men only with this troublesom sense Hither also is refer'd the Sense of vehement and intollerable heat with which we have seen a Man troubled in his Jawes and Cheeks and a Woman also on the sides of her Tongue without any appearance even to the last very long for many years Which Sensation we may refer to the depraved sense of Feeling or if this happen the member being half stupid and nevertheless perceiving this trouble whence Archigenes called it a stupid pain not so unhansomly as he is reprehended for it by Galen we may at least refer it to the sense of Feeling impaired or hold it an Affect compounded of these Whither also we refer that troublesome sense which somtimes is wont to besall the Teeth in chewing which they call Haemodia Haemodia and count it a stupidity of the Teeth To which also seems due to be ascribed that sense of the highest pain which the Fingers being cooled even to a stupidity and suddenly again Heated reaching even to the roots of the Nails by reason of the praeceding stupidity yet because here happens a high and lasting Pain by reason of the sudden change and alteration we shal refer it to pains and there explain it The Causes The Cause almost of every true Stupidity lies in a Nerve which may be in every Nerve seeing every Nerve is endued with the sense of feeling and doth communicate the same to the part into which it is inserted with an influx of the animal spirit and communication of its own substance as we have taught in our Anatomical work the which being thus affected that communication is intercepted or wholly or in part impeded if this come to pass in a Nerve which being inserted into a Muscle together with the sense of feeling doth give it motion too it must needs be that both a Resolution and Stupidity do happen together as shall be said in a Palsey which when it comes to pass in a general Nerve affected and communicated to many parts there must needs follow also a more general hurt common to many Muscles An affect of the motary Nerve is the Cause of a stupidty hapning with a Palsie Resolution or without it and yet not only to them but also to the Skin and Membranes seeing from the Nerves of the Muscles branches carried to these parts also do bestow on them the sense of feeling but if it happen in some private Nerve carried to one part only then it must needs be that that only is hurt as this shal be more fully explained in the Resolution of Voluntary motion or a Palsey seeing this Function which is abolisht is the more excellent But from the forementioned affect of the same Nerve whether it be a general or particular one it may come to pass that Motion may languish or cease the sense of feeling remaining nevertheless either entire or at leastwise obtusely seeing for the exercise of motion there is required a greater firength of spirits than to feeling as also shal be explained in a Palsey Yet it may also come to pass that a Nerve being affected An affect of the sensitive Nerve is the Cause of stupidity without a resesolution there may only be a Stupidity motion still remaining in the part viz. if only a sensitive Nerve be affected which ends not in the Muscles but in the Skin or a Membrane or only in their other immovable bowels which eminent cutaneous Nerves we have shewed in the divisions of the great Nerves are only implicated in the Skin and Membranes and carried to the natural parts Nerves of the fixth and seventh conjugation do only communicate the sense of feeling to many of those parts which are not moved and other sensitive Nerves are carried from the motary Nerves inserted in the Muscles to those parts also which are not moved which sensitive Nerves or motary Nerves also being hurt but carried out of the Muscle then it happens that that part only becomes stupid into which they are inserted either altogether or in part according to the greatness of the hurt yet the cause of all which may be the same as that of a Resolution only differing in the diverse seat Also that Depraved sense of Formication so called The affects both of the motary and sensitive Nerves cause Formication with trouble in the parts may happen by reason of any Nerve whatsoever both Sensitive and Motary to wit then when the Animal spirit being retained a while in the stupid or palsied Member doth run back again into it with a certain force and violence the impediment being taken away for then about the extremity of the Member especially as about the Fingers whether the spirit is carried at the first violence or elsewhere also where it reacheth an itching and sense of pricking doth trouble them up and down the spirit every where pricking as it were and tickling the member so long til they being sufficiently flowed to it the part return to its ancient absolute sense of feeling the which also somtimes happens upon the strong percussion or smting of some sensible Nerve as on that which wound about the gibbous part of the elbow runs forth to the little and ring-finger which being violently forced by a fall these two fingers suffer that sense of Formication for a while til the Nerve which was comprest by the blow be dilated again and the spirit being sufficiently transmitted the which also may happen in other places in cutaneous Nerves As also a Nerve being filled with the Afflux of a cold humor The affect of a Nerve both motary and sensitive induceth a depraved sense of heat or cold the members which are affected do perceive a Sense of that Air or of Cold Water as we find with our Tongue the like cold air comes forth out of a hollow Tooth that is troubled with a cold defluxion The which hot Air or Water from the plenty and violence of a hot spirit which cannot pass a Nerve obstructed being there plentifully gathered together by its heat giving such a sense in like manner as was said of the Cold molests the member which it affects which as it may happen in all the Nerves that bring resolution also or stupidity so also it happens in them which from the sixth and seventh conjugation give motion and sense to the vital and natural parts it produceth about the Stomach and Gullet that heat we meet with as hath been said the Causes of which we shal more rightly explain in a Palsey seeing that doth either go before or accompany or follow these affects That the Cause of Stupidity may be in the Instrument of the sense of feeling An affect of the membranes skin producing stupidity without palsying to wit in the skin and Membranes seems very likely seeing their substance is made up of a Nerve dilated not when the native heat being wholly extinguished these parts die by a Gangrene but when they are stupid only so that
can cause a Carus and by its heat a Feaver and one and the same thing can be cold and hot when as contraries are inconsistent in the same subject we shall assign a far different cause of a Lethargie by and by when we treat of a Carus caused by consent and that not much different from the Carus which follows Fevers They teach also that flegm not simply but mixt with choler doth cause a watchful stupidity or Catalepsis for this reason Fleam causeth Sleep Choler Watchings and so from the mixture of contrary causes are produced contrary effects which indeed might be if they were in divers places but two contraries mixt and confounded in the same subject do produce a certain middle effect or rather one compounded of them both than contrary for which reason these causes were found out rather from the effect than their certain signs that they might shew by what means at the same time a man might be stupid and watchful not sleeep since t is impossible to sleep and watch at the same time and attribute to each its proper humors Blood also continued as yet in the ventricles of the brain Blood the cause of a Carus and Apoplexy as there is at other times a great quantity of it there so it abounding more yet if it be more crude serous cold by oppressing the brain may make it more stupid or by cooling it may make it sleepy The which doubless a pain of the head praeceded and somtimes doth still remain its companion and this is known by a fulness of blood and redness of the face Aetius tels us that from much blood abundantly and suddenly overwhelming the substance of the Brain that Species of a Catalepsis is generated from which a yong man was freed by a flux of blood from his nose which flux of blood being often accustomary in solution of Diseases by natures motion cannot therefore argue this Disease proceeding from blood for which we shal propound another cause as we can neither grant that lighter species of it called an Aphony when the voice only is intercepted to proceed from a fulness of blood intercepting the passage of the animal spirit as Hollerius writes for which we shal by and by alleadg another cause Neither can we allow that an Epilepsie which some also have delivered from plenty of blood possessing the Ventricles of the Brain and obstructing the passages of the spirits doth arise from this humor and after this manner As neither from Blood or a melancholly or Cholerick juyce from which some teach that species of a Catalepsis is generated which is wont to happen to persons melancholical and by reason of the coldness and driness of that humor the spirits to be so congealed as was said in the like distemper which we have denied to be for that reason and from Melancholly we have thought to proceed melancholly accidents rather than those of a Catalepsis unless some other cause be joyned as shall be said neither can we by any means admit an Fpilepsie also to arise from the same obstructing the Ventricles as some have spred abroad these opinions when as the aforementioned affects as lasting no longer but seazing and ceasing by course have no fixt cause in the Brain but happen that being affected only by consent as shal afterwards be declared The Blood carried out of the Vessels if infused into the substance of the Brain it breeds not an Inflammation and then a Phrensie would follow but it obstruct the Windings and Ventricles by suddenly filling of them and it oppress the beginning of the Nerves then it causeth a Stupidity and Apople yâ—â— as it often happens a Vein being broke and that somtimes by reason of a fulness of the Vessels especially in those in whom some accustomary Haemorrhages of the Courses Haemrods or Nose are stopt in whom yet living and after their death I have observed that a great quanttity of blood hath broken forth from their mouth and nose that somtimes I have perswaded my self that this was the chief cause of an Apoplexy The same may happen from an external violent cause as a Contusion of the Brain from a Blow or Fall although the substance of the Brain be no waies wounded that the blood also may fil up the Cavities of the Brain and its substance in those places especially where it is contused as Women do daily see comes to pass in the Brain of Buls killed with a Hatchet whenas they first purge the Brain from the clotted blood before they boyl it fromwhence it must needs be that an Apoplexy doth suddenly arise unless the blood presently break forth by the Nostrils Ears and other parts or adjoyning passages as sometimes also it doth or if the fall be lighter there follows rather a lighter obstupulesency though oftentimes also the flux of blood turned into clots and retained a long time if it putrifie it causeth a Phrenzy Convulsions which before death do follow Lethargies and Apoplexies and kill the Patient But also from the same violent external cause if the substance of the Brain be hurt by Contusion or by cutting or pricking seeing it is a principal part whose action is then destroyed it must needs be that an Apoplexy doth suddenly follow A hurt of the Brain is the cause of a Stupidity Apoplexy Or if the Skull be only broken thereby or deprest so that it press the Brain lying under it it happens also that a Stupidity doth follow Or if from some stronger force the bulk of Brain rush together and press the beginning of the Nerves an Apoplexy likewise follows all which are made manifest from the causes foregoing A hard preternatural Tumor A Tumor of the Brain is the cause of a Stupidity and Apoplexy affecting rather by its weight than distemper causeth a Stupidity by degrees ingendred with the Tumor but of long continuance which is hardly discovered till after death the Skull being opened as was found in Noble Bonecourtius who for some years like to one astonisht as was said before lay Stupid viz. a great hard Glandule being generated over a callous body with plenty of humor which watring the Brain did cause a sleepiness joyned with a Stupidity as we have formerly expounded this kind The cause of which might be a blow with which he was struck on the head although it were done a long time before he fel into the disease but they being ignorant also of the true causes of a Catalepsis phancying many other besides those above mentioned they have thought also that it might proceed from a Tumor of the Brain And some also have writ that a Lethargie doth proced from a flegmatick Imposthumation the which whenas we have formerly shewed that a Fever could not be caused from any cause lying in the brain the same we assert cannot happen here and some also have held that an Abcess may be the cause of it the which notwithstanding generated in the brain from hot
happen in a Catalepsis for the like reason since that it is a certain species of Convulsion If the cause of that doting sleep proceed from the Devil with which he deludes Witches 't is not our task to search out those hidden causes The Devil the cause of Daemonical sleep which the Witches attribute to the oyntments with which they anoint things by the Devils command or to Decoctions with which they dream they can cause Hail and draw Clouds from Heaven such as Eotis in Apuleins and Homers Circe did prepare by bruising together Garlick Wild Time and stinking Plants which we renounce By reason of a defect of animal spirits in the brain it must needs be also that a stupidity follow the functions of the brain being taken away which may happen upon a double account they being either wasted or at leastwise poured forth and extravagant The Animal spirits being wasted in the brain The Consumption of the animal spirit is cause of an Apoplexy if they were only impaired or too few whence follows a weakness of the brain its functions also must be weakned as hath been said in the Weakness of the mind but if they be altogether or so far consumed as that not only a weakness of the functions do follow but a total Oblition of them there wil be a grievous Apoplexy and suddenly killing the Patient of which we have oftentimes seen old men die of and the common People still hath believed it caused from a Flegmatick Humor as we see the vital Spirit being impared there follows a want of strength but being wholly consumed Death The Animal Spirits being shed or poured forth from the Brain into the Nerves continuous with the Brain for they can be extravagant no where else Too great a pouring forth of the Animal Spirit from the Brain into the Nerves is the cause of a Stupidity of divers kinds of a Catalepsis and Epilepsie whenas they can consist no where but in the Brain and Nerves then it happens that the Internal sense either all or some do cease according as a greater or less quantity of them leaves the Brain but the motive power is no waies abolisht since as those Spirits do yet persist in the Nerves neither are the Nerves left destitute of them as it comes to pass in a resolution their passage from the Brain to the Nerves being then hinderd furthermore since that the Animal spirit is contained also in the Nerves as well as in the Brain of which they are portions though the the Functions of the Brain may cease for a while yet they nevertheless may still for a time exercise the power of moving which they contain in themselves the which also we may very well guess doth proceed rather from the Nerves then the Brain in some creatures who excel more in motion then in the senses because they have none or a very little Brain but a marrow of the Back large and plentiful part of which also cut off from the rest yet nevertheless moves for a while and this is the true and Legitimate cause why the senses being abolisht yet motion nevertheless may persist for a time in sinding out of which both the ancient and moderne Physitians have so much tormented themselves and delivered their far different opinions viz. This effusion of the Spirits into the Nerves which proceeding chiefly from two causes produceth accidents somwhat diverse as shall presently be explained The first of which is the too much Vehement and Persevering operation of the internal Senses by which as in great passions of the Heart we see the vital Spirits so carried forth that thence follows a Fainting away and so if there be a dissipation of the Animal Spirits into the Organs of the external senses by a more vehement Cogitation and intention upon some thing it may come to pass that as men astonisht they may be lightly stupid and either by and by they returning again they may come to themselves or if they continue longer those diverse Species of a Catalepsis may proceed which we have demonstrated in the explication of the former kinds to have somtimes happen'd from too much Study or Love or some other great affects of the Minde especially Melancholly whence it came to pass that many have put a Melancholly juyce as the Cause of a Catalepsis In which if the Spirits being not wholly poured forth some portions of them remain in the Brain some Sences also wil remain the other ceasing and as they are poured forth into the Nerves Motion may also either at least remain or exercise it self with a rigidness without concussion if there be no contraction of the nerves as shal be said in an Epilepsie and this seems very likely to be the cause of the diversity of Species of a Catalepsis as we have shewed formerly in diverse Histories of it yet as also if the spirits be so carried forth by a violent affect of the Minde that for awhile they cannot recollect themselves we have seen them fal down like to the Epileptical their pulse remaining by which they were distinguisht from those that faint away and some when they made a speech or despute at great meetings by reason of the too great contention of the Minde and Senses fear somtimes or shame coming upon them the Spirits being troubled have sufferd the like from whence perhaps because the same was wont to happen for this reason at some meetings an Epilepsie was called the Comitial Disease In which vehement motions of the Minde as it may come to pass so it is commonly believed also that from Anger Convulsions may easily proceed which opinion happily had its rise because in those disposed the fit is by this means promoted unless perhaps this may happen by the stirring of Choller through Anger as we shal declare by and by But the other and more frequent Cause of pouring out the Spirit into the Nerves from whence follow the more grievous Symptoms of an Epilepsie and Catalepsis is an irritation of the Brain such a one by which its expulsive faculty stirred up rising to cast of that which is troublesome to it doth together drive forth the Spirits as Nature every where feeling pain and trouble is wont to thrust Spirits thither and together with them blood also oftentimes so powerfully that there follows an inflamation of that part which receives them Which trouble or irritation of the Brain indeed they demonstrate to happen rather by consent and compassion with some part then from its proper effect because we see Convulsions happen rather from an affect and Disease of another part Somtimes also far distant from the Brain then of the Brain it self as from a Nerve Prickt or some violent Medicine taken where as if it did happen from some grievous Disease of the Brain as indeed it must needs be a grievous Disease which must induce so vehement a Symptone the accidents of Convulsions which it causeth would not so soon
remit as also in other hurts of this principal part we see there succeeds long continued and lasting symptoms as you see in an Apoplexy and those affects which hapning to the Nerves do cause Convulsions as a Puncture Inflamation if they were in the Brain would not cause them but an Apoplexy and Phrensie although the Brain thus molested by consent also if the cause offending be great and follow continually not only irritating the Brain it self but also by its vehemency and frequency so hurting it that it contract also its proper disease then the contention of Convulsions lasts almost continually neither do the sick exactly come any more to themselves or the fit wholly cease till the Patient be quite dead Yet it may be also that from the same Cause as we shall by and by speak of that which is Poysenous both the Nervous kind and the Brain hurt together Convulsions may happen coupled together with other hurts of the Minde But that we may find out this part which is first affected and with which the Brain condoles if we consider the Symptoms viz. the inordinate motion and privation of senses that must be it which hath so great consent with the Muscles exercising voluntary motion and with the Brain communicating senses that that being hurt the Muscles are forced and the Brain ceaseth a while from its Function which we say is that Nervous kind because it proceeds from the Brain and ends in the Muscles under which Name we understand all the Nerves of the whol Body both within and without the Skul especially those endued with the sense of feeling and the Nervous parts which are compounded of them which are of most exquisite sense the which being so hurt that the Functions of the Brain are abolisht by sympathy and those of the Muscles augmented it must needs be that Convulsions follow which how it comes to pass we will Explain The offence of the Nervous kind not that which weakens its Functions but that which by bringing trouble to it doth rather stir up its faculty if it be caused either in one place or more a Nerve or Nervous part is affected and if the offense be great then the whol nervous kind rising up whiles it endeavors to shake off that with which t is offended doth together exagitate the Brain from whence it proceeds and draws it into consent so that that also feeling these affects of the Nerves whiles it endeavors to help them to expell the trouble driving the animall Spirits from it self into the beginning of the Nerves t is a while left destitute of its Functions no otherwise then we observe somtimes in a Syncope that the Heart without any proper affect of its own the Spirits wandring for some other cause doth cease from its Function til they return again In which effusion of the Spirits into the Nerves it happens that the motive Power doth continue in them not only as was declared formerly by also by reason of the plenty of Spirits of the Nerves the Muscles also are stirred up to exercise Motion but cheifly that inordinate and violent Motion in the beginning of Epileptical Fits is performed for this cause that whiles the nervous kind doth endeavour to expell this Offense it is contracted into it self and then again dilated and it forceth the Muscles of the whol Body into whose beginnings the Nerves are inserted by consecution to commit those inordinate Motions by pulling or drawing and then remitting them and that so long till the hurtfull Matter is expel'd from them or by reason of dejection of strength and as it were weariness when they can no longer exercise Motion yet notwithstanding they retain their Limbes convulsed or artracted stiff and fixt for a while till at last they come wholly to themselves The which happens in a Catalepsie presently at the beginning no agitation of the Body foregoing perhaps because in that there is not so great an effusion of spirits into the nerves whenas in that somtimes some senses do yet remain and there is a less irritation of the Nerves whence it may be accounted a certain lighter sort of Epilepsie yet very seldom happning otherwise proceeding from the same cause which breeds an Epilepsie but which either doth less affect the nervous kind by irritation or else hath that propriety that it produces that stupidity or rigidness of the Members rather then Convulsions But that these causes of offense to the Nervous kind from whence an Epilepsie often proceds a Catalepsis more seldom are diverse and frequent it is no wonder whenas the Nerves by reason of their most exquisite sense are not only unable to endure great troubles or pains but also are so easily offended by the slightest that they cannot suffer the touch of a Body on which account whiles they are carried in the body Nature hath provided for them that they touch not the bones neither are they joyned to any other parts besides those into which they are inserted from which notwithstanding they are not exasperated by divers incursions unless they be great and violent so that they be convulsed of which sort are those which may happen to them from a wound irritation or infection either acting singly or more of them together That a Convulsion may be caused from a Wound made either in a Nerve or nervous part such cases frequently hapning do sufficiently declare yet not from every wound of a Nerve but only from that almost by which a Nerve is hurt by pricking Convulsions are wont to follow its function being there stirred up by reason of the offence which if the Nerve be wholly cut in two is rather abolisht for which reason also if we cut off a Nerve convulsed we cure the Convulsion caused in it but this molestation of the Nerve proceeding from the solution of its continuity is yet more increased by an Inflammation or putrefaction from the corruption retained in the narrow hole of the Puncture of the Nerve and by the great pain from thence which for the most part do attend this affect or if the Wound happen from Iron of its own Nature an enemy to the Nerves commonly by reason of its Rust or because t is infected or a bite or blow of a poysenous Beast But also a nervous part being wounded especially in that place where the Nerves go under it and constitute the greater part of it as the Bladder being hurt at the Neck the Muscles about their beginnings either by chance or whiles the Chirurgion and lithotomist attempt a Section of the Body most commonly dangerous Convulsions succeed which a difficulty of swallowing going before which the Chirurgions so greatly fear calling of it as was said before a spasme of the Stomach is wont most commonly to foretell An irritation of the nervous Kind if it be vehement may also cause Convulsions the which proceeds either from the cause which because it torments the Nerves with grievous pain maketh Convulsions by accident or the
their poysonous and adverse quality at set times as the nature of the poyson is by soliciting the membranes and nervous kind do cause that long continued Epilepsie and almost incurable Yet the nature of which cause as also of other poysons we can no otherwise know then as by dissection made somtimes a Speck is discovered somtimes some humor black or froathy in some inward part of the Skul or bone or membrane or brain but somtimes nothing at all but that 't is a poysenous faculty we collect from this because it is not with a manifest cause or of such moment nevertheless produces such horrid symptomes and yet in the interim doth not kil the man nor yeilds to no Remedies And also this poysonous cause lying in the bowels produceth the like long continued and peâ—inacious Epilepsies as poysons taken in the Stomach and Guts which have some propriety of begetting an Epilepsie or meat changed into the nature of poyson or excrements putting on a venenate quality conteined in those places or also in the Womb as they would have it Of all which that these are the causes and do lie in the veins is judged and known from the affects concurring with them as hath been said or from others offering themselves about the heart strings and the veins and from the faults of the womb and stomach The Veins also if they be filled with malignant and venenate humors of this kind as it often happens in pernicious diseases especially in the pestiferous epidemical and contagious and that malignant vertue do besiege not only the heart but especially the nervous kind then deadly Convulsions do follow such as are wont to happen in Fevers not by reason of too much extinction of the Nerves from vehement heat but by reason of the malignant nature of the humor or also if without these diseases a humor heaped up in the veins changed into a malignant quality do put on that nature inimicous to the brain and Nerves that induceth rather epileptical accidents than others as in melancholy that such a poysonous quality is there also wont to cause the true melancholy and madness we shal shew in the alienation of the mind then I suppose that long continued and incurable Epilepsie doth chiefly proceed from this cause as also a poysonous cause raised from the same place doth cause that madness that lasts so long the which also for the like reason 't is probable doth happen in the mesaraick veins such matter being collected there which do produce rather an Epilepsie than hypochondriack melancholly where also many do write that a Catalepsis is conteined to wit a melancholly humor which we moreover hold to be malignant from whence vapors raised up do cause it And the manner of curing a Catalepsis they apply to this place and humor as we shall by and by shew And also in Women such matter is wont more commonly to be heaped up about the veins of the Womb where also the blood reteined and corrupted rather than the seed which we think can scarce come to that malignity doth cause Convulsion such as are often wont to happen in Virgins and Women that are hysterical their courses being stopt before and after their childing and it may also give an occasion for a Catalepsis That the like quality may arise in the habit of the body and cause an Epilepsie experience witnesseth with which Galen and Fernelius being instructed they write that they have observed the one that an Air in an Epileptick Child ascending from his Foot the other that a Vapor running from the Crown through the outward parts of the head did give occasion of the Epileptical fits as often as they came and we also have somtimes observed that an Air running from the hand where afterwards an Imposthume hath bred as also from the feet other or places hath done the like That the like poyson entring the body from without doth occasion Epilepsies for the like reason as in other Countries the bitings of virulent Beasts especially of the Viper and stinging of the Scorpion do shew so in our Countries 't is manifest that it doth happen from the biting of a mad Dog and besides the symptomes of madness and other cruel ones they are endangered by Convulsions and at length by many fits the Patients are carried away 'T is not yet sufficiently manifest whether there be any things found out which can produce an Epilepsie anew only by their malignant smel yet that epileptical fits are furthered by the smel of some things is certain which do it either by a certain propriety of which are reckoned the ashes of an Asses hoof Goats horn Weathers feet burnt also the smel of Bitumen Myrrhe Smallage and also the breathings of the Goats flesh or the Liver of the Hee-Goat and so much the more if they be eaten or because by a vehement and subtile vapor they assail the head and the nerves made weak by the continuance of this disease as also Wine which besides this doth easily alof its own nature trouble the Nerves they occasion Epileptical fits The Cure In these kind of cases proceeding from the brain all the operation of the Physitian which consists in prediction and Cure must be applied to the Cause nor neglecting in the mean time that symptome which is most urgent If therfore from a simple distemper cold and moist imprinted on the brain as we have said in old folks might happen by reason of their age The Cure of sleep and stupididity from a cold distemper or from a disease of long continuance they become sleepy or stupid yet are not altogether sick as that is hardly corrected so this fault is hardly taken away yet this distemper may be somewhat mended as was said in a weakness of the mind generated from the like causes by the same altering medicines and nourishments both taken and applied As also if the stupidity happen from a cold and dry distemper those things wil serve which are spoken of there in mending of the same distemper but if a stupidity follow the brain actually cooled by the external air or wind it wil be amended by applying of skins and feathers and other things actually hot also by suffumigations which because they serve also in a flegmatick cause they shall there be explained more fully But if a heavy sleep be from flegm or an afflux of a cold humor or from the excrements of the brain as was said The Cure of a Carus and Apoplexy from flegm although the common people despair of them which they judg not opprest with sleep but toucht with an appoplexy and indeed they are not free from danger yet the hopes of Cure is not to be cast off whenas many of them are cured unless some grievous accident supervene as a Convulsion and the humor putrefying an accute Feaver as shal be said do accompany it as in a Lethargie which in old folks is deadly though I have seen also after some
may be commodiously mixed an Emulsion of Peony seeds of which a Lambitive being made by adding of Sugar and given to the Child before it be suckled is made a a profitable Preservative against the Epilepfie as some write Things that stupefie the Nerves because by dulling their sense they cause them to be less affected with their trouble when they are irritated and for that reason are not so easily convulsed if the Gentler of them be given in Grievous and Dangerous Convulsions which proceed from an acrid and malignant matter I have often found by experience they have done very much good upon which account I think Treacle and other Opiates to be convenient in Convulsions which in this case practitioners allow of to strengthen and heat the Nerves not only because they do infringe the povsonous cause of an Epilepsie but because also they do in a manner lay asleep the Exquisite sense of the Nerves Experience hath proved that those things which do change and alter the constitution of the whol body and make as it were its Temperament new as in many long continued desperate Diseases so also in a long continued Epilepsie and otherwise incurable they may somtimes do somwhat singular which are perfected by great changes and new evacuations made in the body By change of Age it sometimes happens whenas the temperament of the body either is changed too as that which invaded in Child-hood is cured when Youth comes and that which first happens to those of ripe age if it cease not in old age yet it undergoes some change so also the change of the Country especially if it be from a place where this disease is Popular or otherwise from an unhealthful to a healthful place it brings much help for the cure of this evil and a change of the sex as it were which by eunuchism makes the body which was virile and masculine to be effeminate done by the ancients by Gelding hath been commended as the last Remedy in an Epilepsie New and not yet accustomary evacuations especially those natural ones of seed and blood coming at their due time whenas they do also very much alter the body 't is no wonder that if the years of youth beginning the Epilepsie doth then cease not only by reason of the change of age but also because that then they begin to eject seed and Maids have their menstruous blood flow and the Haemorrhoides breaking forth in some natures the same sometimes ceases and the Epilepsie forsakes Great-bellied Women after they are delivered and wel purged the which whenas Physitians see succeeds well by these like Purgations which nature attempts they also in a desperate Epilepsie make triall of divers evacuations ordered oftner by chance than method By reason of the Symptomes of which sort we meet with divers in the sundry kinds of consternation of minde besides the lawful cure which is due to removing the cause the which being taken away they also cease presently when they are urgent we must administer some things the chief of which to which we ought to have respect are Suffocation Falling Violent motion Sleep and Stupidity Dotage Weakness From a suddain and unexpected fall the Apoplectick and Epileptick are in very great danger by which oftentimes dashing their head they are killed or otherwise grievously hurt unless by custome or a Vertigo going before the Epileptical be forewarned of the time and then by sitting or lying do prevent their fall Danger of suffocation hangs over those that are sick of a grievous Apoplexy because they are not troubled only by reason of breathing hindred but also by an impediment that their Teeth being fast set and their mouth shut the free passage of the Air is intercepted Therefore their Teeth must be presently opened and if they yeeld not easily they must be puld a sunder by an instrument thrust in by force and keeping that between them we must have a care that they be not shut again and it must be hard that they do not bite it off for which purpose either a bone or hard piece of wood will serve ' whatsoever we light on first as spoones for the most part are most readily found for this use whose handle may be interposed the which if they cannot be thrust in betwixt the Teeth already closed they must be parted by a dividing Instrument made for that purpose and by interposition of that as was even now said they must be kept that they be not joyned or if they cannot be disjoyned thus neither then a Tooth or two must be pulled out then the Body must be so placed that the Breast being less prest may be moved more freely yet we must not stir it too violently whiles we move it whence follows quick breathing the which whenas they cannot so speedily perform they are suffocated as it often happens for want of care We shall prevent the Epileptical from wounding themselves or otherwise hurting by that vehement commotion and Agitation of the Body if by interposing soft Cushions Clothes we take care they hit not their limbs against hard things for it is no waies safe either to hold them or to bind them seeing the matter of the Epilepsie is shaken of and discust by motion and because in such like Convulsions of the Body they bite also and somtimes vehemently wound their Tongue we must put presently between their Teeth before they be shut not our finger which standers by offentimes rashly do with danger but an instrument as this in the Apoplectical ought to be done for fear of Suffocation so in the Epileptical to relieve the Tongue when as they are no waies endangered of suffocation and if the Tongue be already laid hold on by the Teeth we must succour it with a dividing Instrument Sleep and Stupidity in these affects if they continue long or returne often do oppress the Native heat therefore the Apoplectical also being taken with to much or profound Sleep and a vehement Stupidity they must be roused now and then and hinder'd that they relapse not which may be done by moving the outward senses with strong objects that they may force and provoke the internal ones into act thus the hearing is moved with crying in the Fares making a high sound and noise the sight with much shining of light and fire the tast with bitter and sharp things the smel with stinking things mentioned before but especially the feeling seeing it doth very much move the sence if it be done with pain in parts endued with exquisite sense as in the Skin by pulling the hairs Burning Pricking doth very much rouse them up which also may be done by irritating the Nostrils which have an excellent sense with ordors and other things which move sneezing too by which the Body shaken is more roused up as also if we stir up the Eyes with a suddain light and prick them with other things that move Tears also we may sollicite the belly with suppositories to excretion
these instruments of sense either feel nothing or obtusely the which Fernelius hath writ hath somtimes hapned in the skin of the whol body as hath bin already said from Drunkenness in which case if Wine did not do this by its Narcotick vertue because it caused a general stupidity as hath been said in a Consternation of mind certainly it s Narctick faculty did manifest it self only in abolishing the sense of the Skin the which notwithstanding could scarce be done by Wine or other Narcoticks but also the vertue of the brain and Nerves must be dulied too and therefore after the Drunkenness was over perhaps by reason of the external coldness of the Air in which Drunkards oftentimes lie astonisht it might befall this Drunkard also his skin being thus stupified seeing the cold from without being a long while received perhaps may sometimes cause such a stupidity in some part of the skin which endured this cold for otherwise this can scarce happen from an internal cause bur how it hath hitherto been beleeved that the insensible and stupid skin of the Elephantiacal is rendred so from some internal cause and Disease of the skin that being prickt it feels not and upon what account that is true we shal declare in the Elephantiasis Neither could I ever find that by an external Narcotick applied to the skin that could be rendred stupid or free from pain that I might know somwhat certain I have applied a Mass of Opium mollified to a Gouty part full of pain but without any profit but what they write for truth that this may be done from the touch of a Torpedo not only taken in the hand but also if it be toucht with a Fishers Rod it wil stupifie his hand I seeing I observed no such thing at Moâ—tpelior where they handle and eat Torpedoes dare not affirm it for truth wherefore we say this disease is rare and which can scarce happen that the skin only became insensible the member which it covers not being stupid too by reason of the Nerve affected unless perhaps occasion be given when by reason of an impediment that the Skin being more thick and hard then that it can perceive the true feeling of any thing exactly we would call it the cause of that Stupidity the which notwithstanding is no waies a true Stupidity The Membranes also being Intrinsecally affected and Nerves not hurt too a Stupidity can scarce happen for their sake only And neither is that Stupidity which befals the Teeth or rather that trouble when the teeth are an edge from the Teeth alone An affect of the Nerves about the Teeth causeth a Haemodia because they are distitute of the sense of feeling as other Bones but that the Teeth are too much exasperated and refrigerated by the eating of acid and cold things which both by their thinness and coldness are enemies to the Teeth and Nerves that happens from the continuation of the Nerves and the sensible Membrane with their roots by which it comes to pass that the Tooth it self seems to feel The like Distemper may be imprest by contact on that part where the Teeth touch and so their feeling being changed as when the Teeth being prest in chewing they press them as swelling up thence ariseth that trouble some sense which they call the Teeth an edge The Cure The Cure of a Stupidity because it hath joyned with it other The Cure of a Stupidity from what cause soever and for the most part grievous Symptomes which proceed from the same cause it shall rather be explained in them that we need not repeat the same cure twice as if it be by fault of the Nerves as we have said that all Stupidity happens by reason of them and there be a resolution also the same cure is due to them both as shall be explained in a Palsie or though that be not yet present but only a Stupidity possesseth the part yet because it proceeds from the same cause as a Palsie doth whence they call Stupidity a Diminute or imperfect Palsey with the same labor the Cure of it also will be described there The sum of which Cure is this That if it be from a Humor it be emptied if from blood by the taking away of Blood by Revulsion and Derivation if from flegm or other Excrementitious Hnmors by purging it out with general and particular Purgers if from any other external cause by removing of that in the first place also by refreshing and strengthning the Nerves with things that alter Then that we Allure and Attract the Animal Spirit to the stupid part which is destitute of it by things that do it actually and potentially the which shall be explained in a Palsie and Atrophy because they attract the blood also amongst which these are chiesly used in the Cure of a Stupid Member By Friction of the Stupid part with the Hand applying also warm clothes by Application of Cupping-glasses with much Flame by Pication also often repeated and by other things that cause pain we allure the Spirits Also rubefying Sinapismes are used applyed to the â—ffected part anointings with divers hot Oyls amongst which that is chiefly commended in which Nettle-seed hath been boyled also Time Rue and other things appropriate to the Nerves are commended and other Oyntments which we are wont to use in an Atrophy we use here also Fomentations and Baths of warm water first a little warm by and by hotter are convenient increasing the heat by degrees to which we add somtimes Wine and Lie and oftentimes we boyle in it Time Rue Sage Chamomel and hot Seeds A Cataplasm of Pigeons dung Goose dung adding Bay-berries is approved of also with Oyls and Fat 's and hot Herbs The treading of Grapes if the Feet be stupid or if the stupid Member be thrust into a heap of fresh Grapes whiles they are hot or be dipt in new Wine are accounted for singular remedies in turning away the Stupidity Also the which forementioned Topick Remedies applied to the whol Body may do good if the Stupidity come from a too great refrigeration of the Skin and the Nerves lying under it And if a depraved or impaired sense of feeling arise in the said Formication or with a sense of that Air or Water The Cure of Formication and the false sense of heat and cold because here also is some Stupidity it shall be cured after the same manner But if in the same sense depraved the pain doth exceed the Stupidity as in the Stupidity of the Teeth The Cure of a Haemodia Tobe explained in the pain of the Teeth as also of the pain about the Nailes which they call Haemodia or in the pain of the fingers reaching unto the Nailes as hath been said the Cure shall be more rightly explained in the pains of those parts which are afflicted CHAP. VI. Of the hurt of Tasting The Kinds THe Tasting faileth because the Gustatory instrument doth not perceive at all
to be explained in the exiccation of the Muscles A vehement and lasting pression of a Member The Compression of a Nerve is the cause of a Palsie caused by a heavy burden or some other force especially in that place where the Nerves are greater or lie bare under the skin first of all the spirits being repulsed hindred and running up and down induceth the sense of Tingling in a stupidity by and by an abolition of motion and at length a perfect stupidity in the part into which the compressed Nerve is inserted this often comes to pass when at rest especially in the time of sleep one part lying long upon another as the body on the Arm one Foot on the other and pressing the same it renders the part immoveable and insensible and as they call it asleep but if that this compression be suddenly caused with a strong blow of a Nerve then there is only felt some stupidity yet mixt with pain and a sense of Tingling as this is often wont to fall out by chance in the stricking of the Elbow there where the Nerve lies almost bare and in the Ring-finger and little finger In vehement Ligatures of the Members chiefly if a Nerve be contained in the bandage the motion and sense of Feeling of the part do cease as also the recurrent Nerves being bound we shal shew that the Voice doth perish by and by in the defect of Speech The Vertebraes being luxated and the Bones of other Joynts if the neighboring Nerves be there prest a Palsie followeth the which yet can scarce be done because they easily give way as also other discommodities do ensue as in the luxations of the Vertebrae of the Neck Impediments of Breathing and Swallowing as we shal explain in their hurts but in the other Vertebrae of the back unless there be so great a luxation as doth vehemently press the spinal Marrow there is no Palsie caused as we see some Gibbus in whom many Vertebrae luxated do cause a crookedness of the Back which the marrow that is within it doth follow without a compression that they are yet no waies Palsied unless by chance one or two Vertebrae being vehemently forced forth making an acute Angle in the Back do press it the which scarce can be by reason of the firmness of the Back A Nerve being cut off by a Wound The hurt of a Nerve is the cause of a Palsie because then this continuation with the part is wholly taken away the Member becomes Palsied and Insensible also unless it receive sense from other Nerves that are yet unhurt the which also a Contusion of it doth often cause the Nerve being so hurt and filled with blood that it becomes unprofitable whence the spinal Marrow being so affected by a fall there oftentimes follows a general Palsie but at other times the Nerves being Contused elswhere a particular Resolution oftentimes also after a Contusion a Callus being left being left behind it that happens as hath been said Also from the Nerves affected Convulsions The cause of a particular Spasm is in the Nerves or particular Crampings of the Members may be caused not being filled with flegm as they would have it and have written that from the same humor sliding into the Nerves divers Diseases may be produced and that both a Palsie and Spasm may be caused but being irritated and molested from the same causes as hath been explained in an Epilepsie yet not being so grievosly hurt as to draw the Brain into consent for a general Convulsion or Epilepsie would be caused as this somtimes follows this particular Spasm especially if the greater Nerves be affected and the hurt be grievous in which particular Spasm also as in a Palsie according as more general or private Nerves are affected as there happens a Palsie so here a Convulsion of more or fewer parts and the parts of the Back being affected it manifests its self here in the inordinate Motions of the Back Arms and Hands which doth either very much Convel and Attract these Members in that called a true Spasm of them or only lightly draweth the Fingers Hands Armes or other Members and relaxeth them again in a Convulsive Palpitation therefore so called because it threatens true Convulsions Also the Conjugations or pares of Nerves being molested it often causeth that diseased crookedness and distorsion of the Mouth which they call a Dog-like Spasm or also that light Species of a Spasm which happens unvoluntarily to those that Cry and Laugh and that from a too great affection of the Mind the Spirits being poured forth thither with the Tears and forcing the Nerves as how this comes to pass and that from this cause only more grievous Convulsions do arise hath been explained in the causes of an Epilepsie and Catalepsie although these also generated from other things do produce not only that Spasm raised in the Mouth by the affections of the Mind and ceasing by and by as they remit but also a lasting and dangerous one such as that Sardonius Laughter was described by Cicero that killed folkes the which also being Supervenient in a general Convulsion together with other things is accounted for the worst sign and oftentimes when the Paroxysm is off it remaines stil by reason of an Alienation of the Mind as was said in an Epilepsie and also this Particular Convulsion presents it self not only in the foremention'd hurts of Motions but also in others and in the Motions of Breathing and Excrements if the Nerves destined for them be affected amongst which that difficulty of swallowing which the Chyrurgions cal the Stomach Spasm and which they so much fear in wounded People is wont to be very frequent as these shal be explained more rightly in their proper places A Muscle seeing it is the instrument of voluntary Motion In the Muscles or their Tendons is the cause of a Palsie a windy Spasm and other Species of Immobility which moves the Member if it be so affected that it can no more attract the Member then there is a resolution or Palsie or if its Disease be such that the Member be drawn against our will then there follows not a Convulsion of it properly called which we have said was only caused by reason of the Nerves but either a Convulsion improperly called viz. a Flatulent Cramp or that called by us a lasting and strong contraction of the Member which certainly a Nerve so smal a chord if it be compared with so heavy a Member cannot effect but so may a Tendon of a Muscle that is so strong But after this manner the Muscles almost proper to every part are hurt whence also only Particular resolutions or contractions of those parts do ensue or of one part only if its Particular Muscle be hurt or of more if one Muscle send Tendons to many parts yet somtimes also many Muscles being affected together also these more general hurts of the parts which they move do follow the
only an impaired one manifesting it self depravedly and with trembling and that because whiles the Muscle doth endeavor to lift up the Member and it cannot keep it so long by reason of its weakness that sliding back indeed by a natural Motion by reason of gravity but the Muscle drawing it back again upwards by a voluntary Motion by this intercourse and as it were contention of Motion amongst themselves the Member stirred upward and downwards ariseth that called a trembling which will be so much the greater if the Member which it ought to move be heavy or do not follow and the Muscle also be in some sort involuntarily stirred up to move where we observe in some although their Member rest yet they tremble But this their weakness happens somtimes by reason of the defect of the Animal spirit The defect of the Animal spirit is the cause of trembling not absolute as in a Palsie but only such a one by which the sense of Feeling is yet indeed communicated but there is not sufficient force ministred to the Muscles to move because a greater portion of it is required to Motion then to the sense of Feeling which somtimes happens when they are spent whence ariseth a lasting trembling and that either by reason of Age whence old Folks become Tremulous or by reason of a grievous and long continued Disease after which they oftentimes tremble a long while or of immoderate Evacuation especially by Venery shedding of blood purging and great labors but otherwise the spirits being only dissipated they tremble til they return as by a vehement affect of the Mind or suddain in Fear Anger Joy they tremble for a while and in strong or swift Motion as when they carry heavy burthens or do somwhat else which is above strength they tremble and when having sufferd grievous labors they rest the Members being too much wearied do tremble for a time also the Spirits being hinderd yet not wholly intercepted as in a Palsie whence a perfect resolution of the Muscle follows but only in part the weakness which ariseth in the Muscle causing a trembling which even then is as it were a certain Diminute Palsie sprung from the same causes affecting the Nerve as in a Palsie yet not so powerfully and especially proceeding from Excrementitious humors possessing the Nerves but other affects of the Nerves also do induce a trembling A hurt of the Nerve is the cause of trembling not by intercepting the spirits but by weakning or hurting the Nerves another way as if from Excrementitious humors as hath been said this weakness in the Muscle doth cause a trembling not only by intercepting the Spirits but also by irritating the Nerve doth somtimes force it to the motion which is made in trembling whence also the cause being increased or lasting the trembling ofttimes ends in a convulsion And if the Nerves also by Narcoticks too much or often taken do at length contract that weakness from that Stupidity that also the Muscles by reason of them be weakend a trembling also is bred from this affect of them as it hath befallen some not only by the use of Opium or of other strong ones but from a Suffumigation of Henbane and we observe that by the Narcotick vertue of Wine they who are given to drunkenness do at length become Tremulous the which notwithstanding they perswade themselves doth proceed from the drinking of cold Water which drunkards drink in the morning to quench their thirst caused by Wine that they may not be compelled to abstain from Wine Which suspition of theirs is augmented also by this that whiles they are yet fasting and sober they tremble and after they are heated again with Wine the trembling ceaseth or at least waies shews it self less the which yet doth not happen as if Wine were not the cause of this trembling but because whiles the Wine increasing the heat of the Body renders its actions lively that as long as it is hot with Wine and as it were refresht it doth less feel the weakness which otherwise alwaies remains for that reason as those refresht with meat and Wine being made stronger is the cause that they tremble less After the same manner trembling is somtimes bread from other Poysonous things being taken and applied chiefly besetting the Nerves as it is somtimes wont to happen from the Suffumigation of quick-silver not from the touch as some would have it to Gold-smiths in gilding their Vessels if they have not a care of themselves but draw it in for which cause also in the French Pox those suffumigated with Cinnabar especially if then also they drink Wine by which the Nerves being already made feeble are easily hurt do oftentimes fall into a trembling the which also ofttimes befals them who in the same Disease being anointed with quick-silver do thence get a trembling which hurts of the Nerves proceeding from quick-silver either proceed frrom its Antipathy with the Nerves or from some other propriety of it almost proper to it by which it moving the Humors driving them to the Jawes it moves plentiful spitting and driving them to the superficies and extremities of the Body it also affects the Nerves and so much the worse if the Humors which are moved be evil and be not decently purged by sweats by which also if the Nerves suffer more vehemently after tremblings they suffer Convulsions which often follow these cures made by the use of quick-silver There may be some fault in the Nerves from the Birth whence some are born trembling as hath been formerly shewed by the example of one but what trembling that was can hardly be explained because though trembling he nevertheless performed his Duties for a long course of life and married a Wife The Cure We will divide the Cure according to the diversity of the Kinds and we will explain in every one what is to be done What must be done both in a general and particular Convulsion The Cure of a Convulsion hath been taught in Convulsions in that also called a Convulsive Palpitation in as much as this threatens true Convulsions we must study to prevent it by Application of the same Remedies but by reason of its motion seeing it is not very urgent nothing peculiar is applied to the members In Restlessness The Cure of restlessness from trouble of mind if that spring from a perturbation of the mind what then must be done in respect of the Disease and also of this Symptom by reason of which how it ought to be quieted with Dormitives and be restrained by using of force hath been explained in an Alienation of the Mind If they be restless by reason of Pain The Cure of restlessness by reason of Pain then smoothing the pain with Anodines and things enducing sleep and if it urge more vehemently causing a Stupidity together with the Pain we correct the Restlessness But if the Restlessnes arise by reason of the Heat not only of the Heart
themselves and after they come to themselves they remember none of those things they have sufferd neither do they know that they have sufferd this evil unless they be told of it or suspect it by taking some signal from the marke of some hurt left behind as a Wound or Contusion All Motion also both voluntary which wholly depends on our power and that which is performed by help of Nature as breathing and evacuating and that of the Pulses which Nature alone performs continuing in all these Species distinguisheth the Epileptical from the Apoplectick and Syncopal in whom these motions do fail the Pulse only remaining in the Apoplectick The which notwithstanding being deprived in the Convulsive doth cause that they fal and use inordinate motions But they fall not by reason of a privation of the senses but because their whol Body at once and of a suddain is convelled so that unless they be forewarned by a Vertigo which is wont somtimes to go before it or being taught by Custome of the fit at a day or hour if it be wont to come at set times they have a care of themselves being seazed with it whiles they are upright they presently fall down like to the Apoplectick and those that fall into Swonings and as t is commonly said are free neither from Water nor fire but are in the greatest jeopardy by danger of the fall and if upon this account t is less danger for those who lying in their Bed by reason of some sickness cannot fall when the Convulsions come upon them yet they are more hazarded by the cruelty of the Disease So that every Epilepsie is horrible and abominable which the ancients therefore called the sacred Disease as sent by the Gods by way of punishment and others have Superstitiously imposed the Names of the Gods on it They also so stir their Body with inordinate motions That oftentimes t is all of a fire and the pulse becomes more swift and somtimes sweats break forth Wreathing and distorting their Back Neck Head Arms Feet into divers Figures and with them beating and shaking every thing in the way as the Bed Walls Ground bruising and wounding their own Limbs gnashing with their Teeth set and bitterly biting their Tongues if they be out rowling their Eyes about which being opened and very much drawn asunder as also the bending of the Face towards the hinder parts do usually give the first sign of the fit assailing which at length in the end of the fit lying as men wearied and astonisht they keep fixt and sterne til they come to themselves again Their breathing also is very unequal whenas somtimes they hold it for a while so that from the stopping of their breath and vehement striving they somtimes cast forth their ordure and Urine and seed to especiif it abound But at other times they fetch their Breath with difficulty and noise both when an Epilepsie of the Womb hath the said strangulation its companion and cause and when Flegm falling upon the Jawes and Nostrils hinders it and they bring forth a froth at the Mouth and Nose arising from Flegm confused and stirred there with the Air which happens not to the Apolectick and Strangulated unless they die saith Hippocrates and oftentimes they make a noise with crying out But these accidents which we have related as they come on a suddain so the fit ceasing they presently remit Yet somtimes certain relicks of them do remaine and the senses being yet weakned they cannot rightly understand Reason or remember any thing or an alienation of Minde coming upon it they do all things amiss and blaspheme or they break forth into a great Laughter perhaps that which Cicero calls Sardonian and that till a new fit return which is wont to attend these foretelling signs but before and after these fits some particular convulsions somtimes either went before or remain as a distortion of the Mouth a difficulty of swallowing or a spasme of some other parts as shall be explained in its place or that Spasme which they call Flatulent which somtimes also threatens Convulsions if it be by reason of the Nerves as shall be said as also that convulsive Palpitation which also caused from an affect of the Nerves doth oftentimes along while forego an Epilepsie and remain still in the Members after it and exercise it self or other Symptomes of motions do somtimes trouble them as with Gesticulations somtimes Dancings or some other disturbance of the Limbs and tremblings of them A Stupidity with Rigidness of Body is a rare and wonderful affect A Stupidity with rigidness is a Catalepsis which is called a Catoche or Catalepsis that is a laying hold off which they cal also a Congelation whenas they are as stiff as if they were frozen in which all the internal senses and external are suddainly abolisht but only the motion of the Body is depraved whenas they keep that form which the Body had before it was seazed on with this evil whether Lying Sitting or Going and being taken like a statue they cannot change it neither of their own accord nor by compulsion and with their Eyes open whence they have called it the watchful Stupidity yet blâ—hd and altogether speechless breathing in the interim not taken away or very much hindred nor the Pulse But it happens also in some A Stupidity with hearing remaining that though they lie rigid like a stock without motion and speech yet nevertheless they perceive those things which the standers by do speak off and can afterwards relate them which they have called Ecstatick But others remaining in the same state like to dead Men although they heard nothing A Stupidity with motion remaining nor saw not now being prickt fet nothing yet if any thing were put into their Mourh they swallowed it and being lift up do stand being forced do walk and keep their Members fixt in that posture as they are bent for them In a certain Woman thus taken only the Belly and Breast were very much moved all the rest of the Body being stupid The Causes In all the foremention'd kinds of Sleep and Stupidity with Languishing Convulsion or Rigor it must needs be that the Brain is affected whenas all motion and sense proceed from that Neither here as they would have it are the Functions diversely weakend as the former middle or hinder Ventricles of the Brain are hurt nor as the Brain is affected before or behind whenas the substance of the Brain doth on every part perform its Functions but as it is more or less hurt it looseth more or fewer Functions For if the hurt be great so affecting the Brain that all the senses be abolisht then it must needs be that motion also doth cease other Functions in the interim remaining which the Brain is not the cause of as the Pulse which the Heart yeids and whenas the motion of breathing is partly Natural partly Voluntary and therefore doth proceed from the Or-Organs
of both motions both the Midrif and Lungs t is no wonder that that also if the Brain be very much hurt so that all Voluntary motion do cease as it comes to pass in the Apoplectical the Midrif or Muscles of the Breast then contributing nothing to Motion but the Lungs only after a sort moving themselves stil and whils they are dilated and filled with Air which they do by their prover Natural motion a little lifting up the Breast do a little while Persevere but very much hinderd and difficult so that unless that hurt of the Brain do speedily cease the Patient must needs be choaked breathing being wholly taken away but when voluntary motion is not wholly taken away with the senses that then respiration doth remain still more free But if the Brain be affected with a less affect compared to the former by which the senses are only opprest as in a sleepiness or gentle Stupidity then motion though it do rest a little by reason of Sleep and Consternation yet nevertheless it doth persevere or if this come to pass only by reason of the spirits of the Brain only extravagant as shall be said in a Convulsion and Catalepsis that motion doth also continue and they sooner return to themselves as shall be explained how this comes to pass in the Particular causes from which these proceed But the causes of all Consternation of Minde that happen are either some offect so hurting the Brain which gives Sense and Motion by it self or by consent that these its Functions do more or less fail as are Distemper Repletion from a flegmatick or sanguine Humor some eminent hurt a Tumor a distemper of the Brain proceeding from a Vapor or Malignant quality or a defect of the Animal spirits of the Brain of all which causes and their effects we will now treat in Particular A cold Distemper only without matter altering the Brain A cold Distemper the Cause of Stupidity a Moist of immoderate Sleep because it is wont to hurt the Functions may make it Stupid And if it be Moist too which is seldom without matter it may also cause Immoderate Sleep as somtimes by Reason of Age or the continuance of a Disease a distemper left in the Brain doth make men perpetually Prone to Sleep or as it was said in the Weakness of the Minde more dul which we have taught doth happen rather by reason of Weakness then Coldness Or induced by other causes especially from the cold external Air the North Wind blowing outwardly cooling the Head or by the Pores percing to the Brain it may cause a great Stupidity They write also that a watchful Stupidity or Catalepsis may arise from a Cold and dry distemper congealing the Spirits but whenas the Spirits cannot be congealed or if they could be then a greater Stupidity would follow we cannot at all allow of this That Convulsions are somtimes caused from Dryness which they call Inanition is a common opinion which doth not happen in this Convulsion but in a Particular one as we shall there explaine Flegm is very often the cause of Sleep and Supidity under which Name we comprehend all the Watery Cold and Moist Excrements of the Brain which immoderately heaped up within the Skul as the Brain doth ever and a non heap up such things from Flegmatick blood varried up to it and the weakness of the part if it be supprest and flow not forth through the passages appointed for it then if it perfuse the substance of the Brain with a large humor and cool it it causeth a Carus Or if by its long impulse it so moisten the same that that great bulk of the Brain becoming more soft and lax do suddainly flow abroad and sink and press the original of the Nerves at the basis of the Skul proceeding from the Brain and stop the passage of the Animal spirit it procures a grievous Apoplexy As when Flegm doth suddainly fill the Ventricles or Cavities of the Brain not by obstructing whenas the Animal Spirit is not seated in them but every where in the substance of the Brain and Nerves neither doth it pass through the Ventricles but after the same manner by oppressing the basis of the Brain it may also induce an Apoplexy the which notwithstanding if the humor descending from them do follow the course of the Nerves may end in a Palsie That all these things are thus in a Carus and Apoplexy we have learnt from the dead because this humor hath somtimes flown from their mouths in a plentiful manner And we have observed also by diligent dissection that the thick Membrane of the Brain open'd in some abundance of Humor hath presently lept forth by the Region of the Head and descended even to the Breast and the very substance of the Brain in a certain old Woman which died of an Apoplexy dissolved like to Cream after the same manner hath run all over her Face But we know that these affects proceeded from the Cause by the precedent constitution of the Body especially in old Age which is Obnoxious to this evil and from a cold constitution of the season and Air and because they have first complained of a heaviness in the Head and a weight with slaggishness darkness of the sight and also of a want of that accustomary voiding of Flegm by the Nose and Mouth and because in the dead of an Apoplexy especially oft times a great quantity of Flegm flows forth by the said passages From the same Flegmatick Humor obstructing the passages of the Brain many have written that as an Apoplexy so also an Epilepsie may be caused and therefore as in that so in this that all the senses are abolisht but do presently return again because the Brain by concussion doth speedily shake it of and then that motion with the senses doth no way cease here as is an Apoplexy because the Ventricles are not altogether but only in part obstructed or as others will have it the former only are obstructed the hindermost being unhurt so that a portion of the Spirits may nevertheless pass by to the Nerves Which though it may be condemned for many things yet let it suffice to have brought this especially to destroy this opinion viz. that if a sufficient quantity of the Animal Spirits did not descend the Functions of the Brain would rather follow to be impared in sense and motion then partly abolisht partly depraved and that if Flegm were the cause and that suddainly shaken of from the Brain did flow down it would induce that Palsie which is wont to follow an Apoplexy for the same Reason They teach that Flegm putrifying in the Brain doth Cause a Lethargie and a Feaver its companion is kindled from thence but whenas we have shewed in Feavers that from the Putrefaction of Flegm especially in the Head that a Feaver can in no wise be kindled and we find no reason how the same Flegmatick Humor being putrified by its coldness
stumors doth cause rather a Phrensie and Convulsions than a Lethargy A Vapor carried up to the Brain A Vapor the cause of fleep or heaped up there may be the cause of immoderate sleep caused by consent if it be carried thither plentiful and steeming do oppress the spirits or being crude it do so moisten the brasn that it becomes languid to perform its actions Such a one is raised from plenty of Meat or drink or from that which is vaporous or more moist which if they be more moderate procure that sleep which is wontâ—o molest men after dinner or supper especially if they drink Wine as 't is usually the custom which we shal by and by shew hath certain narcotick vertue and the constitution of the brain be moist as it is in old folks which propension to sleep is customary after meat the rest of the body also doth very much further which after labour whiles they take their repast is compleated by sitting stil and so much the more also inviting the mind to rest by sleep by how much they are longer at dinner or supper and if the heat of a South Sun be joyned or of the Country or place as of a hot-house it helps somwhat both because heat cals the vapors upwards and because recreating the wearied bodies and more aptly disposing them to quiet it causeth that the mind also is inclined to rest But immoderate Sleep also may be caused from the immoderate use of meat and drink or certain nourishments not dulling the brain by a stupefactive quality but filling of it with many vapors which is known by this if after carrousing though not to drunkenness of which hereafter or after the use of certain meats they suffer thus and afterwards come to themselves Vapors raised up and and down the body from humors and vaporus and moist excrements are somtimes wont to beget sleep A Vapor the cause of deep sleep If they be gathered together in the Stomach or Womb whence many other diseases of the brain caused by consent do proceed and somtimes also they induce immoderate sleep if the brain be troubled with those vapors which is easily known by the affects of those parts that it proceeds from thence from Worms putrifying in the Guts such evaporations sent to the head do often cause sleep especially in Infants and by the signs of Worms 't is shewn from whence it proceeds although this sleep is commonly promoted by reason of a Fever accompanying The matter intermitting Feavers putrifyfying in the mesaraick Veins as the most capacious receptacle of humors corrupting for a light cause by reason of the neerness of the Guts A Vapor the cause of a Carus and Lethargie in Fevers and the most dangerous fuel of many diseases being attenuated by heat and carried plentifully up to the head cespecially at the first invasion breeds this Sleep hapning in some Tertians and Quartans at the beginning of the fit while coldness yet possesseth them and the body is not yet through hot and somtimes it lasteth to the end of the fit And also in continual Fevers I have often observed that the Brain weaken'd with a long continued and grievous pain foregoing in the vigor or after it being struck with a Carus following hath brought the Patient into a great deal of danger The which also if it happen in the beginning of continual Fevers and by and by by reason of too much evaporation this principal part the brain especially by some means disposed to a Carus be so weakened that a heavy sleep do follow it wil be that Lethargie which is coupled with a continual Fever and presently after invades with it no otherwise differing from that other Carus which happens in the declination of Fevers which is also dangerous but in this that it presently begins with the Fever Many assert that from evaporations from the Stomach Womb and the rest of the body assailing the brain an Epilepsy by consent is caused as also some have written that some species of a Catalepsis doth proceed from Melancholly vapors and how it is done they variously assign whenas some of them think it is done by filling up the Ventricles of the brain or affecting it some other way or by irritation the which notwithstanding how it comes to pass by reason of the nervous kind affected we shal by and by explain Somtimes an occult quality by an unknown propriety is wont to be the cause of Sleep and Stupidity of which kind is the narcotick vertue which acts not by coldness as hath hitherto been beleeved but by that propriety by which it lulls asleep the senses and by such medicines taken and entring into the body although by their smell also they may offend somwhat A Narcotick vertue is the cause of sleep and stupidity but being only applied they scarce work so far as to induce a Stupidity if they be gentler they cause a sleep not natural but as it were artificialâ— but if it work more powerfully stronger things being given it makes them so stupid that like to the Apoplectical they lie without sense and motion and unless they come to themselves they are choaked for want of breath as we have often found hath hapen'd from the juyce of Poppy and other things upon which account their use is very dangerous and also from the immoderate use of Wine not by reason of the evaporations as some have thought but by reason of its narcotick vertue immederate sleep and stupidity also do follow in Drunkards which makes them no less astonisht than if they had taken Opium and often kils them as it happens also from the Liquor extracted from Wine which they call the Spirit of Wine and by so much the more powerful as its force is reduced and collected into a narrower compass by the drinking of which we have seen killed some Infants that drink of it by chance and some of riper age lying astonisht Some venemous things do cause the same effects by a hidden vertue A poysenous quality is the cause of sleep and stupidity being outwardly infer'd by a stroke of certain Beasts as from the biting of the Asp a deadly sleep follows as Plutarch writes in the death of Cleopatra which kind of malignant vertue may be raised also in the body from the humors degenerating into a poysonous quality in malignant and pestilent Fevers by whose evaporations the brain infected may be opprest with a heavy sleep and Lethargie which happens also in an Epilepsie proceeding from thence towards the end of the fit that they are longer opprest than with sleep or stupidness not so much by reason of the brain tired by too much stirring as because these malignant vapors which before did cause those Epileptical motions by affecting the nervous parts as shal be said by and by afterwards weakning the brain do induce a sleep or stupidness for a while til these vapors are discust and the fit be ended which also may
which by it self stimulating the Nerves by a manifest Quality and causing Pain or none together with it doth convell them which cause proceeds either from Medicines or internall Humors as Blood Choler and Flegm molesting the Nerves by their proper substance or by a Vapor only But Convulsions are chiefly caused by occasion of pain either if the Torments be unreasonable and of long continuace such as in Cholicks do often cause Convulsions or if they trouble Bodies endued with most exquisite sense and which by reason of their Tenderness do hardly undergo such torments on which account also Infants not only in diverse sorts of sicknesses but when they begin to breed Teeth being exasperated with pains are often times convulsive and also immoderate Tickling made in the like Bodies because that also gives trouble and a sad sence experience doth testisie hath caused Convulsions in some nay t is confest by all that even a light Tickling caused by Wormes creeping up and down the Gutts and Stomach and sucking them with their Mouths doth move in Infants not only horrors and scratching of the Nose but also light epilepticall Convulsions Medicines taken which stimulates the expulsive Faculty of the stomach and Guts if they excite those parts too much as they cause a convulsive Motion which is by Hiccoping so if they be very biting and burning as those things put up into the Nose they move Sneezing and so a purging Faculty especially joyned to them by which they sollicite Nature at once very much both by Vomit and stool by reason of their eminent efficacy they often produce Convulsions such as happen from Hellebore and the use of other things and those deadly too if by too much insinuating themselves into thee parts they cease not to exagitate them but not yet deadly if when they first begin to sollicite Nature being repulsed by her they be cast forth upwards and downwards as I have observed from the use of Antimony and Asarabacca some feeling only forerunings of a Spasme in their Thighes but others also convulsive to have returned to themselves Corrupt and putrifying Blood if it be carried into the nervous kind by affecting of them may also cause Convulsions As it sometimes happens from a blow of the Head penetrating the Skull yet not deviding the substance of the Brain whence rather an Apoplexy would follow but only wounding the Membranes of the Brain the Blood then being poured forth and retained under the Skull which putrefying infects the Membranes of the Brain with a maligne quality by consent of which and also that sinking and possessing and affecting the beginning of the Nerves produced from the Basis of the Brain it breeds Convulsions which follow Wounds of the Head which sort of Convulsions also in Imposthumations are somtimes wont to follow a Phrenzie that went before Choler of all humors is wont to be the chief both the Yellow and the Green and Black which by its acrimony is wont to stimulate and irritate the Nerves and nervous parts the which also by its thinness it easily enters which in Pains of the Colick doth cause those Convulsions not only because it breeds these Torments but also because insinuating it self into the Stomach and Guts it doth too much sollicit them with a kind of caustick vertue which Convulsions last as long as this acrid humor ceases not to irritate that there is no need to fancy any other reason that it is far fetcht to the Nerves if it ought to cause Convulsions and also if a Convulsion proceed from anger they think it may happen by reason of the boyling and effusion of Choler although that rather proceed from this too much motion of the mind stirring up the spirits as was said before Also from thin salt and acrid flegm falling down from the brain into the spaces through which the Nerves are carried and pulling of them an Epilepsie may be caused as in a Palsie somtimes bedewing the Nerves it first causeth Resolutions afterwards by its acrimony which it either had before or by putrafaction hath newly acquired soliciting the Nerves it raiseth those Convulsions which sometimes follow Palsies which sneezing arising from the same flegm distilled also from the Brain into the Nose is wont to go before and foretell whence perhaps the custom of praying after sneezing took its first rise whenas they had somtimes observed that sneezing was a forerunner of an Epilepsie Also filthy and acrid vapors especially if some malignity be joyned as shal be said being raised in the body and especially pulling the beginning of the Nerves or else where solliciting especially the greater do beget an Epilepsie which they say is caused by consent such as are from vitious corrupt and putrid meats humors excrements worms collected in the stomach guts womb veins in divers diseases of those parts or of the whol body as those raised from Fevers which do produce Convulsions which are wont to follow these diseases But those things which cause Convulsions by a poysonous and pernicious quality are various which according to the divers nature of the poysons and as they are either inimicous only to the nervous kind they do infect that only or also the brain together with that do produce either Convulsions or the brain being hurt also other accidents which somtimes also after the Epilepticall fit is over do continue in the hurts of the senses especially in an alienation of mind and depraved motion as hath been said Amongst which poysonous causes that somtimes also offers it self which by its propriety and private hurt brings forth the accidents of a Catalepsis rather than of a true Convulsion yet because 't is a disease very rare it evidently shews that seldom such a venenate quality is raised in our body which may produce such an effect in the body as also that which causeth true Convulsions is most often but of what kind soever that be its Fountain and Original somtimes lurks intrinsecally in the brain or bowels or in the veins or babit of the body and sometimes extrinsecally to the body Fernelius witnesseth that he hath found by disection an Epilepsie of long continuance caused in the Brain from the corruption or imposthumation of the membranes of the brain and by reason that a filthy vapor raised from them at set times entring the ventricles did cause the fits but that these things do cause rather short and deadly than long continued Epilepsies and not because they send a filthy vapor to the Ventricles but for another reason hath been demonstrated formerly whenas if they did possess the substance of the brain or its Ventricles and so much hurt them they would induce rather an Apoplexy than Convulsions In the interim notwithstanding we do no waies deny the cause of an Epilepsie oftentimes to lie in the head and we confess we meet with many faults within the Skul both in the membranes of the brain and in its substance also or in its humors which raging with
fits of Convulsions they have nevertheless recovered of a Carus yet there was left in the sight and memory some error which afterwards by reason of old age could no waies be amended But if flegm cause an Appoplexy then unless that falling downwards into the beginng of the spinal marrow do cause a Palsie as was said the breath being taken away it presently kils the Patient Whether flegm cause a sleepiness or stupidity the Cure is almost the same but that stronger things must be used in an Apoplexy whenas its cause is greater and there is more hast to be made in the Cure by the reason of the danger that which ends in a Palsie must be cured as a Palsie and they apply also to a Lethargie no other Cure than to a Carus only a few things changed as shall be said by reason of the Fever In all these therefore we will revell the flegm from the head by general and particular evacuations and we will derive it also by neighboring places destined for the evacuation of flegm as the Mouth Nose and we will endeavor to resolve it with things that draw it to the Superficies of the head and with things altering inwardly and outwardly applied we wil endeavor to dissolve and wast it to heat and strengthen the Head by proceeding as followeth In sleepiness if there be a great fulness they perswade drawing of blood by opening that Vein of the Arm which is called Cephalick and in an Apoplexy the same signs appearing they grant it also somtimes for Revulsion but done sparingly and if it seem to have done any good they reiterate it somtimes also they open the vein of the Forehead others in these diseases would rather open a Vein in the Foot all which must be done considerately especially in the Apoplectical left we may seem thus to have hastned death The belly must be provoked in both species and be stimulated that they may stool both for Revulsion and to stir up the faculties laid asleep and that by casting in sharp Clysters and Suppositories whenas otherwise they scarce go stool Suppositories seeing they do egregiously irritate and may quickly be prepared and by reason of their dulness they cannot keep Clysters are very convenient and oftentimes to be repeated especially in the Apoplexy in which also those things that burn whenas the sick are without sense can no waies do any harm Therefore the gentler being first tried if they do no good the following stronger things shall be used Take of Honey two ounces juyce of Mercury half an ounce Bulls Gall half an ounce boyl them add towards the end of the root of white Hellebore and Pellitory of Spain of each half a dram Coloquintida half a scruple Salt Gem half a dram make a Suppository or that it may be prepared sooner let these pouders be mixt with raw Honey and make Suppositories Clysters are good not only before opening a vein if that be done to wash the Guts but also after it made first of things emollient and hot stimulaters proper for the head by and by also of strong irritaters which also whenas they do not keep them long must be repeated and by so much the oftner as the disease is more urgent as in the apoplectical At first therefore let such a Gentle one be given Take of Mallows Mercury or Beets Sage Rue Pennyroyal of each one handful fresh Orrice roots three ounces Bran Chamomel flowers Rosemary flowers of each one pugil Carraway seed two drams make a Decotion dissolve in a fit quantity of it of Honey one ounce Benedicta Laxativa two drams Oyl of Bayes and Rue of each one ounce Salt one dram make a Clyster A stronger may be made thus which may be given after the first presently at the beginning if the evil be urgent Take of the Roots of fresh Orris Solomons seal Sows bread of each one ounce Master wort six drams the Herbs Rue Time Sago Bayes Penny-royal Organy Calamint Hyssop of each one handful French Lavender Rosemary flowers of each one pugil Caraway Cummin seeds of each two drams Bastard Saffron seed Bay juniper Berries of each half an ounce Agarick tied in a Rag two drams Make a Decoction Dissolve in a sufficient quantity Hiera of Coloquintida three drams Honey of Rosemary flowers one ounce the juyce of Mercury or Beets one ounce of Oxe Gaule half an ounce Oyl of Rue two ounces of Castor half an ounce of Fossile salt one dram Make a Clyster The strongest of all highly irritating in an Apoplexy Take of the Roots of Orice Pellitory of Spain of each one ounce of Cuckow-pintle or grass Plantane half an ounce Hellebore Roots one dram the Herbs Rue Sage Time the tops of Centory Water-cresses of each one handful Caraway seed half an ounce Nettles and Rue of each one dram Mustard seed two drams the Pulp of Coloquintida tied up in a Rag half a dram Rosemary flowers two pugils Make a Decoction Dissolve of Hiera of Coloquintida half an ounce Honey one ounce and an half Oyl of Rue three ounces Castor Euphorbium of each one scruple Fossile salt one dram Make a Clyster Although it were good to move Vomiting both because that straining doth rouse them up and also revel yet in the Apoplectical t is not to be attempted for fear of suffocation whenas if an endeavoring to Vomit do urge them of their own accord or a Cough they are sooner strangled being forced by that violent motion as I have seen it Yet in a Sleepiness if their strength be firm a vomiting caused for the same reason doth very much help which may be actually done by irritating the Throat or by giving of a Vomit destined also to Evacuate Flegm Purgers given to the Apoplectick by the Mouth when as they swallow nothing either flow forth again without any benefit or if as it often comes to pass they fal into their rough Artery they induce a danger of suffocation but when they are come to themselves then they are to be purged as those palsied as shall be faid in a Palsie But in a Carus or lighter Stupidity when as they can take somewhat at first present Purging Medicines must be administred to them but such as in a small quantity may quick be swallowed by them whiles they are roused up as at one draught with little pains whenas they are scarce obedient And therefore if we would give Pills whenas t is hard to take them we rather dissolve them nothing fearing here their ingratefulness whenas they being a little stupid do little observe that as Take of Cochiae foetidae Pils half a dram Castor half a scruple dissolve them with Sage or Rosemary or Cinnamon Water and give to drink But we shall more rightly give Lozenges dissolved as of Diacarthamum Diaturbith of the Citron solutive or the like Electuaries as Diaphaenicon Indum majus and other purgers of Flegm the Heirae of Coloquintida we may infuse unless their extraordinary bitterness do hinder In
Sagapen of each one ounce dissolve them in Aqua vitae afterwards mix of Mustard seed two drams Castor Euphorbium of each one dram make a Plaster apply it to the nape of the neck and afterwards anoint the whol Back-bone with hot oyls such as is Oyl of Rue drawing your hands downwards It wil not be unprofitable also to rub the palms of the hands of Persons apoplectical with Sulphur and Vitriol dissolved in hot Oyl and mixt together Amongst Amulets they affirm that the Emrold hanged about the neck doth very much good if it touch the bare flesh a Nightingale laid under the Pillow the head of a Bat laid between the Tiles of the house are thought by a propriety to rouze up from sleep If the sleepiness be from blood The cure of a Carus and Apoplexy from Blood because the blood is then remaining in the vessels 't is easily cured unless some more grievous disease lie hid but if a vein being broke the blood poured forth into the brain do cause an Apoplexy whether this happen from a plenitude or a violent cause unless it presently break forth out of the Skul by the Nostrils or Ears as it often comes to pass being presently turned into clots it bringeth death and so much the sooner if the substance of the brain be also hurt a Convulsion then going before if the blood first putrefie before the Patient die But we ought presently in cases of this nature and that very speedily whiles the matter is yet flowing to revel derive and drive forth the blood in the order following First of all a vein is to be opened if nothing hinder to wit the shoulder vein in the Arm and if the plenitude be great in both Arms then also in the Leg the vein of the Ham or Ankle must be opened which some do before that of the shoulder that there may be the greater revulsion the which notwithstanding is more rightly performed in the Arm and then the vein of the Forehead and Nose may be opened which Rondoletius doth by pricking with bristles or under the Tongue for derivation sake Revulsions being premised the which wil suffice if the plenitude be not very great for it is dangerous to open the jugular vein as some teach and thus sleepiness proceeding from plenty of blood is easily remedied and in a contusion of the Head it brings great help Scarrification with Cupping-glasses applied there especially where the jugulars run up by the neck doth very much derive the which also they approve done upon the chin the which also may be continued by Leeches if time give leave especially if they be applied to the fundament the Haemroides being supprest the which if they were accustomary before and now are stopt or otherwise swel we ought to open Cupping-glasses alone also applied to those places and to the shoulders and shoulder-blades when the plenitude is not so great may suffice The which also Ligatures and Frictions of the extream parts may perform Moving of the Belly in this cause doth equally revell as if it were from flegm and that by Suppositories or clysters highly stimulating yet less inflaming than in another cause and that presenly after a vein opened which here ought to go first as the better Such wil be this following Clyster which that it may be presently at hand is thus easie to be made Take of herb Mercury or Beets in the winter time two handfuls Of Violet Leavs one handful pour to them of Lye as much as is sufficient make a Decoction and in one pound of it dissolve of Honey two ounces Fossile Salt one dram Butter or Oyl one ounce least the too great quantity may infringe the vertue of the others make a Clyster 'T is good to cause sneezing in the Apoplectical after some Clysters administred yet not too violently We must repel with Oxyrrhodines if it appear that the head be very hot but with such as are astringent rather by drying than cooling yet by warily using of them least we drive the matter inward if it be in the superficies and therefore Rondoletius doth use only a drying Oyntment and Sinapism in a Carus yet when necessity requires such a one made Take of Rosewater three ounces juyce of Plantane one ounce or the water of it two ounces because the vertue of this inhibiting the influx of blood is wonderful of Rose Vinegar one ounce the Whites of Eggs beaten two mix them Oyls are omitted by reason of their laxness A yong Pidgeon Chicken or Puppy dog cut in the middle and applied to the head have a wonderful vertue in discussing the blood as also other things exprest in a Phrensie Rondolenius writes that Water-cresses eaten in Broth or Sallets do heal a Carus proceeding from blood If a Contusion appear in the head and there is suspicion of clotted blood in the brain those things which shal be spoken of in Contusions must be outwardly applied Of which sort is this Cataplasm Take of Wormwood one handful Flowers of Red Roses and Chamomel of each one pugil make a pouder boyl it in Oyl of Roses beat it adding of Bean flower one ounce Sanguis Draconis two drams Mummy three drams and apply it When they can take any thing by the mouth upon the same account things dissolving clots of blood are given of which we shall treat in their place But if that the substance of the brain being hurt doth cause an Apoplexy whenas it is deadly both because the continuity of a principal part is dissolved The Cure of an Apoplexy from the hurt of the brain and because by the injury offered from without it must needs be that the bosomes of the membranes are hurt too from whence comes a great flux of blood they are to be left to Prognosticks yet in the interim as long as they live the Wound nevertheless whether cut prickt or coneused so it ought to be handled But if a deprest part of the Skul broken do cause a Stupidity by pressing the Brain it must be lifted up and drawn forth by an Instrument and other Arts if there be any smal Bones the which also do often prick they must be taken out the Blood must be washt out and as Fractures and Wounds ought to be healed must here also be proceeded for so if the subject part be no waies hurt they come to themselves and are restored to health If a Tumor in the Brain cause a Stupidity or as some have thought a Lethargie The Cure of a sleepy Stupidity from a Tumor of the Brain because it can hardly be known the man living there is scarce any other Cure applyable to it then that which is due to cold Humors when as this Humor must be cold which can cause that for a hot one would rather cause a Phrensie but the Stupidity will then be of long continuance and Mortal when this Tumor hid in the Brain cannot be mollified nor resolved Vapors alone unless there be some occult
Spirits of Wine a deadly Stupidity and also an excessive heat is raised in which case as also in others raised from the like cause we give Natural Milk and Factitious made of Almonds and Guord Seeds also Butter common Oyl and Oyl of Almonds and other Fat and mucilaginous things the which also we said were proper in corroding poysons Also Acid things given as they do quel the heat of Acrid humors and Choler so also the efficacy of Narcoricks which I am wont rather to give as Acid juyces or syrups or Vinegar it self which therefore we have said elsewhere is the most certain Remedy for Drunkenness the other things which do it by a certain propriety shal be explained in the Remedies If a malignant quality The Cure of a sleepiness stupidity from a malignant quality which we cannot rightly explain come from without from the Stroke of a Beast from whence a Sleepiness or stupidity ensues then things antipharmacal resisting these Poysons must be given such as are described in their place but if that such a Malignity be raised up in the body as in Malignant Feavers we have said that then also a Sleepiness and Stupidity doth happen and then applying those things which the malignity of the same method of cureing is to be observed which was mentioned in a Lethargy If a Daemonical Sleep delude Witches as we have said The Cure of Daemonical sleep from an evil Spirit seeing the cause is preternatural it will not be cured by natural Remedies but by prayers and amendment of life but if they refuse to do that they are worthy to be purged by sire The animal spirits being spent in the Brain The Cure of an Apoplexy from the wasting of the animal Spirits if a man become Apoplectical death it self prevents al manner of cure which we ought to foretel to be ready at hand But the Spirits being spent in the Brain by great meditations if sometime they become stupid they easily come to themselves again upon the return of the spirits The Cure of an Epilepsie Catalepsie and Stupidity from the too much profusion of the animal spirit out of the Brain but if that by some vehement affection of the mind the spirits be so carried forth that being taken with a grievous stupidity with Rigor they become Cataleptical then the evil is very pertinacious and that especially if this disease have its original from Melancholly for those thus affected are hardly cured and though they be freed from it yet they continue Stupid and Melancholly And if from Anger also they fall into an Epilepsie they are not free from danger in which species whiles they are in the Fit the same Remedies are likewise applied which are used in the rest of the Epilepical to the quickly taking off of their fits the which ceasing the cause must be turn'd away this being done if the evil do stil return whenas by that we know that the internal cause is yet present which the external did first move then the care must be fitted to the taking away of that which in a Catalepsis they apply to Melancholly in an Epilepsie to the purging of Flegm as shal be said But if that a Convulsion or which seldomer comes to pass a Catalepsis do follow from a Disease of the Nerves drawing the Brain into consent and somtimes affecting of it too the Cause it self must be diligently considered and according to that we must foretell and order the cure which we have said was in that continued Epilepsie as also somtimes in a Catalepsis but seldom hapning a certain malignant melancholly and poysonous humor consisting in the hidden parts of the body of the Veins about the inward parts of the body or also the outward parts and otherwise lurking in the habit of the body or also within the Skul arising from some fault that doth not yet destroy the brain but by course affecting the Nerves but of a milder and Shorter Epilepsie certain evaporations proceeding here and there from the inward bowels from a Causeless persevering and sometimes also Pains or only Troubles when though they have no such great cause in weak Children yet they may produce Epileptical fits but of the rest of Convulsions which are Short we said the internal causes were a poysonous humor also in the Veins in Feavers which these Convulsions do follow or otherwise Acrid Pernicious cholerick or serous humor or blood corrupted or it depends on the taking of things destructive or poysonous or proceeds from grievous pain either from a Wound or the biting of Beasts In all which species since they are all difficult we must not rashly foretel any thing of good although a fit cure and benefit of nature doth somtimes mitigate the Prognostick to wit The long continued Epilepsie so called if it begin before the time of youth and cease not when that time comes viz. when men can eject seed or when women have their courses as also that which first begins after youth is Incurable and desperate which will afflict them to the last day of their lives for a long time unless the cruelty of the symptomes doth make death more speedy but from the Shorter Epilepsie that Convulsion which is called the Worse is deadly and that also which is called the Milder species wants not its danger Which things since that they are thus these Prognosticks being premised the Cure must nevertheless be attempted which we shal not first of al divide according to the Causes seeing they are so various and abstruse but proceeding by the manner of operation we shal explain how by medicines emptying and altering found out partly by Use and partly appropriated to the Cause for some Reason we ought to heal Epilepsies and Convulsions or at leastwise to keep off or mitigate their fits Evacuating Remedies are those which do carry another way the Causes procreating or Fomenting Convulsions whether they be vapors or humors either by revelling and deriving from the part affected or by Repelling and hindring them to come to the part and that either by opening made by Cutting Sucking Burning or by Purgations ordered by divers passages of the body or by other operations outwardly applied Amongst the kinds of Cutting Phlebotomy presents it self for the lessuing of the blood which in a long continued Epilepsie wil take place if the Patient be Plethorick or the Hemthoids which before were accustomary be supprest some general eminent and appearing Vein being made choyce of for this purpose yet many do advise to open the Shoulder-vein called the Cephalick for the heads sake also blood taken from the Veins of the Ham and Ankles is very convenient and so much the more if the Courses be stopt in Women the which also some commend if taken from the Veins of the Forehead and Tongue and if we do conjecture its cause to depend upon malignant blood these detractions of blood must be often repeated whenas we have shewed that in Madness
in a Cause not very much unlike this is the Principal Remedy whence here also if it proceed from corrupt blood this kind of Remedy often used wil profit very much as also in a Catalepsis if it arise from the like reason whenas 't is sometimes cured by a Haemorhage flowing voluntarily from the Nose But in other causes placed out of blood espeally in bodies wasted with a long Epilepsie and also in Convulsions following Diseases in which the strength of the Patient suffering the Convulsion is impaired by the cruelty of the Disease it is no waies to be advised to draw blood but Scarification is not unprofitably ordered instead of bleeding in Children and Aged whenas we would rather turn the blood another way then let it out making it at those places where our intent is to draw the blood and also a Paracenthesis and Opening made by Setons and Trepanning by taking out part of the Skul-bone may be made tryal of in these desperate Diseases Sucking drawing forth blood is done by help of Leeches which being applid to the Forehead and the rest of the compass of the Head they write doth good in Curing of an Epilepsie but especially when the Hemroids are supprest being fastned to the Fundament by sucking out this blood which we can otherwise hardly provoke by any other Art in this case they are very convenient Burning made both by an actual and potential cautery as in desperate Diseases it is the last Remedy so here also the evil preserving especially if the cause be in the Head it may at length not irrationally be applied if by chance by this means the cause may be derived from the Nerves to the more ignoble parts by which means 't is reported that at Florence they are wont to burn the the Head of new born Infants to avert the Epilepsie which in those places is accostomary to Infants for which causes and being moved by experience we think it not unadvised to attempt burning with a red hot Iron the which whiles they are possest with the Fit and are stupid we may act in them without any sense of pain or by applying a Caustick to experiment the same in a long continued Epilepsie if it reject all other Remedies which some also do apply not only in that part of the Head where the Sutures meet but also in the Neck and Feet or if in some certain place an Air elevated doth cause an Epilepsie a Caustick applied to this part doth very much revel it Purgations by the appointed places of the body the Belly Mouth Nose and Womb in Women are ordered divers waies amongst which that dejection which is made by the belly carrying forth divers excrements which is wont to be caused by the use of Purgers is diversly accomplisht according to the divers kinds of Convulsions For in a long continued and falling Epilepsie whenas in all long continued diseases there is plenty of excrements that the body may be made pure it must be purged again and again by course and as often as they are heaped up anew at convenient times first by washing the Belly afterwards by preparing and bringing forth humors which give occasion of this affect In which whenas Authors as it was said do so much vary 't is no wonder that also divers purging medicines are ordered by them for many use above the rest Phlegmagoges and those which draw Flegm from the head who are perswaded that an Epilepsie is bred from that humor others who hold that Yellow or black choller is the cause contend that amongst Purging medicine Cholagoges rather or Melanagoges are more prevalent than the rest but we as we find the body either stuft or polluted with humors do fit our Remedies to the drawing forth of this or that humor making our choice of them from this especially whether there be need of Gentler or Stronger Catharticks to expell the humor ommitting that too scrupilous and obscure propriety and similitude of Catharticks with the humors we choose those which are either more mild or more efficacious as the nature of the humor and the strength and constitution of the body do require and those which are approved of by the ancient and modern especially in this case commended by the authority of Dioscorides of which sort for the Gentler we allow of Whey Agarick Seny and for the Stronger Hellebore and being according to the aforesaid intention we think them conducible in an Epilepsie but chiefly having a care that when an acrid or malignant matter doth cause an Epilepsie we do not stir the body beyond measure with too Hot or Acrid or too strong Purgers and if the cause be doubtful or abstruse that by too solicitously relying on the emptying of one humor according to the common opinion we do not more weaken the bodies than help them and also to the like fit Cathartick medicines those things must be mixed which by a peculiar vertue visit resist an Epilepsie are proper to the Nerves amongst which the juyce of Peony taken plentifully doth also loosen the Belly and those things which do prepare to if it have need of preparation all which shall be explained in things that alter and also those things which do open the Courses and Hemorrhoids if they be stopt being mixt with them do procure that they are easier provoked because the expulsive faculty is then forced divers waies But that we may demonstrate these thinge also by examples observing this method in a long continued Epilepsie as also in a Catalepsis we must thus proceed First of all the Belly must be moved that the excrements and the filth mixt with them may be brought forth from the first passages and that both before the use of Purgers and also sometimes in the Fit that they may fooner come to themselves or by course also if the belly do not sufficiently answer your desire Which may be done by any Suppositories or by putting up these following Take of Honey the juyce of Rue of each alike quantity boyl them and add towards the end as much Salt as is sufficient and a little pouder of Peony root Or cast in Clysters First Laxative then Stimulating at last Stronger appropriate both to the Brain and Nerves Of which sort this may be the chief for the Flegmatick Take of the roots of Lillies fresh Peony of each one ounce and an half of round or common Birthwort half an ounce the herbs Mallows Beets Sage Rue the lesser Century of each one handful the flowers of Lavender or french Lavender Rosemary Primrose Chamomel of each one pugil Bran one pugil Seed of Peony one dram and half Carawaies one dram make a decoction dissolve of juyce of Mercury or Beetss Honey or Red Sugar of each one ounce Hiera Piera and Logadij of each two drams Oyl of Rue one dram and an half a little Salt make a Clyster The humor abounding is prepared before Purging as it is either Flegmatick or Cholerick or Melancolick giving what
things given and applied is a singular Remedy if the cause of the Epilepsie lie chiefly in the mesaraick Veins as was said the which also may be done by Leeches and other Remedies exprest in their place Amongst the other operations which are outwardly performed for Evacuation sake both in the Fit and out of it the application of Cupping-Glasses is numbred which somtimes are applied to the hinder part of the Head somtimes to the Shoulders somtimes to the Hypochondries somtimes to the Groyns for diversion as also frictions of the extream parts by all which revelling vapors and humors from the nerves we make the Fits both fewer and shorter and also Galen on his Epileptical Child hath committed to memory upon experience that a certain Air giving cause to an Epilepsie from some part which may be bound if ligature be made above the Rise of it it may be hindred that it shall not run forth to cause an Epileptical Fit as also some do testitifie that by Repellers outwardly applied to the Head the same success hath somtimes been Tht altering Remedies which are applied in the Cure of Convulsions are fetcht from things which do resist the malignity of their Cause by a certain Propriety and that rather by an occult then manifest Propriety viz. by which they are adverse to an Epilepsie in generall from what cause soever it is raised or they are alexiterial the which whether an Epilepsie or Catalepsis proceed from some venenate quality are contrary to such kind of Poysons or the which helping the Nervee do effect that it is not so readily afiected by the Cause and that because they render it firm by strengthing it or smooth it by lenifying or make it impatible by stupefying it or which altering the whol Body do change its Constitution which was pronâ— to an Epilepsie Use hath found out and approved of many Remedâ—â— that do drive away an Epilepsie by a certain Propriety as are Piony Misleto of the Oak the Skulls of a Man an Asse hoof a Swallow and many other such like helps explained in the Remedies which though they may be used in all Causes of it yet whenas besides this Vertue they are also either hot or cold or temperate although they use them confusedly without respect to these we think it more advised that they ought to be selected according to the Nature of the Constitution of the Patient or the Disease and this or that to be preferred before the rest what things do return the venenate quality inducing an Epilepsie or Catalepsis besides those which we have said already do by a propriety resist an Epilepsie and what Antidotes are privately adverse to this Poyson as in other Poysons there are found those things which do resist them hitherto no Experience hath found them out which can readily and quickly do it wherefore if the Epilepsie be from a poysonous Humor or Vapor those common Remedies Alexipharmacall which in generall are adverse to all poysons as Treacle and the like Compositions as they are used in all venenate and pestiferous Diseases so also in these cases being mixed with those things which by a propriety resist the Epilepsie they are given to destroy and correct the cause thereof and if Poyson from without by the blow of a Beast or the biting of a mad Dog entring into the Body hath caused an Epilepsie we cure the same with things alexiterial as the rest of the Symptoms arising thence Those things which add strength to the Nerves are apppropriate Remedies which being repared of capital and arthritical Simples Sage Rosemary Marjoram Bettony French Lavender Primrose and Ivy are good in the Palsie and other cold and moist Diseases of the Brain which soeng they furnish the Nerves as it were with new forces that it may the stronger resist those things which do molest it they are wont not unprofitably to be added to the rest of the Medicines which we use in an Epilepsie but not for that end or intention but because they beleeved that an Epilepsie was caused by Flegm obstructing the Brain they have applyed not only these hot things appropriate to the Nerves but those things which are moist hot that the thick Flegm might be cut and attenuated Castor Euphorbium Pellitory of Spain Squills and divers Spices for the most part Remedies in the Cure of an Epilepsie the which notwithstanding we if an Epilepsie be from an irritation of the Nerves because they do more inflame the Body as we do no wayes see it is cured by these things so we have known by Experience that they do irritate more promote and exasperate its fits and therefore whenas we have either found or received from apvroved Authors and worthy of Belief that they do more hurt by their heat then they can do good unless in a cold and moist Constitution of Body or when they are furnisht with another Propriety above by which they resist Poyson or this Disease we think them otherwise not rashly to be administred Of which sort for Examples sake we will describe the more choice Remedies from the Observations of the Ancients and modern and our own as well those endued with an occult contrariety as those appropriate to the Nerves or those compounded of them both together in their different formes in which are either given or proposed for smell or are otherwise applied to the Body Amongst those things which are taken many of those appropriated many be used amongst Nourishments as the brain of Swallows Kites Dawes Cuckows Chickens Hare eaten The rest which Nature abhors and which are not accustomary we omit as Blood drunken up hot from a man killed which the Common people so much approve of dry Figgs also are commended Plantane with Lentil the Topps of the black Vine as Dioscorides teacheth the which may be taken with Vinegar and Oyl as also Capers which Fontanous so much commends and if the Meats be sauced with Hysop Sage Marjoram and other simples appropriate to the Nerves Amongst things medicinal this Drink may be given Take of the Roots of Piony one ounce of Misletoe of the Oak half an ounce the Roots of Asarabacca Birthwort each two drams Piony seeds one dram Anise half a dram Chamels hey one scruple make a Decoction in Broth or Wine and Water or an appropriate Water dissolving Honey of Squills half an ounce make a Draught give it when the Fit is feared In plethorick Bodies this Decoction may be prepared Take of the shavings of Guaicum half a pound Misletoe of the Oak a quarter of a pound Piony root one ounce boyl them in twelve pound of Water to the consumption of a third part let him drink it instead of wine or allay wine with it They put into the Mouth in the fit the juyce of the greater Housleek or Rue presently prest forth sometimes adding a little Castor Or such like Medicines may be thus prepared that they may be alwaies ready for use Take of the juyces of Misletoe
of each one scruple the Skul of a man poudered half an ounce Asses hoof two drams Swallows and Cuckows ashes of each one dram and an half the shavings of Ivory and Harts-horn of each half a dram a Hares Runnet two drams Benjamin Mastick Ammoniacum dissolved in Vinegar of Squils of each one dram with Hony of Squils make an Electuary Or those things which resist Poyson in general and privately the Epilepsie and do somwhat dull the Sense make an Opiate thus Take of old Treacle three drams the root and seed of Peony Missleto of the Oak each one dram seed of Clary Basil of each half a dram the Skul of a man twodrams with Honey of Squils or Syrup of Poppy if you would stupefie more make an Opiate give one dram at night to him going to bed In form of Pils ingrateful things are given for prevention after this manner Take of Castor Assa foetida of each half a dram Gum Ammoniacum Sagapen dissolved in Vinegar of Squils of each half a scruple the Gall of a Bear half a scruple Oyl of Amber which is highly commended of the Chymists four drops with the juyce of the root of Peony make a Mass give him half a scruple going to bed The same things dissolved in the juyce of Rue put into the mouth whiles they are possest with the fit do shorten it as also Castor alone mixt with Oxymel anointing the inner parts of the mouth with it the which also done with Gall doth very much help whenas these ingrateful things by powerfully moving the sense of tasting do cause that they come sooner to themselves Upon the same account Odors and Suffumigations are applied to the Patient to smel to which though they do oftentimes further and discover Epileptical Fits yet by discussing them as they say especially put into the Nostrils in the Fit they make them shorter and rouze up the Patient This is chiefly performed by Castor Assa foetida Galbanum Rue applied to the Nostrils which are endued with a stinking and strong smel Or make a Suffumigation of these things following Take of Ladanum two drams Benjamin Styrax Calamite Mummy by reason of the Bitumen Mastick of each one dram seeds of Gith Peony of each half a dram make a pouder burn it upon the Coals And also out of the Fit the Chamber may be fumed yet with things not too much stinking And carry a Pomander and smel to it often which is made thus Take of the roots and seeds of Peony each three drams Leaves of Hysop Rue seeds of Gith Coriander each one dram Ladanum half an ounce Styrax Calamite two drams Gum Ammoniacum as is sufficient make a Pomander Of things applied to the Head Pouders may be sewed in a Cap which they may wear a nights or be applied in Bags or put into Pillows used to lie under their head or the hairs of their head being first anointed they strewed on them Such a one as this is Take of the roots of Peony two scruples Cyperus Orrice Missleto of the Oak each one dram and an half Rue Hysop Marjoram Coriander seed prepared Peony seed each one dram seeds of Basil Gith each two scruples Cloves Red Roses Lavender flowers each half a scruple Gallia Moschata one dram make a Pouder Or thus Take of the roots of Orrice two drams Galangal Cyperus each one dram Nutmeg Cloves each half a dram Leaves of Marjoram Balm each one dram flowers of Lavender Rosemary Roses each one dram Dying berries half a dram make a Pouder The Head being first shaved is anointed with these things following Take of the Oyls of Chamomel Lillies Elders each one ounce Aqua vitae one ounce mix them together The Head also must be somented with things moderately hot as with this Fomentation Take of the roots of Marsh-mallows white Lillies each one ounce herb Mallows two handfuls Betony Sage Marjoram Balm each one handful flowers of Chamomel Elder Rosemary each one pugil seeds of Flax Foenugreek each half an ounce Caraway seed one dram make a Decoction in Water and Wine or in a weak Lye for a Fomentation or Lotion of the Head Repelling Oxyrhodines are applied to the Head if it be from Vapors Or this most fine Pouder is strewed on the Hairs Take Coriander seed prepared two drams Myrtle berries flowers of red Roses Mastick red Saunders the root of Cyperus and Peony each one dram of Cloves Rosemary flowers each half a dram make a Pouder If the Back-bone be anointed with Oyl of Lizards 't is good or with other things strengthning the Nerves as was said in the Remedies Also the following Plaster may be applied to the Region of the heart and to the Pulses Take of Treacle or Mithridate half an ounce the Roots of Peony the Leaves of Rue bruised each two drams mix them with Vinegar into a body Add this applied at the same time to the Region of the Neck wil do good Lotions of the extream parts or Baths made of Plants appropriate for an Epilepsie and for the Head and Nerves as of Peony Rue Hysop and and other things as was said in the Remedies wil benefit much The usual Amulets that we hang and bear about for the most part are Peony Missleto of the Oak Elks hoof the rest have been explained in the Remedies But those Remedies which by Lenifying do asswage the Nerves as they are profitably applied in all kinds of Convulsions so especially when there is great danger imminent from the Nerves so much affected by reason of the vehemency of the Cause to wit in those which are called The worser Species of Convulsions which by their moderate heat humor and temper by Moistening and Mollifying may Relax and Refresh the contracted and convulsed Nerves many of which sort are explained in a particular Convulsion in which the Muscles with the Nerves are truly bound up Which for the most part are applied outwardly to the Back-bone where is plenty of Nerves and their original by anointing Oyl of sweet Almonds of Violets Butter Mucilages and the like and by application of Cataplasms such as are prepared of Mallows Marsh-mallows Oyl of Violets and the flower of Flax-seed Or they are administred in form of a Bath moist Fat and Warm in which let him stay a while in which Mallows Peony Chamomel and other things may be boyled Or they apply them to the Head also embrocating them with Milk especially in Infants for which Cause their Mothers do milk out the warm Milk from their Breasts upon their Heads or by anointing it with Oyl of Violets The same also is done by benefit of emollient and moistning Glysters And by giving fat things with the meat or Medicines as fresh butter and Oyl of sweet Almonds drank plentifully which is counted a singular Remedy for Convulsions upon which acount Dioscorides commends the drinking of Whey and the Decoction of Violets the Syrup also is approved of in Children and Almond Milk is profitably given to drink to which
the throat with our finger a feather to vomiting of all which whenas they do at once revel and derive the cause we have already spoken formerly The weakness is not so urgent that there is due to this any other restauration of strength then to other Diseases by course of Diet or Cordial Medicines amongst which notwithstanding External things which are wont to be applied to the Region of the Heart and Pulses challenge the first place when as before they come to themselves they scarcely take any thing and if the Disease be of long continuance they must be restored with an efficacious course of Diet and other means Chap. 3. Of an Alienation of the Mind The Kinds AN Alienation or error of the Minde is called a Paraphrosyne when they feigne judg and remember those things which are not as if they were or those things which are unlikly and besides reason and that either together or a part whether this be done only by Cogitation or they express the same by words and deeds This for the most part coming from inbred Causes is a certain innate foolishness otherwise proceeding from external causes if from things taken t is called Temulency if it arise from some vehement affect it shall be called a commotion of the Mind but somtimes depending upon internal causes it is desipiency which happening either without a Feaver accompanying it is Melancholly or with fury is Mania or Madness or coupled with a Feaver t is called a Phrensie all whose accidents we shall explain singly Foolishness although it be not ascribed to children only when they are yet destitute of Judgment Foolishness and old Folks who are said to be twice Children the which notwithstanding is rather a weakness of Minde in them then a depravation but also to every Age and all men upon that account that all their humane actions seem to be foolish as Erasmus in his Moria Brandus in navi Stultorum have elegantly shewed it in all states of men yet t is properly said of them who being borne truly Fools and Silly do presently even in their very infancy give signs of folly by gesticulations besides the custome of other Infants and do not easily obey are blockish so that oftentimes they learne not to speak much less to performe other Duties in which any industry is required which in some Countries is a common evil as they write of Egypt and at Bremis a Village off Valesia as I my self have seen and in the Valley of Carinthia it is wont to befal many Infants which besides an inbred foolishness somtimes with an unshapen head a great and swel'd Tongue being dumb oftentimes with a strumous Throat do shew a deformed sight and setting in the waies and looking upon the Sun and putting little sticks between the spaces of their Fingers and variously wreathing their Bodies with an open Mouth they move Laughter and admiration to those that pass by But others on whom some mark of folly was first imprinted from their birth or afterwards although they rightly perform all other actions of their life and in some things are able to do singularly well beyond others and are strong in wit and excel in some Art as of Painting Engraving Building Musick and others yet betray their Folly by these things that they willingly hear themselves praised that they tell and act ridiculous things for which thing great men are delighted with their company whom also by reason of the divers Phantasms that present themselves to them they call Phantastical But others yet more fools with divers Trifles gestures and jests as 't is said do thrust forth their Asses Ears some of which have in them vices not acceptable to all and those oftentimes grievous ones which according to the variety of their natures they bring forth somtimes in Anger somtimes in Fury somtimes in Sadness somtimes in other things all which it were superfluous to express Temulenlency or Drunkenness proceeding from Wine and certain other things Temulency as shall be said in the Causes and not yet going so far as to cause sleepiness and stupidity of which we have already spoken but going beyond the bounds of Mirth in which Wine moderately doth cheer the heart of man making them mad according to the diversity of natures as afore was said also of fools doth discover divers effects of Temulency and Drunkenness whenas some Drunkards are rather like to fools in their profuse and immoderate laughter laying open their folly by their laughing and cackling whence is the Proverb By much laughing you may know a Fool also by prating Singing laughing kissing loving but others do rather express the manners of mad folks by Clamors Anger Blows Biting Others are sad like melancholly men Weep talk much of Religion and Death which desipiency of theirs for the most part sleep or stupidity following as was explained there it doth so far alay it til rouzed up they return to themselves again being oftentimes forgetful of the madness that went before and some time after being troubled with a pain and heaviness in the Head they do pennance for their Folly A vehement or lasting commotion of the mind The Commotion of the mind arising from som affect of it as shal be said in the Causes is likewise a species of alination of mind so much depraving it that that it either acts or thinks many things estranged from reason as is that foolish too much Joy with which being puft up they speak many and strange things childishly and undertake them vaporing and in laughing do cry for joy as the Comaedian saith Also that short madness in which the Anger-strucken do swear and are carried headlong fearing no dangers that they may be able to revenge themselves and then that melancholy conceived out of sadness and fear which oftentimes is wont to degenerate into a true and lasting one as shal appear in the Causes and hitherto also ought to be refer'd the pertinacious Phansio of them who are opprest with great Love springing from a corrupt judgment imagination Love is a Species of commotion of mind which doth so change men that as he saith you cannot know them to be the same which doth not only make men mad but women also young men and old folks which sort of madness they call by the name of Heroical because 't is wont to happen to Heroes or rich men but very inconsiderately whenas the poorest cannot scape Cupids darts this conturbation of the mind is a certatn affection compounded of all the other passions of the mind whenas somtimes the effects of joy shine forth in it somtimes of Sadness somtimes of Anger and nothing is more unconstant than Lovers who that they may enjoy their love become so thoughtfull that they neglect things necessary for the body as to take meat to sleep or other duties who omitting weighty and serious businesses or following them slowly spend their time rather in Neatness Musick and other things which may
the Symptoms also of a continual Feaver do concur more vehement or gentler also as the feaverish heat offers it self greater or more pleasing as are by Reason of the heat of the heart a swift pulse quick breathing and somtimes drawn with sighs by long intervals faintings away and by reason of the Natural parts enflamed thirst driness of the Tongue but especially by reason of the Brain over heated besides a Delirium Watchings Dreams Suffusions Vertigoes which if the Brain be more vehemently inflamed do present themselves more and more grievous as shall be said in the Causes The Causes The Cause of every Alienation of Mind is one Preternatural proceeding from an evil Spirit the other Natural a certain affect so affecting the Brain the seat of Reason by it self if the Cause lie hid in that or by consent if it be else where that the Functions of the Mind are rather depraved then impaired but there is somtimes aquality working by an occult propriety which doth it the which seeing we are not able to explain from the effect we will call one the drunken vertue the other the poysonous but otherwise it will be some Disease to wit a certain distemper of the Brain of which sort is that abstruse and unknown one whose high efficacy is sufficiently known by this that it vehemently disturbs the Mind but seeing that makes an evil of long continuance and yet in the interim the sick do no waies lie by it when nevertheless other manifest distempers of the Brain if they continue long are very dangerous for hurting the Brain certainly it is very difficult to be explained which we do certainly find that this comes to pass by reason of the Spirits of the Bain which are every where implanted in it and connate and bound up to the substance of it do call a to great Agitation and Confusion of the Spirits of the Brain and the other Species we would rather call a perturbation of them or a mixture of them with a strange matter then feigne such a distemper which cannot cause that as they write of the cold one but a manifest distemper of the Brain also inducing a dangerous Disease may likewise cause it of which sort is a vehement hot one especially if it be joyned with a Tumor and also a fault in conformation also some speck or putrefaction found in the Brain all which how they do Alienate the Mind we shall express in order An Evil Spirit the Devil because he is the enemy of mankind An Evil Spirit the Cause of those possessed doth not only continually infest the Mind the most ezcellent and as it were the divine Function of Man and so trouble them that acting many things evilly against the divine Law he leads them into sin but also exagitating bewitching with his Arts doth oftentimes induce a grievous Melancholy or a Diabolical Madness or altogether entring the Body makes them called the possessed and Daemeniacal the which to dispute or enquire how it is done is not our intent although Matthiolus that he might refer all these kind of Madnesses to black Choler affirms that the Cacodaemons do this by Mediation of that Humor in which he saith they have their residence this surely is certain that there were such also in old time as divers Histories Sacred and Prophane do testifie as also we can no waies deny but that they may be found in our Age too The Drunken Disposition so called because it assailes the Head The Temulent quality caused by Drunkenness arising from the propriety of certain things produceth an Alienation of the Mind which they call Drunkenness or Temulency this proceeds from those things which according to the diversity of Natures and as they are used can induce Sleep and Stupidity and for that reason also are called Narcoticks Some of which taken inward do it as Wine more commonly then the rest because it is ordinary Drink which causeth this species of Temulency called Drunkenness if it be drank too immoderate or strongly yet not so far as to cause a perfect stupidity and that for this cause because by its propriety it lightly obscuring the Senses whence is the beginning of Stupidity amongst which the memory for the most part is wont first to fail by producing a certain oblivion of griefes and labours it brings a foolish joy and that effusion which happens with reason from Wine yet moderately taken its heat moreover helping by which at once heating and inflaming the spirits it doth to much exagitate the actions which happens more powerfully from distilled Wine because its concenterd Vertue and heat is greater upon which account Country Fellows are wont to drink it in the morning that afterwards they may be more chearful to perform their services This also the Juyces of some other Plants will do if those Plants be eaten or their Juyce prest forth be given or extracted by Decoction as are Hops from which Beer takes its Vertue of foxing and flies if they drink of it do dye taken with stupidity Hemp also whose Pouder if it be given with Wine doth fox the sooner the seed of Darnel and Gith perhaps the false Nigella in Bread which faults of Corn if they abound the Bread made of these makes Men sleepy and by continual use hurts many every where the which notwithstanding they do not observe and such is that Plant or rather the seed of it a sort of Millet called Avate of which the Indians make an intoxicating Drink called Caou-in but also other Narcoticks may do it especially if they be used mixt with things very hot both Vertues then acting as was said even now of Wine as if Henbane seed be boiled in Beer as some are wont to do it foxeth sooner and vehemently if the Bark of Mandrake be boiled in Wine till it look red if Opium be drank with the strongest wine as Bellonius relates Turks do drink without any harm Opium half a dram with Wine when they go forth to battel that being more bold and furious they may less fear danger as also Dioscorides writes that Hemlock taken with Wine doth work more effectual and kill the sooner yet all which as we have said formerly of wine do more or less make mad according to the variety of Temperaments as also I have observed that a weakness of the Brain may be the cause that they are sooner affected in him who by reason of a fall had a peice of his Skull taken out and therefore was quickly drunk Some things applied to the Head can do the same as Rondeletius witnesseth bringing an Example of him who whenas he had applied Henbane leaves to his Head to procure sleep became mad By Inspiration also drawing in the fume of Henbane of Peru which they cal Petum or Tobacco sucking it through their mouthand Nose or as the English call it drinking it who for the voiding of Flegm and also to induce Mirth do highly esteem the accustomary use of it that men
Nerves also and other parts t is no wonder that these are somtimes born as we have described either deaf or dum or crooked or or otherwise faulty the which certainly is the chief Cause of Original Folly as somtimes this apparent Deformity of theirs doth shew somtimes t is not discovered but by opening after Death So also we do not deny that this may happen from an evil Distemper of the Brain Distemper the cause of Foolishness the which notwithstanding seeing it cannot be rightly explained nor corrected is no further to be enquired into It hath been somtimes found out that a certain black speck in the brain or membranes discovered by Dissection A speck in the brain the cause of Madness hath been the Cause of Madness as sometimes also Putrefaction bred in some part of the Membranes of the brain Putrefaction in the Brain the Cause of Madness from which t is likely that filthy Vapors being continually raised did trouble the Spirits which some also have delivered may happen from Worms generated in the Brain Worms in the Brain the Cause of Madness which hidden faults seeing they are first manifested after Death by opening the Skull we can hardly conjecture what they are while the Man lives unless in General from this because other signs are wanting here which should demonstrate other Causes The Cure In the Cure the Causes must be distinguisht and the Remedies fitted to them which we said were either a malignant Spirit or a drunken or poysonous Quality an agitation or perturbation of the Spirits a bot Distemper and some faults of the Brain The preternatural Cause proceeding from the Divel as it doth no waies belong to the Physitian The Cure of those possest with the Divel so neither the Cure for the Divel is forcibly expel'd by the Prayers of Divines and godly people in the Name of Jesus as Christ cast forth Divels and gave his Disciples that Power but also the Divel somtimes feining himself of his own accord to be put to flight by certain Words and Ceremonies of men doth delude Mortals If Drunkenness arise from Wine and other inebriating things as hath been said The Cure of Drunkenness from a temulent quality after some hours the Vapors being discust especially by the intervention of sleep they come to themselves of their own accord and if Vomiting follow it it is good upon which account Avicen thought it good to be drunk once a month But if they continue this Course of life the Nerves being weakned by reason of their frequent stupidity which is discovered by this even then to come to pass if presently after that they have not yet drank immoderately they begin to stutter and stumble they become Tremulous Paralytical Gouty Hydropical as shall be said in those places Therefore that they may have a Care of themselves they are to be admonisht from Drunkenuess and to be frighted by declaring the Danger of it and if they cannot refrain some have delivered that this may be effected that they shall wholly loath Wine by strangling an Eele in Wine or a Frog or the barbel Fish or the Rotchet Fish being putrefied in it or the Sea Grape and that Wine afterwards being drunk off But if sometimes a Necessity of drinking and contending in Cups do urge as this is brought into use as a Civil thing at Banquets to the great hurt of mankind for prevention it hath been observed that these things following being taken before do prevent Drunkenness or at least wise make it more gentle Five or fix bitter Almonds eaten before meat Wormwood also whose Wine notwithstanding the Swillers do use rather the day after a Fox that they may correct their Stomach offended with Choller whenas to contemperate that they fil themselves with drink again from whence these Verses If thou be hurt by drinking over night Rise early to 't this Medicine is full right Rue because it makes the Cup safe as the Verse sounds is commended for this use which I think is rather said so because it preserves from Poyson Coleworts taken at meat hinder Drunkenness and so doth its Seed If one drink Milk fasting he shall be safe that day Pliny teacheth that the Lungs of Creatures roasted eaten and do keep of Drunkenness other express by Name the Lungs of Sheep One writes that the pouder of Swallows burnt being taken will not suffer one to be drunk to Aeternity A pouder hindring Drunkenness may be made thus of which give one spoonful with Austere Wine Take of the seeds of Coleworts one dram Coriander half a dram Camphire two grains make a pouder A more Compounded one may be made thus of which give one spoonful or two drams with Wine of Pomegranates or with some other acid stiptick or with cold Water or with Sugar let it be reduced into the form of Lozenges Take of the seeds of coleworts one dram of Plantane Purslane Bar-berries each half a dram Coriander prepared two drams flowers of red roses water-lillies red Sanders each half a dram Mastich Amber each one scruple burnt Ivory one scruple salt half a scruple Camphire six grains make a pouder This may be used in the form of an Electuary and given before drinking Take of conserve of Roses the Rob of Currance and Barberries each half an ounce bitter Almonds branched and bruised twelve seeds of Coleworts one dram red Roses one dram Syrup of Slots as much as is sufficient make an Electuary An elegant Syrup of which one ounce ought to be taken before they drink Wine Take of the juyce of white Coleworts sour Pomegranates Currance each two ounces Vinegar one ounce boilthem together for your use They are less foxed who drink larest not till their stomach is well filled with Victuals but they quickly who hasten to drink Wine fasting or presently at the beginning of a Meal Outwardly Ivy applied to the Head like a Garland or the Juyce of it moved to the Head keeps off Drunkenness Also the wearing of an Amethyst stonâ— is beleeved can do the like But to cure those that are already drunk that the wine may do them the less hurt Vomiting doth very much help or if you give them acid things presently at the end of the Meal or the sooner the better and let them be taken plentifully because as it was said in Narcoticks they weaken the efficacy of the Wine of which sort are these following Frumenty of Milk and Barley flower with Vinegar also sour Milk as it is wont to concrete Sour Apples eaten also acid Peaches and their juyce as also Quinces The Heads of Coleworts condite and Rapes till they grow acid as our Country men are wont to prepare them do very much help Vinegar drank diluted with water or taken by it self in a good quantity is an Antidote against Drunkenness with which a certain eminent Foxer for a long time being dayly drunk was wont to guard himself that he might take no hurt by it
that watch a nights if they be devoutly very intent on their Prayers to God forgetting other cares they do sooner fall a sleep but if some trouble make men watchful or disturbe them in their sleep as thirst then salt things which do cause that must be omitted especially at Supper and Sleep must be expected which supervenient is wont to quench thirst if it persevere it must be amended as shall be said in its place so also if they sleep unquietly by reason of fulness a sparing and sober Supper is wont to correct this fault and that chiefly if they sleep not presently after the taking of meat if a difficulty of breathing contracted by their lying down do so vex them that they cannot sleep they must be so placed upright that they may breath free And yet the Body may rest at shall be explained in a Dyspnaea as also if by lying on the Back they are troubled with grievous Dreams if they sleep on their side with their Head more lift up they shall be less oppressed If also a great pain in some Disease do hinder sleep as this is most frequent and that cannot be mitigated by any other means by soporiferous medicines we shall with the same labor procure sleep and mitigate pain because they induce a Stupidity rather giving them inwardly if great necessity do urge because so they do work more powerfully as with Wine or if we must use stronger Syrup of Poppy and other Opiates or we must use Vnguents applied to the Temples and Forehead such as Populeum and Lotions of the Feet which for the procuring of sleep also can do much as in Hypnoticks divers of that sort shall be explained If watchings or Dreams proceed from a perturbation of the Spirits The Cure of Dreams from a Perturbotion of the Spirits the Cause also must be taken away which if it proceed from Meat or Medicine we must have a care of making use of any Pulse and other things that Evaporate upwards if this happen from Vapors or Humors by diligently searching out what Excrement sends forth its vapors upwards what humor offends and being intent upon the emptying of these if there be a plenitude by Bleeding if a Cacochymie Purging by giving those things also which do repress vapors especially after supper and chiefly by the Diet at Supper being moderate taking care that the like be not ingendred nor ascend we shall compleat the scope of Curing If a distemper of the brain cause Watchings and Dreams and there is a certain hot evaporation from meat or chiefly from Wine as we have said cold things being taken at the end of meals as was said of Vinegar and other things which do actually refrigerate will correct it upon which account some if they drink cold Water when they go to sleep their rest is the sweeter but if this happen in diseases then those things which are convenient for curing the disease seeing they are cold wil also do good here especially if soporiferous and narcotick be mixt with those things which are applied inwardly and outwardly as hath been explained in Ravings and hot Head-aches CHAP. V. Of the hurt of Feeling The Kinds THe Sense of Feeling is first hurt Stupidity when it it is abolisht and it is called a Stupidity or Narce not for that reason as when the functions of the mind are abolisht we call it a Stupidity or stupidness of mind or when from the immoderate passion of the mind we say they are astonisht so that oftentimes though they be wounded yet they feel it not till they come to themselves again but here it is properly called Stupidity when a part is so deprived of the sense of feeling with which it was endued that it can no longer perceive the qualities of the thing objected and that either altogether not perceiving as if it were dead or otherwise very impairedly as if as it is commonly said it were asleep Otherwise a stupidity is general at once happenning to many parts of the body which most commonly happens in a Palsey motion being abolisht together with sense in which the palsied member either is wholly stupid or only in part somtimes a stupidity seizeth first before motion is abolisht and goes before a Palsey and at last ends it that general sttpidity is seldom found alone yet Fernelius testisies that he saw the like happen from Drunkenness in which the body was all over stupid A particular stupidity happens only to certain parts not only to those affected with a particular Palsey but that somtimes is wont to happen to parts that are not palsied sometimes in the Hands Feet Face as I had after an Epidemical disease a stupidity left me in part of my Hip for many years and perhaps that may happen intrinsecally in the Bladder and Fundament not only when they are palsied but also only the sense of feeling being abolisht they lose their goad and are not solicited to excretion to perform it rightly and it may be the cause why some are sometimes so slow to stool and piss as shal be said there but also in those parts endued with sense of feeling which are no waies moved with voluntary motion and therefore cannot be palsied as the Skin Membranes inward bowels Stomach Guts this solitary Stupidity may happen as wel as in others which are moved The sense of Feeling is depraved not when it is so affected by its object that there is a sad sensation which they call pain and refer it to the sense of feeling depraved but we because it then percieves its object such as it is and as it offers it self do think that pain is not to be refer'd to the depraved sense but rather to the simple accidents amongst the symptoms as we shal say in its place but when it perceives falsly and errs as it were as the other senses do when they think they See Hear Tast those things which are no waies such as are represented the feeling we say if it be thus affected doth perceive depravedly Such is that sense which from the touch of any thing feels it not rightly but the patt feels in it self somwhat else A Fornication as when they feel a certain running up and done through a part as it were of Ants whence the Modern have called this affect a Formication Also that other sence when a member touched with Air or Water they depravedly feel it to be affected and perfused A false sense of heat cold without and within as if they were excessively cold or bnrning hot To which also is added a new Species more rare first of all somtimes observed by me that is a troublesome sense of the Air or Water Hot or Cold about the Gullet and Stomach chiefly manifesting it self in swallowing a symptom somtimes befalling the Paralitical or Convulsed with difficulty of Swallowing Speaking Laughing Coughing as shall be shewed in them or also without the resolution of those parts very much tormenting
meats endued with an Alimental savor are offered to the sick which for the most part they are wont to loath and are thrust in as it were by force then whatsoever they take afterwards though of another savor they perswade themselves hath the same Alimental rellish or smels of it and when sweet things are given to those that are feaverish being for the most part ingrateful to them they judg all things afterwards to be sweet and also in the sound things being tasted that are very Bitter Salt Austere and adhearing long they do chang the rellish of those things that follow and hence it comes to pass that after taking of rotten cheese after Vinegar in sauces if they drink Wine it appears not such as it is but either bitter or to others more sweet according to the diversity of Natures A strange savor proceeding from an internal Cause doth also deprave the Taste if such a Vapor or Humor do infinuate it self into the Coat which perceives the the Taste And hence it comes to pass that sometimes they think all things which they tast to be sweet if sweet Flegm or a sweet and alimental Vapor ascending from the Nourishment out of the Stomach doth season the said Coat Or if an acid Vapor belcht up from the Chyle which we have elsewhere shewn is alwaies acid or from meat half digested or four Wine taken or by vomiting raised up even to the mouth they do infect the mouth with an acid savor Or a salt savor also may be imprinted on the said parts from the Serum or salt Flegm falling thither or when the Mouth is so bitter that it judgeth all things which it tasteth to be bitter too which oftentimes happens by reason of Choler if it be collected in the Stomach by a certain communion with the Coat incompassing the mouth which doth also invest the Stomach and also in cholerick sound bodies if by long fasting it be carried thither or being moved with Anger it be poured thither or in other cholerick Diseases and Feavers either abounding in quantity or boyling with heat it empty it self into the Stomach or be generated there from things taken that produce Choller or that do end in Choler by Corruption The Cure This disease if it proceed by consent from the Nerves or the Brain its Cure wil be common with that of an Apoplexy and other resolutions of the Nerves which then are also present but if the gustatory instrument the Coat of the Tongue and Jaws be affected by Idiopathie and that either grow dry or be coverd with slime or be seasoned with a strange savor to these the Indication of Cure shal be applied In a Driness the Cause must first be turned away which if it arise from an evil custom that they sleep with their Mouth open it must be changed by forbearing to use it The Cure of the want of Tasting from the driness of the coat of the mouth especially if they are compel'd to breath so their Nostrils being obstructed then if they sleep with their head placed higher and the pillow under it be raised up experience teacheth that they may thus attract the Air more freely because the largeness of the Nostrils is then the more dilated and if snivel or flegm obstruct the Nostrils they must be purged by Errhines and if a hotter course of living doth bring this driness let them abstain from hot and salt meats let them dilute their Wine wel let them use Sallets at Supper especially of Lettice Succory and the like and let them not heat their body too much no other waies then that the Air may not often enter the mouth and dry it they ought to speak little and spit seldom seeing the spittle retained a long time because it is glutinous doth chiefly moisten the Tongue and if it be dried doth lenifie it again If this happen in some Internal hot disease especially as in burning and Continual Feavers the Cure must chiefly be directed to extinguish the heat of the Feaver chiefly then cold Epithems must often be applied to the Heart Liver and parts from whence the heat chiefly ariseth Afterwards Remedies shall be fitted to the coat of the mouth by lenifying and moistning this roughness with things soft glutinous and fat which either they may keep in their mouth chew lick or wash the mouth with them or if they cannot let their Tongue be anointed with the Finger or a Stick applied to them Prunes Tamarinds Sebestens such as are kept dried if being mollified again with a gentle heat they be kept in the mouth lenifying with their grateful relish they correct this fault Fresh Apples sliced chewed and held a little in the mouth de perform the same as also the flesh and juyce of Melons Guords and especially of Citruls fresh Purslane as being eaten it doth presently correct the roughness of the Teeth so also it doth very much lenifie the jaws the which also Lettice held in the Mouth and chewed doth If those things be conteined in the Mouth which do actually Refrigerate by extinguishing the heat they correct the driness as Cold water and Stones amongst which the Chrystal is beleeved to bring somewhat peculiar The following Remedies also must be licked or put into their Mouth which do correct the driness of the Tongue and Jaws by their mucilaginiousness As Take the white of one Egg beat it wel with Sugar til it grow white use it Or thus Take of the Mucilage of the seeds of Quinces and Fleawort extracted with Rose-water of each half an ounce Syrup of Violets one ounce mix them wel Or Take of the aforesaid Composition one ounce to which also you may add of the Mucilage of Apple kernels and seeds of Mallows half an ounce the Infusion of Gum Tragacanth in Rose-water half an ounce Sugar candy espocially if the Tongue be foul too Honey of Roses of each two drams mix them These Compositions made a little thicker being received in broad baggs and often moistned with Rose-water he may lay on his Tongue and so keep them a while or let Cloaths be moistened in these Liquors and be applied in like manner Which also may be done in this Decoction Take of Sweet Prunes six Violet flowers one pugil because they have a glutinousness Barley clensed one ounce Quince seeds two drams Fleawort one dram Gum Tragacanth half a dram boyl them in Water for the said use adding a little Honey or Sugar Things somwhat Unctuous but made of those which are most pleasing being administred after the same manner do egregiously contemperate this driness Of which sort this is Take of Fresh Butter or instead of that Oyl of sweet Almonds newly drawn as much as is sufficient White Sugar or Candy or Sugar of Roses beat them together and let him lick it Or thus Take the white of one Egg Starch Corn one dram Milk as much as wil suffice beat them wel boyl them a little till it becomes a Frumenty add of
less behold things somewhat remote Sight not rightly judging of things unless close to the Eyes is Myopia there are some who unless they apply close to their Eyes things somewhat smal or writings as it is commonly said touch them with their Nose they cannot rightly discern or read them beholding them with askew and closed eyes who from their cradle even unto old age for the most part seeing after this manner are called Myopes some of which are helped by the benefit of Spectacles others not We meet also with another weakness of Seeing Nyctalopes when at night by the light of a Candle they see little or nothing almost but in day time by day-light they perceive no impediment in their sight which they call Nyctalopes the Latines call Lusciosi But it happens also in some that they see in the Night in the dark without light more acutely than in the day time The Evening Eye-sight as Owls a rare disposition which they call the Evening Eye-sight for we would rather retain those names which are usual and rightly design the things then confound them amongst themselves as commonly they do signifying many things by one name The Seeing is depraved first of all when things are represented unto it otherwise than they are indeed Hallucination as if they see those things which are single for double as somtimes it fares with Drunkards who behold streight things for crooked or some other way things under a false shape which fault is called Hallucination Secondly if they think and Imagine with themselves that they see things that are not whence they call this affect Imagination Imagination as it happens when in an Alienation of mind and Ravings as hath been said there they think that they see divers apparitions whiles they are waking such as otherwise they are wont to meet with in Dreams or that Flies or Gnats fly up and down Nubecula a species of Raving Straws Locks of Wool adhere to things the which also sometimes is wont to happen to those no waies besides themselves nor otherwise sick that the same insects or locks of Wool and filaments Spiders webs and the like small things and Atomes seem to appear to one Eye or to both together in which because for the most part they think that they see also a little Cloud this fault is called Nubecula Thirdly hither belongs that false vision when also without any hurt of the mind other colors then are Colors a Species of Imagination are offerd to the sight now red then yellow Brightness a kind of Imagination or green or some other way representing themselves with a ful light the same appear coloured like a Rainbow in the compass and as it were the circle of the flame of a Candle or of some other thing lighted or Brightness like lightning or other shining bodies obscure the sight Fourthly to the depravation of sight these also must be referd when the things which they behold although they be firm and stable yet they think that they are carried about driven round and wheeled about so that though they know this is a false imagination yet when from that turning round of things the sight doth no more perceive a firm seat where the body may subsist that also stumbles staggers somtimes also if the pavement on which he stands seems to him to be inverted as if he also were inverted with it unless he be sustained or kept up he falls and suddenly rusheth down and beats the Earth with his Feet whiles he endeavors to stay himself all the other senses being nevertheless entire by which sign this fault called Dinos or Vertigo is easily distinguished from an Epilepsie Apoplexy Syncope with which those that are strucken do presently also fall on the ground But besides this unquiet Vision those troubled with a Vertigo there comes also sometimes another depravation of it A Vertigo with Iminginations which we have called Imagination and a little Cloud and upon this account they have named these imaginations A beginning or smal Vertigo a Cloud or other bodies or Colours also with them offering themselves to the sight the which notwithstanding if it doth happen for the most part it is wont to go before a Vertigo Somtimes also a darkness of the sight which we have formerly called Scotoma doth accompany a Vertigo A Vertigo with darkness in Scotodinos when also the Eyes being shut nevertheless al things are objected to the Internal sense as if they were turned round and then the Disease compounded of them both is called Scotodinos All which Depravations of the sight for the most part happen no fault being conspicuous in the Eyes unless it be offerred in that when a strange color doth somtimes appear with which the Eye is indeed extrinsecally coloured whether this be in the Sound or Sick The Causes The Cause of all the declared Accidents of the Sight is either in the part communicating the visive power viz. the Brain The part affected or consists in the Instrument receiving that power and also the species of external things to wit the Eye which when as it consists of many more parts then the other Organs of the senses and humors also in every one of them some causes prejudicing the fight may arise First of all in the visory or net-like Nerve implanted into the Eye and the principal Instrument of Seeing then in the three humors that fil up the Eye and serve the visory Nerve last of all in the Membranes themselves that constitute the Globe of the Eye and intrinsecally distinguish the humors If the Cause lie in those places where they are pervious to the sight as about the Black of the Eye and where only if the impediment of seeing do consist it may be seen and known for if it be elsewhere it is so hidden that it doth no waies appear to those that behold the Eye As all Senses may be hurt by reason of the Brain so also Seeing is weakned The Cause of the Hurt of seeing in the Brain both if it suffer a Disease General or Special and especially in that part where the optick Nerves come forth or those Nerves themselves produced from the Brain and carried unto the Eyes are affected which affects may be various A Cold Distemper sometimes breeds Blindness the other senses being somtimes unhurt A cold Distemper of the Brain is the Cause of Blindness or weakness of sight if the Forehead and Eyes being much and a long time refrigerated by cold wind which being less cover'd are the more exposed to the injuries and the cold penetrating even to that part where the optick Nerves have their original the said parts are so hurt that they become Blind or there remains afterwards a certain weakness of sight which I have seen befall a noble Matron in the Head-ach from the too much application of Oxyrrhodines actually most cold who all her life time could no
waies recover her sight any more that this also doth happen if the whol brain be hurt by the same distemper hath been shewed in a stupidity but then the rest of the senses are abolisht too and it s easily known by that whence the cause proceeds as if it be from externals 'tis plain of it self That a Hot Distemper of the Brain doth bring together with a Depravation of the Mind also A hot distemper of the brain is the cause of error of the sight and of Imagination a Hallucination of the sight and the said Imagination in which various false Images of things are offerred to the sight hath been said in a Phrensie As also it hath been explained there A malignant distemper in the brain is the cause of error in the sight that that distemper which ariseth from the Perturbation of the spirits in the Brain from Malignant humors together with Madness and Melancholly doth likewise represent false Apparitions to the sight Too much Driness of the Optick Nerve induced by burning Feavers the easier into that Nerve A dry distemper of the Brain is the cause of blindness seeing it is thick doth produce a Blindness remaining after these Feavers The beginning of the Nerves being comprest or bedewed as we have shewed that an Apoplexy is caused in which all the Senses are taken away at once so also if this be only about the rise or meeting of the Optick Nerves or in the other carriage of them out of the Eye which then must needs be from an afflux either of a bloody or flegmatick humor it is somtimes wont to happen that a Blindness doth suddenly follow if the humor presently fall down thither But more commonly the Optick Nerves being irrigated or too much moistened by the watry flegmatick excrements of the Brain which in this middle seat of the Basis of the Brain where the optick Nerves break forth alwaies flow down to the Infundibulum which is next to these Nerves and together with the Nerves and neer them break forth into the Chamber of the Eye and amplitude of the Nostrils a darkness of sight is wont to happen in old folks and flegmatick or if they be refrigerated by the same humor or be comprest in those streights rather then obstructed as they would have it a blindness also is wont to follow which abolition or weakness of the sight together with the hurt of the rest of the senses happens if this fault be extended to their rise or progress in the Basis of the Brain or the sight only is abolisht if that seat chiefly be affected and that commonly in both Eyes by reason of the meeting of the Optick Nerves and their short passage to the Eye that is rare that one Nerve only can be so affected the which doth proceed from flegm or a waterish humor as is sufficiently manifest by the signs of that humor abounding in the brain and it is easily known also that a Nerve is affected when nothing appears in the Eye which can bring such loss or Obscurity of the sight neither have we found this sign to be true which they have thought most certain to wit if the unsound Eye being comprest the Apple is not dilated this comes to pass by default of the Nerve because the influx of the Spirit into the same is impeded seeing the animal spirit doth not distend the Eye like wind neither fils it up but persists in the netlike Nerve Hither also shal be referred that not unusual Cause The Contusion of the visory Nerve in the brain is the cause of blindness but by no man as I know rightly described of that blindness which is somtimes left after grievous and frequent Convulsions the which is not from an afflux of humor as they would have it but because in those great Convulsions by the Convulsion fits of all the parts and the Eyes also in which they also oftentimes appear convulsive and very much stretcht out and bowed down the Optick Nerve growing to them being thus attracted and too much distended and that being wreathed too and hurt and the passage or visory spirit being hindred it happens that the Eyes are deprived of Seeing and that it proceeds herefrom we have found out by diligent examination and consideration The Substance of the Brain being hurt as by an Apoplexy there is a privation of all the senses The solution of continuity in the visory Nerve of the Brain is the cause of Blindness so a Nerve being contused or wounded there which some do testifie hath somtimes happened from a puncture made by the Forehead a manifest Blindness by reason of the Solution of Continuity or a Callus left hath suddenly happened and so from a blow A Weak Constitution of the Brain the spirits being dissipated and wasted by reason of old Age or by some grievous and long continued disease too much evacuations especially of Blood and Seed whence is a great effusion of spirits and immoderate Venery for that reason doth very much prejudice the sight A Weakness of the Brain the Cause of weak Sight also by reason of too much Watchings as hath been said there it induceth an Amblyopy or weakeness of sight and also of the other sensenses especialy of those that have a more subtile object as of Hearing often familiar to old folk as appears in these external causes of them remaining in those that are recovering and accustomary to those that live intemperately Besides this cause which proceeds from a defect of spirits which there can be no doubt we can by no means be induced to feign another here in the thickness or thinness or subtilty of the Spirits as many indeed do propose these things with more subtilty than truth out we are moved by many things to dissent from them seeing the animal spirit being wel nigh aethereal doth no waies suffer such changes but is most easily dissipated as no man neither hath ever dared so much as to fansie the Vital Spirits to grow thick or be attenuated as also wesee unless now the defect of seeing happen from the Spirits its other discommodities whence things far distant or neer are less truly discerned do happen rather from the fault of the Instrument as by and by shall be explained not by reason of a certain thickness or subtilty of the spirits as they have thought seeing they are so subtile that they cannot be more subtile Divers sorts of hurt of the sight are wont to proceed by reason of the perturbation or agitation of the spirits of the Brain and the brain also being affected by consent with them as if being mixt with a hot subtile vapor A preturbation of the spirits of the brain by vapors is the cause of error and Imagination with an alienation of mind either turbid or malignant they do not only pervert the mind but corrupt also the sight so that they think they see many things which are not as if from the
boyling hot whiles it is empty and the vapors then being hindred are the more freely carried upwards it happens that the said accidents are troublesome to the cholerick whiles they are yer fasting and that upon the taking of meat because the vehemency of Choler is abated and the vapors represt they grow milder and at last cease the which happens also the vapors in the head being discust of their own accord and so much the sooner by how much they are more subtile till new evaporations being made these evils do return but it is known that this proceeds from Choler by the bitterness of the mouth and gnawing at the mouth of the stomach which they call the heart and by other signs of this humor which also somtimes brings with the same labor a pain of the Head too with a Vertigo The same vapors proceeding from the Mesaraick Veins in which the cholerick juyces are wont oftentimes to abound as hath been shewed elsewhere as by those vapors raised from the same place and carried upwards by the Veins and Arteries intermitting Feavers hypochondriacal Melanchollies do invade a man by intervals so also they oftentimes raise the said symptoms which is done the vapors being carried upwards from thence through the Veins and somtimes through the Arteries which are annext to the Mesaraick Veins then especially when those vapors are subtile that they induce rather these accidents than Perturbations of the mind which hath been shewed do rather proceed from their malignity the which therefore do somtimes produce Vertigoes only or as they are qualified Images and Scotomies together with them or without them which we had rather alleadg as the truer cause than Pretend Crudities from which Wind rather than these like Vapors are generated But also from some other seat of the body these like vapors raised from a thinner blood through the Veins and Arteries may cause the same as from that part which is about the Womb as the Courses being stopt this symptom also doth happen as other also oftentimes upon this account and from some part of the Foot or of another member a vapor proceeding like to some Air being carried upwards as we have observed it hath been the Cause of an Epilepsie so also of a Vertigo whence somtimes Vertigoes go before an Epilepsie and presage that wil presently follow when from the like vapors vellicating the Brain Epilepsies also may be caused as shal be said in its place But the cause of these diseases sometimes consists in the Head it self in which not only spirituous hot and plentiful blood collected may cause the same as hath been said formerly but also from humors contained there the like Vapors raised and mixt with the spirits may produce these accidents which we do beleeve doth arise rather from the Blood of the Vessels and Ventricles of the Brain and the humors mixt with it than from flegm the which also we do not deny to be a cause of the Vertigo but not because it sends forth vapors but after this manner now to be explained 'T is certain that a Repletion of the Brain caused by a watry humor The Fluctuation of a watry flegmatick humor in the Brain is the cause of a Vertigo as well that Serous as Flegmatick doth cause that Vertigo which is wont to precede and threaten an Apoplexy or Carus which being frequent and of long continuance unless it be prevented is wont to terminate in these Diseases with great danger of life but it doth not this by cooling and moistning the brain seeing this agitation of the spirits which is in a Vertigo would so rather be hindred than promoted but this comes to pass when filling up the windings and spaces of the Brain by its great plenty filling the Skul and also generating plenty of Wind which are oftener ingendred from waterish humors than Vapors it waves in it for then as in the cover of the heart water abounding doth cause a Palpitation of the heart when it is stirred so here also it every where filling the Brain when the Head is moved the humor being stirred and following the motion of the Head as we have said of the spirits it gives such a sense to the head which doth sufficiently appear by their relation who complain of such a fluctuation and the Skul being opened we have often found an immense plenty of this humor as hath been said in an Apoplexy and in him in whom even now we said that the Arteries too were grown hard we have found so great plenty of it that the Skul being opened it hath come forth by floods the which together with that obstruction of the Arteries producing a double cause of the Vertigo made it so lasting and incurable in which that humor for continuance watring the Brain had bred that Carus of which he died But it is known that this is the cause of a Vertigo not only from that sense of fluctuation but also from other signs of flegm abounding explained in a Carus and Apoplexy to which those that are prone become at once sleepy and more stupid and at last fall into these Diseases unless prevented By occasion of the Visory Nerve implanted into the Eye and dilated like the form of a Net The Visory or Net-like Nerve in the Eye is the cause of the hurt of seeing most discommodities of the fight do happen seeing that is the principal Organ of seeing and that for the most part by consent of other parts when by reason of them it is disappointed of those things which are required to Seeing viz. the spirit and the proper object or else it cannot rightly enjoy them for otherwise being immersed in the Eye 't is so grounded that 't is scarcely troubled with any disease unless by consent of the Brain It is disappointed of the Animal spirit either altogether in blindness A Privation of the animal spirit in the Net-like Nerve is cause of Blindness or darkness of sight or in part in a weakness of the sight by reason of the Optick Nerve such as are Distemper Compression Hurts and Weakness proceeding rather from the defect of spirits than that fansied thickness and subtlty of them The same happens also the spirits flying from the visory Nerve towards their beginning in the Eye prest a long time and by consequence the Net-like Nerve by reason of humors filling up the Eye it sometimes happens that they are afterwards so long blind til the spirits return again And also the spirits being too much idle in the visory Nerve and as it were laid asleep or being retreated when there is no use of them the Nerve it self being made dull in those who being kept in darkness for a long time as in Prison or other dark places have seen nothing for a long time when they return into the light they scarce recover their fight or slowly or never any more And seeing the Animal spirit hath a constant need of the vital this by swooning
being for a while dissipated and the Animal spirit being hindred by consent amongst the cessations of functions the Seeing first of all is darkned in those that swound and by and by it is taken away with all the rest so long till they come to themselves By reason of the proper Object A Privation of the Object in the Net-like Nerve is the cause blindness or dark sight viz. the Images of things entring the Eye by light and brightness the Net-like Nerve suffers a hurt of seeing if it be offered to it too violently and it be so affected with it that afterwards it perceives no more or nor rightly As when one very much strucken with the brightness of the Sun Lightening Fire afterwards thinks that he sees sparks for a while and either their Eyes are altogether blinded for some time or as it often happens they afterwards continue blind Or if the Eye be destitute of light by which the things ought extrinsecally to be illuminated and the Eye intrinsecally that it may see by reason of the external darkness it cannot know the species of things Which also how they happen by reason of the stoppage of the black of the Eye we shall explain in the faults of the Membranes of the Eye as also when it happens by reason of humors it shall be said there Likewise an Impediment in the sight may happen The humors of the Eye the cause of hurt of sight by reason of humors contained in the Eye especially of the Chrystalline through which as through a Spectacle the Net-like Nerve doth first collect the Images of external things and again receives in its cavity those dispersed dilated made bigger to which Chrystalline humor the other humors are servants only and this comes to pass when either they fail because either they have flown forth or are wasted or when they change their natural scituation or their substance is changed or they are infected with a strange color which how it may be done we shal explain in the particulars And somtimes the humors flow forth of the Eyes more commonly the watry one seeing it is placed in the fore part A flowing forth of the humors of the Eye is the cause of blindness and is more fluid the others seldom unless the cause be great and then Blindess is caused for the watry humor being flowed forth the Globe of the Eye is somwhat fallen together and wrinkled whence the hole of the black which ought to let in the light is shut up and the rest of the humors falling forwards out of the cavity of the Net-like Nerve do cause that that doth somwhat fall together whence it must needs be that seeing doth cease and by much the more if the Chrystalline humor doth fall forth with the glassie in which it inheres seeing that as hath been said is altogether requisite to seeing and then the Net-like Nerve being wholly fallen together can no longer comprehend the species of things in its cavities Of all which the apparent Cause is wont to be a Wound or Ulcer of the Eye if a large wound being made 't is open'd through the horny coat so thick and hard for by a light puncture with which they are wont to perforate the Globe of the Eye in takeing off a Cataract the watry humor which hath its tenacity also cannot flow forth and I have somtimes seen that an abscess of the Eye hath been generated from an Inflammation also in which part of the horny coat is converted into matter which being broke it somtimes pours forth the humors of the Eyes with the matter and I have observed in a pestilent Feaver that it hath hapend in both Eyes the Crystalline humor slowing down to the Beard and sticking there The Humors of the Eye also are wasted especially the glassie seeing it is thinner A Consumption of the watry humor is the cause of Blindness or Darkness and then the Eye not being sufficiently distended which is required that the black may remain exactly open but somewhat fallen together the hole of the apple of the Eye although not wholly shut up yet loosing its largeness or roundness and the situation of the rest of the humors being troubled by the way there follows a weakness of the sight or if the confusion be greater Blindness as in long acute Diseases wasting the body with a high and long continued pining it happens to some more rarely but more frequently in extream old age in which both the glassie and crystalline humor may be dried up as shall be said by and by whose Eyes appear somwhat wrinkled which the vulgar therfore are wont to call Crackt especially when in the Agony of Death being now destitute of heat and spirits they flag A Perverting of the natural situation of humors the Chrystalline and glassie which seeing they are more solid being restrained by their proper membranes they ought to stick fixt in their proper place doth also bring hurt to the sight whose places being changed the watry humor filling up the space left by them easily gives place The which somtimes happens in the glassie humor to which the crystalline humor is set over The perversion of the situation of the glassie humor is the cause of error and a little way immerst in its former part if the same part of it carried forward be set before the crystalline humor where also being oftentimes contained it may be seen lie a white Speck under the apple of the Eye for then it is not necessary that blindness do yet happen seeing the humor is bright as Glass but some Error seeing it is thicker than the watry humor as it is wont to come to pass in a Suffusion beginning as shall be said unless perhaps so great a quantity of it be fallen thither that it wholly obliterates the crystalline humor and presses it backwards or very much inverts it for then both humors being troubled more grievous accidents of the sight are wont to follow as shal be said in the crystalline humor but the cause of this may be a blow or Contusion or more frequently a puncture in couching a Catarract being forced too deep to these humors and breaking their thin membranes to which they cohere for otherwise scarce as they would have it can a great straining by holding of the breath in going to stool in Labor or Convulsions in which the Eyes appear as if they were thrust forth cause that intrinsecally in the Eye The Crystalline humor being especially hanged like a Sun in the middle of the Cavity of the glassie humor somwhat distant from the hole of the apple of the Eye looking directly on that with its bulk and receiving the light through that equally disperst into it and diffusing it to the cavity of the visory Nerve or the Net-like semiglobular placed in the hinder part of it so that it fils it every where with its brightness if it doth very much change this natural
situation it cannot be done without hurt of the sight which faults of it seeing the humor it self cannot be seen in the Eye are no waies conspicuous in it unless it wholly fall into the apple of the Eye as hath been said of the glassie humor But this comes to pass The situation of the crystalline humor inverted or departing from the middle to the sides is the cause of error and strabism if being in some manner inverted by its broader part which is flat like a great Lentil it is not rightly opposed to the hole of the apple but declining a little to the side it looks on it obliquely or transversly or when being carried upwards or downwards or to the sides from the middle seat of the Eye it doth somwhat decline from the aspect of the hole of the Apple the which happening either from the birth in some in others from some violent cause as was said even now in the glassie humor it happens that either blindness is caused if the recess be great from the natural situation or if it be less an obscurity of the sight or rather some Error in which things seem to be either double or crooked or bent moreover some light declination only of the crystalline humor from the center of the apple although yet it doth little hurt the Sight may be the cause of Squinting for as in Seeing if the crystalline humor be rightly opposite to the hole of the Apple the Apple also doth directly look upon the external things which it beholdeth so if the crystalline humor be a little turned from the center of it that they see with the apple not rightly but obliquely opposite to the things those troubled with a Squinting do so invert the Eye that they are judged to look upon somwhat else than the thing objected the which notwithstanding may happen also by reason of the contorted situation of the apple as shal be said by and by which things do thus befall men for the most part from their birth But especially if the crystalline humor have its seat a little in the hinder part of the Eye towards the Netlike nerve it is the cause of this The situation of the crystalline humor drawn backwards or forwards is the cause of that sight in which they see not things unless very neer or things distant better than neer sight in which they cannot rightly discern things more distant the which happens to many from their Birth that the Crystalline Humor doth not reside more towards the fore parts at the Apple as it is naturally wont to do but hath its Scituation exactly in the middle of the Eye and it is so common that Anatomists for the most part have described its Natural Scituation in the midst of the Center of the Eye whence it is no wonder that this sight which we have called the youthful doth befal many from their Birth that they can discern things neere rightly and acutely but not things distant and that when the Spectacle is too much inclined backwards from the things which we behold which therefore will be sufficiently illustrated only with those neerer but from those Images objected at a distance unless being collected by the Mediation of a thick Spectacle made of Crystal they be so offered to the Eye more effectually they cannot sufficiently illustrate that And hence it happens that seeing the Scituation of it doth so continue this seeing is no waies altered the whol course of life unless this be from some other Causes And also if it be yet more removed from the middle of the Eye towards the hinder parts they are forced yet to apply far neerer to their Eyes the things which they would see and use a thicker Spectacle the which yet is not very common and happens only in them which we have said are called Myopes or Purblind Which truer Causes which happen by reason of the Instrument vitiated and therefore may be corrected by another Instrument to wit a Spectacle he had rather alledg then to refer them to the Spirits which in those young Folkes with whom this fault is familiar and who see most acutely things neer are neither defective nor changed because they may be mended by a Spectacle And also for the contrary Cause after a different manner there ariseth an Impediment of the sight to wit when the crystalline Humor from the said Natural Seat doth more incline forwards towards the Apple for then with a greater discommodity they less see things neer but the same removed far from the Eye they behold more rightly unless they correct this defect by applying a thin Glass Spectacle which as it performing the place of the Crystalline Humor and receaving and differing the Images of things and through the Crystalline representing them greater to the Eye and therefore they have alwaies need of a Spectacle to read and see acutely the which happens to most people growing old to some sooner to others later not by reason of the defect of Spirits as they have thought seeing so there would follow rather a weakness of the sight as also of the other Senses which a Spectacle could no waies mend nor suggest new Spirits but because by that bowing down of the Head which the whol time of our age we must needs cast down our Eyes in reading and in what Business soever proposed to our Eyes and acted by our Hands the Crystal Humor by process of age together with the glassy is carried by degrees to the fore parts and at length subsisting there brings this defect to the sight especially if in them also the watry Humor being somwhat wasted nothing do resist it and the glassy Humor lying upon it do more strongly depress it which defect and a far more grievous Blindness or Weakness of the sight do follow if the crystalline Humor wholly falling down to the Apple be manifestly seen to stick there and to stop up the Eye which is wont to be more frequently the Cause of the hurt of seeing in Horses and other Creatures which go with their faces downwards the which as it happens by degrees by reason of age so somtimes suddenly after a Blow The substance of the Humors of the Eye changed doth also bring a fault in the sight The hardning of the chystalline Humor is the cause of defect of sight as it comes to pass if the Crystalline Humor be too much hardened as it may happen either by reason of age or other Causes but with which not unless the Body be vehemently a long time dryed and then because it looseth its Transparentness either in part or wholly as it appears being boyled it is the Cause of Blindness or Dulness of sight which as in that so also it may happen after the same manner in the glassy Humor But if yet by its Natural Conflitution or progress of age The Obscurity of the crystalline humor is the cause of a Nyctalopy it become more solid or obscure
hath been formerly expounded it sooner offends the sight than it can bring a change after that manner as hath been said from influx of humors as they have thought it hath already been declared that it cannot come to pass but from a vehement impulse of of the spirits by straining if the eye being dilated the apple also were inlarged yet the same ceasing it would by and by return to its natural largeness The Cure The Cure of all these hurts of sight viz. of Blindness an Amblyopy of that which we have called the old and young mans sight of a Myopie Nyctalopie evening sight of Error Images a Scotoma Vertigo and the rest is ordered in relation to the cause which is as hath been said either in the Brain the affects of that bringing hurt not only to the sight but also to other Senses or privately and chiefly prejudicing the sight to wit a Hurt Contusion Driness Refrigeration Agitation and trouble of the spirits or a repletion from a watery humor or it is an affect of the Net-like Nerve caused by consent or Diseases especially organical in the humors membranes of the eye to wit a defect of the humors of the Eye the situation of the hole of the Grapy Coat or Apple or a perversion of the humors of the Eye and a change of their substance the smalness or too great largeness of the Apple a white speck appearing from a Suffusion Albugo or Skar and a pannicle spred over the Eye or a humor as Choler Blood matter collected in the Eye concerning which we shal explain in order what is to be done and foretold in every one of them If the hurt of Seeing be by fault of the Brain The Cure of the burts of the sight with the ober senses if they be by fault of the Brain and that be general not only viriaring the sight but also taking away impairing or depraving the other senses also both internal and external and by consequence prejudicing also the sight the Cure as also the whole handling of them hath been explained in these general hurts As in an Apoplexy Blindness hapening together with the other abolitions of the senses in a madness and Raving Aparitions Images and Vertigoes which are supervenient to them also with other accidents and in a weakness of the mind the weakness of sight which accompanies the defect of the internal senses But if these diseases consisting yet out of the Eye in the Brain or Optick Nerve do chiefly hurt the sight The Cure of the proper defects of the sight if they be by reason of the optick Nerve yet lying in the Brain they shal be handled here and according to the nature of the Cause the Cure or prediction must be ordered If therefore the sight be taken away by some eminent hurt or by a Wound about the Eye forced even to the Optick Nerve as we have said hath sometimes hapned no other hurt following it that Blindness wil be incurable And if also blindness be induced the Optick Nerve being contorted by Convulsions as hath been said unless the sight return of its own accord within some few daies as I have seen it come to pass the Recovery is desperate as afterwards I have observed them to remain Blind the whole time of their life Neither wil there be any hopes of Cure if Blindness be left by too much driness of the Optick Nerve after most Burning Feavers seeing those things which we have said ought to be applied outwardly to the Forehead and Head for to moisten in the weakness of the memory contracted by driness although they be convenient here also yet for the most part they profit little and can hardly put forth their strength unto the Nerve And also if Blindness be caused by external cold from Wind or by the application of cold Oxyrrhodines seeing cold is wholly an enemy to the Nerves that hurt is almost incurable yet the Forehead and Head must be fomented and anointed with things actually and potentially hot and chiefly sweer things must be ayplied to the Nostrils which are hot and do reach neerer even to the Nerve the forms of which Remedies we have already explained in a Stupidity caused by cold Neither is there any health to be hoped for if that long continued Vertigo be caused by fault of the Arteries hardned The Cure of a rare Vertigo happenning from the Arteries of the Brain being hardned as we have said hath somtimes been found the which notwithstanding seeing it can scarcely be guest at while the man liveth to foretel any thing certainly of it were rashness till after death dissection being made the cause of the evil being discovered may excuse the Physitian But if a Vertigo be caused by an Agitation of the spirits in the brain only The Cure of a Vertigo caused by an agitation of the spirits of the Brain from an external cause by reason of a motion of the Body or only of the Mind no other cause intrinsecally concurring the cause ceasing that also ceaseth of its own accord and the sooner if by a contrary motion made the spirits be reduced and stopt as if a Vertigo be caused by turning round of the body to the right or left side by an opposite motion to the left or right side it ceaseth the sooner In whom also lying on the Back doth good the which notwithstanding if the Vertigo proceed from an internal cause or from drunkenness it doth rather provoke it if it cease not so Frictions of the extream parts do help and Sleep comming upon it takes it away But if this Agitation and Perturbation of the Spirits arise from Vapors carried upwards The cure of a Vertigo Scotoma and Imagination caused by Vapors whence are caused Vertigoes and Scotomies and Imaginations either severally or together then the Humors which are contained either in the Stomach or the Mesaraick Veins about the Womb or else where in the Habit of the Body and somtimes in the Head it self from which these Vapors rise which we have said were cholerick sanguine impure rather then flegmatick seeing we have shewed that Flegm doth cause a Vertigo and Amblyopy for another reason must be purged forth and diverted together with the Vapors by letting of Blood Scarifications Frictions Cauteries Vomits and Purges and that with things given inwardly and applied outwardly and by Course of life these Vapors must be inhibited as followeth Letting of Blood by opening the Shoulder-vein of the Arm is good in the Plethorick not only if the fewel of the evil lie else where in the Blood but also if either plenty or spirituous Blood abound in the head and be a Cause of the Vertigo for seeing in the Cavities of the Brain both the blood of the Arteries and Veins is confounded by opening a Vein the spirituous blood also may be drawn forth in which if the whol evil almost do lie the principal scope of the Cure is in bleeding and for that
of each half a dram Coral one dram Mastick half a scruple with the Syrup of the Conserve of Citron pill make an Electuary Or let him use one spoonful of this pouder called Post pastum Take of Coriander seed half covered with Sugar one ounce Anise seed condite in like manner half an ounce the pouder of Diacytonites without the species one dram Diarrhodon Abbatis Red Saunders dry Citron pil of each half a dram Leaves of the greater Eyebright one scruple Mastich half a scruple Lozenges of Sugar of Roses two ounces make Pouder Lozenges may be made of the pouder of Diacytonites without the species one dram Red Coral half a dram Shavings of Ivory one scruple with Sugar dissolved in Rose water to two ounces make Lozenges A most excellent Remedy also to hinder Vapors is if the Paroxysm befall them fasting as it is wont to be to give them meat the which being taken it presently grows mild or the Vertigo Imagination Scotoma ceaseth and by this only some have been restored shunning Fasting Sleep because it discusseth Vapors doth help very much in these cases Plaisters Cerecloaths are applied outwardly to the Region of the Stomach if the Vapors proceed from thence and the Mesaraick Veins that they may hinder them which they wear in the night As a Plaster of Mastick or some other made for the Stomach malaxed with some astringent Oyl or Galens Cerecloath for the Stomach Or such a one Take of red Roses Leaves of Wormwood of each two drams dried Citron pil Labdanum of each half an ounce Mastich two drams Pouder them and with Oyl of Quinces or Mastich adding Wax make a Cerecloath If these Vapors rise from about the region of the Womb let the same Plasters of Mastich or pro matrice be applied to that part and let the Woman wear it for some time unless the stoppage of the Courses forbid it for when they flow they must be omitted If a Vapor ascend like an Air from some other part of the Body as the Feet or others doth create a Vertigo as hath been said then the washing of those parts doth very much divert it as also if it be done in other causes The which may be done thus Take of the Leaves of Sage Rosemary Celtick Spike Groundpine St. Johns wort flowers of Chamomel Roses Lavender as much as wil suffice boyl them in Wine and Lye Afterwards let him anoint his Feet with the following Oyntment Take Oyl of Bays Worms Wall-flower of each one ounce Aqua Vitae half an ounce a little Salt boyl them for your use If necessity urge very much Oxyrrhodines must be applied to the Head which may repel vapors and if it continue we must add things more strongly astringent as Juyce of Plantane And successively such a Cap may be worn as Take of the roots of Galangal the true Acorus Citron pill of each one dram Coriander seed two drams Myrtles one dram flowers of Roses Rosemary of each half a dram Cloves half a dram make a Pouder for a Cap. Some have put Remedies upon the Eyes in Imaginations and Scotomaes which we think superfluous seeing the Vapor doth no waies reach unto the Eyes In course of Diet let all things be moderate the meat simple not too much also let them drink Wine sparingly or diluted let too much motion of the body be avoided and chiefly too much agitation or bowing down of the Head and let them beware of looking on things wheeling about or very bright and let them abstain from too much agitation of the mind by study and watching They think that Crystal worn is of very great force in a Vertigo and for the same benefits sake they drink out of a Cup made of it or they put crystal into their Cups It hath been said that a Repletion of the Brain from a watry The Cure of a weakness of the sight and Verigo proceeding from a watry and flegmatick humor of the Brain serous and flegmatick humor doth cause a Vertigo by its fluctuation and wind and by an afflux of the same humor to the optick Nerve Blindness doth sometimes arise or by an irrigation of it an Amblyopie and besides these hurts of the sight which are by reason of the Brain it hath been demonstrated that no other faults of the Eye prejudicing the sight can be caused from flegm or any afflux of such a humor which can neither enter the Net-like Nerve nor the Eye and therefore we apply this Method of Cure only to these Diseases which is due only to this cause neither do we refer it as others have done to Suffusions or other affects of the Eye which also they beleeved did proceed from an influx of flegm But here although such a Cure be convenient as is due to a Carus Apoplexy and other flegmatick Diseases of the Brain and therefore perhaps ought not any more to be repeated in this place yet that we may understand after what manner they are to be applied to the sight in these Diseases we wil here explain But a Vertigo springing from thence is dangerous if there be a great Repletion of the Head such as hath been demonstrated we have often found which seeing it can hardly be taken away somtimes it ends in a Carus and Apoplexy the which it presageth as also an Amblyopie if it happen from thence in space of time is converted into blindness which sometimes is wont to be at the first presently from the beginning the humor flowing abundantly the prevention of which therefore in a Vertigo and Amblyopie springing from thence we shal study to Remedy this following manner First we wil endeavor to take away those excrementitious serous and flegmatick humors of the Head by Emptying Revelling and driving them from the brain then by heating the brain which doth generate them and again is moistned and cooled by them and by strengthening it by those things which are appropriate to it the Nerves and the Eyes and also the hindring that the cause be not generated anew or fomented which shal be performed by Remedies applied inwardly and outwardly by Purging by the stool by the Mouth and Nose or by drawing away of Blood Or by things applied to the Head or other parts consenting with it or by giving things that alter and by course of diet not neglecting Amulets Purgations by the stool for drawing away of flegm from the Head and for hindering that the cause be not generated anew are thus methodically ordered A Goading and sharp Clyster is premised the which also is profitably injected by intervals or weekly And in these hurts of the sight it wil be thus more applicable Take of the fresh roots of Orrice Peony each two ounces the herbs Centory the less Betony Rue Eyebright Fennel of each one handful flowers of Camomel Lavonder or french Lavender of each one pugil Fennel seed two drams Carawaies one dram Senna which by a propriety is good for the Eyes half an ounce Agarick
conformed or labour of a Distemper they may also dammfie the Hearing which faults because they are hidden we cannot attain to them by our senses but know them only by their signs If the Artery which goes under this part be filled with a plentifull or hot spirit or it be too much agitated in it then a strong pulse being made in the Ears there is a beating sound in the Ears the which notwithstanding is more manifestly felt when the Ear is shut as hath been said formerly and if it be more vehement when it is open it also depraves that sound which comes from without the which as it comes to pass that the pulse is more intense by the vehement heat of the body in the rest of the Arteries so here also in the Artery of the Ear as it is felt after strong exercise sometimes in Baths and also in acute Diseases pains of the Head this pulsation creates trouble in the Ears the same also happens by motion and violent agitation of the spirits as we see in a swooning beginning the spirits flying away and the same ending those returning again there is felt a pulse and tingling in the Ears by which from the relation of the Patient we know that swooning is at hand the which also happens in many affections of the mind by reason of the same commotion of the spirits A thin and subtil vapor as it can enter the smallest passages so doubtless it doth sometimes penetrate hither through the narrow holes of which sort we have shewed in our Anatomical work that there are six that do end in this inner chamber of hearing and transmit their vessels and so they may not only deprave the Brain by affecting it as hath been said formerly as also we have shewed formerly that the sight is depraved by Vapors only assaulting the Brain and not entring the Eye seeing there is no way for them but also by reason of the said holes some of which end hither from the inward parts of the Skul others meeting without the Skul do not reach hither also seeing there are many waies 't is certain they may come even to the Organ of Hearing which when it comes to pass it must needs be that a Hissing Tingling and noise is offered to the Hearing and this is more commonly the cause of preternatural Sound than an influx of humor as shal be said by and by seeing it is often wont to come to pass in Drunkards or others and in many Diseases from Vapors somtimes thinner and cholerick as they call them and somtimes thicker that their Ears for that cause do tingle and make some other noise which doth last long the vapors persisting for a time or they being presently dissipated it doth vanish And this is the chief cause why after a Crisis in acute Diseases which accompanied with a pain in the head amongst other symptomes the Hearing in those that recover health doth suffer some hurt oftentimes of long continuance the matter which was then the conjunct cause of the Disease of being resolved out of the Veins into Vapors and emptied by sweats and insensible transpirations and part of it breaking out of the head through the aforesaid waies into the capacity of the Hearing and staying there awhile Wind or Air may cause the same which if it break into this inner chamber of the Hearing and be carried through a narrow way as it were by force it makes a hissing if through another hole so framed as it is wont to be fashioned in a pipe it causeth a tingling but if it run through larger passages and through the windings of that place it makes some other noise this often happens if it be driven thither by force as when the Nostrils being prest and the Spirit or the Air being vehemently impulsed we would blow our Nose Somtimes it comes to pass that part of it doth break through the hole from the largeness of the Nostrils to the double channel of the Organ of Hearing as we have shewed in our Anatomical work and doth raise a Hissing or Tinglingt that oftentimes lasts long Somtimes the Air breaking forth again the same way presently it ceaseth which comes to pass the sooner by swallowing often as I my self have often experienced this Wind also in the chamber of Hearing may be raised from an internal cause if from excrementitious moistures collected about the Periostia of the Skul and converted into Wind they be heaped there whence in ancient Head-akes and Pains of the Head and about the Bones in the French Pox a Tingling of the Ears is very troublesome A humor falling down or purged from the Head into this inner Cavity of the Ear through the hole which admits the Auditory Nerve A humor in the inner chamber of hearing is the cause of the defect of hearing as if it be plentiful it causeth Deafness or thick hearing so if it be subtile and little it depraves the Hearing and if this happen from a desluxion of it it comes suddenly if it be heaped up there by degrees this hurt also grows by degrees all which for the most part do beget a Disease of long continuance and persevering seeing the humor is hardly discust here but this proceeds from a Catarrh which falls down also to other parts and somtimes from the head to this part and it is known by the signs of that not only in that hurt but also by other appearances the which is familiar to the aged by reason of their plenty of excrements and accustomary to some natures from their Infancy that it molest the Organ of Hearing as it may come to pass by reason of the Country as in the Alpine Regions we see that many for this reason have difficult hearing from their Birth or presently in process of their age together with the Kings-evil familiar with them for the like cause and also in acute Diseases by a Crisis chiefly as hath been said formerly not only the cause of the Disease converted into a Vapor doth enter this chamber but also oftentimes part of the excrementitious or cholerick humor doth fall into it somtimes pure somtimes mixt with Blood stil as some would have it and breeds a more pertinacious hurt than if it were caused by a Vapor Default of the Confomation and structure of the Organ of Hearing is also hurt which seeing in this inner chamber 't is made up of the auditory nerve The fault of conformation in the inner chamber of Hearing and its parts is the cause of the defect of Hearing the Drum and three Bones and Labyrinths of this chamber in which soever that happens it may hurt the hearing By reason of the Auditory Nerve not rightly formed or carried from the Birth it somtimes falls out that they are born deaf and we know that it happens by reason of the Nerve because most of them are also dumb seeing the Tongue which wanted many Nerves for the sense of Tasting Touching and the exercise
of vehement motion hath obtained not only its proper Nerves but also hath received another from the auditory Nerve for that cause breaking forth of the chamber of hearing by whose means the Tongue is continuous with that the which being hurt it comes to pass that the Tongue although the senses remain yet is not sufficiently moved to utter speech seeing a greater force is required for motion than to perfect the sense neither doth it hinder that that is only a sensory Nerve of which the Tongue is here deprived seeing we have often proved already that every Nerve hath in it a power of moving and Feeling the which it doth also exercise being carried to a convenient Instrument By reason of the Drum the Hearing is more commonly weakned if as we see in a Souldiers Drum covered with skin if it be not whole or not sufficiently retcht or too much The Drum wounded seeing it can no more resound breeds Deafness the which seeing it lies hid it seldom comes to pass unless an Ear-picker be thrust in perforce the vulgar think it may happen from the Insect Scolopendra which they cal in the German language Orenmettel as it were the Worm of the Ear which may easily creep in in Gardens but seeing if either that or any thing else which may hurt should creep in it is easily remedied this can scarce yet be done as neither from matter retained seeing that is wont presently to flow forth and I have often seen very much flow forth without any hurt unless by chance the Ulcer of the Ears be so deep that an abscess being made the Drum also is hurt If the Drum be slackly and conveniently retcht it can no more give a Sound which as it somtimes happens by force from a violent sound a Clamor made in the Ears or from the blow of a Gun shot off by the Ear so also by continuance of time long use and much hearing especially of great sounds being so often beaten upon and rendred slacker it makes difficult hearing in old folks which seems to be the frequent cause of their thick hearing The which also may happen from much moisture or Unctuosity of Oyl or other Liquors be often poured into the Ears the which is wont to be done somtimes for a long while to restore the Hearing lost for fome other Cause Also being too much retcht and so tied up that being beaten upon by the external Aire it cannot yeild at all it becomes unprofitable And this happens when either by reason of Age or after acute Diseases it is too much dryed and harden'd The which as it may befal all other Membranes so this also and by so much the easier and more frequently becauss it hath no moist Bodies neer it nor is not anointed with fat as many other Membranes are but is free unless in its compass where it grows to them And perhaps this is not the least cause of difficult Hearing which oftentimes is wont to grow upon the aged and is left in people recovering after Diseases Which Exiccation of the Drum Rhazes writes may happen after watchings and fastings The mutual Construction and Coarticulation or Conformation of the three smal Bones being Vitiated brings hurt to the Hearing which may happen from the Birth from implanted Causes or from violent Adventitious Causes as a blow fall and vehement sound the Drum to which they adhere being most commonly affected too In the divers Passages Cavities and Meanders meeting there if any thing be not right from the Birth doubtless it also offendeth the Hearing A cold Destemper as it is an enemy to the Nerves A cold Distemper is the Cause of the defect of Hearing Membranes and Bones so it is very hurtful to the structure of the Organ of Hearing which is composed of them and so much the more because the Eares alwaies lye naked and open to the external cold Aire and so are the easier hurt by external things as the cold winde especially penetrating through the Auditory passage even to the Drum and there cooling the hidden parts and the Nerve it self Whence somtimes Deafness and frequently an impediment in the Hearing have followed the which also is one of the principal causes why in cold places as the Alps and windy places they commonly are sooner sensible of a defect of Hearing the which also may happen from most cold water falling into the Eares by chance or in swimming And the too much use of Narcoticks The use of Narcoticks the cause of the defect of Hearing somtimes to the Eares doth so affect the Nerve not by cooling but by too much stupefying it that it can no more return to it self which last cause is to be refer'd to weakness The Cure The Cure of all the hurts of Hearing which are as Deafness thick Hearing Tingling Hissing Pulsation Fluctuation Noise is first to be fitted to the Cause Which we have said was either in the Brain affected either by it self or by consent from a Vapor or the object or in the outward Cavity of the Eare a Stoppage obstructions from external Causes or things fallen in or internal Humors Tumors or in the inner Chamber of the Hearing repletion or trouble from a Spirit Vapor Winde Humor or a fault of Conformation or Construction or a Distemper of all which we shall speak what is to be hoped and what to be done By reason of an affect of the Brain if the Hearing be hurt together with other senses and the cause lye there and not yet in the Instrument we must proceed after the same manner as hath been said in the hurts of the sight from the like cause as if this come to pass from a Vapor affecting the Brain by consent no other Remedies must be applied then those in a Vertigo which we said were convenient in a Depravation of the sight If the Hearing suffer a defect from some Impetuous external sound The Cure of the hurt of Hearing from a violent sound somtimes they return to themselves of their own accord otherwise hardly or never viz. when the Spirits are so dissipated that they can no more return back or not sufficiently Whence there is left a Perpectual tingling Or if the drum impulsed by the force of the Aire be too much hurt and laxt a Deafness or thick Hearing is ever after troublesome to the man Yet nevertheless by applying Cupping-glasses about the Ears and by Frictions and other hot things outwardly and inwardly appropriate to the Ears we must endeavor to draw back the spirit having respect to the constitution of the Body of which we will treat by and by If the Hearing be intercepted by the stopping of the Ears extrinsccally The Cure of the defect of Hearing from the stoppage of the Eares it is easily corrected by removing those things which hinder it whether they be only applied extrinsecally or they be thrust in a little way But Bodies fallen in or thrust in The Cure for things fallen
of conformation from the Birth that these holes being absent both in the Membrane and the bone and omitted by the desect of Nature or being but blind ones this becomes an original fault with man that he smels nothing as on the contrary it is credible those who have these holes larger as they seem to to be in Dogs which are quick of sent that they smel more acutely and truely That also may happen by default of the Organ of Smelling or Nerve A Repletion of the Organ of smelling with Flegm is the Cause of the defect of smelling if it be too much moisten'd as hath been already said by a thin Humor flowing down to these holes on on which the Organ of Smelling lies or be prest with an afflux of of another Humor as hath been said of the rest of the Sensory Organs or Nerves which also may befal them from the Birth by the fault of Conformation if either they be wanting or if they offend in Scituation and Figure The Cure The Cure must be prepared according to the Diversity of the place The Cure of the defect of Smelling by fault of the Brain chiefly where the Disease or its cause lies which we have taught doth consist in the Brain or the Cavities of the Nose or in the holes of Smelling or in the Instrument If it be by reason of the Brain then we must oppose it here as hath been explained in the rest of the senses in like manner hurt together with the Smelling If the Patent or hidden Cavity of the Nostrils be stopt The Cure of the defect of Smelling from obstruction of the Nostrils or obstructed with Snivel or thick Viscous Flegm then we must try by purging it if it can be so removed or by blowing it to take it away by degrees And we must endeavor to shake it off by Sneezing chiefly by irritating the expulsive faculty if it be already prepared for excretion Putting into the Nostrils if they yeild not easily or lie deep those things which may mollefie them if they be hard or attenuate them if they be thick or clense them if they stick Pertinatiously and may stimulate also the expulsive faculty whence they may afterwards more easily as hath been said either be taken out or blowed out or forced out by Sneezing which we shall most commodiously do by drawing up of Errhines or pouring them into the Nostrils Emollient Errines and abstersive are made of Whey Hydromel and the like Incisive and clensing are made of Wine Vinegar a Lie and such like Abstersive and Stimulating are made of Niterous Herbs and acrid things and others amongst which Gaul doth chiesly dissipate things viscous several forms of all which are every where exprest By receiving in at the Nostrils the Vapors of some hot Decoction that doth cut and prepare Flegm we prepare it for an easier expulsion Such as we have formerly taught were admitted into the Ears in the defect of Hearing are here also convenient and their like That matter is in some sort attenuated and stirred up to excretion only by the smel of Acrid things as of Mustard Radish and if we advise them often to smel to those things endued with a strong sent either grateful as Musk Amber or stinking as Castor Assafaetida we shall not only devide and provoke Flegm but also we shall stir up and recal into act again the the faculty of Smelling which was laid a sleep by the intermission of Smelling And if some other Tophaceous Body or Stony or living Creature as hath been said of a Worm lurke in those Caveties which is very rare then because we can scarce guess at it we can scarce apply remedies for it and if they be there and can give place by the same means as we have said a thick Humor was provoked these also are somtimes cast forth by Sneezing with admiration But we may guess that a Worm is there by this Because there hath been one cast forth before and now the same Symptoms appear again which were then before it came forth and we must mix bitter things Gauls the juyces of Wormwood and Aloes with the Errhines and Vinegar also that we may kill it If the holes and Organ of Smelling being mollested with thin flegm The Cure of the defect of Smelling from flegm in the Organ of Hearing do produce a Coryza with defect of Semlling the Cure shall be explained in that Symptom which is most grievous viz. how the body is to be purged and respect is to be had to the Head and those Fluxes are to be stopt or to be derived another way But if the evil be organical from the birth then it can no waies be mended The Cure of the defect of Smelling from the fault of Conformation and it must be wholly committed to nature which somtimes of it self in its great changes doth somwhat as also if it be by reason of the Nose deprest from the Birth or from Diseases or a blow this Figure being vitiated can never be corrected The End of the first Book THE SECOND BOOK OF THE Hurts of Functions HANDLING the HURTS of MOTION THe Motions whose Operations are discovered by our sences for we do not treat only of those Functions are some of them voluntary which are done or regulated by our will others involuntary which are perfected of their own accord by strength of Nature not by our Will All voluntary Motions fall under the senses some of which are performed while a part is moved from a place into a place the which do depend soly on our wil which we call simply Voluntary others are made by drawing in and sending forth the Air and that partly by a Voluntary partly by an involuntary Motion and it is called the Motion of Breathing but others are perfected by taking to them some matter but chiefly by voiding it and some both waies which we cal Motions of Excretions from whence there will arise three chief kinds of the hurts of Motions of the Voluntary of Breathings and Excretions Which hurts of them somtimes come to pass by accident and that either by reasan of that hurt of the internal senses by which these motions are also offended of which we have already spoke in the hurts of the internal senses or by reason of a Cessation of the vital Motion whence it must needs be that these do rest or are weakend when they are impaired the which we will handle in the defect of vital Motion but otherwise these Motions are hurt not by reason of the said hurts but by themselves as now we shall shew in these three kinds The Motions called simply Voluntary are of the external Members of the Body and those either most stronge in those parts which being strengthned with Bones are most able to endure them such as are to bend or raise up the Body and with that the Head by benefit of the Back to lay hold on and handle things with the
to take in meat or any thing else and it is either a Spasm called by a peculiar name Trismos if it befal this part Trismos a Species of Spasm or some other Contraction somtimes the Teeth being set on edg by this trouble they are hindred in chewing of meats Somtimes they cannot shut or open their Mouth An Impotency to open and shut the mouth or decently joyn and disjoyn their Lips which chiefly prejudiceth Sucking and Supping and then the Lips either are wanting or they hang down being palsied chiefly in a general Palsie seldom in a particular Palsie only of this part but most commonly it happens in the Palsie only of one side that this motion might not altogether perish seeing both the right and left part of the mouth joyned together makes one month one side of which being hurt the other remaining moveable doth draw the immoveable side then the Lips with the Cheeks hang down on one side only As also if they be convelled or contracted on one side they also are drawn thither upwards A wreathing of the mouth is a species of Spasm And because then in both sorts one part of the mouth hanging downwards or drawn upwards the mouth is rendred Oblique Wreathed as it is wont to appear in those that cry whether it be from a Resolution or Convulsion or Contraction they have called it a wreathing of the mouth But if the Lips with the Cheeks are drawn together on both sides in a Spasm then the Mouth is wont to be seen drawn transverse as in men Laughing or in Dogs when they gape being angered The Dog-like Spasm a species of Spasm and they call it a Dog-like Spasm as indeed Laughing also and Crying are kinds of a certain particular Spasm or Cramp seeing they do involuntarily so distort the mouth as by and by shal be said in the Causes Somtimes also they cannot cover and hide their Eyes with their Eye-lids An Impotency to open and shut the Eyes and the Eye remains bare and open and is more exposed to external injuries which evil some call Gessa and whom this befalls they rest not commodiously in sleep which is best acted with the Eyes shut Seeing being so hindred which discommodity may also come to pass by a Palsie for although it were palsied nevertheless it would remain collected in the upper part of the Eye for so the Eyelid ought naturally to be when it is not drawn whence also in the dead their Eyes remain open but this yet scarce happens unless the Palsie be altogether general as in the Apoplectical their Eyes continue open but as this sometimes happens from a Tumor which then also appears too so frequently that the Eyebrow and Eyelids when the Cheeks palsied do hang downwards do somwhat appear depending on the outer side also But if the Eye cannot at all be opend then the Eyelids drawn over the Eye and gathered together do hinder the sight but if they be only lightly drawn asunder then they are said to wink with their Eyes the which notwithstanding in some doth more rightly direct their sight than hinder it this also scarce happens from a Spasm that the Eye is wholly covered unless this fall out with an impediment of the motion of the Eye as shal be said by and by as it is that the Eyebrow is somwhat drawn down with the Cheeks yet somtimes that also comes to pass from some private hurt or Tumor of it which sometimes meeting in the Eyelid or Eye bring such an Impediment as shall be said there in sleep they wink naturally The rowling or moving of the Eye is scarce abolished An Impotency to rowl the Eyes unless in an Apoplexy with which those that are taken have their Eyes fixt and alwaies with the same aspect as hath been said there and in Convulsions also they appear Convelled Contorted and as they call it Broken Yet somtimes also a certain short Spasm or Cramp as it doth convell the other Members so the Eyes also with a certain pain not suffering them so long to be rowled as neither the Eyelids to be opened The which befals some rouzed out of a deep sleep that whiles they endeavor to open and move their Eyes seeing they are bound up as it were with a Spasm yet they cannot do it last but with Labour and Pain Somtimes also Squinting is caused Squinting a sort of Contraction rather by a Contraction from the birth than by a Convulsion the Eye being somwhat perverted and the Eye a little turned hither and thither looking upon one not streight but obliquely it rather gives a stern Aspect than hinders the Sight seeing the apple is scarce carried so far as to be hid by the Eyelids The Causes Every Cause of the kinds of voluntary motions hurt both of the stronger and weaker which we call impotencies is either in the Organ sending or communicating the power of moving not in the principal the brain for then also the internal senses should cease together with motion as hath been said in their hurts which comes not to pass here but 't is in a Nerve or the Instrument which moveth a Muscle or in the part which is moved as we shal now explain The Nerves under which name we comprehend both the Spinal marrow and Nerves seeing they are portions of the brain The cause of a Palsie in the Nerves every where ful of animal spirit which by conferring their proper substance on the parts with the spirit do communicate the power of moving feeling if they be so hurt that they can no more do that than one or more Muscles into which they are inserted loosing that power of moving and no more attracting the member which it ought to move there follows a resolution of it or Palsie that is it becomes languid and unfit for motion the sound part then as they say drawing the sick and if the hurt be vehement the sense of Feeling also is taken away too not only in the Muscle but in the Skin drawn over it which receives sensory Nerves from the same Nerve that is hurt Or if the hurt be not so great because greater force is required to exercise Motion then to confer the sense of Feeling this sense may subsist either whol or impaired yet the Motion being taken away as also if another cause moreover be joyned there may also be felt a pain or trouble too in the part although it be immoveable or hardly moved as we shall now describe both what Nerve and by what Disease affected doth produce the diverse Species of Palsies This hurt of the spinal marrow often happens seeing it is very much exposed to external injuries and because it lies under the Brain fit to receive its excrements which if it be affected in the beginning of its passage made by the Brain through the Back-bone next to the Brain by depriving all the Nerves which spring from that of the Animal spirit it
makes a general Palsie in which all Voluntary Motions cease as well the stronger of the Body as the weaker of the parts of the Face And besides these Breathing the Voice and Speech Swallowing also and some Motions of Excretions do suffer some hurt as hath been said if the hurt be neer to the Brain and great because the Conjugations of the Nerves do issue forth there from the beginning of the spinal Marrow and then also are hurt as shall be said by and by but if in the rest of the progress of it there happen any such hurt to the Back then by taking away that faculty from those Nerves only which are under it it makes those Members Palsied into which they are inserted by whose hurts it is easily known where the cause lurkes in the spinal Marrow which in what place soever it is if the hurt be in both sides the cause is in both if only in one as the spinal Marrow is perceived to be truely distinguisht the Cause only in that side makes a Palsie and by so much the more general by how much that is affected more towards the Original If paires of Nerves proceeding from the Spinal marrow be hurt then according as a general Nerve communicating Nerves to many parts or a special one communicating to some only is seazed with the Disease more or one part suffers a resolution by which also we shall easily find out what Nerves are affected if we know which are communicated to every part and hence many Particular resolutions may be made in the Members which have received Nerves from the paires of the spinal marrow yet not in all because the Muscles moving the Breast especially the Midrife and those of the Belly also being compeld by a necessity of breathing especially seeing breathing is caused also by the help of natural Motion do nevertheless perform their office in the palsied in respiration and casting forth of Excrements hither also makes somwhat that the Midrif doth receive Nerves not only from the spinal marrow but also from the conjugations of Nerves as shall be said as we shall declare things further in the defect of Respiration besides which parts the rest which are moved by the Muscles may suffer a resolution The Contractions of Nerves derived from the Brain that do communicate Motion if they suffer a Disease then that part is hurt to which the Nerve hurt is peculiar and by the Palsie of the part the Nerve affected is known as if that called the second Conjugation of Nerves derived to the Muscles of the Eye be affected there is a Palsie of the Eye the which nevertheless can scarce be done in this Nerve unless the neighbouring Brain be hurt as it comes to pass in an Apoplexy but as more commonly the Conjugation of Nerves carried to the Face Lips Ey-lids and temporal Muscle being affected there is a resolution of the Lips and Ey-lids but seldom of the lower Jaw seeing the Temporal Muscle doth receive more Nerves and if the Nerve of the Tongue called the third Conjugation doth suffer the Tongue being Palsied the Speech suffers a blemish and then commonly by reason of its communication with the Auditory Nerve if the hurt be so great that they become wholly mute they are Deaf also The same may happen in that conjugation of Nerves which they call the sixth and seventh which falling from the Brain and joyned into one descending Nerve and communicating the sense of Feeling to many Interiour parts and giving also Motion to the Muscles of the Laryux Tongue Jaws Midrife also to the Muscles of the Bladder Fundament if it be hurt about the original or somwhere also in its Progress it breeds Palsies of the parts into which it is inserted if they be moveable in others a certain sense of Stupidity and hence if the recurrent Nerve be affected there is a defect of the Voice and Speech if the Nerves which go to the Muscles of the Jaws be hurt seeing swollowing is caused by them and not by the Fibres of the Oesophagus as they have thought there follows a difficulty of swallowing and also there comes some Impediment in Breathing if the Nerves which go to the Midrife be hurt and that especially in violent sending forth the Breath when they would utter a great Voice or are compeld to Cough for then not being able to express it they come into some danger of Suffocation because otherwise for the perfecting of moderate breathing the Midrife which causes it seeing it doth receive also from the Spinal marrow as hath been said it can nevertheless in some sort perform its office although these Nerves be hurt in which hurts of Motions an offence of the sense of Feeling being joyned that sense of heat and tingling doth so much molest the sick about the Stomach especially where the Nerves are greater and about other internal parts as hath been said but if there be a certain general hurt of the same Conjugation because then both the Sphincters of the bladder and Anus and the rest of its Muscles are Palsied an involuntary Pissing moreover and a relaxation of the Fundament is coupled with the other Species of a Palsie as we shall explain all these more at large in the defect of breathing and of Excretions and in the difficulty of swallowing But the Disease with which the spinal Marrow or Nerve is possest The Diseases of the Nerves from whence a Palsie is is that which deprives it of the Animal spirit which it hath need of to exercise its Function for being so affected it can neither any more communicate to a Muscle the power of moving nor to the sensible parts the power of Feeling if the Nerve be wholly destitute of that and the remaining part of it from the place affected even to the part into which it is inserted becomes unprofitable As it comes to pass if its continuity with the part be broken for then this passage is interrupted or if the Nerves be so straiten'd that the Animal spirit which requires a free passage through them can no longer pass through them or fil them up or not sufficiently seeing though it be most thin and subtile and doth Illustrate the Nerves like the rayes of the Sun yet nevertheless it may be hinderd as the Sun Beams also may as this happens if it be so prest in any part of it that its substance doth wholly sink down or if its substance be so condensed that also by this means the passage for the spirit is intercepted And also the same may fal out if some part of the Nerve do so labor of a distemper that it can no waies perform its Function as how these Diseases viz. A Solution of Continuity a Straitness of the Nerves a Condensation and simple distemper or with an Afflux of Humor and Repletion or with a preternatural Tumor or some fault of the Organ do proceed from Internal or External Causes to wit a Flegmatick humor or Bloody or from
a distemper or some hurt by Compression Ligatures of from a wound or some other blow we will now expain As it hath been explained in the Causes of an Apoplexy that an Apoplexy which is a Palsie of the whol Body is generated from Flegm or a Watery Serous Cold moist Excrement of the Brain bedewing the brain or pressing the original of all the Nerves so if this happen in the Nerves a Palsie is generated for such a humor heaped up plentifully in the Head for the causes there assigned and cast off from the Brain in an Apoplexy which it hath first produced or without that falling down from the Head not though the substance of the Spinal Marrow or Nerves but either discending through the Cavity of the Vertebraes of the Back which doth contain the Spinal Marrow and there stopping about the beginning or progress of it or sliding down further through the passages which the paires of Nerves proceeding from the Spinal Marrow do every where run through in the Body without any Connexion or falling from the Head and following the like passages of the Conjugations or pares of Nerves and somwhere sticking about the Nerves in what place soever this happen whether about the Spinal Marrow or about the paires or Conjugations of Nerves by compressing or bedewing them as if this come to pass in the Brain it procreates an Apoplexy so if it happen in the foresaid places it produceth a Palsie of more or fewer parts according as a general or particular Nerve is affected whenas if plenty of Humor flow thither in those narrow places compressing the Nerves with its weight it may also intercept the passage of the Animal spirit as hath been said formerly and by so much the longer if being detained there by a long stop it become thicker and Mucous but principally because by its moisture it continually bedewing filling and cooling the substance of the Nerves it destroies their proper temper in that place and hinders that they cannot be filled with the Animal spirit nor enjoy it whence also by reason of the interposition of this unprofitable part of the Nerve affected the other part of the Nerve which is carried to the parts being also made unsit to exercise its Function there must needs follow if the hurt be great a perfect resolution of the parts unto which these Nerves are communicated and that by so much the more lasting and pertinatious by how much the hurt of the Nerve is greater which we have found by dissection to be the true cause of a Flegmatick Palsie the spinal Marrow being swelled up with a watry Humor that there is no need to phansie here any obstruction in the Nerves which are solid or made up of Filaments nor any Cavity which may admit that thick humor as some do write Or if indeed they do grant this moistning of the Nerves yet to assert that that comes to pass by this means because the Nerves being made longer an slacker they become unfit for motion because as hath been formerly said the Nerves do no waies attract the part and far less to contend that a Palsie is from the same Flegm as obstructing the Nerves for filling of them so it must needs be that Convulsions do ensue which we call Contractions and for that cause to assign the same Cure to them both But also such an excrementitious humor from elsewhere than from the Brain Other humors possessing the Nerves are the cause of a Pâ—lsie and Spasm being carried to the Nerves of certain parts or heaped up there doth induce a Palsie proper to certain parts which oftentimes also mixt with other acrid and cholerick humors or otherwise putrifying not only by bedewing but also by irritating the Nerves doth cause pains offering themselves with the resolution of the part and sometimes ending in Convulsions as this hath been said in Convulsions such a kind of Palsie as hath be en explained in the kinds as is wont also to happen in Colick pains with torments of the Limbs Heat Tingling and other troubles The same might come to pass from Blood out of the Vessels falling into these Cavities of the Nerves and retained there a long time but seeing that doth presently putrifie it doth sooner breed an Inflammation as also if it insinuate it self into the substance of the Nerves whence other accidents do follow rather than those of a Palsie but in the Veins if from a fulness or non-natural situation of a Member as if the Arm be held a long while lift up on high the blood be carried into one place more plentifully because then in some sort it presseth a neighboring Nerve seeing the Nerves are alwaies wont to follow the course of the Veins it rather causeth a light Numness or Tingling than any Disease or long continued Palsie the blood easily going back again and not so stopping but as in the brain it is abundantly powred forth into its ventricles it may may cause an Apoplexy as hath been said there Also a streightening may be caused from a hard Tumor of a Nerve A Tumor of a Nerve is the cause of a Palsie as from a Callus or a Skar after a Wound or bruise growing in the Nerve or from a bunching out arising from the proper clammy Nutriment of a Nerve which doth stop its animal spirit but from an Oedema which also they hold to be the cause of it that cannot be done unless some one would call it Irrigation and swellings of the Nerves as hath been formerly said an Oedema the same also may happen from the Tumors of other parts pressing a Neighbooring Nerve By the fault of conformation or shaping from the birth The fault of conformation in a Nerve is the cause of a Palsie the Nerves being not rightly formed or otherwise carried the same also may come to pass which often happens in the Nerve of the Tongue as we shal by and by explain in the defect of Speech that they are born Dumb and Deaf as hath been said in the hurt of Hearing From a Cold Distemper or too much cooling as we shall by and by explain in the Muscles if not only the Muscles but also the Nerves themselves with the Muscle into which they are inserted A cold distemper of a Nerve is the cause of a Palsie or without that in their course out of the Muscle seeing Cold is a very great enemy to them be so affected that they are either bound up and condensed by Cold whence the animal spirit hath no longer a free passage or be so hurt that their function perisheth then also there follows a Palsie of those parts whose Nerves are affected Trallian teacheth that there is a Palsie caused from driness and heat The Driness of a Nerve the cause of a Palsie which certainly must needs sall out so if it be such as may harden the Nerve that the spirit can pass through it as the same may come to pass from the Causes
which may come to pass by reason of the neerness of the Muscles and because many being collected together in certain places they are as it were included in one Membrane as shall be said which hurts whether of one or more Muscles they depend on these causes to wit if they be possest with a Humor or Wind or suffer a Preternatural Tumor or are wasted being dried up or suffer a cold distemper or are hurt some other way or have contracted an Organical fault From a Humor filling up the Muscles or Besmearing them A Flegmatick humor possessing the Tendons is the cause of a Palsie or Insinuating it self into their spaces a Palsie is seldom ingendred as it is frequently if it possess the Nerves as hath been said formerly For if a Flegmatick serous or Excrementitious Humor flow down to the Bodies of the Muscles or be heaped up there then it breeds pains and for that causeth that the Member can scearcely be moved rather then a languishing or insensibility of it as we shall explain in pains arising from Desluxions the which also if Blood be there poured out of the Vessels happens together with an Inflammation of the part yet somtimes it comes to pass that a watry humor a long time washing and bedewing the Tendons of the Muscles they being too much relaxt and lengthend there followes a Palsie of that part which they ought to attract Which for the most part happens only in those places where many Tendons are carried in a fleshless and narrow place about the bending of the Joynts being bound and joyned together with Ligaments as it were with Rings as in the Region of the Wrist and instep where somtimes a Humor retained by reason of the narrowness of the place and many spaces of many smal bones combined together in the Wrist and afterwrist Ankle and Instep and moisting and relaxing the Tendons it causeth that the Hands or Feet do continue Palsied in some all their life time and it ceasing in other parts only a Palsie is left in these even when the Humor is wasted the Tendons remaining longer then is fit whence all their life time they carry their Hands and Feet hanging and when they endeavour to lift up or lay holdon any thing because nevertheless they can move their Fingers or go yet because they cannot do that by benefit of the Muscles they are wont to cast them up on high by the inpulse of the Arm or Thigh in whom also for the most part appears an eminency as it were a certain Tumor in the superficies of the Wrist arising by reason of Extenuation which is wont to be its companion the bones bunching forth there or by reason of a Callus or Node which often grows here for the causes afterwards to be mentioned the which our Germans call Contracted when notwithstanding they are Palsied and that perhaps because as hath been said formerly with a Resolution of them caused about the Wrist there is somtimes also joyned a Contraction of the Fingers which comes to pass because in the Hands laboring also of an Atrophy by reason of the compression of the Veins which about the streits of the Wrist are prest by a Tumor and are cooled in those bloodless parts so that for those causes there is not sufficient passage for the Blood the Ligaments and Tendons also being wasted and dried do cause that those Joynts of the Fingers be at length stopt but not the Joynts by which the Hand is moved which were already Palsied before and thus in the same seat are found parts Palsied Contracted and wasted From the same Flegmatick or Watry or Excrementitious Humor so filling up the Body of the Muscle or Tendons that being distended and made shorter it attracts the part into which it is inserted it seems that a Contraction also may be caused But when an Humor fallen down to the Muscles possesses their spaces by which they are joyned together a pain rather doth follow and upon that account that difficulty of moving the Member than Contraction of the part and if it bedew the Tendons or Nerves a Palfie rather enfues After the same manner from Wind breathing in Wind in the spaces the Muscles is the cause of a flatulent Spasm not into the bodies of the Muscles but those Spaces which the Muscles make being joyned together or knit together by neighboring parts and by its plenty distending one Muscle or more so that being made shorter they attract the part for a while violently to themselves doth that Cramp which therefore they call Flatulent arise as many have delivered which most strong extension of the member yet can scarce be caused from Wind only as we shal shew that called a Flatulent Palpitation doth frequently arise from thence unless some other cause over and above be joyned of which we shal speak by and by in the too great attraction of the Muscles which as it happens oftentimes in divers parts of the body so most commonly in the Toes of the Feet the fleshy Muscles of the Calfe being then affected with the highest pain by reason of their distention and protuberancy But this Flatulent Spasm is caused by plenty of Winds the Largeness of the passages or foresaid Spaces betwixt the Muscles especially helping being fit for the receiving of Wind which happens to some either by Nature the which also are more obnoxious to this evil Or if it falls out from a vehement motion of the Muscles for so being as it were pulled from one another and from the neighboring parts the Spaces which come between them by degrees become wider especially if such motions be often repeated into which afterwards Wind doth easily slide in and for a light cause especially whenas the Muscles being very much contracted in motion doth make way for it as shall be said by and by as in Hides Excoriated we easily know that such like Wind doth lie betwixt the Membranes and the Flesh by the Bubbles appearing there A hard preternatural Tumor growing in a Muscle as sometimes it causeth that they keep the Members attracted to it A Tumor in a Muscle or Tendon is the cause of the said contraction of the Member so sometimes bound up as a Schirrus or Node gendred from the excrements in the Muscles and especially about the Tendons where many meet in the Region of the Joynts as hath been said formerly of the Wrist and I have seen somtimes come to pass in the Knee the Foot being then so drawn upwards that the Heel was next to the Tail Also a Callus in a Muscle or a Tendon being left after a Wound by which they were wounded yet not wholly cut in two and contracting the Lips of the Wound because then it shortens the body or tail of the Muscle it causeth that part into which it is inserted is more or less bound up the which also I have seen come to pass in a hurt of the temporal Muscle and the Mouth then was
so drawn up that it would scarce admit the most liquid meats The Muscles or their Tendons being dryed An Exiccation of the Muscles on their Tendons is the cause of the Contraction of the Members and with them somtimes the Nerves inserted into them being so far wrinkled and bound up they are become as it were Hardned and Callus that they cannot be extended or bent then in what situation they remain firm in the same also they keep the Member which they are implanted fixt and immoveable and more or less Contracted as oftimes we see by reason of Old Age or of too much and long continued labour some parts to become Stiff and diversly crooked and those especially which have been much and long exercised with too much working and that they go with a Crooked Back and cannot raise themselves up streight who have a long while carried heavy Burdens and that they have Crooked Fingers and Hands who have too much used their Help or that Old Folks do labour of a Tetanus or other species of Contractions the which may come to pass not alwaies by reason of the Joynts as shal be said afterwards but also from the foresaid Exiccation of the Muscles their Humor being then Wasted by the forementioned causes so that being consumed by Leanness the which appears manifestly in the Muscles of their Limbs especially in the greater even outwardly their bodies and Tendons seem to consist rather of Fibres than Flesh and to represent dry Cords not soft Nerves which Driness is helpt by the defect of Fat which is wont first of all to be wasted by the said causes whenas it growing both Extrinsecally to their Membranes and being Intrinsecally inbred with the Fibres of certain greater Muscles especially anoynting them that they may the easier be extended and contracted in motion but if they be deprived of it rendring them unfit for motion also the Consumption of the Glue with which the Tendons upon the same account are wont to be smeared from the same causes for which the Humor and Fat do fail which Exiccation we have demonstrated doth depend on an Atrophy formerly in a pituitous humor possessing the Tendons of the Wrist the which also may happen from a vehement Heat from without through great Heats if either they persevere long or are so powerful that they burn almost the Tendons and Muscles rather the more membranous than fleshy being then bound up from thence But there can scarce be such an Exiccation of the Muscles from internal heat even in the most burning Feavers seeing in Hectick Feavers the body being otherwise almost reduced to a wasting the members do not appear contracted by reason of that unless by chance this happen in the Midriff and in the Tongue the which being dried as shal by and by be said its Function also is weakened as we shal speak of in the Breathing hurt for that the Convulsions also which follow these Feavers which we have said do very much differ from Contraction do not proceed from the Exiccation of the Nerves as they would have it but from their Irritation hath been explained in an Epilepsie The Muscles being very much Cooled by an external cause A cooling of the Muscles is the cause of Impotency of motion so that the native heat being laid asleep their Function is weakened then either they cannot rightly move the member or scarcely as it oftentimes happens in the Hands and Feet parts more exposed to injuries by reason of the Air Wind Water Cold that then they cannot rightly lay hold on things with their Fingers they being either numed together or affected with a great pain manifesting it self about the roots of the Nails as hath been said elsewhere but also they think that Spasm is caused by cold which is wont to betide those that swim in very cold Water by binding up the Muscles and Tendons the causes of which nevertheless we have expounded to be other the which notwithstanding this may help The Muscles or their Tendons being Cut The solution of Continuity in the Muscles or Tendons is the cause of a Palsie or only Wounded a little way transversly there follows a Languishing or Palsie of that Member which they ought to draw which as it happens in divers places of the body it doth breâ—d many sorts of Palsies so if it come to pass in the temporal Muscle the lower Jaw is Palsied Moreover the Tendons of a Muscle being too much Extended by a violent motion The too much lengthening of the Tendons is the cause of Impotency of Motion so that being as it were drawn asunder they become longer than is meet it comes to pass that afterwards they cannot sufficiently elevate the Member and because then they hardly recollect themselves again the Evil becomes lasting which somtimes happens in the Hands by lifting up heavy burdens in that strong streining as also I have seen it happen in the Joynt of the Knee being so forced by violence that the many Tendons which meet there being dissevered by that violent and sudden motion and become longer or freed from their connexion with their Ligaments they could no more afterwards rightly bend that part and the Patients have afterwards remained Limping And also an Attraction with violence oftentimes befals the Muscles and their Tendons Too great attraction of the Muscles and their Tendons is the cause of a Flatulent Spasm that they being too much bound up beyond their term or otherwise distorted or bowed or somwhat declining from their natural situation so that they cannot be relaxt again presently they draw the Member beyond a mean figure and that Spasm is caused which so often seazeth on men for a time when they extend their Members violently or with an inordinate motion as it more commonly happens in the Feet when they put on their Shoes with pain or Swimming in the Water they stir them after an unusual manner in which Spasm a Prominency of the Muscle appearing and vehement pain doth sufficiently shew that it is wound up by contraction and too much streightened in it self Wind then also breaking into that Space which it causeth by its elevation as hath been said formerly and helping its distension and that so long til the Muscle being relaxt again the Spasm doth cease again which is the sooner performed by the opposite Muscle drawing the part which the Muscle fastened to it doth follow the which nevertheless if the part be disposed as hath been said formerly in Wind and there is plenty of Wind it is wont sooner and the easier to return and somtimes to molest men not only in some one place but in many places which every one if he rightly consider the business may know to be the true cause of the Cramp that doth so violently and with pain extend the members seeing the true Spasm which is caused by reason of the Nerves sometimes in these or other parts cannot extend the members so violently or cause so
thither and that they may divert the humor from the Nerves possessed with it diligently observing the place wherethe cause of the evil lies especially if this be about the Marrow of the Back the Cupping-Glasses being fastned a little below descending by degrees to the palsied member they oftentimes free the Nerves from it Instead of which Rubefiers and blistering Remedies stronger than these do effect the same more strongly Of which they are wont to apply the stronger Vesicatories or instead of them Causticks and Setons to the hinder part of the Neck which they call the Nape which wil be then most convenient if in a general Palsie the cause be neer to the Brain although also it doth good if the cause lurk there about the beginng of the spinal Marrow in a Hemiplegia because it calls it forth and moves it from its place and also Causticks applied to the Arm do revell the humors If a Palsie be caused from a Watry Flegmatick or Serous humor The Cure of Palsie or Spasm from other humors mixt with acrid cholerick humors not only bedewing the Nerves but also irritating them as after Colick pains we have said it doth most frequently happen in our age with Pain and sense of tingling then the Cure as long as the Colick pain lasts shall rather be applied to that and those evil humors must be purged forth as hath been said there and those things ought rather to be applied and given which by lenifying the Nerves may hinder Convulsions into which it is wont easily to terminate as hath been said in Convulsions in the interim not rashly foretelling any good event because if Convulsions be supervenient it is wont easily to kill but if that other Disease ceasing that do accompany these Palsies they do remain in many or particular parts then the same cure must be administred which hath been explained in a Flegmatick Palsie It hath been shewed that from Blood a Palsie cannot be caused especially a lasting one which if it be as Practitioners have writ because then the Blood consisting yet in the Veins easily goes back by its part inverted if it be caused by the perverse Scituation of it and by and by ceaseth or if it be from a Plenitude it will be Cured by bleeding and by other things that revel and derive If from too much Refrigeration of a Muscle and Nerve by the external cold for concerning that which is caused by a flegmatick Humor hath been spoken already not only a Stupidity as that happens The Cure of a Palsie from cooling but also a Resolution of the Member be caused then as hath been shewed in a Stupidity it is corrected by things actually hot applied by degrees and by Frictions by which unless it cease those Topick Remedies which have been explained in a Flegmatick Palsie viz. anoynting Fomentations and Baths according as their form is appliable to the part affected will here also take place If a Flatulent Palsie be caused from Wind The Cure of a Flatulent Spasm from Wind. therefore so called whether they be the cause of it or if it be caused from the too much astriction of the Muscles by increasing of it they render it more vehement and lasting Then if this happen but seldom it can signifie no evil because it proceeds from a manifest cause too much Motion or Refrigeration and therefore it is neglected but if it return often because it breeds great trouble and weakness the Limbs because it hath an internal cause accompanying it plenty of Wind and an undecent Connexion of the Muscles as hath been said it must not be neglected because somtimes it can scarce be wholly taken away Which if it molest not only in the Feet and Joynts but also elsewhere as in the Back or lower Jaw or Mouth it wants not its danger of falling to an Epilepsie and therefore as hath been said there we must provide against it betimes But in other Causes the following Remedies shal be used both for prevention out of the sit if it return often or in the fit if it continue which dispel Wind and Relax the bound up Muscles There are given to hinder the Product of Wind and to discuss it as well in course of Dyet as in purging Medicines heating and strengthning such us in windy cases especially of the Stomach we shal explain in their proper places There are applied to the Muscle affected which we know by the bunching forth of the place and pain those things in the fit which are Actually or Potentially heating and discussing Wind do help by Lenisiing and Relaxing the part But out of the fit those things which do also by strengthning the part with a light astriction provent the often returning Disease by using almost the same which in a Flegmatick Palsie and true Contractions we have shewed to be the gentler and have there described them Anointings are made with Oyls of Chamomel Lillics Dill or after this manner if the part must be strengthend too Take of Oyl of Chamomel or another of those three one ounce of Foxes or Worms Mastick of each half an ounce Mix them anoint the part hot your Hands or the part being first moistend with Aqua vitae Oyl of Guaicum anoynted with Aqua vitae and Sage helps speedily Or make Plasters amongst which Martiatum is convenient The Waters and Balsom Oyls explained in a Palsie are convenient amongst which simple Aqua vitae applied alone gives present help if it be hot Treacle dissolved in Aqua vitae rather then in Oyls as they teach and anointed will profit very much Fomentations Incessions Baths reckond up in a Palsie and Contraction will do good being actually or potentially hot Amongst which a Lie may be applied as shall be said in the Gout for prevention sake because it confirmes the Lax parts and those which receive the Humors or Wind adding some things that strengthen This Plaster is very much approved Take of Wormwood Penny-royal of each one handful Bay-berries one pugil Cummin half an ounce Bruise them boyl them in strong Wine and Honey Make a Cataplasm The Bags prescribed in a Palsie being first bedewed with Wine will do good also or thus when by strengthning we would prevent the evil Take of the flowers of Chamomel Melilot Roses Bran Juniper or Bay-berries of each one pugil Myrtles half a pugil Orrice roots half an ounce seeds of Faenigreek Carawaies Cummin of each three drams Salt one pugil for a Bag. A Bag may quickly be prepared for use only of Millet Bran and Salt Hot Skins and other the like things are convenient Also gentle Friction with the Hands or hot Cloths By drawing back the part affected we shall make the fit shorter or that it presently cease if the Muscles that are involuntarily violently extended or bent and by that drawing the Member we do voluntarily endeavor by a contrary motion and straining of the Muscles which are opposed to the diseased ones to draw them back
in the Tendons and Ligaments or if by possessing or pressing a Nerve they cause a Palsie there is no other manner of Cure ordered then by Emollient things which is due to these also arising in other places as shall be explained there in the interim the fixt Members if they be very prejudicial in that Scituation they must be continually drawn into a righter and less incongruous form by actual labor as was said even now If a Palsie be caused from a violent compression of a Nerve by a burthen or bound The Cure of a Palsie from compression then these Impediments must be removed and the bands loosed the which being taken away if a Stupidity or Palsie do continue the spirits must be recalled by Frictions and other hot things applied spoken of in a Flegmatick Palsie seeing a Nerve is scarce prest by a Bone Luxated but rather other discommodities follow from thence they shall be explained in them If a Palsie be from a Wound a Tendon The Cure of a Palsie from a solution of continuity Nerve or Ligament being cut in two it is incurable yet there are Chyrurgions that are wont to sow together Tendons cut in two If this come to pass from a Muscle wounded transersly the same cure must be made as in other Wounds the which also oftentimes helps but if it be wholly cut off because then it is drawn back both waies and is hardly joyned together again or retained nevertheless there remains an immobility of that part when the Wound is cured If a Palsie be caused by a Contusion Blow or Fall if there follow an Inflamation in a Nerve a Convulsion easily ensues which is deadly that this therefore may not be the Blood must presently be revelled by opening a Vein and otherwayes but upon the part contused cold astringent things must not be applied but those which digest too Such a Plaister as this Take of Mastick Frankencense Gum of Ivy each half an ounce Mummy two drams Pouder of Worms one dram flowers of Chamomel Roses of each half a dram Oyl of Roses Chamomel Wall flower of each one ounce Turpentine and Wax as much as is sufficient Make a Plaster At the end when there is no more fear of an Inflamation let it be anoynted with the Unguents mention'd in a Flegmatick Palsie if the Palsie continue stil to recal the heat of the Nerve and the Palsied parts this will be most excellent Take the roots of Pellitory of Spain four drams Pipper three drams Sulphur five drams Pouder of Worms two drams Castor two scruples Euphorbium one scruple Let them boyl in ten ounces of Oyl to the Consumption of half anoint the Vertebrae of the Neck and Back the Emunctories also and places affected If a Callus be left in a Nerve how we must proceed hath been already said in a hard Tumor The Contusion of a Muscle or part which is moved requires no other Cure then a general Contusion of which we shall treat in its place If the Fracture of a Bone be the cause The Cure of Immobility from the Fracture of Bones that a Member cannot be moved then by manual operation chiefly we shall endeavor to set the broken Bone If it decline from the other and shorten the Member then we must retain those now joyned or those which though they be broken yet do still hang together that they part not a sunder afterwards we must apply Medicines to the place affected that asswage pain and keep off an Inflammation if need be and those things which help also the Bones that they may be Conglutinated and grow together or Consolidated Which they do by accident chiefly by taking away the Impediments and by somwhat binding the Fracture and as it were obliterating it by an Emplastick vertue because otherwise the Concretion it self of the Bones is perfected only by the labor of Nature by the benefit of the juyce that nourisheth the Bones as of Glue as hath been said concerning Wounds We set and joyn again the broken Bone if nothing else hinder as the Splints of Bones broken which must be first taken away as shall be said in its place either by our Hands only or moveover applying Instruments as shall be said in a Luxation drawing it by degrees so far till it come to the end of the Fracture of its Bone to which it was joyned and then thrusting it with the Hands it must be decently joyned again with it and that as much as may be most evenly for so both suddainly and easily it grows together with it again but if it do not joyn it self with it nor rightly as before then it must needs be that they grow together again by a Callus intermediating so large as that distance remained From whence because that cannot be done so suddainly the Cure is prolonged and the Member oftimes remains crooked or otherwise ill shaped We retain the broken Bones together if first of all we wrap them decently in Swaths then putting about them thin boards or Bark or the like Instrument on the part affected being first swathed up which may comply with their hollowness we must bind them so and that the bound up Bones may not easily move out of their place we must tie them straight and so faterwards they keep the part quiet Somtimes we Foment the place affected before it be swathed according as we would allay pain or bind for fear of an Inflamation either with red Stiptick Wine or with the Decoction of Elm and Mirtle leaves or with Oyl Wine and Vinegar mixt together with unwasht Wooll or the Swath it self is moisten'd with Oyl of Roses or Oxycrate before it is applied Or the place affected is anoynted first with Oyl of Roses Mirtles and the like by reason of the pain for when we would binde the following form is more profitable The part being already bound as hath been said t is encompassed with Plasters the which also are somtimes applied to the naked part if necessity require it and afterwards the part is bound but then they must be often changed The more simple ones are Take of Comfry the roots of Cranes bill as much as is sufficient bruise them and being mixt with Hogs grease let them be applied Another Take of Mastick Frankincense of each half an ounce Bole one ounce Aloes Dragons blood or the binding Bean-tree of each two drams Gum Tragacanth Arabick of each one dram the Volatile Flowers of a handmeil two ounces With the white of an Egg Make a Plaster Or thus Take of the Volatile flour of a Handmil half a pound the flour of Barley and Beans of each three ounces Bole two ounces Parget one ounce the Blood stone half an ounce Frankincense three ounces Comfry root half an ounce the Ashes of Crabs shels two drams Make a Pouder which the Chyrurgeons may keep for they use that then when there is need they may mix it with the white of an Egg to the form of a
of Myrtles or Mastick two ounces Bruise them for a Cataplasm A Cautery also or Vesicatory applied on the part doth powerfully dissolve and calls forth the moisture with which the Joynts being possest are easily Luxated Some write that the juyce of Prim-roses given by the Mouth doth help in Luxations If an Organical fault do cause Immobility The Cure of Immobility by fault of the Organ and it be from the Birth it is incurable because we cannot fashion the parts otherwise but if it be from an adventitious cause the Tendons being too much Relaxt and Lengthened by some force or humor the same Topick means wil do good as in the said Palsie especially the flegmatick one But if they being too much bound that a slatulent Spasm be caused the Cure hath been explained in Winds but if there be a true Contraction and lasting the same Cure as that for Driness wil be convenient as hath been said CHAP. III. Concerning Depraved Motion The Kinds WE call that Depraved motion when Voluntary Motions especially are exercised either Immoderately or unseasonably or otherwise undecently as it comes to pass when the Members that perform those Motions are Restless or Cramped or Tremble or Beâ—â— or are Shaken by a Rigor or are Extended by reâ—â—â— and yawning or otherwise moved by twinkling The Members are said to be Restless when they are acted too much Restlessness and rest not as when men besides themselves mad men and phrenitical do exercise such various and violent motions and angry furious folks do things so headlongly but chiefly those who labor of that disease called Vitus his Dance do tire their Feet with Running and Jumping beyond measure of whom we have spoken in an Alienation of the mind Those also that lie by it in other Diseases both Waking and Sleeping are somtimes very unquiet and it is properly called Inquietude and he that is sick of it is called Assodis it is a Symptom of many Diseases that overthrows the strength with which they that are affected somtimes toss their body variously hither and thither whence they have called it jactation and some Jectigation somtimes they often raise themselves up somtimes continually exercise their hands and feet retract them change them Somtimes they rowl to the Feet which in acute Diseases with which this is a familiar accident Hippocrates reckons it amongst the deadly signs in the healthful also such like restlessness is wont to be troublesome both to them Waking and Sleeping whether also may be referd that unseasonable Night-walking in Dreams of which hath been spoken in Watching The Members are said to be convelled A Convulsion when they exercise those inordinate Motions as hath been said in a general Convulsion or Epilepsie and it happens also in a particular Spasm especially in that Species in which the Members are yet agitated and their motion is not yet stopt they being attracted by a Convulsion as in that called a Convulsive Palpitation hath been shown in a particular Cramp The Members are said to tremble when they are stirred upwards or downwards with an inequal motion A Trembling and it is called Trembling which then is caused chiefly when we would use them which sometimes tremble more somtimes less which often happens in the Hands when somwhat is to be laid hold on and sometimes in the Feet which tremble as they stand and sometimes in the Head which continually is moved hither and thither somtimes the lower Jaw becomes tremulous the which often happens before Vomiting which it presageth we have seen a Citizen of ours Tremble in all the parts together even from his birth unto his old age with his Arms Hands Fingers Feet with which he danced as it were while he went with his head also which he shaked and with his Jaw with which he chewed as it were The Members are said to beat or pant not when they are shaken A Palpitation being about to do somthing as in a trembling but when they are somwhat attracted involuntarily and are again relaxt as in Convulsive Palpitation we have formerly said it doth come to pass after the same manner which Palpitation may be referred to that Species which they call the flatulent Spasm having almost the same cause as shal be said and therefore it may be called a flatulent Palpitation yet more gently exercising the Members rather than strongly drawing them as the other doth seeing the Members are properly said to palpitate when the Muscles and the Skin over them are somwhat lifted up and sink again and that with pain for the most Part and trouble the Members in the interim not being attracted or very little We say the Members are shaken by a Rigor A Rigor when there is a certain Convulsion of the whol body or of its parts almost as it befalls those that tremble but with a certain sense of cold and involuntarily whence it is called a Rigor as in the beginning of the Fits of intermitting Feavers the whole body by this means is extended bowed shaken oftentimes so strongly that the Teeth knocking together make a Noise which they call the Gnashing of the Teeth and continual Feavers also do invade with the like Rigor and somtimes when a Crisis is at hand it is a foreteller of it at other times the Agitation is lighter and then it is called Horror or shivering in which a greater sense of cold runs through the body Horror and the hairs stand upright and the pores bound up make the Skin rough and somtimes Cold only doth molest a man as hath been said in Feavers but also out of Diseases a Rigor or Horror like unto these doth somwhat shake the Body from External cold Fear and sometimes a Rigor ariseth from external Causes without Cold. In that called Reaching the Arms especially with the back are very much extended Reaching and bowed with a vehement opening or drawing asunder of the Mouth which they call Gaping the which also may be caused apart these two if they trouble often without occasion do presage Diseases or are Prefaces to the Fits of Feavers beginning but otherwise out of Diseases they are signs of sloth or they arise from some Imagination as shal be said We call that Nyctation when the Eyes are forced to twinkle Nyctation that is the Eyelids fall down and they are coverd with them and can hardly be kept open as it happens in the slothful when they are full and heavy to sleep somtimes also it happens in Diseases The Causes The Causes of these Kinds of Depraved motion may be various in the Brain Nerves Muscles and Members either an agitation of the Spirits a Perturbation or Irritation Distension Weakness The Spirits stirred by the affections of the Mind do cause a heat in the Brain A perturbation of the Mind is the cause of restlesness or being troubled by a Mixture of Humors Vapors by Alienating the Mind and offering divers imaginations do cause that they
are so unquiet and do attempt and perform divers things as hath been explained in an Alienation of the Mind An Irritation made in the Nerves which way it causeth that the Body is convelled An Irritation of the Nerves is the Cause of a Convulsion or Exagitated with inordinate motions hath been said in a convulsion But from Irritation and trouble also other Motions are diversly forced according to the diversity of the cause that they are made too much or not rightly For the said restlesness is oft caused from heat not only because it promotes actions and brings them into act or causes a raving in the Brain heated but when the whol Body boyles with it in Feavers and because it makes a great trouble Heat the cause of restlesness it makes the Body unquiet and it is a Symptom of the feaverish especially of the continual continent burning and then also of the intermitting when in the fit an exceeding heat doth chiefly afflict Pain the cause as shall be shown in Feavers The Body offended with some other grievous pain and afflicted with it as with an enemy can subsist or rest in no place and in driving away and mitigating it it doth reinforce all its actions from Acrid Choletick or Salt or Putrid humors passing through the sensible parts and the flesh of the Muscles and as it were pricking and Irritating them because their Expulsive faculty endeavors to repel the trouble that concussion of the Body is caused in the said rigor or shaking fit as this doth happen in the begining of Feavers from the like matter exhaling and passing through the Body And upon that account first of all Retchings and Gapings do follow and by and by horrors or rigors Somtimes also that they do manifest themselves before a Crisis hath been said in Feavers in other Evacuations in which the like acrid Excrements are cast forth as in making water stooling sweating a rigor or horror doth somwhat shake either the whol Body or certain parts whiles they are a doing the which also is wont ofttimes to fall out before these Evacuations are made and to presage them at hand Nature being now stirred up to attempt them As some horror in a Crisis and out of it somtimes is a foreteller of sweats at hand and the lower Jaw for the most part is wont to tremble before vomiting and as it were to sollicite the Mouth to a voluntary opening the natural faculty so forcing it From Breathy Vapors Breathy Vapors the cause of reching as they call them collected in the Spaces of the Muscles solliciting nature to Excretion rather by their plenty then by a vehement Acrimony that Motion of distension of the Limbs or Pandiculation also doth proceed because in that the Muscles which are chiefly possest with them being bound up to drive them forth do so draw the Members and that especially because then a weariness being joyned to either Spontaneous which ariseth from the plenty of these Excrements collected about the Muscles or that proceeding from labor from which also there is a congestion of Halituous vapors about the Muscles by this constriction of the Muscles in Pandiculation not only because then the Vapors are driven forth they are somwhat refresht from their Weariness but also because the Muscles being relaxt by too much and long continued motion and when they rest feeling that Weariness when they are bound up again they do less feel the Weariness as hath been formerly said that one Weariness is cured by another they acquire some ease of their labors by reaching and therefore in weariness they are invited to exercise it and being invited are forced And this is the cause that commonly reaching doth accompany the natural weariness and sluggishness before sleep till the Body afterwards rightly resting by sleep be freed from the weariness and after sleep also so long til that which remains of the Halituous Vapor be expelled by yet extending the Body And because in a Spontaneous weariness going before Diseases both by reason of the plenty of Vapors and this weariness of the Body that also doth manifest it self as the same weariness and plenty of Vapors doth cause that drawing a sunder of the Mouth and blowing forth in the said gaping the Muscles of the Breast and lower Jaw and Cheeks working together and as it were consenting to the endeavor of the rest of the Muscles if gaping be joyned with reaching or these Muscles acting severally The Immagination is the cause of gaping to mitigate their weariness and discuss the Vapors gaping ariseth The which also ariseth from the Immagination if one see anoother gaping or think of it being so invited as it were to do the like yet more easily in the sloathful and drowsie or those disposed then in others And the same cause also depending on the weariness of the Muscles that move the Eyes and Eylids and on the Vapors collected about them doth breed the same twinkling of the Eyes which is not only coupled somtimes with reaching and gaping in the sloathful but also ariseth by it self alwaies when sleep invites And that because by reason of the continual Motion of the Eyes they are alwaies made weary and because the shutting of the Eyes which this heaviness of the Eyes doth so much force that they remain shut also in those that sleep is necessary for the righter taking of Sleep From the said Halituous vapors Halituous vapors the Cause of Palpitation but thicker and more plentiful collected in the habit of the Body and running up and down to seek a passage out the said Palpitation is caused which if they break forth under the Skin and wander between that and the Membranes of the Muscles under it here and there lifting up the Skin in some one or more places and variously changing their place they cause there an apparent Palpitation somtimes with a sense of pain But if they run under the Muscles and their spaces and be unquiet they cause that the Members be also somwhat attracted yet not strongly or lastingly as we have said it was done in that called a Flatulent Spasm but only by intervals then when the wind gathering it self as it were into one place doth force the Muscles alluring the part but by and by letting it alone the wind flying back again and giving place So that if this Agitation of the Members be from this cause as hath been said it may deservedly be called a milder Species of a Flatulent Convulsion or a Flatulent Palpitation as that which is caused by the Irritation of the Nerves as hath been declared in a Convulsive Palpitation The causes of which Flatulent Palpitation also whether they be Wind or Vapors have no other original then that which hath been propounded in a Flatulent Spasm That weakness of the Muscles by reason of which their action doth not wholly cease but only cannot be be sufficiently performed doth not cause a total Impotency to move but
and Brain but also of the whol Body in Feavers then this Symptom because it dejects the strength draws the Cure to it self the which yet is used no otherwise than that which is wont to be applied to Feavers in quenching that burning except that here the strength of the Remedies must be increased and upon that account when the Cure urgeth we attempt a more plentiful Evacuation and diversion of the Blood unless somwhat hinder or we reiterate it also we increase the quality of Coolers both with Internal and External Remedies The Cure of Restlessness by reason of by reason of heat and those things which may augment the Heat we take away as too much cloathing and the roomes being shut up we open them and chiefly in respect of the Symptom by rubbing the body diverting from the Nerves the vapors which do cause or increase the the restlessness and afterward lenifying it with anoynting the Back-bone with Oyl of Violets sweet Almonds c. we correct that tossing of the body the which also is done if we admonish the sick that they weaken not themselves with too much motion or hinder Sweats by making themselves bare and that we may somwhat quiet them we may procure Sleep In Trembling we must proceed according to the Nature of the Cause and if they tremble from some Passion of the Mind or by reason of Labor above their strength those ceasing the Trembling also ceaseth But if the Spirits being dissipated or wasted by reason of old Age or Venery and other profuse Evacuations The Cure of Trembling from defect of Spirits or it follow after grievous diseases 't is easie to repair the strength disâ—â—pated but very hard that which is lost the which yet must be tried by that called a Restorative Cure which is chiefly accomplisht by a fit and moderate sleep by moderate and seasonable exercise the which wil profit more if the Trembling were induced by vehement labor if it be gently undertaken than altogether idleness by a cheerful Mind or if the Trembling remaineth from some passion of Mind it is corrected by the contrary passion of the Mind by a cleer temperate Air pure and sweet by nourishments of good juyce and wel nourishing also by things that repair the spirits and increase the heat as Wine which moderately taken doth so refresh that it doth correct the Trembling caused by Wine by its refreshing if it be taken as hath been said But if it proceed from a Disease of the Nerves and is as it were an imperfect or dimunite Palsie and it be from the Birth The Cure of Trembling from an affect of the Nerves or otherwise from a grievous disease it somtimes is incurable But if it proceed from an Excrementitious humor possesssing the Nerves no other method of Cure is applied for the curing of this disease then what was spoken of in a Palsie and is applied to other diseases of the Brain and Nerves ingendred from excrements amongst which also is a Convulsion which if they would use timely and continue in it doubtless they would be sooner cured than the paralytick but because they neglect it unless the trembling be very much or are content with a few things it comes to pass that the Trembling doth not only not cease but old age comming on it is increased As therefore it hath been said in a Palsie so here also we must proceed and the body first of all must be generally purged and that if the evil persist must be repeated at certain times and particular Evacuations and Diversions must be ordered the same altering things must be drank and the like must be outwardly applied and Baths must be ordered if it yeild not to other things and we must chiefly take heed that the trembling hands be not exposed to the cold or washed with cold water instead of which they may be washed with Decoction of Sage Lavender flowers and the like amongst which Lotions they teach that if the parts be washt in the morning with Piss it doth very much help If the Trembling have its original from Poyson those Alexiphamaca which resist this must be used and if this be from the use of Quick-silver which more frequently comes to pass they give Treacle or Cordial Medicines with which they mix the filings of Gold seeing they say that Gold hath such an affinity with Quick-silver that if it be in the body and Gold be drank that so draws it with it that afterwards voided by the stool it is found pure in the Excrements sticking to the Gold which affinity of theirs they have taken from that that in gilding Gold can be fastned to no Mettal but by the intervention of Quick-silver At this day the Electuary of Orvietanus is chiefly commended for a singular Remedy in this case of which kind if this following be not yet it may supply its room As Take of the roots of Gentian Bistort Carline Tormentil white Dittander Aromatick cane round Birthwort Wolfsbane the herb blessed Thistle the seeds of Vipers Bugloss Alkanet Citron each one ounce make them all into a fine Pouder to which add the roots of Vipers grass pouderd the weight of them all of Honey clarified with a sufficient quantity of generous Wine three times as much and towards the latter end of boyling mix of the best Treacle one pound and an half keep it for use the Dose is from half a dram to a dram There are some who have taught that they can draw Quick-silver out of the body by Sweats that it shall stick plainly to the Skin like Sand and afterwards being washt with water shal appear shining by this means if every other day in a Stove suffumigating the body one day with the Wine of the Decoction of Sage and Wormwood poured forth on red Bricks but the other day with Frankincense cast upon the Coles they draw forth Sweat and as often as they go out of the Bath they must rub their body with Aqua vitae distilled with Balm and continue it for twelve or fourteen daies afterwards let them anoynt themselves six daies with Oyl of Turky Millet and Foxes til as they say the aforesaid Sand doth stick to the Skin but we who profess that Quick-silver in substance cannot pass the body neither by its Suffumigations nor anoyntings as no other Medicines also but that they attempt what they perform by their vertues only carried thither we do judg this opinion of the Vulgar and of some Physitians to be false although it be very much imprinted in the minds of men and Deceivers prâ—â—â—ely conveighing quick-silver in a Plaster confirm it in the vulgar and in the like case we advise that Gold-smiths whiles they gild do sit out of the house in the open Air as for the most part they are wont to do that the Wind may drive the smoak from them and if there be need of quick-silver in the Cure we give order that it be fitly and moderately administred
do diversly offer themselves A strangling from things external for somtimes it is bred and shews it self some manifest cause concuring from which also it is as shall be said in the causes Somtimes difficulty of Breathing hath a Catarrh its companion A suffocating Catarrh in which also somtimes they are suffocated all Breathing being suddainly intercepted and this evil is called a Praefocating or suffocating Catarrhe Ofttimes it is coupled with affects of the Breast with a Cough Wheezing in that called an Asthma in which they fetch their breath often with difficulty as if they were wearied with too much Motion whence they are called Shortbreathed and Suspirious and they Cough but spit forth nothing mattery and somtimes in their Lungs there is heard a certain Piping or Wheezing and this evil assails them either continually ot upon a slight cause and it returnes and hath its Exacerbations and it is of long continuance and stubborn A Dyspnaea is somtimes joyned with a difficulty of swallowing A Quinsie and there is a pain or trouble both in the Jaws and Neck especially in that called a Quinsie or Cynanche because by reason of their breathing hinderd they gape like Dogs with their Mouth open which affect somtimes a Feaver doth accompany At other times also the breathing labors highly Suffocation and a Dyspnaea in an Apoplexy Palsie Spasm with a resolution of the whol Body in the Apoplectical and the sick are choaked as hath been said there and then a Dyspnaea is somtimes joyned with a Palsie or some Species of Spasm as hath been said there that then when they would breath forth strongly which is required to the uttering a great voice and being forced to Laugh Weep call out or to Cough they are compeld to breath forth powerfully the which because they cannot do for the causes there exprest they fall into danger of Suffocation Affects of the Womb somtimes go before that Species called the Suffocation The cause of the defect of Speech and Voice or Strangulation or Praefocation of the Womb with which being suddainly seazed somtimes the breathing being wholly taken away at othertimes very much hinderd they are so tormented as if their Jawes were tyed with a bond and those thus affected then they call Hysterical A swelling distension of the Belly are also with a Dyspnaea in the faults of the natural parts A Dyspnaea in the faults of the natural Parts But especially in the Hydropical to whom it is very troublesome so that they are forced to breath upright like to the Orthropneumatical and lying down they are in danger of Choaking There is also a certain Nocturnal suffocation The Night Mare that befals those that Sleep called Pnigalion or the Night-Mare because they think and Dream that they are suffocated by some thing lying upon them and pressing them and afterwards waking they think that they have sufferd that from an Enemy or Witch or Devil and that they were invaded and opprest by them whence they call it Ephialtes and Doating for a time they do somwhat perswade themselves so The Voice or Vocal breating which at our pleasure we can wholly omit yet not make unless there be a breathing forth can no waies be long abolisht by reason of Respiration because that cannot long cease The defect of the Voice in a Dysnaea Yet it happens that it is utterd obscurely by reason of that if the breathing be very smal but more commonly it happens in a Dyspnaea that the Voice cannot be utterd very clear and loud but sending forth of the breath not being hinderd In a Palsie the Voice nevertheless cannot somtimes be exprest by us or at other times also can only be brought forth silently and lowly both which somtimes happen in a Palsie other Motions also being then hurt together as hath been explained there but at other times without this the Voice is lost for a time and returnes again as I remember an excellent Physitian Theodorus Zuingerus An Aphony my God-father and Colleague when we were in the School of my Father Thomas Platerus that was Master to us both A defect of the Voice with a pain of the jawes hath ofttimes been so Stupified that he could not answer one word though asked with threatning and hath so returned home mute and astonisht his sences otherwise entire which Species they call Apolepsie and Hippocrates an Aphony some would refer it to the Species of a Catalepsie somtimes also when the Voice is lost or weak there is felt a pain in the Jawes a Tumor or some other fault and somtimes it is apparent Speech or an Articulate voice may be intermitted at our desire or will A defect of Speech the Voice failing but we cannot speak unless there be a vocal Respiration and therefore by reason of the defect of the voice as hath been already said the Speech is either abolisht or not sufficiently utterd but also somtime they cannot speak without an Impediment of the Voice and they are called Dumb in a Palsie either peculiar to the Tongue or common also to other parts Dumb. somtimes they are both Dumb and Deaf from their Birth but oftentimes when they cannot exactly express certain Syllables or letters Deaf and Dumb Stutterring those especially which that they may be pronounced do require a various doubling of the Tongue as in R. and S. to be pronounced with a noise or hissing they Stutter and are called Blaesi or Lispers the which also happens with some faults of the Lips or Teeth or Jawes The Causes Every cause of breathing taken away or diminisht A Suffocation by reason of the Brain in an Apoplexy of the Voice and Speech how these do fail in an Apoplexy all the sences being taken away by reason of the Brain affected and in an Epilepsie also hath been explained in the Consternation of the Mind For which reason as long as the Motion of the Heart ceaseth Breathing abolisht in a Syncope by reason of the heart so long also Respiration may cease seeing then there will be no need of it but if that be hinderd the Motion of the Heart not first ceasing that a man must needs die we will shew in a Syncope But if these fail without a Disease of â—he principal parts of the Brain and Heart this comes to pass by reason of the Nerves that carry the vertue or of the moving Muscles or of other Instruments that effect and help Motion By occasion of the Nerves affected An affect of the Nerves of the Toung is the cause that somtimes they are Deaf and Dumb. that the Speech Voice and Breathing may be weakened hath been formerly explained in the Impotency of motion their Muscle being then palsied or contracted by the causes declared there that the Speech somtimes may be particularly abolisht the third conjugation being affected which makes the Nerve of the Tongue and if the hurt be great especially a fault
of conformation from the Birth that then the Hearing is commonly taken away too by reason of its Communication with the said branch And that the same also comes to pass An affect of the recurrent Nerves is the cause of the defect of of Speech and Voice if the branches of the Nerves of the sixth and seventh conjugation called the Recurrent Nerves folding with the Muscles of the Tongue do suffer An affect of the Nerves of the sixth and seventh Conjugation is the cause of a Dispnoea with a Palsie And if this be in the branches of the same Recurrent Nerves that infold the Larynx that the Voice doth then also cease the dissections of Anatomists do manifestly declare who for experience sake have in a Hog taken the recurent Nerves in a band which Aphony by reason of the recurrent Nerves arising from internal causes seldom happens particularly to the Voyce and if it be it proceeds either only from some thick vapor as they would have it or only from a Defluxion fallen down thither but this fault more commonly happens to the Voice and Speech in a Palsie from the causes mentioned together also with other Impotencies of motion to which also that Impediment of Breathing which in uttterring of a strong voyce we have said did offer it self as in Crying out Laughing Howling Coughing Snezing is somtimes added if the other Intercostal branches infolding the Muscle be affected too for Breathing alone seldom suffers a Defect singly without other hurts by reason of the Nerves seeing the Midriff whose motion is sufficient for moderate Breathing hath received Nerves as hath been explained there not only from the said Conjugation of Nerves but also from the Spinal Marrow great Nerves on both sides proceeding from its first pairs joyned together and descending to the Midriff for which cause it doth not fall out that the Breathing ceaseth unless both the Spinal Marrow and the Conjugations or paires of the Nerves be hurt together which can scarce be but about their beginning in the Brain as hath been said in an Apoplexy as neither can it be hinder'd in a Palsie unless the hurt befalling both the Paires and Conjugations of the Nerves and reaching also the Nerves of the Midriff The Nerves of the Midriff troubled with a Defluxion do cause an occult Asthma doth prejudice many motions yet it also comes to pass that especially the greater Nerves of the Midriff proceeding from the Spinal Marrow singly and soly troubled with defluxions or other Diseases may breed a certain Dyspnaea such as we have observed in the Asthmatical continually molesting the sick no other signs appearing of the Lungs affected By reason of the Muscles Natural and Vocal breathing faileth An affect of the Muscles of the Tongue is the cause of the Defect of Speech Of the Muscles of the defect of the Voice as the Speech if the Muscles moving the Tongue for we shal treat afterwards of the faults of the Tongue as it is an Instrument that is moved the Voice if the Muscle of the Larynx being troubled with Defluxions cannot do their office they by moving the Tongue these by dilating and straitenning the cleft of the Larynx for diversly shaping the Voyce Or if this happen from an Inflammation of them or some other Tumor hindering their Function But the defect of Natural Breathing sometimes happens by reason of a Disease of the Muscles that constitute and move the Breast neither doth Breathing suffer dammage only when we would make a strong breathing forth which these Muscles do chiefly perform but also if the cause be great Natural drawing in the breath is also hindered and that commonly from a Defluxion falling down upon the Muscles of the breast and the Intercostal A Disease of the muscles of the breast is the cause of a Dispnaea whence oftentimes follows a great streightness of the Breast with pain the which also comes to pass if these Muscles be bruised or inflamed whence Swellings and pains shew themselves outwardly and if this happens to the Muscles of the belly which also do move the breast and press forth the Excrements they can no longer exercise that vehement endeavor which is required by holding the breath and pressing these Muscles in the casting forth of Excrements The Midriff since it is the principal Organ of Natural breathing The Midriff affected by it self is the cause of a Dyspnaea if it be hurt not only by consent of its Nerves as hath been formerly declared but by it self then it is the chief cause of breathing hurt But this comes to pass especially if the Defluxion which fals down on its Nerves or slides into the intercostal Muscles doth reach also to the Midriff whence we have seen some vehemently tormented But if it be assaulted by other Diseases the motion of the Midriff is rather depraved than weakned as we shal explain there although it may also come to pass And by consent that the Midriff because it lurks free in the inner parts exposed every where to the internal heat being dried and bound up in a Burning Feaver upon that account a Dyspnoea may arise which oftentimes fals out in these Feavers but its motion is more commonly hindred if it be molested by Vapors Wind Humors or the Neighboring Bowels Vapors raised in the lower Belly of a manifest quantity or quality or malignant and poysonous and being gathered about this transverse space or Midriff and stopping there some time until they are carried further and hindering its free motion which is required in breathing by divers waies especially if they be plentiful sometimes induce a Dyspnaea sometimes fear of choaking and other accidents moreover both because the Midriff hath a great consent with the heart by reason of the Pericardium and with the Brain because it is a nervous part and hath eminent Nerves whence it comes to pass that if it be troubled it doth not only hinder breathing but also accidents of the Heart and Brain do follow and so much the more if furthermore the vapors from it do reach also to these principal parts the which if there be a malignant or poysonous quality in them may easily come to pass as also these are wont at other times to prejudice these parts the Midriff not being offended as we have said in the hurt of internal senses and shal shew in the affects of the Heart the which accidents yet do presently cease the Vapors being repeld or otherwise discust and dissipated or flying back by the motion of the Midriff unless by the continual arrival of the cause the Midriff be so molested or infected that either fome permanent Disease doth follow or most grievous accidents of the Functions of the mind do ensue which are wont to be hurt by the fault of the Midrif as that being inflamed we see a Phrensie doth follow whence they have called the Midriff Phrenas that is the Mind as the Falling-sickness Madness and at last the
a moist or Night-air or Westwind the East astringeth Also from the Head being inflamed with the Sun It is hurtful to lie with the Face upwards because so the humor fals sooner into the mouth except it be when you take Pils in the mouth Fast sometimes or eat little exercise gently sleep moderately and they wil hinder the increase of humors If Hoarsness come from a Tumor or Ulcer of the Jawes The Cure of Hoarsness it must be cured as I shal shew in its proper place for that being cured the hoarsness ceaseth but if that be not cured or so cured that there remaineth unevenness the Hoarsness is uncurable As I have known many from Leprosies and the Pox to be ever hoarse If it come from cold and driness it is cured by warm moist and suppleing things If it come from a Defluxion after spitting of the humor up it ceaseth But if the Defluxion return or the humor stick fast use things mentioned for a Catarrh But for expectoration it is best here to use Clensers and Lenifiers such as are mentioned there to which I shal add these following choice things Myrrh held in the Mouth til it dissolves is excellent Also the Infusion of Gum Traganth in Violet or Rose-water Hot Milk with the white of an Egg or Mucilage is good for a Gargle A raw Egg is experimental but a rear Egg is better because there is nothing from beasts eaten crude but it is nauseous except Milk Boyled Snailes also by reason of their sliminess but they without Salt are not eaten pleasantly nor Eggs. Also buttered Leeks Coleworts and Arrach Also crude Purslane doth wonderfully take away roughness not only of the Teeth but Jaws And it is good boyled Also Cubebs beaten with Raisons especially when it is from cold Juyce of Liquorish held in the Mouth Juyce of Coleworts boyled with Honey Oyl of sweet Almonds Fresh Butter Mathiolus commends the water of Phyllitis These Compounds are also good Take Myrrh Frankincense Sugar-candy each equal parts with Mucilage of Gum Traganth make smal Troches like Lupines to be held in the mouth Or thus Take Turpentine two drams dislolve it with the Yolk of a small Hen-egg add Orris Myrrh each half a dram Cubebs one scruple meal of Orrobus and Starch each two drams Penidies half an ounce Honey to make a Lohoch Rondoletius commends the Pils of Benzoin and Helidaeus Avicens Pils to be held in the Mouth Lobel saith that with this Syrup he cured Women that had been ten yeers Hoarse Take Erysimum or wild Mustard with the roots six handful Elicampane and Colts-foot green Liquorish each two ounces Borrage Succory Maidenhair each one handful and an half Coâ—dial flowers French Lavender or Bettony flowers each half a handful Aniseed six drams Raisons stoned two ounces boyl them in Barley water and Honey add Juyce of Water-cresses six ounces add as much Sugar to two or three pints of the strained Liquor as wil make a Syrup Or this Take Liquorish two ounces Marsh-mallow roots green three ounces Orris Galangal each half an ounce Erysimum three handful Colts-foot Coleworts Arrach Mallows Purslain Green each one handful Mallows Violets each one pugil Gourd and Melon seed each half an ounce Cotton seeds one dram Barley and Beans each one pugil Raisons stoned twenty pair Cubebs one dram boyl and strain them and with Honey or Sugar make a Syrup Or this Gargle Take Liquorish and Marsh-mallows each two ounce Mallows with the roots one handful Beans Orobus beaten each one pugil Raisons stoned twenty pair Figs Jujubes Sebestens each six pair Myrrh Frankincense each three drams boyl them and with Honey or Sugar make a Gargarism Belching Vomiting Snorting Spitting The Cure of other kinds of Depraved Breathing Hauking if they be preternatural shal be treated of in Excretion here they are mentioned only for order sake Whooping Panting and Breathing or blowing hot do little hurt of themselves so that we neither mention further their Causes or Cure We mentioned in the Kinds what was different from natural Respiration CHAP. VI. Of the Defect of Swallowing or passage by the Throat The Kinds WE say the passage through the Throat is wanting or defective when things cannot go downward or upward as they ought somtimes Sometimes they cannot swallow or it is with difficulty Difficuly of Swallowing And the hinderance is the greater because the action is natural and usual And then there is somthing appears in the Jaws or there is pain sometimes there is a defect of swallowing without a Palsie or Convulsion as we shewed in Impotent motion Somtimes things cannot be sent upward or with much difficulty And though this be not natural or usual yet it is somtimes necessary and it hinders if it be not It is either when by nature they can neither Vomit nor Belch Somtimes there is a desire to Belch and it is troublesome if it cannot be Hinderance of Belching but the passage is stopt and there is a burning of this in a Cardialgia A desire or endeavor of Vomiting is called Nausea or Loathing Difficulty of Vomiting and not only some things are loathed but they feel the stomach troubled and provoked to Vomit and the Rhewm sent to the mouth and yet nothing is voided This is worst for them that are used to vomit at certain times because it is to them natural and the suppression thereof is troublesom The Causes The Cause of the Defect of these motions in the passage of the Throat is either in the part that communicates the force of motion or in the Instrument the Gullet or Stomach Difficulty of Swallowing followeth from the Resolution and Convulsion of the Nerves of the sixth and seventh Conjugation The distemper of the Nerves is the cause of difficulty of Swallowing that come to the Muscles of the Jawes which Fallopius saith cause the first swallowing not the hairs in the Gullet and comes from the same Diseases with Convulsions of other parts and then it is a kind of symptom of the Stomach if it be from a wound or of a Palsie or Convulsion as was shewed in impotent motion If it come from a Palsie it is harder to swallow down liquid things than solid And from the affliction of the same Nerves in some Palsies they cannot speak plain or cough or vomit though Nature force without danger of being choaked When the passage is stopped in the Gullet and swallowing hindered which they say comes from the relaxing of the tufts as I shewed in the Muscles thereof but because the Gullet moves not of its own accord by its own villi or hairs but by the Muscles of the Jaws as as we shewed this cannot be granted The Causes that hinder swallowing are when the gullet is too dry and cannot send meat down as in burning feavers or if it be stopped by things swallowed either great or sticking or rough or sharp or otherwise as Rhasis speaks of Horsleeches From which being great
and hard as nuts-shels bones because they press the Membranous side of the Wind-pipe which is joyned to the gullet and so straiten it breathing and swallowing are also hindered even as both passages suffer the same when from external injuries tying or dislocation of a spondil The dryness of the Gullet is the cause of difficulty of Swallowing and are contracted when the Gullet is inwardly straitend by a Tumor of the Neck or Inflammation or Defluxion Obstruction of the Gullet is the cause of difficult swallowing the Patient swallows with difficulty Also when it is corroded or pricked it cannot suffer things to pass for pain with inflamation And this comes from sharp things or vapors or humors As a Boy that eat fish greedily and was choaked with a sharp bone that fixed in the Gullet after a great Tumor and Inflamation Of the causes mentioned some hinder Vomiting when it should be Obstruction of the Gullet is cause of Vomiting hindered The streightness of the Stomach causeth difficult Vomiting but not all because Vomiting being more forcible Natural and Voluntary motion will sooner make way then swallowing which is only from our will Besides these Diseases of the Gullet if it be in a streight place it cannot be dilated and so Vomiting is hindered Hence it is that they that have streight Breasts and short Necks are unfit to vomit Vomiting is difficult from the fault of the Stomach And the streightness of the Neck causeth the same If it be not too loose nor the right Orifice too large as it is naturally and therefore men that have good Stomacks concoct well yet being sick and stirred to Vomit by Medicines or Excrements yet they cannot vomit but with great pain And contrarily they who have too much dilated their Stomach by gluttony and drunkness vomit upon the least occasion When a sharp and hot humor boyles in the stomach A boyling humor in the Stomach is the cause of difficult belching as we shall shew in Cardialgia or hartburning it causeth a desire to belch from the breaking of those bubbles which it raiseth and which send forth a wind or burning vapor to the Mouth of the stomach but because the wind is dispersed before it come into the Gullet there is no belching And if a Humor stick fast in the Stomach A tough humor in the Stomach is the cause of difficult Vomiting and Solicite vomiting yet it wil not cause it because it cannot come forth but the things taken may be vomited up Though often the Humors are vomited and the meat retained though but lately eaten by natures choyce to cast out the worst as we shall shew in immoderate Vomiting The Cure That we may know what to do in difficulty of swallowing vomiting and belching we shall speak of each Particularly If difficulty of swallowing come from the Nerves affected and the Muscles of the Jaws loosned The Cure of the difficulty of swallowing which is a kind of Palsie in a general Palsie it is the worse because it signisies that not only the pairs of Nerves in the Back but also those of the sixth and seventh Conjugation are hurt Except it be a Particular Palsie as of the Tongue and parts adjacent which is also bad and threatneth a general The same Cure is to be used as in the Palsie in respect of the causes If it come from a Defluxion of water to the Nerves it must be purged revelled and consumed and the part confirmed Amongs which Mustard held in the Mouth is excellent as I shewed And Pellitory of Spain it draws water plentifully And Tablets of Nuâ—megs according to my uncles receit are excellent Also Gargarismes that reach the Muscles of the Jaws As this Take Calamus half an ounce Sage Rosemary each one handful Lavender flowers one pugil Cypress Nuts four Nutmegs two Cloves one dram boyl them in Water and the fourth part Wine and in one pint and an half dissolve Honey of Rosemary and Squils of each two ounces Vinegar of Squiis half an ounce Or thus Take â—â—amoron Oxymel of squils of each one ounce and an half Sage and Lavender water of each four ounces Make a Gargle There are many Oynâ—menrs for the Neck mentioned in the Palsies to which add these Take Oyl one ounce Oyl of Spike Masitch of each half an ounce Labdanum Frankincense Storax of each half a dram with a little Wax make a Liniment If it be a kind of Spasmus The Cure of difficulty of swallowing which is a kind of Convulsion it must be cured as that is And the Topicks applied as in the Palsie It is deadly from a wound as we shewed in Spasmus If it be from heat in Feavers see Feavers and cool with Epithems The Cure of difficult swallowing from the dryness of the Gullet to the Liver chiefly and Gargarisms and Linctus as in hoarsness that comes from roughness of the Chaps give moist meat Unctions Broths Barley Cream Emulsions c. If the body fallen in be thick The Cure of difficult swallowing from things fallen into the Wind-pipe or sticking or Membranous we must use divers arts upwards and downwards Oftentimes things are driven down by a great draught of water or washed off if they stick or with a piece of Bread or by neesing but chiefly by vomiting which is easier if they can first take a great deal of Water and Oyl and as Rhasis saith if we strike the Neck of the Patient If the thing may be seen and laid hold upon we have Instruments for to take it out as the forceps c. And other bending things that may fit themselves to the passage and so we thrust it down as a thick stick of a birchen broom or Beets or any thing they will bend and not break being green If it be dry soften it in hot Lead or anoynt it with Oyl Rhasis useth Lead But a Wax Candle dipp'd in Oyl is best They say that a peice of a Spunge tied to a string and swallowed down and after much water is drunk to swel it pulled up again will fetch any thing out of the Throat but this is best in thin and sharp things that trouble the Gullet for it can do nothing except the Spunge be swallowed This may be done by a great bead which will be swallowed more easily and may be done often We give Oyl or Butter to make the part slippery and anoynt the Throat to enlarge it If a Hors-leech creep into the mouth and stick to the Gullet Rhasis shews the cure But we advise it to be pul'd out with the Forceps if it may be laid hold upon or provoke it to ascend with drinking hot water and holding afterwards cold in the mouth or we drive it downwards as other Worms with things that displease them as by drinking Vinegar eating Salt things Onions Garlick Mustard and the like that are contrary to Worms as shal be shewed in their places When the Gullet is
or a stone in both together Consumption obstruction drying of both Kidneys or ureters or the absence of one ureter is the cause of suppression of Urin. which is seldom Or when in burning feavers both the ureters are dryed up or when one ureter is wanting or twisted and the other stopped as I saw in an Anatomy And if these be the Causes and the Bladder empty there is no pain from distention nor desire to Piss There is seldom defect in pissing from the largness of the Bladder except it be wounded A wound in the Bladder causeth Suppression of urin when it is empty as in a Fisher that pissed from a hole in his Groyn and not from the Yard Pissing is chiefly hindered from the Neck of the Bladder when it is obstructed and this being a narrow passage is easily stopped or straitned by cold and then there is pain or by outward compression with long sitting or the like in regard of the stoppage of that part between the Fundament and the Yard through which the Urin passeth in men Or by inward compression by the streight Gut filled with Excrements or Wind. The same may come from Inflamation of the parts adjacent or a great Tumor The Urin is most stopped when after long retention the Bladder is stretched much and the Neck thereof so contracted that it cannot be opened This is incident to them that sit long at banquets and are ashamed to rise and make water or otherwise for want of a convenient place stay so long that they cannot Piss Doting people that are very contemplative forget Pissing and other Functions which depend upon the will in part Doting or Delirium is the cause of Ischuria Moreover in the Convulsion or twisting of the Neck of the Bladder Also the twisting of the Bladder by a Rupture is the cause of Ischuria as we shewed in the convolvulus of the Guts Urin may be wholly suppressed as we shewed in the Fisherman whose bladder from a Rupture in the Groyn fel into the Cods and lay stretched out and voided no Urin but by a Catheter while an ignorant Chyrurgion let it out by cutting thereof which gave ease to the patient with great danger from which being freed he pisseth yet through a Fistula that remains by drawing forth a tent wherewith it is stopped If it come from obstructions of the Neck of the Bladder A Stone in the Bladder flopping it causeth Ischuria and Strangury it is a stone usually that stops it if it be a great one or a little one that passeth into the Yard in men As we shall shew in the pains of the Reines A Caruncle or Callus from an Inflamation not well cured An excrescence in the Neck of the bladder or humor is the cause of Ischury or Strangury being in the same passage causeth stoppage of Urin as also Warts and clotted blood and matter though not of so long continuance other humors cannot cause it because that they come not to the Bladder and if they do Stupefaction of the bladder is the cause of little and seldom Pissing they are so mixed with the Urin that they can get easily forth therewith When the Nerves of the Bladder are afflicted and the sting is lost the expulsive faculty acteth not as it is the cause as of not going to stool so of not pissing Also when there is no pricking of Urin and the Bladder is not ful yet we may make water by pressing the bladder with the Muscles of the Belly which cannot be in going to the stool except the expulsive faculty help by our own will because there is need of more force to send forth thick humors then Urin. Therefore though the bladder and its Neck and Sphincter be stupefied yet Urin may be voided as in the Palsie and when the Sphincter is loosned there is involuntary pissing because it is the office of that Muscle to retain not expel the Urin. But it is true that if the Bladder be Stupified we piss more seldom as when it is of exquisite sense more often Because the expulsive faculty forceth out will to make water as we shall shew in often Pissing The Cure If Pissing be seldom What we must foretel and do in defect of pissing from what cause soever from drinking little or dry Diet much sweat or purging or in less quantity it needs no Cure because it doth no hurt But if it come from stoppage of the bowels in dropsies the Serum being so retained that they piss less then they drink which causeth a Tumor of the Belly we shall shew the Cure therefore in the Dropsie If it come from thickness of the Serum through things taken in there must be a contrary Diet and thinner drink If from the Kidneys and Vreter on both sides which is seldom seen if there be no Urin in the Bladder it is mortal and incurable If from a wound of the Bladder so that the Urin fals into the Belly or comes forth at the Wound either they die or as we shewed there is a Fistula through which they piss but it is rare as is also the bladder falling into the Cods which had been deadly without the chance mentioned If it come from cold because it causeth pain it shall be mentioned there If from compression of the Neck of the bladder it ceaseth when the Excrements and Wind are voided If Urin long held stretch the Bladder and there be Inflamation or Tumor the Cure is to be applied to them If it come from a Stone Caruncle or other Tumors or Humor which stoppeth the passage when these impediments are removed the Urin is voided If from the Stupefaction of the bladder the pissing be slower you must not meddle therewith for when it is ful it will come forth or by straining at stool We shall now shew what Medicines are to be used internal and external to provoke Urin in divers causes Remedies to provoke Urin and help Pissing especially when the Serum is thick and the passages about the Bowels Reigns Bladder and Vreters are stopped These are called Diureticks that cause it to be more or quicker either by increasing of the Serum or making it thin and fluid and seperated from the blood that it may pass easily from the Kidneys to the bladder or by making the Serum and Urin hotter and sharper to stir up the expulsive faculty as we shall shew One dram of the Powders following are to be given in a good quantity of Wine Ale or Milk or other convenient Liquor and if you will keep them long make them into Troches The first Take Water-cress seeds one dram and an half Pouder them The second Take Acrons and Hazel nuts dryed in an Oven of each one dram and an half give it with Goats Milk morning and evening The third Pouder Take Madder roots Asarum Fennel Parsley Lovage Water cress Nigella winter cherry seeds of each one dram Valerian half a dram make
in the Palpitation thereof or Oyl of Jesemin or Oyntment of water Lillies or Citrine Oyntment Or Take Oyl of water Lillies two ounces juyce of Citrons and Vinegar of Roses of each half an ounce boyl them to a Consistence add of all the Saunders Roses and Sorrel seed of each one scruple Coral one dram Pearl half a dram Camphire half a scruple with Wax make an Oyntment Or apply this Emplaister Take Treacle one dram and an half the Cerot of Sanders half a dram the species of Diamoscbu and Diambra of each half a scruple A Cordial Bag. Take of all the Saunders each one dram dryed Citron peels the four cordial flowers of Scabious and Leaves of Balm each half a dram Ivory or the Bone of a Stags heart two scruples Species Diamoschum one dram make a little Bag sprinkle it with Wine and Rose-water or Fume it therewith apply it to the heart It is good to raise them to sprinkle Water and Rose-water and Vinegar and Wine upon the Face Also to bind the Limbs and rub them very hard Also to stop the Nose and pul it and open the mouth and rub the Tongue They are soonest raised with great Noise and Neesing And to place them with the Head down and the body high Let them be quiet after the Fit for weak people faint upon the least motion CHAP. XI Of the Depravation of Vital Motion The Kinds IF the Vital Motion be Depraved which may be seen as I shewed in the Voluntary and Involuntary Functions of the parts Heart and Arteries we do not observe it as in the defect for none can live too much and the body and its parts cannot be too strong And if any parts that move voluntarily move too much or wrong that belongs to the depraved voluntary motion of which we have spoken We observe Depravation of Vital Motion in the pulse of the Heart and Arteries when it is oftener or more vehement than it ought to be by nature or proceeds otherwise disorderly Oftentimes the pulse of the Heart and Arteries is more frequent than is fit The quick beating of the Heart and Arteries whether great or smal both in sound and sick the breathing being also quick and if this pulse be great also it is with pain in the Breast Neck Head Ears It is to be felt in those parts and by Physitians at the Wrists Vehement and immoderate pulsation or beating of the Heart and Arteries Heart-beating is a symptom often by it self or in cathectick Maids before they have their Terms or such as have the Hypochondriack Melancholy This is called palpitation or trembling of the Heart because the motion is unequal And being alwaies strong it is perceived plainly in the left side of the Breast often in the Neck somtimes under the Ribs especially on the left side it is very troublesom and weakneth him much if it continue Sometimes it forceth the Ribs and as Fernelius saith puts them out of their place Aneurisma Sometimes it so dilateth the Artery and drives it out that it causeth the Tumor called Aneurisma which is great and beating This Symptom somtimes remitteth and comes again sooner or later and it continueth longer or shorter time as we said I observed a grievous and wonderful palpitation of the Heart in the yeer 1627. in a noble Virgin of Narbo in France who was alwaies held in her fit by two strong men that bare down the left side of her Breast with her hands til it ceased otherwise shee complained that her Breast and Ribs would break An Inordinate and uneven Pulse causeth trouble An uneven Pulse but that which beats low is considered not as a Symptom but only a sign shewing the Disease and the strength And therefore Physitians feel it The Causes It is most certain that the Heart and Arteries cause this depraved palpitation by their motion because no other parts do beat When these beat moderately sound people ought not to perceive it least the noise should be a hinderance as it is when they beat vehemently especially where the Arteries are great and many and free not sunk into the Muscles as in the left side not only by reason of the left Ventricle of the Heart and the Ear that moveth it self there but by the great Artery that comes from the left side of the Heart and descendeth by the left side of the Vertebrae Also in both fides of the Throat which the great Artery ascending goerh through being divided and there produceth the sleeping Arteries and those of the Arms Also under the Ribs especially or the left side because the great Artery descending thither lieth chiefly on the left side As also because it produceth great Arteries which accompany the branches of the Gate-vein on the right side especially those that go to the natural bowels and the Spleen For which causes when the Arteries beat much the putefaction is perceived on that side and is troublesome In other places where the Arteries are less or hidden though they beat stronger yet are they not perceived except it be by the pain of the part adjoyning which is troubled at the least touch of an Artery As in pains of the Head by reason of the great Ventricles of the brain beating and in Inslammations Or when a little Artery beating too violently in a strait place and hurts a Nerve as in the Ears wherein we may hear the pulsation But in naked parts without flesh you may touch a pulse and judg whether it be natural or depraved especially in the Wrist The truest causes of the great beating of the Heart and Arteries is the dissipation of vital spirits and the repletion and dilatation of the Arteries among which there are others less probable If the influent vital spirits be suddenly or too much dissipated so that the innate spirits cannot enjoy them sufficiently because it is necessary that new be alwaies sent from the Heart to the whole body which must be done by the pulsation of the Heart and Arteries It is therefore no wonder if their motion be enlarged and more quick and if the cause be great more vehement with great breathing which as is said brings matter to make vital spirits And this may come also from the spirits stirred with the blood the Heart and Arteries being inflamed When the spirits are suddenly tossed hither and thither The too great stirring of the spirits is the cause of quick great pulsation of the Arteries and dispersed and not equally communicated to the body the Heart and Arteries beat quick for new and the respiration is greater or otherwise strength would fail This comes from the motion of the body and mind as we shewed in quick respiration which comes from thence Hence is it that the pulsation increaseth by the passions of the mind as anger Joy Terror Fear Shame the spirits being moved which Erasistratus knew when from the sudden motion of the pulse from the beholding of the Nurse that
Oyl of Roses Cold air Cures thirst by cooling the Lungs if it come from them and by correcting the heat of the whol body in regard the Tunicle of the Mouth and of the stomach are all one Baths for the Feet and Hands of cold water and change of Linnen doth the same Also Epithems applied to the Liver and Heart And anoynting of the Throat and Neck with Oyl of Violets Water-lillies Willows Poppies Some anoynt the Head in Feavers with the same because the Nerves of the Head consent with the stomach but I suppose it doth good by provoking sleep Hippocrates saith that sleep slaketh thirst not because it moistneth as some say but because heat is carried outward by sleep as appeareth by sweating which is then most easie to be cause Rest is good because it keeps the body cool And also little talk for much increaseth thirst CHAP. XIV Of Defect of Bleeding The Kinds THe wants of bleeding which is divers waies at set times differ first in respect of the place as they are not or not sufficient either from the womb Fundament or Nostrils or the like A suppression of the Terms is when the monthly Evacuation of women Stoppage of Terms by the womb for forty years in which they are fit to bear Children is wanting and they are neither with Child nor give suck Some women but it is rare never have them and without inconvenience these are Virago'es because they are like men Others have had them but they stopped and never returned Some have wanted them a whol year or some months In whom Laziness presageth Diseases Then follows heart pain want of Appetite and loathing with inclination to Vomite Palpitation of heart and Arteries Head-ach troublsome dreams palness of face and crudity of urin discovereth it And as these are preternatural in Plethory and Cacochymy so are they Natural in Women with Child whose Terms are stopped they vomit in the first month Also suppression of Terms is when they flow too slowly for the constitution in less quantity or shorter time then is meet This causeth inconveniences There is another flux of the womb after Child-bearing that is necessary Want of cleansing after child-bearing and continueth some dayes more abundant then the monthly the blood is called Lochia If these flow not they cause great Diseases Colick and Convulsion There is a flux at the Fundament in both sexes called Haemorrhoids Stoppage of Haemorroids in some Natures either once in a year or at a certain time this is said to be stopped when it hath been and is called suppression of Hemorrhoids Physitians explain this defect chiefly when there are other accidents from the retention of them as Cacochymy Cachexy Quartan Feaver Melancholly and the like The Patient disdaining the Flux Complains not of the want of it but when he is Pained by the swollen Veins which cannot open which are called the blind Hemorrhoids Some have a natural Evacuation at the Nose The want of bleeding at Nose at a set time which are young and Plethorick and bleed at no other part as women that want their terms that are with child or Virgins before they have them And hither may be refer'd the critical evacuations in Diseases If any of these are stopped the Physitian must endeavor to procure them If blood flow another way though somtimes it doth good Defect of bleeding by other parts yet in regard it is not so according to nature it belongs to the defect of Natural bleeding if it stop The Causes The defect of these bleedings is either from the want or foulness of blood or from the stoppage or straitness of the Veins Women fit to conceive must have more blood then is fit to nourish the body to nourish the Child if they do conceive 〈◊〉 to be purged forth at the end of the month if they conceive not If this plenty of blood be wanting or not sufficient there is little or no Flux of the Terms And though this want of blood may come from divers causes yet all do not cause this suppression There are Women but few in which as nature before they are ripe to conceive A manly Constitution is the cause of suppression of Terms breeds no more blood then will nourish the body so she keeps the same course when they are fit to conceive these are barren and without other inconveniences These are called Virago'es from their manlike constitution From want of juyce of which blood should be made Spare Diet causeth the same the Terms flow less rather then cease because nature keeps the the same order when blood doth not abound Yet there may be a defect of Terms from long fasting or use of bad meats so that the body may grow very lean In sharp Diseases the blood being spent by violent heat Blood sent another way causeth want of Terms and Hemorrhoids if it continue long the same may be but being short it rather causeth a Flux then stops and often in a Crisis cureth the Disease And great Fluxes by provoking the expulsive faculty provoke the Terms except they be bloody and then they hinder as the Terms hinder them and bleeding at the Nose So these Fluxes are stopped by deriving of the blood to another part And the cheif cause of suppression of Humorrhoids is when nature retaines or sends it otherwaies Thickness of blood causeth also suppression of Terms and Hemorrhoids when it will not flow being too thick from the juyce of meats eaten or want of serum to carry it And this is the cause that in Cachectickes Thickness of blood causeth suppression of Terms and Hydropicks the Terms are stopt the serum or whey sweats through the Veins and when a Vein is opened the blood is thick and if it stand like red or white Coral Crude and impure blood Crudities and impurity of blood causeth suppression of Terms if it be thick as it will be when it is cold as we have observed with a thick skin at the top or foul will not flow by the Terms for the purest blood is sent to nourish the Child and to breed milk If therefore it be foul or there be obstructious then the Terms are wanting Therefore Cachectickes Leucophlegmaticks or Virgins in the Green-sickness while their blood is bad have not the Terms but when it is putrified have Hence it appears that this natural flux of the Terms is not for to discharge foul blood according to the vulgar error which will rather hinder it if it abound And it is not from the quality of blood that is evil but from the quantity abounding And it is preternatural when it is immoderate or without order And we shall shew that women after they are past the Terms may so bleed And though the impurity of the blood cause the Flux of the Hemorrhoids it is no argument why the Terms should flow from impurity naturally for they differ greatly for though foul blood be usually
of it for nourishing the membranes be pure it is waterish and some part thick it is full of excrementitious Humors that pass with the Chyle and being purged from these in the second concoction it is sent into the hollow Vein These excrementitious Humors seem whey-like and cholerick for Serum or Whey coming from much drink and moist food and passing through the Meseraicks and carrying with it other crude humors passeth in greater quantity to the emulgent Veins and so to the Reins and Bladder The cholerick Matter rifing from Meats and Drinks mixed with Blood is first purged by the liver and then sent to the Gall. Besides these two Humors for which nature hath made two receptacles we can find none nor can we by reason or sense perceive that the Spleen was ordained for that purpose Therfore a putrefaction in the Meseraicks nor in the hollow Vein cannot be distinct in any part of this blood or in the excrements mixed therewith but must needs corrupt the whol mass And if it come to the height that it sends most hot vapors which only can reach the Heart then it produceth these fevers Nor can they come from a crude or waterish blood which wil not so corrupt and grow so hot to send such vapors but other Diseases may As when the matter which aboundeth in this blood is cholerick and is not sufficiently clensed in the Gall but makes the blood too cholerick and putrifieth it then causeth intermitting Fevers by hot and subtile vapors sent to the Heart And for this cause we affirm that this blood corrupted with yellow or black Choler such as we have seen voided by the Haemorrhoids in the Cure of such fevers and Children have voided abundantly by stool causeth these intermitting fevers Thus The cholerick blood being long in the Veins before it produce a fever at length corrupting and swelling and burning about the Midriff and sending forth dry vapors which first offend the sensible Nervous parts by pricking the expulsive faculty causeth cold at the beginning of the fit the heat being sent in with the blood and when nature strives to shake off that which offendeth yawning chilness shaking as we may observe in other places when any sharp matter strikes upon sensile parts the body shivereth also Vomiting is often in the beginning from the stirring up of the expulsive faculty These are at the beginning but after when the Vapor from the Midriff ascending to the Heart by the waies aforesaid enflameth it a heat follows and the cold and shaking ceaseth except the Vapor go so soon to the Heart that the heat appears before the cold be gone and there be both heat and cold at the same time as in the fever Epialis This heat being raised from the Midriff the whol body is inflamed a great thirstand other accidents from heat continue so long til the Vapors being discussed by insensible transpiration or sweat the fever departs or intermits so long til new matter corrupting in time of rest cause as many vapors as may make a new fit And this course of fits continueth till all that matter which was apt to corrupt be taken away by help of Nature and the Physitian for in every fit part of that cholerick matter corrupted is turned into a Vapor discussed by heat or sweat out or pissed forth the Urin being after the fits yellow red sharp and stinking sometimes the whol Disease is dissolved by sweat and if any thick part of the choler stick in the skin there followeth the Maunge or Scab or the like somtimes by vomiting flegm and choler sent into the Stomach from the Gall is voided by whâ—ch the cause is taken away and the Ague cured These are by Art or Nature separating the feverish matter from the blood in the Meseraicks and the Vomits and Stools are bloody often when there is a Cure but it is dangerous because the way is not ordinary except the cause of the fever come forth with blood at the Haemorrhoids by these means we have seen quartans cured which could not be by other bleeding which draws from the branches of the hollow vein only and the Meseraicks only appear at the Haemmorrhoids Nor can the cause be so taken away except when the branches of the hollow vein are emptied theseverish matter gets into them out of the Meseraicks But if there be such a passage and the putrid blood be mixed with that in the branches of the hollow Vein an intermitting fever is made a Continual as I have often seen by unseasonable blood-letting when the cholerick matter is purged from the blood and the blood tempered with serum and carried thereby into the branches of the hollow vein and so into the habit of the body and Urin which it tinctureth then the fever either ceaseth with the Jaundies if the the whol cause be carried thither Sometimes this matter isinfused into the fibres or smal veins of the Guts and produceth Erysipelas and Colicks the fever ceasing or not as the matter is wholly or in part carried away from whence if Convulsions arise they are dangerous as I shewed Fernelius saies that he found a pound of this cholerick matter about the Membrane of the Liver and the Nerves of the Back in one that he dissected after his death of a Fever Therfore if cholerick blood corrupt in the Meseraicks it is the true cause of all intermitting fevers they come and go by reason of stoppage of the way to the Heart and thinness of the Vapors The diversity of them comes from the diversity of the place and matter The matter of this putrifying cholerick blood is not alwaies the same but as we see choller separated from the blood is now yellow now green and black thicker or thinner so is this divers in the Mesaraicks especially thinner or thicker The Corruption of thin choller in this blood before it can cause a feaver Corruption of thin blood in the Mesaraicks causeth an intermitting Tertian exquisite when pure Nothus or Bastard tertian when impure must be three daies after the first Corruption is discussed hence it is called a Tertian which comes every third day And if as much be corrupted as before it comes at the same hour or if more be corrupted it comes one hour or two sooner when less corruption or matter for it remaineth the fits are later and the feaver decaies But as this chollerick matter is pure or impure the course of the whol feaver and its fits varieth Pure Choler which is mixed with blood being hot makes an exquisite Tertian and because the vapors are sooner discussed the fits are shorter and the feaver lasteth scarce seven fits by reason of the quick motion of the matter If it be impure mixed rather with crude than flegmatick humors and blood it causeth a bastard tertian in which the fits are longer more disorderly and the fever longer because the matter is much and unequal If the Choller be thick and burnt Corruption
Violets Bugloss each half a dram pouder of Cloves half a dram of Saunders and Wood Aloes each a scruple Saffron five grains Diamargariton frigidum half a dram bind them in two little bags sprinkle them with Wine Vinegar and Juyces and bind them to the Pulses An Oyntment for the Heart and Pulses Take Oyl of Violets and Roses each an ounce the Mucilage of Fleabane seeds half an ounce Gallia Moschata a dram Camphire six grains Saffron half a scruple juyce of Lemons two drams mix them Oyntments for the Liver and Epithems to cool it and strengthen and open it if stopped for the Liver is hot in Fevers and inflames other parts Thus Take Lettice Water-lilly and Nightshade Water each one ounce and an half Rose-water an ounce Endive and Succory water each two ounces Vinegar of Roses an ounce Camphire six grains make an Epithem Another better against obstructions Take Endive Liver-wort and Succory water each two ounces Rose water an ounce and an half Lettice and Housleek water each an ounce Wormwood water six drams pouder of the three Sanders Spike and red Rose leaves each half a dram Vinegar one ounce Troches of Camphire half a scruple If you add Salt-peter or Lapis Prunellae these Epithems will cool more and resist putrefation Also this Bag Take flowers of red Roses Violets and Succory each a pugil all the Sanders half a dram seeds of Sorrel Endive and Purslane each a dram Parsley seed half a dram Spikenard a scruple sow them in a red cloth being bruised steep it in Vinegar Rose and Endive water apply it warm to the Liver After anoynt with Oyntment of Sanders or with Oyl of Roses and Violets with Spike and Wax Because the heat of the Reins is great which inflameth other parts use Galens cool Oyntment Or thus Take of Galens cool Oyntment two ounces Oyl of Violets and Roses each an ounce Vinegar half an ounce Camphyre five grains Mix them and anoynt The Stones have a consent with the Reins and the whol Body by reason of many Vessels therefore to cool them abates Inflammation of the Body Thus Take water of Plantane and water Lillies each four ounces Vinegar of Roses an ounce red Wine an ounce and an half wet a clout therein and apply it cold Cold washings of the outward parts by reason of the consent and the Vessels under the Skin and the Nerves do the same and cause sleep Thus Take Lettice Violet Housleek Purslane Vine-leaves Willow each one handful Poppy heads twelve or the leaves if sleep be wanting one handful Vinegar an ounce white Wine half a pint water as much as is sufficient wash the Hands Arms Legs and Feet with the Decoction warm at night It is good to hold cold things as Stones and Apples in the Hand It is good in Feavers to keep up the strength if they are continual and acute which we must have an Eye at For when it fails the Physitians labors in Vain because it is natures work to conquour a Feaver and if she yeild to the disease there can be no perfect Crisis but it is either imperfect or the Patient dieth in the battel Strength is preserved by order in good Air meat and drink and the like and by Medicines Air doth much refresh if it be cool and pure for then it refresheth and altereth Food as it is necessary for sick sound to restore what is lost while they live so it is required here because the body is dissolved with heat but because it must be concocted by nature by which means she is hindered from concocting the matter of the Disease especially if any quantity be taken Therefore let so much serve as will just sustaine and not put nature to too much trouble to concoct it Let it be thin as Hippocrates shews in acute diseases and that little nourisheth and given at certain times Or extream thin or indifferent thin alwaies observing custome which is another nature Hippocrates saith that an extream thin Diet is to be used in the vigor of the disease this the Patient endures best at that time And it is the better extream to give too sparing a diet at that time then too much by which the common people think to strengthen nature to over come the disease This is the most sparing which is given but once a day or twice when of little nourishment As Barley broath twice a day in the state only of the Feaver Or a Ptisan which is stronger this is the cream or juyce of Barley hulled and cleansed And it is given thinner or thicker as you please as you desire it should nourish This allayes choler also And also the juyce of Wheat called Starch or Rice well boyled doth easier digest and less swel The Germans use Hen or Chicken broath with alterers And they are good Also cream of Almonds or Emulsions is given not as drink but meat That slender diet which is fuller a little then this which Hippocrates saith must be at the beginning and continue to the state must be also used But when the exacerbation or fit comes or a little before the Patient must not eat not only to prevent the hindering of natures motion but to keep the heat from increasing which it doth after meat as we shall shew in Hecticks The fuller but sparing Diet is that which is given oftâ—er as twice or thrice in a day and hath more nourishment As the beaten flesh of a Chicken well boyled first and washed with its broath or stronge broath of the same Eggs because in cholerick persons they quickly corrupt are not to be given rashly nor Milk for the same reason which Hippocrates proclaimes to be naught in Feavers To this Diet belong sops in broath Prunes Apples Peares not sharp but fresh or new gathered or throughly dryed for then their juyce is most excellent and therefore the Germans keep all sorts of fruits so preserved and dryed or boyl'd in their Liquor or syrup wherein they are kept The other are made of Plants and are given for alteration rather then nourishment as sower fruits Wine is beyond all for refreshing and is not allowed but in the declining of the Feaver by reason of its heat especially when they sweat and also because it causeth Head-ach which is usual in a Feaver But in the declining it may be given to provoke Urin and refresh and also a fuller diet often and of little nourishment Sleep refresheth yet of some it is denied all the time of the Feaver while the heat goes outward least by sleep it should come inward But it is in vain to fear it because heat by sleep goes outward rather then inward at which time we see men are more hot and sweat and also because it allayes thirst Moreover nature makes better concoction in time of sleep and is active at that time in overcoming the cause of the disease Nevertheless in the exacerbation or fit of the Feaver it is better to abstaine from sleep And at
Head I suppose that that pain or sence of weight before and behind comes from the brain offended in the part from whence the Nerves and Marrow proceed The Disease which is in the meninges of the brain or the sensible parts thereof where the Nerves begin which causeth Head-ach is either manifest when a hot distemper inflames the parts or cold when it plucketh them or solution of continuity stretching or otherwise hurting Or it is a hidden quality which is offensive to these parts The helping Cause is the disposition of these parts to suffer From which cause if they be little the Disease is less if great or more causes meet the Disease is greater A hot distemper is often the cause of Head-ach A hot diflemper of the Brain causeth Head-ach for the Head as I shal shew easily is inflamed by reason of the plenty of spiritful blood and is pained by a preternatural heat And the rather when there is a matter which raiseth the heat to stretch and disturb it Or if there be an evil quality in them that offendeth the brain as it is usually from a hot vapor or humor from blood and choler The Head being uppermost easily receives Vapors Vapors going to the Head cause Head-ach especially thin these heat and pul and give occasion to Head-aches by consent This comes from outward scents but it is rather the return of an old pain which was usual than a new And sometimes from things eaten that with their Vapors strike the Head These may cause new Head-aches if they fil the Brain as in Drunkards who are pained in their Heads from the thin hot vapors of the Wine that heat and prick rather than stretch the Brain by a force as I shal shew contrary to the Brain and Nerves This pain comes after sleep from the stupifying or Narcotick quality of the Wine and the heat remaining and continues till the Vapors are thrown out by Snorting Vapors sent to the Head from hot cholerick and putrid humors in the Veins cause the Head-aches in most Fevers and out of Fevers they cause the fits of the Hemicrania or half Head-ach And Choler in the Stomach sending Vapors causeth Suffusions and Vertigoes or Giddiness and also Head-ach by consent Much spiritful Blood conteined in the large cavities and passages of the Brain Bloood in the Head causeth Cephalalgia by stretching or if it be hot by inflaming it causeth a Dotage or by heat a Cephalalgia or bloody Head-ach called Soda This is Cholerick Melancholick or Flegmatick as the blood abounding is thick or thin This Blood comes into the Head from a plethory in the Body which is from divers causes Or it is drawn thither by the heat of the Sun or Baths Noyse Coughing Stroaks Falls or great motion of the Body or Mind and made hotter Especially in hot Diseases this is a Symptom especially in Fevers in which the blood inflamed with the spirits in the Head as it is also in the great Veins hence comes Head-ach in all Fevers or from the Vapors for in Fevers the Head is made hotter as wel as the body We know when head-ach comes from blood from things foregoing and from the beating pain and redness of the Eyes and other causes Also if such excrementitious Choler as comes pure from the Ears separate from the water go to the Brain and Meninges it makes a pricking but it can scarse get thither without moisture nor doth it then cause pain because in the Jaundies except other causes happen there is no Head-ach A cold Distemper may cause head-ach A cold distemper of the Brain causeth Head-ach as wel as pain in the Nerves by binding and biting and by its adverse contrary quality to every sensible part This may come from flegmatick excrements of the Brain cooling the membranes and not the Brain for then there would be sleep or astonishment as in the Defluxion called Coryza there cometh somtimes actually cold water from the Nose and then the pain of the Head ceaseth Also pain riseth from some external actual Cold either because it astringeth or is otherwise an Enemy to the Head from the Air or Wind or cold things applied to the Head these cause Head-ach if they pierce inward And a little cold external in such as are used to have the Head-ach and to keep their heads warm if they stand bare wil cause the Head-ach therefore they defend their Heads Caps and long Hair And they who are offended easily with heat take off their Hair and say that if it be long they perceive the head-ach to trouble them as we have observed in old Men and bald-pated who use to be night and day bare-headed Also by accident external Cold by driving the external heat inward especially when from a cold place one suddenly removes into a hot may cause Head-ach rather by heating than cooling the Head Solution of Continuity manifest by external causes as a stroak Distention and Twitching in the Brain is the cause of Head-ach or Wound that pierceth to the Meninges make an inward Head-ach with an outward But distension and twitching pains are caused by Vapors and hot humors and flegmatick excrements abounding in the Brain cause the same not so much by their plenty as by their coldness and sharpness which they have by corruption or saltness And this Headach is joyned with a heat and is before or behind as the humor producing it is in the fore or hinder cavity and it is heavy like a weight with stretching and twitching And it is shorter when the excrements stay not and longer when they do and somtimes a Giddiness or Defluxion doth go before or accompany it And the plenty of these excrements being waterish thin sharp and hot as we shewed in Coryza with Head-ach flowing from the Eyes and Nose shew the cause And we have seen abundance of these humors voided not only at the Nose but Ears which have cured an old Ach. Any quality that is an Enemy to the Membranes of the Brain will cause pain in them first A quality which is an enemy to the brain causeth Head-ach and then in the Head either by a hidden force or a manifest quality As Narcoticks afflict the Brain with their evil quality being taken and also cause pain of the Head when they which took them come to their senses and it continues And Drunkards are not so much hurt by the heat and vapor of the Wine as by its evil quality and after Beer we find Head-aches caused from the Hops which are narcotick and stupefactive by which quality we observe that Hops are destructive unto Flies And we have often observed that Head-ach easily comes after the use of Opiates And after the use of other things not narcotick but otherwise offensive as of Saffron Smallage seed not only much taken but smelt to Also Head-ach as other diseases of the Head may come from evil vapors or humors as in melancholly and
are afflicted therewith and there is a quinsie and the patient is in danger of suffocation These are most in feavers but not alone as I shewed in Feavers continual and malignant called in High-dutch Breune Also this Inflammation of the mouth may come from the use of quick-silver in the French Pox. The Gums often swel and are hot at the roots of the Teeth with a tumor appearing outward as in the Tooth-ach and the pain is great especially when the inflammation Impostumateth as shall be shewed in pains of the Teeth Also the Checks and Palate by consent of the parts and of themselves do swel and are inflamed There is somtimes such a pain with swelling and Inflamation in the loose flesh under the tongue Frog under the Tongue in the disease called the Frog which extendeth also to the parts adjoyning and being suppurated it turns to an Impostum The stone under the Tongue And I saw a long stone which came from thence after great pain Concerning the tumor without pain I shall speak elsewhere There is also in divers parts of the mouth a sharp pain A pain in the Mouth and Tongue with an ulcer excoriation or clifts with burning or without with Pustles in the tongue or Palate or cheeks or Gums often in Infants by means of the smal Pox. Somtimes it is with Excoriation after the Pustles are broken And with clefts in the tongue long and cross there is great pain and that with dryness and Inflammation of the tongue And this pain is increased by hot or sharp meats There is also pain with Ulceration after Excoriarion or Rawness or Pustles broken or after an Inflammation impostumated especially under the tongue or at the root of the Gums in the Tooth-ach Little Ulcers are called Aphthae or Thrush Aphtha or Thrush called Alcola by the Arabians they are in the Cheeks Sides of the tongue and root thereof Gums or Palate in one two or more places These are in Children usually and in the French Pox they are at the first smal as Lentiles round and white in the middle and red about inflamed and painful they spread presently if you prevent not and infect the parts adjoyning From these neglected cometh a malignant Ulcer in Children especially A Cancer in the Gums or from other causes it is in the Gums with little or no pain Rhasis cals it the Cancer of the Gums It is first white and mattery then yellow after black it creeps on and is hollow and eats up the Gums where it is and the Jaw-bone and turns to a Sphacelus And I have seen a piece of a rotten Jaw with the Teeth taken out which deformed the Face And in two Children of a Merchant my Country-man that bred teeth I saw an Ulcer that eat up the upper teeth before and another after the drawing of the tooth that eat up the lower Jaw-bone tongue and palate and at length after great torment caused their Death The Tumor and Ulcer of the Gums in the usual Disease The Scurvy or Scrobute in Northern Sea towns called the Scurvy may be referred to this In which the Gums swell and sweat blood are rotten and so consumed that the roots of the teeth are bare We shal only speak here of this Scurvy as it is in the Mouth but in Diseases that foul the body we shal speak fully of it as it infects the Feet with Spots and Swellings and Ulcers Somtimes there is a pain with a Wound made by a Prick a Cut or a Bite with Inflammation also If this pierce the Cheek it is in the number of outward Wounds The Causes The Disease which causeth these pains in the mouth is either in the Nerve and appears not or in the sensible parts of the Mouth mentioned And it is either a hot Distemper alone or with Inflammation or Solution of Continuity There is a burning often of the tongue when no hurt appears from the Nerve afflicted A Disease in the Nerves is the cause of pricking burning of the Tongue without an apparent Disease A hot Distemper causeth heat only but an Inflammation causeth Swelling Burning Clefts Pustles in the Toung and other parts of the Mouth it is long and tedious How this is caused we shal shew in Diseases of the habit of the body as we did in Astonishment and Palsie A hot Distemper alone causeth only heat in the Tongue if it be with Inflammation it causeth heat and burning with swelling And thence come Pustles and Excoriation or Rawness if it come from outward things that burn the Tongue But these come commonly from an inward cause as a hot Vapor in hot Diseases and Burning malignant Fevers which flies up and infecteth and if the inflammation of the Tongue cause a flux of blood to the jaws with heat and pain there is a Squinsie The same may be from a bloody humor pure or impure that comes to these parts and the Tongue and Gums may be inflamed chiefly This may happen in divers Diseases and in the French Pox. If it flow to the loose flesh under the tongue it raiseth a tumor there with Inflammation and that suppurated turns to an Imposthume This Flux to that part is caused by a Stone bred there from a waterish humor which caused great pain often from pain of the Teeth as shal be there mentioned there is a Defluxion upon the Gums causing an Inflammation and Swelling A Solution of continuity is the cause of an Ulcerous Pain A Solution of Continuity is the cause of ulcerous pain with excoriation clefts and ulcer in the Mouth Tongue with Excoriation or Cefts and ulcer in the Mouth and Tongue This comes from things put into the Mouth that wound it but more usually from a mans biting himself by the Tongue or Cheeks Burning things actually or potentially raise up the Skin and cause bladders and excoriation after they are broken In a tender Mouth as of an Infant sharp things may cause it they say the Aphtha or Thrush is caused by sharp milk or Bread guawn by Mice If sharp things are also piercing they do it more whereof I have observed in my self and others that if young Children eat green Nuts and Grapes together their Tongues wil be cleft and pained Also where the Tongue is too dry from Causes mentioned in the hurt of Tasting it is cleft These Pustles or Thrush and Ulcers somtimes malignant may come from hot cholerick melancholick sharp and salt Blood abounding as in other parts of the body in these moist and tender parts And if such matter be in the spittle it may come from thence as we have observed by the force of Quick-silver the Spittle hath been so infected in fluxing for the Pox that Inflammation and Ulcers have followed Also these Ulcers come from a Disease that went afore as from an Imposthume after Inflammation A Wound or simple rawness by reason of the moistness of the part is easily turn'd into
Rosewater two ounces boyl them These Ulcers and the thrush and Ulcers of the Nose are cured by being gently touched with Aqua fortis Potential Cauteries also of Lime and Wine Lees are good to touch Ulcers if by art you can keep them from the sound parts but an actual Cautery is more certain if it be used suddenly for an Eschar wil be made and when that is gone the Ulcer will be cured CHAP. VIII Of Tooth-Ach The Kinds THe Tooth-ach is any pain in or about the Teeth and it is either a true Tooth-ach or such only as a little disturbeth A true Tooth-ach is in or about one tooth Tooth-ach only somtimes in more seldom in the Fore-teeth but in the sides and commonly but on one side somtimes on both somtimes in the upper somtimes in the lower jaw seldom in both This is the proper Tooth-ach which is often and grievous This pain is in Infants that breed their grinders Tooth-ach in Children which breed Teeth which they declare by crying and restlessness and it is known by the redness and hear of the Cheek and when the teeth appear out of the swollen and open Gums there is also a little Feaver known by hear and other signs Somtimes convulsions but not so dangerous as when they come from other causes There is also a tooth-ach which comes to people of all Ages from which few are free especially such as have hollow or broken teeth This is often violent and lasteth long or returns often with stretching and beating which they suppose they feel in the tooth it self which is pained The Gums are then very hot and red somtimes swollen with the Cheek also which being swollen the tooth-ach abateth somtimes there is an Impostum at the bottom of the tooth and when that breaketh the tooth-ach ceaseth and there cometh fotth foul and stinking matter And the Ulcer somtime remaineth long after or turns hollow peircing the lower Jaw and opening it self outwardly sending forth waterish and somtimes thick matter for a long time Somtimes when these appear not there is a great pain in the teeth such as we use to feel at our Fingers ends in cold weather In this the Patient spits much and if the teeth be hollow he seems to feel a cold Air coming from them to his tongue when he toucheth them there with There is a kind of tooth-ach when a tooth is drawn Pain of the Teeth when a Tooth is drawn somtimes greater somtimes lesser but usually it is gone after the tooth is drawn except by the violent motion of the part or hurt of the Instrument or when a little part is only drawn out there be a pain after There is a Molestation rather then pain in teeth at the time of eating Numness of the Teeth called Haemodia in the disease called Haemodia this is a presfing of the teeth when one is longer then another The Causes It is certain that that part is affected in in the tooth-ach which hath the sense of feeling and that most exquisitely The part affected because the pain is great But we have shewed that the teeth want all senses because they are all the hardest of bones neither have they a Periostum or Skin about them as other bones have and there is no Nerve that goes into them Therefore not the tooth but that part which is sensible and which is near the tooth must needs suffer and the reason why the tooth is thought to ake is because the part affected is so near unto it The part is commonly a membrane which compasseth the holes in which the teeth are fixed and which is next to the roots of the teeth to which the Fibers or smal branches of the Nerves which go to both Cheeks are so joyned that they cause an exact feeling so that the pain seems not to lie deep but as it were in the very tooth Also the Gums and the Periostia or Membranes under the Jaws if they be hurt seem to communicate pain to the teeth The Diseases with which these parts affected cause a seeming pain in the teeth are either a hot or cold distempers or Irritation or Solution of Continuity A hot distemper with Flux of blood and Inflammation also somtimes afflicting these Membranes A hot distemper and Inflammation causeth Tooth-ach causeth the tooth-ach so called not only by heat and stretching but by swelling in a strait place which causeth the teeth being hard to press upon them this is a stretching and beating pain which though the beating be in the little Arteries under the Membraâ—es which beat upon the teeth yet it is so manifestly felt that Galen thought this beating and Inflammation also was in the tooth it self which cannot be because the tooth is a solid bone having neither Veins nor Arteries and therefore can neither be inflamed nor beat though he wrote that he experienced this in himself Moreover if there be a Flux of blood upon the Gums or Periostium under them as is usual in the beginning or continuance of the pain which raiseth a new Flux the pain is increased and the more if there be an Impostum till it be broken and made an Ulcer and send forth matter The cause of this Flux is as of other Fluxes Namly fulness and heat of blood or pain that was before from another cause which raiseth the Flux and doubleth the pain or other external causes A cold distemper by its enmity to the Nerves and Membranes A cold distemper causeth Tooth-ach afflicting these parts causeth also pain called also the tooth-ach from the Vicinity or nearness It is so bitter and often that it is no wonder the vulgar say that cold is an enemy to the teeth This comes from external causes as Air Meats or Drinks that are cold that suddenly cool the teeth and make the Membranes adjoyning sensible thereof And it comes sooner when the tooth is hollow or broken and the cold strikes presently to the Membranes Hence it is that bad teeth are soonest pained and the pain is thought to be in the teeth though they are dead and not as formerly which no reasonable man will say can be sensible This comes also from a cold flegmatick Defluxion not upon the tooth which cannot receive it but upon the Membranes underneath And there is then a tooth-ach without signs of heat but of cold as if cold wind come from the hollow tooth as I shewed Except the pain causeth a Flux of blood and then heat tumor and impostume may follow Also Irritation of this very sensible Membrane Irritation or provocation is the cause of Tooth-â—ch may cause this pain called the Tooth-ach This comes to the Membrane from the proper tooth when it is broken or discovered from its place or otherwise unuseful then it hurteth the Membrane in chewing or keeps them from chewing on that side This also may come from pricking the hollow tooth or from hard meat gotten into it in chewing
they are a Symptom Their kinds are as they are diversly manifest to sense A Compressing or stretching pain called Periodyna A compressing or stretching pain of the Heart is that in which there is felt a pressing or stretching in the lodge of the Heart more or less with loss of Appetite almost and loathing sometimes and with belching and somtimes vomiting or purging This kind comes from some new Cause very often and either stayeth a while or comes after meat and ends with concoction Somtimes it is the Symptome of divers Diseases so that there is scarce a person but hath felt it in a Disease or at other times A knawing pain is called Heart-eating A knawing pain of the Heart called Cardiogmos in which there is felt a biting with pricking in the said region of the Heart with Compression or Burning somtimes This is in many Diseases and in sound men sometimes when fasting especially some called Picrocholi from sharp Choler have it when they want their Dinner and it is often with bitterness of mouth and hindrance of sight Some have it chiefly before Supper when they are given to writing and lean upon their Stomaches by which they loose Appetite They who fear this prevent it by sitting upright or standing when they write Some have it in the morning before they rise when they lye long waking and after they are up and have been at stool or broke wind it is gone In others it comes as soon as they are up and goes away with sneesing Also this Knawing with Compression is after meat when it is bad or too much Of which Bairus makes a private sort of Heart-ach when they are cold after meat with sense of this Compression and difficulty of breathing this is called a turning of the Meat into Flegm Of which Galen speaks This may be at all times Cordiaca Fainting and from other Causes as it is afore Vomiting and from outward Injuries and Cold or from things swallowed that hurt the Stomach And when any fainting comes with this Disease called Cordiaca as we shewed in Fainting That pain which hath such Heat that it seems to burn Heart-burning is in sound people often whether full or empty That is most usual in which when they would belch they feel great burning the flame as it were being shut up in the Gullet and not able to get out especially after meat or violent Exercise the Germans call it Boyling Boyling of the stomach or burning we call it a Burning boyling of the Stomach of which we spake in Difficulty of Belching Also this Burning is the Symptom of divers Diseases of the great pain of the Stomach where it is burning pricking stretching and beating and is increased by touching of the part and reacheth to the Back and girds the Body like a Girdle and seems to draw down the Shoulders and there is labour and pain to swallow and belch and difficulty of breathing being quick and little and there is sometimes a continual Feaver by which means the Pulse is quick and Urin high with Spitting of Blood or Matter This is called the Inflamation or Phlegmon of the Stomach from the Cause of it And the Imposthume of the Stomach though it is more properly so called when it is turned to an Imposthume Also a most burning pain with vomiting and other dangerous accidents may come from another Disease of the Stomach called Erysipelas as we shall shew in the Causes The usual pain in the lodge of the Heart is called Cardilaea Cardilaea distinct from Cardialgia this comes from a small Cause and returns often There are two kinds of it according to the diversity of the Nature in which they are known by this some are of weaker and others stronger Appetite Such Natures as have weak Appetites and other accidents from weakness of Concoction Weakness of the stomach is called a disturbance of the Heart are subject to usual pains of the Stomach compressing or stretching and sometimes knawing and are troubled from the least offending meat and other outward things especially cold from which they are forced alwaies to defend their stomaches These pains come from Weakness of Stomach and are there described and are called by the same name Those Natures that have stronge appetites A hot stomach is called a disturbance of the Heart and eat greedily and gorge themselves have pains of the stomach as shall be shewed in the Causes They are from great excess and also sharp or salt Meats these pains are called a hot distemper and are described in a hot Constitution The Causes The place or part affected is the region or lodge of the Heart not the Heart it self for it is not under it nor is it sensible as I shall shew but the Stomach which is in that region or some parts of the Colon or Midriff that reach thither The Cause of this is from the Stomach which is on the left side of this Region The cause of Heart-ach is in the stomach and is very sensible especially at the mouth of it which hath very remarkeable Nerves And this mouth of the Stomach is called Cardia because it is next under the Heart and there goeth through the Midriff and joyneth to the Ventricle and therefore the pains thereof are felt as if they were in the Heart and as it were communicated unto it and cause a Swounding if they be great as we shewed in Cardiaca All these pains in this region are called pains of the Heart or Cardialgiae And the pains of the Stomach are divers by reason of its exquisite Sense and often injuries by things taken in and brought to it and because it sticks out and is so exposed to more danger These pains are either primarily in the stomach of it self from some cause afflicting it as a Disease which is either a hot or cold distemper stretching heaviness twitching or irritation especially when there is a helping Cause that is a Disposition of the Stomach from a weak or hot Constitution Or they are by consent in the stomach from the nerves that are planted in it These pains I have seen but seldom but they were with much grief and mourning and somtimes a little doting and they alwayes ceased after vomiting they are chiefly in Semitertians Of these in their order A hot Distemper alone without matter doth scarce cause pain A hot distemper of the stomach is the cause of heart-ach because the stomach is delighted with hot things and when it is very hot from things taken in or hot Diseases as in Feavers Heat of the Liver and the like there is thirst rather then pain except another accident happen as we shall shew in the hot Constitution of the Stomach The Stomach is somtimes so inflamed Inflammation of the stomach is the cause of heart-burning that from the Veins abounding there Blood is sent into the substance thereof and then follows that burning pain which we call an
badness also and corruption of meats in hot stomacks especially may cause the bovling of the stomach as when the hot-burning juyce of the meat boyleth in time of concoction if there be a violent motion at that time which disturbeth the stomach and confuseth the meat therein it sendeth forth a burning vapor like a flame from the bubles that break This vapor laboring to come forth by belching as we have shewed in difficulty of belching gets into the sensible streight passages of the mouth of the stomach and then burneth it and when it is discussed the pain ceaseth and when a new vapor ariseth as we see in the boyling of Hasty pudding the heat returns and so long till the concoction is finished or some drink is taken to quench it or to allay the sharpness of the juyce from whence the vapors arise The stomach is often provoked also from Choller yellow or green or from Melancholly and if it stick fast it knaws and burns it This choller breeds in the stomach from things eaten which have evil juyce or breed choller or is sent into it by the gut called Duodenum and causeth knawing and biting especially when the stomach is empty in those called Picrocholi or men of a sharp cholerick constitution If this choller get into the substance of the stomach the burning will be longer As it may from the gall touching it for that part of the stomach that lyeth upon the gal and close unto it may be dyed yellow thereby so that the staine may reach to the inside of the stomach as we have often observed in Anatomyes of such who had alwaies burning stomacks This is usual with them who have much choller in their Gall which being washed passeth through the bag that holds it and infects all the parts near inwardly and outwardly as I have often seen And this is most in them whose stomach is seldom empty but alwaies gorged Or in such who writing or the like bend their body so that they violently press the stomach upon the gall and as it were squeeze it at which time also the burning is greater Also the pian must needs be great and burning and dangerous The Erysipelas of the Stomach when there is an Erysipelas of pure choller in the substance of the stomach This is a sad disease with continual vomiting If the stomach be cut or prickt from swallowing of Thorns Needles or Grass as drunkards have often done there is not only a knawing but pricking and rearing pain The stomach is also pained from malignant and venemous humors in other diseases and there is also fainting The weak constitution of the stomach called weakness of stomach The weak constitution of the Stomach causeth the weakness thereof which others call a distemper which weakneth and causeth not pain because it causeth slow concoction and crudity from thence produceth divers Symptoms as lost Appetite loathing belching Cachexy and the like mentioned elsewhere and pains by reason of Excrements that come thiether and the Cardilaea or Imbecillity of the stomach This weakness of stomach is from want of natural heat either at the first birth or by old Age or from long diseases by which the stomach hath been often weakned or from great Evacuations and Venery which have weakned the whol body and the stomach also Or from coldness and moistness which makes the stomach loose or from dryness by which it cannot fitly embrace the Food This distemper may come from external or external causes or diseases that change the temper of the stomach to be cold moist or dry which causeth imbecility Somtimes it comes from a fault in the Organ or part it self As when it is too thin from too much distention through gluttony or drunkness For the thicker the stomach is the better it concocteth as we may see in birds whose thick stomach concocteth the hardest things If the stomach be naturally hot or by use of hot things in youth The hot constitution of the stomach causeth the hot distemper sooner then they ought to use them or made so by a disease which hath shriveled it though it be not a disease of it self if it be rightly ordered yet it is a cause why some meats sooner corrupt and turn into choller and sharp humors and so by accident causeth a Cardialgia which comes from such humors This disposition of the stomach is known chiefly by thirst and delight in sour things and distast of sweet So that hot sharp and salt things and wine they leave and digest the hardest meat soonest and the other easily corrupteth In almost all diseases The cause of pain of the Stomach is in the Nerves with great pain the stomach suffereth by consent of the Nerves of which the mouth of the stomach is ful Hence it is that in the colick and stone and other pains in parts distant as of wounds and contusions we see not only the Appetite lost but a pain in the stomach so that if they receive a wound when the stomach is full they vomit Also the stomach being of most exquisit sense doth easily receive an injury though never so smal and is greatly offended at a great by reason of the Nerves So that there is often a Syncope or swounding moreover by reason of this consent of the Nerves in great passions of the mind there is a Head-ach from the stomach offended and other hurts as loss of Appetite and the like The pains of the Gut called Colon which is at the bottom of the Stomach The cause of Heart-knawing is in the Colon. and joyned unto it by the Caule are referred unto Heart-pains also because they are in the region or lodge of the Heart As if the Colon be stretched by Wind and Excrements it comes to pass that the pain seems as if it were in the stomach yet it stops not long but runs to the sides downwards And in other pains of the Heart we find that they go upwards and are about the stomach so that some pains of the Colon seem to be pains of the stomach Hence it is that when they lye long a bed in the morning and sleep not because the Excrements which they use to void presently when they arise being retained in the upper part of the Colon not being able to go down while they are in bed do pull and twich the Colon and provoke the Stomach by consent and there is Loathing and Heart-pain which ceaseth when they are up and the Excrements descend especially if they break Wind downward or go to stool And hence it is that after a purging Medicine when it begins to work and the evil Excrements pass through the upper part of the Colon till they have a stool they feel a noise and Heart-ach often so that they swound and vomit and the pain returns when they again to stool All these things shew that the Cause is not in the Stomach but the Colon For if it were in the stomach it would
have begun at the first taking of the medicine and while it was in the stomach and not a go long time after when the Medicine was carried with the Excrements into the Colon and laboured to get out When the Midriff is afflicted which toucheth the stomach all over behind The cause of pressing-pain is in the midriff and groweth to it there are pains in the region of the Heart because the Midriff being molested with evil and many vapors as in the night-mare mother and the like it causeth besides short breathing a pain which girts the Body like a Girdle And if the stomach consent that condoleth As a difficulty of breathing comes from a Disturbance of the Stomach by the Midriff The Cure The Cure is according to the Causes thus First we must cure the Diseases of the Stomach from whence come divers sorts of Heart-ach hurt of Functions and Crudities The Diseases are these Inflammations of the Stomach or coldness or stretching or windiness or heaviness twiching or irritation or else the weakness and hot constitution thereof Or a Discase by consent from the Nerves and from the Colon and Midriff The Inflammation of the Stomach is seldom The cure of inflammation of the stomach and never but from a violent Cause and is more dangerous because it is in a sensible and noble part especially if it be great for then there is a great pain and also Convulsion And it is better cured by dissolving then by Suppuration for so it wil turn to an Ulcer which is a new Disease and as dangerous as the former hard to be cured and which will leave a Callus or Hardness in the Stomach If it be beginning your aim must be to hinder the increase and abate the Heat with respect to the Fever and asswage the pain and fainting fits which are usual and to dissolve the matter that is there and if that cannot be done to bring it to Suppuration and cure the Ulcer thus At the first let blood in the Arm for though the veins of the Stomach come from the branches of the Gate-vein yet drawing blood from the branches of the hollow Vein is good against the Feaver and for Revulsion Give also a cooling Clyster to revel and abate pain for that will reach to the Colon and communicate its force to the Stomach under which the Colon lyeth You must not give strong Purges for they going presently to the part affected will cause pain and increase the Distemper by their Heat but loosning temperate Purges in the progress of the Disease can do no hurt As Cassia which also asswageth pain and pulp of Prunes and Tamarinds and the like Medicines to alter the Distemper must be cold both actually and potentially and in the beginning while the Humor floweth must be a little astringent and afterwards moist mixed with things that abate pain Thus Those Sauces which are good in a hot constitution of the Stomach and cooling as we shall shew are good here Cabbage chiefly and Rapes and other Fruits boyled and kept in pickle are good against heat And cold Spring-water with Snow or Ice is good drink in the opinion of some but I think it not safe for a sudden Repercussion is dangerous It is better at first with a little Vinegar and more pleasant with Sugar boyled like a Julep Cold Milk is good and allayes pain Or an Emulsion of the cold Seeds to ease pain and heat with Poppey-seeds Dioscorides commends the Water of wild Vetches also Plantane and Rose-water and Vinegar and Sorrel-water And the Julep of Roses and Violets Or Take Rose-water three ounces Plantane-water two ounces juyce of Sorrel or Pomegranates an ounce and an half Sugar of Roses an ounce boyl and strain them give two ounces at a time Or the Decoction of Barley cold with Violets Or thus Take Barley a pugil Cowcumber-seed half an ounce Liquorish an ounce boyl and drink them cold This is cordial also Take Liquorish an ounce Citron-peels two drams cordial Flowers each a pugil Flowers of Water-lillies half a pugil Barley a pugil the four great cold Seeds two drams Purslane-seed and white Poppey-seed each a dram Citron-seeds half a dram boyl and sweeten them with Sugar or these Syrups In the beginning give Syrups with spring or distilled Waters those that cool and bind as that of dryed Roses Quinces green Grapes Ribes sour Pomegranates Bar-berries In the progress that cool and moisten as of Violets Purslane Water-lillies And if the Liver be also hot as it is commonly and for the Feaver give Syrup of Succory and Endive And against Fainting Syrup of Bugloss And to asswage pain Syrup of Poppies Or thus Take Syrup of Violets and Quinces Syrup of Ribes or Pomegranates or of Endive each half an ounce Syrup of Poppies three drams Also the candyed or preserved and conserved Fruits abovesaid and of Citrons Gourds or Lettice or Coleworts This is cooling and cordial Take conserve of Roses an ounce conserve of Violets Citrons and juyce of Ribes each half an ounce species Diamargariton frigid and Diarhodon and red Coral each a scruple with sugar of Roses make a mixture To resolve the residue of the Inflammation or the Imposthume of the Stomach use these at the end First give Chamomil and Endive water then six ounces of Chamomil water alone often Or Take Chamomil and Endive water each an ounce and an half Sack an ounce spirit of Wine a dram with a drop or two of spirit of Vitriol Or this Julep Take syrup of Endive and Wormwood each an ounce Mint and Elicampane water each an ounce and an half with Triasantalon half a dram give it now and then Turpentine washed with Wormwood water given twice or thrice dissolves or ripens the Imposthumes of the Stomach Apply outwardly coolers and anodynes with strengtheners As this Oyntment Take Oyl of Roses an ounce and an half Oyl of Violets Rose Vinegar and juyce of Hawkeweed each an ounce boyl them till the juyces are consumed add red Sanders a dram red Roses half a dram Spike a scruple Camphire half a scruple with white Wax make an Oyntment This Cataplasm is good for the beginning of the disease Take Violet-leaves and Snakeweed and Vine-leaves each a handful Roses Violets and Comfrey-flowers each a pugil stamp them add Barley-meal or Bran. In great pain Take Chamomil and Melilot-flowers Roses and Violets each a handful Wormwood half a handful boyl them in Milk add Barley-meal six ounces Coriander-seeds and Sanders each two drams Oyl of Chamomil and Dill each an ounce make a Cataplasm Or this Fomentation against Inflammation Take Rose and Plantane-water each three ounces Wormwood-water two ounces Rose-vinegar an ounce red Sanders two drams Or this Epithem against an Erysipelas of the Stomach Take Rose Sorrel Nightshade and Succory-water each two ounces Wormwood-water and white Wine each half an ounce Rose-vinegar two drams Diarrhodon a dram Coral and Ivory each half a dram apply it to the Stomach Use these to
excellent in a Clyster to take away pain Or half a scruple of Opium half a dram of Castor and a pint of Oyl of Rue or Dill. Suppositories are good to provoke alter and abate pain Some give them to expel wind which they can hardly do The common are of Honey and Salt adding Hiera Mouse-dung Coloquintida They say that a Snakes skin rub'd upon a brass Bason and burnt is good to be put into the Fundament against the colick And to anoynt inwardly with Juyce of Lettice and Opium or with an ounce of Oyl of Dill a scruple and half Castor and a scruple of Opium put in with wool or any Suppository of Opium Purgers are useful when Clysters are refused to remove the cause and open the Belly when the cause is high but beware of strong which will increase pain they are good afore clysters to draw the Matter down as I do in colicks Purging Wines are best for the Guts when clysters are refused for they fetch the Excrements out of secret places better then clysters And I had rather use them for the Wines sake that correcteth the Purgers that they offend not the Stomach and Guts we give Examples of them in the pain of the Heart This is best for the Guts Take Grass roots and Fennel roots each six drams Roots of Calamus Elicampane Masterwort each half an ounce dryed Citron peels and wormwood each three drams Marjoram Calamints Penny-royal Groundpine Rosemary flowers red Roses Chamomil flowers each two drams Bay-berries three drams Caraway and Smallage seed each two drams Fennel seed three drams Senna two ounces Agarick half an ounce Turbith two drams these are corrected by the wine bruise and slice them for four pints of wine or more give a Draught when the Belly is bound of the Infusion or gentle Decoction thereof This wine is good against Choler or sharp Humors Take Succory roots an ounce wormwood half an ounce Violets and bugloss flowers each a pugil Aniseeds and Violet-seeds each two drams Polypody an ounce and half Senna an ounce Rhubarb two drams Spike half a dram Use it as the former Or make a Decoction or Syrup of the same The Broath of an old Cock with coleworts loosneth the Belly with a little caraway or Fennel seed against the wind Or thus Take an old Cock after sighting unbowel and stuff him with Mints Marjoram Time Savory each two handfuls Chamomil and Rosemary flowers a pugil Annis Fennel and Caraway seeds each half an ounce Galangal or Calamus three drams Polypody Mock-saffron Senna each an ounce Tarter half an ounce with Sal Gem or common Salt boyl them in water to Halfes as I shewed in Asthma drink a good draught Or give Turpentine half an ounce as in the stone with Hiera Benedicta or the like Or Cassia with Annis Fennel or Caraway seeds to loosen Also these Electuaries Catholicon Diaphaenicon Indum Majus Elescoph Hiera picra or of eight or of fifteen things Benedicta or the like with a Decoction of hot plants with spiced wine Or gentle Pills of Hiera of eight things of Spices with half a scruple of Castor or stronger if the binding be great bewaring of coloquintida or Agarick or Turbith for they twitch the Guts when given in substance Two scruples or three of Tartar clenseth flegm or cream of Tartar often washed and dryed again as I use it in the purging Decoctions of Senna Bryony roots black Hellebor or the like Or that purging Pouder for the stone A Plaster of Sea spunge seeds hulled and beaten with Wax and laid to the Belly loosneth it To prevent the Humors must be prepared before purging and to cure also They must be such as cut flegm when it is cold and tough as that with Glasses as we shewed in Heart-ach by Syrups Waters Decoctions Somtimes a Vomit prevents the Colick and is good at the first and in the Iliake Choler-Vomiting must not be stopp'd Oyl of Palma Christi drunk doth the same and takes away pain Let the Dyet be thin and sparing in the fit and before bewaring of crude windy hard or binding meat and in the fit when the cause is cold give hot cutting and discussing Spices and strong wine without water or at least Spiced water with Cinnamon and Pepper as in Cardialgia and weakness of Stomach These hot Spices are not good when there is Cholerick Excrements And wine must be given moderately because it hurts the Nerves and a Convulsion is feared nor may sower things be allowed though they temper choler because they cause pain If the Excrements are still hard give moist fat Meats and Oyls and Butter When you fear the Convolvulus give brown bread poyled and the water cast off and made into a Pudding with Hogs grease or Butter Or a Lark roasted and eaten with Cock broath Or the broath of an old Cock or of Snails Or Decoctions of Calamus grass Elder Calamints Rue Chamomil Dill Melilot or Rocket flowers in Water or Cock broath with Wine Honey or Sugar Some commend the Decoction of Southernwood others Pellitory in Wine with sugar or Wormwood with Cummin seeds or Horse-radish Wine and Sugar and Seeds and Spices as Calamus Galangal Nutmeg Cloves infused or boyled gently in Wine with a little Saffron and Sugar or those for a weak Stomach mentioned Also the juyce of Sulphurwort with an Egg. Or blood of an Eele Or water wherein a Dears Pizle was washed Or four ounces of distil'd water of Herb Trinity Dogs tongue Elder or Broom flowers or flowers of Chamomil Bean shales or of Tizil or of Cow dung or a spoonful or two of Cinnamon water A Compound water Take Ginger half a pound Cinnamon Cloves Nutmeg Zedoary Galangal each two ounces Mastick half an ounce bruise and infuse them in Wine distil them and give two or three spoonfuls against wind add two drams of Mints Fennel and Anniseed each half an ounce The Compound Aqua vitae mentioned in Heart-ach from a cold cause is good Oyls do good also by slipperyness and mollifying the Excrements as Sallet Oyl well washed if it be old and rancid six ounces to asswage pain or Oyl of sweet Almonds Nuts or Lineseed taken alone in a good quantity or with broath to which Oyls you may add Sugar and Sack the third part or two drams of Aqua vita or other distilled waters An excellent Remedy Take Oyl of sweet Almonds or Salet Oyl for Poor people four ounces of the best Sack an ounce and an half syrup of Poppy half an ounce Oyl of bitter Almonds and of Peach kernels are good against the Colick and Iliake as well against the Stone to be drunk also Oyl of Bayes with some drops of the Chymical Oyls of Cinnamon Cloves or Mace Some commend the Oyl of Turpentine or Vitriol above the rest And six drops of the Sky colour'd Oyl of chamomil flowers newly drawn which is better when made of Roman chamomil There are also good pouders mentioned in cardialgia from a cold cause or
Shoulder inthe Arm. In all kinds the pain is increased by Motion of the Joynt and touching except in the Hip and Shoulder and then when the pain comes outward These pains come suddenly unto some There is usually a Tumor with Redness Heat and beating in the Podagra and Chiragra first or last and somtimes in the Gonagra or Arthritis especially in the Joynts without Flesh Somtimes it is an Oedema without Redness But in the pain of the Shoulder and Hip in the fleshy parts there is no such appearance or tumor In continuance of time in the Podagra and Chiragra there will be knots in the Joynts of the Fingers and Toes And when they are opened there comes forth a thin or tough white Matter or like Chalk And somtimes they turn to hard uneven stones which hinder the Motion of the Joynt And I have seen sometimes such knots from the bending of the Arm to the Wrists growing as it were together and when they have been broken there hath come forth a white Pultis and in one troubled with the Gout it was in his Ear. And another Merchant long and greivously troubled with the Gout The same kind of chalkie Matter was all over his Body and the very Eye-brows also and it turned to knots and then came forth As we shewed in Feavers there is a Synoch in every general Gout and often in the Podagra Chiragra and Gonagra and somtimes in the Hip and Shoulder-gout It begins first with Chilness and there is Thirst and Restlesness the Pulse is high and the Urin red There are somtimes other accidents in Arthritis And we have known a Cramp to follow the Joynt-gout which hath been worse then it self The pain about the great Bones besides that which is in parts without flesh Pains about the Bones of which we spake in the Pain of the Joynts and that without the Skull of which in Head-ach is of two sorts The one is chiefly about the Head bones the other is about many other Bones There is a kind of pain about the Head or Forehead An external Cephalaea which is lasting which is called an external Cephalaea or Head-ach differing from the internal mentioned This is about the Bone and is augmented by being touched It somtimes springs from an internal Head-ach or is joyned with it or is alone outwardly on both sides or on the right or left as a Haemicrania Sometimes it is like a Nail driven into one part Clavus and called Clavus Somtimes it makes Nodes in the Forehead like that in the French Pox and in other Bones There is another kind of outward pain in the Head Outward Heaviness of the Head which goes before other pains from Defluxion into the Joynts and fleshy parts In which somthing seems to lye heavy upon the Head and there is outward as if the skin were flead off and increaseth with touching of the Hair especially And oftentimes there is a Swelling soft and oedematous broad and dispersed about the Neck and hinder-part of the Head and other accidents as in the Heaviness of the Head coming within the Skull especially when they meet together There is another kind of pain about many Bones from a Disease not known by the Antients that was brought from the Indiies The French Pox or Neopolitane first called the Neopolitane then the French Disease The contagious French Pox. And because it comes by Copulation the Venereal Pox. Of which there are divers kinds as I shall shew and this pain about the Bones is one and is called the contagious Pain or Pox. This pain being near about the Bones is chiefly in the middle Seat without the Flesh either in Latitude or Longitude as in the naked inside of the Leg and about the Shoulders Homoplate and Arms and before in the Breast which bony part can scarce suffer from another internal Cause And therefore the Pox is known only by this sign somtimes Also there is pain without in the Head especially in the Forehead to the Eye brows and about the Temples sixed like an outward Cephalaea This pain is violent and implacable pulling as it were the skin from the bones and not to be touched It increaseth towards night and is not abated as other pains but augmenteth by heat And therefore in bed they are worse and it comes by degrees not suddenly as Arthritis Somtimes there are hard Tumors or Nodes in the Forehead Skins and insides of the Hands which are unequal and increase And other accidents as Falling of the Hair Spots Pustles and Ulcers as we shall shew The Causes It is necessary that in all Pains of the Habit of the Body mentioned that the sensible parts be affected as the Muscles Membranes and Nerves from whence come stretching pains or pains from compression solution of continuity simple distemper congestion of Humors Influxion or evil Quality Vehement Stretching of the parts causeth this pain Distention or Stretching is the cause of pain where other Symptoms are greater by immoderate Motion in Exercise and Labour Hence comes the stretching lazy pain mentioned And violent motion when the Muscles are contracted with the Cramp As we shewed in Spasmus Also it comes from Extension of the Muscles by straining which cause Bleeding such as is in inflamed or ulcerated Laziness or such as increaseth by touching and motion This pain is somtimes in the broad Muscle of the Breast which moveth the Arm coming from strong holding of the bridle in riding sometimes in the Feet and Knees from riding in short Stirrups Or in the Back from stretching of the Membranes and Ligaments by the great Bowels lying upon them or by a Tumor as in divers Diseases of the Liver Spleen Guts Mesentery and Womb and in women with child as we shewed Or it is from wind that is bred by moisture or weak heat or coming from other parts which lifteth up and stretcheth the muscles as we shewed in windy Cramp And if it be between the membranes it is a pain like that from Defluxion but not so fixed but wandring and stretching and not long lasting And if it come to the skin the pain is with palpitation or beating as we shewed Also Compression of the parts may cause pain without breaking of the skin which if it is A Compression is the Cause of pain in which the Symptomes are greater belongs to Diseases of the skin As from long lying in a great Disease when there is a pain in the Back and in other sensible parts and from external violence as when from pressing of the Elbow there is a numness and pricking of the two Fingers Or when the Bones are out of their places and lye upon the Muscles Membranes or Nerves there is pain which is greater and longer when there is Swelling or Heat as when there is a great pricking pain from a violent motion of the Back or Neck or from Bones out of Joynt while they lye upon these
skin so doth the Gout from the same sent to the Joynts and they who are subject to the Gout are subject to a Synoch with Erysipelas And the Patient hopes somtimes it will be but an Erysipelas when he is subject to have both Also the Blood being made more impure and thin by excrementitious Whey may cause an Arthritis with a smaller Feaver And when the Gout is more general in many parts and comes oftner it is from Blood which easily goeth through the Body and not from a Defluxion from the Head which is seldom the cause but when it is in great quantity Although a particular Gout as the Feet and Hip may be often from blood with a Feaver In these Gouts from blood if it be very hot and inflame the Nerves the pain and burning is greater with redness and tumor except it lye low as in Sciatica and with an erysipelated Phelgmon But if the blood be waterish the tumor will be spread like an Oedema and the pain less and not very troublesom but because it is in divers parts The cause of the heat and foulness of the Blood is mentioned in Synochs as the use of stronge wine excessively which weakens the brain by astonishment and makes the blood increase grow hot and thin which is easily therefore inflamed to produce a Feaver by which a part of it is sent to the Joynts This is the cause and punishment of the Gout Hence it is the rich mans Disease who useth excess in wine and spiced meats that inflame the blood And somtimes the poor mans from other causes as is the Feaver with Erysipelas It comes to all by the Disposition of the Part through weakness and by loosness of the passages as we shewed in Arthritis from Defluxion especially if the Flux hath been often which causeth greater weakness Also Blood sent to other parts that are fleshy in Synochs as into the Emunctuaries of the Kernels there may cause pain with a Tumor and Feaver as we shewed in Feavers Or disturb by its plenty and thinness when it goes to any part of its own accord or by labor or pain An occult malignant Quality as appears by the effect being external An evil quality causeth the French Pox. causeth the pain about the Bones which is called the fourth sort of French Pox. This Quality comes from the Body of another infected whether totally or in part Therefore Whores infected though they walk abroad and have not great accidents may infect others And somtimes a Whore takes it and gives it to the next Customer and clears her self This Quality insecteth by touch especially of the naked tender Privities in Copulation and so it passeth from one Instrument of Generation to another and so to the whole Body Hence it is that it came from the Indies to us And it may come by insected Excrements other wayes as Sweat in Hankerchers or Shirts or from Spittle even as the poyson of venemous Breasts is communicated by biting therefore beware of Spoons and Cups wherein they drink and Kisses by which Nurses infect Children For in my Fathers time in our honest Family my Mother was infected with her Child that she gave suck to by that means through a Harlot that was infected and her servant And my Father with the help of a Chyrurgion cured them both by ordinary means It may come also from the touching of mattery Clouts And a Midwise of sixty years old in Paris delivering a woman that had a venereal Ulcer had an Ulcer in her Hand by which means she infected many honest Women when she touched their Privities as Lewisa Burgesia the famous Midwife to the Queen of France recorded in her Book Few Bodies are thus infected but Infants and very tender People often touched Nor can it come by breath for then more would be infected although many to smoother their unlawful Lechery pretend it This Quality is in a Vapor or Humor and goes from the Body to Body and infects the Part it first toucheth and seldom stayes there but goes like poyson through the body especially into the membranous parts and if it be outwards it is like an Elephantiasis and causeth loss of Hair Pustles and Ulcers As that shall be shewed in diseases of the Skin from the Pox. If it be deep in the solid parts then it gets into the Periostium and Membranes and causeth pain about the Bones especially when there is no Flesh and where many Membranes and Nerves meet in the Heart Breast Skins and the like These pains are increased with heat and produce Nodes after the Periostium is eaten away as we shewed in Cephalaea from congestion of humors And few other inconveniences but no great change in the Spirits and Humors nor doth any thing appear of that Nature in the Urin Excrements and Hurt of the Functions except accidents do arise from great pain and long continuance or violent medicines which we must rather study to cure then the Pox. There is also inwardly a secret Malignity An evil malignant quality causeth external malignant Head ach which being an enemy to some parts causeth pain in the Habit of the Body like this such as we shewed might come from the Pox taken from without or a Head-ach external without the Pox when besides the distemper causeth pain there is also Malignity by which it lasteth longer And some pains of the Joynts that come from Defluxion A malignant Quality causeth a malignant gout when the Humor is malignant may produce somthing malignant and unknown formerly in divers Diseases which is often and lasting and hath its proper accidents and can scarce be cured And we may very well conceive that the pain in the Cramp A malignant quality is the cause of the runing pain in the Cramp which runeth through the Body comes from a perverse quality that is offensive to the Nerves by the wonderful and strange accidents it produceth for a long time by the Nerves through the whole Body to the extremity of them where the pain is greatest A malignant quality is the cause of pain in depraved Touching And those Diseases which are called Colds and Heats come from Malignity as appears by their prodigious Symptoms The Cure When accidents are joyned with pains in the Habit of the Body The Cure of pains in the Habit of the Body when other accidents are greater and are greater we shewed the Cure thereof to be in the accidents that are most urgent As when pain comes from Distention and from too much motion it becomes a stretching pain with Laziness or a violent with the Cramp The Cure of one is shewed in the Cramp and of the other in Laziness And if the pain increase from too much motion and a Flux of blood be joyned you must use the same Cure And if the pain be chiefly in the Back from inward Diseases it must be cured as the Symptom of these Diseases If Wind cause stretching pain cure
Superficies of the body that divides the skin and flesh also this comes not at first as a wound from an external Cause but from a Pustle or Tumor or a Wound or of it self We spake of Ulcers with Tumors or Pustles in Cancer Carbuncle Herpes and Scab Here we shall speak of Ulcers after Inflammation and Imposthumes broken with matter or flesh or after an Erysipelas when the Blysters are broken Or of such as come from foul Wounds or Humors They are all simple or Compound A simple Ulcer is when there is onely foulness when it is not hollow Simple sordid Ulcers plain and cavous it is called a plain Ulcer when there is hollowness from lost Flesh as when it follows an Imposthume and is round it is called a cavous Ulcer If it be long or like a Burrough or Channel coming forth it is called sinuous and if the passage go strait a fistulated Ulcer All have filthy matter but the hollow most A sinuous Ulcer it is white of a mean consistance called concocted sweet and equal Or discoloured waterish or crude unequal or stinking There are also thick slimy Matter about Ulcers and Wetness The pain is not so great in them as in Inflammations or Imposthumes breeding only it is lancing and increased with touching or tenting And if Ulcers be in the parts ordained for motion or go to the Bowels they hurt the Functions Compound Ulcers are divers especially that with proud Flesh which would be ill cured Compound ulcers if before it be removed Other Ulcers are sinuous and girt about with a Tunicle within Growing ulcers without flesh fending forth no humor from the flesh which is not naked and cannot be cured till the Cavity be filled with flesh Fistula They are called Fistulaes especially if they be large and strait as I have seen one that began at the neck and went down the Back to the Hip voiding much matter And I have seen many little Fistulaes in the Perinaeum that when to the Bladder through which the Urin alwayes dropt And I saw in my Fathers dayes in a Palatinate Begger a horrid Fistula in the lower Belly with many holes that sent forth matter like seed And 1652. I saw a Woman with a Fistula in her Privities and strait gut with a Tumor and many Holes who went to a simple bragging Chirurgion who by Causticks caused Inflammation and Death There are also Ulcers with hard Lips called Callous Callous ulcers and cannot be cicatrized or healed these are called Dysepulota And they which are malignant shal be spoken of hereafter There are other to be cured called Cacoethe Ulcers of evil Habit. not of themselves but by reason of the part to which they cannot be fixed as a corrupt or rotten Bone as we shal shew there They are worse when there is Inflammation or Erysipelas Phlegmonous Vlcers with Redness Tumor and Pain if the tumor be an Oedema it swells with less pain but is harder to be cured The corrupt Ulcers whose flesh is white like Bacon are worst Erysipelated oedematous Vlcers and when it is soft and swollen and when clear water comes forth These Ulcers come from wounds in the Joynts Corrupt Ulcers with water where it is membranous and nervous without Flesh The German Chirugions call them Glidwasser or water of the Joynts and fear least it gangraene by reason of the pain Contraction and Corruption Of this sort is Paranychia or the Inflammation in the Fingers end that corrupteth the Joynt Paronychia ulcerated as we shewed in Inflammations To these are referred Ulcers with stinking Flesh Foul ulcers and such as corrode when the Flesh is yellow A verminous ulcer green or black with stinking Matter and Worms called Verminous these somtimes gangraene Besides these Perverse ulcers Eating Ulcers Nomae there are Ulcers from malignant Humors or other Ulcers or from Erysipelas ulcerated these eat and are hollow called Nomae and when they eat the skin only Phagedaenica and because they spred Serpentia or creeping when they are hard to cure Phagadaenica they are called Cacoethe These are in divers parts but especially in the Leggs Perverse Ulcers in the Leggs which are apt to receive Humors and Erysipelas above the Ankle they use to be broad there and to eat the flesh away This may be lasting for many years in old men full of Humors which wets mens clouts and bleeds upon the least occasion and is full of pain with Heat Redness and Tumor round about and somtimes with an oedematous Swelling Somtimes the Vein upon the Ulcer is swollen and blew A varicous Ulcer which comes thither with many windings in the Leggs and feeds it this is called a varicous Vlcer from Varix a Vein dilated Eating Ulcers that are malignant from the French Pox A malignant pockie Vlcer A Cancer in the Yard besides those in the Jawes Nostrils and Privities of Women are in the Praepuce and Glans of Mens Privities also which destroy the Yard this is called Cancer And that is a leprous Ulcer Leprous Vlcers which is in Elephantiasis in the Jawes Nose Soles of the Feet and Palm of the Hand and Arm-pits and other parts of the Arms and Feet which are Phagadaenous that is devouring and have swollen hard Lips without pain as we shall shew in Elephantiasis Corruption in the Superficies is either in the Flesh or in the Bone Corruption in the supersicies of the body Corruption in the Skin Flesh Membranes Nerves and Compound Vessels is called a Gangraen Gangraene usually it follows Inflammations somtimes it comes from other causes In this the part begins to lose its natural color and wax blew suddenly or by degrees and then black with swelling of the part and pain very great before a total corruption from which poyson constantly flows that wets the skin and flesh and makes it softer which being corrupted either opens of its self and ulcerates or with Scarification by which we labor to cure The wounds lye deep and swell with lips and at last if it be not prevented the part is destitute of all natural heat pulse and sense and is very stinking and hollow Sphacelus Syderation And then it is called Sphacelus and Syderation If there be foulness of bones they are either corroded in parts and made rough and uneven Corrupt bones Caries or corruption is so manifest that the part is black and comes from the sound and quick part or corrupts the whol bone as in Paronychia the joynts of the Fingers and mortifyeth and is called the Caries of the bone This corruption of the bones is with an Ulcer in the skin and flesh from which it cometh for the most part and through which it is to be seen being deep and to the bone And therefore though of it self a corrupt bone feel no pain yet the Ulcer joyned thereto and which cannot be cured whiles the bone is
cannot affirm that Flegm or Melancholly alone can produce these tumors But if Rheum flow from the Head or Blood come to the part there may be a Swelling but not a Hardness and if it be mixed with this Juyce we say it causeth the tumor sooner to imposthumate But if water be mixed with thick juyce while this grow thicker and the earthy part of the water dryer it may produce stones as we shewed in the knots of the Gout and in the stones which we said we found in tumors behind the Ears And if any malignant Humor be mixed the Kernels will be worse and easily ulcerate as Scrophulas which are in many parts of the Body In which if the Matter be corroding the ulcers are called Nomodea if malignant Cacoethea and if there be Venom they are Cancers The Original of evil Humors is the same with that of malignant Ulcers whereof we spake Wherefore some people are swollen in their Necks with Strumas in those places especially where they drink Snow-water as the Inhabitants of the Alpes And this is not likely because it is in some places only of that Country as in the lower parts of Valesia But it is rather to be imputed to the natural disposition of mens Bodies in those parts which is the cause that they are so common there Parents Seed being so infected rather than water drinking as we shewed in the cause of the Seed When the thick Juyce nourishing the Tendons Nerves Membranes The Juyce that nourisheth the Membranes is the cause of a Gangleon and Ligaments aboundeth it begets a hard tumor in the fleshless parts of the Joynts called a Ganglion when it is glewed to these parts that are exercised and produceth a like substance especially in the Joynts as in the Ham by reason of the violent motion of the Knee And it may come at the curing of a Wound in any other part when the juyce aboundeth And it cannot be from Flegm Excrementitious as they call it being it is such a Nervous firm and solid substance no more then a Callus or a Node or a Broncocele or Tumor in the Throat which they say comes from Flegm This is of divers kinds and comes from divers Causes as we shewed in the windy Cause When the nourishing Juyce aboundeth in the skin The Juyce which nourisheth the skin is the Cause of a hard skin it causeth the hardness called Callus as when by labour it is worn although not quite taken off yet somwhat alwaies is taken away and it is made thin and then the nourishing juyce being drawn thither more by the chafing of the part dorh require and make new skin till there comes a Callus as in the Hands and Feet Mechanick men have sooner hard Hands from the Instruments they use which causeth Blisters at first by separating the scarfe skin from the true and attracteth the nourishing Humor which joyns to the skin and makes it hard The Juyce that nourisheth the skin gleweth together the Division which is made by a Wound or Ulcer The Juyce that nourisheth the skin is the cause of a Scar. and fills up the place and makes a Callus instead of a true skin called a Scar which differs from the skin because it is insensible and more hard not porous nor hairy And it is larger or less as the wound was And if the Juyce abound it grows higher then the skin if not even And if the Ulcer were hollow and have a Scar to heal it up before it be filled with flesh it is like a pit in one or in many places as in the small Pox. As it is in the Navel if the hole thereof which sent out a Cord in the Womb which is taken away after Birth grow sound and skin over below there will be a pit but if it grow up there will be a Callus even with the skin or if it grow too high the Navel will be thrust out If that Juyce which is ordained to nourish harder parts get into the Pores Nourishing juyce in the Pores is the cause of Warts and Cornes and makes Warts and Cornes which Juyce may come from that which nourisheth the skin for as it causeth there Hardness â—allus and Scars so getting into the Pores it may take root and grow forth as a Wart which hangeth down or is fixed and as a Corn in the Feet where being pressed with going while it grows can go no farther and there is pain by the compression when the flesh underneath is pricked The largness of the Pores is the cause of this when they should be so straight that they should receive nothing but vapors for sweat This comes in divers places especially in the Feet where the skin is much pressed in one place and so the Poâ—es made more large which causeth a Corn which hath a hard skin for the same cause And Warts come in the Hands from external Injuries and hard tumors in the Eye-brows called Hordeola and Grandines from the rubbing of the Eyes The like may be from the Juyce which nourisheth the Hair if it be too thick the Pores and this Juyce may cause a Hair in the Wart make it grow longer it is not likely that any such should come from Flegm which may resemble the substance of the parts of the Body where they are much less can so small a thing as causeth a Corn or Wart come from a Defluxion Neither could they come from Flegm if they were Infectious as Rondoletius thinks in regard the juyce may have malignity as we shall shew And if they were hereditary they rather come from the Seed then any preternaâ—ural Humor From this thick Juyce which is for nourishing other parts when it gets into the Pores The nourishing Juyce in the Pores is the cause of Freckles there arise hard Pustles called Freckles or Pimples as Warts which when in the Head or Beard are called Psydracia For the skin being thicker and harder there is nourished with thicker Juyce which coming into the Pores in great quantity causeth Pimples and if it be spread in the Face it causeth the same there by Reason of the Loosness of the part These are fixed if they come only from this juyce but if any Excrementitious Humor or Matter be mixed then the Pustles will run and turn to little ulcers Aso in the Bones the juyce that nourisheth them causeth Nodes The juyce that nourisheth the Bones is the cause of Nodes and Callus which as it happens also in the Flesh being laid bare so here in the Bone when the Periostium or skin thereon is eaten away and the juyce of the Bones which the skin useth to confine within its self to the Bone growing forth causeth Nodes like to the Bones And as these may come by external violence as in Horses Feet so in Men also and by other Causes sometimes which are malignant as the French Pox as we shall declare when we treat of that
disease Also this juyce may produce a tumor for when the Bones are broken which wil cause abundance of juyce there will a Callus grow to glew them together and it will grow out from the Bone and be like a Node In the Roots of the Nails there is Juyce which giveth them Nourishment The Juyce which nourisheth the Nails being too thick or too much causeth the callosity of the Nails and if it be too much in quantity it doth not onely make them too thick which is unseemly but if it be thick withall it causeth uneven Swellings Now the cause of this abundant juyce among the rest is this when it is drawn thither by a violent Exercise of the Hands or by hurt as we shewed And if this juyce be too thick or be mixed with the Juyce that belongs to the Bones adjacent it makes the Nails to be too hard and thick And if it be mixed with other juyce which is evil it procures other inconveniences besides hardness as shall be shewed The Juyce which nourisheth the Body Crude juyce nourishing the body is the cause of Leucophlegmacy causeth enlargment by encreasing the substance thereof and if it be crude and unconcocted which long nourisheth the body instead of that which is concocted it makes the body soft and faint and swollen and is the cause of Leucophlegmacy so called because it is made of waterish juyce or flegm which is water congealed And the Cause which breeds this crude juyce is the same with that of a Cachexy which comes from the same juyce as we shewed when we told you that it came from crude Blood which produceth such Juyce And that it came either from the Foot or from some Distemper of the Bowels as the Stomach which leaves the Chylus imperfect in the first Concoction or from the weakness of the Liver and Spleen from Distemper or other Diseases as Obstruction and Hardness by which meanes the blood is not sufficiently wrought in the second Concoction Hence is this evil juyce so plentiful in the Veins which nourishing the Habit of the Body first breeds a Cachexy which useth to go before a Leucophlegmacy and produceth it certainly if the matter increase And we have shewed how the serous or watery Humor mixed with the crude produceth the same Crude juyce gathered in some parts causeth the Tumor Oedema The crude nourishing juyce either alone or mixed with water is the cause of the tumor called Oedema which is spread abroad and in which the substance of the parts where it is seems rather to be enlarged soft and swollen then filled with Excrementitious Flegm which they say is the Cause and therefore is harder to be cured Also when Water is mixed with the juyce it produceth tumors that are more soft and watery which we call serous Oedema's these are especially in the Thighs which make them look like a Dropsie We have shewed the Causes of these last in the Treatise of the serous Humor but for the cause of those which come only of crude juyce somtimes it is the same with that of a Cachexy and Leucophlegmacy if it come to the part through the weakness thereof somtimes only the evil constitution of the part by which it doth not so perfectly turn the blood brought thither into its self but leaves it crude and imperfect may be the Cause if the part be cold weak looser or fainter from Diseases or hurts received Abundance of Milk in the Breasts causeth a Tumor which distendeth the whole Breast Plenty of milk is tho cause of the Swelling of the breasts or some part thereof wherein it is gathered The plenty of Blood is the cause of this plenty of Milk but chiefly the retention and collection of Milk already made in the breast commonly after Child-bearing which is the time of giving suck in which if Women give not suck as some do not they are subject to swollen breasts somtimes though the Infant do suck yet in regard it cannot suck them clean by reason of the continual increase of Milk the same may happen Women when they have weaned their Children are troubled with this some sew daies after And they seldom have it before they are delivered albeit they have Milk and their Breasts grow bigger Some say that not onely the abundance of milk but the curdling thereof is the cause of this Tumor of the Breasts which if so the Tumor would be rather gathered and hard as somtimes it is in that place wherein it curdleth rather then a general Swelling and this would be so because the Milk is out of its proper Vessels and then in regard curdled milk as clodred Blood cannot be long in a part without corruption or Suppuration nor can they easily be discussed this tumor would quickly be an Imposthume We shewed in pains Blood filling the Veins is the cause of crooked Veins called Varicae how Blood carried out of the Vessels caused hot Tumors with pain And somtimes when it is in the Vessels it causeth tumors as it is in the Veins or Arteries if in the Veins they are swollen and crooked by too much filling and dilatation and somtimes they are in some places more swollen like baggs or Nodes stretched forth made clear and transparent through dilatation and the Colour of the Blood is seen through and they appear blew and black straight or crooked and if they be so stretched that they presse the adjacent Nerves or if the Matter contained in them do offend the Nerves there is pain And the blood will do this sooner in those parts which are dependant and from whence it cannot so easily ascend as in the Leggs where these Varices are most usuall and large as from the same Cause there is the tumor called Cirsocele in the inward Vessels of the Codds but this is seldom because the Blood will not come so violently into such narrow Passages but by some extraordinary occasion Moreover Blood sent into other Veins of the skin gets Varices especially where there are many Veins as in the Scrotum or Cod and the Eye-brows and the like But these are different as the Blood for if that be temperate and pure they are less and only are offensive by their being stretched forth but if the Blood be hot or foul or mixed with Choller they burn and are more troublesom and sometimes have an Ulcer at the bottom where the Blood setleth as in the Legs is usual if the matter be sharp and it will be a creeping corroding Ulcer which many suppose comes from a Melancholick Humor as all other Varices because they look black when pure Blood seen through the skin may seem so the rather when it is foul Now the reason why the Blood is carried so fast to that part is from the part and from the blood it self as when there is too much Blood as in a Plethora and Women with Child by reason of the Terms stopped in the Veins of the
we first open the skin till it lyeth bare and then we cut it out by the Roots in doing of which you must take heed of hurting a Nerve or other Vessel For which cause when the Scrophula is under the Chin and deep it is dangerous but if it be there or in any part else outwardly hanging forth it is safer provided that you cut not the kernels which are hardned between the Vessels especially those in the Joynts or a Nerve or Tendon which will cause Contraction of the part We have often taken them off with a potential Cautery which maketh an Eschar in the skin without pain or made them better ripen with other Medicines thereby It is difficult to use potential or actual Cauteries that burn because of Inflammation but if the place be not dangerous it may be done Some think that they are taken away or kept from growing if pricked with the finne of a thornback It is thought that some Kings have the Gift from God to cure them by touching especially they of France to whom they come at a set time in multitudes also that the Kings of England have the same Some think that the seventh Son that comes in order without a Sister between hath the same Gift I had a friend one Picto in France that studied Physick who told me that when he was a Child he touched many publickly in the Church using many superstitious Ceremonies Struma is either simple or compound The cure of Struma either in the throat or hanging therein if it be haereditary to the Countrey and grown great and hard is incurable and not to be broken but must be all the life except it be cut off at the first if it be not haereditary or belong to the Soyle or Country you may attempt it and after purging use Applications you need not purge so often as when there are many Scrophulas except other Causes require it But you must mix those things which consume it by which we have found that they have coased growing and vanished being not confirmed You may give things mentioned for Scrophulas especially Pouders of Spunge Amiantus stone stinking Gladon Broom flowers and the Compound Pouders mentioned and Conserves for vulnerary Drinks they will be needless because it seldome ulcerates As for outward Applications they must be stronger then those for a Scrophula because a Struma is more difficult to be cured and they must stick faster as Emplasters of Gums or Cataplasmes of Roots and Roundheads and other Herbs or of Dungs with the stronger Pouders as of Ashes and Lime either by themselves as mentioned or with Vinegar or other strong Liquor We take off Strumas by Incision if they be confirmed and be uncomely and hinder breathing as we do scrophulas and it is safe when they hang out but it is dangerons when they are so rooted into the Vessels that they cannot be taken off without hurting them and then it is better to let them alone then to endanger the Patient and dishonour your self It may be done also with a Cautery as a scrophula I leave it to the Judgement of those who have seen it whether the great Struma may be cured by a touch or not A cold Parotis is a kernel behind the Ears hard without pain The cure of a Parotis which is without pain If it be old and scirrhous it cannot be cured without cutting but that which is young and in the increase or not quite hardned may be cured better then kernels in other parts by Discussion or maturation or Imposthumation or by Ulceration by which means divers sorts of matter may flow forth or come forth in a bag somtimes hard as a Stone This Cure is done with some things used in Scrophula's as first by Evacuations of the same sort to take away plenty of Humors and Excrements and altering Medicines to hinder the increase of thick Humors And then by giving things that consume a Scrophula there mentioned if it last long And because there is not so many Glanduls or Kernels as scrophulas we need not use so many things Of those which were mentioned these are fittest things made of Gums Plants Roots round Roots Dungs and Pouders And when it tends to Maturation you must mix things that help it as this Cataplasm made of Onions or Lillies Roots of Marsh-mallows or Orris baked under the Embers and bruised with Figs Meal of Lineseed and Foenugreek Honey Oyl and Grease Or if it incline to break Take four ounces of baked Figs Leaven one ounce and an half green Flower-de-luce roots one ounce Aloes two drams Niter one dram mix them with Oyl and Grease Or you may ripen this Tumor with things mentioned for Imposthumes that follow Inflammation and open it when it is ripe and then cure it as an Ulcer If it be old and scirrhous cut it out as we shewed in Scrophula or burn it off taking heed of the great Vessels A cold Bubo that is a swollen hard Kernel without heat in the Groin The Cure of Bubo without pain or Arm-pit is somtimes scirrhous and incurable as that of the Plague which hath continued to my knowledg all their life somtimes it may be discussed but it seldom comes to an Imposthume as that with Inflammation and if it do there will be a malignant Ulcer This must be ordered almost like the Parotis behind the Ear with the like Evacuations first and Alteratives among which some of those which were good to cure Kernels may be used for a Bubo Apply such things as are mentioned in Parotis and Scrophula choosing those which most discuss and soften And if it tend to Maturity proceed as you did in Parotis and Imposthumes We cannot well use Incision or Cautery because they lye too deep The Stones being swollen and hardned without Inflammation The Cure of hard and soirrhous Stones though Inflammation usually go before if they grow scirrhous they so continue and are troublesome chiefly in riding And if both Stones swell and the spermatick Vessels grow hard the Man will be unfit to get Children But if this Tumor be looked to in time it may be taken away In the Cure of this having first used general Medicines you must use more Digestives then Mollifiers in your applications least Suppuration be too quick and so the stones putrifie and be lost as hath often been And you must apply things mentioned in the Scrophula Cataplasmes Plaisters and Fomentations which work powerfully and if it tend to an Imposthume you must bring it to suppuration As we shewed in Imposthumes open it and cure it as an Ulcer If it will not yeeld to Medicines but the Stones continue very hard and painful you must take them off by gelding as we shewed in Sarcocele The Cure of Tumors which come of nourishing Juyce in fleshy parts is as that of Scirrhus and those in the belly which come from an internal scirrhus and like the Cure of those which contain strange Matter
the womb being continually moist and therefore too loose that the womb being compelled by other Causes may easier slip down and the neck may yeeld more easily and be inverted Some teach that besides this Falling down that the womb while in the Belly may be moved on one side and get also up to the Stomach But being it grows to the neck and is compessed every where with the guts abiding commonly in the middle it will not easily get into other parts and will rather go downwards then upwards Except perhaps it grow so that it take up more room then formerly as we see in Women with Child and then also it rather goes downwards by its weight and the Belly is more swollen and harder beneath For which reasons and the other accidents in the Mother-fits we declared in the Cure of them that they come rather from Vapors that arise from the womb then from the ascending of the womb it self The Falling out of the Fundament is from the Inversion or straight Gut The cause of the falling out of the Fundament is straining for then it swells as when going to stool the Fundament sticks out with straining to let out the Excrements till it be drawn in again so that if by great force and straining with hard Excrements it be so brought down that it brings a part of the straight Gut with it it is the cause of its staying out The same may be from other causes that bear down as in Child-birth when the Delivery is hard the Fundament also falls out also from forcing about the Fundament as in the Tenesmus or needing or in the Flux called Dysentery And we have seen in an Incision made in the Rimme or Peritonaeum near the Fundament for taking a stone out of the Bladder that through pain the Fundament hath been by straining thrust out and the Yard also though in an Infant and little hath been swollen and stood And I have observed in some Children troubled with the Stone that they had not only this coming forth of the Fundament alwayes when they strained to make water but an Extension of the Yard especially in the Head and Fore-skin from their often handling of it through pain which were the undoubted signs of the Stone in the Kidneys And if the Fundament be so thrust out by straining that the straight Gut be drawn from the Mesentery or middle Membrane by which the Guts are held then they cannot be put up or kept in although the Muscles be right against the Fundament to draw it in again gently yet if it be far forth and tied with no Ligaments the Muscles alone cannot do it because if the Fundament be far out they will fall out also It may come from the weakness of the Muscles which draw in the Fundament after stool The Loosness of the Muscles of the fundament is the cause why it cannot be drawn in and constrain it up that the Fundament may be so far forth that it cannot be drawn in by which means the Fundament may be said to be forth but not to fall out except Force or Straining perceeded because it is not so retained by these smal Muscles that when they cease to act it should presently fall out of the Body in which it was included without any Force These weakness which makes the Muscles unable to draw back the Fundament that falls out by stool bofals them which have often had the Falling of it out or it comes from too much cold of the part which is very sensible by sitting upon a cold stone or the like or by staying in the cold Air or Water which touch the Fundament Many suppose that Falling of the Fundament The Loosness of the muscles is the cause why the fundament cannot be drawn back and that which is called the Palsey of the Fundament comes from Loosness of the Muscles through a Defluxion upon the Nerves But it is improbable that a particular Palsie of this part should be alone without any other part affected from the Defluxion Nor is it probable that a Defluxion which must needs fall in abundance to cause a Palsey should fall only into the lowest part of the os sacrum where these slender Nerves are accompanied with these Muscles and not rather sill the whol Cavity of the os sacrum by which means the Nerves might be dissolved Therefore if there be a Palsie in the Muscles of the Fundament it would be in the whol Body or in the inserior parts as well as there And though there be a great Resolution of parts in an Apoplexy we find none there nor doth the Fundament fall forth nor in any other Palsie when all the lower parts are resolved yet the Patient can go to stool and draw in the Fundament and though it be weaker for the Disease yet it falls out For which cause if difficulty of drawing back of the Fundament be from the Nerves which comes soldom it comes from a Palsie caused by a Defluxion and we suppose that it comes from compression of the Nerves or contusion by Fall or Stroak about the Crupper or from some great Coldness of the part which is not only upon the Muscles but Nerves When the Connexion of the Eye with its hollow roundness is loosned The Connexlon or Fasting of the Eye being loosned by a Contusion is the cause of its coming forth it falleth out and this comes by fome violent Cause because it is so fixed to the place that when it is brought to the Table boyled it can scarce be got out Yet the Eyes fall out by a great Contusion of the head by a Fall or Stroak And scarce by another means except they start out a little by straining as in Child-birth crying or roaring and so seem bigger yet they fall not out by that means but only stick out of which we spake in Deformity because by straining they cannot be much dissended but a little forced by the Muscles Some think that the Eye may fall out by the stretching of the Globe with Wind and Moisture gathered before it but since we find no Cavity in the Eye but it is full every where and there is no way for these to get in or can they be bred in the Eye or come from other parts we cannot yeeld to them As we shewed in the Causes of pains of the Eyes from Wind and Filmes which they suppose to come from Defluxion of Water The Falling out of the Tongue may be from the loosning of its Connexion The loosning of the Connexion of the tongue from a contusion is the cause of its coming forth it is so strong bound by Muscles a Coate and Ligaments that it must be done by great Force But it happens from a Contusion of the Neck or Breast as when theeves are racked their Tongue sticks out and it may also come by other means I saw one whose Stones hung out by a wound which was given upon his Codd
prevented If every morning you wash with water Wine 〈…〉 a little Vinegar and rub the Teeth and after use Dentifrices if need require and then wash them again with the same If this should be done dayly as the Teeth need no less washing then the Hands they might be kept clean and sound til old age except some other accident and without these they cannot be kept clean white and uncorrupted Eating keeps the Teeth clean therefore on that side where the Teeth are rotten and they cannot shew is sooner infected and there are scales Therefore let them use to eat one both sides When meat fastned in the Teeth is picked out somthing is taken from the sides because it cannot be so easily come at when it is lodged within as when any filth is without Therefore it is good to dip the Tooth pickers made of wood as was shewed in Salt or Allum water You must take off the hard slakes with Iron Files or flegms for that purpose made broad or sharp CHAP. XIII Of the Voiding of Living Creatures The Kinds THere are some Living Creatures bred in the Body which are wholly besides nature as also the voiding of them And they are either Worms or Insects or Lice As for Fleas it is a doubt whether they be bred in mans body or not but no doubt they come from others There are divers kinds of Worms that come from divers parts of the Body Worms voided by Stool which are like other Worms The long worms are called Lumbrici Long Worms because they are like Earth worms They are round sharp at the both ends like Earth worms shewing neither head nor tail whitish and hard usual in Children They are voided more or fewer usually dead and somtimes alive Divers accidents accompany them the gentlest are pain of the belly gnawing at the Heart sighing a dry Cough Itching of the Nose therefore they rub it constantly grating of the Teeth restlessness heavy dreams which makes them suddenly awake and cry out The great accidents are greediness vomiting loosness Lientery Feaver Convulsion and Swouning The short worms that come from the Fundament are called Ascarides Arsworms they are round like Mites in Cheese or Worms in Ulcers These are voided alive with the Excrements with great itching and bring scarse any other accidents They reckon flat worms with these but because they neither live nor move as the other but are long membranes that grow in the body we shall mention them in other excretions Such Worms come also out at the mouths of Children in their sleep Worms comming out at the mouth and from others at other times causing Vomiting I cannot omit the mentioning of a monsterous worm very great behind the Head like a Canker worm hairy with a black shell like a beatle upon the back with many Legs like an Ear-wig voided by a souldier vomiting after long heart pains Some thought that worms breed in the Teeth within Worms of the Teeth being deceived by the smal Fibres found in broken teeth as in cavities of great bones Some thought them to be Nerves Others Wormes But they may be in hollow teeth The Lumbrici or long worms will come out at the Nose Worms in the Teeth or Mouth and cause itching Somtimes little worms have been blown out at the Nose from an Ulceration there A Bergen Physitian affirmed seriously to me that he saw a hairy worm with many Feet like an Ear-wig sneesed out at the Nose by a woman which a long time before felt a great Itching about her Fore-head It was shewed in Ulcers of the Ears that worms come forth with matter VVorms in the Ears VVorms coughed up VVorms pissed forth Some affirm that men in Consumptions have coughed up worms I saw a Man who had the Colick of whom I spake in the Colick that made Urin with infinite small worms like mites in cheese swimming alive therein which dying sanke down in a great lump to the bottom And I saw the same after in others And have since read of divers that have seen the same VVe shewed in verminous or worm Ulcers VVorms in Vlcers how they bred there VVe have seen in the bottom of the navel a long round worm Navel-wormes such as breeds in meal that thrust it self forth and drew in again Some affirm that the long worms of the Guts have come forth at an Ulcer which hath pierced through the Belly and Guts VVorms in a wound of the Belly It is reported that in some Diseases there are worms in the Arms Dracunculi or little dragons Leggs Thighs and sides called Dracunculi in high Dutch Mittfross But we leave the description of them to them that have seen them Besides these kinds of worms VVorms remaining inclosed in the Body others are bred in the Body where there is no passage for them to get out But after death are found in dissection or Anatomy of which neither the Patient that complained of other Diseases nor the Physitian knew These belong not to things voided or Excreta but to other accidents where they shall be spoken of Under the Heart it is reported that worms breed which prick and molest VVorms under the heart but they express not the part being deceived with those worms that rise to the mouth of the stomach and there molest the Heart For they cannot breed any where about the Heart or Pericardium or under it because it grows to the Midriff Lice come from divers parts of the Superficies of the Body Phtheiriasis or the lousie Disease and cause an Itching molestation which is called Phtheiriasis The kinds whereof are distinguished by the parts of the Body Lice breed most in hairy places Lice in hairy Parts especially the Head usually in Children and poor people and somtimes in other unclean persons When they are grown they are broad with many feet equal because they leap not but creep And they have a black spot in their backs sometimes The young ones are called Nits Somtimes they grow in the Beard and Eye-brows and cause Itching there But are little and are quickly routed from those small quarters Also in the Hair under the Arms VVorms that eat the Hair some teach that the Hair of the Head and Beard may be eaten and cleft with worms or lice scarce visible There are Lice found fastned to the skin about the hairy parts of the Privities Lice that grow to the skin or crab-lice that cause grievous itching and pricking and stick very fast Which the French call Morpions Or kil-Doves because they are like the Lice in Dove-cots that kill Pigeons We call them Crab-lice because they resemble the Crab-fish These somtimes creep into other parts and there stick in the skin There is a peculiar sort of Lice that breeds in the Palms of the Hands Hand-lice and in no other part except the Soles of the Feet under the skin which causeth a little