of Man because of its ill Effects lavishly used Therefore none can argue from that that Opium diminishes or disables the Spirits any more than Wine or Bread does a Surfeit of which is most dangerous Omnis Repletio mala Panis vero pessima corruptio optimi est pessima That is All Repletion is bad but that of Bread is the worst and the Corruption of the best is the worst The short is this Wine and Opium agree in all their Effects saving such as are Consequences of their different Accidents as the Quantity of Wine that must be used to cause the same Effects with a little Opium and Wine having been fermented and Opium as may be shewn having some crude and viscid Rosin in it which sometimes sticks to the Crusta carnosa c. of the Stomach whence it happens that Wine loads one more heats more and is more troublesome upon those Accounts and that Opium offends the Stomach oftner even in a moderate Dose causing Vomitings Hiccoughs Anxieties Distresses at Stomach Deliquiums c. because of the indigestible Rosin sticking to the sides of the most sensile Stomach as I shall farther prove hereafter by God's Help shewing very easie Ways and Means to separate that Rosin and so make it as safe and less troublesome as it is more effectual than Wine Opium cannot diminish or disable the Spirits because as has been proved it sends no Part Fume or Effluvium to the Brain or Animal Spirits to cause such bad Effects while it is at Stomach yet does it produce them while it is there for as the Vaporarians themselves and indeed all Men allow there can be no Destruction without contact Sanctorius doth well and truely observe by the Help of his Staticks that nothing causes liberal Perspiration but it raises the Spirits it is most certain that nothing in Nature opeâ—s the Pores and causes Perspiration more than Opium Therefore nothing should according to his Observation elevate the Spirits more and indeed nothing does as appears by all that has been said and will yet more plainly appear Loss of Memory by Opium as some argue is not so much a Loss of Spirits as Lanity of the Brain for People in Drink do not want Spirits but there is a great Relaxation of the Brain and its Membranes and of the whole Ienus 〈◊〉 which Relaxation causes a soft loose and labile Brain that like Liquid Things retains no Impression besides that I shall God willing shew you hereafter that Impressions cannot be so well made upon the sensitive Soul by the Animal Spirits upon Relaxations of the Sensible Parts as in Sleep c. for a very plain Mechanical Reason to be shewn in due time Thus have I by the Assistance of its Maker who best knows it cleared Opium from the false Aspersions of an extreme Cold Quality and Parcotick Fumes both which were commonly call'd Venemous fatal and by all the ill Names imaginable but as good Luck is they abused nothing because 't is manifest that there is no such Thing nor has it any Quality by which it diminishes or disables the Spirits as is most evident from the Premises so that all that has been said of Opium by way of Hypothesis to explain its Effects depending upon its diminishing or disabling the Spirits by a Cold Quality or Fumes is come to nothing I wish it had been as innocent CHAP. XII Shews what must be the true Cause of the Operation of Opium ALL the general Foundations upon which Authors either Ancient or Modern erected their several Hypothesises concerning the Operation of Opium having as manifestly appears no real Existence What Enchanted Castles in the Air or vain Phantasms must their Structures be And how like deluded Wizzards must they appear while they seem'd to take high Flights and glorious Prospects of Causes that had no Reality Thus am I left utterly distitute of either Foundation or Model unless I find out that and frame this which I hope may be easily done because the cloudy Supposition of Vapours having vanished away there now remains but Two Ways by which an Internal Medicament can Operate viz. 1. As an Alterative of the Blood c. Or 2. As affecting the Sense of Feeling either grievously as Vomits Purgers c. Or pleasingly as Cordials generous Wines titillating Amphrodisiacks comfortable Warmth Anodynes and such like that please the Nerves and Membranes which way of Operating is too little observ'd by Physicians tho' they take great Notice of the Operation of Things by grievous Sensation as Irritatives to Vomit Purge Salivate c. by their Acrimony whereas the Pleasers of Sensation which must as Contraries have contrary Operations are little regarded or thought of 1. Opium does not Operate as an Alterative of the Bloud c. First Because it Operates while it is at Stomach or at least before it arrives at the Bloud which manifestly appears several Ways as 1. Because it often Operates in a Liquid Form in few Minutes and very commonly in a Quarter of an Hour in which time it must be at Stomach or at least far from arriving at the Bloud 2. Because it has been very often Vomited up after it has Operated and produced its usual Effects for 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 and sometimes more Hours as evidently appear'd by the Smell Colour Taste c. of what was Vomited and by its Operation ceasing after such Vomiting of which common Experience and Authors do inform us See Helmont Ius Duumvir 62. where he tells of Opium Operating at Night and Vomited up next Morning 3. It s bare causing Vomiting after it has Operated for a good while is of it self tho' its Taste Smell c. did not discover it an infallible Argument of its Operating while it is at Stomach for 't is against all Reason to imagine that Things should irritate it to Vomit after they are gone into the Bloud and not do it while they are in the Stomach it self as all Vomitories do The Reasons why it stays so long at Stomach are 1. It s Indigestibleness which plainly appears by Stools Urine and Sweat smelling of it when taken in any considerable Quantity all the Coctions Digestions Circulations c. that it passes in the Body signifying very little to it which its causing Itchings in the Skin and affecting the Venereal Membranes after its passing the Bloud do also argue 2. The clamminess of its resinous Parts sticking to the Stomach cause as I shall plainly prove hereafter its long stay in it for if the Rosin be separate from it 't will not then make such a long stay at Stomach as I have often Experienced 4. We actually feel it causing a sense of Pleasure at Stomach during its Operation therefore it is then in it 5. It has been carried off by Stool after it has produced its usual Effects Therefore it Operated before it arrived at the Bloud 6. All Observers do allow that Opium Operates while it is at Stomach
contracted it is round even polite and truely represents Things 11. Deadness of the Eyes to the View is as has been shewn from the Laxity of the Cornea which makes it flag lie loose look dully and not duely reflect a smart and brisk speck of Light as it does when tense round and polite by its Contraction on the contain'd Humours which then duely fill it 12. Faltring of the Tongue is from the same Relaxation as in Drunken Persons 13. A Sopor is from the same Relaxation over all the sensile Parts of the Body by which Means Sense and Motion are diminished or lost by the Expansion of the Animal Spirits which as has been said being not duely compressed become unfit for both at the same time 14. A slow and wide Pulse is from the same Cause because the said Relaxation permits the Arteries to widen and the Animal Spirits to expand and consequently renders the motion of the Heart slow which is the cause of the Pulse 15. A high Colour or Efflorescence of the Skin has been explain'd 16. Looseness of the Iaw and Lips is from the same Relaxation as was shewn and so is 17. Intumescence of the Lips as has been shewn 18. Difficulty of Breathing may be from Two different Causes either by the Relaxation weakening the requisite Motions for want of Compressure of the Animal Spirits and by the Flaccity of the Parts themselves Or by a great Grievance at Stomach upon the Account of the Rosin sticking to it and causing a Convulsion of those Parts both which may happen 19. Fury and Madness may also happen either by the exalted Pleasure of its Titillation as in Drunkards who therefore scarce know what they do the Mind being as was said alienated Or it may happen as I have often known a kind of Madness to be produc'd by a great Grievance at Stomach which may well be from the Rosin grieving and teazing the nicely sensile Stomach They may be easily distinguished one viz. that from the Rosin at Stomach being with great Distresses Anxieties Convulsions c. and the other without any 20. Venereal Fury proceeds from the high Titillation of the Venereal Membranes by the Volatile Salt of so much Opium as if Cantharides Bees c were taken internally but that these cannot so agreeably titillate those Parts as Opium does whose Volatile Particles are render'd more pleasing by oily ones and therefore much of the Nature of Semen Virile 21. Priapisms are caused by the same continual Titillation 22. Violent Itchings of the Skin are caused by the same tickling Volatile Particles in great Abundance proportionable to the excessive Dose 23. Nauseas are caused by the Rosin sticking at and soliciting the Stomach to Vomit 24. Swimmings in the Head are by conseâ—it because the Stomach is grieved by that Rosin as is observed in many Cases from a grieved Stomach upon a Tendency to Vomit as when it is overloaden with Wine or indigestible Victuals or when Persons are Sea or Coach-sick c. for it is not in these last Cases because the Brain is offended as People imagine that they are Sick or Vomit but the Swimming in the Head and Offence of the Brain happens because the Stomach is offended by the Motion of the Coach or Ship by Reason of its most exquisite Sensation which the Effluvias of a Cat pestiferous Particles and Commotions caused by mear Passion can and do offend as was said so as to cause Vomitings Anxieties c. much more then may the Motion of a Ship or Coach do it I shall not here enter into Controversie with those that assert That it is the Head is first offended in a Coach or Ship it is sufficient for my Purpose that Grievances at Stomach do commonly cause Swimmings in the Head for taking off those Grievances cures them as Eating when it is from the Grievance of Hunger or Wind at Stomach and discharging the Stomach of a great Load of Wine Ale or indigestible Matters when such Things cause it do cure such Swimmings in the Head The Way how Grievances at Stomach do cause those Swimmings is by causing a Contraction as all Grievances do but especially those at Stomach of the Membranes of the Brain as it does of all other but mainly of these because very sensile by which means the Animal Spirits being compressed grow more irrequiete and skipping up and down and the Compression not being continually alike in general or the Arteries affording an uneven and forcible supply of them or Fumes from the Bloud by the Compression nor affecting all Parts of the Brain with equal Force because the Pleasure endeavour to relax c. there must thence arise Eddies Vortices or Whirls thereof which cause Swimmings Vertigo's c. according as they happen to be moved That they happen from such Contraction is manifest 1. Because the Grievance at Stomach can add nothing else to the Brain or its Membranes 2. Because they are taken off by pleasing the Stomach and consequently by Relaxation as by a Glass of Wine Victuals an Opiate that is not resinous c. It is here well worth your notice That all consent of Parts a Thing much admir'd is only by Contraction or Relaxation which suddenly affect the whole Systeme of the Nerves and Membranes 25. Vertigo's are from the same Cause 26. Vomitings are caused as was said by the great Grievance of the acrimonious Rosin sticking to the Coat of the Stomach 27. Hicconghs are from the same Cause which happen upon the decay of Power vigorously to Vomit dwindling into those fruitless Convulsive subsultory Ierâ— or Half Endeavours 28. Distresses and Anxieties must necessarily attend such a grievous Sensation and Desection of Naturâ— Endeavour as being overborn and disabled to work for it self 29. A turbulent Pulse must be an Effect of the foregoing Tumults 30. Convulsions happen as was shewn by the enormous Compression of the Animal Spirits by Reason of the violent Contraction upon the great Grievance by the Rosin at Stomach which causes them to skip and fling up and down very forcibly under the squeese of the Compression and possibly skirmishing under the Vicissitudes of it and Relaxation 31. Faintings and Leipothymies are caused as has been explain'd by the sensitive Soul's being over-tired by the Fatigue of Defensive Contraction and yielding himself to Rest from all Contraction as the last Relief c. whereupon Sense and Motion do fail for want of Compression to render the Spirits springy active and fit for the Purpose 32. Cold Breath is but a necessary Consequence of the Loss of Motion and therefore of Heat by such Leipothymies and Faintings 33. Death is caused Two manner of Ways that is either by an utter Expense of Spirits and thereupon a Dereliction or Extinction of the sensitive Soul by reason of those Distresses and Fatigues upon the Account of the invincible Rosin Or by too much Relaxation disabling all the motions of the Body as in such as dye being dead Drunk
impossible it should be without such Disturbances as I mentioned would follow if they passed in the Road of the Spirits it is not common Sense that such câ—de Blasts should meliorate or enliven the Spirits to cause Briskness Bravery Serenity Courage Magnanimity as Opium does much less if those Fumes stopp'd and crowded in the Brain and any way hinder'd the Generation of Animal Spirits as the common Assertion is The like is to be said of their passing between the Pia Mater and the medullary Part of the Nerve which cannot be allow'd because of its close adherence thereto with this addition That they would constantly cause a violent Head-ach which Opium and Meals to which Fumes are particularly attributed do often cure So if they got up to the Head between the Pia and Dura Mater it is Head-achs and not the Symptoms of Opium that they would produce which Head-achs as was said Opium and Meals do cure 21. Lastly If they passed by any means quite on the outside of the Nerves and their Membranes viz. the Pia and Dura Mater then must they take their Lodgment if within the Skull between the Dura Mater and the Skull and produce no other Symptom but a Head-ach which as was said Opium and Meals rather cure than produce and if without the Skull it is quite beside the Cushion and the Vaporarians own Intention for in all these last Cases they could not affect the Animal Spirits for good or evil Many and very many things may be added to shew the Impossibilities Inconveniences Incoherences Absurdities c. that attend the Passage of the Fumes and Vapours into the Brain Head c. 22. I had forgotâ— mentioning the Absurdity of its passing up at Gullet and so to the Head because I could not imagine that any one would be so beastly an Animal as to belch up an Argument of that kind considering our very Senses tell us that what comes up that way passes out at Mouth or Nostrils and because if it were so the Operation of Opium c. would be in proportion to our Belching which is ridiculous 23. The greatest Comfort of a Cordial is at first or soon after it is taken but if ' its Comfort were by Fumes or Essluvia's passing to the Bloud or any where besides the Comfort would as their Cause of Fumes do increase for a long time and be more after a good while than at first So 24. If Opium operated by Fumes while at Stomach which must gradually increase continually how comes Opium to be at the height of its Operation in a short time viz. in about half an Hour after it begins sensibly to operate or an Hour at farthest and not increase continually in its Operation as their pretended Cause the Fumes must do by continual steaming 25. If Opium operated by sending Fumes by Passages c. from the Stomach to the Brain I should think that when it has got out of the Stomach as into the Intestines lacteal Veins c. there should be a kind of Interval of its Operation which is never observ'd till it got into the Bloud again therefore it does not operate by Fumes for the Pylorus is always shut but when somewhat is sent downward which would hinder the mounting of the Vapours into the Stomach in order to pass to the Brain 26. If Vapours were the cause of Sleep after Meals then should we be more sleepy two or three Hours after Meals because of the abundance of the Fumes that would be crowded into the Brain by that time but we are more sleepy presently after Meals and if we indulge it but for a quarter of an Hour we are refreshed and far from sleepiness afterward tho' the Fumes if that Hypothesis were true would be much more at Brain two or three Hours after the Meal So it is in the case of Wine if one take a short Nap after some Glasses he may drink a great many afterward without being sleepy which plainly proves that it is not the Fumes of the Wine is the cause of the Sleep because he is not at all sleepy when there must be more Fumes 27. All allow that hot Fumes assaulting the Brain cause Phrensies if that be true then the Fumes of Wine and Opium which are both very hot must always do so but Opium and Wine also do often cause Composure Good Humour Sleep c. which are contrary to Phrensies therefore they do not operate by Fumes 28. If Sleep says Helmont the only Man that I have read who is against Vapours is caused by Vapours ascending from the Stomach to the Head obstructing and intercepting all the Passages of Sensation Motion Speech Iudgment c. as the Schools say then a Disease would have been before the Fall of Adam because Sleep would have been a Disease that is a flatulent and vaporous Palsie 29. All allow Vomitives and Purgers to operate by Irritation or a grievous Sensation of the Membranes of the Stomach Why not Wine Cordials Opium c. by a pleasant Sensation Cujus est Dolor aut Gravamen ejusdem est Voluptas and as a grievous Sensation or Pain causes Melancholy Depression of Spirits Fretfulness Lassitude c. so a pleasant Sensation causes Comfort Elevation of the Spirits Euphory c. But we have not cleared the Way sufficiently for these Matters yet which will in due time be solemnly considered Obj. It may be said That both Vomitives and Purgatives take some time before they operate unless a Nausea upon Aversion causes them to work sooner for Things must have time to insinuate themselves or soak through the Crusta Carnosa of the Stomach and afterwards to affect its sensile Coat which argues that Wine and Cordials which operate immediately do not operate that way but by Fumes or Effuviums passing into the Brain or Bloud Answ. I doubt indeed that this Difference may be an occasion of referring the Effects of Cordials and those of Emitticks and Catharticks to different Causes but it is very strange that they should go so far as the Bloud or Brain to seek for the Cause of the Operation of Cordials which operate in a Moment and go no farther than the Stomach for the Cause of the Operation of Vomatives and Purgatives which take more time to operate especially seeing the Bloud and Brain have no Sensation and that all sensitive Comforts happen by that means I think it were much more proper first to consider the immediate Part upon which they insist when at Stomach especially seeing it is so very sensible before we run roving I know not whither to seek for the Cause of a Thing that works pleases and comforts the Stomach as soon as it is down I take my self running off the proper Subject Matter of this Chapter and anticipating that of another therefore I will be short and deliver my Opinion in this Case by way of Position with a familiar Instance to illustrate it which may in some measure prepare you for the Proof
Impressions of great Concernment may escape his notice and consequently want his Assistance by Way of Defence For It is manifest That when his Attention is diverted by any Object more especially by such as mightily pleases him as in the Act of Venery and other Pleasures especially if intense that he does not perceive other Objects at the Time that he is so diverted and if the pleasant Diversion be intense and permanent as in the Case of Opium and Wine drank in a considerable Quantity he is so taken up diverted or charm'd therewith that he does not attend to the Business of Sensation This is one Reason why such as are far gone in Drink have none of their Senses aright but as to the Illustration of this Matter you may expect more hereafter Note That the sensitive Soul is the only Thing i◠an Animal that has Perception and therefore the only Thing that is sensible of any Grievance Weariness Hunger Pleasure Comfort c. Secondly It is requisite that it should use all Means that is in its Power that the Impressions should be brought to it very entirely exactly smartly c. so as to have due notice of all Objects and the smallest Impressions that may be For which good Ends and Purposes God has endued the sensitive Soul as will be fully proved with a Power of contracting all the sensile small and slender Pipes Vessels or Passages of the Animal Spirits for the more express distinct and accurate Conveyance of all Impressions by the Help of Compression Therefore the sensitive Soul taking the Advantage thereof for better Information in order to Self-Preservation does by the Appointment of the Preserver of all Things execute his Power by the aforementioned Vigilative Contraction of those Parts to cause their Tension and greater Compression of the Animal Spirits to improve the Impressions that are to be convey'd to him and render them more observable This God who has made nothing to be idle and particularly ordered the sensitive Soul in Adam for Labour especeally in Reference to their own Safety and Preservation has made to be the ordinary Employ or Day-Work of the sensitive Soul that by the said Vigilative Contraction the Organs Membranes Vessels c. may be render'd more tense and firm and the Animal Spirits more compressed springy prompt flippant and forcible for the Benefit of Sense and Motion upon all Occasions of Defence Flights Struggles c. which is our State of Vigilancy as has been intimated But the keeping of the said Parts Membranes c. in continual Contraction even against the Renitency of the elastick Spirits which resist and thrust the harder against their Vessels by how much the more they Compress them by the Vigilative Contraction being a continual tedious Labour and Fatigue of which the sensitive Soul being sensible as the only Perceiver of Lassitude or indeed of any Thing besides in an Animal and in his Nature but material changeable fatigable frail subject to be worn out and capable of Decay which makes the Certainty of Death in all Animals and in us since the Fall into an Animal Nature does upon that Account and lest the continual Contraction and tensive Stress of Parts by that Means should spoil their Tone and to recruit the wasted Sprits by Rest after tuggingall Day at the Vigilative Contraction grow willing to give over the Drudgery however convenient for the Uses aforesaid Therefore being allow'd convenient Rest by his Maker he for the great Benefit of Refection without which he cannot continue his Being and for the sweetness of Ease loosens the Reins of Vigilative Contraction whereupon Sensation and Promptitude to Motion which were maintain'd by that Contraction causing the Tension of Organs and Compression of the Animal Spirits as has been Mechanically demonstrated fail by the Relaxation of those Organs Membranes and Vessels of the Spirits and the consequent Expansion of the Animal Spirits so that now only the Compression of the Atmosphere remains which as you see in a Gut half full of Air under that Pressure is not sufficient to convey the Impressions with any Smartness or cause the Animal Spirits to spring vigorously into Motion which Decay or Failure of Sense and Motion by Relaxation and the consequent Expansion of the Animal Spirits is the State of Natural Sleep Note That Relaxation is a necessary Consequence of the Privation of Contraction and requires no Labour but a bare Remission of that Contraction Note That the Watching Part of our Lives is upheld by Force and that Nullum violentum est diuturnum and consequently a necessity of Sleep and at last of Death it self Thus have you the true Reason of Sleeping and Watching which will naturally plainly and easily solve all the Phenomena's thereof for it is most evident from the Premises 1. Why Watching and Sleeping observe a Proportion between them the being tired with one being the cause of the other 2. Why Sense and Motion do fail so much in Sleep viz. by the Relaxation of all Parts and Expansion of the Animal Spirits 3. Why they always fail together and in like Proportion 4. Why they do not wholly fail in Sleep because the Compressure of the Atmosphere c. remains 5. Why in Sleep the Limbs are like a Gut half full of Air lax limber flaccid and yielding all manner of Ways because all the innumerable small Vessels that contain the Elastick Animal Spirits are as that half fill'd Gut I mentioned not tightly fill'd which if they were would be firm and tense as such a Gut blown up very full and forcibly is which Vessels being all over the Body confirm the whole Tone when we are awake and the Vigilative Contraction compresses the Animal Spirits into a Steadiness and as it were a kind of Solidity 6. Why as appears by Statick Demonstrations and Experiments we perspire more when asleep than awake because the Pores are closed by the Vigilative Contraction and open'd in Sleep by the contrary Relaxation which therefore always causes free Perspiration where ever it happens as in fainting Fits Syncopes Leipothymies and by Warmth especially if moist and emollient as in Baths Fomentations Feet Washes Head Washes c. as also when Pleasure relaxes as in the Act of Venery great Joy after good Meals or some Glasses of Wine c. all which cause plentiful Perspiration because they relax and thereby open the Pores as more fully appears in the following Discourse by Reason of the Pleasure that they cause which diverts the sensitive Soul from his Employ of Contraction 7. Why the Pores being open by the Relaxation we sweat in our Sleep if we are fill'd with Matter for it viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is Much Sweat in Sleep argues that much Food or Nutriment was taken of which Drink is the greatest Part in Bulk even in Sober Persons I mention this to shew the Difference in the Case of Perspiration and Sweating for that always happens in Sleep but not Sweat unless
the Body be well fill'd with Moisture To shew the Cause of which Difference will be the Business of my Tract of Animal Mechanism if I have not hereafter an Occasion to do it in this Tract as I suppose I may 8. Why Sleep cures Colds by opening the Pores 9. Why the Skin is more florid in Sleep because as has been said it being relax'd admits the Bloud into it which Vigilative Contraction does in good measure repel and thereby cause the Skin to appear more white and pale as it is and any one may observe upon awaking 10. Why the Eyes look deadish in Sleep viz. because as has been shewn the Humors do not fill up the relaxed Cornea to a due Tension and Roâ—undity which as was said makes the Cornea shine sparkle and particularly to reflect a brisk Speck of Light as shining round Things must do which Speck if Painters omit the Eye looks deadish therefore they should when they have a mind to express the Deadness of the Eyes as in Fainting Fits Syncopes Sleep Death Wanton loose Oglings of Lovers Drunkenness c. omit that Speck or rather draw it duller wider and discomposed in Figure with the Pupil very large and the Upper Eyelid falling down loosely which would exactly express the Deadness of the Eye in all those Cases of Relaxation in which alone it so appears Note That the Reason why some in such Cases see divers Colours before their Eyes is because the uneven Cornea variously retracts and reflects the Light which I mention because none that I know of have observed the Cause 11. Why People are more sleepy in warm moist Weather viz. because the Parts are more relaxed and the Pressure of the Atmosphere less to assist the Vigilative Contraction to keep us in a waking State by the Compressure of the Animal Spirits How much better therefore is a cool and dry Air that raises the Mercury high in the Barometer or Weather Glass both for Heath and Action because it renders the Animal Spirits more powerful prompt and flippant by the Compression This should be observ'd by such as are to run Races alone lift Weights or perform any Thing that requires Strength Vigour or Speed nor can I doubt but if we had an Artificial Means to compress Men's Bodies in a high manner as by putting them into convenient Cavities and forcing Air upon them but they would be much stronger for the Time and thereby enabled to do Exploits beyond their ordinary Strength which puts me in mind of several Things that confirm it very much as Mens lifting of greater Weights in low Places than on the top of very high Hills where the Pressure of the Air is less to compress the Animal Spirits The Contraction of all Parts in lifting of great Weights The prodigious Leaps and Swiftness of some Persons in great Frights Terrors c. which mightily contract the sensile Parts and Vessels of the Animal Spirits by which Means they are render'd more springy and powerful Note That the true Cause of Strength is the Compression of the Animal Spirits and that probably the Force of Muscles may some way or other depend upon 't which is not my Business to explain at present Note That it is the Membranes are primarily contracted and the Medullary Part of the Nerves Spirits c. compressed thereby by Consequence 12. Why the soft fleshed and moist are more sleepy as Children c. viz. because the Compression of their Animal Spirits is not so great by Reason of the laxity of their Parts so are they weaker for the same Reason which tells you why little Men whose Flesh is firmer that are no bigger than Boys are much stronger than Boys or Women of the same bigness 13. Why warm and emollient Baths Fomentations Feet or Head Washes c. do as moist and warm Weather cause Sleepiness and indeed all Things that cause Relaxation or incline the sensitive Soul to leave off contracting as Weariness c. do cause Sleep Note That in dry Bodies as old People c. such Emollient Baths Fomentations c. with the Use of Emollient Moistners inwardly will cause Sleep very finely when Opium it self will not and that Opium in such Cases should be used with such Things both internally and externally but which is not observ'd the Baths Fomentations c. should not be above the Warmth of Bloud because the Heat may otherwise cause too much motion of the Bloud and Spirits which is a great Enemy to Sleep that consists in their Rest and the aforesaid Relaxation of Parts by both which co-operating you may and cannot fail to cause any Man to Sleep if you can make them concur 14. The same Relaxation causes the Pulse to be larger and slower in Sleep Nocturnal Pollutions want of due Contraction and Sensation at Stomach by which Means the Meat stays longer there in our Sleep than when we are awake So 15. Frets Commotions and Perturbations of the Spirits c. are composed by Sleep because the sensitive Soul who is the Original of all motion is at Rest and that the Animal Spirits being expanded are nearer their absolute Rest which consists in a full and perfect Expansion so that there is no farther Endeavour towards Motion 16. Sensation being much lessened by the Expansion of the Animal Spirits upon the said Relaxation the Sense of the Irritation of Humours is thereby lessened or quite taken away whereupon all Fluxes occasioned by the Irritation of Humours as Diarrhea's Disenteries Catarrhs c. are stopt or moderated at least by Sleep Besides that Relaxation being quite contrary to Contraction by which those Humours are squeesed out le ts the Humours stay quietly where they are Relaxation being more for receiving containing detaining and suspending Humours in the Parts than sending them forward as you see in a Spunge first contracted and afterward suffered to dilate or expand it self in a Dish that has some Water in it which it takes into it self and suspends till something squeeses it out by contracting it 17. Therefore it is that the Spittle does not come into the Mouth in Sleep or very little and that People are apt to awake thirsty tho' it is soon taken off in some measure by the Vigilative Contraction squeezing out the Spittle into the Mouth unless there is some special Cause to the contrary 18. For the same Reason the Menstruum of the Stomach comes but very slowly into the Stomach in Sleep which is one Cause that Digestion goes on but slowly in Sleep Note That Digestion and sending the Chyle out of the Stomach depending both upon Contraction they are hastned and retarded in exact Proportion so that the Extrusion keeps equal Pace with the Digestion How equal and duely proportioned are the Works of Nature 19. It is plain also from what has been Stated concerning Sleep why Ague Fits seldom if ever take People in the time of their first sound Sleep because the Shivering is caused by a grievous
are reputed Opiates Borellus speaks of a Soporiferous Aura that proceeded from ones Thumb cured by a Caustick I have read of a Cataphora from Worms a Soporiferous Fume from the Womb and very many such sorts of Instances which Things are now easily conceived for 't is but supposing a Fume of the Nature of Sem. Animale or its Aura for I can no longer doubt but it is an Opiate and it would have much the same Effects with Opium if it were fit to use it after the same manner Having shewn 1. Which are the predominant active Principles in Opium and how combined c. 2. Which of them produces the usual and laudable Effects of Opium And why in general I come now to the Third Particular viz. to shew III. Which of them produces its ill Effects And why It s ill Effects are these viz. Nauseas Vomitings which are generally very dismal with great distress and sometimes dangerous Swimming in the Head Hiccoughs Distresses Anxieties Convulsions Faintings Leipothymies Syncopes c. 1. Note That its grievous Effects are at or about the Region of the Stomach or particularly the Mouth or Pit thereof or thence arising by Consent 2. Note That seeing there is nothing so good but may cause evil Effects in an excessive Quantity this Enquiry is more properly What Principle or Principles of Opium do cause those ill Effects in an ordinary Dose for what will in a moderate Dose will be sure cause them in an excessive Dose 3. Note That all the constant Effects of Opium as you may observe in the Enumeration thereof in the Fourth Chapter are good and laudable Effects it follows therefore that the bad are accidental 1. It is not the Earthy or Phlegmatick Part of Opium that causes those ill Effects because they are Passive Principles and consequently have not such a Power besides that they are known to be innocent 2. Opium has all those ill Effects when both the Earthy and Phlegmatick Parts are separated from it as when an Extract of well torrefied Opium is made in Spirit of Wine for by that means the Phlegmatick Part is dried up and the Earthy Parts subside and are separated yea such Extracts made by Spirit of Wine do cause those evil Effects rather more than crude Opium with its Earth and Phlegm in it as Experience assures us and Reason will plainly confirm by and by however fond the World is of such Preparations 3. It is evident from the Premises that the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium cannot cause those Vomitings Hiccoughs c. for they are the Effects of grievous Sensation at Stomach but the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum causes a most agreeable and pleasing Sensation at Stomach 4. Nothing quiets Vomitings Convulsions â—coughs c. more than that Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium 5. Experience informs us That the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium separated from all other Parts and Principles thereof never causes such evil Effects as I and another Physician in London can testifie as does also Le Mort in the most Learned Dr. Love's Collectanea where he says of such a Preparation thereof as contains only the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum That Nunquam Anxietates circa Praecordia aut Phantasias conciliat That is It never causes Anxieties about the Mouth of the Stomach c. for that is most properly to be understood by Praecordia Wedelius testifies the like of such another Preparation and so do several Authors tho' they did not in the least know why but only by Experience 6. It s Fixt Salt is innocent in its Nature and but the 32d Part of Opium which is too inconsiderable in an ordinary moderate Dose to cause any sensible Effect It follows therefore That is must be the Resinous Part of Opium which it has in a considerable Quantity that must cause those ill Effects This manifestly appears 1. Because a Tincture of Opiam in Water which takes up none of the Rosin but lets it fall into the Bottom never causes any such ill Effects which it does not also if reduced to an Extract by Evaporation yet have they all the usual good Effects of Opium 2. Wedelius in his Opiolog assures the same of the like Preparation in Phlegm of distilled Vinegar L. 2. Sect. 1. C. 5. P. 92. 3. An Extract of Opium in Spirit of Wine does often cause those ill Effects and no other Preparation causes them as often Wedelius ibid. A Laudano opiato cum Spiritu Vini correcto solum ferâ— observavimus ortos Vomitus a nostro vero quod cum Phlegmate Aceti distillati fieri diximus nunquam Vomitum vel Nauseam saltem contigisse meminimus That is We have observed Vomitings almost only from Laudanum prepared with Spirit of Wine but never any Vomiting or Nausea from that prepared in Phlegm of distill'd Vinegar Which he confirms L. 1. sect 2. c. 4. p. 62. saying in Latine That a curious Observation is to be noted by which it appears that an Extract of Opium with Spirit of Wine shews more Narcotick Force by which he means That it causes more ill Effects than prepared in distilled Vinegar Whereas that in Spirit of Wine has nothing more in it than that in Vinegar besides the Râ—sinous Parts Therefore these do cause all the Mischief Note also That an Extract in Spirit of Wine has in it Quantity for Quantity more of the Râ—sinous Parts than Crude Oplum both because the Earthy Parts that help'd to make up the Bulk are taken away in that Preparation and because the 〈◊〉 of Wine imbibes the Rosin more greedily than other Principles of the Opium so that every Dose must in Proportion have much more Rosin in it than Crude Opium Therefore it is no wonder that it causes those ill Effects more frequently since the Rosin is most certainly the Cause thereof as has been and shall be more fully and beyond all contradiction proved Yet is this the Preparation boasted of by the blind and inadvertent World it would amaze nay terrifie a Man to see what great Care is taken to be sure to render Opium mischievous by solicitously using Spirit of Wine in extracting Laudanums and then and not till then they boast of the Preparation as Charas and very many others do calling it not without great Ostentation and desperate Folly their Laudanum May it be theirs and none others a Turk would be a Mad-man to use it for Crude Opium because it has much more of the pernicious Principle in it It is the common and much esteemed way first to extract it out of Water and then it is very good laudable and innocent but thought nothing worth till they extract the Rosin that is all left behind by the Water in Spirit of Wine and add it to the other then do they with great Authority praise it that is when they have wisely added the Poison to the Panacea It is as if they added Ratâ—bane to a Cordial and not think the Cordial worthy Commendation till they have done so 4. It appears That the Rosin is
operate in a very small Quantity as it usually does because the least Matter imaginable affects the Senses as has been shewn for the Thousandth Part of a grain of Ambergrise Musk c. affects the Smelling the Hundredth Part of a Grain of very acrimonious Things the Taste which causes very sensible Pleasure or Displeasure according as it is agreeable or not much easier may the exquisitely disposed Membrane at Stomach which is affected with Things so indefinitely small that no other Sense or Membrane can take notice of as the Particles of Crocus Metallorum in Vomits Effluvias from a Cats Body pestiferous Effluvias and the like of all which the Stomach is so sensible that they thereby cause most violent Symptoms which are as was shewn proportioned to the Sensation Therefore it can be no wonder that a Grain or less of Opium should affect the sensile Coat of the Stomach and thereby cause a Sense of Pleasure for that which is nice to discern grieving Particles is so to discern pleasing ones as has been said Cujus est Dolor ejusdem est Voluptus that is Pleasure and Displeasure belong to the same Part and as was shewn in equal Degree This proves That it must Operate by pleasingly affecting the Stomach for it were otherwise impossible that so little a Quantity should cause such remarkable Effects and that before the Opium is out of the Stomach but it is ordinary for the Stomach to cause mighty Effects by its Sensation of very small Things otherwise insensible and inconsiderable as to the Production of any observable Effects and therefore it would be a Miracle if it did any other Way cause such great and numerous Effects Helmont observed That Pro Remedio restaurativo Archaei sive Animae sensitivae non requiritur Unciarum Drachmarum Quantitas sed pauca Grana That is Very little serves to comfort the Archaeus or Sensitive Soul because it is done by Sensation as I have proved 2. It is as evident how a hot brisk and Salino-volatile Thing as Opium is must affect the sensile Coat of the Stomach in a short Time as Vomits Purgers c. do which it does much in the same Time with those Things that is as soon as they insinuate themselves through the Crusta Carnosa of the Stomach and reach its sensile Coat which is the Reason that Opium Vomits Purgers c. make some and like Delay before they Operate which is also a Proof that all of them Operate by affecting the sensile Coat of the Stomach all the Difference being that one affects pleasantly as Wine Meat and Cordials and the other by a grievous Sensation The Explication of the Constant Effects of Opium used internally c. 1. The first and leading Effect of Opium is causing a most agreeable pleasant and charming Sensation about the Region of the Stomach This is a Property that belongs to it omni semper and indeed soli to Opiates if the Degree Duration and Fineness of the Pleasure be considered How manifest is it from what has been said of the most Compleat and Consummate Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium which exactly agrees in Principles c. with Semen Animale that so highly pleases and titillates the Membranes with which it not only agrees in Principles as was shewn but has them more active actuating and titillating than any Membrane that it must of necessity highly please all Membranes more especially such as are most exquisitely disposed for Sensation as the most sensile Membrane at Stomach is not only by its Agreeableness but by a most Charming and Captivating Titillation that actuates and causes a fine Ovation and serene glowing of the Spiritus insiti of the Stomach which makes it pleasing in the highest manner having all the Requisites to cause a Sense of Pleasure and that is not all but it being taken into the Body it causes a long continued and permanent sense of Pleasure which we must necessarily carry along with us as a Vade Mecum even Sleeping or Waking Resting or Moving or whatever we do or wherever we are by which Means it far excells all other Pleasures and consequently produces such mighty Effects all other Pleasures being momentary transitory desultory or interrupted except that of Wine and Cordials at Stomach which therefore have the likest Effects to that of Opium tho' they do not equal it in the Intenseness or Duration of the Pleasure unless they are repeated as indeed they may be which made me to intimate That drinking a good Glass of Wine every Hour and by that Means keeping the fresh Pleasure thereof continually at the Stomach like that of Opium is the best Way to cause a long Euphory of Labour Iourneys c. which may come near the Performance of our Divine Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium tho' never equal it for Reasons already sufficiently hinted viz. because Wine wants its most agreeable Composition and fine Titillation of the Volatile Salt that Opium and Animal Seed have Note That the Pleasure of Opium may to some inadvertent Persons seem very indefinite tho' it is at Stomach as it must be because the Pleasure immediately relaxing all Parts and gratifying the Sensitive Soul which informs the whole seems to be general tho' Originally only at Stomach 2. Our Consummate Sal-Volatile-Oleosum must cause a blith gay and good Humour for being pleased with any Thing as is the Vulgar Observation causes a good Humour how much more must such an intense agreeable and continual Pleasure that we always and every where carry along with us so do How common a Saying is it He was pleased with somewhat for I found him in a good Humour 3. The like is to be said of its causing Promptitude Serenity Alacrity and Expediteness in Dispatching and Managing of Business for these are but natural and necessary Consequences of a blith gay and good Humour and therefore always go together for the sensitive Soul being put in a fine Ovation by the continual Pleasure is more active and having thereupon as was shewn wholly excused himself from the Care and solicitude of the Defensive Contraction and in great Measure of the Vigilative Contraction also is more at leisure to attend the Managery of other Affairs without Distraction besides that he is actuated and enliven'd by the aforesaid Ovation of the Spirits and pleasing Titillation into an Alacrity and Promptitude for any Business with which also he is less tired because he has as was said rid himself of the Fatigue of the Contractions that as was manifestly proved do cause Lassitude which otherwise can hardly touch or affect him at all in the State of Relaxation 4. It must cause Assurance Ovation of the Spirits Courage Magnanimity as Wine does by elevating the sensitive Soul by Pleasure and a high Titillation of the Spiritus insiti by its Volatile Parts actuating them as the Animal Semen does all Creatures in Times of Copulation tho' it immediately affects only the Venereal Membranes but ours does actuate them not
which looking not unlike an Apoplexy makes Authors say that Opium causes Apoplexies Such as escape Death do so generally by 34. Plentiful Purging which is occasioned by a great Quantity of the Rosin of Opium meeting a strong Digestion and fixed Salts as has beeâ— said 35. Sweats that smell of the Opium are caused 1. By the Openness of the Pores by Relaxation 2. By Plenty or at least sufficiency of Moisture for that End for otherwise as was shewn it would be only insensible Perspiration 3. By the great Quantity of Volatile Salt attenuating the Humours 4. By the strict intimate and even indissoluble specifick Union or Combination of the Volatile Salt and Oily Parts which makes it hold its specifick Smell to the last 36. Violent Itchings in the Skin must of necessity follow a great Quantity of Opium since it causes such Itchings as was shewn in a small Quantity by the Titillation of its Volatile Salt Note That these Effects do not all happen to all Men that take it in an excessive Dose but some to one and some to others as was intimated in Chap. 5. according as they are more or less troubled with the Rosin Quantity Relaxation c. CHAP. XXII The Explication of the Effects of a long and lavish Use of Opium AS an Excessive Dose of Opium is Intemperance for one time so a long and lavish Use of it is an habitual Intemperance for a long time therefore if you could not rationally expect good Effâ—s in that Case any more than from the best Wine taken suddenly in a vast Quantity it follows that you cannot expect good Effects from an habitual Intemperate Taking of it any more than from a long and lavish Drinking of Wine tho' both are excellently good in their Kind but that the Opium has the pernicious resinous Part join'd with it There is nothing so good whereof an intemperate Use is not mischievous God having so ordered it to deter from and punish Intemperance and the Abuse of his Creatures Therefore ill Effects are not always to be imputed to the viciousness of the Things used but frequently of the Person that imprudently uses them 1. Relaxation and Debility of all Parts is contracted by the habitual over-relaxing thereof by the lavish Use of Opium 2. An Inhability of doing any Thing without it is contracted by the habitual Pleasure Comfort Promptitude and Euphory it causes when taken without which the sensitive Soul becomes lazy listless and averse to all Actions it is as iâ— a Man used to Dance to Excellent Musick were required to do it without any Musick at all nor as much as Thoughts of it or mumbling it within himself Or that one who Drinks nothing but Wine and Eats the best should be suddenly denied both and forced to live upon Bread and Water Or that such as always take Tobacco at their Studies should be suddenly debarr'd thereof and required to Study without it How very listless would a Man be in such Cases Tho' hardly any of the Comparisons come up to that of Opium because of the charming Pleasure mighty Euphory and Promptitude that it causes it is as if one were supported and wholly depended upon Cordials and suddenly denied them c. 3. An Inhability of getting up in the morning till it is taken and begins to operate proceeds from the same Cause A Mechanical Reason may be expected here also as to these Matters but it will hardly bear it any more than how the Will or Appetite causes the first Impulse toward voluntary Moti n all that can be said is that without the Opium the sensitive Soul is when he does any Thing to act under the Toil and Difficulties of a full vigilative Contraction as being awake intentive Contraction as acting and defensive Contraction as being grieved when the Operation of Opium is over as after Veneral Pleasure c. so that now he labours under the great Disadvantages and Drudgery of all the Three Contractions whereas by the Pleasure fine Titillation of Opium and Relaxation consequential thereunto he was eased of all the Defensive Contraction which is the most grievous and in great measure of the Vigilative as has been shewn which makes Working Iourneying c. very easie to him Therefore it is as if one that delights in Musick Danced to Charming Melody in beloved Company with pleasing Refections of Wine c. and in the other Case as if one laboured in Grief or Pain Now suppose that one used never to Act or Work without such mighty Pleasant Advantages and Causes of Euphory were required to act under the Pressure of the Three Contractions or in Grief or Pain how listless would he be to Act Work get up c. 4. A dull moapish and heavy Disposition must be the Effect unless it be while they please comfort and enliven themselves by the Opium because their Brain is habitually over relaxed which is the very Case of old Drunkards who have as 't is said drank away their Parts by such an habitual Relaxation of the Brain which over-much Sleeping causes also upon the Account of the like Relaxation therefore they must be moapish till the pleasing Titillation of Opium enlivens them 5. Diminution of Appetite is caused by an habitual Relaxation of the Stomach taking away its Sensation and suspending the Menstruum from flowing to it as freely as it should and would if there were a due Contraction to squeese it out 6. Weakness of Digestion happens from the same Causes 7. Dropsies are caused by the Relaxation weakning the Parts and making them thereby susceptible of Humours as also by Diminution of Appetite and Digestion as in old Drunkards 8. Decay of Parts or Wit happens from habitual Relaxation of the Brain and its Membranes as in old Drunkards 9. Weakness of Memory proceeds from the same Cause as in old Drunkards 10. Stooping in the Back is caused by the habitual Relaxation of the Parts which weakens and causes them to comply with our Tendency and Use of bending forward and yield to the greater Weight that is generally speaking on the foreside of the Back-bone or Perpendicular so that Stooping must gradually follow those conspiring Causes as it does in habitual Drunkards whose Parts are relax'd 11. Early Decrepiteness must proceed from the aforesaid Relaxation spoiling the Tone of Parts and causing Want of Appetite Digestion c. in the manner before shewn 12. Shortness of Life must be the Effect of the same Causes 13. Acrimony of Blood proceeds from the Abundance of Acrimonious Volatile Salts taken in the Opium wherein it is much more acrimonious than our natural Volatile Salt and in greater Quantity proportionably Therefore it can be no Wonder that 14. It excites Inclination to Venery by that acrimonious Salt which is analogous to that of Cantharides Ants Bees c. 15. Frequent Inclinations to make Water is also a known and common effect of such a Salt by its irritating and soliciting the Bladder c. 16. Priapisms
to disparage the Performance as mean and obvious like that of the Circulation of the Bloud or America when found out did not the newness of the Thing the baffled Endeavours of all Mankind and the seeming Impossibility of ever finding it out which was almost agreed upon speak in its behalf Consider that nothing can be plain and easie but what is true and consequently nothing valuable but what is so what 's true Knowledge but the Knowledge of Things as they really are And when a Thing is known as really as it is it must be plain and never so till then for to take a Thing to be what it is not is all Darkness Errour Puzzle Confusion and Vanity as all Discourses of Opium have hitherto been It is no Wonder then that the Cause of the Operation of Opium grew more and more obscure while they stated the Cold Quality of very hot Opium the Belching up of Vulcano's of Fumes from the Stomach to the Head which have no Existence their acting as a Poison of the Animal Spirits their fixing and coagulating them their clogging them by Adherence or clouding them their wedging themselves among the Animal Spirits none knows how and thereby disabling them their stuffing the Pores of the Brain or compressing it and thereby hindering the Generation of Animal Spirits to be the Causes of the Noble and Pleasant Operation of Opium without any Foundation in Nature or the least Evidence of Sense or Reason but vain Phantastical Imaginations form'd in the Chimera-Forges of their Wanton Brains while they endeavour'd Right or Wrong to appear considerable Folks by doing nothing to the Purpose in a kind of pretty plausible and imposing manner thereby stuffing the unwary World with wrong and vain Conceptions and impertinent Prejudices which are the greatest Obstacles of Knowledge I would fain know which of those Hypothesises can tollerably solve 1 in 10 of the Phenomena's that I have enumerated or indeed any one Phenomenon truly mechanically and demonstratively yet are those Whims the glorious Productions of Thousands of years Studies and solicitous Disquisitions tho' every one that took Opium actually felt the true Cause of its Operation viz. The pleasing Delight that it occasioned by affecting the Membranes and Animal Spirits after the manner that I have at large set forth Good God! what blund'ring Groper is Mankind Who daily felt the Cause it ne're could find Tho' Thousands sought it with an eager Mind CHAP. XXIV Of Opium separated from its noxious Part or Rosin and whether it is a Panacea c. THus far have I spoken of Crude Opium jointly with its Rosin or noxious Part now I will consider it separated from it and shew how to do it Galen says That it is very difficult to find an excellent Remedy without a noxious Quality And it is as difficult to find any Thing so noxious as not to afford a good Medicament which you see in Vipers Scorpions Mercury c. All or most Physicians unanimously agree That Opium has such a noxious Quality that causes Vomitings Hiccoughs Distresses Anxieties Convulsions chiefly at or about the Region of the Stomach and that if it were freed from it it would be the noblest of Medicaments Who can otherwise imagine seeing it is so excellent and universal a Remedy as it is now used in the World without such an excellent Preparation thereof wherein the noxious Principle is separated from it Of which Paracelsus says That whoever shall enjoy it will be a Professor of no less Knowledge than Apollo Machaon or Podalyrius tho' he was the greatest Master of Arcanas Panaceas c. yet does he confess That a Preparation of Opium stood him in stead and perform'd his Business when all his great Medicaments fail'd him and that it will dissolve Diseases as Fire doeâ— Snow or uses Words to the same Effect Helmont being in a kind of Rapture upon Consideration of its Excellency bursts out into this Exclamation Happy is the Sick Man whose Physician knows how to separate the deadly or noxious Part from Opium Platerus aâ—firm'd That he could with a Preparation of Opium preserve the broken Wheel of Life Etmuller says That Opium may 〈◊〉 be esteem'd a general Remedy and the main End of his Tract De parvis Morborum Initiis is to shew how Volatiles more especially Salia-Volatilia-Oleosa as that of Opium may in small Quantities alter us and cure our Diseases It were endless to tell you the Eulogies of the Learned concerning such a Preparation of Opium which they generall conclude to be a most noble Panacea therefore many and very solicitous have been the Disquisitions of the Ingenious and Industrious to find out this heroick generous and most glorious Medicament I am fully satisfied that the pure Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium duely separated from its noxious Rosin Dross c. is the very Thing some of the Reasons that convince me are as followeth viz. 1. Because Opium has no other Principle in it that signifies any Thing as to its laudable and noble Effects but its Sal Volatile Oleosum as has been shewn 2. Because the Sal Volatile-Oleosum of Opium produces all its good Effects 3. Because the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum duely separated from its Rosin and other Principles produces no ill Effect in a moderate Dose This added to what has been Discoursed at large of the Principles of Opium is I think sufficient to satisfie any Man that the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium so separated is the great Panacea that is sought for However because we are upon the greatest Thing in Physick as may be well inferr'd from what has been already said and that the World has been under great Fears Iealousies and Blindness concerning this Matter and the Use of Opium it will be well worth our While to give all imaginable Satisfaction in this Case therefore I will First Lay down all the requisite Qualifications of a Compleat Panacea as far as I can collect out of the most Eminent Authors and my own Consideration thereof Secondly I will particularly enquire as to each of the Qualifications whether the Sal Volatile-Oleosum of Opium duely separated from every other Principle of Opium is furnished therewith Thirdly I will shew you how duely to separate its Dross Rosin c. so as to leave a pure sincere Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium for Use. The requisite Qualifications of a Panacea are these viz. 1. That it should highly please our Sensation at Stomach because the Stomach is contrived and appointed by God and Nature as the Touchstone to try a Sentinel truely to inform and a Critical Iudge to determine what is or is not agreeable to our Nature in general and therefore as has been shewn endued with a wonderful sagacity and nicety of Sensation for that End It follows then that a Panacea should be very pleasing and agreeable to the Stomach and therefore very cordial 2. That it should be highly pleasing to the sensitive Soul which is the Principle of all Motion Action
best Parts of Opium which is so much the better the more it abounds with them 9. If it yields any other Tincture than Red it is not right and the duller or paler the Red is the worse or weaker it is 10. The best is heavier in proportion to its Bulk which you may soon experiment thus Weigh an Ounce of each in the Air then weigh them just as they are in the Brass Scales in Water and the heavier will out-weigh the other in Water for the heavier any thing is the less Water takes from its Weight in proportion to its Bulk this is an infallible and most ready way to know the Weight of any thing in proportion to its Bulk Note That my Discourse is most particularly concerning the best sort of Crude Turky Opium that is the best that we have in common Use and that its Effects and not those of any Preparation thereof are set down in the following Chapters CHAP III. The Effects of Opium used externally OPIUM used externally has two sorts of Effects upon a Humane Body 1. As an Opiate to cause Sleep take away Pain c. 2. As an Alterative of the Parts it is applied to I. As an Opiate It is of very uncertain and uneven Effects when applied externally for sometimes it causes Sleep takes away Pain but it often fails therefore it is generally much better safer more certain and effectual to use it internally I do scarce know the case wherein 't is better to use it externally than internally unless it be to smell to in some cases But of these Things more particularly when we come to the Use of Opium in Curing Preventing or Paliating Diseases for here we only lay down Effects in order to a Disquisition of the Cause of the Operation of Opium to which its internal Effects will mainly contribute however it may be very useful to that end to lay down its alterative Effects for thereby we shall in good measure know the Prin ciples by which it operates II. It s external Effects as an Alterative are these viz. 1. It incides resolves and discusses 2. It relaxes and mollifies 3. It maturates and suppurates 4. It exulcerates or causes Blisters if it be very strong and applied to Persons of a fine Texture where the Skin is tender but this Effect belongs more properly to the Maslack or true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that drops from the Incisions made in the Heads of the Poppies especially the Theban which affords a very powerful Juice Hence you may observe that the more it exulcerates or blisters the better is the Opium vice versâ 5. It is a Psilotherick for it prevents Hair to grow and causes the shedding thereof 6. It is hurtful to the Eyes and Ears 7. It excites Itchings applied in a moderate manner to the Skin 8. It excites Venery applied to the Perinaeum CHAP. IV. The Effects of Opium used Internally in a moderate Dose 1. THE moderate Dose in ordinary Use to produce the following Effects is from one to three Grains more or less according to the Circumstance Condition Case Constitution Age c of the Person who takes it 2. It operates generally in a short time after it is in the Stomach that is in about half an Hour more or less if taken in a liquid Form and in about an Hour more or less if in a solid Form drinking a Draught of Water or some Liquor after it otherwise it may be sometimes near an Hour and a half before it has its full Effect But the time of its Operation has a considerable Latitude according to the Disposition of the Stomack and other Circumstances as the Vehicle it is taken in c. The constant Effects of Opium used internally in a moderate Dose 1. It causes a most agreeable pleasant and charming Sensation about the Region of the Stomach which if one lies or sits still diffuses it self in a kind of indefinite manner seizing one not unlike the gentle sweet Deliquium that we find upon our entrance into a most agreeable Slumber which upon yielding to it generally ends in Sleep But if the Person keeps himself in Action Discourse or Business it seems especially when given in a Mornning after a moderate Rest at Night like a most delicious and extraordinary Refreshment of the Spirits upon very good News or any other great cause of Ioy as the sight of a dearly beloved Person c. thought to have been lost at Sea or the like causing such a pleasant Ovation of the Spirits Serenity c. as we find after a competent Measure of generous Wine ad Hilaritatem as Men use to say It is indeed so unexpressibly fine and sweet a Pleasure that it is very difficult for me to describe or any to conceive it but such as actually feel it for 't is as if a Good Genius possessed or informed a Man therefore People do commonly call it a heavenly Condition as if no worldly Pleasure was to be compar'd with it Helmontianus would doubtless express it by the Archeus in his very best Humour It has been compar'd not without good cause to a permanent gentle Degree of that Pleasure which Modesty forbids the naming of and 't is well worth a Remark that both are Pleasures of the same Sense viz. that of Feeling for it cannot be a Pleasure of any other Sense since it is internal 2. It causes a brisk gay and good Humour Nor do I doubt but it has this Effect upon sleeping Persons as far as their Condition is capable of observing it for you shall have them often tell of pleasant Dreams after it when they remember them and speak of any See Bauchin and the Authors mentioned below under the 4th Effect of Opium 3. It causes Promptitude Serenity Alacrity and Expediteness in Dispatching and Managing of Business To which end and that of a good and gay Humour which are near of kind it is commonly taken in the Morning in the Eastern Countries with most certain Effect The truth of which Wedelius is forced to confess though quite contrary to his Hypothesis of Opium's fixing and coagulating the Spirits giving an instance of a certain serene Person who when she had any Affair of great moment to dispatch did before-hand take Opium with great advantage for she thereby found her self every way better disposed for Business and more enabled to bear the Fatigue thereof Which is the Substance of what he writes in Latin Many other Authors confirm the Truth of these Effects but above all the constant Experience of the Eastern Nations puts it out of all doubt 4. It causes Assurance Ovation of the Spirits Courage Contempt of Danger and Magnanimity much after the manner that generous Wine does instead of which the Turks c. use Opium before Engagements desperate Attacks c. as is most notorious to make them Courageous which it certainly does For your satisfaction as to this and other Effects of Opium not so commonly observed
with us for Reasons given in Chap. VIII See Bellonius l. 3. c. 15. p. 179. Erastus Disp. de Sapor p. 6â— Georg. Andreae Itenerar Ind. l. 2. c. 9. p. 12. Camerar Oper. Subcis l. 1. c. 93. p. 437. Erastus Disp. de Narcot Oberndorf Historians also add That when the Great Turk makes a considerable War the Soldiers buy up all or most of the Opium which may be worth a Merchant's Observation for it thereupon grows dear and is much cheaper in times of Peace 5. It prevents and takes away Grief Fear Anxieties Peevishness Freâ—fulness c. These are necessary Consequences of the former Effects 6. It causes Euphory or easie undergoing of all Labour Iourneys c. and that far beyond all Wines and hot Cordials or Spirits therefore it is very much used in Turky and the Eastern Countries in laborious Undertakings great Iourneys c. which Men perform by the help of Opium after a prodigious and almost incredible manner But the Matter of Fact is so common and usual that there is no place of doubt besides that some who tried it among us have found it so 7. It lulls sooths and as it were charms the Mind with Satisfaction Acquiescence Contentation Equanimity c. How should it fail to cause these Effects since it causes all the former gay pleasant and brave Humours Dr. Willis and others having no true Experience or Knowledge of Opium imagined that it caused Courage Bravery Equanimity c. by stupifying the Senses Brain c. making People inadvertent dull and inapprehensive which is a great Mistake and a groundless Conceit for it is a most certain Truth which millions can affirm that it produces those Effects by an Ovation and Pleasure of the sensitive Soul and Spirits as generous Wine does before Men are suddled or overcome with it How else could they at the same time be more serene and apt for the Management of any Business and neat Dispatch of Affairs as it is most certain they are These fundamental Mistakes about Opium have been as you 'll find hereafter one great cause why its Operations have puzzled and quite baffled all Enquirers 8. It quiets allays and composes all Perturbations and Commotions of the Spirits or sensitive Soul Bloud Humours c. as in Hysterical Cases Diary Fevers that proceed from Passions as Anger Grief Terrours c. from violent Motion Labour Heat Iourneys Convulsions c. or from Pain and stops Bleedings that proceed from such Commotions 9. It causes a Relaxation of all the sensible Parts of the Body as the Membranous and Nervous This is notorious by its Effects as causing Perspiration Sweat Relaxation of Sphincters Vilatation of the Pupil of the Eye Relaxation of the Cornea and all other Effects of Relaxation as you 'll find more particularly hereafter 10. It causes Indolence or exemption from Pain as all know and allow and that when Sleep does not intervene 11. It stops moderates cures or paliates all Fluxes excepting those by the Pores or such as depend as that does upon Relaxation as when Sphincters are weak or paralytical but these last are unnatural Accidents 12. It mightily promotes insensible Perspiration 13. It prevents Shiverings in Ague-Fits and such-like Cases if given in due time and quantity which shall be shown in the Curative Part. 14. It prevents and cures Colds 15. It causes a larger and slower Pulse supposing no accidental Cause to the contrary 16. It causes Driness in the Mouth 17. It has most Effect in warm and moist Weather 18. It has more Effect upon lax and fine textured Persons as Women Children c. therefore Women seldom use it in Turky and the other Eastern Countries where it is commonly used by the Men. 19. It causes an Efflorescence of the Skin barring Accidents of Cold c. 20. It is observed by all that it mainly affects the Genus Nervosum and animal Spirits and not the Bloud and Humors 21. It increases Seed in some measure 22. It causes a great promptitude to Venery Erections c. especially if the Dose be larger than ordinary which I would have Men believe without experimenting it not that I fear to be confuted but lest any should injure themselves by too great a Dose This is one great Cause if not the chief why the Infidels of Turky and the Eastern Nations especially where Poligamy is allow'd as among the Turks c. use Opium so much it never â—ailing to produce this Effect in hale and healthy People if the Dose be sufficient as is too notorious in all or most Countries from Greece to Iapan inclusively who use Opium for that end But as to the Truth of this Effect of Opium not only Authors and all the People of those Eastern Nations but several Merchants Factors and Travellers now living in London can attest That it is used for that purpose in those Countries with Effect yea some in our own Nation that use Opium in large Doses can attest the same upon Experience in their own Bodies Those who desire to be satisfied may also read Ioh. Iacob Saar his Itinerar Ind. p. 11. Olearius's â—tinerar Persio l. 5. c. 15. 18. B. D. D. Sacks Tom. 11. Epher German Obs. 69. p. 126. Bauchin p. 450. Cardanus Scaliger Nich. Monordei Fogâ—lius de Turcarum Nepenthe Bellonius and others whose Words I do not repeat partly for Modesty's partly for Brevity's sake It does I confess look like a Riddle that a most relaxing and stupifying Medicament which takes away much of the Sense of Feeling and consequently Irritations to Venery as one would think should notwithstanding irritate thereunto cause Erections c. however it is most certain tho' a seeming Contradiction of which sort you have many more among the Effects of Opium Usual and frequent tho' not constant Effects of Opium used internally in a moderate Dose 1. Sleep which is so far from being a constant Effect of Opium that it will in me and many other Persons prevent Sleeping even when otherwise inclin'd to it 2. Pleasant Dreams 3. Stopping of Vomitings 4. Stilling the Hiccough 5. Taking off Convulsions and Contractions 6. Causing Meat to stay long at Stomach 7. Moderation and prevention of Hunger 8. Sweat 9. The Flowing of the Menses tho' not observed by vulgar Physicians 10. The Flowing of the Lochia which is as little observed 11. Voiding of the Stone 12. Delivery of Women 13. Deadness of the Eyes as you see in Drunkenness 14. Dilatation of the Pupil 15. Growth of the Breasts Penis and Increase of Milk 16. Veneral Dreams 17. Nocturnal Pollutions 18. Itchings in the Skin 19. Much Urine 20. Nausea 21. Swimmings in the Head 22. Watching 23. A kind of dubious State between sleeping and waking 24. It stops Hemorrhages in many cases Many more Instances of this kind might be given of its frequent and usual Effects in Diseases but it would be endless and needless since we have mentioned the Prime General and Fundamental Effects upon which
a very long and lavish use thereof The Inconveniences of leaving off the Use of Opium do bear a certain Proportion to the Time and Quantity that it has been used in 1. Note That the Turks do drink some Water always after the taking of Opium as being the best Menstruum to dissolve it 2. Note That it is usual with them to take a Drachm in the Morning and so much in the Afternoons and so may we as well as they if used to it and 't is a very silly saying that you 'll find in Authors That they are better able to bear it because of the Climate c. whereas the more Northern Persons are better able to take it than the Southern as will hereafter appear most plainly I am told of one near Banbury that takes Two Ounces a Day 3. Note That among the Effects of Opium may be observed many seeming Contradictions yet is there nothing more certain than the several different Matters of Fact which no doubt has been a great Cause to puzzle the World about it and to run Men into strange Absurdities concerning its Operation and all to deviate so far from the Truth that nothing in Nature can be farther unless you 'll say that Heat cools or what pleases the sensitive Soul is at the same time abhorr'd by it Now because these seeming Contradictions in the Effects of Opium are the greatest Rubs to be met with and that the Reader may take the better Estimate of the Undertaking and my Explication of its Effects when I come to it I shall not fear to enumerate them distinctly tho' they will make the strangest Catalogue of Riddles that ever was seen trusting in Him that created this wonderful Medicament that he will enable me to explain all its Effects The seeming Contradictions in the Effects of Opium 1. It causes Sleeping and Watching 2. It causes and prevents Sweat 3. It relaxes and stops Loosenesses 4. It stops Fluxes and causes that of Sweat c. 5. It stupifies the Sense of Feeling yet irritates by that Sense to Venery 6. It causes Stupidity and Promptitude in Business Cloudiness and Serenity of Mind 7. It excites the Spirits and quiets them 8. It is very hot yet cools in Fevers 9. It is hot and bitter yet lessens Appetite even in Cold Stomachs 10. It stops and promotes Urine 11. It relaxes and weakens yet enables us to undergo Labours Iourneys c. 12. It causes and prevents Abortions 13. It stops Vomiting above all things yet causes most violent tedious and dangerous Vomitings 14. It stops Purging in a most eminent manner yet sometimes causes it 15. It is very acrimonious yet as all say obtunds Acrimony however it allays Pain proceeding from Acrimony 16. It causes a furious Madness yet composes the Spirits above all things 17. It causes 〈◊〉 yet sometimes cures them as Willis says 18. It causes Palsies yet have I known it to cure a Palsie 19. It causes Drinâ—ss in the Mouth yet takes off Thirst in Fevers 20. It cures and causes a Hiccough 21. It stanches Blood yet causes the Blood to come outward as appears by the Efflorescence or Redness of the Skin that it causes yet moves the Menses and Lochia 22. We have many Instances of it promoting and hindering Critical Motions 23. It raises very weak People when nothing besides will do it yet it kills other weak People 24. It causes and cures Convulsions 25. It causes Relaxation and Contraction of the same Parts 26. It Relaxes yet causes Rigidity Tension and Erection of the Penis Priapisms c. Thus have I fairly and faithfully laid the whole Onus of the Operations Effects and Contradictory Phenomena's of Opium upon my Shoulders however I come off and clear my self of the Intricacy Mazes and cross Effects thereof by explaining them which none upon the View thereof will think possible and none before me durst as much as enumerate for that End CHAP. VII The Author contrives a Compendious Way of Examining all Opinions concerning the Operation of Opium HAving without any sly or sordid Evasion or considerable Omission which has been the persidious Course of Authors in this Case fully and truly enumerated the sensible and certain Effects of Opium in Humane Bodies and thereby empannel'd a Iust Iury for the Trial of Hypothesises which must be Judged by the Effects or Phenomena's of Opium I will now proceed to their Examination But because it would be endless to take every one particularly into Consideration I will use their Stratagem who blow up Foundations to save the tedious Pecking at all the Parts of the Superstructures which in this Case would require an Age and take up all my Time in demolishing them which may be better employ'd in erecting something that may be useful I have considered and find That the Foundation in which all Authors both Ancient and Modern agree and whereupon they have hitherto endeavour'd to build looking upon it as firm and Warrantable in all Ages is this viz. That Opium operates by diminishing or disabling the Spirits meaning the animal Spirits The Ancients affirming That it did so by an extreme cold Quality c. And The Moderns who observed it to act while it is at Stomach by affecting the Brain Nerves Animal Spirits c. and concluded no Action was perform'd without Contact infer'd and agreed because no visible Passage could be found from the Stomach to the Head that it must of absolute necessity act by Fumes Vapours Auras or Effluviums sent up out of the Stomach to the Brain Nerves c. So that all the remaining Question among the Moderns is Which Way those Fumes or Vapours do the Feat all allowing the Fumes do it One saying That they stuff the Pores of the Brain and so hinder the Generation of Animal Spirits A Second That they constringed and closed the Pores together thereby hindering the said Generation A Third That they fix'd and coagulated the Animal Spirits as Wedelius and others A Fourth That they clouded the Animal Spirits A Fifth That they acted as a Poison as Willis and many others A Sixth That they clog'd the Animal Spirits by adhering to them c. Not knowing nor I think caring what they said so they humour'd their own Imaginations and Hypothesises tho' utterly incapable of solving the Effects of Opium especially its most constant proper and genuine Effects For how can a cold Quality which Opium never had cause a gay and brisk Humour Bravery Magnanimity Euphory in Labour Promptitude to Venus c. And how can Clouds of Vapours hinder the Generation of Animal Spirits by stuffing or constringing the Pores of the Brain Poisoning fixing coagulating clogging or clouding the Animal Spirits cause a fine Ovation thereof a Gay Brave Couragious and Magnanimous Disposition Euphory Promptitude to Venery Serenity Expediteness in Management c. Which are as has been said the constant and proper Effects of Opium Nor indeed was any of those Authors so fool-hardy as to attempt it
Why then did they write and trouble the World to peruse their Books when they were so far from explaining the Properties of Opium that they scarce ever durst mention them nor set their Hypothesises and them as much as in View of one another Was not this a tacit Confession of the Incompetency of their Suppositions I beg Pardon for calling them theirs tho' they themselves do for I cannot offer them a greater Abuse than laying their Spurious and lame Brats at their Doors Tho' one scarce need say any more of them yet lest I be thought presumptuous or saucy for so much as offering to suspect the general Foundation of all the famous Authors that ever lived as Galen Avicenna c. among the Ancients Etmuller Willis c. among the Moderns 1. I will shew you very just Causes to suspect the Insufficiency of the general Foundation viz. That Opium diminishes or disables the Spirits 2. I will prove That it does not do it by a Cold Quality 3. That it does not do it by Vapours Fumes Aura or any such Way 4. That it diminishes or disables the Spirits by no Means whatsoever Which diminishing or disabling of the Spirits Cold Quality and Fumes or Aura comprehend the Foundations of all Opinions concerning Opium that ever I read or heard of and consequently if those Two Fundamental Opinions be refuted all the Superstructures that have been in this Case must fall to the Ground CHAP. VIII The Author shews Iust Causes of his Suspicion that all Authors have gone upon a wrong Foundation in their Disquisitions of the Cause of the Operation of Opium I Have shewn you That the general Foundation of both Ancient and Modern Authors is That Opium doth diminish or disable the Spirits And now I will plainly shew Iust Causes of my Suspicion of its Insufficiency which are these 1. I observe That all Learned Men are to this day highly dissatisfied as to the Cause and Manner of the Operation of Opium notwithstanding all that has been written concerning it and that it is the common Cry on all Hands that none has illustrated the Operations of Opium to any Purpose or given any Satisfaction therein and therefore Learned Physicians are still as much upon the Enquiry as ever they were It is much more Civil and Reasonable to suspect the Foundation that all former Authors have built upon than a general Failure in all the most Judicious Master Builders that ever endeavour'd to build thereon for if all the best Architects of the whole World fail to erect a firm Superstructure upon any one Foundation what can we think but that the Foundation is infirm especially when as in our Case no Way that Care Iudgment Perspicacity and Wit could invent or think of has been left untried to build thereon so that tho' I modestly call it a Cause of Suspicion it amounts almost if not altogether to a Demonstration that the Foundation that all Authors have gone upon is naught Would not any considering Man when he sees all the Iudicious Architects of the World fail to erect a firm Building upon a certain Foandation seek for another Therefore who can blame me if I do and not blame them that did not The meanest Bricklayer or Carpenter that should be guilty of such Stupidity as to attempt to build upon such a Foundation as always deceiv'd the Builders would be thought too great a Blockhead to be employ'd in Building 2. I observed That most Men do notwithstanding that Foundation is agreed upon think it impossible to explain the intâ—icate various contradictory Phenomena's and mysterious Effects of Opium sitting contented and perswaded that it operates by an occult Quality wholly unexplicable and particularly reserved from the Knowledge of Mankind But Nature works Mechanically in Weight Measure c. Therefore it is more than probable that it is only their being upon a wrong Bottom makes it seem absolutely occult for it is impossible to find a thing where it is not or to build firmly upon an insufficient Foundation whereas had it been right and true it is not to be imagined but some or other would have thereupon done something that would have stood against all Winds and Storms which none have done 3. I observed That none durst venture to lay the whole no nor one half of the Burthen of the Phinomena's or Effects of Opium upon that Foundation foreseeing doubtless that it could not bear them and that if they laid any more Weight thereon the whole would totter and fall to the Ground The Project in every Hypothesis is to perswade Men of the Truth thereof and the only way to do it is to solve all Phenomena's thereby for if it fails but in one it is an infallible sign of its Insufficiency There was no Reason to omit any of the Phenomena's if they could have discern'd that the Hypothesis would have born them therefore as has been intimated it implies a Confession of its Incompetency 4. I observed That ancient Authors writ of Opium before it came to be of common and general Use in the Day-time with Healthy Persons as it since is in many Nations to cause a gay pleasant and good Humour take off Sadness Melancholy and Anxiety To cause Assurance Boldness Courage Bravery Magnanimity Euphory or easie undergoing of Labour Iourneys Promptitude in Business Expediteness and Serenity To excite to Venery c. Which Effects cannot be explained by that Supposition of disabling the Spirits and that they used Opium only Medicinally for the sake of such other Effects as might be tollerably well explicated by that Hypothesis so that they had not any Occasion nor Inducement to look any farther The Effects they gave it for was only 1. To cause Sleep 2. To take off Pain 3. To stop Fluxes 4. To Compose the Spirits 5. To cause Perspiration and Sweat All which are not inconsistent with the Hypothesis of diminishing or disabling the Spirits as the other are and therefore might well deceive them For First Sleep is caused by diminishing the Spirits by Labour Watching c. as is most notorious over the whole World so other Things that diminish the Spirits as Bleeding Vomiting Purging and many other Causes of diminishing thereof do incline us to Sleep Secondly Indolence or Exemption from Pain is caused by nothing more than want of Spirits as in Paralytical Cases Stuporâ— Obstructions or Compressions of the Nerves Syncopes Leipothymies Deliquiums Faintings after Bleeding and Sleep which as was said is so much caused by loss of Spirits c. Thirdly Fluxes are stopt or moderated by nothing better than Sleep which generally as was said proceeds from loss of Spirits What also stops or moderates Fluxes more than want of the Sense of the Irritation of Humours And what takes away Sense more than want of Spirits Thus want of Sense by the absence of the Spirits in Paralytical Intestines stops Fluxes Thus fails a Paralytical Bladder to express the Urine So a Palsie of the Membranes
that include the Glandules must as in Sleep which relaxes them stop or moderate all Defluxions Catarrhs c. because they are not sensible oâ— the Irritation of the Humour by Quantity or Quality which Irritation causes the Defluxions or Catarrhs by exciting the Membranes to contract and thereby to squeeze out the Humours contain'd in the Glandules Fourthly The Composure of the Spirits is procured mainly by Sleep which all loss of Spirits as was shewn inclines us to so Bleeding which diminishes the Spirits compose their Fury in Fevers Deliriums Madness c. Fifthly Perspiration is caused by nothing more than Sleep for we perspire twice as much in Sleep as when we watch as is most manifestly demonstrable by the Statick Experiments of Weighing People nor is Perspiration ever so great as in Deliquiums Syncopes Leipothymies and such like deadish Cases which are caused by diminishing or disabling of the Spirits nay 't is so in Animals quite dead for a little time while they are hot as is evident by like Statick Demonstrations The true Cause of which is Relaxation of the Pores Skin c. for want of Spirits to contract and constringe them as shall be fully proved hereafter by God's Help These Things were doubtless the occasion of that Hypothesis of diminishing or disabling the Spirits by Opium but how likely are they to err by establishing it without any consideration of its enlivening encouraging and brisk Effects as Ovation of the Spirits Gaity Bravery Magnanimity Euphory Promptitude to Venery c. which can never be solved by Diminution or Disability of the Spirits till Depression and Elevation thereof are reconcilable and consistent at the same time in the same subject which can never be till Disabling and Not Disabling are the same thing Have not we then good Reason to suspect that general Foundation of diminishing or disabling the Spirits by Opium which was laid by such as never considered any thing of its generous and sprightly Effects which as has been shewn are its constant and therefore most proper and genuine Effects Who can doubt then but they must err in laying a Foundation quite contrary to the very Properties of Opium 5. I observed That all our Modern Authors and Physicians receiving the Knowledge of Opium its Effects and Uses from those Ancients do use it only for the same Ends and Purposes as they did and that our Modern Authors living in these Western Parts of the World very remote from the Eastern Countreys where it is used commonly and in large Doses by People in Health in the day-time to enliven invigorate and encourage them and cause the brave generous and magnanimous Effects aforementioned viz. Courage Euphory c. and finding no Physician that went before them to mention these noble cordial and glorious Effects and if they did at any time slightly touch them to do it with all imaginable Disregard Neglect and Contempt as if there was no Heed to be taken of them but as idle Tales and improbable Stories being contrary and utterly as they thought inconsistent and irreconcilable with the daily and most notorious Effects of Opium observed among us and to the Universal Opinion of all Authors who stated Opium to be a Diminisher or Disabler of the Spirits which could not produce as they concluded such contradictory and therefore to them utterly incredible Effects and fabulons Flams arising as they fansied from some silly Errours as want of due Observation in Travellers mistaken Discourses and the like so that as the saying is they let them in at one Ear and out at the other there being no such contrary Effects of any one Thing to be observed in the whole Creation and they being well assured of the other Effects by daily Experience and having never observed those lively Effects for the several plain Reasons that you 'll meet in the following Paragraphs had no cause to alter their Opinion when all Things seem'd to them to make for their Hypothesis for want of a Notion of those brisk Effects 6. I observed That those brisk Effects of Opium were not taken notice of by our Physicians nor indeed all things considered do I well see how they should without getting out of the common Road of observing which is sometimes as I have found very useful upon such Occasions For First Opium is seldom if ever given in these Western Nations but to Sick People as the Ancients did who are utterly incapable of those brisk Effects or at least to any remarkable degree that might call for a particular or special Advertency or Attenâ—ion without which they passed off as they came without any Reflection thereupon and so signified nothing as if they had never happen'd Secondly We as the Ancients did generally give Opium when People are going to Bed by which means all Opportunity of Observation is lost because darkness and being alone hide or hinder the shewing of any such Effects and the Physician whose only Business it is to be more curious in such Matters is gone to his own Rest tho' if he were present not likely to take any Observations of such Matters whereof he has least Thoughts or Belief as being in his Opinion contrary to all Reason Sense Experience and the Opinion of all Authors of the Stupefactive Quality of Opium in which they all agree Thirdly Opium is as was said given in these Countreys to cause Sleep or such Effects to which Sleep conduces as composing the Spirits causing Indolence stopping Fluxes and promoting Perspiration and therefore always given with all careful Directions and Injunctions that may conduce to that End as going to Bed lying still putting out Lights keeping Silence c. which concurring with the Opium cause Sleep which is utterly inconsistent with shewing any of those lively Effects that belong only to a waking Person to do so that all Opportunity of Observation is utterly precluded Now all the Premises considered it cannot be conceiv'd that such as set their mind upon contrary Effects and expect no other much less contrary ones against which also they are highly prejudiced by their Reason Experience and Reading should observe such brisk Effects if they did happen and how can a brisk Humour Courage easie undergoing of Labour Promptitude to Venus c. be observed in Sick and Infirm People lying in Bed alone and in the dark or which renders it utterly impossible while they are asleep and the Thing it self disbelieved and esteem'd contrary to Common Sense and the Universal Sentiment of the Learned and all others Therefore 7. If after all any such brisk Effect did ever happen it must be either not regarded or if observed which is no way likely as was shewn you may be sure for the many plain Reasons and Causes aforesaid that it was not imputed to Stupifying Opium as all esteem it but to any other Cause or Accident rather than to a Thing well known to have quite contrary Effects For Instance If the Sick Person happen'd to be
good humour'd of which he is seldom capable and utterly incapable of all or most of the other brisk Effects as Euphory Promptitude to Venus Exertion of Courage c. it was either passed by as an ordinary Thing of Course and so not heeded or else imputed to Refreshment by Sleep Ease from Pain or some Amendment as to the Disease or indeed to any Thing rather than Dispiriting and Stupifying Opium that is so far in all Opinion from exciting the Spirits that all affirm conclude and agree that it diminishes or disables them The like is to be said of any of the lively Effects in case they happen and are observ'd Tho' I do not see how they can so at least as any Stander by will refer it to Opium besides that as to some of the brisk Effects especially that of Venery greater Doses are requisite to render it any thing remarkable than are used in these Western Parts and that Modesty would much hinder the discovery of this Effect Is it not therefore very manifest that I had great cause to suspect that both Ancient and Modern Physicians consider'd things by halves since they did not take the most genuine Properties into their Consideration and that they laid their Foundation upon the most contrary Effects to them It follows then That the general Supposition of all the Learned can no more solve the true Properties of Opium in any Probability than giving the Reason why Fire hardens Clay can explain why it softens Wax The Reason did I say I should have said than giving the wrong Reason why it hardens Clay shews how it softens Wax for it will appear in the following Chapters that they gave no right Reason for any Effect of Opium even those they ever allow'd to be its Effects nor laid any true Foundation to explain the least meanest and plainest Effect thereof forasmuch as all their Suppositions are so false that there never were any such Things as they lay down to explain the Effects of Opium viz. 1. No such Thing as a Cold Quality in Opium 2. No such Things as Fumes c. flying from Opium to the Brain while it is at Stomach 3. No such Thing as diminishing or disabling the Animal Spirits by Opium any way whatsoever Of which in their Order in the following Chapters CHAP. IX It is proved That Opium has no Cold Quality to diminish or disable the Spirits thereby HAving shewn just Causes of my Suspicion of that Universal Foundation of Opium's Diminishing or Disabling the Spirits I will now proceed to a more strict Examination thereof beginning with the Opinion of the Ancients who affirm'd That Opium diminished or disabled the Spirits by an extream Cold Quality I confess that much may be done towards the diminishing or disabling the Spirits by Opium if it had such a cold Quality as the Ancients attributed to it for then it must be such a Coldness as the coldest Things either actual or potential bore no Proportion to for Ice Snow c. bear no Proportion to it in causing the same Effects by a cold Quality It was the manner of the Ancients implicitly to believe and subscribe to what their great Authors and Masters in Physick or Philosophy taught them whom they adored as infallible Gods as soon as their Mortality proved the contrary which was as absurd as asserting Tha Opium which is one of the hotest Things that Vegetables afford is extream cold blessed be God for our Light in Religion and Liberty in Philosophy Therefore some such admir'd Authors or great Masters in Physick having asserted that Opium acted by an extream cold Quality all did implicitly subscribe to it The Devil whom they worship'd could not tho' a Deceiver from the Beginning impose more upon their Faith than in causing them for I cannot think but it was some such Evil Power to believe that Opium was cold against all the Evidence of Sense and Experience he might have as well told them that Hell Fire had all the Properties of common culinary Fire and yet nothing more refreshing by its cold Quality for as many of our Senses as can take notice of Heat and Cold do plainly inform us that it is very hot in it self and Effects For 1. It s Taste is very bitter rank vehemently hot burning and biting all which Qualities are infallible Signs of great Heat and the better the Opium is the more intense are those Qualities Nay it is observed that its very Virtue is strictly combined to or consisting in those Qualities especially Bitterness which if lost the Virtue is gone as is commonly observed and easily observable It was a wise Fetch of Amatus Lusitanus in Defence of its Cold Quality to attribute all its Bitterness to Glaucium that was mixt therewith whereas Glaucium always gives a yellow Tincture to Water and Opium a red but the Opium that gave no yellow Tincture was bitter also yea that was most bitter that gave the reddest Tincture How comes Theban Opium and indeed all other Opium to be bitter before any thing is mixt with it How inadvertently absurd People will be to defend Absurdities it is pretty to see how they will expose themselves to defend a false Opinion 2. It s Smell which is very rank strong hot and such as Things highly impregnated with Volatile Salt and Sulphur the Two hottest Principles in Nature do afford It is from Volatile Salt that Cantharides Pismire Spear-Wort Crows-foot c. are so very hot as to blister or exulcerate and are not all hot Spirits such upon the account of their Sulphur as Spirits of Wine Brandy c. 3. The best and strongest Opium will also exulcerate as all Authors agree which only Fire or such Things as have the Particles of Fire lodged in them as Lixiviates c. or the hottest Things in Nature will do as Cantharides Spear-Wort c. It is 4. For the like Reason a Psilothrick or Causer of Hair to fall which only Lime Orpâ—ment and the hottest Things do cause 5. It is inflammable which only Sulphurecus Things are 6. It causes a Sense of a vehement Heat at Stomach tho' taken but in the Quantity of a Drachm 7. It causes Driness of the Mouth and Thirst tho' taken but in the Quantity of 3 Grains which nothing does but hot Things 8. It discusses and all Discussers are hot for it is by Heat that they do discuss as Spirit of Wine Cummin-Seed Volatile Salts and all Hot Spirits 9. It soon Operates and in a small quantity which is an infallible Proof of the Activity of its Parts which argues Heat not Cold. 10. It causes a gay pleasant and merry Humour which only Wine and hot Liquors c. do and one Grain of Opium will cause them as much as several Glasses of Wine which argues that its Heat is much greater 11. I would fain know how or see any Instance of any Cold Things raising the Spirits causing Courage Magnanimity enabling People to Labour Iourney
c. as Wine hot Liquors and Opium do 12. Opium does very much open the Pores and cause Perspiration c. which only Heat as that in Baths Bagnios Hot Houses and Hot Things do but Cold shuts the Pores as all know Therefore 13. Opium cures and prevents Colds which is another Argument of its Heat 14. It is a great Aphrodisiack or Exciter to Venery which Cold Things chill but Hot Things as Cantharides Bees Pismires Onions Garlick Leeks Rocket Squills Horse Radish Sem. Human. c. do promote 15. Nothing causes Indolence given internally but Wine Hot Liquors c. as I can think of and Opium causes it much after the same manner as Wine does first causing Mirth and Iollity and upon increase of Quantity very considerable Indolence It is true that Cold will externally cause a Stupor if it be intense so as to constringe the Parts and exclude the Spirits but otherwise it makes the Feeling more nice as all know by Experience because every little Hurt affects us more when we are cold than hot But this is not the Case of relaxing Opium which is used internally to take away Pain as Wine c. 16. Nothing takes away the Effects of Opium or Drunkeness better than cold Things internally and externally as acids dipping in Cold Water c. 17. Opium relaxes all Parts which Heat does and Cold constringes as was intimated 18. Wedelius confesses tho' it makes against what he says that he never observed a Soporose Distemper where there was not a Preternatural Heat Opiolog Lib. 1. Sect. 1. Cap. 12. P. 46. 19. If it causes Sleep by its cold Quality then all Things that are cold would do it proportionably Cucumers Purslane c. would be so great Hypnoticks that we should not be able to eat a Drachm of them but that they would cause a great Sopor but there is no such thing and hot Things are much more apt to cause Sleep or a Sopor as Wine hot Spirits Onions Garlick and such like 20. Opium causes a Redness or Efflorescence of the Skin making it sensibly warmer as Heat Wine and Strong Liquors do 21. It causes also an Itching of the Skin which only hot Things do 22. Half a Drachm of Opium in Clysters has caused a violent Heat in the Guts 23. It stops Diarrheas or Loosenesses which Cold causes 24. It stops Defluxions Coughs c. which Cold causes 25. To pin up all its predominant Principles appear by Autopsie upon its Chymical Analysis to be Volatile Salt and Sulphur Besides this Opinion of the Coldness of Opium is very much exploded and indeed it is so apparently false and absurd that I should not have thought it worth while to argue against it but that it lay so in my way that regularly I could not well avoid it without Breach of Order and Method I might have added that it resolves attenuates c. but it is needless to say any more It is very false and erroneous that it stops Fluxes by incrassating and binding which are accounted cold Qualities if so how should it stop them when Pounds of Incrassatives and Binders have failed tho' the Opium was given only in the Quantity of a Grain or Two How should it stop or moderate Fluxes even while it is yet at Stomach as it most certainly does It bears as Etmuller well observes no Proportion to the Bloud and Humours to have any Effect that may be remarkable upon them for a Grain is but as 1 to 115200 to the Blood of him that has 20 Pound of Blood which an ordinary Man has Besides How can Altenuatives Resolvers and Discussers incrassate or bind But more especially How can so great a Relaxer of Parts be a Constringer thereof That is perfect Contradiction And how can a meer Sal Volatile Oleosum in which all its Vertue lies as will plainly appear thicken and bind The Truth is that it stops Fluxes as Sleep doth by taking away the sense of the Irritation of Humours which solicite the Parts to contract and so to extrude and squeese them out it promotes Perspiration by relaxing the Pores as Sleep doth it also seems to thicken Rheum as Sleep doth because it causing Sleep or at least taking away a sense of the Irritation of the Rheum is thereby suffered to stay till it thickens by the Heat of the Body the Irritation also at Windpipe being less because the Flux of the Rheum is moderated for the Reason aforesaid But of these Things more fully when we come to explain the Cause or Causes of the Effects of Opium CHAP. X. It is proved That Opium sends no Fumes c. from the Stomach to the Head Brain c. and therefore that it does not diminish or disable the Spirits c. by that means THO' the Opinion of the Cold of Opium is much exploded that of Fumes Vapours or Aura's arising from the Opium at Stomach and mounting up to the Brain c. is as much received and embraced I know none but such as think it absolutely necessary considering that it is most certain and allow'd by all observing Men That Opium produces all or most of its Effects while it is at Stomach That the Genus Nervâ—sum is mostly concerned in its Operation and that as was said there is no Operation or Action but by Contact So that the Moderns acquiescing in the Necessity of its operating that way because they could conceive no other which is no Proof but a Defect of their Conception look upon it as invincible and uncontrolable Eviâ—ence oâ— its operating by Detachments of Fumes or 〈◊〉 sent up to the Brain from the Stomach which appear'd so undeniably conclusive that neither the want of a sensible Passage nor any other Inconvenience signified any thing with them to the contrary therefore it became an established Foundation by common Consent only they differ'd as was shewn in the manner how those Fumes produced the Effects of Opium And well they might seeing there is no such thing nor possibility if they were of ever explicating the various Effects of Opium by that means as will manifestly appear I confess that if Opium operated by such Fumes passing from the Stomach to the Brain c. it would be easie to conceive how it should diminish or disable nay utterly ruine the animal Spirits and indeed impossible rationally to conceive how they could do otherwise But then the enlivening invigorating and encouraging Effects of Opium which are its constant and most genuine Off spring would lie upon our hands without any possibility of giving an account thereof for certainly dull heavy unnatural undigested and cloudy Fumes or Vapours could not advantage the animal Spirits cause a Triumph or Ovation thereof at their access Courage Serenity Promptitude Magnanimity Euphory Inclination to Venery c. which we are most obliged to regard as being its most natural and proper Effects This Opinion of the Moderns does presume or suppose for they prove nothing First That Fumes
increase more and more and make one more and more remote from waking 4. Why should warm Baths Fomentations Feetwashes Head-washes warm moist Weather the Act of Venery the Pleasure of sweet Melody gentle rubbing of the Head in a pleasant manner scratching the Back where it itches and all gentle Pleasures that are consistent with lying or sitting still which do all cause a very free Perspiration of Fumes at the Pores that are then most certainly opened by all those Causes as may be proved by statick Demonstration Magnifying Glasses c. cause Sleep seeing they all cause a spending of the Fumes Obj. Some half-witted unthinking Caviller may say That such Things stir up the Vapours c. Answ. What such mean by Vapours stirr'd is not easily determinable but this I know that all stir of Humours or any other thing hinders Sleep and that the longer such Causes of opening the Pores and consequently of perspiring Fumes do last the more we are inclin'd by them to Sleep so that the more our Fumes have been spent the more we are inclined to sleep which is a strange Contradiction if Fumes be the cause of Sleep I can but smile to think how most Physicians come to call several things Vapours First they say that Sleep is from Vapours then call every thing Vapours right or wrong that inclines us to sleep by reason of that false Supposition How then comes Camphire not to be a great Causer of Sleep that is so apt to evaporate 5. Fear Sorrow Grief Melancholy Depression of Spirits Cold c. do most certainly close the Pores as appears by statick Experiments by which means Vapours are much crowded in the Body yet all such Grievances do hinder Sleep as they also do the Effects of Opium and Drunkenness Therefore they do not proceed from Fumes as the World imagines for then these things that crowd in the Fumes and Vapours would promote not hinder Sleep 6. If Fumes are the cause of Sleep then are the cause of Sleep and Vertigo's as the Vaporanians allow the same it follows then that we could never sleep without a Vertigo 7. Many as Dr. Willis says eat their Meat take their Drink c. as other People yet do not sleep at all for many Weeks together which were impossible if the Fumes of Meat and Drink caused Sleep for they by eating and drinking must have those Fumes and consequently Sleep as other People if that were true Thirdly They suppose and take it for granted which I do not for I know the contrary That Opium while it is at Stomach can affect the Brain c. no other way but by Fumes which is a most groundless Supposition For 1. How should a Lump of Curd at Stomach or the Hast of a Knife swallow'd and many such things which can send no Fumes to the Head cause Convulsions Head-achs Vertigo's Syncopes Leipothymies of the whole Man Manias Furors c. if there were not another way for things to affect the Nervosum Genus c. while at Stomach besides sending up Vapours to do it But of this matter to shew how a thing at Stomach may affect the Brain and the whole System of the Nerves c. and how Opium does it without Fumes the 17 18 19 20 c. Chapters will shew you at large Therefore I shall say no more of this at present for it is fit for us first to overthrow that Supposition of Fumes and Vapours before we establish our own For farther Satisfaction then as to that general Supposition of Fumes let us duly and fully consider Things for it is not a slight matter to proceed against a General Opinion that has continued through all Ages or to wipe off the Prejudices acquired thereby Observe 1. That the Brain is a Principal Part. 2. That it is very soft tender and next to a Fluid 3. That very small fine and gentle Things do highly offend it as the Effluvia's of sweet or ill-scented Things causing hysterick and epileptical Fits Syncopes Faintings c. It is also notorious among us Physicians that a little Fume scarce sensible as to Quantity or Quality rising from a Toe Finger c and arriving at the Brain causes dreadful epileptical Fits Vertigo's c. 4. That our Wise and Provident Creator has therefore secured and fortified all the Avenues of the Brain in a more particular manner by several Circumvallations viz. First With the Pia Mater Secondly With the Dura Mater called so from its Hardness Solidity and Strength Thirdly With a strong Skull of a round or arched Figure Fourthly With the Pericranium All which belong to it particularly besides other Integuments common to it with other Parts as 1. The Skin 2. The Cuticle 3. The Membrana Carnosa 4. The Periostium All which do surround it and after all it is Thatched as it were with Hair 5. That the same Providence has taken care which is very observable that none of the Objects of Sensation nor probably any Particle or Effluvium that flies from them should ever reach the Brain but only bare Impulses and they not immediately convey'd but by the Intervention of a fine tenuious soft gentle and most agreeable Aura viz. the Animal Spirits lest any Offence should be given in the least manner to this most tender delicate principal Part and Royal Seat of the Soul all which Care had never been without Necessity for God and Nature do nothing in vain And if you 'll duly consider the Organs of Sensation that are near the Brain you 'll find that they are contrived as Shutters to exclude all extraneous Particles from the Brain for Impulses might have been contrived without their Intervention because they do not alter or improve the Impulses received from Objects for if they did we should not have true notice of Things And seeing they do not alter or improve the Impulses of what Use should they be but to exclude extraneous Particles Eumes Effluvia's c. For instance The tremulous Motion of the Air in the case of Sound would have as truly hit the Auditory Nerve or Membrane without the Tympan and very often much truer without it because of the several Faults and Disorders that it is liable to Yet so necessary was it thought by the best of Iudges who cannot err that it was rather to be placed there with all its Inconveniences that might follow than any way expose the Brain though to the most gentle of Bodies viz. the Air by which in all probability the Animal Spirits themselves are nourished or sustained Were it not that extraneous Particles or Air would offend the Brain What need is there of the Tympan when we know as well by Experience as by the aforesaid Reasons that a Dog c. can hear as well without it upon the first taking it off but that the Hearing will afterward decay because the Brain c. being exposed will be injured What is evident in the case of the Ear may be made so
as to the Nose and Eyes for though some of my Readers may not easily conceive it the Representation of Things might have been conveyed by Reflections and Refractions of Light without excluding the Air but that it was more convenient and safe for the Brain and Optick Nerve which is much the same matter with the Brain and a Production thereof that the Air should be excluded 6. Notwithstanding all this Care to exclude extraneous Particles how fine soever we do find that those very Impulses conveyed by the Animal Spirits themselves in the most gentle manner imaginable do often offend the Brain Now fairly consider the great Excellency and Use of the Brain viz. to separate the Animal Spirits to accommodate the Soul with a fit Seat for it its Tenderness and Softness to be next to Liquidity how carefully it is guarded with about nine or ten Circumvallations or considerable Integuments that those we commonly call Organs of Sensation are contrived for Shutters out or Excluders of the least extraneous Particles Effluvia's or Aura that the least Fume that rises from any Part and arrives at the Brain causes such terrible and dismal Effects and that most gentle touches of the Animal Spirits do offend it so as to cause tragical Events as hysterick Fits Vertigo's c. Is it likely that notwithstanding the Considerableness Tenderness Use and Excellency of the Brain the extraordinary Providence used in guarding it from Effluvia's or extraneous Particles how fine soever and the apparent Mischiefs that the least Fume nay bare Impulses presented by the Animal Spirits do cause that the same Providence that so guarded it which does nothing in vain should after all its Care and nice Circumspection to exclude the least Fume c. permit and freely let loose upon it and into it whole and even continual Gusts Blasts and Vulcano's of acid acrimonious putrid hot stinking corrosive Fumes Vapours and Steams arising from glutted debauch'd and surfeited Stomachs containing all imaginable Trash Hodge-podge Vermine Choler c. sure it is much fitter quite to discharge and rid Nature of them at Mouth or rather send them downward with their fit Companions the stinking Ordure and Excrements than prefer them to the Highest and Noblest Part of the Animal and Sacred Mansion of the Soul For if there be so ready free open and constant a Passage sensible or insensible for the Fumes of Opium which never fails of its Effects then certainly must the Passage be alike free to all other Fumes from the Stomach seeing they are so to those gross venomous and pernicious Fumes of Opium as Willis and most of the modern and ancient Physicians do state them to be Then farewel Soul Brain Life and all for it is not conceivable that the Man can hold out one Houâ— under such horrid and dismal Circumstances and dreadful Eructations of rude and crude Fumes who could not bear the arrival of the least Vapour scarce sensible in Quantity or Quality arising from any other Part Or is it a peculiar Priviledge that the Stomach has thus to send Farts with their Heels upward as Belching is call'd without any offence to perfume the Soul's Presence-Chamber saving your Presence however Foh for shame What sort of Opinions are these What thick stinking and dark Clouds Scotomies and Stupors must the Opiniators be under by their own Consent 7. If this were the case no Part in the whole Body would be in such a miserable state as the Chief for the Rectum or Colon are fitted and fortified by Nature to bear such Things so is not the tender Brain 8. What Horse's Brain much less Humane one could bear incessant Rakings Penetrations Stuffings of such unnatural indigested heterogeneous rugged acid acrimonious putrid and impetuous Fumes If Gutta cavat Lapidem non vi sed saepe cadendo What would become of the tender Brain thus â—udely rubb'd and grated all the days of our Lives if it could hold out any for it is incredible it should 9. How would the Pores of that soft Substance which have no less Office as 't is universally received than to separate Animal Spirits which are or should be the finest and most subtile tenuious and principal Things in an Animal next the Soul it self be discomposed torn dilated stuffed What a blessed Sâ—retion of Animal Spirits if any would there be 10. It is observed by all That the Brain tho' very soft receives the least Change of any Part of the Body which could never be considering its tenderness if it were so raked by all sorts of Fumes for then doubtless such a Body would be most changed of any in Colour Substance Texture Bigness c. What would become of Memory and indeed of all the Faculties of the Brain Can a soft yielding Substance continually discomposed preserve Impressions made thereon If Fumes flow'd continually through the Brain they must wear out all Impression yea and the Brain it self in a short time 11. It would be very dangerous to eat or drink if the Brain must suffer so much by the Fumes of Meat Wine c. It would be hard to know whether it was best to eat or not for both must be fatal 12. What a vast Difference should we observe as to Serenity of Mind c. when empty and full For in this last case the Brain must be all in a Cloud or a Cloud in it or both yet are Men much more serenâ— prompt and fit for any thing after some Glasses of Wine than before and after moderate Eating than when Hungry which makes them faint peevish ill-humour'd and listless 13. If the Vapours or Fumes of Opium flying up to the Brain caused all its Effects it is very strange that our Fumi venduli had not long since found out the Mountebank Gambol of standing upon their Heads to prevent all Mischief from Opium taken in a great Dose for Fumes in a warm living Body would not descend into the Head I wonder they did not find out such an easie and natural Consequence of their Hypothesis if true they might then have boldly mounted any Stage freely taken Opium in the sight of the admiring Rabble their Summersets Going upon their Hands c. would have secured them and turn'd Danger topsie-turvy by the help of a comical Gesture This is indeed somewhat to purpose if it succeeds if not I should think 't were enough to ridicule their Hypothesis out of all Credit without any farther Arguments I dare join Issue with them upon that Point that it will not succeed though a necessary Consequence of their Opinion if true wherein they will have this Advantage That they 'll confess with one that never did or will try it as being well assured of the Falsity of both the Hypothesis and the Experiment without such a Trial of Skill Now I think that I have said enough and would willingly give over arguing and spending any more Time to confute an Hypothesis so absurd that it must needs appear so to
of it and what is to be said thereof more at large hereafter I say then that hot spirituous Cordials for such indeed all proper Cordials are as Brandy Dr. Stephens's Water and such-like having sulphureous Particles so prepared and disposed towards Heat or Fire that they are as it were in Potentia proxima or next Disposition thereto are mighty apt to contract a Heat as you find by Spirit of Wine or Brandy kept the least time in a warm Place or to come closer to the matter in your Mouth wherein being actuated by its Heat they will as in an instant grow so hot and active that you can hardly bear them because Particles of Heat which penetrate any Metal Glass c. immediately as soon as applied thereto will much more easily and sooner penetrate our soft Parts at Mouth or the Crusta Carnosa at Stomach and so reach the most sensile Coat thereof pleasing comforting and exciting the Spiritus insitos as in a moment by their spirituous Heat which we actually feel and sensibly find to please and comfort the Stomach But if some Purging Tincture had been put into the Cordial or Brandy this would not have soaked through the Crusta Carnosa under some time and consequently not operated till it had This may be most manifestly illustrated by some hot Brandy or indeed any hot Liquid put into a porous Dish set upon one's Hand which presently warms it but if the Liquid be tinged with any thing that Tincture will not reach the Hand till the Liquor which is its Vehicle soaks through which may be in an Hour more or less according to the Porosity of the Wood which Tincture is to be compared to the Purgative at Stomach Hence it follows That all Cordials should be a spirituous Liquid if intended for sudden Refreshment which Experience has taught and be given actually warm'd if a very nimble Comfort be required tho' the great Heat of the Stomach above that of the Mouth will generally be sufficient Thus may the Stomach be pleased and comforted grieved and purged with the same Draught but Gracious Providence has given the start to the Cordial which immediately comforts us as a Heater 30. If Opium operated by such Fumes it would at least in a liquid Form begin its Operation as soon as it is at Stomach for it would begin to send up Fumes as soon as it began to be warm which is presently and be at a very considerable Height of fuming and consequently of Operation in one minute which is about the space of seventy ordinary Pulses but we do not find it begin to operate in that Form under twenty thirty or forty Minutes which is much about the time that a more agreeable and not nauseated Vomitive or Purger begin to affect the sensile Coat of the Stomach and give intimation of their so doing All which and the Sense of Pleasure that we actually then seel at Stomach makes it probable that it operates by affecting the Stomach pleasantly and comfortably after the manner of generous Wine as Purgers and Vomatives do by affecting it grievously all of them except the Wine that pleases and comforts sooner because of its Particles of Heat gain'd by Fermentation operating much in the same time because they take like leisure to soak through the Crusta Carnosa to the sensile Coat of the Stomach 31. All sensitive Pleasure Comfort c. are received by the Senses and though any Part were some way benefited that has no Sense no Comfort would be perceived without Perception none could say that he is comforted What fitter Part is there to be pleased and comforted by Sensation than the Stomach which has such exquisite Sense that it can discern the vomitory Particles in Infusion of the Grocus or Regulus of Antimony which no Sensation but that at Stomach can discern and so small that a thousand Vomitories made thereof by Infusion do not sensibly diminish the Grocus or Regulus as to Weight or Bulk nor can I conceive where any sensible Comfort can be perceiv'd by a spoonful of Cordial but at Stomach where it actually is and upon whose Coats it immediately insists Is it not there that we feel the Comfortâ— and where should we find it but there What would the Effluviums of a Spoonful signifie if mix'd with 100000 times as much insenâ—ile Bloud and what Part besides the Stomach that the Bloud touches can be sensible of it So that if Effluviums were granted 't is thither they must return to cause any considerable Pleasure or Comfort But what need any Reâ—urn of the inconsiderable Effluvia when the main Body of the Cordial yea all lies upon the Stomach already I must forbear running into the Business of other Chapters having been tedious enough upon the Subject of this and the rather because it was so general and so rooted an Opinion in the Minds of Men in all Ages and in all Sects of Physicians and Natural Philosophers that I could not say too much to endeavour to free the World from the Slavery of such an Imposition and the innumerable ill Consequences of such a fundamental and overgrown Errour Which certainly must have been long since exploded if ingenious Men had first thought and then spoke freely but the Truth is there were many and great Causes to the contrary as those intimated in the last Paragraph and the mighty Usefulness and ready Officiousness of that Opinion of Fumes to answer for all the more obscure and latent Causes of the Maladies and Disasters of the Brain and Genus Nervosum If any enquired or called for the Cause of a Vertigo the Physician answered Fumes of Epilepsies it was answered Fumes of Scotomies it was Fumes of Head-achs Megrims Coma's Caros Lethargies c. it was Fumes of Hysterick Fits Convulsions Spasms Cramps c. it was Fumes nay they answered as Causes to all Distillations Catarrhs Epiphora's or weeping Eyes and all even ordinary Tears all which they said were only these Fumes turn'd into Water by the Coldness of the Brain as they are in a Still or Alembick so hot Fumes accounted for Phrensies Deliriums Ravings c. So that however other Heads were the Physician 's was stuff'd therewith and all Meteors of the Microcosm's Upper Region whether hot or cold were as those in the Macrocosm formed out of Fumes as he imagined Thus you see all the Opinions and Hypothesises that have been concerning the Operation of Opium to be most absurd and directly contrary to all Sense Reason and Experience CHAP. XI Opium does not diminish or disable the Spirits by any means whatsoever HAving sufficiently demonstrated that Opium cannot diminish or disable the Spirits by the cold Quality of the Ancients or Fumes of the Moderns and that neither of them have as much as any Being I shall now add that Opium does not diminish or disable the Spirits by any other means whatsoever I would not be mistaken when I say That Opium does not diminish or disable
the Spirits by any means for there is nothing so good in Nature but will do it if used unduely or immoderately as Wine Bread Milk Honey Sugar Beer c. in excess for I intend that it does not do it when duely and moderately used 1. That which refreshes the Wearied and highly prevents Weariness must add to or excite the Spirits which is directly contrary to diminishing or disabling them but Opium does in a most eminent manner refresh the Wearied and prevent Weariness therefore it does not diminish or disable the Spirits Some have been so silly and inadvertent as to object that it refresh'd the Weary only by Sleep It is Matter of Fact that it refreshes them whether they Sleep or no and that without failing as often as it is used in that Case Others that were no Wiser have said that it only took off the sense of Weariness by stupifying which happened by the diminishing or disabling of the Animal Spirits Bare Insensibleness cannot enable the Spirits to Labour with eminent Briskness and Alacrity as Men most certainly do after Opium is taken being finely enlivened and invigorated as with generous Wine if they do not know this to be true let them for shame hold their Tongues till they know Matter of Fact which if they will not they proclaim themselves to be idle and impertinent Babblers but if they will patiently and wisely abstain arguing till they are satisfied as to Matter of Fact then will they be past Opinion and Hypothesis in that Case for they will have sensible and certain Knowledge of the contrary and the Truth of what I say which will end all Controversy and precarious Squabbles upon false Suppositions as the manner is that cannot lead them to what is Right but by meer chance and never to a true Knowledge that they are in the Right which makes it none in effect for they can do nothing with Assurance but only suppose and hope they are in the Right when they are as much out to their Patient's sorrow as Physicians have been in the cold Quality and Fumes of Opium It is true that a Grain or Two of Opium will if a Man composes himself sitting or lying still cause a Sleepiness equal to that caused by spending the Spirits by a Day 's Labour but spending of the Spirits is not the only no nor best proportioned or more adequate cause thereof as I have shewn If loss of Spirit were the adequate cause of Sleep how should good and generous Wine cause Sleepiness after that eminent Rate as it does in most People How should the most pleasing Musick incline such as lie or sit still to sleep but if one Dances thereto it makes him more lively and brisk than ordinary The like exactly do Wine and Opium if Men lie or sit still but otherwise they make them much more brisk and lively and able to undergo Labour Action c. Which Note that you may not any more wonder that Enliveners and Exciters of the Spirits do cause Sleep as well as Diminishers thereof and observe that they are all pleasing things as Musick Wine and Opium which cause Pleasant Dreams Pleasant Watchings Pleasant Humours c. Expect more of this Matter in the following Chapters and all by degrees according as I Judge the prejudiced World will bear Things For a great Paradox how true soever must not be abruptly obtruded but gently and gradually ushered in by insinuating Reasonings otherwise it will be entertained like a rude Stranger that contradicts a Multitude in Fashions and Customs that they have always used and judged to be the very best however blameable Consider that if Opium diminished or disabled the Spirits proportionable to the Sleepiness that it causes as a hard Day 's Labour does then if Opium were given a Man after a hard Day 's Labour it would be as it were adding another hard Day 's Labour to cure it the Day 's Labour and Opium impairing the Spirits alike Think what a miserable Condition the poor Man would be in especially if Sleep did not make him some amends it would be such as were utterly intollerable but so far is Opium from any such Effect that it refreshes him tho' he Sleep not at all after the hard Day 's Labour and not only so but will enable him to Work all the following Night with great Alacrity if need requires it What a Condition would those be in who take a Drachm of it twice a day for 10 20 or 30 years Nay how could any possibly do it for half 10 days if a Grain or Two destroyed the Spirits so much as to cause Sleepiness thereby as hard Labour does Which they must allow that assert it causes Sleep by diminishing or disabling the Spirits But some may say tho' very inconsiderately that it only disables them for the time of its Operation That is strange indeed considering that even during that time they are mostly enabled to Work or Labour tho' tired before and that it 2. Causes Comfort Refreshment Ovation of the Spirits all the time of its Operation as Wine moderately taken does especially if People keep themselves in Action Labour c. otherwise indeed they may fall asleep upon the comfortable satisfaction contentation of Mind and acquiescence of Spirit that it occasions as Wine does 3. The first Effect that we find of Opium which may therefore probably be a very leading fundamental and significant Effect is that it causes a most agreeable pleasant and charming sensation about the Region of the Stomach which if one lies or sits still inclines him to Sleep if not it makes him gay good humour'd brave c. It is a Pleasure so sweet and delicious that tho' I endeavour'd to express it by the Ovation of the Spirits upon Joy a good Genius informing a Man or the Helmâ—sians Archeus in his best Humour or a continual Vâ—real Pleasure Wine drank ad Hilaritatem c. yet I doubt all my Ways of expressing it do come short of the charming Complacency that it causes Therefore if Wine Musick a good Meal agreeable Frication of the Head or Back the sound of Waters c. do incline us to Sleep by the Pleasure thereof which lulls and sooths us to it as is most certain if we sit or lie still much more must the high Charms of Opium cause it That it is a Pleasure that affects by one of our Senses namely by Feeling is indisputable for it is not a Pleasure of the Eye Nose Tongue or Ear and it must be sensitive because caused by Matter and that Opium has doubtless the like Effect upon Brutes who have no other Pleasure but what is sensitive That it is at Stomach is also evident where we can be pleased only by the Sense of Feeling That it is involuntary and pleases us whether we will or no and that the same Particles excite Venery Itching c. Now all the Senses especially Feeling and particularly that at Stomach are given us for
as appears by several Places or Passages of the Premises and in the waking more than in such as are asleep 6. It is manifest that they are elastick by their springing into a Limb held up or down and that with such Force as to cause a great Pain after they have been excluded from it by some Accident as leaning or pressing too hard upon a Nerve c. for neither Levity nor Gravity can do so especially both up and down as was said nor is there any Propulsory Engine for them as is for the Blond therefore it must be from their springiness 7. They could not cause brisk and smart tremulous motions in the Body if they were not elastick for such cannot be conceived by any means without it but there are several brisk and smart tremulous motions caused by the Animal Spirits as in the Shiverings of Ague Fits Frights Cold Surprizes sudden or exquisite Pain Tremors of the Hands Head c. in Old Age in some Convâ— c. Therefore the Animal Spirits that cause them are elastick 8. Muscles have no springiness of themselves when the Animal Spirits are excluded from them as in Palsies c. but all Muscles in their Exertion are very springy insomuch that if you hold any of them back or restrain them from their motion and again suddenly leave them at liberty during the Exertion they or any Part moved by them will spring out very violently as in Flipping an Arm held back c. But nothing proves this Matter better than the Tongue in forming the Sound of the Letter R for in that Case the Tongue after it is put in Tension and Exertion being suddenly hit against the Inside or Gums of the Upper Teeth does thereupon as Springy Bodies used to do fall into a tremulous motion or jarring that causes the snarling sound of R which nothing but springy Matter can do 9. Were they not springy they could never convey the tremulous motion of sound to the sensitive Soul and indeed over all the Systeme of the Nerves by which is caused as may be proved that Motion of Consent call'd Dancing and the Fingers c. to move and keep Time with the Musick even when it or the Finger are not as much as thought of because the Animal Spirits have the same Capacity with the Air to receive and convey it by Reason of their springiness and greater by Reason of their more forcible Compression by the Vigilative Contraction super added to the Compression of the Air under which they are as well as the Air it self as plain Reason tells us for that which Compresses the whole Body must needs Compress the Animal Spirits The Experiments of the Air-Pump do confirm the same 10. There can be no doubt but the Animal Spirits are nourish'd or sustain'd by the Air if they be not Air therefore they are elastick What needs any more Arguments when several of the former are Demonstrative And that 11. All Physicians and Phylosophers that I know of do allow that the Animal Spirits are elastick Secondly It is requisite as was said of the External Medium that they should be compressed to render them fit to convey Impressions and that they are compressed is evident as was before intimated 1. By the Atmosphere 2. By the Vigilative Contraction which makes them much more disposed to convey Impressions than the External Medium besides that very often Two other Contradictions that are shewn in the remaining Part of this Chapter are added thereto and that the Animal Spirits are wholly contained in Pipes to prevent their Expansion and that of the narrowest sizes that can well be imagined but the Air or External Medium is at large in the Atmosphere so that all the Impressions made upon the Animal Spirits are very tightly closely and smartly convey'd nor have they but a little Way to pass that is the length of the Animal at most which also may be some Advantage to small Creatures But in Sleep the Vigilative Contraction being lost and the Animal Spirits thereupon expanded all Impulses must needs be carried very faintly both because the Organs or Membranes are indisposed by Relaxation and the Animal Spirits by Expansion upon that Relaxation for want of due Compression to fit them Thus have you after many vain Enquiries the true Mechanical Cause of the Difference of Sensation Sleeping and Waking and the plain Reason why our Motions are so feeble in Sleep viz. Because the Animal Spirits have lost much of their Force Springiness c. for want of due Compression by Reason of the Relaxation of all the Vessels that include the Spirits Thirdly It is in some Measure requisite that the Animal Spirits should have an Homogeneous Continuity as was shewn by the Analogy of the External Medium which does not convey Impressions as well in the Heat of the Day as in the Night or after Sunset because its Parts are more discontinued and disgregated by the Particles of Heat Fumes c. in the Day Time nay if Things be discontinued they never carry Impressions so well tho' placed contiguously afterward Thus a long Tree that conveys sounds so exactly from one end to the other while all is continued and in one Piece will not convey the sound so well if it be cut into many Pieces tho' they are afterward put close one to the other As to this Matter of Continuity in the Animal Spirits seeing it does not much concern us and that People in a State of Health are supposed to have it and that it is not our Business here to enter upon the Consideration of Nervous Distempers I need not use any more Words about it but that if it any Way happens to be discontinued as either by the Penury thereof that they do not quite fill all Parts of their Vessels or any Matter intercepting their Parts or that the Vessels should be so relaxed or widen'd that the Animal Spirits cannot so well fill them up c. such Causes must destroy or lessen Sensation tho' the bare mixing of Fumes with them would not considering the shortness of the Way that Impressions are carried in Animals much alter the Case as you find Fumes in the Air do not much hinder sound at the distance of a Yard or Two wherein it is insensible to common Observers at least so that if some Fumes from a Grain or Two of Opium did mingle with the Animal Spirits it would not cause a sensible difference of Feeling in the short space of the length of an Animal But I have proved That no such Fume from the Opium mixes with them therefore need say no more of this Matter V. The Office or Business of the sensitive Soul in the Oeconomy of Sensation being to perceive the Impressions conveyed to him by the Animal Spirits that he may if he finds them disagreeable bestir himself in Defence of the Animal First It is requisite he should attend to all Impressions offer'd him by the Animal Spirits otherwise
Sensation of the sensile Parts which cannot well happen in that sound Sleep wherein there is so little Feeling by Reason of the said Relaxation and because Relaxation opposes Contraction by which that Shivering is promoted Such a Relaxation and Failure of Feeling thereupon is the true Cause why Opium puts off Ague Fits c. So 20. The Relaxation in Sleep stops Vomiting by taking away the sense of the irritating Cause and quieting as I have intimated all Motions in general so Sleep stops Hiccoughs Hemorrhages Diary Fevers c. 21. Why Watching Labour or what impairs the Spirits and tires the sensitive Soul inclines us to Sleep that is disposes the sensitive Soul the only Feeler of Lassitude to give over Contracting the Sensile Parts which as will plainly appear by and by spends the Spirits as Sleep by relaxing them causes a Recruit thereof To be short tho' one can hardly be too long in solving Phenomena's which is the Proof of the Truth of a Man's Assertion the Mechanical Demonstration that I have made of the State of Sleeping and Waking does so evidently explicate all the Phenomena's of both that I am even asham'd to run any farther upon such plain Matters so obvious are Things when the Truth is known and therefore having mention'd those Circumstances and Effects of Sleep that mainly concern us I must give over lest the World should think that I take all my Readers to be Idiots by using too many Words in so obvious a Thing or that I am no better for using them without Cause for the Truth of this Matter seems to me to out-shine all the Arguments I can make for it such Splendour does Truth shew upon the first Glimps thereof as I take the Account I gave of Sleep and Watching to be for the Opinions I have met concerning them were quite contrary to or very remote from what I have stated 1. They went quite contrary to it that said That the Animal Spirits were expanded and the Pores of the Brain c. more open and consequently more lax in Watching as Willis and several others who therefore say that Coffee Volatile Salts c. are Antihypnoticks or good against too much Sleepiness because they cause an Expansion of the Spirits and open the Pores of the Brain supposing forsooth that they marched up and down and so kept the greater stir upon the false Imagination of their Roads being more open which as was proved are really more close Coffee keeps us from Sleep by drying binding and both Ways constringing the Vessels as also by a wide grating Quality which therefore does irritate them to contract besides that the Saline Particles causing an Agitation may contribute thereto so that by constringing and agitating it directly opposes Sleep which proceeds from Relaxation and Quietness 2. They were very remote from the Mark that said as Wedeliâ—s asserts all do that Vapours were the cause of Natural Sleep which bear no manner of Proportion thereto as was shewn As they were also who mâ—dly talk'd That the Animal Spirits which have neither Life Sense Motion or Election did of themselves retire very knowingly to the Brain in Sâ—eep and left the Limbs c. destitute of them whereas as has been Mechanically proved they have more Room than that at other times in 〈◊〉 Limbs and all the sensile Parts But I will not argue against such senseless and precarious Absurdities it is not worth the while especially since the Truth is manifestly discovered It would not have been so silly to have affirm'd the quite contrary viz. That the Animal Spirits are forced into the soft and yielding Brain in Watching by the Vigilative Contraction of all the senfile Parts repelling them as when Cold repels them by a strong Contraction of the Parts and causes a Stupor or Sleep thereof as they call it But what have we to do with such insufferable Trash Therefore bidding it adieu let us pursue our Business That it is the Sensitive Soul and nothing but it has that Contracting Power is evident 1. Because it is the Original of all Motion in the Animal as such and that nothing besides it has any Life Perception Motion or Power and therefore must rest till they are moved 2. Because That when the Sensitive Soul is diverted by intense Pleasure from attending his Business immediately Relaxation follows as in the Pleasure of the Act of Venery by Wine Ioy c. in which you have all the Effects of Relaxation as Deadness of the Eyes Dilatation of the Pupilla plentiful Perspiration Floridity of the Skin a large Pulse and sometimes a considerable Failure of Sense and Motion as in the most pleasant time of the Venereal Act Deliquiums Drunkenness Syncopes or Ecstasies upon intense Pleasure which are very properly called Ecstasies Leipothymies Leipopsychies c. which signifie the Soul's leaving us without his Help by Contractions which he then does not exercise as being charm'd and wholly taken up with Pleasure This is the true Cause of all Deliquiums c. upon Pleasure Ioy c. all which cause great Relaxations and thereby Loss of Sense and Motion as being its necessary Consequences 3. Because grievous Sensation which belongs only to the Sensitive Soul puts us immediately out of Sleep into a Vigilative Contraction 4. Because the Sensitive Soul can when we are Sleepy oppose it by continuing the Vigilative Contraction which proves Vigilative Contraction to be in his Power Note That there is also other sorts of Leipothymies Deliquiums c. upon the Sensitive Soul's being over-tired whereof Natural Sleep is but a common and ordinary Degree that happens of Course for our Relief or over-born with some Fatigue c. as when somewhat grieves at Stomach and that it has laid about it all manner of Ways by Vomiting Convulsive Motions c. to be rid of it till it can work no longer whereupon it lays down the Cudgels desists from all further Endeavour by Contractions yielding it self to Ease seeing all Striving is to no Effect So that tho' this Deliquium and the former differ in their first Causes yet do they agree in the last and immediate viz. the Sensitive Soul 's not attending his Business of Contraction whereupon follows a mighty Relaxation as appears by the Deadness or Relaxation of the Cornea Dilatation of the Pupil a great Laxity of all Parts a large Pulse or none very plentiful Perspiration Stops of Hemorrhages and all Fluxes that require Contraction c. which happen both upon the Account of the great Relaxation it self as has been shewn and the almost absolute Rest of all Things by the Sensitive Soul's withdrawing himself from Business more than in Sleep it self I therefore observing the Degrees of Sleep c. do Note That God and Nature using a due Proportion in all Things the Sensitive Soul uses several Degrees of Relaxation according as he is tired and Refection is wanted Hence it is that such as are much tired sleep more profoundly that our first
Sleeps are the soundest and that Sleep gradually declines in degrees as we are recruited till we awake the nearer which we are the more we dream the state of Dreaming being a kind of Twilight between sound Sleep and Awaking or between a full somniferous Relaxation and vigilative Contraction And as the Sensitive Soul uses all degrees of Contraction below that of the Vigilative till it comes to bare Compression of the Air so it can exercise super-vigilative Contraction if I may so call it that is much higher degrees thereof than what was requisite ordinarily for a state of Vigilancy as in Cases of Danger to the Animal Frights Terrours grievous Passions and Sensations by which means the animal Spirits being more compressed than under the ordinary vigilative Contraction Sensation grows more nice and smart and Motion more prompt and vigorous they always going together for the Defence of the Animal by extraordinary Flight Repulsion or otherwise Hence it is upon Fear Terrour grievous Passion or Sensation which manifestly proves the Being of such an extraordinary Contraction upon such Occasions That 1. Perspiration sails in a yet higher degree than under bare or ordinary vigilative Contraction as appears by infallible statick Experiments and Demonstrations 2. It is by reason of the said defensive Contraction for so I call it because it is excited in an extraordinary manner for the defence of the Animal in time of need or great Exigence That in Frights Terrours c. our Hair Dogs c. does stand on end or more upright 1. Because the Pores do by that violent Contraction strictly close about the Root of the Hair that it cannot swag incline or yield any way by reason of its Weight c. as when the Skin is more lax and soft and the Pores wherein the Hair is fixed more open 2. Because which is the main Reason the said Contraction renders the oblique Pores more upright as suppose the Pores and Hair do naturally stand obliquely as they do to carry off Wet c. as in Fig. 1. Fig I Fig II And that a in Fig. 1. is by the said Contraction brought nearer to i as much as is from a to o then will the Pores and Hair stand upright as in Fig. 2. and the Skin a o e i s contracted and brought within the prick'd Perpendiculars whereas in Fig. 1. it excur'd beyond the Perpendicular n m as much as is from a to o. 3. For the same Reason it is That the Face in grievous Passions and Sensations as acute Pain c. is contorted and wrung awry as you see in Persons that cry because of Grievances after the same manner as when they strive to lift up a great Weight and that at the same time Tears and Moisture at Nose and Mouth are squeezed out by the same Contraction which makes People use the Saying of Casting Snot about when Men cry It is for the same Reason that People's Mouths water extreamly when they are trimm'd with a bad Razor that puts them to Pain which contracts the Parts and squeezes out the Spittle 4. The Pulse grows sensibly narrower and harder by the same Contraction 5. It is by the Contraction upon grievous Sensation that our Mouths water very much upon a Nausea at Stomach because of the continuity of the Membranes of the Mouth and Stomach 6. The same Contraction is the true Reason why People upon Hunger which is a grievous Sensation at Stomach have so much Moisture or Spittle in their Mouths and so much the more when they see good Victuals and cannot have it because the Grievance which causes the Contraction that squeezes it out is by so much the greater This is the cause why the Mouth waters when hungry People see or smell good Victuals By the same Contraction Moisture is squeezed out into the Oesophagus or Gullet and the Menstruum into the Stomach at the same time where observe God's Good and Wise Providence that Hunger which calls for Meat at the same time provides Spittle to lubricate it for swollowing and to help Digestion render the Gullet slippery and distensible and causes the Menstruum to flow more abundantly into the Stomach and all this when most needed and that exactly in proportion to the Hunger or grievous Sensation that causes the Contraction It is well worth your nothing That God's Wisdom does always cause the Want of what is necessary in sensile Creatures to be the solliciting and urging Cause for supply that a due Proportion may be observed between the Supply and the Want which may upon the telling of it appear so plain a Case that it is scarce worth the mentioning but believe me it is so little observ'd as plain as it may seem to be that People have and do err extravagantly for want of noting it which if they had noted they could never have said that Vapours or the retiring of Spirits into the Brain c. was the Cause or Call of natural Sleep nor feigned Menstruums to be the cause of Hunger but would have duly considered what is mainly supplied by Eating or recruited by Sleeping c. and then had nothing to do but to conclude the Defect of that to have been the Cause that solicited for the Supply in proportion to the Defect Which if observed will most naturally and easily lead you to the true Knowledge of the Causes of all Appetites in an Animal upon a few Minutes Consideration for want of which most plain and one would think very obvious Method the deviating World has sadly puzzled it self about the Cause of Hunger Thirst Sleep and the like to this day and still is in Disputes about them of which tho' my advertent Reader may well prevent me by using that natural Method I shall God willing give an account in my Tract of Animal Mechanism Only note here That I do not mean bare privative Defect as such to be the positive Cause but that the Defect of what keeps or guards the Stomach c. from the Grievance causes other Matter to grieve it cause Hunger c. without which means no Proportion can be observed between Hunger and what takes it away or our Food 7. The same defensive Contraction does upon grievous Sensation as Pain Cold Terrour c. cause a Corrugation of the Scrotum contract the Skin into little Tubercles like that of a Goose-Skin c. 8. By it upon grievous Sensation as by squeezing the Nose very hard pulling the Hair Sand or any such thing in the Eye or a Grievance by the Volatile Particles of Onions Mustard Horse-Radish-Roots c. the Parts and Membranes about the Eyes contracting squeeze out Tears that what grieves the Eyes may thereby be washed away or qualified as much as the Tears can do it 9. By this Contraction repelling the Bloud the Skin grows Pale by Cold Fear Pain c. which also closing the Pores stop Sweat as in a moment You 'll have an account hereafter how Contraction may cause Sweat
by squeezing in some Cases and stop it by shutting the Pores in other Cases 10. It is by it that Contraction that Fear Cold c. closing the Pores and repelling the Bloud stanch Bleeding So happens also a greater Contraction of the Pupil of the Eye by the same Cause 11. It is the Violence of this Contraction upon Fear Terrour Pain Cold c. closing the small Vessels of the Animal Spirits and thereby repelling them causes the Shivering in those Cases by the Renitency of the elastick Animal Spirits springing back again toties quoties having gain'd more elastick Force by the very Compression it self which that Contraction causes so that by reason of the dubious velitation or skirmishing between the repelling Contraction and the springing Spirits happens a tremulous Motion as of quavering Springs which Shivering in Ague-Fits did formerly lead me to the Situation of the Cause of Agues when I writ my Book De Febribus intermittentibus in the Angustiae at the end of the Vessels which terminate in the Membranes the grievous Sensation of which causes all the Shivering that happens in any Case to Animals 12. By the same Contraction when very violent and of the whole Body cold Sweats happen in Pain Fear Terrour c. while it violently squeezes out the outmost and therefore coldest Moisture of our Bodies as Laundresses do Water out of wet Linnen by Contortion Thus if you dip one half of a wet cold Sheet in hot Water wrapping the hot side within the cold or let a warm Sheet that is contorted cool on the out-side of it and then wring it as Women do Linnen the Water that first exudates will be cold for in this Case the closing of the Pores avails nothing to hinder it as long as the expressing Force masters it more especially in Animal Bodies wherein the Parts are so contrived that Humours design'd for Exoretion cannot well return and therefore must upon Contraction run out Hence it is that Alum or Vitriol which are very astringent and therefore close the Pores will notwithstanding cause the Mouth or Nose to run very plentifully with Moisture by contracting all the Membranes about the Mouth or Nose and thereby squeezing out the Moisture design'd to be excern'd which cannot return because the Parts are contriv'd against the return or readmittance thereof whereas Alum or Vitriol will stanch or stop Bloud by the same Contraction because it may return as not being design'd to be excern'd either into the Arteries and so pass by other Branches thereof or which is more ready and natural keep its course into the Veins So the two Riddles that I have known some Proud Physicians amaz'd at tho' but Trifles of Alum and Vitriol causing the Spittle c. to come out instead of stopping it by their Astringency and their stopping Bloud at Nose at the same time they cause the Snot or other Humours to run out are unfolded 13. It is by this mighty Contraction growing to an enormous degree that the Animal Spirits being violently compressed grow exceeding irrequiete as upon Convulsions in great Pain or very grievous Sensation at Stomach c. while the sensitive Soul compressing them with mighty Force and somewhat disorderly and unevenly because of the Confusion and Hurry he is in to relieve the Animal they by their springiness fling up and down with great Vigour This makes convulsive Motions have great Strength 14. The Body under this Contraction is manifestly shrunk by measure especially when the Sensation is very grievous but most of all if they cause a general Convulsion which I manifestly observed in a little Bitch that was convulsive all over for three Hours and was just expiring when I gave her the Sal Volat. Oleos of Opium which perfectly restored her by relaxing the Vessels Some may think it strange That Nature should contrive a more nice and smart Sensation which the Contraction of the Vessels of the Animal Spirits must cause by compressing them c. in Pain and by it which becomes so much the more acute whereas one would judge That Nature would rather contrive its Ease than improve its Smart You are to know That the Pain is in order to relieve the Animal by exciting all its Powers to defend expel or reject the Cause and that without a grievous Sensation the sensitive Soul is neither minded nor excited to do it and the more the Pain is the more it is stirr'd up to Self-preservation and as was shewn the more vigorous do its Motions grow by the Compression of the elastick Spirits to perform that Work so Nature not regarding the Pain which is rather for good as much as taking away the Cause advances that for this Purpose like a wise Physician who finding a Grievance at Stomach not sufficient to excite effectual Vomiting to throw away the grieving Cause adds to the Grievance by giving a Vomit which because as was said Nature is proportionably excited to and invigorated for Self-preservation sufficiently sollicites and enables it by a stronger Contraction to reject the grieving Matter As the greater the Relaxation is the more is the Rest of all Parts and the weaker the Animâ—l Spirits because less compressed the gentler are all Motions as you see in Sleep consequently the less is the Expence of Spirits so that in Sleep we generate more than we spend and are thereby recruited So the more the Contraction is the more violent is the Motion of the Heart Intestines and of all Parts and consequently the Expence of Spirits is the greater Therefore it can be no Wonder That Contractions do cause great Commotions of Spirits Diary Fevers c. when you consider 1. That the sensitive Soul is by the grievous Sensations c. that cause them put upon a great Fret Concern and Hurry to defend the Animal and lays about him all manner of ways for Self-preservation 2. That the Animal Spirits are by means of great Compression caused by the defensive Contraction in a very forcible Springiness which causes all the Actions that are continual involuntary and of course to be perform'd with great Violence proportionable to its compressed Elasticity Besides that 3. The Systoles of the Heart are oâ—tener repeated All which conspire to cause greater Commotions upon grievous Sensations whereby Diary Fevers c. are caused which are easily and naturally cured by Sleep or Relaxation at present compose and quiet those Perturbations Who knows tho' it is not my Business to discuss it at present but that the Contractions in the cold Fits of Agues have a great hand in causing the hot ones How otherwise should Opium by only taking away the grievous Sensation of the cold Fits take off or prevent the hot Fits also But of this in my often-mentioned Tract though not so often as it grieves me that it is not published How reasonably may we now expect That pleasant Sensation may cause quite contrary Effects to that of grievous Sensation viz. Relaxation and all its Effects
which have been in some measure enumerated in the Case of Natural Sleep in this Chapter viz. Satisfaction Composure of Frets and Commotions as of diary Fevers hysterick Fits c. Perspiration quieting of Vomitings Hiccoughs c. lessening of Feeling and consequently a stop and moderation of all Fluxes that depend upon Irritation of Humours as Diarrhea's Dysenteries Catarrhs Vomitings Driness of the Mouth as in Sleep for want of the Contraction to squeeze the Spittle out of the Glandules into the Mouth Nocturnal Pollutions c. But of the Nature and Effects of Pleasure you 'll find more in the next Chapter Besides the Vigilative and Defensive Contractions which seem to be Things of course upon Waking and Grievances the sensitive Soul has a Contraction at Will as that of the Pupilla when an Animal is intent upon Seeing of the Tympan when intent upon Hearing of the Musoles of the Legs when intent upon Walking and so of all the Muscles of the Body which I call Intentivâ— Contraction that he can perform either along with or without the other Contractions or without any great degree thereof as when one is considerably relaxed with the Pleasure of Wine very good News c. nay sometimes even in Sleep as is manifest by the Noctamâ—uli or such as walk in their Sleep and such as speak strike c. while asleep And as the Defensive Contraction does all it can in our Defence without the Direction of the Will as in Vomiting Sneezing Purging c. upon sensible Irritation so this Intentive Contraction does all it can to the same Purpose by the Direction and Dictates thereof Note That inâ—ensile growing Things that do not move as Trees c. have none of these Contractions but what happens by Cold and Compression of the Atmosphere which are sufficient it seems for Nutrition but not for Sense and Motion it follows That in compleat Syncopes when the sensitive Soul gives over all Contractions that we are much in the state of a Plant. All those three Contractions viz. the Vigilative Defensive and Intentive do because they promote Motion and cause it more or less as you find the Vigilative causes much more of it than Sleep and the Defensive more than that c. spend the Spirits cause Weariness c. The Vigilative Contraction does of it self without any considerable Grievance or Labour that is without the Denfensive or Intentive Contraction tire the sensitive Soul in about 16 Hours Hence it is that the idlest Person that is most free from Care Trouble or Pain cannot well hold out without the Recruit of Sleep any longer The Defensive Contraction or that of Grievances being added to the Vigilative Contraction the Spirits are faster spent and the Person tired proportionably sooner according as the Grievance is more or less and consequently the Endeavours of the sensitive Soul to be rid thereof To both which Contractions viz. the Vigilative and Defensive if you add the Intentive or Labour then are you sooner and more tired than by only those two former Contractions for this last Case is labouring in Pain or under a Grievance which notoriously tires Man or Beast sooner than ordinary The direct contrary to which is sleeping soundly and sweetly without Trouble Pain or Dreams for a dreaming Condition has too much of the vigilative Contraction in it to be pure Relaxation and Recruit Now according as these Contractions are or are not added one to another we are sooner or later before we are tired speaking generally and not considering Custom and Habit which concerns us not You see that all the three Contractions conourring do soon and sadly tire us that no two of them tire us as much as the three together that iâ— neither the Vigilative and Defensive without the Intentive nor the Vigilative and Intentive without the Defensive and the Vigilative alone least of all Yet allowance must be made for the Intensness of the Defensive and Intentive for either of these two being very intense may tire as much as both in a moderate degree Thus a Man may be tired with violent Labour in four Hours tho' not in Pain as much as one that moderately labours in some small Pain for the same time Observe That we recruit in eight Hours generally speaking as much by relaxation in Sleep as we spend by vigilative Contraction in sixteen I take the Reason of that to be That Relaxation widening all the Passages of the Body the Nutriment is admitted into them more fully and freely as the Bloud is into the Skin in Sleep and all Relaxations which cause an Efflorescence thereof in those Cases Hence it is that we are so much recruited and nourished in Sleep that Children grow more than others proportionably that Relaxers cause the Breasts c. to grow Note What a mighty Restaurative Relaxation is By its help for eight Hours in twenty four we can watch all and labour most of the other sixteen all the days of our Life It follows That if we could any way half relax the vigilative Contraction while we Labour take a Iourney or the like that we might perform prodigiously without being â—ired Hence it is That because Pleasure as has been intimated relaxes as Grievances contract of which you may expect farther Proof in the next Chapter that such as work or travel pleasantly diverted all the time are tired very little or nothing in a long time and that some will dance whole Nightâ— with sweet Musick and agreeable beloved Company without being so much tired as they would be if they us'd the same Motions for a quarter of the time without either of the pleasant Diversions The like is to be said of any other Pleasure as drinking a good Glass of generous Wine every half hour or so often as to continue the sense of its Pleasure at Stomach all the time they labour or travel for 't is a vulgar Errour tho' the universal Sentiment of Mankind both Learned and Unlearned That Wine Cordials c. do comfort elevate and excite the Spirits as 't is call'd by adding their Spirits to or joining them with ours whereas it is only by causing a pleasant Sensation particularly at Stomach For which Paradox I am obliged tho' in great haste to come to the Explication of Opium to give my Reasons which are as follows viz. 1. It cannot be imagined how a sensitive Creature as such can conceive any Comfort or be sensible thereof but by Sensation To say he is comforted and not sensible of the Comfort is a Contradiction for Comfort as such belongs to a perceiving Being and an Animal as such perceives nothing but by the Senses and therefore there can be no Comfort but by pleasant Sensation nay as such it is his Comfort So Musick pleasant Sights Odours and agreeable Objects of all the Senses are comfortable because pleasant I hope that none will say That Musick Sights good News c. which highly comfort have any Spirits to add to ours The
be well removed This proves how useful Removals may be and how convenient in Plague Time it would be to remove to the Wind-side of a Town or City that is tainted according as the Wind changes and how convenient Winds are to convey away the Effluviams and good Stomachick Cordials that are warm and pleasant to fortifie the Stomach and open the Pores which all Things that cause a sense of Pleasure do as Wine Spirits c. to which if some good Preparation of Opium were added it would be most convenient How many Stories have we of Persons well fill'd with Wine who wonderfully escaped Infection I pray God this Hint may be improv'd to the Preservation of Mankind Therefore I add that much may be in a good Quantity of Wine in this Case 1. Because Quod intus est prohibet alienum that is What is within hinders ingress of another Thing 2. Because the Perspiration will be the greater both upon the Account of the greater opening of the Pores by the Pleasure of the Wine and the greater Quantity of Matter to be perspired carry off the venemous Particles 3. Because the Sensitive Soul is thereby much comforted refreshed and invigorated but I would have the Wine so used as to keep a continual Warmth Pleasure and Comfort at Stomach which is the main Cause of all the good I think a Glass every Hour after taking 2 or 3 at first may hit the Mark best the Reason of which will appear hereafter Thirdly The Stomach 's exquisite Disposition to Sensation above all other Organs and Membranes appears by this viz. That the Offences of the other Organs of Sensation even by their proper Objects do often affect the Stomach more than those very Senses or Organs themselves For Instance If we smell a great Stench the Stomach is often more offended thereat than the Nose as is manifest from the Vomitings Faintings and Deliquiums that are caused by the Stomach upon that Account so the bare Seeing Feeling and Tasting of a nasty Thing do cause Nauseas c. at Stomach yea the very naming of such Things has much offended it and caused such Effects which may be thought very strange considering that there pass no Effluvias from the sound of Words but the Reason will appear in the following Paragraph Fourthly All Passions Commotions and Perturbations that happen in the Body do often affect the Stomach and sometimes so grievously as to cause Nauseas Vomitings great Anxieties at Stomach Faintings c. Thus Fear Terrour Surprizes Anger Grief Pain in other Parts c. causing some Motion in the Animal more than ordinary of which the Stomach being sensible do cause the aforesaid Disturbances Therefore it is no Wonder if the Hearing one mention a Nasty Thing which causes an Abhorrence and the Motions consequent thereunto should as was said in the precedent Paragraph cause the nice Stomach to be offended It is most manifest from the Premises that no Organ or Membrane can compare with the Stomach as to its exquisite Disposition for Sensation it follows then That Grievances or Pleasure at Stomach must have the greater Effects 1. Because the Intenseness of either will be proportionable to the Sensation 2. Because the Powers of the Animal that are to defend it which are Contractions are affected according to the Sensation and that it is there most requisite sensibly to affect them 3. Because what affects the Stomach influences the whole Animal more than the Sensation of any other Part. 4. Because of the considerable Stay that Things make at Stomach to cause Grievance or Pleasure whereas that of Pleasure is generally very momentary in other Cases 5. Because being within the Body we carry our Pleasure or Grievance with us as a Vade Mecum wherever we go and therefore 6. It is a Pleasure c. that cannot so well be taken away from us as that of the Tongue Ear Nose Eye c. may by removing the Objects and therefore it remains with us in our very Sleep as far as we are capable of Sensation at that Time causing pleasant Dreams c. and so agreeably entertaining us Sleeping or Waking when the Pleasure of all the other Senses fails us Which will appear farther hereafter The Pleasure at Stomach excells even that of Venery if not in Intenseness yet in several other Respects viz. 1. Because of its duration that of Venus being momentary but that of Wine at Stomach lasts a good while and that of Opium many hours 't is therefore that the Effects of these Two are more remarkable and taken notice of 2. Because that at Stomach may be continued as long as we please by a new supply of Wine Opium Cordials c. 3. Because it may be excited when and as often as we please if we have those Cordials at Hand 4. Because it is not attended with any Expence of Strength Depression of Spirits c. as that of Venery but the quite contrary viz. with more Vigour Elevation of the Spirits c. one being by Emission and the other upon Admission of what is agreeable It is for the several Reasons contain'd in the Premises that the Effects of Grievance as Hunger c. or Pleasure are more considerable and remarkable at Stomach and that Things agreeable thereto have by way of Eminence gain'd the Name of Cordials That Wine Spirits Opium c. do cause a more permanent and notable Gaity Pleasantness Good Humour Serenity Promptitude Ovation of the Spirits or Sensitive Soul Bravery Courage Magnanimity Euphory or easie undergoing of Business Relaxation with all its Effects as Deadness of the Eye Dilatation of the Papilla Perspiration c. which are hardly noted in other short Pleasures unless it be in that eminent tho' short one of Venus which is a Pleasure of the same sense of Feeling as that of Opium and Wine are Therefore pleasing the Stomach is one of the greatest Things to be regarded in the Practice of Physick to Comfort Satisfie or Compose the Spirits by which Means I have often performed such Cures that neither I nor I suppose any other could otherwise perform namely Dejections of Appetite Untowardness at Stomach c. when all the ordinary and usual Means have failed by asking them what they mostly desired or long'd for and letting them have it or if they could not tell of any Thing that they long'd for I have mentioned to them all the Relishing Things that I could think of and such as were grateful to the Stomach till they fasten'd upon somewhat that they liked or fancied and then being given them it generally had the desired Success The Stomach is grieved for it will concern us to know how because Opium causes Vomiting c. generally speaking 1. By Things hard of Digestion as heavy Bread Mushroms Rosins and such like 2. By Things acrimonious or pungent as Vomitories of Asarabacca Groundsil Squills c. which abound with Volatile salt 3. By Things that stick to the Stomach which
only the opening of the Pores so that I need add no more Words about it for the fame Cause must have the same Effect therefore an intense and permanent Pleasure must have all or much of the Effects of Sleep in general as has been shewn It cannot therefore be any Wonder that Opium causes Sleep Yet is there Difference between Sleep and Pleasure upon other Accounts tho not upon the Account of Relaxation viz. because 1. That Sleep requires also a rest of Spirits or the sensitive Soul whereas Relaxation by Pleasure is consistent with motion of the Spirits either by outward Action or internal motion thereof by some inward Causes Hence it is First That we can Labour Travel Dance c. and enjoy Pleasure and its Relaxation Volantary motion which requires only a particular Contraction of some Parts by the Dictates of the Will or Appetite being consistent with the general Relaxation by Reason of the Prerogative of the Will Thus do we move tho' more relaxed or when most Merry and pleased with Wine nay some will walk in their Sleep when extreamly intâ—t upon a Thing as when awake which shews the ruling Power of intentive Contraction that may be exercised with Relaxations and other Contractions as the Will it self may or intentive Appetite Secondly That Pain is often taken away by Opium by the Diversion and Relaxation caused by Pleasure and its Inconsistence with Pain without Sleep which requires the aforesaid Rest That bare Relaxation as such does not include tho' Relaxation suffices to take away Pain Thirdly That Opium does by its Heat active Particles c. hinder some Persons to Sleep yet have you in both these last Cases all other Effectâ— of Opium as Pleasure Indolence Relaxations c. which shews how far Sleep is from being a constant and the most genuine Effect of Opium as is generally imagined however we must allow it as has been shewn to be a mighty Disposer of us towards Sleep because of the Relaxation that it causes which is the main Requisite of Sleep II. That Pleasure does without Nutritive Refection by the Complacency it causes in the sensitive Soul produce Comfort Satisfaction Composure Elevation of the Spirits Euphory c. of which Sleep is either not at all capable or but in a low degree proportionable to the sensation that it has which is but little however a Pleasure that remains within us even in our Sleep as that of Opium may well cause Pleasant Dreams c. The Reader may observe that in all Places where I mention that Relaxation causes the opening of the Pores that I speak only of Perspiration as the Effect thereof without mentioning Sweat 1. Because Perspiration is the only constant and infallible Effect thereof by reason that the Levity of the Fumes causes them as certainly to pass at the Pores when open as Smoak passes up at an open Chimney 2. Because Sweat is an uncertain Effect thereof for it requires that the Body be well fill'd with moisture tho' there is a Relaxation or Opening of the Pores as Hippocrates very rightly intimates in that Aphorism of his that I cited in the last Chapter 1. Because Sweat has not that Levity that the Fumes have to cause it readily to move as soon as the Pores are open 2. Because Relaxation is more apt to receive detain and suspend Humours 3. Because the protrusive Motion of the Heart is weaker in all Relaxations and all see how much its Vigorous Protrusion contributes to Sweat upon Action 4. Because a Heartfull of Bloud does not make such a Push forward when the Arteries are widen'd by Relaxation 5. Sweat having more of Continuity Consistence and Viscidity cannot flow out so readily at the Pores as a meer Vapour However if the Body be full of Moisture and the Pores open there being a Natural Course that Way and the Heart continually protruding it farther and farther a Sweat follows and that whether they Sleep or not 3. Because Sweat as was in some sort intimated is sometimes caused by the strong Protrusion of the Heart as in Motion c. and upon that Account comes more under the Title of Fluxes caused by Contraction than Relaxation of which Perspiration is a constant Effect 4. Because Sweat is sometimes caused by another sort of Contraction viz. the Compression of the whole Body by a violent Defensive Contraction as in great Terrour Agonies and the like causing thereby as was shewn by the Comparison of a wet Sheet wrung whose out side is cold a cold Sweat which that of Alum or Vitriol causing an Exudation of the Spittle into the Mouth by constringing the Parts does illustrate very plainly Therefore you see I had just Cause not to mention Sweat as a certain and proper Effect of Relaxation without good Distinctions first made tho' unwary Authors that talk any Thing one after another not knowing what they say make it their common saying That Sleep and Opium stops all Fluxes but Sweat whereas they should have rather said but Perspiration for Opium and Sleep also will sometimes hinder Sweat viz. that from Pain Terrour c. and that as happens just upon awaking by the stronger Systole of the Heart and Contraction of the whole Body and that also upon motion unless the Body be as was said full of Humours or Moisture Therefore it is a Vulgar Errour to say Sweat instead of Perspiration in the Case aforesaid You may remember that in the Beginning of this Chapter I concluded that a Sal-Volatile-Oleosum such as Semen Humanum wherein the Oily and Volatile Parts are strictly combined and the Volatile somewhat more active or acrimonious than that in our Membranes in general must be most pleasing to the Membranes by a fine Titillation c. therefore if Opium should prove to be such we need not wonder at its titillating to Venery nor indeed its causing a high sense of Pleasure upon any Membrane they being all of the same Nature but especially upon the most exquisitely disposed Membrane of the Stomach and the Venereal Parts nor consequently its causing all the aforementioned Effects of intense Pleasure as Comfort Satisfaction Ovation c. of the sensitive Soul or Spirits and Relaxation of all the sensile Parts which will easily solve all the Phenomenas of Opium however numerous mysterious and seemingly contradictory as you 'll find Let us therefore now see whether Opium be such a Sal-Volatile-Oleosum wherein the Volatile Particles are somewhat more active or acrimonious than ours and the Oily and Volatile Parts strictly combined If so the Business is done the Nail is hit on the Head and I may say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 CHAP. XV. Shews what are the Principles of Opium and which cause the good and bad Effects thereof HAving tried if not tired your Patience and premised what I thought necessary in the foregoing Chapters I now reassume the Thread of my Discourse As for the passive Principles of Opium which do or signifie little or nothing
Spoons and cause no more Effect than Oil of Olives and Spirit of Sal Amenoniack taken inwardly one acting too softly lazily and greasily to cause any brisk and agreeable Ovation of the Spirits and the other too rudely stinging the Membranes therefore we must proceed in our Enquiry Fourthly Opium has a sort of Resinous Sulphur that is loose and not united with the Volatile Salt which plainly appears 1. Because if you dissolve Opium in Water cold or hot or any Watery Menstruum you 'll find a good quantity of Rosin undissolved at bottom while the Volatile Salt is all or most dissolved in the Water especially if the Water be often repeated and quite separated from the Resinous Part which subsides without any more trouble which shews that the Volatile Salt and it are not combined but in a very loose and distinct manner 2. Because if you first dissolve Opium in Spirit of Wine which imbibes the Rosin it is easily again precipitated by plain Water leaving behind it all or most of the Volatile Salt in the Form of a red Tincture in the Menstruum as it does also in the former Case Note That the Resinous Part of Opium has no Effect as an Opiate for if it be well washed with Water as was said it has no Operation of that kind or so little that it is not worth the minding but all the Vertue Specifick Taste Smell c. is carried away in that red Tincture which has all the good Effects of Opium as Experience assures us 3. Because if Opium be very much torrefied most of the Volatile Salt is evaporated and with it most if not all the Vertue of Opium but the Rosin remains as a deadish Stuff in Respect of the good Effects of Opium tho' it is as shall be proved the Producer of the ill Effects thereof Therefore this Rosin must be wholly rejected Fifthly The Red Tincture aforesaid has all or most of the Volatile Salt in it 1. Because Water is the Proper Menstruum for Saline Things and that the Tincture reduced to an Extract gives very much in moist Weather which Quality it must have from the Volatile Salt because it has very little Fixed Salt 2. Because the Specifick Bitterness which proceeds from Volatile salt and Oily Parts is wholly in that Red Tincture 3. Because that Tincture has also the Specifick Rankness of Smell that the Volatile Salt as was shewn gives the Opium by the Help of some Oily Parts 4. Because that Tincture reduced to an Extract has the biting Taste of Opium which as was shewn proceeds from its Volatile Salt 5. Because that Extract incides discusses resolves is Psilothrick titillates to Venery causes Itchings in the Skin acrimonious Sweats c. all which are as was shewn the Effects of Volatile Salt But what need I insist so much upon its Effects to prove it When 6. It appears by Crystalization of the said Tincture after it has been evaporated to a due degree that it contains the Volatile Salt in it which in a cool Place shoots to elegant Crystals and that 7. It is found therein by Chymical Operation by Fire Sixthly The said Tincture is Oleose 1. Because the Redness of the Tincture must be from Oily Parts for pure sincere Volatile Salt gives no such Tincture 2. Because it is bitter one Ingredient of which Taste is ever Oily Parts as was said 3. Because of its rank smell like Sem. Viril which proves it to be Sulphureous for the Volatile Salt alone has only a quick smell or Urinous at farthest 4. Because it is of a Hot Taste when reduced to an Extract which Heat of Taste considered distinctly from its pungent or biting Taste must be from Sulphureous or Oily Parts 5. Because Spirit of Wine and other Spirituosulphureous Menstruums do readily dissolve it when reduced to an Extract 6. Because the Extract softens with dry warmth as Sulphureous or Oily Things do 7. Because a true Sal-Volatile-Oleosum wherein the Volatile Salt and Oily Parts are intimately combined as you find in all Blouds Tinctures of several Plants that have such a Sal-Volatile-Oleosum is red 8. Because it could not otherwise so finely please the Membranes cause Sleep compose the Spirits c. if it were all Volatile Salt which is wholly pungent and acrimonious mightily opposes Sleep and causes a great stir in the Bloud and Spirits But as I said as to its Volatile salt what need I insist upon its Effects When 10. It s Inflammability after it is reduced to an Extract and dried puts it out of all Question And that 11. An Oil may be separated from the Volatile Salt tho' not without Trouble because that as is requisite to compleat it in the highest degree Seventhly The Oily Parts and Volatile Salt are very intimately and strictly combin'd as fairly appears 1. By the Difficulty to separate them 2. By the Redness of the Tincture as in Bloud c. for when Oily or Sulphureous Particles are loose therein they make either a white Colour as the Rosin does in the Drops that fall out of the Incisions in the Heads of the Poppies which are Milk white or leave the Volatile Spirit perspicuous as in a sort of artificial Sal. Volatile-Oleosum that is sold at the Apothecaries Shops in London 3. Because it imparts its Tincture which depends upon both to all Menstruums 4. Because it imparts its Vertue which depends upon both to all Menstruums 5. Because it imparts its Specifick Smell which depends upon both to all Menstruumt 6. Because it imparts its Specifick hot and biting Taste which depend upon both the Oily and Volatile Particles to all Menstruums 7. Because it will hold its Vertue many years which it could not if the Volatile Salt and Oily Parts were not very strictly combined 8. Because that notwithstanding the Digestion at Stomach it has held its Specifick Vertue Smell and Taste after it has been in it 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 18 or more Hours as appear'd by its Operating so long and afteward its being Vomited up with the same Taste and Smell that it had at first than which there cannot be a greater Argument 9. Because it has been carried off by Stools which had its Specifick Smell after many Hours remaining in the Stomach 10. Because its Operation in general lasts long Charas mentions one that it Operated with for about 30 Hours and Wedelius another whom Opium caused to Vomit constantly about 18 Hours after it was taken 11. Because it has its Effects upon the Venereal Membranes after it has passed the Digestion at Stomach the Effects of the Choler and Succus Pancreatus in the Duodenum been strained through the Coats of the Intestines into the Lacteals and through the Glandules of the Mesentery mixed and circulated with the Bloud c. 12. Because after all that it has its Effect upon the Skin by causing an Itching therein 13. Because it not only causes Acrimonious Sweats but such as evidently smell thereof
by diminishing or disabling the Spirits except it be that the pernicious Rosin may do something of that kind by its aforesaid ill Effects but by pleasantly affecting the Membranes at Stomach Venereal Parts c. 2. That Sleep is caused by Relaxation and quieting the Spirits 3. That Pleasure especially if intense and lasting as that by Opium comforts enlivens encourages and causes an Ovation of the sensitive Soul and Spirits and Displeasure causes Sadness Dejection c. 4. How Pleasure must cause Complacency Satisfaction Content Acquiescence and Composure of the sensitive Soul and Spirits as Grievances cause the contrary 5. How Pleasure elevating and keeping up the Spirits and causing an entire Relaxation of the Defensive and a great Relaxation of the Vigilative Contraction which tire the sensitive Soul must cause Euphory or easie undergoing of Labour Iourneys c. without Lassitude as Experience shews 6. How Pleasure causes Relaxation of all the sensile Parts 7. How the said Relaxation as in Sleep does by suffering the Animal Spirits to expand and thereby making them unfit to carry Impressions smartly which is necessary to convey a sense of Pain for a smart Impression is the very cause of it take away Pain To which you may add That the sensitive Soul's attending willingly to the Sense of Pleasure is diverted from Pain and that a Sense of Pain cannot be in the same Subject with Pleasure which being therefore once excited Pain must disappear but that of taking away all smartness of Impression by Relaxation is a plain Mechanical Cause 8. How therefore all Fluxes that are caused by or require a grievous Sensation or Irritation by Quantity or Quality to maintain and continue them by causing a Contraction of the Parts to squeese out the Humours must be moderated for want of Sensation upon such Relaxation to irritate the Parts as it happens in Sleep or in any Case where Relaxation and thereby Expansion of the Animal Spirits incapacitates them to carry Impressions smartly which is of the Essence of Pain as has been shewn 9. How Perspiration must be promoted by Relaxation which opens the Pores 10. How that by the same Means Sweat also must be promoted if the Body be full of moisture 11. How Opium or Semen Animale being of the same Principles and of like Principles with Cantharides Pismire Bees Garlick c. must excite to Venery cause Itchings of the Skin c. 12. How Opium may by too high an Ovation of the Spirits cause Watching while Pleasure causing Relaxation c. may take away Pain for Relaxation as in Sleep Syncopes c. is enough to take away Pain but to Sleep Quietness of the Spirits is also required as well as their Expansion by Relaxation so that Pain may very well be taken off without Sleep as it often is by Opium that always relaxes 13. How the Pleasure that Opium causes is as was said by the same Principles and therefore of the same Nature with that which Animal Seed causes upon the Membranes but that Animal Seed causes it only upon one Part and Opium upon the Membranes of the Stomach Venereal Parts and all other in general and that only for a Moment but this of Opium for many Hours by which Means the Effects of Relaxtion by Pleasure come to be more remarkable as after much Wine whose Effects is somewhat lasting and internal as that of Opium is 14. How the Rosin of Opium causes its ill Effects by its Indigestibleness adhering Quality and tedious stinging of the exquisitely nice Coat of the Stomach by continually teazing and urging it by its Actimony and acute Volatile Points or Spiculâ— Therefore having 1. A most perfect and compleat Sol-Volatile-Oleosum in Opium of the same pleasing Principles as to all Membranes as Animal Seed is to the Membranes of Venus whereby they must be pleased tickled and relaxed 2. A pernicioâ—s Rosin indigestible sticking and arm'd with acrimonious and stinging Points which must highly offend the most sensile Coat at the Stomach I am now ready by God's Assistance to explain every Phenomenon or Effect of Opium however Amazing and Mysterious hoping they will not remain long so CHAP. XVI The Explication of the Effects of Opium used Externally ITS Effects Externally used are of Two sorts either I. As an Opiate or pleasing Tickler of the Membranes Or II. As an Alterative of the Parts that it is applied to First As an Opiate or Pleaser of the Membranes it has the same Effects as Opium used internally and for the same Reason therefore the Cause of its Operation in this Case will be better seen by the Explication of its Internal Effects which are far more perfect compleat and certain Secondly As an Alterative of the Parts that it is applied to which are the following viz. 1. It incides resolves and discusses by its pointed penetrating and volatile Salt insinuating it self into the Parts and Humours of the Animal because its Particles are fine minute and agreeable thereto as Menstruums to the Things to be dissolved Then by its Volatility it discusses what it has so incided and resolved 2. It mollefies and relaxes by its Sal-Volatile-Oleosum so resolving the Parts and Humours and thereby kindly loosening them Thus Opiates as Solanum Lethale or deadly Night Shade Hemlock Mandrake c. come to be of excellent Use in hard Tumours of the Spleen Tophousness c. 3. It Maturates and Suppurates for the aforesaid Reasons for nothing can better dispose towards Maturation and Suppuration than relaxing mollefying and resolving 4. It exulcerates or causes Blisters or at least rubifies tender Skins if it be very strong because of its Volatile Salt as Cantharides Spearwort and other Things do upon the same Account But this Effect belongs mainly to the true Mastack or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that drops from the Incisions made in the Heads of the Poppies more especially the Theban which affords a most powerful Iuice for Exulcerating or Blistering is but a stronger fuller and therefore painful Resolution as you see by the Cuticle upon Blisters resolved into a kind of Jelly 5. It is Psilothrick for the same Reasons for while it so resolves the Parts it loosens the Roots of the Hair and so causes its shedding 6. It hurts the Eyes because of its Acrimony by Reason of the Volatile Salt 7. It causes Itching in the Skin by the Titillation of the same Volatile Salt as you find by the Application of Squills and the like 8. It excites Venery by the same Titillation on the Veneral Membranes CHAP. XVII The Explication of the Effects of Opium used internally in a moderate Dose NOte That because Opium has been generally hitherto used either Crude or with its Rosin in it the Effects of Opium are accordingly considered as common Experience thereupon has given Opportunity of Observing them but as I proceed I shall shew you where the Resinous Part of Opium is concern'd in the Effect 1. It is manifest why Opium may well
Sect. 7. Aph. 6. reddit liberam Perspirationem quam Animi Consolatio aut voluptas Aph. 19. Animi Consolatio quacunque de causâ aperit meatus largam Perspirationem facit Now you may perceive why Opium and good Cordials do moderate Fluxes by Stool even before they are out of the Stomach because the Pleasure there caused relaxes all Parts and thereby causing an Expansion of the Animal Spirits the sense of the Irritation is lost because the Expanded Spirits cannot carry the Impressions smartly to the sensitive Soul which must be to cause a sense of Irritation or grievous Sensation By the same Reason only warm Trenchers applied to the Belly or sitting upon a warm Stool c. moderates a Looseness because the Pleasure of the Warmth relaxes and so takes away a sense of the Irritation by the aforesaid Expansion of the Spirits 12. I have just now shewn how it promotes insensible Perspiration viz. by the Relaxation opening the Pores and letting out the Fumes which I need not have mentioned again but for Order sake that all may thereby see that I evade the Explication of no Effect nor indeed need I for they are now obvious enough even without my Explication to any Sagacious Person so that the Plainness may give greater cause to pass over some untouched than the Difficulty but it is not sit that either should cause any Omission in such a mighty Concern that was never Explicated and scarce ever thought possible 13. Opium prevents Shiverings in Ague Fits because that for the Reasons aforesaid it takes away the sense of the Irritating Humours that causes them 14. It prevents and cures Colds by the Relaxation that its Pleasure causes whereby the Pores are kept very open and Perspiration as was shewn promoted Besides that it preventing the Sensation of hinders it to constringe the Pores by causing a grievous Sensation 15. It causes a larger and slower Pulse because of the Relaxation that the intense and continual Pleasure causes by which the Arteries are widened and the Motion made slower 1. Because the Animal Spirits are weakened by the Relaxation of their Vessels and their Expansion thereupon 2. Because the sense of Irritation by which the Heart is solicited to move faster is lost 16. It causes Driness in the Mouth as Sleep doth 1. Because the Dilatation of the Glandules by the Relaxation detains and suspends the Humours and 2. Because the Sensation being lessen'd the Membranes that include the Salival Glandules are not irritated to Contraction to squeeze out the Saliva or Spittle 3. Because the Pulse is slower to cause an Extrusion of the Humours 17. It has most Effect in warm and moist Weather because both Warmth and Moisture promote Relaxation by which Opium does upon the Account of the Pleasure it causes perform its Effects 18. It has more Effect upon fine and lax Textures for the same Reason and because their Sensation is more nice and affected more with Pleasing or Grieving Things Therefore it affects Children and Women especially the Nice and Delicate more than Men which may be the Reason why Women do not use Opium in the Eastern Countreys as much as Men. 19. It causes an Efflorescence or Redness of the Skin as Sleep or Wine do because the Skin being relaxed admits the Bloud to come into it very freely as Cold Fear c. contracting the Parts of the Skin repel it or squeese it out or back again Thus Persons that drink much get Red Noses by frequent Relaxations of the Skin which widen the Roads of the Bloud more and more Hence it is that the Bags at a Turky-Cock's Neck are red when he is pleased and soon pale again when displeased 20. It affects the Genus Nervosum or Animal Spirits which is a common Observation more than the Bloud because it Operates by affecting Sensation wherein the Nerves and Membranes are most concerned and not by altering the Bloud to which it bears no Proportion to cause any remarkable Effects Note How plainly this Concession of all Authors confirms what I said viz. That it does not operate as an Alterative of the Bloud c. but by affecting Sensation as I have proved 21. It increases Seed in some Measure because it administers a Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of the same Nature with it and by its Titillation solicites and invites the sending of its Matter that way as is observable in such as use much Titillation but to speak plainly and mechanically I think that this mainly happens because of the Relaxation of the Parts admitting as was said of the Efflorescence of the Skin by Relaxation the Bloud or Materials of Seed more freely into the Testicles and all the Seminary Vessels especially being that the Titillation causes an ostener emptying of the same in order to receive those Materials with less Opposition for Quod intus est prohibet alienum that is What is within hinders the entrance of other Matter Nothing can receive more than what it can contain but what is often emptied can successively receive much 22. It causes a great Promptitude to Venery Erections c. especially if the Dose be larger then ordinary because being of the same Principles with Animal Seed and in all probability somewhat more titillating and of like Principles tho' more gentle than Cantharides it must highly titillate those Parts and consequently cause a great Promptitude to Venery CHAP. XVIII The Explication of the frequent tho' not constant Effects of Opium in a Moderate Dose 1. IT causes Sleep because it highly disposes thereto by the Relaxation that its Pleasure causes Thus Musick agreeable Frications and many other Pleasures nay all that are consistent with lying or sitting still and silent incline us to Sleep but none can compare with the sweet continual and transcendent Pleasure of Opium that we carry along with us for many Hours whereas other Pleasures are either remiss or interrupted or transient in their Nature for continuance in gentle Pleasure as the fall of Waters Whistling of Winds effects much towards Sleep so Intenseness does also tho' momentary as that of Venus how much then must a continual and intense Pleasure cause it especially when Rest Silence c. is added thereto Note That Sleep is so far from being a Property of Opium that it does not belong to it omni soli or semper yet People have generally look'd upon Sleep as such which caused many Errours 2. It causes pleasant Dreams because the very Sleep is caused and continued by Pleasure when it is by Opium which Pleasure being all the time we Sleep within us must needs suggest pleasant Dreams or none for how can sad and melancholy Dreams seise one that is in a gay and pleasant Condition as far as one in Sleep is capable thereof 3. It stops Vomiting 1. As it doth other Fluxes by taking away the sense of Irritation 2. By highly pleasing and thereby quieting and composing the Commotion of the Stomach 3. By relaxing it which oppose the
Contraction by which Vomiting is perform'd 4. It stills Hiccoughs for the same Reasons 5. It causes Convulsions and Contractions to cease 1. Because it induces a Relaxation which takes them off 2. By taking off the sense which the Irritating causes 3. By composing the Spirits 6. It causes the Meat to stay long at Stomach as Sleep does 1. By relaxing the Stomach so that it is not subject to contract to send it out 2. By stilling all Motions whereby the Stomach grows proportionably unactive 3. Because the Relaxation opposes the Contraction by which the Menstruum is sent into the Stomach or the Saliva into the Mouth both which are therefore much wanted in Sleep for the like Reason as has been shewn 7. It moderates and prevents Hunger 1. Because as was said the Menstruum is not so plentifully sent or squeesed into the relaxed Stomach 2. Because it takes away the sense of Hunger 3. Because it leaves the Meat to stay too long at Stomach by Reason that it is relaxed more insensible and proportionably languid in motion as in Sleep 8. It causes Sweat when the Body is full of moisture as Sleep doth by relaxing and thereby opening the Pores and not as People commonly talk by attenuating and the like for a Grain of Opium bears no Proportion to the Bloud and Humours That it causes it meerly as Sleep does is manifest not only because it bears not a due Proportion to the Work as an Alterative but because Men do not Sweat in that Case as in Sleep without much moisture in the Body whereas much would not be attenuated as soon as less Therefore it is only an Exudation of the Humours upon a Plenty thereof and opening of the Pores Sanctorius Sect. 1. Aph. 22. Invisibilis Perspiratio fit visibilis quando Nutrimentum est nimium That is Invisible Perspiration becomes visible Sweat when nourishment or moisture is too much which exactly agrees with that of Hippocrates cited in Chap. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 9. It causes the Menses to flow when nothing is wanting but the opening or relaxing of the Viae or Pores they issue out at as when they are naturally too narrow and close as upon the first Tendency to them in young Girls or when stopt by Reason of any undue Contraction thereof as by Pain Cold Sorrow or other grievous Passions all which do close the Pores Besides it does irritate those very sensile Venereal Parts to Erection and I have reason to think that it does by a general Relaxation cause an Increase of Bloud as it does of the Breasts Milk c. causing as it were an Artificial Puberty or at least much promoting the Natural and therefore is of excellent Use in this Case in Judicious Hands tho' little thought of in Practice Obj. Here I may be sure of an Objection That it stops all Fluxes but Sweat or Perspiration Ans. It is as false as it is a common saying if they do not mean only such Fluxes as proceed from grievous Sensation and Contraction thereupon for how can that which relaxes all Parts stop any Flux that depends upon Relaxation as Stillicidium Urinae by Relaxation of the Sphincter of the â—ladder involuntary Flux per Anum by the 〈◊〉 of its Sphincter and such like so do I speak of a Flux that may often depend upon Relaxation as I have shewn Obj. But it may be objected That it particularly stanches Bloud how then should it promote the Menses Ans. Experience tells me it does and Reason confirms it It stanches Bloud by composing the Fury of its Motion but that does not hinder but it may relax the Pores for Sweat Menses Lochia c. to pass and why not for the Menses and Lochia as well as Sweat by opening the Pores I would fain know considering also the Titillation that it causes upon those Venereal Parts which may very much solicite their motion 10. It causes the Lochia to flow for the same Reasons that it does the Menses This I have great Experience in Note That the Menses Lochia and Perspiration are Natural Evacuations that have Pores designed for them by Nature the opening of which by Relaxation must make way for them Suppose when the Bloud flows so much into the Skin as to cause an Efflorescence by the Relaxation thereof after Opium is taken that there were Pores to carry out Bloud as there is for Sweat why should not one flow as well as the other But there are such Pores for the Menses and Lochia and large ones too and therefore it must promote them and why should not Relaxation do it as well as Contraction by Cold Terrour Grief c. stop them for the Effects of Contraries are contrary 11. It causes the Stone to pass 1. Because it reâ— and so widens the Passage 2. Because it 〈◊〉 move with little or no Pain which contracts the Parts and so hinders its Passage therefore the Use of Opium with some other Helps is the greatest Means that can be or ever will be for the Stone till the Dissolution of it is found out not only to give Ease in the Case of the Stone but to cause it to pass for both which Purposes it excells all Things and doth both at once 12. It causes the Delivery of Women by relaxing the Neck of the Womb as it does that of the Bladder to deliver Persons of the Stone but in the Delivery of Women it is not to be used but in particular Cases and by a very Skilful Hand 1. Because it is apt to take off all the Womens Pains and Throws and so quite disappoint the Delivery for a day 2 3 4 or more sometimes 2. Because it causing a great Relaxation the Parts after Delivery will be very unapt to close and contract duely as they should in such Cases otherwise several Inconveniences may ensue 3. It may be pernicious upon the Account of the Evacuation of Bloud that then happens But these Things belong more properly to the Use of Opium in Cure 13. It causes Deadness of the Eyes as in Drunkeness c. because the Cornea is relaxed so that the Humours do not fill it up to a tense Rotundity as when 't is more contracted 14. It causes the Pupilla to dilate because of the same Relaxation 15. It causes a Growth of the Breast Penis and Increase of Milk by Reason of the same Relaxation as the Pleasure of the Semen upon Puberty does or as Emollients and Relaxers applied to the Breasts increase Milk c. by making more Room for it c. 16. It causes Venereal Dreams because of the Titillation of the Venereal Membranes that it causes 17. It causes Nocturnal Pollutions for the same Reason and because it relaxes the Parts 18. It causes Itchings in the Skin because of its Titillation by its Volatile Salt 19. It causes much Urine as Cantbarides Bees Pismire Millepedes c. do by its Volatile Salt which titillates and irritates those
Parts by its relaxing the Pores of the Kidneys and rendring the Humours more penetrating in some measure by the Volatile Salt 20. It causes a Nausea by its Rosin sticking to and teazing the sensile Coat of the Stomach The Reason why it is generally so long before it causes a Nausea or Vomiting is that its Pleasure does at first prevent it till at last the sticking Rosin urges it by its long Stay and vexatious Adherence 21. It causes Swimmings in the Head by Consent when the Stomach is grieved by that Rosin as you find upon Nauseas before Vomiting or when any Thing does much offend the Stomach as much Drink or Wine which when they have Vomited those Swimmings cease 22. It causes Watching in some Persons who are of very moveable Spirits by actuating and stirring their Spirits by its active Volatile Salt tho' it does at the same time please the Membranes and consequently relax the sensile Parts and thereby cause Indolence the Effect of Relaxation which it also does when People keep themselves from Sleep by voluntary Motion and therefore takes away Pain even when Men Travel c. Besides there are some sort of Persons that upon Ioy good News Pleasure or the like are too much elevated or have a restless Ovation of the Spirits which will not suffer them to Sleep tho' they are in a Pleasant Condition all the time This may be the Case of some that cannot Sleep after Opium tho' they are all the Time as they call it in a Heavenly Condition for as I have said a Quietness of the Spirits is requisite to cause Sleep as well as Relaxation but Relaxation alone and thereby Expansion of the Spirits so that they cannot carry Impressions smartly is sufficient to cause Indolence and the Pleasure to cause a Heavenly or very pleasant Condition Sanctor Stat. Med. Sect. 7. Aph. 28. says That Laetitia perseverans per multos dies somnum impedit Persevering Pleasure may do the same by like Reason that is too much 〈◊〉 or Ovation of the Spirits Sometimes too large a Dose causes Watching by over-actuating and exciting the Spirits Medicum vini generosi Allium says Sanctorius conciliant somnum Perspirationem si vero plus justo sumantur utrumque prohibent perspirabile tamen in Sudorem convertunt that is A little generous Wine and Garlick will cause Sleep and Perspiration but too much hinder both yet they convert the perspirable Matter to a Sweat which Wine and Garlick have the Nature of Opiates and the Reason why they Sweat is the Quantity of the Wine affording more Moisture Hippocrates says 23. A dubious State between Sleeping and Waking is caused when the Relaxation upon the Pleasure of Opium inclines to Sleep but the irreâ—uiete Ovation of the Spirits by the Pleasure and Titillation will hardly suffer it yet highly pleases and puts them in a sweet agreeable Condition CHAP. XIX The Explication of the rare Effects of Opium in a Moderate Dose 1. IT causes temporary Pulses of the 〈◊〉 and sometimes of other Parts by its over relaxing the Parts and causing thereby an Expansion of the Elastick Spirits which as was demonstrated weakens their Motion 2. Faltring of the Tongue does as in Relaxation by Drunkenness proceed from the same Cause 3. Looseness of the Lower Iaw as you see in the Drowsy and Drunken People is from the same Relaxation 4. It sometimes prevents Sweat by causing a very Liberal Perspiration as was shewn for as Sanctorius says who should know it much insensible Perspiration and Sweat cannot consist especially in a Temperate Person who Eats and Drinks moderately Therefore if you keep a Person that Sweats much at Night in a free Perspiration all Day by the Help of an Opiate you 'll much lessen or totally prevent the Sweat at Night as in Consumptive Persons c. 5. It causes Abortion by relaxing the Neck of the Womb which also the Pleasure of Coition sometimes does for the like Reason and would be much more apt to cause it if it continued long as that of Opium does Note the Inconvenience of Coition after Impregnation This is the great Cause that Whores are not apt to bear Children because Frequency of Pleasure does over-relax the Collum 〈◊〉 6. It prevents Abortion when Fear Terrour or any contracting Cause as Grief grievous Passions or Sensations do threaten it by its taking off the Contraction and Grievance that causes it 7 Intumescence of the Lips is from their Relaxation admitting the Bloud and Humours into them in a plentiful manner besides that their Laxity and the Inadvertency occasioned by the Diverting Pleasure or Drowsiness that follows letting the Lower Lip hang down carelesly as is usual in such Cases may by exposing much more of that Lip which is most concern'd in this Effect make it seem larger as a hanging Lip does 8. It may cure a Dropsy as Dr. Wâ—llis doth instance 1. By causing a free Perspiration which is much wanted in those Cases 2. By relaxing the Pores and making way for the Humours to 〈◊〉 3. By causing much Urine as Cantharides Millepedes c do upon the Account of their Volatile-Salt with which Opium abounds 9. It cures Stupors that proceed from Contraction as by Cold c. by relaxing all Parts 10. It causes Anxieties and Distresses by the Rosin sticking and teazing the Stomach 11. Vomitings and Hiccoughs proceed from the same Cause 12. Convulsions are caused by the same Rosin while it continually urges the Stomach to grievous Vomitings which at last draw other Parts as the Stomach usually does when under great Griâ—vances into violent Contractions or Convulsions by consent to endeavour its Assistance because the defensive Contraction growing very high by the almost intolerable and tedious Grievance at Stomach causes a mighty compression of the springy Animal Spirits by which Means they grow very forcible irrequiete and violently springy under the urgency of an enormous Compressure which causes such Convulsive Motions Note That such a violent Compression of the Animal Spirits into a great springiness is the cause of the Strength of Convulsive Motions so that sometimes a strong Man can hardly hold a Child's Limb in such Cases 13. Syncopes Leipothymies and Faintings follow when the sensitive Soul being quite tired and overborn by the Fatigue of such Distresses Vomitings and Defensive Contractions to reject and excuss the said adhering and teazing Rosin yields it self to Rest and le ts go the Reigns of Contraction as being fruitless and no longer endurable whereupon all the sensile Parts being relaxed in the highest degree they thereby grow unfit for Sensation and the Animal Spirits expand as far as the Atmospherical Compressure permits them so that they grow incapable to convey Impressions by which means Sense fails and Motion also for the same Reason because the Animal Spirits loose their springy Endeavours for want of a sufficient Compression to render them flippant for the Purpose which is the Cause as in Sleep that Sense
and frequent Erections are and must be from the same Cause 17. Nocturnal Pollutions are necessary Consequences of the Relaxation and the Titillation caused by those Volatile Salts as was said CHAP. XXIII The Explication of the Effects of Leaving off Opium after a long and lavish Use thereof I. GReat and even intolerable Distresses Anxieties and Depressions of Spirits do happen 1. Because the sensitive Soul who is so much comforted diverted and supported by the habitual and dearly beloved Pleasure that Opium causes being suddenly deprived thereof by which it was mainly sustain'd is exceedingly disappointed and cast down 2. Because he now labours under the sore Burthen of the Three Contractions so that every Thing seems and is really more grievous â—o him for now it acts as one in Pain or Grief and every Thing affects him more smartly proportionable to the Compression caused thereby of the Animal Spirits unless he returns to the Pleasure of Opium which elevates it again Or uses generous Wine as its substitute tho' it does not equal it either in the Intenseness or Duration of the Pleasure unless repeated as I have some where directed once in Half an Hour or an Hour in a moderate manner which causes a continuance of the Pleasure tho' it cannot equal the Intenseness of that of Opium which therefore has the greater Effects II. A Return of all Diseases Pains and Disasters must happen generally because the Opium takes them off by a bare Diversion of the Sense thereof by Pleasure III. Dangerous Loosenesses happen sometimes because the Sensation grows more grievous for as the pleasant Sensation caused by Opium takes away the Perception of the Irritation of Humours so the Grievance of Losing that Pleasure causing Contraction makes all Sensation smarter and consequently more irritating so that the Humours have thereby more of the Effect of Purgers which operate as all agree by Irritation Besides that the Humours before detain'd and suspended by Relaxation as in Sleep are now therefore pour'd down in greater Quantity by the advanced Contraction squeesing them out as the Return of the Vigilative Contraction after Sleep causes Men to be more apt to go to Stool upon awaking or getting up in the morning which may be well compared in some measure to Purging after Leaving off the Use of Opium since it relaxes as Sleep does and that for a much longer Time by a continued Use thereof IV. Death commonly follows for all the Reasons aforesaid especially the great and intolerable Distresses of Soul that they are under unless Opium be used which soon sets them right or Wine its Substitute so frequently used as to continue its Cordial Pleasure at Stomach Nothing now remains but to take a short Review to see whether I have explain'd all the amazing Contradictions that seem to be in the Effects of Opium for tho' it is really done yet may it not so well appear as when set one against the other It would be Tautology to repeat all the Reasons therefore I shall only mention them in the close Order I at first enumerated them that you may see that they are all explicated in the former Discourse You may well remember that I have shewn 1. How it causes Sleeping and Watching in divers Persons 2. How it causes and prevents Sweat 3. How it relaxes and stops Loosenesses even by relaxing 4. How it stops Fluxes and promotes Sweat and Perspiration 5. How it stupifies the Sense of Feeling yet irritates it 6. How it causes Stupidity if you sit or lie still otherwise Promptitude in Business 7. How it causes Cloudiness and Serenity That if one lies still and dozes This if he keeps in Action That by an excessive and lavish Use thereof which causes Moapishness This by a temperate occasional taking thereof especially in the Morning upon Iourneys c. 8. How it excites the Spirits yet quiets and composes them in Hysterick Fits Diary Fevers from Pain Commotions c. 9. How that it is very hot and takes of Fevers 10. How tho' it is hot and bitter yet it lessens Appetite and Hunger which is a grievous Sensation by causing a pleasant one 11. How it sometimes stops Urine by relaxing the Bladder suspending Humours c. and promotes it by its tickling Volatile Salt as Cantharides Bees Ants c. do 12. How it relaxes and thereby weakens as in Sleep c. yet enables to perform Labour Iourneys c. with great Euphory by divertive Pleasure 13. How it causes and prevents Abortion That by over-relaxing This by allaying Pains Terrours c. that might cause it 14. How it stops Vomiting by taking off Irritations c. and causes it by the Adherence of its indigestible and viscid Rosin 15. How it stops Purging and sometimes causes it by the Dissolution of its Rosin by a strong Digestion fixed Salts c. when its Quantity is considerable which makes it happen but rarely 16. How tho' acrimonious it takes away the sense of Acrimony 17. How it causes Madness and cures it by composing the Spirits c. 18. How it causes Palsies by relaxing the Parts and making them susceptible of Humours causing ill Digestion c. And may cure them as Dr. Willis gives an Instance by opening the Pores 19. How it causes Palsies and cures Stupors c. that proceed from Cold and Contracting Causes 20. How it causes Driness in the Mouth yet by taking off Fevers often cures it 21. How it takes off Hiccoughs and causes them as it does Vomiting and for the same Causes 22. How it stanches Bloud by quieting its motion yet promotes the Menses and Lochia by relaxing opening and widening the Vessels and Pores 23. How it stops critical motions that depend upon Irritation and Contraction and promotes such as depend upon opening the Pores 24. How it revives People that are at the Point of Death for want of Opium or by violent Contractions and Convulsions and is fatal to other weak Persons 25. How it causes Convulsions by its grieving Rosin and cures them by quieting and composing the Spirits by pleasing them 26. How it causes Contraction by the grievous Sensation that its Rosin causes and Relaxation by the pleasant Sensation that its Sal-Volatile Oleosum causes by That it causes many ill Effects not here named and by This it cures them for how can such contrary Causes according as one or the other prevails not cause contrary and seemingly contradictory Effects at divers Times and in divers Persons 27. How it relaxes yet causes the Tension Rigidity and Erection of the Penis Priapisms c. by its Titillation Thus have you all even the most mysterious and seemingly Contradictory Effects of Opium explain'd and reconcil'd and that so easily that if there were no other Proof of the Truth of my Foundation it is sufficient to convince any Man of its Validity considering the Vastness of the Number and Perplexity of the Nature of those Effects that are all with such Facility explain'd is able even
have spent Months in preparing the Sapo tartareus to correct Opium when they might with the hundredth part of the Trouble and fortieth part of the Time wholly have taken away the pernicious Part by aqueous Menstruums which they only pretend to correct by the Sapo tartareus tho' I allow it for the Reasons aforesaid to be a good Corrector yet cannot it equal the total separation of the pernicious Parts I am of Opinion upon my best Thoughts and some Experience That intimately mixing and subduing Opium with good white Soap may for the Reasons aforesaid prove a good and ready Corrector or Preventer of the Adhesion of the resinous Parts of Opium to the Stomach much conduce to its Dissolution or Digestion therein and nimble slipping out of it and thereby prevent all the ill Effects of Opium which it causes by the Adhesion and Indigestibleness of its Rosin Of the Second Sort of Preparations of Opium wherein its Rosin remains wholly unaltered in its Nature yet becomes safe by dividing it c. This is mainly if not altogether done by a fine and through Division of the resinous Parts of Opium and keeping them afterwards from a Coalescence in and Adhesion to the Stomach by which means they become digestible or at least passable without Offence This may be done 1. By Torrefaction till the Opium is very friable and then finely poudering it and mixing it with such things as are of good Consistence c. to keep the Parts of Opium from a Coalescence as in Venice Treacle Mithridate Diascordium the Philoniums c. This was the Way and Method that the Ancients used which caused Galen to say That Opium alone that is undivided and unmix'd with other things to prevent its Coalescence c. was dangerous but mixt with other things was salutiferous which they found by Experience not knowing the Cause but attributing the Safety thereof to something among the many Ingredients as a Corrector of the Opium Hence it was that they put small Quantities thereof into Electuaries made of many and much other things that kept the Particles asunder which they did so commonly that at last all Electuaries were call'd Opiates Thus we had those Compositions above named which are safely used for the Reasons aforesaid not that any thing therein corrects I know not what poisonous or narcotick Quality in Opium but that the other Ingredients divide its Rosin and afterward keep its Particles from Coalescence and Adhesion 2. Dissolution of Opium in Spirit of Wine or such sulphureous Spirits which finely divide the Rosin and using the bare Tincture before the resinous Particles are again compacted as in Extracts c. may be of use if duly administred But here a Caution is to be used That you take it not in or drink any aqueous or phlegmatick Liquid with it or before or after it in two or three hours which if you do the resinous Particles will be precipitated thereby and so stick to the bottom tom of the Stomach causing thereby the usual ill Effects of Vomiting Anxieties c. Therefore it should be given only in a spirituous Liquid Note also That if you give a Solution thereof in any Lixivium you take Care not to dilate it by any Means by aqueous Liquids in Two Hours before or after you take it for then there being but little Lixivial Salt in proportion to the Liquid the resinous Parts are let go and precipitated to the Bottom of the Stomach as in the Case of the Spirit of Wine so dilated Of which I have seen a very convincing Instance for one that had an Esteem of Lixivials in this Case not only according to Helmont and the Common Cry to correct Opium but also to extract its Vertue the more effectually made a Tincture of Opium in Water lixiviated with Salt of Wormwood whereof he took the Quantity that he had seen me give of my Liquid Panacea in a Coffee-Dish full of Water which precipitating the Rosin in the Stomach caused him to Vomit in about an Hour after and continued so to do for about 15 Hours By which you plainly see that the great Secret of Lixivials to correct Opium lies meerly in its Division of the Rosin thereof as in the Case of Spirit of Wine and poudering it and afterward keeping its Particles asunder during its Stay at Stomach which the Sapo tartareus does and probably other Soap may do very well for the several Reasons aforesaid 3. Dissolution of Opium in the Yolk of a rear new laid Egg by pounding the Dose that you intend to take with a little Quantity of the Yolk till both be thoroughly mixed and then taking it in the remaining Part of the Yolk By which Means you not only finely divide the resinous Parts of the Opium while the Yolk of the Egg intimately mixes with them as it does with other Rosins and Turpentines but send along with it into the Stomach what is digestible in it self and more and more divides and separates the resinous Parts and highly contributes to their final Dissolution and Digestion so that I doubt not but you 'll find this new ready and agreeable Means as good if not better all Things considered than the former and even equal to the Sapo tartareus By what is said tho' short you may because it is the clear Truth of Things Judge of the Goodness of all Preparations of Opium And 1. That resinous Things should not be added to Opium because such like its own Rosin renders it more indigestible and apt to stick at Stomach Hence it is that the Styrax Pill having resinous Things in it and crude Opium does so often cause dismal Effects tho forsooth much esteem'd for the Lungs Coughs Defluxions c. for having such Balsamick resinous Things as Styrax and Olibanum in it whereas the Benefit is from the Opium Had Dr. Bates known the Cause of the Mischiefs of Opium he would never have put Benjamin in his Pacifick Pill 2. That all Preparations made of Extracts in Spirit of Wine are to be rejected such Extracts being much worse than Crude Opium and Experimentally found to be so therefore our common London Laudanum being made of Opium prepared in Spirit of Wine is no commendable Preparation tho' so much used and cried up which also Experience proves in that it sometimes causes the ill Effects of Opium when given alone in a good Dose You 'll find more of these Matters when you come to Chap. 29. which consists of general Rules and Cautions concerning the Use of Opium therefore tho' I may add some Useful Observations I put an end to this Matter at present for that Reason and because what is to be truly done in the Preparation of Opium is very evident from what is said since the Cause of the ill Effects of Opium is now certainly known to be its Rosin to the Separation or due Alteration of which so as to cause it to pass the Stomach without Adhesion or Offence by
its Stay or Indigestibleness all regard must be had in the Preparation thereof as is in the following Preparations which are therefore safe CHAP. XXVII Shews the best Preparations of Opium where to find them and what is their respective Dose c. YOU may infer out of the Premises which are the best Preparations of Opium viz. 1. Such as have the resinous parts of Opium separated from them as 1. The liquid Panacea of Opium Described in C. 25. of this Book 2. The solid Panacea of Opium Described in C. 25. of this Book 3. Diacodium or syr e mecon In the London Dispensatory 4. Laudanum liquidum Cydoniatum In experienced Mr. Wilson's Chymistry and in curious Mr. Staphurst's Officina chymica Londinensis Note That there are several needless Proceedings in this Preparation as that of putting Yeast to it c. Let your Aim in making it be to separate the resinous Parts therefore instead of two Expressions directed use only a careful Decantation because the Rosin may pass by Expressing it 5. Wedelius's Laudanum which is his Opilogia L. 1. Sect. 2. Cap. 2. P. 65. Note That the spumous part on the Surface is to be taken off and the clear Tincture to be decanted from the Faeces and afterward evaporated in Balneo to the Consistence of an Extract 6. Le Mort's Extract out of Rain-water which you have in the most Learned Dr. Love's Collectanea Chymica P. 304. II. Such Preparations wherein the resinous Parts of Opium are altered and as it were soapified by â—ixivial Salts or Soaps viz. 1. Dr. Starkey's or Matthews Piâ—l which you have in Mr. Wilson's Chymistry p. 271 272. In ingenious Mr. Shipton's Pharmacopâ—ia Bateana among the Pills and in Mr. Staphurst's Officina Chymica Londinensis among the Laudanums p 51. Note That the main Things to be regarded in 〈◊〉 making up of this Pill are 1. To spare no Labour in pounding subduing and intimately mixing the Sapo tartareus and the Opium 2. That the Sapo should be twice as much as the Opium that it may the better subdue the resinous part of the Opium Note That as to the other Things contain'd in the â—aid Pill they may or other things be added or omitted according to the Intention of the Physician only this I say that it is very convenient other things should be added to the Sapo and Opium the better to separate and disgregate the parts of the Opium as has been intimated Note That if the Mass be too dry you may as Mr. Wilson directs use some of the Oil that separates from the Soap or rectified Oil of Turpentine q. s. to moisten it 2. Dr. Bates pacifick Pill which you have among the Pills in Mr. Shipton's Pharmacopâ—ia Bateana Note That the same Things are to be observ'd as to this and Starkey's Pill in all Particulars Note That the Benjamin should be omitted as being resinous III. Such Preparations of Opium wherein its resinous Parts remain unalter'd in themselves yet so divided separated c. as to be render'd innocent such are All which you have in the London Dispensatory 1. Venice Treacle 2. Philoneum Persicum 3. Philoneum Romanum 4. Diascordiuâ— 5. Mithridate Note That in all these Preparations the Opium should be carefully mixed with the other Ingredients and to that end either torrified and finely pouder'd or dissolved in Water which divides all its Parts and then throughly mixed with the other Ingredients while 't is off or after 't is reduced by Evaporation to the Consistence of a Syrup or somewhat thinner 6. Sydenbam's Laudanum which you 'll find in Mr. Wilson's Chymistry Note That the main Care in this Preparation is to let the Liquor have a sufficient time to clear from the Fâ—ces and to separate from it that you may by that means have less of the Rosin Note That this is best given in a spirituous Liquid lest its Rosin tho' it cannot have much in it if well decanted be precipitated at Stomach Note That the Henbane-seed in the Philoniums should be left out 1. Because it makes the Dose more uncertain 2. Because it is not to be esteem'd so much as Opium at least you multiply things without necessity in putting it in Note That Pil. e Cynoglosso as was said in the last Chapter of Pil. e Styrace is a very ill Composition both upon the Account of the resinous Things that it contains as also the resinous Preparation of Opium that it is made of and therefore does as that e Styrace often cause grievous Effects Nor do I think the London Laudanum whose Name does probably recommend it more than any Thing else worthy a Place among the best and safest Preparations because the Opium is render'd worse or more resinous than the crude by being extracted out of Spirit of Wine and because it has too few other Ingredients to divide segregate and keep its resinous Parts from Coalescence so that it may and sometimes does cause ill Symptoms so Philonium magistrale is to be rejected for the like Reasons besides that it is otherwise a foolish Preparation because Opium Benjamin Myrrh and Mummy are ordered to be made an Opiate or Electuary with Spirit of Wine which is ridiculous So Troch de Carabe and de Terra Lemnia are not without their Faults because one has Frankincense and the other Olibanum in it which are resinous tho but in a small Quantity Seif de Thure having a great Quantity of the Frankincense is not commendable since the Opium is also crude Now having shown you which are the best and worst Preparations and why it remains that I show you the just Doses of the best and sofest whose Number is very sufficient to answer all Intents without medling with such as may not be so saâ—e or neat An Explanation of the Table of Doses I Had once added an Explicatory Table of the Marks I use but afterward considered that all Physicians and good Practitioners in Physick do know them and that it was not fit to intrust others therewith Therefore I shall only add something for the better and readier Use of the premised Table of Doses 1. Note That the sort of Persons that you have to deal with are placed in the uppermost Space of the said Table and the Doses fit for such and such Persons put directly under them in the same Column 2. Note That there are three sorts of Doses of every particular Preparation that is the least middle and highest Dose under every sort of Men or Women which are also of three sorts the strong midling and weak as you see in the upper Space 3. Note therefore That when yon are about to give an Opiate to any Man or Woman that you first look in that upper Space for the sort of Person you are to give it to as weak strong or midling Men or Women Then carry your Eye down in that Column till you come over against the Preparation that you intend to give and there you 'll find in
the said Column three sorts of Doses the lowest on the left Hand the highest on the right Hand and the moderate Dose between them As suppose you are about to give a middle Dose of the Liquid Panacea to a strong Man see for strong Men in the upper Space and for liquid Panacea in the first Column on the left Hand under the Word Opiates and where the Column that belongs to strong Men and the Space that belongs to Liquid Panacea do meet there you 'll find qt 20 30 40 for the least middle and highest Dose give which you think fit according to your Intention So if you are about to give the highest Dose of the solid Panacea to a strong Woman you 'll find under the Words strong Women over against solid Panacea gr i gr i¼ gr i ss which shews you that gr i ss is the highest Dose for a strong Woman and so of all the rest 4. Note That I have been so cautious in dosing all the Opiates that you may very safely give the highest Doses to all but very weak Persons to whom it is hardly fit to give any Thing by reason of extream Weakness 5. Note That if you give any to young Persons under the Age of 20. you should proportion the Doses not so much as idle Custom directs according to their Years as Bulk and Strength For Instance allowing strong Men to be 200 pound Weight you must give a strong Youth of 100 Pound Weight Half the Dose of the strong Man and so of all other only allowing somewhat less the younger they are because of the Softness Fineness or Laxity of their Texture especially if they be very young to whom Opiates must be cautiously given or only Diacodium which is best in that Case and that in a small Proportion also for young Children cannot bear Opiates as well as grown Persons no not in Proportion to their Bulk or Weight Place this between p. 294 and p. 295. A Table of the DOSES of the Best and Safest OPIATES OPIATES Dose Dose Dose Dose Liquid To strong Men To midling Men strong Women To weak Men midling Women To weak Women The liquid Panacea gt 20 30 40 16 23 30 12 18 24 10 15 20 Laudanum liquidum Cydoniatum gt 20 30 40 16 23 30 12 18 24 10 15 20 Sydenham's Laudanum gt 20 30 40 16 23 30 12 18 24 10 15 20 Diacodium or Syr. e mecon ☞ i Ê’x ☞ ss ☞ ss Ê’vi ☞ i ☞ ss Ê’v Ê’vi Ê’iii ☞ ss Ê’v Solid     The solid Panacea gr i iss ii gr i i¼ iss gr ss i i¼ gr ss ¾ i Wedelius's Laudanum gr i iss ii gr i i¼ iss gr ss i i¼ gr ss ¾ i Le Mort's Extract gr i iss ii gr i i¼ iss gr ss i i¼ gr ss ¾ i Dr. Bate's pacifick Pill gr ii iiss iii gr i iss ii gr i i¼ iss gr ss ¾ i Starkey or Matthew's Pill gr vi ix xii gr v vii ix gr iv vi viii gr iii iv v Philonium Romanum Ê’ss ℈ ii Ê’i ℈ i Ê’ss ℈ ii gr xviii-xxiv Ê’ss gr xvi xx xxiv Philonium Persicum Ê’ss ℈ ii Ê’i ℈ i Ê’ss ℈ ii gr xviii-xxiv Ê’ss gr xvi xx xxiv Venice Treacle Ê’i Ê’ii Ê’iii Ê’i Ê’iss Ê’ii ℈ ii Ê’i ℈ iiii Ê’ss ℈ ii Ê’i Mithridate ☞ ss Ê’vi ☞ i Ê’iii Ê’v Ê’vii Ê’ii ☞ ss Ê’vi Ê’ii Ê’iii ☞ ss Diascordium ☞ ss Ê’vi ☞ i Ê’iii Ê’v Ê’vii Ê’ii ☞ ss Ê’vi Ê’ii Ê’ii ☞ ss The Doses of London Laudanum which I mention rather for its general Use than Laudableness may be the same with that of the Pacifick Pill A Table of Marks very necessary for the better understanding of the Table of Doses gt signifies a Drop 〈◊〉 signifies a Grain 〈◊〉 signifies a Scruple which is 20 Grain◠〈◊〉 or ☜ signifies a Dram which is 3 Scruples 〈◊〉 signifies an Ounce which is 8 Dramâ— or Drachms â— â— signifieâ— a Quarter Of any Toing â— â— â— â— ss or ss signifieâ— Half Of any Toing â— â— signifieâ— 3 Quarters Of any Toing CHAP. XXVIII The Cure of the ill Effects of Opium HAving shewn how to prepare Opium so as to render it safe and innocent in a Moderate Dose and how much that Moderate Dose is one may be apt to think that this Chapter is needless but when you consider how many there are that may be negligent wilful want Time Skill c. to prepare it or take too much or too long of it and that the Physician must be able to Answer and Remedy all ill Accidents that may happen you 'll find it very requisite that I should shew how to cure the ill Effects of Opium which proceed either 1. From its Rosin at Stomach Or 2. From too much Relaxation by an Excessive Dose Or 3. From a long and lavish Use of it Or 4. From a sudden leaving it off after a long and lavish Use thereof I. To Cure the ill Effects of the Rosin at Stomach you are First To know whether that be the Cause which you may learn 1. By considering whether Crude Opium or some resinous Preparation thereof was taken especially by it self in the Form of a Pill or Pills as an Extract thereof out of Spirit of Wine or Pilâ—e Styrace or London Laudanum or the like not duly prepared as has been directed 2. By the Symptoms which are these viz. a Nausea Puking Vomiting Hiccough Convulsions Distresses and Anxieties about the Stomach particularly the Part call'd the Pit of the Stomach Swimmings in the Head Vertigo's Palpitations and Tremblings of the Heart Agitations Uneasiness a Turbulent Pulse and after a Struggle of Nature under those Symptoms Faintings Leipothymies Syncopes c. which last you must not take for certain Signs and Symptoms unless the former have preceded them because it is not impossible but they may happen from the Quantity of the Opium Condition or Constitution of the Person c. but this when all Things are compared together will be easily Judged of especially if you observe 1. Whether those Faintings or Leipothymies be not more like the Failures and Stupors of Drunkards than bare Faintings if they be of the first sort then do they proceed from an over Relaxation occasioned by the Opium and not from its Rosin the Cure of which belongs to the second particular 2. Whether they are more attended with the Signs of Relaxation as Deadness of the Eyes Faltring of the Tongue Darkness before the Eyes Dilatation of the Pupilla Efflorescence of the Skin Laxity of the Limbs Want of Feeling Stupidity Sleepiness Failure of the Senses or of making Water loss of Memory or Understanding a dry Mouth a slow and wide Pulse and other Things much like the State of a deadish Drunkenness for then those Failures are the Effect of Relaxation by the pleasant Sensation that the Opium causes But after all it is the sort of Opium that was taken and
Parts themselves do also duly contract which Opium hinders 6. You have much the same Reason not to give them soon after other large Evacuations where a due Contraction of the Parts is requisite as after Tapping or Paracentesis in Dropsies Child-birth c. 7. Opiates are best given in the Morning to cause Euphory or brisk Effects because the Refreshment gain'd by the Night's Sleep does not only concur towards Euphory and Briskness but also much oppose Sleepiness and Drowsiness which are not consistent with brisk Effects VI. As to Persons 1. It is not convenient to give Opiates to Persons very young or very old 2. They agree better with Men than Women or Children With Men of a robust and hard rather than of a weak fine tender and soft Texture with such as have a strong Digestion than a weak and in general with the strong rather than the weak Therefore 3. Never give them to Persons that are very weak especially if they take or digest no sustenance or extreamly little for Reasons already given nor to such as are near their End or almost expiring ☞ Except it be for want of Opium or by Extremity of Contraction by Terrour Pain Cold Convulsions c. for then it will do Wonders in preserving People that are otherwise past all Hopes by relaxing taking away Pain Contractions c. 4. It is not so agreeable to the very fat or moist because they may be over-relaxed nor to the very lean and dry c. especially to cause sleep because it is apt to irritate and actuate their Spirits too much by which means Sleep is much hinder'd VII As to Maladies and Diseases c. I. Opiates are not convenient in Relaxations as such as general Palsies Hemiphlegia's Palsies of the Eyes Deadness of them Dilatation of the Pupil Relaxation of the Tympan of the Ear of one side of the Face which makes the other side contract and and so draw the Face awry for 't is not a Spasm or Convulsion as Men imagine of the contracting side but a Resolution of the other which permits the Antagonist Muscles of that side to contract without Opposition and draw the Face toward the strong or sound Side Relaxation of the Uvula or the annex'd Valu◠which last is known by Snuffling without any other evident Cause or by observing that it does not shut in sounding u in but cut c. by it self Relaxation of the Larynx and Windpipe which is known by a hoarse kind of Whisper without a Cold or any evident Cause Of the Pharynx or Gullet which is known by a Depravation of swallowing without Pain or Tumor or any evident Cause A Paralytical Asthma or difficulty of Breathing wherein Men heave the Shoulders without any apparent Cause Relaxation of the Stomach as when Meat stays too long at Stomach c. A. Palsie of the Intestines or Guts as when one is bound and cannot refer it to any other Cause Of the Bladder when one cannot make Water without any other Cause to refer it to Relaxations of the Sphincters of the Bladder and An◠that is when Urine or Ordure fall from one involuntarily nor are they convenient in Baths unless great Relaxation as for Passage of the Stone c. is intended Nor in Ruptures as Bronchocele of the Windpipe Exomphalos of the Navel Bubonocele of the Groin or the Fall of Humours Guts Fat c. into the Scrotum or of the Fundament Womb or the Vagina c. except it be to reduce them Nor in Lunations Sprains Laxity and Weakness of Ioints Limbs Back c. Extensions of Nerves Tendons Ligaments c. Nor where Relaxation does or may improve the Distemper or do harm as in Apoplectical and soporose Cases as Coma Caros Lethargy c. Weakness of Memory Stupidity Morosi◠Nightmare Drunkenness c. Syncopes and Faintings from Relaxation as the original Cause as from Excess of Ioy Pleasure Large Evacuations when the Parts cannot well and duly contract upon what remains as after Child-Birth profuse Hemorrhages Tapping or Paracentesis or any large Evacuation of Humours in Dropsies of the Belly Breast or Head nor as has been hinted in Dropsies tho' without any such Evacuation unless it be upon some special Consideration of the learned nor in Tremblings or Shakings of the Head or Hands c. from Weakness as in old Age Nor in Fluxes from Relaxation as too much Sweat Gonorrhaea Simplex Diabetes nocturnal Pollutions Chylou◠Flux Lientery involuntary Flux of Urine or Ordure and some sorts of immoderate Fluxes of the Menses or Lochia which owe their Cause to Relaxation or Aptitude to Abortion from that Cause and indeed generally in Women with Child lest it should cause Abortion by relaxing the Neck of the Womb. Or where Contraction is beneficial as to empty a foul or replete Stomach Choler c. by Vomiting or Stool or an ill Humour any way Therefore II. Opiates are not convenient when grievous Sensations are useful as to excite Expectoration when Matter threatens Suffocation in Vomicas Pleurisies Peripneumonias Consumptions Spitting of Blood c. When Hunger calls for Food and Restauratives that of stuffing at Stomach excites Vomiting that of Urine solicites us to a due Excretion thereof that of ill Matter at Guts causes an Evacuation thereof so that when a Crisis is to be by the Help of grievous Sensation or Irritation Opiates are not convenient for it takes off the Sense of Irritation but when a Crisis is to be by Relaxation as by opening the Pores to cause Sweat Perspiration c. then is it of excellent Use So that great Question that has very much puzzled the learned whether Opium is convenient before a Crisis c is plainly and mechanically answer'd III. Opiates are not convenient where Titillation by the Acrimony of volatile Salts is the Cause of the Disease as in troublesom Erections Priapisms Nocturnal Pollutions Venereal Furies too much Salacity and Titillation Itchings of the Uterus Scrotum Penis Skin in general c. IV. I scarce need tell any that Opiates are inconvenient when the Meconium of Children should be evacuated or when one is bound in Body or apt to be so but there may be a Time when the learned Physician may think fit to give them even to the Costive in urgent Cases for he can order somewhat along with them or soon after to open the Body who may also see Cause sometimes to vary from these general Rules when Necessity and good Reason direct him so to do tho' they are nevertheless general in their Nature and not to be transgressed without special Cause and mature Deliberation V. Opiates are not so convenient where there is much slimy moist and phlegmatick Humours by Reason that the Parts are subject in such Cases to be too much relaxed I have been the fuller especially upon the Head of Diseases that I may hereafter have nothing to do but to shew the beneficial Use of Opiates duly prepared more particularly of the Panacea's
of Opium of which I am going to speak CHAP. XXX The Method contriv'd to shew the Use of well-prepared Opiates more especially the Panacea of Opium HAving shewn the Nature and Principles of Opium which produces the good which the bad Effects how and why they do so how to separate subdue and correct the bad Principles the due Doses of good Preparations how to cure all the ill Effects of Opium and general Rules and Cautions concerning it and in what Cases it may not be convenient I have now nothing to do but to shâ—w the beneficial Use of the Panacea or well prepared Opiates To make it more agreeable to rational Minds and fix its Uses better in Memory I will so proceed by its Effects that the very Title of every Chapter may imply the Reason of its Use which is either internal or external and both of them either I. As it is a Pleaser of Sensation or an Opiate specially so call'd by which means it produces all the good Effects that are notoriously observed which are mention'd in Chap. 4 5 6. Or II. As it is an Alterative of the Bloud c. which is all Improvement because almost wholly disregarded and never brought into any Method to this day tho' it is the far nobler Use by how much Curing excels bare Pleasing or Palliating tho' these last Uses have already rendred it the most general Medicament that is in being insomuch that Sylvius said having only respect to this Use That he had rather not be a Physician than not know the Use of Opium III. As an Evacuative by relaxing and opening the Pores Its Effects and Uses as a Pleaser of Sensation are fairly reducible to these general Heads viz. 1. It s comforting gratifying encouraging and invigorating of the sensitive Soul and Spirits 2. It s composing the sensitive Soul Spirits c. 3. It s relaxing all the senfile Parts of the Body 4. It s causing Sleep 5. It s causing Indolence or taking away Pain 6. It s stopping Fluxes that depend upon Irritation grievous Sensation Contraction c. 7. Its promoting Fluxes that depend upon Relaxation 8. It s causing Titillation 9. It s causing Vigilancy or Watching in some Persons Its Effects and Uses as an Alterative are 1. To invigorate Nature or the sensitive Soul and Spirits which are the Principles of all Motion and Alteration for the Preservation of the Animal 2. To give Nature or the sensitive Soul an Euphory in that Work of Preservation Alteration c. 3. To administer fresh and most agreeable Principles for that end 4. To administer such as are more vigorous and powerful than our own in order 5. To resolve all ill Humours as vigorous and agreeable Menstrunms do 6. To compose combine concentrate or unite the good and agreeable Parts of those Humours and by its Agreeableness to join with them and cause a strict combination of Parts to intercede and as it were cement them 7. To discuss the separated and effete Parts of those Humours by its brisk Volatile Salt And Its Effects and Uses as an Evacuative are 1. To cause a liberal Perspiration to give those effete Parts their Exit in the most natural plentiful kind and universal manner 2. To cause Sweat when there is sufficient Matter for that end 3. To relax and open the Pores for the Menses and Lochia c. CHAP. XXXI Of the Use of the Panacea or well-prepared Opiates to comfort and invigorate the sensitive Soul and Spirits I Have shewn how and why it causes a blithe gay and good Humour Serenity Ovation of the sensitive Soul and Spirits Alacrity Promptitude Assurance Courage Magnanimity Euphory or easie Undergoing of Labour Iourneys c. It therefore follows 1. That it must prevent or take off Sadness Melancholy Cloudiness Slowness Dulness Listlesness Laziness Bashfulness Cowardise Fear Pusillanimity Lassitude Distresses Anxieties Solicitude and all such grievous Passions as Wine ad Hilaritatem does 2. That by fortifying the sensitive Soul and Spirits it must prevent contagious Infections and mightily enable and invigorate Nature to subdue and conquer what is inimicous to it in all Respects 3. That it prevents and takes off Faintings and Leipothymies that happen from the aforesaid Causes as those upon Fear Tâ—rour hard Labour being Plague-struck and the like I. The Form that it is to be given in is indifferent unless a very sudden Effect is required as may happen in Fainting Fits c. for then as was said a liquid Form in Wine or hot Cordials is best II. The Dose in these Cases must be moderate and sometimes in great Cases the highest for great Grievances cause proportionable defensive Contraction which opposes the good Effect of the Panacea c. III. The Vehicle should be a Glass of generous Wine cordial fermented Liquors comfortable Spirits or such-like to which you may add if you please pleasant and comfortable Things as Tincture of Saffron or its Spirits Chymical Oils as of Cinnamon Nutmegs Sassaphras Cloves c. dropp'd into Sugar Ambergrise Musk c. IV. The Time of giving it is at such a convenient distance before the Time that you would have it operate that it may produce its Effects at the Time desired See the General Rules as to Time When it is requisite to continue its Effects as in long Iourneys or the like repeat it as soon as you find the Effects of the former Dose begin sensibly to decay because it takes some Time to operate V. The Regimen when Action or Business is intended is to keep in Motion Discourse or the like lest you sleep or grow drowsie But when you intend Sleep observe the Regimen directed in the Chapter of its Use to cause Sleep Tho' less Sustenance will serve when you use it yet must it not be omitted in a moderate manner The Kind must be such as is easie of Digestion and apt to promote Perspiration as light Bread Mutton Lamb Neat's-Tongue Sweet-breads and Lamb-stones with agreeable Sauces that may help Digestion and Perspiration which is a great Cause of Serenity and Alacrity as Sanctorius observes because that thereby Fumes and Vapours which cloud and clog the Spirits are evaporated and the Spirits become serene and expedite It is to be observed That Parsly Selery Onions Horse-Radish Garlick and such warm and volatile Plants promote Perspiration Your Drink should be good Stomach-Wine or Wine and Water or fine clear Drinks not too new 1. Note That as has been intimated drinking good acceptable and generous Wine so often yet moderately as to keep a continual Sense of its Pleasure at Stomach is the best Substitute to it that can be used for it will thereby answer much of the permanent Effect of well-prepared Opium tho' not quite so convenient in many Respects as 1. Because it must be so often repeated 2. Because its Effect is not so fine and charming 3. Because the Wine heats more 4. Because it washes the Stomach too often and the like 2. Note
That when People are in an untoward Condition or as they call it out of Sods the next day after Drinking Men often advise taking the Hair of the same Dog that is drinking some of the same Wine or Liquor it is best for them to use it as I just now directed for their Case upon the good Effect of the Wine ceasing is much like that upon the going off of the Operation of Opium which may also in this Case be used instead of Wine to procure a better and blither Condition for that day that uses to be very troublesome to Drinkers 3. Note That good Preparations of Opium may be conveniently used to Horses to prevent their being tired or take off their Weariness and cause them to go on but I would not advise any Preparation in this Case but the liquid Panacea in good Ale or Beer and that only in the same Quantity as is used to Men till farther Experience emboldens the Practice By such means I cannot doubt it any Iade may be made to appear lively go well c. CHAP. XXXII Of the Use of the Panacea c. to compose the Sensitive Soul Spirits c. I Have shown how and why it composes and quiets the sensitive Soul Spirits Bloud Stomach c. and by that means allays all the Fury Commotions Perturbations and turbulent Exorbitances thereof and that often without Sleep but much better with it It follows therefore 1. That it prevents and takes off all Frets and turbulent Passions of the sensitive Soul as Anger uneasie Agitations and Tosses of the Mind Peevishness Fretfulness Discontents Disquietudes Dissatisfactions Murmurs turmoilings and vexatious Thoughts Anxieties Solicitudes c. and all the evil Effects thereof as Watchings Waste of Spirits or Strength Lossitudes Hypochondriacal Melancholy Cachexies Scurvies c. But these last belong most properly to its Alterative Faculty or Vertue 2. All involuntary furious Agitations of the sensitive Soul and Spirits as Madness more especially Melancholy Madnesses or such as proceed from grievous Thoughts or Apprehensions Losses Crosses Despair Fears Terrours or the like but they are not so good in Merry Madnesses as those from Ioy Venereal Fury and such-like which answers the great Disputes about Opiates in Madnesses Deliriums Epileptical Fits Convulsions general and particular as those of the Head Rising of the Lights Vomitings Hiccoughs Sabbings Keckings Convulsive Asthma's Palpitations and Tremblings of the Heart Shakings and Shiverings upon Fear Terror Cold Pain Ague-Fits Convulsive Colicks Hysterick Fits Iliack Passions c. 3. All Fevers and Frets of Humours that happen from any of the aforesaid Causes Or from any violent Motion voluntary or involuntary as Labour Running Hewing Fighting or any vehement Exercise Ratlings Tossings Concussions in Coaches Waggons Boats in stormy Weather violent Riding c. Or from Heat of Fire Sun Baths Hot-Houses Bagnio's Crowds lying too many in one Bed or with too much Clothes Or from grievous Sensation Irritation or Pain as Fevers upon Inflammations Abscesses Buboes Stone Colick Cardialgia Wounds Fractures Dislocations Confusions Amputations Lithotomy Paracentesis or any painful Operation of the Noble Art of Chirurgery Agony or Pain of the Small-Pox as its second Fever and the like Or from Fluxes as tedious and turbulent Vomitings Diarrheas Dysenteries Cholera's Iliack Passions artificial Purging and all symptomatick or immaterial Fevers whatsoever which either never had any Matter but proceed from such agitating Causes as I mentioned or remain as some do after the grieving Matter is carry'd off by Vomiting Purging c. I forbore mentioning Pleurisies and Peripneumonia's among the Fevers that it prevents or takes off because there are great Disputes whether Opiates are convenient in those Cases which I hope to determine Unless it be when the said Distempers are come to that pass that it is dangerous to cause Sleep or take away any of the Sense of the Irritation of the Matter to be expectorated lest it should be too much amass'd in the Bronchias or Wind-pipe and so choak the Person I see no cause to forbid them any more than Sleep or Opiates in other Inflammations wherein they are highly beneficial to give Ease cause Sleep compose the Spirits and take off or at least moderate the Fever But I see many good Reasons to use them 1. Because as a Sal-Volatile-Oleosum they reserate and resolve clammy Humours and are so agreeable in Principles as Menstraums should be to the thing to be resolved I cannot doubt but Red Poppy is upon Experience stated a Specifick in those Cases for that reason 2. Because these Distempers as Hippocrates speaks are from a segregation of Humours by Agitation c. and Opiates excellent Composers thereof 3. Because they are such great Discussers and 4. Open the Pores to let the discussed Matter quite out of the Body 5. Because it may be that by its Relaxation upon such Resolution the lodged Matter may be caused to flow off and circulate again and so be gradued discussed and carried off by the open Pores 6. Because it envigorates Nature to perform those Things And 7. Gives Ease and Recruit of the Spirits by Sleep So that all Things considered I think as Experience assures us that Red Poppy or Opiates in due Quantity are the very best Remedies that can be used Hence it is that Wedelius calls Opium an Antipleuritick Specifick he having observed as I and others have done That the whole Course of the Disease and Expectoration will succeed much better by their Use. He adds also That he has very often cured them by its help without letting of Bloud which is an infallible sign of their good Effect since the Pleurisie can hardly be cured without Bleeding I cannot see how an Effect that bears such Analogy to Sleep can do any more Harm than Sleep Etmuller also advises the giving of Opiates not only in the Beginning but also during the Increase of the Pleurisie or Peripneumoniae So that I conclude That they are of excellent Use in those Diseases unless it be when Sleep or them may cause too much Insensibleness of the Bronchias and so retard Expectoration when the Case is such that the Want thereof may endanger the Person 's being choak'd We have also many Histories of Persons cured in other Fevers by large Doses of Opiates I suppose that resinous Opiates causing Vomiting and great Disturbances by reason of ill Digestion in those Cases might be one great Cause of People's Fears and Ieolousies in giving Opiates which is easily prevented by giving liquid Opiates void of any resinous Particles as the liquid Panacea c. 4. It does by composing quieting and appeasing the Motion and Perturbation of the Bloud conduce much to the stop of its Efflux in Hemorrhages or Bleedings that are unnatural as at Nose in spitting and vomiting of Bloud bleeding at the Hemorrhoids in Dysenteries pissing of Bloud c. and sometime in profuse Menses when they happen from a Fever or too much Motion of the Bloud and
Benâ—fit as in many of the former To be short it is good and useful in all Pain and grievous Sensations 1. Eecept all such as tend to the speedy and timely Benefit of Persons as those in Womens Labour Grievances at Stomach that cause Vomiting upon over-Repletion or by Reason of somewhat that grieves and is not convenient to stay at Stomach or Irritations to expectorate when much wanted as happens sometimes in Vomicas Pleurisies Peripneumonias c. Or such as irritate and solicite to make Water go to Stool c. When Evacuation of Urine Ordure ill Humours c. is requisite 2. Except when grievous Sensations are necessary Calls or Intimations for Supply Refreshment c. as Hunger Thirst c. which should be taken off only by the Pleasure of good Meat and Drink lest Nature be defrauded Where you may observe an Inconvenience that may happen by the frequent Use of Opium taking away Appetite without Nutriment Tho' this is much compensated by the Relaxation and Recruit that Opiates give and their moderating the Expence of Spirits by taking of Contractions and may more if not wholly by a regular and constant way of Eating and Drinking temperately at usual Times tho' the Hunger may not by Reason of the Opiates be so great as at other Times I. The Form is indifferent and to be ordered only according to the general Rules remembring that the Liquid is best for Speed II. The Dose must be proportioned to the Pain or grievous Sensation and always rather more than when there is no Pain because its Contraction opposes the Relaxation to be induced by the Opiate Observe this Method First give a good Dose then stay about 2 or 3 Hours and if the Pain be not at all lessen'd you may safely then give half the Quantity again and afterward about a third Part of the Dose every 2 or 3 Hours till it begins to abate but upon the least sensible Abatement you must forbear to give any more because that which did in some Measure abate the Pain does in the same Proportion abate the Contraction and consequently it has less to contest with therefore will be sure to conquer it for the same Power that could subdue ten in some Measure will subdue nine in a greater Measure and eight more easily than nine c. till the Pain quite ceases whereas if you add more Power to the Opiate it may be too much especially when the Pain is thereby conquered and that it has no Contraction to contest with for then it will be as if a great Dose were given to one that had no Pain but if the Pain increases again you may safely repeat the Half Dose c. every 2 or 3 Hours till it again begins to abate and no longer which you had better observe to do as soon as ever the Pain begins to return because it takes some Time to operate it sollows then that the liquid Form is most convenient in this Case for Expedition My particular and effectual manner of using it in the Gout will be somewhat too redious to be set down Therefore since it may be obvious enough to the sagacious that consider what has been said and the Nature of the Distemper I will pass that by at this Time III. The Vehicle in cold Stomachs and Constitutions may be a Glass of Wine or some temperate Cordial but in hot Cases or where a Fever is feared Emulsions Milk and Water or Water alone or other acceptable cooling Things or such as are directed in the Case of procuring Relaxation in the last Chapter because it is Relaxation that takes away Pain as has been mechanically demonstrated But heâ—e there is no need of being scrupulous as to the Vehicle unless it be in respect of Heat and Cold as the Case happens IV. The Time may be any Hour as the Case requires only remember that Sleep conduces much to Relaxation and therefore to the taking away of Pain V. The Regimen to be used in the Case of Relaxing in the last Chapter will suffice but 't is convenient as was said to regard the Stomach and hot and cold Constitutions especially where there is any Fear of Fevers by giving cooling Liquids as Emulsions c. and avoiding hot or solid Things especially such as are hard of Digestion as Flâ—sh Fish Eggs c. 1. Note That it is very advisable not to defer the Use of Opiates too long till People are very weak tho' it may seem that they would hinder some due Evacuation for I cannot see what Harm a Refreshment by them may do any more than by Sleep both depending upon the same Cause viz. Relaxation It is true that by Reason of Sleep or an Opiate the Evacuation may be a little defer'd What then would any Man deny Sleep for that Reason Why then should a Physician deny an Opiate to cause it respite Nature and enable it to bear its Burthen or engage with Difficulties the better 2. Remember always that Sleep is a great Help to take away Pain and so are all Things that conduce to Relaxation or pleasant Diversion 3. Use Means in Pain of the Hemorrhoids Furdament or Intestinum rectum and indeed in any Pain within the Guts unless it proceeds from a Looseness that Opiates may not bind Men too much as Leâ—itives internally or emâ—llient 〈◊〉 or which of them may be most easily and conveniently done and most to the Purpose CHAP. XXXV Of the Use of the Panacea of Opium c. to cause Sleep IT primarily causes Sleep by relaxing and composing quieting soothing pleasing and lulling the sensitive Soul and Spirits it always relaxes but does not always sufficiently compose or quiet the Spirits to cause Sleep to which both are requisite Secundarily by taking away grievous Passion or Sensation when they happen to hinder it 1. As Soporiserous it is of incomparable Use in all troublesom Watchings whether they be from grievous Passion or Sensation or irrequiete Motion of the Spirits tho' not so certain in this last Case as in the former and therefore proves sometimes unsuccessful in some Persons and in some sort of Madnesses as the Merry or Furicus tho' it is effectual in Melancholy and slow Manias as has been intimated for bare Relaxation suffices in the Two first Cases where Sleep is hinder'd by Contraction which it never fails to take off if given in a due Quantity as has been directed 2. To recruit the Spirits as when People are tired with Labour Iourneys Diseases Conflicts of Nature as by Convulsions Vomitings Purgings Hysteric Fits and the like 3. To relax compose take away Pain moderate Fluxes that depend upon grievous Sensation or Irritation and its consequent Contraction or from Motion or Segregation of Humours 4. To promote Fluxes that depend upon Relâ—xation as Perspiration Sweat as also the Menses and Lochia in some Cases of all which you have particular Chapters which see I. The Form may be indifferently either solid or liquid as
't is best liked and most suitable to People's Minds Palate c. II. The Dose moderate except it be 1. Where some by Accident require otherwise as Pain Loosenesses Vomitings and to titillate the Venereal Membranes because remote which see in the respective Chapters of the Use of Opiates in those Cases 2. Where the general Rules direct otherwise as in the soft fleshed People Children Women c. where the Dose must be less III. The Vehicle must be the same as is directed to Compose but in old People 't is observed that smooth Spirituous Things as good Ale c. conduce very much to cause Sleep because Sulphurs do qualifie-the Volatile Salt of the Opium as was shewn IV. The Time in general is at the due distance before Bed-time that is directed in the general Rules but Opiates may be given at any Time when the Case requires as in the Small-Pox about 12 1 or 2 in the Afternoon according as the â—tions which happen in the Afternoon or towards the Evenings do seise them and in Agues at the due distance before the Paroxysm invades them 〈◊〉 that the Operation thereof may be fall and compleat before the Time that the Fits are to begin and so in all other Câ—ses of the like â—ind V. The Regimen in this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Twosold Aspect 1. To promote 〈◊〉 2. To compose and quiet Motions 〈◊〉 â—tions of the Spirits 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quiet being the Two 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As to the first the Regimen must be the same as is directed in the Chapter of the Use of the Panacea c. to relax but as to composing and quieting the Spirits I shall add somewhat tho' Relaxers are generally good for this Purpose unless join'd with some agitating Accidents as Heat or the like 1. As to Diet it should consist of cooling incrassating inviscating Things that are not aromatick acid or saline such are Milk-Meats Emulsions Almond Milks Chicken Broth with cooling Herbs Water-gruel fresh and young soft Flesh Lettuce Purstane Spinage Herb Mercury Mallows and such like Mucilages as of Quince Fleabane c. The Drink may be Milk and Water Whey or such unfermented Liquors or smooth Small Beer not too old for all stale Drink is naught Water where it agrees c. 2. Rest of Body and Spirits must be contrived by all means as by leaning lying or sitting still without any motion after it is taken till Bed-time and therefore let the Person if the Season permits be as much undressed as may be in a loose Garment or Morning-Gown all that Time and be help'd off with his Cloaths that he may not agitate his Body when sleepy and not before let him go into a cold Bed in Summer and but a little warm'd in Winter and only have what Bed-cloaths suffices and pleases him best and then lie absolutely still without Noise Light or Fire in the Room 3. Rest and Tranquility of Mind is very necessary which should be not only free from grievous Passions but from all Excess of Joyous ones which too much agitate the Spirits 4. The Air should be moist and moderate and if not such by the Weather render'd so by Art especially in Fevers 5. All Evacuations should be made that may any way disturb his Sleep before he betakes himself to it nor should the Stomach be overfull or empty lest any Grievance may be thereby created 6. Emollient tepid Baths Fomentations Feetwashes c. do finely dispose People to Sleep but take care they be not too hot for heat causes a stir of Bloud and Spirits which is an Enemy to Sleep 1. Note That long Sleeps after great Fatigues or long Watching ought not to be very frightful if the Dose was moderate and that the Person takes Sustenance 2. Note That old or dry Persons or such as are very unapt to Sleep after Opiates are often caused to Sleep by smooth Wine Ale Cowslip Wine or the like because the gentle Oiliness of such Liquors do correct the Acrimony of their Volatile Salts and at the same time cause a Sense of Pleasure which relaxes and causes Sleep It has been observed that even Ambergrise and Musk which exagitate the Bloud and Spirits cause old Men to Sleep which happens by their fine Sulphur readily fastening upon the acrimonious Volatile Salts as Spirit of Wine does upon Sal Ammoniac which being mixed do soon coagulate Therefore I am apt to think that Camphire would be of excellent Use to correct the Opium and the volatile Salts of the Body in such Cases because it is Experimentally certain that it corrects the Acrimony of Urine of Semen Virile Cantharides c. 3. Note That the drier the Body is the more unapt are Opiates to cause Sleep therefore dry Bodies as of old Men Hectical Persons c. should be well moistened by incrassative Moisteners as Emulsions and such Things as are above mentioned and ordered in the Chapter of the relaxing Use of Opiates From what is said I do conclude that Opiates do cause Sleep very readily where the Oily Parts abound and that Things that have a fine Oleous Sulphur are very good Correctors of it where acrimonious Volatile Salts abound in order to cause Sleep and that hence it is that some ancient People will often Sleep better by the Use of the aforementioned smooth fermented sulphureous Liquors than by the Use of Opium from all which it appears that Sleep is not such a Property of Opium as People make it to be because that besides relaxing Sleep also requires a great Rest of the Spirits and the sensitive Soul It seems very probable from the Premises that Anodyne Sulphur of Vitriol would be excellent to cause old Men to Sleep for it doubtless causes Sleep only by obtunding and qualifying our Volatile Salts as White 〈◊〉 and other Balsamicks will often do CHAP. XXXVI Of the Use of the Panacea of Opium c. to stop Fluxes IT palliates moderates and stops Fluxes 1. By taking away the sense of the Irritation of Humours which cause Contraction to squeese them out and promote their motion 2. Because it composes and stills the motion of Humours by the Relaxation and the Sleep that it causes which quiets motions 3. Because thereby and by its combining Agreeableness and Texture it congregates the disgregated Humours 4. Because the Relaxation suspends the Humours 5. Because it discusses ill Humours 6. Because the Pores being opened by the Relaxation the Humours that caused the Fluxes are gradually perspired by that most natural and universal sort of Evacuation for 't is plain Reason and common Observation that a plentiful Evacuation at Pores stops Fluxes per Anum c. and if it continues perfectly cures them ☞ Hence it is that the Use of Opiates continued does happily not only palliate but perfectly cure Diarrheas Dysenteries Defluxions Catarrhs c. It therefore follows that it is of great Use 1. To palliate moderate or cure all Fluxes that proceed from Irritation of Humours as Vomitings
nothing more sure than that it has such an Effect if the Dose be large enough and that most of the Eastern Nations use it for that end with infallible Effect III. The Time should be 5 or 6 hours before the Effect is expected or at Bed-time to cause its Effects towards the Morning particularly in the Case of exciting to Venery IV. The Regimen As to Diet it must be Nourishing Warming Comforting and Titillating with realishing and high Sauces Oisters Anchovy Caviare Cockles Ketchup Mango's Garlick Onions Leeks Bears Garlick Rocket Sives Shelot Ginger Aromaticks Roâ—ts of Satyrion Feaverfew Goats-beard Silver-weed Skirrets Parsnips and Artichoaks The Use of Ambergrise Musk and Civet is commended but good Stomach-Wines and thâ— like are certainly of Use Sine Baccho friget Venus But it is certain That Camphire and sulphureous Things unfermented as Oils Rosins and fat Things oppose Titillation as do also slimy mucilaginous and cooling Things CHAP. XXXIX Of the Use of the Panacea of Opium c. to cause Watching I Have shewn how Opiates cause Watching in some Persons by reason of the over-agitating and actuating the Spirits and Titillating by its Volatile Salt yet do they by causing Pleasure and Relaxation support the Spirits while the extraordinary Ovation of them hinders Sleep Therefore it is of Use to such as it causes Watching to when 't is requisite for them to watch about any Business Labour Iourneys c. I. The Form may be either Solid or Liquid II. The Dose moderate III. The Vehicle should be Acids or other Liquids with Volatile Salts IV. The Time may be at any Hour when wanted V. The Regimen quite contrary to that of Sleep and Relaxation viz. to use voluntary Motion c. CHAP. XL. Of the Alterative Use of the Panacea of Opium YOU see the mighty Extent and general Use of the Panacea of Opium as a Pleaser of Sensation which takes up the Nine last Chapters to mention the Heads of its Performances without descending into all particulars because their Number is indefinite How universal then must its Use be when we add thereto its Effects as a consummate Alterative which 1. Invigorates Nature by comfoâ—ting the sublimest Principles thereof viz. the sensitive Soul and Spirits that are the Original of all Motion and Action 2. Furnishes them with an indefatigable Euphory in the great Business of our Preservation 3. Puts the best Means into the Hands of invigorated Nature for that End that is most agreeable Principles even more powerful and of a greater Energy than our own which must as agreeable and exalted Menstruums do resolve all Humours congregating the good and homogeneous and separating the effete and heterogeneous Parts which it 4. Discusses and dissipates by its brisk and active Volatile Salt and at last 5. conveys out of the Body by a liberal Perspiration the most natural universal and copious Way of Evacuation All which being considered it is I think manifest that it must excel all other Panaceas 1. Because it takes away the Grievance or Form of Diseases upon the very first Administration thereof whereas other Medicaments do that but gradually as they alter or subdue the Matter 2. Because it highly comforts Nature or the sensitive Soul and Spirits from the very Commencement of the Cure and through the whole Process thereof if duly repeated which other Medicaments do only by insensible Degrees as they gain upon the Diseases 3. Because it procures Sleep the sweet and chief Refreshment of and first Cure in Nature so that I cannot see what can be desired in a Medicament that it is not accomplished with whereas other Panaceas are deficient or at least come very short of ours in these extraordinary Qualifications which seem to make it absolutely compleat and consummate 4. Because it from the very first composes all Perturbations and enormous Motions of the sensitive Soul or Spiriâ—s which Helmont attributes to the Archaeus placing all Diseases therein and therefore says Ort. Imag. Mâ—rb Sect. 12. Universale quoddam arcanum consopotivum sedativum Archaei est adhibendum that is An universal Remedy that appeases the Archaeus should be used And what appeases or composes it more than or as much as Opiates Therefore I cannot wonder that paracelsus should declare that it served his Purpose when all his Arcanas sail'd or that Helmont should be in a Rapture upon the Apprehension of the Excellency of Opium if the noxious Quality were separated from it tho' he had a very wrong Notion of its Operation as appears Potest Medicam Sect. 4. where he says that Opium Archaeum abigit fugat that is Opium chases and puts the Archaeus to flight which on the contrary it highly pleases and comforts It is endless and a Kind of Impertinence to descend into Particulars in the Use of a Panacea Therefore having shown how it operates by iâ—vigorating Nature causing Euphory Ease Sleep resolving all Humours as a general Menstruum or Alkahest congregating the good separating discussing and carrying off the bad Particles c. it remains only that I show you how to use it as to Form Dose c. leaving the Administration thereof in particular Cases to Physicians therein concern'd I. The Form that I mainly approve of to alter is the Liquid because the solid is in some Measure tho' not much impair'd by the Evaporation to the due Consistence and does not consist of the finest Parts as the liquid does II. The Dose may be at first about 20 Drops adding a Drop to every Dose till the Distemper is in good measure abated then let the same Number of Drops be continued till the Person is well and afterward abated by a Drop every Day till you come to ten or less or to such an inconsiderable Dose that you can find no Effect at all Note That tho' I am cautious in the Dosing till trusty Experience gives more Assurance yet do I believe that no Inconvenience will be found by far greater Doses if by any unless very excessive as 1 or 2 Gallons of Wine is in respéct of a Pint which in such Doses may be and is injurious Such as have Pain to be taken off must use it as is directed in the Chapter of its Use to take away Pain gradually encreasing so as to keep it off and when the Cure is in great Measure perform'd must continue and decrease as is aforesaid the like is to be said as to Fluxes c. III. The Vehicle may be in general plain Water or rather altered and made bitter by an Infusion of the Ingredients of the bitter Decoction or Agrimony Wood-sage Bean Trefoil or the like good bitter Things that are known by Experience to cause a good Digestion In particular Cases the Vehicle may be appropriated to the Disease yet always so ordering it that it may be stomachiâ—al IV. The Time should generally be in the Morning unless Sleep at Nights is to be procured thereby if so you must order Things as in the