left as it were without remedy and hope 20. Outwardly the Head may be anointed with choice spirituous and volatile things as Cephalick Oyls and Balsams which being done for some few days over the whole Head may be applied Emplastrum de Saponis either alone of it self or mixt with a half part of Emplastrum Paracelsi 21. If these things prevail not you ought to apply Vesicatories as we have taught in the former Section after which Narcoticks may be inwardly given or outwardly applyed 22. The Paroxysm being over and the Pain eased as also the original Cause being taken away by proper Revulsives and Derivatives it remains that we shew now how to strengthen the parts viz. as well all the Internal Viscera as the Brain its Vessels and Teguments that by the confirming them in a healthful Tone we may prevent for the future a new return of the Disease 23. And in the first place all those things are to be avoided as Food which create or breed cold moist and pituitous Humours the Sick ought to abstain from too much Drinking Gluttony and Sleeping in the Day time his Food ought to be made of things heating and drying his Bread ought to be Biscuit his Drink a small Decoction of Guajacum with Carminative Seeds taking also now and then to comfort the Spirits and Animal Faculties a glass of generous Wine or Hippocrass 24. The Wine of Pope Adrian is here of mighty use so also the Vin. Sanctum the Vin. Cephalicum the Vinum Claretum Stomachicum the Vinum Stomachicum Mylij or the Vinum Moschatum Mynsichti once a day or twice a Day as need shall require 25. Once a Week or once in 14 days as need shall require the Body may be Purged with Vinum Hydrogogum Barbetti or the Vinum Purgans Catholicum Horstij or the Vinum Absinthiacum Laxativum all which not only open the Body and keep the Belly soluble but also do derive very much from the Head 26. In an Antiscorbutick Head-ach Dr. Willis commends this following Electuary Take Conserves of Fumitory Tansy and Wood Sorrel of each two ounces Pouder of Aron Compound three drams Ivory Crabs-Eyes Coral all prepared of each a dram and half Pouder of yellow Sanders of Wood of Aloes of each half a dram Vitriol of Mars one dram salt of Wormwood one dram and half with the Syrup of the five opening Roots a sufficient quantity make an Electuary The Dose the quantity of a Chesnut early in the Morning fasting and at five in the Afternoon drinking after it one ounce or two of choice Wormwood Water or Angelica the greater Composition 27. Or this following Julep may be given to three ounces Take Water of Vervain Water of Elder-flowers of Aaron leaves of each six ounces Aqua Limacum Lumbricorum Magistralis of each two ounces Sugar one ounce mix and dissolve 28. Moreover for change of Medicaments and that the use of any one may not become Familiar it will be good to take somtimes Elixir Proprietatis Elixir Vitrioli Mynsichti Tinctura Piperis Nigri Tinctura Sacra Vitriola Martis Hiera Picra Pulvis Ari Compositus Diatesseron Pulvis Antepilepticus species Alexipharmacae Nostrae and Our Magisterial Antepileptick Pouder 29. Some commend the species Diaolibani Mynsichti species Diamajoranae as Mynsicht says Cures an inveterate Headach when all other things fail he sets also an high value on species Diapeti used as a Sneezing Pouder For that it cleanses the Head and Brain of all cold moist salt viscous and pituitous Humours and strengthens the Head and Brain whereby it becomes prevalent in all Head-achs Catarrhs Vertigoes Epilepsies Lethargies and other the like Diseases proceeding from the Obstruction of the Brain and the aforesaid superfluous Humours you must snuff up the quantity of a great Pea every Night going to Bed about two hours after Supper it largely draws away all evil Humours both thick and thin 30. This may be taken early in the Morning Take Conserves of Betony-flowers and of Rosemary-flowers pouder of Male Peony-roots and Misleto of the Oak of each half an ounce Pearls red Coral prepared of each one ounce and half pouder of Wood of Aloes and yellow Sanders choice Musk of each a dram and half Ambergrise half a dram with syrup of Peony-flowers a sufficient quantity make an Electuary of which the quantity of a Chesnut may be taken every Morning and Evening 31. Also Tincture of Antimony spirit of Sal Armoniack spir de Cornu Bovis and spir of Mans Skull may now and then be taken in the Day in a Glass of generous Wine 32. Lastly if it be a Body full of evil Humours it will be necessary either that the Seton be applyed to the Nape of the Neck and the Wound to be kept open for three or four months or otherwise that one two or more Issues be made and be kept continually open either in one or both Arms or in both Thighs a little above the Knee 33. But Experience confirms the application of a Cautery to both the Soles of the Feet and to be kept running for a long time for that they evacuate the Head after a remarkable manner of all cold and moist Humors and not only the Head but many other parts of the Body yea sometimes even to the changing of the whole Habit. 34. Zacutus Lusitanus propounds four Remedies confirm'd by Experience to wit an Issue in the back of the Hand Horse-Leeches to the Temples viz. ten or twelve that a large quantity of Blood may be drawn away opening of a Vein in the Forehead and the Vein in the Corner of the Eye 35. Herein these things are to be Noted 1. That the Issue betwixt the Thumb and the Fore-finger has Cured many great Head-achs 2. That the number of Horse Leeches ought to be large whence comes a great attraction of the Blood whereby the whole Cause of the Disease is drawn away 3. That the Vein of the Forehead ought to be twice or thrice opened for that the first opening is insufficient for the intended purpose the same understand of the Vein in the corner of the Eye 36. Faelix WurtZ opened the Arteries of the Temples for the same purpose which Experiment he proved upon himself after all other Remedies failed this thing is approv'd of by Paraeus who says It may be done without danger 37. The Artery is opened as a Vein and six or eight ounces of Blood may be taken leaping forth afterwards a convenient Bolster and Ligature is to be applyed which is not to be opened in four days or a Plaster of Frankincense Mastich fine Bole Hares-hair with the white of an Egg. 38. Botallus does also confirm the opening of an Artery for this purpose and says That they do miraculously Cure old Headachs and Riverius says He has Cured many desperate ones the same way and never found any danger 39. A Cautery sometimes upon the Coronal Suture has perfectly Cured a most violent Head-ach But Poterius says It is
Medicines both such as work by open and such as operate by secret qualities and Issues have been made in the hind-part of the Head and round about and have been long kept open and all in vain for they have grown worse and worse and must certainly have dyed of these most violent Paroxysms had not the Malady been overcome by this invaluable remedy 3 Now the Medicament was a Syrup made of Honey and the juyce of green leaves of Tobacco whereof they licked their Bodies being first well purged three hours after Supper the space of forty days taking in that time the quantity of three ounces and none of these relapsed 4. If you cannot get green Tobacco use the dry leaves which are strongest and soonest provoke Sneezing Zacutus Lusitanus lib. 1. Observ 20. XXXV One preserved from a cruel Epilepsy by a Vomit 1. That Vomiting is very apt to bring Paroxysms of the Falling-sickness the most renowned Septalius informs us Lib. 6. Caution Medicar No. 50. where he thus Writes 2. Take heed you do not provoke Vomit in the Epileptick fits for I have known some attempting to do this in the Paroxysm led by the Authority of certain Writers who suddenly kil'd their Patients 3. For the Head being more filled by that violent motion and the matter being strongly moved which was in the Head before they caused an Obstruction whence an Apoplexy is wont to follow c 4. This is very true in driving away the Epileptick fits But for the preserving of Patients from the Fits the antecedent matter being voided which would Cause the future Paroxysm that a Vomit is a most excellent Remedy does appear by this example 5. A man of an ordinary condition had at times a most violent Epilepsy which arose from the Stomach Before the Paroxysm there were rumblings and croakings in his Belly he voided much thick and clammy Spittle his Head did swim and his Eyes grew dim 6. He had tryed for three years innumerable Remedies to no purpose this wretched man being in horrid pain by reason of his Fits that came seven or eight times in a Month and being too weak to bear such strong Medicines as were prescribed him by Physicians he askt my advice to whom I prescribed a very easy Vomit which taking every day fasting for a year together he was cured of this violent Disease 7. The Vomit was made of four ounces of the Decoction of dry Tobacco with an ounce of Oyl of sweet Almonds whereby he went twice or thrice to Stool and voided much clammy and snotty flegm by Vomit and broke Wind upwards 8. Now whether a Vomit is good in Diseases about the Throat although it seems to carry humours in the Head the most Learned Santorellus amongst all the rest Answers affirmatively lib. 22. Antipraxis cap. 4. having very many Reasons to back him 9. Concerning which Argument Oribasius lib. 1. Synop. 18. Mercat 1. Indicat 9. and the most elegant Fernelius lib. 3. Method cap. 2. have excellently discoursed Zacutus Lusitanus Lib. 1. Observ 21. XXXVI A most excellent Remedy against the Falling-sickness 1. A very young Boy was taken with a most fierce Epilepsy who in his Paroxysm did so strangely toss his Head and Rowl his Eyes that if the by-standers did not hold him in he would throw himself out of the Bed upon the ground 2. When he was out of the Fit he had several Medicines prescribed him he had an Issue made in the nape of his Neck of the exceeding rare effects whereof Jacchinus lib. 9. ad Almans cap. 14. Rondelet cap. 37. Meth. Mercural lib. 2. Varlect and many others do speak much 3. A Cucupha or quilted Cap with Medicaments that strengthen the Brain was put upon his Head and Purgatives was given according to his years 4. But nothing could recover him save this following Electuary whereof when he had for a month together taken a scruple every Morning fasting he was freed of his fits and using the same afterwards for two years together he never after found any hurt 5. The Electuary was thus made Take Confect de Hyacintho Conf. Alkermes Electuar de gemmis Laetificans Rhasis of each a dram Treacle of Andromachus half a dram Smaragds two drams Bezoar stone two drams and half Aromaticum Rosatum Diamargaritum Calidum and Frigidum Diarrhodon Abbatis of each half a dram Diamoschum one dram Troches of Gallia Moschata one scruple Pearls prepared Granates prepared Rubies prepared each a dram red Coral two drams Male-peony the seed thereof Mans Skull young Swallows burnt of each two scruples pouder of Bramble-Worms of dry Rue each a scruple burnt Harts-horn Vnicorns-horn of each a scruple burnt Ivory Cinnamon each a scruple and half Crystal prepared half a dram Misleto of the Oak a scruple Angelica Rosemary-flowers Lignum Aloes of each a dram Dittany Zedoary Valerian Been white and red each a scruple and half crude silk torrified a scruple Galangal Basil-seed Cardamons each a scruple pouder what requires poudering very fine and incorporate the same with this following syrup take seeds of Bawm a dram of Betony two drams flowers of Stoechas two drams and half Indian Spike half a dram Sage half a handful seeds of Annise of Fennel of each one dram Indian Myrobalans bruised twenty Borrage-flowers a dram Acorus roots half a dram boyl them in four pints of Water till half be wasted to the strained Liquor add clarified Honey four ounces white sugar a sufficient quantity to make it into a syrup wherewith make the foregoing species into an Electuary 6. This I always found the most effectual Remedy in the World to tame this rebellious and stubborn Disease and other cold Diseases of the Brain both in old and young people Zacutus Lusitanus lib. 1. Observ 22. XXXVII A cruel Epilepsy after Child-Birth cured by applying Horse-leeches to the inner part of the Womb. 1. After Child-birth especially when the Labour hath been hard a venemous Air arises from the Prison of the Womb by the retention of the suppressed and putrifyed Blood which breeds venomous and mortal Diseases as Galen says in his third Book Epidem Sect. 3. Com. 37. where he thus Writes 2. For the suppression of the Courses is offensive but not so much as when they are suppressed after Child-birth because they produce not only abundance but an exceeding great pravity of humours for the Child drawing the better Blood to nourish it self and leaving the worser behind Causes the Childing Woman to be full of bad Humours which Nature voids after Child-birth c. 3. A woman upon this occasion was taken with a most Cruel Epilepsy with the loss of her understanding and senses who because of the vrgent danger was twice let Blood in the saphena vein because she was but a little purged after her Child-Birth and other revelling remedies being applied the same day to the Original of the Flux 4. At last three Leeches were applyed to the inner part of her Womb with Strings tyed to
five weeks together at the end of which time she found her self to be perfectly well nor had she ever any more fits of the Night-Mare so far as I know for above four years after this Cure was performed she continued in perfect health VII The Incubus or Night-Mare in a young Man 1. The Youth made great Complaints of this Grief in so much that many times he would be affraid of going to bed so vehement and terrible has been the Paroxysms to him also he greatly complained of the stoppage of his Breath and that by reason thereof he feared he should be suddenly carryed off so much the terror of choaking seized him 2. And so much was the Youth possest with the fancy of his Disease that it would seize him both sleeping and waking in the time of the Fit he would intollerably groan and when the Fit was off him he would say That somthing lay upon him and pressed him and that it was some Witch or Devil that thus continually afflicted and persued him in so much that he not only presuaded himself that he has felt it when it invaded him but that he has also seen it and done his endeavour to strike it and that somtimes he has thought with himself that he has flung it off from the bed and he has heard it fall upon the Ground 3. So greatly was the Mind of the Youth possessed herewith that he believed it constantly had the impudence to come when he was awake that he has seen it come in the likeness of a Cat somtimes of a Dog and somtimes of another Creature but oftentimes in the shape of an old Woman which he had some suspition of and believed did practise against him and although that he thus saw it come and was thus sensible of it yet that he was always so charmed and taken therewith by a kind of Enchantment as he thought that he could no ways resist it but that it took him after the manner of some unconquerable and uncontroulable power 4. By reason of his continual Affliction and the Youths manifold Complaints his Parents were forced at length to send for a Physician who upon sight of him declared that the cause of his Distemper was from a disaffection of the greater mesaraick Veins every where about the Heart and Bowels in which by reason of the many Excrements of the first concoction impure Blood was generated and collected from whence such like Vapours arising and stopping about the Midriff caused that kind of Suffocation which is called the Night-Mare Incubus â—â—nigalion or Ephialtos it invading rather in the Night from a collection of malign and melancholy Vapours by the accession of mere Crud ties or indigested matter which being increased by the Food taken over Night would be moved and carryed upwards and so the more vehemently tormented the Youth whence between sleeping and waking feeling these pressures he would either dream or fancy these aforesaid Actions of Witches or Devils 5. So that his Mind being thus extreanly affected therewith he could by no means be driven out of the perswasion and though being raised and set upright the Vapours would be discust and the Paroxysm cease for the present yet lying down again it would in a very short time return again in so much that he would have more than twenty Fits in a Nights time The Physician declared further That the Vapours being discust the Paroxysm then ceased but the seeds of the Disease remaining upon the collection or accession of new Fewel the Evil constantly would return with the more impetuosity thereby threatning and bringing along with it more greivous accidents which seizsing upon the Brain and at length contaminating it or the animal Functions might at last produce an Epilepsy or else what might be worse an Apoplexy 6. The remote cause of which things he conceived to be from an evil course of Diet a very long time continued from which Crudities being heaped up in all Parts the Blood in its universal Mass became contaminated and loaded with a melancholy Sufflatus or Wind which upon the least motion or fermentation of the Humors being stirred up forthwith excited these incubitous and nocturnal Afflictions with such vehemency and constancy to the sick 7. These things being declared and considered of the Cure was attempted as followeth first by reason his Body was extreamly bound this following Clyster was exhibited Take fat Broth a pint Oyl of Roses Infusion of Crocus Metallorum of each three ounces mix them together to be exhibited warm it wrought very well and loosned his Body 8. Three days after I gave him an ounce of Vinum Benedictum which gave him five or six Vomits and three or four stools this after five days I repeated again whereby a great quantity of filthy matter almost as black as Ink came away and he confest himself very much relieved 9. But in the intermediate days to strengthen and corroborate the Viscera I gave him this following Bolus Take Extracts of Gentian and of Saffron of each half a dram Extract of Juniper-berries a scruple mix them to be given at Night going to bed and the same dose to be repeated the next Morning the other four days it was only given at Night going to bed this done 10. Upon the tenth day from the first giving of the Vinum Benedictum I gave him the following Dose Take our vegetable Extract Extract of Black Hellebor of each a scruple Rosen of Jallap three grains Oyl of Angelica three drops mix them for a Dose this wrought well and evacuated the melancholy matter almost to a Miracle so that our Patient began apparently to grow well however the same was three times repeated but each at seven days distance 11. In the Intervals of purging the following specifick Pouder was Morning and Night exhibited to half a dram or two scruples by the vertue of which the Cure was compleated Take Peacocks-Dung Salt of Harts-horn of each two drams Salt of Mans-â—kull Pouder of Vipers volatile Salt of Amber Musk of each one dram Terra sigillata three drams make all into a fine Pouder and mix them having taken this Pouder for a while he confest he found every day a contineal change and alteration of his Disease and that so sensibly as that the sick himself of his own accord would take special notice thereof 12. Lastly having done all things as abovesaid I ordered him to take the Extract of Gentian half a dram at Night going to bed and to be continued without Intermission for a Month by the assiduous use of which and the former Method the sick became perfectly well so that his Disease returned no more VIII An Incubus or Night-Mare in a married Woman from obstruction of her Courses 1. This Woman having a great and long obstruction of her Courses complained at first of vapours and fumes up into her Head and had certain strange fits befel her but appeared not to be Hysterical at last they seemed to terminate in
take for many days the following Purgation Take Extract of Mechoacan compounded Diagridium Alhandal Cambogia of each one grain Pil. Rudii five grains make five Pills with two drops of the Oyl of Citrons It did operate five times 6. Inwardly I did exhibite four drops of the following Oyls every Morning in Broth Take Oyl of Rosemary-flowers four and twenty drops of Marjoram of Lavender of each six drops of Oranges four drops of Anise of Fennel of each eight drops mix them She took it in Rosemary-Wine 7. By these she had great profit but at length being seised with a Convulsion she dyed Grulingius Curat 7. Cent. 1. XXIV An Apoplexy in old Age. 1. This Disease somtimes happens in extream old Age or in Men in whom the vigor of the Senses is small through the Defect of the Spirits and because the continual defatigation of the Brain may occasion a cold Intemperature therefore the use of these Medicines may greatly comfort 2. Take the Spirit of the best and most pleasant Wine one pound and half to which put the leaves of Bawm the flowers of Lavender Lilly-Convally of Rosemary of Borrage of each one handful Grains of Paradice two drams Cubebs Cinnamon Nutmegs of each one dram Let them stand the Vessel being well closed that nothing may evaporate afterwards strain them out by pressing and let the expression be kept for use In Winter when the Air is colder every Month about the Conjunction of the Moon dip a peece of white Bread in half a dram of this Spirit and let him swallow it in the Morning sleeping a little thereafter 3. In Summer he may take of the Water of Lilly-Convally or Carduus Benedictus likewise about the new Moon one dram of the following Pouder Take white Amber and grind it on a marble Stâ—â—e with the Water of black Cherries to this Pouder add as much of Diarrhodon Abbatis 4. These two Medicines are profitable for they correct the humors and check the Vapours and remove the Obstruction As to Diet great Care must be had therefore all Meats must be shun'd which breed pituitous and flegmatick humors such as Fish Pot-Herbs things made of Milk and Meats fryed somtimes Pills may be taken of Alephanginae or Mastich or Aloes Rosata 5. It is most convenient also that the melancholy humor be evacuated and corrected by proper Medicines a better way of evacuating this humor cannot be than by the Hemorroids Fomentations also are to be applyed made of the Decoction of Mallows and Lin-seed and inwardly a scruple of Aloes Rosata is to be taken 6. This melancholy humor is to be contemperated by the use of the Extract of the Juyce of Bawm and Borrage and a spoonful of the following Syrup before Dinner or Supper may be taken 7. Take Syrup of the Juyce of Bawm three ounces of the Juyce of Borrage two ounces of the Peels of Citrons half an ounce the Species Aromatici Rosati one dram Diamoschi dulcis as much mix them and let it be given in a Glass for repressing the Vapours after Meat this Pouder may be taken 8. Take Coriander prepared one ounce choice Cinnamon two drams Mastich one scruple Mace half a scruple white Bread toasted three ounces white Sugar half a pound mix them and make a Pouder In the Morning the Person may take from a quarter of an ounce to half an ounce of the Confection with the Oyl of Anise the Oyl of Caraway Amber also a Confect of Diamoschi dulcis and Diambrae and somtimes Treacle and Mithridate if these things be followed great Benefit will accrew to the Person Crato apud Sholzium Cons 35. XXV Of an Apoplexy 1. The Disease of the Apoplexy is nothing else but an Obstruction in the Original of the Nerve or Brain whereby the Passages of the animal Spirits which give Motion to the whole Body are shut up and the Heart is hindred to distribute and diffuse the vital Spirits from whence there comes a Resolution of the whole Body and is deprived of Sense and Motion as the Heart of Respiration 2. The proper Note and Chararcteristicon of this affect is known by Respiration which according as is more or less suppressed the Danger is so much the greater or lesser 3. We must first consider from whence the animal Spirits are thus impeeded the causes are many and various yet they may be included under these four the first is the bad Temper of the Brain which does not presently invade for the Imbecility of the Brain and of the animal Faculties the Understanding and Memory will be felt long before as also a Numness Somnulency Anger Oblivion with a pain in the Head and Noise in the Ears 4. If the Apoplexy be expected to flow from that Fountain then it will be needful to strengthen the Brain and the Brain if possible is to be purged by the Nostrils moreover you may purge the Brain by an Apophlegmatismus every Morning the Mouth is to be washed by Sage-Water with Salt and you may use every day this Confect which will refresh the Spirit 5. Take Species Diambrae Species Diamoschi of each one dram Sugar dissolved in Lavender-Water make a confection in little Balls you may eat one of them every Morning and you may rub the Almonds of the Ears with Rosemary-Water let him often chew Rocket and Caraway seed 6. This Remedy will be greatly useful for an Apoplexy arising from a second cause to wit from the obstruction of the Brain by a gross and viscid Flegm in this case let him swallow the bigness of a Bean every day of Treacle and Mithridate 7. Aniversary Purgations will be useful as also dayly Frictions first in the Hands and Feet and then in the Back 8. A third cause proceeds from thick gross Vapours disturbing the Spirits for by bad Diet which generates those Vapours the Head is filled and the Spirits are corrupted and dissolv'd and this grievous Affect is generated also Drunkards and great Wine Bibbers are very obnoxious to this Disease 9. The Brain is preserved from thick Vapours by observing diligently a good Diet too much Sleep Banquetting and fumous Meats are to be avoided the seed of Caraway and Rowls made of the Oyl of Caraway and Anise are good for removing the Vapours and by washing of the Feet in the Morning and Frictions the Vapours are much diverted Care must be had that Crudities be not accumulated in the Stomach for which Ambergrise is good 10. A fourth cause is from the too great plenty of Blood or of Flegm or of Melancholy if from Blood then beware of such things as do much augment is a Vein must be opened and Cupping-Glasses affixed to diminish the excessive quantity of the Blood 11. But if from Flegm or Melaâ—choly then these humors must be purged by exhibiting Sena the Brain is to be strengthned the Nostrils are to be anointed with the Oyl of Sage and Rosemary-Water is to be drawn up through the Nostrils and the following Gargarism
Revulsion and minoration of this Apoplectick Repletion 14. Take Extract Pil. Cochiae one scruple Cambogia five grains choice Castoreum four grains Oyl of Amber three drops a sufficient quantity of the syrup of Stoechas make five Pills which are to be guilded 15. And because they could not be Swallowed I ordered them to be dissolved thus Take Peony and Sage-Waters of each ten drams dissolve therein the aforesaid Pills to which add Cinnamon water and Trefoil of each one dram the spirit of Vitriol three drops mix them and take thereof a little 16. About an hour thereafter he did void at divers times hard black and stinking matter for greater Revulsion Vesicatories were applyed to both sides of the Nape but all these means were in vain Johannes Petrus Lotichius Lib. 2. Cap. 1 Observ 10. XXXIV An Apoplexy in an elderly Woman 1. A Woman about the age of forty eight was taken with a strong Apoplexy she was of a corpulent habit of Body she fell down all in a sudden the more ancient Physicians had but small hopes of her 2. At length about sixteen hours after the first assault of the Disease I was called being then but a young man I observed that there was a most grievous Apoplexy with a difficulty of Breathing and a strong and great Pulse 3. I thought with my self that a Cure might be tryed therefore I ordered Blood that same day to be twice or thrice taken away and that very plentifully once in the Arm afterwards in the Foot 4. Two sharp Clysters were given on the same day afterwards every day one some Topicks were also exhibited These things did so well that on the eighth or ninth day she began to know her Domestick Servants and to speak a little Stammeringly 5. Afterwards purging Medicines were exhibited by the Mouth then Apophlegmatisms and such like things were used by which she grew somewhat better yet she could not be brought to such a degree of Recovery as wholly to exercise her Sense and Reason and to use her Feet 6. The remainder of the days she lived she continued impotent she sate and was carried in a Chair and after this manner she lived for some years Rembertus Dodoneus Cap. 8. Observ Medicinal XXXV An Apoplexy 1. Phlebotomy will not be inconvenient provided it be used in the Spring and that too great a quantity of blood be not taken away nor too frequently for that which may be a means to prevent the Distemper may prove a Cause when done to an excess 2. The belly being made soluble and a Vein breathed if it be convenient the Decoction of Sarsa in the Spring will be of excellent use to keep from the Apoplexy for it both cleanses and carries off the matter and loosens any obstructions that are in the Bowels it strengthens the inward parts especially the Brain 3. The Decoction is thus to be prepared Take Sarsa cut into small pieces two ounces the flowers of Prim-roses and of Lilly-convally of each one handful Fennel-seeds six drams Water four pound let them be digested twenty four hours then boyl them to the consumption of a third part at the end of the Decoction through in of the Wood of Aloes three scruples and half being strained keep them in a glass bottle for use 4. I would give every Morning of this Decoction five or six ounces one dram and half of Cinnamon-water being added that the body being well covered may Sweat without wasting of the strength 5. The Decoction being taken I would purge the body with the Pills of Alexander to which I would add somewhat of Aureae sine quibus after this manner Take Pilulae Nitri two scruples Pilulae Aureae sine quibus of each half a scruple with Primrose Water make seventeen or eighteen Pills 6. After the use I would repeat the Decoction for the space of four days then I would exhibite Pilulae Alexandri in Autumn I would renew the Decoction without opening of a Vein and would evacuate the fifth day with Pilulae Aureae de nitro 7. But if he delights more in cleansing Syrups and Decoctions than in Sarsa he may do it for it is not very wide from our intentions 8. Every month while Winter lasts Pilulae Aloephangina of Mastich and of Aloes Rosata Arnoldi will be profitable as also the Tragea and the Electuary and Diacorus may be exhibited by Courses but I would not have Opopanax mixed with the Tragea because it hurts the Nerves and Brain 9. In Summer Amber prepared with the species of Diarrhodon with sugar dissolved in black Cherry water will be convenient of which Rowls are to be made and you may take some of them every other day in the Morning 10. But if Aqua Vitae be desired it may be thus made Take Malago Wine distilled two pounds the leaves of Bawm the flowers of Lilly convally of Rosemary of Lavender of Borrage of Prim-rose of each one handful grains of Paradise three drams Cubebs Cinnamon Nutmeg of each two drams mix them and set them in the sun in a close Vessel that nothing may transpire for a whole month then press them he may take of this every month in the new Moon or full Moon with a piece of bread to the quantity of half a dram 11. In the Morning he may wash his Mouth with the following Gargarism which may be thus prepared Take the roots of Calamus Aromaticus Nutmegs Stoechas Mace Marjoram of each half a dram boyl them in one pound of pure Water strain them then add Vinegar of Roses half an ounce Hony of Roses one ounce and half Mustard pulverised half a scruple mix them 12. The chewing of Cubebs in the Morning are profitable you should abstain from Masticatories chiefly Errhines because they trouble the Brain 13. I have in esteem for a singular experiment in driving away the Apoplexy the use of the following Pills of which I exhibite half a scruple either the night of the new Moon or full Moon in Summer time but a very slender Supper is to be eaten before you use them 14. Take Cubebs Calamint Mastich Nutmeg Cloves of each one dram Ambergrise half a dram Musk six grains with juyce of Marjoram make Pills 15. As to Diet seeing variety is used it will be too tedious here to describe what kind it should be Scholtzius Epist Medic. 8. XXXVI An Apoplexy with a Catarrh 1. A person of Honor was taken with a stupefaction of the Brain from a cold intemperature and exorbitant flegmatick humors his Memory growing every day weaker and weaker it came at length to be so far lost that he could not remember his own name 2. After a few weeks this Gentleman fell into the Apoplexy which ended in a Palsy of the right-side 3. I being imployed as his Physician I did so delineate and describe to another of the same Art the Constitution of the whole Body and principal parts with the Disease and its Symptoms and the way of Cure that I
Swoons sometimes falls suddenly and sometimes by degrees Sense Motion and Voice being many times taken away sometimes only diminished respiration alone and that with much difficulty remaining 2. The Sick sleeps deeply and as it were snorts or snores the loosned Members being lifted up fall down with their own weight in the manner of dead Persons and their Eyes are either wide open or shut 3. The Pulse in the mean season is strong and full which has deceived many in the Prognosticks of this Disease and there is many times a relaxation of the Sphincter Muscle of the Anus and Bladder 4. An approaching Apoplexy is seldom accompanied with any praevious signs save in some persons a Lethargy or Vertigo has sometimes gone before for which cause they are called the Fore-râ—nners of this Disease as also Dimness of Sight the Incubus Tremor of the whole Body gnashing of the Teeth in sleep and heaviness of the whole Body 5. Moreover they are often times seized with this Disease in taking of Tobacco which thing has been many times observed by several Authors 6. This Disease is distinguished from a Carus for they who have a Carus have their Senses remaining neither is the invasion of the Disease so sudden 7. It differs from a Lethargy because it is without a Feaver and stirring and from the Suffocation of the Mother or Hysterick Passion and Swooning fits because it is observed with a laxity of the Members a fullness of the Pulse and a countenance keeping its colour and without a cold Sweat which in a Syncope is always observed to be cold and clammy 8. But in this Disease the Sick for the most part suddenly falls all the Senses and Mâ—tion as also the Voice being in a moment taken away the breathing only as aforesaid and that with difficulty remaining 9. The Sick seems to be in a deep sleep and many times as it were Dead for that the respiration is so weak as not to be discerned and they lye without stiring or moving any Member neither speaking hearing seeing nor feeling although pulled thrust or prickt 10. They gape for the most part with their Mouths their Eyes closed but sometimes wide open and they keep the colour of their Face all the Members of their Body being lax and pliable not stiff or contracted 11. Sometimes they foam or froth at Mouth and many times there comes forth a bloody kind of froth or Spittle and sometimes clear blood it self as I once observed 12. From these Symptoms appearing in the Sick it is that some Authors have defined the Apoplexy to be a stupidity joyned with a resolution of the parts for that being as it were astonished they lye stupid like stocks all the Senses alike and motion also being abolished together 13. But these accidents are sometimes more mild at other times more grievous in which both the internal and external Senses are taken away together whence they understand nothing nor have any perceivance of any thing or shew any sign of Sense though you prick or burn them LIV. The various causes of an Apoplexy 1. One of the chief causes of an Apoplexy assigned by Authors is Blood out of its Vessels stopping and compressing the Ventricles of the Brain and that falls out either from the Rupture of a Vein in the brain or an over fullness of the Vessels or some great bruise or confusion of the Head or from some cut or punctured Wound by which the Veins of the Brain are hurt or broken and so let forth their blood 2. Barbet saith It is caused from a thick Lympha for the most part obstructing the Nerves and Deckers saith Not only from the thicker Lympha but tough flegm or matter contained in the Brain and obstructing the parts by reason of a fall from on high or by concussion or a blow as Fabritius Hildanus observes Cent. 6. Observ 11. Or by sadness and sudden consternation of the mind as the same person proves it Or from blood obstructing a suppression of some accustomed Hoemorrhage by the Nose or Fundament going before as the said Hildanus Cent. 4. Observ 11. relates Or from Blood extravasated chiefly from a Wound of the Brain it self 3. The Seat of the Apoplexy is without doubt within the more inward recess of the Brain to wit the Corpus Callosum and the proximate and immediate subject of the Disease is the Animal Spirit inhabiting therein for that the Understanding Imagination and common Sense are so deeply affected as to be perfectly darkned and to suffer a total Eclipse But the mediate subject of this disaffection is thought to be the middle part of the Brain because from thence the instincts of all spontaneous motions proceed and in this the perceptions of all sensible things are terminated 4. For upon the approach of the Paroxysm all the acts of every spontaneous and intelligible Function which depend upon the Brain it self are forthwith hindred and cease for that the Animal Spirits being suppressed in their chief place of meeting which is the Callous body their next immediate motion of expansion in the same place as also their afflux into the nervous Appendix is wholly obliterated whence comes that sudden and universal darkness or total Eclipse in the whole Animal Region which is subject to its disposition 5. However in the mean season the Pulse and Breathing as also the motions of the Ventricle and Intestines are in some measure performed viz. either freely or faultily and with pain because their actions proceed wholly from the Cerebellum which is not at all or but little hurt by the morbifick matter Now if the disaffection be so great as that all the Senses be abolished whence motion also does cease yet the other Functions which are not so much the Off-spring of the Brain may remain as the Pulse which is excited by the Heart and the breathing which is partly from a natural and partly from a voluntary act excited from the Organs of both kinds of motion to wit both of the Midriff and Lungs 6. And therefore it is that though the Brain is extreamly affected so as all voluntary motion does cease the Midriff or Muscles of the Brest contributing then nothing to the motion yet then the Breathing is managed or performed by the natural or spontaneous motion of the Lungs wherein after a sort they contract and dilate themselves but this act of breathing is then with difficulty for that it is performed but with one half of its Organs And therefore if the disaffection or hurt of the Brain does not speedily pass off because the Lungs are not able long to perform the whole duty of Breathing Suffocation will infallibly succeed for that the faculty in both kinds will be wholly abolished 7. Now after what manner the Animal Spirits are so suddenly and all at once suppressed or as it were extinguished about their original of Emanation so that all sense and motion depending on them ceases every where remains to be enquired
Our business to conserve and restore the strength of the body by a good Diet and exhibition of Corroboratives with proper Epithems by which at length the pain ceased and a little time after he recovered his Health 7. This flux of blood may be thought to proceed from the Spleen because that for many years before he laboured under a hardness and Scirrhus of the Spleen the blood also was black which sufficiently denoted it and the Spleen also has its first influx into the Ventricle which doth appear because always before the excretion of this a dust and coagulated blood for a whole day or longer he complained of loathing and a great weight at the bottom of his stomach with the feeling of much pain Hildanus Cent. 2. Obs 9. XVII Another Inveterate Megrim 1. A Noble Matron was trouble◠with a long and sharp pain in the left side of her Head which in a cold and moist time was most vexatious to her Many and various Medicines were exhibited both internal and external by the Praescription of Physicians but all in vain 2. At length I was called and having diligently enquired into the Cause of the Disease found that about 4 years and an half before she had been afflicted with a most vehement pain of the Teeth on the left side of the Jaw which ceasing this pain on the same side of the head was left remaining from hence I concluded this pain to arise from the roots of corrupt and rotten Teeth inspecting the Mouth I found the roots of four rotten Teeth in the upper Jaw 3. I perswaded her to have those rotten roots of Teeth drawn forth which being willing to she promised but I prescribed to her a fit Diet and purged her with this following Medicament Take roots of Parsly Fennel and Pollipody of the Oak of each half an ounce Flowers and Leaves of Betony Leaves of Agrimony Veronica Dodder of each half a handful Bugloss and Rosemary Flowers Tops of Marjoram of each a pugil or little handful Seeds of Annise and Fennel of each two Drams Sena cleansed half an ounce boyl all in Water to the Consumption of a third part strain and in four ounces of straining macerate and infuse choice Rubarb two drams Agarick newly Trochiscated Cinnamon Ginger of each one dram strain by pressing hard out and dissolve therein Benedictae Laxativae two drams make a Potion 4. The next day Cupping-Glasses being applyed to her Shoulders and nape of her Neck she was eased Afterwards I prescribed this following Apozem Take roots of Succory Fennel Parsly Grass Pollopody of the Oak of each one ounce Flowers and Leaves of Betony Leaves of Veronica Dodder Scabious of each one handful◠Flowers of Bugloss Rosemary Tops of Marjoram Time of each two Pugils Seeds of Annis Fennel of each half a dram Liquorice scraped or rasped raisons stoned of each an ounce boyl them in pure water and strain out in a pound and half of the straining infuse and digest Sena cleansed two ounces choice Rhubarb half an ounce Agarick newly Trochiscated two drams Cinnamon and Ginger of each one dram Infuse for a Night and strain out by pressing strongly To the Colature or straining add Syrup of Roses solutive compounded with Rhubarb Agarick and Sena three ounces Syrup of Betony two ounces mix them and make an Apozem for four Doses to be taken in the morning fasting 5. The Apozem being all taken in the morning while her stomach was empty I drew forth her rotten teeth The day following I gave her these Pills Take Pilulae aureae Cochiae Agregativae of each a Scruple Diagredium Troches Alhandal of each four Grains with Syrup of Betony make five Pills which roul in pouder of Cinnamon 6. At last for some few days twice a day I adhibited this following Fomentation Take flowers and leaves of Betony Flowers of Rosemary of Camomil of red Roses of Staechas tops of Marjoram and Wormwood of each half a handful Aniseed Wood of Guajacum finely rasped of each an ounce cut and bruise them and put them into a bag big enough to cover the whole part pained boyl it in red Wine and apply it hot By the use of these things through the Divine help she was perfectly made well Hildanus Cent. 2. Obs 10. XVIII Another Megrim cured by opening an Artery 1. A Megrim caused from Blood too hot thin and vapourous and not to be overcome by any remedies is cured by opening of the Temporal Arteries whether it be within or without the Scull for thereby there is a certain evacuation of the conjoyned matter of blood and Spirits 2. This I have often experienced but specially in the Prince à Rupe Surionensi to whom many great Physicians as Chaplain the Kings Physician and Castellain the Queens chief Physician and Lewis Duret who notwithstanding could help him nothing by Blood-letting Cupping Baths Frictions Diet or any other kind of Remedy whether inwardly taken or outwardly applyed 3. I being called said that there was only hope one way to recover his Health which was to open the Artery of the Temple on the same side that the pain was for I thought it probable that the Cause of his pain was not contained in the Veins but in the Arteries in which case by the Testimony of the Ancients there was nothing better than the opening or bleeding of an Artery whereof I have made tryal upon my self to my great good 4. When as the Physicians had approved of this my Advice I presently betake my self to the Work and chuse out the Artery in the pained Temple which was both the more swoln and beat more vehemently than the rest I opened this as we used to do in the bleeding of a Vein with one incision and took more than two Porringers of Blood flying out with great violence and leaping the pain presently ceased neither did it ever molest him again 5. Yet this opening of an Artery is suspected by many for that it is troublesome to stay the gushing forth of the Blood and cicatrize the place by reason of the density hardness and continual pulsation of the Artery and lastly for that when it is cicatrized there may be danger of an Aneurisma 6. Wherefore they think it better to divide the Skin than to separate the Artery from all the adjacent Particles and then to bind it in two places and then to divide it as we have formerly told you must be done in varices 7. But this is the Opinion of men who fear all things where there is no cause for I have learned by frequent Experience that the apertion of an Artery which is performed with a Lancet as we do in opening a Vein is not at all dangerous and though the consolidation or healing thereof is somewhat slower than in a vein yet will it be done at length and so that no flux of Blood will happen if so be that the Ligation be fitly performed and remain so for four days with fitting Pledgets Paraeus Lib.
66. LXXVII A Catarrh feaveral Epidemicall Anno. 1658. 1. In respect of the preceeding violent frost of the Winter and the succeeding Immoderate heat of the Summer no one living could remember such a year the Excesses of heat and cold being both so extream 2. From the Ides of December almost to the vernal Equinox the Earth was covered with Snow and the North Wind constantly blowing all things were Frozen Also afterwards from the begining of the spring to the begining almost of June the Wind being still in the same Corner the season was more like winter then spring unless now and then a hot day happened between 3. While the Winter continued unless that a Quartan Feaver contracted in Autumn Infected some among our Country-men there was a moderate state of Health and freedom from Popular Diseases 4. The Spring coming on an Intermitting Tertain as used to do every year before fell upon some 5. About the end of April a Distemper arose suddenly as if sent by some Blast of the Stars which laid hold on very many together that in some Towns in the space of a Week about a thousand people fell sick 6. The particular Symptom of this disease and which first afflicted the Sick was a troublesome Cough accompanied with great Spitting and a Catarrh falling down upon the Palate Throat and Nostrils as also a feaverish Distemper Joined with heat and thirst want of aptite a spontaneous weariness and a grievious Pain in the Back and Limbs 7. But the Feaver was so remiss in some that they could go abroad and follow their affairs in the time of their sickness yet complaining in the Interim of want of strength and of languishing a loathing of Food a Cough and a Catarrh 8. In some a very hot Distemper plainly appeared that being thrown into bed they were troubled with Burning Thirst Waking Hoarsness and Coughing and that scarcely without any Intermission 9. Somtimes there came upon this a bleeding at the Nose and in some a Bloody-spittle and frequently a Bloody-flux and those who were taken with this disease being of an Infirm body and a decaying Age not a few died of it but the more strong and almost all of a healthfull Constitution Recovered 10. Those who of this disease sickned and died for the most part died by reason of the strength being leasurely wasted and serous heap more and more gathered together in their Brest with the Increase of the Feaver and the difficulty of breathing like those sick of an Hectick Feaver 11. We are to Enquire concerning this Disease what Procatartick cause it had that it should suddenly arise in the middle of the spring and almost the third part of manking should be distempered with the same in the space of a Month then the signs and symptoms being carefully Colected the formal Reason of this disease as also its Crisis and way of Cure ought to be Assigned 12. It is Known by Common Experience as well as by the Testimony of Hippocrates that the Northern Wind is most apt to produce Catarrhs but why the Catarrhs did not spread at least in some peculiar places all the Winter and Spring but only in one Months space and then Joyned with a Feaver and that this distemper should become Epidemical doth not so plainly appear 13. I know many deduce the Cause from the vnequal temper of the air at that time which although for the most part very Cold yet the North wind somtimes lessening there would be a day or two very hot between wherefore from this occasion as from Cold taken after heat men Commonly fall sick 14. But indeed for Exciting the distemper so suddenly rising and commonly spreading there is required besides such an occasion some great precedent Cause or Predisposition though the other perhaps might suffice for an evident Cause for to afflict them with this Distemper 15. We ought to suppose that all men almost were prone and inclinable to this Disease otherwise no Evident Cause could have Exercised its Power so potently on so many wherefore it seems very likely that this sickness had its Origin from the Intemperance and inordination of the year and as the Autumnal intermitting Feaver going before was the product of the preceeding immoderate heat so this Catarrhal Feaver depended altogether upon the following part of the year being so extreamly Cold. 16. For the blood being fermented by the very hot Summer and Inclinable to the Feaver before described then being made more sourish by the Urgency of the Autumn and apt for a Quartan Feaver after wards being a little Eventilated by reason of the strong Cold of the Winter and hinder'd from its due Perspiration Returned yet its discrasy or Evil disposition and readily broak forth on the first occasion given 17. Wherefore when the blood in the middle of the Spring as the Juice of Vegetables being made more lively and also began to Flower and grow Rank by reason of the continued stoppage was straitned in its Circulation and easily made prone to a Feaverish Effervescency and as the serous water redounding in the blood could not Evaporate outwardly because of the Pores being still straightned by the Cold Restagnating within and chiefly falling upon the Lungs where it might be moved about instead of an outward breathing forth Excited so frequent and troublesem a Cough 18. The original therefore and formal Reason of this Disease are founded cheifly upon two things viz. That there happened together a greater Effervescency of the blood than Usual from the coming on of the Spring and also a stoppage or great Constriction of the Pores Excited by the too great cold of the foregoing Season that therefore there was not a free space granted to the blood flowing or Luxuriating in the Vessels the business being after the same manner as if wine began to grow hot should be put into vessels Closely shut up for by this means either the Vessels or the liquor were in danger to be lost 19. Wherefore to be Concise the Cause that this Disease began in the middle of the Spring having presently spread largely seised very many was not the blast of a malignant Air whereby the Sick were distempered as if struck with a blasting but at this time the blood being Inspired by the Constitution of the Spring and so Luxuriating and apt to grow hot was Contracted or straitened in its motion and the Effluvies being constrained inwardly could not be sufficiently Eventilated or cooled 20. Every year tho temperate it is usual in the Spring and Autumn for some Epidemical Diseases to Reign because at this time the blood being as it were Restored Flowers a new and therefore Intermitting Feavers and somtimes the small Pox ordinarily spread in this season 21. Wherefore t is no wonder after a great unequal Constitution of the year and not Natural when in the Spring the blood boyling up more lively within the Vessels by Reason of transpiration being hindred could not be freely Circulated and sufficiently
Eventilated if for that Cause great disorders follow and from this most common Cause a distemper greatly Epidemical should be excited 22. As to the Symptoms Joyned with this Disease a Feaverish Intemperature and whatsoever belongs to this the heat of the Praecordia Thrist a spontaneous Weariness pain in the Head Loins and Limbs were induced from the blood growing hot and not sufficiently eventilated 23. Hence in many a part of the thinner blood being heated and the rest of the Liquor being only driven into Confusion a simple synochus or Feaver of more days was Caused and this for the most part ceased within a few days 24. But in some endued with a vitious disposition of blood or evil habit of body this kind of Feaver arising from the same Cause quickly passed into a very dangerous putrid Feaver and often Mortal 25. The Cough accompanying the Feaver with a Catarrh draws its Origine from a serous humour heaped together in the blood by reason transpiration was hindred for a long time and then an Effervescency being risen droping forth more from the little Arteries gaping within for when the Pores are restrained the superfluous serosities in the blood being wont to evaporate outwardly are poured fourth on the Lungs by a proper Castration or Cleansing of the blood wherefore by taking Cold as they usually call it that is from Transpiration outwardly being hindered for a long time the Cough for the most part is stirred up 26. And for a foregoing Cause to this Distemper the flowing forth of the Serum into the mass of blood hath for the most part the cheif place 27. For from the cold hindring the scorching of the Blood or the provision of the Bile and prohibiting the Breathing forth of the watery humour there was a necessity that very much of the serous humour should be heaped up in the Blood 28. Wherefore when the Blood flowing in the Spring conceived an heat the flowing forth of the Serum and a pouring of it on the Interiour parts was wont to Cause first the Cough as the proper symptom of this Disease 29. And those whose Blood was more dilutâ—â—ed by the mixtion of the Serum and who were greatly obnoxious to the Cough and a Rhumatick Disease were Cured with less trouble of the feaverish Distemper 30. The Prognostick of this disease concerning private persons is for the most part easy that one may deliver the Event from the first Assault for if this sickness be Excited in a strong Body and before Healthfull and that the Feaverish Distemper be moderate and without any grivous and horrid symptom the business is free from danger and the distemper is to be accounted of no great Moment as that commonly is of catching cold neither needs a Physitian be Consulted nor Remedies unless that which is trivial and ordinary be Administred 31. But if this Distemper happens in a weak and sickly Body or with a bad provision or that the Feaver being transmitted into a Putrid Feaver or the Cough growing grievous Induces difficult Breathing and as in were a Tabid and Consumptive disposition the event of the disease is much to be suspected and often terminates in death 32. The common Prognistick that was taken from hence concerning the future state of the year contains nothing to be feared or ominates any great ill 33. By reason of the unequal temperature of the year the great heats and then excessive Cold we might fear Diseases to arise from the discrasy of the Blood yet we need neither from the present Condition suspect any notable deprivation of the Air or Infection with poysonous Breaths that from thence may be had any Judgment of the plague or Malignant disease to be at hand 34. As to what belongs to the Cure when this disease is more lightly Inflicted its Cure for the most part is left to nature for this Feaver when it is only a simple Synochus is wont to be Cured within a few daies by a sweat wherefore by a copious sweating the third or fourth day for the most part the heat and thirst the weariness and heavy pains are allayed then the Cough being longer protracted by little and little afterwards Remits and at legnth the sick leisurely grows well 35. If this Disease hath rooted it self more deeply there is need of fit Remedies and an exact method of Curing the Feaver growing worse is to be healed according to the Rules to be observ'd in a putrid Feaver but with this difference never the less that because transpiration being hindred and the suffusion of the serous humor on the Lungs are cheifly in fault therefore Diaphoretick and pectoral remedies are of more frequent use for these Restrain the flowing of the Serum from the vessels within or by opening the Pores convey it forth of doors or precipitating it from the bosom of the Blood send it forth by the Urinary passages 36. Therefore the method of Medicine for this Disease being brought into the worser sort Respects both the feaverish Intemperance for curing which you are to be directed according to the Intentions shewen in the putrid Feaver and also the Rhumatick distemper which letit be secondary and not every expectorating remedy or those used against a Cough are to be admitted however but of that kind only which do not encrease the Feaver 37. The forms of these and the means of Curing are to be sought from the precepts generally delivered for the Cure of the putrid Feaver and of the Cough 38. The helps which now by frequent Experience are commonly said to Effect a Cure of this Disease are sweating or provoking of sweat and letting of Blood For the vessels being emptied by this or that means both the immoderate heat of the Blood and the abundance of the Serum are Restrained Willis de Febribus cap. 17. LXXVIII A Catarrh badly Cured 1. A delicate and religious Maid tall and slender begot of a sickly Father and obnoxious to the most grievous Distempers of the nervous kind about twenty years of Age was troubled for many dayes with the Head-ach very cruel and Periodical at length at the time of the Winter Solstice 1656. the Pain of her Head ceased but instead of it a mighty Catarrh followed with a thin and plentifull Spitting as also an ulcerous Distemper of the Nose and Throat 2. After she had for some time endured this affliction by the prescript of a certain Woman receiving the Fume of Amber by a Funnel into her Mouth she was suddenly Cured viz. the Catarrh or violent Rhume ceased suddenly but from thence she complained of a notable Vertigo with a Pain in the Head and a tingling noise in the Ears 3. On the third day the tendons of the hinder part of the Neck were pulled together that her Head was bended forward and somtimes backward and of one side somtimes it continued still and unmoveable 4. After a while the same kind of Convulsive distemper invaded the outward Members and Limbs of the whole Body her
this cause for the most part possessing the substance of the Brain or its Ventricles should rather induce an Apoplexy than Convulsions However in the mean season we do not deny but that the cause of an Epilepsy or Convulsions may oftentimes lye in the Head for that we meet with many faults within the skull in the membranes of the Brain in its substance and in it humors which raging with their poysonous and malign quality at set times as the nature of the Venom may be by provoking the Membranes and Genus Nervosum do cause either a long continued and almost incurable Epilepsie or Vehement and horrid Convulsions 21. But the nature of the Venenate cause as also of other Poysons we can no otherwise know than as by dissections made somtimes a speck or little spot is discovered somtimes some black or frothy humor in some inward part of the skull or bone or membrane or Brain it self and somtimes nothing at all can be discerned But then that it is of a poysonous quality we gather from this for that there is no manifest cause of any great moment yet nevertheless such horrid symptoms are produced which although they kill not the sick will yeeld to no remedies 22. This Venenate cause also lying in the Bowels may produce the like long continued and rebellious Epilepsies or Convulsions as Poysons taken into the Stomach and Guts which have somtimes the properly of begetting an Epilepsy or Convulsions Or meat changed into the nature of Poyson Or Excrements assuming a Venenate quality contained in those places as also in the Womb or other parts Of all which that these are the causes and do lie in the Veins is known and judged from the affctes concuring with them Or from others offering themselves about the Praecordia and Heart-strings or in the Veins Or from the disaffection of the Stomach or Womb. 23. The Veins in like manner if they be filled with Malign and Poysonous humors of this kind as it often hapens in Malignant and Pestilential diseases as such as are Epidemicall and Contagious where the Malignancy doth besiege the Heart and more especially the Genus Nervosum do after a more particular manner excite deadly Convulsions such as are wont to happen in Feavers so much not by reason of the great hurt of the Nerves from extream heat as from the venenate quality of the humor assaulting the Animal spirits both in the Blood and Nerves Or if without any such Pestilential Epidemical or Contagious disease the humors heaped up in the Veins should be changed into a Poysonous property inimical to the Brain and Nerves then Epileptical Convulsions would rather be induced than the others more especially if the Melancholy humor should meet with such a transformation which somtimes brings along with it a deep hypochondriacal Melancholly foolishness frenzy or Madness and from this cause does proceed a long continued and incurable Epilepsie 24. Moreover as a Venenate cause raised from the same may cause some short Madness being produced from matter collected in the Meseraick veins whether Lacteal or other so that may also produce rather Epileptick Convulsions than Hypochondriacal Melancholy whence also some think that a Catalepsie is caused which we hold to arise from subtil Vavapours ascending from a contaminated malign or venenate Melancholy humor and with a Vehement and sudden motion striking or smiting the Animal spirits and Genus Nervosum 25. Also in Women such matter is wont more usually to be heaped up in or about the Vains of the Womb where also the Blood retained and corrupted rather than the seed which seldom is affected with such a Malignity except in the furor rage or Madness of the Womb doth cause Convulsions such as are often to be seen in Virgins and Women Hysterical who never yet had their Courses or have them praeternaturally stopt whether before or after Childing 26. That the like quality may be bred or contained in the habit of the body which may cause Convulsions or Epilepsies experience doth daily testifie from which Galen and Fernelius write they have observed that Air in an Epileptick Child ascending from his Foot in one example and the like air or Vapour runing from the Crown through the outward parts of the Head in an other example did cause Epileptick fits as often as they came or returned and this very thing I my self have three or four times observed in so many special examples wherein the air or vapour ascending upwards seemed to the Sick as if he had put his Foot Leg or Arm leisurely into cold water deeper and deeper the vapours gradually proceeding not much unlike to the rising of the cold superficies of the said water And it has also been somtimes observed that an Air or Vapour runing from the Hand where afterwards an Apostem has bred as also from the Feet or upper places has don the like 27. That the like Poyson entring the body from without many cause Convulsions or Epilepsies for the like reason as the bitting of Venomous Beasts especially of the Viper or a mad Dog the sting of Scorpions the reception of Arsenick sublimate or other venenate and Corosive things the same quotidian Experience doth largely witness and particularly in the biting of a mad Dog besides the symptom of Madness and other cruell indications Convulsions are at length excited through the Malignity of the Venene spirit whereby the Patient is carried off and I once saw Convulsions arise from poysonous smells hastily assaulting the Animal spirits in the Brain which was don in a lusty young Man who hastily and unadvisedly received the fumes of very strong spirit of Niter by which he was immediately cast into most cruel Convulsion fits 28. These things being premised for the better understanding of the matter we shall now come to deliver our Observation which is of a Convulsion arising from a hurt of the Genus Nervosum by a blow received on the hinder part of the Head and vertebrae of the Neck how great the blow was I will not determine this I am sure of it brought dreadful Convulsions upon the sick so vehement that life was despaired of 29. The sick was immediately committed to a warm bed Roger Dixon the Chyrurgian and my self being sent for the fits often returned for the strength of the Convulsive motion being spent and the fit as it were going off the sick scarcely seemed to be free but new Convulsions were forthwith excited Roger was for letting him Blood which although it was a blow I was in this cause utterly against believing that if any such evacuation was necessary that Nature would provoke it however in the mean season all the external parts behind were bathed first with the Queen of Hungaries water then with the Powers of Amber and that not slightly also some few drops of the Powers of Rosemary were conveyed up his Nostrills they as also his Forehead and Temples being extreamly well bathed therewith by which without doubt the
its whole mass with Heterogenious and Explosive particles and for that reason irritating the whole processes of the Nerves and the nervous bodys into vniversal Spasms or Couvulsions and those either continual or intermitting Willis de morbis Convulsivis cap. 6. Observ 3. VIII A Convulsion proceeding from a Feaver 1. This distemper in this Maid being accompanied with a frequent humid Cough was at first thought to be only a Cold but within few days this Cough plainly became convulsive so that whilst she coughed the Diaphragma being carried upward and with a renewed Sistole held so long a time that she made a great noise as if about to be suffocated 2. Then this little Maid growing more apparently feaverish complained of thirst and heat and lay all Night without sleep with a mighty agitation of her Body and began to talk idly as if her Coat had fallen into the water and when all things grew worse she began to be tormented with convulsive motions first in her Limbs by and by in her Face and then in her whole Body 3. The Paroxysms coming by often turns twice or thrice in an hour did most grievously trouble her so that this little wretch within the space of twenty four hours after the convulsive distempers began to grow more grievous her Animal spirits being almost quite spent she dyed 4. Whilst the convulsive fits tormented her her Pulse was very much disordered and often intermitting also a frequent vomiting molested her 5. Being sent for to visit this Maid also too late a little before her Death when I could contribute nothing to the prolonging of Life I endeavoured what I could to find out from her death the knowledg of the aforesaid Disease 6. Therefore having procured leave to dissect her Body the reasons and marks of the symptoms chiefly urging in this Feaver more clearly appeared 7. Opening therefore first the lower Belly I found all the Bowels in it sound enough and well furnisht the Ventricle although tryed with empty vomiting contained nothing besides the liquour lately taken in at the Mouth For neither in it nor in its Appendix were Worms or sharp humors found which are wont oftentimes to give Cause to these kind of Convulsions 8. The small Guts were in many places mutually involved to wit the Convex superficies of one part was thrust into the Concave of another as into a sheath and hid far in it which indeed I judg to have happened wholly from the convulsive Motions of those Bowels 9. For whilst by reason of the vehement Convulsion excited from the nervous Origen the opposite Fibres being drawn together did work the same Intestine into contrary Motions it easily happened that one part of the Intestine of the Ilion being carried upwards might run into the hollowness of the other being snatched downward 10 The Thorax being opened the Flesh of the Lungs appeared very red and as it were sprinkled with Blood yea in some places as if it were livid and almost black out of the same wherever it was cut there flowed a thin and frothy Matter 11. Certainly this shewed that the feaverish Matter or the serous Impurities of the boyling Blood being soon impacted in the Lungs do so stuff up their Pores and Passages that the Blood it self being in its wonted and free Circulation there stagnated and being extravasated did excite a certain Inflamation 12. We found no less clear Track of this so deadly Disease in the head For the Shell of the Skull being removed presently the Vessels creeping through the Miningae were seen to swell very much with Blood as if almost the whole mass of Blood were gathered together in the head 13. For the Veins being cut or broken about the inwards of the lower and middle Belly little Blood flowed forth Besides those Membranes which cloath the Cerebel and being higher spread divide it from the Brain being sprinkled in very many places with extravasated Blood were noted to be of a black-purple Colour that it was not to be doubted but the Phlegosis or Inflamation round about excited was the cause of so cruel infesting Convulsions 14 These Coverings being taken away the Substance of the Brain was seen to be altogether moist and waterish abouâ— measure with a watery humour yea its Râ—ad or Bark being taken off all the Ventricles were full of a limpid or clear Water of which kind of very clear Liquor there was judged to be more than half a pint 15. From these Appearances the Pathology of the aforesaid Feaver is collected easiâ—y to wit in this Sickness as also in many others the Blood feaverishly growing hot presently deposes its Recrements both into the Lungs and into the Brain 16. Wherefore a serous Colluvies or watery Heap did presently overflow the Constitution of either then because the Blood being hindred both here and there from its due Circulation it began to grow into a very great Heap about the Confines of the affected Parts and at length to stagnate and to cause as it were a Phlegosis or Inflamation 17. Hence by reason of the Serum being plentifully heaped up in the Lungs and baked by the Heat the troublesom Cough with the thick and discoloured Spittle for the most part came in this Disease and by reason of the like Affection excited within the Head the Vertigo Swimming Stupefaction and other cephalick Passions constantly seized on the sick 18. Which kind of Distempers in this little Maid and in her Brother by reason of the infirm Constitution of the Brain before in either of them being made more grievious terminated in an Apoplexy 19. I might easily here propose many other Histories of persons of this Feaver at that time but from these now recited the type of the aforesaid Disease may be sufficiently known 20. But because the same Feaver happens almost every year on some predisposed and perhaps by reason of an evil Constitution of the year may hereafter at some time become Epidemical it will be worth the while to represent some Method about its Cure 21. Concerning which first of all take notice That in this Feaver no Critical days were to be observed as in the vulgar continual Feavers For the Blood as soon as it began to grow hot poured out a part of the morbifick matter as yet crude and not overcome from its Embraces to the Head or Breast 22. Wherefore it were vain to expect that the Blood should suffer the Heterogenous Particles to be heaped together in its mass to a fullness that from thence a flowring or putting forth arising at the set Intervals of time it might thrust the same subtilties out of doors 23. Yea rather this growing hot glows not with a great and open burning but like a Fire covered over with Chips sends forth a moist smoak or breath rather than a Flame But so that from thence by reason of the nervous juyce being depraved soon in its disposition and not rarely because of the Lungs being stuffed with the consumptive matter the
and the loss of above an hundred ounces of Blood accompanied with a vehement Catarrh and a violent Cough Hoarsness and Wheezing 11. I also cureâ— a young Gentlewoman of a like affliction who had been formerly seized with the dead Palsy through her whole right side the said Palsy was cured by an ancient Physician but a Trembling of all the extream Parts was left behind which by the aforegoing Method was perfectly taken away in about ten weeks time after she had been afflicted therewith above three years V. A Tremor or Trembling in a little Boy from Worms 1. This Child was taken with a Trembling of the whole Body like as one affrighted or in an Ague and yet truly it was neither but it was not continual as other Tremblings but came frequently and by Fits which as the Event after proved arose form Worms in the Stomach for he avoided more than twenty long round Worms of a Span or more in length 2. When the Physicians were called to see the Child they could not tell what to make of his Disease nor to imagine from what cause his Tremblings came it was as aforesaid by Fits but the Paroxysm would last somtimes three four five or six hours and that in so extream a manner as was to the wonderment of the By-standers the Child being also all the while free from Pain but he had other times very great torment in his Bowels and would vehemently cry out like one in extream Misery 3. This Trembling was frequent with the Boy by Fits for eighteen Months during which time many things were given without the least imaginable Succâ—ss at length an Aunt of the Child 's advised the Parents to make use of my Family-Pills only for the name sake and the repute they had in the World They gave it two Pills of the Composition with Aloes they wrought well and brought away four long Worms dead 4. From this Accident they now câ—njectured at the Cause and gave it twâ— Pilâ—s more which again brought away three such other Worms for this cause they reiterated the Dose and withall took up a resolution to give the same till those Worms ceased to come away they gave them after this four or five times till the Child had avoided three and twenty of those long Worms after which the Child voiding no more they ceased giving them and he remained thenceforth in perfect Health It had been a kind of impiety to have with held this Observation any longer although it might more properly have been placed under another Title or Head VI. A Tremor or Trembling in an aged Man 1. This Tremor befell a Man of about eight and fifty years of age all his extream Parts so trembled that with his Hand he was not able to lift a Cup to his Mouth nor scarcely feed himself when I first saw him I feared it might fall to him by reason of his age but he would not be perswaded but that it came to him by an overstraining of himself striving to lift or remove somthing which was above his Power he was a lusty fat Man and of a gross Body 2. Requesting my Help I advised him to the drinking of Viper-Wine and the taking of Viperine Medicaments he took the Wine every Morning fasting for two or three Months together and the Electuarium ad Tabidos the quantity of a Nutmeg an hour before Dinner drinking after it a glass of Ale or Wine in which forty or sixty dops of the Tincture of Castor were dropt 3. Moreover I advised him constantly to take the volatile Salt of Mans-skull in all the Liquor which he drank and never so much as once to drink without it unless at meals and then I prescribed the volatile Salt of Amber to be taken in stead thereof 4. At Night going to bed he took from one dram to two drams of this following Composition Take Venice-Treacle Extracts of Gentian of Contrayerva and of Virginia snake-root of each two ounces Extract of Saffron and of Cocheâ—ele of each an ounce choice Myrrh fine Aloes of each half an ounce volatile Salts of Amber and Harts-horn of each six drams Indian green Ginger an ounce and half mix and beat up all into an Electuary to be taken as aforesaid 5. Every Morning and Night I caused his Head and Temples to be bathed with the Powers of Rosemary as also his whole Back-bone from the highest Vertebra of the Neck to the Os Coccygis together with all his extream Parts as his Fingers Hands Arms Thighs Legs Feet and Toes to be extreamly well bathed with the Powers of Amber in like manner twice a day from which in a very short time he found much Comfort and Relief and was compleatly cured of this trembling Disease in less than three Months time 6. Another Man who had a Tremor fallen upon him in the sixtieth year of his age I cured in like manner but whereas he complained to me of an exceeding weakness of his Stomach and how that he could scarcely eat any Food or if he did he was always apt to vomit it up again I caused him every day towards the end of the cure to take Powers of Worm-wood in a glass of Sack by which he found a very great Relief nad outwardly I caused him to bath his Stomach with the Powers of Nutmegs by means of which the tone of the Stomach was strengthned so that he could both eat and digest any kind of Food and eat almost at any hour of the day or night 7. A Gentlewoman of about forty yers of age corpulent and very fat was also seized with such a like Tremor and I cured her also by the former Method save that before I began the said Course I purged her very well with my Family-Pills with Aloes by which many evil humors were carried off and whereas her Courses were obstructed they were brought down again and reduced to their natural order VII A Tremor or Trembling arising from over-great Weakness 1. A Lady having at several times lost above an hundred and fifty ounces of Blood being supposed to be in a Consumption sell into a Tremor or Trembling of all the extream Parts of her Body being then in the thirtieth year of her age this Trembling more discomposed her than all her other illness because she feared it was the forerunner of an approaching Palsy 2. She consulted de novo with several Physicians and great Doctors about it who after a long course of Physick gave her over as uncurable at length by the advise of some Friends she applyed herself to me requesting my assistance after an inquiry into her Condition I found it to proceed purely from weakness which as I conceive was occasioned partly from the loss of the quantity of Blood above named and partly from the improper Physick which had been given her as well as from the force of her Disease so that I ascribed a great part of the external cause to the male-practice of her learned Doctors 3. Her
happens according to Hippocrates are commonly between the years of forty sixty in which time the melancholy humor is most vigorous 21. From whom says that Oracle nothing can be more convenient than the coming of the Hemorrhoids and that all Care be taken to keep them running for while they run there is no doubt of the present Safety But if that cannot be done the next thing to wit by Cupping-Glasses and breathing of a Vein the Blood must be drawn forth 22. Although there is some help to be had by the extraction of the Blood yet if the Foeculency of the Blood be not carried off they will not answer the End and the more frequent the letting of blood is the Blood is thereby cooled and the Spirits exhausted therefore it must be done with a great deal of Caution 23. For Hippocrates does not absolutely assign and impute the Cause of the Apoplexy to Blood Melancholy and Flegm but rather advises to abstain from such things as will breed not only a plenty of Blood but also a gross thickness of the same 24. Luscious and impure Wines and immoderate Repetions do suffocate and extinguish the natural Heat the Wine of Carduus Benedictus is good as also Vinum Medicatum made of the Infusion of Sena this Wine must not be taken at Meat as also other Medicaments because they trouble and hinder the Concoction and so the Chyle being crude excites and sends up Fumes to the Head whereby the Spirits of the Brain are wasted and corrupted 24. But if it be taken about an hour before Meat I do not see why it should not do good For Sena does wonderfully purge the Organs of the Senses and strengthens the Stomack the Infusion of Sena or rather our Syrup of Apples with Sena will be more convenient 26. The Infusion is thus Take Currans six drams Galangal one dram the flowers of Borrage Violets of each one pugil boyl them in a sufficient quantity of pure Water in the Decoction infuse the leaves of Sena six drams then strain and take of the Expression four ounces to which add Manna Calabrina six drams Syrup of conserv'd Ginger one dram mix them and make a Drink to be taken every day 27. If he would use the Syrup of the Juyce of Apples and Sena he may take one ounce wherewith he may mix half a scruple of Mace now if the Body be not already loose you may make it so if the day before you use the Infusion of Sena or the Syrup you must be careful to apply a Clyster made of the Decoction of Pauls-Betony in the Broth of a Cock or Capon with the addition of a little Sugar 28. There is also this to be observed that none who is apprehensive of falling into this Malady should presently go to bed after Supper but that there be two or three hours between supping and sleeping 29. Among the principal causes of the Apoplexy Hippocrates recites a forth which is when the animal Vertue which influences both Sense and Motion is impeded and the natural heat is through the want thereof suppressed and almost extinguished 30. This happens chiefly to those that are obnoxious to Crudities too much Gluttony and surfeiting and while thus he should rather use Exercise than Rest 31. For by Abstinence and exercise by which says Celsus a most famous Physician he cured many Diseases such are preserved 32. He ought not to sleep immediately after eating and if he should begin to be drowsy he ought by some of the Family to be stirred up and rather excited to some pleasant Exercises than be suffered to sit or lye down for moderate Exercise is healthful 33. He should not much use Venery nor wast himself that way for the immoderate use thereof debilitates the Head and Brain 34. For the most part there goes before this Disease a Vertigo the which indeed presages his Disease to be near which though present yet bespeaks it not dangerous 35. Those Medicines therefore which a little before I have recited I use but in the first place I exhibite the little Lozenges made with the chymical Oyl of Caraways least the evil Matter should obstruct and creat thick Vapours which might hinder the force of other things to be given 36. Such things as correct those Vapours which infect the Brain by their Odour and pleasant Vapour are very profitable you must also boyl Caraways and Amber in Water and take the Vapours up the Nostrils and a peice of toasted Nutmeg must be taken into the Mouth to which let some Ambergrise be added and Castoreum put in Vinegar is to be held to the Nostrils 37. If a continual intermitting Feaver attend this Disease it needs no other Cure if it be weak it increases the Malady if too strong it destroys the Strength for the Danger lyes in the Excess 38. There are some causes in which there is no place for Medicines such as extream Cold a Blow hurting the Chanels and Ventricles of the Brain sudden Joy great Anger and Indignation Commotion of the Mind Astonishment by Thunder by these Persons become Apoplectick 39. If a great Apopolexy attend these there can be no other reason of the Cure than that which is from obstructing Causes 40. If it ends in a Palsy we must use those helps which tends to a Resolution when the Apoplexy begins some are for letting of blood all on a sudden but this is for certain if it does not free the Person it will surely kill 41. Some greatly approve of a Suffumigation made of Amber but learned Physicians think without reason 42. Sternutatories are dangerous yet may be profitable if applyed in due time the Pouder of the Root of Night-shade with Rue Castoreum and Ginger an equal Part to be blown up the Nostrils 43. It will be good to shake the superiour Parts chiefly the Neck It will be convenient to put to the Head a thin peece of Cypress or the Head being shaved to apply a Cupping-glass to the Crown of the Head sharp Clysters are to be given 44. The difference of the Pulse in a cold swooning and in an Apoplexy consists in this that in the former the Pulse is weak in the latter the Pulse is full and strong unless in the very point of Death 45. But if the apoplectick Person lies without Sense and Motion and spiration with snorting is violent and inequal then there is nothing but Death to be expected Crato apud Scholzium Cons 37. XXVII For the Apoplexy 1. Take Pil. Cochiae two scruples Castoreum one scruple Troches of Alhandal three grains with Oxymel of Squills make eight Pills which may be taken at eleven a Clock and the Person may sleep after them 2. Take the the roots of Butchers-broom of Asparagus of each one ounce and half the roots of Liquorice of Sorrel of Succory of Bugloss of each one ounce Florentine Orrice Galangal of each half an ounce the Peels of Citron dryed Betony Bawm Hysop Marjoram Ground-pine Origanum
into Some place the cause in the Heart and lay the fault on its Intemperance others in the Brain either from its evil Conformation or from Obstruction thereof in the greater Ventricles Or Obstruction in its Pores or lesser passages which being strongly bound up is said to excite the fit because either the afflux of blood for the generating of Spirits is hindered from those parts Or the efflux and Emanation of the said Spirits from thence to their destinated parts is kept back 8. From Histories or Anatomical Observations of Persons dying of this Disease Blood has been found extravasated or out of its Vessels here and there in great Clodders compressing the substance of the Brain In others the serous Colluvies have overflowed the whole Head both within and without the Skull In others a large Bladder of Water has been found in one of the Ventricles compressing the smaller passages From which observations it may be concluded that the principal places solely affected are not the greater Ventricles but the middle marrowy substance of the Brain and Cerebel which is every where porous and indued with very many minute passages both that the Vital Spirits may flow in thither from the blood and that the Animal may flow forth 9. And though some may suppose that the Apoplexy may be caused from the hinderance of the bloods afflux to the brain 't is true this may be possible but it does not often nor easily happen for they must suppose it to be either from the obstruction of the inner Carotid Arteries and of the Vertebrals which happens in the greater Vessels chiefly about the assent of the Brain from concreted or clodded blood or in the lesser Vessels which pass through the Brain from a viscous matter generated within them but this way it cannot well be because those Cephalick Arteries to wit the Carotides and Vertebrals do so communicate one with another and all of them in several places are so mutually ingrafted one into another that if it happen that many of them should be stopped or pressed together at once yet the blood being sent to the Head though by the passage of one only Artery either the Carotide or the Vertebral it would presently pass through all those parts both exteriour and interiour which thing learned Willis proved an experiment of by spuirting in Ink into the Trunk of one Vessel which immediately filled all the sanguiferous passages and every where stained the Brain it self 10. Or the said afflux of Blood to the Brain may be supposed to be stopt from the compression of those Vessels by reason of the tuberosity or swelling up of the Paristhmia or Kernels in the hinder part of the Neck from a heap of serous or watery humors that by pressing together the Arteries passing through obstructs the passage of the blood to the Head but the former reason remains good against this unless all the said Arteries both Carotid and Vertebral be comprest together which very seldom or rarely happens 11. Or they suppose the said afflux of Blood may he hindred from a preternatural opening of the Blood-Vessels within the Skull wherein a great quantity of Blood is poured forth which should other ways be converted to the use and benefit of the Brain this is possible somtimes to be But certainly this Cause of an Apoplexy is more likely to arise from the too great Incursion and extravasation of the Blood within the Brain as the afore mentioned anatomical Observations at § 8. do demonstrate for that the said Blood so extravasated for the most part concretes into a hard substance which being large and compressing the Marrow of the Brain stop up the Passages and obstruct the efflux of the animal Spirits 12. Thus much in general of this Disease We shall now consider it under its several Branches wherein as we say it is either accidental or habitual so must different Causes be assigned to each If it be accidental it is for the most part excited without any proevious Disposition from a sudden and solitary Cause being for the most part mortal the curatory Method proving very often ineffectual And of this the proximate or conjunct Cause is either a great solution of Unity hapning somwhere within or nere the middle of the Brain from the compression or obstruion of its Pores and Passages whereby the whole emanation of the Spirits is suppressed Or else it is a very great and sudden profligation of the Spirits or an extinction of those inhabiting the Brain 13. This Solution of Unity is either 1. from Blood extravasated within the Brain and growing there into Clodders or striking upon the affected places from whence does often arise deadly apoplectick Paroxysms as several anotomical Observations upon Bodies dying of this Disease have already demonstrated but these morbifick Extravasations of Blood within the Brain come either from external Violence as a Fall from a high Place or from a Horse a blow on the Head or hitting it against some hard thing and such like Or from an internal Disposition the blood being thin and sharp and growing more then ordinarily hot either of its own Acord or by Accident it flows forth through the little Mouths of the Vessels and so easily breaks into the soft and yeilding substance of the Brain where being in great quantity extravasated by intumifying the affected Places and compressing the underlying Marrow the root of the Disease being at the said Corpus Callosum apoplectick Fits are presently excited 14. Or 2. from the breaking of an Apostem or Ulcer which although they are rarely to be found within the Brain yet often in the Menings and almost from the same Cause by which the extravasation of the blood happens This whilst it is coming on to Maturation causes only a dull head-ach or heaviness but when once broken the putrified Matter falling upon the Cortex of the Brain corrodes and putrifies it and instilling by Degrees its putrid Particles most obnoxious to the Spirits into the Meditullium or marrowy part of the Brain excites at length the Paroxysm 15. Or 3. from a heap of serous or watery Matter sent forth from the blood into the Head filling and stuffing all its medullary pores by which a deprivation of Sense and Motion follows And this has many times been caused from Drunkenness and somtimes from unseasonable and immeasurable drinking of cold Water or drinking of cold and small Beer being hot and thirsty and then sleeping upon it as also from a long and total suppression of Urine or frequent Hoemorrhages suddenly stopt whereby a translation of the serous Recrements are forthwith made to the Brain by which for the most part a deadly Apoplexy is caused 16. The other cause of a sudden and accidental Apoplexy arises from the immediate profligation or extinction of the Spirits which may be caused by blasting with Lightning or the Fumes of Sulphur Arsenick Aqua Fortis Spirit of Niter or Charcole and not very seldom from strong Narcoticks or
ibid. Tincture of Corn-Poppy flowers 750 a Tongue paralytick 605 a Tongue palsied 611 b Torture of the Mouth 456 a 462 b Trochisci sublinguales 169 a Tragea of Crato 213 a Troches of Solenander for a Catarrh 236 b Troches of Mastich 463 a Tragaea for strengthening the Brain ibid. Trismos what 466 b Tremor 522 a Tremor from drunkenness with Leprosy 524 a Tremor from drunkenness 525b Tremor with a vehement Catarrh 526 a Tremor from Worms 527 b Tremor in an aged Man 528 a Tremor from weakness ibid. Tremor from affrightment 530a Tremor from overstraining the Head 530 b Tremor from perturbation of Spirit 531 b Tremor of the Limbs 533 a Tremor in an aged Woman ib. Tremor of the Hands 533 b Tremor of the Muscles of the Cheek-bone 534b Tremor of the Members 535 a Tremor with heaviness 536 a Trembling involuntary without pain 537 b Trembling and shaking 538 a Tremor its Signs 539 b Tremor its Causes 540 a Tremor its Prognosticks 544 b Tremor the Cure 545 a V. Vesicatory for a Head-ach 5 a Vertigo with dimness of sight 37 a Vertigo with weakness of sight 39 a Vertigo from a fall 40 a Vertigo with a disaffected Womb 41 a Vertigo in a Child 42 a Vertigo Mortal 41 a b Vertigo with a malign Feaver 43 a Vertigo in a young Girl 44 a Vert. with pain of the Head 45a Vertigo cured by a Cautery 45b Vertigo with Hypochondriack Melancholy and Scurvy 46 a Vertigo with Head-ach and dbasness 47 a Vertigo with Head and Stomach ach and Scurvy 47 b 84 a Vertigo from fasting and watching 86 a Vertigo with Head-ach and darkness of sight 49 a Vertigo in a sleep from an abscess in the Brain 49 b Vertigo and Apoplexy from a Contusion 50 a Vertigo not far from an Epilepsy 50 b Vertigo that lasted many years ibid. Vertigo from Melancholy 51 a Vertigo and Melancholy 52 a Vertigo with Swooning fits 73 a Vertigo from the Spirits 73 b Vertigo from an abscess in the Intestinum Rectum 73 b Vertigo in a flegmatick habit 74 b Vertigo from a weakness of the Brain 75 a Vertigo essential in the Brain 77 b Vertigo from Choler 78 b Vertigo from a cold viscous flatulent humour 79 a Vertigo from a disaffection of the Stomach 80 a Vertigo with weakness of the Sight 80 b Vertigo with loss of Appetite 82b Vertigo scorbutical and fainting of the Spirits 85 a 86 a Vertigo dark 87 a Vertigo with a Catarrh ibid. Vertigo which became an Epilepsy 87 b Vertigo Idiopathetick with various symptoms 89a 92 a 97b Vertigo with a Convulsion 90 a 92 b Vertigo with corruscation of spirit 90 b Vertigo in an ancient Man 91 a Vertigo with troublesom sleeps 97 a Vertigo from the Stomach 97 b Vertigo with flux of blood 99a b Vertigo concomitant with other Diseases 100 a Vertigo its Names Definition and kinds 101 a Vertigo its Signs 101 a b Vertigo its Causes 101 b Vertigo its Prognosticks 103 a Vertigo simple its cure 103 b Vertigo with dimness of sight its cure 104 b Vertigo from windy vapor 107 b Venenate cause of a Convulsion 386 a b Vertues of the natural Balsam of Chili 762 a Vina Medicata clarata 666 b Vinum Hippocraticum Langij 667 a Vin. Chalibiatum Poterij 753 a Vinum purgans Sennerti ibid. Vinum purgans in hypochondriacis Sennerti ibid. Vinum aliud ejusdem Sennerti ibid. Vinum aliud Sennerti ibid. Vlceration of the Lungs 133 a Vlcer of the Ventricle or Stomach 400 a 479 b Unguentum anserinum 673 a Unguentum de sapone Cratonis ibid. Uvula fallen 155 b W. Watching 48 b Water of Swallows comp 345 b 475 b Water of Mans Blood 345 b Waters antepileptick compound 360 b Weakness of the Brain 75 a Weakness of sight 80 b Wine for a Vertigo 51 b 52 a Willis his Vomit for a Vertigo 106 a Willis his Elixir of Vitriol for the Epilepsy 503 b Wine medicinal for a Catarrh 199 a Wine of Roger Dixon against Convulsions 388 b Willis's water against the Palsy 658 a Wormwood Tincture 116 b Worms 368 b 378 a 570 a 416 b 479 b 570 a IATRICA SEU Praxis Medendi The PRACTICE of CURING BEING A Medicinal HISTORY of many Famous Observations in the Cure of DISEASES performed by the Author hereof Whereunto is added By Way of SCHOLIA a Complete THEORY or Method of Precepts wherein the Names Definitions Kinds Signs Causes Prognosticks and various Waies of CURE are methodically Instituted Digested and Reduced to Vulgar Practice Together with several Of the Choisest OBSERVATIONS of other Famous Men as Forestus Horstius Hildanus Rulandus Thonerus Valeriola Zacutus Platerus Riverius VVillis and some others which are fall'n into the Author's Hand in Manuscript All of them Digested under their proper Heads The first Volume Containing above an Hundred and sixty remarkable Hâ—stories and Observations of the Authors in the Cure of the Headach Megrim Vertigo Catarrh Falling-Sickness Convulsions Contractures Incubus Tremor Palsy and Apoplexy both simple and complicated with other Diseases as the Lethargy Perturbation of Spirit Weakness of Sight Drunkenness Melancholy Extreme Rigor Consumptions Vniversal Weakness Gouts Sciatica Rumatism Wounds in the Head Pricking of a Nerve or Tendon Kings-Evil French Pox burning and malign Fevers Suffocation of the Lungs Oâ—structions of the Lungs Vlcer of the Lungs Coughs Colds Asthma's Want of Apetite Surfeiting Pain of the Stomach Hoarsness Vlcers of the Stomach Vomiting fits of the Mother Pain of the Spleen Scirrhus of the Spleen Obstructions of the Mesentery Convulsions of the Mesentery Pains of the Back and Womb Stoppage of the Terms Stoppage of Vrine Gravell and Stone in the Reins and Bladder Rupture of the Bowels Fistula's Cholick VVorms Leprosy Scurvy c. wherein you will find an exact Account of the Medicines exhibited with the Order of their Exhibition Various Dose and Success thereupon A Work of singular Use to all the Practisers of the ARTS of Physick and Chyrurgery whether Physicians Chyrurgians Apothecaries or charitable and well disposed Gentlemen and Ladies who have espoused the Afflictions of the Poor and Needy Performed by WILLIAM SALMON Med. Profess living at the Blue Balcony by Fleet Ditch nere Holborn-Bridg London London Printed for Th. Dawks His Majesties British Printer in Thames-street Also are sold by T. Passinger at the three Bibles on London-bridge 1684. IATRICA seu Praxis Medendi Salmon's HISTORY of Famous Cures LIBER I. Of Diseases of the Head Num. 1. July 27. CHAP. I. Of the Head-ach I. § 1. THE 28 of March Anno 1664. A poor laboring man one Jacob Fuller who had several years been troubled with an inveterate or old Head-ach commonly called Cephalea fell into our Hands after he had for more than 14 years at times bin tampering with many other famous Physicians to no purpose § 2. The Constitution of his Body was thin lean and spare so that the sick seemed to be in an absolute Atrophia
the pain after a miraculous manner went away such are the Virtues of this Preparation of Sassafras that they are wonderfull in this kind 11. Outwardly to the Region of the Spleen I applyed this Oyntment Take Ammoniacum strained one ounce Balsam of Peru Labdanum of each half an ounce Hens-grease two ounces Oyls of Roses and Melilot of each three ounces juice of Hemlock six ounces boil to the consumption of the juices With this I annointed after which I laid over it Ceratum de Ammoniaco Foresti by which means the Scirrhus of the Spleen diminish'd daily and went away If this Cerate could not have been had I might have applyed the Emplastrum de Galbano Crocatum Mynsichti Or Emplastrum è Cicuta cum Ammoniaco which you may see in my Dispensatory or Labdanum with natural Balsam and Wax Or that Cerate mentioned in Our Synopsis Medicinae lib. 3. cap. 31. Sect. 47. § 3. at the end thereof 12. During all this time the Tabes or Consumption was not forgot for things both as to Diet and Medicine were provided For Diet I advised to things light of Digestion but forbad all Milk-meats least they should be curdled by the Acids which were prescribed for the removal of other Symptoms The gravy and juyces of meat whether Beef Mutton Veal or Lamb not much above half boiled or rosted then cut and slash'd that the Juyce might drop forth he took plentifully with a drop or two of oyl of Sulphur in it but Gellies I forbad by reason of their Glutinous property As to Medicine the only thing he took was Electuarium ad Tabidos which you may see in my Doron Medicum lib. 2. cap. 22. Sect. 1. A most admirable thing in this Case and by which I have restored many Consumptive but this thing was not administred till all the former things in their order had in some measure taken place which was almost at a months end but whereas the sick had at first upon him a vehement sweating and that this Medicine if given in a large dose does also provoke Sweat I ordered the dose in a less proportion so as it might comfort and restore but not provoke the Diaphoresis By these means continued the sick was in about twelve weeks time restored to his perfect heâ—lth From my House at the Red Balls in Salisbury-Court Fleetstreet where my Synopses Mediciâ—ae are to be had London Printed for T. Dawks L. Curtiss sold by T. Basset J. Wright R. Chiswel 1681. The Chapter of the Megrim continued Numb 7. August 18. X. A Megrim which proved Mortal from a Sphacelation of the Brain 1. It happen'd in a youth of about 17 years of Age sanguin and of a robust and strong Body it began at the latter end of July or beginning of August and had continued about 15 dayes without any Interm ssion but sometimes there was a kind of remission of the Vehemency of the pain for some few hours 2. He took little or no rest during all that time and when upon any remission of the pain he had any sleep it was troublesom and terrible waking oft in much fear terror and affrightment so that there seemed to be sometimes an Alienation of the Mind 3. It was contracted at first by being in the Sun long in an extream hot day the youth having also surfeited himself by too much Eating and too plentifully drinking of Wine the day before yet it began without a Feaver and so continued to the seventh day at which time the pain raging more than before excited a violent continual burning Feaver which we call Causos for it was extream every third day 4. Many things were done in order to his Cure but without Success for the Disease resisted all Medicines he was plentifully let blood had Medicines given him internally and Topicks applyed outwardly pickled Herrings applyed to the Soles of his Feet at last other things not prevailing his Physician gave him an Opiate this did him no good but made him absolutely rave 5. His Case being desperate it was moved by some of the Family That I should be sent for When I came I view'd the Youth but with amazement saw him very dangerous which at first put me to a stand what to do I feared a Sphacelation of the brain at least an Inflamation thereof 6. Now a Sphacelation of the Brain is a Suppuration or Corruption of the substance of the Brain springing first from an Inflamation of the same by some it is called Gangreen by others Mortification it is treated of but by few Authors yet Hippocrates lib. 3. de Morbis has describ'd it 7. The Cause of it is Inflamation of the part now the Cause of the Inflamation is from Blood too much heated whereby it becoms too fluxil and sheds it self into the inner part of the Brain the cause of the Blood being too much heated may be from being too long in the heat of the Sun or too Violent exercise or by holding the Head too near the Fire whether on the Hearth or in the Oven Furnace c. Or from a Contusion of the Head or from a Wound or from Commotion of the Brain by a Fall Blow c 8. An Apostem Mortification or Sphacelus of the Brain is known by a great Head-Ach running by the hinder part of the Head to the Neck and Back with a decay of all the Senses both external and internal he tosses too and fro cannot abide in the same place lays hold with his hands upon his Head pulls his Hair scratches his Face as long as his strength will continue to do it there is a most sharp and strong Feaver which from third day to third day is exasperated nor will the sick either eat or drink by which the strength soon decays all these signs were found in this our Patient But had it proceeded from a Wound or Contusion there would be a kind of sadness and numbness in the Body with weakness of the Animal Spirits and as the Disease increases the matter begins to putrify a Feaver arises from whence comes Head-ach and sluggishness as the putrefaction encreaseth all the Symptoms grow more vehement the Feaver sharper the sick rises from his sleep of a sudden and roars out presently lying down again often putting his hand to his Head there sometimes coming forth from the Mouth and Nose a little before Death a filthy green and stinking matter 9. This Disease is for the most part Mortal and as Hippocrates saith Sect. 7 Aph. 51. in three days time They saith he who have a mortified and putrified Brain dye in three days but if they live longer they recover But this is not to be understood of a compleat Sphacelus or Mortification of the Brain for that is incurable but of that which is at hand by reason of great Inflammation thereof See my Synopsis Medicinae lib. 1. cap. 52. sect 28. and lib. 2. cap. 39. sect 28. where you may receive much satisfaction Now
Skull c. XXIX Of the Head-ach its Name Definition and Kinds 1. The Name in Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latin Capitis Dolor and in English the Headach 2. The Definition It is a sensation of pain afflicting the Head either Internal or External scituate between the first Vertebra of the Neck and the Roots of Eyes and laterally between the Bones of the Temples on either side 3. The Kinds The Head-ach is three-fold first when it is neither Vehement nor Inveterate or old arising suddenly from some present Cause secondly when it is Inveterate or old being of many years continuance coming and returning at certain Periods of time without any apparent praevious Cause thirdly When it afflicts the one half of the Head either right or left of all which we shall speak in order XXX The Pathalogy of the first sort of Head-ach before named and first of the Cause thereof 1. It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latin by Barbarous Writers Soda which is indeed an Arabick Word and by us in English simply the Head-ach It is sufficiently known by the pains excited through the whole Head the general Causes are two-fold the first is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is the primitive or first but remote Cause the other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is the internal Cause and is indeed for the most part the effect of the first Cause 2. The Procatartick or external Cause is either from Blows Sun Air Wind or from some violent Motion as Falls and great Exercises or vehement Intemperature of heat or cold dryness or moisture The Proegumenine or internal Causes are from a simple Intemperature of the part being too cold hot moist or dry or from some peternatural matter Super abounding arising for the most part from some sulphurious Vapour or flatulent Spirit either simply in the part or by consent from the Stomach or other parts 3. If the Cause be from a simple Intemperature of heat whether External or Internal the first is known by the Relation of the Sick as whether he has been in the heat of the Sun or Fire or has been using any Violent Motion or Exercise whereby the part may be Inflam'd the second or Internal Cause is known first by the sulphurious and hot habit of Body and the super-abundant heat of the part which may be known by touching Moreover if hot things be applied to it the Sick is Inraged but if cold things the Sick is Refresh'd and the pain is Eased 4. If it be from a simple Intemperature of cold the Procatartick or External Cause may be known by the Relation of the Sick as whether he has taken cold or has been laid in a cold place c. the Proximate or near Cause is known first from a cold habit of Body secondly from the frigidity of the part by touching of it the Face also is of a pale or wan Colour lastly The Sick is Refreshed by hot things but the pain is excited or enraged by the application of cold things 5. Now in both the foregoing Cases of heat and cold they are both of them joyned either with dryness or moisture if they be joyned with dryness it is known by the dry habit of the Body by the dryness and hardness of the part roughness of the Skin and want of Excrements from the Head either by the Nostrils or Palate but if moisture be the Concomitant of the aforesaid Qualities it is known by the humid habit of the Body laxity softness and delicate colour of the Skin as also by a great many Excrements flowing from the Head by the Nostrils or Palate and the aptness of the Sick to have a Catarrh 6. If it arises from a flux of matter from the Brain it is known first by the evil Diet and course of Life going before in the Sick in whom by reason of Idleness too plentifull Eating and Drinking and giving himself over to a Sensual and Debauched course of Life many evil Humours are generated which afflict the Head either by consent from the Stomach or by corrupting of the Blood whereby the Brain is filled with many Excrements which sensibly hurt the internal Menings 7. If it be by consent from the Stomach it is known by a preceeding weakness and illness of the Stomach aptness to Vomit want of Appetite and an ill Digestion by means of which the Ventricle being filled with Wind sends Vapours up into the Brain which abounding in the Cavities stretches the Menings by which there is a Sensation of pain 8. Sometimes the Procatartick Cause is from Drunkenness with too much filling the Ventricle and weakning of it a flatulent Spirit is generated which in the form of Vapours ascending up into the Head afflicts the Tunicles aforesaid as also by an intimate mixtion with the Chyle an evil Blood is made containing many Excrements which being upon the least occasion fermented causes Vapours to arise and so hurts the Tunicles aforesaid 9. If it be from a Feaver or the French Pox it is known by those Diseases going before whose Causes is the same with the Cause of the said Diseases and the Removal of which must be only by the Extirpating of the Disease Causing 10. If it be from a hurt in the Skull as a Contusion Wound or Fracture the Procatartick Cause is evident to the Senses the Proximate or near Cause is the Solution of continuity or unity in a Contusion there is a livid Colour of the Skin together with the swelling of the part and pain in a Wound there is a Solution of continuity with a Rupture of the Vessels in a Fracture the Symptoms are according to the magnitude thereof where the Skull is depressed upon the Menings the following Symptoms are very greivous as Vomiting a pungent or pricking pain sometimes an Apoplexy or Convulsion somtimes a loss of the Voice Reason and Understanding which for the most part are Mortal signs If so be the Blood flows through the Fracture of the Cranium upon the Dura Mater it endangers the Corrupting thereof 11. The parts afflicted in all these Cases are the Menings of the Brain and the Pericranium or thin Skin covering the Convex part of the Skull if it afflicts the Menings the pain is Internal and within the Skull Physicians commonly know it by the Extension of the pain to the Roots of the Eyes because they say and truely enough For that the Tunicles of the Eyes have their Original and Rise from them but this cannot be the true sign For that others as Fernelius do affirm That a pain in the External part of the Head afflicting the Pericranium will affect the Roots of the Eyes also for as much as they have membranes from the Pericranium in like manner It may be then demanded by what sign or signs the Pain of the Head within the Skull afflicting the Menings may be known from an External Pain of the Head afflicting the Pericranium 12. To this
Night going to Bed apply the following Take Vinegar of Roses one ounce Poppy water in which one dram of Sal Prunellae is dissolved two ounces Spirit of Wine in which Camphir one scruple is dissolved half an ounce Opium extracted with Spirit of Wine and Inspissated to the thickness of Honey two drams white Poppy seeds bruised one ounce Oyl of Poppy seeds by Expression one ounce and half the White of one Egg Terra sigillata two ounces mix all well and upon R se Cakes Cloth or Leather apply it as a Pultise 7. The next Morning following let him take a strong decoction of Cink-foil made in part water part wine and made pleasant with a Syrup of the Juyce of the same herb repeating also the Clyster afore prescribed if occasion be mean seas n let Nothing be left undon towards the removal of the Primary Cause viz. the Feaver but let every thing be done in Order In respect both to the Feaver and the Pain of the Head Blisters on the soles of both feet are of most admirable effects XXXVIII The Cure of the Headach arising from the French Pox. 1 The Headach arising from the French Pox is to be Cured by taking away that Disease by the Roots but we Intend not here a Headach arising simply from the Pox but rather one arising from the ill management and vitious application of Medicaments by ignorant and illiterate Persons pretending to that Cure 2. It is Caused for the most part from Mercury ill prepared ascending up into the Brain and sometimes from the Irregularity of the Patient in both these Cases the Cure is exceeding difficult nor has many Physicians performed it scarce has any Attempted it the most Acurate and Faithfull Hartman has in a manner Concluded these Pains Incurable so what we have to say or declare here is wholly without President 3. Former Physicians in this Case have prescribed a Repetition of Salivations others constant Diet Drinks made of Guajacum sassafras and sarsa according to the common manner 4. Others have given strong Vomits and purges continuing their use till the Patient was brought well near to his Grave others have applied the Seton Cupping Glasses Vesicatories and the like to various parts of the Body 5. Others have applyed Errhines Sternutatories Masticatories and Gargarisme to the Nostrills and Mouth others have applied Oyls Unguentâ— Cataplasms and Plasters to the parts affected of various kinds of qualities both with and without Quicksilver 6. Others have given outwardly and continued the use of Opiats for many mo ths others have used strong Sudorificks and Caused the Sick to sweat six eight or ten times or more and yet notwithstanding all these things have proved ineff ctual 7. Others wiser then their fellows have made use of all those distinct Remedies to one only Patient and yet alas without success 8. What now Remains to be done which these Men have not done or what way can be further thought of to deliver the Sick from such perpetual excruciating Torments 9. But that we may rightly attempt this Cure if possibly it may be performed since so many have shot a side from the Mark and gone so far astray from Truth it behoves us to make a scrutiny both in the Cause of this Herculean Affect and the Cause of the Errors and Unsuccessfullness of the former prescribed Remedies 10. And first as to the Cause of the Malady the Procatartick first or remote Cause is doubtless a Mercurial Venom if not the Body of Mercury it self contaminating the Tunicles Ventricles and in some measure the substance of the Brain it self 11. The Proegumine latter proximate or conjunct Cause is an Acid Salt intimately mixed with the blood and carried with it to the Films Ventricles and substance of the Brain 12. This acid Salt 't is probable will not simply be the Cause of the pain of the Head but meeting with the Mercury thereupon the least Motion or Agitation it seizes upon the Mercury from whence arises cloudy obscure and poysonous Fumes such as you see when Quick-silver is put to be dissolved in Aqua Fortis which Fumes if they be in the least manner received into the Head by the Nostrils will immediately cause a most intollerable Head-ach 13. Now this Pain made by the Operation of these Fumes is either from their stretching the Films of the Brain or Interrupting the Animal Spirits in the Cavities where they are generated or conveyed or in the Vessels of the Brain it self or else from their vellicating or fretting the parts which they touch or from their Venine property being wholly Poysonous thus much as to the Cause 14. Now it appears That if an Acid Juyce or Salt be the proximate or conjunct Cause of this Pain that all those things which breed and generate an Acid Salt must be directly opposite to the Intention of Health 15. And whereas all the former Artists and and Men of this Profession whatever things they Considered of in order to the Cure of the Disease they never missed the constant use of Guajacum to wit in a Diet prepared therefrom 16. Now whereas Guajacum contains a most acid Salt and even in the highest degree as every Chymist that has wrought therein can tell you and produces an acid Salt or Spirit which will dissolve Mettals Stones Bones and the harder Substances it is no wonder indeed that they have so often attempted this Cure without success and missed their desire in it 17. Now it remains knowing the true Cause of the Disease and the Reason why the former Remedies had no Effect to institute and lay down a Method of Precepts which being put in use may infallibly Vanquish this hitherto Incurable Disease 18. The chief matter lies in the Diet next in that thing which will effectually draw out the Mercury 19. By the constant use of the Diet for forty sixty or a hundred days the Blood comes to be throughly and perfectly sweetned through a destruction of the said acid salt and by the Medicament which we call Hercules by reason of its mighty Power and Operation the Mercury is destroyed extracted and drawn forth 20. But by what means or Act it performs it is yet doubtful to us what we can most resemble it to is the Operation of the Head of a Viper or Poysonous Serpent in Curing the Biting of the same Creature which if Remedies be neglected is always Mortal 21. Yet if you immediately apply to the place Biten the bruised Head of the Serpent after the manner of a Cataplasm in which Head is contained as most Authors think all the Poyson of the Creature the Sick shall be perfectly freed from all manner of danger and in a short time become throughly well again 22. As to the Diet let it be made after this manner Take spring Water twenty five quarts Mealy Sarsaparillae two pounds and half Virginian Snake-root Contra yerva of each four ounces infuse all the Sarsaparilla all Night in the Water
perfect Cure 6. The Skull ought to be opened and a peice taken out either upon the place where the former Wound or Fracture was or rather if the place will admit it a little below the same and from thence forth to be kept open so long as the person Lives for being healed and so kept it endangers incurable Megrims Vertigoes Epilepsies or Apoplexies by which the Sick is many times suddenly carried of Whereas being kept open those Fumes or Vapors which may be the Cause of the said Diseases as also of this present Pain are continually breathed forth 7. What remains now but that the Belly be kept soluble with proper Clysters and the Stomach opened and cleansed from its impurities which commonly in Bodies so disposed send up Vapours and Fumes to the Brain 8. The Clysters Take Decoctum Commune fourteen ounces Oyl of Camomil two ounces Cassia extracted one ounce and half Salt one dram mix and make a Clyster which exhibit in the Morning fasting 9. The Stomach may be cleansed with this Take Yellow Myrobalans two drams Rhubarb four scruples Spicknard half a scruple bruise and moisten them with Wormwood Wine till they are soft then infuse them in clarefied Whey or Endive Vervain Waters strain out dissolve therein Diaprunis two drams Syrup of Violets an ounce give it for one dose Or instead hereof you may take the Decoctum Senae Gereonis to six ounces which is a thing of good use 10. If the Sick had rather take Pills he may use those of Assajereth which are good for a Headach proceeding by consent from the Stomach as also Pil. Sine quibus a dram at a time of either but no wayes inferiour are Our Family Pills with Aloes 11. Lastly to strengthen and comfort the Stomach and Animal Spirits every Night going to Bed the Sick may take half a dram or a dram of good Mithridate or Venice Treacle by observing these rules t is possible he may preserve his Body at Ease and also in Health 12. If the Wound be recent and so not yet healed this following may be applyed to stop the bleeding Take Meal of Beans Lentils and Barly Spunge burnt of each one dram and a half Sanguis Draconis Frankincense Myrrh Aloes of each one dram Cobwebs two drams Pouder of Gum tragacanth two drams and half Hares-hair cut small or poudred three drams Terra sigillata Gypsum of each one Scruple make all into a fine pouder When you Vse it take thereof one ounce mix it with the Whites of two Eggs and the Juyces of Comfrey and Knotgrass of each half an ounce and apply it with Lint or Hards of Flax. 13. This Vulnerary Emplaster may also be applyed Take Betony Marjoram Hypericon Woodbine Yarrow of each a handful Rosemary Sage Centory the Less Pimpernel Vervain Comfrey of each half a handfull bruise all together digest eight days in generous Wine three pints in a warm place then add venice Turpentine one pound and half Oyls of Roses and of Hypericon of each five Ounces Oyl of Mastich one ounce and half boyl to the Consumption of the Wine then strain strongly out by pressing and add again Resin of the Pine tree melted Gum Elemi of each three ounces white Wax enough to make an Emplaster or Cere-cloth which spread upon Linen Cloth and apply it twice a Day fresh to the Wound 14. And with these Remedies you may also happily cure a Contusion or bruise by first opening the Tumors if any be mundifying it with Honey of Roses and then applying of these Medicaments 15. If the Dura Mater is hurt you may instil by the fracture clarified juyce of Calaminth or the Chymical Oyl of Mastick Or this following Liniment Take fresh Butter never Salted Or sweet Hogs lard Oyl of Roses of each half an ounce Chymical Oyl of Mastick two drams melt and mix them together and instill thereof into the Wound it immediately eases all the Pain 16. If the Headach comes from the ill shape of the Head as Absence of a Suture as the Sagital Or rocky constitution of the Skull above the said Sagitil it is Incurable unless by the help of the Trepan a piece of the Skull be taken out that the fuliginous Vapours causing the Pain may transpire XL. The Pathology of the second Kind of Headach called old or Inveterate and first of the Signes and Cause 1. The Name It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latin Cephalaea and Dolor Capitis inveteratus and in English an Inveterate Old Continuing or habituall Head-ach 2. It is known by paining both sides the Head and for the most part the whole Head in which the Pain is almost continual sometimes it is gentler somtimes stronger and sometimes it is with that Vehemence as to induce a lightness of Head Foolishness or a Phrensy there is commonly a remision of it and it returnes by fits which are ordinarily at certain Dayes or Weeks Morning ro Evening or accidentally from any Violent Motion or Exercise or taking of Cold or before a Change of the Air. 3. The parts afflicted in this are the same with the former viz. the Membranes of the Cranium or the Menings of the Brain and also the Brain it self Now the substance of the Brain becomes Sensible of Pain only by reason of the community of the tender films with the Menings which produce the Sensitive Nerves so that if the substance of the Brain is afflicted it is by Consent and the Pain is only a kind of heaviness or sense of Weight before and behind 4. Some of the Causes of this Pain may be all the Causes before ennumerated in a Cephalalgia but by reason of its stubborness and long continuance we must seek for some other additionall Causes besides which may indicate such an Inveteracy 5. The one of these Causes may be a Fracture of the Skull with hurt of the Menings formerly Healed Another may be from the Evil conformation of the parts of the Head from the very Birth such as I saw in the Skull of a Man opened after his Death who had been troubled with a perpetuall Pain of his Head from his Cradle viz. an extuberance of the Inner Table or a swelling out of the Concave part of the Skull much like a half Egg cut long wayes which Tumor or bunching out of the Concavity I conceive prest much upon the Menings Another may be from the Malignity of the Pox of which we have spoken already 6. But one Principal cause may be from the Aptness of the Blood in some persons to a fermentation where Vapors and Wind are stirred up and by reason of which the Blood contained in the large Cavities and passages of the Brain being raised Causes a stretching of the Vessells beyond Nature Or otherwise by means of the said working fills the said Cavities fuller than ordinary of Excrements by which the Motions and Functions of the Animal Spirits are mightily impeeded 7. Another Cause may be
from Hypochondriack Melancholy which being it self along and Inveterate distemper may be the Cause of the Continuance of such as arise in part by consent therefrom For sending fumes into the Ventricles of the Brain by the continued circulation of the Blood it naturally followes that Pain must be naturally excited and that almost continually especially upon any sudden or violent Motion or Exercise any Grief or Trouble of Mind any anxious Thoughts or any change or alteration of the Air the reason of which last we have largely declared in Sect XXXIX § 3. and 4. aforegoing To these causes may be added the natural weakness of the brain from the birth by reason of which from almost every small Occasion this Pain of the Head is excited 8. Hence it appears That the persons most subject to this Disease are such as are of a Cold and dry Habit of body of which disposition are all Hypochondriacks and such as are of a Cold and moist Constitution the Ventricles of whose brains are almost perpetually filling filled with Recrements If it be objected that such cannot be subject to manifold Fermentations of the blood because of their cold Habit of body which is an enemy to Fermentation To this we answer That neither Heat nor Cold are simply of themselves either the Materiall or Formall Causes of Fermentation but only an Accidental Cause which are stirred up accidentally from the fit or convenient mixtion of proper Salts this Spirit of Vitriol and a solution of Salt of Tartar in fair Water or fair Water it self although they are both of hem externally Cold and also Cold in their operation yet being mixt together in a fit proportion they excite a most incredible heat which may be said indeed to be the Accidental Cause of the Effervescency and the same may be done in Our bodies although Cold and Moist if that Humidity meets with a Salt proper for such an Operation XLI The Prognosticks of a Cephalaea or Old Headach 1. This Disease if it has not been of long standing is the more easy to be cured but if it has been of any long standing it is commonly very difficult So also if it proceeds from the French Pox. 2. It is scarcely ever Cured if it followes after a Fracture of the Skull or be caused by evil Conformation of the parts or proceeds from a pure and natural or haereditary Weakness of the Brain unless that the Skull be opened and a peice thereof taken out 3. And as it for the most part happens either to people of a cold and dry Constitution of a Melancholy habit Or to such as are of a cold aâ—d moist Constitution of a Cachectical habit So in both these Conditions the Cure cannot but be very difficult for in the first cause the Melancholy habit must be altered else you do nothing at all and that is no easy thing to do and in the latter the Cold and moist habit must be removed if you perform any thing which is a matter of no small moment 4. If it proceeds from consent of other parts you must alter their Habit and Constitution for till the Cause be taken away the Effects can never absolutly cease And according to the difficulty of altering the nature qualities and disposition of those parts such will be the hopes of Cure in this Disease 5. If it be complicated with any other Disease as a Cough Catarrh c. the Cure will yet be so much the more difficult for till they are removed the Cephalae can never be Cured because it is certain that those Concomitants contribute mightily to this Disease 6. That which proceeds from a Fermentation of the Blood is the most easy of this kind to be Cured for upon the stopping of the Fermentation the pain not long after ceases But then this falls out again that if the Fermentation is renewed so will this Pain be also XLII The Cure of a Cephalaea or old Head-ach in a cold and dry Constitution of Body or arising from Melancholy 1 If it be in a cold and dry Habit from a simple Intemperature without Cause from any other part the Cure will not have that difficulty in it as if it proceeded from Melancholy In this Case you are to warm and humect the parts Take Oyls of Camomil and Bays of each half an ounce Oyl of Nutmegs by expression mix them well together and anoint very well all the places pained Morning Noon and Night before a convenient Fire embrocating the parts also at the same time 2. Inwardly also ought to be given things which heat and humect the parts as Take choice Canary a quart spanish juyce of Liquorice one ounce dissolve it therein let it settle then decant the clear and let the Sick take thereof every day Morning Noon and Night it is a specifick in this Case for the constant use hereof for long time does admirably warm comfort and moisten the parts and indeed alter the whole habit of the Body 3. If the season of the year will admit it may be drank with equal parts of Juyce of Strawberries or Juyce of black Cherries the last thing is marvelous for this purpose The Wines made of the Juyce of Strawberries and black Cherries by fermentation being constantly drank either alone or mixt with the Canary as before prepared are yet much better 4. If it proceeds from a Melancholy habit of Body you must use the Topicks formerly mentioned in the Cure of a Cephalalgia from cold and dryness with the things even now ennumerated adding also the erradication or changing of the Melancholy Habit without which all things are done in vain How this is performed we shall teach when we come to Treat of the Cure of Hypochondriack Melancholy to which I shall principally refer you 5. Yet the following things have not been used without success Once in three Weeks or a Month you may Purge with Pilulae de Lapide Lazuli Or with this Infusion Take Water a pint Sena one ounce Green Roots of Polypody half an ounce Salt of Tartar one dram make an Infusion to purge with 6. Somtimes also may be used the Tinctura Melanagoga Grulingij which excellently evacuates the Melancholy Humor Some commend the Diasena Nicolai half an ounce at a time to one ounce But it is thought that Confectio Hamech given alone from half an ounce to six drams exceeds most other things 7. Thus Compounded it is good for weak Constitutions Take Confectio Hamech one ounce Cassia extracted or Diaprunum Lenitivum or Catholicon two ounces mix them for two or three Doses 8. If the Stomach be foul let the Vinum Elleboratum be given half a Spoonful at a time with an ounce of Oxymel and as much Wine of Squills or half an ounce of Platerus his Walnut Water 9. In the Intervals of Purging the Sick may constantly drink Quercetans Decoction of an Ox-Spleen Or the Decoction of Crabs taking also now and then Wine of Black Cherries Pope Adrian his
going to bed I gave him a Dram of Peacocks-dung in pouder mixed with Conserve of Roses and Quiddony of Quinces 7. As to the second intention of Cure which was the Evacuation of the conjoyned matter I exhibited this Errhine Take juyces of red Pimpernel of Beet-roots and of Sweet Marjoram of each an ounce of Fennel Rue of each half an ounce white Wine an ounce and a half mix them to be cast up the Nostrils I also caused him often to chew this Masticatory following Take Mastick two drams Pellitory of Spain a dram and half Cubebs Pepper Fennelseed of each half a Dram Marjoram a scruple with Pulp of Raisons and a little Wax make small Balls to be chewed Then I caused the Mouth to be often Gargariz'd with this Take roots of Pellitory of Spain Orrice Angelica of each half an ounce Marjoram Sage Bawm Rosemary Hysâ—p of each one handful flowers of Rosemary of Lavender Staechas of each a pugil Nutmegs Mace Fennel-seed Carraways Rue seed of each a dram make a Decoction in Wine and Water strain and sweeten a little with Sugar 8. But that I might effectually draw forth all the watery humor I caused his Head to be shaved and applyed over it above half way viz. on each side as low as his Temples half over the Forehead and half way down the hinder part a strong Vesicatory made of Spanish Flyes which in twelve hours raised a mighty Blister and drew forth a vast quantity of watery humor the blisters being removed it was drawn for seven days with Emplaster of Melilot simple and then healed up 9. And that the Head Brain and parts adjacent might be comforted and strengthned I ordered him continually to take the Quintessence or Powers of Sassafras to 30 or 40 drops every morning fasting and every night last going to bed in a glass of choice Canary and that the Forehead Temples and Crown of the Head should be daily bathed with the same and it is also to be snuff't up the Nostrils 10. Lastly that we might for the time to come prevent the noval increase of watery humors in the Head I ordered him often to chew Gentian root in his mouth viz. 3 4 or 6 hours every day so long as he should live for that it not only brings away the root and fountain of the morbifick matter but prevents the danger of any future Paroxism and by a specifick quality strengthens the stomach and brain so that the Disease returns no more Those Directions of mine being followed the man became in a short time perfectly well III. A Vertigo proceeding from a fall from a Horse 1. A young man 30 years old in riding swift had an unlucky fall from his Horse where he was taken up Dead means were used so that after 3 or 4 hours he became sensible again 2. A Physician and Chyrurgian was sent for being searched they found a Contusion of the Skull but no other kind of hurt Blood-letting was immediately prescribed and repeated for 5 or 6 days the Skull was laid bare and by help of the Levatory the depression was raised after 14 days the Wound was healed the Physician prescribed to apply Vesicatories to his shoulders they also gave the sick Cordial and strengthning Apozems and soluble Clysters to keep the Belly open so that in a months time he seemed to be perfectly restored 3. But going abroad he found himself to be taken with a giddiness and so strongly that he could not stand but fall this he bore for a season hoping that as he gathered strength Nature would overcome it but delaying to seek for remedy he grew every day worse and worse 4. At length they sent for me to whom the foregoing matter was related I conceived that through the great commotion of the Brain and inflammation of the parts adjacent many vapors were bred because that upon the extremity of the Fit he would be wholly Blind 5. I weighed That the young man was of a good habit of Body no Disease of late going before nor had he at any time before been subject to this malady so that I could not judge the Vapors to spring from any other part for he made not the least complaint of any illness or uneasiness any where else 6. From hence I concluded to purge his head which I did effectually with the Juices of Primroses and sweet Marjoram in which a few grains of Gutta Gamba was dissolved this I did 4 or 5 times Outwardly the fore-part of his head was shaved to which I applyed the common Vesicatory of the Shops for 14 hours after 8 days the Blister was healed I applyed the said Vesicatory a second time and he became perfectly well From my House at the Red Balls in Salisbury-Court Fleetstreet where my Synopsis Medicinae and Sets of this History so far as is gone are to be had A Proposal Such nine as join together and procure mony for 8 Books 10 s. being the price when bought single shall have a ninth book gratis and 1 s. in a book abated buying 4 together by T. Dawks Proprietor of the whole Impression living at the West-end of Thames-street London Printed for T. Dawks and L. Curtiss Sold by T. Basset J. Wright and R. Chiswel 1681. The Chapter of the Vertigo continued Numb 11 August 29. IV. A Vertigo with a disaffected Womb and Pain of the Spleen 1. A young woman of about 30 years of Age of a thin lean pale and wan Complexion and Melancholick Disposition was seiz'd with a Vertigo she was also troubled with deep Melancholy sighing Fits of the Mother and a disaffected Spleen she had been married 7 or 8 years and had several Children her Courses were in good Order but pale or not of a natural redness 2. She applies her self to me declaring her Condition and how that for more than two whole years these Illnesses had prevail'd upon her she had taken Potions Julebs Pills Powders Electuaries Bolus's had been purg'd sweated and that often times without the least imaginable Relief Cupping-glasses had also been apply'd to her Shoulders and at this very time of her coming to me she had 4 Issues upon her one in each Arm and one in each Thigh little above the Knee 3. These things fore-known the Cause appear'd to be from Vapors ascending by the veins of the Womb and from a disaffected obstructed Spleen all which meeting in a melancholy habit of Body cold and dry caused her disturbance not only to be more vehement when the Paroxism was upon her but also very hard and difficult to cure Her course of Diet by her own Confession was chiefly Poudred Bief Bacon and other Salt things through the whole year 4. I enquired whether in all this time she had ever taken a Vomit she told me No whereupon I prescribed this Take Vinum benedictum one ounce Syrrup of Squils half an ounce Fumitory-water Carduus-Water of each three ounces mix them This she took in the morning fasting and it
and Nervous stock 13. For truly it may be plainly collected That the Cause of the Distemper lay hid in the Head it self by the Symptoms preceeding the Fit which did Demonstrate a very great agitation of the Spirits within the Head 14. The Inflation of the Brain and heavy swimmings which came just as the Fit was coming on him and the turnings of the Eyes did manifestly denote that heterogeneous and explosive particles did adhere to the Spirits dwelling within the Encephalon near to the beginning of the Nerves 15. So that this Case comes near to the nature of the Epilepsy excepting that the Spirits within the middle of the Brain did not admit an Heterogeneous Copula nor being explosed in another place did they outragiously break forth there for during the fit the sick person was still in his Senses or had the use of his Memory 16. But the Morbifick matter being more abundantly laid up in the Head from whence it descended into the Pipes both of the exterior and interior Nerves it had placed mines of explosive Seeds very diffusive into the Viscera both of the lower and middle Belly and also in the exterior Members 17. So that when the Animal Spirits began to be explosed near the beginnings of the Nerves presently from thence others inhabiting the Mesenterick enfoldings and then others in the other nervous enfoldings interjected from the utmost bound even to the Head being explosed in order did even continue the Convulsions from one part to another until they came to the Head it self 18. But presently being translated from thence to the spirits dwelling in the Spinal Marrow and appending Nerves the most strong Convulsions of the Muscies and Members of the whole body followed that ascent of the bulk or substance which very often was perceived in the lower Belly about the beginning of the Convulsions proceeding from the Spirits within the Mesenterick enfoldings being brought into explosions shall be more largely declared when we come to Discourse of Hysterick Passions 19. If it be asked for what reason that the Convulsive Paroxism beginning in the part of the Head near the beginnings of the Nerves presently the Spirits dwelling in the outmost parts as many as are pre-disposed for that symptom enter into Explosions and so transfer the Convulsive Disease being there fully raised upwards for it is so for the most part whether the entrance of the Disease begins in the bottom of the Belly or about the middle of the Abdomen the Hypocondria or Praecordia for that the Convulsion is wont to creep by degrees from those places towards the Head 20. I say for the Solution of this these two Considerations are offered viz. in the first place we consider that when some whole series of Spirits are disturbed those who reside in the extreamest bounds are first destituted of their original Influence wherefore they before others grow outragious and irregular hence it is when the Nerve of the Arm or Thigh is strained hard by leaning on it that the wonted influence is hindred that a numbness with a sence of pricking or tingling is first felt in the Fingers or Toes from whence by degrees it creeps upwards to the part affected 21. Secondly The other is which is the cause rather of this Distemper viz. That the Spirits being ready for explosions when they are contained within the Nervous Pipes one or more as so many little distinct Tubes they require a sufficient ample space in which they may be able very much and indeed successively to be rarified and expanded which thing because it cannot be easily performed within the Trunks of the Nerves from the beginning towards the end therefore while the Spirits about the Nervous Origine being first struck off leap back towards the Encephalon for that cause they stir up the Vertigo 22. The more open explosions of the Spirits for the most part begins about the inferior passages of the Nerves or at their Extremities where the Trunk of the Nerve is either dilated into more open foldings or terminated in more Fibres largely dispersed abroad 23. Then those Spirits being explosed there is room made presently for others succeeding in order wherby in like manner they may be explosed 24. Hence we may observe whilst the exterior Spirits are explosed if a ligature or hard compression being made the succession of others into the same space or their progress towards the exterior parts be intercepted the Convulsion is wont to be hindred that it cannot ascend upwards 25. Wherefore when a Numbness being arisen from the farthest end of the Finger or Toe creeps to the superior parts with a tingling or with a cold Air and at length reaching the Brain causeth most horrid Convulsions if after the motion is begun the Arm or Thigh be strongly tyed the Spasm or Convulsions not being able to get over the bound place is hindred from coming to the Head 26. Yea it is usual for Hysterical Women as soon as the swelling in the Belly or the ascent of the bulk in the Abdomen is first perceived to gird strongly their Wasts with swathing bands and so oftentimes they prevent the Precordia and Region of the Brain from being disturbed by that same Convulsive Fit 27. But that the Blood let out in the midst of the Fit was soon congealed it falls out ordinarily so in Convulsive and Apoplectical Diseases as the most famous Heighmore has observed out of Hendochius 28. But that some from hence argue That Convulsions depend on the thickness of the Blood and stagnation its motion being impeded cannot be allowed because the blood drawn from those that are obnoxious to Convulsions a little before the Fit is dilated with Serum and fluid enough 29. Wherefore we may judiciously think That the Congelation is caused by the Paroxism it self because in Convulsive motions and immoderate contractions of the Nerves and Viscera the inter-flowing blood by the exhalations of its Spirits and Serum is somewhat losened in its mixtion and therefore in some sort coagulated not unlike Milk which by reason of too much agitation and separation of the parts one from another grows into Butter wherefore this kind of Coagulation of the blood seems rather to be the Effect than the Cause of the Convulsions 30. In order to the Cure of this Distemper That Learned Man makes the first Indication to be to draw away the matter enkindling the Disease viz. that the blood might no affix its Heterogeneous particles either begot in it self or received from other parts as the Viscera on the Head or Brain for this purpose Evacuations are first to be performed 31. Vomits for the most part bring help here such are the Infusion of Crocus Metallorum Salt of Vitriol Vinum sciliticum which may be given at first then almost the next day a quantity of Blood may be taken away 32. After which you may give this following gentle Cephalick Purge Take Pil. de succino Cratonis or Pil. Tartari Bontij two Drams
ceased and she afterwards Spit a filthy kind of matter somtimes frothy and sometimes thick which would be of a yellowish or greenish kind of Colour and sometimes little Lumps would be Spit forth so that some Physicians and they who would be accounted Wise Men too conceived them to be Portions of the Lungs others thought them to be only Coagulated Blood 4. However whatever they were our Patient grew weaker and weaker and her Body exceeding lean and tabified so that in the Judgment of all Men there was an absolute Phthisis which still grew worse and worse by reason of the Contumacy of her Catarrh 5. She requested My help and I prescribed her the things following by reason of the thinness of her Body I was loth to Purge her very much therefore I ordered her now and then to take Syrup of Roses Solutive 6. And because of the Ulcer as also that she had no Stomach to her Food I prescribed the Vulnerary spirit of Sulphur thus made Take rectified spirit of Wine a quart pure rectified Oyl of Sulphur two ounces mix them and digest till they are almost sweet 7. Of this I caused the Sick to take three four five or six times a day and somtimes oftner about half a Spoonful of it and sometimes more in a Glass of Sack this cleansed the Ulcer in the Lungs and in a little time healed it also it begat a good Stomach in the Patient whereby she could the better eat her Food 8. Sometimes also for change I caused her to take choice Canary made moderately bitter with Tincture of Wormwood and sometimes the Tincture of black Pepper in rectified Spirit of Wine to forty fifty or sixty drops in any convenient Liquor by which the native heat of her Stomach became restored and strengthened so that she could Eat and Digest her Food very well 9. However that she might be always taking things conducing to her Health I ordered her often to Lick of this following Syrup Take juyce of Turnips squeezed out of Turnips baked dry in a Pan a pint and half Water distilled out of Snails and Earth-worms a pint Virgin Honey clarified four pounds mix all together melt and make a syrup in the heat of a Bath of this she took with a Liquorice stick between Meals at lest ten or twelve times a day which comforted and strengthened the late indisposed Lungs 10. Also I ordered her to take every Morning fasting and every Night going to Bed fourteen sixteen or twenty drops of the Annisated Balsam of Sulphur by which she found great good 11. These things she continued the use of for about seven or eight Weeks at what time we conceiv'd the Lungs to be perfectly well the Catarrh was also much abated but not wholly taken away 12. After seven Weeks time I caused her to receive several times the Fumes of Amber as mentioned in the former Observation also I ordered her three or four grains of My Laudanum to be taken every Night going to bed by which the Catarrh was perfectly removed and this much to be deplored Sick Patient recovered her pristin Health 13. Now here is to be noted That during the greatest part of this Cure her Food was the Juyce or Gravy of Meat sometimes of Mutton sometimes of Fowls but chiefly of Beef which she took sometimes alone sometimes with a little Bread in it 14. Her solid Food was chiefly Biscuit Almonds blanched Raisons of the Sun and her Drink was sometimes a Glass of Hyppocras or Spiced Wine but for the most part Water distilled from Milk VIII A Catarrh in a young Woman accompanied with shortness of Breath want of Appetite and a great pain in her Stomach 1. This Woman was about twenty five years of Age had been much troubled with a Catarrh but without any Ulceration of the Lungs caused a great shortness of Breath and difficulty of Breathing insomuch that she would sometimes Pant as if she strove for Life 2. This continual flux having followed her for many Months so cool'd and weakened the Ventricle that she had scarcely any Appetite at all for her Food moreover what she did Eat she could not well Digest and often times it would come up again 3. This was accompanied with such an extream pain of the Stomach which came by fits that she would often say That nothing could equal that pain but the pangs of Death 4. These fits would last sometimes four or five hours at a time in which whatsoever she took whether hot or cold she received not the least benefit 5. She had tryed many things and without success as manifold Vomitings and Purgings Clysters she had also Blysters Errhines Sternutatories Issues and had been many times Sweated whereby although the fierceness of her Catarrh might be something remitted yet she had not the least Ease as to the pain of her Stomach 6. Various sorts of Cordials Stomaticks both hot and cold were given her yet every thing as to the pain of her Stomach proved successless 7. They gave Specifick Stomatick Cordial Pills Stomatick Electuaries Antidotes Pouders Laudanum's c. and continued the use of them for many Months in so much that there was nothing left undone that was thought fit or necessary for her 8. But behold her Disease Tyrant like doubled its strength and this Stomatick pain seem'd greater than ever nor was her Catarrh in the least lessened but afresh excited so that hopeless of Remedy she was given over by all her other Physicians expecting no Cure but by Death 9. A Friend of hers desired her to make Tryal of Me which although she had tryed many Physicians in Vain yet her almost dayly Grief made her easy to be Intreated accordingly I was sent for to whom she related the aforegoing things 10. I began to be Amazed in consideration of what Cause that might be which none of the foregoing Remedies could remove but weighing the thing seriously I conceived it to be an Acid Salt lodged in the Blood which was not only the Cause of her Catarrh but also of that vehement pain in her Stomach 11. For the sharp Particles of the said Salt did not only prick and vellicate the Tunicles of the Stomach but also by their perpetual supplys did in length of time severely corrode it whereby a great rawness was occasioned which at last afflicted her every day immediately after Eating 12. For the fresh Food received in the Stomach falling forthwith upon the raw Ulcerated parts caused that immediate and extream Pain from which she could never be freed till the Food was carried off from the Stomach either upward or downward when the Food was carried off she was more at Ease and so remained as long as she remained fasting but upon the fresh Eating of Food again her pain returned with the same vehemency 13. I was dis-heartened from attempting any of the ways that had been hitherto tryed from the Relation she gave Me wherefore considering those things and the Causes by Me
a Phlegmatick Constitution was afflicted with an extream violent Pain of the Head and a Catarrh which fell down upon the Muscles of the Cheek-bone after which was a swelling sowewhat hard and red 2. But a diet being prescrib'd him The matter was much lessen'd by the following Pills Take pil de hiera two scruples Agarick trochiscated one scruple with the syrup of staechas make five Pills and take them two hours after supper 3. And to prepare the pituitous and phlegmatick humour Take simple oxymel syrup of Staechas of each one ounce and half the Waters of Betony Fennel and Marjoram of each two ounces mix them and make 2 doses of them 4. Then as for purging let him take pil de cochia Agarick de hiera of each one scruple Diagridum two grains with the syrup of Staechas make of them five Pills and take them after mid-night 5. Again the matter being more Prepared and Concocted he was purg'd once more with Pills of Cochy and his Head anointed with the Ointment of Alabaster to remove the Pain thereof and his Cheek bone which was swell'd with the Oyl of Lillies 6. Afterwards for great Resolution and loosening of the matter there was added the Oyl of Cammomil by these he was Cured and not put to the necessity of Errhins or other Topick remedies Petrus Forestus lib. 10. Observ 132. XLIX A Catarrh proceeding from Cold causing a Pain of the Ears and Teeth 1. The Pain of the Ears proceed not only from a bare Distemper but for the most part from some compounded or conjunct matter and that chiefly Cold and is known by a distillation from the Head when after the South wind has filled the Head the North wind suddenly blows 2. For two Reasons it hurts and excites Pain first by reason of the Distemper which joyns with the other affect but much more when by its own proper power it distends the sensible parts and again most of all when the flatuous Spirit Elevated by it doth extend and disturb the Membrane and internal nervous parts thereof 3. A certain Woman of a pale Colour and a Phlegmatick Constistution the Air being Cold and the South wind blowing and great Rain following fell into a Catarrh which did trouble the lower parts and fill her Head with flegm 4. She used a moist and phlemy kind of Diet before and for two whole Weeks she was afflicted with a violent Pain in her left Ear besides a distillation upon her Teeth of the same side and a swelling somewhat hard without any redness in her Cheek-bone by which great Pain of her Teeth and inwardly in her Ear in the auditory passage she could neither Eat or Sleep 5. I then Concluded that this did proceed from a Cold distillation of Cold matter and therefore purgation would be necessary 6. After the syrup of Betony and Oxymel was given she was purg'd with the following Pills Take Pil. Cochiae assajaeret and de Hiera of each one scruple with the water of Betony make five Pills and let them be taken after mid-Night which gave her two or three stools 7. Afterwards Diet which was slender and attenuating was prescribed her and in the place of Wine and Bear Metheglin wherein Cinnamon was boyled 8. Then Pills of Cochy was administred and Cupping-glasses with scarification on the Shoulders and having purg'd both the Head and Body I made use of Errhines and Masticatories wich properly cleanse the Head 9. After the Pills and Cupping-glasses I made use of others Topicks to wit Oyls and Pultisses which asswage the Pain of the Head but because they did not help enough I did apply a Plaster to the Ear which did wonderfully ease her 10. Take a large Red Onion roasted under hot ashes Oyl of Camomil one ounce Oyl of Aniseed fresh Butter of each half an ounce Saffron one scruple make it in the Mortar like to the form of a plaster and apply it warm to the Ear day and night and it will take away the Pain of the Ear and lose the Apostem this will do though it comes first to a suppuration or festering Petrus Forestus lib. 11. Observ 5. L. A Catarrh by consent of the inferior Parts 1. Physicians Refer the principal cause of a Catarrh to the Liver but why the vapours that are hot and moist ascend to the Brain from the Liver by the Stomach rather then by the Veins to the Head I know no Cause neither shall I raise any Controversie about it For it is agreed it may be by either of the ways 2. But if the Cause proceed from the lower parts the distemper must be remov'd from them if the Head be Infirm it must be strengthned and that Consists in restoring the Temperament 3. After meat let such things be taken as may Check the Vapours from ascending as the Concoctive Pouder of Sylvius and the prepared seeds of Coriander the Confection or Marmalade of Quinces without the Spices to this may be added Sugar of Roses with Bole Armoniack 4. I do not approve of evacuations in pectoral Diseases from a Catarrh it is more safe to forbear in such Diseases of the Brest and Lungs the use of purgative Medicines 5. Pills of Aloes washt with juyce of Roses are a drying and strengthening Medicine Manna with the syrup of Roses draw away those Wheyish Humours 6. If the cause of the Catarrh depend on the bad disposition of the Liver and Stomach the Spaw waters heal both I doubt not their usefullness 7. But in my judgment the Distemper of the Head is chiefly the thing from whence these Symptoms proceed which are carefully to be lookt after in order to their Cure the Spaw-waters how much they avail in reference to this I know not they cannot hurt the Bathings are approv'd according to the diversity of the matter of the Catarrh 8. If by these the heat of the Liver is to be asswaged why do we not rather apply Pultises We do not think our Wormwood to be cold and seeing siccity makes Calidity and Roses that are mixt do dry how far is this Medicament profitable 9. Also after Bathing in sweet-water or rather Oyl in which is boyled a little quantity of Sanders Roses and Wormwood I would bath the region of the Liver with Wine in a double Vessell 10 Oyls dry less what Bathings help doth appear in that the matter of the Catarrh is by these mingled and diffus'd throughout the whole Body and is deriv'd from the Brest 11. But unless I am greatly mistaken we must chiefly look to the Distemper which is in the Head therefore there must be applyed to the Head sweet-bags of Roses and sanders with which must be mixt a little of the pouder of Amber Mastick Mace and Clove-gilly-flowers making thereof as it were a Cap. 12. At night let him hold in his Mouth a little of a Nutmeg toasted in the morning take a few Caraways to beat down those gross Spirits which being agitated Cause a giddiness or Megrim 13.
with their immoderation the native heat of the Stomach or by extenuating the Region of the Stomach and Belly in so much that they wast and pine away 8. Moreover the Vessels of Sanguification often generates Catarrhs For the serous humidity yet crude is too hastily and soon Attracted by the Stomach which afterwards because the fault of the first Concoction is not amended in the sccond by the vehement attraction of the vessels being naturally hot and dry comes and remains in the mass of the venal and arterial Blood and from the ebullition and boyling of the Blood is caried thence to and gathered in the head as their proper Receptacle 9. It is no wonder then that the head abounds with humid and moist Vapours when besides these there are many external Causes which concurr to produce this effect such as the Retention of usual Evacuations the South Winds c. 10. This is plain in the present Case because the hot and dry constitution of the Vessels of sanguification are discern'd by these signs Galen proposes to wit the Coldness and weakness of the Stomach in digesting which proceeds either from its inequal temperature or from some hurt receiv'd from an external object and defluxions from the Head often falling down thither 11. As to this Gentlemans Head which did abound from his younger years with an Excrementitious humidity the reason must be That it being hoter than what it should be did attract too readily the serous matter and for the above-mentioned Causes did cherish and nourish the same 12. Next as to the great pains he endured about the Temples the reason thereof is the matter still encreasing and growing outragious did endeavour an Egress and so did vellicate the sensible parts the too great humidity of the Brain did dull and blunt the Internall senses and did also Cause a kind of dullness and torpor of the Animal Spirits which might occasion that weakness of the Brain whereof he complained 13. The reasons why his Appetite was very much abated was the falling down of the serous matter upon the Ventricle which hindered the Concoction another reason was the humectation of the Stomachical Nerves slowly exciting a sensible Appetite 14. Now follows the Indications first that the too hot and dry intemperature of the Vessels of Sanguification be corrected secondly That the matter copiously running to the Head be driven back Thirdly That the matter of the Catarrh gathered in the Head be resolved derived and evacuated 15. Now as to the first of these we prescribed him a Purgation to be taken every half year for the Evacuation of the serous humidity then a Lentive Hydragogue to be taken in the spring of the first tops or buds of Elder dryed with a slow heat the quantity of one dram in the Decoction of Prunes 16. In the fall it will be convenient to Use the syrup of Buck-thorn a description whereof you may know by Soliander and in Our Dispensatory 17. This or the like being done I advised the oppening of a Vein by which not only the serous and wheyish Blood may be deminished but all the Venial kind may be helped â—y an amicable refrigeration 18. After which this following long digestive will not be inconvenient which is to be thus prepared Take Roots of Succory one ounce and half Parsly Liquorice of each half an ounce leaves of Fumetory Centory the lesser of each one handfull and half the flowers of Elder half an handful the seeds of Fennel one dram and half boyl them in the whey of Goats milk thrice distilled strain to a pound and half and take of the decoction twice every day for the space of a fortnight four ounces 19. These being continued let him afterwards take morsels of Mechoacanna five drams with a fasting Stomach to purge withall drinking the decoction of pease for cleansing 20. Neither are sweats to be neglected on the following days but first you must take either the Electuary or Rob of dwarf Elder half an ounce dissolv'd in the water of the flowers of Elder or the spirit of dwarf Elder half an ounce mixed with the water of Fumitory two ounces or other Hydrotick Medicines as burnt Harts-horn Terra sigillata Lapis Bezoar c. 21. Lastly for Corroberating and for prevention of too great heat use often the following pouder about two hours before Meat Take Conserve of Roses Vitriolated one ounce and half species Diarrhodon Abbatis one dram the syrup of Conserve of Citron-peels a sufficient quantity make an Electuary 22. For the second to wit That the matter flowing to the Head be drawn back which I judge may be done by taking those things Inwardly which restrain and repress the crude Exhalations ascending from the Vessels of Concoction of such use are the Morsels mentioned above whereof every Evening before sleep two drams may be taken Diacydonium simplex half an ounce after meat and also the fourth part of a Confected Nutmeg being good for to Cause rest 23. Outwardly Baths of proper herbs were prescribed such as the decoctions of the flowers of Sage Bay-tree Garden Thyme the flowers of Camomil Betony and red Roses 24. Frictions and Ligatures are to be used in the time of bathings and evacuations of the Menstrua may be made by opening the Veins in the Legs Or a Cautery may be made in the left Thigh 25. As to the third viz. the attenuation derivation and evacuation of the matter flowing together inwardly we may try to Effect this by Masticatories therefore some grains of Mastick may be chewed frequently in the morning 26. Or according to Fernelius Take sugar Candy one ounce and half Mastich half an ounce Long-peper Pyrethrum staves-acre of each one dram make Pills to be put into Noduls and then to be broken between the Teeth 27. Also sternutatories may be used begining first at those more light to wit the Water of Marjoram drawing it up often when it is a little warm Or Take the Roots of Beets one ounce whole Barley Liquorice Currans of each half an ounce Water ten ounces Honey two ounces make a Decoction to a third part in the strained liquor macerate the roots of Pyrethum one dram the tops of Marjoram the seeds of Nigella of each one pugil after twenty four hours let the liquor be expressed which is to be snuft up the Nostrils pretty warm 28. Outwardly let the Air be dry and without being too warm which if otherwise by loosening the Humours would fill the Head and for convenient suffumigation you may use some of the Pouder of styrax Calamita a little of white Amber being added 29. Or troches may be made for a fumigation viz. Take styrax Calamita Benzoin of each one dram and half Tacamachacca two drams Cloves Cinnamon of each one dram Conserve of Roses a sufficient quantity for incorporating some drops of the water of Cinnamon being added make Troches for a fume for the Richer sort Musk five grains may be mixed therewith 30. Little bags for the
of which two things alone the Child was perfectly recovered II. The Falling-sickness in a Girl of fourteen years of Age. 1. This Girl had four years or more been troubled with this Disease being of a fat and corpulent Body pale Complexion smooth skin and extreamly well Featered her Parents applyed themselves to many Physicians but they all mistaking the Cause exhibited their Medicines in Vain 2. But this Maiden from her Infancy up till she was between nine and ten years of Age had been troubled with a continual running of the Nostrils which by some accident or occasion was stoped after it had been stoped half a year or somewhat more she fell into the Falling sickness 3. From whence I did Conjecture that a cold pituitous matter lodged in the Cavities of the Brain might be the Cause thereof for which reason sake I exhibited to her the following sharp Clyster 4. Take Mutton-broth twelve ounces Infusion of Crocus Metallorum three ounces Tincture of Colocynthis half an ounce Oyl two ounces mix and make a Clyster this wrought four or five times upon her whereby her Body seemed to be sufficiently opened 5. I also made a Revulsion by applying a Vesicatory to the Crown of the Head which being healed up I applyed others to the Soles of the Feet whereby a strong derivation was made 6. Six days after I gave her this Vomit Take syrup of squils an ounce and half Infusion of Crocus Metallorum half an ounce extract of black Hellebor a scruple dissolve mix and give it early in the Morning fasting this gave her eight or nine pleasant Vomits and brought forth a very great quantity of green viscous matter after which she seemed more lightsome and pleasant 7. Four days after this Vomit I gave her this following Purge Take Pilulae Rudij a dram Colocynthis in pouder a scruple Resin of Jallap ten grains with syrup of Peony make a mass adding six drops of the Oyl of Lavender divide it into four Doses to be taken every fourth Morning 8. The purging being over I gave her my Specifick Antepileptick Pouder which was given from a scruple to half a dram 9. Notwithstanding all this sixteen days after she had another fit but much more gentle than the former and of shorter continuance I then gave her a Dose of my Carthartic Argenteum viz. one whole dram mixed with six drams of the Syrup of Squils this made her to Vomit stoutly and to bring up a great deal more of that filthy viscous eruginous matter 10. Afterwards I gave her this following Pouder Take pouder of the roots and seeds of Male-peony of each one ounce Bay-berries Zedoary Rosmary of each half an ounce Misleto of the Oak six drams Peacocks-dung 4 drams Musk native Cinnabar of each two drams Ambergrise one dram make a fine Pouder and mix them Dose from a scruple to a dram every Morning and Night going to bed 11. But by reason there was a stoppage in the Head of a certain Rhume which used to flow out by the Nostrils I caused these following Errhines to be administred Take White Wine six ounces Euphorbium four grains dissolve the Euphorbium therein and let the Liquor be Injected up the Nostrils this brought much filth that way 12. Afterwards I caused her to use the following solid Errhines Take Confectio Hamech half an ounce fine Pouders of Scammony of Cambogia of Agarick of each two drams Pouder of Colocynthis Ginger of each half a dram Euphorbium in very fine Pouder ten grains mix and make a mass of solid Errhines of which little Rouls may be made to put up the Nostrils 13. These I made her use every Night or every other Night a little before she went to bed she kept them not long in her Nostrils because I desired not that they should draw very strongly but I made her use them often to accustom the humidities of the Brain to make a passage through the Nostrils which Current had been stop'd for full four years 14. And that every thing might be made more firm I applyed again Blisters to the Soles of the Feet by which a great quantity of Water was drawn out of the Head by the use of these means afore-treated within three months time she was perfectly well 15. Another Maid about sixteen years of Age was siezed with the Epilepsy as the former several things were tryed without success afterwards her Parents sent for me I looked upon her but conceived her to be past recovery however I was urged to give her somthing 16. I first purged and cleansed her Stomach then I removed the Obstructions of the Head I gave her things to comfort and fortify the Head and such things as were specificks so counted by all Physicians but all these things were done in Vain for after five Weeks time she dyed in one of her Fits 17. Being Dead a large quantity supposed to be more than a pint of a thick glutinous matter flowed from the Nostrils after which came a little Blood 18. From hence in part the Conjunct Cause of the Disease may be seen but how things were within we cannot tell her Parents not being willing to have her opened III. The Falling-sickness in another young Woman about twenty years of Age. 1. This person had been afflicted with the Falling-sickness for above two years and a quarter she was of a sanguine Complexion a very pleasant Creature but yet hitherto never had her Courses which I conceived to be the principal Cause of her Disease 2. What her other Physicians gave were mostly Specificks against an Epilepsy not reguarding at all to bring forward the Course of Nature I was sent for and upon enquiry finding the Obstruction aforesaid I forthwith gave her these following Pills it being about eight days before the change of the Moon 3. Take fine Aloes two drams Resin of Jalap Castoreum in fine Pouder of each half a dram mix them and with syrup of Garden Tansy make a mass of Pills adding also six or eight drops of the Oyl of Savin of this I gave her twenty five grains every Night for four Nights 4. After which I gave her this following Pouder Take Zedoary round Birthwort roots Bay-berries of each one ounce Borax Dittany of Creet Saffron of each one dram seeds of Nigella Calamint dryed Savin of each half an ounce red Myrrh Jallap of each two drams make a fine Pouder and mix them Dose from half a dram to a dram every Night going to bed 5. By these means the young Lady came to the benefit of Nature and her Courses came down laudably to wit in good Proportion and Colour 6. This being done I emptied her Stomach with a gentle Vomit then I drew Blysters upon both her Feet so that the Disease which used to come once a day came not above once a Month whereby I was encouraged to proceed further 7. I gave her the following Pouder Take native Cinnabar Mans Skull Misleto of the Oak of each a like
Valesius 7. Inwardly the humor was derived by a decoction of Sena and Rhubarb in which a little Cream of Tartar was dissolved which purged her well and effectually after purging I gave her Crato's Epileptick pouder which she took every Morning fasting 8. Her drink was that mentioned in the former section made of Guajacum sarsa and sarsafras the which she drunk with a prohibition from all other Liquors and by the Use whereof she found much good 9. I caused her Head to be shaved and for twelve or fourteen days to be Bathed morning and night with the powers of Amber either alone or mixed in Equal quantity with the powers of Oranges and Lemons by which the Brain and nervous parts were comforted 10. Also I ordered her to take about two drops of the Oyl of Rosemary or rather twenty drops of the Powers of the same in all her Guajacum diet which warm'd dryed and comforted the Head and Brain 11. The using of these things caused an apparent Abatement of the force of the Disease and in length of time an absolute Cure 12. However after the fits seemed to have left her they Return'd again but at larger distances of time to wit about six months I advised to the assiduous Use of the same Medicaments concluding that that which had so far weakened the Disease as to make the Intervals of each fit to be five or six Months would if constantly followed totally take away the same and so it proved she continued the use of these things for three months or more after which she was perfectly Cured nor so far as I know had ever another Paroxysm VI. An Epilepsy in an Antient Man mortal 1. This Man being sixty three years of Age was siezed with the Falling sickness as he was a rich man so nothing was wanting towards a Cure nor did he spare any Cost for to attain his wish'd for Health 2. Several Physicians had him in hand and many things were done as Cupping Blistering Bleeding Purging Exhibition of specificks but all to no purpose he dyed in the fourteenth fit at which time I was sent for 3. Immediately concluded him Incurable as soon as I saw him of which opinion I was partly because of his great years and partly because of the vehemency and long continuance of the Paroxysm 4. And indeed it was the longest For he never lived to have another but dyed as was supposed as he was Coming out of the fit at which time he Used two or three short words of Prayer and so gave up the Ghost 5. After he was Dead the body was opened as also the Head As to those Viscera in the Breast and Abdomen he might truly be said to be Eusplanchnous that is one of sound Bowels but the Cavities of the Brain abounded with a watery humour which at first was clear and viscous but being Cold thickish and white 6. And in the fore Ventricle of the Brain was found a small Blader of water as for the substance of the Brain it was free from any contamination we could discern save its Vessels were very full of Blood from which Experiment and Observation somthing more of the Cause of the Epilepsy is to be understood 7. Another antient man was seised with the Epilepsy who also dyed in a fit when his Head was opened nothing was found within the Cortex of the Brain which might be called a preternatural matter but only an Abundance of moist humor the Brain it self as it were overcome and contaminated with a moist viscous Juyce 8. Also a Woman about fifty years of Age was taken Epileptick she lived three Months in which time she took many Medicaments nor in that space was there any probable means neglected at length she dyed of a fit 9. After she was dead there was a great flux of Blood at Nose her Head being opened the Cavities of the Brain were found filled almost with Blood which could not be but by a mighty Concussion of the Brain in which through the Violence of the Agitation some of the Blood-vessells chiefly the Arteries thereof must be broken 10. Indeed the whole Head was so full of Blood when it was opened that by reason thereof we could not make any singular Inspection into any other parts of the same 11. A Child also about a year and half old was seised with Epileptick fits and dyed in its fourth fit the Head being opened the whole Brain was so contaminated that it seem'd to be nothing but a mass of filthiness and putrefaction 12. Many of the like Examples we have seen but the most of those which were of grown years and dyed by force and violence of the Disease had either a bladder of water lodged in the Cavities of the Brain or the said Cavities were repleat with a watery humor or the substance of the Brain was continued with a viscous humidity LONDON Printed for Th. Dawks and L. Curtiss The Chapter of the Falling-sickness continued Numb 63. VII The Falling-sickness in a little Boy 1. This little Youth by reason of a fright fell into fits not very unlike those which we call Fits of the Mother which fits by degrees and length of time degenerated into a true Epilepsy 2. The Child was the only hope of its Parents and Heir to all their Fortunes which made them so much the more concerned for his Cure he first fell into the Hands of several Men of great repute and fame for their Learning but chiefly for their knowledge in Physick these men did him no good at all mistaking the Cause of the Disease 3. For when he was a little Infant he had a sore in one of his Leggs near the Ankle this drying up or being healed by Art without purging brought upon him an evil habit of Body so that he often complained of a heaviness or dull pain of his Head 4. From whence I conceive that the Disease might rather be caused from the Translation of the matter to the Brain than from any fright how great and sudden soever though I believe Nature might take advantage thereby to make the first manifestation of the Disease and no further I believe it to be a Cause 5. The first thing I did in order to this Cure was to make a couple of Issues the one on the same Legg where the Sore formerly was the other on the Thigh of the other Legg 6. This done I applyed Vesicatories first to the Soles of the Feet then to the Nape of the Neck upon the Vertebrae thereof also I made a gentle kind of Revulsion by Sternutatories and Errhines applyed to the Nostrils 7. I purged him gently with Sena stewed with Prunes which was repeated five or six times and was indeed all the purges I gave him 8. Afterwards I caused him to take my specifick magistral Antipileptick Pouder and to continue the same for two or three months 9. His Drink I ordered to be a Decoction made as follows Take Guajacum Sarsa Sarsafras
them for three doses to be taken early in the morning 14. These things are to be taken spring and Fall and you may add if you please to the Decoction one dram of black Hellebor After purgation both the Head and Stomach is to be strengthened with Electuaries and apt Confects of Diagalanga Aromaticum Rosatum Diacorus Conserves of Rosemary Peony Betony and bastard Lovage add the pouder of the seeds and roots of Peony and the like with the syrup of Betony and Calamint 15. Also for the purgation of the Head there are first to be given Apophlegmatisms Errhins Gargarisms 16. Lastly if these things should not help I would use the decoction of Lignum Guajacum some Peony-root being added Forestus lib. 10. Observ 63. LXII The Falling-sickness in a Boy by Consent from the Stomach 1. This Child of eight years old having exercised himself more than was convenient by play on the walls of Delf fell down on the ground by a Vertigo from whence being very carelessly caried away into a House he was taken miserably with such a sudden violent Convulsion and long continuing Epilepsy that the Paroxysm lasted for four whole hours 2. I came to him in this deplorable Condition out of which he could not be raised though there were applyed Ligatures and Frictions to the Inferiour parts and his Feet with the soles of them were rub'd with Salt and Vinegar 3. And seeing his Mandibles did continually move and were distorted I put a wedge of Wood between his Teeth that he might not cut his Tongue and that the Flegm might more conveniently flow out of his Mouth Rue also being rub'd between his Hands was put up his Nostrils 4. And when he could not yet be raised by what was before applyed I took a feather dipt in the following mixture which I put into his Jaws to provoke him to Vomit 5. For the Child as it was related by one of his Play-fellows that was present when he fell did complain as if he had been before his fall disposed to Vomit I gave him a lincture in a spoon his Teeth being separated and his Jaw-bone being opened then I anointed his Jaws with a wet feather or quill 6. Take Oxymel simple of squills syrup of Staechas of each one ounce mix them and then together the Back-bone was anointed beginning at the neck and descending to the Inferiour parts with the following Oyls Take Oyls of Rue and of sweet Marjoram of each three drams Oyl of Cinnamon one dram mix them 7. Let the futures be also anointed a third part of hot Waters being added that they may acquire a penetration 8. While we continued in this Course the Child about half an hour after the lincture vomited much water and pituitous matter and at length was freed from his fit 9. I put also about his Neck according to the Judgment of Galen a quadrangular Bag in which was the root of green Peony bruised it did hang so far down as to touch the Ventricle 10. Now when he had done Vomiting and was delivered from his fit he came to himself and could then tell how he felt a pain in his Stomach before he fell into the Epilepsy which before he was never troubled with 11. Moreover I commanded lest he might again be assaulted with the like violent Paroxysm he should take for the two next days the following decoction Take Betony Sage bastard Lovage of each one handful Mint Calamint Wormwood either of the two of each half an handful roots of Peony half an ounce seeds of Peony two drams the seeds of yellow Carrots Annise of each one dram the leaves of Sena six drams Agarick trochiscated one dram Raisons stoned one ounce Liquorice scraped half an ounce boyl them in common water to eight ounces press hard out add the honey of Roses strained the syrup of Staechas of each one ounce mix them for two doses to be taken in the Morning 12. Afterwards having anointed his Belly whith the Oyls of Spicknard of Wormwood and of Mastich it being sufficiently loose he grew very well for the future and never had any more fits Forestus lib. 10. Observ 64. LXIII The Falling-sickness in a little Boy of three years old 1. A little Boy of three years old was seized with an Epilepsy who did void dead Worms together with his Excrements I thought as it does appear very largely in my Scholia he might have fallen into his Epilepsy by reason of foul stinking Vapours which were carried up into his Head 2. But having given him the following pouder in distill'd waters he grew well immediately thereafter Take Wormseed the pouder of the roots of Peony Agarick trochiscated of each half a scruple Diamoschi Dulcis one scruple syrup of Vinegar simple half an ounce Waters of Wormwood Baum of each one ounce mix them 3 I allow in the Intervals of the fits that he take often Worm-seeds rould in sugar For by the sweetness of the sugar Children are allur'd to swallow the seeds and the worms as it were more commodiously deceived 4. Having taken these things and the Worms being voided he was hapily dilivered from his Epileptick Convulsion Forrestus lib. 10. Observ 65. LXIV The Falling-sickness arising from the Womb. 1. A certain Gentlewoman of the age of twenty years in the Spring fell into an Epilepsy by reason of the Restriction of her Terms who with her Aunt came to me 2. And having understood the cause of this Malady her body being first prepared by purgations I ordered the opening of the Saphaena Vein in her Foot 3. She had her Terms as soon as the blood gushed out and taking every Morning the bigness of a Chesnut of this Confection she had no more fits 4. Take Conserve of flowers of Rosemary one ounce and a half Conserve of the flowers of Bugloss half an ounce the species Diamoschi Dulcis one dram and a half the pouder of the roots of Peony one dram and a half the seeds of Peony pulverised four scruples the seed of Juniper pulverised half a scruple with the syrup of staechas a sufficient quantity make a Confect 5. When she had used that having breathed a Vein she grew well and was never all her Life time obnoxious to any one fit 6. A certain Woman at the Breil was freed from an Epileptick fit by putting up a sharp Pessary into her womb and hanging the following nodule about her Neck that the smell might alwayes come into her Nostrils 7. Take Assa faetida one dram Castoreum one scruple make a nodule to smell to and likeways I ordered the root of Peony to be hung about her Neck so as that it might touch the Ventricle and to bind her Belly with a large swathing-band least the suffocating Vapour ascend upwards 8. Let her take also a decoction of Sage Bettony Bawm Mugwort Penny-royal Hyssop roots and seeds of Peony with the leaves of Sena 9. By which remedies her fits returned not again to the Amazement of all by-standers
discreetly administred availed her any thing it being the unhappy custom and practise of her and her Freinds to change often both Physician and method of Physick if the expected Event did not happily follow and court every Emperick and outlandish Mountebank for a Cure 9. The Vertiginous disposition accompanied with a short Delirium being the forgoer of the Epilepsy it plainly denotes the cause of this Distemper being planted in the middle of the Brain has its dependance upon a certain Inordination of the spirits viz. 10. Those Inhabiting there began to admit at first an heterogeneous Copula which being heaped up plentifully and moved either of its own accord or accidentally while it was shaken of moved and inferred those Distempers by reason of the spirits being molested and not yet very Explosive afterwards she gradually growing worse the perturbations of the spirits did excite their manifest Explosions and turn'd the Vertigo and Delirium into the Epilepsy 11. From hence it must doubtlessly follow the Maid being sick about her ripe age that as the Natural so the preternatural ferment Explicates it self first at that time wherefore as it falls out that the menstruous purgations do then burst forth so the seeds of the Falling-sickness whether Innate or acquired then budded forth a little and by degrees were ripened to fruit 12. When the preternatural ferment first appeares oft times the natural following it defaces and blots it out hence the Epilepsy of young ones goes no further than puberty or ripe age 13. But if that ferment or taint of the Disease happens after the Menstruous flux or together with it and ceases not presently it for the most part remaines during Life unconquerable and not to be vanquished by any remedies 14. If a Cautery by chance being made on this sick person freed her from fits of the Disease it may then be very justly concluded that fontanels or Issues may be advantagiously administred in the Cure of the Epilepsy 15. For wheresoever an Emissary is opened for the constant Evacuation of the serours water both from the Blood and Nervous juice there flows out with it very many Heterogeneous and morbifick particles that thereby the Brain might be freed and discharged from the Disease Willis de Convulsivis Cap. 3. Observ 1. LXXVII Epilepsy Ideopathick Or Originally in the Head 1. A Brewers Daughter of Oxford had been from her Infancy very subject to a Rheum in her Eyes otherwise of a strong and healthfull constitution being daily accustomed and inured to hard Labour 2. About the fourteenth year of her Age she began to be afflicted with Epileptick fits which she had near the greater Changes of the moon 3. Being invited to her Cure I gave her a Vomit of Precipitate Solar and ordered it to be renew'd three days before every New and Full Moon besides that she should take twice in a day a dram of male-peony root in pouder with a draught of black Cherry water 4. There happened so long an Intermission of the fits by virtue of these Medicines that she seem'd to approach very near to a Cure afterwards when they returned the very same Medicines recovered her and then the Menstruous flux breaking forth and keeping its true Periods she was for the future happily delivered from that Disease 5. I think it not amiss in the curing of the Epilepsy to begin with a Cathartick but if the sick can easily endure Vomiting first let an Emetick be administred and repeated for several months four days before the full of the Moon 6. For Infants and Youths may be prescribed wine of squills mixed with the fresh Oyl of sweet Almonds as also salt of Vitriol from half a scruple to one scruple 7. Those of riper years and of a stronger constitution may take the following Medicines Take of Crocus Metallorum or Mercurius vitae four grains to six or Mercurius dulcis sixteen grains to one scruple bruise them together in a Mortar mix them with the pap of a roasted Apple or Conserve of Burrage one ounce make a Bolus 8. Or you may take an Infusion of Crocus Metalorum or Mercurius vitae in spanish wine from half an ounce to one ounce and half Or take of Emetick Tartar of Mynsicht four grains to six 9. They who are of a weaker and tenderer Constitution let them take of the salt of Vitriol one scruple to half a dram and half an hour after let them drink several pints of posset drink and then provoke and reiterate Vomiting by puting a Feather or Finger down the Throat 10. The day after Vomiting unless there be a just cause of forbearance let the Blood be taken out of the Arm or from the Hemorrhoid Veins with a Leech then the next day after let a purging Medicine be taken which may be repeated constantly four days before every new Moon 11. Take resine of Jalap half a scruple Mercurius dulcis one scruple of Castor three grains of Conserve of the flowers of Peony one ounce make all into a Bolus 12. Take pil faetidae the greater two scruples pil Histericae a sufficient qantity make thereof five pills 13. Take of the strings of black Hellebore macerated in Vinegar dry'd and poudered half an ounce of Ginger half a scruple of the salt of Wormwood twelve grains of the Oyl of Amber two drops make a pouder and give it in the pap of an Apple 14. Take of the powder of Hermodactils compound one ounce of humane skull prepared six grains make a pouder let it be given in a draught of the Decoction of Hyssop or Sage 15. On the days wherein they do not purge let there be Administred specifick remedies morning and evening about the time of the change of the Moon For in these there is vertue as is said to Cure this Disease by a certain Innate and secret Energy of these there are a great many to be found and are prescribed in various forms of Compositions 16. The most simple Medicines which experience has found to be very successful are the roots of the male Peony and the seeds of the same Take of the roots of the male Peony powdered and dried one dram to two or three give it twice a day in the following Tincture 17. Take leaves of missletoe of the Oak two ounces of the root of Peony sliced half an ounce of Castor one ounce put them into a close Vessel with simple water of Betony or Peony and white wine of each one pound of the salt of missletoe of the Oak or the common missletoe two ounces let them digest close in hot sand for two days take three ounces with a dose of the aforesaid powder 18. The poorer sort of people may take of the aforesaid powder in a decoction of Hyssop or Castor made with fair water and white Wine 19. Cut also the root of Peony into little bits and being strung upon a thred hung about the Neck I suppose both after the manner of a Neck-lace and also so as to touch
tedious and violent and a watery humor flows forth at the Nostrils it will be good to shave the Head of the Child and to apply a Vesicatory over the whole Head this I have known sometimes to Cure at the first drawing it may be repeated if occasion be two or three times 8. It cannot be done in vain but with great advantage to the Sick forasmuch as that the watery juyce or degenerated Lympha which is the Conjunct Cause of the Disease is clearly drawn away 9. And this is more admirably done and with greater advantage in Infants than in persons of elder years because as yet in Children the Sutures of the Skull are not perfectly closed whereby not only the aforesaid degenerated Lymphatick Juyce but also the preternatural Vapours lodged in the Cavities of the Brain are drawn forth 10. This done the Soar being healed we must make use of Discussives of which the Powers of Amber are of mighty force being Bathed upon the whole Head so all the Powers of Sage Rosemary Lavender sweet Marjoram Thyme Tansey Featherfew Savory and such like 11. For they pierce and penetrate through the flesh Pericranium and softness of the Skull whereby not only the Menings of the Brain but the Brain it self are marvellously dryed comforted and strengthened and the Animal Spirits themselves recreated 12. The Temples Forehead and Nostrils ought to be bathed with the same and this ought to be done twice a day for two or three Weeks together 13. After which the Epileptick Emplaster of Franciscus Valesius may be applyed to the Coronal Sutures for as much as it is said that that Plaster alone never fails of the Cure the Composition and Preparation whereof you may see sect 73. § 4. aforegoing of this Chapter 14. Moreover it will be profitable that the the Hands and Feet should be bathed with these Potestates or Powers aforenamed not only because it might probably have a rise from those parts but also by reason of the consent and sympathy of the same 15. The third Intention consists in the exhibiting of proper Specificks if the Child be two three or more years old the Gilla Theophrasti or Salt of Vitriol may be profitably given 16. For as Paracelsus says They are specificks in rooting out the Falling-sickness especially in Children for by gentle Convulsions of the Stomach they cause Vomiting whereby the root of the peccant matter is taken away the Stomach cleansed and strengthened from whence an laudible Chyle is generated whereby strong and salutiferous Spirits are bred in the Heart and Brain 17. This same salt of Vitriol may be given two three or four times according as you see the Disease increase and it is so safe that it may be given even to young Children the Dose to Children is ten grains to half a dram according to their Age and Strength 18. If it be given by a wise Hand it will not only evacuate the humor upward but also derive a part of the morbifick Cause downwards 19. Some commend Hiera picra or the Infusion thereof in a proper Liquour truly the thing is good but 't is too bitter to be given to Children 20. The following things I have proved as Specificks in this Case Take pouder of Male-peony seeds and roots of each one dram and half pouder of Mans skull salt of Hartshorn and pouder of Nutmegs of each a dram Elks-hoof prepared half a dram mix them in a fine Pouder Dose from 15 grains to half a dram 21. Take Castoreum a dram and half prepared Amber half a dram pouder of Peony-seeds and Peacocks dung of each two scruples Oyl of Lavender ten drops mix them Dose ten grains to a scruple 22. Take Nutmegs a scruple pouder of Peony-roots and seeds of each two scruples Misleto of the Oak one dram Castoreum Mans skull prepared Musk in fine pouder of each four scruples mix them together and make an Electuary with the Extract of black Cherries Dose one dram to two drams giving after it a little Cinnamon water 23. Take Tincture of Castoreum Tincture of Mans skull of each an ounce Tincture of Lavender-flowers Tincture of Saffron of each six drams spirit of Mans skull half an ounce Powers of Amber two drams mix them the Dose one dram or more in proper Liquor 24. Take Water of the flowers of the Line-tree Water of the flowers of the Lilly Convally of each six ounces syrup of the juyce of Alkermes syrup of the juyce of Male-peony-flowers of each four ounces spirit of Angelica the greater Composition spirit of Castor of each three ounces strong Cinnamon-water Aqua Coelestis of each two ounces and half Powers of Rosemary Sage Lavender Origanum and sweet Marjoram of each half an ounce white sugar enough to sweeten them well mix all together and so you have a Liquor whitish red of which you may give the Child half a spoonful every Morning and Evening alone or in a glass of Sack 25. With this following Pouder I have cured several Take choice Musk one dram Ambergrise Cochineal Salt of Mans skull of each a scruple mix and make a Pouder which may be given with a little Conserve of red Roses drinking after it a Glass of choice Canary 26. Also our Epileptick Pouder which we have commended in the Cure of the Vertigo is inferiour to very few things 27. Riverius commends this Take Peony-seeds a dram and half Lavender-flowers a pugil Amber two scruples make a fine pouder 28. Columna saith That the root of Wild Valerian given in pouder in Milk has cured very many 29. Vntzerus commends the Gall of a black sucking Puppy but of a Bitch for a Girl to be taken to three or four drops in Tile-flower water he saith it will cure to a Miracle 30. Riverius commends the Back-bone and the Members contracted to be anointed with this following Liniment Take Oyl of Rue Oyl of Earthworms of each two ounces Oyl of Castor a dram and with a little Aqua Vitae make a Liniment it ought to be well rub'd in twice a day Morning and Evening 31. That learned Man and great Chymist Maxy commended to me this as a great secret that would never fail Take Venice Treacle Confect of Alkermes of each half an ounce salt of Mans skull fine pouder of Cocheneel Musk in subtle pouder of each two drams Ambergrise a dram mix and make an Electuary of which the quantity of a Nutmeg may be given the Child every Morning 32. He also commended to me salt of Vipers mixed with equal parts of salt of Mans skull and Musk as a remedy that had scarcely any equal 33. Moreover he told me from manifold and large experiences that all fixt Alchalies if often and long taken would infallibly Cure this Disease for that they enervated the Acid juyce and the sowerness of the Blood which he conceived to be the Cause of this Disease 34. And that he knew more to be cured by taking of Volatile and Fixt Alchalies such as are Salt
the forces or strength of the Sick so much as to put the life of the Patient into apparent danger or at least make the disease incurable for as much as the Sick has a very strong and Giant-like disease to contend with all and it requires all the skill and wit of the Physician to conserve the strength and Vigor of the diseased for if that be impared by unnecessary bleedings or loss of blood that loss you will afterwards find but to the Cost of the Sick to be altogether irreparable 4. Sennertus a man as much for bleeding as most Physicians prescribes it with very much caution as first if signs of Plenitude appear which although we admit not of yet we make the construction thereof to be if there be any extravasation of blood and that in our Opinion can only be truly called plenitude and then it is reasonable that that which nature has cast forth and does daily cast forth should be taken away and this is known by one evident and manifest sign viz. that the Sick is very apt either to bleed at Nose or else to spit Blood and that in large quantities In this cause as also where the blood is mixt with much Melancholy the same Author would have bleeding immediatly and in the first place to be attempted a Clyster or proper purge being before hand given and then also you ought not to draw away the Blood largely but sparingly 5. In malo verò in veterato venae Sectio tutò omittitur but if the disease is inveterate old or stubborn and rebelious blood letting may saith he in his Practise lib. 1. par 2. cap. 31. be safely omitted and that doubtless for the reasons by us already declared 6. In the next place the morbifick cause is to be carried off by due purging And this according to the mind of Erastus is not to be don only twice thrice or four times but to be continued even for some months the Purgatives ought not to be too violent but according to the strength and constitution of the Body of the Patient and to be re-iterated every third or fourth day But when you see the Animal faculties begin to be restored and the symptoms apparently to remit purgation ought to be used the more seldom as once in seven or nine days but yet at that rate to be continued for at least a year 7. And this is truely the reason why many afflicted with stuborn Epilepsies have mist of a Cure because as well as specificks proper and long exercise of purgation has been pre-remitted for which cause sake when the Sick has been in an apparent hopeful way of Cure the Physician or his Epileptick has given over too soon the necessary and proper evacuation But at length Purging may be defered to longer space of time as to once a month c. moreover you ought to begin with the more gentle things and then by degrees to administer the stronger till you come to the strongest of all but in this Case the body and constitution of the Sick and your own reason ought to guid you 8. Among the more profitable Purges Agrick in a cold moist viscous and pituitous constitution is said to have the preceedency and after that Jallap and Mechoacan or rather Elaterium and Cambogia In a Cholerick habit authors highly prize Rhubarb and that not undeservedly and next after that choice Aloes Colocynthis and Scammony In a Melancholy habit Hellebor bears away the bell and next after that the best Alexandrian Sena and in this latter case a proper mixtion of Colocynthis and Scamony cannot be amiss how ever we will not only give them the names of some of the principal purges but we will also give you some brief forms of purging 9. Purging Decoctions Take any proper specifick Decoction quantitate sufficiente boyl or infuse therein Agarick trochiscated six drams choice Sena one ounce Ginger Galangal of each one dram strain six ounces thereof and sweeten it with two ounces of Honey of Roses for two Doses Or if the Stomach be very foul make a Decoction of Groundsel in Water or Wine which strain and sweeten and exhibit to six ounces or more but if the Decoction be made in distilled water from Peony or other Antepileptick Herbs 't will be so much the better 10. Purging Syrups Take syrupus de spina cervina one ounce and half syrup of Damask Roses one ounce mix them for a Dose Or Take syrup of Buckthorn Oxymel of squils of each ten drams Wine of squils half an ounce mix for a Dose Or Take Peony roots gathered in a fit time one ounce true Acorus Misletoe of the Oak of each half an ounce Hysop Betony Sage Rue Prim-rose leaves Carduus Benedictus seeds of Peony and Fennel of each two drams flowers of the Tile-tree of Lilly-convally of Primroses of each two handfulls polypody of the Oak of each half an ounce choice Sena two ounces Carthamus seeds hul'd one ounce Agarick trochiscated six drams strings of black Hellebor prepared half an ounce Ginger Galangal of each two drams Citron peels Nutmegs of each one dram Infuse all in quantitate sufficiente of Peony water afterwards boyl gently and strain and make it into a syrup with white Sugar to which add Oxymel of squills three ounces dose two ounces or more Oxymel Helleborated is mightily commended by Gesner and others so also Syrupus Helleboratus Quercetani 11. Purging Wines Take Mechoacan half an ounce choice Sena an ounce Gummy turbith six drams Ginger Galangal Cinnamon Nutmegs of each one dram Cloves grains of Paradice of each half a dram flowers of Lilly-convally Arabian Stoechas of each a pugil Rhenish wine a pint bruise all and infuse in a Glass close stop't in a warm place strain and filter through brown paper and sweeten with white sugar dose two ounces some commend the Vinum Helleboratum Vinum Antimoniale and infusion of Crocus Metallorum or of the flowers of Antimony to the skies and that not undeservedly if given by a prudent hand so also the dissolution of Sal Vitrioli in Rhenish Or this following of Erastus Take roots and seeds of Peony of each a dram and half Cinnamon Mace Galangal Ginger Cloves of each one dram Sena one ounce Turbith or Agarick six drams Wine twelve ounces Peony water eight ounces digest twenty four hours sweeten with sugar three ounces and then strain through Hippocrates his sleeve for three or four doses many more excellent wines for this purpose you may find in Our Pharmacopaeia and Doron lately published 12. Purging Electuaries Take Electuarium Diaphoenicon three ounces de succo rosarum two ounces and half Antidote Convulsive two ounces Turbith Esula prepared of each a dram Castoreum Scamony of each two scruples Costus Ginger Cloves of each one scruple Saffron seeds of Cumin and Rue of each ten grains with syrup of Roses solutive make an Electuary dose half an ounce to an ounce The Antidotus Convulsiva is thus made Take Misletoe of the
small Pulse heart-burning desperation Convulsion of the Jaws shortness of Breath distortion of Eyes a notable grinding of his Teeth all which were joined with a vain endeavour to Vomit and argued either that he had taken Poyson or that he had a worm in his Entrals 3. Wherefore he drank store of Oyl blood-warm by help whereof he vomited abundance of eruginous or Verdigreece colour'd Choler with exceeding great straining and so was freed from his present oppression after two months were over his fiery Liver being habitually distempered and apt ro breed a like humor raised the same yea a more dreadful tragedy 4. For he raved three whole days together was speechless and vomiting up the same kind of humor by help of Milk he was freed from his fit 5. The original of this Malady was 〈◊〉 into and it was the unanimous opinion of all the Physicians That it did proceed from a hot distemper of his Liver which bred this pernicious and venomous humor 6. Remedies are provided 〈◊〉 strengthen the Liver and withal to temper the dryness and asswage the Inflamation thereof a cooling diet and a due order is prescribed in all the six non-natural things 7. Cooling potions are given him to drink and like Medicaments ate outwardly applied Baths of fresh water are injoyned whey is given qualified with store of cooling simples 8. A Vein is opened in the upper and lower part An Issue is made in his Legg Leeches are frequently applied to the hemorrhoidal Veins 9. Lastly nothing is left unattempted but all in vain For every month the Convulsion returned attended with cruel symptoms 10. In conclusion this Lion-like Disease was conquered by Blood-letting celebarated in the Salvatella vein of the right Hand which being sparingly practised every month he was perfectly cured of his Convulsion Zacutus Lusitanus lib. 1. Observ 40. XLVI A Convulsion in a Infant 1. An Infant its former Nurse being dead did suck the Milk of another whereupon his whole Body was defiled with many Ulcers Physicians being advised with said the Milk of this second Nurse was exceeding good because the Woman had all the signs and qualifications of a good Nurse 2. I being sent for was of a contrary mind because she had her Courses For this blood being moved provokes Lust troubles the Body heats the humors pollutes the pure Blood which is to make Milk and when the Blood flows in its monthly Course the Milk is abated because the substance of the Milk and the Courses are one and the same 3. For this cause ugly colours loathing of Meats vomitings loosness of the Belly slight Feavers pustles upon the skin and Ulcers arise since by the mixture of most filthy Blood collected for the monthly evacuation the other Blood which was provided before for the Infants Nourishment doth contract such a pollution that it puts on the nature of Poison rather than of Nutriment 4. Hence Infants have their Epilepsies Convulsions shortness of breath leanness and other grievous maladies since from the Womb to the Dugs there is a very great entercourse and sympathy These things being propounded in consultation the other Physicians recanted their former Judgment and ascented to me 5. Then was the Infant delivered to another Nurse that was not menstruous by her to be suckled hence it came to pass that for a month together the Infant having used this new Milk became fatter and the Ulcers being dryed and covered with Scars it grew more goodly and recovered its former habit of Body Zacutus Lusitanus lib. 1. Observ 118. XLVII A Convulsion arising from Worms 1. Trincavallus a most substantial Author relates That he had seen Children so troubled with the Worms that they were convulsed backwards so that their Heels did almost touch their Heads 2. When I first read this Authors experiment I exceedingly wondred at it hardly believing that the Leggs could be so far bowed backwards as to touch the Head when being once called to cure the Son of a certain Gold-smith I find him taken with this kind of Convulsion which was accompanied with shaking Anxiety and a mighty Belly-ach at fits 3. I was amazed at the strangeness of the Example suspecting that he was poysoned I gave him Treacle returning home I presently called to mind the story of Trincavallus 4. Anon after I went to see the Patient I made him a Clyster of Milk and Sugar and after that I gave him a Clyster of Milk Aloes and the juyce of Garlick 5. I gave him six Pills of a dram of Aloes and a scruple of Dittamnus with half a scruple of Treacle being hereby sufficiently purged he was never the better 6. The next day following I caused him to take three Pills made of Snake-Wood Aloes Myrrh with Juice of Wormwood and Mints and the Gall of a Bull. 7. After he had taken them he saints away and being griped he voided with his Dung two black round Worms and beyond hope recovered of this grievous Malady Zacutus Lusitanus Lib. 2. Observ 34. XLVIII A Convulsion happening in Winter-time 1. An exceeding bold Dutch-man in the middle of Winter went into the River contrary to the advice of his Freinds and staied therein half an hour after he came out his yard was so writhen and distended by way of Convulsion that as often as he made water he pist in hâ—s own Face unless he held his Hands at his Navel to keep the Urine off 2. This Disease arising from an external Cause viz the Coldness of the Water was in a months time cured without any Remedies respecting the whole Body 3. For after a Fomentation made of a Decoction of Betony Rue Sage Bazil Peny-royal Calamints Staechas and Rosemary and a Liniment made of Oyl of Aniseeds of Turpentine Earth-Worms of Foxes Castoreum Rue with Aqua vitae and strong Wine his yard by little and little returned to its former Condition Zacut. Lusitan Prax. admir Lib. 3. Obser 114. XLIX A Convulsion in a young man from drinking Wine 1. I shall recount a prety-conceited but yet a mortal Story being sent for some years ago to visit a Master of a Tavern or Inn as I alighted from my horse two Scholars came and met me very ingenious Persons both they knowing me were ready enough to speak yea very talkative but being benumed in their Legs elevated in their Mind not able to speak plain like Fools and Mad-men they gave a Bowl full Wine to my Foot-Boy to drink 2. This being done one of them being in a Chair made this merry Discourse for he was well seen in Humanity said Wine is the sweet Milk of Venus so faith Apuleius in his Golden Ass it is the Milk of old men as Avicencia saith if is a rare Help for such as are sad melancholick and fly the Company of Men for it cheers the Heart of man according to the Scripture and since it is exceeding like unto our Nature it quickly breeds brisk Spirits with the scarcity whereof those that are troubled they
Plaisters and Cataplasms be laid to the soals of the Feet and other means of administration such as are commonly prescribed for the curing of the stupor or insensibleness ought to be used 48. In like manner if on the evil days or Crisis of this Feaver a Phrensie or Madness should come remedies appropriate to those distempers made use of 49. Secondly But if either with or without this sort of displeasure brought to the Head the Lungs also have taken the evil of this Disease so that the sick not yet free from the Feaver seems to fall into a wasting or Consumption with a troublesom Cough with abundance of thick and often discoloured spittle Medicines commonly prescribed for such kind of distempers are convenient enough 50. Wherefore pectoral Decoctions Electuaries Syrups distill'd Waters of Milk and Snails and other Remedies of the like nature ought diligently to be made use off the Forms of which may be found in the before described Cases 51. Thus far we have described the continual Feaver for the most part convulsive and arising no less from the fault of the nervous Juice than of the Blood I will here farther propose an Example of a Disease having the likeness of an intermitting Feaver but radicated chiefly in the nervous Juice the nature of which kind of Distemper for that is very rare and truly pertinent to our convulsive Pathology will appear from the following History 52. A noted Woman very young and indued with a more weak Constitution of Brain and nervous Stock and for causes very obnoxious to convulsive Distempers after she had conceived with Child about the fourth Month of her being big cold being taken she was greivously afflicted with asthmatical Fits and besides with a frequent sinking down of her Spirits 53. But by the use of Remedies indued with a volatile Salt she grew well within a fortnights space but after that about fourteen days an unwonted and truly admirable Distemper fell upon this Gentlewoman 54. One Morning awaking after an unqiuet Sleep that night she felt a light shivering over all her Body as if she had had the Fit of an Ague frâ—quent Yawnings and Reachings with an endeavour to vomit followed thereupon 55. And then her Urine which was but now of a Citron Colour and of a laudable Substance became pale and waterish moreover about her Loins and Hypochondria and in other places Pains with light Convulsions running about here and there were excited 56. Which kind of Symptoms plainly convulsive with her frequent making a of limpid Urine continued in the Morning almost to Evening in which space of time a great quantity of water at least three times more than the Liquor she had taken was rendred in the mean time neither was the Heat great nor did Thirst trouble her nor was her Pulse increased 57 In the Evening the aforesaid Distempers ceased and her Urine became of a Citron Colour and moderate and besides all night she enjoyed a moderate Sleep then in the Morning following about the same hour the Fit returned accompaned altogether with the like Symptoms and so dayly acted the same Tragedy 58. Visiting this Gentlewoman after she had been sick in this manner for twelve days I framed the Aethioloâ—y of the aforesaid Case to wit that this Disease chiefly radical in the nervous Stock did depend upon the Effervescenoy and Flux of the Humor watering the nervous Parts 59. For it might be suspected that this water being diffused from the Blood made degenerate by reason of the suppression of her Terms upon the Brain and nervous Stock became more sharp and serous than it ought to be and for that Cause incongruous to the containing Parts 60. Wherefore being gathered together to a plenitude by the nights sleep did provoke them and stirr them up for the expulsion of it every where into wrinklings and contractions hence shiverings yaunings stretchings and wondring pains were excited in the whole Body 61. Furthermore from the solid parts after this manner contracted and shaken not only the nervous liquour but also the nutritious every where laid up the solid parts but not truly assimulated were shaken of 62. And then either Latex being exterminated from its receptacles and received by the Veins or Lymphaducts or water-carrying Vessels was rendred to the mass of blood from whose bosom before it had acquired a Lixival tincture from it being at last cast forth by the reins constituted a clear and copious Ruin 63. But that this distemper observed such exact periods the reason is because the nervous water being supplied with an equal dimension did arise to a fulness of runing over daily at the set time 64. Therefore also the urine appeared concocted and yellow before and after the fit because then its matter consisted only from the Serum of the blood afterwards during the convulsive fit the limpid humor being shaken off from the solid and nervous parts and passing quickly thorough the blood adulterated the colour and quantity of the urine 65. I prescribed to this big-bellied Woman Phlebotomy and besides a pouder composed out of Coral Pearls Ivory and other Cardiacks to be taken thrice in a day in a proper liquor 66. Morning and Evening she took of the Tincture of Antimony twelve drops whose singular effect in the too great flux of urin I have many times experienced by the use of these all the symptoms ceased in a short time Willis de morbis convulsivis cap. 8. LIX A Convulsion in a young Maiden 1. I was sent for some years since to come and visit a noble Virgin who was sick almost after the same manner but somthing worse For these almost perpetual involuntary motions came by turns to wit shakings of the Head and members or defluctions or movings about here and there 2. Besides she was afflicted with a very troublesom and wonderful Convulsion of the Diaphragma and Muscles serving for breathing For every minute of an hour and oftner her back-bone was suddenly bent in about its middle and together her Brest shooting out forward 3. And her Hypocondria being drawn inwards she made a loud sobbing now double now threefold but still with a less and less noise 4. This kind of motion and ebbing of a crashing noise was wont to come for many hours and so that she might be heard through the whole house 5. And when any short interval of this hapned she was compelled presently to shake or writh together her Arms and Hands and somtimes her Legs and Feet and also to fling about most furiously her Head and by and by to hold her Neck as if it were stiff and unmoveable 6. And then in speaking her Tongue would be taken after that manner that she would repeat the same word very often yea somtimes twenty times at least 7. When the convulsive motions tormented her stongly in her outward Members she was free a little while from that noise in the Throat and this space of intermission she called her time of ease 8. Tho'
the Knee and the part affected is to be kept tyed till the malignant vapour and the sense of pain shall altogether vanish away 4. And if the vellication and pricking should longer continue then the ligature may be somtimes loosned whereby the member may more liberally receive the blood and the enlivening spirit which being done let him presently bind on the ligature and so let him proceed alternately until there be a remission which pain and vellication at length ceasing he may unbind the Ligature 5. This being done let him take one dram of the convulsive powder or half an ounce of the counvulsive Antidote well dissolved in a little broth for defending the Brain and principal members and dissipating the venomous vapours in the same 6. But if that malignant humor give him so long thruce as to lie in Bed then he may if strength will permit cover himself well with coverings till he sweat and so those vapours by insensible transpiration be evaporated 7. These Remedies are to be alternatly reiterated even till a total intermission of the Disease and pain which being done let him the next day take for a purge half an ounce of the purging Electuary Observing all things exactly according to former prescriptions Georgius Horstius lib. 8. cap. 7. LXX Other universal remedies designed for the cure of this Disease 1. Of these there are chiefly three to wit the purging convulsive Electuary the convulsive Antidote and the convulsive Powder 2. The first viz. the puging convulsive Electuary is this Take Diaphaenicum Solidum four ounces the Electuary of the juice of Roses two ounces and half the convulsive Antidote or Treacle here described two ounces the powder of Hermodacts cleansed from the upmost Bark Turpentine Esula of each one dram Diagrydium Castoreum of each two scruples Ginger Costus Cloves of each one scruple the seeds of Rue Cummin Crocus of each half a scruple mix them and with the syrup of Roses solutive make an Electuary 3. The convulsive Antidote Take the rootâ— Peony Misleto of each two ounces Castoreum Sage of each two ounces Bay-berries Mans-skull burnt of each two drams Treacle of Alexandria choice Mithridate of each twelve ounces clarified Honey two pound mix them for a Treacle Electuary 4. The convulsive powder Take the powder of the roots of Swallow wort Elecampane Devills-bite Avens Peony of each one ouncâ— and half Bay-berries half an ounce the tops of Sage Mother of time Rosemary-flowers of each two drams Species Diamoschi Dulcis Plirisarconticon Dianthos of each one dram mix them and make a powder 5. After this manner have we delineated the convulsive Disease with its cure and we have by experience found that the above named Remedies has given such abundant help to Nature that this stubborn dangerous Disease has been overcome and all its symptoms vanished Georgius Horstius lib. 8. cap. 9. LXXI These following things are also good for the Convulsion 1. Make a fomentation of the leaves and flowers of the Tile-tree boyled in Wine after the fomentation take for anointing the parts the Oyl of Line-seed Goose-grease mixed with the Oyl of Cinnamon the Oyl of Earth-worms mixed with Turpentine Take the Oyl of Cammomil one ounce of Earth-worms half an ounce Castoreum the powder of Earth-worms of each half a dram mix them 2. Treacle dissolved in the Oyl of Scorpions and Castoreum is of good use if the distemper proceed from a cold Cause Gregorius Horstius vol. 3. lib. 2. cap. LXXII A Convulsion in a certain Matron 1. A certain Matron was for some days afflicted with horrible fits of a Convulsion accompanied with a kind of foolishness her body was sometimes so imâ—etuously shaken that scarsly two of the strongest men could hold her 2. I having observed that she loathed all kind of Medicaments I advised that her Husband who had been for some time absent should be called and her Members which had been for some days shaken and wasted to be anointed with the following Oyntment 3. Take the Oyl of the flowers of Slotanus one ounce the Oyl of Earth-worms of Foxes of Camomil of Lillies and white Roses of each half an ounce and mix them 4. From that time I never knew that she was ever taken with convulsive fits or other Diseases all the time she lived with her Husband who was a Physitian Fabritij Hildani cent 6. Observ Chururg 26. LXXIII Convulsions considred in general 1. A Convulsion is two fold either universal or particular an universal Convulsion is three-fold either the Head and whole Body is contracted and drawn to the Breast or the Head Neck and the rest of the Body is convulsed and drawn to the hinder parts and Back or the whole remains immoveable and inflexible to either part 2. A particular Convulsion is only that which seises one part 3. This Disease either proceeds from repletion or emptiness or from the putrid malignant Vapours elevated to the Brain and the original of the Nerves 4. All Convulsions are dangerous but particularly that which proceeds from emptiness the Nerves being too much dried by immoderate Purgations vomits a burning Feaver c. cannot be easily moistened or humected and oft-times the strength is loosened and destroyed by the sharpness of the Disease before the Nerves can recover their former Humectation and be reduced to some good temper 5. Wherefore Hippocrates did rightly pronounce a convulsion from Hellebor to be deadly because of the immoderate Evacuation which also an incurable siccity and driness does follow 6. The same Author affirms that a Convulsion occasioned by a wound is also incurable because of the hurting and inflamation of the Nervous parts by which great pain comes which by consent grievously afflicts the Brain 7. A Convulsion from Malignant and venomous vapours is no less dangerous For by them the Brain is not only afflicted but also the Heart to which the vapours are carried by the Arteries 8. In the cure of this Disease the cause is to be looked to If the Convulsion proceed from repletion according to Hippocrates it requires evacuation wherefore a good Diet is to be instituted the Body is to be Purged and a vein is to be opened and the part affected and the whole marrow of the Back-bone is to be anointed with the following Oyntment 9. Take Oyl of Earth-worms of Foxes of each two ounces Oyl of Turpentine of Wax of Castoreum of each half an ounce Mans grease three ounces juyce of Earth-worms one ounce mix them and apply them hot 10. But if the Distemper proceed from inanition and siccity purgative Medicine and blood letting must be avoided and meats that are moistning or humecting and nutritive must be used 11. If the Patients thirst be great then the following potion may be exhibited Take the water of Bugloss Roses and Violets of each four ounâ—â—s syrup of Violets four ounces mix them and make a Julep which the sick may take as often as he pleases 12. Emulsions of the cold seeds and the Milk of sweet
suffocation follows and from thence death now the Convulsion is not the cause of Death as to the hurt don to the Nerves but the suffocation by reason of the Convulsion of the Nerves and Muscles ordained for breathing 8. By so much the more vehement the Convulsion is by so much the more dangerous it is the farther the Convulsion is from the Brain so much the less dangerous it is 9. A Convulsion is much more easily cured if the Brain be only affected by consent than if it be essentially and primarily affected Hippocrates also saith sect 5. Aphor. 1. that Convulsions caused by taking of Hellebor are mortal and this I saw experienced upon several persons at one time who had taken Hellebor for the Worms 10. A Convulsion arising from the Iliack passion is dangerous especially if it be accompanied with the Hicâ—ough so also if swooning immediatly follow it 11. Convulsions arising from extream Pains of the Bowells or parts adjacent to the lower Viscera are evil sect 7. Aph. 67. and the reason is because the Brain is forthwith drawn into consent 12 Convulsions in continual Feavers where the sick is very weak especially if they seize upon the Lips Nostrils Eyes Eye-Lids Eye-Brows or Parts near them foreshew that death is at the Door 13. Convulsions arising from continual watchings or long fasting are mortal for that there is not only a diminution of the animal Spirits but an almost abolition of the natural heat and radical humidity which ought to conserve and support the Spirits 14. Lastly Hippocrates saith Sect. 5 Aph. 2. that Convulsions proceeding from Wounds are pernicious more especially if they be near the Brain for there is danger from the great Inflamation of Mortification of the Part and from thence Death CXII Of the Cure of a singular Convulsion or Cramp 1. The Cramp as is for the most part caused of Gold afflicting the Nerves and Muscles of the Part so it is to be cured by the help of such things as warm and comfort the same having also a specifick Property to be assistant to the Nerves 2. In the first place if the Body be full of evil humous you may purge the Patient with my Family-Pills or with the tincture of the same and because we must prosecute the Cure according to the Indications which offer themselves you may know the strength or debility of the Stomach and accordingly give things cleansing or strengthening if the Stomach be foul you may exhibit a Dose of my vomiting Lozenges which may be given from fifteen to thirty grains according to age and strength yet they may be taken in the Morning fasting and let a good quantity of broth or posset-drink be prepared to be taken they will work well and call the offending humor from all parts of the Body and after they have cleansed the Stomach upwards they will then work admirably well and purge the Bowels downward 3. This being done a Diet of Neuroticks ought to be prepared after the manner of a constant Drink but because that may be troublesome I shall advise to somthing which may with more ease and conveniency be done and what Experience has confirmed to me will be of great advantage to the sick and that is the Queen of Hungaria's Water a Medicament scarcely inferior to any let it be taken constantly three times a day a little before eating viz. Morning Noon and Night and oftner if the Patient so pleases in a glass of Sack or of some cordial Water 4. This being taken for about 10 or 12 days the sick ought to use sudorifick means by taking inwardly English Bezoar Bezoar mineral Bezoar animal Electuarium ad Tabidos Powers of Vipers or our Guttae Vitae mixt and made up into a Bolus with the choicest Venice Treacle or dissolved and given in Spirit of Saffron or in this following Compositum Take Spirit of Saffron two ounces Syrup of Lemons one ounce Salt of Vipers eight grains mix them for a sudorifick Dose Or this Take choice Cinnamon-water an ounce Syrup of Citrons six drams Powers of Vipers twelve drops mix for a dose Or this Take Treacle Water two ounces Syrup of Lemons one ounce Electuarium ad Tabidos one dram Guttae Vitae ten drops mix for a Dose to sweat withall 5. But during the time that all these things are doing we must not be unmindful of the application of Topicks to the part affected without which almost all other things will nearly be done in vain for this purpose we commend to the sick the Queen of Hungaries water a most excellent thing to bath withall let the place pained be bathed therewith thrice a day and let it be done almost half an hour together it is a Medicament of great Vertue and has cured hundreds 6. But that which transcends all others things and which we can commend upon our own manifold Experience are the Powers of Amber a Medicament never to be sufficiently praised for by the single use of this alone Medicament I can safely say it I have cured several scores of the Cramp so perfectly as that it never has returned any more I could advise to many other excellent things which I know would not fail also but this being the cheapest easiest to come by and of most approved use I advise to the use of it above all other things and they that shall be pleased to make use of it shall find I have spoken a very great Truth CXIII Of the cure of a general and Primary Convulsion 1. The first essay which Authors make towards the cure of a Convulsion is to evacuate the Corrupt and morbifick humor abounding for which Physicians prescribe many ways as first Blood-letting But this as it diminishes the Spirits and obliterates the strength and vigor of the Body so ought it to be cautiously attempted for in this Disease we ought rather to contrive how to augment the natural forces of the Body and conserve the spiritual parts than to diminish them which this operation certainly doth whereupon death in some immediately followeth as I have two or three times observed from unadvised bleeding in this Disease the Patient dying in little more than half an hour after the cause of which doubtless was the defect and diminution of Spirits Riverius one much for bleeding saith That t is only to be don if the Patient be strong and that it is better to take away too little Blood than too much for that Blood opposes the principal cause of the Disease which is Flegm If this be true in what Meanders of folly do Physicians wander who attempt the cure by this kind of method viz. by taking away that matter which opposes the Disease but these Vanities are so gross and absurd that they are not worth disputing about and so deserve no Answer 2. In an universal Convulsion however evacuations are proposed first Revulsive chiefly by strong Clysters such as are commonly exhibited in Palsies and of which this following may be an example
that ever I met with yea where the fits have been so exorbitant as to return above sixteen or eighteen times in the space of twenty four hours and therefore commend the same to the world from so great and large experience CXIV Of Convulsions arising by consent from other parts 1. Many ways are these Convulsions caused according to the part or parts affected or hurt in the Head they may arise from a puncture of the Menings of the Brain in the extream parts from a puncture of a Nerve or Tendon In the Stomach from poison received or from a wound or Ulcer in the Tunicles or Coats of the Stomach or from Worms in the Womb from faetid Vapours or sharp humors contained in the part in a part bitten by a Serpent or other Venomous beast from the poyson contaminating the Animal Spirits by reason of which though the Medium of the Nervous system the Brain it self becomes also affected by consent or compassion rather 2. These Convulsions are all dangerous if of any long continuance before the application of proper Medicaments for if once the Animal powers be over-come farewel Life the further the affect is from the Head and Brain the less is the danger and so much the less as the application is immediate after the Cause Wounds in the Menings of the Brain are very dangerous And though some Authors have reported that several have escaped with Life and perfectly recovered who have had the Menings of the Brain hurt yet ten have died to one so recovered In a puncture of a Nerve or Tendon in any extream part there is great danger and if there is once a mortification and Sphacelous begun there is no way to save the life of the sick but by cutting off the part 3. If poyson be long received it is for the most part Mortal because there is commonly a speedy mortification of the Viscera If there be speedy remedy exhibited there is for the most part hopes let the poyson be what it will if there be an Ulcer of the Stomach and Convulsions thereupon the Convulsions will not cease till the Ulcer is consolidated Convulsions from the Womb if caused of faetid Vapours or humors are commonly cured by cleansing the Womb but if once Ulcers be created in the part the success of the Cure will be doubtful Convulsions arising from Worms in the Bowels are curable while the parts are whole and not gnawn asunder but if the Worms be in great numbers and any of the parts eaten through Death must come and be the Physician 4. Convulsions arising from Cholick pains are curable by taking away the matter causing the Cholick but if the Disease has been of long standing so as that from the sharpness of the humor Ulcers are created or the sick receives no benefit by proper Medicines the case then is very dangerous and so much the more dangerous if it be attended with vomiting a bloody flux bloody urine or spitting of blood or frequent swooning fits and faintings away sickness at Heart and such like 5. The Indications of the cure of these kinds of Convulsions must be taken from their Causes if there be a hurt of the Menings of the Brain there will be a necessity of opening the Cranium with a Trepan after which it is to be cured as in wounds of the Head and Brain mixing with the Neuroticks and Antispasmaticks in the former section proper Cephalicks and such as have respect to the Brain as the Powers of Gentian Nutmegs Sage Lavender Rosemary Spicknard Ditany of Creet c. whether they be considered as relating to their Internal or External use 6. If a Convulsion arise from the puncture of a Nerve oâ— Tendon as often times happens in letting of blood c. in this Case the common way has been to cut the Nerve asunder but by this means the sick has been oblidged to the loss to his Limb or Part for ever to avoid this Inconveniency and the Corruption of the Nerve which must otherwise unavoidably follow you ought immediately to apply to the place Oyl of Turpentine or Oyl of Aniseeds and lay a Pledget dipt in the same over the Wound by this so great Ease has been procured as that the Convulsion has been prevented or suddenly taken way and the Wound soon after cured Some mix with the Oyl of Turpentine or Oyl of Aniseeds Oyl of Roses or Mithridate or Turpentine or Natural Balsum cheifly that of Peru and some Oyl of Earth-worms but if any addition be made to the Chymical Oyls the Balsam of Peru or Opabalsamum are truly the best In punctura Nervi Dixit Sennertus si foramen sit angustius ferre id dilatetur ut medicamenta penetrare sanies exstillare queat but you ought to beware that you increase or exasperate not the Convulsion by increasing the Pain The common Balsam of Sulphur or rather the anisated Balsam of Sulphur are without equal in this Case Lastly over the Wound you may apply this Emplaster Take Wax one ounce Pitch Turpentine of each half an ounce Euphorbium one dram mix and make an Emplaster But in delicate and soft bodies you ought to diminish the quantity of the Euphorbium For it is so vehement hot and sharp that it is not to be applied to a naked Nerve but where the Wound is deep for in punctures of the Nerves Medicaments ought to be applied which have a Power to resist Corruption to dry and are also without sharpness Inwardly you may give the Pouder Spirit Tincture Powers or Elixir of Castoreum either alone or mixed with our Guttae Vitae 7. If the Convulsion arises by reason of Worms you ought to give with the Neuroticks and Antispasmaticks mentioned in the 113 Section such things as have a certain specifick Quality to kill Worms Such are Worm-seed Aloes and most extream bitteâ— things to which add Pouder of Coralline Mercurius dulcis white Precipitate white Vitriol Salt of Vitriol Ens-Veneris volatile Sal Armoniack and Salt of Harts-horn Harts-horn calcined the Dose of any of which having made your choice is to be regulated according to the strength and age of the Patient to whom it is given the which we here leave to the Discretion of the Physician 8. If a Convulsion arises from an Ulcer in the Stomach all will be done in vain unless you apply those things which have Power to absorb the acid and by their softness sweetness and agglutinative properties have Power to cleanse and consolidate the Ulcer among which things are Pearl and Coral levigated and their Magisteries Magistery of Oyster shells Crabs-Claws and Crabs-Eyes prepared but above all things Terra sigillata has the preheminence for immediately upon the taking thereof in any convenient soft and almost insipid Vehiculum as Rose-water or Syrup of Poppies c. the pain of the Stomach has been abated the Convulsions taken off and the Ulcer consolidated to a wonder these things we speak by Experience An ingenious Gentleman a Friend
the Knee fixt as it often comes to pass the Foot is drawn upwards by continually drawing it down while they sit or are doing any thing or by hanging a Weight to it oftentimes depressing it the which will be neatly performed if two oblong Plates hollow in the middle filled to the Leg and hinder part of the Hips and joyned about the Joint by Interposition of an Engine and turning it as long as the Patient is able to endure the Foot be forced by degrees from the upper Part downwards 17. Also it is conveniently performed in other places after the same manner by an Engine fitted with Screws commonly called a Compress the Figures of which for some particular Parts you may see in my Synopsis Medicinae with their particular Explication and Use because if it be turned by degrees pressing Parts to which it is applied it forceth the fixt Member and because the Engine or Instrument so turned remains immoveable the same doth return and sustain the Member as far as it shall have forc't or thrust it the which we have made tryal of with Success the Instrument being neatly and ingeniously made 18. Moreover if a Finger remains extended a Ring being put upon it which must be contiguous and made fast to another Ring applied on the next Finger whiles this Finger is moved the other which is fixt being continually forced will be at length constrained to yield and bow And indeed all fixt Members if they be very prejudicial in that Scituation they must be continually drawn into a better and less incongruous Form by Force either of Instuments or otherwise as we said even now 19. If the loss or hurt of motion be by a hard Tumor Callous or Skar affixed to the Tendons and Ligaments and by which also there is a compression of the Nerve whereby a Palsy as it were is caused in some other Part there can be no other kind of Cure but by the use of Emollients such as we have above rehearsed but if a Palsey should be caused from a Compression of the Nerve by reason of too hard Ligature or closeness of the compress then the Ligatures must be loosned or the Instrument removed and taken away which done if a numbness or Palsy does still continue the Spirits must be recalled by long and strong frictions and application of Neuroticks and Antiparaliticks and such as are Powers of Amber of Aniseeds of Castoreum and such like 20. Lastly having tryed all external means that are before mentioned in vain before you come to the use of Instruments or Cutting you may make tryal of Mercuriates which have an exceeding great power of Resolution and performing in this kind more than all other things upon Earth however in this Case you must make use of your Mercury Crude as it were to wit either made into an Amalgama with Lead or Tin or kill'd with Spittle or juyce of Limons and then mixt with some proper Cerot or soft Emplaster which has a natural dissolving power joyn'd with it Or you may use Vigo's Emplastrum de Ranis with three four or six times the proportion of Mercury to what is ordinarily prescribed and in the same proportion you may mix it with other Emplastick Bodies you may use it Emplasterwise without danger and the Mercury must be mixt in the proportion aforesaid or else it will perform next to nothing If this does not you must be necessitated either to use the compress with fitted Screws or come to cutting Libri Primi FINIS IATRICA seu Praxis Medendi Salmon's HISTORY of Famous Cures LIBER II. Of Diseases of the Head CHAP. I. Of the Incubus The AUTHORS Observations I. Incubus or Night-Mare 1. A Young Man about twenty five years of age was for several years troubled with this Disease and so great a weight seem'd to oppress his Stomach that be could not stirr any part of his Body it seised upon him commonly between sleeping and waking and so to the apprehension of the sick he strove mightily with himself but when he came to himself he found no member out of its place 2. First when it came it was towards the latter part of the night and he had but few fits which came somtimes once or twice a week in process of time they were more frequent and at length came to that exorbitancy that they would return fifteen or twenty times in a night with a certain kind of fearfulness so that the Patient was not able to endure them 3. The next day he looked pale as if his Eyes were sunk in his Head And as the vulgar phrase is as if he had been hag-ridden 4. He was of a gross and corpulent Body would eat plentifully and drunk freely without undergoing any kind of labour or exercise coming to me he requested my help and I cured him with the following things 5. First I cleansed his Stomach with a fit dose of Crocus Metallorum every other day this was repeated for three times Afterwards I ordered his Body to be purged with my Family Pills with Aloes the use of which were repeated six times taking a dose every fifth or sixth day 6. In the interim he drank constantly this following decoction Take Rosemary Sage sweet Marjoram Thyme Winter-savory of each four ounces boyl them in a sufficient quantity of Spring-water till the quarter part be consumed then strain out without expression sweeten it with double refined Sugar and bottel it up with a Clove in each bottle of which the sick took one every day 7. Moreover I ordered his Stomach to be anointed with Oyl of Mace by expression every Morning and Night and for some few days at the beginning of the Cure Rose cakes dipt in Vinegar of Roses were bound warm to his Temples at Night going to bed by the use of these means the fits were not only suddenly abated but the Patient was in about six weeks time perfectly cured 8. A Maid servant also in the same family was cured of the same Disease by using the same means with very little difference II. The Incubus or Night-Mare in a very aged Man 1. Although this Disease is seldom or never cured in aged people but that for the most part it degenerates into an Apoplexy of which they die yet this in my opinion is rather from the formal than efficient cause For as much as if the Incubus proceeds from a bladder of water in the Brain which I twice saw in persons that died Apoplectick the Disease may be supposed to be incurable 2. But where the formal cause is either from a distemperature of the Stomoach or disaffection of the Spleen whereby an excrementitious Blood or vapours are generated in the Brain in this case I cannot conceive but this Disease may be cured in persons of what age soever provided no other mortal symptom interveen from any other present cause and without doubt this latter is the case of our present Patient 3. For although he was very aged and
both Stomach and Head 11. Take the Species Diarrhodon Abbatis Aromaticum Rosatum Diambrae Diamoschi Dulcis of each one scruple dissolve them in the water of Betony there being added two ounces of white Sugar make a Confection in tables Dose two or three drams twice in a day 12. Moreover I commanded that the Flegm should be drawn from the Head by Gargarisms Apophlegmatisms and Errhins then afterwards at turns that Treacle and Mithridate should be exhibited as also the Experiment of Aâ—tius then of Paulus which is fifteen grains of the Fruit of black Peony bruised in Water for a draught and that should be continued till the sick recovered Petrus Forestus Lib. 10. Obser 50 XIX The Night-Mare in a Child 1. When I was a Child I thought my self oppressed as it were with a black Dog Theodorus Bizantius is of opinion that those nocturnal Apparitions never yet appeared to wâ—se and strong Men but to such as are Children Women effeminate Persons mad Men and sickly People who are because of the weakness both of the Mind and of the Body racked with daily Fear vain and idle Dreams 2. There are some Children who waking with a Fright leap out of the bed such kind of Fears according to Hippocrates and Galen proceed from the gluttonous and ravenous sucking of Milk or from bad Nutriment or Indigestion But we have observed that not only in these but those also who are of perfect Age have had most frightful Imaginations in their Sleep especially when many vitious humors oppress the Stomach 3. Some get this Disease by external causes such as Cold and the Beams of the Moon if Children be troubled with this Disease it is not good that they sleep with their Belly full while they are eating you may give them a little Honey to lick but Children that are subject to surfeiting by reason of great feeding are to be cured by the same Medicines that are used in the Epilepsy 4. Frictions in this case are to be used Rose-Water sprinkled in the Face or rather Wine if it be from a cold cause is good 5. Rondeletius advises Clysters for discussing and evacuating Flatulencies if there be Repletion cutting of a Vein is necessary the Head is to be purged and strengthened then Topicks are to be made use of as we have prescribed in the Vertigo Cephalalgia and Epilepsy Petrus Forestus ex Scholiis lib. 10. Observ 51. XX. The Incubus or Night-Mare in a Girl 1. A Maid about nine years of age was suddenly taken in the night with somwhat like a Feaver then afterwards with the Contraction of the whole Belly and Breast her Eyes continuing open she did not answer when a question was put to her yet she seemed to be in her right wits 2. She was afflicted with a difficulty of breathing a thick kind of Spirit possessed her Heart and Praecordia and as one oppressed with some great Weight she could not speak 3. A venemous kind of Spirit coming from the Belly to the Praecordia then to the Brest and superiour Parts did afflict this poor Maid in this sort of Paraxysm she continued from nine to eleven of the Clock afterwards on the third day she was troubled with the like Fit 4. I coming to see her and finding that she could not be raised up by Frictions and other Medicines I ordered a Clyster to be made for her of the Pouder of Hiera Picra Sal Gem and Hony which had a good Effect For she was a little eased from the Paroxysm yet she continued weak 5. Then we did exhiâ—it a little Wine with the Raspings of the true Vnicorn and so thereby she slept the next day much better 6. The Mother of this Maid thought her Daughter was troubled with Worms and therefore gave her Worm-seed yet she could not void any Worms her Daughter now grew better her Pulse which in the Paroxysm was weak swift and small became equal in its Motions 7. Now that the Malady may not return again at its usual hour I commanded that the Maid should drink Beer wherein Pulp of Cassia was put containing therein the Pouder of the Seeds of Peony it was drained by Expression into the Beer and then drank 8. The next Night the Fit was more easy and favourable because she refused to take one dram of the Pouder in its pure substance we included it in the Pulp which was put into six ounces of Beer this maid continuing to drink always Beer so ordered she became at length perfectly freed from this troublesom Disease Petrus Forestus Lib. 10. Observ 52. SCHOLIA The THEORY of the INCUBUS or NIGHT-MARE By the Author W. Salmon XXI The Pathology of the Incubus and first of the Notation thereof 1. The Names A Graecis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hoc est insiliendo Nomen habens Quidam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Teste Aureliano hoc est Aggressionem Invasionem nocturnam nominant ab aliis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dioscorides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à Species Suffocationis quae hoc malô laborantibus in Somno offertur Avicenna suâ linguâ Strangulatorem nominat In Latin it is called Incubus ab incubando in English the Hag or Night-Mare 2. The Definition Incubus ergo est respirationis offensio vocis interceptio corporisque oppressio seu motus impedimentum cum falso in sommio ponderis thoraci incumbentis à vapore crasso posteriora potissimum cerebri obstruente ut spiritus animales ad liberam respirationem motum edendum prodire nequeant It is a Disease arising from thick Vapours chiefly obstructing the hinder part of the Brain by which the Flux of animal Spirits being stopt the respiration or breathing is hurt the Voice intercepted and the Body so oppressed as it were between sleeping and waking with a weight lying upon the Brest and holding fast the whole Man that notwithstanding all his endeavours the whole Faculty of moving seems for a Season to be abolished 3. The Kinds or Differences They are two-fold 1. The Disease is considered as it happens to such as are young or in old People and in these it has been either of short or of long continuance 2. It is either essential in the Head and Brain or is caused by Consent from the Stomach Hippochonders Testicles c. all which may be discerned by their proper Indications XXII The Signs of an Incubus or Night-Mare 1. The Paroxysm comes for the most part when the Patient is in a Slumber or between sleeping and waking somtimes it invades him in one Part somtimes in another in some begins at the Feet and creeps up the Legs and Thighs by degrees till it seizes upon the Brest and laying hold as it were of all the Powers and Faculties of the whole Body chains them in some it begins at the lower part of the Belly and so ascending higher immediately takes a seisure of the whole Man 2. In other
thereof and that great oppression or weight upon the Thorax or Brest together with that fast holding of the Body whereby it becomes immovable is caused from a withdrawing or stoppage of the said Animal Spirits which is the fountain or prime cause of the motive faculty as also the near or conjoyned cause by which the instruments of motion perform their operations by the guidance of the sensitive soul which being by some accident obstructed in its passages or as it were cut off for a small moment all motion for so long time ceases through the whole Body And although the Man strives never so much to stir or move himself it is all in vain for as much as the Animal spirit which gives being and life to the motive facultie is for a season cut off and its flux hindred and the suppression of the Voice is from the same cause viz. From that which abolishes the motive faculty 5. Now by reason of the short continuance of the Paroxysm the Disease seems not to be dangerous but should it continue long a suffocation of the Vital flame should certainly ensue for the Animal Spirit being the Breath or Air by which the Vital Spirit is nourished and kept alive should that be but for a little while withdrawn or cut off the said vital flame in a short time after becomes extinct and truly in my opinion a long Paroxysm of the Incubus is the cause for the most part of sudden Death in sleeping and that many that goe to Bed and fall a sleep and awake no more dye by force of this Disease being suffocated and not of an Apoplexy as some have formerly believed And whether this be admitted or no that the Vital Spirit is nourished and kept alive by the Animal Spirit yet the suffocation of the Vital might be caused also in part by other means viz. From the want of inbreathed Air which must infailably cease if the motive faculty be totally abolished in the whole Body 6. Hence it appears that in some the prime antecedent or remote cause of the Incubus may be from the irregularity of using the six Non-naturalls which according to the opinion of Rhases and Avicenna is lodged in the Blood that being corrupted through those irregularities Sennertus thinks it to be from the hurt of the digestive faculty but chiefly from a cold intemperature of the Head or Stomach But truly the Procatartick cause is either from error in Diet long used or a melancholy habit of the mind whereby the Blood becomes excrementitious and filled with crude vapours 7. The Proegumiuine nere or conjunct cause of this Disease is from vapours immediately filling the passages of the Brain or Avenues of the Animal Spirit chiefly about the begining of the Spina Medulla by cutting off of its flux whereby the functions of natural and voluntary motion are immediately impeded and the whole Man and every part of him bound as it were in Chains And this for the most part comes to pass in such where there has been a long antecedent cause who eat and and drink such things as immediately put the Blood and other natural juyces upon a gentle fermentation from whence vapours are generated which in the passages of the Brain fail not to effect those things before mentioned Now what these things are in particular which in every constitution will excite such a fermentation is not easy to determine for in some persons one thing does it in other persons another Some if they eat but an Onion or Leek are certain the next night to be troubled with it Others if they should eat an hundred would never be hurt thereby Some again if they eat but a red Hering would after it be afflicted above measure others can make them their daily Food without prejudice but these things are to be known particularly from Observation and experience and accordingly such as are subject to this Disease should make it their business to avoid the same 8. Moreover the Paroxysm is promoted partly from the position of the Body in those who are subject to this Disease for it commonly seizes them lying upon their Backs seldom when they ly upon their Bellies or Sides and yet I knew one in whom the Disease had such a praevalency that it would as farmiliarly seize him lying on his Side as on his Back as also when they are in a slumbring condition or between sleeping and waking at what time and in which condition the matter is more easily moved to the hinder part of the Head or Brain and the begining of the said spinal marrow XXIV The Prognosticks of the Incubus or Night-Mare 1. This Disease the more gentle it is the less danger of degenerating and the more easy to be cured the more grievous the more difficult of cure 2. It is more incident to Children and young people than to elder and is more easily cured in the one than in the other 3. The more constant and frequent the fits the more perilous and so much the more dangerous if the sick remains in a stupid kind of condition after the fit is gone 4. If it comes from any external cause or continued Surfeit it is less dangerous because the cause being removed the effect will cease 5. That which is essential in the Head is the most dangerous if it is by consent from others it is not of so evil a consequence though in this latter case the cure is for the most part very long and tedious nor does the Disease vanish till the discrasie of the part causing be remedied 6. If it happens in sleep it is less dangerous than if it happens just at the awaking for this latter is nearer to an Epilepsy into which this Disease does oftentimes degenerate moreover it is the more dangerous if the Paroxysm be accompanied with a cold Sweat or trembling of the Heart or if either of them or both of them or a Convulsion or Swooning immediately follow upon the going off of the fit 7. If the Disease be of long standing and frequent and proceed purely from a Distemper of the Brain especially in elder people it presages the falling sickness or the Apoplexy 8. Fat Children and young people having fat Bodies are many times suffocated therewith because in such the matter cutting off the flux of the Spirit is so thick and plentiful that nature can never dissipate it XXV The Therapia or method of curing the Incubus or Night Mare 1. The indications of the cure of this Disease are threefold First the humor or matter cutting off the flux of the Animal Spirits is to be removed which is don by proper evacuations Secondly the Discrasie of the Blood is to be rectified and to be reduced to its prestine state of Health Thirdly to strengthen the parts afflicted and weakned by force of the Morbifick matter And indeed the same order and method and the same medicaments which are used in the cure of the Falling-sickness may be used here though
constringed Pores the said Nerves became relaxed as it were and weakned so that the animal Spirit which ought to be more strickly bound-up becomes dilated and spread abroad and thereby the muscular Motion is either hurt or depraved And this must needs be when the Spirit which is the prime or essential cause thereof is contaminated weakned and dilated and the Nerves which are the instrumental cause of the said motion are watered as it were with a heterogene matter relaxed and made unfit for the performance of their Functions 13. And truly not in a much different way do Poysons promote the same disaffection but more dreadful in their Operation for being received into the Stomach and being subtillised by the fermentative quality thereof their spiritual Parts separate themselves from the more earthy and thereby make a Conjunction with the animal Spirit either mediately by immersing themselves in the Mass of Blood or immediately by insinuating themselves into the nervous Tunicles of the Stomach whence arises besides the weakning contamination and dilatation of the Spirit and a relaxation and hurt of the Nerves a debility in the Stomach it self with a hurt of its proper Functions by which the original matter for the generation of Spirit becomes both depraved and diminished which not a little contributes to the said relaxation for there being not a sufficient generation thereof it follows that there must be a deficiency in the Nerves the Channels and Condit-Pipes of the said Spirit and the proximate Instrument of muscular motion whence a Tremor is immediately excited 14. Thus also the Fumes of mineral Poysons being drawn up the Nostrils and penetrating the Brain may more easily and immediately contaminate the animal Fountain from whence those fuliginous Vapours being conveyed over the whole Genus Nervosum or nervous System not only foul and fully its Crystal-like Streams but confuse and obfuscate its limpid and translucid matter corrupting even the nervous Juice it self the very support and stay of the Neurotick Frame thereby causing not only a relaxation of the substance of the Nerves and diffusion of the Spirit out of its proper Current but also many other evil Symptoms besides 15. But how this thing should somtimes come to pass by the only handling of Quick-silver is yet more admirable and deserves our farther consideration How easy it is for Quick-silver to insinuate it self into the Pores and to difuse it self into all Parts of the Body especially the upper Parts as the Head and Brain I think is sufficiently known almost to all and that common experiment of whitening Gold by treading of the naked Foot upon Quick-silver the Gold in the mean season being held in the Mouth is somthing of demonstration By what Artifice the Mercury is conveyed to the Mouth I will not possitively determine though it may be more than probably conjectured its Ascension might be by way of Fume The whitening of the Gold is a proof of the matter of fact but if any should object that the Gold attracted or drew up the Mercury and that if the Gold had not been held in the Mouth the Mercury would never have ascended to this we answer first that the possibility of the penetration of the Mercury is demonstrated from the whitening of the Gold whether the Gold attracted it or no. Secondly that it is probable the Mercury might have ascended to the Mouth and Head as well without the Gold as with it only with this difference that in its ascention meeting with the Gold it fixed there whereas had the Gold been wanting those particles of the Mercury which fixed themselves upon the Gold might have gone further and have seised the very Brain it self Thirdly that it has been confirmed by manifold experience that those who have frequently and long but handled Mercury have contracted such a Tremor whereby they have wholly lost the use of their Limbs and the Affection incurable to boot by which we think the matter is beyond dispute 16. How a sudden consternation by Fear or Extasy of Joy should produce such an effect is yet more worthy our inquiry Truly these are Passions which first fix themselves in the apprehension and thereby breed a perturbation of the animal Spirit but immediately seize and exercise their fury upon the Heart and Vitals And here in both cases the Heart is dilated or as it were opened and the Blood and Spirits by a certain flux enter it in the first case by filling it to support and fortify it as much as may be against the danger of the evil appendent in the second case to augment and maintain the fulness of the Joy coâ—ceived which flux being vehement and immeasurable leaves the extream Parts of the Body destitute as it were whereby being deprived of great part of their nourishment and support a feebleness immediately seizes upon them and a Tremor forth with as a consequent thereof for being thereby emptied in part a diffusion of the remainingt part of he Spirit is made whence follows a forceable relaxation of the Nerves Now when this is extream or vehement from the magnitude of the Joy and Fear the flux of the Blood and Spirits being more impetuous or greater than the dilatation of the Heart whereby it is unable to receive all that are sent on that occasion hence it is that oftentimes not only a Tremor but a Suffocation immediately follows and a tâ—tal extinction of the vital Flame For as the Flame of a Lamp is nourished and maintained by the Oyl which continually feeds it yet will that Flame be extinguished by a suffocation thereof through an afflux of too much Oyl drowning the same as well as by a detention or with holding of its proper nourishment 17. Hence also the reason is apparent how the loss of Blood should produce the near cause thereof for if a Tremor be immediately produced from a large Dâ—ffusion Dilatation Dissipation Diminution or loss of Spirits it is evident that it must also follow upon the loss of Blood for that the Blood is the Vehiculum of he vital Spirit the progenitor of the animal and according to the diminution of the Blood such in proportion is the diminution of the Spirit which being largely taken away must necessarily leave a feebleness and weakness upon the Parts from whence it is detracted thereby disabling them for performing their wonted Functions 18. Now that Tremor which follows from a hurt or puncture of the Nerve is caused from compression wherein the animal Spirit is stopt or straightned in its course or flux and so is forced out of its domicil by means of which diffusion a dilatation and relaxation of the Nerve ensues causing a weakness and feebleness of the Part whereby it is uncapable of perforing of its Functions and in this case somtimes a numbness and want of feeling goes a long with it which in a proper Sense can be nothing but a Palsy of the Part of which in the next Chapter we shall largly treat 19.
least weaked by it but made much the stronger so that by degrees she eat her Food heartily and after an insensible manner came to the use of her Limbs the Disease every day vanishing 14. From this Observation and some others of like kind it is manifest how great things are wrought by purgative Medicaments which are given in spirituous Vehicles for that the Vertue of the Medicament is made by their means to enter the more easily into the Veins and thereby to mix it self intimately with the Mass of Blood whereby such a fermentation or strugling and separation in the Blood is made as causes a praecipitation and excretion of the morbifick matter even beyond expectation 15. And in all sorts of Paralytick Distempers this kind of purging has greater effect because thereby not only the humid and diseasy matter is drawn away but the Neurotick juyce too much cooled and weakned is restored and confirmed whereby a restitution of the pristin health succeeds 16. In her Diet before mentioned she constantly took of this following mixture forty sixty or more drops at a time Take Powers of Rosemary Powers of Lavender Powers of sweet Marjoram of each a like quantity mix them together to be used as aforesaid But at Morning and Night she took about half a spoonful of the same in the Diet aforementioned 17. Twice a day viz. an hour before Dinner and an hour before Supper she took the quantity of a large Nutmeg of this Electuary Take Electuarium ad Tabidos one ounce Powers of Vipers three drams mix them well together After the taking of it she washt it down with a little glass of Hippocras This Medicament immediately after it was taken warmed the whole humane frame to a very high degree yet not so as to inflame it or cause a Feaver yet her whole Body would presently grow as warm as if she had been heat by a very great fire 18. The use of this Medicament was continued during the whole time of the Cure yet somtimes for change sake she took the said Powers of Vipers in a glass of Sack or Hippocras which notwithstanding had the same virtue and effects in warming or heating the â—niversal frame as before 19. But whereas she somtimes complained of an illness and weakness of Stomach as also of want of Appetite and Loathing I caused her oftentimes both between meals and at meals also to take of the volatile Spirit of Vitriol or Sulphur made so by mixing digesting and being distilled off with rectified spirit of Wine after this manner Take rectified spirit of Wine two quarts drop there into by degrees two pounds of the best Oyls of Vitriol or Sulphur shake them well together digest in a gentle sand-heat sixteen weeks at least shaking the Vessel once a day then put it into a glass Cucurbit or a Retort if you so please and leisurely draw off the Spirit with a very slow and gradual Fire so that the pure thin and volatile Spirit may only ascend and the thick Magma remain alone at Bottom And for this cause you must be very cautious that the Fire does not exceed its just Limits for that if it be too great the Magma will ascend with the Spirit and then all your Labour will be lost and you will be forced to repeat the Distillation again 20. The use of this Spirit restored the Tone of the Stomach and made her digest her Food very well besides it has a great Power to restore the motive Faculty in all Paralytick Distempers for that it has a specifick Vertue to open all Obstructions of the Nerves in what Part of the Body so ever 21. And now and then for the Stomach sake also I permitted her to eat preserved Nutmegs candied Orange Limon and Citron-Peels and somtimes preserved green Ginger and somtimes she took this Electuary Take Conserves of Betony Sage Cowslips and Rosemary-Flowers of each two ounces preserved Nutmegs extreamly well beaten number four Indian preserved green Ginger four ounces candied Orange Limon and Citron Peels of each two ounces and half beat all very well together and with Juyce of Alkermes a sufficient quantity make an Electuary with which mix well Oyl of Cinnamon half an ounce Of this she took as her Stomach required it the quantity of a Chest-nut at a time By the use of these things the Cure apparently drew on 22. Whilst all these things were doing we were not unmindful as we before declared of using fit Topicks to the distemper and therefore in the first place we caused the Nucha and Vertebrae of the Spina dorsi from the Original thereof down to the Os Coccygis to be well bathed with this mixture Take anisated Balsam of Sulphur two ounces Chymical oyl of Lavender one ounce mix them well together This was anointed upon the places aforenamed Morning and Night for nere a month together it had not been used twelve or fourteen days before the sick found great benefit therefrom 23. All the extream parts also of the Body which the Palsie had seised were bathed with this following Take Powers of Rosemary of Lavender of Savin of Sassafras and of Limons of each three ounces Powers of sweet Marjoram of Sage and of Amber of each an ounce and half mix them together with this the Paralytick parts were bathed Morning and Night during almost the whole time of the Cure 24. Lastly to strengthen and coroborate the Nerves this following Emplaster or Cataplasm was applyed over all the Paralytick members after the aforesaid bathing was over Take Venice Treacle twelve ounces yolks of Eggs number six Balsam of Peru fat Myrrh made soft with rectified spirit of Wine of each four ounces Balsamum Capivie two ounces pouder of Cubebs or of Zedoary enough to make it of a fit consistency not too hard mix them well together and let them be spread upon Leather and apply to the Diseased parts 25. This disaffection at first was great and the poor Patient truly deplorable for that in the Eye of humane reason she seemed to be absolutely incurable but by the assiduous use and application of the aforegoing remedies according to our directions the Cure was compleatly accomplished in a little more than half a years time to the great satisfaction of all the persons concerned V. A Palsie in a young Woman occasioned by taking a great cold after violent Sweating 1. This young Woman being in a vehement Sweat through long and much Exercise and being impatient cooled her-self with cold Water and withall exposed her-self to the Wind and cold Air so that cooling her-self too hastily she contracted such a Cold as brought upon her immediately a complication of many Evils For she contracted a vehement Cough and so great a Hoarsness as that she could scarcely speak so as to be understood Moreover she had a straightness of Breath an obstruction of the Lungs and difficulty of breathing together with many and great Pains which seized her in all her extream Parts that she
always afflicted her at set times so that she could tell before hand when a fit thereof would take her 3. Now the cause of the vomiting was without doubt from preaeternatural matter offending the nervous Tunicles of the Stomach which matter might be either those Maw-worms the principal cause of that Pain she complained of or from some sharp humor collected or bred there but the cause of the periodical vomiting came from a new aggression of matter for after the matter at present offending was cast forth by the force of vomiting she seemingly became well as to that nor had she any more inclination thereto till the periodick time returned again which was commonly once in six or seven days but the Pain of her Stomach occasioned by the Worms still continued 4. But that we might be a little more curious than ordinary we a little Mathematically considered the cause thereof and we found the vomiting fit always or for the most part took her upon the Moons approach to the Conjunction Quartil and Opposition of Saturn from whence I concluded that it was a cold sowr unpleasant heavy melancholy humor which at those times was congregated together and afflicted her 5. That she had certainly worms was very evident not only from that gnawing at Stomach which she daily complained of but also from the coming away of them at several times both by vomit and stool and she often evacuated them upon taking of the Juyce of Centory the less which she was advised to by an old Woman 6. Having considered and well weighed her Distemper with the complications thereof I began the Cure with purging the which I performed with my Family Pills with Aloes she took them seven several times and they brought away from her about seventeen or eighteen long Worms of about seven or eight inches long I have given them several times for this very occasion with very great success whilst I was writing over this observation viz. 15. November 1683. I had a Letter sent to me from one Mr John Cordel of St. Jves in Huntinton-shire with the following account 7. Sir Your Pills begin now to be in request the first box that I sold of them brought from the Man that took them about thirty Worms some of them was half a yard long and one of them was eight foot and half long it was measured by a Carpenters Rule 8. Now as to the Periodical vomiting I conceived it in vain to attempt the cure thereof by Emeticks simply for that upon the revolution of certain times it exactly returned again which made me believe the Distemper proceeded from a general Discrasy of the Blood not a simple disaffection of the part and therefore that we ought to amend the general habit of the whole Body rather than apply ourselves to the peculiar symptom 9. For the removal of this cause therefore I gave such things as had a mighty power to alter the Blood among Vegetables I chose the Virginian Snake-root because of its singugular virtue in overcoming the Poyson of the Rattle-Snake which it performs in a moment and besides which no other vegetable upon earth is yet known to have power to answer that intention notwithstanding the Poyson of the Rattle-Snake transcends almost infinitly the power of all other Poysons Vegetable Mineral or Animal and transfuses its mortal malignity by contaminating the whole mass of Blood and nervous juyce and so extinguishing the vital flame 10. Among Animalls I made choise of the Viper and Toad because of their admirable effects the one in curing of a Leprosy though radicated which is an universal disaffection and contamination of all the juyces in the whole Body the other to wit that of the Toad in amending the watery disposition of the mass of Blood and taking away its evil and malign quality in the case of a Cancer which Experience has confirmed it has performed with a marvelous dexterity beyond all other things 11. Among Mâ—nerals I chose Gold and Antimony the one for its infinite diffusive power the other for its admirable effects not only of purifying Gold it self but also of cleansing and altering the whole mass of Blood in Mans body which it singularly performs beyond any other Mineral whatsoever being also a great friend to nature and as it were a kind of natural Balsam to the humane life correcting all its exorbitancies healing its disaffections and restoring and comforting one of its Essential parts to wit the Radical Humidity 12. From these reasons I made of the choice of the aforesaid particulars and out of them such Preparations as might be most condusive to the removing of the present Malady with respect also to the Paralytick Distemper Of the Virginian-snake-root I made a Tincture in rectified Spirit of Wine and also an Extract Of the Viper Viper-Wine and also a Pouder of Vipers Of the Toad a Salt of Toads Of Gold an Aurum Potabile And of Antimony Basil Valentine his Tincture 13. Out of these things I compounded these following Medicaments first an Extract Take Extract of Virginian-snake-root of a middle consistency six ounces Pouder of Vipers three ounces Salt of Toads half an ounce Aurum Potabile two drams mix them and bring it into the just consistency of an Electuary by adding a sufficient quantity of the Tincture of Antimony This Electuary the Patient took every Night going to bed the quantity of two drams at a time or better drinking after it a glass of Viper-Wine and continued the use thereof so long till the whole quantity thereof was spent 14. Secondly a liquid Mixture Take Viper-Wine from two to three ounces Tincture of Virginian-snake-root Tincture of Antimony of each two drams Aurum Potabile ten drops mix them for a Dose to be given every Morning fasting and to be continued every day so long aâ— the former Electuary lasts by the use of these things the Blood became truly purified and the periodical vomiting was perfectly taken away and truly with the use of Topicks also as follows the Paralytick Distemper was completely cured 15. But notwithstanding all these things we were not unmindful of the miserable Convulsions of the Mesentery which were attended with manifold symptoms and therefore while the other Medicaments were exhibited these following things were given in the intervals between Morning and Night Take choice Venice Treacle one dram Musk fourten grains Ambergrise six grains Indian green Ginger three drams mix and make a Bolus adding a little quantity of juyce of Alkermes This she took every day an hour before Dinner for eight days drinking after it this Take choice Hippocras Orange flower-water of each four ounces mix them for a draught 16. About four in the After-noon she took this mixture Take choice Hippocras six ounces Powers of Caraways Powers of sweet Fennel-seed of each thirty drops mix them for a draught By the use of these things together with bathing the whole region of the Abdomen with Powers of Aniseeds Morning and Night these
Betony Rosemary Origanum Calamint Staechas Marjoram wild Time of each half a handful roots of Acorus new Orris of each an ounce and half Bay-berries Pellitory of Spain Cubebs Nutmegs the three Peppers of each half a dram flesh of Squills an ounce roots of wild Cucumbers two drams Ground-pine Germander of each a pugil live Sulphur powdered half an ounce Oyl of Castoreum half a pound Oyl of Bays of Rue of each two ounces Aqua vitae half a pint Orange flower-water three ounces the strongest-Wine a quart boyl all these till the Wine is consumed to the strained liquor add Sagapenum Opopanax Bdellium of each two drams Castoreum two drams Mace Nutmegs Storax Cloves Lignum Aloes of each two drams long Pepper half a dram Balsam two ounces Oyl of Liquid Amber one ounce Vnguentum Martiatum Aregon Agrippae of each an ounce Oyl of Tiles of Turpentine of each two ounces Oyl of Mace of lignum Guajacum of each one ounce Oyl of the Pepers of Rosemary of Anise of Salt Angelica of Sulphur of Thyme of each an ounce Oyl of Euphorbium an ounce and half grease of a wild Cat Goose grease of each two ounces Badgers grease three drams Vipers grease a dram Oyl of Foxes an ounce Marrow of a Cows leg two drams juice of Dwarf-Elder Sage Bawm of each two ounces mix all and with a sufficient quantity of Wax melted in the foresaid Oyls reduce them to the form of an Oyntment of a middle consistency Zacutus Lusitanus lib. 1. Observ 34. XXIII A Palsy after Child-birth 1. Though the Palsy be a Disease bred of cold and clammy Juyce yet it somtimes arises from an humor somwhat hot in which case all Physicians grant Blood-letting to be necessary 2. But if the Palsy arise after Child-birth the menstrual Blood being suppressed out of what Part Blood is to be drawn those that write of Womens Diseases do not determine although it is a doubtful Question and full of difficulties 3. I remember that I have seen Women that have had a real Palsy in their Legs when after Child birth their Courses have not flowed in such a measure as might answer to the fulness of their Blood 4. These Women being taken with a burning Feaver the Physicians tormented with Purgations and local Remedies applyed to the Parts affected and exceeding hot Baths being extreamly affraid to let any blood 5. For if Blood be taken from the Arm it suppresses their Courses if from their Feet the Blood will be drawn to the Parts affected and the humors rushing violently down they make the Disease worse 6. But because this Disease took its original from a vapourous matter transmitted from the Womb to the original of the Nerves breeding in them an obstruction stopping the way by which the animal Spirits descend and hindering the sense and motion of the lower Parts and she had not been duly purged after her Child-birth and the Feaver hence arising was urgent and the Woman being ruddy of a musculous and well compacted Body and having broad Veins full of Blood I boldly took a good quantity of Blood from her right Ankle after which Evacuation the cause of the obstruction being taken away she began to move her Feet and so being let blood again in her other Foot her Legs recovered their sense and motion Zacutus Lusitanus Lib. 1. Observ 35. XXIV A Palsy in a Man of seventy years of age 1. A certain lusty and strong Souldier being in the seventieth year of his age having in the Eastern Countries served forty years in the Wars and consequently being much wasted and broken with hard marching and labour worn out with watchings and stricken in years he seemed of a thin Body and spare of Flesh yet his Body was musculous his Colour fresh his Veins large and full of Blood and as himself related he had during his past Life been troubled with few Diseases and those gentle which commonly were terminated and cured with bleeding at the Nose to which he was subject at the approach of the Spring all which proceeded from the abundance of Blood as his hot and moist Complexion declared 2. This Man was taken with a Palsy on his left Side which arose as it appears from what had been said from the plenty of Blood obstructing and the moisture thereof slackning his Nerves for he had a deep Redness in his Face and he voided red Spittle mixed with snotty Flegm and that without any Cough or straining 3. Being called to him although in regard of his age the Disease seemed incurable or at least it would continue long yet I entred upon the Cure in this manner having in the first place injected an emollient Clyster I drew Blood from the Basilica Vein of his right Arm. 4. And a great Company of Remedies being prepared to attenuate Heat and strengthen visiting him in the Evening he told me he found some sense in his palsied Arm and Leg. 5. I growing bolder though he was in years opened a Vein again on the following day and putrifyed Blood being voided he said he had his Feeling perfectly in his Arm For which cause since he was better and his bodily Forces were more vigorous the Burthen being taken off and the Passages being opened being let blood again the next day he began to stir his palsied Members 6. And lastly after the fourth blood-letting without any external Medicament applyed to the Parts by the motion of his Arm and Leg it appeared that he was perfectly cured Zacutus Lusitanus Lib. 1. Observ 36. XXV A Palsy of the Eye-lids 1. A certain Person travelling in the depth of Winter through the Snow fell into a Palsy of his Eye lids for they lost their sense insomuch that he could not move either his upper or lower Eye-lids for they stuck so closs together that they could not be parted but with an Instrument or with a Mans Nails for him to see 2. This Man after general Remedies respecting his whole Body and Head and diverse particular Applications was chiefly helped by an Ointment made of Balsam mixt with Aqua Vitae Zacutus Lusitanus Lib. 1. Observ 59. XXVI A Palsy of the Tongue cured by opening the Veins under the Tongue 1. The Flesh of the Tongue is soft rare lax like a Spunge which is covered with a very thin Membrane common to the Mouth and Palat into which the Nerves of the third and fourth conjugation are disseminated 2. These being palsied and the fault being communicated from the Brain viz. the way being intercepted and stopped by thick Blood and the free Passage both of the moving and sensitive Faculty being hindered a certain young Man fell into a Palsy of the whole Tongue for it wholly lost both Tast Motion and Speech 3. This Man tryed many Remedies which are wont to be contrived for an universal Palsy These things being done he had an Issue made in the Nape of his Neck and drank a Decoction of Ebony many days together 4. He took many times
impeded and so a Resolution in the respective Members is excited 9. As also because of the Thalamus Opticus where it is fixed to the Corpus striatum being compressed the Eye of that Side was deprived of Sight moreover the callous Body was a little compressed by the matter gathered together from hence the Principle of the animal Functions their Slowness Dulness and Heaviness were excited without any subversion of them 10. These kinds of Affections because of some Hurt affixed to the substance of the Brain do proceed from thence and not as we in another place asserted from the Impletion of the Ventricles which I do think is clear enough from this one Instance Willis Patholog Cap. 9. Observ 2. LXVI The Palsy in another middle-aged Man 1. A Farmer who belonged to a certain noble Man about the age of forty his Constitution was cholerick and his Blood sharp and not long since obnoxious to a Vertigo who while he was travelling a horse-back through a certain Village was suddenly taken with a Scotomy by which he fell presently to the Ground from whence being taken up by the Inhabitants and put into a Bed he lay for many hours insensible and as it were dead 2. Afterwards he was taken with an universal Palsy and did feel all the Members of both Sides resolved 3. Coming to see him I caused twelve ounces of Blood to be taken from him afterwards I prescribed Medicines to be both internally and externally administred not without good Success 4. For about five or six Days after he began to move his Hands and Feet and to extend and bow them here and there yet slowly and by a constant use of Remedies he began within the space of two Months to raise himself up to stand on his Feet and to walk a little with the Benefit of Crutches 5. And then having used an artificial Bath somtimes at home he grew every Day stronger and more capable of motion at length going to the Bath at the proper Season he was perfectly recovered and by the use of these Waters in the space of a fort-night where he left his Crutches behind him 6. In this Case the apopletick Matter falling from the Meditullium of the Brain being divided and largely diffused had got into both the Corpus striatum and this caused an universal Palsy but forasmuch as the same was expanded it was with less Density impacted in the medullar Pores and consequently more moveable and apt to be discussed and the Cure more facile and sudden 7. The hotter Sort of Medicines did not agree with this Man therefore I endeavoured to exhibite such as were of their own nature temperate 8. Now that the Palsy comes not only by cephalick Affects but also by a Colick and the Scurvy the following Relation doth evidently declare Willis Patholog Cap. 9. Obs 3. LXVII The Palsy in a young Woman after Child-birth 1. A certain fair and young Woman after Child-birth fell into a tertian Ague which afterwards became Quotidian she having some Intermission of her Feaver fell into a very feirce daily Cholick the Pains first only in the Abdomen were outragious being accompanied with Vomiting and most sharp Gripes 2. She being for a long time afflicted with these and almost consumed began at length to be troubled with a kind of stupefaction and sense of pricking much like to that which one feels when the Hand or Foot is said to be asleep 3. Not long after this a Palsy which was universal followed of which Disease the precedent Distemper is the usual Fore-runner in this helpless Condition she was carried to Oxford and committed to the Care of another Doctor and my self 4. This poor young Womans Arms Legs all the greater and lesser Members were so much resolved that she could not so much as move Hand nor Foot nor a Finger of either Hand Moreover she had so great a Consumption that there was no Flesh to be seen on the Bones and the Bones could scarcely stick to the Skin yet that which afforded us some small ground of hope was her good Pulse and a lively Aspect 5 After we had for many weeks exhibited several Medicines as well antiscorbutick as antiparalytick according to various Methods without Success we at length proposed to her and her Freinds Salivation as a Remedy more powerful but more dangerous then others 6. Therefore we did exhibite a small Dose of Praecipitatum ex Mercurio cum Sole and did repeat the same the next Day on the third Day a Salivation easy and moderate was continued for a week without any malignant Symptoms which did succeed well 7. Then the sick complaining of a greivous Head ach and Vertigo began to be afflicted with convulsive Motions for that cause it was necessary immediately to depress the Salivation and to break off this Course as soon as possible by diverting and deriving the Defluxion of the serous humor from the Head towards other Parts which may be effected by the application of frequent Clysters epispastick Emplasters and Revulsions together with Cordials and Opiats inwardly given 8. By these things this noble Lady found her self a little better and began to extend and stretch-out the Joints of her Hands and Feet and move the Members from one place to another 9. The Defluxion ceasing she began to be gently purged for many Days with the Decoction of China Sarsa Sanders Ivory c. with the addition of the dryed Leaves of Sage Betony Pauls-Betony c. with which there was wont to be mixed with the Spirit of Harts-horn or Soot cephalick and cardiack Confections as also the proper Pouder and Julap 10. In the space of a Month she could stand on her Feet being supported by her Servants and could walk a little in her Chamber moreover sleeping and eating indifferently well she grew every Day in Strength and in Flesh and at last became perfectly well by the moderate use of the Baths 11. The cause of this Distemper proceeded from the Blood which being corrupted and vitiated did bring an intermitting Feaver then because of the said Feaver the Blood being more vitiated did communicate its Infection to the Brain and the nervous Stock 12. This peccant Matter being thus interlaced with the Blood and the nervous Juyce first almost only spasmodick and also cheifly entring into the intercostal Nerves did excite the Cholick afterwards being diffused more largly into the Nerves of the Marrow of the Back-bone did cause painful Contractions in the nervous Fibres through the whole Body 13. And whereas by the daily abundant Incourse of the spasmodick Matter the Passages of the Brain and Nerves were very much opened the thicker Particles getting in at length did disseminate a paralytick Disposition throughout the whole Body 14. About the Therapeia the usual Remedies of it before Salivation have been less profitable because they force the morbifick Matter so far that the nervous Chanels or Conduits are obstructed thereby mercurial Particles as they did dissolve
subtilty of the matter is excited wandering pains through the Body and its Members which causes first infinite weakness then a Stapor or Numness and at last a Resolution or Palsy of the parts afflicted for that the seat of the morbifick matter or Particles is now changed being transfused into the Splanchnick Nâ—rves which pulling and twitching the Fibres of the Viscera stirs up Pains and Convulsions then becoming more plentiful diffuse themselves through the Spinal Marrow where entering into the Nerves destinated to such respective parts forthwith induces as aforesaid a Resolution or Palsy 24. In like manner after a frequent and vehement Gout a Palsy may be excited from the infinite weakning of the Nerves and Muscles through the extream anguish and misery of the part for thereby at length voluntary motion comes to be abolished but not for that cause only but from a more inward cause inherent in the Cavities of the Nerves themselves for that the Neurotick juice by the heat and inflamation of the Disease afflicting is rarified and forced out of its own domicil into the hollows of the Nerves where interfering with the Animal Spirit not only exasperates the pain whereby the part comes to be weakned but also obstructs the future occurse of the said Spirit to the same place besides which 't is also possible that the gouty Particles transfusing themselves into the mass of Blood with which being carried to the Brain and being continually multiplyed by manifold accessions may at length contaminate the Spirits in the Callous and streaked Bodies oblong and spinal Marrow and in the original of the Nerves of several conjugations or pairs and their several and various ramifications so as to induce an absolute and confirm'd Palsy 25. There is another species of this Disease wherein the motive Faculty is not abolished but only weakly performed or depraved This is caused either from the want or impotency of the Animal Spirit whereby the Members cannot strongly move or lift or bear any weight but they labour under a great debility and trembling for a sufficient strength being wanting for the performance of any act at one essay Nature submitting is forced to act by a more often repeated endeavour and so the part being in motion is forced to shake and tremble whence it is that in some palsied people there is always a trembling and shaking in all their Limbs for that the nervous Fibres are universally weakned which continually striving to exert their wonted power reiterate those depraved motions perpetually 26. Those who suffer a Palsy through a defect of the Animal Spirit are such as have lost much Blood or such as have too often exercised the Venerial Act or are arrived to an extream or unhealthy old Age for by these means the Spirits are wasted and the supply or stock and provision of them being but small their dispensation into the Genus Nervosum is so much diminished that a trembling Paralysis commonly succeeds thereupon 27. The same thing almost happens to such as have lain long sick in an Atrophy or wasting condition and some other chronical Diseases in which the Spirits wast or decay and the Vigour force or strength of the Body gradatim and as it were insensibly declines whereby they become so enervated as that they can neither go nor stand upright much less perform any other action which requires any considerable power these somtimes lye Bed-rid long and it may be without any considerable sickness and although they seem every day as if they were ready to die yet they lye easily quietly and undisturbed talk chearfully but dare not rise or move for that upon the least motion such a signal uneasiness and weariness seises upon them as if they had don some hard labour or gon some great journey so that they cannot be rested again in some hours after In this case certainly although the Animal Spirits do in some sort inliven and actuate the Genus Nervosum yet the due measure is so small and their proportion to the whole so defective that the power of moving though not wholly taken away yet is so depraved that the sick can scarcely be perswaded to try whether they can move or not 28. And almost for the same reason the Motive faculty fails or is depraved in Scorbutick Persons and such as have often Surfeited themselves with Gluttony and strong liquors whereby such a superfluous quantity of ill humors and indigested matter is generated that thereby even the Spirits themselves are contaminated and at long run almost overwhelmed whereby they are either made imbecil impotent or weak or the Spirit making faculty from the impotency of the Stomach and the other Viscera though not wholly ceasing to perform its duty yet does it so poorly and meanly that there is not a sufficient generation of Spirits daily made to support the humane frame in its due energy and strength For by these meanes the whole Sanguinous mass becomes polluted and filled with impurities and serosities which being therewith conveyed to the Brain made lax or loose as to its Pores by a long continuation of irregularities is easiely received there out of which impure Blood as there is a less proportion of Animal Spirits generated so are they not so sublime serene or subtil but more dull or cloudy by reason of the adhesion of the impure matter whereby they become uncapable of exerting in themselves the motive faculty 29. And in these cases arising from the defect or imbecility of the Animal Spirit we conclude the Spirits not only to be in fault but the Organs also generating and containing them made weak by the depraved Serosities or Gas of the Blood transmitted every where through the whole universal Body into the moving Fibres whereby it is reasonable to think that those few Spirits impure also derived from the Brain being disposed at length through the whole Genus Nervosum into the minutest Fibres and meeting there with that depraved Serositie or malign Gas of the Blood make the motive Faculty both more weak and trembling 30. And therefore as to an habitual Palsy or a Palsy generated from a previous long and habitual vitious course of Living this we say that whatsoever things do more than ordinarily vitiate the Blood or obstruct the Brain and its nervous Appendix excite an afflux of morbifick Particles or matter produce a Narcosis or stupefaction of the Spirits or impeeds their generating may be accounted as antecedent causes of a Paralysis In order to the producing of these causes are the disorders of the six Non-naturals insatiable eating immeasurable drinking Wine or other strong Liquors an idle and sedentary course of Life sleeping too much or unseasonably immoderate use of Venus too much loss of Blood too vehement evacuations either by Vomit or Stool a cold and moist Air Metalick and Narcotick Fumes stupefying Medicines excess of heat cold or moisture vehement and long Passions of the Mind c. 31. Hitherto of a Paralysis where motion is
prudently to consider the Temperament of the Sick for if you adhibit hot things in a hot Constitution or cold in a cold habit you will but exasperate the Disease and make it so much the more difficult to be cured Now whereas a Paralysis in a cold and moist habit of body is most usual and frequent we shall first lay down a method of Precepts for the Cure thereof 3. Here then since the Disease arose from a long Series of prepared matter and Paralytick Particles begotten in the Blood from a cold and moist external cause this habit must be altered by a long course of a proper Diet which entering into the Sanguinous mass may in length of time and by degrees as the Disease came remove the Discrasy which continually hitherto has breed those heaps of Paralytick Particles 4. For this purpose we commend a Guajacum Diet which you may make after this manner Take Guajacum rasped twelve ounces Sarsa parilla Sassafras rasped Juniper berries well bruised white and yellow Sanders of each six ounces crude Antimony in pouder tyed up in a rag eight ounces boyl all after due infusion in twelve quarts of spring-water till near half be consumed then add Carraways Coriander seeds Rosmary Sage Savory Penny-royal sweet Marjoram Galangal florentine Orrice-root bruised of each two ounces and half Raisons of the sun stoned a pound boyl all gently according to Art strain the Decoction and to every quart thereof add choice Sherry Wine half a pint then dulcify it moderately with double refined Sugar and Bottle it up with a Clove slit in each Bottle and let it be kept for ordinary Drink Let this be drunk during the whole course of the Cure but Morning and Evening drop into the same twenty thirty or forty drops of the Spirit of Mans Blood Spirit of Hartshorn or of Skulls of Soot of Amber of Sal Armoniack or some such like which by their operative quality give a more speedy inlet-into the Genus Nervosum 5. Those who cannot take the former Diet may take this Take new Ale four gallons White-Wine four quarts Juyce of Scurvy-grass three pints Juyces of Tarragon of Water-Cresses and of Brooklime of each one pint shavings of Horse-radish Roots Mustard-seed bruised of each four ounces and a half put these into a bag and mixing them all together let them work up with the Ale for a day or two or till the fermentation is over which done after five or six days bottle up the clear Liquor with a Clove slit in each Bottle and an ounce of pure white sugar Let the Sick drink of this as their ordinary Liquor save in the Morning fasting and last at Night going to bed a Dose of the aforenamed Spirits may constantly be dropt into it 6. But because some cannot take things unless they be grateful to the Pallate a compound sort of Hydromel or Mead may be made very effectual which may be drunk somtimes before Meat or otherwise as the Sick has occasion and it may be thus made Take spring-water ten quarts Honey two pound roots of Acorus and of Orrice dryed Sage and Rosmary of each two ounces and a half boyl them to a consumption of a third part and in the end Aromatize it with Cinnamon half an ounce Nutmegs two drams Pepper half a dram make a Melicrate according to Art This may be done after the same manner for want of Honey with Sugar To this Mead you may add Staechas and Lavender-flowers of each an ounce if you so please 7. Or this following Decoction may be given instead thereof Take roots of the true Acorus Orrice of each an ounce Cyperus Elecampane Zedoary of each half an ounce Rosemary Sage Marjoram Tyme Penny-royal Ground-pine of each one handful Hysop Betony Calamint herb Mastich of each half a handful the flowers of Lavender of Rosmary Staechas Camomil of each one pugil seeds of Anise Fennel Carraways Rue of each two drams Liquorice bruised one ounce Raisons of the sun stoned four ounces make a Decoction in Water adding at the end of boyling a quarter part of Wine dulcifie it with Honey or Sugar and Aromatize it with Cinnamon or with some Aromatical Pouder then bottle it up for ordinary drink 8. Or the Sick may take this distilled Water of Willis his design Take leaves or roots of Aron one pound leaves of Garden Scurvy grass of the greater Rocket of Rosmary Sage Savory Tyme of each four handfuls of the flowers of Lavender three handfuls the outward Rinds of ten Oranges and six Limons Winteran bark three ounces Roots of the lesser Galangal Calamus Aromaticus Florentine Orrice of each two ounces Cubebs Cloves Nutmegs of each two ounces all being cut and bruised pour to them of white Wine and of Brumswick Beer or Mum of each two quarts distil it in common Organs to dryness but with great caution that it burn not and let all the Liquor be mixed together 9. Riverius commends this following Water Take the Chips of Guajacum four ounces Bark of the same one ounce Sarsa parilla one ounce and half China-root one ounce Sassafras six drams Lignum Aloes Galangal of each one dram and half roots of Angelica Peony and Fennel of each three drams and half Peony seeds two drams infuse them all in Water twelve quarts and Wine two quarts for four and twenty hours After add the leaves of Betony Ivy and Sage of each one handful Flowers of the Tile-Tree of Primroses of Stechas and of Rosemary of each two pugils of Lavender one pugil old Treacle half an ounce Citron-Peels and Seeds of each three drams and half Polypody half an ounce Cinnamon six drams distil them in Balneo Mariae according to Art and to every two pints and half of the Liquor put of Manus Christi prepared with Oyl of Cinnamon four ounces Dose four ounces in the Morning fasting and as much at bed-time 10. Infusions especially those made in Wine do good for though Wine especially if it be strong and too liberally taken is no ways convenient yet drawing into its Body other things and being to them as it were a Vehicle whereby their Virtues are conveyed to the Nerves they become profitable being thus made Medicinal You may prepare a simple Infusion after this manner Take roots of Acorus two ounces Raspings of Guajacum twelve ounces leaves of dryed Sage and Rosmary of each one ounce and half Ground-Pine sweet Marjoram musked Cranes-Bill Nutmegs of each one ounce Wormwood Zedoary of each half an ounce White or Rhenish or Sherry Wine ten quarts make an Infusion in a gentle Balneo for a Week then strain filter and dulcifie it with double refined Sugar Give it alone or with Cinnamon-water 11. But while these things are doing we must not be unmindful to remove as much as may be the morbifick Cause which is done by convenient Evacuations either upwards or downwards or both ways and by the other ordinary ways of Revulsion and Derivation But Authors advise that at
of its Organs And therefore if the disaffection or hurt of the Brain does not speedily cease because the Lungs cannot be able long to perform the whole duty of Breathing the Sick must needs be suffocated for that the Faculty in both kinds will be wholly abolished 8. But if voluntary motion is not wholly obliterated with the Senses then the respiration in the Paroxysm will be the more free for as the disaffection of the Brain is less being compared with the former by which the senses only are opprest as in a sleepiness or gentle stupidity so Motion though thereby it be made to faulter a little will be less hurt and may possibly persevere against the prevalency of the morbifick matter 9. Too great a coldness of the Brain may cause a Stupidity and too much moisture Immoderate Sleep which being extravagantly heaped up within the Skull by reason of the faeculencies of the Blood and weakness of the part and there supprest or stopt so as that it flows not through the passages appointed for it but perfuses it self through the substance of the Brain may cause a Carus where if it stays long so as to moisten or make soft and lax the bulk of the Brain and so flowing abroad falls upon or presses the original of the Nerves proceeding from the Brain at the Basis of the Skull it will stop up the Avenues or Passages of the Animal Spirit and so cause a strong Apoplexy This humour if it stop not here but does descend from thence and follows the course of the Nerves causes the Apoplexy to end in a Palsy 10. That these things are thus in a Carus and Apoplexy has been evident after the Death of the Patient for that the said humour has somtimes flown from the Hâ—ad by the Mouth and Nostrils in a very large proportion or measure Moreover in some that have been disseased it has been found that the thick Membrane being cut open a great plenty of humour has presently ran forth And Authors affirm that the very substance of the Brain in a certain old Woman who died of an Apoplexy was turned into a Cream-like substance and presently ran all over her Face But in another ancient Woman who died of an Apoplexy which my self saw opened only a Bladder of Water about the bigness of a small Hens Egg was taken out of the fore Ventricle of the Brain this Woman was troubled with a Vertigo for some time before and died in her first fit In this latter case the morbifick matter did not possess the whole Brain but tending to some particular part formed it self a Vesicle to which it had an habitual recouse 11. If Blood be carried out of the Vessels and diffuses it self into the substance of the Brain so as to obstruct the Windings and Ventricles by suddenly filling them whereby the Original of the Nerves are opprest and stopt it causes a Stupidity and Apoplexy and this often happens a Vein being broken occasioned many times from a fullness of the Vessels in such who formerly having been accustomed to Haemorrhages at Nose fluxes of the Terms or Haemorrhoides have them suddenly stopt In whom it has been observed that near Death and presently after it a large flux of Blood has broken forth from their Mouth and Nose from whence we may conclude it to be the chief cause in these persons of an Apoplexy 12. The like may be from an external violent Cause as a Contusion of the Brain from a fall or blow though the substance of the Brain be no ways wounded by which the blood also may fill the Cavities of the Brain and its substance especially in those places where it is contused as is daily seen in the Brains of a Bullock killed or knocked down with an Hatchet or Ax whereby the Brain is filled with clotted blood And therefore in this case an Apoplexy follows unless a bleeding at Nose or Ears or other adjoyning passages doth immediately ensue Yet somtimes the blood stopped in the part is clodded and retained till it putrifies and then by causing a Frenzy Convulsion Lethargy or Apoplexy according to the quality and disposition of the matter kills the Patient 13. And this also comes to pass when the substance of the Brain is hurt by cutting or pricking whereby its action is then destroyed And when the Brain is comprest by a depression of the Skull especially if the Compression be very great As also when by some stronger force the bulk of the Brain is as it were prest together or prest upon the original of the Nerves in all these Cases it must needs be that an Apoplexy must follow 14. If the Animal Spirits be so wasted or consumed as to cause not only a weakness of the Functions of the Brain but also a total oblition of them a very strong Apoplexy and sudden killing of the Patient follows of which we have seen several old men dye yet this can hardly be without some Corruption of the part or putrified humors filling the Cavities of the Brain 15. The History of this present Cure is very remarkable for this young man being of a sanguine habit of body and so easily heat or inflamed after a severe drinking of Wine and other strong Liquors to Drunkenness became almost insensible and at length seemed like one dead so that he could not be awaked by the by-standers Whereupon a Physician was sent for which coming in and viewing him declared it to be an Apoplexy as indeed it was 16. His assistance being required he used many things in vain so that another Physician was sent for who immediately endeavoured to let him blood but he would not bleed At length some of his Relations desired that I might be sent for which was done when I came to him I beheld the miserable object with wonder for he lay so stupified as if he had been perfectly dead nor could we by any means discern Life in him 17. My advice was desired The case I found to be desperate and therefore required both desperate and speedy help for that no ordinary means already used to him could do him any good Upon a little pause I thought upon the learned Deckers his Errhines which is a bold and almost irresistable Medicament and although it can scarcely be given without danger and seldom without great Symptoms following it yet because it makes large Evacuations from the Head and may be blown up the Nostrils when nothing can be put or forced down the Throat and the Patient withall being as it were insensible I concluded it reasonable to exhibit the same which with the consent of the other Physician was done 18. The composition of the said Errhine is this Take Turbith Mineral one part subtle pouder of Liquorice three parts Rosemary-flowers one part and half mix them exactly in a most subtil pouder F. Deckers Exercitation Pract. cap. 1. pag. 19. where he has these Words Duorum Vltimorum horumce speaking of this here described and another
hours yea sometimes for a day or two at what time they oft times come to themselves again though without doubt many dye being thus taken 27. These if they recover out of the fit whether it be of short or long continuance do never fall into a Palsy or Hemiplegia as those for the most part do who are afflicted with an Apoplexy of the Brain and the reason is because that proper to the Cerebel proceeding either from a poysonous Gas or subtil vapour assaulting the Animal Spirits and suppressing them or from a vast diminution of them by reason of a total exclusion of the blood from the Brain leaves no substantial morbifick matter to fall down upon the Spinal Marrow and obstruct the Nerves thereof as the other kind of Apoplexy does which proceeds from and is caused by the afflux of humors heaped up in the Ventricles of the Brain and other hetrogene substances offending even the substance of the Brain it self and its more inward Marrow but the said Disease passing off as the said malign or poysonous Gas vanishes so by reason of the retribution of new and fresh Spirits the Sick remains afterwards in perfect health though with a paleness of countenance 28. Now the motion of the Heart may be thought to be hindred by reason of a contraction or Convulsion of the Cardiack Nerves chiefly within the Praecordia and Viscera caused as aforesaid by some venomous Gas or Vapour whereby the Spirits about to flow are suspended whence follows immediately great inordinations with a deprivation of Motion and Sense and a very slow and weak Pulse which causes the sick to lye for the time as if Dead And indeed those taken with an Apoplexy from the evil disposition of the Cerebellum are often troubled with the Incubus or with Swooning and failing of the Spirits and an intermitting Pulse 29. As to the Cause of the degrees of the Apoplexy as being either universal every function natural spontaneous and voluntary ceasing or particular this or that part being affected by it self or the faculties though they all without exception suffer an Eâ—lipse depraved more or less now this now that it arises from the quantity and quality of the morbifick matter descending to the middle or marrowy part of the Brain as also from its disposition and location possessing somtimes all its whole substance and sometimes but part of it as the fore middle or hinder parts thereof c. LV. The Prognosticks of the Apoplexy 1. This Disease is for the most part mortal always doubtful and never without present or successive danger for that the Spirits themselves are the immediate objâ—cts of its malignity or violence 2. That is most dangerous of all in which besides the abolition of all the spontaneous Functions the Pulse and Breathing are also defficient or are performed with great labour and difficulty and this for the most part happens with a cold clammy Sweat Snorting and a Foam at Mouth all which indicate immediately Death 3. In an apoplectick Fit if help follows the use of proper and fit means a recovery is to be hoped for but if on the contrary the Distemper continues without intermission above the space of four and twenty hours the Case is very desperate 4. If after the first Aphonick Paroxysm the sick becomes more stupid numb or dull or is frequently troubled with a Scotomia or Vertigo it is to be feared that more Fits will follow for then it is certain that the Disease proceeds from the morbifick Matter already heaped up in the Compass of the Brain and there dispersedly flowing descends through the small Pores only into the marrowy Part which malign and poysonous or neurotick matter increasing to a fulness hastens on a fresh Paroxysm 5. A strong Apoplexy saith Hippocrates Sect. 2. Aph. 42. is impossible to be cured and a weak one not very easily this Galen thus explains A strong Apoplexy is when the breathing is uneven and disorderly and somtimes intermitting and if such a breathing is very hard or difficult the Disease is stronger if the breath be stopt it is most strong but when there is some order that is regularity and easiness in the breathing the Disease is the weaker 6. A faint Sweat in an Apoplexy is evil for it shews great oppression of Nature and it is so much the worse if it be cold and clammy and with great difficulty of breathing 7. Hippocrates Sect. 6. Aph. 51. saith that those who are taken with an Apoplexy dye in seven days except a Feaver seise them but it must be a violent one and essentially springing from the inflamation of the Humors and Spirits otherwise it will not discuss the Matter which causeth the Apoplexy For otherwise if it be only symptomical and gentle or happning accidentally from a burning disposition in the Head through too much Blood in the Veins thereof the Feaver then causes Symptoms of Frenzy or Madness which weakens the animal Faculties rather than weakens the Disease 8. Moreover a Feaver which will have power enough to dissolve an Apoplexy must come in the beginning of the Disease whilst Nature has some kind of Vigour and Strength to make resistance for as Hippocrates in Coacis saith if a Feaver come upon an Apoplexy after it has continued long it is deadly 9. An Apoplexy of the Brain going off often degenerates either into a Palsy of the whole Body or into a Hemiplegia for that the morbifick Matter is not discussed otherwise than upon the spinal Nerves 10 If the Paroxysm is so extream as presently to deprive the Patient both of Pulse and Breathing so that a little after they grow cold and seem dead yet they are not presently to be laid out and given over without hope under three or four daâ— because such do somtimes revive again either of their own accord or by the use of means In such it is certain that the vital heat in the Heart was not totally extinquished but like fire raked up in Ashes it revives again the morbifick Matter being dissipated or evaporated from the Cerebellum 11. An Apoplexy hapning in Youth and in Summer time demonstrates the great Vehemency of the Cause and such an one saith Hippocrates Sect. 2. Aph. 34. is exceeding dangerous LVI The Cure of an Apoplexy in the Fit 1. The sick being in the Fit if it proceeds not from some external vehement hurt of the Head whether it proceeds from Blood let out of the Vessels or a serous or watery humor or the breaking of an Apostem in the Brain or other invincible Cause yet ought the Cure to be attempted in performing of which let the sick sit as upright as may be in a Chair for some hours for the Disease being a sleepy Disease if the sick should be put to bed it might incline the more to sleep which is expressly against the intention of Cure then let the extream Parts to wit the Hands Arms Thighs Legs and Feet be moderately chased and as
Sennerus advises be rubbed with Salt and Vinegar 2. Keep his Mouth open by putting somthing beween the Teeth and instil into the Mouth the Spirit or Tincture of Castoreum Or this following Mixture Take Spirit of Angelica the greater Composition two ounces Powers of Lavender and Rosemary of each an ounce Tincture of Castoreum half an ounce Syrup of Peony enough to sweeten them mix them together and give the sick half a spoonful at a time 3. However Physicians think their duty not well done unless the sick be let blood let the Disease proceed from what cause soever yet with Riverius he ought to consider whether blood-letting be a thing fit or not for as Celsus saith it either kills or cures and therefore ought to be well considered of aforehand for if Blood offend no way or if the Strength be quite gone or the Patient be very old blood-letting ought to be wholly pretermitted 4. You ought to offer violence to all his Senses his Eyes ought to be placed against the Sun or an extream Light a great Noise ought to be made in his Ears sharp things ought to be put into his Nostils as Rue Castoreum Vinegar c. and vehement biting and hot things into his Mouth his feeling ought to be stirred up besides frictions with pinching pulling of the Hair Ligature or binding bending of the Fingers c. 5. The Temples may be anointed with distilled Oyls as also the Nape of the Neck the spinal Marrow with this following or the like Take Oyls of Amber of Spicknard of Castâ—reum of each two scruples Oyl of the flowers of Hypericon Juyce of Rue strained of each three drams mix them and anoint therewith it is a thing of good use not only in the Apoplexy but also in the Epilepsy Lethargy Carus c. This following is better Take Powers of Rosemary and Lavender of each two ounces Powers of Castoreum and Juniper of each one ounce Powers of Cammomil and Marjoram of each half an ounce mix them 6. In the mean Season Sternutatories or Errhines either liquid or solid ought to be applyed to the Nostrils among the common and simple Errhines you have these the Juyces of Betony of Marjoram of red Beets of Brooklime of Water-Cresses of blew flower de luce of wild Cucumbers c. distilled Waters of sweet Marjoram of Betony Rue Sage Lavender Brooklime Water-Cresses Garden-Cresses Origanum Celindine c. The Spirit of Rosemary of Lavender of Juniper of Caraways of Sassafras of leaves of white Hellebor of Tobacco of Elaterium of the flowers of Lilly-Convally drawn with the Spirit of Wine c. to which add as things that excel Spirits of Urine of Soot of Sal Armoniack c. Infusions of Sage Penny-royal Time Lavender-flowers roots of Celandine of Sow-bread of blew flower de luce c. in Wine or some of the aforenamed distilled Water Pouders made of Rue Sage Marjoram Castoreum Orrice-root Ginger Galangal Staphisagria Nigella c. 7. Of simple Sternutatories these following hold the chiefest place roots of white Hellebor of Pyrethrum of Crowfoot of Horse-radish of Sea-radish of Aron of blew flower de luce of Sow-bread Leaves of Tobacco Seeds of Nigella of Rocket of Mustard of Water-Cresses Juyces of Euphorbium of Sow-bread of blew flower de luce to these add also Ginger black Pepper Cloves Castorium Agarick c. 8. Errhines and Sternutatories more compounded may be thus made Take sweet Marjoram Betony Brooklime bruise them and express their Juyce take of this Juyce half an ounce Castoreum in subtil Pouder a scruple mix them dip Cotten therein and put it up the Nostrils Or thus Take leaves of red Beets an handful and half Mustard-seed a dram and half cut and bruise them and affuse thereon sweet Marjoram Water White Wine of each an ounce and half digest an hour in warm Sand then press forth the Liquor for use Another Errhine Take Time Rosemary Sage of each half an handful Spanish-Tobacco a dram roots of blew flower de luce a dram and half cut bruise and infuse in Lavender-Water three ounces digest in warm Sand for a Night the next Morning express the Liquor for use 9. This following is particularly commended against the Apoplexy Epilepsy hysterick Fits and other chronick Diseases of the Head Take good Spanish-Tobacco tops of Lavender Time Hypericon of each half an handful flowers of the Tile-Tree of Lilly-Convally of each three pugils roots of Angelica and of white Hellebor of each three drams Castoreum a dram and half volatile Salt of Amber four scruples cut bruise and affuse thereon Spirit of Wine ten ounces digest in a Vessel close stopt for three days or more then with a very gentle Fire draw off the Spirit to dryness with which mix Spirit of Soot one dram digest a little and keep it for use Now here is to be noted that liquid Errhines need not be exhibited in quantity above three drams or half an ounce at most at one time a dram or two may serve at a time in ordinary Cases 10. Sternutatories in form of Pouder excellent for this Purpose Take the best Spanish Tobacco sweet Marjoram Rosemary Sage of each half a dram roots of white Hellebor Ginger of each a scruple Musk two grains make a subtil Pouder to sneeze with Or thus Take roots of white Hellebor and of Pyrethrum of each half a scruple flowers of Lavender of Rosemary of Lilly-Convally seeds of Nigella of each two scruples Castoreum ten grains Ambergrise three grains mix and make a subtil Pouder for a Sternutatory But the most admirable of all is this Errhine of Turbith mineral Take Turbith Mineral a dram Rosemary-leaves a dram and half Liquorice three drams mix and make a subtil Pouder soft like Flower 't is a famous thing and of excellent use but must be used with much caution it draws away indeed the morbifick Matter to a Miracle 11. In the mean Season while these things are doing it will be reasonable that a Clyster be prepared as follows to be exhibited with all convenient speed Riverius commends this Take Decoctum commune a pint and half Hiera Picra and Diaphoenicon of each an ounce Oyls of Rue and Lillies of each an ounce and half Honey of Roses two ounces Salt a dram mix and make a Clyster to be given immediately Or this of Deckers Take Rue Time Origanum Rosemary of each on handful Lavender-flowers three pugils roots of Masterwort of blew flower de luce of each two drams roots of Pyrethrum and of Sow-bread of each three drams Carthamus seeds tyed up in a Rag one dram Pulp of Colocynthis half an ounce boyl in a sufficient quantity of Spring-Water strain and to six ounces thereof add Electuary Diaphoenicon an ounce and half the best Castoreum in Pouder a dram Sal Armoniack half a dram mix and make a Clyster Or this of the same Authors Take Rue Asarum Tobacco of each an handful and half tops of the lesser Centory an handful roots