Disease the Manner of its Invasion and the Signs which generally accompany it Secondly To describe the Part affected whether mediatly by being influenc'd from another or immediatly by the Residence of the Morbific Cause within its self Thirdly The Causes of every Distemper both Radical and Occasional Fourthly What Prognostics we can have of the Event of every Distemper And Fifthly To subjoyn the Method of Cure both General and Special the Nature of the Remedies whether Simple or Compound Universal or Specific Together with Historical Cases and Practical Observations applied to every Disease But some things are necessary to be premis'd before we launch into the Practice Whoever would understand it thoroughly must be well acquainted with the Principles of Chymy and Mechanicks The former are serviceable in explaining the Vital Functions of the Body and the latter in the Animal Musculary Motion For Nature has acted Geometrically in framing our Bodies as well as in every thing else The remaining Preliminary Principles that a Student ought to know before he Commence the Practice of Physic are briefly couch'd under the following Heads SECT I. Of the General Vertues of Med'cines AS the Oeconomy of Man's Body is only explicable by the different Forms Sizes and Various Combinations of the Minute Particles of which every Body is compounded according to the Principles of Mechanism So the Vertues of Medicines may best be deduc'd from the same Cause Especially since Occult Qualities are now hiss'd out of Doors and the four first Elementary Principles of Cold Hot Dry and Moist are more Imaginary than Real This Particular Disposition and Texture of Parts that entitles all Medicines to their Respective Specific Qualities is Originally owing to the Seed and may properly be call'd the Seminal Disposition As for Example Scurvygrass is a Specific against the Scurvy not because it is Hot or enjoys such an Occult Quality but because it enjoys such a Texture of Parts that makes it a subtil penetrating Body fit for altering and subduing the Acid Scorbutical Matter Now its precise Seminal Vertue is not Common to all its Parts but peculiar to a sharp Volatil Salt couch'd within its Body that actuates the other Earthy Particles And indeed the Various Exaltation or Depression of Acid or Alcali Salts is the distinguishing Character of all their respective Textures because the Saline Particles are more active and produce more Notable Effects than any of the rest tho 't is probable all of 'em Originally may have sprung from Water Thus such Med'cines were by the Ancients accounted Hot as by their sharp pointed Particles affect the Tongue and Palate the same way as Fire is wont to do or by Vertue of a Volatil Oily Salt dissolve the Mass of Blood and augment its Fermentation Those of a contrary Vertue they styi'd Cold Such are all Acid or Nitrous Medicines Those they call'd Dry which either drink in the moisture of the Body as Burnt Harts-horn c. or open a Door for its Passage as all Sudorifics Those Moist that either supply moisture as all Nourishing and Liquid Things or give a stop to its Consumption as Quieting Pacific Medicines All Med'cines fit for Conquering a prevailing Acid or Alcali in the first Passages were by the Ancients call'd Aperitive I choose rather to Christen 'em Alterative If they are Anti-Acids they perform their Task by imbibing the peccant Acid as Steel and all Earths or qualifying its sharpness as Oily fat Medicines or fermenting with it so as to work it into a Third Compound as all Ascali's both Fix'd and Volatil If their business be to conquer Alcali's they reduce the Bile or any other Vicious Alcali to its true Temperature by opposing themselves to their Extremes For 't is the Disproportion'd Mixture of the Juices in the first ways that destroys the Natural Fermentation of the Blood and is the Source of all Chronical Distempers commonly but falsely imputed to Obstructions And all remedies capable of reducing them from either Extreme are what I call Alteratives in General But are distinguish'd by several particular Names corresponding to their special Qualities As those of an Oily Mucilaginous Body and free from any Predominant salt are call'd Softening Suppurating Expectorating Incrassating Anodyne c. Opposite to them are the Astringents of a Styptic Austere Body Compounded of Earth and an Acid Salt which thicken fluid humors and eontract the fibres of the Parts as Allum c. Those that are most Famous for making head against Acids are sometimes term'd Febrifuga's by reason of their Noted Vertue in Intermitting Feavers and sometimes Vulnerary by reason of their healing Vertue Such as have a sharp penetrating Salt whether Acid or Alcali are Attenuating Discussing c. Those endow'd with a Volatil Oily Salt a piercing Smell and a grateful Taste are Aromatic Carminative Cephalic c. and are commonly us'd for Cordials Those of a Volatil Salt apt to dissolve the Mass of Blood are Diuretic Sudorific and Alexipharmacal These are the General Classes of all remedies us'd in Physic Such of 'em as are more Universal and Answer more Indications are to be most esteem'd As Opium Sal volatile Oleosum and the fix'd Sulphurs of Minerals and Mettals which are all useful in an infinity of Cases and are upon that account Entitled to a preference before others of a narrower extent SECT II. Of the Vital Functions of the Body HAving touch'd upon the Vertues of Medicines and their manner of Operation the next thing is to consider the Subject or Body upon which the Operation is perform'd It s structure presents us with some gross material Parts and some more subtile and active which serve to inform and actuate the other The former represent the External Fabric of an Ingenious Machine the latter the Internal Wheels and Springs of Motion The Ancients imagin'd our grosser part to be compounded of the four first Elements but without either Reason or Experience I deny not but that there are such things as Water Earth and Air which make up the greatest part of our Terraqueous Globe but I doubt much if they and fire are the first and simplest Ingredients of all Compounds Indeed as to Water I do not dispute the point Thales and Helmont have clearly made it out that all things consist of Water But as for fire the Modern Experiments do sufficiently prove that 't is nothing else but a division of the smaller Particles of fat Acids such as we call sulphurous by means of the Air from whence heat and light must necessarily ensue We see that flame is only a further rarefaction of the same Particles that when more condensated appear in smoak and a little more Condensation converts smoak into soot and the Oyl of Soot which is a fat Acid differs from all the three as they from one another by a further or lesser degree of Rarefaction or Condensation Thus the Various Conjunction Separation or Transposition of the same Minute Particles is the Original of the
quickly white in the middle and retaining a red Circumference when they are most numerous in the extreme Parts appearing about the fourth day ripening quickly and finishing their Course by the fourteenth The dangerous Symptoms are just the reverse of these To which we may add Pits or black Points in the middle of the Pushes a livid Circumference the interjection or following of malignant Spots convulsive motions continuing after the Eruption moist Hands while the Arms are very dry the distention and murmuring of the Belly attended by Anxiety and Unquietness betokening the Inflammation of the Intestins the continuance of the Feaver and difficult Respiration after the Eruption signifying that the Bowels Lungs Midriff and internal Parts are inflam'd and beset with Wheals violent Pains of the Back accompany'd by an unaccountable Weakness and malignant Symptoms pissing Blood or voiding Blood either upwards or downwards Loosenesses and Bleeding at Nose following the Eruption c. Sometimes indeed Bleeding at Nose in the beginning of the Sickness in a large quantity and without the least Interruption and ceasing of its own accord is a favourable Circumstance Some have observ'd that the Children of Parents who were pox'd before Marriage are always in great danger when attack'd by the Small-Pox Those who dye of this Disease are seiz'd with Quinsies or a stuffing of the Lungs Loosenesses Dysenteries or Convulsions If they recover the Eyes are in danger of being damag'd the Lungs and Guts of being ulcerated the external Parts of Imposthmes and the whole Body of Obstructions and Cachexies The Cure is perform'd by moderating the sharp Ferment expelling it when corrected and mitigating the Symptoms In order to a regular pursuit of these Ends let 's observe the following Cautions 1. We ought to distinguish the time of Separation from that of Expulsion During the former the Blood boyls high and ought not to be spurr'd on by expelling Medicines unless the Patient be very weak but appeas'd and arm'd against the Influence of the malign Miasma's by absorbent fixing Ingredients But during the latter Alexipharmical and expelling Medicines especially Emulsions of the expelling Seeds ought to be exhibited and persisted in till the Pushes disappear 2. During the Progress of the Disease Purges or Clysters are highly pernicious In the beginning of the Feaver if it be very high and free of Malignity and if the sick Person 's first Passages be stuff'd 't is not improper to exhibit a gentle Laxative with sweet Mercury After the Declination of the Pox or Measles 't is highly necessary to purge with the same Ingredients in order to prevent the Influence of the acid Remains 3. If a Looseness happen after the Eruption we ought to be cautious of suppressing it especially if the Feaver be not malignant and the Humors be putrify'd within In this case we ought still to persist in the use of Sudorifics which divert the Humors to the Surface of the Body In other Cases a symptomatical Loosness ought to be stopp'd by adding Astringents If it proceed from Worms it 's frequently fatal 4. Blood-letting in Germany is highly pernicious unless the Patient be of a full Plethoric Constitution and seis'd with a Frensie and even then it only takes place in the beginning before the Eruption 5. Opiats are of excellent use for promoting Expulsion mitigating the pernicious Symptoms of the Nerves and lower Belly and for incouraging the swelling of the Hands and Face which is a most favourable Circumstance in this Disease 6. After Recovery the Lungs Throat Belly and internal parts ought to be arm'd against the influence of the remaining acid 7. External Applications for preventing Scars and Pits are very prejudicial especially before Maturation The most useful External is Bracelets of Amber applied to the Wrists which promote the Expulsion 8. If the Feaver be high during the time of Separation avoid too much Heat If the Patient be weak and Nature unable to perform its part artificial Heat is not improper 9. During the time of Separation the Diet must be thin Wine is improper the Decoctions of Lentils or of any sort of Pulse are flatulent and prejudicial Let Gelly of Harts-horn be dissolv'd in small Beer mixt with the Tincture of Columbines or in which a Bag of Columbine and Turnep Seeds is infus'd for ordinary drinking For Children let hot Horses Dung be infus'd in what they drink for it promotes Sweat and defends the Neck and Throat Having premis'd these Cautions the next thing is to take a view of the Materia Medica For moderating the motion of the Blood and mitigating the Symptoms of the Breast and Belly and promoting Expulsion we use mineral Unicorn diaphoretic Antimony Cinnabar of Antimony of excellent use for preventing Convulsions and especially Unicorn's horn and Emulsion of the expulsive Seeds viz. The Seeds of Cresses Columbines Turneps and Carduus Benedictus To which we add some volatil Ingredients such as the Salt and Spirits of Harts-horn Vipers and Human Blood when the Acid afflicts the Nerves and the Pushes break out but slowly The specific Remedies of great Note are Myrrh and Castor or their Essences prepar'd with Spirit of Wine tartaris'd To which we may add Saffron the Dung of Animals especially Horse's or Sheep's Dung infus'd in Wine Figs or their Decoction to which we add Millet Seeds to qualifie their loosening Virtue Take of Harts-horn prepar'd without Fire and Diaphoretic Antimony of each fifteen grains Myrrh half a scruple Make a Powder to be exhibited before the Eruption If the Patient be troubled with a shivering just upon the point of Eruption add the Salt of Carduus Benedictus Take of Harts-horn prepar'd without Fire and Cinnabar of Antimony of each half a scruple Castor three grains Myrrh two grains volatil Salt of Vipers four or five grains Make a Powder to be given after eruption or when the Pushes advance but slowly Or Take of Harts-horn prepar'd without Fire fifteen grains solar Bezoar half a scruple volatil Salt of Harts-horn five grains Laudanum Opiatum half a grain Mix for one Dose In case of a looseness or unquietness and malignity add two grains of Camphyr Or Take of Scabious Water an ounce and a half Essence of Myrrh a Dram Harts-horn prepar'd without Fire a scruple Mineral Bezoar half a scruple Laudanum prepar'd by fermentation a Grain Syrup of Carduus Benedictus three Drams Make a Potion The volatil Salt of Vipers or that of Harts-horn Camphyr Sennertus's Bezoardic Powder Spirit of Treacle and in case of a Looseness seal'd Earth may be added by turns Take of the yellow part of Orange Peel two drams Citron Seeds a dram Seeds of Columbines and Carduus Benedictus Myrrh of each half a dram sweet Almonds a dram With viper-grass-Viper-Grass-water make an Emulsion and sweeten it If the Patient be much disquieted add the Syrup of Poppies and Essence of Castor Take of the Tincture of Tartar two drams Essence of Myrrh prepar'd with the Spirit of Sal-Armoniac a dram Mix and
vomiting in the beginning or height is good If it follow Wounds or Bruises of the Head 't is frequently mortal The Periodical Vomitings of Hypochondriac Scorbutic and Splenetic Persons are of a good Character If the Matter vomited be a mixture of Choler and Pituita 't is a Friendly Symptom but either of them apart is more noxious The vomiting of Worms Excrements of the Belly Clysters c. is much suspected Before we launch into the method of Cure 't will not be improper to take Notice of the following Cautions 1. That Critical Vomits or those which happen in the beginning of Benign Diseases or those of Women with Child in their first Months ought not to be stopp'd unless they exceed measure 2. That in Scorbutic Cases absorbent mitigating Ingredients are more proper than hot sharp Aromatics 3. That a Vomiting of Blood ought to be curb'd betimes for fear of exhausting the Spirits 4. In case of Worms it ought to be incourag'd and the Body kept soluble 5. That in all Vomitings 't is convenient to keep the belly open by gentle Purges and Clysters But withal the quantity of the Liquor for Clysters must be small lest the Colon being distended it should press or irritate the incumbent bottom of the Stomac 6. By all means let Sleep be promoted 7. All Vomitings occasion'd by assumption of Poyson ought to be encourag'd and continu'd till the Poyson be rooted out For which end fat and tempering Liquors are very Proper for that all Vegetable and Mineral Poysons are endu'd with an excessive Acrimony As touching Animal Poysons indeed the case is alter'd 8. That Inappetency Loathing and such like Infirmities of the Stomac ought to be obviated betimes by Vomits lest delay remove the opportunity The General Indications of Cure are these The Remote Causes must be remov'd the exquisite sense of the Stomac and fierceness of the Spirits abated by Opiats the Stomac gratify'd with agreeable Aromatics and fortify'd by Astringents The first Indication must be satisfied according to the variety of the Causes Gentle Vomits and Purges are convenient if vicious Humors in the Stomach or Poyson are blam'd as the Cause For the second Indication Laudanum Opiatum is an incomparable and universal Remedy Mithridat Venice Treacle and especially Diascordium are entitled to the same Character As for Example Take of Treacle half a Dram Laudanum Opiatum a Grain distill'd Oyl of Mace two Drops with Juice of Quinces make a Bolus The third Indication is answer'd by sweet-scented Aromatic Stomachic Remedies Such as are Quinces Mint Wormwood Baum Zedoary Orange Peel Mastic Camphir Cloves Nutmegs and especially Cinamom their Waters Spirits Essences Extracts and distill'd Oyls The Astringent Ingredients are Quercetanus's Syrup of Coral Syrup of dry Roses Juice of Pomgranats Vinegar with Zedoary infus'd Elixir of Vitriol and especially the Spirit of Vitriol of Steel and Juice of Quinces Seal'd Earth beat into a Pultise with Spirit of Vitriol or of Nitre hardens into a Stone which if powder'd and put into a moist place melts into a Styptic Liquor of admirable use for all Astringent Indications Take of mint-Mint-Water two or three Ounces Cinnamom-Water six Drams Juice of Quinces an Ounce rectify'd Spirit of Vitriol five or six Drops Distill'd Oyl of Cinnamom three Drops mix Take a spoonful now and then adding sometimes one two or three Grains of Laudanum Opiatum or if the Person be very weak a Scruple of the Essence of Ambergrise or in a case of Extremity four or five Grains of Allum Venice Treacle mixt with Vinegar or form'd into a Bolus with Spirit of Vitriol is much approv'd In malignant Feavers Salt of Wormwood with Juice of Limons when the Stomach is stuff'd with thick Humors Spirit of Salt or of Nitre with Treacle and when the Stomach is inflam'd or corroded the Muciâ—age of Fleawort and Quince-seeds with solutive Syrup of Roses are very convenient Externally Let Aromatic and Corroborating Ingredients be boyl'd in Vinegar and the warm Decoction applied with a Spunge to the Stomach or let toasted bread soak'd in Vinegar and cover'd with Aromatic Pouders be applied to the Region of the Stomach Spirit of Wine Camphoris'd is very effectual in Fomentations A Bag may be quilted with Mint Nutmegs Cloves Mace and Cinnamom sprinkl'd with Triacl'd Spirit of Wine and Distill'd Oyl of Mint and applied Some commend the application of a bag of Saffron Liniments are compos'd of Venice Treacle Balsam of Peru or Oyls of Mastic Wormwood Quinces c. Or Take of Express'd Oyl of Nutmegs two Drams Distill'd Oyls of Mint Cloves and Mace of each half a Scruple Distill'd Oyl of Cinnamom five Drops make a Liniment and anoint the Stomach and Breast Plaisters may be made of Tacamahac and Gum Caran with Aromatic Oyls after the Example of Crato's Cataplasms are likewise proper as Take of the sharpest Yest four Ounces Pouder of Mint an Ounce of Zedoary six Drams Nutmegs three in number Mace Cloves and Cinnamom of each two Drams Aniseeds Cuminseeds and Fennelseeds of each three Drams With a little vinegar of Roses make a Cataplasm to be applied to the Stomach When the Irritating Cause is transfer'd from other parts to the Stomach Purging Bleeding and such like Diversions are very proper As Women with Child are sometimes cur'd of vomiting by Blood-letting When we are oblig'd to stop an Artificial vomiting 't is convenient to exhibit Milk boyled with Bread or Bread soak'd in Generous Wine Inject Clysters of Milk with Treacle administer Opiats and apply outwardly as above If the Assumption of an harsh Purge dispose one to vomit there 's nothing better than to chew fresh Citron Peel or smell to toasted Bread dipp'd in vinegar and cover it with Pouder of Cloves CHAP. II. Of a Vomiting of Blood THis Symptom may be caus'd by the suppression of the Piles or Terms in Maids or Women with Child Opening of a Vein or Artery as that of the Vas breve thro the Obstruction of the Spleen which emptys its Blood into the Stomac or any of the Pancreatic Veins occasion'd by the sharpness of its Juice which Veins deposit their Blood into the Duodenum and then it is voided both upwards and downwards Sometimes the healing up of a sordid Ulcer may occasion it by reason partly that the Blood was formerly evacuated in the form of corrupt Matter and partly that the Ferment of the Ulcer may have corroded the Vessels in the Lungs It succeeds frequently to Amputations the Blood being then crouded into Fewer Channels The Signs are these Arterious Blood is fluid and reddish If the vomited matter be of an obscure colour and clotted resembling the Liver it comes from the Veins If it incline to a black colour be voided with a biting pain and tended by an austere taste 't is not Blood but an acid corrupt humor or Atra Bilis If it proceed from the rupture of the Vas breve 't is usher'd in by a beating pain in the left side of the
may be useful for strengthning the Fibres of the Guts But to what Purpose should the Irritating and Floating Humors be bound up 'T is better they should take their Course than be thrown upon a Nobler Part. 'T is true Tormentil seal'd Earth Sugar of Lead and such like things are very useful but 't is not upon the account of their Adstringent but Absorbing and Correcting Vertue 7. 'T is the Ridiculous Humor of some to avoid Wine Whereas nothing is more Friendly to the Stomac or more proper against a Looseness Of All the Medicines us'd against Loosenesses Opium is the Head 'T is a Powerful Controuler of all Tumultuous Motions 'T is exhibited in Vinegar Or rather Recent Diascordium may supply its Room being given from a Dram to two Drams Some extoll the use of two Eggs boyl'd very hard sprinkled with Rose-Vinegar and Pouder of Mace and Nutmegs Others recommend a Quince fill'd with Wax and Roasted Goats Tallow melted and mix'd with Flower Extract of Tormentil dissolv'd in Cinnamon or Mint Water together with a Grain or two of Laudanum the Juice of Austere Fruits such as Medlars and Quinces mix'd with the Juice of Arsmart The Rob made from the Juice of unripe sorbe Apples the Conserve of Quinces mix'd with Distill'd Oyl of Cinnamon and Laudanum Opiatum The Decoction of Masticwood or in the Room of it that of Mastic it self with Mace and Cinnamon mix'd with Gelley of Hartshorn for Ordinary Drink or Water impregnated with the fumes of Mastic The Decoction of Juniper-berries or that of Hartshorn and Stag's Pizzle or the Decoction of Gum Arabic and Sugar in Ale The Golden Earth found in Gold Mines dissolv'd with the Spirit of the Vitriol of Steel Whey or Vinegar impregnated with Steel Crocus of Steeâ— Dulcify'd Gaput Mortuum of Vitriol exhibited in an Acid Vehicle Coral Crystal mix'd with Hysteric Laudanum and Chalybeat Bezoar against a Bilious Looseness Blood Stone Sugar of Lead Plantan Purslain Tormentil and Columbin-Waters and the Juices of Quinces and Pomgranats These are all specifics in this Disease Take of Plantan-Water three Ounces Cinnamom-Water an Ounce Fracastorius's Diascordium two Drams Prepar'd Red Coral two Scruples seal'd Earth a Scruple Syrup of Myrtles an Ounce Make a Potion Give a spoonful now and then Vinegar of Wine or of Roses and Diaphoretic Antimony may be added Take of mint-Mint-water two Ounces Cinnamom-water two Drams Extract of Tormentil eight Grains Astringent Crocus of Steel and Hysteric Laudanum of each six Grains Syrup of Quinces half an Ounce Mix for one Dose Dulcify'd Spirit of Nitre may be added Or to temper the sharpness of the humors an Emulsion may be made from sweet Almonds and White Poppy Seeds with the Decoction of Hartshorn and mix'd with absorbent Powders Take of Vitriolated Conserve of Mint an Ounce and a half Diascordium half an Ounce Seal'd Earth a Dram Chalybeat Diaphoretic Antimony and Extract of Tormentil Roots of each half a Dram. With Syrup of Masterwort make an Electuary Dose two Drams twice or thrice aday When a Looseness is attended by Gripings black excrements thirst and inappetency give what follows Take Conserve of Mint and Diascordium of each two Ounces Rhubarb a Dram Red Coral two Scruples With Syrup of Coral make an Electuary Of which let the Patient take a Convenient quantity frequently In malignant Epidemical Loosenesses Alexipharmacal sudorifics ought to be mix'd with proper specifics as Spirit of Venice Treacle with Spirit of Mastic Seal'd Earth and Volatil Salt of Vipers c. Or thus Take of Seal'd Earth and Diaphoretic Antimony of each fifteen Grains Powder of Mace four Grains Volatil Salt of Vipers six Grains Mix for one Dose Take of Mint and Scordium Waters of each an Ounce and a half Cinnamon Water three Drams Vinegar of Wine six Drams Venice Treacle a Dram and a half Mineral Bezoar half a Dram Syrup of Quinces three Drams Mix for a Potion In the mean while let the Stomac be fortify'd by the Juice of Quinces Dulcify'd Spirit of Salt or a Draught of Generous Wine In case of a Tenesmus inject Milk-Clysters frequently If a Looseness be caus'd by Poyson give twelve Grains of Emerald with Conserve of Quinces The External Remedies against Loosenesses are Venice Treacle mix'd with Balsam of Peru and the Distill'd Oyl of Mastic sprinkl'd with the Distill'd Oyl of Mace and Applied to the Belly or the Crust of Tosted Bread soak'd in Vinegar and Cover'd with Cloves and Nutmegs in Powder or a Cataplasm of yest Powder of Mint Leaves Zedoary Cloves Galangal Ginger and Rose Vinegar applied to the Navel Fomentations of the same place with Decoctions of Aromatic Ingredients or Inunctions with Distill'd Aromatic Oyls incorporated with Express'd Oyl of Nutmegs applying after Inunction a hot Brick are also proper If there be a necessity of cleansing the Intestines either in the Beginning or Declension of the Disease give half a Dram of Rhubarb with eight Grains of Nutmegs and three Grains of Hysteric Laudanum Or give the Decoction of Tamarinds But these things are most proper in the Declination of the Disease or if in the beginning it must be when the humours are hurry'd into the Guts from other Parts or the first Passages are very foul as when a Looseness proceeds from Summer Fruits If the Great Intestines are the Seat of the Evil Clysters of Milk are proper as also when the Person goes frequently to stool and voids but little which is a sign of the Acrimony of the humor In that case Emollient Clysters of Chalybeat Milk Yelks of Eggs Turpentin and Hony of Roses are very useful If the Anus be excoriated foment with Milk in which Emollient-Herbs are Boyl'd If a Looseness be occasion'd by over violent Purgation let Laudanum Opiatum Wormwood Rue Essence of Venice Treacle mix'd with Anodyns and Diaphoretic Powders such as Seal'd Earth Sugar of Lead Blood stone Diaphoretic Antimony c. Be exhibited Let Venice Treacle be applied to the Navel or the Belly be fomented with Wine in which Wormwood Mint and Spices are Boyl'd If the Person be Grip'd or Molested with a perpetual Itch of going to stool inject a Clyster of warm Milk in which Venice Treacle is dissolv'd If a Looseness proceed from an Error in the use of External things as Summer Fruits c. It ought not to be stopped unless it overbear or cause an inappetency and weak Concoction in which case we exhibit the absorbent Powders with Opiats in the same method as above If a Looseness proceed from the transferring of the morbific matter to which Catarrhous Persons are obnoxious in the Night-time and which the Ancients fancy'd to flow from the Brain it is cur'd by aversion and derivation by Issues and Blistering Plaisters If a Looseness be caus'd by the spontaneous course of humors 't is cur'd as a common Looseness or by Chalybeat Medicines and Bathing But these last sorts of Loosenesses require no Cure unless they prove exorbitant ART II. Of the
Disease call'd Cholera A Cholera is a Disease in which the vicious humors are impetuously thrown out both upwards and downwards with a violent Pain in the Stomac and Belly distention of the Hypocondria Heartburnings Thirst Perplexity of the Breast a swift and sometimes small pulse frequent swoonings unquietness tossing a Coldness in the outer Parts Cold sweats especially upon the forehead prostration of strength and at last Convulsions and Hiccoughs This disease is call'd a wet Cholera in opposition to that call'd dry iâ— which nothing but wind is voided upwards and downwards It differs from a Diarrhaea only Gradually the symptoms being the same but only mere fierce The Causes are the same but more Exalted and Virulent The Seat of the illness is the Duodenum and Pylorus where the Inraged matter irritates the Choleric and Pancreatical Passages thro' which the Blood being overcharg'd with Heteregeneous particles indeavours to discharge ' em The occasional Causes are the same as those of a Looseness The Corruption and Acrimony of Food in the Stomac the Assumption of sharp Caustic Medicines such as Antimony Arsenic Mercury c. And the Internal malignity or depravation of the humors 'T is an acute disease and quickly finishes its Course If the Excrements be Livid Fetid Black or Corrosive if it accompany malignant Feavers especially in the Beginning and if the Stomac be very much disorder'd it proves fatal It observes a Tertian Period in its Exasperations And frequently relapses after an apparent Cure As touching the Cure Alexipharmacal Medicines are absolutely necessary If it proceed from corruptible and fermenting things taken inwardly such as Summer Fruits c. we must not be over-forward in stopping it especially if such things be voided as ought to be so Far less is it allowable to give Purgatives for they increase the Tumult Opiats indeed ought never to be omitted If the Patient be extreme weak give 'em in small Doses and frequently otherwise very large Doses are requir'd We mix 'em with Bezoars and diaphoretic Antimony All cold drink must be avoided Wine is very proper Watery diluting Decoctions are likewise very necessary for eluding the edge of the Salts In the declination of the Disease the Stomac ought to be corroborated with proper Remedies The Remedies prescrib'd in the last Article are all convenient here especially the Juice of Mint Sal Prunel Tincture of the golden Earth made with Spirit of Salt a notable astringent prepar'd Crystal Emerald Chalybeats c. If the Disease be caus'd by Poyson Oyl of sweet Almonds Milk fresh Butter and absorbent Powders especially prepar'd Chrystal and seal'd Earth If it proceed from the abuse of Summer Fruits besides gentle discussives and cleansers the fix'd Salts and Earths mix'd with Opiats are proper If it arise from a malign ferment the Juices and Syrups of Pomgranats red Corants Barberries Syrup of Coral Spirit of Vitriol of Steel seal'd Earth mix'd with Spirit of Vitriol Solar Jovial Martial Bezoar Bezoardic Tincture and such like are convenient Opium Diascordium Conserve of Mint Spirit and Extract of Venice Treacle and especially Camphyr are the most noted general Specifics against a Cholera The forms of Recipe's are the same as above As Take of Venice Treacle a dram seal'd Earth two Scruples mix for a Bolus to be taken in a spoonful of Vinegar of Wine Take of the Conserve of Mint a dram seal'd Earth prepat'd red Coral and prepar'd Crystal of each half a dram Laudanum Opiatum two grains With Quercetanus's Syrup of Coral make an Electuary Take of Purslain Water three ounces Cinnamom Water half an ounce Spirit of Venice Treacle and Diascordium of each two drams Confection Alkermes one dram unburnt Hartshorn half a dram Syrup of Coral six drams Make a Potion to be given by spoonfuls Take of Mint Water two ounces Cinnamom Water Bezoardic Vinegar and Spirit of Venice Treacle camphoris'd of each half an Ounce with Syrup of the Juice of Citrons make a Potion The external Remedies mention'd in the last Article are proper in this Spirit of Wine camphoris'd mix'd with Venice Treacle is a noble Epithema for the Stomac if apply'd hot with several folds of Linnen If a Cholera proceed from an Error in Diet it sometimes happens but very rarely that a gentle cleansing Medicine wou'd not be amiss Such as are Whey alter'd with solutive Syrup of Roses or Pulp of Tamarinds gentle Infusions of Rhubarb c. But Milk Clysters with Venice Treacle or Diascordium dissolv'd in 'em are always useful If a Cholera be caus'd by the violence of purging Medicines Laudanum Opiatum or Treacle or Confection Alkermes dissolv'd in warm Wine is a Sovereign Remedy Essence of Venice Treacle mix'd with that of Opium and given to forty drops twice or thrice a day is very successful against a Cholera caus'd by Emetics ART III. Of a Lienteria A Lienteria is a Looseness by which the Meat is sent out before it be alter'd The Causes are an Ulcer in the Stomac or a sharp scorbutic Salt convey'd thither with the Saliva and by the Glandules of its Membrans or corrupted Victuals irritating the Stomac to an early contraction and evacuation of what it contains The Laxity of the Pylorus occasion'd by much drinking and the Deficiency Laziness and Depravation of the Stomachical ferment leaving the Meat undigested The use of Signs is to distinguish the Causes If the Stomac be irritated there 's a gnawing heat in the Stomac accompany'd by Vomiting If the ferment be weak the Appetit is dejected the Breath fetid and the Cavity of the Stomac and Guts molested with Wind and Noise A Chronical Lienteria exhausts the Strengh and tends to a Consumption If it follow other heavy Distempers or accompany a Scurvy or seize Women with Child 't is very dangerous The Indications of Cure are to corroborat the Stomac and Pylorus by Medicines prescrib'd in the first Section of this Book and mitigat the irritating Acrimony of Humors by such Remedies as are us'd against a Cholera Looseness c. Gentle Vomits are proper if the Stomac be stuff'd with pituitous Excrements But such as are fat and oily ought to be avoided for they relaxat the Fibres of the Stomac If Vomiting be not convenient gentle astringent Purgatives are allowable such as Rhubarb or the Pills of Aloe or those of Mastic But by all means let strong Purges be prohibited If there be any suspicion of Poyson or if the Lienteria proceed from Summer Fruits and such corruptible things let Alexipharmacal Medicines be exhibited As for corroborating Medicines see the Chapter of Vomiting and that of a looseness The Antiscorbutic Tincture of Coral Allum us'd as above and Eggs boyl'd hard with Nutmegs and Rose Vinegar Spirit of Salt c. are of noted vertue for that purpose The Irritation of the Stomac is cur'd by Opiats mix'd with Spices and absorbent Powders as in a looseness Externally we apply as above directed in the Chapters of Inappetency Vomiting c.
Syrup of Carduus Benedictus half an Ounce Make a Potion for one Dose In fine the Common Prescriptions against all sorts of Dysenteries are such as these following Take of the shavings of a Stag's Pizzle half an Ounce Comfrey Roots Tragacanth and Nutmegs of each three Drams seal'd Earth Bole Armenic Burnt Hartshorn and Zedoary of each a Dram and an half Make a Powder You may add Laudanum Opiatum and Oyl of Cinnamom Take of the Extract of Tormentil twenty four Grains Vipers Livers Prepar'd Crabs Eyes of each a Scruple Hysteric Laudanum nine Grains Distill'd Oyl of Cinnamom two Drops Mix for two Doses Ye may add Troches of Amber and Prepar'd Crystal Take of Venice Treacle a Dram Prepar'd Blood-stone a Scruple Dead Men's Bones Calcin'd fifteen Grains Sugar of Lead six Grains Make a Bolus Take of the Rob of the Fruit of the Service Tree a Dram and a half Chalybeat-Bezoar fifteen Grains Dulcify'd Earth of Vitriol six Grains Laudanum Opiatum two Grains make a Bolus Take of Diascordium an Ounce and a half the Shavings of a Whales Pizzle three Drams Troches of Amber a Dram and a half Flowers of Sulphur a Dram. With Juice of Quinces make an Electuary Of which take a Convenient quantity at Morning Noon and Evening Take of Crude Allum half a Dram Cinnamon an Ounce and a half Make a Powder Dose a Scruple to be taken in Red Wine Take of Tormentil Water two or three Ounces Cinnamon-Water Prepar'd with Quinces an Ounce Spirit of Venice Treacle Camphoris'd three Drams Syrup of Comfrey an Ounce Mix for a Vehicle to the above-mention'd Powders Take of Plantan Water three Ounces Cinnamon Water six Drams Vinegar of Roses half an Ounce Diascordium two Drams Troches of Amber or those of Seal'd Earth half a Dram Prepar'd Crabs Eyes two Scruples Diaphoretic Antimony a Scruple Syrup of Myrtle-berries or of Quinces an Ounce Mix. Sugar of Lead Dulcify'd Earth of Vitriol Extract of Tormentil and Shavings of a Dead Man's Scull may be added or mutually shifted by turns After the Symptoms are mitigated by the use of the foregoing Prescriptions it will not be improper to exhibit some healing things calculated for the Corrosion or Ulceration of the Intestines Such are the Balsam of Sulphur prepar'd with Oyl of Amber or Annis or of Juniper-berries or of Turpentin Balsam of Peru given to half a Scruple with Sugar or with the Yelk of an Egg To which we may add the Vulnerary Decoctions As Take of the Leaves of Ground-Ivy Plantan and Tormentil of each a handful Pomgranat Flowers three little handfuls Shavings of a Whale's Pizzle three Ounces Boyl 'em in Black-Smiths-water To two Pounds of the strain'd Liquor add Syrup of Coral and that of Comfrey of each three Ounces Mix and exhibit a large Draught twice or thrice a day with fifteen Drops of the Balsam of Sulphur As for Clysters we ought to be very cautious of using ' em Anodyn Clysters for allaying the Pain and tempering the sharp Humors are made of Chalybeat Milk with Emollent Ingredients boyl'd in it and mix'd with Laudanum Opiatum Turpentin Venice Treacle Goats Tallow and Yelks of Eggs. Pouders are not convenient for they stick to the Guts and provoke ' em Vulnerary Healing Clysters are prepar'd from Vulnerary Decoctions or the Decoction or Juice of River Crabs mix'd with Balsam of Peru Goats Tallow and Oyl of Linseed Externally apply a Plaister of Venice Treacle to the Belly and take of Express'd Oyl of Nutmegs half an Ounce Balsam of Sulphur prepar'd with Oyl of Anis two Drams Balsam of Peru a Dram. Make a Liniment and anoint the Belly Take of Oak leaves and Bran of each three handfuls Flowers of Chamomil and of Mullein of each two handfuls Make two Quilted Bags to be dipp'd in warm Vinegar one large and round to be applied to the Navel the other long and small for the Breech Some reap benefit by sitting upon the Caput Mortuum of Vitriol when they go to stool others by applying a Cataplasm of Arsemart Leaves bruis'd and beaten up with Chalybeat Wine others by receiving the smoak of Burnt Harts-horn or Vinegar or Ginger thrown upon burning Coals just under their Breech when they go to stool A Tenesmus is a Retainer to Dysenteries being a perpetual but vain desire of going to stool The Immediat Cause is the irritation of the Intestinum Rectum especially that part of it that is surrounded with the Sphincter This Irritation may proceed by Consent or Sympathy from Nephritic Pains a Stone in the Bladder or Distention of the Womb or Essentially from a tenacious Corrosive Acid Humor thrown upon that Gut either by a preceeding Dysentery or sharp Purgatives from Inflammations occasion'd by the suppression of the Piles and the Corrosion of the worms call'd Ascarides An Essential Tenesmus is more dangerous than a Sympathetical one If it continue long it degenerats into Ulcers and Fistula's of the Anus In Women with Child it frequently causes miscarriage As for the Cure Let the Irritation be abated by Opiats If a Tenesmus proceed from a sharp renacious humor Abstergent Clysters and Fomentations are proper If the Intestin be excoriated temperat soft Ingredients are requir'd Take of Mullein flowers two handfuls Seeds of Red Vetches two Ounces Salt of Tartar a Dram Boyl 'em in Water To a Pound of the strain'd Liquor add two Ounces of Goats Tallow and an Ounce of Hony of Roses Mix for two Clysters The Decoction of Worms in Milk is likewise very proper But all Clysters ought to be injected in small quantities at a time Foment the Anus with the Decoction of Mullein flowers in Milk Or apply a bag quilted with Toad flax and Mullein Leaves and the flowers of Mullein and Chamomil and boyl'd in Chalybeat Milk Or let the Anus be fumigated with hot Bricks or Iron thrown into warm Vinegar Or with the Decoction of Savin in Water and Vinegar Or with Myrrh Frankincense Roses c. thrown upon burning Coals If the Intestin be Ulcerated inject Vulnerary Decoctions with the Oyl of Wax Or anoint with a Liniment of the Oyl of Roses and Earthworms mix'd with the Solution of Litharge in Vinegar Or thrust up a suppository of Unguentum Album Camphoratum Diapompholygos and dulcify'd Earth of Vitriol Internally the Oyl of Mastic with Mint Water or the red Oyl of Vitriol with Broth is much approv'd The Hepatic flux is a Painless voiding of Watry Blood from the Internal Hemorrhoid Veins which the Ancients fancy'd to proceed from the Liver It either follows the Excoriation caus'd by a preceeding Dysentery or is occasion'd by the ordinary Causes of Eruption of Blood of which elsewhere Opiats Astringents and gentle Laxatives especially Raisins are the Basis of its Cure Some Persons are troubled with an Itching of the Anus If it be caus'd by the approach of any External sharp thing let it be fomented with warm Milk and Rose Water If it tend to an Ulcer apply a Liniment of Sulphur
Vitriol contains in it some metallin Parts that are very offensive In the vegetable Province the clarify'd Juices of Acid Fruits are very proper and much preferable to the Syrpus such are the Juices of Citrons of Quinces of Barberries of red Corants c. The Juices of House-leek Purslain Plantain c. are likewise very useful Tamarinds are much approv'd by reason of their Laxative and Cooling quality As for the forms of Receipts prescribe as follows If there be any suspicion of a latent malignity let forty or sixty drops of the Bezoardic Tincture be exhibited in the beginning of the Disease Then Take of the Decoction of Harts-horn with the roots of Vipers-grass a pound fresh juice of Citrons two ounces Syrup of Water Lilly-flowers Syrup of white Poppies of each six drams dulcify'd Spirit of Nitre as much as sufficeth for a grateful Acidity Make a Julep Or Take of the Decoction of Harts-horn with the roots of Vipers-grass one Pound Juice of Barberries Juice of red Corans of each an ounce and a half Tincture of Roses Tincture of Violets of each a dram Syrup of the Juice of Citrons an ounce and a half Spirit of Sulphur as much as sufficeth for a grateful Acidity Mix for a Julep Or Take of Common Water a Convenient Quantity with a little Wine and as much of the Juice of Quinces as sufficeth for a grateful Acidity Mix c. Take of Borrage Water Bugloss Water and Water of Rasberries of each an ounce Cinnamom Water three drams fresh Juice of Citrons six or eight drams Confection Alkermes a dram and a half Syrup of Rasberries half an ounce Mix c. Take of the Conserves of Wood-sorrel of the Pulp of Citrons and of Clove Gilly-flowers of each an ounce Rob of red Corants six drams Confection Alkermes two drams with a sufficient quantity of the Syrup of Rasberries Make an Electuary The Decoction of the Roots and Leaves of Wood-sorrel mix'd with the Juice of red Corants and Syrup of Rasberries is a very palatable Liquor for quenching Thirst Extemporary Tinctures may be drawn from the Flowers of Dazies Poppies Roses Clove Gillyflowers Violets Golumbines c. with common Water or the Decoction of Harts-horn and Vipers-grass or red Poppy Water c. The Flowers being first sprinkl'd with Spirit of Sulphur or of Vitriol These Tinctures are of a pleasant red Colour for all blue Flowers when mix'd with an Acid Spirit yield a rutilant Tincture These Tinctures may be sweeten'd with Syrup of Rasberries or of Violets or of Iujubes and are sometimes joyn'd to the dulcify'd Acid Spirits and drop'd into the Patient's ordinary Drink Instead of Juleps or Tinctures some use the Decoction of Tamarinds as take of the Pulp of Tanmarinds from two to three ounces Boyl them in a sufficient quantity of Whey To two pound of the strain'd Liquor add Juice of Citrons six or eight drams Tincture of Dazy Flowers three drams Syrup of the Juice of Citrons an ounce and a half Mix and Exhibit for ordinary Drinking Whey is an admirable Drink for Feaverish Persons if purify'd by Juice of Citrons or Pulp of Tamarinds As Take of Whey two pound fresh Juice of Citrons three drams Flowers of Dazies and of red Poppies of each a handful and a half Let 'em boyl in a close Vessel till the Whey be impregnated with the Tincture Strain the Liquor and sweeten it with Syrup of Poppies or of Rasberries Next to the foregoing Medicines is Nitre which is universally approv'd by all Practitioners the preparation of it with Sulphur call'd Sal-Prunellae is of no efficacy but if the Crude Nitre be purified by some sharp Lye it proves an admirable Remedy Nitrum Antimoniatum which is a complication of Nitre with the Sulphur of Antimony may be given to a dram in their ordinary Drink three or four times a Day or in Powder together with Antihecticum Poterii Diaphoretic Antimony Mineral Bezoar or that call'd Joviale or Saturninum together with Harts-horn prepar'd without fire and the above mention'd absorbent Earths are all proper for mitigating the fermentation and promoting a gentle breathing Heat As Take of Rasberry Water two ounces Water of Vipers-grass and fresh Juice of Quinces of each an ounce Bezoardicum Joviale a scruple Syrup of white Poppies an ounce dulcify'd Spirit of Nitre as much as sufficeth Take a spoonful now and then Take of the Water of the Flowers of the Sloe-tree Water of Elder-Flowers and Dandelion Water of each an ounce Gelly of Harts-horn an ounce and a half Harts-horn prepar'd without fire a scruple Poterius's Antihectic and Diaphoretic Antimony of each twelve grains Syrup of Poppies six drams Mix and use as above In a Solid form they are prescrib'd thus Take of purify'd Nitre sixteen grains Poterius Antihectic Powder half a scruple Sugar of Lead five grains If a Delirium be fear'd or Malignity suspected add a grain or two of Camphyr Take of Nitrum Antimoniatum two scruples Chalybeat Diaphoretic Antimony half a dram Laudanum Opiatum a grain or two Mix for two Doses to betaken at Night in a convenient Vehicle Depurated Nitre or Nitrum Antimoniatum may be dissolv'd in their ordinary Drink after the rate of half an ounce in twenty four Hours Emulsions are next in order They are very proper for tempering the Bilious Salt and qualifying the acrimony of the Blood But they ought not to be too frequently or copiously us'd for that they weaken the Stomac and clog the Appetit Let 'em be mix'd with fix'd Powders Thus Take of sweet Almonds two drams Seeds of white Poppies a dram of the four cold Seeds of each a dram with Water of Wood-sorrel make an Emulsion To which add Diaphoretic Antimony and Mineral Bezoar of each half a dram Sweeten it with pearl'd Sugar and exhibit a spoonful now and then So much for Internal Remedies Externally some are wont to apply Cataplasms to the Palms of the Hands and soles of the Feet as in the case of Watchings Deliriums Pains c. Take of fresh Rue Leaves two or three handfuls Radish Roots slic'd in number two or three Salt a handful of the strongest Yest two ounces with Rue Vinegar make a Cataplasm to be applied as above The Juice of River Crabs may be applied in like manner or by way of Epithema to the fore-head When the Mouth and Head are much affected 't is not improper to open the Vein under the Tongue or the Vein in the Fore-head or to apply Leeches behind the Ears The application of convenient Liquids to the Fore-head and Temples is also not improper As Take of the Water of Dill or of Roses or of Elder Flowers or of Vervain two ounces Apoplectic Water half an ounce Philonium Romanum or Requiâ—s Nicolai or Triacle a dram Mix and apply it warm to the Fore-head and Temples with a Linnen Cloath Take of white Poppy Seeds two or three drams Henbane Seeds half a dram Water of Frogs spawn three ounces House-leek Water Night-shade Water and
the Hypochondriacal Fit The Specifics that are peculiarly devoted to the Scurvy are of two sorts 1. Such are the volatil sharp Ingredients that amend the indisposition of the Blood 2. Balmy Oily Medicines that repair the losses of the solid and nervous Pasts Of the first sort are Scurvy-grass Marsh Trefoyl Water Cresses Celandin Pilewort the Herb call'd Trinity Arsmart especially its distill'd Water Horse Radishes Mustard-seeds and those of Garden Cresses Rockets Scurvy-grass and Columbines To these we add the Juice of Sorrel Citrons Oranges and such like Acids to temper the volatil sharpness that frequently offends young hot Constitutions Of the latter sort are the Buds and Bark of the Pine or Fir Tree the Pine Apple or Pine Wood Sassafras Guajacum China Roots Juniper Wood Winter Cinnamon the Rinds of the Ash-tree Tamarisk Citrons and Oranges Water Germander Fumitory Wormwood Elecampane Zedoary Galangal Angelica Lovage the Fruit of the Knotberry-bush and its Electuary Cacao Nuts the flowers of Broom St. John's wort Elder and Saffron Earth-worms and Goose Dung given to a dram in Wine The Antiscorbutics of the former sort being volatil wo'nt admit of Decoction Upon which account we choose to infuse 'em in Wine for Cold in Whey for Bilious and in Milk for dry wither'd Constitutions As Take of fresh Scurvy-grass Fumitory and Water-cresses of each a handful Horse Radish Roots three ounces fresh Elecampane Roots an ounce Corants six drams Cut bruise and tye them in a Bag to be infus'd in Wine Whey or Milk of which exhibit a draught thrice a Day If they be infus'd in Wine 't will be proper to add half a dram of Crabs-eyes to every draught for preventing the bad effects of the acidity that prevails in Wine Take of fresh Scurvy-grass and Water-cresses of each a handful Elecampane Roots an ounce and a half Acorus Roots an ounce Shavings of Sassafras and Filings of Steel of each two ounces Orange-peel Citron-peel and Galangal of each two drams Tye 'em in a Bag as above If we desire to render 'em Purgative we add Senna Leaves black Hellebor Rhubarb and Salt of Tartar Take of the Juices of Scurvy-grass Water-cresses and Fumitory of each three ounces Ciâ—â—ons and Wood-sorrel of each two ounces clarify'd Goats-whey three pound Let 'em stand till they become clear then strain the Liquor and give five ounces for a Dose twice a Day adding to every Draught a convenient quantity of the Essence of Steel prepar'd with the Juice of Apples Take of the Chalybeat Cachectic Powder two drams Cuckow-pint Roots and Arcanum Duplicatum of each a dram distill'd Oyl of Scurvy-grass eight drops Make a Powder From the above-mentioned Simples we draw Spirits First by Fermentation then by frequent Cohobation upon fresh Ingredients These Spirits digested with the extract of Steel or with the extract and thicken'd juice of the other Ingredients yield noble antiscorbutic Essences that are given from half a dram to a dram To these we frequently joyn the distill'd Oyls of the same Plants and the volatil Spirits of Animals especially the Spirit of Sal-Armoniac and that of Earth-Worms Of the balmy Antiscorbutics that are calculated for the disorder of the Nerves and solid parts Sassafras China Roots the wild Pine-tree and the Pine-apple are the most noted As Take of the Buds of the wild Pine-tree two ounces China Roots sliced an ounce infuse 'em in two pounds of Ale and boyl 'em till the half evaporat Exhibit a draught of the strain'd Liquor warm Morning and Evening in order to sweat Juniper-berries Fir-tops and Raisins are also proper Antiscorbutics The extract of Juniper-berries or the thicken'd decoction of the Pine-apple reduc'd to Essences with the Spirit of Scurvy-grass are admirable for this purpose being given from forty to fifty drops But withal we ought to take notice that all Remedies prepar'd from the Pine-tree are enrich'd with a plentiful volatil Oyl that dejects the Appetit and if too long us'd causes Feavers Pushes or cuticular Eruptions in young People But both the Indications of subduing the scorbutical Acid and relieving the solid parts are admirably accounted for by a Milk diet The time of exhibiting Milk is after the general Evacuations and the use of Steel Goats Milk is accounted the best and for those who are feaverish we choose Whey If the Patient be of a lean dry Constitution and if the scorbutical Acid be fiery and sharp Milk alone is best But otherwise we boyl antiscorbutical Ingredients in the Milk or add their Juices and Spirits As Take of Goat's Whey a quart and boyl it in a close Vessel with a handful of fresh Fumitory leaves Then strain it and add to every draught twenty drops of the Spirit of Scurvy-grass and a little Sugar to prevent its curdling Thus let the Patient continue the use of it for some time interlacing a laxative every fourth day remembring always to walk after taking it in order to promote Urin and abstain from Wine and acid Liquors This method of infusing or boyling antiscorbuticks in Milk ought to be follow'd during the Spring and Summer but in the Autumn Wine is the more proper Vehicle The general Cure of the Scurvy being thus dispatch'd it remains to account for its particular Symptoms These are I. The Laxity Swelling Bleeding Ulceration or Putrifaction of the Gums For removing such Inconveniencies we use Gargarisms Tinctures Powders and Ointments The Gargarisms are made of the juice of Sage and Scurvy-grass or the Decoction of Sage and Scurvy-grass in Milk Whey or Wine Or of Privat-wood Pine-tree tops Cresses and Allum in Milk Whey or Wine To which we add by turns Snake-weed Roots Tormentil Birthwort Myrrh Lac Spirit of Salt c. As Take of Sage-leaves three handfuls Scurvy-grass and Water-cresses of each half a handful Flowers of Mallows two handfuls Polipody Roots six drams Boyl them in two pound of fair Water till the half be consum'd Then strain the Liquor and add of the Hony of Roses an ounce and a half burnt Allum a dram purify'd Nitre three drams seal'd Earth and Florentin Lac of each a dram Mix for a Gargarism If the Gums are putrify'd boyl Lesser Centory Plantan Savin Water Germander Roses Birthwort Roots and Mastic in austere Wine and add to a pound and a half of the strain'd Decoction an ounce and a half of the Ointment Aegyptiacum and a dram and a half of crude Allum Take of Plantan Self-heal and Rose-water of each four Ounces Tincture of Roses Spirit of Scurvy-grass of each two drams Spirit of Salt Spirit of Vitriol of each a scruple Mix and rub the Gums After Gargarising the Mouth 't is proper to rub the Gums with Tinctures especially Mynsichtius his Tincture of Lac which may be improv'd by adding Myrrh and shifting the Phlegm of Allum for that of Vitriol The following Tincture is also very effectual viz. Pour warm Water upon Quick-lime and boyl it then let it stand till it be clear and strain it Draw off this strain'd Lye till a
The Essence of Wrens is much applauded as likewise the following Pills Take black Beetles gather'd in May without touching 'em with one's Hand Suffocat 'em in Spirit of Wine then dry 'em cut 'em into pieces and in the middle of their Body ye will find a viscous Liquor which mix with their Powder to the consistence of a Balsam Then take of this Balsam adram distill'd Oyl of Anis and that of Cloves of each three drops Make Pills Of which exhibit two grains once or twice in Elder-flower water in the Morning with a fasting Stomac They will cause a Strangury that shall last for thirty Days If Diuretic Med'cines prove ineffectual we ought to discontinue their use for some time lest the Kidneys be overcharg'd with Crudities The strongest of these Diureticks are by some call'd Lithontriptica or dissolvers of the Stone in the Body but I doubt much if any such Med'cines be yet discover'd 'T is certain that Spirit of Nitre will dissolve a Stone out of the Body but the alteration it undergoes in mixing with the various Humours in the Body cramp its virtue within us And therefore whoever pretends to the knowledge of Lithontriptica's must have found out such a Med'cine as is not liable to be chang'd by the Humours of the Body and besides that is neither an Acid nor an Alcali but consists of both as the Stone it self and is peculiarly calculated for its Pores as Aqua fortis is for Silver Some have exploded all Lithontriptica's as being too corrosive and apt to injure the Stomac Guts c. But they ought to consider that all sharp dissolving Menstruum's are not corrosive to the taste as Arsenic Quick-silver Mercurius Vitae c. whic are altogether insipid And besides some Liquors are qualify'd for dissolving hard Concretes that wo'not pick upon softer Objects as Vinegar dissolves the shells of Eggs while their inner Membran is left intire After the Paroxysm is over and the Stone voided we ought to prevent the generation of new ones by proper preservatives as 1. By keeping the first Passages clean with Laxatives and once in three or four Months a Vomit or a stronger Purge 2. By correcting the Acid in the first Passages with absorbent Powders and the fix'd Salts of Diuretic Plants 3. By cleansing the Reins and evacuating the first Rudiments of the Stone with volatil Diuretics the Spirit and volitil Salt of Tartar the Spirit of Urine that of Sal-Armoniac the Spirit of Worms Elixir Proprietatis Turpentin fat Broth Whey c. Some commend Milk but its Curd disswades us from using it However we ought still to remember that the Diuretics must be of the meeker sort and exhibited only once or twice in a Fortnight or three Weeks and that at some distance from the times of eating but not till the first Passages are clear'd 4. By strengthening the Reins retrieving their ferment and preserving the Urine from corruption with balmy Med'cines such as Turpentin the Balsam of Sulphur Juniper St. John's-wort-seeds c. ART 3. Of a Diabetes or excessive Flux of Vrine A Diabetes is either genuin or spurious The former is a voiding of Liquors by Urine without any stay or alteration in the Body The latter is a voiding of a much larger quantity of Urine than that of Liquids receiv'd into the Body The cause of the former is the laxity and openness of the Passages which lead directly from the first Passages to the Reins 'T is true these Passages are not yet discover'd but the quick Passage of some Liquors and their being voided without any alteration in colour taste or consistence according to the Observations of Galen Bartholin Hildanus c. do sufficiently evince their necessity The cause of the latter is a sharp volatil Salt or Ferment bred in the first Passages that dissolves the fat acid in the Blood Chyle and muscular Flesh unlocking their Texture and melting the ferment of the Reins Thus the balmy and nutritious parts of the Blood being melted down and tinctur'd with a sharp acrimony they stimulat the Kidneys and force their passage This volatil Alcali Salt is not unlike that which sometimes causes melting loosenesses or that of Spanish Flies and Beetles and is frequently the follower of violent Diureticks Perhaps it also sucks in the humidity of the Air in the Body by virtue of which it melts and so increases the quantity of Urine which sometimes exceeds that of all the Juices in the Body The Symptoms of the spurious Diabetes are the crudity thinness and sweet taste of the Urine with a fat Scum swimming upon it a notable weakness leanness dryness of the Mouth thirst a heat and pain in the Loyns a slow Feaver and in short all the Symptoms of a Hectic If it follow immoderat Labour Venery or Chronical Feavers 't is uncurable For Cure of a genuin Diabetes we exhibit Astringents and Aromatics such as we generally prescribe for defending and fortifying the Stomac and Bowels in the use of Spaw Waters Thus the astringent crocus of Steel the Tincture of the Sulphur of Vitriol Bole Armenic seal'd Earth Conserve of Roses vitriolated the decoction of Orange-peel and Plantan bol'd in chalybeat-Chalybeat-water are very proper Some recommend as an Arcanum a Cocks-comb calcin'd and exhibited with ones own Urine As for the Cure of a spurious Diabetes we must endeavour to correct the Acrimony of the Volatil Alcali to prevent the colliquation of the Juices by Narcotics and proper Astringents First of all their Diet must be the same as that of Hectic Persons In the next place vomiting is very proper to which we subjoin the Powder of the natural Blood-stone or of the Artificial one made of the Vitriol of Steel and Sugar of Lead The Antiphthisical Tincture prepar'd from the same Ingredients The Tincture of the Sulphur of Vitriol the astringent Crocus of Steel the Powder or Spirit of Allum Amber and its Troches or those of seal'd Earth taken in an Acid Vehicle the Tincture or Magistery of Coral prepar'd with the Juice of Citrons or their mixture with Vinegar Take of Plantan Water three ounces Distill'd Vinegar six drams red Coral pulveriz'd not prepar'd a dram Laudanum Opiatum two grains Syrup of Purslain an ounce Mix and exhibit a spoonful frequently Quicklime-Water given to four or five ounces thrice a day is of singular use in this Distemper as also Milk especially Chalybeat Milk or that in which hot Irons are frequently extinguish'd Asses or Goats Milk are the Best and next to them Cows Milk The Emulsions of sweet Almonds and white Poppy-seeds are also very proper Externally some apply to the Kidneys the Juice of River-Crabbs or Baggs of Plantan and Oak-Leaves boil'd in Chalybeat Milk ART 4. Of a Pissing of Blood THE Urine is sometimes tinctur'd with Blood and that more or less according to its quantity The Blood springs either from the Kidney Ureters or Yard or from the Contusions of other parts The Causes are the same as those of
mad or not in order to prevention the manner of the Discovery is this apply and rub upon the Wound Crum of Bread till it is impregnated with the moisture and if a Dog will neither eat nor smell to it or dies if he does 't is a sign the Creature was mad Sometimes this Disease is accompany'd with a Feaver and sometimes not The Signs that attend its beginning are an anxious heaviness of Heart Anger without a manifest Cause complaining of the offensiveness of the Ambient Air heaviness of the Body c. The Signs of a perfect Rabies are Convulsive Distentions of the Members a bloated Face anguish of Heart frothing at Mouth frightful Eyes barking like a Dog or otherwise aping the infecting Animal restlesness perpetual Watching c. but especially an Hydrophobia or shrinking at the sight of any Liquor If taken at the beginning it may be cur'd with proper Remedies but if it is come to perfection and accompany'd with an Hydrophobia it is an acute Distemper which seldom admits of Cure but brings Death the second or third or at most the fourth day from the Invasion of this Symptom In the Cure of this fatal Distemper two Periods of times are to be noted 1. That of receiving the first Hurt or Wound 2. That of the supervening Madness and subsequent Hydrophobia To begin with the latter we must endeavour by all means to explode that venomous Ferment already possessing the Mass of Blood This must be done by internal Antidots as well common as specific such are Roots of Gentian and Swallow-wort Galen's Mad-wort Rue St. John's-wort Pimpernel Carduus Benedictus Fuller's Thistle Sage Betony Myrrh and the like As Take of the Leaves of Rue Sage Plantan Polypody Vervain common Wormwood Mint Mugwort Baum Betony St. John's-wort Lesser Centory of each a convenient quantity beat them into a Pouder to be taken from one to two Drams in hot Broth or a draught of Wine or in half a Dram of Venice Triacle and Syrup of Lemmons for forty days together at least The Waters of Germander Carduus Benedictus Tormentil Triacle white Maiden-hair and the like are convenient Vehicles for such Pouders Moreover seal'd Lemnian and Melitean Earths are good also Venice Triacle Mithridat Electuarium de Ovo c. but above all Theriaca Diatessaron with Opium As Take of the Water of the Flowers of St. John's-wort an Ounce and a half Venice Triacle half an Ounce Bezoardic Tincture a Dram and a half Essence of Crabs-eyes a Dram mix them for one Dose Or Take of Venice Triacle one Dram Salt of Wormwood half a Dram let them be taken in a Draught of sharp Wine The use of these and such like Antidots must be persisted in for two or three Months for oftentimes after it has lain hid for some Months nay sometimes years the Hydrophobia will again show it self so that tho the use of Sudorifics may yet that of Specifics ought not to be discontinu'd As for example Take of prepar'd Crabs-eyes burnt Hartshorn prepar'd and prepar'd Jaw-bone of a Pike of each a Dram. Mix and make a Pouder The River-Crab alone is a Specific against the biting of a mad Dog It must be gathered in the Dog-days and calcin'd alive A Dram or two of the Ashes with a Dram of Pouder of Gentian may be given in a Cup of good Wine the Patient being prepar'd for Sweating But the better way of exhibiting River-Crabs is to distil them being well bruis'd with an Alembic in a Water-bath so you shall have the fam'd Water of Crabs and what remains at bottom may be given inwardly from half a Dram to a whole one in their own distill'd Water adding Pouder of Gentian-root or Pimpernel Or Take of Venice Triacle a Dram River-Crabs thus prepar'd Roots of Pimpernel of each half a Dram. The Root of the wild Rose-tree is commended by the Antients Staeckerus us'd to give a Dram of Pouder of Gentian mix'd with as much Venice Triacle every Morning for three days injoining the Person to fast five or six hours after and make account to sweat having first ty'd on the Wound Garlic Rue and Salt bruis'd and mix'd in the form of a Cataplasm which Method he says never fail'd him Some Remedies are taken from the mad Creature it self such as its Blood pulveriz'd given to a Dram for three days Its Hair Heart or Liver boil'd or pouder'd Some plunge the Patient into cold Water over head and ears suddenly keeping him under Water a small time Purging is sparingly to be us'd and that only when the Hydrophobia is but just a beginning in this Case white and black Hellebor as also Species of Hiera picra are proper Strong Diuretics are not amiss among which Valerian and Cantharides are Specifics As to the Wound by which the Infection is receiv'd so soon as possible the malignant Poison is to be drawn forth lest it diffuse it self through the blood Let the Hair of the mad Creature if it can be had be laid on the Wound or the place being scarify'd and cleans'd with the exactest care apply this Cataplasm Take one of the sharpest Onions five Cloves of Garlic and half of its Root Venice Triacle six Drams with half an Ounce of Yest make a Cataplasm Several other things may be added such as Hony Mustard-seed Germander Gentian c. Some apply the Liver or Flesh of the Creature as also live Pigeons others use Scarification and Cupping-glasses others wash the scarify'd Wound with Wine or its Spirit camphoris'd Brine Salt Water Decoction of Germander or Gentian-root in Water or Wine applying afterwards the following Plaister Take six Ounces of Wax Oil of Olives and Goats Fat of each three Ounces melt them and add of best Frankincense half an Ounce The Wound is to be kept open for some time or even enlarg'd and if it is clos'd up before the compleat Cure of the Disease it must again be open'd But the most safe and withal the most speedy Remedy is burning with a hot Iron or an actual Cautery which utterly destroys all the Poison abolishing its seminal Crasis and so leaves the Patient secure as to the fear of dismal Events This were the proper place to treat of the Delirium Musicum occasion'd by the biting of the Tarantula and cur'd by Music but seeing it is not to be found with us we shall pass it over As for Deliriums proceeding from poisonous things whether taken down by the Mouth or drawn in with the Breath the first is cur'd by a Vomit given at first and the last after universal things are premis'd by Vinegar Castor and Camphyr given together or separately with proper Medicines As for Love-fits they are remov'd partly by rational Perswasions and partly by such Medicines as have been prescrib'd in Melancoly and Melancolic Distempers with this only difference that the milder sort will here prevail AN ABRIDGMENT OF ETMULLERUS HIS Practice of PHYSIC c. BOOK III. Of the Diseases peculiar to the
and outlives the latter Date This Flux is call'd the Terms or Courses and returns duly once a Month in some a few days sooner and in others so much later only Child-bearing Women and sometimes such as give suck are not liable to it It is caus'd by an extraordinary Fermentation and Rarefaction of the Mass of Blood occasion'd by a peculiar fermentative Power of the Glands of the Womb whence being incapable to be contain'd within its ordinary bounds it breaks forth at the Arteries of the Vagina till by lessening the quantity the Fermentation ceases in the space of three or four days till the next period This monthly Purgation is disorder'd in the way of desiciency increase or depravation CHAP. I. Of the Deficiency of the Terms THis is commonly but improperly call'd a Suppression of the Terms and is occasion'd either by a Default of the Blood or of the Womb and Vessels through which it flows The Default of the Blood is its grosness toughness and fix'd acidity proceeding from the Disorder of the Stomac whereby it becomes unfit for a due fermentative Expansion Sometimes the Vessels of the Vagina are obstructed by a viscid Phlegm and sometimes the sides of the Vagina being exulcerated or otherwise hurt grow together in which cases the wonted Flux is deficient The remoter Causes are Cold whereby the Blood is coagulated Food of difficult Digestion use of Acids and finally such Affections of the Mind as naturally cool and thicken the Blood such as sudden Frights Sadness Grief and the like If this Disease is from the Blood the stretching Pains of the Loins beating of the Arteries of the Loins and of these about the Os sacrum the ordinary Forerunners of this Flux are not found the Urine is crude the Belly Costive hypochondiac Symptoms prevail and in time no stated periodical Alteration of Body is to be perceiv'd But if from the Womb and its obstructed Vessels the Symptoms absent in the former case are present here and that in a higher degree with weariness of the Joints pricking Pains of the Loins Blood issuing from other parts of the Body and that at such times as the Courses used to flow But the greatest Difficulty is to distinguish this preternatural State from the natural Suppression of the Terms by impregnation which are accompanied with almost the same Symptoms However we may conclude that the Suppression is preternatural if the Patient grows still worse and worse with an universal Paleness covering the whole Body and decay of Appetite continuing beyond the third Month if there are continu'd Pains of the head unusual beatings of the Arteries especially in the Loins frequent Vicissitudes of heat and cold all over the Body difficulty of breathing especially on every slight Motion of the Body a frequent unequal obscure Pulse and finally if the Urine is either thinner Paler or higher colour'd than ordinary If this Suppression happens in the very time of the Flux the Cure is easy if timely and speedy but if the Suppression be of an earlier date it is more slowly and difficultly cured and oftentimes brings on divers other Diseases such as Cachexies Dropsies various Ulcers of the Parts Asthmas Disorders of the Stomac Melancoly c. and at length Death it self Black Urine in this Disease is a good sign In the cure of this Distemper we must endeavour 1. To rectify the Chylification of the Ventricle by Vomits and aromatic volatil Medicines 2. To amend the Crudity of the Blood by Chaly beat Medicines and volatil oily Aromatics 3. To remove that viscidity of the Humours which obstructs the Vessels of the Womb with Gums and in particular Gum Ammoniac as also Mercurials and chiefly Mercurius Dulcis and above all such Specifics as are known to excite the monthly Fermentation of the Blood But to be more particular 1. Specifics are never to be given when the Distemper is confirm'd before the Universal Evacuations 2. Before we provoke the Courses we ought to consider whether it be expedient for in such as are emaciated newly recovered from sickness or who have never had them it is not to be attempted 3. At such time only the Terms are to be mov'd as otherwise naturally they would have flowed of their own accord 4. Of universal Remedies the chief are such as evacuate whether upward or downward and next opening a Vein Vomits whether prepar'd from Antimony or Asarabecca given in the beginning of the Cure yea sometimes repeated are of excellent Virtue but Digestives must be premis'd As Take of Mynsicht's Arcanum Duplicatum half a Dram Chachectic Crocus of Steel two Scruples with half a Scruple of Salt of Tartar Mix 'em and make a Pouder to be divided into two equal parts In the next place strong Purgatives may be given such as Coloquintida and black Hellebor of which together with Alteratives divers Compositions may be made up As Take Gum Ammoniac dissolv'd in Vinegar and thicken'd Extract of back Hellebor of each fifteen Grains of Castor and Extract of Saffron of each three Grains Troches Alhandal two or three Grains Make Pills with Oil of Turpentine or Amber Or Take of the Mass of Pills of Hiera with Agaric and Mercurius dulcis rightly prepar'd of each fifteen Grains of the Extract of Troches Alhandal two or three Grains and make Pills with Essence of Castor Of these and such like let the Patient take a Dose every four or five days and in the Intervals let Bags of Alterative Aromatics be infus'd in Wine As Take Roots of Angelica and Lovage or Spignel of each an Ounce of Galangal half an Ounce Leaves of Rosemary Fever-few Savin of each a handful Bay-berries or fresh Juniper-berries an Ounce and a half Cinnamom three Drams Mace a Dram Saffron as much Salt of Tartar three Drams cut bruise and tie them in a Bag to be infus'd in Wine of which take a draught in the Morning fasting and two hours before Supper Or Take Leaves of Mugwort Pennyroyal and Rosemary of each a handful Roots of Angelica six Drams Cinnamon two Drams Saffron a Dram Cut bruise and tye them in a Bag to be infus'd in two Measures of Rhenish Wine wherein red hot Steel has been several times quench'd 5. The Body being thus prepared Bleeding will be very expedient unless the Patient have never yet had her Courses in which Case Bathings will suffice If the Terms do already flow but sparingly you may open the Saphaena in the Leg as also if there is reason to fear they will not come at their wonted time but if the Flux is at hand and you desire to facilitate it then you may open a Vein in the Arm. These Universals being premis'd we must proceed to correct the complexion of the Blood to which purpose Steel and Chalybeat Medicines are of great force such as all cachectic Pouders Earths Infusions and Extracts prepar'd from Steel yea crude Filings of Steel if the Stomach be strong Or Take Filings of Steel two Ounces with one
Ounce of Cinnamom infuse them in Wine whereof take a good draught Morning and Evening before Meals spaw-Spaw-waters drunk are very profitable Together with these you must use the volatil bitter Aromatics especially such as are also specific Movers of the Terms as well internal as external such as Rosemary Calamint Chervil Lovage Fever-few Lesser Centory Horehound Savine Wall-flowers Flowers of Marygold and Lavender Seeds abounding with a volatil Salt or of a sharp Aromatic Taste as those of Rocket Cresses Fennel Anise c. Juniper and Bay-beries Roots of Angelica Fennel Sea-holly Briony Madder round-rooted Birthwort Gentian Elecampane c. Also Mugwort Baum Gentian Cinnamom Cassia Lignea Galangal Nutmegs Cardamoms Myrrh and its Essence Elixir Proprietatis compound Tincture of Tartar all Preparations of Myrrh Gums Coloquintida Castor Saffron Milt of an Ox Borace alcalin Salts rather volatil than fix'd Also Mynsicht's Arcanum Duplicatum c. Of which almost an infinity of Prescriptions may be made We shall single out only a few for example sake As Take four Ounces of Nutmegs and mix 'em well with twelve Ounces of fine Sugar and take the bigness of a Walnut Morning and Evening Or Take two Drams of Castor volatil Salt of Amber and Hartshorn of each a Dram infuse them in a sufficient quantity of Spirit of Wine diluted with Cinnamom-water in a warm place in a close Vessel till the Tincture is drawn of which give a Dram. Take Zwelfer's Tincture of Vitriol of Steel or its Solution with Spirit of Wine two Drams Essence of Castor and Saffron of each a Dram. Dose from forty to sixty Drops twice or thrice a day in some hot Liquor But withal let the Patient moderatly exercise her self Take Solution of Steel with Juice of Apples compound Essence of an Ox's Milt and that of Savine of each two Drams Or Take Essence of Castor two Drams Quintessence of Rosemary Spirit of Sal Armoniac with Amber of each one Dram. Or Take Borace a Dram Myrrh half a Dram Saffron fifteen Grains Make a Pouder for three Doses Or Take Mynsicht's Arcanum Duplicatum four Scruples Castor half a Dram Myrrh a Scruple Saffron half a Scruple Make a Pouder for four Doses For a Vehicle to such Pouders take a Spoonful of this Mixture Take Mugwort-water two Ounces Cinnamom-water one Ounce Essence of an Ox's Milt three Drams Essence of Castor a Dram Syrup of Canel six Drams If the Suppression of the Terms be from the default of the Womb the obstructed Vessels are to be opened by volatil penetrating Medicines mix'd with Sudorifics Sometimes manual Operation is requir'd If by a sudden Cold or other such Cause the flowing Courses are stopp'd let Blood at the Saphaena and then let volatil oily Aromatics be given which with a soft breathing Sweat will restore the natural Motion of the Blood such are Spirit of Sal Armoniac and the volatil oily Salts Sperma Ceti may be given to a Dram with Castor in hot Ale also some fix'd Salt as that of Wormwood or Savine If a grievous Pain molest the Womb the Decoction of Chamomile with the other foremention'd Ingredients may be given inwardly and what remains after straining may be apply'd to the Groin in form of a Cataplasm But if from a sudden Fear Anger or such like the Flux is restrain'd first open a Vein in the Foot then give the Spirit of Sal Armoniac twice or thrice a day Or Take of the Decoction of Chamomile-flowers three Ounces to which add of simple Oxymel one or two Ounces To these internal Remedies externals may be added such as Fomentations Baths Tumigations c. They are us'd after opening a Vein in the Arm at what time the Courses are expected They are prepared of common emollient or proper Aromatic Ingredients such as Savine Feverfew Mugwort c. As Take Leaves of Mugwort Pennvroal Wild-time of each two handfuls Savine Flowers of Chamomile white Lillies of each a handful Roots of Marshmallows round-rooted Birthwort Madder of each two Ounces Roots of Angelica an Ounce Juniper and Bayberries of each six Drams Salt of Tartar six Ounces Mix them for a Bath Or Take Leaves of Savine half a handful Myrrh two Drams Wood of Aloes a Dram Troches Alhandal a Dram Make a gross Pouder to be thrown on burning Coals that the Smoak may be received by the Womb. The Antients also gave Pessaries among which that made of the Gall of a Bull mix'd with the Juice of Mercury wherein Coloquintida has been boil'd is not unprofitable Garlick also and its heads beaten with the Oil of Spike may be used to this purpose If the Evil is very stubborn we are sometimes forc'd to use Cantharides both inwardly and outwardly CHAP. II. Of the immoderat Flux of the Terms IF the Courses flow oftner or in greater quantities than they ought naturally to do 't is call'd an immoderat Flux of the Terms In those who labour of this Distemper we may observe three things 1. The strength of the Stomach is impaired with dejection of Appetite 2. They feel for the most part a stretching and tearing pain in the Back about the Loyns 3. Those who are scorbutic abounding with a volatil Acid are for the most part subject to it The Causes respect either the Womb or Blood Sometimes the former loses its due firmness or tone and dos not sufficiently strengthen and extend its Vessels sometimes the Orifices of these Vessels are over-dilated or broke open by force as by over-straining ones self in taking up great Weights hard Labour Sneezing Vomiting c. But most frequently the Cause is in the Blood either when it is too waterish or when its Serum dos too much abound with a saltish Acidity or Acrimony or finally when it is too much moved and heated by venereal Rage Exercise Joy Anger use of strong Liquors Aromatics or too hot a Season c. If the evacuated Blood is thin of a florid and brisk Colour or if when receiv'd on a Linen Cloth it discovers a pale Circle the Serosity of the Blood is the Cause but if the Patient perceives a gnawing biting itching Pain twitching as it were the Genitals with a desire of Evacuation then the Acrimony of the Serum offends But if the voided Blood easily clots is of the natural Colour being somewhat obscure and if withal the Cheeks are ruddy Veins swollen the Pulse great quick and frequent then the fault lies in the over-heating or fermentative irritation of the Blood This Evil is dangerous if of long continuance inferring Weakness Indigestion Cachexy swelling of the Feet Dropsy the Whites and if the Patient is in years it is for the most part incurable In the Cure we must indeavour three things 1. Either to diminish the Blood by Fasting Labour or Blood-letting or to alter it with Wormwood Rhubarb c. or allay its Fervour and Fermentation by Plantain Purslain and mild Acids 2. To check its Fluidity with things that thicken and allay its sharp Serosity with