non-natural things which as they are necessary so do they necessarily alter our bodies and when they are far departed from their Natural condition they breed in us Malignant and venemous Qualities Among these the Air holds the chief place which as it is a most common Cause so Diseases that are common doth for the most part proceed from some fault thereof Now the Air becomes vitious and hurtful to men for the most part by a threefold means First If it be not blown through with wholsom Winds Secondly If it be polluted with the Infection of putrid and stinking Exhalations Thirdly If by an excess or preposterous condition of the first Qualities it doth so alter Men that thereby evil and malignant putrefactions of the Humors be ingendred The first is evident enough For if the Air be not blown through and stirred with Winds it is easily corrupted Whence Hippocrates in the 3. Epidem Describing a most grievous Pestilential constitution saith This year had no Winds And the Second is most effectual and frequent viz. When Putrid Filthy and malignant vapors are mingled with the Air and do infect the same which is wont to arise from divers things viz. Lakes Pooles Fiâ—h-ponds and other quiet and still Waters or such as are full of mud or wherein Flax or Hemp have been steeped Or from the stink of Privies Dung-hils and nasty Allies Or from the unburied bodies of such as have bin slain in battle Or out of Dens or Caves or Caves wherein the Air having been longshut up hath gained a filthy putrefaction being opened by an Earth-quake or some other â—asualtie But the third Reason which consists in the Excess Inequality or Preposterous condition of the first Qualities may happen divers waies and especially when there is a great excess of Heat and moisture For those Qualities when they are extranious and adventitious and encreased above their Natural condition they are the principles of putrefactions Hence a Southern Wind lasting long in the Seasons of the year according to Hippocrates in Epidem was the principal cause of all Pestilential Feavers there described But a dry Constitution of the Air though in the Opinion of Hippocrates it 's more wholsom than a moist yet because excess of Qualities is hurtful to our Nature certain it is that a very dry Constitution of the Air more than ordinary doth produce Pestilential Feavers especially if it be joyned with Excessive Heat A cleer example wherof we have in Livy in the first Book of his History Decad. 4. viz. How by over great dryness a Pestilence happened at Rome because there had been little or no Rain that year neither was there scarcity of Water from Heaven alone but the Earth was scarce able to continue her Springs Now this dry Constitution doth therefore Cause the Pestilence because the Humors being above measure burnt dried up degenerate into the Matter of Biles Carbuncles and consequently of a Pestilential Feaver and being very much thickned they produce grievous Obstructions wherby in a matter otherwise wel disposed therunto Malignant putrefaction is easily bred Add hereunto That this immoderate driâ—ess of the air doth corrupt the Corn hindring it from attaining its due maturity For it brings the Corn sooner out of the Earth and it gives it at first plentiful nourishment and afterward Scanty whereby the Corn is unequally digested being Burnt without but within quiâ—e Raw like Flesh scorched with an over violent Fire and so it proves a Cause of indigestion and divers Crudities It is proved also from Hippocrates That immoderate Cold doth produce a Pestilence 1. Epidem Sect. 5. tempest 1. where he saith In the Country of Thasus a little before the appearance of Arcturus a Star or Constellation and whilst He appears the North Wind blowing there are many and great Rains In which places he fetches the Cause of a Pestilential Season from over great Coldness Also we may read in Livy Lib. 5. Decad. 1. That a Pestilential Season was caused by vehement Cold in these Words The year was remarkable for a Cold and Snowy Winter so that the Wayes were stopped up and the River Tyber was unnavigable So sad a Winter was followed by a grievous and Pestilential Summer Mortal to all kind of Living-Creatures whether iâ— were occasioned by the sudden change of the Air from one extream to another or by some other means And the reason of this Accident is at hand viz. That by reason the Pores of the Skin are closed up by the extream Cold so that the vapors cannot steem forth so as naturally they should there follows the greater putrefaction and more grievous poison whereupon follows more dangerous feavers than in the Summer in which the condition of the air although in some sort it gives beginning to the Disease yet doth it make the pores and passages wider Through which that which putrified does exhale and the natural and preternatural evaporations doe readily breath out Inequality of the Season is wont also to be the Cause of this kind of Feavers viz. when it is sometimes Hot sometimes Cold sometimes wet sometimes dry in a short time or when these various seasons doe endure longer one after another As when after long vehement Hot weathâ—â— a freezing cold claps in or after long rains an extream drought steales upon us or contrarywise Or when after a preposterous fashion it is hot in Winter and cold in Summer Now these inequalities of Seasons may help the production of Pestilential Feavers because in them the humors are exceedingly disturbed by which means they arrive unto an evill condition far from their natural stare and fit to produce malignant Diseases especially in those bodies which during the Course of the Seasons aforesaid by disorderly Course of Diet and liveing have contracted either a Plethory a Cacochymy or some notable obstructions To this kind of Causes may be added the malignant Influence of the Constellations which by changeing the Ayr are wont diversly to affect the Bodies of Liveing Creatures Such they say are the Conjunction of the superior Planets Saturu Jupiter and Mars in humane Signes such as Virgo and Gemini and especially when Mars is Lord. Which do bring Diseases in otherwise they by change of the Ayr so far as to corrupt the Nature and substance thereof And that change is wrought two waies and is by the manifest qualities as when
by the Influence of the Stars the ayr is so long and so far changed by excess of the first qualities of Heat Moisture Cold and Dryness that at length it 's proper Substance becomes vitrated the other is by occult qualities when by the secret power of the Stars without any notable excess of the first qualities the substance of the ayr is so changed that it receives a certain degree of corruption contrary to our Life Touching the first no man doubts seeing it is clear by Common Consent of Phylosophers that inferior Bodies are governed by the Heavenly Constellations And as the alterations of the Ayr which happen in the four seasons of the yeer do arise from the yeerly motion of the Sun so the great diversity of yeers whereby one proves very moist another exceeding dry the Sun holding every yeer the same Course in the Zodiack can depend on nothing but the various aspects of the Constellations The other way because it is occult is not so freely granted by all How be it by common Consent of Astrologers it is held for certain that the Stars do act upon inferior Bodies in a three-fold manner viz. by their Motion Light and Influence The light and beat do alter these Sublunary Bodies according to the first qualities and especially Heat But the Influences doe induce both the first qualities for example the cold which Saturn causes cannot depend upon his Motion nor his Light and also the hidden and occult ones For seeing Pestilential Diseases doe ostentimes happen no great mutation being made in the ayr in regard of the first qualities but when they ragâ— the 〈◊〉 appâ—ares exceeding pure and puret sometimes than it is wont to do when there is no pestilence stirring neither have very hot and moist seasons preceded from which great putrefactions are wont to arise it to be coniectured that these pestilential Diseases doe arise from some malignant Influence of the Stars Adâ— hereunto that Pestilences are wont to rage even in the depth of Winter which no remarkeable alteration of the first qualities hath preceded For in such a Case these diseases are to be attributed to the hidden power of the Starrs which have as Astrologers teach a power of corrupting the Air no extraordinary mutation of the first qualities being made therein And this is that divine principle in diseases which Hippocrates acknowledged and according to the Exposition of Galen is in the Air but is produced by the Celestial Bodies and hidden causes It is also hinted at by the same Hippocrates in the second Epidem Sect. one When he saies The time and the Diseases doe answer one another unles some innovation happen in the Superior Powers Neither does that hinder which is brought as the opinion of Plato out of his Epinomis that the Course of the Heavens and heavenly Bodies have alwayes good influence here below and from them nothing but preservation and benefit doe flow And Aristotle in the ninth of his Metaphisicks Chap. 10. Saies that in those Bodies which are eternall and aethereal neither error nor corruption is found And Averrhoes saies in his 1 De Caelo cap. 24. The Heavenly Bodies doe containe the Elements preserve them and universally are unto them instead of a form whence it 's collected they cannot infect them with a poysonous and malignant qualitie Ad hereunto that if pestilential diseases should be raised by influence of the Starrs they would at one and the same time inâ—ect the whol World almost seeing those influxes are universal causes and by the circulation of the Heavenly Bodies doe affect all the quarters of the World But these diseases doe peculiarly invade som one Region onely And finally if the Stars were said to be malefick and of an evil disposition God the Author of them would be accounted the cause of Mischief which is full of Impiety These objections I say doe not a whit prejudice the truth propounded which may thus be answered All created substances are considered two waies either as they are things in being and do concur to the compleating and perfection of the Universe and in that respect they are all good for to be and to be good are one and the same neither hath the High God blessed for ever created any thing which ought to be termed evil simply considered or they are considered in regard of their operations and then they may be termed evil forasmuch as they may damnefie some other things by reason of the antipathy inbred Enmity of Nature And although almost innumerable contrarietyes of nature are found in the world yet must they al be termed good in respect to God their maker in regard of the Univers whose perfection consists chiefly in variety Furthermore the operations of things created may be termed evil two wayes absolutely or simply considered in themselves or in respect of somwhat else They are absolutely evil when at all times in all places and upon all occasions they doe perpetually evil and in this sense no Creature can be found which is evil in respect of some other thing the operations of things may be termed evil when they hurt one and doe another good and so there is nothing in the whol universe so hurtful but that it hath some other ways its uses benefits for which it was created So al poysons though most hurtful to men or other Animals yet conveniently us'd they doe a great deal of good to them And in the Art of Physick there is scarce so deadly a poyson found but that out of it by skil of Art an healthfull medicine may be drawn And finally the actions of Stars upon these inferior Bodies are considered two waies either in respect of the whol sublunarie world containing the Elements and al mixed things and so the action of the Heavens and Stars is simply benign ingendering conserveing vivifieing all things doing al other good offices which tend to uphold the univers in this sence most true it is that these inferior Bodies are cherished susteined by the influence of the Heaven and Hevenly Bodies or they are considered in respect of the proper nature of this or that Element or this or that living creature and then it is no absurdâ—â—â—e to say that there are some influences hurtfull to som Element or living Creature in such or such a part â—â— and so affected which depends not of any fault of the stars for they are of a most perfect nature but rather of the imperfection of sublunary things which cannot suffer any considerâ—ble mutation without the corruption of their proper substance now these divers natures and qualities of the stars produced in sublunary Bodies by their divers concourse and influence were ordained by the great Architect of this universe for the Conservation of the whol world which being 〈◊〉 up of so divers and so contrary natures had need of as g eat variety in the influence of the Stars that all things might be preserved as it were in