soure Belching Pain or Wind in the Stomach signifie that it proceeds from the Stomach that a Giddiness proceeds from the Liver Spleen or Womb is known by the following Signs When it proceeds from the Spleen there are frequent and large evacuations of Wind inflation of the Belly soure Belchings and the like when from the Womb there is stopage of the Courses or Hysterick Fits A Giddiness that is recent and seldom invades and that which is occasioned by external Causes is light and easily Cured that which is inveterate and frequent most commonly ends in the Falling Sickness or Apoplexy CVRE The Cure is much the same with the Falling Sickness which see in the Chapter of the Falling Sickness But when it is small it does not need so large a course of Physick as is requisite for the Cure of the Falling Sickness But those things will be sufficient which I shall here set down First therefore if Blood abounds inject a pretty sharp Glyster and afterwards Bleed then Purge with the following Pills Take of the fetid Pills two Scruples of Resin of Jalap five grains with a sufficient quantity of Galbanum dissolved in Briony Water make seven Pills to be taken in the Morning repeat them Thrice But if the Patient cannot take Pills the following Purging Potion may be given instead of them Take of Gerions decoction six Ounces boil in it of the Fibres of black Hellebore and of Agarick each one Dram and an half strain it and add an Ounce of the Syrup of Roses Solutive and two Drams of Compound Briony Water Make a Potion Afterwards let the Patient use the following Sneesing Powder Take of the Leaves of Marjoram Sage Rosemary dried each half a Dram of the Roots of Pellitory of Spain and white Hellebore each one Scruple of Musk three Grains make a Powder Cupping-glasses with and without Scarification frictions of the extream parts Bleeding from the Hemorrhoidal Veins may be used to cause revulsion Blisters are also of use for derivation Afterwards use such things as are proper to strengthen the Head which you will find in the Chapter of an Epilepsie The Conserves of the Flowers of Marrygolds is counted by some a Specifick for Giddiness CHAP. IV. Of the Falling Sickness THE Falling Sickness in Latin Epilepsia is an universal and violent Convulsion the Fit most commonly comes of a sudden and precipitates in the twinkling of an Eye to the Earth and deprives a Man of Sense and Understanding for they seem rather forcibly thrown down than to fall and that part which first comes to the Ground is most commonly bruised or wounded They gnash with their Teeth foam at the Mouth and often beat their Heads against the Ground their Arms and Legs either become rigid or tossed here or there Some beat their Breasts violently and some cast their Bodies impetuously hither and thither But in most the Belly swells much After some time sometimes sooner sometimes longer the symptoms suddenly cease as if the Tragedy were just ended and then the Sick come to themselves again and are sensible but there remains after the Fit is gone off a pain in the Head and a dulness in their Senses and often a Giddiness The Fits are sometimes wont to come at set times of the day month or year but most commonly according to the greater turns of the year or according to the Conjunctions or opposite Aspects of the Moon or Sun they return more certainly and afflict more violently and sometimes the Fits are uncertain and come as occasion is offered and according to the variety of evident Causes Sometimes they are gentle sometimes violent sometimes though rarely some Signs forewarn the Epileptick person of a Fit before he falls as a dulness of the Head sparkling of Fire before the Eyes Noise in the Ears and the like Sometimes a Convulsion in some outward part as in the Arm or in the Leg or in the Back or in the Hypochondres precedes which rising from thence like a cold Air towards the Head occasions the Fit CVRE You must begin with Purging but if the Sick bear Vomiting well a Vomit must be first given and must be repeated for several months four days before the Full Moon Wine of Squills mixed with fresh Oyl of Sweet Almonds or half a Scruple or a Scruple of Salt of Vitriol may be given to Infants But for grown People and such as are of a strong Constitution the following forms of Medicines may be prescribed Take of Crocus Metallorum or of Mercurius Vitae four or six grains Mercurius dulcis fifteen Grains or a Scruple grind them together upon a Stone mix them with the Pap of a roasted Apple or Conserve of Borrage make a Bolus Or give half an Ounce one Ounce or one Ounce and an half of the infusion of Crocus Metallorum or of Mercurius Vitae made in Spanish Wine according to the Strength of the Sick Or Take of Emetick Tartar four or six grains They that are of a weak Constitution may take a Scruple or half a Dram of Salt of Vitriol and half an hour after let them drink several Pints of Posset-drink and then with a Feather or with the Finger let them provoke themselves to Vomit often The next day after the Vomit unless any thing forbid draw Blood from the Arm or by the Sucking of Leeches from the Hemorrhoidal Veins and the next day after Bleeding give a Purging Medicine which afterwards must be constantly repeated four days before the New Moon Take of Rosin of Jalap half a Scruple of Mercurius dulcis one Scruple of Castor three Grains of Conserve of the Flowers of Peony one Dram make a Bolus to be taken in the Morning Or Take of the Fibres of black Hellebore infused in Vinegar dried and pouder'd half a Dram of Ginger half a Scruple of Salt of Wormwood twelve Grains of Oyl of Ambar two drops make a Pouder give it in the Pulp of a roasted Apple in the Morning Of the days the Sick does not Purge especially at the Seasons of the Moon give Morning and Evening specifick Remedies Take of the Roots of male Peony dried and poudered one two or three Drams give it twice a day in the following tincture at eight in the Morning and at four in the Afternoon Take of the Leaves of Misleto of the Oak two Drams of the Roots of Peony cut half an Ounce of Castor one Dram put them into a Glass and pour upon them of Bettony Water or of simple Peony Water and of White Wine each a Pint of Salt of Misleto of the Oak or of Common Salt two Drams Digest them in a close Vessel in the heat of Sand for two days Give three Ounces with a Dose of the Powder above prescribed At the same time make a Necklace with Peony Roots sliced and hang it about the Neck and the Roots fried or boiled till they are soft may be eat daily with the Meat Take of Man's Skull prepared one Ounce of misleto
cold moist Intemperies or a hot and dry Intemperies also organical Diseases of the Part as an Inflammation or Scirrhus or the like The Vessels of the Womb also often occasion Obstructions which is the most frequent cause of the Suppression of the Courses they being stopt by cold and thick Humours or compressed by Swellings of the neighbouring Parts The Blood is peccant when it is thick and Clammy or when it is evacuated by other ways as by the Nostrils Vomiting Spitting Hemorrhoides and many other Parts I saw sayes Riverius a Girl that had a Pustle in the Head which opened Monthly and evacuated a large quantity of Blood and I have seen many says he that by casting up Blood Periodically from the Lungs had the Courses that Way The external Causes occasioning this Suppression are cold and dry Air and a Northerly Season going into Cold Water especially when the Courses flow too little or too much Nourishment taken also gross and cold Meats or such as are astringent and such as are too hot or such as are salted and spiced too much violent exercise immoderate Watchings much sleep immoderate Ease Bleeding at the Nose or Piles a Loosness and other Evacuations by Vomit Urine and Sweat And lastly violent Passions as extream Anger a sudden Fright long Sorrow great Jealousie and the like The Diagnostick of the Suppression must be received from the Sick but because it proceeds both from natural and preternatural causes the Signs of both shall be distinctly proposed least Physicians should be deceived by Women being with Child by illegitimate Coition and so prescribe Medicines to provoke the Courses rashly to Women with Child First therefore Women with Child most commonly retain their natural Colour and others do not Secondly the Symptoms which use to happen to Women with Child at the beginning abate daily but on the contrary in a Suppression of the Courses the longer they are stopt so much the more the Symptoms are increased Thirdly In Women with Child after the third Month the Motion and Situation of the Child may be sensibly perceived by laying the hand on the Belly but in others the Swelling is Oedematous and not at all hard nor is it always contained within the Limits of the Womb. Fourthly If the inward Mouth of the Womb be touched by a Skilful Midwife she will find it not exactly closed as it is in Women with Child but rather hard contracted and somewhat painful Fifthly Women with Child are most commonly chearful but on the contrary in a Suppression they are most commonly sorrowful and sad The Faults of the Womb which occasion a Suppression may be seen by Inspection and be felt by touching the Parts The Obstruction and Narrowness of the Vessels of the Womb may be known by the Disorder that is felt in the Loyns and in the Parts near the Womb especially just before the Coming of the Courses and if any thing flows out it is mucous whitish or blackish The Diseases of the neighbouring Parts which stop the Mouth of the Womb or the Veins may be known by their proper Signs An abundance of Blood may be known by the Veins being much swelled in the Legs and Arms if the Woman be fleshy and of a ruddy Countenance and has indulged her self for a long while in high Eating But a Defect of Blood may be guessed at if the Woman be fat if she has had a long Feaver and has fasted a long while or has loathed heâ— Meat An â—ll quality of the Blood may be known by an ill Habit of Body the preposterous Motion of the Blood viz. When it flows by contrary Passages is manifest of it self As to the Prognostick a Suppression of the Courses is very dangerous and many desperate Diseases rise from it some in the Womb as Tumours Abscesses and Ulcers others in the whole Body and in various Parts as Feavers Obstructions Cachexies Loathing of Meat a Dropsie a Cardialgia a Cough Difficulty of Breathing Fainting Melancholly Madness Pains of the Head Gout and many others if the Suppression continue long the Belly grows hard great quantity of Urine is voided there is a Loathing of Meat and long Watching the Legs Feet and Belly swell and they die of a Dropsie The Cure of this Disease must be varied according to the Variety of the Causes And first If it proceed from too great a quantity of Blood Bleeding must be ordered in the Arm and a large quantity of Blood must be taken away afterwards it must be drawn downwards by opening the lower Veins about the time the Woman used to have her Courses before she was ill Frictions Ligatures Cupping-glasses with and without Scarification may be used If by reason of want of Blood the Courses stop as after long Feavers after great Evacuations and when the Body is much wasted you must not endeavour to provoke the Courses till the Body is replenished and till a sufficient quantity of Blood is bred which being done they generally follow of their own accord But if it happen that Nature forget her Office she must be roused up by opening the lower Veins and by Medicines proposed in the foregoing Chapter but the quantity of Blood taken away must be moderate least the Strength should be dejected and the Sick should fall into a Consumption But here it must be carefully noted That every Wasting of the Body does not indicate a Want of Blood but only that which succeeds great Evacuations and the like for sometimes it happens that the Courses being suppressed and retained in the Veins occasion an ill quality whereby the Blood is rendred unfit to nourish the Parts upon which account the Body wasts though the Veins are full of Blood in which Case large Bleeding is required As to the Suppression of the Courses which happens by a preposterous Motion of the Blood when it is evacuated by Bleeding at the Nose by Vomiting Spitting or the Hemorrhoides and other Parts The Cure of it is performed by repelling the Blood from the Parts through which it flows preternaturally and by drawing it back to the Passage of the Womb. The first is performed when the Blood rushes out of the upper Parts by washing the Arms Head and Face with cold water and by forbearing the Exercise of those Parts especially Singing and speaking aloud The second is performed by opening the inferior Veins three or four Days before the Blood breaks out and by Cupping-glasses applied to the Thighs and Legs sometimes with sometimes without Scarification by provoking the Hemorrhoids by Frictions Ligatures Walking Fomentations Baths made of opening Herbs Pessaries uterine Glisters and by other things to be described below But the Bath-water is especially commended and the Sick must bath in them often a good while after Meals but the Water must not rise above the Hypochondres and at the same time the upper Parts must be cooled by fanning them If the Blood flow by the Hemmorrhoides the Cure is very difficult for if you use
is to be revived by Frictions Vellications plucking of the Hair Ligatures Squeesing of the Fingers together and the like he must be presently Blooded if he has Strength but his Strength is not to be judged of by the present Circumstances but by such as he was in before the Disease invaded him You must first Bleed in the Arm and then in the Jugular Vein presently after give the following Vomit Take of the Blessed Wine one Ounce and an half of Carduus water one Ounce of Spirit of Juniper-berries two drops make a Vomit Inject two or three sharp Glisters in a day Take of the Carminative Decoction with Bay-berries and Juniper-berries ten Ounces of the Electuary of Bay-berries one Ounce of Vinum Benedictum three Ounces and of brown Sugar three Ounces of Chymical Oyl of Juniper ten drops mingle them make a Glister If the Glister be not rendred in due time provoke the Belly by a Suppository Take of Hiera picra half an Ounce of Sal Gemma one Dram of Hony a sufficient quantity make Suppositories The Spirit of Sal Armoniack must be held to the Nostrils and things of all kinds that cause Revulsion must be used not only Frictions and Ligatures but also Cupping-glasses set on the Back Shoulders Arms and Thighs But in an Apoplexy you must not apply Cupping-glasses to the Back or to the Hypochonders least the Muscles of the Breast and Belly should be contracted and so Respiration more hindred Cupping-glasses applied to the Head are counted very proper apply a Blistering Plaister with Euphorbium to the Neck Some according to the Custom of the Ancients hold a red-hot Frying-pan to the Head at such a distance as it may burn the Hair but not the Skin Take of the Waters of Rue Balm and Black-Cherries each three Ounces of Compound Peony water and of Compound Syrup of Peony each one Ounce and a half of Tincture of Castor one Dram of Spirit of Sal Armoniack half a Dram mingle them make a Julep give four or five Spoonfuls often In the general Cure of these Diseases you must take notice that in those which proceed from Blood Medicines that heat the least are to be used but Bleeding is to be used more freely and afterwards the Vein in the Forehead is to be opened and things that purge Choler are to be mixed with those that purge Flegm If the Brain be very much cooled the Sick after universal Evacuations may use Tablets made in the following manner Take of Amber-grease half a Scruple distilled Oyl of the Seeds of Anise Cinnamon and Nutmegs of each three drops Oyl of Cloves one drop of Sugar dissolved in Orange-flower water four Ounces make Tablets let him take a dram or two drams every Morning The following Powder is also commended and is much in use Take of white Ambar half an Ounce of the Powder called Diarhodon Abbatis two drams of the Roots of Peony one dram and an half make a Powder whereof give a dram in two Spoonfuls of Simple Peony water before the New Moon It is also proper to hold Nutmeg often in the Mouth and to chew it and Perfumes are to be held often to the Nostrils especially Apoplectick Balsam Spices are to be used with Meats and the following Digestive Powder after Meals Take of the Seeds of Coriander sweet Fennel Caraways each fifteen Grains of white Ambar one Dram of the yellow peel of Citrons and flowers of Rosemary each one Dram and an half of Nutmegs half a Dram of white Sugar three Ounces powder them grosly and give half a spoonful after Meals If from too great a quantity of Blood a sleepy Disease is feared the Patient must be sufficiently Blooded and the utmost endeavours must be used to make the Hemorrhoids flow than which nothing can be more advantageous Purging is to be ordered to prevent a Relapse Take of the Pill of Ambar and of the lesser Cochie each two Scruples of the best Castor six Grains of Oyl of Ambar a sufficient quantity mix them and make 12 Pills Take six for a Dose and the other six three days after Or Take of the Pill of Ambar one Scruple of Rosin of Jalap six Grains of Tartar vitriolated eight Grains spirit of Lavender eight drops of Elixir Proprietatis a sufficient quantity make 4 or 5 Pills to be taken in the Morning After Purging prescribe the following Medicines Take of the Conserves of the Flowers of Male peony and of Rosemary each one Ounce of the Bark of Citron Candied six Drams of the Species Diambra and Dianthos each one Dram of Castor powdred two Scruples of Compound Spirit of Lavender half a Dram with a sufficient quantity of the Syrups of Gilliflowers and Compound Peony Make an Electuary give the quantity of a Nutmeg Morning and Evening daily and let the Sick take four spoonfuls of the following Julep after it Take of the Waters of Black Cherries Rue Pennyroyal each three Ounces of Compound Peony Water and Langius's Epileptick Water each one Ounce of the Syrup of the Flowers of Male Peony one Ounce mingle them Or Take of the Powder e gutteta three Drams of Castor half a Dram of Syrup of the Flowers of Peony a sufficient quantity make forty Pills whereof let him take four every Night at Bed-time drinking upon them two spoonfuls of the following Julep Take of the Waters of the Flowers of Peony Black Cherries Rue Pennyroal each two Ounces of Compound Peony Water and of Compound Briony Water and Tincture of Castor each one Ounce of Syrup of Male Peony an Ounce and an half mingle them Take of Ambar one Ounce sprinkle the fourth part of it every Night at Bed-time upon the Head CHAP. VIII Catalepsis or Catoche THis Disease is very rare and very wonderful Galen mentions an Observation of one of his Scholars who upon hard Study was seized with a Catalepsis He lay says he like a piece of Wood extended rigid and inflexible his Eyes were always kept open but he could not speak When he recovered he told us he could hear us speak though not plainly he remembred what was done and saw all that were with him but he said he could not speak nor move a Limb And Fernelius mentions two Observations of this kind He says that a person studying very hard was seized with this Disease and that he was so stiff that sitting with his Pen in his Hand and looking earnestly upon his Book he was supposed to be hard at Study till being called and pull'd he was perceived to have no Sense nor Motion Another lay as it were Dead who neither saw nor heard nor felt when he was pricked He breathed well and whatever was put in his Mouth he readily swallowed Being taken out of his Bed he stood alone and being push'd he went forward and in what manner soever his Hand or Arm or Leg was Bent it stood fix'd so that he look'd like a Statue The like Observations are to be found in many other
Difficult Labour is known both by the Woman by the By-standers and especially by the Midwife And first if the Woman continue a long time in Labour viz. two three four or more days whereas a natural Birth is finished in 24 hours Another Sign of difficult Labour is languid pains returning at long Intervals also the pains tending backward rather than forward But the Causes of difficult Labour may be known by the Womans Relation and most commonly upon sight So the weakness of the Woman or leanness or over-fatness may be seen by the habit of Body The Diseases of the Womb may be known by their proper Signs the weakness of the Child by the weak and slow motion of it But the signs of a dead Child may be known by the following Chapter The bigness of the Child may be judged of by the stature of the Parents especially if a gigantick Man be married to a dwarfish Woman But when there are none of these Causes and the Womans and Childs endeavours are strong and yet the Labour is difficult it is a sign that the Secundine is so strong that it cannot be easily broken and this will be confirmed if no water or moisture flows out in Labour The preposterous figure of the Fetus may be perceived by the Midwife and other things as has been said by sight As to the Prognostick difficult Labour is of it self dangerous and sometimes the Woman and sometimes the Child and sometimes both are extinguished If a Woman continue in Labour four days she will hardly escape Sleepy Diseases and Convulsions coming upon hard Labour are most commonly deadly Sneesing coming upon hard Labour is good As to the Cure of hard Labour First all those things which retard it must as much as may be be removed afterwards Medicines that further Labour must be methodically administred And first it is common with Women to give a spoonful or two of Cinnamon-water or Cinnamon powdered with a little Saffron or half a drachm of Confection of Alkerms in broath or half a scruple of Saffron alone in some broath or every hour in a little VVine Or Take of Oil of sweet Almonds and of white Wine each two ounces of Saffron and Cinnamon each twelve grains of Confection of Alkermes half a drachm of syrup of Maiden-hair one ounce and an half mingle them make a Potion If these things are not sufficient the following may be used which I have frequently found very effectual Take of Dittany of Crete and both the Birthworts and of Troches of Myrrh each half a scruple of Saffron and Cinnamon each twelve grains of Confection of Alkermes half a drachm of Cinnamon-water half an ounce of Orange-flower-water and of Mugwort-water each one ounce make a Potion Oil of Ambar of Cinnamon and extract of Saffron are very effectual in a small quantity viz. five grains of extract of Saffron four or five drops of Oil of Cinnamon twelve or fifteen drops of Oil of Ambar in VVine Broath or some other Liquor Sneesing hastens Delivery it may be provoked by the following Powder Take of white Hellebore half a drachm of long Pepper one scruple of Castor five grains make a Powder let the quantity of a Pease be blown up into the Nostrils But difficult Labour must be helpt not only with inward Remedies proposed but also with external let the Midwife therefore frequently anoint the VVomb with the Oils of Lillies sweet Almonds Linseed and the like and let the Belly be fomented with an emollient decoction of the Roots of Marsh-mallows Lillies the leaves of Mallows Violets Mugwort of Linseeds Fenugreek-seeds of the flowers of Camomile and Melilot Sharp Glisters are to be injected by the irritation of which the expulsive faculty of the VVomb will be stimulated and the Guts being emptied thereby there will be more room for the VVomb Anoint the Navel with Oil of Ambar and such things as are thought to help Delivery by a specifick quality are to be used as the Eagle's-stone the Load-stone Storax Calamint and the like bound to the Hips and if the Woman has any Gems about her as in Rings or the like they must be pull'd off for many Women think that such things retain the Child by a specifick Quality If the Child seem to be weak it must be refreshed by giving strengthening things to the Mother as hot Wine Confection of Alkermes Cinnamon-water and the like If the Child begins to come forth preposterously as with one Arm or first with the foot or the like the Midwife must thrust them back and turn the Child right which may be done by placing the VVoman in a Bed upon her back with her Head low and her feet high and then force the Child gently into the VVomb and then the Midwife must endeavour to turn it right viz. to turn the Face towards the Mothers back and the Buttocks and Legs must be elevated towards the Mothers Navel and so she must hasten a legitimate Birth But all hopes of Delivery being past or the Mother being near Death some Authors propose the Cesarian Section whereof Franciscus Rossetus wrote an excellent Treatise wherein he endeavours to shew by many Arguments that it may sometimes succeed But because this operation is dangerous and very terrible it ought rarely or never to be attempted by a prudent Physician if he values his own Reputation CHAP. CVIII Of a Dead Child WHen the Child is dead the Motion of it ceases which either the Mother felt before in the Womb or the Midwife with her Hand a greater sense of weight with Pain afflicts the Belly when the Woman turns from side to side she perceives the Child fall like a Stone from one part to another the Belly feels cold the natural Heat being extinguish'd and the Spirits dissipated which were contained in the Child the Eyes are hollow the Face and Lips pale the extream parts cold and livid the Breasts flaccid and at length the Child putrifying a fetid Ichor and Sanies flows from the Womb an ill and strong smell exhales from the Woman's Body and her Breath stinks If the Secundine be excluded before the Fetus it is a certain Sign that the Child is dead The whole Cure consists in the exclusion or extraction of the Child Take of the Leaves of Savin dryed of the Roots of round Birthwort of the Troches of Myrrh and of Castor each one drachm of Cinnamon half a drachm of Saffron one scruple Mingle them make a Powder whereof let her take one drachm in Savin Water In the mean while apply to the Pubes Privities and Perineum an emolient Decoction After the Fomentation anoint the Parts with the Ointment de Arthanita and let a Pessary be put up the Privities Take of the Roots of round Birthwort Orris black Helebore of Coloquintida and Myrrh each one drachm of Galbanum and opopanax each half a drachm With Ox-Gall make a Pessary It is also proper if the Strength be sufficient to give a Purge Angelus
often become deadly Sometimes they come with great Shivering and with violent Vomiting a Loosness with Gripes the Cholera Morbus the Colick of the Stomach a periodical Hemicrania Apoplexy fainting Rheumatism general Convulsions Phrensie Peripnumonia and the like Mr. Amblar dwelling at Mile-end a Man of Fifty years of Age that was lean and sickly was often before subject upon slight occasions to an obstinate Ague accompanied with violent Symptoms but in the Year 1690 having taken a great Cold he was suddenly taken with Shaking and Shivering which was succeeded by an universal Chilness during which his Pulse could scarce be felt he was also violently afflicted with Vomiting a Loosness and with a horrid oppression and Sickness I visited him the next Morning and found his Face plainly Hippocratick his whole Body was cold as clay and a Dew upon it the Skin looked black by reason of the congelation of the Blood his strength was almost spent by the perpetual Sickness and the evacuation of divers coloured Choler by Vomit and stinking white Excrement by Stool of the consistence of a Cream all things shewed that Death was approaching for the vital principal or the animal Spirits was so oppressed by the Venom that there was no hope that they cou'd expand themselves But to blunt the malignant acrimony of the Humours I ordered that he should drink Chicken-broath plentifully and that it should be injected through a Syringe into the Anus I also ordered that the Stomach should be well fomented with Aromatick Bags made hot and a very cordial Bolus with as much Laudanum in it as the strength of the Patient would bear was given with a draught of a Cordial and alexipharmick Julep every fourth hour After the third or fourth Bolus I perceived the Pulse was much stronger and the blackness of the skin went off and heat returned to the extream Parts and the evacuations were something suppressed the colliquative Sweat was diminished and he was more quiet he slept a little and was not so sick after he waked After this remission of the Symptoms I endeavoured to remove the Venom by giving the Jesuits Powder mixed with Laudanum in the form of a Draught every fourth hour knowing well that the Sick could not bear a second Fit but before the third Dose of the Powder the Fit returned again unexpectedly accompanied with the former dreadful Symptoms and the poor Man died within the space of twenty four Hours I was called to one Mrs. Baker an ancient Woman dwelling in Fleet-street I found her oppressed with continual Sickness and Vomiting and so she had been for four days She presently vomited up all she took she fainted often her Pulse was quick and Weak but her temper by reason of faintness and perpetual sickness was moderate and in some sort cold her Urine looked in a manner well she could not rest and was almost delirious but she complained only of Nauseousness and Vomiting Having enquired carefully about every thing I was told that this Woman had been sick six Weeks that she was hot and cold by turns the periods were uncertain and that she was troubed with a Nauseousness and Vomiting frequently After I had prescribed a Cordial Bolus and Julep and Chicken-broath for her ordinary Drink I ordered a Julep made of Salt of Worm-wood and juice of Limons to be taken by Spoonfuls to comfort her Stomach afterward I ordered the Peruvian Bark should be given freely in the form of a Draught and of a Tincture adding twice or thrice a day ten or twelve drops of liquid Laudanum upon the account of the violence of the Vomiting and in a days time the Sickness and Vomiting were lessened and critical white Aphtha covered the whole Mouth the Urine was very red and other signs of the expansion of the Spirits and of the feverish heat were present and soon after a tertian Ague appeared in its proper form the cold heat and sweat succeeding one another alternately and after two Fits the Sick was cured by the Bark CHAP. CXXV Of Over-purging AS Purging Medicines are sometimes necessary to loosen the Belly and to evacuate ill Humours so if the evacuation be immoderate remedies must be used to stop it To prevent it consideration must be had of the Constitution and Strength of the Patient and of the Nature and Dose of the Medicine and while the Medicine is in operation the Bowels and Blood and Spirits must be kept free from disturbance wherefore at this time gross and viscous Meats must be avoided and much must not be eaten Cold must be carefully avoided and the mind must be clear and free and after the operation of the Medicine the Animal Spirits must be quieted and the effervescence of the Blood by giving an Anodyne Take of Cowslip Flower-water two ounces of Cinnamon-water hordeated and of Diacodium each half an ounce of Pearls half a Scruple make a Draught to be taken at Bed-time But if Over-purging happens the Patient must be presently put into a warm Bed and you must apply to his Belly a Plaister of Venice-Treacle and he must presently take inwardly a Bolus of Venice-Treacle and burnt Claret diluted with Mint-water often by Spoonfuls and if he be much grip'd a Glister must be injected made of Milk and Venice-Treacle CHAP CXXVI Of the French-Pox THE French-pox came first from the West-Indies into Europe in the Year 1493. but a violent Gonorrhea shewed it self first about an hundred years since It is propogated either by Generation as when a Child is infected by the Parents or by touching of some soft part as when a Child is Infected by sucking a Diseased Nurse or a Nurse by Suckling a Diseased Child or by a Child's lying in Bed with such as are Infected but it chiefly comes by impure Coition But in sound and firm Constitutions impure Coition it self is not always sufficient to Infect for sometimes many lying with an infected Woman some are infected and others not though they all equally deserve it When a Man has to do with an impure Woman either he has a heat or inflammation of the Penis with Excâ—riation or else he finds a heat in his Urine and in a day two or three a Gonorrhea or virulent Matter issuing from the Privy parts sometimes Chancerous Ulcers and when the Infection has been very violent or the Inflammation neglected a Gangren and christaline Bladders arise and the part Mortifies Sometimes there is no Gonorrhea but instead of it a Bubo arises in the Groin which according to the degree of its Malignity either proves easily curable or else improves its Venom and terminates in a phagedenous Ulcer with jagged Lips There are also many veneâ—â—l Ulcers upon the Scrotum and Perineum A Cancer is commonly attended with breaking out all over the Body like a Flea-biting which terminates in various sorts of ulcerous Scabs or Teteâ—rs or it may be Pustles arise in one or more places of the Body as Head Face Arms Thighs or Legs or Ulcers
in the Throat then wandring pains begin towards night to affect the Shoulders Arms Legs Head and about this time appear in the Fundament Warts and other kind of Proturbances also about this time Tumours arise in the Breast Arms Legs and become Ulcers that are difficultly Cured The pains growing more fixed Nodes usually arise and continually afflict them but towards night grow more intolerable Co-incident with several of these later degrees are the noise in the Ears Deafness a Polypus Opthalmia the Fisâ—ula Lacrimalis fierce Catarrhs Colick Loosness and Consumption Authors upon the entrance of the Pox into Christendom generally lookt upon it as not only Incurable but also so highly infectious that they ran away from it as much as the Jews did from the Leprosie but later Ages and long experience have made it less formidable yet even to this day it must needs be acknowledged difficult to Cure in consideration of its malign and contagious quality and the ungovernable disposition of the Patients If the habit of the Body be strong the cure of all the species of the Pox whether they be Chancer Pustles Tetters or eating Ulcers or Ulcers in the Throat and Nose are much easier cured than the same are in many other chronick Diseases but to root out the malignity is somewhat more difficult If the Patient has been Clapt formerly it will be more difficult to cure him the second time and worse the third If he has passed through long courses of Mercurial remedies ineffectually his Cure will be difficult and if he has been Salivated by unction and relapsed the Cure will be hard by reason the Mercury is become familiar to him and his Body is for the most part wasted Nodes are more difficultly Cured than any of the Species above mentioned and those whose Bones are corrupted are yet more difficult to cure but if the habit of the Body be strong and the Bowels sound all the Species of this Disease are curable if the Patient keep his Chamber and submit to the rules of Physick and Diet without which submission we can scarce cure the lesser Species If the Bowels be unsound or the Patient hectick the Disease is incurable As to the Cure though Bleeding does not take off the Disease yet in the very beginning of it we usually let Blood to quiet the fermentation of the humours and to dispose them for evacuation and prescribe a Glister before or after If the Disease be of long continuance and they have been let Blood some Months before yet if we design Salivation we do again let them Blood if the Body be not too much wasted for in some of those a Fever has happened in the time of raising the Salivation and in Bodies of a Strong habit I have often seen them to break out in heat all over in the beginning of the Flux so that then I have been necessitated to let them Blood when it was not so proper But when there is a Bubo in the Groin bleeding is not proper But purging is more Universally necessary Of Purges some are only lenitive as Manna with Cream of Tartar in Whey or Posset-Drink Tamarinds Cassia Senna Rhubarb lenitive Electuary and the like Stronger Purges are these that follow Take of the Leavs of Sena four ounces of Gummy Turbith Hermodactiles each two ounces of black Helebore and of the pulp of Coloquintida each six drachms of the raspings of Guiacum and Sassafras each one ounce of the Bark of Guiacum of the Berriei of Juniper of the outward Peel of Citrons each half an ounce of Cinnamon four Drachms infuse them in equal parts of the Water of Baulm Meadow sweet and Carduus Benedictus for forty eight hours then boyl them gently and press them out strongly in the strained Liquor dissolve too ounces and an half of Aloes one ounoe of Diagrydium evaporat them to the form of an extract for use The Dose is half a Drachm or a Drachm Take of Pil. Coch. min. A Scruple or half a Drachm Mercurius Dulcis twenty Grains make six Pills Or Take of the extract above mentioned of Gum Guiacum half a Scruple of Mercurius Dulcis one Scruple with Syrup of Buck-thorn make pills Vomiting is of use in great disorders of the Stomach when the foulness of that requires it or when the Ulcers of some particular part require a sudden revulsion so likewise when after the use of much Mercury outward or inward to Salivate it does not rise kindly they generally give strong Vomits if the party can bear them viz. some preparations of Mercury as Turbith Mineral and the like or Crocus Metallorum But in weaker constitutions such as we may The next thing which offers it self to our consideration is Salivation without which few great Cures are done in this Disease The methods of Salivating are diverse but all by Mercury Inwardly are prescribed various preparations of Mercury When we design Salivation by Mercurius dulcis we give it from twenty to twenty five grains and sometimes to thirty either in a spoonful of white Bread and Milk or in conserve of red Roses or the like when we suspect it may worke by Stool we prescribe it with Diascordium or Venice-Treacle at Bed time If after taking of it four or five Days their Chops do not swell it may be reasonable to move it upward with a few grains of Turbith Mineral according as their Chops swell they will Salivat if their Mouths be much ulcerated and swelled the Salivation may last eighteen or twenty Dayes during which they are to be kept warm especially about their Head Neck and Chops and to drink Chicken Broath or Posset Ale Arcanum Corallinum as it is generaly sold in the Shops may be given from three grains to five one Dose of it prescribed to a Woman Vomited her often and Salivated twenty Days Red Precipitat is also Vomitive but being well washed may be taken as safely as the white Precipitat White Precipitat may be given proportionably as has been said of Mercurius dulcis Turbith Mineral made of Vigo's Precipitat is best twelve or 18 grains of it may be taken at a time but that which is sold in the Shops is a rough Medicine and must be given in a less quantity There is also a way of raising a Salivation by suffumigation the prescription whereof is as follows Take of Cinnabar two ounces of Crude Mercury one ounce of Mastich Frankincense and Sandarach each half an ounce of Storax Calamit and Benzoin each three drachms make a fine powder of all and with Turpentine make Troches each weighing three drachms for use But when the Pox is grown inveterate and affects the most solid parts with Node's and the like Salivation by unction must be used Take of Lard two ounces of Crude Mercury one ounce mix them well You must begin the unction in the following manner the Patient must lodge in a close warm Chamber if the Season be cold the Windows must be covered with
the Stomach 215 Ulcers of the Reins and Bladder 295 Unguis Oculorum 71 Vomiting 193 Urine suppress'd 307 Urine hot 311 Urine bloody 292 Uvula relaxed 124 W. WEakness 187 Whites 357 Womb inflamed 371 Womb ulcerated 375 Womb mortified 387 Womb falling 395 Worms 252 THE STORE-HOUSE OF Physical Practice Diseases of the HEAD CHAP. I. Of a Phrensie A Phrensie in Latin Phrenitis is twofold True and Spurious A true Phrensie is an inflamation of the Brain and Membranes of it with a perpetual Delirium and a continual Acute Feaver A Bastard Phrensie proceeds from an hot intemperies communicated to the Brain from the whole Body as in Burning Feavers or from the inflamation of some particular part as of the Liver Lungs and especially the Diaphragm The Causes of a true Phrensie proceed from Cholerick Blood extravasated The Signs of an approaching Phrensie are Watchings disturbed Sleep immoderate Speech Urine first Thick then Thin and Clear Heat and Pain in the Head and the like A Phrensie is known by perpetual Raving restless Watching and by drawing the Breath deep and seldom and the Sick does not call for Drink though there are great and apparent causes of Thirst the Pulse is small frequent and quick the Feaver is continual and the Tongue black yellow or rough A Phrensie is generally deadly because the Noble Parts are generally affected But there is most hopes of Recovery when they Laugh and when all the symptoms are moderate and when the Strength is good and if after the Disease is at height some evacuation happens as by Sweat Bleeding at the Nose or a Loosness The following Signs shew it to be deadly trembling of the Hands and Tongue gnashing of the Teeth Convulsion and a shaking at the beginning of it catching of the Cloaths black Blood droping from the Nose white Stools and a pale Urine CVRE The Blood flowing to the Head must be evacuated repelled intercepted and a revulsion of it must be made That which is already flown in must be evacuated and discussed the intemperies of the part must be corrected and the strength of it and of the whole Body must be preserved All these things may be performed by the following remedies But first of all and at any time of the day Bleeding must be used If it be occasion'd by a suppression of the Lochia or of the Courses or of the Hemorrhoids the Vein call'd Saphena must be open'd in the Foot afterwards you must open a Vein in the Arm to evacuate the Blood that is put off upon the Head Bleeding is to be repeated twice thrice or more according to the height of the Disease and the Age and Strength of the Patient Note in opening of the Vein the Orifice must be small for otherwise the restlesness of the Sick will force the Blood out and so make it joyn the sooner you may apply a Plaister to it made of Aloes the White of an Egg and Hares Down After Bleeding you must endeavour to procure Sleep by applying cooling things to the Forehead and Temples and Anodine Medicines must be given inwardly Take of Lettice and Purslain Water each one Ounce of Diacodium half an Ounce or six Drams of Syrup of Lemons half an Ounce make a Draught to be taken at Bed-time The Sick may take often of the following Julep Take of the Waters of Lettice Purslain Roses red Poppies each three Ounces Syrup of Violets and Pomgranats each one Ounce and an half of Sal prunella three Drams make a Julep The Dose is three or four spoonfuls at a time four or five times a day When Bleeding cannot be used Cupping-glasses must be applied with deep Scarification first to the lower Parts viz. the Thighs c. then to the upper Parts viz. to the Shoulders c. And afterwards you may apply them without Scarification to the Legs and other parts Blisters may be also conveniently applied to the Shoulders and Arms and a cooling Glyster must be daily injected For instance Take of the common decoction for Glysters one Pint dissolve in it one Ounce of Lenitive Electuary and four Ounces of Brown Sugar make a Glyster Note That the quantity of the Glyster must be varied according to the Age and Bigness of the Patient Bleeding in the Nose by pricking often with a Lancet the Nostrils where the Hairs grow does much good and also Leeches applied behind the Ears to the Nostrils and Forehead CHAP. II. Of Madness MAdness in Latin Mania This Disease does not kill of it self yet it is very difficult to Cure especially if it be hereditary CVRE Bleeding Vomiting and strong Purges are to be frequently used with which and severe Discipline it is frequently Cur'd But if the Disease be mild kind words and good usage and gentle Physick does oftentimes the business But in most Bleeding must be us'd to a great quantity in the beginning of the Disease sometimes in the Arm and sometimes in the Jugular Vein in the Forehead Foot or drawn from the Hemorrhoidal Veins by Leeches Vomits do also a great deal of good But such as are Chymical are best because they work most powerfully and the Sick may be easily cheated with them Take of Sulphur of Antimony eight or ten grains of cream of Tartar half a Scruple mix them and give it in a spoonful of Broth or with Bread Repeat this Vomit once in four days Strong Purges are also frequently used As Take of extract of black Hellebore and Calamelanos each one Scruple mix them and make a Bolus to be taken in the Morning Betwixt the Evacuations such things may be used as attemperate the Blood if the Sick will take them as Steel-waters Whey and the like For preservation such People as are subject to Madness should Purge and Bleed Spring and Fall CHAP. III. Of Giddiness GIddiness in Latin Vertigo There are two sorts of it in one the Sight is taken away in the other it is not The Cause of Giddiness is a circumvolution of the Spirits An idiopathick Giddiness is known by Pains and dulness in the Head a dulness of the Sight noise in the Ears Deafness and the like The peccant Matter is discovered by the following Signs dulness of the outward and inward Senses Sloth much Sleep much Spitting want of Appetite and of Thirst a white and crude Urine shew that Flegm abounds watching anger activity of Body thirst a quick Pulse thin and yellow Urine signifie that Choler is peccant fear sadness disturbed thoughts long watching dreadful Dreams soure belchings and the like signifie Melancholy abounds The bigness and stiffness of the Veins a florid Countenance and heat of the Face beating of the Temples dulness of the Head weariness or a red and thick Urine and sometimes a thin when there is a translation to the Head signifie that Blood abounds A sympathetick Giddiness is known by the absence of the Symptoms that proceed from the Head and when there is no apparent Disease in the Brain Want of Appetite nauciousness
Authors from whence you may gather that there is most commonly an abolition of the internal and external Senses and a stiffness of the Limbs But sometimes the Senses are not wholly abolished for sometimes they can hear and their Limbs may be moved by the By-standers The Cure is twofold one in the Fit the other out of the Fit In the Fit those things are proper which are prescribed for Sleepy Diseases Out of the Fit such things as are used for Cure of Melancholy are proper for from thence it most commonly proceeds But if it come from a Cold intemperies such things are proper as serve to mend such a Constitution if it proceed from abundance of Blood Bleeding is to be used CHAP. IX Of a Palsie A Palsie in Latin Paralysis is a privation of Sense and Motion by reason the influx of the Animal Spirits is hindred There are various differences of it for either it seizes all the parts of the Head then it is called Paraplegia or only half the Body then it is called Hemeplegia or it seises only one part then it is called a particular Palsie It is also called perfect and imperfect It is said to be perfect when Sense and Motion are wholly abolished imperfect when the Functions are weakned And then it is also called Numbness which is a fore-runner of a Palsie There is also another Species of an imperfect Palsie when Motion is hurt and the Sense remains perfect and so on the contrary The causes of a Palsie in general are all those things which hinder the influx of the Animal Spirits into the Nerves and Muscles the most frequent of all is a Flegmatick Humour which by obstructing compressing thickning or cooling the Nerves hinders the said influx of the Animal Spirits The Pituitous humour flows from the Brain into the Nerves and spinal Marrow so a small Apoplexy degenerates into a Palsie because the humour occasioning it is cast from the Brain upon the Marrow or beginning of the Nerves and so it either insinuates it self into the substance of them and shuts the insensible passages through which the Spirits pass or passing by the Vertebra's of the Back and spinal Marrow and following the Course of the Nerves compresses them and so hinders the passages of the Animal Spirits and the same Humour may thicken the substance of the Nerves by its Coldness so that it cannot make way for the Animal Spirits There are other Causes of a Palsie but they are not so common as taking Cold a Blow or Fall the frequent handling of Quicksilver tumors near the Spine or Nerves cutting of the Nerves dislocation of the Vertebra or other Joints The kind of the Disease is easily known for want of Motion and Sense may be soon perceived but the knowledge of the part affected is more difficult But it may be known by those that are skilled in Anatomy who know the Originations and Insertions of the Nerves For if the right part of the Face becomes Paralytick or the left the other parts being sound they know the Brain is only affected according to that part from whence the Nerves are carried to those parts But if the parts under the Head are also afflicted with the Face the Brain and the Spine of the Back are also affected and if the parts below the Head are seised and the Face well the fault is only in the Spine and in the beginning of it if all the Parts are affected But if only half the Body is Paralytick only half the Spine is affected When the Legs are Paralytick the seat of the Disease is about the end of the Spinal Marrow near the Vertebra's of the Os Sacrum and so in the rest the place is to be sought for from whence the Nerves arise And sometimes enquiry after the external Cause much helps to find out the Part affected of which there are two Instances in Galen one of a certain Man who in a Cold and Rainy Season wore a long while a wet Neckcloath about his Neck his Hands became Paralytick The other is of one who lost the Sense of three of his Fingers and when Galen understood that he fell out of a Cart upon his Back he conjectured that some Part was hurt by the Fall under the seventh Vertebra where the Nerve begins and therefore he applied the Medicine which was used before to the Fingers to no purpose to that part The knowledge of the Causes is to be fetched from the Procatarctick Causes the foregoing Diseases and the Constitution of the Sick and so the external cooling and moistening Causes going before Old Age a Flegmatick Constitution Winter cold and moist Diet An Apoplexy going before signifie that the Disease proceeds from a cold intemperies and a Flegmatick humour Feavers foregoing and sometimes a present Feaver Cholerick or Melancholy Constitution Summer-time or Autumn the use of Spices of Salt or hot Meats violent and long Passions of the Mind the excretion of Cholerick and Melancholy humours or of Acid or Acrid Serum hot defluxions upon various parts and Pains arising from thence And lastly when Pain and Convulsions accompany the diminution of Sense and Motion and when such as are so afflicted are injured by hot and drying Medicines and relieved by cooling and moistening Remedies the Palsie proceeds from Cholerick or Melancholy humours Tumors and luxations and Wounds causing a Palsie are easily known The Prognostick Signs A Palsie coming from a pituitous humour stuffing the substance of the Nerves is difficult to Cure A Palsie following an Apoplexy is seldom Cured and most commonly turns to an Apoplexy again A trembling coming upon a Palsie is good If the paralytick Part be hot there is hope of Recovery but if it be always cold it is hardly Cured A wasting of the Part and great Paleness renders it incurable If the Eye of the Paralytick side be lessened there is little hopes of a Cure A Palsie of the Legs or Feet is easier Cured than of the upper Parts A Palsie in old People is incurable A Palsie cannot be Cured in the Winter A violent Feaver coming upon a Palsie is good so is a Loosness coming upon a small and new Palsie The Cure of a Palsie is to be varied according to the variety of the Causes but because it chiefly comes from Flegm and a cold intemperies we must chiefly endeavour to remove this Cause and you must begin with an universal evacuation of the whole Body As to Bleeding that can scarce do any good for the Blood is not in the fault but Flegm and for the most part this Disease seises Old People such as are Flegmatick and naturally Cold But if an abundance of crude Blood should seem to produce the Flegmatick Humour and to nourish it a Vein may be opened in the Arm of the well-side But Blood must be drawn sparingly lest the languid Heat should be extinguished Therefore Bleeding being omitted or used as is said sparingly the Cure must be begun by removing the antecedent
of Convulsions the first is called Emprosthotonos wherein the Body with the Head and Neck are violently contracted forward so that the Chin touches the Breast and the Body represents the Keel of a Ship and sometimes is bent like a Bow and the Head touches the Knees In this sort two Muscles that bend the Head forward are chiefly affected The second is called Opisthotonos and in it the Body is bent backward The twelve Muscles that extend the Head or some of them being Convulsed The third is called Tetanos wherein the Muscles before and behind are equally contracted and the Parts kept as it were in Aequilibrio This is the strongest of all it arising from a Contraction of all the Muscles A particular Convulsion is caused by the Contraction of some one part the Nerve that serves for its Motion being ill affected which has sometimes a peculiar Name from the effect or symptom as a Convulsion of the Muscles moving the Eyes is called Strabismus that of the Jaws and Muscles of the Temples 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Convulsion of the Mouth from a Contraction of the broad Muscle arising only from one part is called the Dog Convulsion But if there be a Contraction in both sides it is call'd Risus Sardonicus but sometimes the Mouth is distorted by the Palsie by Relaxation of the other Muscle A Convulsion of the Yard is call'd Satyriasis or Priapismus Other Convulsions have no proper Names The immediate Causes of a true Convulsion according to Hippocrates and Galen are repletion and inanition the mediate Causes which occasion a repletion and inanition are various a Flegmatick humour flowing into the Nerves is supposed to distend them as to their Breadth and so they must be necessarily contracted as to their length Another cause of Convulsion from repletion is an inflamation of the Nervous Parts The Causes of Convulsions by Emptiness are all immoderate Evacuations by Bleeding Vomiting Sweat and a Consumption of innate Moisture which is occasioned by Burning and Coliquative Feavers by immoderate Labour by Watchings and Cares and immoderate Venery A Convulsive Motion proceeds from Matter that Vellicates and Pricks the Nervous Parts which most commonly is malignant for such a humour commonly happens in malignant Feavers It is also occasioned by Worms Poison and by Hysterick Fits A Convulsion which seises many Parts especially near the Head is dangerous and that which seises the Muscles of the Breast is also dangerous for the Sick may be suffocated by it A Convulsion arising from great Fluxes of Blood or over-purging is dangerous if not deadly so is a Convulsion arising from a Phrensie and upon a Feaver Hypocrates says that those who are seised with a Tetanos die within four days but that if they live longer they recover CVRE The Cure of this Disease is to be varied according to the variety of the Causes That which happens from Emptiness is incurable After Bleeding or it being omitted if it be not convenient strong Purges must be used but respect must be had to the strength of the Patient After Bleeding apply Cupping-glasses with Scarification if Blood has not been drawn before otherwise without Scarification They must be first applied to the remoter parts afterwards to the parts near the affected part But if the Legs are Convulsed they must be applied to the Buttocks and Loins if the Arms to the Neck and Shoulders Blysters are also applied with good success to the parts opposite to the part affected In the mean time after the first Purge the Matter is to be prepared with Medicines proper for the Head Note that Castor ought to be added to Purges in this case Sharp Glysters are frequently to be injected such as were mentioned in the Chapter of an Apoplexy The part affected must be anointed with the following or some other proper Linement Take of the Oyntment of Marsh-mallows six Ounces Oyl of Turpentine and Camomile each one Ounce Oyl of Lavender three Drams of Oyl of Foxes half an Ounce Liquid Storax two Ounces wherewith anoint the affected part and the Spine of the Back frequently with a hot Hand After anointing the parts wrap them in a warm Sheep-Skin just taken from the Sheep Sheeps Lungs Pidgeons or Hens cut in the middle and applied hot are also good It is also good to put the affected part into the Belly of an Ox or Sheep newly kill'd and keep it there as long as it is warm but the use of Sulphurous Baths is most successful When a violent Pain accompanies the Convulsion use the following Linement Take of the Oyls of Violets Lillies Camomile each one Ounce and an half of Oyl of sweet Almonds Mastich and Roses each one Ounce mingle them and anoint the part affected Sneesing Powders and Apophlegmatisms are also proper in this Case CHAP. XI Of Trembling TRembling in Latin Tremor is a depraved Motion of the Members whereby they are involuntarily moved The chief Cause of it is weakness of the Nerves occasioned by Old Age by long Sickness by immoderate Venery by Fear and other passions of the Mind or by such things as are wholly offensive to the Nerves as the Fume of Quicksilver Hard Drinking will also occasion it and a partial Obstruction of the Nerves by gross humours CVRE It is Cured by the same Medicines that are used in the Palsie CHAP. XII Of a Catarrh A Catarrh in Latin Catarrhus according to the Ancients is a preternatural fluxion of Humours from the Head upon the Lower Parts But the ingenious Dr. Lower is of the Opinion that it is put off by the Blood upon the Glands that are seated in the Throat and Jaws and he says there are no passages to convey it from the Head CVRE Whatever precipitates the Serum through the Reins or carries it off by Stool or by Sweat is good in this case or whatever else lessens the Serum Wherefore nothing is better for Curing a Catarrh if a Feaver does not accompany it then abstaining a long while from Drink for several have been Cured by not drinking in three or four days time for by this means the source of the Disease is dried up just as Râ—vulets become dry for want of Rain But if you have reason to imagin from the Pulse the Urine or restlesness of the Body that there is some Feaver Having first purged the Body you must presently Bleed and the Sick must be kept to a thin Diet and other things are to be done which the Cure of the Feaver requires but respect must be had to the Flux of the Serum But if by reason of abundance of Serum the Catarrh continue obstinate in this case nothing is better then after Purging to use Diureticks if the Catarrh yet continue you must make Issues in the Neck Arms or Legs or apply Blisters there But because these things require time to do the business if need require or if there be danger of Suffocation you must Bleed again and presently Sweat the Patient once or twice a
Optick Nerve the Eyes are only affected But if there be a compression by Flegmatick Humours gathered together about the Roots of the Eyes and the mamillary processes that Matter will either seise other parts of the Brain and then the rest of the Senses or all of them will be injured But if it be seated only about the Optick Nerves a Flegmatick Matter will be evacuated by the Nostrils more plentifully than is usual and there will seem a weight to lie upon the forepart of the Head especially about the Eye-lids As to the Prognosticks if the Sight be quite taken away by an Obstruction of the Optick Nerves the Disease is most commonly incurable for we see that Obstructions of other Nerves whereby a Palsie is generated is seldom or never Cured especially in those that are Old But if the Obstruction be partial and the Sight be only diminished there is more hope of Recovery though a long course of Remedies and a great deal of time is requisite for the Cure But if this Disease proceed from Humours collected in the forepart of the Head it is easier Cured Fabritius Hildanus mentions an Observation of one that lost his Sight by taking a violent Vomit and recovered it again by taking another For the first by its Violence stirred the Humours too much and forced them upon the Optick Nerves but the other evacuated the Humours and so Cured There are other Observations of this kind but it is reasonable to suppose that in these cases where the Cure is so easily performed the Humour is not stopt in the substance of the Nerves but collected in the Brain about the Nerves For the Cure of this Disease the Matter impacted into the Nerves or adhering to them which causes the Obstruction or Compression is to be evacuated which cannot be unless the whole Body be first evacuated As Galen says the Eye cannot be Cured before the whole Head nor that before the whole Body That the Remedies may be described orderly a Diet convenient for thâ—â— Disease is first to be appoinâ—ed which ought to be attenuating and moderately drying And first an Air inclining to hot and dry ought to be chosen but thick cloudy cold and rainy Air must be carefully avoided Meats of easie Digestion and of good Juice must be eaten and such as breed a thick Juice must not be used as Pork Geese Pease Cheese and the like also those things that fill the Head with Vapours as things made of Milk and hot Spices as Pepper Ginger and the like The Bread must be made with Fennel-water or the Seed of it must be mingled with it But great Care must be taken that Darnel is not mixed with the Wheat wherewith the Bread is made which has been always accounted very injurious to the Eye In Sauces and Broths let the Sick use those things which have an attenuating Faculty as Hyssop Fennel Marjoram Bettony Sage Eye-bright and especially Nutmegs which strengthen the Brain and clear the Sight Turneps should be often eaten and also Sparrows and Pidgeons Cold Herbs must be avoided especially Lettice which is injurious to the Eyes The Sick must be moderate in his Diet and the Supper sparing and once or twice a Week let him go to Bed without Supper At Meals instead of Salt let him use the following Powder Take of common Salt two Ounces of Eye-bright dried two Drams of Nutmeg one Dram of Cinnamon two Scruples make a Powder After every Meal let him take one Spoonful of the following Powder Take of the Seeds of Coriander prepared half an Ounce of the Seeds of Anise and Fennel each two Drams of Cinnamon and Nutmegs each one Dram of Eye-bright dried three Drams of Sugar of Roses twice the weight of all Wine is not good in this Disease because it fills the Head with Vapours and promotes fluxion but a Decoction of Sarsaparilla sweetned with Liquorish and aromatized with Coriander Seeds is a proper Drink But all cannot abstain from Wine or strong Beer and therefore dried Eye-bright infused in small Wine or Beer may be used sometimes Sleep must be shorter than usual and lying on the Back must be avoided as much as may be and the Sick must not Sleep after Dinner He must be moderate in his Exercise and his Body must be always kept Loose These things being thus ordered the Cure must be begun with universal Evacuation and he must be first purged with the following Medicine Take of Senna cleansed half a Dram of the Seeds of Fennel one Dram of the Leaves of Bettony Eye-bright and Vervain each half an handful of Liquorish three Drams boil them in Fountain-water to three Ounces strain it and dissolve in it three Drams of Diaphaenicon and an Ounce of the Syrup of Roses make a Potion to be taken in the Morning After the first Purge the Physician ought to consider with himself whether Bleeding is to be used In Old People or such as are of a Flegmatick Constitution certainly it is not But in those that are young and of a hot Constitution especially if there be Signs of Blood abounding without controversie if it be used in time it may do much good and where there are such indications for Bleeding After Blood has been drawn from the Arm the particular Veins of the Head may be opened and those which are near the Eyes viz. the Forehead Vein the Vein of the Temples and in the Corner of the Eyes near the Nose But it is more proper to apply Leeches to the Temples and if they are set behind the Ears too they may do much good Some Practitioners relate that some blind People have been Cured by Wounds in the Forehead whereby the turgid Veins and Arteries have been emptied But if a suppression of the Courses has preceded this Disease Blood is to be drawn from the lower Veins or Leeches must be applied to the Hemorrhoids afterwards the Body must be purged more exactly with the following Apozem Take of the Roots of Fennel Sarsaparilla Florentine Orris Elecampane each one Ounce of the Leaves of Bettony Marjoram Balm Eye-bright Fennel Vervain the greater Celandine each one handful of Liquorish rasped and Raisins of the Sun cleansed each one Ounce of the Seeds of Anise and Fennel each three Drams of Senna cleansed two Ounces of Gummy Turbith and Agarick newly trochiscated each two Drams of Ginger and Cloves each one Scruple of the Flowers of Stâ—chas Rosemary and Lavender each one pugil boil them in Fountain-water to a Pint strain it and dissolve in it four Ounces of White Sugar make an Apozem for four Doses to be taken in the Morning Clarifie it and Aromatize it with two Drams of Cinnamon When all the Apozem is taken give the following Pills Take of the Pill Coch. minor two Scruples make six Pills to be taken early in the Morning Universal Evacuation being thus performed Revulsion of the antecedent cause is to be made and the conjunct cause is to be discussed and
Matter comes out through the Membrane of the Ear either rarified or corroded then the Sick should lye on the Ear affected that the Matter may flow out easily and such things should be dropt into the Ear as may wash and cleanse it Take of the Decoction of Barly four ounces of Honey of Roses one ounce mingle them drop it warm into the Ear. If the Ulcer be generated by Acrimony of Matter it requires a peculiar Cure which may also be used for an Ulcer arising from Fluxion of Humours And first according to the Opinion of Galen Topical Medicines must not be applied to any Member before the whole Body is purged wherefore Evacuation by Bleeding and Purging being administred agreeable to the Nature and Constitution of the Patient and repeated through the whole course of the Cure as often as there is occasion drying and astringent Topicks may be used beginning with the Mild and proceeding to Stronger by degrees For instance Take of the best Honey and of old White-wine each three ounces boil them till all the Scum rises drop it into the Ear afterwards stop the Ear with Cotton dipt in the same Liquor when you would have the Medicine stronger mix the Juice of Horehound Smallage Wormwood the lesser Centaury or of Sow-bread with Honey boil them gently and drop them into the Ear. Or Take of the Juice of Beets one ounce of Horehonnd half 〈◊〉 ounce of the best Honey six drams boil them a little afterwards add two drams of Syrup of Wormwood mingle them You may make a stronger Medicine in the following manner Take of the Juice of Sow-bread one ounce of Myrrh on◠ounce of Saffron half a scruple of Frankincense one scruple of Verdigrease half a scruple of old Wine one ounce an◠an half boil them till the Wine is consumed drop th◠Liquor into the Ear twice or thrice a day Note Before any Liquor is dropt in the Ear must be well cleansed with warm Hydromel a Probe wrap◠round with a Cotton being dipt in the Liquor and used for that purpose The Ulcer being well cleansed it must be cicatrized by Epulotick Medicines used in the following manner Take of round Birthwort of the bark of Pomegranates and of Galls each half an ounce boil them in equal parts of Wine and Smith's-water to half a pint strain it and add to it of the Juice of Plantane and Knot-grass each one ounce of Honey of Roses two drams mingle them and drop it into the Ear or drop into the Ear burnt Allum mixed with the Wine for it is very drying If the Ulcer be very obstinate and has continued a long while it is certainly promoted by Fluxion which therefore you must endeavour to remove by Purging and a Diet-drink of Gujacum or Sarsaparilla by Errhins Masticatories Issues and by other Remedies that divert the Fluxion If Pain arise by reason of the Sharpness of the Remedies Oyl of Sweet or Bitter Almonds with Myrrh Aloes and Saffron must be dropt into the Ear If the Pain be violent a little Opium must be mixed with them or the Oyl of the Yolks of Eggs beat in a leaden Mortar may be used If the Ulcer be very Sordid Aegyptiacum must be mixed with the foresaid Juices If the Pain of the Ear be occasioned by something thrust into the Ear you must endeavour to draw it out by wrapping Wool upon a Probe dipt in Turpentine or made glutinous by Rosin or some other Gum But if this will not do warm Oyl must be often dropt into the Ear to relax it and to Lubricate the Matter contained in it and so it may the easier be drawn out and Sneesing-powder must be given and these things must be used continually till the Sick is freed for if any thing remain long in the Ear an Inflammation will arise and afterwards it will be much more difficult to extract any thing from the Ear and there will be besides great danger Lastly If the foresaid Remedies are not sufficient Chirurgical Instruments must be used See the manner of Extraction in Fabritius Hildanus Cen. I. Observ 4 5 6. Gnats sometimes insinuate themselves into the Ears and moving in the Cavity of it they cause much Trouble but they may be extracted by a Probe wrapped round with Cotten and dipt in Turpentine Sometimes water runs into the Ear in swimming or when the Head is wash'd and is often very troublesom and causes Pain but is most commonly easily shook our by hopping upon the Leg of the same side and by holding the Ear downwards But if this will not do you must endeavour to suck it out with a Pipe wrapt round with Wool to stop the hole of the Ear that the external Air should not enter in It is also dried by a small soft piece of Spunge often put in CHAP. XXXV Of things that come out Preternaturally from the Cavities of the Ears MAny Things come out preternaturally from the Ears which must be particularly mentioned and peculiar Remedies must be prescribed for them First therefore an Abscess being broken arising from an Inflammation or from an Ulcer proceeding from the Acrimony of Humours Matter or Sanies is wont to flow the Cure of which depends on the Cure of the forementioned Diseases which are proposed in the foregoing Chapter Blood also sometimes flows from the Ears as in Wounds and Concussions of the Head whereby the Veins of the Ears may be broken or torn But if this Flux be moderate it must be left to it self for if it should be retained within it might cause an Inflammation but if it be immoderate or continue a long while it must be restrained by bleeding in the Arm and by applying Cupping-glasses with Scarification to the Shoulders afterwards cooling and astringent things must be dropt into the Ears as the Juice of Plantane Knot-grass or the Decoction of Bramble-tops red Roses Mastich Acacia Hyposistis Balaustins Sumach and the like in Wine and Vinegar or Smiths Water A watry Humour sometimes flows from the Brain to the Ears this most commonly happens to Children and ought not to be stop'd for being suddenly stop'd it occasions the Falling-sickness or some other great Disease of the Head For Nature puts off Excrements and the too great Moisture that abounds in Childrens Heads not only by the ordinary ways appointed for this use viz. The Nostrils and Pallate but also through the Eyes the Ears and the Superficies of the Head where Ulcers and Scabs often happen But when such an Evacuation is Symptomatick and when the Humour flowing to the Ears causes Ulcers in them and hinders the Hearing you must endeavour to cure it by a convenient Method And First the Superfluous Humours in the Brain must be evacuated by gentle Purges often repeated and also by Derivation by Blisters in the Neck and an Issue there afterwards the Ears must be cleansed and dried by the following Medicine Take of the Juice of Agrimony and Worm-wood each four Ounces of Whitewine and Honey of