signifies the Guts to be ulcerate The stomach is known to be hurt when the chyle or meat doth issue forth at the wound and if the foecal matter come forth it shews the Guts to be wounded so the water issuing shews the Bladder to be wounded and when the Plura or thin skin which covers the ribs within is pierced then the wind doth blow forth at the hole Moreover the form of issuing forth is remarkable for the better understanding of the part that is troubled So the blood that proceeds out of the Arteries because of the abundance of spirits doth issue with force in a leaping manner but if flowing and deadly from the vein also if any piece of the parts troubled do come forth alone it signifies the place or seat to be near by but if it be mixed with the Excrements it declares it to be higher and further removed The Accidents point also at the place So the Pearl declares the Eye to be molested the swelling of the right Groin shews the Livor and that of the left the Spleen to be disordered The Symptomes or Accidents following the sickness manifest the place so Raving or Ravery designes the braine to be distempered the Cheeks very red shew the Lungs to be inflamed the losse of appetite speaks the indisposition of the stomach and the Excrement issuing like to the washing of raw flesh declares the debelity of the Livor Canon 5. Thus having found out the part that is troubled the next is to search whether it be by Idiopathy that is from the first proper passion or by Sympathy that is from a naturall passion assisting the other because it is requisite first to help the part that is troubled by its own proper desert so Idiopathy is a proper indisposition of the part as is the Pearle of the eye Sympathy is an indisposition which befalleth any part by the fault of another and that either because of the defluxion of an humour falling from one part to another or by reason of the defect of the natural faculty required for the action of that part sometimes it falls out that a part of a long trouble by a Sympathy in the end turnes to be troubled by an Idiopathy Idiopathy is either primative or consecutive it is therefore expedient to observe whether the disease be privative that is first or consecutive that is when it doth flow from another An Idiopathy is discerned from a Sympathy when the sore or grief is alone continually without intermission and receiveth neither encrease nor diminution by the augmentation or declination of any disease that is in any other part but remaines still in one state and condition the Remedies applyed serving for the good of the same by these signes the indisposition is Idiopathetick but when it followeth another disease and groweth according to the growth of the same and also is mitigate by the same Remedies and when the Remedies applyed to it self do not help it is then by Sympathy so the pain of the head arising from the stomach is distinguished from the dolor that comes of the proper fault of the braine in that it succeeds to a beltching and desire to Vomit to an evil smell or taste in the mouth with a falling away or Liâ—â—chamy that is a swouning and when it growes with an indisposition of the stomach not receiving help from the topicks applyed to the head Canon 6. Having found out the part of the body offended the next inquisition must be of the indisposition The indisposition that hinders the Action is called Morbus or sickness that which followeth is tearmed Symptome and that which engendreth is named Cause so all the indisposition against nature is either Morbus Symptoma or Causa The Symptome is known of it self without other signes because it is objected still to some of the senses but the disease and the Causes are for the most part removed from the senses but they are known by the Symptomes which are the signes namely by the Actions hurt by the Excrements and by the Accidents of the body Canon 7. Malady or Sickness is an indisposition against nature that hurts immediately the Action of the part affected whensoever then the Action is found to be hindred or hurt then it is a disease Sickness or Malady is triple Similare Instrumentall and common the first hurts the Action of the part Similary the second troubles the use of the organick the third hinders both wherefore if the Action of the part insomuch as it is Similary be hurt the disease shall be Similare if it be so far as an Instrument it shall be instrumentall and if they both fall together it shall be common The action of the part Similare is hindered by a simple intemperature as heat cold moistness and drowth or by one composed as hot and dry hot and humid cold and dry cold and humid and that either with or without matter the use of the Organ is perverted by the fault of the greatness number scituation but oftenest by confirmation and obstruction both the one and the other is troubled by the breach or solution of continuity in the parts as by Phlegmon or Inflamation Scirrh or hard swelling or by any other tumour contrary to nature as also by Ulcer Wound Fracture or Luxation so Intemperature is a sickness Similare obstruction a disease Organick and solution of the Continuity is a sickness common The diversity of Especes or Kinds are known by the variety of the Actions hindered so the continuall desire of sleep signifies an indisposition cold and moist of the braine a continuall watching shewes a hot and dry Pulse frequent quick and unequall a Fever likewise the kind of the paine points forth the disease as a dolour inflamative a hot distemper a dolour stupefactive a cold distemper The Excrement serves also to find out the Kind of the sickness as sand in the water shews gravell the meat sent forth below without change declares a Lientery or imperfect digestion as also the Accidents of the body So the colour green shews an opilation or stopping in the Liver brown colour an obstruction in the Spleen a black Tongue a burning or Fever the nailes crooked a Consumption Prisie or Cough of the Lungs the Cheeks red a Peripneumonie or inflamation of the Lungs amongst these Accidents such as are proper and inseparable are holden for the most certain because they have a great demonstrative faculty Canon 8. The nature and scituation of the place serves much to the knowledge of the kind of the sickness for every part hath its own proper sickness so the eyes onely are subject to a Pearle the Kidnies and Bladder to the Stone the Guts to Worms and not the Stomach the heart can never suffer an Ulcer profound nor the Lung any dolour Canon 9. For the better taking the disease let diligent consideration be had to the things antecedent such as are the Nature the Habitude the Age the Country the Season the
are 1. The color of the face and all the body somewhat whitish grayish or livid being withall swell'd the whole body grown and fat for fat folk are commonly cold and phlegmatick grease being ingendred by the coldness of the habitude of the body the veins and Arteries being little and strait as coming of little blood and few spirits 3. The skin white and soft without hair because the complexion cold and humid is no wayes hairy the hair is white because it is created of phlegm 4. All the senses of the body heavy and lazy the spirit stupid the sleep profound the pulse small and soft 5. Slow digestion of belching with a sower tast a desire to vomit the water whitish crude and sometime troubled with a thick ground 6. Pituitous and phlegmatick diseases frequently occurring or old Cattarhs and the like Canon 19. The antecedent Causes declaring a windy Cacochymie or Digestion are 1. The stomach cold and humid with a debility of natural heat proceeding of a simple intemperature or with humours indigested 2. The Spleen swell'd and bound up with melancholy hindring by a Sympathy the digestion of the stomach 3. Meats windy as raw Fruits Beans Pease Chesnuts and the like over-much drink too much boyled meat Drunkennesse and Gluttony 4. Lack of Exercise great sleep the Age the Country season of the Year Cold doth cause abundance of Ventosities 5. When wind is gathered in the body by reason of the former causes there is found a distention of the Venticle of the Collick Gout chiefly on the left side with a noise 6. The wandering discenting pains running here and there through the whole body 7. There is wind heard to issue at all occasions both upward and downward from whence cometh some ease there is also often to be observed a singing in the ear 8. The Chollick with other diseases arising of wind do often trouble Canon 20. The external causes of sickness called by the Greeks Procatarticks or primitive causes ought diligently to be searched for they lead us to the knowledge of the cause intern as of the disease for aire meat and drink to warm watching great and violent motion anger and the suppression of the Excrements these engender hot humours and hot diseases On the contrary cold food with a cooling air sleep idleness fear and all evacuation and immoderate causes beget cold humours and cold diseases Dry diseases commonly accompany hot causes and humid diseases arise from cold causes for hot do ordinarily bring with them drowth and cold produceth humidity because it is the parent of crudities To find out therefore exactly the cause and effect of a Malady which is hid it is needful by a diligent inquisition and interrogation of all things which commonly are not natural causes to learn of the sick if he hath exposed himself to any intemperate or impure air if he hath committed any excess in meat or drink in watching or labouring or if he hath been too fierce in Venery if the spirit have not been troubled by passions or if some ordinary evacuation be not suppressed as the monthly courses to women and the flux of Emrods to men and so much the rather because he ought to enquire carefully of the things past because ignorance of the causes is not without great danger for if a fever should happen upon a long watching fasting or too much Venery then without consideration of the cause of the disease should they presently draw blood and purge they should hazard the life of the Patient seeing the disease came from evacuation but on the contrary he ought rather to repair the spirits by Analecticks or Restoratives and to augment the disease by drawing blood and Catharticks or Purgos PART II. To foresee the issue of the Disease CANON I. THe fundamental Laws of Prognosticks or Foreknowledge are taken from the things Natural not Natural and contrary to to Nature As of the Spring for the sickness may be foreseen and foretold to be salutiferous or mortal short or long by the spirits by the constitution of the body by the age of the Patient by the season by the form of life by the cause by the Espece or kind and by the siege of the evil with the symptomes which are remarkable in the change or diminution of the actions the excrements and in the quality of the body Canon 2. If the body be strong to obtain the victory over the disease without doubt the sick shall escape if not he shall die for none die so long as their spirit remains but so soon as the spirits begin to yield to the burden of the sickness then follows death Now to foretell the day of death good observation must be made how far the sickness surpasseth the spirits and well to mark the most violent access for it is observable that when the sickness doth transcend the spirits so as they can no longer resist death must necessarily follow but if it appear otherwise death shall not so soon approach So that the original of Prognosticks doth consist in conferring the spirits with the sickness for if Nature be strong enough to overcome the sickness then the Patient shall escape but if she be so weak that she cannot obtain the victory death then of necessity must follow and the Physitian must wait on the one or the other sooner or later according as the spirits are stronger or weaker hence it appears that all other signs salutiferous or mortal are no otherwise foresigns of life or death but as they point forth the strength or weakness of Nature in the combat with the sickness Canon 3. It is a great help to health to be of a moderate constitution of body that is neither too fat nor too lean for such a body hath great strength to resist any disease which doth present it self but where this moderation is not a gross body is in a worse case than a lean for they who are fat die sooner than such as are otherwise because the veins and arteries of grown fat people are narrow and strait and have but little blood and spirit so that the age concurring upon a light occasion the natural heat is choaked or extinguished but such as are of a lean and thin constitution because they have the veins and arteries larger and therefore contain more blood and spirits within them do not so soon incur the danger of death yet so it is that they are sooner troubled by external causes and that for want of flesh and fat so then the gross are more obnoxious to intern infirmities and the leane to extern Canon 4. Youth hath great strength to withstand a disease because he hath store of natural heat requisite to the concoction and excretion of the evil humours contrarily old age is not able to resist because of the defect of strength not having much natural heat hence it is that sickness stayes longer upon old people than young because they abound in cold humours the digestion whereof
do not appear any mark of a Crise by a flux of Blood nor by Sweat flux of the belly or Vomit especially when the Patient feels a heaviness in the Hypogastre and heat about the end of the privy Member having also made his water thick and gross during his Disease or if he be aged and sick in the winter it foretelleth it the rather A heavinesse and pain of the Head with profound sleeping and deafness succeeding immediately to a difficulty of breathing suddenly arriving without any manifest cause to one sick with a long Disease do intimate an Absesse to be behind the ear But if there be no sign of a Paritude and that the sick hath had his urine of a long time clear and indigested and when he finds a heaviness a paine a bending or tension a heat in the Hypochondres he must then expect an Absesse in the lower parts if any part of the body hath been hurt before there shall the Aposteme or Absesse be an Absesse falls out most frequently in winter and after an imperfect Crise Canon 29. Moreover a good Crise ought to be signified before in the day of indication and should fall out in a criticall day with a manifest Excretion or notable Absesse without dangerous accidents it ought also to be perfect a perfect Crise is that which evacuates all the vicious matter and an imperfect Crise is that which evacuates but some part of it the former is sure but the latter is not to be trusted for the evil humours remaining after a Crise are wont to make one recidive or relapsing moreover a Crise is judged to be good by reason of the convenable quality and reasonable quantity with the former agreeable and the time oportime A Crise is known to be perfect and assured by the re-establishing of the Functions Natural Vital and Animal by the coction of the Excrements or by the quality or form of the Body reduced and made conform to the natural Canon 30. There is no trusting to any ease or allegations which happen without cause nor fear evil Symptoms arising against Reason for the most part of those are inconstant and do not last any long time for when any vehement Disease ceaseth of it self without any evacuation either by Sweat Vomit Flux downward or upward by Hemorrage or without any sign of concoction that ease is not to be taken for granted neither must it be believed seeing it doth threaten that something of greater evil will follow thereon neither need affrightment be upon the evils which befall without or rather contrary to Reason as difficulty of Breathing Ravery Shivering Reduplication of the Fever seeing they are not constant nor of long continuance and so far they are from signifying any thing that is evil that on the contrary they often presage a good Crise which shall arrive to the great ease of the Patient PART III. The right Method of curing the Disease CANON I. WHosoever will exactly keep the Method of right proceeding in the Cure ought to begin at the first Indications then to come to those that follow afterwards to the next and never to leave off till he shall come to the end pretended Indication is here to be taken for that which serveth to teach the way in the cure of the Disease to attain to Health Canon 2. The Forces Strength or Spirits ought before all things to be preserved and encouraged in those who are diseased After the indication of the Forces follows the consideration of the Indisposition which is proposed to be cured the Force or Spirit intends alwayes the Conservation and the Indisposition its Ablation now as the Forces are kept and conserved by the like so the Indisposition is taken away by the contrary Canon 3. In all diseases where the efficient cause is yet present the cure must begin at the same for it is impossible to cure any Disease perfectly while the cause that ingenders it doth continue so the Maladies never cease till the evil humours ingendring them be banished which evil humours do lurk within the body Canon 4. After the taking away of the Cause the judgement is to be directed to the Disease ingendred of that Cause keeping for a generall rule first the ablation or removing of the Cause efficient and next of the Malady Canon 5. The cure of the Symptome is first intended but alway that of the Malady which causeth the Symptome yet when the Symptome menaceth with Death or greater or suddener danger then the Disease it self the cure of it may be first attempted Canon 6. Whilest the Disease is growing the growth of it must be hindred and that part taken away that is already ingendred the generation of that which is to come is hindred by taking away the Cause antecedent and the Malady already ingendred is banished by taking away the cause conjoyned Canon 7. In all Diseases caused or Fluxion that is first to be stopped which is flowing and next that which is already flowed is to be drawn forth therefore the cure of a Phlegmon or fluxion of Blood a Catarrh or defluxion of Rheum and of all other Diseases which are caused by a Fluxion look all to two ends the one is that the humour which is running be stay'd the other that that of it which is already in the part be evacuated Canon 8. In all Diseases complicate where one cannot be cured without the other there must be respect had to Order now Method or Order ever requireth the cure of the first which hindreth the cure of the other as if a Phlegmon be accompanied with an Ulcer the first is first to be taken away and then the other is to be cicatriced Canon 9. When two Indications are directly opposite one to the other the one is not to be so regarded as that the other be neglected but rather having as good care of this as of that a mixture must be contrived as equall as may be As for example if one be troubled by two so contrary Diseases that one desires a hot the other a cold remedy in this case the remedy used must be temperate to the end it do no harm to one or the other Disease but be rather ther helpfull to both so when the Stomack is cold and the Liver over-hot things temperate mixed of hot and cold ingredients are most convenient and agreeable or else an alternative use sometimes of the one and sometimes of the other hence it is that when a Plegmon is in its growth there mixed Repercussives with Digestives Canon 10. When a Repugnancy is observed to be amongst the Indications after mature consideration had of the decay of the Spirits as also upon the Indication of the cause of the Disease it is best to follow that which is most important withall by no means neglecting the other Canon 11. That maxime is most necessary to be followed which commands first to cure the most important danger for the Indisposition that is the first and
XCIX CANONS OR RULES Learnedly describing an excellent Method for Practitioners in PHYSICK Written By Dr. J. MACALLO Physitian in Ordinary First to Rodolphus late Emperour of Germany and after his death Physitian in like manner to K. James Seipsum interimit qui Praecepta Medici observare nâ—gat S. Aug. LONDON Printed by J. Grismond 1659. The Epistle to the READER AMongst the riches of Fortune and blessings of Nature there is none more acceptable and advantageous to man-kind then the fruition of Health let abundance of Wealth hosts of Armies libraries of Counsellors obedience of Subjects be all put into the ballance and though each of them be a great and heavenly endowment yet without Health to enjoy them they wil prove light the most mighty of Princes wil be found a troublesome creature to himself It is one of the chief Punishments miseries incident to humane condition to be so variable in Health as oft-times to be well and sick in a minute even when himself knows no cause or reason for his so being therefore both Sexes do in what measure they can study Health and deliberate upon Meats and Drinks and Habitations and Exercises the accomplishment whereof is their daily Meditation to whose furtherance and help Almighty God intending the preservation of Man his Noblest creature hath ordained the Physitian Nor is Man alwayes to rest upon his own judgement in the election of his Food or pleasing his Appetite seeing the infirmities of Age do often summon the excesses of Youth and find them the chief Authors of an early Death avoid not therefore the Physitian in Health saith the Wise-man but rather bless God who hath let you fall into his learned and skilfull Hands and not into a sudden Grave This Compendium is digested into an excellent Method the division into Canons not unworthily imitating that Prince of Physitians Hypocrates in his learned Aphorisms the Author also was famous in his time who having spent many years in the most famous Universities Courts of Princes for information of his Judgement and Experience in the fulnesse of his knowledge returned to his Native Soveraigne King James whom he knew best able to censure and esteem men of Learning For the more ease and profit of the Reader or Student he hath drawn the 99. Canons herein contained under three Discourses In the first 20. he declareth the Knowledge of the Disease together with the Antecedents Symptomes and Causes In the second consisting of 30 Canons is fore-shewed the Issues of the Infirmity In the last 49. he delivers the Method for Cure all learnedly and exactly set forth The Scottish Dialect wherein he wrote these Rules being neither acceptable to the English Reader nor in many words intelligible hath cost some paines to present him in currant English Language his terms of Art also though they be Ornaments to the Subject being derived from Greek and Latine roots do carry their respective interpretations together with each word or phrase of Art insomuch as those who can onely read may reap profit according to their talent of Ingenuity and become hereby enabled to do neighbourly offices The Publisher desires onely to change prayers with and for all such as are willing to value and enjoy a Gift of this common Complacency and Compassion Your Servant W. S. CANONS OF PHYSICK PART I. CANON I. THe Methodick practizing in Physick hath First a knowledge of the Disease next foretelleth the event of it and last goeth about to cure the same For that part of Physick which is called Therapentick or Contemplative followeth still the Diagnostick or knowing and the Prognostick or foreknowing parts For whosoever will use perfect able remedies must first remark the things present next forewarn the future because it is necessary to understand the present estate of the disease to the end the proper remedies may be applied then to foresee that which is to come for the more bold attempting the Cure if there be hope of health else to foretell the danger if there be fear of death but totally to abstain from the enterprise upon inevitable fear of death for he ought never to engage the cure of desperate diseases much less promise health but least of all to take the business in hand after a due praemonition of the danger in it Canon 2. Now to come to the perfect knowledge of the disease he must first search the place then the kind and afterward the cause If the place be manifest of it self it rests to find out the Espece or kind of the disease and then the Cause Canon 3. The Place is known by the Action hurt or hindred by the sort and seat of the pain by the Excrements and Accidents or proper Symptomes Although all these signes do not at all times appear all together yet some of them fail not to shew themselves Canon 4. The Action offended sheweth the part from whence it proceeds to be indisposed for a function Animal Vital or Natural being troubled declareth some of those parts to be affected So the hurt or stistemper of the Reason Imagination or Memory sheweth the Brain to be sick the loss of sense and motion manifests the Nerves or else their origine to be grieved difficulty of breathing declareth the Lungs or some instrument of the respiration to be intercepted the Pulse commoved tells the heart to be troubled the stop of the descent of the meat sheweth the stomach to be hurt the digestion hindred when the body is not nourished the Livor is distempered The Espece or sort of sickness points forth also the place to a pain with a pulsation and is from the nerve hurt or offended which punction from the Membrane distended with convulsion is from the drawing of the Nerves or Tendons with violence and dolor which tension shews the repletion of the veins out of measure when it is profound it declares the Membrane or thin skin covering the bone called Periostium to be disseated when soft and gentle without great pain it is in the flesh when heavy and blunt it points forth some of the Entrails to be grieved The scituation of the paine makes known the seat of the disease also So if it be in the right Hypocondre or under the short ribbs on the right side it declares the Livor to be hurt if under the left side the Spleen For wheresoever is the paine there is the sickness wherefore he must not omit to enquire of the sick person on which side he lies with greatest ease for if it be without he lies best on the whole side but if within best on the sore side That which issueth forth of the body indicates likewise the part affected So if by Cough there is thrown forth any part of a Gristle there is no doubt but the Lungs are to be cured if in the water there be found any piece of flesh it betokens the Kidneys to be hurt if in the draught there be found any piece of skin it
a nature temperate which ingenders abundance of blood The fashions and carriage merry joviall peaceable and gentle are good signes because they are marks of a body well-disposed The heaviness of the head proceeding from the abundance of vapours ascending upwards increaseth blood so doth the sleep profound and pleasant with dreames of things pleasant the pulse also strong great and full for in it the veines are so full that they do infuse a part in the neighbour-Arteries by an Anastomasie or transfusion of the blood through the veines which being filled causeth such a pulse and that not onely in the Wrists but also in the Temples the Fingers and over all the body The respiration or breathing more difficile and frequent chiefly after exercise is another signe of encrease of blood because the Muscles of the breast are made lazy through the abundance of blood Hence it is that the respiration is made more frequent by reason of the use but shortened because the capacity interiour of the breast is made more strict The promptitude of rendring blood by the Stooles the Emrods the monthly Courses the Water the Nose and the Spittle And finally by a continuall sweating during the time of the disease are tokens of much plenitude Canon 16. Cacochimy or evill digestion is three-fold Cholerick Melancolick and Phlegmatick the Causes that gather abundance of Choler are signes preceding the same and such are 1. The Complexion hot and dry for commonly there engenders much Choler in men of a hot and dry Complexion by reason of the conformity of this humour with that temperament 2. The manly age which is between twenty five and thirty five for in that age Choler doth abound because the naturall heat is much more dry and active then before in which also a great part of inbred moisture or sap is consumed 3. The Summer for the Choler is more abundant then by reason of the circumsisting Aire which maketh the blood more hot and dry 4. The Climate hot and dry the precedent dyet of the same qualities 5. Great exercise Travell Anger Care Watching Fasting and Abstinence do all gather Choler 6. The suppression of the ordinary evacuation of Choler by Vomit by the Stool by Urine and by Sweat The consequent marks of abounding Choler are 1. The whole colour of the body pale yellow or blackish drawing near to that of the Jaundies or brown for when the temperament is excessive in heat the Choler is black 2. The state of the body dry leane and small for such proportions are commonly Cholerick as also such as be hairy with the haire red for that is the Excrement of Choler but more the black for black haire is when the exhalation burnt by the force of the heat is changed into black but the red is when it is not so burnt 3. The greatness of the veines extended by the heat for they who have great veines are of Complexion hot but such as have straite and narrow veines are of cold constitution for it is heat that doth enlarge 4. The heat sharp and biting to the touch 5. Promptitude to courage and a disposition to anger and revenge 6. The sense lively light and suddaine 7. The spirit subtile and of great invention for the subtilty and industry of the judgement comes of the humour Bilous or Cholerick 8. The sleep little and light accompanied with inquietudes great watching testifying the great dryness of the braine or from abundance of an humour bilious or Cholerick with them 9. Dreames of War Fire and things furious 10. The pulse vehement hasty and hardy 11. Bitterness of the mouth losse of Appetite great Thirst venting of Choler upward and downward with the belly often constipate or bound 12. The Urine yellow biting inflamed and with little grounds 13. The diseases cholerick frequent as Fevers fierce and ardent Raving Jaundies Herps or Ring-wormes Erisiple or S. Anthonies fire Pustules Cholericks dispersed through the whole body Canon 17. The Melancholick distemper is known First by the causes productive of Melancholy such are 1. The temperature cold and dry with a debility in the Spleen or hot from the beginning but becoming cold by change for if any hot and dry before by an adusâ—ion of the blood shall ingender much black Choler he becomes cold and dry and in the end Melancholy 2. The declining Age which is between thirty five and forty five for melancholy doth abound in that age because it succeeding to the youth which is the most Cholerick of all it receives the Choler burnt 3. The Harvest for in it also melancholy abounds because succeeding from the Summer it receives the burnt Choler from it 4. Gross food and viscous increase melancholy as brown-Bread Hogs-flesh Beef Hares-flesh Harts-flesh and chiefly any of these salted thick black-Wine Beer and old Cheese 5. The life sad occupied in great affairs in contemplation Studying without Recreation or exercise of the body for by it the naturall heat diminisheth and the humours become grosse and thick 6. The suppression of melancholy which used to be by the Emrods monthly Courses Seeges Scabs or by Medicine As also by the signes of melancholy predominant in the body such are 1. The colour brown or blackish of the Face or all the body the skin full of Scabs Hardness Swelling and pain of the Spleen the habitude of the body dry and leane the visage sad and heavy Feare Silence Solitariness Urine Imagination Conceits for the constancy of the spirit comes of an humour melancholick 2. The mind slow to wrath but being incensed hard to be appeased 3. The sleep troubled with horrible Dreames as with sights of evill Spirits Tortures of Death Sepulchres and other things fearfull 4. The pulse light slow and hard 5. The appetite depraved sometimes disordered by reason of a sower matter adhering to the orifice of the Stomach 6. The water clear and white where there is no melancholy mixed but thick and black where there is melancholy mixed with it 7. Where the diseases melancholy are frequently arriving Canon 18. The knowledge of Pituitous or phlegmatick distemper is taken from the causes antecedent procreating it and the signs assequent following it The antecedent are 1. The Complexion of the body cold and humid the old age which is from Forty nine to the term of Life for in that age by reason of the weakness of the natural heat much phlegme is engendred 2. The Winter because that season as Hipocrates reports replenisheth the body with phlegm both by the length of nights as also by reason of the abundance of rain for in the rainy season the watry air which doth environ the body gathers quantities of pituitous humours and watery superfluities 3. The great uses of humid and moist meat the frequent drinking of water and any kind of excess either in meat or drink 4. Idleness or want of exercise with a sedentary or sitting life long sleepe and especially after meat The assequent or following marks of phlegm
principall cause of precipitating the Disease in any danger ought first to be helped wherefore excessive watching cruell pain all evacuations out of measure chiefly of Blood the suppression of superfluities other the like symptomes which weaken the Spirits and augment the Disease in sort that some danger do suddenly appear doth often constrain the Physitian to delay the cure of the Sickness and to deal with those symptomes Canon 12. The generall method of curing Diseases is accomplished by the convenient quantity and quality of the remedies with the manner and time of using them Canon 13. It is requisite that all the Remedies be contrary in quality to the Disease for contra contrariis curantur for if all that which is immoderate be contrary to nature and that which is moderate be agreeable to nature of necessity it will follow that that which is out of measure must be brought to measure by its contrary degree of measure hence it is that all Diseases ingendered of Repletion are cured by Evacuation and those that proceed of Evacuation are cured by Repletion and so likewise of others Canon 14. The temper of the body diseased with the Disease it self shews the measure of the contrariety forasmuch as it is not enough to apply cold Remedies to a hot Disease if it be not done with a measure reasonable for being not equal in measure it is to be feared that some portion of the Disease will remain or else being excessive the contrary Diseases will be occasioned to encounter it is therefore most requisite to know the nature of the body that is to be concerned that so understanding how far the disease exceeds mediocrity the proportion of the frigidative or cooling Remedy may exactly be measured therefore the quantity of every Remedy ought to be measur'd according to the complexion of the Patient and greatness of his sickness Canon 15. The contrary Remedies must be put in use by little and little now and then making intermission for it is dangerous to evacuate all at once or else to fill to hear or cool or to change the body suddenly in any other manner for all that which is excessive is an enemy to nature but that which is done by degrees is without danger wherby it wil become surer to make moderate use of contrary remedies then to use them excessively and suddenly because Nature doth not suffer sudden changes without hazard Canon 16. When Diseases are in the beginning then move that which seems good to be moved but when they are in their vigour it is better to let them alone in rest for it is more expedient to use remedies in the beginning then in the height of the Disease for two reasons one because the accidents are weaker at the entring and at the end then in the height the other because Nature wholly employed at that time about the concoction and excretion of the noysome humour ought not to be diverted or hindred by any remedy for seeing the digestion is then it is better in the beginning to evacuate a part of the vicious humour that Nature may the more easily overcome the rest but when the Malady is in its vigour Nature busied already about the concoction it is no proper time to use evacuation Canon 17. If the espece or kind of the Sickness be so obscure that it cannot be taken up at the first there needs no hast in using remedies rather suffer Nature to work it out her self for being helpt by a good diet in the end she will drive the sickness forth where she pleaseth to manifest it for a remedy uncertain and doubtfull cannot be ordained without prejudice if perhaps there be necessity to use any let it at the least be light to the end that if it be not profitable it may not yet be hurtfull Canon 18. A simple Cure is sufficient for a simple Disease but when it is compounded with another then it requires a composed Remedy Canon 19. For the accomplishing of the Cure it is not enough that the Physitian do his duty but that both the Patient and such as attend do theirs also that there be nothing wanting of that which is required for it is requisite that the diseased strive to fight with the disease by means of the Medicine and so to obey the Physitian and not to give license to his own desires he ought also to have people about fitting for his service being well lodged and furnished with commodities needful and not have them to seek Canon 20. The Physitian who doth all things according to reason ought not to change his end proposed in his method proposed from the beginning though all things succeed not according to expectation for it is but small wisdome lightly to acquit that which one seemed expedient though the success have failed for as the mark of a drop of water falling on a stone doth not appear sensible but after a long space it falls even so it is in raw and indigested diseases which receive no coction but with difficulty unto which when Reason hath found that which is convenient according to all Indications considered one after another one must not leave off the course intended although there hath no manifest utility been found from it if so it be that some other accident do not happen which doth constrain to acquit the first purpose for there is no reason to use the remedies which indicatious did lead unto Canon 21. There be three sorts of Remedies by which all indispositions are cured that be curable that is to say by Diet by Chyrurgy or mutuall Operation and by Pharmacy or Medicines outward and inward it is requisite that the diet be repugnant to the Sickness and familiar to Nature for wholsom food is that which is contrary to that which is contrary to nature and like to that which is according to nature so hot meats are convenient for cold diseases moist and humid meats for the dry and drying food for the weak and moist wherefore it is expedient to prescribe a strict diet to fat and fleshy people for such diet drieth Canon 22. Meat and drink more pleasant to the tast but less profitable is to be preferred before that which is more profitable and pleasant for meats are to be permitted which are not best not onely to gratifie the sick but also for his further good because the stomack embraceth the meat more strictly and keeps better that which is taken willingly and with great contentment digests it better on the contrary it rejects and disdains such foods as are disagreeable to the tast because they move a desire of vomiting or cause some fluctuating or inflation in the stomach therefore the Patient must be humoured in such things as are indifferent and not very hurtfull Canon 23. In the ordaining of the Diet there must be care had of former customes for things of a long time accustomed although worse do commonly hurt less then those which are not in custome Canon
disposition of the Arire the form of Life with the diseased and the sickness wherewith he useth to be molested for one is soonest overtaken with a disease wherewith their nature hath greatest familiarity so hot diseases are most frequently incident to hot bilious or cholerick people and cold sicknesses to cold lumpish natures and that as well to those who are such by Nature Habitude and Age as to those who are so by reason of the Region the season and the constitution of the Aire and albeit that all sorts of sickness may befall to all sorts of Persons of all Ages in all Places and Times yet they fall most frequently on the Temperament Age Place and time with the which they have some affinity an Epidemick or universall sickness is known incontinently by the running of it among the people seizing on many at one time All hereditary diseases as the Epilepsy or Falling-sickness the Gravell the Gout are suspected to be incident to Persons descended from Parents afflicted with such infirmities Moreover the kind of the disease is often found by using such things as hurt or help it for the hot intemperature doth encrease by the use of hot things but is mitigated by the use of cooling things the cold intemperature is contrary Canon 10. After the acquired knowledg of the disease search next for the Cause of it which is either externe or interne inward or outward The interne is twofold antecedent or conjoyned First then seek out the Cause conjoyned because it immediately produceth a disease it is therefore needfull to search whether it be wind or any other superabounding humour as Blood Choler Melancholly or Phlegme or any other thing contrary to nature as Stone lump of blood wormes or any other sort of Excrement the colour and nature of the Place the kind of the dolour and the sort of the Excrement these with the predominant humour in the body will serve for Marks Canon 11. For when the part inflamed is red it is full of Blood when yellow full of Choller that which is cold and white is replenished with Phlegme when blackish with melancholy for the colour of the skin doth commonly point forth the humour that is within divers parts are appointed for the engendring of divers humours excrementitious as the Liver for breeding of yellow Choler the Spleen of black Choler the Stomach the Lungs the Braine of Phlegme the Kidnies and Bladder of Gravell and the Stone the Guts of Wormes The pain pricks sore when it is caused of choler more moderate when it proceeds of blood blunt when it comes of Melancholy Phlegme or Wind except when they make great distention through their abundance If that which issueth forth by the Excrement be a portion of that which is continued within it shews either by the substance or colour what it is we shall speak hereafter of the predominant humour Canon 12. After the knowledge of the Cause conjoyned it followeth to know whether it be alone or if it be fostered and furnished by any other Cause antecedent that which gathers is by way of congestion through the fault of the part offended and is reputed to be alone but when all the body or any part of it doth exonerate it self on the member affected of any superabounding humour which overburdeneth there is thâ—n the Cause antecedent which doth accompany the conjoyned so there be two sorts of Causes interne to which Remedies must be used Canon 13. The Cause antecedent of the sickness is double the one is named Plethor or Plenitude the other is named Cacochymie or evil digestion Plethor is a repletion of all the humours equally augmented or of blood onely Cacochymie is a repletion of Choler Melancholy or Phlegme the signs both of the one and the other are taken both from the causes antecedent which do gather the humours that is to say from the temperature of the whole body and of the principal parts from the age season constitution of the Air from the Region Manner of living and of the evacuation ordinarily suppressed As also from the accidents that befall all the qualities of the body such as be the color the habitude the functions animal vital and natural as from the sleep dreams pulse concoction excrements of the diseases ensuing and of the things that hurt or profit Canon 14. There be two sorts of Plenitude the one called Plenitudo ad vires in which the blood though it be not excessive neither in quantity nor quality doth nevertheless overcharge the weak forces of Nature The other is Plenitudo ad vasa the which in quantity surpasseth the natural limits or bounds and this either light or gentle that is when it filleth onely the cavity of the vein not far exceeding mediocrity or it is excessive when it extends so that it almost rends the veins through the fulness of it by too great abundance and although it be very excessive yet it may be so that Nature be not choaked by it for commonly the force grows with the blood but if it fall out that the forces are abated then it is Plenitudo super vires When then in a Plethor the body is no way by a too great weight lazy or heavy and the force or strength remains still in one state it is onely a Plenitudo ad vasa but when the body becomes heavy lazy and doiled the sleep troubled and profound seeming to carry as it were something whilst he sleeps it is then Plenitudo super vires Canon 15. The causes that engender blood in abundance are signs antecedent of a Plenitude as the Complexion temperate of all the whole body but chiefly of the Livor and the Heart or else moderately hot and humid The Age growing is another for children and young folke have much blood because they are not far from their principes or beginning of their natural generation The Spring also is a cause for in it the Blood abounds for then the cold ceaseth and the waters descend Also good fare a pleasant passed life without care with moderate exercise and sleep The naturall evacuation of Blood suppressed or the artificiall for long time intermitted The Accidents which shew the domination of Blood in the body are the signes consequent of Blood such be the colour of the face and all the body red by the ordinary custome or mixed of red and white the swelling of the Veines equally appearing through all a manifest bending of the Vessels being full of Blood by measure a laziness or weariness coming of it self without any labour under the which the joynts by reason of their weight with great difficulty do move themselves for it is when the great Veines over-full of blood do exonerate themselves into the little and they again into the Muscles that they are thus filled and bended The Habitude of the body fleshy because it doth proceed of abundance of blood yea the Mediocre fleshy accompanied with a heat benigne and vaporous this is a signe of
because the one betokens the animal parts to be affected the other the natural All they that are troubled with pain or dolour in any part of the body whatsoever and are not sensible of it have the reason troubled because the apprehension doth not in any measure perceive the evil Canon 14. It is good to sleep in the night to make reparation of the spirits animal and a digestion of the humours by the means of the heat that enter within the center of the body and to watch in the day for clearing of the same spirits to give motion to the humours and to make expulsion of the Excrements but it is a very pernicious sign not to sleep night nor day for continual watching cometh either of dolour pain and torment suffered or of the dryness of the brain which in the end will cause an alienation of the mind Sleep likewise surpassing the bounds of mediocrity is in like manner evil because it is a mark of extreme coldness in the brain which causeth a Lethargy or Obliviousness if it be mixed with humidity or else a Catalepsy which is a kind of the Falling-sickness if it be acompanied with dryness When in a sickness sleep is noysome and hurts there is danger of death for if the sleep doth hurt in that time that it hath been accustomed to help much as in the declination of any sickness it is not without cause that it foretelleth death and that because the heat retired within the body in the time of the sleep doth by this means encrease and being not able either by reason of its weakness or the maliciousness of the humours to overcome the causes of the disease it shews that Nature no way strengthened or comforted by this means but rather hurt is ready to sink under the burden the disease being stronger Canon 15. The Pulse is the faithful messenger of the heart bringing certain news of death or life The Pulse great and strong is a token of strength on which is builded the hope of the healths recovery but the Pulse little weak and languishing sheweth the weakness of the vital faculty from whence is the fear of death The inequality of the Pulse is also evil when it continues an intermission in young men it is most dangerous for it threatneth present death if it be not from an obstruction and oppression of the Arteries it is less dangerous in children and least of all in old men Canon 16. The respiration free without stop or let is very wholsom in all sharp and quick diseases because it denotes the temperature of the breast and of the parts therein contained So also the respiration remaining whole declares the natural heat yet to be strong to fight valiantly against the disease On the contrary the difficulty of breathing shews the indisposition of the vital parts and the suffocation of the spirits For the respiration frequent and great is a sign of some inflammation of the parts within the breast but the great and seldom breathings do foreshow a future alienation of the spirit as the respiration little and rare betokens death because it bears witness of the extinction of the natural heat which is clearly perceived by the coldness of the breath issuing at the nostrils and the mouth Canon 17. It is a good sign to have constantly a whole heart for they who fall often into Lipothamy or swounings without a manifest cause do die in the end suddenly because of the debility of the vital faculty Canon 18. The coction of the humour appearing in the Excrement of the Patient signifies the Crisis or conflict to be speedily in assurance of health but the crudity denotes that either there shall be no Crisis or that the Patient is mightily troubled or that the disease shall be longer or that afterward it shall return or finally that death shall follow upon it For as when the coction is made Nature is victorious over the causes of the disease so the contraty comes to pass when she is overcome by them for instance the foecal matter being soft equal and yellow not having any evil smell is judged to be good because it is well digested in like manner the water being of a middle consistence of colour somewhat yellow having grounds white united and equal is reputed to be singular good because it bears witness that the vitious humours are digested and consequently that Nature hath gotten the victory over them On the contrary the digestion liquid and watery white and pale is reputed evil because it is crude and raw so also the Urine watery and smal white and exceedingly shining is not good because it is raw and without digestion Canon 19. When the Excrements of the sick are not very different from the Excrements of the whole it shews the disease to be light but if there be a very great difference the disease must be apprehended to be deadly for the Excrements differing shew Nature to be overcome by the greatness of the disease Therefore the foecal matter black livid green and stinking are mortal because they are wholly alienated from the natural constitution and the water that is black and thick and troubled like that of Oxen is most evil because extremely removed from the natural The same mixed in colour foreshews a long disease for they denote diverse indispositions caused of divers humours and therefore it is necessary that Nature employ her self a long time to the concoction having so many Enemies to combate The Urine in which grease is seen to swimme like spiders webs is evil because it declares a melting of the body by an extraordinary heat Canon 20. Sweats are good in all sharp and fiery diseases when they fall on critical dayes and they cause the Fever wholly to cease They are good also when they make the disease more easy to the Patient provided they be universal but the sweats which bring no ease nor serve to any use as also those that are cold and appeare onely about the head face and neck are most evil for in a hot fiery and quick Fever they prognostick death and in a gentle Fever they shew the longness of the disease A cold sweat running without ceasing and in great abundance is a mark of a long disease because it comes by reason of a great quantity of gross and cold matter which cannot easily be dissipated or tamed by the natural heat A hot sweat on the other side shews a short disease which being caused of a subtile matter will in a short space be dissolved Canon 21. If the visage of the sick be like to the countenance of whole persons it is a very excellent sign chiefly if it look like it self being whole On the contrary it is a very evil sign when it is different from the natural and when it is hideous to behold as it is when the nose is sharp the eyes hollow the temples abated the ears cold and drawn in the lap of the ear turned the skin
24. When the disease is in its vigour it is then necessary to use a very slender diet as well for the greatness of the Symptomes as for the coction of the humours for nature must not be hindred in the coction of the humours by the coction of the meat Canon 25. When the Disease is violent and quick it immediately causeth extream pain and dolour wherefore a most sharp weak diet is then most requisite because such a disease is in the vigour the first dayes as the grievous Symptomes which do incontinently accompany from the beginning do bear witness for a sharp sickness is that which attains to its height in the first four dayes or little after Canon 26. So soon as the sickness by its violence doth shew that it is drawing near the height then a strict diet must be enjoyned but when the height is long in continuing as it falls out in long diseases then a larger diet would be used till the approching to the height or a little before and then it must be restrained strict and small diets are dangerous in long diseases because they abate the spirits which ought to be preserved in their integtity to the end they may resist the height of the disease Canon 27. When the body is not clear the more it is nourish'd the more it is hurt for seeing that the body full of vicious humors hath more need of evacuation then nutrition it appears that they should not be too much nourished because these evil humours gather'd a long time in the body do spoyl the food newly received so that thereby the Chacochymie or evil digestion is augmented to the double which falls out chiefly when the stomach is foul for even as mixing clear water with muddy it becometh all muddy and troubled so the meat although pure and clear of it self yet taken by a great quantity into a foul body becomes wholly corrupt Canon 28. A larger diet must be granted to children then to old folks and a mediocre to those of a middle age because old men endure hunger easily and next to them such as are entring into the declining age young men worse and worst of all boyes for such as are growing have much of the naturall heat and therefore have much need of nourishment otherwise the body would consume but there is little heat in old bodies therefore they need not much nourishment for too much would choak them Canon 29. The great Cavities in the body in Winter and in the Spring are naturally hotter then at any other time and the sleep longer wherefore in these the diet may be larger by the Cavities the stomack is understood the whole belly containing the guts and the rest of the natural parts which are appointed for digestion If any one desire to know why the naturall heat is augmented in Winter Aristotle attributes the cause to the circumsisting air which is then colder by which means it driveth the natural heat inward whereas in Summer it extends itself ordinarily through the whole body towards the heat which is without as familiar to it Hence it is that in the Summer the substance is dissipated and exhales but in the Winter it is holden in and keeps there and therefore all the coction is the better made Canon 30. As to the form and manner of diet one should eat less in the Somer and in the Harvest and more often but in the Winter and Spring more seldome but more abundantly because in the Somer and the Harvest one doth hardly digest meat but in Winter very easily and in the Spring moderately well Canon 31. Such bodies as have been extenuated by long sickness must be nourished gently and repaired by little and little and those bodies that have been suddenly brought down must be speedily restored Canon 32. When the sickness gives intermission and leisure then it is time to give meat to the Patient but during the access and increase of the disease he must abstain for meat is then hurtful because it withdraws nature from the digestion of the humour to the concoction of the nouriture and because by it the disease is augmented Canon 33. Amongst the operations of Chyrurgery Phlebotomy or drawing of blood keeps the first rank because it is the common remedy of diseases which proceed of plenitude or fulness for by it an evacuation is made of the humours equally that course being for such infirmities the most exquisite of all other Canon 34. Phlebotomy is not onely a remedy evacuative but also revulsive and derivative for it is profitable to turn the course of the Flux to the opposite part or desire to turn it aside to the neighbour part Canon 35. In hot Fevers blood must be drawn even to the fainting of the spirits and heart if strength will bear it which course must be used in great inflammations and extreme pains for if blood be drawn in hot Fevers till the heart faint the whole body is immediately cooled and the vehement heat extinguished after which there followeth a flux of the belly and a Sweat by this means some are wholly cured of a Fever and others receive great ease when the vehemency of that sickness is past this sort of bleeding is likewise good in great inflamations both for the former reasons and because it stops the flux causing the inflamation as also it hinders the growth of the Phlegmon by which likewise it appeaseth the great dolours caused by the heat of the Fever and of its inflamations wherefore there is not found a remedy more soveraign for insupportable dolours then this of Phlebotomy or bleeding Canon 36. If the sickness do require it much blood must be drawn alwayes provided the spirits do permit it but if they fail then take it by little and little and at divers times for all extreme evacuations are dangerous and chiefly bleeding all at once Canon 37. They to whom purging and bleeding are profitable ought to be purged bled in the Spring for that season is most proper to make evacuation by Phlebotomy or Pharmacy because at that time there is no extraordinary heat to weaken the body by exhalation nor great cold to make it stiff by congealing the humours in it nor yet unequall to disturb the spirits but rather a moderate temper Canon 38. There is great cause of deliberation to be had in opening a veyn upon a woman with child because a woman with child being let blood may thereby be brought to be delivered before her time if the child be great because thereby the child is robbed of its food and shall famish in the womb of the mother which will cause it to break the bounds and seek elsewhere for nourishment and all before the maturity of time except the mother abound in blood for then the fear is so needless as in case that administration be not used both the mother and the child are in danger as hath been observed upon some of the most eminent Ladies in