and management I sent her three Anti-scorbutick Medicines namely my Scorbute-Pills Elixir and Sudorisic Extract to be used in that order and method as the Medicines and her Condition required at the months end she gained the use of her Limbs but were something weak yet no pains as formerly and upon the use of the Sudorific Extract some spots were driven forth and the Latent Scurvy did appear and satisfied them more fully what I had determined of her disease The Winter being very sharp did sometimes interrupt her Course and retarded the compleating of a Cure which else might have been finished in a shorter time At the beginning of March I set her into the same Course again which was diligently observed and in April following she was perfectly restored In the Course of these Medicines according to the Account received I observed her pains to lessen and cease upon the use of the Sudorific Extract and not before which Medicine chiefly restored her the use of her Limbâ— and it was reason to expect the greatest benefit as to that particular in the Case should acrue from a Diaphoretic Medicine that searching and penetraâ—ing the hâ—bite of the Body by transpiâ—ation and breathing Sweats should dâ—slodg and discusse the Scotbutic Matter which infested the Nerves and Muscles impeding and disabling the parts in their Motion and Action By such Examples as this and other different Cases as to the Symptoms yet parallel with it as to the parts affected and Morbisic Cause I was fully satisfiâ—d that a Sudorifiâ— Medicine was of necessary use in many Scorbutic Cases and without which a Cure could not be performed I therefore prepared a Medicine that might effectually answer the scope of that intention which might operate by Transpiration and gentle sweating and by a kindly assisting of Nature in that operation might depurate the whole Masse of blood and free the habite of the body from any Scorbutic Impurity and Degenerate Matter which at certain seasons of the year and by accâ—dental promoting Causes ferments and produceth various internal Distempers and Diseases Scorbutic Feavers continual and intermitting Quotidian Tertian and Quartan Head-aches and Pains in several parts Plentisies Asthma's c. or external and Cutany-Disedations as Spots Scurff Scabs Pustul's Tettars Ringworms Tumors c. And because our blood especially in these Northern Climates doth abound with a serosa Colluvies a Serosity or Superfluous watery humor a good Sudorisic Medicine is of great use for when this serous matter abounds and increase the ther by the insufficient Attraction Separation of the Reins that should expend and drain it or the Pores shut up and Trauspiration denied that should insensibly exhaust it doth then by Preternatural Retention degenerate and change its Nature and Properties that which was mild turns acid sharp and molesting and variously degenerating doth cause several Diseases and Pains in divers parts of the Body as it Circulates in the V ssels or extravasated and wandring about being expulsed from part to part as hostile and injurious by the strength and fortitude of the Archeus or innate spirit that inhabits as the Life-guard in each part of the body This Sudorific Medicine prepared for the purposes aforesaid I appoint in all Scorbutic Cases requiring Transpiration or Sweating and I find great success in the use of it especially being now much altered and improved Many Diseases are expulsed by Sudorificks that purgatives cannot prevail against the reason is this First because some Diseases do arise and depend upon a statulent Spirit or Meteor that is generated in the body and these Diseases are more accute and dangerous than others because their matter is more active subtile and of suddain motions being of the Nature of a Spirit is more penetrative and irresistible in its motion as Apoplexy Epilepsy histerical Passions Pest lential Seminaries suddain Swoonings c. Which do not yield Obedience to Purgatives being of a more subtile spirituous nature is not ejected by Vomit or Stool as grosser Morbific Humours are but requires a Medicine equivâ—lent and proportionate to their Nature that is penetrative subtile and acute in Operation proper to discuss evaporate and transpire Sâ—condly many Diseases though arising from grosser and humoral causes that would obey the Power and Virtue of Purgatives yet by reason they are lodged in the habit of the body and more exterior parts are out of distance and beyond the reach and sphere of their activity but a good Sudorific penetrates and searcheth all parts raiseth the Seminaries and enters the secret Dormitories of lurking Diseases and gives them expulsion by its subtil Operation and acute Power and here I remember the condition of a Patient which I will relate to you pertinent to the present discourse A young gentlewoman of a fair Complexion and very clear skin by Melancholy and other causes was much altered and become brown muddy and discoloured in particular places afterwards a Scurf did arise and some Pimples here and there which was troublesome by itching thâ—s Gentlewoman was let blood and purgeâ— ofâ—en but still be trouble remained then she was advised to a Wash to clear the â—kin and to tâ—ke away the heat and pimples which diâ— take effect in a few daies but upon retiring of this humour inwards she fell desperately sick with violent pains in her head and ready to faint away often Hereupon I was sent for and examined the whole matter and finding the acuteness of her sickness to arise from an imprudent repelling of a humour and forcing it back upon Nature which she had brought forth to the skin I immediately appointed her a Dose of my sudorific Extract to be given her which put her into a breathing Sweat and when the Medicine had done its Operation her pains and sickness were almost gone the next day I appointed another Dose to be given her to sweat gently for two or three hours and before the Operation of the Medicine was spent her pain â—nd sickness quite left her and then appeared some of the former Symptoms again upon the skin but without itching The present danger of her sickness being over I caused her to rest two or three daies and gave her an Elixir to take every day to cherish Nature and recover her strength then she fell to the Sudorific Extract again to cleanse the Blood and to breathe out that impurity which was lodged under the skin with convenient intermssion she repeated this Sudorific Medicine three or four times more and then the former Symptoms quite lest her and she regained her former beauty and clearness of skin By thâ—s you may understand that a Sudorific Medicin s me times is effectual when Purgatives cannot prevail yet 't is injurious to Nature to draw back again what she hath protruded and brought forth to the Circumference of the Body and therfore they that rely and insist too much upon Purging thinking to cleanse the whole Body by that Operation only are much deceived Purging is good but not
are differenced in their stations the one more noble than the other according to the eminency and degree of their vitality as the vegetative life of a Plant is below the sensitive life of animals and this sensitive life of animals inferior and ignoble compared with the rational life of man Now in respect of conjunction they agree equally that the vegetative soul of a Plant is as really united to its body as the soul and body of man is coupled here is no gradation in connexion to distinguish them therefore Life is something else that will admit of degrees and here many arguments might be used to prove and some objections to be answered but it was not my intention to ingage so far in polemical discourse and controversie therefore I pass on Cardan and others determine vitam esse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 formae life to be the operation or action of the soul and by how much the actions or operations in one Creature are more noble than in another by so much is the life of that Creature more noble than his fellows and although Greg. Horstius condemns this opinion and adheres to the Aristotelian yet it is much more rational and less intangled with objection Helmont speaking of the life of Creatures in general gives this definition vita est lumen initium formale quo res agit quod agere jussa est Life is a formal light of a luminous nature and he accounts the life and form of every thing to be synonimous natura recipit distinctiones specificas à lumine formali there is so many distinct lights in nature saith he as there is things Formae quaedam nitent ut in lapidibus mineralibus quaedam aucta luce splendent ut in plantis aliae verò sunt etiam luminosae ut in animantatis by which we understand their degrees in eminency of being And the same author in another place creating of the life of man saith vita humana est lux formalis life is a formal light and if we admit of this Definition all vital operations or actions are emanations and streams issuing from this formal light so that lumen formale est causa actus vitalis Now because forma est indemonstrabilis à priori the essence of things is not demonstrable in their causes but are the ne plus ultra the bounds and limits of our reasoning and disquisition I shall level the following discourse that you may take a view of this life à posteriori since the Creator hath vailed the face of the Creature that we should not behold their essence as being his prerogative For these two latter definitions of life although they differ yet we may receive information from both the last appropriates the word life to the soul or specific individual form of every thing and so vita anima forma are synonimous the other to the operations that do emanare proceed from that form or soul and in this aceeptation vita is actus vitalis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 istius formae what this life is as it is actus primus forma anima rei I shall discourse in due place following and as vita is act us secundus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 formae action or operation I think it necessary to explicate And here I might observe and lay open the variety and difference of life in the several species of Creatures yea those things that seem to be dead and inanimate are alive do edere actiones perform operations more or less eminently to testifie and prove that there is life in them and therefore Minerals as Stones and Metals do live and can exert their power proportionable to that life which is in them though their life is not so perspicuous and refulgent as those of a higher orb and degree in vitality yet their life is not so mean and contemptible as some may imagine but their operations are such as may and oftentimes do cause our admiration vivunt animalia vegetabilia mineralia suo quaelibet vivendi mode But I must wave what collaterally falls into this discourse and prosecute directly the intention of this Treatise and therefore setting aside the life of other Creatures I shall strictly examine the life of man in its initiation or plantation gradations and exaltation declensionâ— and period and for the better understanâ—ing of this life in its several degrees of vitality how â—nd by what means the life of man is so fluxible and mutable I shall bring into consideration the principles of life which is the subject of our discourse in the following sâ—ction Of vital and fundamental Principles and their operations HAving undertaken to declare the life of man what it is wherein the ratio formalis does consist wâ—ich we have determined to be operation or action and since vital operation is not simple and univocal but equivocal and various humane vitality being compounded of or admiting different actions comprised within its latitude I shall therefore examine how it comes to pass and from whence these different actions do proceed that the principles and foundation of this life may be discovered The vital and fundamental principles I call such as are principally and fundamentally concerned in vital operations and they are three the sensitive Soul the Archaeus or vital Spirit and the ferments and these are the three grand wheels upon which the life of man doth move by their distinct causations cooperating subordinately and consenting in uniformity and conformity with each other In natural actions of compound bodies there is both agent and patient part moving and part moved in humane vital actions there is first anima movens efficienter the Soul moving as an efficient principal cause secondly there is also spiritus movens instrumâ—ntâ—liter the vital spirit moving as agent or instrument Thirdly there is fermenta partium the ferments which is the peculiar and different Crasis of each part the two former are active and more general in causation the latter passive special and distinct determining the other and specificating their efficiency to produce various effects to which organization and different fabrication of parts suiting those purposes does contrâ—bute The proprieties of life result from these principles hereby the Creatures are distinguished one from the other producing such and such distinct operations answerable to the principles of their vitality so that their peculiar distinct beings and operations arise from the peculiarity of their vital and fundamental principles and if these vital principles be the basis on which the several degrees orders of Creatures do stand by which they are ranked and placed in their proper stations as their distinguishing characters then we must conclude that a right notion and conception of these unfolds the Creature discovers its being by this light of their vitality which unknown our knowledge is very dark and uncertain and as life consists in and manifests it self by operation then by how much those operations are more noble
nutritâ—… signifying non-nutrition or little nutrition This is very frequent with us in England the sâ—…re have given it a peculiar title and call 〈◊〉 Tabes Anglica By an Atrophy you are to understand a leanness diminution or decay of the body from a fâ—ustrated nutrition Not a few there are who enjoying their health at least not complaining of any manifest infiâ—mity and eat their meat indifferent well yet do not thrive in their bodies but pine away and grow lean thin and weak What secret causes there arâ— to deprive the body of nutrition we shall endeavour to detect and discover that a right course for Cure may be instituted A Consumption Atrophy is either universal when the whole body languisheth by reason of some principal part that is ill affected or particular when some part only decays diminishes and becomes weak from a particular defect of that part To know the causes of an Atrophy is first to know exactly the causes and after what manner nutrition is performed with the requisite Circumstances The Philosopher saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tria sunt requisitâ— nutritionis There are 3 things requiâ—… to nutrition Quod alit quo alitur â—… quod alitur Quod alit is the Soul Qâ—… alitur is the food or alimentary matteâ—… Quod alitur iâ— the body That which nourisheth as the priâ—… efficient cause is the material and moâ—… Soul under which the subordinate câ—…ses adjuvant and instrumental are incâ—…ded and do act This principal efficient cause being â—…seminal production and corruptible â—… subject to the deficiencies inabilities aâ—… decays as other perishable bodies froâ— whence I shall draw this Conclusioâ—… That Consumptive Atrophies sometiâ—… take their rise from the labefaction aâ—… infirm radication of this vital principlâ—… that does senescere tabescere decline aâ—… waste sooner or later pro seminalium â—…positionum conditione and therefore wâ—… need not wonder that some persons 〈◊〉 their juvenile years and prime of thâ—… age whose bodies are equally fabricatâ—… and organized with others and laudablâ—… preserved yet decline and terminaâ—… their course sooner then the accustomeâ—… time of Nature which if so as it is truâ—… and rational to affirm then I must superadde these two Assertions First That the debility infirmity and declension of the mortal soul is upheld and preserved 〈◊〉 â—xtra by the fortitude and magnanimity of the rational and therefore it is that a cheerful placid and vigorous soul does bear up against many bodily infirmities that a pusillanimous dejected drooping mind does sink under and unable to bear and gives advantage to their infirmities Secondly That the mortal Soul this vital principle being extended per partes corporis receiving its increment and decrement and hability for operation according to organical disposition and Crasis is maintained and preserved à sinistra in power and well-being to act by their integrity and aptitude for their subservient duties The instrumental efficient cause is the Archaeus or vital Spirit the Souls grand Agent in all the faculties serving to nutrition which being deficient weak and insufficiently supplyed by an auxiliary influxed spirit these faculties are languidly or depravedly performed The next considerable about nutrition is quo alitur the nature of our food wherewith this nutrition is maintained our bodies being in a continual tranpsiration efflux and emission requireâ— constant reparation to preserve the bâ—dy rom decay and Consumption aâ—… this is supplied by aliment or food â—…ceived to be assimilated and converâ—… into the substance of the body but 〈◊〉 this food be improper or unfit in its oâ—… nature or the circumstances attendiâ—… discordant and irregular that this foâ—… obtains not its due end for which it is â—…ceived then instead of a good nutritiâ—… there follows an Atrophy or Caâ—…rophâ—… although the digestive faculties be stroâ—… yet if the food be aliene and diâ—cordâ—… to that body carrying in its nature foâ—… noxious altering property perhaps noâ—… man in specia but to this or that indâ—…duum does act per modum medicamâ—… is as medicine to change the body 〈◊〉 aliment to nourish Food may be unfit for the body thâ—… ways or in three respects either in 〈◊〉 substance the quantity or quality 〈◊〉 substance I understand consistence wâ—… it is gross hard or tough so that the â—…paration of parts by fermentation is iâ—perfect and also a slower distributioâ— in quantity food is injurious when 〈◊〉 either too little that the body decays iâ—… want or too great which causeth â—…structions crudities and depraved nutriment the digestive faculties not being able to elaborate it but are oppressed and over-loaded non enim ingestis nutrimur sed iis quae ingesta concequuntur saith Menjotius we are not to account of nutrition by the quantity and proportion of food received in but according to the digestions whether good or bad in quality food offends or is less nourishing by exceeding not only in the first qualities but in the second also as too salt too sowr sweet c. therefore according to the nature of our food and circumstances that attend it caeteris paribus is our nutrition good or bad more or less Some kind of Creatures there are that can live a long time without food of which the Poet speaks Tota mihi dormitur hyems pinguior illo Tempore sum quo me nil nisi somnus alit Mart. But to man seven days fasting according to Hippocrates is accounted mortal so that nutrition and life are Consorts and have a mutual dependence upon each other that Atrophia is not meerly privative but imminutive not an absolute cessation from nutrition but a diminuâ—…on and therefore the Philosopher said Nos tamdiu nutriri quamdiu vivimus Quod alitur is the body and here 〈◊〉 must take notice that a body fit for nâ—trition must have a due crasis and orgaâ—…zation especially the principal parts tâ—… body as to the figuration and fabricatiâ—… of parts must be rightly framed and â—…ganized each part being right in statioâ—… figure and magnitude ductures of Communication for reception and emissiâ—… free and open which if otherwise dâ—…poseth the body to various diseases anâ— therefore those which are gibbous eitheâ— back or breast are most of them consumptive The Spleen sometimes increases beyond its due magnitude and robs thâ— rest of its fellows and therefore Hipâ—…crates saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vbi lien floret â—…pus tabescit L. de loc in hom When thâ— spleen increaseth the body diminisheâ—… Contumacious obstructions of the Mesâ—…tery are sometimes the cause of an Atrophy Worms do often defraud thâ— body of its nutriment and corrupt 〈◊〉 and therefore such persons do not thriâ—… in their bodies but pine away and become leane other diseases there aâ—… which may procure a Consumption Atrophy whose causes are apparent but there is an Atrophy frequent in this our Region and therefore called by some Tabes Anglica whose causes are more latent and creeps on more slily and few there are that know how to
check and oppose it witness their medicines and method of Cure because the rise of it is obscure and undiscovered This Consumption is a wearing and pining away without manifest cause notwithstanding the body receives good food but is not nourished strengthened and improved by it Several conjectures there are concerning the causes of this disease but I shall not insist upon their opinions being much beside the mark This Consumption ownes its origination and being from the Scurvy and may well be called Atrophia Scorbutica the Scorbutick Consumption and he that is well acquainted with the subtlety of the Scurvy will find it often palliated under the appearance of a Consumption Eugalenus who hath observed the various phaenomena and disguises of the Scurvy takes special notice of this Atrophy caused thereby We will examine now how it comâ— to pass that the Scurvy appears in the shape of a Consumption and how it is procured And here I must inquire into the state and condition of the blood which is the objectum circa quod the matter of nutrition Those of a hâ—… constitution and whose blood is sharp and thin do not feed and grow fat bâ—… are spare slender and lean according to Hippocrates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prone to anger and fierce in their passion the alimentary liquors of the body being thus attenuated and made thin are not so capable and fit for nutrition because they have not â— balsamick consistence and are circulated with a swifter motion are carried away before there can be an adhesion and assimilation to the several parts When the blood degenerates from is true balsamick state and requisite proprieties the body is not nourished as it ought but instead thereof an Atrophy little or no nutrition or a Cacotrophy a depraved and bad nutrition is the consequent when the nutritive faculty does reject or is weak and unable to assimilate it argues the alimentary matter to be very bad or the faculty to be much decayed and spent and therefore a consumptive Atrophy iâ— worse thâ—n a Cacotrophy or ill habit of body where nutrition goes on and proceeds though depravedly and of bad matter In Scorbutick Consumptive Persons I find a serosa colluvies the blood to abound with a filthy serous or watery liquor which is altogether unfit to nourish or be assimilated for the blood in its due state hath a homogeneous balsamick consistence by the fibrae wherewith it abounds and hath its concretion but being deprived of these there follows 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a separation of parts does ensue and then the blood runs not entirely as before but a degenerate colliquated serum abounds unfit for nourishing and for this cause many Scorbutick persons are consumptive which Brunerus also observes Scorbutus frequentissimè in atrophiam tabem quandoque in cachexiam melanchâ—licam interdum in dysenteriam desâ—nit pag 15. The Scurvy saith he most frequently terminates in a Consumption sometimes in a melancholick Cachexy or Dropsie sometime in a Dysentery or Bloody Flux Horstius and Martinius also do not let pass this Atrophy without dâ—e observation from whence it pâ—…dâ—… Sâ—…us also takes notice of a Scorbutick Consumption where he saith Quibusdam crura Atrophia laborant ita gracilia redduntur ut vix ossibus haerere videantur interdum totum corpus emaciatur c. Tract de Scorb But Eugalenus relates particular cases of these Atrophies which he frequently met with in his practice Lib. de Scorb I shall not here launch out in discourse of the Scurvy having run through that disease and made some new discoveries in a particular Treatise of that Protean sallacious disease whither I refer you for further satisfaction here only I must inform you that the Consumption Atrophy which is so frequent with us in England is the off-spring of the Scurvy which not being discovered or rightly observed in the process for Cure hath caused many to fail in their expected success For the Cure of this Tabes Anglica which is a Scorbutick Consumption Antiscorbutick choice Medicines are to be used or you will find your endeavour frustrate and insuccessful as thousands in this Nation by sad experience have found who have languished and pined away under a long and tedious use of restaurative Bâ—oths Kitchin-distillations Jellies and such kind of Cookery when the radix of the disease hath not been touch'd by medicine nor rightly understood but aiming only at nutrition by great nourishers not considering the spring from whence the Atrophy does arise you feed the disease rather then eradicate it Corpora impura quò plus nutrias eò magis laedas Aph. If the Scorbutick feculency be not removed and the vital principles established and confirmed in the rectitude of their functions by proper efficacious medicine then your high and daintiest feeding instead of nourishing turns to the worst and most degenerate matter Corruptio optimi est pessima For diaetetick customs and rules or the most legitimate use of the six non-naturals so termed by Physitians most requisite for your condition you may learn in my Treatise of the Scurvy which are general and applicable to the most Scorbutick cases but if your condition be extraordinary from great weakness or complication of divers symptomes you must declare it for a particular satisfaction answering the peculiarity and specialty of your case For medicine I have not prescribed any here for the reasons delivered â—eâ—eafter Of a Hectick Fever IN the number of Consumptions a Hectick Fever justly deserves to be ranked it is called a Hectick 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it possesseth the habit of the body This kind of Consumption sometimes acts its part alone but always accompanies a Phthisis or Consumption Phthisical Much talk there is of this Consumption but few there are that rightly understand the nature of it A Hectick or habitual Fever is an effervescency and inquietude of the Archaeus membrorum or innate vital spirit in the solid parts procured by some offensive cause whereby the rorid substance of the body is wasted and nutrition frustrated It is called a Fever Hectick or habitual because it is more fixed and radicated in the solid parts then other Fevers that are seated in the humours and may well be called a Consumption because it wastes the body and vital spirit Sometimes it is the remains of a burning Fever or other a long Fever ill cured sometime it is procured by long passions of a troubled mind continually keeping the spirits in inquietude and disturbance But of the causes hereafter There are 3 degrees or gradual progressions of a Hectick Fever distinguishable and to be known by certain signs or symptomes that discover them The first degree or beginning of it is quando humiditas alimentâ—ria tantum effervescit when the body is not emaciated and grown lean nor strength sensibly decayed but there is a slow febrile heat manifested commonly in the palms of the hands and feet
chiefly after meat this is easily cured but not so easily discerned except by a skilful Physitian The second degree is an augmentation and increase of the first quando â—…miditas alimentaria consumpta est sâ—… 〈…〉 reparabilis the body is lean thin and poor the intemperature of heat greater and constant apparently at all times with a quick sharp pulse not so lively as before but sluggish dull and indisposed to action either of body or mind this degree is easily known but not so easily cured because a putrid Fever is joyned with it The third degree is when the body is consumed and wasted that no flesh appears but a dry wrinkled skin the countenance changed of a dead pale colour and hollow eyes this degree is called a Marasmus or Hectica Marasmodes accounted incurable but I have seen some recover out of this deplorable condition that have been my Patients Physitians have divided the causes of a Hectick Fever into external and internal External are all such as procure other Fevers as vehement exercise inflaming drinks and hot meats immoderate excretions as Diarrhaeas and Dysenteries vehement passions of the mind c. Internal causes nominated are burning Fevers or long Fevers inflammation or ulcer of a part or a putrid humour contained therein When a Hectick Fever or habitual febrile heat is induced or procured without any manifest cause such as are before mentioned you may conclude a latent Scurvy that the blood that vital stream is defiled alienated and changed from its nutritious balsamick state abounding with a saline acid or acrid serosity does provoke the Archaeus membrorum to disturbance and anger and that calidum innatum which before was placid and amicable does now effervescere kindle and consume the substance of the body and destroy its own work as a Candle burns clear quietly and undisturbedly so long as it is maintained with a sulphureous unctuous fit matter but if it happen that Water Vinegar or such liquor comes to it presently spatters wastes and is unquiet until it be overcome In the enumeration of causes that generate a Hectick Fever the Scurvy might well stand in the front and lead up as its proper place being more eminent than the rest of its fellowâ— Eugalenus Horstius and others allow the Scurvy to procure Fevers continual and intermitting Quotidian Tertian Quartane Quintane not excluding malignant and pestilential and we may well put in Hecticks which it often procures and will not be cured but by antiscorbutick Medicines and therefore it is that many linger under this Fever so long because the spring from whence it ariseth and is maintained is not found out But you may farther satisfie your self in my Treatise of the Scurvy therefore I forbear to enlarge my self here A Hectick Fever is constant without accessions or paroxisms as other Fevers save only that an hour or two after meat the heat is greater and the pulse quicker which is common to all that have this Hectick Fever The question may be asked what is the reason that this preternatural heat should continue so long and constantly and how it is maintained when other Feavers last but for a time and yet procured by the same causes to which I answer A Hectick in the first degree is not of long continuance nor difficult to remove except the procuring cause remains in force and power a Hectick in the second degree is of duration and with difficulty removed though the procatarctick or procuring cause cease and be suspended because it cannot make this progress and arrive at this height before the constitution be much altered that is the natural balsamick state of the alimentary liquors of the body be much changed and the Crasis of the parts alienated the reduction of which is a matter of time and that by the prudence of an expert Physitian but few there are that will have the patience to continue in such a due course as this requires or will be so observant of the Physitians precepts in the diaetetick part as also in the pharmaceutick without which no good will be done and therefore it is that many linger under this disease a long time and some until their death but a Hectick in the third degree is seldom or rarely cured which most Physitians account incurable the reason I judge to be this because the fermenting distinguishing Crasis of the principal parts is obliterated and rased out so that there is no fermenting and vital transmutations or previous digestions to bring the aliment so neer the nature of the body that it might be assimilated into the substance thereof but only receives a corruptive and depraved alteration not a perfective progression for nutrition so that the body does daily pine and wast away and strâ—ngâ—h decay until the little remaindeâ— oâ— spirits be suffocated in a putrid carcase Before you enter upon the cure of a Hectick Fever you must consider the rise of it what was the first procuring cause and whether such procuring cause yet hath influence upon the disease which if so must first be removed for if a Hectick Fever be introduced by immoderate exercise watching or vehement passions these must first be suppressed and changed or you labour in vain to cure the Hectick caused thereby Consider and be sufficiently satisfied whether this Hectick Consumption be primary or hath its dependance upon another disease seated in some part of the body for if a Hectick takes its rise from another disease as an inflammation or Ulcer in the Lungs or Kidneys your endeavours will be frustrate in curing the Hectick which is symptomatical until you have first cured the other disease upon which it is founded and from whence it is supplyed and fomented so likewise if it arise from the Scurvey you must set about the cure of that disease Know certainly whether this Hectick Consumption you are about to cure be simple and solitary or complicated with a putrid Fever if simple the indications of cure are fewer coindicating and concurring but if complicated the indications are various contraindicating and discordant requiring great judgment and circumspection in the intentiâ—… of cure lest while you abate the one yoâ— do not augment the other this is not thâ— work of every pretender to Physick buâ— one that is well graduated in knowledge that is Doctor in Physick nomine 〈◊〉 being expert in the diagnosticks of diâ—â—ases whereby their simple state anâ— complications with others are easily discerned and judged For the cure of Hectick Fevers as also other Fevers most Practisers have recourse to Julips Emulsions and cooling drinks to allay and extinguish the preternatural heat as the chief intention and greatest assistance in cure and this because they are deluded in judgment concerning this febrile heat taking it to be some exotick strange heat introduced in the body or arising elementally from the predominancy of some fiery or sulphureous matter that must be quenched as fire with water Hence preposterously the most go about to
never to be totally amended but will admit of some correction and palliationâ— and therefore Patients sometimes wrongfully complain of their Physitians for that they have a continual propension to such or such diseases which is not in the power of man to eradicate being so planted by nature in the fabrication and first constitution of parts A Survey of the vital and fundamental Principles Conjunctim HAving traced through the vital principles apart and viewed their distinct beings and proprieties we will make some result thereof by applying it to our present design as the front of this work does import and promise and having surveyed them disjunctively in their offices and peculiar proprieties we will consider them in their co-ordinate and subordinate acts in their mutual compliance and assistance one to the other in vital and animal actions and what relation they have to health and sickness These vital principles are â—he basis upon which the whole discourse of Physick ought to move and to which it does refer for health is the integrity and perfect state of the vital principles performing the operations and functions of the body duly and sickness on the contrary is their deficiency depravation and decay so that health and sickness have their dependence here as the approximate causes These principles are not equal in degree and power but one is principal and more noble than the other which is instrumental and subordinate man considered as a mere animal hath his vitality or performeth his vital actions from these three principles the sensitive or brutal soul the vital spirit and the ferments of the parts these are joint agents in vitality and co-operate consentaneously have their defections and roboration sympathâ—tically the one is not depressor but the other is languid and when on is exalted and elevated the other iâ— strengthened and fortified if the Souâ— be sad the spirits are dull the ferment languid and digestions weakly performed if the spirits be exhausted by immoderate fluxes bleeding Venus c. the soul is sad heavy and drooping the ferments not so acute and active in their several offices of transmutation if the ferments be alienated from their genuine proprieties by improper irregular and disproportionate food or otherwise or spontaneously languishing through their innate disability to a longer duration in their integrities soon follows a defection depauperation and drooping of spirits since their generation and supply depends upon a vigorous and due fermentation in the grand elaboratories of transmutation Thus the vital principles in a due harmony concur and consent in all vital operations each being assistant and coadjuvant one to the other and participating in the ill or welfare of one another but any one disordered or depressed disturbs the regular oeconomy of the vital functions tending to ruine and decay of the whole frame of man body this is the golden chain of health one link whereof being broken enâ—rvates the strength of the whole man these are the springs that move in the performance of all the functions and vital operations whose vigour and harmonious consent preserve the body in a prosperous and flourishing state but being weak and languid man declines and degenerates from his pristine vigour of vitality when this trine conjunction of co-operation and subserviency begins to be dissolved What is Health but a due performance of all the Functions What is Sickness but their disorder irregularity and deficiency and both health and sickness depend upon these fundamental principles since all the functions are performed approximately and immediately duly or unduly from their regularity or depravation If so as it is most true here is the centre of all our discourse concerning health and sickness here is the basis upon which health and sickness depend and here are we to aim and direct our endeavours for the preservation and continuance of the one and also for the remove of the other I have read voluminous large Discourses and tedious Tracts in Physick bâ—… with much dissatisfaction acquiring thereby a superficial and distracted knowledgâ— only particularly a large Scheme 〈◊〉 Schedule of diseases is drawn out methodized in that order as some nay thâ— most take for a compleat platform am I was of that opinion wherein every part of mans body hath its diseases assigned and from hence an innumerable company of medicines are mustered up singly to oppose them but upon due examination and scrutiny into the wholâ— matter I was better informed and taughâ— how to contract both Diseases and Medicines into fewer Heads and Classes not relating to temperaments and humours nor the variety of parts of manâ— body but respecting the vital Principle from whence result both health and sickness that so applying to these whicâ— are but few in number their assistancâ— required for reduction and restauration is not so perplexedly various as the granâ—… Authorities our Predecessors would have it and their disciples the maintaineâ—… of it in this our age who relish nothing but what savours of Antiquity who stoop and yield to an ipse dixit being more prevalent with them than the strength of reason But to proceed they that look only or mainly at temperaments and the various sorts of degenerate humours are such whose knowledge gives them not admittance to view nature stript naked ript up and her intrinsick parts but externally to behold her invested in such a garb What are temperaments and humors but a result and the effects of the vital principles changing into this or that state and condition from whose various gradations mutations compliance and mutual assistance variety of humors and degenerate matter is producted which for distinction sake you may call humors and temperaments but you must not content your self with the nominal knowledge of these visible appearances but make disquisitions into the invisible procurers why do you so much eâ—e and aim at effects neglecting their causes applying Remedies only à posteriori when you may and ought to do it radically and à priori at the springs from whence they arise The result of this discourse I shall sum up in this corollary That the fragility and morbificâ— state of mans life depends or ariseth aâ— well from the active principles of vitality declining spending and hasteninâ— to a period ex natâ—…ae imbecillitate 〈◊〉 detrimento ab extra as also from thâ— passive principles of mans composition constituting the Fabrick and organicâ— parts being subject to dissolution diâ—junction and decay If so as it is moâ—… true then Physicians need not so mucâ— insist upon and mire themselves to find out Diseases in the superfluous humoâ—… and excrements of mans body which 〈◊〉 the producted matter and requires only evacuation but chiefly to eye the principles of our vitality which are tâ—e spriâ—… from whence Diseases take their rise râ—quiring restauration reduction to the integrities roboration and confirmâ—tion Of a Consumption Atrophy Tabes Anglica THe word Atrophia is a Compound of a privative or rather diminutive and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
reduce a preternatural heat applying remedies à posteriori to the producted heat labouring to quench that not discerning à priori whence it does arise and the occasional procuring causes which being not understood and found out at least neglected in curation they labour in vain opposing qualities with qualities by a long and tedious contest knowing not that natura est morborum factrix medicatrix as Helmont speaks and therefore he that will cure must cure radically and substantially applying to the fundamental principles which are disorderd and irregular and removing morbifick causes not qualitatively superficially and à posteriori to the products in satisfaction therefore to this point I shall lay down this conclusion That febrile distempered heat in mans body ex Archaeo irato surgens being the aestuation of the Archaeus or vital spirit manifesting its disturbance and insurrection at some peccant matter does require sedation and allay not by opposing the consequential heat with coolers chiefly but by removing the morbific cause which is hostile and injurious to this vital principle provoking it nisu expulsivo to be in fury ut ignâ—scere videatur from whence preternatural febrile heat does arise which if so as 't is true and rational then the common course of curing Fevers by Juleps Emulsions and other cooling Medicines aiming at an allay and suppression of this heat is erroneous for if heat whether natural or preternatural does emanare proceed from this vital principle as a distinguishing character of its state and condition as certainly it doth then the application of a medicine to check this is a levelling at the vital principle not at all aiming at the morbific cause and in so doing is violence offered to Nature damping and suppressing its fortitude and courage in resistance instead of exterminating the hostile and injurious matter mirâ—… a or fâ—mes morbi which is the cause of this reluctance perturbation and strugling of the Archaeus and therefore this intention only or chiefly by refrigeration is a retention of the Fever which is not nuda caloris tempestas sed materia occasionalis fixing the febrile matter that it is not so fit nor easily proscribed by transpiration or otherwise and protracts the disease Yet I would not be mistaken herein but do allow such refreshing coolers as the Patients inclination does crave and finds benefit by yet not to lay the stress of the Cure upon the contest of heat and cold Having laid open briefly what a Hectick Fever is the causes and declarative signs both proper gradual and distinguishing from other Fevers it will be expected I should say something more of curation and preservation for the benefit of those that are hectically inclined as also such as are macerated and wasted thereby so far as a general discourse will admit allowing peculiar cases and proprieties of individual constitutions some variation In chronick diseases the diaetetick part rightly observed is of great advantage but in a Hectick Fever is specially to be regarded A sweet cleer air is of great advantage it refresheth the vital spirits promotes transpiration of putrid vapours and is very helpful in the Cure therefore it much concerns the Consumptive person what place he lives in and that he be advised by a Physitian in this particular At hot seasons of the year be not abroad in the heat of the day but then keep in cool places parching heat is very injurious by drying the body and lassating the spirits both which your disease procures Use little or no exercise except at the beginning of your disease or when it is in the first degree your strength will then allow it but after the spirits are fretted tyred and enfeebled by their constant agitation and inquietude motion or exercise provokes and aggravates Motus omnis calefacit corpora quies vero refrigerat but refresh them with rest and ease which will cool and abate their aestuation and distempered motion Cherish sleep although in the day time that will humect and moisten the body and restore the lassated spirits but lye not long in the morning which retains excrements beyond their due time for evacuation and heats the body Watching and setting up late dries and heats the body by keeping the spirits so long upon their duty and is very injurious to Consumptive persons Avoid passions of the mind which disturb and waste the spirits exsiccate and dry the body but endeavour a placid quiet mind which refresheth and pacifies the spirits and mitigates their febrile heat and aestuation but cherish mirth and recreate your self abroad with pleasant company and it will be of great advantage to you in regaining your health and lost strength Bathing is good to cool and refresh the spirits that are grown hot and fiery to concenter them and give them rest that are tired by their continual aestuation to restrain their efflux and emission where transpiration is too great but this is to be understood of a cold Bath only which does repell and drive in Concerning drink take this Caution That you load not your self with smaâ—l Beer Barley-water and such slops thinking thereby to quench your thirst and cool your body for thereby you overthrow your stomach which must carefully be preserved and abate nothing 〈◊〉 your heat but be moderate in drinking yet drink to satisfaction and refreshmentâ—… let it be indifferent strong and sometimes a glass of Wine which will not injure you in respect of heat but revive and cheer the drooping spirits and give strength to the languishing faculties but it is the common opinion and practice of Physitians severely in Hecticks and most Fevers to forbid all strong drink and wine as a great aggravater of their disease and not to be permitted But this ariseth from some of their false principles in Physick and a wrong notion of Fevers which would take up too much room in this place to discuss I shall therefore refer that to another opportunity I remember a story related by a learned Physician in his own works of a Nobleman that was long sick of a Fever and strictly forbidden wine by hiâ— Physicians though much desired by him yet did forbear in obedience to them and observed all their rules notwithstanding continued lingring in his disease It hapned that a servant of this Lords being in drink â—ame into the chamber his Lord asked him what he had been drinking that made him so drunk he answered Claret-wine such as he had in his Cellar and withal desired his Lord that he would drink but one draught and it would recover him he was sure or let him be hang'd if his Lordship was the worse for it This Lord being something cheered at the merry talk of his servant commanded him to give him a glass of wine when he had drank that was so well pleased and refreshed with it that he called for a second and drank it and then a third after which his spirits were drowsie and he lay down to sleep that night he slept
by reading but by practice in making The ancient Latine Phrase may inform you something Medicinam fecit hoc vel illo loco he practised Physick in such a place he made Medicines he did not prescribe nor is he fit to prescribe that cannot make for I am very sure his knowledge is very small in Medicines therefore the prescriber that hath only a traditional knowledge from Authors in his Library must subscribe to the Maker for he is able to teach him and correct him in his erroneous prescriptions Now whether deserves the preheminence and who is more worthy to be esteemed in our Profession let common reason judge But this discourse falls in as a Parergy therefore I wave it and return to my purpose For Medicines proper to be used against this Disease treated on I have not prescribed any here and that for good reasons First that I might not be injuriouâ— to the professors of Physick to whom only such secrets are to be committed and not to prostitute this noble Art to base illiterate practisers who are in no wise able to advance but contrariwise to disgrace this Profession and abuse the sick 2ly Good Medicines by unskilful negligent or covetous persons not giving Medicines their due preparation in bestowing that cost labour and time as ought defames a good Medicine and brings a disrepute to the Author or Inventor 3ly The Diseased though ingenious and industrious for hiâ— health is not accomodated to prepare such a Medicine requiring Furnaces Glasses and mâ—…y Utensils whiâ—… wouâ—… 〈◊〉 exceâ—d the cost of the Mâ—…e thaâ— he mâ—y â—…y it for without further hazzard or trouble 4ly It was not any intentioâ—… and purpose to teach 〈◊〉 the â—…actice of Physick how to make Medicines to cure your selves or others to undermine the professors of this faculty no go to your Physicians for Medicines as they are an Order of men most necessary and useful designed and educated for this purpose so let their practice be entire to themselves as you would have your own Tradeâ— and Arts to your selves nor shall I encourage or inform any pragmattick person that would be prying into the arcana's of this Art that is not qualified and legally inducted Procul hinc procul este prophani sacra enim medicina res est Thus far I shall go and be helpful to you in this which is no small satisfaction and advantage to inform you of your Disease what causes and how procured what signes that discover it in being and gradual progress in what part chiefly seated what danger you are in how to order your self in your daily and necessary custom that you may not aggravate and heighten your infirmities by your imprudent government inadvertency but on the contrary by good rules and warnings you may check your Disease and keep it under this is sufficient and enough for you to know that is not a Physician nor is it against charity to conceal the restâ— as for Mâ—dicines for the reasons aforesaid apply your self to such an able Physician that is industrious and expert in preparing choice Medicines that makes it his great design and daily labour to acquire noble efficacious Medicines but if you be unacquainted with such or know not whom to apply to upon a due information of your Disease I will supply you with such Medicines of my own preparation as your condition requires Of Consumptions Phthisical BY Consumptions Phthisical I mean all such as have any internal part ulcerated or putrid and rotten The word Phthisis as it is commonly used denotes an exulceration of the Lungs only but may properly signifie another part so affected as the Liver Kidneys Mesentery c. The Lungs being a soft tender part is more easily invaded and a breach made sooner then upon other parts that are more solid and firm and in this part we find Consumptions more frequently radicated and primarily â—…tâ—d These Phthisical Conâ—…pâ—… are generated eiâ—… by some acâ—… humour corroding the part having fâ—…quent transition that way does by time fret and excoriate or by the apertion or â—…pture of a vein from whence extravasated blood does putrifie and corrupt the â—djacent parts according to Hippocrates A sanguinis sputo puris sputum à puris sâ—uto tabes or thirdly by a deficiency of transmutation when the vital principles of the parts are debile weak or alienated does not assimilate the nutriment brought thither for its supply and maintenance but è contra does suffer it to degenerate infest the part and putrifie from thence a Phthisical Consumption of that part soon follows and by degrees is communicated to the whole body The reason of it appears thus after all the praevious digestions and alterations of aliment received in the publick offices which administer to the whole there is also an ultimate and proper digestion in every part whereby it converts and assimilates into its own nature and substance such a portion as is fit to nourish and maintain it but if this digestive innate faculty of transmutation and assimilation be deficient alienated or extinct then that which is brought to the part to nourish it is corrupted and vitiated which if the robur and strength of the part be not able to expulse and carry off does then invade and corrupt that part with a tabifick and consumptive impression Though all the visecra be liable to this Tabes yet I find Consumptions of the Lungs most frequent as being most obnoxious to external and internal injuries First quia ceâ—…rriâ—è assâ—citar ab extrinseco irriteâ—tâ—… because the Lungs are more subject to assaults ab extra and chiefly from a bad air and tetrid vapours that sometimes set such impressions whereby the Crasis of the Lungs are depraved and altered so that the succus nutritius which should nourish them is perverted into an excrementitious foul matter clogging and loading the parts for respiration Secondly the Lungs are more apt to decay because of their soft spongious nature are more apt to imbibe and receive an exotick ferment more easily penetrated and eroded then other more solid resisting parts as also less able to retain their native goodness For this cause the Lungs are more frequently the foundation and part primarily affected in Consumptive persons yet all persons are not equally subject to this Consumption but some more inclined then others ex viti◠〈…〉 by an innate bad Crasis and Consâ—…ion à primo ortu centracta radicated in the seminal matter which secret inâ—…scernable deficiency cum tempere maâ—…sâ—it does by time appear and explicate it self as other seminal pâ—…rietie now this natural proâ—ensity is â—…tarded or promoved according to external occasions and provocations and shall manifest it self sooner or later according to your regular diaetetick customs and accidents Having spoken something of the subject part we will now consider the antecedent and continent cause and here we must take notice of the alimentary liquors of the body their degeneration deviation and extravasation from whence many
Consumptions do arise and are generated Bodies of a sound and good constitution living laudably according to diaetetick rules prescribed in the right use of meat and drink sleeping and watching exercise and rest passions of mind c. do preserve the integrity of their natures and ability of their faculties much longer then those who by accident or a careless irrational course of living receive much detriment and decay in their bodies the stomach abused by meat and drink alienating the digestive ferment of that part leaves its wonted integrity and performance of office from thence a vitiated digestion follows which continuing is manifested by an ill savour in the mouth or unwonted taste bitter sowre foetid c. flatulency eructation or nauseousness but the ill effects and their fiâ—m are not confined here but are transmitted iâ—to the mass of blood producing a degeneration and change there also from whence Consumptions and various infirmities arise in several parts sometimes it makes impression upon the Lungs discharging its acrimony and eroding saltness upon that part sometimes upon another not long confined within its own ductures and chaâ—nels but by apertion or erosion is extravasated and invades the parenchyma of the viscera with a tabifick impression The acid impurities that flow with the Blood so long as they keep within their rivulets do not so much molest nor are so easily detected but being separated and extravasated whether per anastemosin diapedesin or per anabrosin the parts whitherto such matter takes its course and by which it passeth is made very sensible of a strange unwelcome guest witness the dolorous pains of the Gout of the Teeth venereous and scorbute pains in the Head Limbs and habit of the Body griping of the Guts when Nature per diacrisin hath separated that hostile matter and brought it thither for extermination vellicating pains of the Back counterfeiting the Stone but caused by an acrid serosity violent coughing and painful irritations of the Lungs punctures and pains in the Breast the forerunners and warners of a breach and Consumption there These and many more such like pains in divers parts are caused from a degenerate acrid humor extravasated and expulsed from place to place does chiefly invade and infest those parts whose innate robur and strength is too weak and unable to resist the assault or by organical disposition and aptitude is liable for the reception In this deviation and inconstant residence of morbifick humors the Lungs is frequently infested sometimes with extravasated blood which if not timely expectorated does putrifie and layes the foundation of a tabes or a saline corroding serous humor which by excoriation invades the tender Lungs and an Ulcer is planted there If we make inquiry into the causes of Phthisical Consumptions we shall finde a phthisis of the Lungs may be procured several wayes or from these causes First Domestica indispositio a bad Crasis of the part that is a tender infirm constitution of the part apt to decay and corrupte and this is either native or hereditary from the first constitution and fabrication of parts by seminal matter or adventitious acquired by time through a bad air noxious fumes accidents and evil living disposing the Lungs to a vitious depraved constitution Secondly by the accrimonious saltness of humors fretting and exulcerating them Thirdly by the apertion rupture or erosion of a Vein which extravasated blood lodging there does putrifie and corrupt the Lungs Fourthly by an Imposthume in the adjacent parts breaking in upon the Lungs as by a Plurisie Squinance Inflammation of the Mediastinum or Diaphragma and therefore Hippocrates said Empyema si 40 dierum spatio per sputum non repurgetur in tabem degenerat quae mortem accersit Aph. 15. Sect. 5. Causes also external do promote and concur much to the generating of a Phthisis in the Lungs and here you must take notice of the air by whose intemperateness and impurity the Lungs contract an evil disposition and alteration of its Crasis and this we observe in some places that the air does procure and promote a Phthisical Consumption of the Lungs more frequently and that the air of another place is more preservative and curative therefore the Phthisical person is to consult the Physician what place is best for his abode whether it be for prevention or recovery For this cause great Cities being much annoyed with unwholesome fumes and vapours from Sinks Privies and Chimnies offensive nasty Trades c. made London abound with Phthisical Consumptive persons more then half the Nation besides and from Consumptive Parents a numerous progeny of the same kind is propagated Society also is to be regarded and you must not frequently converse with a Phthisical person whose unwholesome breath may infect the sound by drawing in the putrid vapour that the other breaths forth but above all a Phthisical Bed-fellow is most dangerous to infect a sound person and chiefly to be avoided Certain seasons of the year and constitution of the air though in the same place are worse then other as the Autumnal Quarter is the worst and Phthisical persons do most decline at this season and are worse in moist foggy weather then in a dry clear open sky That you may not be surprized but have some warning of this Disease and characters to know it by I shall set down some signal tokens whereby you may discover it afar off and certain marks to know it by when fixed and seated in its proper place Consumptions in their first approaches tread very softly that you are not so sensible of their invasion but having gained some footing are more bold to awake you and appear in the breach and decay of your wonted health and strength a long time perhaps you carry this secret enemy in your bosom not discernable but by the sagacious judgment of a very able Physician but when you find some unwonted alterations in your body of which you cannot determine what or whether they tend look out betimes apply your self to the most skilful of our Profession that by his timely advice and prevalent Medicines you may obviate and stop the proceedings of a secret destroyer Obsta principiis serò medicina paratur Cùm mala per longas invaluere moras The forerunners and warners of Consumptions are many declaring a degeneration and change of the constitution as bleeding at the nose often signifying the blood to have lost some of its balsamick consistence being grown thin sharp or hot will not be confined within its rivulets but opening its own ductures gives vent and issue 2ly Spitting of Blood imports the like and is procured by the same causes 3ly The Spittle which before was sweet or insipid is become salt or sharp denotes the vital stream to be degenerate from whence it proceeds for as the Blood answers the Chyle so the Spittle answers the Blood the one depending upon the other 4ly Frequent and often spitting not provoked by any manifest cause 5ly A constant
you may observe none so rheumatick and phlegmatick as Tobacconists and as it leaves a filthy taste in the mouth so it sets a bad impression upon all the parts it reacheth the Lungs and vital parts especially receiving the prejudice Having made a progress thus far into Phthisical Consumptions it remains I should give you something remarkable in the therapeutick or curative part If the Disease be but approaching and a propension thereto correction and altering the mass of Blood secures you from the danger but if it be already seated and the Lungs ulcerated more intentions of cure must be prosecuted as abstersion and consolidation To know whether your Disease increase or abate during the cure and use of means observe your Spittle which will vary as you grow better or worse if that which was soul become more pure or consisting of several parts be equally concocted that was saltish is dulcid or insipid that was faetid and ill savoured is void of scent that was with difficulty expectorated is now easily brought up these are good signes and promise recovery but the contrary are bad and threaten death Those that are consumptive by an hereditary right derived from their Parents are much worse and with more difficulty preserved or cured them those to whom it is adventitious because it the former it is implanted in their nature and seminally radicated does grow 〈◊〉 to its height and increase with the bodies the other being promoted by some procatartick cause may more easily receive a check and stop by good advice Those that spit blood at some certain times only if it flows plentifully is less dangerous then those who more constantly void strings of blood because the former ariseth from an apertion of the Veins the latter from an erosion and exulceration besides the former may proceed only from plenitude the latter from great alienation and acrimony of the blood Gentle purgation per epicrasin by proper Purgers are necessary and advantageous but strong purgation and virulent purgers as Scammony Coloquintida Senna Agarick c. are noxious and do exasperate therefore great heed is to be taken in the choice and use of purging Medicines else you do more harm then good Sudorificks properly adapted and rationally used are of excellent use against Phthisical Consumptions whether imminent or present for precaution by depurating the blood from acrid serosities for cure by exsiccation also and healing and transpiration of putrid humors Dry Fumes and moist evaporations rightly instituted pro re nata as the case requires humectation or exsiccation and to supply the defects of an incongruous and unwholesome air are laudable artificial means conducing to preservation or cure In the performance of cure if there be any urgent symptome that first is to be regarded whether it be spitting and voiding of Blood a defection of Spirits or vehemency of Cough which being mitigated and relieved you may then proceed radically beginning at the foundation and râ—moving fomenting Canse◠〈…〉 the part affected In compâ—… 〈…〉 when contraindications 〈◊〉 cure do meet as often it falls out in Pâ—…hâ—… 〈◊〉 the ability and judgment oâ— the Physician is then most eminentlâ—â—…quired in the use and choice of Medicines by moderating successively or qualifying by commixture and allay the thwarting intentions of Cure The Galenick Medicines commended by several Authors are many Trallianus boasts of many phthisical persons he cured with the Blood-stone some extol syrup of Ground-Ivy others syrup of Comfrey and Conserve of Roses some again commend the decoction of Guaiacum Syrup of St. Johns Wortflowers and syrup of Tobacco also the powder of Haly is practised by some which is this white Poppy-seed 10 drams Starch Gum Arabick and Dragon each 3 drams seeds of Purslane Mallows Marshmallows Cucumbers Gourds Citruls and Quince of each 7 drams Ivory Liquorice each 3 drams Penidies the weight of all and made into a Powder of which is given 2 drams every morning in syrup of Jujubes or pectoral decoction But how insufficient these Medicines and such like are to cure a Consumption those only can judge that rightly understand what a Consumption is and what a radical Medicine is that 's adapted and does apply to the vital and fundamental principles that is prevalent to restoâ—… their declensions and reduce their irregularities to rectitude and integrity of operation I have not set down here the process of my own medicines that I use in the Cure of Phthisical Consumptive people being above the reach of those that are not Chymical Artists and for the reasons given before in the 74. and 75. pages Of a Spermatick Consumption THis kind of Consumption may seem strange in regard of the denomination being new but it is very proper and deserves this distinguishing title By a Spermarick Consumption you are to understand a decay and wasting of the body from the expence and loss of sperm or seed and this is either voluntary by immoderate coition and copulation man with woman or by self provocation to such an expence and emission or else involuntary a weeping and issuing without consent or external provocation and allurement First we will consider what this sperm or balsom of Nature is in both Sexes that knowing the worth of it how gradually it is elaborated and brought to its perfection you may the better value it be more sensible of the loss and rightly understand how the detriment and decay does consecute and follow upon too large and continued emission I shall not here spend time in leading you through all the digestions of mans body that are praevious and preparatory to this ultimate elixerated matter having done that in another place but it is sufficient you understand that this spermatick succus being the last concocted and elaborated matter is the cream and quintessence of the rest having been defaecated and depurated in several offices of digestion each of which does separate the faeculent and inutile parts transmitting the purer to receive the operation and perfection of the subsequent digestion and therefore this spermatick succus is defined pars purissima electissima elabetatissima omnium partium animantium quae conferunt ad nutritionem the purest and most select matter graduated and refined by so many praevious digestions which are as so many rectifications to subtiliate purifie and spiritallize it This spermatick digested matter though the last in order yet it is prime in dignity being the quintessence and purest part extracted from the rest and may fitly be called elixir hominis or essential balsom Now this elixerate choice matter which is elaborated and treasured up in the spermatick vessels not only for use of the individuum but also for propagation of the species is not prodigally to be wasted but necessarily employed for the purposes appointed by Nature but if it happen from what cause soever to be expended more then nature does allow and can well dispence with damage does arise to the whole body enervation and consumption upon the continuance if
or the Mineral Family changeth its Nature and Effect according to the variation of its Consorts with whom it is joyned that it is not the same compounded with this as it is with that but works a different effect because many times they act upon each other subduing and moderating each others peculiar Nature that a median nature does result And therefore 〈…〉 and knowledg in the Physician is required about the choice and conjunction of Ingredients that he be able to look through their several Natures to find out their similitude and â—epugnancy their concord and discoâ—d for hereby is known what properties will be advanced and what depressed and this an able Chymical Physician can discern as having a perspective thorow knowledg the other is but Exterior and Partial and as the composition of Ingredients may alter and change their Natures so likewise their various manner of Preparation singly do change an Ingredient that it is made this or that as a perite Artist pleaseth exalting or prostrating and killing this or that quality as his purpose requireth And here by the way I must take notice of the traditional and unprofitable account of Vegetables that our Herbals give of which the Chymical Physician takes little notice and is a small assistance and guide to him in the Election of Plants for his several Intentions Being satisfied long since that Medicament was the most weighty and considerable part of Physick and that a deficiency or error there is a greater disadvantage and detriment to the Patient then in the determination of the Desâ—…se I diâ—…eageâ—ly apply my self to Medicinâ—… according to the ancient custom and general practice of the most learned and famous Physicians in all places who weâ—e industrious Artists diligent in â—reparing their own Medicines until this later age with as much curiosity as my knowledg could possibly direct At first I was deâ—…rous to make Experiments and be fully informed in Galenic Medicines being grounded upon those Principles by my Acâ—demic Education and was tenacious enough of that Doctrine unâ—il a clearer prospect of truth did appear gained by Observations in practical Philosophy a serious ratiocination and strict examination of Principles and received Opinions but being removed off that Basis and confirmed by Chymical Tryals relating to Medicine I deserted the Galenic Medicines as inferiour to what I discovered and was presented to my view and ever since have labored in Chemical Pharmacy as being the most excellent way of preparing Medicines Sâ—me Objections are made by the Learned and by the Ignorant againâ— Chymical Medicines but to vindicate them from common slanders and clearly to determine the difference between these and other Medicines will take up more room than can be afforded in this place and therefore must of necessity wave it expecting an Opportunity hereafter to ventilate that Subject Only by the way I must note that Chymistry suffers much and is eclipsed in its reputation by some illiterate pretenders and bold fellows not qualified Philosophically but rudely intruding upon â—he Art without a due preparation and legitimate induction brings scandal upon the learned deserving Professors and defâ—mation to the Art by Vsurping the Title of Doctors and Chimical Phisicians that many are deceived by them which are not able to discern the difference between a Doctor of Physick and a crafty Empyric But the ingenious Phylosophical Artist ought to be cherished and incouraged in his Operations and rational Tryals But tâ— my purpose intended in my Treatise of the Scurvy having traced that Disease from its Iâ—fancy and Geneâ—ation to its full growth and strength its chief places of Residence variety of appearaâ—ce and monstrous deformity it remaiâ—s I should now propose some effâ—ctual means to check and subâ—…e the prevailin power of this spreading Disease that dâ—ily grows and encreaseth to the ruine and decay of Naâ—ure being possâ—ssâ—d and seaâ—ed in the Vital Principles â—educing and Constraining them to enormity and defection from the regularity in which they were planted by Nature And having strictly surveied the condition and nature of this Disease with iâ—s variety of atâ—endants a d additional strength being ready to joyn with any Morbific cause and be transformed I was unwilling to sit down here and rest with a contemplative knowledg of this Disease and leave the greatest paâ—t of the work undone the subduing and vanquishing of it by powerful Medicines nor being willing â—o commit the remaining part to the industry and care of others for good reas on I have therefore laboured to form Medicinal Instruments to oppose this Contumacious Herculean Disease and as fit means for this encounter I prepared three Medicines of a different Classis and Operation to meet with the variety of Symptoms and Scorbutic Complications In the Cuâ—e of the Scurvy at least in most Scorbutic cases there are three intentions of cure to be aimed at the first is Purgation or Cleansing to carry off that Scorbutic â—mpurity or Degenerate Matter lodged in the Stomack and Bâ—wels deravinâ— and alienating good food daâ—ly received Secondly roborating and st enâ—thning the digestive Faculâ—ies which are debilitated and alienated from the integrity of their Offices not only the Digestive Office of the Stomach but the subsequent Digestions also Thirdly Depuration of the Blood and cleansing the habit of the Body Nature dischargeth her self from within and sendâ—ng daily to the exterior parts those also must be tainted more or leâ—s as the Symptoms will manifest and therefore do require to be freed from feculency and the Blood purified To answer these three Purposes I prepared three Principal Medicines viz. Scorbute-Pills Catholick-Elixir and a Sudorific-Extract These Medicines I have been reforming and improving alwost seven years to advance their Efficacions but most gentle and benigne Operations Dies diem docet And for the better effecting this endeavour and aim the coâ—stant and daily use of them in divers Scorbutic persons attended with different Symptoms of the Disease and complicated with divers other Diseases gives great information and satisfaction to me in the several â—ccounts I recâ—ive of their Operations bâ—th at home and abroad by Letters from remote parts of this Kingdom whereby I am taught which way and wherein 't is possible to improve them and to give them as great a Latitude of Universality and extent of Operation in their peculiar Classes Nihil est simul inventum ac perfectum as long experience and daily use can dictate to their several repeated processes and tryals of making and this is my Study and daily experience in Chymical tryals to improve these and all other Medicines I use in my Practice that they may attain tâ— such perfection and energy as Cito tuâ—o jucunde to relieve the Diseased in the most contumacious Ma adies and deplorable Câ—seâ— remedible hereby Medicines will gain greater esteem and the Art its deserved repute and Fame if Physicians by their own care and pains as they ought would manage this Work and be
the Elixir which so strengthened the digestive faculties that she daily improved grew strong and in a short time obtained perfect health To reflect upon this Story Here was a latent Scorbutic Impurity that deaded the appetite and what was forced down the stomack did not digest but degenerate so that the body could not thrive nor had the benefit of that little food received but this vitious matter being carried off by a proper medicine and the loaded tyred parts refreshed and relieved b a generous spirituous Medicine nature then revives and retuâ—…s to her wonted duties with that strength and regularity as formerly I might instance in many cases parallel to this that I have met with in Scorbutic Patients but I must be brief and proceed Not only in Diseases of the stomack but also in the subsequent Digestions I have found these Pills most effectually Abstersive and Aperitive opening Obstructions of the Liver and Spleen Mesentery and Gutts exonerating and discharging those parts of crude coagulated depraved fâ—rmenting matter from whence arise pains and flatulent humors of those parts Cachexies or ill habits of body Fluxes Colicks Hypochondriac Melancholy c. and here I must relate the case of a Patient pertinent to this place worth your observation which was thus A Gentleman aged between Thirty and Forty something studious and melancholy complaining of pain sometimes in his left side under the short Râ—bs sometimes in the other side opposite to it sometimes he was Costive a stool once in two or three dayes sometimes Laxative two or three stools in a day with some gripes and wind his Belly often puffed up and distended at which times he complained of a shortness of breath streightness over his Breast and difficulty of breathing like one that is Asthmatick in the night often afflicted with frightful dreams and Palpitations of the heart after this manner with other Circumstances which I omitt he continued for the space of four years or there abouts all which time he was not negligent in procuring help nor sparing of his Purse having wherewith to do it but applyed himself here and there for advice some was of one opinion another of a different judgment and having tryed variety of medicines with little success was tyred and resolved to sit down contented with his infirmities and gave over Physick nere six months But meeting with one formerly a Patient of mine that I had cured though a different case encouraged him to come to me or acquaint me by Letter first with his condition whereupon he wrote to me living at a great distance and gave me a full Relation of his case desiring my advice and assiâ—tance theâ—ein submitting to what course I should appoint him I considering the whole story I was sufficiently satisfied of the Disease that he was deeply seised with the Scurvy as the Syndrome and Concurrence of symptoms did certaiâ—ly discover Whereupon I sent him my Treatise of the Scurvy to contemplate his Disease at large and to be useful to him as a Guide with a Box of Scorbute Pills and an Elixir and bad him proceed in the use of them according to Directions which he did for three weeks then gave me an account that the violence of his Dâ—sease was much abated the Symptoms more mâ—…d â—nd ease and not so frequent thâ—se 〈◊〉 it s he â—…k a Pill he slept more quâ—etly then at other 〈◊〉 in his stools came away little lumps of a slimy jelly of a dark colour or blackish after which he was much at ease his Belly and Hypochonders were more flat and soft that since his Physick some dark spots appeared in several parts of his body with a moisture upon his skin as enclining to sweat some nights but chiefly towards morning This I liked well and farther appointed him the Sudorisick Medicine hereafter mentioned to help forward and procure breathing Sweats twice in the week which I judged to be of great advantage to him this he diligently performed seven or eight times until the spots vanished and then his spirits were more brisk and chearful and more fit for business having thrown off that impure matter and dispersed the Cloud of Scorbutic vapours that clogged and darkned his spirits his sleep now was quiet and to be short the sâ—mptoms that formerly molested him did not appear but was reduced beyond expectation I gave him some cautions and advice lest he might relapse which he punctually observed and stood firm for seven or eight months after Since I hear nothing of him but suppose him to be well for which he was not ungrateful I might Comment largely upon this case and illustrate the Scurvy in the several Symptoms though disguised by various names usually given not respecting the causes but I pass on I have yet a farther Account of these Pills how and in what principal Cases I have used them successfully for dâ—seases and infirmities of the Head so accounted though arising from inferior parts most often as Apoplexy Epilepsies Convulsion Palsies Vertigoes Soporiferous and drowsy Infirmities Rheums Head-aches c. This Medicine is profitably used by Eradicating their causes that require Abstersion and Evacuation in the lower Regions of the Body Diseases ascribed to the Head though appearing there yet for the most part do arise from inferiour parts occasioned by their Impurities Obstructions and Disorder for one that is Idiopathically Afflicted ten are Sympathically affected by consent of parts and transmission of some Morbifick matter thither the Disease appears in one part but the foundation and cause is Radicated in another and to that paâ—t mâ—st the cure be directed And therefore if well observed we frequently meet with Scorbutic Palsies Scorbutick Convulsions Apoplexies Sleepy Diseases pains of the head Giddiness trembling of the Nervs Deafness dull Sight and Blindness and all these arising from the Scurvy or Scorbutick impurity of the body oftentimes and these are not cured but by Anti-scorbutic Medicines and those that endeavour otherwise with their Specificks and appropriate Medicines to the parts where such Symptoms and Diseases do appear labour in vain and are frustrated in their intended Cures I might instance in many more cases wherein this Medicine hath done me good service but that would be too tedious to relate therefore in general I must say for Sorbutic persons and the various Symptoms that attend that Disease whether in this part or that part these Pills are the best Abstersive and Purgative Medicine I ever made use of being so amicable and friendly to nature in their Operation performing with so much ease and gentleness that I have given them to the weakest bodies with good success proportioning the dose according to the ability of the body I shall here set down the Dose and Circumstances that belong to the taking of these Pills The ordinary Dose for man or woman is three Pills some Bodies though very seldom require four and sometimes two Pills is sufficient for weak bodies and such as work freely with a small
alwaies other Medicines must come in and take their place according as the case requires Purging cleanseth the Center but Sudorificks purifie the exterior parts That you may know when a Sudorific Medicine is required as necessary and advantagious to the Cure I 'le tell you in what cases I appoint this Sudorific Medicine to be taken In curing the Scurvy I find good success thereby to cleanse and purifie the Blood that is degenerate and vitiated with a Scorbutic taint and impurity or when the Pores are occluded and imperspirable the Body tumified and puft up for want of transpiration and ventilation when pâ—iâ—…xing pains or itching in the flesh molest and trouble by a saline or acrid Seâ—osity extravasated and erratick when spots tumors pustul's scurse pimples or such like appear upon any part of the Body This Sudorific Medicine discusseth and discipates the confluence of Humours tesorting to any part opens the Pores transpires and drives out the extrementious matter congested and lodged under the skin also when a Lassitude or weariness possess the Limbs when the spirits are torpid dull heavy as it is the case of many Scorbutic persons being alienated from their purity and wonted vigour by a degenerate and depraved alimentary succus cloging and settering them that should support and maintain them with an addisional supply of a congenerous extraction in this case a good Sudorific is the best relief to depurate the Vital stream and alimentary liquors of the Body from whence the Spirits receive strength and vigour again The Dose and Circumstances that attend the taking of this Sudoific Extract is thus to a man or woman of a weak tender body at first I give a dram and half the next time two drams but stronger bodies 〈◊〉 give two drams at the first dose then two drams and half almayes beginning with a lesser dose and encrease the quantity as from the quantity of a Nutmeg to a Chestnut according to the condition and strength of the body after tryal First because there is great difference in bodyes some require more as hard dry bodyes and thicker skirns being more difficult to transpire and some less as tender moist bodyes of a rare Texture and open Pores more apt to breath out Secondly Nature is better pleased to receive some Medicines gradually then imposing a full dose at first if Nature takes a disgust to a Medicine she seldom agrees with it after though it be never so good therefore at the first begin with a little dose for tryal though the Medicine be very amicable and the next time you may encrease and take a little more à levioribus incipere procedere ad fortiora est ordo Sapientum The manner of taking is thus Roll it in a little Sugar and swallow it down Take it at Night having eaten but a little Spoon-meat for your Supper in Bed covered warm and a quarter of an hour after drink a draught of Rosemary-Posset or Mace-Ale then you may sleep as you find your self disposed Or you may take this Medicine in a Morning very earlâ— after the same manner and lye in Bed haâ—f that day sleep if you will that does not check the Medicine you will have the benefit of Transpiration in your sleep Somnus Cohibet omnem evacuationem preter Sudorem aph nor are you to expect great Sweaâ—s but only moâ—st Breathings not at all troublesome Some perhaps being too hasty and desirous to effect their Cure may think one or two great Sweats may do as much good as half a dozen gentle breathings and so shorten the time of their Cure but I cannot approve that Course to impair Nature by violent and large Exhaustions you thereby frustrate the benefit of the Medicine which rightly used will prove very succesfull for the purposes appointed Saepius mediocriter Sudomovere melius est quam Semel modum excedando viresprosternere This Sudorific Extract may be taken twice in a week on the intermiting dayes when you do not purge having first taken three doses of the Scorbute Pills to cleanse the stomack and bowels before you begin to Sweat that the grosser matter and impurity of those parts be not driven into the habit of the body For going abroad observe this if you take the Sudorific in the Morning you must not go out that day the Pores being open but if you take it over night the weather not cold and searching but temperate or hot you may go forth next day if your disease strength and condâ—tion of body admit Those persons that use the three Anti-scorbutic Medicines before mentioned do observe this order except in some special Cases and complicated Diseases by particular advice First they begin with the Scorbute-Pills to cleanse the Center of the Body as the Stomack Guts Mesentery Liver and Spleen The next day and all the intermitting days beâ—ween Purging they use the Elixir to strengthen the declining Faculties and rectifie the Digestions and after three doses of Purging Pills taken they begin with the Sudorifick Medicine to purifie the Blood and cleanse the habit of the Body and these are to be used twice in a week proceeding also with the other Medicines in their turns as before But now you are come to use the Sudorifick Extract you may take the Scorbutic Pills but once in the week whereas before you took them once in four or five days this is my course and practice in curing the Scurvy and complicated Diseases attending which as it is a rational and exact Method according to the Canons of Art is also verified by much experience to be most effectual The chief reason why I am so large herein the general use of these Medicines is to avoid the daily trouble of directions in writing to each particular Patient except there be good cause I have now finished what I proposed in my self to make Publick The Nature of this spreading Disease the Scurvy its variety of Symptoms and appearance that it may be known though in a various dress and disguise the usual complicated affects that associate and attend it its internal essential Causes manner of Generation and seat of Radication in the Body the external procuring and promoting Causes the chief indicatâ—ons for Cure three Anti-scorbutic Medicines laid down as exemplars answering the scope of those curative intentions and some remarkable Observations in Practice And this is the summ of the whole Work FINIS