is called stupor corporis it being an Abolition of sense and motion through the whole Body The parts affected are the Brain Spinalis medulla and Nerves the motion of the Animal spirits through them being deprav'd The causes are either external or internal The external is much cold and moisture Cause which doth chill and over moisten the Head and extreme parts and this seems to prove Cause internal that phlegmatick and watry Humours abiding about the Ventricles of the Brain and Nerves may over moisten and perhaps so far loosen the Tunicles or Membranes of them that it may render them unfit to let the Animal spirits pass through them hence it is that sometimes one particular Member hath been Paralytick by too much Cold and Moisture and sometimes more parts have more or less lost sense and motion It is the opinion of most eminent Physicians both ancient and modern that the Animal spirits being severed from the Bloud in the Brain c. are from thence carried through all the Nerves to exercise the external senses and Animal motion which is continual and equal in healthy persons but changeable and unequal according to the divers diseases of the Body or Mind Wherefore when no Animal spirits are carried to the Organs of the external Senses or Animal motion the functions of seeing smelling tasting hearing and touching and the sense of heat as also of motion in the Palsie and Apoplexy cease all that time The Signs of the Palsie are manifest to wit deprivation of sense and motion of the Signs Paralytick parts the Eye and half the Tongue viz. of that side affected is much weakned and deprav'd The signs of the Apoplexy approaching are these a sudden crying out for help with an abolition of sense and motion 1. If the Palsie or Apoplexy do invade the sick in the decrease of the Moon and the Patient Progn be old 't is an ill sign 2. If the sick do snort and is droughty and cast spume or froth out of the Mouth and have great sweat with difficult breathing 't is mortal But if the Person be young and a strong Fever immediately happen 't is a good sign for the Fever consumes the superfluous moisture and makes a Dissipation of the gross and phlegmatick Matter 3. A Palsie coming after the Apoplexy is ill and many times turns to the Apoplexy again When any of the extreme parts be Paralytical Cure or when the Head is ill affected by the external coldness of Air Water or Snow or a stoppage of the Head be also bred thereby or the defect of the Animal spirits chiefly urge then the sick may be cur'd by driving out whatsoever cold has pierc'd into the Head or any other parts of the Body which may be done by spirituous and volatile Sudorificks for they do not onely alter and correct the cause of Cold and other Evils accompanying it but do also amend the harm entring into the Body containing and contained To this end I commend this following Form Take of Treacle-water one ounce Fennel-water Cordial to cause sweat and Epidemical-water of each two ounces Syrup of red Poppies and Syrup of the Juice of Scurvigrass of each half an ounce Bezoar-mineral Antimony Diaphoretick of each ten grains Laudanum opiat three grains Spirit of salt Armoniack twenty drops Oil of Cloves four drops mix it give the sick three or four spoonfulls of it and expect to sweat being meanly covered and a spoonfull every half hour afterward till the sweat break forth then give them some pure Broth with a little Wine in it whereby strength may be recreated and the Patient enabled to bear a Sweat longer for nothing so much helps the sick as a sweat continued mildly a while which experience hath often taught me For by the help of this spirituous and volatile and also Aromatick medicine or one like it the troublesome Cold and dulness of motion are discust They who let bloud in this Distemper caused Observation by external Cold or think they can carry out the Cause of this Evil either by vomit or siege put the sick into danger of death or at least of most grievous Evils But when phlegmatick and watry Humours stick about the Nerves c. And too much moistening and loosening their Membranes and Marrow be the cause of the Palsie and Apoplexy and if the same humours much abound in the Body then Phlegmagogues and Hydragogues may conduce to the Cure after Clysters and internal Aromatick Sudorificks Wherefore to begin the Cure of this you may first give this or the like Clyster which must be made strong Take of sweet Marjoram Betony Sage Penny-royal Clyster Hyssop Rue Mercury Marsh-mallows the lesser Centaury the Flowers of Chamomel and Stoechas of each half a handfull Anise-seed sweet Fennel-seed Juniper-berries of each half an ounce let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in a quart of Fountain-water till half of it be boiled away then strain it and dissolve in it the Electuary Diaphoenicon benedicta laxativa of each half an ounce pil Cochioe twenty grains common Salt one drachm Oil of Rue two ounces mix it for a Clyster The next day if the sick have a Plethorick body you may draw bloud from either arm to eight or nine ounces If Phlebotomy cannot be done apply Ventoses with Scarification to the shoulders afterward sweat the Patient with the aforesaid Sudorifick Sometimes Suppositories may be used in stead of Clysters This may serve for Example Take the Powders of Coloquintida Salt-niter Suppository Hiera-picra simple of each one drachm Euphorbium half a drachm Honey boiled as much as will make it into a Suppository But if it appear that phlegmatick and viscous Humours do abound in the Body Purgers may be prescrib'd most conveniently in the form of a Pill because the Gums are most apt above all other Medicines to loosen and cut viscous Phlegm neither can they be easily dissolv'd in any liquour Let this or such a like form of Pills serve Take the Gums Amoniacum and Galbanum of each two drachms dissolve them in Vineger Purging Pills of Squills strain it and boil it to a due consistence then add Powders of Troches Alhandal Scammony Mastick of each one drachm Oil of Anise-seed eight drops make it into a Mass of Pills according to Art Let the sick take five or six small Pills of this in the morning fasting and an hour after drink some thin broth If the humours be more serous I commend this Electuary Take Juniper-berries one pound boil them in six pints of Fennel-water till Purging Electuary half of it be boiled away then add the Fruit of Tamarind eight ounces and pulp them both through a Sieve To which add Powder of Jalap and Scammony prepar'd of each three ounces Cinamon sweet Fennel-seed of each half an ounce white Sugar one pound make it into an Electuary according to Art The dose of this effectual Medicine is to half an
it hath also acquired that Name in which they cannot stir nor call for help though they have a great desire and do strive very much to cry out but are possessed with a panick fear The cause of this distemper is most commonly Cause intemperance in eating and drinking especially in the Night whereby crude halituous Vapours are bred in such plenty that nature cannot disperse nor dissolve them before sleep and therefore they are raised up to the Ventricles of the Brain by which imagination sense and motion are all depraved The giddy motion is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. obscuritas oculorum In Latin 't is called Vertigo ex vertendo quod Caput vertere videtur Vertigo In this disease the Animal spirits are wrong mov'd which makes the sick believe that not onely all things they look on go in a Circuit about but their Head and other parts seem to turn round which many times causeth them to be in danger of falling or tumbling headlong The cause of the giddy motion is either Cause external or internal The external are either an intent looking at any object that turns round or about especially if very remote or a frequent turning about of the Body it self The internal cause is the ascent of flatuous Vapours to the Head together with the spirituous part of the Bloud and carried with the Animal spirits into the passages of the Brain and Cerebellum by which the motion of wheeling about is communicated to the Animal spirits and anon carried to the Cristalline humour of the Eyes by the Optick nerves and so a Giddiness seems to be produc'd For the Cure of these diseases seeing they are the Forerunners of the Apoplexy and Epilepsie I refer you to those excellent Medicines prescrib'd for the Cure of them Let such as are subject to these distempers be very sparing in their diet let them avoid all Herbs Roots and Fruits that are windy and all viscous and gross diet such as is of hard Concoction Let the external Causes be remov'd and the internal causes corrected Sublata causa tollitur effectus CHAP. V. Of the Lethargy Coma Carus and Catalepsie or Catocus THE Lethargy is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est ab oblivione Lethargus inertia Because in this disease the sick is very forgetfull and slothfull In this distemper there is a very great Signs propensity to sleep accompanied with a Symptomatical Fever and sometimes with the Hiccough with difficulty of breathing dulness of the Head and many times a deprivation of the Senses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sopor altus is an insatiable inclination to sleep the sick being called unto Coma. they open their Eyes and answer but presently fall a sleep again 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is called in Latin crapularis redundantia because it is sometimes caused Carus by surfeiting end drunkenness It is deep and profound sleep whereby imagination sense and motion are all depraved In these there is no Fever in which they differ from the Lethargy Catalepsis vel Detentio is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies a with-holding or restraining because in this distemper the mind with the senses and motion are all suddenly surprized so that the sick remain stiff and immoveable in the very same posture in which they were taken with their Eyes open The causes of these diseases are either Causes external or internal The external causes are gross food idleness spirituous wine or any other inebriating liquour taken in excess and sometimes by the Air inspir'd which is defil'd by the Smoak of Coals or other mineral Fumes by which the Air may be infested The internal cause is a Narcotick force mix'd with the Animal spirits bred by degrees in the Body by the frequent use of opiats not well corrected which not onely dulls the mind but causeth a sluggishness of the whole Body for the Animal motion being deprav'd the external as well as internal senses will be thence soon infected and defil'd These diseases are all very dangerous and except they are speedily cur'd they will soon Progn hurry the sick into the Boats of Acheron or devouring Jaws of Death But if a Phrensie cometh immediately after any of them it cureth the Patient with little help of medicine To cure these diseases let the drowsie Animal Cure spirits be stir'd up and rais'd from sleepiness and stupidness by potent external Objects which may sharply move the external senses let the sick be kept in a light room and be often called upon very strongly and let sharp smells be applied to the Nostrils such as Spirit of Salt Armoniack Harts-horn c. Also sharp spices or salts should be put into the mouth and gentle frications us'd with warm Cloaths to those parts that are affected with Numness The Animal spirits may be freed from the Narcotick force mingled with them and likewise slothfulness and sleepiness may be by little and little diminished by the frequent use of sharp volatile Salts and all Medicines endued with an Aromatick biting such as Pepper Cloves Castor Garlick Horse-radish Mustard Scurvigrass c. Of which you may make diversity of Medicines for example Take the Waters of Hedge-mustard Scurvigrass of each two ounces Syrup of the Iulep Juice of Scurvigrass one ounce Tincture of Castor two drachms Oil of Cloves four drops mix it and give the sick two or three spoonfulls every two hours This decoction is also very effectual Take the Roots of Horse-radish the best Decoction China of each two ounces Roots of Galangal half an ounce Scurvigrass Hedge-mustard of each one handfull Cloves one drachm let them be all cleansed bruised and infused in White-wine and Fountain-water of each a quart for the space of a Night very hot the next morning boil it gently for half an hour then strain it and add Syrup of Hedge-mustard Scurvigrass of each three ounces Cinamon-water two ounces mix it Let the sick lying in bed meanly covered take often in a day five or six spoonfulls of this decoction whereby a light sweat may break forth to ease them By the frequent use of these medicines the Animal spirits will not onely be freed from their drowsiness but even the Narcotick force bred in the Body either in the length of time or received in from without may be corrected and by degrees gently educ'd by insensible transpiration So that at length these dangerous distempers may happily be overcome Let Clysters and Suppositories be often administred as need requires Those prescrib'd in page 17 18. in the Cure of the Palsie and Apoplexy are very effectual here If strength and age permit let a vein be opened in either Arm or Foot as you shall see cause for generally Authours consent to it besides Experientia docet Let Ventoses with or without Scarification be applied to the shoulders and hinder part of the Neck And let Sternutatories be
often snuft up into the Nostrils to provoke sneezing Take the Roots of Pellitory of Spain white Sneezing Powder Hellebor of each half a drachm Castor Nutmegs white Pepper of each twenty grains Flowers of Lillies of the Valley one drachm beat them into a fine Powder If the Stomach be foul and the sick incline to vomit give this or the like Take the decoction of Horse-radish two Vomit ounces the infusion of crocus metallorum Oxymel of Squills of each half an ounce Oil of sweet Almonds newly drawn two drachms mix it and give it in the Morning But if the sick had rather take Pills or Potions let the following serve Take Extract Rudii pil foetidoe ex duobus Purging Pills of each half a drachm Powder of Castor twenty grains Oil of Cloves six drops with Syrup of Stoechas make it into Pills for three doses You may give them twice a week in the Morning fasting This purging Infusion is also very effectual Purging Infusion Take of the best Senna Rhubarb Polypodium of each half an ounce Mechoacan Agarick Turkey-Turbith of each three drachms Ginger Anise-seed of each two drachms let them be bruised and infused in eight ounces of Ale very hot for the space of a Night then strain it and add the best Manna Syrup of Roses solutive of each one ounce Spirit of Castor twenty drops mix it for two doses Let the affected parts as the Head c. be bathed with this or the like fomentation Take the Roots of Master-wort Angelica Fomentation Zedoary of each three ounces Bay-berries Juniper-berries of each four ounces Sage Marjoram Rue Rose-mary Betony Flowers of Lavender Melilot Chamomel of each two handfulls let them be all cleansed bruised and boiled in White-wine-vineger and Fountain-water of each three quarts till half of it be boiled away After bathing anoint the hinder part of the Head with this Oil. Take of Oil of Rue Marjoram of each Oil. half an ounce Oil of Amber Rose-mary and Bricks of each two drachms Oil of Bays Euphorbium Castor of each six drachms mix them For Revulsion let the soles of the feet be washed with Salt and Acet Scillitic Vesiccatories may also be applied to the Coronal Suture and behind the Ears or upon the Shoulders Neck Arms Thighs c. Avoid all vaporous and phlegmatick Nourishment CHAP. VI. Of the Phrensie and Madness THE Phrensie is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phrenitis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mens quia mentis morbus The Phrensie is an inflammation of the Brain and Meninges both the dura and pia mater causing an acute continual Fever which remains from the first moment of its invasion to the last of its duration thence a delirium and raving Madness together with great trouble of mind afflicts the sick in a superlative manner Madness is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 insanio 't is called in Latin amentia furor insania Mania It is a furious alienation of the mind or a vehement delirium without a Fever in which it differs from the Phrensie I know there are not wanting the works of great Physicians who have written very learnedly of these diseases but omitting the opinion of others I shall in a few words relate that which seems true to me to be the cause of these furious distempers None who are ingenious Searchers of Truth and have weighed accurately with an attentive mind both the fabrick and ways or Vessels of the containing Body and the natural motion of the Bloud and other humours will deny that almost innumerable diseases do arise from the vitious effervescency of over fat Choler the too tart Pancreat juice and over viscous Phlegm flowing together in the small guts for by this vitiated mingling not onely hurtfull humours are produc'd but often wind and halituous Vapours causing much harm to humane Bodies Wherefore I judge when Phlegm is very viscous or otherwise vitious and the juice Cause of the Pancreas too tart and harsh sharp halituous Vapours are thence produc'd elevated from the small guts because of a vitious effervescency there rais'd and thence continually ascending to the Head and with the spirituous Bloud circulate into the Ventricles of the Brain by which the Animal spirits are vitiated and troublesomely mov'd and hindred of natural rest and tranquillity therefore 't is no wonder that the Empty mind of the sick is thereby disturb'd and at length the sick become distracted and mad But if Choler be predominant these vapours become very cholerick and acrimonious which rarifies the Bloud by degrees more and more so that at length the heat and burning Fever in the Heart and thence through the whole Body is encreased by Choler successively over-ruling which causeth the Phrensie No marvel then if heat pain and inflammation and pulsation of the Head do chiefly vex the sick in this grievous distemper seeing no part of the Body hath so many Arteries and receives so much Bloud as the Head wherefore the pulsation of the Temples is felt more troublesome than elsewhere because of the remarkable windings of the Brain through which great Arteries are carried from whence great watchings and at length raving Madness do molest the sick But there still remains something requisite to be set down as the chief cause of these and most other distempers which ought not to be despis'd either by Jew or Gentile seeing we have the word of God for it and that is the crying sins of Mankind continually drawing God's Judgments on them You may reade the 28th Chapter of Deuteronomie where the Prophet Moses enumerates the many diseases with which God would smite the Children of Israel for the wickedness of their doings whereby they had forsaken him And not onely they but we also shall be subject to these grievous distempers and eternal destruction also if we do not turn to the Lord by unfeigned repentance except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish saith our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ in Luke 13. 3. Verse Those poor creatures who have been miserably afflicted with these furious diseases and happily recovered can tell by sad experience that they have been many times hurried almost to desperation by the cunning wiles and temptations of Satan which hath prevail'd on many to lay violent hands on themselves from which let us pray libera nos Domine 1. The Phrensie is a most acute and dangerous Progn disease insomuch that it ends most commonly in seven days for in that time it either terminates by the recovery of the sick or else they go over the threshold of the other world 2. If the Phrenetical party hath a Crisis either by sweating bleeding at the nose or Haemorrhoids c. or a tumour appear behind the Ears there is hopes of recovery but if the sick gnash with his teeth and his Excrement and Urine be whitish and no Crisis appear 't is
agitation and very fierce motion of the Animal spirits and by a continual and grievous Irritation urging about the beginning of the Spinalis medulla is the cause of an universal Convulsion or Epileptick-fit in which all the Muscles of the Body are most vehemently contracted The Irritation in a particular Convulsive motion or the Cramp which may be oft observ'd in the thigh or leg and other extreme parts may be also ascrib'd to the same sharp and sour flatuous Vapours carried to the beginning of the Nerves and Tendons of the said Members fretting and gnawing them sometimes with great pain The signs of Convulsions are manifest Signs The preceding signs of the Epilepsie are trembling sadness fearfulness vertigo numness debility of the senses troublesome sleep with great pain of the Head The signs of the Epilepsie presently approaching are a vehement shaking of the whole Body foming at the Mouth and a sudden deprivation of all the Animal functions 1. A Convulsion or Epilepsie being hereditary is incurable Progn 2. If a pregnant Woman be taken with either of them it is very dangerous and also after Abortion 3. Children are most subject to these diseases because they abound with abundance of moisture and flatulent Vapours in the Brain and because they have Nervorum poros angustos whereby the Brain is easily filled with such vapours and therefore we see that Children are often troubled with them young People more rarely and old Folks but seldom and we find that Children better suffer them than either of the other who frequently die of these fits especially of the Epilepsie when in their falling there follows snorting gnashing of the teeth a ghastly countenance much some at the Mouth involuntaria seminis effusio and great cryings out 4. Of all the kind of Convulsions Tetanos is the most difficult to cure because it is as it were composed of the other two kinds but if a fever happen in this or any other Convulsion the sick will suddenly recover because a fever dissolveth it but if a Convulsion should succeed a fever it is very dangerous especially from a wound or proceeding from venemous matter So likewise it is very dangerous if it be caused by taking of Hellebor When a particular Convulsion is caused Cure from a prick of a Nerve or Tendon as it may happen sometimes by the unskilfulness or precipitancy of the Chyrurgeon in opening a vein then most speedily pour into the wound or puncture the Oil of Turpentine with rectifi'd Spirit of Wine both actually hot as that famous Chyrurgeon Mr. Ambrose Parey adviseth in his ninth Book Chap. 11. of which I have had large experience with good success The like course may be taken with all other wounds of the nervous parts But if the wound of the Nerve or Tendon yield not to this medicine the same is to be cut asunder cross-ways seeing it is safer to lose the action of one part than that the sick should be exposed to the danger of a deadly Convulsion When the Nerves or Tendons of the Muscles are prickt by sharp splinters of bones the grievous pains succeeding soon cause a particular Convulsion of that part and at length an universal Convulsion will attend the Patient if there be not speedy help Wherefore if possible the sharp fragments of the bone must be cut away or if this have been neglected or could not be done and an universal Convulsion be feared you must hasten to amputation of the member For Necessitas non habet legem If a particular Convulsion be occasion'd by a hot Tumour or any other sharp pain which hath rais'd an inflammation let the pain be diminisht as well by internal as external Anodines and Narcoticks to allay the over encreas'd motion of the Animal spirits To this end you may give the sick two or three grains of Laudanum opiat at a time either in a Pill or dissolve it in a little Wine or other convenient Vehicle And if the ingenious and judicious Physician or Chyrurgeon do add a little volatile Salt either of Animals or Vegetables to his topical Medicaments whether fomentations Cataplasms or Ointments he will wonder at the incredible benefit for by the help thereof the Tumour will be mollified and dissolved the internal obstruction loosned and the pain eased If a Convulsion be caused by the taking of Hellebor or any other venemous matter administer an Antimonial vomit with all speed But if it be a Child give it ten grains of Salt of Vitriol or half an ounce of Oxymel of Squills with a drachm of Oil of Almonds After the operation of the Emetick and also at other times you may give some of this Julep Take of Black-cherry-water the Water of Iulep Line-flowers of each two ounces Briony-water compound Syrup of Peony of each one ounce Tincture of Castor half an ounce Confection of Alkermes one drachm Spirit of Salt Armoniack twenty drops mix it and give three or four spoonfulls every fourth Hour Having briefly hinted at the Cure of particular Convulsions I come now to those more universal as likewise Convulsive motions and the Epilepsie And seeing there is little difference in the remote causes of them in the Body these diseases may for the most part be cured with the same Remedies 1. First then the peccant humours are to be temper'd and diminisht 2. The rising of vapours is to be hindred and their expulsion procur'd by sweat or insensible transpiration By which the over motion of the Animal spirits will be restrain'd and brought to tranquillity that is a more quiet motion All Aromaticks and all things abounding with either a fixt or volatile Salt do not onely correct and by cutting amend the viscous phlegmatick humours but do powerfully temper and destroy the over acidity and tartness of the juice of the Pancreas To temper and diminish these humours I commend these medicines Take the Roots of Male-peony Valerian Infusion Missletoe of the Oak and Peony-seeds of each two ounces Castor half an ounce let them be all bruised and infus'd in Peony-water compound the Water of Line-tree-flowers of each one pint for the space of twenty four hours then strain it out very strongly and add Syrup of Peony and Stoechas of each three ounces Spirit of Castor half an ounce mix it and give three spoonfulls at a time every fourth hour with which you may mix Spirit of Salt Armoniack Elixir proprietatis of each six drops Also you may give the Patient half a drachm of the following powder in three or four spoonfulls of this Infusion with the aforesaid Spirit and Elixir Take of Crabs-eyes Salt of Tartar vitriolated Salt prunella of each half an ounce volatile Salt of Harts-horn Salt of Amber of Man's skull prepar'd of each two drachms make it into a fine powder which may be taken half a drachm at a time morning and evening The peccant humours being temper'd and diminisht by the frequent use of the abovesaid medicines the inordinate
Armoniack twenty drops Laudanum opiat ten grains mix it let the sick take a spoonfull of it every quarter of an hour till they get some ease If the distemper hath persever'd long the peccant humours must be emptied out by purging and to educe them I prefer before all others Pills to be made of Gums seeing they loosen the glutinous humours and dispose them to be easier carried out For example Take of Galbanum prepar'd with Vinegar Purging Pills half an ounce Powder of Scammony prepar'd Troches Alhandal of each two drachms Oil of Carraway twenty drops make it into a Mass for Pills Take five or six of these Pills in the Morning fasting twice a week They who abhor Pills may use an Aromatick and purging Decoction The following though bitter is very efficacious Take the five opening Roots of each one Purging Decoction ounce Roots of Angelica Berries of Bay and Juniper of each half an ounce the best Senna Orange-peel Carraway-seed Coloquintida of each one drachm Guiacum four ounces let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in two quarts of Fountain-water till half of it be boiled away then strain it and add Syrup of Roses with Senna four ounces Cinamon-water two ounces mix it Let the sick take four ounces of this bitter Decoction every other Morning which will by degrees diminish and mildly educe the hurtfull humours by purging But seeing not onely the cause ought to be removed but also the Symptomes asswag'd by refreshing the Heart you must administer cordial Medicines which have power to corroborate the Heart and to cherish and strengthen nature The following Cordial may be preferred in this Case Take the Waters of Baum Mint Borage Cordial Iulep Cinamon of each three ounces Syrups of Baum red Poppies of each two ounces Laudanum opiat Amber-greese of each ten grains mix it Let the sick take two spoonfulls of this rich Cordial every three hours which will wonderfully refresh and delight the sensible Stomach from whence the perfumed impressions will soon be communicated to the whole Body by which all the vital and animal Functions will be refreshingly cherished and strengthned and the Palpitation of the Heart eased and abated If the Patient hath a costive Body let a carminative Clyster be sometimes administred and if a Plethora concur let a vein be opened either with an Instrument in the Arm or by Leeches applied to the Haemorrhoids CHAP. V. Of an universal Languishing as also of Swouning and Syncope AN universal Languishing of the strength of all the parts and functions is sometimes observ'd to remain after some disease preceding not rightly cured especially when the Infirmity hath been grievous for then a weariness or defect of the Animal motion doth usually concur together with a weak or little pulse and dulness and debility of the internal and external senses whereby the sick continues weak and more languishing by certain intervalls than is natural All the kinds of Swounings may be divided for methods sake into two viz. the lighter kind and the most grievous The lighter kind of Swouning or fainting is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latin animae defectio ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 anima 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deficere because it is an Imbecility or Feebleness of the Heart and Courage The most grievous and singular kind of swouning is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Syncope concido to cut away quod praeceps virium omnium lapsus It is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. pulsus privatio because there is no pulse neither indeed presently in the fit is there any Animal or voluntary motion or respiration to be observ'd so that they are more like dead than living Creatures The signs of these fits approaching are Signs yawnings a Cardialgy Anxiety of Compression of the Heart griping and distension of the Belly tinkling in the Ears dimness before the Eyes and a Giddiness and at the approach of a Syncope there are often Convulsive motions with a cold and glutinous sweat and paleness of all the parts of the Body The causes of these distempers are either Causes external or internal The external are many as extreme weariness of the Body exceeding passions of the mind prolong'd hunger or thirst ungratefull smells the sight of any Person or thing that is envied too great effusion of Bloud Seed or Milk over great evacuation of the humours by Vomit Stool Sweat Urine c. It may also be caused by the biting or stinging of any venemous Creature and by any other vehement pain Sometimes it is produc'd by a great heat either of the Sun Fire Bath or Fever Any of these Causes mention'd being extreme may so change and diminish the natural effervescency and rarefaction of the bloud that the Heart it self is not thereby enough expanded and contracted So that the vital bloud cannot be sufficiently effus'd into the Arteries and therefore the Pulse is felt less and more languishing yea sometimes none The internal Cause is glutinousness encreased in the bloud and the other humours and sometimes an encreased Acidity in the Juice of the Pancreas Lympha and Spittle by which the Circulation of the Bloud and Humours becomes too slow hence the Ventricles of the Heart are not enough dilated which causeth the Pulse to be weaker than is natural for the effervescency of the bloud and humours being not potent enough cannot provoke the Heart to contract it self and therefore a Swouning or Syncope will inevitably ensue They who are much subject to a Swouning Progn or Syncope dye suddenly Those fits which are produc'd from some evident cause as vehement passions of the mind immoderate evacuations c. are less dangerous than those which come from an internal cause as glutinousness of the bloud and humours c. Which in a great measure hindreth its free Circulation through the Ventricles of the Heart whereby there is a sudden and swift sailing of the vital Spirits and consequently of all strength To cure an universal languishing as also a Cure Swouning and Syncope the phlegmatick glutinous and acid Humours must not onely be corrected but when they abound must be diminish'd and educ'd out of the Body Therefore to correct and amend the said humours abounding both in the universal Body and Bloud I will here set down some forms of select medicines for the sake of young Physicians The following Decoction is an efficacious Medicine Take the Roots of Elicampane Galangal Decoction Angelica Calamus Aromaticus the sive opening Roots of each one ounce Sage Baum Betony sweet Marjoram the Tops of Hore-hound Centaury Wormwood the Flowers of Rosemary Staechas Chamomel Clove-gilliflowers of each one handfull the Seeds of Anise Sweet-fennel Parsley Cardamoms Berries of Bays and Juniper of each two drachms Orange-peel Cinamon of each half an ounce Nutmegs one drachm let them be cleansed bruised and infused
in two quarts of Fountain-water for a night then boil it gently till a third part be consumed strain it and add Syrup of Mugwort Staechas tincture of Cinamon of each two ounces mix all together Two or three ounces of this Decoction may be taken at any time twice in a day either before or after meat that so the power of the medicine may mildly mix and incorporate it self not onely with the food but with Spittle in the Stomach and also with the threefold humour flowing together in the small Guts and thence with the universal bloud and humours in all the Veins and Arteries whereby the desired amendment and correcting of them will be performed sooner easier and more happily If any like a medicinal Wine better they may infuse the aforesaid Ingredients in a sufficient quantity of White-wine and drink it daily both at dinner and supper time These choice Medicines may be continued for some time but when the sick is weary of them you may use the same Ingredients in the form of a Powder or Electuary or make them into Troches with Syrup of Staechas Mugwort c. Or you may make use of those compound Powders which are to be sold at the shops viz. Spec. Diambr Diagalangae Dianthos c. all or either of which may be used as aforesaid If any will be better pleas'd with Pills than other Forms you may prescribe these or some like them Take of Galbanum prepar'd with Vinegar Purging Pills two scruples Powder of Amber Mastick of each one scruple Frankincense Mirrh Castor of each ten grains Vitriol of Mars prepar'd to whiteness half a drachm Chymical Oil of Mace eight drops beat them into a mass for Pills Let the Patient take four or five of there Pills in the morning fasting or at night an hour after supper whereby the viscous phlegmatick and acid humours will be potently corrected and temper'd which being done the peccant humours may be effectually educ'd with these hydragogue Pills Take Gum Sagapenum prepar'd with Vinegar Purging Pills half a drachm Rosin of Jallap Gambogia of each one scruple Oil of Juniper four drops mix them into Pills Four or five of these Pills may be administred at a time or more or sewer as the sick is more difficult or easie to be purg'd When a swouning Fit or Syncope is near approaching give those things that will powerfully concentrate the sour flatuous vapours and discuss the glutinous Phlegm The following Volatile and Aromatick Cordial will conduce much to this purpose Take the Waters of Mint Fennel Betony Cordial Iulep Scurvigrass Cinamon of each one ounce Syrups of Borage Mint of each six drachms Tincture of Castor Confection of Alkermes of each two drachms Salt of Amber one drachm Spirit of Salt Armoniack twenty drops Laudanum opiat Amber-greese of each six grains mix it The sick may take two or three spoonfulls of this Cordial in time of the fit and likewise both before and after which will much repair both the Vital and Animal strength which is wont not a little to languish in these fits None but they who have try'd will be easily perswaded of the wonderfull efficacy of the aforesaid medicines not onely in preventing but in diminishing and soon curing Swounings and the Syncope When either of these fits urgeth or is upon the party you must use those outward things which may stir up the external senses as frictions of the external parts shoutings in the Ears also make a smoak with Amber or Partridg Feathers at the nose or hold the Spirit of Salt Armoniack in a narrow mouth'd glass to the Nostrils You may also wring the Fingers and pull the Hair c. If you have not a Cordial ready give Cinamon or Treacle water or the Apoplectick or Antepileptick waters or for want of them Brandy Aqua vitae or strong Wine may serve CHAP VI. Of Fevers in General A Fever is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel a feritate morbi that is from the fierceness of the disease It is called febris in latin a fervore quasi fervens because it is a hot distemper A Fever is a nonnatural heat which may be so termed because it is more than nature requires for the continual management of her vital functions for when nature is grieved or over-burthned by any distemper there is a strugling endeavour of nature her self to remove it which causeth this non-natural heat It may be called the Prince of diseases because it is the general door through which most of humane mortals take their exit of this world The cause of the preternatural frequency of the pulse is either a permanent and over rarefaction of the bloud or any sharp sour or salt vapour carried to the Heart corroding the internal substance of it by which the Archaeus or vital Airy spirit of the Heart is provoked to allarm all the faculties and powers both vital and natural that it may the more couragiously resist its invading Enemy so that the spirits are thereby much stirred up and inflamed from whence proceedeth a Conflagration or vitious Effervescency of the Bloud and Humours throughout the whole Body Fevers are either continual or intermitting A continual Fever is that which remains from the first moment of its invasion to the last of its duration When a continual Fever is very mild and remains but one day it is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dies quod diem durans It is called in Latin Diaria Ephemera febris This Fever is often excited by sudden passions of the mind as vehement anger c. and also by our abode too long in the Sun or by vitiously using any other of the six nonnatural things so called for which there is no great need to prescribe Medicines for a Cure it being not difficult the very nature of such a Fever terminating it self most commonly by a breathing sweat especially if you substract the Patient from the inflammatory Cause If the Fever continues longer it may be called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 continuo From whence it is called in Latin febris continua quae nullas hujusmodi mutationes habet quae accessiones videri possint sed unicam modo accessionem a principio usque ad finem nullis exacerbationibus distinctam The continual Fever is also called Homotona quae fimilem calorem ad finem usque servat It is also called Acmastica quae continuo crescit intenditur A Synochus or continual Fever may be divided into two sorts viz. that which is not Difference putrid called in Latin Synochus non putrida and that which is putrid called Synochus putrida In a Synochus non putrida the bloud and other humours is a little sharper than is natural and the heat somewhat great and vaporous declining a little to the nature and manner of those called putrid Continual Fevers are oft times mixt or compounded
with those intermitting having some fits and again remissions so that they are not intermitting but still remain continual These fits come sometimes every day sometimes the third and sometimes the fourth day whence it may deservedly be nam'd either a Quotidian Tertian or Quartan continual Fever These Fevers upon the account of their divers causes may not unfitly be distinguish'd into Cholerick and Lymphatick Fevers And because under the general name of Lympha we do not onely comprehend that Lympha which goes from the conglobated Glandules and other parts to the Heart but also the Juice of the Pancreas and Spittle it self proceeding from the conglomerated Glandules and also the Liquour that ariseth from the three-fold sway of the Guts all mixt together with Lympha and the bloud in circulating with it Hence may Lymphatick fevers be subdivided into glandular pancreatick and salivary Fevers All these Fevers may differ something according to the divers Constitution of other humours together being in the Body But I shall wave the nice descriptions and differences of Fevers and let the dextrous and judicious Physician put a difference between them as their Symptoms shall direct and indicate for though there are many sorts of continual Fevers not putrid yet the Cure is almost the same in all I shall therefore in a few words mention some of their differences taken from the more grievous Symptoms oft accompanying them after the example of famous Practioners and chiefly great Platerus and the most famous Helmont and judicious Sylvius c. 1. First let us take notice of the exceeding heat and most urgent burning which Symptomes attend some Fevers It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which doth signifie Causes burning in which the sick is very dry and thirsty which is hard to be quenched This heat is not of the essense of the disease but proceedeth from the inflamed spirits as is before mention'd in page 98. Neither doth the great thirst in Fevers proceed from heat and driness as in a true and natural thirst but from some excrementitious matter which adhereth to the sensitive faculty of the internal membrane of the Stomach which is common to the Throat Mouth and Lips as that famous Physician and ingenious Anatomist Doctour Alexander Read did well observe which is also the cause that those parts are always afflicted in this dry and thirsty distemper In this Symptome Choler is peccant not onely in a salt Acrimony but also an inflamable oiliness hence the Pulse is very great and over frequent c. 2. Raving may be oft observ'd in many Fevers which is grievous to the sick for some time chiefly when the Fever is malign or epidemical The cause of this is Choler peccant as aforesaid which so diminisheth the viscousness of the Juice of the Pancreas that it causeth a vitious Effervescency with it and being made sharper it produceth a humour not much unlike black Choler which causeth the Head-ach and Watchings and hence Ravings and at length sometimes Convulsions and Death it self There are many more Symptoms belonging to continual or synochal Fevers 1. As first a speedy wasting of several parts of the body caused by Choler the Cure whereof may be referred to the Cure of a Hectick Fever 2. A malignity which suddenly dejecteth the vital strength without manifest cause which for the most part is Epidemical But of this I intend to treat particularly in Chap. 8. of this Book 3. The last Symptome which I shall here mention is seldom observ'd in which all the time of the disease the external parts are cold while the internal parts burn and therefore 't is called by the Latins Lipyria febris and in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quia destituitur Lipiria febris ardore externo Some think this distemper consists of a double Fever Cholerick and Pancreatical and not without reason because such like vapours may be continually rais'd in the small guts by the Juices of the Pancreas universally over-sour which may be confus'd onely with the Mass of Bloud and breed a sense of cold in the habit of the Body whilst a burning heat is stir'd up in the internal parts by a Fever caused by Choler more oily than sharp The cause of every continual Fever not Cause putrid is sometimes Choler vitiated sometimes Lympha together with the Juice of the Pancreas and Spittle and many times all these together are ill affected These vitiated humours flowing always to the Heart cause a continual Effervescency in the right Ventricle of it whence the Pulse is continually produc'd more frequent against nature Fevers in Children are caused either by the Food abounding in quantity or by some vitious quality of it or from an ill disposition of the digestive ferment Milk is the general Food of Children and there is such a propensity in its own nature to curdle that if it be not quickly digested it obeyeth the acid Ferment of the Stomach and is soon coagulated like new tough Cheese and if it be not speedily vomited up it begets a putrefactive Ferment which produceth terrible Symptoms as griping scouring vomiting c. I know a Woman that had a young Child Hystory about a Month old which was taken very ill with Convulsions after which followed a thorough Thrush with a Fever accompanied with the aforesaid Symptoms as griping c. which continu'd many days till the whole body was so maciated that it was in a total Atrophia and when there was no hopes of recovery the Nurse gave the Child a little of the infusion of the Antimonial Cup which caused it to vomit up a Curd three or four inches long very green and as tough as new Cheese After which the Child did wonderfully recover and grow fat Continual acute Fevers are oft times accompanied Progn with a secret malignity and therefore dangerous parvoe febres quandoque valde malignoe The Stomach in continual Fevers is Pars affecta most commonly primarily affected through undigestion or else from Excrements not being separated and orderly evacuated which causeth an irregular Ferment or nonnatural heat in the Stomach which though begun else where is much aggravated by vitiating Juices found in this first Elaboratory of decocting Nature For as in humane frame the first heat of Nature preparatory to all her depending motions is the digestive heat for Chylification in the Stomach so likewise the corrupting or exasperating of the same either by the sour Ferments or too much of the overflowing Gall is the Cause of most Fevers Therefore in the beginning of the Cure Cure evacuation by vomiting never ought to be neglected by the carefull Physician provided it be duely timed because then most commonly it removeth the sole cause of the feverish Intemperature without the help of any other means And here I commend Antimonials well prepared before all others seeing that Antimony as well rightly prepar'd as administred serves no less to purifie Man's body than
use of four things a little Harsh mixt with drink or Broth as beforesaid because they much conduce to restore by degrees the former consistency to the Bloud In Calentures Phlebotomy may be safely used CHAP. IX Of the Plague or Pestilence THE Plague or Pestilence is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 solvo quod vitam solvat It is called in Latin Pestilentia Pestis ex depascendo quod veluti incendium depascat It is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 percutio hinc Angl. the Plague Pestis significat omne malum quod tam inanimis quam animatis mortem exitium repentino adfert The Plague is a contagious disease suddenly afflicting the Heart and all the vital animal and natural faculties with many grievous Symptoms The Cause is chiefly the sins of Mankind Cause provoking the great God to send this Pestiferous distemper as a judgment on them for their Impiety The Cause next to God's judgment is a sharp venemous and contagious volatile Salt in the Air very much heightned inspired with the Air into the Lungs or is swallowed down with the food or spittle into the Stomach it may also get in through the pores into the Body by which the acid liquor in all the conglobated glandules is weakned and made sluggish that it doth not circulate with its wonted force whence the natural consistency and rarefaction of the Bloud is diminsht and the separation of the Animal Spirits hindred and the vital strength is much opprest by which the Pulse becomes not onely little but also languishing till at length the Spirits are extinguisht and Death unexpected to many carries them speedily torrenti similis in fiery Chariots God knows where All the signs in Malign Fevers are common and much heightned in the Pest besides Signs many other grievous symptoms as Diarrhaea Hemorrhage at the Nose Ears Eyes Mouth and Secrets sometimes yellowness of the Eyes Buboes in the Groins Armpits and behind the Ears and in some white Bladders and Carbuncles also spots called the Tokens with raving c. 1. The Pest is deceitfull above all other diseases Progn therefore no certain prognostick can be drawn of it for many have died when there hath been great hopes of recovery and on the contrary many have escaped with mortal signs 2. A Bubo is less dangerous than a Carbuncle and it than the spots vulgarly the Tokens which most commonly portend Death wheresoever they are 3. Buboes incompassed with a blue or livid circle are most commonly a mortal sign especially if they suddenly disappear unless the Malign humour be sent to some other part and if with a Bubo behind the Ears there be pain of the Throat without inflammation 't is mortal 4. If a Carbuncle rise after a Bubo and look white with a litle push or tail at the end of it 't is dangerous except the Fever do very much abate and if after cauterizing or cupping the Carbuncle abate not in twenty four hours 't is a sign of Death approaching except matter appear and if Carbuncles seize the Stomach Guts Bladder or other Intrails it portends Death 5. Deliriums Drowsiness Heart-ach Trembling Convulsions great driness of Tongue are all bad signs also a Dysentery is most commonly mortal but a Hemorrhage at the Nose or Menses are not so dangerous To preserve from this Pestiferous distemper although transmigration in the fear of God may be lawfull yet let none think to escape by flying and so neglect their duties to God for 't is impossible to run out of his reach for he filleth Heaven and Earth with his presence wherefore let servent prayers be put up to God whose compassions fail not and then make use of an honest Physician 1. You must endeavour to purifie the infected Air with great fires wash the house daily and after sprinkle it with Vinegar and Fume either with Pitch Frankincense Mirrh Amber Benjamin Wood and Berries of Juniper c. 2. Avoid all passions watchings and immoderate exercise and venery 3. Eat nothing that is hard of concoction and use a moderate diet though easie of digestion and drink good sound Wine c. 4. Go not forth with an empty Stomach but always take some preservative against infection For example Take Spirit of Vinegar Julep of Roses of each one ounce mix it Vinegar Verjuice Oranges Limmons Citrons Pomgranats Barberries Quinces Wood-sorrel c. are all very good used as before directed in Malign Fevers This Poison must not be sent out by vomiting Cure or purging neither is phlebotomy allowed For it is known by manifold experience that the cure of the Pest is most happily instituted by Cordial Sudorificks rightly prepar'd of Antimony because it hath an admirable Sulphur in it whereby not onely sharpness is wonderfully temper'd but the Malign poisonous volatile Salt is thereby most safely driven forward and expelled by sweating out of the Body to which may be added other Cordials as followeth Take the Powders of Crabs-eyes Tartar Cordial Electuary vitriolated Antimony Diaphoretick Bezoar-mineral of each one scruple Bezoar-stone of the East red Coral prepar'd Salts of Rhue Scordium of each half a scruple Venice-treacle two drachms Spirit of Salt ten drops mix it into an Electuary with confectio de Hyacintho Let the sick take half a drachm of this Cordial Electuary every three hours and drink three or four spoonfulls of this Cordial Julep after it Take of Epidemical-water the Waters of Cordial Iulep Carduus Borage Scordium compound of each three ounces the Waters of Treacle Cinamon Syrups of the juice of Carduus and Limmons Syrup of Saffron of each one ounce Salt Prunella and Salt of Wormwood of each one drachm Laudanum opiat ten grains mix it for a Cordial Let the sick person take the aforesaid medicines till sweat is plentifully provoked then let the sweat be gently wiped off with warm linen cloaths In the mean while give the sick a little hot Chicken-broth or other Broth of fresh Meat temper'd to a gratefulness with some sour thing as was directed in Malign Fevers as Barberries Wood-sorrel Limmons c. You must persist in this course till the danger be over and some time after though the sick think themselves well lest the disease deceive you by a sudden surprize again There are many Cordial Confections always to be had ready at Apothecaries Shops as Mithridate Diascordium Venice-treacle London-treacle Treacle-water c. any of which may be used by the Rich or Poor for they will not onely cause sweating but also will temper and moderate the hurtfull acrimony of the volatile Salt before mentioned You may dip a hot Toast in aq prophylactica and apply it to the region of the Stomach and also tye some of it in a rag and smell to it If there be great drowsiness avoid Opiates and take the Cordial Julep without the Laudanum but if there be great Watching Vomiting Flux of the Belly or Hicket you may give it with the
juice of the Pancreas too acid as experience teacheth in outward things for if you pour Spirit of Vitriol to oil of Turpentine it will presently raise an effervescency join'd with a notable heat and burning This burning pain is chiefly felt in the region of the Loins because there is the conflux of Choler and the juice of the Pancreas and from thence ariseth vitious sharp vapours which produce griping pains of the Stomach and pricking pains in the Guts as also other wandring pains therein If the pain be chill and cold it is caus'd from the juice of the Pancreas very acid and sharp which raiseth a vitious effervescency with Choler not oily and phlegm together as we may observe if we mix Spirit of Vitriol with any volatile Salt not oily how it will raise an effervescency coupled with a notable Chilness and Coldness onely sensible hence we may conclude that the operation of the acid Spirit in producing cold is much promoted by phlegm The cause of the Colick is over viscous Cause of the Colick phlegm mixed with Choler peccant both in its Saltish acrimony and volatile oiliness by which the viscous phlegm is rarifi'd into Wind and if the excrements are contain'd beyond their course they harden and adhere to the Gut whereby the natural ferment is vitiated and the windy blasts are more and more rarifi'd and being shut up and remaining in the Cavity of the Gut Colon it causeth a violent distension and contraction of it But if the aforesaid humours be mixt with the juice of the Pancreas over sharp acid and harsh then there is a wonderfull sense of contortion in the part affected urging and writhing from place to place according to the winding or rolling of the Gut If this wind pierceth through the Guts Observation into the Cavity of the Belly it expandeth the Peritonoeum and so inflateth the whole Abdomen and causeth a Tympany Tympany These Distempers are all dangerous and Progn sometimes mortal especially if a violent Fever be complicated with them We must vary the cure according to the diversity of the causes Cure A burning corroding pain may be cur'd by tempering too fat Choler with Acids as Spirit of Niter c. being mixt with Opiates For example Take the Waters of Fennel Fumitory Iulep Sorrel Succory of each three ounces Cinamon-water distill'd Vinegar Syrups of Violets and white Poppies of each two ounces Laudanum opiatum ten grains Spirit of Niter twenty drops mix it Let the sick often take a Spoonfull of this Julep till the heat and pain be diminished and sleep be procured The following Emulsion is also profitable and therefore may sometimes be given for a change Take the four greater cold Seeds white Emulsion Poppy-seeds of each one ounce French Barley boiled four ounces with two quarts of Barley water let it be made an Emulsion and add to it Syrups of Violets and white Poppies of each two ounces Salt prunella half an ounce Spirit of Niter thirty drops mix it and give four Spoonfulls every two or three hours If Choler be two plentifull let it be educ'd with this or the like mild Cholagogue Take Damask-rose water two ounces Purging Potion Manna Diaphaenicon Electuary of the juice of Roses of each two drachms Tartar Vitriolated ten grains mix it and take it in the morning The Cholagogue Electuary of Sylvius is also excellent of which you shall have the receipt at the latter end of the Book Chilness and cold pains may be cur'd by tempering the over sharp acidity of the juice of the Pancreas Lixivial Salts both fixt and volatile are excellent in this Case as also any Aromatick Spirit of wine Treacle water c. with which may be mix'd Coral Pearl Crabs-eyes Antimon Diaphoret c. and let the body be compos'd to sweat The following forms may serve for example Take the waters of Treacle Fennel Syrup Cordial Diaphoretick of the juice of Carduus of each half an ounce powder of Crabs-eyes Antimony Diaphoretick Salt of Wormwood of each ten grains mix it and give it the sick to cause sweat You may also give some of this Cordial Julep to uphold the Spirits when they sweat Take of Tincture of Cinamon the Carminative Cordial Iulep Spirit of Sylvius of each half an ounce the waters of Mint Baum of each two ounces Syrups of the juice of Oranges Clove-gilliflowers of each one ounce Laudanum opiat four grains Oil of Cloves six drops mix it and give two or three spoonfulls of it often Let Sylvius's Carminative Plaster be spread on Leather and applied to the region of the Stomach and Navel As for the cure of the Cholick let an Emollient Cure of the Cholick Clyster which discusseth wind be given often at least twice in a day Take the roots of Marsh-mallows one Clyster ounce Pellitory of the Wall Mallows Marsh-mallows the Flowers of Melilot Chamomel of each two handfulls the Seeds of Anise sweet Fennel Dill the Berries of Bays and Juniper of each one ounce let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in two quarts of Whey till half of it be consumed then strain it and add Electuary Diaprunum Cariocostinum Benedicta laxativa of each half an ounce Oils of Dill Chamomel Roses of each six drachms Oil of Harts-horn ten drops mix it for two Clysters The smoak of Tobacco may be blown into the Clyster-bladder and given with it with good success Besides a Clyster may be made of Canary wine or warm Cows Milk and a little Honey or Malossus and given sometimes to soften the hard excrements and to dissolve those that are too viscous whereby they may be the easier evacuated and also Wind invited to an easie outlet To drink the Decoction before prescrib'd will much conduce to ease the sick also of the same ingredients you may make fomentations and Cataplasms But if the Patient do not care for the trouble of such medicines you may anoint the Belly with this ointment Take Ointments of Marsh-mallows Martiatum Ointment Oils of Capers white Lillies of each one ounce Oil of Bricks half an ounce mix it After which apply a large Plaster of Sylvius's Empl. Carminative Empl. to the Belly The following Julep taken often by spoonfulls will much conduce to ease the pain and discuss the wind Take the Waters of Mint Scurvigrass Fennel Carminative Iulep Lovage Penny-royal of each one ounce the carminative Spirit of Sylvius Tinctures of Cinamon and Castor of each half an ounce Syrups of Mint Fennel and Mirtles of each six drachms Oil of Mace distill'd ten drops Spirits of Harts-horn and Niter of each twenty drops Laudanum opiatum ten grains mix it for a Julep The Oil of Harts-horn is a very Potent though ungratefull remedy in this disease Also the Balsam of Sulphur made with Oil of Anise-seed Amber or Juniper is excellent in vanquishing this rebellious distemper After the violence of pain is abated you may purge the Body
Juniper and Bays of each two ounces Brimstone six pound Salt Niter two pound let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in twenty Gallons of Fountain-water till a third part be boiled away Let the sick be well bathed in it as often as strength will permit and let them sit therein as long as they may well bear the same Then let them be rub'd dry and remov'd into a Bed and let the affected parts be well anointed with this or the like fragrant Ointment Take Oil of Earth-worms Ointment of Ointment Orange-flowers Jessamy of each three ounces Oil of Mace by expression one ounce Oil of Juniper Bricks of each two drachms mix it As often as the Body is costive let a Suppository or carminative Clyster be administred to make it soluble Let the weakned parts be fortifi'd with the aforesaid unguent upon which apply a Plaster of Sylvius's carminative Emplaster spread on Leather which you may remove once in twenty four hours using warm frictions to the pained parts and apply the Plaster again and over it you may apply a Fox-skin drest which will keep the parts warm and conduce to the cure which course may be continu'd 'till strength be restor'd to the grieved Limbs CHAP. XI Of the Yellow Iaundice THE Yellow Jaundice is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab avicula quoe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dicitur Icterus quod ea oculos flavi vel aurei coloris habet It is also called Icterus in Latin it being a spreading of a yellowish Colour over the whole body It was the common received opinion of the Ancients that the chief cause of this Disease is an obstruction of the Cystick passage to the small Gut so that Choler is thereby wholly hindred in its natural descent wherefore it doth ascend to the Liver and so to the Bloud with which it is transfer'd to the habit and superficies of the body where it doth shew it self in its colours But it may be manifested from many observations and experiments both Anatomical and Practical that the Jaundice may be produc'd without an obstruction of the passage of Choler Although I suppose that the Jaundice may probably be raised by an obstruction of the Meatus Hepaticus for if there should be a great stoppage in this Vessel by any glutinous or lapidescent matter the Choler that is generated in it may possibly regurgitate there being no Valves to hinder it and thereby become mixed with the Blood by which means it may in a short time be conveyed over the whole Body But if the Meatus Cisticus should be stopped by a small stone c. as I have sometimes seen in dissecting Icterical Patients where I observed that the Excrements were not dyed so yellow as usual yet it is impossible that there should be any regurgitation of Choler to the Liver out of the Gall by reason of the three Valves looking from without inwards which do potently hinder the recourse of it and although the Meatus Hepaticus is without Valves yet seldom in a Jaundice is either that passage or the Ductus Communis obstructed but many times wider as the most ingenious Salmon hath accurately observed Wherefore that we may the better judge Cause I. of the true Cause of this Disease let us first consider that Man's Body abounds with an Animal salt which doth circulate with the Blood through the whole Body so that not onely the internal but superficial parts are replenished therewith 2. Secondly it is the Nature of Volatile and Animal salts to sublime and upon their mixture with other fit Bodies to excite or stir up new appearances of Colours according to the Nature of the Salt for if a solution of Salt of Tartar be mixt with a solution of sublimate in fair Water it gives in a moment a reddish yellowish or orange tawny Colour although both the solutions be as clear as Cristal and with Armoniack salts in proper liquors may be made many Colours to appear From whence we may judge that if the Animal salt of Man's Body become too volatile or be too much sublimed which may be done either by the biting of an enraged Viper or by the power of poyson or from the over heating of the Body by violent exercise or by exceeding sorrow of mind or great passion or by excessive drinking of hot liquors or from burning Feavers whereby the universal Body comes to be inflamed the Spirits vehemently agitated and thereby the Volatile saline Principle to be violently moved out of its Place or Domicil to the Circumference of the Body but meeting with the viscous Juice of the Cutis is there hindred from flying away and being dissolved and mixt with the Cutaneous Humidity it excites the Jaundice whether yellow black or greenish according to the Colour of the Poyson which the Patient hath casually taken or predisposition of the Body to so notable a mutation Hence it is that many who have been in perfect health have been suddenly invaded with this Disease some by the biting of an enraged Viper others by running a race c. who immediately after were all over as yellow as if they were dipt into the Juice of Saffron and yet notwithstanding it could not be judged that the Gall-juice was either affected or disaffected in the least measure for it cannot in reason be supposed that the Venome or Poyson of the Viper should be so particularly directed to the Gall to work such an effect in so short a time as to distribute that viscous heavy Juice so universally over the whole Body much less can any one imagine that either the drinking of strong liquours or any violent exercise c. should any ways so operate upon the cholerick Humour as to volatize it and so immediately disperse it universally over the whole humane Frame for it is impossible that the glutinous Substance of Choler should be dispersed in so short a time to all the superficial Parts of the Body Therefore it is more probable that the volatile Animal salt of the Body being moved and carried out of its Domicil by the extream heat of the internal Parts and violent Motion of the Spirits and being mixt and dissolved with the cutaneous Juice as is before mentioned doth not onely excite the Jaundice but may possibly be the Cause of Purple Spots in the Spotted Feaver as also of many other sudden and great Changes in the Bodies of humane kind The Jaundice invading a Patient in a Fever before the seventh viz. the Critical Progn day is dangerous if it comes upon an Inflamation of the Liver or a Schirrus and the Cure be not hastned a Dropsie Cachexy or deadly pining will in a short time succeed If it be critical upon acute Feavers nature Cure effects the Cure if it be symptomatical the Cure depends upon the Cure of the Disease by which it comes If it be essential from the obstruction of the Meatus Hepaticus the obstruction must be opened If
are augmented more or less according to the strength and debility of parts to resist or consent and be depraved The Hypochondriack suffocation is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel quod Hypochondriacus ad Hypochondria pertinet vel sub cartilagine fita fit It is called by the Latins Hypochondriaca melancholia The Ancients thought that this was an uterine disease in quibus mulieres uteri fuffocatione laborant and therefore it was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latin morbus Hystericus vel Hysterica passio and in English 't is called Fits of the Mother it being most subject to Women from the suppression of their monthly Courses But because men are also molested with longing and suffer often both the Sense and Disease of Suffocation especially when they become Cachectick or of ill habit of Body and also they are cured with the same medicines that Women are cured with when they are vexed with this distemper therefore I think this suffocation may be more properly called Hypochondriacal It may be called the Mother of the Scurvy because the vital Principles in this disease are seduced to declension and deviation from their rectitude the digestive offices being all depraved The causes of these diseases are either external Causes or internal The external are sometimes a sedentary studious and melancholy life by which the vital Principles do receive much prejudice decay and fall off from their functions and become languid and feeble also the Air being infested with noxious Vapours is a procuring cause of these distempers for such Air being drawn into the Body by inspiration doth commix with the spirits and debilitate and deprave the faculties from whence Scorbutick and Hypochondriack effects do ensue and as the Body is perspirable or impervious these diseases are more or less varied and remitted in their Symptoms and therefore the constipation of the pores prohibiting transpiration is a partial organical cause of preternatural Spots in the Scurvy which appear chiefly upon the Thighs and Legs not from the gravity of the material cause and ponderous propension of gross matter downwards but because those parts are more weak in their assimilation being remote from supply of vital Spirits therefore they have the first tokens of defection The internal Cause is a vitious quality of all the humours and also of the Animal spirits which are confus'd with the bloud and communicate their faultiness to it by which the bloud is also vitiated so that the nourishment of the Body is deprav'd several ways according to the variety of the quality peccant in which the colour of the native Skin and especially of the face languisheth and is changed pale In these diseases not onely the appetite of food but its fermentation is also deprav'd wherefore Anxieties about the Midriff and Hypochondries and a pressing pain of the Heart will soon follow For when the food is ill fermented and driven forward through the small Gut it is confus'd with the Juice of the Pancreas and Choler which are a like vitious the Pancreatick juice being too sharp and acrid and the Bile over thick and salt from whence the separation of usefull and unusefull parts is not onely corrupted but also by the vitious Effervescency of these humours are rais'd manifold halituous Vapours which do not onely increase the fore describ'd Anxiety but being carried to the Heart do breed a Palpitation of it whence it circulates through the Lungs and causeth a difficulty of breathing and thence being driven every way it causeth a weariness in all parts of the Body and if an Acrimony of the humours do concur then it is manifested internally with pain The cause of the inordinate effervescency of Bloud in the Hypochondriack suffocation is not onely the unequal flowing of Lympha but also of the Liquour rising out of the threefold humours vitiously effervescing in the small Gut from whence vitious Vapours are sent to the right Ventricle of the Heart and procure a great Confusion and disturbance in it hence followeth a notable Palpitation of the Heart by which sometimes the Effervescency of Bloud seemeth to cease in the right Ventricle for a time with its motion and pulse and also respiration is taken away to outward sense The symptoms and signs of these diseases are very many yet are never seen to concur in one and the same Body The usual signs are pain of the Head palpitation of the Heart puffing up of the Stomach Loathing Vomiting Belching Hicket Cough Tumour and Putrefaction of the Gums with much spitting looseness and blackness of the Teeth and sometimes great pain in them the breath stinketh and is sometimes fetched with much difficulty also Convulsions Palsie Gout Dropsies and all other obstructions sometimes the Colick and trembling and looseness of the Lims with red purple spots dispersed also the Pleurisie pain of the Hypochondries and also of many of the external parts as the Neck Arms Hands Thighs Legs Feet and Anckles with laziness and often faint sweats there is also sometimes malign Ulcers dry hard Tubercles Erisipelas and Edematous tumours with many others which to enumerate were to comprehend an universal Genus of Atomes within a very narrow Limitation 1. These diseases for the most part are of long continuance and are seldom cured Progn and therefore may be called the disgrace of Physicians 2. If the Patient hath a continual pain and giddiness of the Head it doth threaten an Epilepsie or Apoplexy 3. The more aged the sick are the more grievous are the Symptoms and the more dangerous and difficult to be cured 4. Vomiting Flux of the Belly and Hemorrhoids if they are moderate are hopefull signs of recovery In some Regions these diseases are complicated with most other distempers or at least do easily degenerate into them by which they are rendred the more difficult of curation As for the Cure of these stubborn and rebellious Cure diseases the sick must observe a good diet without which Physical means will profit but little and here we may also observe that no Aliments or Medicines whether altering or purging will be very profitable unless specifick Antiscorbuticks be mixed with them The best Antiscorbutick simples are the Roots of Horse-radish Butter-bur Liquorish Dandelion Scorzonera China Zedoary Angelica Elicampane Polypodium the five opening Roots the Wood and Bark of Guiacum and Sassaphras the Herbs Scordium Scurvigrass Brook-lime Water-cresses Sorrel Rue Fennel Golden-rod and Penny-royal Fruits of Oranges Limmons Pomcitrons Pomgranates Apples c. Seeds of Mustard Angelica Radish and Juniper-berries cum multis aliis of which may be prepared diversity of good medicines both Chymical and Galenical The volatile Salts both of Animals and Vegetables are excellent to open all obstructions and temper the humours Also Elixir proprietatis the Spirit of Salt Armoniack Horse-radish and Scurvigrass the Spirit of Niter and of Salt dulcified Salt of Steel Wormwood and Tartar Oil of Juniper Cloves and Cinamon are all Specifick
Cordial Opiate of each four ounces Cinamon-water Syrups of Coral and Comfry Penidies of each one ounce Gums Arabick and Dragon of each half an ounce Powder of Dragons-bloud red Coral prepar'd of each one drachm Laudanum opiatum six grains let the Gums be dissolved in the distill'd waters and strained then mix all together according to Art You may prescribe this or such a like Decoction for the Patient 's ordinary drink Take the Roots of China Sarseparilla Decoction Comfry Plantain red Sanders of each two ounces Liquorish red Roses Hemp-seed of each one ounce Raisins of the Sun stoned four ounces let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in a Gallon of Fountain-water till half of it be boiled away then strain it and keep it for use Let the Diet be cooling and thickning Broths and Jellies made of Knuckles of Veal with the Roots of China and Comfry boiled in it is excellent You may also make Panado's of the aforesaid Broth with a few Crums of Whitebread and the Yelk of an Egg. Also milk wherein the aforesaid Roots are boiled will be very effectual CHAP. XXIII Of involuntary Pissing commonly called pissing in Bed WHEN the Urine floweth involuntarily which in Children is vulgarly called Pissing in Bed pissing in Bed it may be called in Latin urinae incontinentia pro impotentia sive imbecilitate retinendi The causes are either external or internal Causes The external Cause is a large Wound in the sphincter Muscle of the Bladder which sometimes happens in Lithotomy for by extracting a great Stone the sphincter Muscle may be so much lacerated that it ceaseth to be contracted and the Orifice of the Bladder to be shut wherefore the Urine distilleth of its own accord It may be caused internally by the Palsie Apoplexy Epilepsie Syncope c. Sometimes Ebriety may be the Cause of the Resolution of the Nerves which from the Loins are inserted into the Neck of the Bladder and so render the sphincter Muscle incapable of Contraction hence the Urine is involuntarily voided In Children this Distemper is curable if Progn taken in time but if it happen to old Folks or if it be caused by a Wound in the sphincter Muscle of the Bladder it is incurable That which is caused by the Palsie Epilepsie Syncope c. look for the Cure in Cure their proper Chapters If it be caused by Ebriety Sobriety may be commended to cure it especially by the help of inward means to strengthen the parts affected Many things have been given to Children that have been troubled with this Distemper the most effectual are these Fried Mice the inner Skins of Hens-gizzards Cocks-weasands Pudenda suilla Stones of a Hare Snails with the shells all or any of these dried and poudred also the Powder of Agrimony Egg-shells the burnt Ashes of an Hedge-hog c. Any of these may be given in red Wine or in Lime-water chalibeated which may be dulcifi'd with Syrup of Comfry If Phlegm do abound in the Body you may purge it with Phlegmagogues Also sweating with gentle Diaphoreticks is very effectual Those already mention'd are proper onely consider the Age and Strength of the Patient CHAP. XXIV Of the Stoppage of Urine and the Strangury THE Stoppage of Urine is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 comprimo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Urina 'T is called in Latin Urinoe suppressio The Strangury is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. urinoe difficultas vel urinoe per guttas excretionem Ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stilla 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 urina These differ onely in degree for when the Urine is totally obstructed it may be called Ischuria but when little is voided and by drops it may be called Stranguria These distempers may be caused by viscous Cause Phlegm or coagulated Bloud in the Ureters or Urethra especially if a Stone or some Gravel do also stick in the Passage by which the obstruction will be more strengthned Sometimes it is caused by a schirrous Tumour or other excrescency of Flesh as a Carbuncle c. growing in the Urethra or Chanel of Urine Sometimes it is caused by a preposterous holding in of the Urine either for shame or want of opportunity to evacuate it so that the Bladder being extremely fill'd and distended it hath not power to contract it self hence the voiding of Urine is supprest It may also be caused by sharp humours fretting and ulcerating the internal Superficies of the Bladder by which it is continually stirred up to contract it self and expell the Urine which is in it so that the Bladder is empty having little or no Urine in it as I have known by experience This may be called a Bastard Ischuria which may be also caused by some hurt in the attractive or expulsive faculty of the Reins If the aforesaid Causes be violent it causeth an Ischuria but if remiss then a Strangury is stirred up in which there is a perpetual Irritation to extrude the Urine although slowly and by drops with exceeding pain and trouble Suppression of Urine is dangerous and if Progn it continue long it is mortal especially if the Patient's Breath stinck of Piss or hath a Hiccough or Tenasmus If the Cause be in the Neck of the Bladder Cure or Urethra stopt you may clear it and draw away the Urine with a Catheter as I have often done both from Men and Women with good success If the Cause be from the Reins or Ureters seek the Cure in the Chapter of Nephritick pains c. Glutinous Phlegm and coagulated Bloud may be cut and attenuated with Aromaticks boild in Water or Wine and mixed with oily volatile Salts Spirit of Niter c. Stone-Horse dung is rich in Volatile Salt wherefore if you mix the Juice of it with Rhenish-wine and drink it often you will admire its wonderfull effects in curing not onely Stoppage of Urine but most other obstructions Those Diureticks prescrib'd in page 266 267. are also very effectual here Let the Belly and parts affected be anointed with Dears-suet which will conduce much to give ease When the Urethra is obstructed by a Caruncle c. You must gently thrust in a hollow Instrument made of Lead or Silver being first anointed with some consolidating Ointment You may leave the Instrument in till the fear of a new Closing of the Passage be remov'd CHAP. XXV Of the Scalding or Sharpness of Urine THIS Distemper is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Urina The causes are either external or internal Causes The external Cause may be by the Application of Cantharides or some other stronger Poison The internal Causes are sharp salt and acid humours mixed with the Urine which do corrode and ulcerate the internal Superficies of the Bladder and sphincter Muscle Sometimes it is caused by sharp Stones occasioning an Ulcer If the Bladder or sphincter Muscle or the
ounce to people of age a Child may take from half a drachm to a drachm either by it self or dissolv'd in Whey or Parsley-water or in any other convenient Vehicle After universal evacuation hath been made and the Patient's stomach be still nauseous this vomit may safely be given Take the Infusion of Crocus metallor Vinegar Vomit of Squills of each one ounce give it in the morning with Care After the operation of it give some of this Cordial Julep Take the Waters of Sage Couslips Lillies Cordial Iulep of the Valley of each two ounces Cinamon-water one ounce Syrup of Peony-flowers Stoechas of each six drachms Spirit of Castor two drachms Spirit of Salt as much as will make it of a gratefull taste of which you may give the sick three or four spoonfulls every fourth hour To correct a slow ferment and also to amend Phlegmatick viscous humours a Medicinal Wine may be prepared for the rich in this form Take the Roots of Galangal Elecampane Medicinal Wine of each half an ounce the tops of Wormwood Mint and Calamint of each one handfull Powder of Cinamon Anise-seed of each half an ounce Nutmegs two drachms let them be cleansed bruised and insused in six pints of White-wine The sick may drink of this Physick-wine at dinner and supper adding to every draught five or six drops of Elixir proprietatis When the wine is almost consum'd more may be poured on till it cease to be Aromatical External means for the Palsie and Apoplexy are also to be used Bathing is much commended both natural and artificial and how excellent it is daily experience doth manifest This artificial Bath or one like it may be prescrib'd where a natural sulphureous or nitrous Bath cannot be had Take Sage Penny-royal Betony Organ Bath sweet Marjoram Hyssop Rue Time Ground-pine of each six handfulls Flowers of Chamomel Melilot of each four handfulls Roots of Briony Pellitory of Spain of each four ounces Bay-berries Juniper-berries of each three ounces Brimstone six pound Salt-niter two pound let all be bruised and boiled in twenty Gallons of Spring-water till the third part be consumed Let the sick be well bathed with this as often as strength will permit After bathing anoint the hinder part of the Head and Neck and down the Vertebra of the Back with this Oil upon which let a Fox-skin drest be worn Take Chymical-oils of Juniper-berries Oil. Turpentine Spike of each half an ounce Oils of Chamomel Earth-worms Rue Foxes of each one ounce Spirit of Castor two drachms mix it This plaister may be applyed to the Head Take Galbanum Opopanax of each half an ounce Mustard-seed white Pepper Euphorbium Plaister Castor of each two drachms Chymical Oil of Sage and Rue of each twenty drops Oil of Spike and Turpentine of each a drachm make it into a Plaister which you may spread on leather and apply it warm to the Head Or you may make the quilted Cap as is prescrib'd in page 6. to wear constantly Oil of Nutmegs is good to embrocate the Ears and Nostrils also Errhines Sternutatories and Apophlegmatisms may be used with good success Take Castor sweet Marjoram Betony Sneezing Powder Root of white Hellebor of each a drachm beat them all into a fine Powder Blow up some of this Powder with a quill into the Nostrils to cause sneezing Let the Patient's diet be such as may not breed Phlegm and let it be thin and spare as Water-gruel in which boil some Mace or you may make Broth of Mutton c. in which boil Sage Rosemary Time sweet Marjoram Couslips c. Of this broth you may make Panado's with the Crums of white Bread and the Yelk of an Egg. Let Anise-seed or sweet Fennel-seed be baked with the bread Abstain from all clammy Diet as Fish and Milk c. and eat little or no supper CHAP. III. Of Convulsions and the Epilepsie THE Cramp or Convulsion is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latin Convulsio Spasmus It is a very painfull involuntary Contraction of the Nerves and Muscles towards their Original There are generally two sorts of Convulsions viz. A true Convulsion and a Convulsive motion A true Convulsion is either universal or particular Of the universal there are three Kinds The first is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latin tentio ad anteriora when the Body and Head is drawn forward The second is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latin tentio ad posteriora when the Head and Body is drawn backward The third is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek and distentio in Latin in this the whole Body is inflexible The particular convulsions are various If it be in the Eye it is called strabismus That of the Mouth is call tortura oris c. The Falling-sickness or Epilepsie is called Epilepsia in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 invado quod sensum atque mentem pariter apprehendat It is called also in Latin Epilepsia vel invasio item morbus hominem ita invadens ut retineat sistat sensuum actiones because the mind and senses in this disease are suddenly surprized It may be called morbus caducus a cadendo or morbus puerilis because it is most subject to Children or more properly noverca puerorum quod eos male tractat It is also called Herculeus Elephantiasis a magnitudine because it is difficult to cure Some call it morbus lunaticus because the sick are most subject to the fits at the change of the moon but enough of the Names The Epilepsie is an universal Cramp or Convulsion of the whole Body with deprivation of sense and motion in the time of the fit The parts affected are not onely the Brain Cerebellum and Spinalis medulla but all the Partes affecte Nerves and Museles The causes are either external or internal Causes The external may be by the biting of some venemous Creature or by a wound or puncture of a Nerve or Tendon Sometimes it may be caused by surfeiting or drunkenness and also by the taking of Hellebor c. It may be also caused by a mineral Gas fuming from the Mines of Lead or Antimony c. which infecteth the Air with noxious metalline exhalations of a venemous malignity which is many times the cause of Convulsions as they can tell by experience that live near those Mines The internal causes are acrimonious and flatuous Vapours rising from the small guts because of over viscous Phlegm and the over acidity and tartness of the Juice of the Pancreas which causeth a vitious effervescency of the humours by which the Lympha is also rendred very sharp These sour flatuous Vapours continually ascending to the Head together with the spirituous substance of the Bloud and going forward into the Ventricles of the Brain and Cerebellum and so to the first spreading of the Nerves and corroding them causeth an inordinate