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
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
all such do depend and that the particular Enumeration of its Effects in Diseases belongs to its curative and paliative Virtue which will be handled hereafter The rare Effects of Opium taken in a moderate Dose 1. Temporary Palsies as of the Bladder and sometimes of other Parts tho' very rarely 2. Faltring of the Tongue 3. Loosness of the lower Iaw as in the Drowsie Drunkards c. 4. Prevention of Sweat in such as sweat too much for want of Perspiration 5. Abortion 6. Prevention of Abortion in some Cases 7. Intumescence of the Lips 8. Curing of the Dropsie of which Dr. Willis gives an Instance 9. Curing of Stupors of some sorts as those from Colds c. 10. Anxieties and Distresses 11. Vomitings and Hiccoughs 12. Convulsions 13. Syncopes Leipothimies and Faintings 14. Death tho' very rarely and that in very weak People 15. Purging 16. Raising and reviving some Persons that are just expiring 17. A long stay thereof at Stomach sometimes 18. Stoppage of Urine 19. It sometimes proves dangerous after Hemorrhages and large Evacuations 1. Note That the first Class of Effects being the most constant are the most proper genuine and principal Effects upon which all other Effects depend unless they are accidental It must therefore be that these should best guide us in the Disquisition of the Cause of the Operation of Opium 2. Note That the second Class tho' not so constant are natural Effects of Opium and will be also good Guide for the same purpose 3. Note That there is but little notice to be taken of the rare Effects for that purpose because most accidental The Effects of the going off or declination of the Operation of Opium taken internally in a moderate Dose 1. A general return of all the Diseases and Disasters that Opium paliated during its Operation unless it happens that some are cured thereby which iâ— they be is generally by the Benefit of Sweat or insensible Perspiration as Colds Pain from Wind or Humours that should have passed by the Pores as in Coughs Tooth-ach c. from Construction of the Pores or by composing the Fury of the Spirits or Bloud which it very often yea generally cures with one single Dose But of these things more in the Curative Part. 2. Sweat tho' not constantly 3. Frequent making of Water sometimes 4. A Loosness sometimes even when there was none before the giving of the Opium 5. Diseases seeming worse than before the taking of it 6. A melancholy and sad Depression of Spirits 7. A narrow Pulse 8. Itching of the Skin CHAP. V. The Effects of Opium taken in an Excessive Quantity 1. A Heat at Stomach 2. A sense of Weight at Stomach sometimes 3. Gaity of Humour at first Aâ— after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 4. Sardonick Laughter afterward As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 5. Laxity and Debility of all Parts As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 6. Alienation of the Mind As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 7. Loss of Memory As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 8. Darkness of the Eyes As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 9. Laxity of the Cornea As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 10. Appearance of divers Colours As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 11. Deadness of the Eyes to the View As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 12. Faltring of the Tongue As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 13. A Sopor As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 14. A slow and wide Pulse As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 15. A high Colour As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 16. Looseness of the Iaw and Lips As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 17. Intumescence of the Lips As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 18. Difficulty of Breathing As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 19. Fury and Madness As after Drinking a great Quantity of Wine in a short time 20. Venereal Fury 21. Priapisms 22. Violent Itchings 23. Nausea's 24. Swimmings in the Head 25. Vertigo's 26. Vomitings 27. Hiccoughs 28. A turbulent Pulse 29. Convulsions and Cold Sweats 30. Faintings and Leipothymies 31. Cold Breath 32. Death Such as escape it generally have 33. Plentiful Purging 34. Sweats that smell of the Opium 35. Violent Itchings in the Skin 1. Note That all these Effects do not happen to all but some to one and some to others 2. That these Effects are greater or less according to the Dose Constitution of the Person and other Circumstances 3. That they are most endanger'd thereby that have a Lax and fine Texture and a weak Digestion 4. That a Looseness upon it is a good sign 5. That it affects some by making them Furious as Wine does and others Stupid Generally the Furious are most safe from danger of Death But of these Things more hereafter by God's Help CHAP. VI. The Effects of a long and lavish Use of Crude Opium 1. RElaxation and Weakness of all Parts 2. Inhability or Listlesness to do any thing exept it be while the Opium Operates 3. Inhability or Listlesness to get up in the Morning 4. A dull moapish and heavy Disposition as in old Drunkards except it be during the Operation of Opium 5. Diminution of Appetite As is observable in old Drunkards 6. Weakness of Digestion As is observable in old Drunkards 7. Dropsies As is observable in old Drunkards 8. Decay of Parts As is observable in old Drunkards 9. Weakness of Memory As is observable in old Drunkards 10. Stooping in the Back As is observable in old Drunkards 11. Early Decrepiteness As is observable in old Drunkards 12. Shortness of Life As is observable in old Drunkards 13. Acrimony of Blood 14. Inclinations to Venery 15. Frequent Inclinations to make Water 16. Priapisms and frequent Erections 17. Nocturnal Pollutions The Effects of sudden Leaving off the Use of Opium after a long and lavish Use thereof 1. Great and even intolerable Distresses Anxieties and Depressions of Spirits which in few days commonly end in a most miserable Death attended with strange Agonies unless Men return to the Use of Opium which soon raises them again and certainly restores them if it has time to operate before they die which it soon does in a liquid Form Or if they have not Opium or will not take it they must use Wine very plentifully and often as a substitute to the Opium tho' it doth not perform half as well as Opium 2. A return of all Diseases Pains and Disasters that were palliated by the taking of Opium 3. Dangerous Loosenesses 4. Death follows the leaving it off after
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
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
Watches and Sentinels to discover and give notice of what is or is not good and agreeable to our Animal Nature That upon notice of what is good and agreeable Pleasure Comfort Satisfaction c. are conceived otherwise Displeasure Discomfort and Dissatisfaction What diminishes or disables our Spirits does us the greatest Evil that can be and consequently Sensation would according to its Office give us such notice thereof as would cause Displeasure c. otherwise these Sentinels that God and Nature have appointed for faithful Notice would instead of trusty service which is the End they are made for deceive us and consequently do us mischief rather than good which is very Prophane if not Blasphemous to assert as being highly abusive of God's Goodness and Wisdom to make Things in Nature that would not only not answer but act quite contrary to their Ends it follows then that what causes such a mighty agreeable and pleasant Sensation at Stomach which is the greatest and most accurate Judge of what is or is not agreeable to the Animal cannot be destructive or disabling of its Spirits which are the most excellent and useful Things that belong thereto Therefore Opium which so mightily recommends it self to pleases and comforts the greatest Iudge that God has given to a sensible Creature to discern what is good and evil for it cannot diminish or disable our Spirits One may say what I dare not that the Sensation at Stomach may deceive us We may deceive our selves and say so when that which pleases the Stomach does not please our perverted Imagination which makes no Argument let us therefore consider Things where there is no such vain Imagination to contradict the good Ends of Nature if the Stomach and Senses in a Brute or meer Animal which has no other means to Judge of what is good or evil for it should not Judge aright all the Animals in the whole World would soon perish It is the vain Opinion of Men that perswades them that Things are cold when hot c. as in the Case of Opium when the Senses truely inform that it is hot If you 'll stand to your Imaginations and Suppositions for such all must be without the Information of Sense against the Dictates of Sensation you must inevitably err But one may say Is the Sense at Stomach such an infallible Guide always I believe it will be very hard to give many Instances to the contrary and prove it well however if we do or may allow something of this Kind to a perverted Stomach at certain times to avoid a squabble about it it is never to be allow'd That all the Stomachs in the whole World should be pleased with one and the same Thing at all times and yet that this Thing should be so highly pernicious to the Animal as to diminish or disable its Spirits Then indeed it would follow that the most exquisite Sense at Stomach to discern what is or is not agreeable to the Animal were absolutely in vain which no Man of Reason that has any Apprehension of the Wisdom of God and Nature can assert 3. What is more notorious than that Pleasure or being pleased raises and Displeasure or being grieved depresses the Spirits Are not all People pleasant gay and good humour'd brisk prompt c. when pleased Do not Men Travel or Labour with more Ease in Pleasant Company c. But of these Matters and the Reasons thereof more in the following Chapters 4. How can Opium that revives People when they are so dispirited that they are even almost dying as when Opium is wanted by such as use to take it in Deliquiâ—ms and Agonies from Paiâ— c. diminish or disable the Spirits It is plain Contradiction to say that it should Next to Opium nothing revives People in such Cases better than Wine and those Things that produce the same or like Effects have like Nature and who can say that Wine that was made to glad the Heart of Man diminishes or disables the Spirits Or that Opium which produces all the sprightly enlivening and encouraging Effects of generous Wine in a more eminent manner than Wine and in the 10000th Part of its Quantity and for a longer time than Wine causes them should diminish or disable the Spirits For Instance Wine and Opium in a due quantity but Opium in a far less quantity as was said cause a pleasant gay and good Humour Courage Bravery Magnanimity Promptitude in Business Expediteness in Management Serenity Euphory or easy undergoing of Labour Iourneys Fatigues c. Both take away Sadness Grief Melancholy Fear Depression of Spirits c. Both cause Promptitude to Venery Sine Cerere Baccho friget Venus So Wine and Opium prevent and cure Cold open the Pores promote Perspiration and Sweat especially the following Mornings as Sir Theodore Mayern my self and others have observ'd of Opium and is notorious as to Wine Both cause Sleep and take away the Sense of Pain and require a greater Dose than ordinary in Proportion to the Pain Both take off Shiverings from Fear Cold or Ague Fits and cause Mirth Contentation and Acquiescence Driness of the Mouth Thirst a Sense of Heat within us a Dreaming Condition pleasant Dreams if the Quantity of Wine be not grievous by its Heat Load c. Nâ—cturnal Pollution and in some Constitutions both cause Vigilancy but Wine and Opium cause that more rarely than Sleep Both stop and cause Vomiting if they stay too long at Stomach Both moderate Hunger 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and are good in a canine Appetite Both cause Swimming in the Head c. So Both in an Excessive Dose Do cause at first Mirth and afterward a kind of Drunken Soper in some in others Fury or Madness Sardonick Laughter and Weight at Stomach Vomitings Hiccoughs great Heat at Stomach Debility and laxity of all Parts Faltring of the Tongue Scotomies and Darkness of the Eyes Vertigo's Laxity of the Cornea of the Eye Dilatation of the Papilla Deadness of the Eyes to the View Loss of Memory Venereal Fury a high Colour profuse Sweats Purging sometimes Alienation of the Mind Loss of Memory and lastly greater or lesser Effects according to the Dose Constitution c. So A long and lavish Use of both Causes a dull and moapish Disposition Dropsies Fall of Humours upon Weaken'd Parts a Sleepy Disposition Want of Appetite Weakness of Digestion Aptitude to Sterility and Abortion early Decrepiteness Stooping in the Back Trembling of the Hands Weakness of Memory Shortness of Life Difficulty and Danger in suddenly leaving them off Revive such as sink for Want of either and supply the Want of each other How can any have the Face to say that a Thing which agrees so with generous Wine in Effects can be a Diminisher or Disabler of the Spirits The Mischiefs of excessive Doses and lavish Use of either is no Argument against their inspiriting Nature if it were then Wine is no Cordial tho' made to glad the Heart
which gave the Occasion as you may remember to the Hypothesis of its Operating by Fumes rising out of the Stomach because they could not think of any other Means by which it might affect the Head Brain Animal Spirits Nerves c. while it was at Stomach but by the Way of Fumes or Vapours It is therefore past all doubt That Opium produces its common Effects while it is at Stomach and before it arrives at the Blood and therefore does not Operate as an Alterative thereof Secondly Because a Grain of Opium which Operates very remarkably bears as Etmuller well observes so small a Proportion to the Bloud that it cannot produce such great and notable Effects as an Alterative thereof for a Grain of Opium to 20 Pound of Blood which an ordinary Man has in his Body is but as 1 to 115200 or if 16 Oucnes be allow'd to the Pound as 1 to 153600. But it is no Wonder if a Grain should affect the Membrane at Stomach since the 1000 part of a Grain of the Vomitory Particles of Crocus Metallorum or Regulus of Antimony does affect it so eminently as many other Things will in a very small Quantity whereas the altering of the Blood to any observable degree requires the Use of Alteratives in great Quantity for several Weeks Which confirms the former Conclusion That Opium does not Operate as an Alterative as to its common and usual Effects II. Opium does not Operate by grievous Sensation or Irritation as Vomits Purgers Errhines Salivators or Apophlegmatizers c. do First Because it manifestly causes a very agreeable pleasant and even charming Sensation Secondly Because it takes away grievous Sensation or Pain thereby stopping Vomiting Purging and all other-other-Effects of grievous Sensation by Acrimony c. As for the Vomiting that Opium sometimes causes it is only as shall be shewn by its Resinous Parts sticking to the Coat of the Stomach which being separated from it Opium has no such Effect tho' all its good Effects remain So its Purging which happens most rarely and only when a great Quantity is given to Men of strong Digestion it is only from its Rosin digested and resolved in strong Stomachs Hence it is that Dogs and such as have canine Appetites do generally Purge after a great Quantity of Crude or Rosinous Opium whereas such as is not Rosinous causes no such Effect But of these Matters more to your Satisfaction hereafter Thirdly Because it causes all Effects that are quite contrary to those of grievous Sensation It causing an Ovation of the Sensitive Soul and Spirits Pain or grievous Sensation a Depression of Spirits It causing Euphory and Pain Weariness For what tires more than Pain or labouring in Pain It causing good Humour Pain Peevishness Fretfulness and ill Humour Opium causing Relaxation of all Parts Pain Contraction That causing free Perspiration this checking it That causing Sleep this hindering it That causing Contentation Acquiescence this Discontent and Uneasiness That composing this discomposing the Spirits Bloud c. That causing Fluxes by Irritation c. this moderating or stopping them That opening the Pores Pain constringing them Opium preventing the Shaking Fits in Agues Pain bringing them on That causing a large and slow Pulse this a quick hard and narrow Pulse That causing an Efflorescence of the Skin this Paleness That pleasant this unpleasant Dreams That stills Hiccoughs this causes them That takes off Contractions Convulsions c. this causes them To be short Opium causes all the Effects of pleasant Sensation and takes off all the Effects of grievous Sensation What can be a more evident Proof of its acting by causing a pleasant Sensation It were endless to mention all the Proofs that may be made to the same Purpose from Pleasers and Displeasers of Sensation Therefore we fairly conclude That Opium does not Operate by causing a grievoui Sensation and there being no other Way left by which it may Operate It must Operate by causing a pleasant Sensation which is the true and plain Reason why as has been shewn it takes off Pain and causes all Effects quite contrary to that of grievous Sensation Irritations by Acrimony c. which are most eminent upon the most sensible Parts as the Stomach Intestines Venereal Membranes Skin c. as you may observe where the Effects of Opium are enumerated Now gentle Reader consider That Contraries are the true Cure of Contraries What can then cure Pain and all its Effects better than Pleasure 'T is very strange then that Millions for many Ages finding Opium cure or take off Pain and all its Effects above all Things should not attribute its so doing to its causing a pleasant Sensation which is the direct contrary to Pain especially since every Man that took Opium felt an actual Pleasure upon taking thereof pleasant Dreams a pleasant Humour c. It may be said What if it be granted that Opium Operates by a pleasing Sensation which I will Thank none for that have Feeling at Stomach or Reason at Brain how is it possible that such pleasant Sensation should cause and explicate all the various strange wonderful mysterious and very often seemingly contradictory Phenomena's and Effects of Opium Answer As easily as ever I explain'd any Thing in Nature especially if my Tract of Animal Mechanism were published but it is my Misfortune that it is not however it shall not be the Readers tho' it will put me to a great Trouble To evade which is none of my Intention by those Words but rather to bespeak the Reader 's Patience while I am premising some necessary Praecognita requisite to be known before I enter upon the Explication of the wonderful and seemingly inexplicable Effects of Opium I therefore desire the Reader 's Leave to premise some Things of the Nature of Sensation and sensitive Pleasure in order to his more clear and ready Understanding my Explication of this Mysterious and Momentous Matter look'd upon as so dark and abstâ—use a Business to this day that some have not only yielded it up as a Thing hidden from Mankind but have earnestly and seriously argued that it acted absolutely by an occult Quality reserved in a special manner as is the Nature of Spirits from our Knowledge That it has been so hitherto I think none can deny as the Circulation of the Bloud was for Thousands of years tho' the very Motion was seen by Millions so as the Cause of the Operation of Opium has been felt by a far greater number it therefore will if I fail not in explaining it appear so clear that it will be much wondered at like that of the Circulation of the Bloud why so obvious a Thing was not found by every one that used Opium But whatever Opium is God's Methods are unsearchable and often his Wise Providence bestows good Gifts upon the Unworthy that his free Goodness may appear To whom be all Glory Praise and Thanksgiving for ever and ever Amen Note That while I am upon 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
only in those Membranes but also in the more exquisitely disposed Membranes for Sensation at Stomach and soon after all over the Body 5. It prevents and takes away Grief Fear Anxieties Peevishness Fretfulness c. for the aforesaid Reasons which cause a blith gay and good Humour Promptitude Courage c. for it is impossible to be gay and good Humour'd Serene Chearful Courageous and Magnanimous and at the same Time Sorrowful Fearful Peevish Fretful c. If the bare Sense of an ordinary Meal of Meat at Stomach which causes but a slow Pleasure in comparison with Opium takes off the Peevishness Fretfulness c. that the grievous Sensation of Hunger causes how much more must the intense and charming Pleasure caused by Opium that is so agreeable even far beyond Wine it self as has been set forth take away all ill Humours Fretfulness Peevishness c. Obj. But it may be said That Sleepiness which depends also upon Relaxation as the Effects of Pleasure do causes a Peevish Fretful Humour as is commonly observed Ans. It is so far otherwise in the Case of Opium that it is quite contrary for 1. The Sleepy are not Peevish unless you put them by some Means out of the Pleasure of enjoying Sleep or Relaxation for if you let them alone they will not trouble you with Peevishness nor any ill Humour but it is the calling them from their relaxed Condition to the grievous Task of Contractions that vexes them so that it is the Want of continuing under the Relaxation that frets them and the more because the Fatigue and Tedium of Contraction did put them upon the Relief of Sleep of which if disappointed they are much vexed But in the Case of Opium you cannot so easily rob them of their Pleasure which they carry continually within them in an uninterrupted manner unless some very grievous Thing happens which causes more defensive Contraction than the Opium causes Relaxation tho' even this also is generally soon overcome by the Pleasure continually inviting the Relaxation and promoting it whereas the Interruptions thereof are transitory but at the worst it is but taking more Opium and the Work is done for I observe that the Dose of Opium must be sufficient to introduce such a Sense of Pleasure as causes a Relaxation of the Contraction caused by the Grievance Hence it is certain that a greater Pain requires a larger Dose of Opium as has been intimated 6. All know that Pleasant Diversions as Musick Pleasant Iests and Stories fine Sights c. do cause Euphory and an easie undergoing of Iourneys Labour c. Therefore if such interrupted transient and slight Pleasures do it so much it will be easily granted me that a continual and more intense Pleasure that is always present without any Interruption or Intermission as that of Opium must cause a more eminent and permanent Euphory proportioned to the Pleasure which causing Relaxation prevents the Fatigue or Lassitude that is caused only by Contractions either Vigilative Dâ—fensive or Intentive as I have proved So that I do not conceive how the Noctambuli or such as Walk in their Sleep can ever be tired if they Travelled ever so far if they could Eat and Drink because the Relaxation of the Sleep recruits them as much as they spend of Spirits c. so Persons that cause such Relaxation by Opium and so repeat it as to maintain the Relaxation can hardly be weary which is the true plain and Mechanical Reason why the Turks and other Eastern People do by the Help of Opium perform prodigious Iourneys without being tired which may therefore in Allusion to the Noctambuli be call'd Opiambuli or Opambuli as being a kind of Artificial Noctambuli because they are much relax'd by the Pleasure that Opium causes as the other are by Sleep Qui Laetitiâ aâ—iciuntur says Sanctorius nuâ—lam in Itinere Defatigationem sentiunt That is The Merry are not Weary as the Saying is because Mirth being pleasant causes Relaxation as Opium does in some measure Note That as to all the foregoing serene and brisk Effects a full and liberal Perspiration which it also causes as will be shewn contributes much thereto a posteriori for as Fire burns slowly and dully if the Smoak does by any means return upon it and very serene if not so it is with the Flame of Life if clouded with or clear'd from Vapours by Perspiration Sanctor Sect. 7. Aph. 17. Mâ—lancholia superatur liberâ Perspiratione Aph. 30. 31. Edulia aperientia Gaudium movent That is Such as open the Pores and cause Perspiration cause Ioy or Mirth 7. It lulls sooths and as it were charms the Mind with Consent and Acquiescence for the several Reasons couched in the Premises and because the fine continual and charming Pleasure of Opium such as some Glasses of generous Wine causes must needs have such an Effect 8. It quiets allays and composes all Perturbations and Commotions of the sensitive Soul Spirits c. 1. Because it so lulls sooths and charms the sensitive Soul as is aforesaid who is the Original of all Motions in the Animal 2. Because all Motions are by the Relaxation proportionably abated as was demonstrated Thus Opium takes off Hysterick Fits Fevers from Commotions of the Spirits convulsions Stops Hemerrhages or Bleeding c. 9. It causes a Relaxation of all the sensile Parts of the Body by Reason of the great and continual Pleasure that it causes and how Pleasure causes Relaxation I have shewn in Chap. 14. 10. It causes Indolence or Exemption from Pain by causing so high and lasting a Pleasure 1. Because that Pleasure takes up the Attention of the sensitive Soul who delights in 't 2. Because a sense of Pleasure and Pain cannot be at the same Time in the same Subject being they are Contraries 3. Because the Membranes being relaxed and the Animal Spirits expanded the Impressions of Pain cannot be carried to the sensitive Soul because they cannot convey Impressions smartly being thus relaxed and expanded as has been demonstrated by the Comparison of a Gut half full of Air c. and all Impressions of Pain must be smart or else they are not Impressions of Pain for gentle Impressions are such as belong to Oils smooth and soft Things or when the Animal Spirits can hardly carry any Impressions but gently as in Sleep and other Relaxations as that upon Pleasure c. which is our Case Note That it will cause Indolence without causing Sleep because Sleep requires Relaxation and Quiet of the Spirits but Indolence requires only Relaxation as was shewn which always follows the charming Pleasure of Opium 11. It stops moderates or palliates most Fluxes and promotes Perspiration because the Relaxation takes away the sense of the Irritation of Humours which causes a Contraction to squeese them out and that the same Relaxation opens the Pores to let the Fâ—mes out which pass by their own Levity upon the opening of the Pores Nihil magis says Sanctorius
and Motion fail together of the great Perspiration and all other Effects of Relaxation in such Syncopes or Leipothymies in a yet higher degree than in Sleep wherein the sensitive Soul does not quite let go the Reigns of Contraction as appears by the Motions that remain as of the Heart Intestines c. tho' far more remiss in Sleep than in a Waking State Note That such Leipothymies are as was hinted of the same Nature as Sleep is but that they are suddain more profound and not so usual natural and of course as Sleep is which makes them more amazing and surprizing therefore it follows that they are as Sleep is a Means of Recruit when all working and tugging by Defensive Contractions fail and so the last Refuge of the sensitive Soul when over-tired in order to recover Strength for a fresh Engagement with the Enemy as being tired at Night the sensitive Soul loosens the Rigns of Contraction to enable him the better to fall to his Work the next Day This you 'll find by all Reason and Experience to be the true State of Leipothymies upon Grievances and Fatigues tho' not hitherto minded that I know of Many true and useful Consequences do hence follow as That we are not always to disturb them or put them out of these recruiting Leipothymies by grievous Means as Prickings Pinchings c. but only by Cordials and Refreshing Things as you would Treat a Person much tired or by letting them take their Nap if I may so call it if there be not very eminent Danger But 't is endless and besides my Purpose to make a particular Discourse of this Matter which will belong more properly to my Tract of Animal Mechanism 14. Death happens sometimes tho' very rarely and that in very weak People that take little or no Sustenance because either when fallen into such Syncopes they never come out of them by Reason that they have not within them wherewith to recruit their Spirits or that Opium taking them much spent and tired with Distempers causes as in weak and wearied People a most profound Sopor which not recruiting them who take or digest no Sustenance they must rather grow weaker and weaker for somewhat is spent while we live and consequently the Sleep or Sopor more and more profound till they Sleep their last for want of some Recruit which is the very Thing that naturally lessens Sleep and awakes us when there is no other apparent Cause for as the being tired and want of Recruit causes Sleep so the having it causes Waking or which is the same in Effect no farther need of Relaxation for Recruit's sake so that the sensitive Soul fall to his useful Work of Vigilative Contraction for Sense and Motion's sake 15. It sometimes causes Purging which happens as far as I have observed or can learn only when it is given in a good Quantity to Persons of a strong Digestion or canine Appetite The Case is thus When Persons that are of a strong Digestion take a Resinous Opiate in good Quantity they do in great measure by their fixed Salts at Stomach and strong Digestion subdue the Volatility of the Opium and dissolve its Rosin which then as acrimonious Rosins or Vomits subdued by fixt Salt use to do causes Purging Hence it is that it generally if not always Purges Dogs and People of a high canine Appetite and that sometimes meeting such fixed Salts it Purges the Consumptive Bartholine says That Mandrake Iuice purges when it meets with acrimonious fixed Salt Erastus and Quercelan do agree That it has a Purgative Quality but that it does not always exert it 1. Because it takes away the Sense of Irritation 2. Because it is given in too small a Quantity The Reasons are Just and Right and not only consistent with but confirm what I say Note That this is not intended of the Purging that happens after the declination of its Operation which is as you 'll find from another Cause therefore this does not smell of the Opium as the other does because it is past and gone before that in the Declination happens Of which more in its proper Place 16. It raises and revives some Persons that are almost expiring in Two Cases One is when such as have been used to take it are even expiring for want of it of which more hereafter The other Case is when violent Contraction as from Pain Cold Vomitings and Grievous Passions as Terrour c. are the Cause that People are almost expiring for it takes off the Contractions by relaxing c. 17. It stays very long at Stomach when the Rosin thereof sticks to the Stomach and is there detain'd Besides that the Stomach being relaxed and having little sense or motion as in Sleep does not soon digest it or discharge it It is fine in this Case and all other to observe how Sensation and Motion go Hand in Hand keeping equal Pace and equal Proportion as it plainly must be by the Principles of Relaxation and Contraction which I have stated and proved 18. It causes stoppage of Urine sometimes especially in old People by over relaxing and causing a kind of a temporary Palsie of the Bladder as was shewn and taking away the sense of the Irritation of the Urine which should contract the Bladder to squeese it out by which Means it happens sometimes that the Bladder comes to be so over extended beyond its due Tone that they cannot contract it to make Water in all which Cases strong Contracters as Cold Terrours c. immediately cures them the very putting the Scrotum to the Edge of a cold Chamberpot has effected it several times by my Advice tho' if need be you must come to Dashing of cold Water upon the Region of the Bladder or Pumping on it or Dipping in it c. so Terrour and causing a very smart Pain especially near those Parts will do much but Cold is the readiest and best Remedy 19. It sometimes proves dangerous after great Hemorrbages or Evacuations as Tapping in Dropsies c. because the Relaxation hinders the Parts duely to contract upon what remains which may cause great Mischiefs as Discontinuation of Motion c. Thus have you all the constant frequent and rare Effects of Opium taken internally in a moderate Dose so naturally easily plainly and mechanically explicated that People may in my Judgment more admire how all fail'd of discovering the manner of their Production than that I found it as Men are apt to think of the Circulation of the Bloud which now as I hope the Effects of Opium do seems very obvious both which Cases are to me very strong Arguments of a Being that rules and disposes darkens and illuminates c. as he pleases when I consider that both the Circulation of the Bloud and the Cause of the Operation of Opium viz. Pleasure at Stomach c. fell under the Senses of many Millions who in one Case saw the Bloud move and in the other felt
the Pleasure yet was neither discovered for many Thousands of years especially considering also that in the Case of Opium Thousands of Ingenious Men have diligently enquired after the Cause of its Operation who made no farther step in 't than to state Things that have not as much as Existence viz. a Cold Quality and 〈◊〉 flying from the Stomach to the Head to be the Cause thereof Therefore it is plain That neither is he that Planteth any Thing neither he that Watereth but GOD that giveth the Increase of Knowledge and of other Things To whom be all Glory CHAP. XX. The Explication of the Effects of the Declination of the Operation of Opium in a Moderate Dose 1. A General Return of all Diseases and Disasters when the Operation of Opium is over because it does not as was shewn operate as an Alterative but a pleasing Diverter of the sensitive Soul for some Time during which it causes a general Relaxation of all the sensile Parts whereby the Animal Spirits being expanded grow unsit to convey Impressions smartly which is requisite to cause a sense of Pain c. as has been often said But it cures several Distempers viz. such as pleasing and comforting the sensitive Soul composing the Spirits Relaxation Perspiration Sweat c. can quite take away Of which more particularly when we come to speak of the Use of Opium in Cure 2. Sweat happens in the Declination of its Operation as Sir Theodore Mayern my self and others have observed because that now all the Parâ—s contracting which by their Relaxation suspended all Humours during its Operation do Mechanically squeese out the congested Humours there being less Room in the Body as was said of Sweat upon awaking by the Return of the Vigilative Contraction after Relaxation during the Sleep which is to be compared to the Relaxation during the Operation of Opium and the Return of the Contraction when 't is ended besides that both upon the Going off of the Operation and Awaking the Motion of the Heart growing more vigorous as it does upon Motion by the Intentive Contraction does more powerfully propell the Humours out at the Pores as happens in Sweat upon Motion 3. Frequent making of Water happens partly by the Titillation of the Volatile Salt as by Cantharides c. that is now separated from the Bloud partly by the Contraction of the whole Body squeesing it out at the Kidneys as when People are Cold they make more Water for that Reason 4. A Looseness may and does happen sometimes from the like Contraction squeesing out the Humours that were suspended during the Relaxation by the Opium which is common for such Contractions to cause as by Cold Terrour c. and because Sensation grows more nice and irritable by the Humours by Reason of the Contraction which is the more for the Grievance of failing of the Pleasure of Opium Therefore 5. Diseases Pains c. seem worse upon the Return of the Grievances because of the great Ease they had during the Operation of the Opium Contraria inter se magis elucescunt and it is particularly observed of Pleasure That it leaves Men worse then it found them Thus a Man is worse more sad c. Post Coitum more Melancholy after all sorts of Pleasure insomuch that it is grown to a Proverb viz. After Merry comes Sorry or After Mirth comes Sorrow as also Minus gaudebis minus dolebis Therefore 6. Melaneholy does often if not always happen in some degree after its Operation is ended 1. Because of the Return of the Contractions or Toil of the sensitive Soul 2. Because as was said the Sense of Pleasure newly lost aggravates the Sorrow as has been shewn after Coition c. 7. The Pulse is narrow because the Contraction returns with Melancholy and Return of Disasters improve when that so happens as it generally does 8. Itching of the Skin happens about this time because that now the Volatile Salt which causes Tuillation is arrived as far as the Skin upon its march out of the Body CHAP. XXI The Explication of the Effects of Opium in an Excessive Dose THE Cause of most of these Effects will be evident from the Explication of the former because the Difference is only in the Quantity of the Opium therefore I am often necessitated to speak much the same as I have done before You cannot expect any good Effects from its Excess any more than you have from Wine tho the best of Cordials next to the Sal. Volatile Oleosum of Opium but rather less because Opium is join'd to a pernicious Rosin which you may be sure will be very grievous to the Stomach in great Quantities if it was so in little The Evil Effects in this Case do mainly proceed either from too much Relaxation as in Drunkenness or from the Rosin at Stomach 1. A Heat at Stomach is caused by the intense Heat of the Opium in a great Quantity it being sensibly a very hot Thing 2. The Sense of Weight at Stomach is caused by the great Relaxation that it causes which renders the Stomach proportionably weak and unable to endeavour its own Relief so that the Rosin c. lie heavy upon 't Thus we find a great Heaviness at Stomach when any Thing grieves it that it cannot reject or discharge 3. Gaity of Humour is caused at first as by the Pleasure of a great Quantity of Wine by its pleasing Agreeableness to the Membrane at Stomach till the Relaxation grows enormous as by a great Dose of Wine suddenly drank to which it is very like in all its Effects except such as proceed from the Rosin sticking at Stomach which Wine has not 4. Sardonick Laughter is caused as you see in Drunken People when they are disabled by the great Relaxation that they cannot well Express themselves by the failing Tongue they endeavour it by a silly kind of fained or made Laughter as they call it while the pleasing Titillation at Stomach much inclines them to Mirth if they knew how to manage and carry it on 5. Laxity and consequently Debility of all Parts is caused by the extraordinary Relaxation of them by a continual and permanent sense of Pleasure which happens considerably in the Momentary Pleasure of Venus much more in this continual and lasting Pleasure when a great Dose makes it intense as in Drunkenness 6. Alienation of the Mind is caused as in Drunkenness by an over Relaxation of the Brain and its Membranes 7. Loss of Memory happens by the same Means as in Drunkenness So 8. Darkness of Eyes is caused by a Relaxation of the Coats and Membranes of the Eyes but mainly by the Expansion of the Animal Spirits by that Relaxation which as in Sleep renders them unfit to convey the Impressions of Light c. 9. Laxity of the Cornea is from the same Relaxation 10. Appearance of various Colours happens by as was said the unevenness of the Cornea c. when so relaxed whereas when 't is duely
with Bean Trefoil some with Centaury others with Gentian c. and the famous Dr. Lower's Practice ran almost altogether upon bitter Things which did him great Service in his Tincture of Steel as he call'd it that he often made in Destill'd Waters that could take little or nothing to Purpose of the Tincture of Steel whether out of Ignorance or Design I will not tho' I may determine which shews that it was the bitter Things that did the good and made it as a Panacea and not the Steel However certain it is that promoting the Dissolution of Meat at Stomach which the bitter Salia-Volatalia-Oleosa do is a great Foundation for Cure and no doubt our Sal-Volatile-Oleosum does by its inciding dividing and resolving Quality contribute very much to a due solution thereof at Stomach by Connaturalness as all Menstruums do especially if it be Flesh which we use mostly and requires most help to be resolv'd which may very well be tho' it lessens Appetite by pleasing Sensation for as was shewn it is quite another Thing to cause Appetite or a grievous Sensation and Resolution or Digestion of the Meat at Stomach for Wine helps Digestion yet by the pleasing Sensation that it causes at Stomach it cures a canine Appetite and at any time if you 'll observe it takes off the Eagerness of Appetise for the present you can better stay without Meat after a Whet before Dinner than you could without it so that the Wine answers that of a Whet as to Digestion tho' not to Appetite or Hunger which is a grievous Sensation that Wine must rather Cure than Cause It is true that Wine or Opium may by causing a sense of Pleasure at Stomach cause some stay of the Meat at Stomach but it does not thence follow but the Digestion may be the truer because more gentle and gradual as it may and does happen in Sleep when Things that are not very hard of Digestion are eaten which are not good at any Time You may remember how Blisters to which Opium is near of Kind as has been shewn do quickly by their resolving Nature turn the Cuticle as if digested into a sort of Gelly what a mighty Help would such a Degree of Resolution be to the Digestion at Stomach when it is by that Means like the Skin of a well boil'd Cow-heel half turn'd to a Gelly and from a Thing that is very hard of Digestion to be very easie as is also a Boar's Skin in Brawn by reason of the prior Resolution in the Boiling If as Sanctorius says insensible Perspiration hinder'd is the Cause of most Diseases what is more proper to Prevent or Cure them than this Sal-Volatile-Oleosum which causes Perspiration above all Things I have been lately inform'd That in some Parts of the most Eastern Countries they Use Opium as a general Medicament or Panacea Dr. Willis and Sylvius say it hinders the Coagulation of the Bloud how many Chronical Diseases may it then Prevent or Cure That is the great Effect of the Alcahest and that is it that mainly qualifies a Medicament for a Panacea as Courvee asserts and all Ingenious Men allow Wedelius says That it happily restores the Tone of the Bloud What is then wanting to the Preservation of Health Paracelsus says That Tam homini quam Morbo somnum conciliat That is That it puts the Disease asleep as well as the Man ☞ Platerius cured the Gout with it safely quickly and pleasantly and I know one that can do it especially if it be at the first coming of the Fit Willis gives an Instance of one perfectly cured of a Dropsie and Pocky Pains by the Use of Laudanum ☞ Horstius perfectly cured an Hypochondriacal Person that was troubled with Stupidity Watchings Loss of Appetite Trembling and direful Epileptical Convulsions and past all Hopes by the Use of Opiates I my self have often seen Defluxions and Catarrhs cured by the use of Opiates and one of an inveterate ill Habit of Body of many years standing Wedelius says That it resolves the Grumescence of the Bloud alters and dissipates the tenuious Parts of it tempers the acrimonious c. The Ancients used it against Agues with great success You may to confirm this Matter farther observe that among the constant and frequent Effects of Opium there is no bad ones unless there be 2 or 3 purely upon the Account of its Rosin as has been shewn therefore when it is separated from it there is no Cause to fear the Use of the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum unless it be as in the Case of Wine when 't is taken in an excessive Dose or used too long in a lavish intemperate manner so that when I have shewn how duely to prepare it and the moderate and safe Doses thereof it may be used altogether as safely as Wine in a proportionable Dose for what Harm can there be in moderately pleasing the Membranes particularly at Stomach which all the best Things we use as Wine Cordials Meat and Drink do which are therefore all Opiates in some degree thereby assuring us of their Goodness and Agreeableness to our Bodies tho' they do it not in so high a dgree as our Sal-Volatile-Oleosum does which is the more Authentick Certificate of its Excellency tho' it is to be still confessed that Excess of the best Things as Ioy Comfort Pleasure Wine Cordials c. have and may do mischief but what need Excess therein any more than in Wine Meat Cordials c. which then like it are all inconvenient and injurious to the Body All this I have said to administer Cause to improve the Practice of Physick by the Use of this Panacea now that it is known by introducing its noble Use as an Alterative to Cure as well as formerly to palliate Diseases it being a far more beneficial Thing to Cure than palliate Remember how the Cortex Mercury Antimony and other the most effectual and glorious Medicaments have been traduced and scandalized by the ignorant Imaginations of the Unlearned who having no true Knowledge of the Vertue of Things wholly depend upon Fears and Iealousies to guard them from their imagined ill Effects which generally speaking only the same Ignorance Fears and Iealousies gave a Phantastical Being to It remains that I in the next Place shew you 1. The true Preparation of this Panacea or Sal-Volatile-Oleosum 2. Other Preparations of Opium that are next it in Safety and good Effect and why they are so 3. The moderate and truly safe Dosing of them all there being no Danger in well prepared Opium but from Excess in the Use thereof CHAP. XXV Of the Preparation of the Panacea or true Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium SEeing that the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium must be such an effectual generous and general Medicament that is both cordial and alterative in so transcendent a manner it well deserves a careful and curious Preparation therefore I will be very particular therein To that end 1. It must be separated from all the
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
From the College of Physicians Oct. 5. 1700. Mr. Smith I Have Read the Book you sent me which for the great Discoveries contain'd therein is justly Entitled The Mysteries of Opium Reveal'd It has no need of Mine nor of any other Approbation For such Extraordinary Performances as this is are more secure of a Kind Reception in the World by their own great Worth and Usefulness to the Publick than by any other Recommendation whatsoever Yours THOMAS BURWELL THE MYSTERIES OF OPIUM Reveald BY Dr. JOHN JONES Chancellor of Landaff a Member of the College of Physicians in LONDON And formerly Fellow of Jesus-College in OXFORD WHO I. Gives an Account of the Name Make Choice Effects c. of Opium II. Proves all former Opinions of its Operation to be meer Chimera's III. Demonstrates what its true Cause is by which he easily and Mechanically explains all even its most mysterious Effects IV. Shews its noxious Principle and how to separate it thereby rendering it a safe and noble Panacea whereof V. He shews the palliative and curative Use. A DEO LUX LONDON Printed for Richard Smith at the Angel and Bible without Temple-Bar MDCC TO THE KING'S Most Excellent Majesty William III. c. May it please Your Majesty HAving no Means to attone for my bold Essay to express Your MAJESTY's glorious Acts and Virtues upon a small Pillar as much too narrow to contain as my Pen was too short to reach them but by this Poor Sacrifice making one Presumption the Advocate of the other as if Offences bore no Proportion to Your ROYAL Notice and Clemency without accumulating them I humbly implore GOD's Representative in Mercy as well as Power to be a Saviour in pardoning as well as preserving I confess my Attempt as daring and assuming as that of the Arrogant and Sturdy Giants to scale Heaven being too great a Task â—or a general Consult of the most â—xalted Wits on Earth if not of Angels and refin'd separate Souls of whose Number mine by frequent Ecstasies of Thanks and Praises for the Wonders Your MAJESTY has wrought for us seems as it were ambitious to be one as well knowing that such miraculous Exploits far transcend the Conceptions and highest Flights of those that are clog'd with Bodies which had quite balk'd my Endeavours to describe them but that those uncontrollable Raptures used Violence upon my Modesty and a long defeated Expectation of better Pens render'd my Impatience outragious to find Men silent where they cannot be loud enough as if the Impracticableness of adequate Thanks had pall'd their Spirits Or the vast Cataracts of Blessings Your MAJESTY pour'd upon us had overwhelm'd Or the consequent Ease and Security lull'd them asleep Or our exuberant Prosperity overgrown the Memory of its brave and generous Author The Thoughts of which Ingratitude what Loyal or Moral Heart can bear without the highest Indignation The Fret and Ferment whereof would have even bursted its Vessel without the Vent I gave it in expressing my Thoughts upon that Pillar to mind the forgetful excite the Lethargick and give all a Model by my Paper-building to erect more sumptuous and permanent Monuments of what GOD and Your MAJESTY's unparallel'd Magnanimity Courage and Conduct have done for us Since that was my Design Gratitude my Motive Deeds and Qualifications that have no commensurate Words my Theme I hope Defects in Expression will not intercept a gracious Aspect If the Book affords any Thing new or useful Your MAJESTY is the Author as Preserver of our Lives and Establisher of the necessary Tranquillity for Thoughtful Studies and Inventions therefore I humbly present it to Your most Sacred MAJESTY as Men do Oblations to the DEITY from whom they receiv'd them making it as far as in me lies doubly Yours as is ROYAL SIR Your MAJESTY's Most Humble Obedient Thankful Subject And Servant JOHN JONES THE MYSTERIES OF OPIUM Reveal'd CHAP. I. Shews how Opium had its Name how 't is made whence it comes c. THE Opium that was in Use in Ancient Times was made thus When the Poppy which was generally the White and sow'd then only in Gardens and small Inclosures was come to its full growth and most turgid of Milky Iuice which was in the hot Countries in May and Iune they did as soon as the Dew was up in the mornings make several Incisions transversly or athwart the Heads of the Poppies yet not directly horizontal but somewhat obliquely taking care not to make them quite through into the cavity thereof holding the Knife or Instrument with which the Incisions were made with its Edge sloaping upward while it wounded the Heads and conveniently placing certain Shells to receive the Milky Drops that issued out of the Incisions and went backward among the Poppies as they proceeded in this Work 1. They chose the Time when the Poppy Heads were most turgid of Milk to take it in the best Condition for their Purpose for if they gathered it sooner it was not so Mature and if afterward some of its Vertue expired and the quantity of the Juice was less because dry'd up in some measure if not taken timely 2. They made several Incisions in every Poppy's Head to have the greater Plenty of Juice 3. They made them immediately after the Dew was up to prevent its being tainted with any of the Dew and because the great Heat of the Day in those Countreys would much diminish the Quantity of the Milky Iuice and so thicken it that it would not run out as freely as in the Mornings 4. They made the Incisions transversly thereby to cut and lay open more of the Milky Vessels 5. They made them somewhat obliquely that the Drops might the better follow and overtake one the other and thereby coalesce and grow more considerable in Bulk and that the oblique Wound might the better conduct them into the same part of the Shells that they might find all together in a mass when it was sufficiently dried or inspissated by the Heat of the Sun 6. They did not make the Incisions quite through if they could avoid it lest any of the Iuice should run into the Cavity of the Head and so be lost among the Seeds contain'd therein 7. They sloaped the Edge of the Knife or Instrument upwards as they made the Incisions that the Iuice might the easier slide outwardly especially in case they happened to make the Incisions quite through which they could not always avoid notwithstanding all the Care they used 8. They went backward as they did it to avoid going by the Shells and incised Heads lest they should disorder or discompose or throw them down or wipe off any of the Iuice with their Cloaths This being done they left the Milky Iuice in the Shells to inspissate by the Heat of the Sun into a Pilular Consistence I have been the more particular to shew Men how to make Opium of English Poppies which you 'll find of good use The Milky Iuice as it dry'd
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
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
or Vapours do readily and freely pass from the Stomach to the Brain because the gross Fumes as they call them of a Grain or two of Opium always operate before it is out of the Stomach But they never saw such Fumes pass nor their Passage only suppose both and that meerly upon an Imagination that it must be so because they forsooth cannot conceive any other way by which Opium can affect the Head Nerves c. while it is at Stomach whereas I can and shall God willing shew them another means or way to do it that is sensible and not wholly precarious as theirs is and that in the meanest manner because all their Grounds to suppose it is their Inability to conceive or apprehend what is as I shall shew very sensible nay obvious also Secondly They suppose That such Fumes will serve to solve all the Phoenomena's and Operations of Opium whereas it is utterly impossible they should solve the enlivening and invigorating Effects thereof as has been shewn and shall be further proved if God permits It were easie to evidence but that it would be tedious and needless for their Incompetency to solve the most proper Effects of Opium is more than enough that such Fumes or Vapours can truly solve no Effect of Opium unless it be that of Death or some deadly Symptoms nay they will not solve the most likely to be caused by Vapours viz. Sleep which all Men as Wedelius says allow to be the Effect of Fumes or Vapours in his Opiologia c. 11. p. 35. Somnum naturalem says he omnes concedunt producere suaviores blandas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seu Vapores primum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 demulcentes qui cum spiritibus animalibus mixti torpidos quasi illos reddunt That is All grant that kind and gentle Fumes do cause natural Sleep c. Which is most certainly false tho' I very much doubt that this groundless Presumption which as he intimates all embrace has been a great cause of this airy Imagination of Fumes in the Case of Opium because Men looked upon Sleep agreed upon to be caused by Fumes to be the prime leading and most proper Effect of Opium which is also false it being but a meer Accident as has been shown and when it happens generally requires lying or sitting still to assist it whereas the Watching that is the Effect of Opium requires no help and cannot be put off as Sleep can by Motion Action c. notwithstanding all Endeavours to the contrary Now I would know of any Man which is the most proper and natural Effect of any Cause That which nothing can hinder or that which every Action can But I run too far upon this matter which belongs more aptly to that part of this Book that explains all the Effects of Opium and so must return to that of Fumes which do not cause natural Sleep as manifestly appears 1. Because that which causes natural Sleep must in all Reason as it is always in the wise Work of Nature bear a Proportion thereto but Fumes supposing their Being bear no Proportion to our Sleep Certainly a working Labourer that toils all the Day must spend the Fumes of his Body in the highest degree and feeding upon dry Bread and Cheese must breed fewest Fumes yet none sleeps better or sweeter than he The like is to be said of a travelling Man a tired Person c. who often fall asleep before they eat or drink to renew their Fumes which they had spent in an extraordinary manner Why Sleep that is design'd for Refreshment and Recruit should depend upon Fumes no Man can tell for then our Refreshment would wholly depend thereon and no Man have any Recruit by Sleep but in proportion thereunto Who dares accuse our Wise and Good Maker of such Contrivances who in Nature always proportions Things to the Exigencies thereof and therefore Sleep not to Fumes but to that which was impair'd in us for want thereof which is always contriv'd by Wise Nature if you 'll observe it to be the prompting Cause to the Recruit and then Proportion is duly observ'd because we are prompted exactly according to the Exigence or Necessity of Nature as becomes the Wisdom of our Creator and Preserver This Rule if duly attended to will easily speedily and certainly lead you to the Knowledge of the true natural Causes of Hunger Thirst Inclination to Sleep and all such Calls for Restauration All which I could soon satisfie you in but that it is not my Business at present and that it will too much anticipate my designed Tract of Animal Mechanism Nor doth Labour it self bear any exact Proportion thereunto because many healthy People that are idle all day sleep long soundly and sweetly every night as well as Labourers So that in short it must be somewhat that belongs to Watching as such for Sleep generally bears the best Proportion to Watching If we watch much or little our Sleep bears some Proportion thereto tho' there may be in this as well as in Hunger Thirst c. Accidents that cause the Promptitude to be more or less and so vary the true natural Proportion all which have the Nature of Diseases as canine Appetites Coma's Caros preternatural Thrists c. What it is that Watching causes to prompt us to Sleep must be some Impair made thereby as such and not the foolish Conceit of Fumes And it were easie for me to illustrate what it is but that it will require some Sheets of Paper and as I said before anticipate my Discourse of Animal Mechanism which I hoped to have published before this Book and would have been most convenient because the Principles therein stated may serve to explain the Effects of Opium but that the want of a few Experiments has to my Grief hitherto delay'd it and therefore I must be put to much Trouble in this Work for want thereof because I am resolved not to spare my self in order to satisfie the Reader in this great and unexplicated Mystery 2. If Vapours were the cause of natural Sleep it is impossible that the prick of a Pin or a sharp Sound c. should awake one ten or twenty times in an Hour for either the Prick must in an instant discuss all the Fumes in being which is impossible to be imagined and they as often return to cause Sleep again or intercept their Motion from the Stomach to the Head which no Man can have any Conception of the Efficacy of the Pin or Sound so to do Or they must both discuss and intercept the Fumes which indeed if the case were such would be necessary to make a clear Awaking which is yet far more unconceivable What paltry Trifles does the World embrace instead of Truth and Reason 3. Several Persons whereof I am one do awake in a minute or two after they first fall asleep in Bed at night which would be absolutely impossible if Fumes caused Sleep for the Fumes would
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
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
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
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
Titillation and actuating of our Spirits nor too full of Volatile Salt as Mustard Asarabacca c. nor have too accrimonious a Volatile salt with too little Oleous Parts to correct it for in both these last Cases the Irritation would be grievous nor have the Oleous and Volatile loosely combined But That it should be a Sal Volatile Oleosum wherein the Volatile Parts are brisker and somewhat more active than ours yet so corrected by Oleous Parts intimately combined therewith as to render it of a most agreeable and pleasant Titillation such as would please all Membranes but especially those that have most accute Sensation as the Stomach and Venereal Membranes both which Opium most sensibly pleases which are ordered so to be for Preservation of the Individuum and Species the one to invite us to Eat and the other to Procreate But to satisfie you yet farther as to the Stomach which concerns us mostly Note 1. That the more exalted and intense the Pleasure is the higher are its Effects upon the Sensitive Soul in pleasing comforting and elevating it and upon the Body in relaxing all the Sensile Parts thereof as that of Wine is higher than that of Mustum c. Note 2. That the better the Organ is disposed for Sensation the higher the Pleasure or Displeasure is for he that has his Nose Tongue Ear Membranes c. ill disposed for Smelling Tasting Hearing Feeling c. has not so much Pleasure in sweet Odours good Tastes Musick Pleasers of the Feeling c. nor so much Displeasure in bad Scents c. It follows Note 3. That cujus est Dolor ejusdem est Voluptas that is the Part or Membrane that is capable of intense Pleasure is so of intense Pain or Displeasure For Instance If the Stomach be capable of great Grievances it is so of great Pleasure God having distributed them also equally Note 4. That since the great Use End and Business of Sensation is to give notice and inform the Animal of what is or is not good and agreeable to it it follows that the Wisdom that made us would place the most exquisitely and critically disposed Organ or Membrane of Sensation where such notice is most requisite and useful and consequently there must be more Pleasure or Displeasure conceiv'd at Things agreeable or disagreeable that the descending and relieving Motions and Comfort may be proportionable Note 5. That such exquisite exact and nice Notice is most requisite at Stomach First Because all our Nutriment good and bad is to pass that Way to be Judged of Secondly Because it is the last Part that it arrives at before it receives a considerable change for when it is changed no such true and sincere Iudgment can be given thereof as could be before Thirdly Because the Faults Defects or Negligences of the Taste and the External Senses are to be remedied and corrected there or no where therefore the Stomach is as the last Judge of Appeal and should be most exact and infallible in Iudging or as the last inner or Main Guard in a Fort Town or Castle which if the Enemy pass the whole is endanger'd if not lost Fourthly Because the Concern being so great Sensation should be the more exquisite there to excite the Animal Powers to make Defence by repelling rejecting or detruding the Enemy which Powers as has been intimated are excited according to the degree of Sensation especially seeing there is no voluntary Power or Contraction of the Stomach but only the Natural which is always excited by Sensation in such Cases or not at all Fifthly Sensation should be critical and accurate at Stomach to inform us precisely when we should Eat or Drink Sixthly To inform us exactly when we have Eaten or Drank enough for all this is done by Sensation Therefore God has placed a most Sensile Membrane at the Stomach as most manifestly appears First By its taking and giving notice of such Minute Things that no Sense Part Organ or Membrane can for it takes notice of and informs the Sensitive Soul as has been said of the Vomitory Particles of the Crocus and Regulus of Antimony which are so indefinitely small that no other Membrane or Organ of Sensation but that at Stomach can take notice thereof because the Crocus and Regulus after they have afforded 1000 Vomits from their Bodies are not sensibly diminished either in Weight or Bulk nor doth the Stomach take and give a slight but very remarkable notice thereof that is sufficiently powerful to excite not only all the Natural Powers of the Part and of all the Auxiliary Muscles that usually assist to Vomit but to cause a Contraction and that very often strongly Convulsive of all or most of the Muscles and Membranes of the whole Body so great is the Sway or Regimen of the Stomach by vertue of its exquisite sensility Secondly By its giving notice of inimicous Particles and very tenuious Effluvias that fly in the Air which no Organ of Sensation or Membrane but that at Stomach can observe For Instance Some that hate Cats very much will know that there is a Cat in the same Room with them tho' silent and shut up in a Trunk or Cupboard where neither the Eye Ear Nose Taste or immediate Feeling can be at all concerned or affected That it is the Stomach that is affected is apparent tho' a Thing not thought of 1. Because the first notice they have is plainly at Stomach by a kind of faint Distress not unlike a beginning Nausea If the Curious will enquire they will find it to be as I say 2. Because all Perception of Material Things is by Sensation and that it is evident no other Organ of Sensation or Membrane is concerned 3. Because if the Cat continues in the Room and is not removed they fall a Vomiting or into Anxieties or great Distresses at Stomach or Faintings and Syncopes which are the common and known Effects of a grieved or oppressed Stomach Just so does it tho' these Things are not or not duely observed take and give notice of Pestilential Effluvias which cause the like Faintings or a kind of Nausea at Stomach Thus People discern that they are as they call it Plague struck and often fall as in the Case of the Effluvias of the Cat into dangerous Deliquiums and Syncopes of which many in Plague Times suddenly dye as Cat Haters would for ought I know if they continue long in the same Room with a Cat as they do with Pestilential Effluvias Therefore it were good presently to remove them from the Place wherein they were struck because the Air as the Room wherein the Cat is is fill'd with the pernicious Particles for you see in the Case of the Cat that removing the Man or the Cat gives Relief and it were better removing the Man but that he is more Cumbersom because the Room is already tainted with the Effluvias and in the Case of the Plague it is only the Person that can
often cause most dismal and tedious Vomitings and when they fall to relieve by rejecting the grieving Matter Hiccoughs Anxieties Distresses Syncopes and sometimes fatal Succumbencies Nature and all Endeavour failing to work any farther for the Animal's Relief These Things happen most commonly when indigeslible Rosin sticks to the Stomach especially if they be join'd with any Pungent Volatile or Acrimonious Particles Hence it is that Resinous Vomits are quite banish'd out of the Practice of Physick and it were well if Resinous Purgers were so also especially such as have considerable Acrimony unless given with the Yolk of an Egg Lixivials or in Tinctures with Spirituous Things to keep the Resinous Particles from Coalescence and adhering to the Stomach c. 1. Note for we shall have some Occasion for it That Resinous Things join'd with Volatile irritating Particles have all the ill Qualities aforementioned viz. Hardness of Digestion Aptitude to stick to the Stomach and Volatile Particles to irritate and tear its Coats all the time they so stick to it and therefore such Things have dismal Effects especially in weak Stomachs that cannot Digest them 2. Note That the Distresses at Stomach caused by a grievous Sensation are of Two sorts 1. Such as are the Endeavours of Nature or the Sensitive Soul in Defence of the Animal as all Vomitings Purgings Convulsions Hiccoughs Throws Strugglings Agitations Contractions Watchings c. which are accompanied with Melancholy Fretfulness ill Humour c. because of the Grievance 2. Such as follow the Yielding and Succumbency of Nature or the Sensitive Soul after being tired and over-born by the Fatigue of Defensive Contraction as Faintings Distresses Agonies Syncopes and Leipothymies 3. Note That Syncopes or Leipothymies are caused by the Sensitive Soul's being over-born as was said tired and spent and giving over his fruitless Contractions Defensive and Vigilative upon a sudden as being to no Purpose as he does gently and gradually give over Vigilative Contraction to cause Sleep so that Syncopes are only greater suddener and more absolute Derelictions of the whole Concern of Contractions Hence it is that Perspiration is greater in Syncopes or Leipothymies than in Sleep the Laxity of the Cornea and the whole Body greater the Feeling less or quite gone that all Motions become much slower or none by the want of Compression of the Animal Spirits and dismal Derelictions of all Contractions by the Sensitive Soul Hence it is that all the Effects of Sleep are yet greater in Syncopes 4. Note That therefore it seems all the Difference between Sleep and a Leipothymy is that in this the Sensitive Soul quite throws the Reins of Contractions away and in Sleep keeps hold thereof and only lets them loose and as Refection is made straightens them more and more till they come to the Degree of Vigilative Contraction which perfectly awakes them Therefore Sleep grows slighter toward Morning because Contraction gradually comes on Here you may see but I must stop lest I run too far why every Thing that causes Contraction of the Sensile Parts as Pain and all Grievances are apt to awake People and keep them so as Relaxers cause Sleep and continue it 5. Note That tho' I have particularly spoken of the Somach as being most concern'd and the best Example of any Membrane yet do not I exclude any Membrane from being capable of Pleasure by the like Things As for the Effects of Pleasure upon the Sensitive Soul I have upon several Occasions said or intimated enough concerning them and even the Vulgar know that Pleasure or being pleased makes People good and gay humour'd That it elevates the Spirits raising Courage as Wine does and enables every Animal to Labour or Travel the better as Horses by the Sound of Bells especially if tunable and in Company with another Horse that they have a kindness for How Soldiers March more easily with Merry Comrades that are full of Iests and pleasant Stories or with Drums Trumpets Kettle Drums 〈◊〉 and other Musick that please the Ear How much more briâ—k and blith are we in a fair Sunshine which pleases the Eye than at other times Some â—ink according to the Vulgar Errour that iâ— is the Goodness of the Air does it but it is plainly otherwise for you find the change most remarkable in your self just upon going out of Doors into the Sun-shine whereas you had the same Air in your Chamber nor is that fine Lightness of Humour to be found if it be Cloudy tho' the Air be better as may be observ'd by the Barometer and other Weather-Glasses nor in the Night Time nor where the Sun does not come nor are blind People so affected therefore it is the Pleasure of the bright Sunshine that causes it If Mean Slight Transient and External Pleasures cause such Effects how much more then will an intense internal and continued Pleasure upon the most exquisitely disposed Part for Sensation of all the whole Body which is mainly design'd for those Purposes of Pleasing and Comforting to invite us to nourish our selves and to satisfie the grievous Sensations of Hunger and Thirst by the Pleasure of Meat and Drink such Pleasant Effects Thus the Fretfulness Peevishness ill Humour Melancholy Pusillanimity Inaptitude and Listnesness that attend the grievous Sensation of Hunger are taken off and cured by the pleasant Sensation that a good Meal or some Glasses of Wine do cause Hence it is that we cannot Sleep when Hungry because grievous Sensation contracts the Sensile Parts and are apt to it after Meals the Pleasure of which relaxes us if we sit or lie quietly and silently but if we do not we are more lively and fit for Business Instances of this Kind are so numerous and notorious that I need say no more of the Effects of Pleasure in causing a good Humour Elevation of the Spirits Satisfaction Content Composure c. Is it possible that one should be highly pleased and not take Comfort therein take Comfort and not be elevated in Spirit well satisfied and contented Therefore it is strange and very strange that People should leave Wine Cordials Meats Spirits c. actually and sensibly pleasing satisfying and comforting us at Stomach where there is a Membrane most exquisitely disposed for Sensation and run after Fumes and Effluvias that were never in our Case in being to the Brain or Bloud that have no sense to entertain them and consequently can receive no sensible Comfort by them If this be not seeking a Needle in a Bottle of Hay where it never was when it sticks most sensibly in their Fingers nothing is We should think it a strange ridiculous Action in a Child or Natural Fool but great is the Privilege and Authority of the Learned So much may suffice as to the Effects of Pleasure upon the Sensitive Soul As for the Effects of Pleasure upon the Body it is Relaxation of all the Sensile Parts thereof as appears 1. Because it 's contrary viz. Displeasure or sensitive
by Titillation upon the Account of the Volatile Salt which appears by its exciting to Venery at the same time as all those Volatiles do 16. It s causing Vomitings as it often does is an undoubted sign of its Volatile Salt for all Vegetable Vomits are such upon that Account unless it be such as may move Vomiting meerly by their being loathed or nauseated which only cause some particular Persons to Vomit but such as are constant Vomitories are so upon the Account of their Volatile salt as Asaerabocea Groundsil Foxâ—loves Squills c. given in a sufficient Quantity 17. It s lively Effects as Courage c. prove the same 18. All Authors that have been Curious do agree that Opium abounds with Volatile Salt as Helmont Lemery Le Febure Wedelius and indeed every one that ever I read tho' most of them attribute its Effects to a Sulphur which makes their Testimony of its Volatile Salt the stronger as being forced to confess it against their Hypothesises 19. After its Fermentation with Leaven in a Sand Heat for 14 days it affords a Volatile Salt in good Quantity but mixt with Oil which is separated from it by Dissolution in Water Filtring c. 20. It s Spirit ferments with Acids therefore is Volatile Lastly to Pin up all if you either Chymically Analyse it by Fire or set it to Crystalize after it is evaporated to a due Condition so to do it affords a great Quantity of Volatile Salt Therefore it is past all manner of doubt for which End I have the longer and more particularly insisted upon this Point that it is highly impregnated with Volatile Salt But as I said in the last Chapter it is not enough for it to have Volatile Salt but it must be such as exceeds our own or other Animals in Activity Briskness c. by Reason of Quantity or Quality or both that it may tickle up excite and cause a fine and agreeable Ovation or glowing in our Spirits which as was shewn is very pleasant as in the Case of Sem. Viril especially when agitated by Warmth Frications or such Actuating Causes Secondly It manifestly appears That the Volatile Salt of Opium exceeds ours in Activity Briskness c. 1. By its exulcerating or blistering Quality especially if it be very good Opium 2. By its Psilothrick Quality to cause the Hair to shed 3. By its irritating to Venery in so eminent a Degree as Cantharides Bees Pismire c. do and even beyond the ordinary Course of Sem. Virile which is most saturated with Volatile Salt of any Part of the Animal as appears by its Dissolution like Opium in Watery Menstruums its rank smell its titillating to Venery its Weight c. which is much the same with that of Opium both sinking in Water c. 4. By its great Irritations to make Water like Cantharides Bees Pismire Millepedes c. when it is taken in a good Quantity or often 5. By its causing Vomitings in a very severe manner which it would not do without a very poinant Volatile Salt 6. By its causing such violent Itchings in the Skin especially if taken in any Quantity after it has past all Digestions and Concoctions And 7. By its causing acrimonious Sweats after it has past those Digestions and Concoctions 8. By its causing a very pleasant Sensation at Stomach far above any Flesh Iellies or any Animal Nutriment 9. By its offending the Eyes so much by its Acrimony as Mustard Onions Horse Radish c. do 10. By its very pungent and acrimonious Taste above all Flesh or Fish 11. By its very rank and vehement Scent equal to if not exceeding that of Semen Virile 12. By its Chymical Analysis whereby it affords a very acrimonious Volatile Salt in great plenty which Helmont Wedelius and others do confirm Therefore it is also past doubt That the Volatile Salt of Opium is more active acrimonious and titillating than those in our Membranes or in Sem. Virile it self But seeing it is not Volatile Salt alone as was shewn which agrees only with one of the active Principles of our Membranes and may be and is of it self too acrimonious and rude for the Membranes without its being sweetned up and smooth'd into a more gentle and pleasing Agreeableness by Oily Parts we must see whether it is not also Oily or Sulphureous and consequently a Sal-Volatile-Oleosum agreeing in both the active Principles of our Membranes that it may thereby be the more delectable gentle and agreeable Thirdly It is very obvious and evident That Opium is Sulphureous 1. Because the Juice of the Poppy whereof it is made is of it self when it drops out of the Incisions Milk-white which colour in Liquids especially the Juice of Plants proceeds from Sulphureous Particles mixt with Water or Phlegm as Milk Emulsions Chyle Cinnamon Water and the Tinctures of all Sulphureous Things dropt into Water do evince 2. Because it is inflammable for nothing is so but what is Sulphureous 3. Because Opium will soften with a dry Warmth which all and only Sulphureous Things will do as all Rosins Tallows Pitches Turpentines Oils and such Sulphureous Things 4. Because it is very bitter and that Oleose Particles are always as Dr. Grew and Sylvius truely say one Ingredient of a bitter Taste 5. It s tawny colour does also as was said according to Dr. Grew argue much Sulphur 6. It s hot Taste proves the same for a proper hot Taste is from Sulphur as the biting or pungent is from Volatile Salt 7. Because of its pungent and strong Smell which denotes Sulphur 8. It s being so dissolvable as it is in Spirit of Wine Brandy and other Sulphureous Menstruums proves the same 9. It s dissolving Quality argues that it has the same Principles with our Skin and Flesh which are Oleose as well as Salino-volatile and that nothing is a compleat Dissolver but such as have both because Agreeableness in Principles being the Basis of Dissolution as you see in Menstruums and the Things therein dissolv'd there is no good kind or compleat Dissolvent of our Flesh c. but what participates of both because otherwise there would be a Disagreement in one Respect 10. It appears by Autopsie upon the Chymical Analysis of Opium c. that it has a very considerable Quantity of Sulphur 11. So if you only dissolve it in Water you 'll find much Sulphureous Substance undissolved at the bottom 12. All or most of the Modern Authors attribute its Operation to Sulphur agreeing that it is well impregnated therewith Therefore Opium consists very much as to its active Principles of a Sal-Volatile-Sulphureum but still this does not compleat a most agreeable Sal-Volatile-Oleosum 1. Because it may be a Sal-Volatile-Resinosum and yet be a Sal-Volatile-Sulphureum 2. If it be a Sal-Volatile-Oleosum the Oil and the Volatile Salt may be so disjoin'd as not to conspire and co-operate to please the Membranes but act separately as Oil and Volatile Salt given out of divers
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
which argues That the Specifick Combination of the Oily and Volatile Parts baffles all Coctions Digestions Circulations and Percolations that have happened in the Body Dioscorides and Aeginela speaking of Opium say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is The smell of the Medicament is expanded over the whole Body Which Things of its Nature do as Garlick Onions Semen Animale which causes Rankness all over Male Creatures as Rams Boars Bulls c. 14. Le Febure in his Chymistry Part 2. p. 33 says That Opium has a Volatile Salt inseperably mixt with Sulphur or Oily Parts 15. Wedelius in his Opiologia Lib. 2. Sect. 1. Cap. 4. P. 91. speaking of Opium says Sal ejus cum sulphure intime combinatum sudores efficit that is Its salt being intimately combined with sulphur or Oil causes Sweat And Lib. 2. P. 143. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 obtinuit non facile dissipabilem that is It has a contexture not easily dissipable 18. All know how apt Volatile Salt and Oily Parts are to combine Therefore Opium acts and produces its usual good Effects by a Sal-Volatile-Oleosum somewhat more active than that in our Membranes whose Principles are most intimately and strictly combined and so that it is qualified in the highest degree for our Purpose Because 1. It agrees in Principles with our Membranes 2. That its Sal-Volatile-Oleosum is more active and vigorous than that of the Membranes to actuate and excite the Spiritus insiti and finely to tickle and gratifie the Membranes 3. That the Volatile Salt and Oily Parts being so intimately combined do deliciously qualifie one the other for that Purpose While the Oily smooths and lenifies the Volatile Salt and the Volatile Salt actuates and quickens the Oily And that being so combined 4. Both conspire to a permanent and exalted Pleasure of the Membranes especially at Stomach and the Venereal Parts where they are so exquisitely disposed for Sensation Therefore the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium separated from its Rosin is most consummate and best qualified that possibly can be imagined to please gratifie and finely to titillate our Membranes or Organs of Sensation which was the Thing required I cannot better illustrate its Nature than by the most exalted Thing in an Animal viz. it s Semen Therefore for Confirmation of its Principles and Excellency therein I will consider its Likeness and Agreement therewith 1. In being both a Sal Volatile-Oleosum 2. In having a more active vigorous and exalted Sal-Volatile-Oleosum than any Part of the Animal 3. In having the Volatile Salt and Oleous Particles intimately combined for Semen Animale will as Opium keep very long uncorrupted as appears by its long stay in the Vesiculae seminales of some Animals that do not excern it in many years 4. In that both are apt to mix with all forts of Menstruums and both Mole minima Virtute maxima 5. In having much the same Smell viz. a rank and vehement one 6. In tainting the Body therewith as has been shewn 7. In being much of the same Weight as appears by both sinking in Water c. 8. The Taste must in all Probability have a Rankness in it like that of Opium because it gives a rank Taste to the whole Body of Male Creatures 9. Both excite Venery cause Erections Venereal Fury and Nocturnal Pollutions c. 10. Both cause Boldness Courage and Magnanimity which are reckon'd among the Effects of Opium and are the common Effects of Plenitude of Seed in Animals that are otherwise pusillanimous in Times of Copulation so Modest and Sheepish Boys grow much more assured â—old and as they commonly call it Manlike upon Puberty and Girls grow more Womanlike in their Dispositions and 't is my Observation That the Men who breed most of the Sem. Virile are generally if not always the most Valiant 11. Both do cause a great Relaxation upon the Pleasure thereof as appears after a good Dose of Opium and upon Emission of the other by the Deadness of the Eyes or Laxity of the Cornea in both Cases Dilatation of the Pupill Floridity of the Skin large Perspiration laxity of the Limbs Sleepiness loss of Memory and Sense alienation of the Mind a wide Pulse Indolence loss of Feeling in both Cases and other Signs of Relaxation 12. Both Opium and Puberty cause a growth of the Penis Breasts and increase Milk by Reason of the Relaxation that they cause which as in Sleep causes the greater Nutrition but of the manner how it happens upon Relaxation more hereafter if there be occasion Hence it is 13. That both Opium and Puberty are apt to bring down the Menses and open the Viae by the Relaxation and that Marriage or the Pleasure of Venereal Acts do by the like Relaxation promote the Menses That both Opium and such Acts are apt to cause Miscarriages by relaxing the Neck of the Womb c. 14. Both cause Sadness and Dejection when the Operation is over as indeed Pleasure generally does especially if intense 15. Both Opium and Sem. Animale prevent Lassitude and cause Euphory or easier Undergoing of Labour Hence it is that Stone Horses will not be so soon tired when full thereof and quickly recover if tired which might doubtless be observed in other Animals but that they are not used to Labour and so not obvious to be observed 16. Authors do say That Sem. Virile takes of Venereal Impotence procures Love c. which doubtless must be by exciting to Venery as Opium does Thus the Genitals of Bucks Boars Bucks of Hares Cocks c. do as Opium excite Venery and the Seed of Animals as of a Camel and the aforesaid Creatures come to be esteemed Hypnoticks and doubtless all Animal Seed especially of the more Salaceous Creatures is an Opiate in some degree To be short The main if not all the Difference in their Effects arises only 1. From the Different Parts that they affect because Opium affects the Stomach the Venereal and all the Membranes in general and Sem. Animale only the Venereal Parts immediately tho' an intense Pleasure of one Part does affect the whole 2. That Opium does affect with a Sense of Pleasure more permanent viz. for many Hours as has been said and that the Pleasure of the other is Momentary Therefore Opium acts by causing an intense permanent and charming Pleasure of the Membranes in general but more particularly of the Stomach and Venereal Parts as being more exquisitely disposed for Sensation for the Preservation of the Individuum and Species It cannot be much wondred at considering our Active Principles are a Sal-Volatile-Oleosum and that Opium is such and that we naturally carry an Opiate within us that in some Cases our ordinary Sal-Volatile-Oleosum or that of the Choler Semen c. being by some accident exalted towards the Nature of Opium may have the Effect of an Opiate upon us by causing Sopors and Lethargick Distempers Fuâ—or uterinus by Titillation c. Thus the Spume of some Male Animals Mummy c.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
and Alteration in an Animal This Helmont couches under the Name of pleasing the Archaeus 3. That it should take away all Grievances of the sensitive Soul or Archaeus because its Grievance is the Essential Form of Diseases for even Morbid Matter unless it causes a Grievance causes no more Disease than it does in a dead Carcass as Helmont and common Reason assures us therefore Disease and Grievance are only Two Words signifying the same Thing and nothing is capable of Grievance in an Animal as such but the sensitive Soul 4. It should compose comfort enliven encourage and invigorate our sensitive Soul and Spirits as being the Principles of Motion in our Animal Nature in order to self Preservation for Nature or those active Principles within us is the Curer of Diseases and we Physicians only its Ministers to offer it good Means c. 5. The Principles of a Panacea should be agreeable to the best noblest most active and predominant Principles of our Bodies 6. Those Principles in the Panacea should be more vigorous than ours to reduce them when deficient and exalt them when depressed clog'd c. 7. It should be a general Resolver of Humours for which Cause the Liquor Alcahest is so much extolled for a Panacea Hear what the great Physician Claudius de la Courvee says Uni morbosae semper preter Naturam humorum coagulationi unique eorundem colliquationi oui perpetuo intendit natura diligenter studeas hujus adjuvandae illius corrigendae modum si assecutus fuâ—ris habebis in Praxi secretum onmi auro potabili omnique Antidoto prestantius denique plus poteris in Praxi quam si cursus Astrorum Metallorum vires aut totam callueris panaceam 8. It should after such Resolution of Humours compose concentrate combine and unite the good Principles 9. It should discuss the bad and useless Parts 10. It should open the Pores to give them their Exit by that most universal natural plentiful kindly and easie Evacuation 11. That after all it should like the Liquor Alcahest remain very much unaltered in it self Now whatsoever is endued with these Eleven most noble Qualifications must be in the Estimation of any Rational Physician or Phylosopher a glorious Panacea that is fitted to take off the Matter and Form of all Diseases or Grievances as far as it is in the Power of a Natural Medicament or Alterative so to do Therefore let us see how the pure Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium is furnished therewith 1. It is so highly agreeable and pleasing to our most nice Sensation at Stomach which is given us for a Touchstone Watch and Iudge of what is agreeable and beneficial to our Bodies that nothing in the whole World is so agreeable and pleasing to it and therefore nothing is more agreeable and beneficial to our Animal Nature it would imply a Contradiction that the Stomach which is given us and accordingly qualfied to make a true Report of what is or is not agreeable and beneficial to us should always tho' it may by Accident possibly give us a false Report of the Agreeableness of Things It would be more than Prophaneness to attribute such deceitful unkind and unwise Contrivances to the infinitely Good and Wise therefore the Stomach does infallibly testify and assure us that it is most agreeable to our Nature seeing it is always so to it Agreeableness and Disagreeableness with which is appointed and ordain'd by God and Nature to be the Test and Touchstone of what is agreeable or otherwise to our Animal Nature Obj. Why then being so agreeable to the Stomach should it not create an Appetite but rather lessen it Ans. Tho' some may be so weak as to make such an Objection because Things agreeable to the Stomach are commonly reputed to cause an Appetite yet the Matter duely considered the Case is quite contrary for Appetite or Hunger is a grievous Sensation at Stomach which cannot be expected from Things that gratifie and please the Stomach which are the adequate Cure of a grievous Sensation or Hunger Thus Meat and Drink as has been shewn cure an Appetite grievous Sensation or Hunger Thus Wine and Opium do by pleasing the Stomach cure a canine Appetite c. Therefore you may Note by the by that all Meat and Drink that please the Stomach and gratifie its Sense are really Opiates in some degree causing good Humour Sleepiness c. Appetite or Hunger tho' it is a convenient Call or Intimation of Want of Supply and Recruit is as such a consequent of defect and so unnatural tho' call'd Natural because it is a Thing that happens of course to direct us how to proportion Things to the Exigence of Nature of which there would be no need if we could otherwise proportion good and agreeable Refection to our Wants thereof In short it is a Disease which Things agreeable and pleasing to the Stomach as our Panacea must cure or else it would not be a Panacea and as was shewn nothing can be a more proper Cure of Grievance or Displeasure than Pleasure Therefore what is agreeable to our Stomach and consequently to our Body must cure not cause Appetite as Meat and Drink c. Obj. But it may be said That Appetite argues a good Digestion which is good for the Body Ans. It does indeed argue a quick Digestion and great Expence of the Recruits taken in but still it is all bottom'd upon Deficiency and Digestion may be and is very often too quick as in the Boulimia or canine Appetite Nature delights in a gentle kind and gradual Dissolution of the Meat at Stomach to which you 'll find by and by that Opium very much conduces by its resolving Quality 2. Nothing in Nature is more pleasing to the sensitive Soul as appears by the whole Series of our Discourse and the explaining all the Phenomena or good Effects of Opium by that very Pleasure of the sensitive Soul Therefore 3. It as was manifestly shewn does thereby take off all Grievances which are the essential Forms of Diseases and the essential Forms of Diseases being taken away which give them being and make them to be what they are according to the Definition of an essential Form the very being of Diseases must be taken away Therefore our Sal-Volatile-Oleosum is a compleat Panacea that takes away the Essence or Being of Diseases in taking away the Grievance thereof Here it may be said that the Matter of the Distemper remains and consequently a Disposition to a Relapse as soon as the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum has ended its Operation But what need it end at all if you please It may be renewed without Danger for this is not as resinous Opium till the Matter is subdued thereby which it will also do as appears more manifestly by the following Qualifications For as has been shewn 4. It composes comforts enlivens encourages invigorates and causes a great Euphory of the sensitive Soul and Spirits which are our Natural active
Principles of Motion by which all ill Matter is effectively subdued when they act with Alacrity and Vigour they being the Principal Agents and we Physicians but as was said Ministers or as Handmaids to offer or hand good Matter Medicaments or Instruments to those Principal Agents of Nature and that this Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium is the most proper Matter or Medicament we can put into Nature's Hands so invigorated appears manifestly in that 5. Its Principles are the most agreeable to the best noblest most active and predominant Principles of our Bodies as has been proved most evidently plene plane nor is it only agreeable but 6. More vigorous and powerful to actuate reduce alter or exalt our Principles according to the Direction of our invigorated Nature or sensitive Soul and Spirits which having so convenient an Instrument and highly qualified a Matter will soon alter the perverse renew the decaid acuate the dull and elevate the depressed effete and pall'd Humours of our Bodies especially seeing 7. That the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium being so agreeable and powerful must be the greatest Resolver of Humours that can be imagined for all Resolution is by an Agreement of Particles which makes them easily miscible insinuate into and penetrate each other especially if one be somewhat more vigorous and penetrating than the other as the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum has been plainly proved to be Thus it is that all Menstruums do so resolve things of their own Nature and so purifie and cleanse them by taking to themselves what is meerly and purely of the same Nature and rejecting or letting go their Hold of what is otherwise Where it is worth noting how upon the Account of the intimate Combination and Union of the Volatile Salt and Oily Parts in our Panacea it is dissolvable in all Menstruums and consequently an universal Resolvent of all the Humours of our Bodies which its external resolving of all Humours and Tumours does also prove Now if it be such a Resolver of which there is no Place to doubt then as Claudius de la Courvee says it must excell all Things in altering and reducing all the Humours of our Bodies to a good and agreeable Condition Nor does it only thus resolve them and thereby separate as was said the good from the bad but 8. When it has so done it by the amicable Agreeableness of its Sal-Volatile-Oleosum composing Faculty strict Combination of its Principles joins to concentrates congregates and as it were cements the best and most agreeable into a close Union and firm Texture by as was said the Direction of invigorated Nature which is of it self the good being once separated from the bad highly sufficient without any other Help to unite Parts so agreeable and of themselves inclined to unite and combâ—ne tho' all tho Parts of Opium like those of the great Dissolvent were gone and when that is done 9. The high discussive Quality of the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum must be very effectual for the Difflation and Discussion of the sever'd effete Particles which must be highly assisted and improved by the brisk and chearful Motions of Nature viz. the sensitive Soul and Spirits so as is aforesaid invigorated Nor is this all but to compleat and perfect the Operation 10. It lays open all the Pores of the Body as has been Demonstrated 〈◊〉 them out and give the ill Particles their â—inal Exit by the most natural and plentiful Way of Evacuation leaving the Body free from all Miasms and Impurities 11. I have sufficiently shewn how unalterable it is in it self Chap. 15. so that like the Liquor Alcahest it is not made to be subdued but to subdue and resolve Humours Now what can be required more in a Medicament and how can the sensitive Soul and Spirits or Nature so invigorated and endued with all Euphory and Chearfulness by this glorious Medicament whose Principles are not only agreeable to our noblest ones but more powerful and intimately combin'd so resolving of Humours ready to unite the good and to discuss the bad and carry them off by the Pores ever fail being duely administer'd of good Effect in altering all the Humours of our Bodies Hippocrates in his Book De Naturâ— Hominis states the Cause of Diseases to be a Disgregation of Humours by which he seems to imply that the Power of congregating and concentrating of Humours were sufficient to accomplish a Panacea which is but one single Qualification in eleven of our Sal-Volatile-Oleosum tho' this alone as is experienced even in common Preparations of Opium suffices very often to cure Diseases by composing Commotions as in Diary Fevers from Perturbations c. Thus the bitter and firm textured Cortex as I have shewn in my Book De Febribus intermittentibus takes off Ague Fits by re-combining the segregated Humours with the Bloud which it suddenly doing leaves a Disposition in the Bloud when ever it meets with a segregating Cause as Purging violent Motion Insolation intemperate Drinking c. to a Relapse by a second Separation of the Morbid Matter from it as you have it more at large in my said Book p. 166 167 c. 242 243 c. where you may see how Opiates conduce very much to a speedy Cure by the Cortex by composing c. Martianus says Coâ—m de locis in Homine p. 76. Opium sist it prohibet humorum Disgregationem That is Opium hinders Disgregation of Humours Now you may perceive the true Qualifications of a Sal-Volatile-Oleosum so much sought for by the Learned as a Panacea and how far the common ones that are sold in the Apothecaries Shops are from being such Sylvius indeed had an excellent one with which he did many and great Cures which being considered had he not confessed his Ignorance of the Cause of the Effects of Opium and the Narrative he makes of its Vertue and Performance in his Preface to the first Book of his Praxis and that he delighted so much in the Use of Opium even when he was young that he was call'd by the Name of Doctor Opiatus and that he declares no Oil was added in its Preparation and that it is intimated that the Oil and Volatile Parts were strictly combined would have made me suspect that it was the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium that he used which if it was not I dare be confident that notwithstanding all its Excellency it was not as good I am very well satisfied that a true and consummate Sal-Volatile-Oleosum is not to be made barely by Art Enquirers might have better success if they sought it among the Natural Tribe of bitter Plants that are agreeable to the Stomach which have all in them a Sal-Volatile-Oleosum but how to pick and cull is I think best seen by the requisite Qualifications of a Panacea that I have stated There have been many in whose Hands bitter Things have been as a Panacea One in Germany cured most Diseases with Wild Sage Some have done great Things with Agrimony others
proclaiming their Ignorance and glorying in their greatest Shame and Disgrace of Mankind that Humane Species should have any such unthinking Brutes in it IV. We must not use Acids in the Preparation thereof 1. Because being in their Nature opposite to Volatile Salts it cannot be done without Injury to the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium 2. Because they cannot so well agree with the oily Parts of it Yet are they not so much to be blamed as Extracts made in Spirit of Wine or sulphureous Menstruums because acid Menstruums leave the Rosin behind them untouched or not extracted V. A Salino-Volatile Menstruum as Spirit of Sal Ammoniac of Urine c. is not so proper 1. It may render the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium too acrimonious 2. Because by its Volatility Acrimony c. it may cause too great a stir in the Bloud c. and so oppose or hinder Sleep which is one of the most happy and useful Effects of Opium or it s Sal-Volatile-Oleosum 3. Because it may have undue Effects by altering its general Disposition Nay VI. We are not to use a lixivial Menstruum tho' so much cried up 1. Because it extracts the resinous Parts which experto crede Roberto I have found to be pernicious upon that account like Extracts in Spirit of Wine unless great care be taken to separate those Parts which is not easily done by Filtrations c. 2. Because being very apt to join with the oily Parts and quite to destroy their Nature by converting it into a kind of Sapo it may deal so with some of the oily Parts of the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium 3. Because there is no need to run any of these Hazards since the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum may be as I shall shew easily extracted in its Purity without those Troubles and Dangers 4. Because any Tincture made thus is apt to let go the Rosin at Stomach if it be diluted with aqueous Moisture taken before with it or after it which so being let go coalesces and does mischief VII The use of Fire any way besides that of its Torrefaction is much to be suspected 1. Because the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum may be in some measure thereby evaporated Or 2. An Empyreum contracted And 3. The Rosin as was said of its Torrefaction grows the more in Proportion if any of the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum or but the Phlegm be by that means evaporated and the Remainder kept for use And particularly VIII The Distillation thereof may cause mighty Alterations in its Properties Strength c. We must therefore avoid all these Ways of preparing it and yet must we 1. Separate the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium from all its Rosin Earth Filth and Dross 2. No way weaken it alter it or add new Qualities thereto but preserve this most Noble and Inestimable Medicament in its Purity and Sincerity To this end Rain water distill'd used cold answers all Intents For 1. It readily imbibes the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium without Fire Heat lixivial Salts as Salt of Tartar c. 2. It imbibes none of the Rosin of the Opium but lets it all subside together with the earthy and drossie Parts separating the lighter Filth if there be any to the surface 3. It no way weakens alters or adds any new Quality to the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum 4. Whatever cold Water dissolves which is the General Drink or Menstruum appointed by the All-wise Creater for the Dissolution of all Things taken into the Stomach of Animals is easily dissolved at Stomach by its more powerful and agreeable Menstruum And not only so but 5. Water it self is a mighty Stomachick and Causer of Digestion as Hippocrates positively declares L. 6. Epidem Sect. 4. But there 's no need of quoting Hippocrates in so notorious a thing daily Experience tells us the same Do not all Animals by its Help digest their Food Do not all Mineral Waters scarce any excepted create an Appetite and cause Digestion even when no such Effect can be attributed to the Mineral they contain Than which they do also as may be very easily proved more good generally speaking 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for which and many more Reasons it is great Neglect and Folly that it is not more used for Extracts c. for then they readily dissolve at Stomach and thereby 〈◊〉 and speedâ—ly take Effect giving it the least 〈◊〉 and Disturbance that may be as is experimentally found in that of Aloes Sâ—ammony Briony 〈◊〉 Agari◠〈◊〉 Coloquintida Sena and what not unless the Vertue lies in the resinous Parâ—s for then sulphureous or lixivial Menstruums are convenient How inconvenient are they then when the Evil or Mischief lies therein as in our case 6. It is not to be doubted but Water generally imbibes what is best and most agreeable to our Bodies it being the general Menstruum appointed by Wisdom it self for that Use and to be the Vehicle of what is best in all our Food c. to the Bloud However there can be no doubt of what mainly concerns us at present its most ready dissolving our Panacea in the Stomach that does it out of it when cold without the convenient digestive Heat and powerful Menstruum that it finds there Therefore Take of distilled Rain-water 24 Ounces of choice Opium sliced thin 8 Ounces put them together in a strong Glass Vessel of Bottle-metal that contains about 3 Piâ—ts let it be of a tall Figure with a Mouth that conveniently receives a Cork a large Glass Bottle may serve the turn cork it so as the Cork may be easily taken out shaking it 3 or 4 times a day for 6 days and keeping it in a place free from Frosts or any very sensible degree of Heat Which being performed lay the Vessel side-long for 24 hours longer and afterward decant and filtre your Tincture which will be of a Ruby colour and put it into a Glass Bottle of such a Bigness as that it may fill it within a small matter of the Cork and so let it stand for 3 or 4 days then poâ—r off some of the surface of it and instead thereof put sweet Oil thereon Let the Vessel have a convenient Duct or Pipe in the side thereof to empty it out upon occasion This I call the Liquid Panacea of Opium To the Faeces add a Pint of cold distill'd Water shaking the Vessel as before 3 or 4 times in the day let it stand on it 24 hours and in the morning decant it into another Vessel repeat the same quantity of distill'd Rain-water till the Opium no longer tinges it or very inconsiderably in 24 hours At last you may use Water kept hot by a Fire c the better to extract the remaining Sal-Volatile-Oleosum Evaporate all these last Waters in Balneo to the consistence of an Extract This I call the Solid Panacea of Opium GOD and Nature act by simple Means and nothing in imitation of Them is more commendable in a Medicament than Simplicity therefore I shall add nothing to the Panacea's but wholly
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
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
Darkness of the Eyes seeing Things double various Colours before the Eyes Loss of Feeling Ease from Pain c. Deadness of the Eyes to the View Dilatation of the Pupilla Efflorescence of the Skin Laxity of the Lower Iaw Intumescence and Laxity of the Lips Faltring of the Tongue Sardonick Laughter Laxity and Weakness of all Parts a general Ineptitude to Motion Failure in making Water going to Stool and in all Things that require Strength Contraction Motion c. Difficulty of Breathing a wide and slow Pulse a Condition in general very like that of Drunkenness which also proceeds from Relaxation Secondly When you are satisfied that Relaxation is the Cause use all Means to procure a due Contraction of all Parts which is to be done 1. By removing the Cause of the Relaxation 2. By using all good Means for Contraction First therefore give a brisk quick and strong Vomit both to discharge the Opiate and cause Contraction of Parts by a grievous Sensation Proportion it to the Deadness Stâ—pidity or Sleepiness of the Person so as to give it of twice the ordinary Strength of Vomits in Case there is great Danger from those Symptoms and that they are of a high Nature After the Person has Vomited 3 or 4 Times or so often as that you may judge the Stomach well cleared of the Opiate give Half an Ounce of Cream of Tartar finely poudered in thin Broth Whey Water Small Beer or any convenient Liquid which will correct the Opiate if any remains at Stomach turn the Vomit to a Purger to clear the Intestines also and contribute much to the Contraction of Parts which you must always have in your Thoughts as the ruling Intention in this Case Therefore Secondly You must use Contracters all the Time the chief of which are Cold grievous Sensation or Pain Terrour Fear Voluntary Motion and Acids which last cannot be so well used during the Vomiting lest they stop it Therefore especially if the Person be very Stupid keep him very Cold for he will hardly feel it nor take Cold because the Relaxation and the Insensibleness of Grievance by Cold c. keeps the Pores open let him be if possible in some Motion as Walking Hewing Sawing Knocking Tugging c. the more violent it is the better because it causes more Contraction and Agitation to prevent Sopors To force him to Motion if need be Pricking Pinching or Whipping him about the Legs c. will be of good Use because grievous Sensation adds defensive Contraction which is the greatest sort to that of the intentive Contraction by voluntary Motion These Means failing he should be exposed stark naked to the coldest Air and in desperate Cases thrown suddenly at unawares into cold Water by which Means you cause Terrour Surprise and Cold which are the highest and most forcible Contracters to conspire to the Contraction of Parts Hence it is that Drunken People who are so from Relaxation become Sober as in a moment by that Means All the time but during the Vomiting let him use cold Acids in great Plenty and very manifestly acid for they will not only contribute to Contraction but very much correct the Opiate To this End Iuice of Oranges or Lemmons Verjuice or Water acidulated to a good degree by Verjuice Vinegar Iuice of Lemmons Spirit of Vitriol Sulphur or the like will be very proper Where you have not the Convenience to plunge them into cold Water as is directed dashing or pumping very cold Water or Water with a Fourth Part of Vinegar upon their naked Bodies will be of great Use especially if surprisingly done to cause the more Terrour and Concern These Things may be done more or lâ—ss as Cause may require which must be left to the Discretion of the present Physician or Friends and Standers by in Case there be no Physician I only Caution that Contracters should not be used too sparingly and that you should never cease to advance in the Use of them till you perceive their good Effect and then to continue them as occasion requires Note That the Case may well happen that the Rosin may stick at Stomach and yet no Signs or Symptoms appear but those of Relaxation by Reason that the Feeling at Stomach may thereby be disabled to take any notice of it To be sure of this you have no other Means because the Symptoms and Effects of grievous Sensation cannot appear where it is not for the aforesaid Reason but to examine whether the Opiate was a resinous one as crude Opium Extract out of Spirit of Wine or the like for then you may conclude especially if they were given in a massy solid Form as that of Pills c. without severing the Particles of the Rosin by other Things as the Yolk of an Egg c. that the Rosin may in all Probability stick at Stomach tho' its Symptoms do not appear for the aforesaid Reason In such a Case the best Advice that I can give is externally to use all Contracting Means as is directed and internally the Means prescribed for Dissolution of the Rosin for you 'll thereby answer both Intentions Failure of making Water often happens in these Cases which you may generally help by only clapping the Scrotum to the cold Chamber Pot or into cold Water and if that will not do put some Vinegar into the Water and that failing he must be stript and cold Water pumpt or dashed upon the Region of the Bladder III. To Cure the ill Effects of a long and lavish Use of Opium These Effects as you may easily observe if you take a View of them where they are enumerated in Chap. 6. are either 1. From an over-much and habitual Relaxation of Parts as Weakness a Moapish Disposition Diminution of Appetite Weakness of Digestion Dropsies Weakness of Memory c. Or 2. From Acrimony as frequent Irritations to make Water Priapisms Erections of the Penis fruitleâ— Inclinations to Venery c. In this Case as in that of old Drunkards which is much the same there is no good to be done till the habitual Cause is removed viz. the Taking of Opium which suddenly to leave off is as was shewn very dangerous Therefore in order to leave it off safely 1. You must stop your Hands and not increase the Dose that is taken by which Means it will come gradually to have little or no Effect 2. When you find that it is come to that pass your Work is half done then only lessen it 100th Part every Day till you come to take none at all 3. If during this retrograde Course you find any Faintness drink a Glass of good Stomach-Wine toties quoties as Gentian or Centary Wine or the like made by Infusion in Claret or if you want such a Glass of the Claret it self which Things will excite the Spirits and help Digestion 4. When you have quite ended the Taking of Opium continue to Use such Wines when you are faint and every Morning take in a Glass of
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
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
Vagina in which Cases it is of neat Use both by relaxing and taking away Pain during the Operation It may be also of Use when the strictness of the Collum Uteri hinders the Admission of Sem. viril both as a general Relaxer and as causing greater Pleasure of those Parts and a proportionable Relaxation thereof for it is by the Pleasure in Coition that the Collum Uteri is opened or relaxed as is observed which immediately closes again when the sense of Pleasure is ended yea and so much the stricter because the Loss of Pleasure is as was shown a Kind of Grievance hence it is that omne Animal post coitum est triste and not because of loss of Spirits as is vulgarly imagined for we can lose little or no Spirits by that which is so separated for Excretion before hand as the Semen is 5. To enlarge any Part for the due Reception of what is convenient or necessary as the Breasts to receive Milk by which Means it comes to be such great Increaser of Milk The seminal Vessels as Sem. virile does upon Puberty to receive the Semen Thus it causes the Penis to grow as the Semen upon Puberty causes it and Cocks Combs Turkey-Cocks red Bags at the Neck Proboscis c. to grow as the Time they are fit for or begin to tread for the Relaxation caused by the Pleasure of the Semen makes the Party more capable of the Nutriment Thus it is that Sleep causes the Growth Fatning and Thriving of Animals and red Noses to grow so large by frequent Relaxation upon the Pleasure of Wine Ale c. as was said to which Quantity distending the Parts may in the last mentioned Case contribute I. The Form of Opiates in this Case may be either solid or liquid as you think â—it II. The Dose must be proportioned to the Relaxation that you desire for more relaxes more and less less so must it be also proportioned to the Contractions that it is to take away therefore very grievous Passions or Sensations which cause proportionable Contractions require greater Doses because their Grievance and Contraction do strongly oppose the Pleasure and Relaxation that Opiates cause therefore great Pain as you 'll find in its due place requires an extraordinary Dose III. The Vehicle in Contractions from grievous Passions should be VVine or some comfortable Cordial except they be the more turbulent Passions as Anger Fury c. where Composers as Emulsions Milk and VVater c. are best In all other Cases emollient and suppling Vehicles are most proper as soft smooth and slipper◠〈◊〉 Broths c. IV. The Time to give them is at the due Distance before Bed Time when the Intentions are consistent with Sleep which it self is a great Relaxer otherwise any Time will serve as Occasion or the Intention of the Physician requires it V. The Regimen 1. As to Meat and Drink is using moist emollient and lâ—bricating Things as smooth Broth somewhat â—at butter'd Roots Herbs Sawces 〈◊〉 Milk-Meats young Flesh as of roasting Pigs 〈◊〉 Lamb c. Smooth Drinks as Alc 〈◊〉 c. 2. As to sleeping and waking that relaxes and this contracts therefore that conduces this hinders 3. As to Rest and Motion that relaxes and this conâ—racts 4. As to the Passions of the Mind the Pleasant as 〈◊〉 Ioy Pleasure Comfort and all such do relax and the Grievous as Terrour Fear Grief Melancholy c. contract as Pain does 5. As to Air the warm and moist or that when the Quicksilver is low in the Barometer or VVeather-glass does relax as do warm Baths Fomentations c. especially if emollient Dry and cold Air and that when the Quicksilver is high do cause Contraction 6. As to Excretion and Retention generally Excretion does make Room and Way for things to pass through or into the relaxed Parts as Clystering for Passage of the Stone Child Reduction of Hernias c. But be sure not to make the Excretions grievous because all grievous Sensation causes Contraction CHAP. XXXIV Of the Use of the Panacea of Opium c. to take away Pain or grievous Sensation THIS it does as was shown by diverting the sensitive Soul and introducing a Sense of Pleasure which being contrary to grievous Sensation or Pain cannot be in the same Subject with Pain but chiefly and mechanically by relaxing all Parts and permitting the springy Animal Spirits to expand and so become unfit to carry Impressions smartly which is requisite to cause a sense of Pain as has been proved Therefore it is of most happy and glorious Use in all Pains but especially to be used 1. In such as are not for any Benefit to the Person pain'd in Order to alter or evacuate the grieving Cause as in Pocky scorbutical or hypochondriacal Pains or such as proceed from any ill Habit of Body c. 2. Where Pain hinders the taking away of its Cause or some Benefit as when the Pain of the Stone does by contracting the Parts hinder its own Passage that of a Tenesmus hinders going to stool that of the Sphincter of the Bladder hinders its opening to let out Urine clodded Bloud Phlegm Matter or any such Thing when that of the Neck of the VVâ—mb hinders Delivery of a Child After-Birth Mole clodded Bloud c. that of the Mouth of the Stomach hinders Vomiting when requisite or that of the Pylorus hinders the Detrusion of Chyle or that of the Intestines as by an Inflammation c. stops the Passage of the Ordure and causes an Iliack Passion or that of the Guilet hinders swollowing of the Larynx Breathing or that of any Part hinders Perspiration or desired Sweat or that of the Venereal Parts stops the Menses or Lochia c. In all which Cases it is and must in all Reason be of excellent and if duly managed of almost if not altogether infallible Effect by taking away the Pain which causes the Part to contract and make the Stop c. 3. Where the Cause of the Pain cannot be remoued but by Perspiration Sweat Menses Lochia or Urine â—s in Pains in the Habit of the Body Limbs c. From Cold Wind or Vapours Gout Rheumatisms Stitches Pleurisies Inflammations and many of the Cases aforementioned it is excellent As it is 4. Where the Pain Irritation or grievous Sensation causes Nature to work irregularly as in Iliack Passiâ—ns hysterick Fits Fruitless Convulsions canine Apâ— c. In which Cases it excells all other Means for many Reasons 5. Where the Pain is not likely to have a timely Effect for good till People may be too much worn out 6. In all Pains that have not any matâ—rial Cause from the Humâ—urs c. of the Body as such as happen from Passions Wounds Pricks of Nerves Tendons Fractures Dislocations Amputations severe Chirurgical Operations c. 7. In all Pain from Inflammations Suppurations Abseesses Tumors where Repulsion is not convenient or possible 8. In all Pains that are more likely to cause Fevers than any
'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
Chapter of its Use to cause Sleep V. The Regimen must be exact Temperance and Moderation in all Things and 1. As to Diet let it be appropriated to the Diseases and always of such Things as the Stomach digests without any Difficulty or Disturbance 2 As to Sleep it should be moderate yet so much as fully recruits and refreshes 3. As to Rest and Motion the like Moderation must be used for Motion must not be violent or over-wasting of the Spirits in any Respect yet must gentle Motion and Exercise be used Riding on Horseback to such as can do it is a very wholsom Exercise 4. As to Excretion and Retension you should never Purge or Vomit during its Use unless there be a very special Cause and then I would have the Vomit to be only carduated Water and for Stools only so much of the Scots Pill or Stomach Pill as will serve to open the Body to be taken at Bed-Time or at such Time of the Night as to cause no Disturbance before you are up in the Morning but generally speaking causing no Evacuation is best but what is the Consequence of the Panacea it self which causes the best most natural universal and considerable Evacuation by the Pores 5. As to the Air the dry and temperate as to Heat and Cold but rather inclining to Coldness is the best for you cannot so well err on this Hand because the Pores will be kept open and Colds prevented in a high manner by the Use of the Panacea besides that Coolness is most agreeable to Digestion 6. As to Passions of the Mind all the grievous ones should be avoided and a fine even Chearfulness maintain'd as mâ—ch as may be it will be very easily continued by the Help of the Panacea which causes it above all Things 1. Note That these Directions do generally concern its Use in Chronical Cases for as to acute Diseases and particular Gases it must be left to the Management of the present Physician 2. Note That its Use as an Evacuative has been sufficiently treated of in the Chapter of its Use to cause Fluxes and Evacuations 3. Note That notwithstanding all I have said of the most excellent Qualifications of the Panacea of Opium I submit all to farther Experience at the Introduction of which I mainly aim by endeavouring to take off People's Fears and Iealousies which have ever been the greatest Hinderers of Improvement in Cure more especially in Reference to the Use of Opiates which without Doubt will cure many Diseases more than ever they were used for at least as Alteratives which if my Discourse does Occasion I shall thank and praise the Author of all Good for making me instrumental thereto CHAP. XLI Of the External Use of Opium IT S External Use is as the Internal either I. As a Pleaser of Sensation or an Opiate spe cially so call'd or II. As an Alterative First as a Pleaser of Sensation or an Opiate properly and specially so called it is scarce worth While to treat of it because of the Uncertainty Ineffectualness and sometimes Danger thereof unless it be to caution Men concerning it for my part I seldom or never used it externally unless it was in Venice-Treacle Diascordium or Miâ—hridate which have but little Quantities thereof nor can I see why it should be at all used externally as an Opiate except it be when Opiates cannot be used internally where they have more even certain and better Effect or in very â—ew Cases which will be mentioned The main therefore that I can do in this Case is to acquaint you what others have sound by Experience concerning its external Use. 1. It has been found dangerous to apply Opiates to the Sutures of the Head it has kill'd some and Galen is against it L. 2. de Comp. Med. I have somewhere read of a Man who after a certain Contest for Victory being very hot took off his Helmet to refresh himself after the Victory he had obtain'd which Helmet his Emulators smear'd on the inside with Opium He afterward put it on and soon died 2. It is applied more safely to the Forehead or Temples but the Quantity of half a Scruple should not be exceeded in this Case Fernelius commends the Application of it to the Forehead in Head-Aches Phrensies c mixed with Ointments Wedelius did also use Venice Treacle and Extract of Opium to the Temples with good Success in Pain of the Head he also found the like Success in applying it behind the Ears Note That the Continuance and Constancy of its Operation where it takes Effect applied externally may be very beneficial in some Cases but even that may be answered by internal Use if it be repeated 3. All or most do agree that it is too acrimonious to be applied to the Eyes 4. Geigâ—rus Fernelius Heurnius c. do commend its Use to smell to being made into a Ball c. with odoriferous Things and I have an Opinion that this Way of using it may be excellent conditioned that not above Half a Scruple of Opium be used 1. Because but a small Quantity and that of its finest Parts is thus received into the Body 2. Because it may be removed at Pleasure and then as some say the Effect immediately ceases This is very well worth the experimenting for it would be very neat to be able to cause Sleep and its other Effects with Safety as long or as short a Time as we please and no longer for this cannot be done when it is internally given but its Operation will have its Course without extraordinary Means and Trouble but when externally used the very Cause of the Danger if any should hâ—ppen can be immediately removed by taking of the Opiates from the Nose 5. That of Geigerus and Langius using only one 〈◊〉 of Opium to the Puncture or little Wound made by a Leecâ— behind the Ear to cause Sleep and that with Effect seems to me to he attributed more to the Bleeding which always inclines Men to sleep than to the Opium 6. Crude Opium has kill'd People by putting it in hollow Teeth as some Observers aver 7. Applied to the Ears it relaxes and as it were resolves the Tympan and other delicate Membranes concern'd and thereby offends the Hearing 9. Galen seems to be against the Application of it to the Nape of the Neck because so near the Original of the Nerves Note That it is not convenient to use it where Resolution and Relaxation may do any Harm as was said of the Tympan of the Ear c. 10. Venice Treacle Mithridate and Diascordium are safely applied externally to the Region of the Stomach to appease Vomiting and Hiccoughs moderate Loosenesses c. 11. Savanarola and Octavius Horatianus used it to the Navel to cause Sleep and with Rue Myrrh Frankincense and Wax to move to Stool which it perform'd as the last mentioned Author says 12. Sylvius uses it in his carminative Plaister to discuss Wind which is rational