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
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-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
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.
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
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
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
c. as Wine hot Liquors and Opium do 12. Opium does very much open the Pores and cause Perspiration c. which only Heat as that in Baths Bagnios Hot Houses and Hot Things do but Cold shuts the Pores as all know Therefore 13. Opium cures and prevents Colds which is another Argument of its Heat 14. It is a great Aphrodisiack or Exciter to Venery which Cold Things chill but Hot Things as Cantharides Bees Pismires Onions Garlick Leeks Rocket Squills Horse Radish Sem. Human. c. do promote 15. Nothing causes Indolence given internally but Wine Hot Liquors c. as I can think of and Opium causes it much after the same manner as Wine does first causing Mirth and Iollity and upon increase of Quantity very considerable Indolence It is true that Cold will externally cause a Stupor if it be intense so as to constringe the Parts and exclude the Spirits but otherwise it makes the Feeling more nice as all know by Experience because every little Hurt affects us more when we are cold than hot But this is not the Case of relaxing Opium which is used internally to take away Pain as Wine c. 16. Nothing takes away the Effects of Opium or Drunkeness better than cold Things internally and externally as acids dipping in Cold Water c. 17. Opium relaxes all Parts which Heat does and Cold constringes as was intimated 18. Wedelius confesses tho' it makes against what he says that he never observed a Soporose Distemper where there was not a Preternatural Heat Opiolog Lib. 1. Sect. 1. Cap. 12. P. 46. 19. If it causes Sleep by its cold Quality then all Things that are cold would do it proportionably Cucumers Purslane c. would be so great Hypnoticks that we should not be able to eat a Drachm of them but that they would cause a great Sopor but there is no such thing and hot Things are much more apt to cause Sleep or a Sopor as Wine hot Spirits Onions Garlick and such like 20. Opium causes a Redness or Efflorescence of the Skin making it sensibly warmer as Heat Wine and Strong Liquors do 21. It causes also an Itching of the Skin which only hot Things do 22. Half a Drachm of Opium in Clysters has caused a violent Heat in the Guts 23. It stops Diarrheas or Loosenesses which Cold causes 24. It stops Defluxions Coughs c. which Cold causes 25. To pin up all its predominant Principles appear by Autopsie upon its Chymical Analysis to be Volatile Salt and Sulphur Besides this Opinion of the Coldness of Opium is very much exploded and indeed it is so apparently false and absurd that I should not have thought it worth while to argue against it but that it lay so in my way that regularly I could not well avoid it without Breach of Order and Method I might have added that it resolves attenuates c. but it is needless to say any more It is very false and erroneous that it stops Fluxes by incrassating and binding which are accounted cold Qualities if so how should it stop them when Pounds of Incrassatives and Binders have failed tho' the Opium was given only in the Quantity of a Grain or Two How should it stop or moderate Fluxes even while it is yet at Stomach as it most certainly does It bears as Etmuller well observes no Proportion to the Bloud and Humours to have any Effect that may be remarkable upon them for a Grain is but as 1 to 115200 to the Blood of him that has 20 Pound of Blood which an ordinary Man has Besides How can Altenuatives Resolvers and Discussers incrassate or bind But more especially How can so great a Relaxer of Parts be a Constringer thereof That is perfect Contradiction And how can a meer Sal Volatile Oleosum in which all its Vertue lies as will plainly appear thicken and bind The Truth is that it stops Fluxes as Sleep doth by taking away the sense of the Irritation of Humours which solicite the Parts to contract and so to extrude and squeese them out it promotes Perspiration by relaxing the Pores as Sleep doth it also seems to thicken Rheum as Sleep doth because it causing Sleep or at least taking away a sense of the Irritation of the Rheum is thereby suffered to stay till it thickens by the Heat of the Body the Irritation also at Windpipe being less because the Flux of the Rheum is moderated for the Reason aforesaid But of these Things more fully when we come to explain the Cause or Causes of the Effects of Opium CHAP. X. It is proved That Opium sends no Fumes c. from the Stomach to the Head Brain c. and therefore that it does not diminish or disable the Spirits c. by that means THO' the Opinion of the Cold of Opium is much exploded that of Fumes Vapours or Aura's arising from the Opium at Stomach and mounting up to the Brain c. is as much received and embraced I know none but such as think it absolutely necessary considering that it is most certain and allow'd by all observing Men That Opium produces all or most of its Effects while it is at Stomach That the Genus Nervâ—sum is mostly concerned in its Operation and that as was said there is no Operation or Action but by Contact So that the Moderns acquiescing in the Necessity of its operating that way because they could conceive no other which is no Proof but a Defect of their Conception look upon it as invincible and uncontrolable Eviâ—ence oâ— its operating by Detachments of Fumes or 〈◊〉 sent up to the Brain from the Stomach which appear'd so undeniably conclusive that neither the want of a sensible Passage nor any other Inconvenience signified any thing with them to the contrary therefore it became an established Foundation by common Consent only they differ'd as was shewn in the manner how those Fumes produced the Effects of Opium And well they might seeing there is no such thing nor possibility if they were of ever explicating the various Effects of Opium by that means as will manifestly appear I confess that if Opium operated by such Fumes passing from the Stomach to the Brain c. it would be easie to conceive how it should diminish or disable nay utterly ruine the animal Spirits and indeed impossible rationally to conceive how they could do otherwise But then the enlivening invigorating and encouraging Effects of Opium which are its constant and most genuine Off spring would lie upon our hands without any possibility of giving an account thereof for certainly dull heavy unnatural undigested and cloudy Fumes or Vapours could not advantage the animal Spirits cause a Triumph or Ovation thereof at their access Courage Serenity Promptitude Magnanimity Euphory Inclination to Venery c. which we are most obliged to regard as being its most natural and proper Effects This Opinion of the Moderns does presume or suppose for they prove nothing First That Fumes
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
as to the Nose and Eyes for though some of my Readers may not easily conceive it the Representation of Things might have been conveyed by Reflections and Refractions of Light without excluding the Air but that it was more convenient and safe for the Brain and Optick Nerve which is much the same matter with the Brain and a Production thereof that the Air should be excluded 6. Notwithstanding all this Care to exclude extraneous Particles how fine soever we do find that those very Impulses conveyed by the Animal Spirits themselves in the most gentle manner imaginable do often offend the Brain Now fairly consider the great Excellency and Use of the Brain viz. to separate the Animal Spirits to accommodate the Soul with a fit Seat for it its Tenderness and Softness to be next to Liquidity how carefully it is guarded with about nine or ten Circumvallations or considerable Integuments that those we commonly call Organs of Sensation are contrived for Shutters out or Excluders of the least extraneous Particles Effluvia's or Aura that the least Fume that rises from any Part and arrives at the Brain causes such terrible and dismal Effects and that most gentle touches of the Animal Spirits do offend it so as to cause tragical Events as hysterick Fits Vertigo's c. Is it likely that notwithstanding the Considerableness Tenderness Use and Excellency of the Brain the extraordinary Providence used in guarding it from Effluvia's or extraneous Particles how fine soever and the apparent Mischiefs that the least Fume nay bare Impulses presented by the Animal Spirits do cause that the same Providence that so guarded it which does nothing in vain should after all its Care and nice Circumspection to exclude the least Fume c. permit and freely let loose upon it and into it whole and even continual Gusts Blasts and Vulcano's of acid acrimonious putrid hot stinking corrosive Fumes Vapours and Steams arising from glutted debauch'd and surfeited Stomachs containing all imaginable Trash Hodge-podge Vermine Choler c. sure it is much fitter quite to discharge and rid Nature of them at Mouth or rather send them downward with their fit Companions the stinking Ordure and Excrements than prefer them to the Highest and Noblest Part of the Animal and Sacred Mansion of the Soul For if there be so ready free open and constant a Passage sensible or insensible for the Fumes of Opium which never fails of its Effects then certainly must the Passage be alike free to all other Fumes from the Stomach seeing they are so to those gross venomous and pernicious Fumes of Opium as Willis and most of the modern and ancient Physicians do state them to be Then farewel Soul Brain Life and all for it is not conceivable that the Man can hold out one Houâ— under such horrid and dismal Circumstances and dreadful Eructations of rude and crude Fumes who could not bear the arrival of the least Vapour scarce sensible in Quantity or Quality arising from any other Part Or is it a peculiar Priviledge that the Stomach has thus to send Farts with their Heels upward as Belching is call'd without any offence to perfume the Soul's Presence-Chamber saving your Presence however Foh for shame What sort of Opinions are these What thick stinking and dark Clouds Scotomies and Stupors must the Opiniators be under by their own Consent 7. If this were the case no Part in the whole Body would be in such a miserable state as the Chief for the Rectum or Colon are fitted and fortified by Nature to bear such Things so is not the tender Brain 8. What Horse's Brain much less Humane one could bear incessant Rakings Penetrations Stuffings of such unnatural indigested heterogeneous rugged acid acrimonious putrid and impetuous Fumes If Gutta cavat Lapidem non vi sed saepe cadendo What would become of the tender Brain thus â—udely rubb'd and grated all the days of our Lives if it could hold out any for it is incredible it should 9. How would the Pores of that soft Substance which have no less Office as 't is universally received than to separate Animal Spirits which are or should be the finest and most subtile tenuious and principal Things in an Animal next the Soul it self be discomposed torn dilated stuffed What a blessed Sâ—retion of Animal Spirits if any would there be 10. It is observed by all That the Brain tho' very soft receives the least Change of any Part of the Body which could never be considering its tenderness if it were so raked by all sorts of Fumes for then doubtless such a Body would be most changed of any in Colour Substance Texture Bigness c. What would become of Memory and indeed of all the Faculties of the Brain Can a soft yielding Substance continually discomposed preserve Impressions made thereon If Fumes flow'd continually through the Brain they must wear out all Impression yea and the Brain it self in a short time 11. It would be very dangerous to eat or drink if the Brain must suffer so much by the Fumes of Meat Wine c. It would be hard to know whether it was best to eat or not for both must be fatal 12. What a vast Difference should we observe as to Serenity of Mind c. when empty and full For in this last case the Brain must be all in a Cloud or a Cloud in it or both yet are Men much more serenâ— prompt and fit for any thing after some Glasses of Wine than before and after moderate Eating than when Hungry which makes them faint peevish ill-humour'd and listless 13. If the Vapours or Fumes of Opium flying up to the Brain caused all its Effects it is very strange that our Fumi venduli had not long since found out the Mountebank Gambol of standing upon their Heads to prevent all Mischief from Opium taken in a great Dose for Fumes in a warm living Body would not descend into the Head I wonder they did not find out such an easie and natural Consequence of their Hypothesis if true they might then have boldly mounted any Stage freely taken Opium in the sight of the admiring Rabble their Summersets Going upon their Hands c. would have secured them and turn'd Danger topsie-turvy by the help of a comical Gesture This is indeed somewhat to purpose if it succeeds if not I should think 't were enough to ridicule their Hypothesis out of all Credit without any farther Arguments I dare join Issue with them upon that Point that it will not succeed though a necessary Consequence of their Opinion if true wherein they will have this Advantage That they 'll confess with one that never did or will try it as being well assured of the Falsity of both the Hypothesis and the Experiment without such a Trial of Skill Now I think that I have said enough and would willingly give over arguing and spending any more Time to confute an Hypothesis so absurd that it must needs appear so to
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
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
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
by squeezing in some Cases and stop it by shutting the Pores in other Cases 10. It is by it that Contraction that Fear Cold c. closing the Pores and repelling the Bloud stanch Bleeding So happens also a greater Contraction of the Pupil of the Eye by the same Cause 11. It is the Violence of this Contraction upon Fear Terrour Pain Cold c. closing the small Vessels of the Animal Spirits and thereby repelling them causes the Shivering in those Cases by the Renitency of the elastick Animal Spirits springing back again toties quoties having gain'd more elastick Force by the very Compression it self which that Contraction causes so that by reason of the dubious velitation or skirmishing between the repelling Contraction and the springing Spirits happens a tremulous Motion as of quavering Springs which Shivering in Ague-Fits did formerly lead me to the Situation of the Cause of Agues when I writ my Book De Febribus intermittentibus in the Angustiae at the end of the Vessels which terminate in the Membranes the grievous Sensation of which causes all the Shivering that happens in any Case to Animals 12. By the same Contraction when very violent and of the whole Body cold Sweats happen in Pain Fear Terrour c. while it violently squeezes out the outmost and therefore coldest Moisture of our Bodies as Laundresses do Water out of wet Linnen by Contortion Thus if you dip one half of a wet cold Sheet in hot Water wrapping the hot side within the cold or let a warm Sheet that is contorted cool on the out-side of it and then wring it as Women do Linnen the Water that first exudates will be cold for in this Case the closing of the Pores avails nothing to hinder it as long as the expressing Force masters it more especially in Animal Bodies wherein the Parts are so contrived that Humours design'd for Exoretion cannot well return and therefore must upon Contraction run out Hence it is that Alum or Vitriol which are very astringent and therefore close the Pores will notwithstanding cause the Mouth or Nose to run very plentifully with Moisture by contracting all the Membranes about the Mouth or Nose and thereby squeezing out the Moisture design'd to be excern'd which cannot return because the Parts are contriv'd against the return or readmittance thereof whereas Alum or Vitriol will stanch or stop Bloud by the same Contraction because it may return as not being design'd to be excern'd either into the Arteries and so pass by other Branches thereof or which is more ready and natural keep its course into the Veins So the two Riddles that I have known some Proud Physicians amaz'd at tho' but Trifles of Alum and Vitriol causing the Spittle c. to come out instead of stopping it by their Astringency and their stopping Bloud at Nose at the same time they cause the Snot or other Humours to run out are unfolded 13. It is by this mighty Contraction growing to an enormous degree that the Animal Spirits being violently compressed grow exceeding irrequiete as upon Convulsions in great Pain or very grievous Sensation at Stomach c. while the sensitive Soul compressing them with mighty Force and somewhat disorderly and unevenly because of the Confusion and Hurry he is in to relieve the Animal they by their springiness fling up and down with great Vigour This makes convulsive Motions have great Strength 14. The Body under this Contraction is manifestly shrunk by measure especially when the Sensation is very grievous but most of all if they cause a general Convulsion which I manifestly observed in a little Bitch that was convulsive all over for three Hours and was just expiring when I gave her the Sal Volat. Oleos of Opium which perfectly restored her by relaxing the Vessels Some may think it strange That Nature should contrive a more nice and smart Sensation which the Contraction of the Vessels of the Animal Spirits must cause by compressing them c. in Pain and by it which becomes so much the more acute whereas one would judge That Nature would rather contrive its Ease than improve its Smart You are to know That the Pain is in order to relieve the Animal by exciting all its Powers to defend expel or reject the Cause and that without a grievous Sensation the sensitive Soul is neither minded nor excited to do it and the more the Pain is the more it is stirr'd up to Self-preservation and as was shewn the more vigorous do its Motions grow by the Compression of the elastick Spirits to perform that Work so Nature not regarding the Pain which is rather for good as much as taking away the Cause advances that for this Purpose like a wise Physician who finding a Grievance at Stomach not sufficient to excite effectual Vomiting to throw away the grieving Cause adds to the Grievance by giving a Vomit which because as was said Nature is proportionably excited to and invigorated for Self-preservation sufficiently sollicites and enables it by a stronger Contraction to reject the grieving Matter As the greater the Relaxation is the more is the Rest of all Parts and the weaker the Animâ—l Spirits because less compressed the gentler are all Motions as you see in Sleep consequently the less is the Expence of Spirits so that in Sleep we generate more than we spend and are thereby recruited So the more the Contraction is the more violent is the Motion of the Heart Intestines and of all Parts and consequently the Expence of Spirits is the greater Therefore it can be no Wonder That Contractions do cause great Commotions of Spirits Diary Fevers c. when you consider 1. That the sensitive Soul is by the grievous Sensations c. that cause them put upon a great Fret Concern and Hurry to defend the Animal and lays about him all manner of ways for Self-preservation 2. That the Animal Spirits are by means of great Compression caused by the defensive Contraction in a very forcible Springiness which causes all the Actions that are continual involuntary and of course to be perform'd with great Violence proportionable to its compressed Elasticity Besides that 3. The Systoles of the Heart are oâ—tener repeated All which conspire to cause greater Commotions upon grievous Sensations whereby Diary Fevers c. are caused which are easily and naturally cured by Sleep or Relaxation at present compose and quiet those Perturbations Who knows tho' it is not my Business to discuss it at present but that the Contractions in the cold Fits of Agues have a great hand in causing the hot ones How otherwise should Opium by only taking away the grievous Sensation of the cold Fits take off or prevent the hot Fits also But of this in my often-mentioned Tract though not so often as it grieves me that it is not published How reasonably may we now expect That pleasant Sensation may cause quite contrary Effects to that of grievous Sensation viz. Relaxation and all its Effects
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
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
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
are reputed Opiates Borellus speaks of a Soporiferous Aura that proceeded from ones Thumb cured by a Caustick I have read of a Cataphora from Worms a Soporiferous Fume from the Womb and very many such sorts of Instances which Things are now easily conceived for 't is but supposing a Fume of the Nature of Sem. Animale or its Aura for I can no longer doubt but it is an Opiate and it would have much the same Effects with Opium if it were fit to use it after the same manner Having shewn 1. Which are the predominant active Principles in Opium and how combined c. 2. Which of them produces the usual and laudable Effects of Opium And why in general I come now to the Third Particular viz. to shew III. Which of them produces its ill Effects And why It s ill Effects are these viz. Nauseas Vomitings which are generally very dismal with great distress and sometimes dangerous Swimming in the Head Hiccoughs Distresses Anxieties Convulsions Faintings Leipothymies Syncopes c. 1. Note That its grievous Effects are at or about the Region of the Stomach or particularly the Mouth or Pit thereof or thence arising by Consent 2. Note That seeing there is nothing so good but may cause evil Effects in an excessive Quantity this Enquiry is more properly What Principle or Principles of Opium do cause those ill Effects in an ordinary Dose for what will in a moderate Dose will be sure cause them in an excessive Dose 3. Note That all the constant Effects of Opium as you may observe in the Enumeration thereof in the Fourth Chapter are good and laudable Effects it follows therefore that the bad are accidental 1. It is not the Earthy or Phlegmatick Part of Opium that causes those ill Effects because they are Passive Principles and consequently have not such a Power besides that they are known to be innocent 2. Opium has all those ill Effects when both the Earthy and Phlegmatick Parts are separated from it as when an Extract of well torrefied Opium is made in Spirit of Wine for by that means the Phlegmatick Part is dried up and the Earthy Parts subside and are separated yea such Extracts made by Spirit of Wine do cause those evil Effects rather more than crude Opium with its Earth and Phlegm in it as Experience assures us and Reason will plainly confirm by and by however fond the World is of such Preparations 3. It is evident from the Premises that the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium cannot cause those Vomitings Hiccoughs c. for they are the Effects of grievous Sensation at Stomach but the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum causes a most agreeable and pleasing Sensation at Stomach 4. Nothing quiets Vomitings Convulsions â—coughs c. more than that Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium 5. Experience informs us That the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium separated from all other Parts and Principles thereof never causes such evil Effects as I and another Physician in London can testifie as does also Le Mort in the most Learned Dr. Love's Collectanea where he says of such a Preparation thereof as contains only the Sal-Volatile-Oleosum That Nunquam Anxietates circa Praecordia aut Phantasias conciliat That is It never causes Anxieties about the Mouth of the Stomach c. for that is most properly to be understood by Praecordia Wedelius testifies the like of such another Preparation and so do several Authors tho' they did not in the least know why but only by Experience 6. It s Fixt Salt is innocent in its Nature and but the 32d Part of Opium which is too inconsiderable in an ordinary moderate Dose to cause any sensible Effect It follows therefore That is must be the Resinous Part of Opium which it has in a considerable Quantity that must cause those ill Effects This manifestly appears 1. Because a Tincture of Opiam in Water which takes up none of the Rosin but lets it fall into the Bottom never causes any such ill Effects which it does not also if reduced to an Extract by Evaporation yet have they all the usual good Effects of Opium 2. Wedelius in his Opiolog assures the same of the like Preparation in Phlegm of distilled Vinegar L. 2. Sect. 1. C. 5. P. 92. 3. An Extract of Opium in Spirit of Wine does often cause those ill Effects and no other Preparation causes them as often Wedelius ibid. A Laudano opiato cum Spiritu Vini correcto solum ferâ— observavimus ortos Vomitus a nostro vero quod cum Phlegmate Aceti distillati fieri diximus nunquam Vomitum vel Nauseam saltem contigisse meminimus That is We have observed Vomitings almost only from Laudanum prepared with Spirit of Wine but never any Vomiting or Nausea from that prepared in Phlegm of distill'd Vinegar Which he confirms L. 1. sect 2. c. 4. p. 62. saying in Latine That a curious Observation is to be noted by which it appears that an Extract of Opium with Spirit of Wine shews more Narcotick Force by which he means That it causes more ill Effects than prepared in distilled Vinegar Whereas that in Spirit of Wine has nothing more in it than that in Vinegar besides the Râ—sinous Parts Therefore these do cause all the Mischief Note also That an Extract in Spirit of Wine has in it Quantity for Quantity more of the Râ—sinous Parts than Crude Oplum both because the Earthy Parts that help'd to make up the Bulk are taken away in that Preparation and because the 〈◊〉 of Wine imbibes the Rosin more greedily than other Principles of the Opium so that every Dose must in Proportion have much more Rosin in it than Crude Opium Therefore it is no wonder that it causes those ill Effects more frequently since the Rosin is most certainly the Cause thereof as has been and shall be more fully and beyond all contradiction proved Yet is this the Preparation boasted of by the blind and inadvertent World it would amaze nay terrifie a Man to see what great Care is taken to be sure to render Opium mischievous by solicitously using Spirit of Wine in extracting Laudanums and then and not till then they boast of the Preparation as Charas and very many others do calling it not without great Ostentation and desperate Folly their Laudanum May it be theirs and none others a Turk would be a Mad-man to use it for Crude Opium because it has much more of the pernicious Principle in it It is the common and much esteemed way first to extract it out of Water and then it is very good laudable and innocent but thought nothing worth till they extract the Rosin that is all left behind by the Water in Spirit of Wine and add it to the other then do they with great Authority praise it that is when they have wisely added the Poison to the Panacea It is as if they added Ratâ—bane to a Cordial and not think the Cordial worthy Commendation till they have done so 4. It appears That the Rosin is
operate in a very small Quantity as it usually does because the least Matter imaginable affects the Senses as has been shewn for the Thousandth Part of a grain of Ambergrise Musk c. affects the Smelling the Hundredth Part of a Grain of very acrimonious Things the Taste which causes very sensible Pleasure or Displeasure according as it is agreeable or not much easier may the exquisitely disposed Membrane at Stomach which is affected with Things so indefinitely small that no other Sense or Membrane can take notice of as the Particles of Crocus Metallorum in Vomits Effluvias from a Cats Body pestiferous Effluvias and the like of all which the Stomach is so sensible that they thereby cause most violent Symptoms which are as was shewn proportioned to the Sensation Therefore it can be no wonder that a Grain or less of Opium should affect the sensile Coat of the Stomach and thereby cause a Sense of Pleasure for that which is nice to discern grieving Particles is so to discern pleasing ones as has been said Cujus est Dolor ejusdem est Voluptus that is Pleasure and Displeasure belong to the same Part and as was shewn in equal Degree This proves That it must Operate by pleasingly affecting the Stomach for it were otherwise impossible that so little a Quantity should cause such remarkable Effects and that before the Opium is out of the Stomach but it is ordinary for the Stomach to cause mighty Effects by its Sensation of very small Things otherwise insensible and inconsiderable as to the Production of any observable Effects and therefore it would be a Miracle if it did any other Way cause such great and numerous Effects Helmont observed That Pro Remedio restaurativo Archaei sive Animae sensitivae non requiritur Unciarum Drachmarum Quantitas sed pauca Grana That is Very little serves to comfort the Archaeus or Sensitive Soul because it is done by Sensation as I have proved 2. It is as evident how a hot brisk and Salino-volatile Thing as Opium is must affect the sensile Coat of the Stomach in a short Time as Vomits Purgers c. do which it does much in the same Time with those Things that is as soon as they insinuate themselves through the Crusta Carnosa of the Stomach and reach its sensile Coat which is the Reason that Opium Vomits Purgers c. make some and like Delay before they Operate which is also a Proof that all of them Operate by affecting the sensile Coat of the Stomach all the Difference being that one affects pleasantly as Wine Meat and Cordials and the other by a grievous Sensation The Explication of the Constant Effects of Opium used internally c. 1. The first and leading Effect of Opium is causing a most agreeable pleasant and charming Sensation about the Region of the Stomach This is a Property that belongs to it omni semper and indeed soli to Opiates if the Degree Duration and Fineness of the Pleasure be considered How manifest is it from what has been said of the most Compleat and Consummate Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium which exactly agrees in Principles c. with Semen Animale that so highly pleases and titillates the Membranes with which it not only agrees in Principles as was shewn but has them more active actuating and titillating than any Membrane that it must of necessity highly please all Membranes more especially such as are most exquisitely disposed for Sensation as the most sensile Membrane at Stomach is not only by its Agreeableness but by a most Charming and Captivating Titillation that actuates and causes a fine Ovation and serene glowing of the Spiritus insiti of the Stomach which makes it pleasing in the highest manner having all the Requisites to cause a Sense of Pleasure and that is not all but it being taken into the Body it causes a long continued and permanent sense of Pleasure which we must necessarily carry along with us as a Vade Mecum even Sleeping or Waking Resting or Moving or whatever we do or wherever we are by which Means it far excells all other Pleasures and consequently produces such mighty Effects all other Pleasures being momentary transitory desultory or interrupted except that of Wine and Cordials at Stomach which therefore have the likest Effects to that of Opium tho' they do not equal it in the Intenseness or Duration of the Pleasure unless they are repeated as indeed they may be which made me to intimate That drinking a good Glass of Wine every Hour and by that Means keeping the fresh Pleasure thereof continually at the Stomach like that of Opium is the best Way to cause a long Euphory of Labour Iourneys c. which may come near the Performance of our Divine Sal-Volatile-Oleosum of Opium tho' never equal it for Reasons already sufficiently hinted viz. because Wine wants its most agreeable Composition and fine Titillation of the Volatile Salt that Opium and Animal Seed have Note That the Pleasure of Opium may to some inadvertent Persons seem very indefinite tho' it is at Stomach as it must be because the Pleasure immediately relaxing all Parts and gratifying the Sensitive Soul which informs the whole seems to be general tho' Originally only at Stomach 2. Our Consummate Sal-Volatile-Oleosum must cause a blith gay and good Humour for being pleased with any Thing as is the Vulgar Observation causes a good Humour how much more must such an intense agreeable and continual Pleasure that we always and every where carry along with us so do How common a Saying is it He was pleased with somewhat for I found him in a good Humour 3. The like is to be said of its causing Promptitude Serenity Alacrity and Expediteness in Dispatching and Managing of Business for these are but natural and necessary Consequences of a blith gay and good Humour and therefore always go together for the sensitive Soul being put in a fine Ovation by the continual Pleasure is more active and having thereupon as was shewn wholly excused himself from the Care and solicitude of the Defensive Contraction and in great Measure of the Vigilative Contraction also is more at leisure to attend the Managery of other Affairs without Distraction besides that he is actuated and enliven'd by the aforesaid Ovation of the Spirits and pleasing Titillation into an Alacrity and Promptitude for any Business with which also he is less tired because he has as was said rid himself of the Fatigue of the Contractions that as was manifestly proved do cause Lassitude which otherwise can hardly touch or affect him at all in the State of Relaxation 4. It must cause Assurance Ovation of the Spirits Courage Magnanimity as Wine does by elevating the sensitive Soul by Pleasure and a high Titillation of the Spiritus insiti by its Volatile Parts actuating them as the Animal Semen does all Creatures in Times of Copulation tho' it immediately affects only the Venereal Membranes but ours does actuate them not
Contraction by which Vomiting is perform'd 4. It stills Hiccoughs for the same Reasons 5. It causes Convulsions and Contractions to cease 1. Because it induces a Relaxation which takes them off 2. By taking off the sense which the Irritating causes 3. By composing the Spirits 6. It causes the Meat to stay long at Stomach as Sleep does 1. By relaxing the Stomach so that it is not subject to contract to send it out 2. By stilling all Motions whereby the Stomach grows proportionably unactive 3. Because the Relaxation opposes the Contraction by which the Menstruum is sent into the Stomach or the Saliva into the Mouth both which are therefore much wanted in Sleep for the like Reason as has been shewn 7. It moderates and prevents Hunger 1. Because as was said the Menstruum is not so plentifully sent or squeesed into the relaxed Stomach 2. Because it takes away the sense of Hunger 3. Because it leaves the Meat to stay too long at Stomach by Reason that it is relaxed more insensible and proportionably languid in motion as in Sleep 8. It causes Sweat when the Body is full of moisture as Sleep doth by relaxing and thereby opening the Pores and not as People commonly talk by attenuating and the like for a Grain of Opium bears no Proportion to the Bloud and Humours That it causes it meerly as Sleep does is manifest not only because it bears not a due Proportion to the Work as an Alterative but because Men do not Sweat in that Case as in Sleep without much moisture in the Body whereas much would not be attenuated as soon as less Therefore it is only an Exudation of the Humours upon a Plenty thereof and opening of the Pores Sanctorius Sect. 1. Aph. 22. Invisibilis Perspiratio fit visibilis quando Nutrimentum est nimium That is Invisible Perspiration becomes visible Sweat when nourishment or moisture is too much which exactly agrees with that of Hippocrates cited in Chap. 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 9. It causes the Menses to flow when nothing is wanting but the opening or relaxing of the Viae or Pores they issue out at as when they are naturally too narrow and close as upon the first Tendency to them in young Girls or when stopt by Reason of any undue Contraction thereof as by Pain Cold Sorrow or other grievous Passions all which do close the Pores Besides it does irritate those very sensile Venereal Parts to Erection and I have reason to think that it does by a general Relaxation cause an Increase of Bloud as it does of the Breasts Milk c. causing as it were an Artificial Puberty or at least much promoting the Natural and therefore is of excellent Use in this Case in Judicious Hands tho' little thought of in Practice Obj. Here I may be sure of an Objection That it stops all Fluxes but Sweat or Perspiration Ans. It is as false as it is a common saying if they do not mean only such Fluxes as proceed from grievous Sensation and Contraction thereupon for how can that which relaxes all Parts stop any Flux that depends upon Relaxation as Stillicidium Urinae by Relaxation of the Sphincter of the â—ladder involuntary Flux per Anum by the 〈◊〉 of its Sphincter and such like so do I speak of a Flux that may often depend upon Relaxation as I have shewn Obj. But it may be objected That it particularly stanches Bloud how then should it promote the Menses Ans. Experience tells me it does and Reason confirms it It stanches Bloud by composing the Fury of its Motion but that does not hinder but it may relax the Pores for Sweat Menses Lochia c. to pass and why not for the Menses and Lochia as well as Sweat by opening the Pores I would fain know considering also the Titillation that it causes upon those Venereal Parts which may very much solicite their motion 10. It causes the Lochia to flow for the same Reasons that it does the Menses This I have great Experience in Note That the Menses Lochia and Perspiration are Natural Evacuations that have Pores designed for them by Nature the opening of which by Relaxation must make way for them Suppose when the Bloud flows so much into the Skin as to cause an Efflorescence by the Relaxation thereof after Opium is taken that there were Pores to carry out Bloud as there is for Sweat why should not one flow as well as the other But there are such Pores for the Menses and Lochia and large ones too and therefore it must promote them and why should not Relaxation do it as well as Contraction by Cold Terrour Grief c. stop them for the Effects of Contraries are contrary 11. It causes the Stone to pass 1. Because it reâ— and so widens the Passage 2. Because it 〈◊〉 move with little or no Pain which contracts the Parts and so hinders its Passage therefore the Use of Opium with some other Helps is the greatest Means that can be or ever will be for the Stone till the Dissolution of it is found out not only to give Ease in the Case of the Stone but to cause it to pass for both which Purposes it excells all Things and doth both at once 12. It causes the Delivery of Women by relaxing the Neck of the Womb as it does that of the Bladder to deliver Persons of the Stone but in the Delivery of Women it is not to be used but in particular Cases and by a very Skilful Hand 1. Because it is apt to take off all the Womens Pains and Throws and so quite disappoint the Delivery for a day 2 3 4 or more sometimes 2. Because it causing a great Relaxation the Parts after Delivery will be very unapt to close and contract duely as they should in such Cases otherwise several Inconveniences may ensue 3. It may be pernicious upon the Account of the Evacuation of Bloud that then happens But these Things belong more properly to the Use of Opium in Cure 13. It causes Deadness of the Eyes as in Drunkeness c. because the Cornea is relaxed so that the Humours do not fill it up to a tense Rotundity as when 't is more contracted 14. It causes the Pupilla to dilate because of the same Relaxation 15. It causes a Growth of the Breast Penis and Increase of Milk by Reason of the same Relaxation as the Pleasure of the Semen upon Puberty does or as Emollients and Relaxers applied to the Breasts increase Milk c. by making more Room for it c. 16. It causes Venereal Dreams because of the Titillation of the Venereal Membranes that it causes 17. It causes Nocturnal Pollutions for the same Reason and because it relaxes the Parts 18. It causes Itchings in the Skin because of its Titillation by its Volatile Salt 19. It causes much Urine as Cantbarides Bees Pismire Millepedes c. do by its Volatile Salt which titillates and irritates those
Parts by its relaxing the Pores of the Kidneys and rendring the Humours more penetrating in some measure by the Volatile Salt 20. It causes a Nausea by its Rosin sticking to and teazing the sensile Coat of the Stomach The Reason why it is generally so long before it causes a Nausea or Vomiting is that its Pleasure does at first prevent it till at last the sticking Rosin urges it by its long Stay and vexatious Adherence 21. It causes Swimmings in the Head by Consent when the Stomach is grieved by that Rosin as you find upon Nauseas before Vomiting or when any Thing does much offend the Stomach as much Drink or Wine which when they have Vomited those Swimmings cease 22. It causes Watching in some Persons who are of very moveable Spirits by actuating and stirring their Spirits by its active Volatile Salt tho' it does at the same time please the Membranes and consequently relax the sensile Parts and thereby cause Indolence the Effect of Relaxation which it also does when People keep themselves from Sleep by voluntary Motion and therefore takes away Pain even when Men Travel c. Besides there are some sort of Persons that upon Ioy good News Pleasure or the like are too much elevated or have a restless Ovation of the Spirits which will not suffer them to Sleep tho' they are in a Pleasant Condition all the time This may be the Case of some that cannot Sleep after Opium tho' they are all the Time as they call it in a Heavenly Condition for as I have said a Quietness of the Spirits is requisite to cause Sleep as well as Relaxation but Relaxation alone and thereby Expansion of the Spirits so that they cannot carry Impressions smartly is sufficient to cause Indolence and the Pleasure to cause a Heavenly or very pleasant Condition Sanctor Stat. Med. Sect. 7. Aph. 28. says That Laetitia perseverans per multos dies somnum impedit Persevering Pleasure may do the same by like Reason that is too much 〈◊〉 or Ovation of the Spirits Sometimes too large a Dose causes Watching by over-actuating and exciting the Spirits Medicum vini generosi Allium says Sanctorius conciliant somnum Perspirationem si vero plus justo sumantur utrumque prohibent perspirabile tamen in Sudorem convertunt that is A little generous Wine and Garlick will cause Sleep and Perspiration but too much hinder both yet they convert the perspirable Matter to a Sweat which Wine and Garlick have the Nature of Opiates and the Reason why they Sweat is the Quantity of the Wine affording more Moisture Hippocrates says 23. A dubious State between Sleeping and Waking is caused when the Relaxation upon the Pleasure of Opium inclines to Sleep but the irreâ—uiete Ovation of the Spirits by the Pleasure and Titillation will hardly suffer it yet highly pleases and puts them in a sweet agreeable Condition CHAP. XIX The Explication of the rare Effects of Opium in a Moderate Dose 1. IT causes temporary Pulses of the 〈◊〉 and sometimes of other Parts by its over relaxing the Parts and causing thereby an Expansion of the Elastick Spirits which as was demonstrated weakens their Motion 2. Faltring of the Tongue does as in Relaxation by Drunkenness proceed from the same Cause 3. Looseness of the Lower Iaw as you see in the Drowsy and Drunken People is from the same Relaxation 4. It sometimes prevents Sweat by causing a very Liberal Perspiration as was shewn for as Sanctorius says who should know it much insensible Perspiration and Sweat cannot consist especially in a Temperate Person who Eats and Drinks moderately Therefore if you keep a Person that Sweats much at Night in a free Perspiration all Day by the Help of an Opiate you 'll much lessen or totally prevent the Sweat at Night as in Consumptive Persons c. 5. It causes Abortion by relaxing the Neck of the Womb which also the Pleasure of Coition sometimes does for the like Reason and would be much more apt to cause it if it continued long as that of Opium does Note the Inconvenience of Coition after Impregnation This is the great Cause that Whores are not apt to bear Children because Frequency of Pleasure does over-relax the Collum 〈◊〉 6. It prevents Abortion when Fear Terrour or any contracting Cause as Grief grievous Passions or Sensations do threaten it by its taking off the Contraction and Grievance that causes it 7 Intumescence of the Lips is from their Relaxation admitting the Bloud and Humours into them in a plentiful manner besides that their Laxity and the Inadvertency occasioned by the Diverting Pleasure or Drowsiness that follows letting the Lower Lip hang down carelesly as is usual in such Cases may by exposing much more of that Lip which is most concern'd in this Effect make it seem larger as a hanging Lip does 8. It may cure a Dropsy as Dr. Wâ—llis doth instance 1. By causing a free Perspiration which is much wanted in those Cases 2. By relaxing the Pores and making way for the Humours to 〈◊〉 3. By causing much Urine as Cantharides Millepedes c do upon the Account of their Volatile-Salt with which Opium abounds 9. It cures Stupors that proceed from Contraction as by Cold c. by relaxing all Parts 10. It causes Anxieties and Distresses by the Rosin sticking and teazing the Stomach 11. Vomitings and Hiccoughs proceed from the same Cause 12. Convulsions are caused by the same Rosin while it continually urges the Stomach to grievous Vomitings which at last draw other Parts as the Stomach usually does when under great Griâ—vances into violent Contractions or Convulsions by consent to endeavour its Assistance because the defensive Contraction growing very high by the almost intolerable and tedious Grievance at Stomach causes a mighty compression of the springy Animal Spirits by which Means they grow very forcible irrequiete and violently springy under the urgency of an enormous Compressure which causes such Convulsive Motions Note That such a violent Compression of the Animal Spirits into a great springiness is the cause of the Strength of Convulsive Motions so that sometimes a strong Man can hardly hold a Child's Limb in such Cases 13. Syncopes Leipothymies and Faintings follow when the sensitive Soul being quite tired and overborn by the Fatigue of such Distresses Vomitings and Defensive Contractions to reject and excuss the said adhering and teazing Rosin yields it self to Rest and le ts go the Reigns of Contraction as being fruitless and no longer endurable whereupon all the sensile Parts being relaxed in the highest degree they thereby grow unfit for Sensation and the Animal Spirits expand as far as the Atmospherical Compressure permits them so that they grow incapable to convey Impressions by which means Sense fails and Motion also for the same Reason because the Animal Spirits loose their springy Endeavours for want of a sufficient Compression to render them flippant for the Purpose which is the Cause as in Sleep that Sense
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
contracted it is round even polite and truely represents Things 11. Deadness of the Eyes to the View is as has been shewn from the Laxity of the Cornea which makes it flag lie loose look dully and not duely reflect a smart and brisk speck of Light as it does when tense round and polite by its Contraction on the contain'd Humours which then duely fill it 12. Faltring of the Tongue is from the same Relaxation as in Drunken Persons 13. A Sopor is from the same Relaxation over all the sensile Parts of the Body by which Means Sense and Motion are diminished or lost by the Expansion of the Animal Spirits which as has been said being not duely compressed become unfit for both at the same time 14. A slow and wide Pulse is from the same Cause because the said Relaxation permits the Arteries to widen and the Animal Spirits to expand and consequently renders the motion of the Heart slow which is the cause of the Pulse 15. A high Colour or Efflorescence of the Skin has been explain'd 16. Looseness of the Iaw and Lips is from the same Relaxation as was shewn and so is 17. Intumescence of the Lips as has been shewn 18. Difficulty of Breathing may be from Two different Causes either by the Relaxation weakening the requisite Motions for want of Compressure of the Animal Spirits and by the Flaccity of the Parts themselves Or by a great Grievance at Stomach upon the Account of the Rosin sticking to it and causing a Convulsion of those Parts both which may happen 19. Fury and Madness may also happen either by the exalted Pleasure of its Titillation as in Drunkards who therefore scarce know what they do the Mind being as was said alienated Or it may happen as I have often known a kind of Madness to be produc'd by a great Grievance at Stomach which may well be from the Rosin grieving and teazing the nicely sensile Stomach They may be easily distinguished one viz. that from the Rosin at Stomach being with great Distresses Anxieties Convulsions c. and the other without any 20. Venereal Fury proceeds from the high Titillation of the Venereal Membranes by the Volatile Salt of so much Opium as if Cantharides Bees c were taken internally but that these cannot so agreeably titillate those Parts as Opium does whose Volatile Particles are render'd more pleasing by oily ones and therefore much of the Nature of Semen Virile 21. Priapisms are caused by the same continual Titillation 22. Violent Itchings of the Skin are caused by the same tickling Volatile Particles in great Abundance proportionable to the excessive Dose 23. Nauseas are caused by the Rosin sticking at and soliciting the Stomach to Vomit 24. Swimmings in the Head are by conseâ—it because the Stomach is grieved by that Rosin as is observed in many Cases from a grieved Stomach upon a Tendency to Vomit as when it is overloaden with Wine or indigestible Victuals or when Persons are Sea or Coach-sick c. for it is not in these last Cases because the Brain is offended as People imagine that they are Sick or Vomit but the Swimming in the Head and Offence of the Brain happens because the Stomach is offended by the Motion of the Coach or Ship by Reason of its most exquisite Sensation which the Effluvias of a Cat pestiferous Particles and Commotions caused by mear Passion can and do offend as was said so as to cause Vomitings Anxieties c. much more then may the Motion of a Ship or Coach do it I shall not here enter into Controversie with those that assert That it is the Head is first offended in a Coach or Ship it is sufficient for my Purpose that Grievances at Stomach do commonly cause Swimmings in the Head for taking off those Grievances cures them as Eating when it is from the Grievance of Hunger or Wind at Stomach and discharging the Stomach of a great Load of Wine Ale or indigestible Matters when such Things cause it do cure such Swimmings in the Head The Way how Grievances at Stomach do cause those Swimmings is by causing a Contraction as all Grievances do but especially those at Stomach of the Membranes of the Brain as it does of all other but mainly of these because very sensile by which means the Animal Spirits being compressed grow more irrequiete and skipping up and down and the Compression not being continually alike in general or the Arteries affording an uneven and forcible supply of them or Fumes from the Bloud by the Compression nor affecting all Parts of the Brain with equal Force because the Pleasure endeavour to relax c. there must thence arise Eddies Vortices or Whirls thereof which cause Swimmings Vertigo's c. according as they happen to be moved That they happen from such Contraction is manifest 1. Because the Grievance at Stomach can add nothing else to the Brain or its Membranes 2. Because they are taken off by pleasing the Stomach and consequently by Relaxation as by a Glass of Wine Victuals an Opiate that is not resinous c. It is here well worth your notice That all consent of Parts a Thing much admir'd is only by Contraction or Relaxation which suddenly affect the whole Systeme of the Nerves and Membranes 25. Vertigo's are from the same Cause 26. Vomitings are caused as was said by the great Grievance of the acrimonious Rosin sticking to the Coat of the Stomach 27. Hicconghs are from the same Cause which happen upon the decay of Power vigorously to Vomit dwindling into those fruitless Convulsive subsultory Ierâ— or Half Endeavours 28. Distresses and Anxieties must necessarily attend such a grievous Sensation and Desection of Naturâ— Endeavour as being overborn and disabled to work for it self 29. A turbulent Pulse must be an Effect of the foregoing Tumults 30. Convulsions happen as was shewn by the enormous Compression of the Animal Spirits by Reason of the violent Contraction upon the great Grievance by the Rosin at Stomach which causes them to skip and fling up and down very forcibly under the squeese of the Compression and possibly skirmishing under the Vicissitudes of it and Relaxation 31. Faintings and Leipothymies are caused as has been explain'd by the sensitive Soul's being over-tired by the Fatigue of Defensive Contraction and yielding himself to Rest from all Contraction as the last Relief c. whereupon Sense and Motion do fail for want of Compression to render the Spirits springy active and fit for the Purpose 32. Cold Breath is but a necessary Consequence of the Loss of Motion and therefore of Heat by such Leipothymies and Faintings 33. Death is caused Two manner of Ways that is either by an utter Expense of Spirits and thereupon a Dereliction or Extinction of the sensitive Soul by reason of those Distresses and Fatigues upon the Account of the invincible Rosin Or by too much Relaxation disabling all the motions of the Body as in such as dye being dead Drunk
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
the first Symptoms of a Nausea Vomiting c. are most to be depended upon for it may happen sometimes as after a great Dose that the Rosin may stick c. and the Relaxation be excessive also Secondly When you are satisfied that it is the Rosin at Stomach that causes the Mischief and not bare Relaxation you are not to promote or stop the Vomitings lest in the first Case you torment and endanger the Person to no Purpose for the Rosin does generally if not always stick too fast and too little in Bulk to be shaken off by Vomiting or the Contraction of the Stomach as appears by the tidious Vomitings that happen thereupon and the Nature of the Thing so that I believe it is seldom or never carried off that way and that when People are at last relieved it is by a gradual Waste Dissolution or Digestion of the Rosin as in great measure appears also by its Purging some Persons after Vomiting and a long time after it is taken in a considerable Quantity Nor are you to stop the Vomiting as not knowing what Nature may Advantage her self thereby but indeed it is more than you can do generally speaking if not always while the Rosin teazes urges and stings the Stomach It evidently follows that the Cure must consist in the Dissolution of the Rosin For this Purpose you have Four Effectual Dissolvers of the Rosin as you may observe from the Chapter of the Preperations of Opium that may be used with safety in a Moderate Dose 1. Lixivial Salts whereof the best is Salt of Tartar 2. Sulphureous Spirits whereof the best is high rectified Spirit of Wine 3. The Yolks of Eggs whereof the best is the Yolk of a rear new laid Egg. 4. White Soap or rather the Sapo Tartareus With these judiciously used you may by Gods Blessing Relieve and Cure the Person grieved with the Rosin or noxious Part of Opium 1. Give with all possible speed One scruple of Salt of Tartar in a Spoonful or two of Brandy or some other hot Cordial Spirit if Spirit of Wine be too hot placing the Person in the very same Posture that he was in when he took the Opiate that it may fall directly upon its Rosin which most probably sticks where the Opiate first fell upon the Coat of the Stomach then stay for a Minute or two and give a Spoonful or two of the Brandy or Cordial with if need be the Salt of Tartar in it If you find Cause either because the first Doses were Vomited or that the Quantity of the Rosin was great or that the Person grows worse you may often repeat it for we must not be sparing in safe Things in dangerous Cases I think it may well be repeated after every Vomiting toties quoties I have a great Opinion of the Yolk of an Egg in these Cases not only because it does as the other Things mix with the Rosin but because being of a good Consistence it sticks to it and fastens upon 't the better and is not so clearly shaken from it by every Vomit as Liquids are therefore I think it very Useful to be given now and then immediately after Vomiting however let no other Food be given but it and be sure to use it when you have not the aforesaid Things I believe it will be found by Experience which is yet much wanted because it has not been used to be the very best Help in these Cases for the aforesaid Reasons and because its fine Oiliness will correct the Volatile Salt of Opium I cannot imagine but White Soap or rather the Sapo tartareus if you have it by you may be of very good use to dissolve and carry off the Rosin 2. When the Vomiting begins to cease you must distinguish well whether it be because the Person is better and the Stomach discharged of the Rosin or because tired Nature yields it self to Rest by a sort of Succumbency to the Fatigue or Leipothymy You may easily distinguish these Cases for in the first Case every Thing seems better and in the last worse saving that the Vomiting ceases which was an endeavour of more vigorous Nature and therefore its failing is now an ill Sign In this Case good Old Wine and Spirituoâ— Cordials which may rowse and invigorate Nature and also engage with the Rosin by their Sulphureous Spirit must be of excellent Use. Note That if you want Salt of Tartar other Lixivial Salts may serve as those of Wormwood Broom c. only you must give at least One Third more and in Case of great Haste and Urgency you may give the very Ashes of Wormwood Broom or any Vegetable in 2 or 3 times the Quantity as the Salts are to be given in 2 or 3 Spoonfulls of Brandy or a Glass of Old Wine or both mixed together for the very roughness of the Ashes will in some measure contribute to wear off the Rosin and thereby assist the Lixivial Salt that is in them 3. If the Quantity of the Resinous Opium was great it will be convenient when you perceive the Vomiting begin to abate to give as much of Daffee's Elixir or Tinctura Sacra made in some Spirituous Liquor as does usually give Six Stools it is best Purging with a Liquid because speedier in Operation and that it should be Spirituous to help the Dissolution of the Rosin 1. Note That you also take Care not to be too busie with Spirituous Liquors when they are much relaxed and have such Symptoms as Drunken People have especially if they appear in a high degree for too much of them may promote the Relaxation 2. Note That in Faintings or Leipothymies after such Vomitings and Struggle of Nature you must not so much excite them by grievous Sensation as pinching pricking c. for those Leipothymies are as was said a sort of Recruit as Sleep is and therefore the last Refuge of Nature for that End but with Spirituous and Comfortable Things as knowing that there is an awaking by Recruit which is Natural as well as by grievous Sensation which is forced and unnatural as has been shewn II. To Cure the Effects of too much Relaxation by an excessive Dose c. First You must be satisfied that the ill Effects thereof are from too much Relaxation 1. By considering the Preparation of Opium that was taken for if you find that it was such as had the Rosin duly separated from it you may be sure that the ill Effects are only from Relaxation because the Dose was too great or if it was a Preparation that had the Rosin so subdued or altered as you find directed to render it safe you may presume the ill Effects are from over Relaxation for such Preparations are otherwise safe and innocent except when the largeness of the Dose as that of good Wine causes too much Relaxation 2. By the Symptoms which are these viz. Alienation of the Mind Loss of Memory Stupidity Sleepiness Sopors Failures of the Senses as
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
Gentian Wine Two Drams of the Chalybeate Wine described in the London Dispensatory increasing about a Scruple every Day till you come to Half an Ounce which take for Two Months at least afterward decreasing as you encreased till you come to One Drachm and so give over But if you find Oâ—osion you may continue that Course longer or as long as your Physician thinks fit After all you may use a Glass of Claret when faint but be sure to be moderate and not run from one Excess to another As for the Acrimony of Bloud that is more during the Taking of Opium and will soon after gradually wear off especially by the Course directed if not Camphire is the adequate Remedy of which with equal Parts of White Rosin and q. s. of Mucâ—lage of Gum. Tragac. you may make Pills of â— Grains weight taking 4 of them every Night at Bed-time in a rear Yolk of an Egg as long as it is necessary for Camphire by its fine Sulphur corrects the volatile Acrimony of Cantharides Opium c. and so allays Titillation to Venery c. as is observ'd IV. The ill Effects of a sudden leaving off of Opium as Anxieties Distresses Depressions of Spirits which as was said are very dangerous are remedied no other way but either 1. By returning to the Use of Opium which is a most certain Cure and afterward if you please give over the Use of it after the manner that I directed which you 'll find to be safe nor can I advise you to trust any other Method of leaving it off unless it be 2. By substituting Wine instead of Opium which is not quite so safe or certain your best Method of using it is to drink a good Glass of it so often as to keep the Comfort thereof at Stomach continually that so it may answer the more permanent Effect of Opium and keep you from a faint Condition but seeing also that this Course is not convenient to be continued long you must gradually lessen the Dose of this as you are directed to do that of Opium till you come to take none or at least a moderate and wholesom Quantity Note That if such as used to take Opium are even almost expiring for want of it you must to prevent imminent Death give a Liquid Preparation thereof to the value of what the Person was used to take in a Cordial Vehicle as Spirit of Wine Brandy or the like because such hot Spirituous Vehicles do as has been shewn immediately give some Comfort by actuating and warming our Spirits till the Opium comes to Operate which will not be long because it is in a Liquid Form if you find the Person sink notwithstanding he may be kept up by repeating the Brandy or Cordial without any Opium in it till the Opiate operates which will certainly by God's Help set him right in case it does but begin to operate before he is dead See The Philos. Transact for Iune Iuly August 1696. Note That it is a very false Imagination that Authors have of the Turks Capacity by Nature Climate or the like to take more Opium or in greater Quantity than we may but that they make more Use of it and by that means come to take 2 or 3 Drams a day for they begin with such small Quantities as we commonly giveÌ„ till by a long Custom of taking it they come to take the said Quantities which is but small in Comparison of what several English People that have been used to it do or have taken as I could Name several to you if I had not Reasons to the contrary however I am at Liberty to tell you the Quantities tho' I must forbear naming the Persons some have daily taken 2 3 4 5 6 Drams nay I have heard of some that have taken an Ounce a Day and of One that took Two Ounces whereas the Learned and Curious Dr. Edward Smith could find none about Smyrna who took above 3 Drams a Day All this is most agreeable to Reason and the whole Current of my Discourse viz. That it can be better born in cold than hot Weather and consequently in cold than hot Climates by firm Fleshed Persons than such as have soft and flaccid Flesh as the Southern People have in Comparison of the Northern and such as inhabit cold Countreys Therefore you may be sure that such as Enquire into the Cause why the Turks and other Eastern People can take greater Quantities than we can seek for the Reasons of Things before they know the Fact nay when the Fact is quite contrary to what they build upon We may as well expect Edifying Discourses from them that Enquire why Fire is cold Water dry and the like as from such as suppose Things contrary to true and sensible Experience CHAP. XXIX Some general Rules Cautions c concerning the Use of Opium THo' there is hardly any Rule Caution or Thing worthy of Observation concerning the Use of Opium but what is implied or easily inferable from what has been said nor now that the true Nature of Opium is discovered can there be such Fears and Iealoufies which multiply Cautions concerning the Administration thereof for every one may now easily see wherein its Danger and Benefit lies yet because a Chapter of Rules and Cautions may be expected as being usual and to have a single View of such as lie more scatter'd and not so readily found in the Body of the Book I will to introduce the Use of Opium with more Clearness and perfect Security give you a Collection of general Rules and Cautions concerning its Use whereof some are mentioned and most inferable from the Premises I. As to its Substance 1. It should be always given freed from its Resinous Parts if you can get such a Preparation 2. It is also neat and convenient that it should be freed from all its Earth and Dress 3. Never give Opium but either so prepared or with its Rosin so subdued segregated or altered as I have shown in the safe Preparations thereof Iâ— follows that 4. Crude Opium and Extracts made in sulphureous Spirits are utterly to be rejected 5. Never give it mix'd or join'd with resinous Things as has been intimated 6. Never mix or join it with other Opiates 1. Because none of them are so good 2. Because they are not so well known 3. Because it makes the Dose more uncertain 4. Because those other Opiates are used unprepared 7. Pil. e Styrace because made of resinous Opium join'd with resinous Things as Styrax calam and Olibanum is an insufferable Preparation tho' commended and therefore has frequent ill Effects to my Knowledge 8. Pil. â— Cynoglossâ is such another having two Opiates in it besides Opium extracted out of Spirit of Wine which is far worse than crude Opium tho' by the way of Eminence call'd Opium prepared in our Dispensatory Styrax calam and Olibanum which are resinous 9. Laudan Lond. is also an ill Preparation as having the
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
the Pores Therefore 1. It is of excellent Use to carry away noxious Vapours or Effluvia's by the Pores of the Skin to prevent Putrefactions and cure them to carry off venomous Particles in the Plague infectious Distempers Bitings of Serpents mad Dogs c. ill Fumes Wind in the Bloud or Habit of the Body that causes Stitches Tumors c. 2. To carry off noxious Humours the same way especially such as stagnate or offend in the Habit of the Body as in Colds intercutaneous Water Leâ—cophlegmatia and sometimes in Dropsies as Dr. Willis observes in Declinations of Diseases to carry off the concocted morbid Matter in Rheumatisms and Gouts particularly that which is call'd the Wind Gout 3. When Perspiration is any way hindred as by grievous Passions Sensations or Pain acid austere or cold Humour by which many Diseases are caused Thus 't is very useful in Grief Sorrow Anxieties Solicitude Melancholy Panick Fears Gachexies Scurvies Hypochondriacal Cases wherein it performs wonderfully when all things fail as you find in Chap. 24. 4. To promote the Menses or Lochia when stopp'd by reason of the constriction of the Pores by such grievous Passions or Sensations or by acid austere or cold Humours external Cold c. by its relaxing and opening the Pores and Ways and soliciting the Parts by a gentle agreeable Titillation Hence some justly call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is An Opener of the Mouth of the Veins or Bloud-Vessels by which means as has been shewn Puberty Coition c. do kindly and naturally cause the Menses to flow while the same Relaxation causes an Increase of Bloud as it does of Milk by widening the Vessels This is all Mechanical Truth that will answer upon Experience as the most Ingenious Dr. Edw. Brown can witness who is the only Man as far as I know that seems to have this Practice 5. It promotes Urine by the like opening or relaxing of the Pores of the Kidneys by its titillating Volatile Salt as Cantharides Bees Pismires Millepedes c. do 6. It may probably be of great use in cutaneous Distempers either by taking large Quantities of proper Liquids and sweating them out again by its help to wash of ill Particles or to open the Pores for the admission of external Medicaments Note That they are natural Fluxes it promotes and unnatural ones that it stops which proves its operating as an entire Friend to Nature both ways I. The Form may be which you please or is most agreeable to the Patient II. The Dose moderate except it be when extraordinary Relaxation or opening of the Pores is desired III. The Vehicle should be such as is proper to prepare the Humours to pass by Sweat or insensible Perspiration or the Bloud by the Menses and Lochia therefore should generally speaking consist of attenuating Things as Volatile Spirits and in the Plague venemous and contagious Cases of Alexipharmacks of Diureticks to promote Urine and so in all Cases of what is proper in the respective Humours for their Exit or Passage IV. The Time because Sleep conduces to open the Pores may be at the due distance before Bed-time but that hinders not but it may be given when there is occasion at any other time In the Plague it should be so often given as to keep the Pores always open Mayern glves an Instance of a Physician that had all Signs of Death Petechiae a Carbuncle c. who recovered by taking Laudanum 6 times a day I suppose 24 Hours or the natural Day is meant thereby V. The Regimen must be such as is proper convenient and usual in the respective Cases for 't is endless to mention all it requires a Volume To cause Sweat much temperate Liquids must be always given especially in Fevers or dry Bodies as the Hypochondriacal c. Most part of the Liquids should be given before the Opiate that they may have time to get into the Bloud by that time the Opiate operates which does so as was shewn while 't is at Stomach To move the Menses proper means should be used for a due time before the Use thereof because the Effect expected in this Case from Opiates is only to open the Ways or Pores So Humours in Leucophlegmatia's c. should be duly prepared for the like Reason To cause Perspiration it is convenient in cold Constitutions and old People gently to warm the Bloud with 2 or 3 Glasses of generous Wine a little Garlick Onions Selery or the like to attenuate and cause Evaporation which Heat promotes but if you over-heat the Bloud it hinders Perspiration by its growing grievous for what is so causes Contraction and closing of the Pores Note That nothing can be so good to cause Perspiration or Sweat because it not only opens the Pores but takes away any grievous Passion or Sensation that may close them and atenuates resolves c. by its Volatile Salt CHAP. XXXVIII Of the Use of the Panacea c. as a Titillative THis it does as was shewn by its Volatile Salt as Cantharides Bees Pismire Sem. Viril c. Therefore 1. It is of great use to excite to Venery cause Erections to actuate a dull Semen for the sake of lawful Propagation 2. To increase the Semen 1. By the Titillation of the Venereal Parts which invites it thither by the Agitation thereof as Frication of the Breasts and those Parts cause Increase of Milk and the Semen 2. By the Pleasure thereof relaxing the Parts which causes a greater Flux of it as of Milk to the Breasts and Nourishment to any Part. It is observable how desirous Rachel being Barren was of the Opiate call'd Mandrake so that she parted with her Beloved Husband to her Sister Leah for a Night to purchase it Whether it was any means to cause her to Conceive which she did afterwards is not to be determined tho' it seems not altogether unlikely 3. It s Use to increase Milk is spoken of in the Chapter of its Use to Relax only it does it here as Titillating and there as Relaxing 4. It conduces to move the Menses by its Titillation 5. The Titillation of its Volatile Salt as Cantharides c. do moves us to Urine I. The Form is wholly indifferent II. The Dose must be large and generally greater than any I have mentioned and possibly requires a Repetition thereof to excite to Venery tho' I shall not prescribe any more than I have in the Table of Doses but leave it to Iudicious Physicians to do as they think â—it where there is a just Cause for its Use which I will not expose to every lustful Goat It is not unlikely but one great Cause of the Ignorance of its Use to excite Venery in these Western Parts of the World may be the smallness of the Doses that we use besides the Reasons mentioned in Chap. 8. and that such Circumstances might occasion the Disputes and Contradictions that have been about the Effect of Opium whereas there is
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
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