twenty drops mix it and give two drachms morning and evening After the frequent use of this Electuary you may purge with this Powder Take Powder of Cream of Tartar half a drachm Salts of Wormwood Amber Scurvigrass Resin of Scammony of each ten grains mix it for two doses If the Patient like Pills better these may serve For Example Take Extract Catholicon Rudii of each ten grains Resin of Jallop Agarick Salt Armoniack of each six grains Oils of Amber Cloves of each two drops make it into eight Pills for two doses A Medicinal Wine may be prepar'd very effectual in these distempers Take of Water-cresses Brook-lime Scurvigrass Rue of each one handfull Roots of Polypodium Jallop Horse-radish Angelica Cream of Tartar of each half an ounce white Nettle-seed one ounce Orange-peel Cinamon Salt of Tartar of each two drachms let them be cleansed bruised and infused in three quarts of White-wine for two or three days then strain it and give four spoonfulls in the morning fasting In the Hypochondriack suffocation you may often hold to the Nostrils a glass with a narrow mouth containing the Spirit of Salt Armoniack for by its sharp smell the sick for the most part are wont to be rais'd both from that suffocation and from the Epilepsie If the Gums are putrified let the mouth be washed with the following Tincture mixed with some Plantain water and Syrup of Mulberries Take Powder of Gum Lacca one ounce burnt Alome half an ounce the small Spirit of Salt Armoniack one quart let them digest together 'till it be of a red colour then filtrate it through brown paper and keep it for use If the sick hath a costive Body you may administer a Carminative Clyster once or twice a week In pains of the Belly and Hypochondries this linament is effectual Take Oils of Earth-worms Scurvigrass Chamomel of each one ounce Oil of Mace by expression half an ounce mix it with which anoint the parts affected This Antiscorbutick water will be very profitable to be taken two or three spoonfulls at a time morning and evening Take the Barks of Ash and Capers the Roots of Tamarisk Polypodium Horse-radish of each three ounces Water-cresses Scurvigrass Brook-lime Sorrel Centaury the less Harts tongue of each four handfulls Berries of Bays and Juniper Goose-dung of each one ounce the Seeds of Citrons Mustard Carduus benedictus Cloves Cinamon Nutmegs Ginger of each half an ounce let them be cleansed bruised and digested in one Gallon of White-wine and two quarts of Spirit of wine being close covered for three days then distill them with a glass Still according to art and keep it for your use Frictions Ligatures Ventoses Sternutatories c. are all profitable to stir up the sick in the Hypochondriack suffocation CHAP. XV. Of the Green-sickness and Suppression of the Courses THE Green-sickness is called in Latin Icteris Febris alba In English the Virgin 's Disease the White Fever and the White Jaundice because in this disease the native colour of the Face is pale This disease is caused either from defect of Bloud or it proceedeth from plenty of crude viscous phlegmatick humours obstructing the veins about the Womb by which the courses are supprest the veins of the Matrix being obstructed that superfluous Bloud which nature hath ordained to be evacuated that way having not passage doth return to the greater Vessels and is circulated with the whole mass of Bloud and humours by which they are in time vitiated and a Cachexie or ill habit of body is thence caused for the Bloud and natural humours being indued with a vitious quality the nourishment of all the parts of the body will be deprav'd several ways according to the variety of the quality peccant whence likewise not onely the fermentation of Food but also the Appetite of it is deprav'd wherefore Anxieties and Palpitation of the Heart c. troubleth the sick as well before as after Food taken in This distemper may be also caused by external coldness of the air c. and sometimes great fear and sudden shame may be the cause of the suppression also aliments and medicaments that are too astringent taken inwardly In these diseases the Urine cometh away crude thick and less colour'd because the phlegmatick watry humours abounding incorporating with the Bloud do diminish the desired effervescency so that the separation much less excretion of the excrementitious parts to be voided together with Urine doth not follow If the Hypochondries be afflicted and the veins of the Womb obstructed there will be great loathing of wholsome Food and a desire after those things which ought not to be eaten as Ashes Salt Coals c. which is called Pica and in Women with Child Malacia of which we have hinted in the Chapter of Hungar Vitiated page 145 146. 1. These distempers are sometimes of long continuance causing much weakness and oft times barrenness in them that have been so afflicted and if they do conceive they bring forth weak and sickly Children and those that are very melancholy are in danger of falling into madness or other grievous affects as Palpitation of the Heart Swouning Vertigo Epilepsie Apoplexy c. 2. If the obstruction be onely of the vessels of the Womb and have not been oâ— long continuance it may be easily cur'd 3. Bleeding at the Nose is sometimes beneficial but if the Bloud doth disburthen it self by the Eyes Ears Mouth or Bladder it is preposterous from whence may arise other bad Symptoms In the cure of these distempers such medicines are to be selected which will mildly and by degrees alter correct and evacuate tough and glutinous Phlegm seeing that all prolong'd diseases depend on it either wholly or at least in part for by the frequent use of such medicines the Bloud and peccant humours will be the easier reduc'd to their natural constitution especially by the help of good Food easy of digestion in the mean while not neglecting the moderate use of the rest of the nonnatural things An obstruction of the Vessels by viscous Phlegm may be cur'd by the frequent use of such medicines as have power to loosen the peccant humours and again make them fluid All fixt metallick and mineral Sulphurs and also volatile Salts prepar'd not onely of several parts of Animals but also of scorbutick Plants such as are the juice of Hedge-mustard Scurvigrass Garden and Water-cresses Dandelion c. conduce before all others to loosen and dissolve Phlegm coagulated or Bloud clotter'd as having an egregious power of dissolving all things coagulated and conglutinated in humane bodies and of reducing the same to their wonted fluidity and moreover to move sweat which together being mildly promoted the desired dissolution of the aforesaid viscous humours c. will be obtained much easier and sooner An example of such a Sudorifick I have here set down for the sake of young Practitioners Take the Waters of Treacle Dandelion
Amoniacum and also Wax and Turpentine c. Of these you may prepare Cataplasms Oils Unguents Emplasters c. Which Judicious Physicians and Chyrurgions may doe as they see occasion But when there is much heat in the part inflam'd beware of all unctuous things and let your Fomentations and Cataplasms be made with Butter-milk which doth egregiously temper heat and hinder St. Anthonie's fire from being easily join'd with the Inflammation The generation of matter being promoted and the Tumor come to suppuration let it be opened either with an Instrument or potential Cauterie in the softest and lowest part of it and let the matter be evacuated by little and little because otherwise the strength of the sick will not be a little prostrated especially when there is much matter contained in the Aposteme wherefore let not the Tumor be pressed hard which is familiar with many Chyrurgions but often proves prejudicial to the Patient If the Orifice be too small you may dilate it with a tent made of spunge dipt in Melilot plaâ—ster and afterward pressed but it is better to lay it open by incision if it may conveniently be done after which you must forth-with proceed to cleanse and consolidate the Ulcer to which end several Medicines are wont to be applied all which I neither blame nor carp at I have often considered with admiration the laudable effect of Balsam of Sulphur with Oil of Turpentine c. In this case incredible to many if a little of it be mixt with a milder Balsam and dropt in or applied to the Ulcer for shortly after the generation of new Phlegm is so diminisht that oft by the help of this one Balsam I have in a few days perfectly cur'd notable Apostemes after Inflammations bred both in the Breasts and elsewhere By this experiment not a little to be esteem'd I judge the cleansing and consolidation of Ulcers following Apostemes to consist in the correction of acid and corroding matter adhering to the Ulcer and corrupting the bloud at least in part that is apt to nourish it and turning it into new matter which may be corrected by the mention'd Balsam of Sulphur which is not onely Aromatical but abounds with a volatile oily Salt by which the acid Spirit which corrupts the bloud into matter is not onely dull'd but so amended that the bloud flowing to it soon repairs the parts before consum'd and finisheth the last consolidation What farther may be deduc'd from this experiment to perfect Physick and Chyrurgery also in other cures let both ingenious Physicians and Chyrurgeons weigh and judge If a Pleurisie or Peripneumonie be not carefully cured an Empiema which is a collection of purulent matter in the cavity of the Breast will unavoidably follow Wherefore if these Humors cannot be evacuated by expectoration nor by sweating pissing or purging the matter may be drawn out by a Paracenthesis made in the Breast The Apertion may be made four or five inches from the Sternon not so near the upper as the lower rib because under each rib there is an Intercostal Vein Arterie and Nerve I do not approve of the old way of performing this operation viz. After the Orifice is made to put in a Perforated Pipe of Gold Silver or Lead and there to remain till the matter be all discharged There is now a safer and surer way wherein is not onely avoided many difficulties and dangers but 't is also done with less trouble and pain to the Patient The Instrument must be made of Steel sharp at the point like a Lancet and hollow like a quill with holes in several places towards the point the better to evacuate the matter When the quantity which you intend is discharged draw out the Instrument and put a little pledget of dry lint on the Orifice and upon it a sticking plaster the next day according to the strength of the sick repeat it either in the first place or make a new Apertion Thus you may doe every day till the matter be all discharged By this Instrument may a Hydrocele be also discharged and likewise the Dropsie of the Breast and Abdomen They that desire more directions in this Operation may peruse Hieronymus Fabricius ab aqua pendente in Libro de Operationibus Chirurgicis CHAP. III. Of the consumption or Phthisick and an Hectick Fever THE Consumption is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tabesco because in this disease the sick doth consume or waste away It is called in Latin Tabes which is a general name for all Consumptions whether it be Atrophia Cachexia or Phthisis but it may most properly be taken for an Extenuation of the whole body caused by an Ulcer of the Lungs The purulent matter of the Ulcer circulating with the bloud doth infect and by degrees corrupt the whole mass of it which makes it unfit for nourishment hence it is that all the parts of the body do waste and consume The causes are many sometimes purulent matter may be communicated to the Lungs from the Plurisie or Empiema inflaming and corrupting them which causeth an Ulcer Sometimes a salt and sharp Rheum flowing down from the Head to the Trachea Arteria which doth not onely cause a vehement Coughing but doth corrode the Lungs being naturally tender Hence an Ulcer will be caused Also many times Pustules or Tubercles are generated in the Lungs and coming to suppuration they break and the matter flowing to the Bronchia it may be spit up if the Patient have strength but oft times an Ulcer remaineth which causeth a Consumption These causes depend sometimes on Choler sometimes on the juice of the Pancreas sometimes on Spittle sometimes on Chyle sometimes on Lympha any way Vitiated by which the mass of bloud in time becomes also corrupted When the Lungs decline from their Natural consistency they Will soon become hard and tumorous and so by degrees they will be corrupted and ulcerated and the matter of the Ulcer corrupting and makeing the mass of bloud glutinous in circulating with it doth so weaken and corrupt all the parts of the body that they become unfit to perfect natural nourishment and therefore of necessity the universal body must consume and pine away sometimes it is caused by an obstruction of the lacteal veins which hindreth the natural passage of the Chylus Authours mention many more causes of Consumptions as Gonorrhoea Nocturnal Pollutions want of Nourishment c. The signs of a Consumption begun are a great defluxion of Rheum into the sharp Artery causing a violent Cough by which the Lungs are exasperated and there follows a Hectick Fever sometimes putrid from the purulent matter flowing into the Veins To know whether the Lungs be ulcerated let the Patient spit into water if it sinks it is matter which is an infallible sign of an Ulcer for Phlegm always swims in water When the Ulcer is confirm'd there is difficult breathing and
the vital strength without manifest cause which for the most part is Epidemical But of this I intend to treat particularly in Chap. 8. of this Book 3. The last Symptome which I shall here mention is seldom observ'd in which all the time of the disease the external parts are cold while the internal parts burn and therefore 't is called by the Latins Lipyria febris and in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quia destituitur ardore externo Some think this distemper consists of a double Fever Cholerick and Pancreatical and not without reason because such like vapours may be continually rais'd in the small guts by the Juices of the Pancreas universally over-sour which may be confus'd onely with the Mass of Bloud and breed a sense of cold in the habit of the Body whilst a burning heat is stir'd up in the internal parts by a Fever caused by Choler more oily than sharp The cause of every continual Fever not putrid is sometimes Choler vitiated sometimes Lympha together with the Juice of the Pancreas and Spittle and many times all these together are ill affected These vitiated humours flowing always to the Heart cause a continual Effervescency in the right Ventricle of it whence the Pulse is continually produc'd more frequent against nature Fevers in Children are caused either by the Food abounding in quantity or by some vitious quality of it or from an ill disposition of the digestive ferment Milk is the general Food of Children and there is such a propensity in its own nature to curdle that if it be not quickly digested it obeyeth the acid Ferment of the Stomach and is soon coagulated like new tough Cheese and if it be not speedily vomited up it begets a putrefactive Ferment which produceth terrible Symptoms as griping scouring vomiting c. I know a Woman that had a young Child about a Month old which was taken very ill with Convulsions after which followed a thorough Thrush with a Fever accompanied with the aforesaid Symptoms as griping c. which continu'd many days till the whole body was so maciated that it was in a total Atrophia and when there was no hopes of recovery the Nurse gave the Child a little of the infusion of the Antimonial Cup which caused it to vomit up a Curd three or four inches long very green and as tough as new Cheese After which the Child did wonderfully recover and grow fat Continual acute Fevers are oft times accompanied with a secret malignity and therefore dangerous parvae febres quandoque valde malignae The Stomach in continual Fevers is most commonly primarily affected through undigestion or else from Excrements not being separated and orderly evacuated which causeth an irregular Ferment or nonnatural heat in the Stomach which though begun else where is much aggravated by vitiating Juices found in this first Elaboratory of decocting Nature For as in humane frame the first heat of Nature preparatory to all her depending motions is the digestive heat for Chylification in the Stomach so likewise the corrupting or exasperating of the same either by the sour Ferments or too much of the overflowing Gall is the Cause of most Fevers Therefore in the beginning of the Cure evacuation by vomiting never ought to be neglected by the carefull Physician provided it be duely timed because then most commonly it removeth the sole cause of the feverish Intemperature without the help of any other means And here I commend Antimonials well prepared before all others seeing that Antimony as well rightly prepar'd as administred serves no less to purifie Man's body than Gold But if the Patient's body be costive and there be eminent signs of a Plethora or great fulness of Bloud then let a carminative Clyster be first administred and after its operation let a Vein be opened and draw seven or eight ounces of bloud at a time and if there be occasion let it be reiterated for I always prefer it s repeated less diminution as need requires sometimes instituted in the same day before great evacuations made suddenly which hath brought many Evils to the sick It matters little what vein be opened unless in Women because of the monthly Terms either at hand or hindred And seeing it is the duty of every honest Physician to be Natures helper he ought to endeavour to remove all impediments whereby the sick may be cured more quickly safely and pleasantly without demurs to magnifie the Cure and inflame the reckonings Wherefore since the first curative intention of most Fevers is the discharge of the first turgent Monitor from the Stomach and adjacent parts by vomiting as is before said Let the Patient upon the discovery of the assaulting Enemy take an Antimonial Emetick and if one doth not suffice let it be reiterated by which the Morbifick matter will be evacuated nature calmed and the contemperating of the incited or enraged nonnatural heat will be the easier performed But here the Sex is to be consider'd the Female not so well enduring this evacuation because Emeticks cause great Commotions and flatuous Vapours in them which may also prevent or corrupt natures own intentions in her great discharge of turgent humours Wherefore administer no Emetick to them except they vomit very easily but rather let the peccant humours be diminisht or emptied out gradually by the following decoction to be taken twice a day to three or four ounces Take the Roots of Parsly Fennel Plantain Peony Dandelion Succory of each two ounces the Leaves of Endive House-leek Fumitory Damask-roses of each one handfull Let them be cleansed bruised and infused for a Night in one quart of Fountain-water very hot then boil it gently till a third part be consumed strain it and add Syrup of Succory with Rhubarb the best Manna of each two ounces Powder of Cream of Tartar and Tartar vitriolated of each two drachms Oil of Sulphur twenty drops mix it all together This pleasant Medicine will conduce much to correct the salt sharpness of Choler and will also amend its Oily inflameableness and separate it from the Bloud and mildly dispose it and the rest of the abounding humours to be voided out by stool After these Evacuations give the sick the following Medicine twice a day in a little thin broth or Water-gruel Take Salt of Amber volatile Salt of Harts-horn Tartar vitriolated of each six grains mix it This excellent volatile Medicine is both abstersive and Diuretick and will cleanse the Stomach and Intestines of the remaining Sordes and expell them by Urine In the Declination of the Fever if sleep be wanting this following Julep will much avail both to cause rest and refresh the spirits Take the Waters of Carduus benedict Fennel of each two ounces Treacle-water Syrup of red Poppies of each one ounce Laudanum opiatum six grains Salt of Wormwood half a drachm Spirit of Salt twenty drops mix it and give the sick three or four
in perfect health nothing is wont to be expell'd out of the Stomach by the Mouth In vomiting sometimes food either crude or more or less fermented is cast out by the Gullet and Mouth sometimes Bloud sometimes Choler and other times manifold humours and matter of divers Colours Taste and Consistency and sometimes the Excrements returning to the Stomach as in Iliaca passio is expell'd by that preposterous way of vomiting wherein omnia naturae praepostera legibus ibant All the differences occurring in several sick People are very difficult to be numbred or reduc'd into a certain order and much more to make an exact Examination of all the Symptoms and thence to give a solid Judgment of every one In this distemper the Stomach is either primarily or secondarily affected The Stomach is primarily affected to vomit when the cause is in it self As by taking a Vomit or when there is an Inflammation or Exulceration of it for then it is easily stir'd up by food or any other thing swallowed to a violent and preternatural Contraction and turning of its motion whereby it is compell'd to cast out whatsoever is contain'd in it The Stomach is secondarily affected when it is drawn by consent of other parts first distemper'd as by the contracting motion of the Guts either in part or wholly in that most grievous disease called Ileos or Iliaca passio or by the vehement shaking of the Midriff together with a potent Contraction of the Muscles of the Belly caused sometimes in a grievous Cough By which all the Bowels contain'd in the Belly are compressed upward toward the Breast and urge the Stomach to change its natural motion As often as Cholerick humours are plentifully voided out as well upward as downward with great force accompanied with troublesome Anxieties of the Midriff it is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bilis And in Latin cholerica passio When there is a forcible pouring out of Bloud by vomiting it is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latin vomitio sanguinis The Cause of Ileos or Iliaca passio is an excrementitious viscous matter that doth adhere unto the Gut called Ileo which in time is coagulated into a very hard substance almost in the form of Bullets of which I have had large experience whence all passage through for the excrements by siege is stopt and anon their regress and ascent to the Stomach follows with a miserable vomiting of them The Rupture of the Peritonaeum may be also the cause of this grievous disease especially if it be so great that not onely the small Guts but the great ones also fall through the lacerated hole either by reason of their weight or else by the perpetual approaching of what is contain'd in them which renders them uncapable to be reduc'd or put back through the same hole whence the excrements having not passage downwards are more and more hardned to that degree that they can hardly be dissolv'd so that a hard and unsupperable Tumour doth soon follow which hinders the reflux of bloud and causeth an inflammation and consequently a gangrene of the Guts attended with a violent vomiting of the excrements 'till death do put a period to the Patient's misery These evils are often encreas'd by fomentations too hot apply'd as also by a preposterous and strong rubbing of the swell'd part and violence us'd to repell the Guts The immediate causes of the cholerick passion are sharp putrid cholerick humours collected in the Stomach and Bowels because of external errours commited in diet or by the taking of poison uncorrected which doth immediately disturb and corrupt all the humours The cause of vomiting bloud is to be deduced most commonly from the Pancreas by reason of some vessel open'd by its over sharp juice caused by a vitious effervescency with Choler from whence most of it is driven up to the Stomach to be vomited out whilst some of it may descend downward to be voided by stool This distemper may also be caused by bloud flowing out of the vessels of the Stomach or Guts either broken by vehement Coughing or corroded by sharp humours 1. If vomiting be from repletion or be critical 't is a good benefit of nature and therefore must not be stopped but if it be symptomatical 't is an ill sign especially if it be caused by inflammation of the Stomach or adjacent parts or by poison taken 2. If the cause of Ileos be from excrements indurated in the Gut Ileon it may be cur'd if taken in time but if it be from a Rupture of the Peritonaeum 't is dangerous and for the most part mortal especially if there be inflammation and Tumour of the Guts c. 3. If the sick vomit bloud 't is dangerous neither is the cholerick passion without danger The Cure of this manifold vomiting may be performed diversly according to the variety of each cause If vomiting be rais'd too much by an Emetick or any other nauseous thing taken it may be represt by this aromatick Opiate or one like it Take of Mint-water four ounces Tincture of Cinamon half an ounce Syrups of Mint Erratick Poppies of each six drachms Laudanum opiatum six grains Spirit of Nitre twenty drops mix it Let the sick take a spoonfull of this every quarter of an hour till the vomiting ceaseth If a Catarrh be the cause of vomiting look for the cure in its proper Chapter If the cholerick passion be caused by poison or plentifulness of cholerick humours in the Stomach c. then nothing hinders but that a gentle Antimonial Emetick may be given to which may be added those things which will temper the too great effervescency of the aforesaid humours For example Take of the infusion of Crocus Metallorum Mint-water of each six drachms Cinamon-water two drachms Syrup of Erratick Poppies half an ounce Laudanum opiatum two grains mix it After the evacuation of the peccant humours upward and downward an Opiate may be profitably used because it will not onely temper the Acrimony of Choler but asswage the acid juice and stupefie the outward sense and procure rest which will be very gratefull to the sick Take the waters of Fennel Plantain Mint Purslain of each two ounces Cinamon-water Syrups of Myrtles Purslain white Poppâ—es of each one ounce Confect de Hyacintho Diascordium Venice-treacle of each two drachms Laudanum opiat eight grains Spirit of Niter twenty drops mix it Let the sick take two Spoonfulls of it often which will conduce to amend the faultiness of any humours whether acrimonious salt or sour for in the disease of Cholera it will powerfully asswage the too much effervescency that is raised in the small Gut staying the fierce motion of the troubled humours A bloudy vomiting requireth speedy help whence soever the bloud cometh The following Astringent medicine will wonderfully conduce to the cure Take
things as hasten the Birth may be safely administred To encrease the Pains and further the Womans Labour I commend sneezing and also the following Medicines Take the Livers of Eels prepar'd with Cinamon-water and dried one drachm Powder of Borax whitest Amber Mirrh Saffron Dittany of Crete round Birth-wort of each half a drachm mix it and give a Scruple of it at a time in three spoonfulls of this Julep Take the Waters of Vervain Mugwort of each two ounces Syrup of Saffron one ounce Confectio Alkermes one drachm Extract of Saffron six grains Oils of Cinamon Amber of each three drops mix it Some things have a peculiar property to help the Birth as the stone Aetites Loadstone Storax the Eyes of a Hare c. held near the privities The time being come the Woman must be put into a posture which every Midwife doth understand and let her not labour too much till strong pains come and then let her resolve on patience and not be disorderly in the time of her Travel If she be faint you may give her some of the formention'd Cordial Julep to comfort her Let your hands be anointed with some Anodine Ointment After the water is broke if the Head cometh with the Face towards Anus receive it if not endeavour to place it right Then turn your Finger round about the Child's head gently to make way for the Birth If the Child cometh any other way you must endeavour to gain the Feet and bring it away with the Face towards Anus as before mention'd The Child being born you must bring away the Secundine gently by degrees after which put a Closure to the Woman to prevent Cold from entring the Womb. Then prepare her for the bed and give her some Sperma Caeti or Irish-slate in a little burnt White-wine with Cinamon If the Woman doth flood much or be troubled with after-pains give her some of the following Cordial Opiate Take of small Cinamon-water the waters of red Poppies Baum of each two ounces Syrups of Clove-gilliflowers white Poppies of each one ounce Laudanum opiat three grains Oil of Cinamon two drops mix it and give three spoonfulls of it often If the Child be born alive after the Navel string is secured give the Child ten grains of prepar'd Coral in a little Breast milk or black Cherry-water dulcifi'd with Syrup of Peony to which you may add a little Oil of sweet Almonds new drawn If the Child be troubled with gripes you may give it a little Powder of Anise-seed in the Pap. But if the Child be dead and the Labour gone or if the Child's head be very big and the passage too strait so that the Midwife cannot doe her Office you must then speedily implore the help of the Man-midwife as we are called If a Woman in Child-bed hath a costive Body give her a Suppository of Castile-soap or Honey boiled and after three or four days you may administer an emollient carminative Clyster If a Woman after hard Travel cannot hold her Urine bathe her secret Parts and Region of the Womb with this or the like Decoction Take of Plantain Comfry Shepherds-purse Tops of Brambles Penny-royal Rosemary Sage Stoechas of each one handfull let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in a Gallon of Smiths-water till half of it be boiled away then strain it and bathe the parts affected very warm with woollen Stuphs Afterward anoint the grieved parts with this Linament Take the Ointment Comitissae Oil of Mace by expression of each one ounce Oils of Earth-worms Foxes Lillies Goose-grease of each half an ounce mix it CHAP. XXI Of Nephritick pains and of the Stone in the Reins and Bladder DIseases of the Reins are called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 à 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ren. In Latin they are called morbus Renum which comprehends not onely any Ach in the Kidneys but also the Stone and Gravel in the Reins Nephritick pains may be caused divers ways 1. First by a sharp salt matter or a sharp and serous Lympha in the Kidneys which doth easily concrete into a Stone especially when the Ferment of the Reins is much vitiated which may be known by those cruel torturing Fits that come by intervals 2. Worms in the Kidneys which for the most part arise from Bloud there corrupted may be the cause of pain 3. An Abcess or Tumour in the Kidneys following an Inflammation doth hinder the passage of Urine and is always accompanied with great pain 4. It may also be caused by glutinous Phlegm obstructing the fleshy parts of the Kidneys and hindring the separation of Urine so that it is not strein'd into the Funnels of the Reins as usual but is deprav'd and vitiated Whence the natural descent of the Urine through the Ureters into the urinal Bladder is also hindred The same also may happen sometimes by a stone sticking in the Funnel and stopping the entrance of the Ureters Although I think that Stones sticking in the Ureters themselves cannot long hinder the passage of Urine because it hath been found by experience in dissecting of dead Bodies that Stones near the bigness of a Doves-egg have been sticking in the Ureters by the sides of which Stones Urine descended freely which was evident because the Ureter was no were distended unless where the Stone did stick Neither was there any Urine contain'd in the Ureter above the obstruction besides when the Party was living there was no stoppage of Urine Those fits which come by intervals are caused by a debility or vitiousness of the Ferment of the Kidneys which generates crude salt and sharp matter which causeth those cruel Tortures and should all the Gravel and Stone come away the pain would not be the less untill the Kidneys themselves be reduc'd to their right temper For many in perfect health have voided much Gravel at a time without the least pain and therefore it is evident that Gravel is onely the product and not the producer or primitive cause of this pain The Symptoms of Nephritick pains are so much like that caused by the Stone that they cannot be easily distinguished for the signs of both are great pain of the Loins loathing or vomiting there being a great consent between the Reins and Stomach The Patient often pisseth bloudy water and when the Reins are ulcerated the matter is often evacuated with the Urine Wherein the force of concreting or growing together of Stones in divers parts of the Body consists is not enough known I will freely declare what I conjecture in this obscure matter whereby I may according to my power the more help others that are ingenious to search out this hidden truth All the Stones that are generated in the Body may be dissolved in the sour Spirit of Salt Peter or Niter whence I conclude that the Coagulation of Stones cannot be expected from an acid Spirit as such therefore from another somewhat contrary to it in
less subject to this affect for by the Continuance of such cold and moisture the Bloud and Humours becomes too slippery and therefore in their Circulation they must unavoidably cause a softness and looseness in all the parts Also experience testifieth that those Children which are born and nursed near the Lead-mines in Derby-shire c. are generally affected more or less with a languidness of the Limbs For the Air being infected with noxious metalline Exhalations which for the most part fight against the inherent Spirits of the parts by a kind of venemous malignity by which the spirituous pulsificative Force of the external parts is extinguished and the strength of the Limbs and whole Body much weakned and diminish'd Hither we may also refer fine soft Linen applied actually cold and moist being not well dried by reason of the moistness of the weather to the Spine of the Back which is near the Original of the Nerves the use thereof being too long continu'd it cherisheth the Roots of this Disease in that tender Age. Likewise Aliments of any kind which are too moist and cold or too thick viscous and obstructive do manifestly cherish this Distemper And I am induced to believe that Ebriety in English people especially the Gentry and eating of much Flesh and not using frequent labour or exercise may be a reason why this Disease is more common and natural to Children in England than in other Regions perhaps far exceeding it both in cold and moisture as Scotland Holland c. wherein this affect hath not been observ'd to be very common And therefore ebriety and eating of much Flesh and defect of motion and want of exercise doth most frequently and most effectually concur to the production of it because the inherent heat in stupid and sluggish People is not sufficient to resist and expell the superfluous moisture by a due transpiration By which means the Circulation of the Bloud is become slow and lesned and the production of the vital heat very feeble and weak so that nature is thereby forced to permit all the parts of the Body to be affected with a certain softness looseness and internal lubricity more than is meet which do sufficiently evince that this is an efficacious cause and a part of the essence of this Disease Hence we may easily infer that the Children of such Parents are more inclined to this distemper than others who drink moderately and eat less Flesh and are more active and lively The internal Causes are excrementitious Humours luxuriant in the Body especially Phlegm and serous humours retained and vitiated being naturally cold and moist and little spirituous and affected with an internal slipperiness wherefore upon a superfluous accumulation of these humours the production of this affect succeedeth because thereby a Colliquation of the parts and a dissipation of the inherent Spirits will be easily introduced whereby all the parts will afterwards be rendred obnoxious to this cold and moist Distemper Many diseases preceding this affect may be the cause of it especially those which do extenuate and much weaken the Body as all Fevers c. And also all cold and moist phlegmatick and cachochymick Distempers which will induce a stupour and dulness in the affected parts and cause obstructions Also any great Pain Inflammation Tumour Fracture Luxation or any other preternatural affect that hinders the standing and playing of the Child may be some cause of this Disease Presently after the beginning of the Disease a kind of slothfulness and numbness doth invade the Joints and by little and little is increased so that daily they are more and more averse from motion besides in the beginning of this affect there is usually observ'd a certain laxity softness and flaccidity of all the first affected parts after which followeth a great debility languidness and enervation of all the parts subservient to motion so that for the most part they speak before they walk which is vulgarly held to be a bad Omen and if it vehemently increase they do not onely totally lose the use of their Feet but can scarce sit with an erected posture and their weak and feeble Neck can hardly sustain the Burthen of the Head In the progress of the Disease the Head and Face increaseth in bigness but the fleshy parts below the Head are daily more and more worn away There is also observ'd in this affect certain swellings and knotty excrescencies about some of the Joints these are chiefly conspicuous in the Wrists and somewhat less in the Ancles and in the tops of the ribs the Bones in the Armes and Legs and sometimes the Thighs and Shoulder-bones wax crooked the Teeth come forth slowly and with greater trouble than usual and at length the Breast becomes narrow and the Abdomen swollen with an extension of the Hypochondriacal parts which hindreth the free motion of the Diaphragma downwards and by consequence doth somewhat interrupt the breathing so that respiration becomes difficult accompanied with coughing the Pulse being also weak and small and in the increase of the Disease all these signs become more intense and evident and many and more grievous are daily accumulated 1. If this Disease be light and gentle the Children affected therewith may be easily restored to health sometimes by the sole benefit of Age the vital heat being increased and summoned forth to the external parts by the force of frequent exercises But if it so vehemently prevaileth that the increase thereof cannot be prevented by the best internal means and also most prudent applications then there is imminent danger 2. If it proceed from other Diseases or be complicated with them it will be the more difficult of curation especially if the Bones of the Armes and Legs be crooked and there be great bending and tumour of the Joints of the Wrists Ancles and Ribs But if the Symptoms decline and the Child do easily endure agitation and have often eruptions in the Skin as Wheals Pimples or Itch then there is great hopes of recovery 3. If they be not cured in five years they will grow deformed and crooked and for the most part will become dwarfs and live sickly being either Cachectick or Phthisical till death do put a Period to their miserable Life As for the Cure of this disease both the Child and Nurse must keep a good diet which is easie of Concoction In the mean time you must not neglect the best Chyrurgical and Pharmaceutical means which will most conduce to the speedy recovery of the weakly Infant Universals being premised the most effectual and approved Chyrurgical means in this affect are Incision or Scarification of the Ears and little Fountains or Issues although many more may be used viz. Frixions Blisters Ligatures c. Incision or Scarification in the Ears is to be performed on the Ridge in the inside of the Ear above the hole which must be stopt to hinder the Bloud passing into it This Operation must be often repeated
gross and phlegmatick Matter 3. A Palsie coming after the Apoplexy is ill and many times turns to the Apoplexy again When any of the extreme parts be Paralytical or when the Head is ill affected by the external coldness of Air Water or Snow or a stoppage of the Head be also bred thereby or the defect of the Animal spirits chiefly urge then the sick may be cur'd by driving out whatsoever cold has pierc'd into the Head or any other parts of the Body which may be done by spirituous and volatile Sudorificks for they do not onely alter and correct the cause of Cold and other Evils accompanying it but do also amend the harm entring into the Body containing and contained To this end I commend this following Form Take of Treacle-water one ounce Fennel-water and Epidemical-water of each two ounces Syrup of red Poppies and Syrup of the Juice of Scurvigrass of each half an ounce Bezoar-mineral Antimony Diaphoretick of each ten grains Laudanum opiat three grains Spirit of salt Armoniack twenty drops Oil of Cloves four drops mix it give the sick three or four spoonfulls of it and expect to sweat being meanly covered and a spoonfull every half hour afterward till the sweat break forth then give them some pure Broth with a little Wine in it whereby strength may be recreated and the Patient enabled to bear a Sweat longer for nothing so much helps the sick as a sweat continued mildly a while which experience hath often taught me For by the help of this spirituous and volatile and also Aromatick medicine or one like it the troublesome Cold and dulness of motion are discust They who let bloud in this Distemper caused by external Cold or think they can carry out the Cause of this Evil either by vomit or siege put the sick into danger of death or at least of most grievous Evils But when phlegmatick and watry Humours stick about the Nerves c. And too much moistening and loosening their Membranes and Marrow be the cause of the Palsie and Apoplexy and if the same humours much abound in the Body then Phlegmagogues and Hydragogues may conduce to the Cure after Clysters and internal Aromatick Sudorificks Wherefore to begin the Cure of this you may first give this or the like Clyster which must be made strong Take of sweet Marjoram Betony Sage Penny-royal Hyssop Rue Mercury Marsh-mallows the lesser Centaury the Flowers of Chamomel and Stoechas of each half a handfull Anise-seed sweet Fennel-seed Juniper-berries of each half an ounce let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in a quart of Fountain-water till half of it be boiled away then strain it and dissolve in it the Electuary Diaphaenicon benedicta laxativa of each half an ounce pil Cochiae twenty grains common Salt one drachm Oil of Rue two ounces mix it for a Clyster The next day if the sick have a Plethorick body you may draw bloud from either arm to eight or nine ounces If Phlebotomy cannot be done apply Ventoses with Scarification to the shoulders afterward sweat the Patient with the aforesaid Sudorifick Sometimes Suppositories may be used in stead of Clysters This may serve for Example Take the Powders of Coloquintida Salt-niter Hiera-picra simple of each one drachm Euphorbium half a drachm Honey boiled as much as will make it into a Suppository But if it appear that phlegmatick and viscous Humours do abound in the Body Purgers may be prescrib'd most conveniently in the form of a Pill because the Gums are most apt above all other Medicines to loosen and cut viscous Phlegm neither can they be easily dissolv'd in any liquour Let this or such a like form of Pills serve Take the Gums Amoniacum and Galbanum of each two drachms dissolve them in Vineger of Squills strain it and boil it to a due consistence then add Powders of Troches Alhandal Scammony Mastick of each one drachm Oil of Anise-seed eight drops make it into a Mass of Pills according to Art Let the sick take five or six small Pills of this in the morning fasting and an hour after drink some thin broth If the humours be more serous I commend this Electuary Take Juniper-berries one pound boil them in six pints of Fennel-water till half of it be boiled away then add the Fruit of Tamarind eight ounces and pulp them both through a Sieve To which add Powder of Jalap and Scammony prepar'd of each three ounces Cinamon sweet Fennel-seed of each half an ounce white Sugar one pound make it into an Electuary according to Art The dose of this effectual Medicine is to half an ounce to people of age a Child may take from half a drachm to a drachm either by it self or dissolv'd in Whey or Parsley-water or in any other convenient Vehicle After universal evacuation hath been made and the Patient's stomach be still nauseous this vomit may safely be given Take the Infusion of Crocus metallor Vinegar of Squills of each one ounce give it in the morning with Care After the operation of it give some of this Cordial Julep Take the Waters of Sage Couslips Lillies of the Valley of each two ounces Cinamon-water one ounce Syrup of Peony-flowers Stoechas of each six drachms Spirit of Castor two drachms Spirit of Salt as much as will make it of a gratefull taste of which you may give the sick three or four spoonfulls every fourth hour To correct a slow ferment and also to amend Phlegmatick viscous humours a Medicinal Wine may be prepared for the rich in this form Take the Roots of Galangal Elecampane of each half an ounce the tops of Wormwood Mint and Calamint of each one handfull Powder of Cinamon Anise-seed of each half an ounce Nutmegs two drachms let them be cleansed bruised and infused in six pints of White-wine The sick may drink of this Physick-wine at dinner and supper adding to every draught five or six drops of Elixir proprietatis When the wine is almost consum'd more may be poured on till it cease to be Aromatical External means for the Palsie and Apoplexy are also to be used Bathing is much commended both natural and artificial and how excellent it is daily experience doth manifest This artificial Bath or one like it may be prescrib'd where a natural sulphureous or nitrous Bath cannot be had Take Sage Penny-royal Betony Organ sweet Marjoram Hyssop Rue Time Ground-pine of each six handfulls Flowers of Chamomel Melilot of each four handfulls Roots of Briony Pellitory of Spain of each four ounces Bay-berries Juniper-berries of each three ounces Brimstone six pound Salt-niter two pound let all be bruised and boiled in twenty Gallons of Spring-water till the third part be consumed Let the sick be well bathed with this as often as strength will permit After bathing anoint the hinder part of the Head and Neck and down the Vertebra of the Back with this Oil upon which let a Fox-skin drest be worn
acute continual Fever which remains from the first moment of its invasion to the last of its duration thence a delirium and raving Madness together with great trouble of mind afflicts the sick in a superlative manner Madness is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 insanio 't is called in Latin amentia furor insania It is a furious alienation of the mind or a vehement delirium without a Fever in which it differs from the Phrensie I know there are not wanting the works of great Physicians who have written very learnedly of these diseases but omitting the opinion of others I shall in a few words relate that which seems true to me to be the cause of these furious distempers None who are ingenious Searchers of Truth and have weighed accurately with an attentive mind both the fabrick and ways or Vessels of the containing Body and the natural motion of the Bloud and other humours will deny that almost innumerable diseases do arise from the vitious effervescency of over fat Choler the too tart Pancreat juice and over viscous Phlegm flowing together in the small guts for by this vitiated mingling not onely hurtfull humours are produc'd but often wind and halituous Vapours causing much harm to humane Bodies Wherefore I judge when Phlegm is very viscous or otherwise vitious and the juice of the Pancreas too tart and harsh sharp halituous Vapours are thence produc'd elevated from the small guts because of a vitious effervescency there rais'd and thence continually ascending to the Head and with the spirituous Bloud circulate into the Ventricles of the Brain by which the Animal spirits are vitiated and troublesomely mov'd and hindred of natural rest and tranquillity therefore 't is no wonder that the Empty mind of the sick is thereby disturb'd and at length the sick become distracted and mad But if Choler be predominant these vapours become very cholerick and acrimonious which rarifies the Bloud by degrees more and more so that at length the heat and burning Fever in the Heart and thence through the whole Body is encreased by Choler successively over-ruling which causeth the Phrensie No marvel then if heat pain and inflammation and pulsation of the Head do chiefly vex the sick in this grievous distemper seeing no part of the Body hath so many Arteries and receives so much Bloud as the Head wherefore the pulsation of the Temples is felt more troublesome than elsewhere because of the remarkable windings of the Brain through which great Arteries are carried from whence great watchings and at length raving Madness do molest the sick But there still remains something requisite to be set down as the chief cause of these and most other distempers which ought not to be despis'd either by Jew or Gentile seeing we have the word of God for it and that is the crying sins of Mankind continually drawing God's Judgments on them You may reade the 28 th Chapter of Deuteronomie where the Prophet Moses enumerates the many diseases with which God would smite the Children of Israel for the wickedness of their doings whereby they had forsaken him And not onely they but we also shall be subject to these grievous distempers and eternal destruction also if we do not turn to the Lord by unfeigned repentance except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish saith our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ in Luke 13.3 Verse Those poor creatures who have been miserably afflicted with these furious diseases and happily recovered can tell by sad experience that they have been many times hurried almost to desperation by the cunning wiles and temptations of Satan which hath prevail'd on many to lay violent hands on themselves from which let us pray libera nos Domine 1. The Phrensie is a most acute and dangerous disease insomuch that it ends most commonly in seven days for in that time it either terminates by the recovery of the sick or else they go over the threshold of the other world 2. If the Phrenetical party hath a Crisis either by sweating bleeding at the nose or Haemorrhoids c. or a tumour appear behind the Ears there is hopes of recovery but if the sick gnash with his teeth and his Excrement and Urine be whitish and no Crisis appear 't is mortal so likewise is it very pernicious if it turn either to the Lethargy or Convulsion In the Mania or Madness if the stomach or appetite decay and the sick be very fearfull and hath continued long it is most difficult to cure but if the party be merrily conceited it is not so dangerous 3. If the swelling of the Veins in the Legs called Varices or the Haemorrhoids or Menses or any other flux of bloud should happen to them that are mad or frantick there may be hopes of recovery And that we may pass on to the cure of these lamentable diseases let the following Golden precept be speedily observ'd Principiis obsta sero medicina paratur Cum mala per longas invaluere moras For unless speedy help be procur'd for the Phrensie it killeth the party in a short time and likewise Mania or Madness becomes oft by degrees so stubborn and rebellious that it can be cur'd onely late or never Ttherefore the friends of the sick are to be admonish'd to consult with the honest Physician so soon as the signs begin to be manifest for when it hath taken deep root it is hard to be eradicated or overcome unless by an Herculean labour First therefore let a Clyster be administred Take of Mallows Marsh-mallows Violets Lettice Beets Pellitory of the wall Mercury Centaury Water-lillies of each one handfull Damask Prunes twenty Boil them in a quart of Barley-water till half be consumed then strain it and add Electuary Lenitive Syrup of Violets Roses Solutive of each one ounce Oil of Violets two ounces Common Salt one drachm Mix it for a Clyster After the Operation of it you may open a Vein in the Arm. But if Menses or the Haemorrhoids be suppressed then open the Saphena in either Foot and let the orifice be made pretty large because thereby sharp and fatty vapours may more plenteously be effus'd together with the bloud whereby the troublesome heat will be the better temper'd and not a little diminisht Neither will it suffice to let bloud once but this evacuation is oft to be iterated till by the diminisht feverish heat it appears that the cause is remov'd or overcome But let Phlebotomy be warily done where choler abounds because sanguis est fraenum Bilis wherefore I advise the young Practitioner to take away but little bloud at a time which may be done so often as need requires either by an instrument or leeches to the Haemorrhoids Ventoses with scarification may be applied to the shoulders also Vesiccatories to the armes thighs inter scapulas in extremis morbis extrema sunt adhibenda remedia Choler over plenteous in the body
serous humours away by spitting Errhines may also be used they are either moist or dry the dry are made with Pepper Betony Rosemary Stavesacre c. The liquid are made with the Juices of Rosemary Ivy Beets Mercury sweet Marjoram c. And it may here be noted that when Rheum doth flow down to the Throat Lungs c. then Errhines may be used but when the humours flow to the Eyes Nose c. then use Masticatories for a Revulsion Revulsio enim est humoris fluentis attractio in partem contrariam The Spirit of Salt Armoniack held to the Nose in a narrow mouth'd Glass doth wonderfully conduce above all others not onely to dissolve the viscous phlegmatick humours obstructing the Glandules But also temperates the acid Saltness of Catarrhs Plaisters may be also applied to the Head being first shaved to dry up the Rheum and strengthen the Brain This may serve for Example Take of the Plaisters ad Herniam and Cephalick Taccamahac of each half an ounce mix it and spread it on leather and apply it to the Head Let the Rheumatick live in a warm and dry Air and use a drying Diet with moderation in eating drinking sleeping and all other things Jejunet vigilet sitiat qui Rheumata curat CHAP. I. Of Shortness of Breathing SHortness or Difficulty of Breathing is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spiro vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. afflo calidum ori It is a disease in which the Bronchia of the Lungs are so stuffed with viscous Phlegm that the sick can hardly breathe but with wheasing blowing or puffing and do make a great noise with snorting in which the Diaphragma and intercostal Muscles are violently moved If the Lungs onely are stuffed it is without snorting and is then called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aegre 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spiro In this the conduits of the Lights are much stopped causing hardness or straitness of breath and pursiness But if the Patient fetcheth breath with much difficulty with the Neck stretched upright it may then be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rectus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spiro i. e. erecta cervice spirare The cause of this disease is the Juice of the Pancreas growing more sour by its obstruction joined to viscous Phlegm in the small gut by which it becomes more flatulent and being stir'd up in its effervescency with Choler it riseth to the Thoracick passage by the Lacteal Veins and so to the Heart and Lungs and filling the airy conduits thereof and sticking there it causeth a breathing with snorting The same humour is also carried to the Stomach which causeth many sour Belchings in this distemper and if these flatuous humours become more sharp than viscous so often as they come to the Lungs they pierce into the sharp Artery and do so provoke and molest it that thereby the Lungs are compelled to cough by which the Expiration of Air is deprav'd If there be much moisture contain'd in the sharp Artery it will be the easier expelled by the help of coughing but if the Trachea Arteria be affected with driness then nothing is spit out though with great and much labour but the universal Body is wearied in vain with indeavouring to cough whence there is sometimes raised a vehement Pain both of the Head and Hypochondries and other parts yea sometimes a Rupture is bred by it and the Urine and Excrements are thereby often involuntarily extruded 2. If this disease be not speedily removed it will prove chronical and hard to be cur'd unless the Patient be young and of a strong constitution for otherwise it will end in a Cachexie or Dropsie An Asthma or wheasing Anxiety may happily be cured in the beginning by an Antimonial vomit especially in those who do vomit easily because the Phlegmatick humours which are contained in the sharp Artery c. are thereby immediately brought up but if vomiting hurts the sick the humours may be evacuated downwards by gentle purgation with powerfull and effectual Phlegmagogues and Hydragogues such as is prescrib'd in the Chapter of Catarrhs page 56.57 If the Patient hath a costive Body let carminative Clysters be often administred and if the Body be plethorick let a vein be opened either in the Foot or apply Leeches to the Haemorrhoid veins which will much conduce to free the respiration Such medicines as have an expectorating quality and have power to temper and discuss the over sharp vapours may be often us'd in a little quantity The following Julep may be commended in this case Take of the pectoral Decoction half a pint Cinamon-water Syrups of Hore-hound Fennel of each one ounce and half Spirits of Salt Armoniack Niter of each twenty drops Laudanum opiatum ten grains Oil of Sulphur per Campanam ten drops mix it Quercetanus his Syrup of Tobacco is commended in this distemper Also Tobacco taken in a Pipe or chewed in the mouth draweth abundance of viscous Phlegm out of the Stomach and Lungs Many more medicines might be inserted but I refer you to the Chapter of Catarrhs where you may be throughly furnished CHAP. II. Of the Pleurisie and other Inflammations THE Pleurisie is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 latus quod tunicae costos succingentis lateris dolor It is also called in Latin Pleuritis Inflammatio it being an Inflammation of the Pleura and also of the intercostal Muscles and other adjacent parts as the mediastinum pericardium diaphragma c. It is attended with many Symptomes as difficulty of breathing shooting and pricking pain of the sides which is the more exasperated by coughing and is common in this distemper the Patient hath also a continual acute Fever which is most commonly symptomatical The Inflammation of the Lungs is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 circum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pulmo quod a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spiro It is also called in Latin Peripneumonia Peripneumonicus morbus It is not different in the causes or signs from a Pleurisie The cause of the Pleurisie and Peripneumony and all other inflammations is an obstruction of the Capillary vessels in the inflamed part by glutenous Phlegm carried together with the bloud through them and if a Plethora concur the bloud and humours will soon be stagnated and become acrid and fervid which preternaturally distends the vessels by which circulation of the Bloud is hindred so that at length the vessels break and the Bloud is poured into the part affected which there corrupts and increaseth the pain and inflammation and consequently produceth a tumour where the putrid bloud and humours being by degrees corrupted are converted into purulent matter for the bloud being stagnated or standing still in any part
because it is an Imbecility or Feebleness of the Heart and Courage The most grievous and singular kind of swouning is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 concido to cut away quod praeceps virium omnium lapsus It is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. pulsus privatio because there is no pulse neither indeed presently in the fit is there any Animal or voluntary motion or respiration to be observ'd so that they are more like dead than living Creatures The signs of these fits approaching are yawnings a Cardialgy Anxiety or Compression of the Heart griping and distension of the Belly tinkling in the Ears dimness before the Eyes and a Giddiness and at the approach of a Syncope there are often Convulsive motions with a cold and glutinous sweat and paleness of all the parts of the Body The causes of these distempers are either external or internal The external are many as extreme weariness of the Body exceeding passions of the mind prolong'd hunger or thirst ungratefull smells the sight of any Person or thing that is envied too great effusion of Bloud Seed or Milk over great evacuation of the humours by Vomit Stool Sweat Urine c. It may also be caused by the biting or stinging of any venemous Creature and by any other vehement pain Sometimes it is produc'd by a great heat either of the Sun Fire Bath or Fever Any of these Causes mention'd being extreme may so change and diminish the natural effervescency and rare faction of the bloud that the Heart it self is not thereby enough expanded and contracted So that the vital bloud cannot be sufficiently effus'd into the Arteries and therefore the Pulse is felt less and more languishing yea sometimes none The internal Cause is glutinousness encreased in the bloud and the other humours and sometimes an encreased Acidity in the Juice of the Pancreas Lympha and Spittle by which the Circulation of the Bloud and Humours becomes too slow hence the Ventricles of the Heart are not enough dilated which causeth the Pulse to be weaker than is natural for the effervescency of the bloud and humours being not potent enough cannot provoke the Heart to contract it self and therefore a Swouning or Syncope will inevitably ensue They who are much subject to a Swouning or Syncope dye suddenly Those fits which are produc'd from some evident cause as vehement passions of the mind immoderate evacuations c. are less dangerous than those which come from an internal cause as glutinousness of the bloud and humours c. Which in a great measure hindreth its free Circulation through the Ventricles of the Heart whereby there is a sudden and swift failing of the vital Spirits and consequently of all strength To cure an universal languishing as also a Swouning and Syncope the phlegmatick glutinous and acid Humours must not onely be corrected but when they abound must be diminish'd and educ'd out of the Body Therefore to correct and amend the said humours abounding both in the universal Body and Bloud I will here set down some forms of select medicines for the sake of young Physicians The following Decoction is an efficacious Medicine Take the Roots of Elicampane Galangal Angelica Calamus Aromaticus the five opening Roots of each one ounce Sage Baum Betony sweet Marjoram the Tops of Hore-hound Centaury Wormwood the Flowers of Rosemary Stoechas Chamomel Clove-gilliflowers of each one handfull the Seeds of Anise Sweet-fennel Parsley Cardamoms Berries of Bays and Juniper of each two drachms Orange-peel Cinamon of each half an ounce Nutmegs one drachm let them be cleansed bruised and infused in two quarts of Fountain-water for a night then boil it gently till a third part be consumed strain it and add Syrup of Mugwort Stoechas tincture of Cinamon of each two ounces mix all together Two or three ounces of this Decoction may be taken at any time twice in a day either before or after meat that so the power of the medicine may mildly mix and incorporate it self not onely with the food but with Spittle in the Stomach and also with the threefold humour flowing together in the small Guts and thence with the universal bloud and humours in all the Veins and Arteries whereby the desired amendment and correcting of them will be performed sooner easier and more happily If any like a medicinal Wine better they may infuse the aforesaid Ingredients in a sufficient quantity of White-wine and drink it daily both at dinner and supper time These choice Medicines may be continued for some time but when the sick is weary of them you may use the same Ingredients in the form of a Powder or Electuary or make them into Troches with Syrup of Staechas Mugwort c. Or you may make use of those compound Powders which are to be sold at the shops viz. Spec. Diambr Diagalangae Dianthos c. all or either of which may be used as aforesaid If any will be better pleas'd with Pills than other Forms you may prescribe these or some like them Take of Galbanum prepar'd with Vinegar two scruples Powder of Amber Mastick of each one scruple Frankincense Mirrh Castor of each ten grains Vitriol of Mars prepar'd to whiteness half a drachm Chymical Oil of Mace eight drops beat them into a mass for Pills Let the Patient take four or five of these Pills in the morning fasting or at night an hour after supper whereby the viscous phlegmatick and acid humours will be potently corrected and temper'd which being done the peccant humours may be effectually educ'd with these hydragogue Pills Take Gum Sagapenum prepar'd with Vinegar half a drachm Rosin of Jallap Gambogia of each one scruple Oil of Juniper four drops mix them into Pills Four or five of these Pills may be administred at a time or more or fewer as the sick is more difficult or easie to be purg'd When a swouning Fit or Syncope is near approaching give those things that will powerfully concentrate the four flatuous vapours and discuss the glutinous Phlegm The following Volatile and Aromatick Cordial will conduce much to this purpose Take the Waters of Mint Fennel Betony Scurvigrass Cinamon of each one ounce Syrups of Borage Mint of each six drachms Tincture of Castor Confection of Alkermes of each two drachms Salt of Amber one drachm Spirit of Salt Armoniack twenty drops Laudanum opiat Amber-greese of each six grains mix it The sick may take two or three spoonfulls of this Cordial in time of the fit and likewise both before and after which will much repair both the Vital and Animal strength which is wont not a little to languish in these fits None but they who have try'd will be easily perswaded of the wonderfull efficacy of the aforesaid medicines not onely in preventing but in diminishing and soon curing Swounings and the Syncope When either of these fits urgeth or is upon the party you
spoonfulls every three hours By the frequent use of this Cordial Julep or one like it all pains will be eased nature quieted and relieved and the importunate thirst allayed But if thirst still urgeth give the dulcified Spirit of Salt or of Niter in Posset-drink and all the Liquids they take from six to ten or twelve drops at a time If you fear there be any Malignancy in the Fever give the sick eight or ten grains of Bezoardic mineral every fourth hour in a spoonfull or two of the aforesaid Julep or good sound Canary-wine to keep the Patient in a breathing sweat As for the Cure of Fevers attended with grievous and furious raging and watchings c. I refer you to the Chapter of Phrensies which is full to this purpose I shall now give some directions to young Physicians and Nurses and so conclude this Chapter of Fevers in general 1. First give no Opiats in the beginning of a Fever because they tye up the Archaeus of the Stomach and first passages thereby hindring it from expelling the occasional cause of the Disease 2. Give the sick neither Mithridate nor Diascordium as is the common custome nor apply it to the Wrists nor Stomach nor any thing else that is nauseous whilst Nature and the Disease are strugling but if the Patient tends to coldness you may moisten a piece of Rose-cake or a tost of stale Bread in Sylvius's Spirit or for want thereof in Brandy dulcified and apply it to the Stomach twice a day which will revive nature and fortifie it against the invading Enemy 3. Give no meat whilst the disease is on them for the Stomach is not fit to receive it neither hath it strength to digest it and therefore it will become a recruit or supply to the Disease except it be speedily vomited up again 4. If it be a Child give it not any Milk and if it Suck wean it for Milk is the first matter and foundation of this disease in them neither give it Beer nor water nor any cooling things to correct the heat because it will weaken nature and strengthen the Disease But hot Posset-drink turn'd with White-wine or sound Beer with a little Vinegar may be drank liberally after the Cause is removed 5. If the sick be Adult you may give two parts of Water and one of good Wine either French Wine or Sherry but Malaga or any other sweet Wine is not so good 6. When the Patient begins to recover the plainest broths and gruels are the best till then a little is too much and if you did use Salt and Vinegar instead of Spice and Sugar it would agree better with them CHAP. VII Of intermitting Fevers AN intermitting Fever is that which returns after intervalls sometimes longer sometimes shorter in divers Fits whence according to the divers space of every access or fit the same gets also divers Names for if a new Fit return daily answering the precedent in proportion it is called a Quotidian If it comes every other day it is called a Tertian If the fit return after two days intermission it is called a Quartan and so forward although Quintans Sextans c. are seldom observ'd And here you may note that intermitting Fevers do but seldom return in the exact intervall of natural days of twenty four hours but return quicker or slower for the most part wherefore then they are said to anticipate the expected time for some hours which is disliked or to come later which is commended by some Although it matters not whether the fits anticipate or come later if so be that their continuance and the grievousness of Symptoms daily accompanying be diminish'd There is great diversity among Authours concerning the Causes of intermitting Fevers which I shall not insist on but in a few words will set down the true Causes of them The causes then are either external or internal The external Cause of Agues is a stop of the usual necessary discharge of fermenting humours the porous skin being shut by external sudden cold denies passage to the constant discharge of the sweatty humours which happens most commonly about Autumn and likewise when any comes suddenly out of a hot Climate into a cold Region for the sweatty Vapours being detain'd by the Constipation of the skin or shutting of the Pores the same condense and thence become sour which chills the external parts and causeth the shaking or shivering cold fit at the first invasion of this disturbing Foreigner after which the inflaming Ferment of Choler being exasperated doth act its part and having gain'd Dominion it doth rarefie the Bloud by degrees whence the Pulse becomes greater and stronger which is increas'd by an irritation of the Acrimony of Choler and the rarefaction of the Bloud at the Heart for the heat and burning in the Heart and thence in the whole Body is increas'd by Choler successively over-ruling The internal Cause of Agues or intermitting Fevers is an obstruction of one or more of the lateral ducts or branches of the Pancreas or Sweet-bread by reason of viscous Phlegm which being separated from the Bloud by the Glandules of the Pancreas is there collected by degrees whence it is sent in too large a quantity to the main duct or pipe thereof which detaineth the Juice of the Pancreas contrary to nature which ought continually to flow into the small Gut called Duodenum The Juice of the Pancreas which is naturally sourish being compelled to stand still in its passage quickly grows more acrimonious or acid because the Volatile Spirit which is naturally conjoin'd to it to temper it doth gradually fly away by which this Juice becoming more sharp and acid acquires a putrefactive Ferment whence at length it makes way through the obstructing Phlegm and is effused into the Duodenum where meeting with Choler it stirs up a vitious effervescency or preternatural Ferment from whence comes the Ague fit with all its Symptoms as in the beginning Horrour Chilness Cold Shaking c. then presently follows Reachings Yawning and Vomiting c. At length acrimonious and flatulent Vapours raised by the aforesaid vitious Effervescency are carried through the Lacteal veins and Thoracick passage and so through the Vena cava ascendens in what form soever to the right Ventricle of the Heart and by its Acrimony alters and troubles the vital Effervescency and by over stirring the Heart causeth a more frequent Pulse and many times produceth grievous Symptoms as great Heat and Thirst difficulty of breathing Heart-ach Raving Swouning and all other Symptoms that happen in all intermitting Fevers The nature of viscous Phlegm is such that though it be pierced through by the Juice of the Pancreas too acid and acrimonious yet it doth presently run together and unite again and so repairs and renues the obstruction that was in part opened and the Juice of the Pancreas being stopped as before grows sour by standing still as aforesaid so that it forceth through the Phlegm that stopped
impossible to run out of his reach for he filleth Heaven and Earth with his presence wherefore let servent prayers be put up to God whose compassions fail not and then make use of an honest Physician 1. You must endeavour to purifie the infected Air with great fires wash the house daily and after sprinkle it with Vinegar and Fume either with Pitch Frankincense Mirrh Amber Benjamin Wood and Berries of Juniper c. 2. Avoid all passions watchings and immoderate exercise and venery 3. Eat nothing that is hard of concoction and use a moderate diet though easie of digestion and drink good sound Wine c. 4. Go not forth with an empty Stomach but always take some preservative against infection For example Take Spirit of Vinegar Julep of Roses of each one ounce mix it Vinegar Verjuice Oranges Limmons Citrons Pomgranats Barberries Quinces Wood-sorrel c. are all very good used as before directed in Malign Fevers This Poison must not be sent out by vomiting or purging neither is phlebotomy allowed For it is known by manifold experience that the cure of the Pest is most happily instituted by Cordial Sudorificks rightly prepar'd of Antimony because it hath an admirable Sulphur in it whereby not onely sharpness is wonderfully temper'd but the Malign poisonous volatile Salt is thereby most safely driven forward and expelled by sweating out of the Body to which may be added other Cordials as followeth Take the Powders of Crabs-eyes Tartar vitriolated Antimony Diaphoretick Bezoar-mineral of each one scruple Bezoar-stone of the East red Coral prepar'd Salts of Rhue Scordium of each half a scruple Venice-treacle two drachms Spirit of Salt ten drops mix it into an Electuary with confectio de Hyacintho Let the sick take half a drachm of this Cordial Electuary every three hours and drink three or four spoonfulls of this Cordial Julep after it Take of Epidemical-water the Waters of Carduus Borage Scordium compound of each three ounces the Waters of Treacle Cinamon Syrups of the juice of Carduus and Limmons Syrup of Saffron of each one ounce Salt Prunella and Salt of Wormwood of each one drachm Laudanum opiat ten grains mix it for a Cordial Let the sick person take the aforesaid medicines till sweat is plentifully provoked then let the sweat be gently wiped off with warm linen cloaths In the mean while give the sick a little hot Chicken-broth or other Broth of fresh Meat temper'd to a gratefulness with some sour thing as was directed in Malign Fevers as Barberries Wood-sorrel Limmons c. You must persist in this course till the danger be over and some time after though the sick think themselves well lest the disease deceive you by a sudden surprize again There are many Cordial Confections always to be had ready at Apothecaries Shops as Mithridate Diascordium Venice-treacle London-treacle Treacle-water c. any of which may be used by the Rich or Poor for they will not onely cause sweating but also will temper and moderate the hurtfull acrimony of the volatile Salt before mentioned You may dip a hot Toast in aq prophylactica and apply it to the region of the Stomach and also tye some of it in a rag and smell to it If there be great drowsiness avoid Opiates and take the Cordial Julep without the Laudanum but if there be great Watching Vomiting Flux of the Belly or Hicket you may give it with the Laudanum prescrib'd for it will much conduce to ease the sick of all these symptoms If there be a Bubo apply a strong Vesiâ—catory and when the Blister is well raised open it and dress it with Mustard and Basilicon of each equal parts after cure it according to Art If there be a Carbuncle apply Leeches or Ventoses with scarification or the Actual or Potential Cautery after which often apply Mithridate 'till the Eschar be separated then dress it with Vnguent Basilicon and Aegyptiacum or else you may use Butter of Antimony 'till the Ulcer be well cleansed and fitted for the last consolidation which may be performed by any desiccative Medicine CHAP. X. Of the Small-pox and Measles THE Small-pox and Measles are called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latin Morbilli quasi parvi morbi vel parvorum morbi They are also called Variolae Pustulae ex vario vel varium facio quod cutis fit varia Because the skin is of various forms These distempers are most commonly attended with a Malign Fever which oft proves Epidemical Contagious and Mortal and therefore may justly be termed Pestilential The Small-pox is a cutaneous Eruption or large Pustules something like to Warts on the Skin with Inflammation which in few days comes to suppuration if the sick recover The Measles are little Pustules in the Skin with a deep redness and may be best perceived by feeling they are usually discussed in five or six days without suppuration There is an other sort of Pustules or Tubercles like little Bladders incident to Men Women and Children which are without Inflammation or redness and also without a Fever Some call them Cristals others Blisters but Country people call them Swine-pox Hen or Chicken-pox c. To these also may be referred those red fiery spots which break out about the fourth or fifth day in Malign Fevers all over the Body and if the sick recover they vanish about the eighth day after which the Cuticula cometh away in flakes this is commonly called the Scarlet Fever The signs of the Small-pox approaching are pains of the Head shining before the Eyes with redness and swelling of the Face and sometimes bleeding at the Nose also a grievous pain of the Back which reacheth to the Neck with great heat and pricking all over the Body there is often loathing of the Stomach and vomiting with trembling of the Heart great terrour in sleep difficulty of breathing and sometimes raving and convulsion The cause of the Small-pox and Measles is an ill quality or impurity of the Mothers bloud with which the Child was nourish'd in the Womb which doth communicate pollution and defile the mass of Bloud and after the Child is born when there is an ill disposition of the Air proportionable to the disease there followeth a peculiar effervescency or ebullition of the Bloud and other humours by which nature is inraged and provoked to cast forth the impurity The excrementitious matter is either thin or thick if it be thin the Measles follow if thick the Small-pox are produced And if there be a Malignant constitution of the Air it causeth not onely a purging forth of the corrupt matter of the Bloud c. but corrupteth the whole mass of Bloud and so produceth a dangerous and Epidemical Small-pox If they come out red and soon ripen or turn white being round pointed and outward in the skin if the voice and breathing be free without any grievous symptoms there is no danger but if there be a great Fever
which is not abated after their eruption with great thirst and difficulty of breathing also black or bloudy Urine or Stool Hemorrhage at the Nose Mouth c. doth signifie a great acrimony and malignancy of the bloud that nature is compelled to evacuate it by such preposterous ways and are most commonly mortal signs So likewise if it be long e'er they come out and they be green blewish or black and sink in again the sick is in great danger of Death As for the Cure of these distempers if they be Malignant or Epidemical let the same means be used as is prescrib'd in Malignant Fevers but if there be little or no sign of Malignancy you may first administer an Antimonial Emetick and after its operation give this or the like Cordial Take the Waters of Carduus Dragons Treacle Scordium compound of each two ounces Venice-treacle two drachms Syrups of the Juice of Limmons Carduus Saffron of each one ounce Confection of Hyacinth one drachm mix it for a Cordial Let the sick take two or three spoonfulls of this every half hour till a sweat be promoted after sweating keep the Patient in a warm Room till the danger be over Before the Eruption if there be eminent signs of a Plethora and the sick be adult Phlebotomy may be used with good success Bezoar and Gascoign's Powder and Diascordium are commonly used in these Diseases You must endeavour to defend the inward parts with the pectoral decoction to which you may add a little Saffron Also a Saffron Stay in which is put a few Sows called Millepedes bruised is excellent to defend the Throat For the Eyes this water is good Take the Waters of Plantain white Roses of each three ounces of Camphire Saffron of each ten grains mix it Or you may use Womens milk and Saffron If the Throat and Mouth are inflamed make a Gargarism with Plantain-water and Syrup of Mulberries To defend the Nose put up this with a rag or feather Take of red Rose-water Vinegar of red Roses of each one ounce Powder of red Saunders Camphire of each one drachm mix it When the Small-pox begins to dry anoint them often with Oil of sweet Almonds and Oil of the Yelks of Eggs which will prevent their pitting OF DISEASES OF THE BELLY BOOK III. CHAP. I. Of the Thirsty disease THIS is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sitio to be thirsty In Latin 't is called sitis morbosa Thirst is the first natural Passion of Mankind and also of Beasts as is manifest by their first sucking milk out of the Breast to asswage it The causes of thirst augmented are either external or internal The external are the Air over heated by the Sun over salt Food too much exercise of body vehement passions of the mind as much anger c. prolong'd watches the Body either too costive or too loose much sweating Urine voided too plentifully any notable Evacuation of Bloud Milk or Seed c. The internal Cause is deduced for the most part from too sharp Choler carried down into the small Gut where it raiseth such an Effervescency with the Juice of the Pancreas flowing thither that thence are elevated salt Vapours to the Stomach and Gullet and there produceth a sense of drought It may also pierce through the lacteal Vessels and so to the Heart and infect the Bloud too much with its Saltness whence the Spittle and the other Humours also become too salt by which a great Thirst is stirred up and augmented The signs are manifest for the Patient's complaint for want of drink will inform you This distemper may be cured by such acid Liquours and oily Emulsions which will dilute the Lixivial Salt of Choler and potently change its Acrimony and asswage its sharpness and deduce it to the Bladder The following Julep may serve for Example Take Tincture of Red-roses Barley-water of each twelve ounces Cinamon-water two ounces Syrup of Violets three ounces Salt Prunella two drachms mix it and give the sick three spoonfulls every two hours This Emulsion is also of great Virtue not onely to restrain Thirst but mildly to procure rest also Take of French-barly boiled four ounces sweet Almonds blanched white Poppy-seeds of each two ounces let them be well beaten in a stone Mortar then with two Quarts of Barley-water the Waters of Cinamon and Fennel of each two ounces mak◠an Emulsion to which add Julep of Roses four ounces Syrups of Violets and the Juice of Limmons of each two ounces mix it Let the party thirsting drink a moderate draught of this Emulsion often in a day which will be very acceptable You may also make gratefull Troches or Pellets of Sugar and Salt Prunella to be kept in the Mouth to deceive the Thirst. If salt serous matter abound in the Body purge it by Stool or Urine This gratefull Medicine may serve for both intentions Take the Roots of Flower-de-luce Parsley China of each two ounces Dandelion Agrimony of each one handfull Senna one ounce Rhubarb half an ounce Agarick Turky Turbith Jallap of each three drachms Cinamon Cloves of each two drachms let them be cleansed bruised and infused in two quarts of White-wine for the space of twenty four hours then strain it and add Syrup of the five opening Roots four ounces of which you may give the sick four ounces every third day in the morning fasting If there be a salt Catarrh it may be temper'd with Pills of Styrax you may administer a Pill every Night going to bed Let the Patient's diet be Mutton or Veal-broth without Salt CHAP. II. Of Hunger vitiated HUnger may be called the Appetite of Meats as Thirst is of Drinks It may be many ways deprav'd viz. when it is augmented diminish'd or abolish'd Hunger augmented may be deprav'd two ways either in quantity or quality if it be in quantity there is more Nourishment desired than the Stomach can digest This distemper is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fames quod affatim edatur It is called by the Latines fames canina and in English Dog's appetite because in this distemper the sick do feed insatiably after which some do purge and vomit like Dogs and are presently hungry again and sick if they do not eat If hunger be deprav'd in quality then vitious things which are not Food as Coals Ashes Clay Turfs Leather and I know not what are desired This is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Pica also in Latin ab ave Pica vel quod varia appetant ut Pica varii est Coloris vel ex eo quod Pica terram mandet If this distemper be in Women with Child it is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latin also Gravidarum malacia which is an inordinate longing in them of which I shall
pain is in them But if that part of the small gut which riseth up from the Loins and Mesenterie Towards the left Hypochondrium be afflicted with rendings and distensions with a notable hardness this is attributed to the Spleen even by some Physicians although without any solid reason when indeed this distending pain is altogether Hypochondriacal If the pain be in the Gut Ileon it is thence called Iliaca Passio which hath been already treated of Whatsoever pain is rais'd in the Gut Colon may be called Colica Passio These may be distinguish'd from one another chiefly from the situation of either Gut For the Gut Ileon is for the most part contorted hither and thither up and down about the region of the Navel and from thence a little upward but the Colon from the Navel downward the pain of the Cholick generally pressing to the bottom of the Belly as well as to each side and the Back c. according as the Gut is writhed which is almost in the manner of a Roman S. being roll'd to the Navel and from thence with a remarkable winding through the middle of the Belly it is writh'd to the left kidney and groin and so down to the Os sacrum and bladder and ends in the right Gut whence the pain rising in the circuit and circumference of the Belly below the Navel may truly be called Cholical Sometimes there is a hot distending pain with pulsation and inflammation in the latter part of the thick Guts called Rectum and this is either with a troublesome rending as in the internal or blind Hemorrhoids or else it is a corroding pain accompani'd with more or less itching perpetually provoking to siege as in the Tenesmus which oft times follow a Dysentery or bloudy flux In these various pains of the Guts there is one while a hot burning with pulsation and other whiles a cold chilness seemeth to be fixt pricking and as it were boring the bowels sometimes there is a distension of the bowels pressing them with a sense of weight wonderfully writhing and contorting them with such a tearing corroding pain that the sick cannot give an explanation of the grief and misery which they endure The causes are either external or internal The external are wounds or contusions caused by external violence The internal causes are divers sometimes Worms may be the cause But a burning pain is produced either by an obstruction of the Capillary veins of the Stomach or Guts by which the bloud is forc'd to stand still in the vessels till at length after a great distension the vessels burst and the bloud is effus'd which breedeth an inflammation and a manifest pulsation about the part affected by which it may be distinguish'd from any other Kind But for the most part a burning and corroding pain riseth from Choler too fat powerfully and vitiously raising an effervescency with the juice of the Pancreas too acid as experience teacheth in outward things for if you pour Spirit of Vitriol to oil of Turpentine it will presently raise an effervescency join'd with a notable heat and burning This burning pain is chiefly felt in the region of the Loins because there is the conflux of Choler and the juice of the Pancreas and from thence ariseth vitious sharp vapours which produce griping pains of the Stomach and pricking pains in the Guts as also other wandring pains therein If the pain be chill and cold it is caus'd from the juice of the Pancreas very acid and sharp which raiseth a vitious effervescency with Choler not oily and phlegm together as we may observe if we mix Spirit of Vitriol with any volatile Salt not oily how it will raise an effervescency coupled with a notable Chilness and Coldness onely sensible hence we may conclude that the operation of the acid Spirit in producing cold is much promoted by phlegm The cause of the Colick is over viscous phlegm mixed with Choler peccant both in its Saltish acrimony and volatile oiliness by which the viscous phlegm is rarifi'd into Wind and if the excrements are contain'd beyond their course they harden and adhere to the Gut whereby the natural ferment is vitiated and the windy blasts are more and more rarifi'd and being shut up and remaining in the Cavity of the Gut Colon it causeth a violent distension and contraction of it But if the aforesaid humours be mixt with the juice of the Pancreas over sharp acid and harsh then there is a wonderfull sense of contortion in the part affected urging and writhing from place to place according to the winding or rolling of the Gut If this wind pierceth through the Guts into the Cavity of the Belly it expandeth the Peritonaeum and so inflateth the whole Abdomen and causeth a Tympany These Distempers are all dangerous and sometimes mortal especially if a violent Fever be complicated with them We must vary the cure according to the diversity of the causes A burning corroding pain may be cur'd by tempering too fat Choler with Acids as Spirit of Niter c. being mixt with Opiates For example Take the Waters of Fennel Fumitory Sorrel Succory of each three ounces Cinamon-water distill'd Vinegar Syrups of Violets and white Poppies of each two ounces Laudanum opiatum ten grains Spirit of Niter twenty drops mix it Let the sick often take a Spoonfull of this Julep till the heat and pain be diminished and sleep be procured The following Emulsion is also profitable and therefore may sometimes be given for a change Take the four greater cold Seeds white Poppy-seeds of each one ounce French Barley boiled four ounces with two quarts of Barley water let it be made an Emulsion and add to it Syrups of Violets and white Poppies of each two ounces Salt prunella half an ounce Spirit of Niter thirty drops mix it and give four Spoonfulls every two or three hours If Choler be two plentifull let it be educ'd with this or the like mild Cholagogue Take Damask-rose water two ounces Manna Diaphaenicon Electuary of the juice of Roses of each two drachms Tartar Vitriolated ten grains mix it and take it in the morning The Cholagogue Electuary of Sylvius is also excellent of which you shall have the receipt at the latter end of the Book Chilness and cold pains may be cur'd by tempering the over sharp acidity of the juice of the Pancreas Lixivial Salts both fixt and volatile are excellent in this Case as also any Aromatick Spirit of wine Treacle water c. with which may be mix'd Coral Pearl Crabs-eyes Antimon Diaphoret c. and let the body be compos'd to sweat The following forms may serve for example Take the waters of Treacle Fennel Syrup of the juice of Carduus of each half an ounce powder of Crabs-eyes Antimony Diaphoretick Salt of Wormwood of each ten grains mix it and give it the sick to cause sweat You may also give some of this
mucous purulent matter voided with great pain and straining it may be called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tendo In English it may be called a neediness there being a continual need and desire to go to stool This Distemper properly belongeth to a Dysentery because it doth most commonly follow it and sometimes with a procidentia Ani. To a Bloudy-flux may also be referred the immoderate flux of the Hemorrhoids which may be known from a Dysentery both from the place affected and the great quantity of the bloudy purging It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sanguis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 profluvium Also the flux of the Liver if there be any such Disease may be referred hither in which the excrementitious liquour ejected is like the washing of bloudy flesh This Distemper is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qui ex hepate laborant In Latin 't is called Hepaticus affectus vel fluxus est serosi et sanguinei humoris per alvum excretio propter Hepatis imbecilitatem The causes of all fluxes of the Belly are either external or internal The external are any of the six non-natural things immoderately used which weakens the Stomach also the taking of any venemous thing as Arsnick Mercury sublimate c. which presently destroys the ferment of the Stomach and Guts The internal cause of the Lientery is weakness of the Stomach that it cannot retain any food received into it but striveth to expell it The Jaundice-like flux is caused by the sluggishness of Choler so that it is not carri'd down to the Guts to promote the separation of the usefull from the unusefull parts of the Chyle The Chyle-like flux is also caused by the same so that the straining of Chyle through the spongy crust of the Guts into the Lacteal veins is hindred the orifices or pores tending to the Lacteal veins being obstructed by over thick and viscous phlegmatick humours A Cholerick Diarrhoea is caused by over-salt sharp and serous Choler together with phlegm and the juice of the Pancreas too watry and fluid A phlegmatick Diarrhoea is caused by such things as do breed much viscous phlegm A serous Diarrhoea ariseth most frequently from Spittle and the juice of the Pancreas too Serous A fat oily or unctuous looseness doth follow the over much use of too fat food A Dysentery doth proceed either from the thickness of the bloud by reason of over viscous phlegm being mixed with Lympha or the juice of the Pancreas too acid accompani'd with sorrow of mind whereby the bloud doth become too gross for its wonted circulation through the Capillary Vessels of the Guts wherefore it causeth a great distension of them till at length they burst and pour out the bloud into the cavity of the Guts Or else it may be caused from Choler too salt sharp and plenteous in the bloud whereby it doth become extravagantly serous and eager through extraordinary fermentation extremely agitating the humours to a Colliquation especially where fierceness of anger or great heat of mind do concur by which the bloud is the more rarifi'd to pierce through the tender restraint of the vessels and doth flow out by indirect ways sometimes by great loss to the endangering of life A Tenasmus is caused by a phlegmatick viscous humour joyned with a sharp acid humour which doth fret the Gut about the siege stirring up a troublesome Ulcer there The flux of the Hemorrhoids and of the Liver is to be deduc'd from much serous matter mixt with the bloud and also relaxing the vessels The Hemorrhoids are either critical which useth to ease the sick or symptomatical and much weakneth them The signs of Fluxes are manifest from what hath been said 1. If any looseness continue long with loathing 't is an ill sign especially if it be with a Fever 2. If the small Guts are affected the pain is sharper than when it is in the thick Guts 3. In the Dysentery if the dejections be very bloudy or black and setid with great Thirst Hicket c. for the most part they are mortal signs but if the erosion be onely in the internal membrane of the Gut and there be no great pain nor other bad symptome there is great hopes of recovery If the bloud and humours be too thin and serous they must be corrected and evacuated Chalk and Harts-horn or any other burnt bone reduc'd to powder and given often in a small quantity doth imbibe and correct watry moisture and also over much fatness which may be the cause of a looseness After which the peccant humours may be evacuated by stool with Hydragogues and by sweat and urine with Sudorificks and Diureticks Toasted Rhubarb will satisfie to many indications seeing that it doth not onely evacuate water together with Choler abounding but will soon correct the over-loose body by its mild tartness Wherefore when the Bloud doth abound with much serous liquour let the sick take this Powder in a little Broth. Take the Powder of Jallop Cinamon of each fifteen grains Powder of Rhubarb tosted half a drachm mix it After the operation of it you may give the following Cordial by spoonfulls Take the Waters of Plantain Comfry of each two ounces Cinamon-water half an ounce Syrup of Mirtles one ounce Confectio de Hyacintho Diascordium of each one drachm Laudanum opiat four grains mix it It will be also convenient sometimes to educe the humours by urine and sweat for which I commend the following Decoction of China c. Take the Roots of Burdock the five opening Roots Sarzeparilla Contra yerva of each one ounce China four ounces Gromwell-seeds Juniper-berries of each half an ounce let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in two quarts of fountain water 'till half of it be boiled away then strain it and add Syrup of the five opening Roots six ounces Spirit of Niter one drachm mix it Let the sick take a quarter of a pint of this warm twice or thrice a day and especially in the morning fasting which will the easier procure a breathing sweat or else urine more plentifull by which the serosity of the bloud will be consum'd by little and little so that the bloud and humours will thereby become more pure If a Dysentery or Bloudy-flux arise from a sharp humour corroding the Vessels it may be cur'd by correcting and tempering the sharp acid humours and consolidating the Vessels fretted The following Powder is excellent to correct and amend the aforesaid acid humours and stop all fluxes of bloud Take the Powders of red Coral Pearles prepared white Chalk Dragons bloud of each half a drachm mix it for six doses which may be taken in three spoonfulls of the following Julep every two or three hours Take the Waters of Plantain Comfry of
Distemper hath continu'd to a long durance it causeth such obstructions in the fibrous and nervous Passages of the Muscles that thereby Lameness and an Atrophy soon succeeds increasing the Weakness of all the Members of the Body till at length it ends in a Paralitical resolution of them 2. If a pregnant Woman or a Woman after Abortion be afflicted with this grievous evil it is very dangerous and many times mortal As for the Cure we must endeavour to ease the pain and strengthen the weak parts with all expedition The pain may be eased and diminish'd as well by internal as external Anodynes and Narcoticks to allay the violent Motion of the Animal spirits and abate the grievous Spasms succeeding The following Cordial Diaphoretick opiate is excellent in this Case Take the Waters of Fennel Peony Treacle of each one ounce Syrups of Stoechas Peony Scurvigrass of each half an ounce Powder of Crabs-eyes Antimony Diaphoretick Bezoar-mineral Salt of Tartar vitriolated Salt of Amber volatile Salt of Harts-horn of each one scruple Tincture of Castor two drachms Spirit of Salt Armoniack Oil of Cloves of each four drops Laudanum opiat six grains mix it and give four spoonfulls every three hours By the frequent taking of this Volatile and Anodyne Sudorifick the peccant humours will be temper'd and diminisht and the inordinate involuntary and impetuous motion of the Animal spirits will be reduc'd and brought to tranquillity by which the binding Constrictions of the Belly-ach will be the easier remov'd Bathing in this distemper hath been often us'd with admirable success for by the frequent use thereof the cutaneous and muscular Fibres will not onely be relax'd from contracted Spasms but the pores will be also kept open for the constant discharge of transpiring Particles A natural Bath such as is in the City of Bathe is excellent but when it is not to be had an artificial Bath may be very usefull for the ends propos'd For example Take of Elder Dwarf-elder Vervain Betony Chamomel Bays Rhue Time Hyssop Ground-pine Organ Penny-royal Sage sweet Marjoram of each six handfulls Flowers of Stoechas Chamomel Melilot of each four handfulls Roots of Pellitory of Spain Briony Master-wort Virginia Snake-root of each four ounces Spicknard Berries of Juniper and Bays of each two ounces Brimstone six pound Salt Niter two pound let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in twenty Gallons of Fountain-water till a third part be boiled away Let the sick be well bathed in it as often as strength will permit and let them sit therein as long as they may well bear the same Then let them be rub'd dry and remov'd into a Bed and let the affected parts be well anointed with this or the like fragrant Ointment Take Oil of Earth-worms Ointment of Orange-flowers Jessamy of each three ounces Oil of Mace by expression one ounce Oil of Juniper Bricks of each two drachms mix it As often as the Body is costive let a Suppository or carminative Clyster be administred to make it soluble Let the weakned parts be fortifi'd with the aforesaid unguent upon which apply a Plaster of Sylvius's carminative Emplaster spread on Leather which you may remove once in twenty four hours using warm frictions to the pained parts and apply the Plaster again and over it you may apply a Fox-skin drest which will keep the parts warm and conduce to the cure which course may be continu'd 'till strength be restor'd to the grieved Limbs CHAP. XI Of the Yellow Jaundice THE Yellow Jaundice is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab avicula quae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dicitur quod ea oculos flavi vel aurei coloris habet It is also called Icterus in Latin it being a spreading of a yellowish Colour over the whole body It was the common received opinion of the Ancients that the chief cause of this Disease is an obstruction of the Cystick passage to the small Gut so that Choler is thereby wholly hindred in its natural descent wherefore it doth ascend to the Liver and so to the Bloud with which it is transfer'd to the habit and superficies of the body where it doth shew it self in its colours But it may be manifested from many observations and experiments both Anatomical and Practical that the Jaundice may be produc'd without an obstruction of the passage of Choler Although I suppose that the Jaundice may sometimes be rais'd by the aforesaid obstruction either by Choler it self most glutinous or lapidescent which I have had sufficient experience of having dissected several dead bodies in which I have found stones not onely in the Gall but Cystick passage also But on the contrary it hath been oft observ'd in dissecting Icterical people that the Cystick passage was not obstructed but the excrements were dyed yellow although not so much as usual Whence it is manifest that it may be bred without any obstruction in the passage aforesaid The causes then are either external or internal The external cause is the biting of a viper whose poison is of a subtile volatile and spirituous nature which doth soon render Choler over spirituous after the biting of the Serpent But the aforesaid poison being antipathetical to humane nature it doth presently endeavour to defend every individual part from the potent killing quality of the poison and therefore doth immediately send the balsamick bile to antidote the venome and in circulating with it the volatile salt of the Choler is broken by which it is less apt to effervesce with acids and therefore is easily joyned with the other humours being onely confus'd with the bloud by which the superficies of the whole Body becomes yellowish 2. Ebriety or the abuse of strong drink may be a procuring cause of this Disease because the volatile spirit of the drink may be too plenteously mixt with Choler which renders it spirituous by which it becomes less apt to effervesce with the acid juice of the Pancreas and hence most intirely to join it self with the other humours The internal cause is unexpected sorrow of mind by which all the humours become glutinous and viscous because the juice of the Pancreas is thereby made more tart It may be also caused by obstructions as is before mention'd either by Choler glutinous or lapidescent or by viscous phlegm c. If the cure be not hastened a Dropsie Cachexy or deadly pining will in a short time succeed If sorrow of mind be the cause it ought to be prevented as much as may be both by Philosophical and Theological reasons about any troublesome matters and by confirming the mind whereby the sick may be the better enabled to bear and suffer stoutly any adversity This must also be observed in all other Diseases If Ebriety be the cause I commâ—nd Sobriety to cure it Sublata causa tollitur effectus If the humours be over viscous or glutinous the following Decoction will not onely alter and correct but mildly
educe the peccant humours by which the Jaundice may in a short time be cured Take of Rhubarb the Roots of Madder Smallage the greater Celandine of each one ounce the Flowers of Broom one handfull Hemp-seed two ounces the Seeds of Anise Parsley and Columbines of each half an ounce Saffron two drachms white Tartar three drachms let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in White-wine and Fountain water of each three pints till the third part be boiled away then strain it and add the best Manna Syrup of Succory with Rhubarb of each three ounces mix it Let the sick take four spoonfulls of this three times a day till the viscous phlegm and Choler be sufficiently evacuated and the natural colour of the body restored As oft as the Jaundice is caused by the poison of a Viper or any other venemous thing whatsoever you must administer as soon as possible a volatile sudorifick to correct and expell the venome The following will serve to both indications Take the waters of Carduus Fennel Fumitory of each two ounces Treacle-water Syrups of the juice of Carduus red Poppies of each one ounce tincture of Saffron two drachms Venice-treacle half a drachm Bezoar-mineral Antimony diaphoretick Salt of Harts-horn of each one scruple Spirit of Salt-Armoniack six drops Laudanum opiatum six grains mix it and give three or four spoonfulls to provoke sweat and after it breaks forth give a spoonfull or two now and then to promote it Also this Decoction or one like it may be prescrib'd for the Icterick patient it being both Sudorifick and Diuretick Take the Roots of Scorzonera Juniper of each two ounces Roots of Master-wort Sassaphras of each half an ounce Berries of Juniper and Bays of each one ounce and half Seeds of Nettles Hemp and Columbines of each one ounce shavings of Harts-horn three drachms the tops of Carduus Scordium Scabious the lesser Centaury of each one handfull let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in two quarts of Fountain-water till half of it be boiled away then strain it and add Syrup of the juice of Carduus four ounces Treacle-water two ounces Salt of Tartar vitriolated two drachms mix it and give four spoonfulls every two or three hours Soap of any sort conduceth to the cure of the Jaundice upon a twofold account both by reason of its fixt lixivial Salt and also by reason of its fatness or oil for the Lixivial Salt doth correct and diminish the over volatileness and spirituousness of the vitiated Choler and the oil doth blunt the sharpness of the volatile and spirituous Salt ruling in Choler The following mixture is very effectual Take of Hemp-seed two ounces Soap two drachms bruise the seed and boil it in half a pint of new Milk till half of it be consumed then strain it and add Syrup of Saffron half an ounce tincture of Saffron two drachms Laudanum opiatum four grains mix it and give half of it in the morning fasting and the remainder at night going to bed CHAP. XII Of a Cachexy AN ill Habit of Body is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 malus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 habitus It may be called in Latin mala corporis habitudo There are many causes of this Distemper which may be distinguisht according to the diversity of the conjoin'd Symptoms It doth accompany all Chronical Diseases as Dropsies of all kinds Hypochondriack suffocation Scurvy Pox and Gout c. for it doth spare none neither Peer nor Peasant of any age or sex but it most frequently seizeth on Women when their monthly terms are supprest The cause is either external or internal The external cause is either bad Diet a long time receiv'd or for want of good refreshing Food after sickness for the Stomach being weak cannot digest course Diet by which the nutriment of the Body doth by degrees become peccant in quality vitiating the humours and Bloud it self so that an ill nourishment of the Body doth follow The internal cause may be the suppression of the Terms in Women which is more or less corrupted about the Womb having not its natural evacuation from whence the whole mass of Bloud is indued with a vitious quality by which the nourishment of all parts of the Body is deprav'd Also Choler and the juice of the Pancreas which are always confus'd with the Bloud being alike vitious or peccant in quality do not onely corrupt the separation of usefull and unusefull parts but by the vitious effervescency of these humours manifold flatuous vapours are rais'd which do not onely increase anxieties about the Midriff but being carried to the Heart there follows a pressing pain and palpitation thereof and in circulating through the Lungs it causeth a Dyspnoea or difficult breathing and being thence transferr'd every way throughout the Body it doth breed a general weariness in all parts But when the vitious humours abound together in plenty then several kinds of the Dropsie at length succeed if not the universal Body groweth lean by degrees From what hath been said the production of every Cachexie may easily be deduced by a judicious Physician The signs are paleness of the Face shortness of breath palpitation of the Heart and often apressing pain of it accompanied for the most part with a lingring Fever either continual or intermitting or compounded of both in which the Urine is crude or watry at length there is a weariness of the universal Body which in some doth pine and become lean but in others the Body doth swell and is turgid If this Disease be not helpt in time it will become by degrees so stubborn and rebellious that it will puzzle the wisest and most experienced Physicians to cure it for by the long continuance thereof phlegm becometh very tough and glutinous on which all Chronical or prolong'd Diseases depend besides all the other humours are by degrees vitiated which incorporate with the Bloud and diminish its effervescency so that the separation and excretion of the excrementitious parts to be voided together with Urine do not follow from whence many grievous symptoms succeed which oft proves mortal The cure of every Cachexie will consist in the correction and amendment of the Bloud any way vitiated If flegm be tough and glutinous it must be corrected and evacuated for which there are variety of choice medicines prescrib'd in the fourth page of the cure of diseases of the Head in the use whereof you must persevere for some time or else the laudable success and happy wisht for cure will be expected in vain Any other humours that are peccant in quality by which the bloud is vitiated must be alter'd and reduc'd to their natural Constitution by selected Medicines which will amend and empty them out by degrees In the interim good Food which is easie of digestion and wholsome nourishment must not be neglected whereby nature may be cherished and health by
degrees procured Those Medicines which are prescrib'd for the Cure of the Dropsie and Scurvy are proper for this Disease wherefore I shall forbear prescriptions here CHAP. XIII Of Dropsies THE Dropsie is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aqua quod nomen sumpsit ab aquoso humore Cutis The Ancients have assigned three sorts of Dropsies 1. The first is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 uter pellis 'T is called in Latin aqua intercus ex inter cutis because the Water is between the Skin and the Flesh. This is the most proper Dropsie in which the Abdomen Secrets Thighs and Legs are affected 2. The second is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod tumor est ad similitudinem tympani vel tympani sonum referens As this is the most rare so 't is the most cruel and afflictive 3. The third is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 caro quod hydrops toto corpore diffusus It is also called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 album 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 phlegma vel pituita because it is caused of white Phlegm gathered in all parts of the Body Some Authours make a difference between Anasarca and Leucophlegmatia that Anasarca is caused by a serous humour and Leucophlegmatia by a phlegmatick and more viscous humour but all Dropsies except Tympanies seem to me to be little less than a distinction of degrees of one and the same Disease The Ancients did take the Liver to be the chief part male-affected in these distempers but Helmont who was happy in a remedy to cure it doth severely reprove them and is so bold to tax the whole Schools with the ignorance of Anatomical dissections he having inspected many Carcases of dropsical Persons of whom he makes distinct mention doth assert the Livers of them all no-way vitiated and therefore he concludes the Liver faultless in dropsical affects and he derives the Cause of Dropsie to be an obstruction of the Kidneys with the Stone or Gravel and so the water which should be transferr'd through the Kidneys to the Bladder to be evacuated by pissing is forced into the Cavity of the Abdomen But experience teacheth that Dropsies may be caused many ways wherefore I shall betake my self to a more evident description thereof The causes of Dropsies are either external or internal The external Cause is the Constipation of the porous Skin impeding transpiration whereby the discharge of sweaty Vapours through the Habit of the Body is lessned and interrupted hence what moisture is usually carried off by sweating doth rebound inwards and condense into an Ichorous water and is there by degrees aggravated and increased through the hindrance of the necessary transpiration till at length a great quantity of water is accumulated and stagnating in the affected parts in time may work farther alterations on the subjected Bowels Matter of fact hath evinced this to me having cured several Hydropical patients onely by sweating and external applications The internal Cause of the Dropsie may be over viscous Chyle or Phlegm of the Guts coagulated in the lacteal Veins and causing an obstruction in more or fewer of their Branches so that the Liquour rising either from the continual Conflux of Choler the Juice of the Pancreas and the Phlegm of Spittle or else from Chyle or from drink plentifully drunk being stopt and intercepted in its motion it doth by degrees more and more distend the Vessels that at length they burst and the moisture receiv'd into them is poured out between the Membranes of the Mesentery and presently after into the Cavity of the Abdomen This disease is sometimes suddenly produc'd by much drinking in a burning Fever join'd with an urgent and permanent Thirst. After the same manner though difficult to be known may a Dropsie of the Breast be caused viz. by an obstruction of the lateral Lymphatick Vessels by glutinous Phlegm carried together with Lympha into the said Vessels and there coagulated by which the motion of Lympha is hindred so that the Lymphatick vessels being much distended by the great quantity of Lympha gathered in them at length they burst and the Lympha piercing through the Pleura into the Cavity of the Breast procureth a Dropsie in it The cause of a Tympany is wind together with a serous humour piercing through the Guts into the Cavity of the Belly and being there detained it is more and more rarified by which the Peritonaeum is not onely expanded but the whole Abdomen inflated and violently distended The signs of Ascites are swelling and fluctuation of the Belly difficult breathing a dry Cough accompanied sometimes with a symptomatical Fever and great Thirst. The signs of Anasarca are weakness faintness and swelling of the whole Body which being pressed with the Finger it doth pâ—t and leave an impression breathing is also difficult with a continual Fever In a Tympany the Belly is distended and being struck upon there is a noise like a little Drum 1. Every Dropsie is difficult of Curation especially if it hath been of long continuance 2. If the Hydropical persons have a good digestion and void more moisture both by stool and urine than they either eat or drink it is a hopefull sign of recovery e contra Dropsies may be cured by strong Hydragogues Sudorificks and Bathing and sometimes by a Paracenthesis or boring the Belly The Best Hydragogues are prepared of Elder Dwarf-elder Jallop-roots Elaterium Gum-gutty Crystals of Silver c. of which you may prepare purging Infusions Pills c. for example Take the Roots of Flower-de-luce Dwarf-Elder Madder Liquorish the five opening Roots of each one ounce the tops of Saint John's wort Centaury the less Agrimony the best Senna of each one handfull the Barks of Capers Ash Tamarisk Cinamon of each six drachms Flowers of Beans Elder Dwarf-elder Broom of each half a handfull seeds of sweet Fennel Parsley Gromwell Juniper-Berries of each one ounce and half Cloves Salt of Tartar of each half an ounce let them be cleansed bruised and infused in two quarts of White-wine for two or three days then strain it and add Syrup of Succory with Rhubarb six ounces mix it and give four ounces of it in the morning fasting If any like Pills better I commend the following Take the Resins of Jallop and Scammony Tartar vitriolated Mercur. dulcis of each half a drachm Oil of Juniper one scruple make it into Pills with Venice-Turpentine of which you may give twenty grains at a time in the morning fasting The following Pills are also very effectual Take of Elaterium Gambogia Resin of Jallop of each ten grains Oil of Nutmegs six drops make it into Pills with Venice-Turpentine for two doses The obstructions in
Bishops-weed of each half an ounce Saffron two drachms Kernels of Fistick-nuts one ounce let them be all bruised and infused in a quart of Muskadel-wine for two or three days then strain it and add more Wine to the ingredients for a second infusion The following Electuary is also excellent Take the Roots of Satirion and Eringo candied of each one ounce candied Ginger and preserv'd Nutmegs of each two drachms Kernels of Hazle-nuts and Fistick-nuts of each half an ounce Powder of a Bull's-pizle of Ivory Seeds of Rocket Bishops-weed of each one drachm Species Diambrae Diamosc dulcis of each six drachms Confectio Alkermes one ounce and half with Syrup of the juice of Citrons make it into an Electuary according to Art Let the Woman take the quantity of a Nutmeg of it every night going to bed and drink a glass of Sack or Muskadel or of the aforementioned Infusion after it If a cold and moist distemper of the Body and Womb accompanied with the Whites be the cause look for the cure in its proper Chapter If it be caused by Witchcraft there are some things commended by Authours to be worn about the party against Fascination viz. the Pizle of a Wolf a Diamond a Jacinth-stone Rue Squills Sea-holly Sagapenum Amara dulcis Hypericon c. But above all let fervent and devout Prayers be put up to the Throne of grace for help and reject and despise Incantations or Charms and all other Diabolical means CHAP. XIX Of Abortion or Miscarriage ABortion is called in Latin Abortus vel intempestivus foetus Because it is an untimely Birth the Child being brought forth either dead or alive before its fit time of deliverance This is the worst Symptom that attends breeding Women It may happen from the first Moment of Conception to the end of the sixth Month but it is most usual in the end of the third or the beginning of the fourth Month. The causes are either external or internal The external Causes are a great excess in things nonnatural as too great Anger Fear and other Passions or else it may be through defect for if the Mother undergo Penury or Famine or lose much Bloud the Child wanteth Nourishment Many times things longed for and not obtained kill the Child Also strong purging Medicines that provoke the terms and all fetid smells falls blows lifting carrying dancing running riding or any other outward violence may be the Cause of Abortion The internal Causes may be the depravedness of the humours by which the Mass of Bloud becometh vitious also Acute or Chronick diseases especially of the Womb and also violent Coughing Sneezing Vomiting Convulsions and Fluxes of the Belly may loosen the Ligaments of the Womb and so cause miscarriage The signs of Abortion at hand are great pain about the Loins and Share-bones sometimes with shivering the Breasts growing little and flaggy the Situation of the Child changed towards the Bottom of the Belly with a bearing down and evacuation of Bloud c. 1. Women who have moist and slippery Wombs are most subject to miscarry but with little danger except it be the first Child and that very big 2. Much bleeding with fainting raving or Convulsions is for the most part mortal To prevent Abortion if there be an evil disposition of the Body or Womb you must endeavour to remove it if the Woman hath a plethorick Body let a Vein be opened in the Arme especially in the first six months If ill humours abound purge often with gentle means This purging Infusion may serve Take of Cinamon Rhubarb Anise-seed of each two drachms let them be bruised and infused in four ounces of Plantain-water very hot for the space of a Night then strain it and add Syrup of Succory with Rhubarb the best Manna of each half an ounce mix it and give it in the Morning fasting Also the Pills prescrib'd in page 240. may be used in this case If the Woman be troubled with a Rheumatick distemper accompanied with Wind and if she be pretty strong you may sweat her gently sometimes with this or such like Cordial Diaphoretick Take the Waters of Treacle Carduus Fennel of each one ounce Cinamon-water two drachms Syrups of the Juice of Carduus Coral of each half an ounce Confectio de Hyacintho half a drachm Spirit of Niter six drops Oil of Cinamon two drops Laudanum opiatum three grains mix it and give to provoke sweat Let the Womb be strengthned with Cordial Astringents Those prescrib'd in page 239.240 are excellent CHAP. XX. Of hard Travel in Child-birth HArd labour may be called in Latin partus vel enixus laboriosus quod ipse nitendi pariendi actus The time of a natural Birth ought to be accomplished in the space of twenty four hours if the Womans travel continue longer time with vehement pains and dangerous Symptoms it may be called hard labour or difficult Travel in Child-birth There are various Causes of hard Labour sometimes tender Women by reason of pain are very fearfull and do endeavour to hinder pains and consequently the Birth also Sometimes the Child being weak or dead and not following the Water in Due-time before the passage be too dry may be the Cause especially if the Mother be weak by reason of any Disease afflicting her or by too much Evacuation of Bloud or there be not sufficient Motion of the Womb and Muscles of the Belly Sometimes the Child's head may be too big or the passage too strait Also the Child may be turned in the Womb and the Hands Shoulders Back Belly or Buttocks c. may come forward to the Birth and then the endeavour to bring forth will be painfull and difficult The signs of hard Labour are easily known if the Child do stir and there be strong pains and no water appear the Secundine is strong If pains be weak and long before they return and more in the Back than Belly the Infant is weak If the Woman be little and her Husband big and full shouldred then there is a great Child which will cause tough work 1. Hard travel in Child-birth is very dangerous for sometimes the Mother sometimes the Child and many times both do lose their Lives 2. If the Woman be in Travel above four days the Child can hardly be alive and therefore must be drawn away before it be too late for if it be neglected it will cause Fevers Faintings Convulsions Sleepiness c. which are the Forerunners of Death 3. If sneezing cometh of its own accord it is a good sign of deliverance First give this Cordial to strengthen both the Mother and Child Take Waters of Baum Vervain Cinamon of each two ounces Syrup of Clove-gilliflowers Saffron of each six drachms Spirit of Saffron Confectio Alkermes of each one drachm mix it If the Child be situated on Os pubis it must be removed and all other unfit Postures must be rectified Then such
the Consistence of a Pultess and add Oils of Flax-seed Earthworms the Ointment Martiatum of each three ounces Camphire half an ounce mix it according to Art Where exceeding heat doth concur and the Body abounds with sharp Choler instead of sweet Milk you may substitute Butter-milk Also a Pultess made of the Crums of White-bread new Goats or Cows milk and Saffron with Oil of Lin-seed and Earth-worms may be deservedly commended to asswage any Pain If the sick be very phlegmatick and impotency of motion doth afflict more than pain then Opiats may be omitted and things more Aromatical may be used in all external Applications The following Pultess or one like it may serve for Example Take the Powders of Orris-roots the Flowers of Chamomel and Elder Cummin-seeds Barley-meal of each four ounces the Tops of Wormwood Mints of each four handfulls boil them in two quarts of water of the Spawn of Frogs to the Consistence of a Pultess when it is almost cold add Treacle-water Oils of Chamomel Earth-worms of each three ounces mix it Also the Root of Briony and Cuckow-pintle bruised and made into a Pultess with Cow-dung is excellent If you add Volatile Salts of Animals or Vegetables to your Medicines whether Fomentations Cataplasms or Ointments they will be the more effectual You may prepare an excellent Volatile Salt of Earth-worms of great Virtue for the Gout which may be resolved into Liquour by fermentation and putrefaction If the Gouty Patient do abound with Phlegm or the Juice of the Pancreas exceed in an acid Acrimony causing a corroding Pain it may happily be mitigated and remov'd with Balsam of Sulphur made with Oil of Amber with which let the grieved part be embrocated and it will forthwith raise a very hot Effervescency which will presently cease again and remove the great Pain in a moment even to admiration After the pain is over you may apply one of the former Cataplasms or some Anodyne Ointment to comfort and by degrees restore again the membranous parts The following Linament may serve for Example Take Oils of Earth-worms Scurvigrass Saint John's-wort of each one ounce Chymical Oils of Rosemary Rue of each twenty drops mix it Afterwards you may apply a Plaster of De minio cum sapona In the mean time inward means to take away the Cause and ease the pain must not be neglected If the Patient have a plethorick Body after a Stool hath been procured by a Carminative Clyster with Electuar Caryocostinum c. Let a Vein be opened Bloud drawn from the Vena poplitis or sciatica Vein hath been succesfull in the sciatica But Leeches applied to the Hemorrhoidal veins are effectual in all Gouts Two or three days after bleeding you may administer the following Pills Take of Pills Hermodactils faetidae ex duobus Mercur. dulcis of each one scruple mix it for two doses and give them in the Morning fasting Or you may give half a drachm or two scruples of pul Arthriticus in any convenient Vehicle But if the sick be inclining to vomit administer an Antimonial Emetick You may purge and bleed so often as you see occasion Issues near the part affected and also to raise Blisters upon the part have been found by experience to be very effectual Also bathing and sweating in nitrous or sulphurous Baths either natural or artificial are much approv'd of That which is prescrib'd in the Chapter of the Belly-ach is very effectual which may be used as is there directed I might fill a Volume with receipts against the Gout but I shall onely commend the following water or spirit to be often taken inwardly in any fit Vehicle the quantity of half a spoonfull at a time Take the Roots of Orris Angelica Sassaphras of each two ounces the Tops of Ground-pine Penny-royal Sage Mother of Time the Flowers of Saint Johns-wort Chamomel Prim-roses Rosemary Lavender of each three handfulls the Berries of Bays and Juniper of each one ounce Castor two drachms let them be all cleansed bruised and infused in six quarts of Spirit of Earth-worms compound for the space of twenty four hours then distill it in an Alembick according to Art The Rheumatism is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fluo it being a distillation of Rheumatick humours not onely affecting the Joints but the adjacent parts yea sometimes the whole Body especially the Muscles Membranes and Periostium of the Thighs Legs and Hip-bones The humour is of a very malign Nature and soon causeth a Cariosity of the Bones if it be not prevented The Cause is the same with the Gout but sharper 'T is seldom mortal but may be of long continuance with great Pain so that the Sick cannot endure to be touched In the Cure of this Distemper Phlebotomy must be often repeated and carminative Clysters often administred Foment the pained parts with stale Urine made very hot wherein Castle-sope is dissolved after which anoint with this following Take Spirit of Salt Armoniack Oils of Guiacum Bricks of each two ounces in which dissolve Opium one ounce Spanish Sope four ounces then add Oil of Roses six ounces and make it a Linament according to Art If you would have it for a Plaster you may add so much Empl. de minio to it as will give it a sufficient Consistency The Medicines and Directions prescrib'd in the Cure of the Gout are also proper here From these few observations it will not be very difficult to select other choice Medicines out of the writings of Practitioners to cure both the Gout and Rheumatism To prevent a Relapse purge and bleed Spring and Fall and keep a good Diet and use moderation in all things I have now finisht this little Tract or Manual of Physick which I have written for the common good not onely to serve young Beginners of the Art of Physick but also for the sake of the sick themselves GOD grant that it may prove succesfull and tend to the good of them both Now unto the onely wise God and our Saviour Jesus Christ with the Holy Ghost our Comforter three Persons and one God be ascribed and given all Laud Honour Glory and Dominion from this time forth and for evermore Amen POSTSCRIPT HAving often prescrib'd the Carminative Spirit of Sylvius and also his preservative water against the Plague and his Carminative Plaster c. I will here give you the Receipts of them in English that you may make them for your own use as you see occasion The Carminative Spirit of Sylvius Take Angelica-root two drachms the Roots of Masterwort and Galangal of each three drachms the Tops of Rosemary sweet Marjoram Garden-rue Centaury the less Basil of each one handfull Bay-berries six drachms the Seed of Angelica Lovage and Anise-seed of each an ounce Ginger Nutmegs Mace of each half an ounce Cinamon one ounce and half Cloves Orange-peel of each two drachms All these things being grosly bruised
Sputum Sanguinis Decoction Astringent Julep Pectoral Julep For a quilted Cap. Powder to fume the Head c. Masticatory Note Plaster for the Head Asthma Cause Progn Cure Pectoral Julep Pleuritis Signs Peripneumonia Cause Progn Empiema Cure Cure Sudorifick Fomentation Ointment Plaster Pultis Balsam Sulphur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Compunctio Caution Tabes Causes Signs Progn Febris Hecticae Signs Liber 12. de marc cap. 4. Causes Progn Cure Powder Cause Progn Cure Julep Purging Pills Purging Decoction Cordial Julep Syncope Signs Causes Progn Cure Decoction Purging Pills Purging Pills Cordial Julep Difference Symptomes Causes Lipiria febris Cause Hystory Progn Pars affecta Cure Cautio Purging Decoction Volatile Powder Cordial Julep Observation Causes â—he cause 〈◊〉 the Reâ—â—rn of the 〈◊〉 Quotidian Cure Cordial Julep Purging Pills Powder Difference Calenture Signs Cause of Malignity Signs Progn Cure Cordial Sudorifick Cause Signs Progn Cure Cordial Electuarâ— Cordial Jalep Signs Causes Progn Cure Cordial Julep Phlebotomy Water 〈◊〉 the Eyes Gargaris Nodulas Cause Signs Cure Julep Emulsion Purging Infusion· Pica Malacia Cause Cause Cause Signs Progn Cure Nausea Cause Progn Cure Cordial Opiat Purging Decoction Diet-drink Cause Progn Cure Cordial Opiat Purging Pills Cause Progn Cure Ileos Choler Cholerica passio Hoemoptysis Cause of Ileos Causes of the cholerick passion Causes of vomiting Bloud Progn Cure Cordial Opiate Cure of Cholerick passion Vomit Cordial Opiate Cure of bloudy vomiting Astringent Julep Carminative Julep Purging Pills Cure of Iliaca passio Clyster Emulsion Cholica Passio Tenesmus Signs Causes Cause of the Colick Observation Tympany Progn Cure Julep Emulsion Purging Potion Cordial Diaphoretick Cordial Julep Cure of the Cholick Clyster Ointment Empl. Carminative Julep Purging Decoction Purging Pills Teretes Taenia Ascarides Vermina Signs of Teretes Signs of Taenia Signs of Ascarides Signs of Vermina Progn Cure Purging Pills Lienteria Coeliaca Diarrhoea Dysentery Tenasmus Hemorrhoids Causes Causes of Lientery Cause of the Jaundice-like flux Cause of the Chyle-like flux Causes of the divers kinds of Diarrhoea Cause of a Dysentery Cause of Tenasmus Cause of Hemorrhoids c. Signs Progn Cure Purging Powder Cordial Julep Decoction Powder Astringent Julep Clyster Purging Bolus Bolus Opiat Decoction Sudorifick Causes Signs Progn Cure Diaphoretick Opiate Bath Ointment Icterus Cause Progn Cure Decoction Sudorifick Diuretick Decoction Opiate Cachexia Signs Progn Cure Hydrops Ascites Cause Cause Cause of a Tympany Signs of Ascites Signs of Anasarca Signs of a Tympany Progn Cure Purging Infusion Purging Pills Pills Sudorifick Carminative Julep Medicinal Wine Ointment Pultess Hypochondriacus Causes Progn Cure Julep Electuary Purging Powder Medicinal Wine Tincture Linament Water against the Scurvy Cause Signs Progn Cure Cordial to cause Sweat Powder Purging Pills Medicinal wine Cause Cause of Whites Signs Progn Cure Astringent Julep Purge Purging Pills Astringent Electuary Astringent Julep Linament Plaster Fume Cause Signs Progn Cure Bath Powder For a quilted Bag. Progn â—ure Infusion Electuary Causes Signs Progn Cure Purging Infusion Cordial to cause sweat Causes Signs Progn Indications Cordial Julep Powder Julep Cordial Opiate Clyster Fomentation Cause Observation Signs Cause of the Stone Histories History Progn Cure Purging Bolus Julep Powder Decoction Julep Cordial Astringent Julep Cause Signs Progn Cure Cordial Opiate Decoction Pissing in Bed Causes Progn Cure Cause Progn Cure Causes Progn Cure Decoction Lues venerea Cause Signs Progn Cure Apozeme Purging Pills Decoction Purging Pills Bolus Ointment Balsamick Pills Injection Observatio Causes Signs Progn Cure Vomit Observatio Infusion Purging Bolus Linament Plaster Pectoral Ointment Arthritis Causes Observatio Signs Progn Cure Fomentation Pultess Cataplasm Linament Purging Pills Water against the Gout Rheumatismus Cause Progn Cure Linament