Phlegm and it into Choler II. The common Symptoms are Inflammations inward or outward which we must help neglecting all other things And if this be internal revellents repellents and alteratives are proper and therefore Bleeding application of Substypticks and inward Coolers will be necessary But if they be external through the translation of the humours or a Crisis naturally procured by their settling Or if the matter by reason of long sickness be attracted to some part it must be diligently observed by the Physician that he abstain from all Diversion procured by Bleeding and Medicines especially Purges but they must insist on slight Preparatives Alteratives and Clysters In the mean time the care of the part recipient lies upon the Chirurgeon hat the Inflammation turn not to a Gangrene the innate Heat in the whole and part being weakned by a tedious Fever Idem III. Wormwood must not be given before Coction because it causes loathing Rudiuâ— l 3. c. 33. the Humours being moved in the Stomach IV. A true Hemitritaeus to wit a Continual Quotidian and a Tertian between whiles requires a more subtile Diet than is proper for interpolated Fevers but a grosser one than what is convenient for continual Fevers from one simple Humour because it is longer than any one of them And since Nature has a dispute with two Humours contrary both in quality and substance she stands in need of strength and time to conquer them both therefore upon both accounts namely that she may continue a long time and that she may have strength against both her enemies she has need of more ample Alimony We must mix therefore either such things as may repress the Qualities of the peccant Humour together with the Meat and of contrary Qualities or we must use temperate Meats One may not administer such things as respect onely one of these things for the Physician must be carefull of both Fevers I call that meat temperate which suffers onely from the natural heat You may apprehend that this is not fit for them that are sick of a Hemitritaeus because the Bloud must of necessity have a bad quality which is bred of it in Fevers for in the Tertian the part effective of the bloud is out of its natural temper that is hot and dry because of the heat and sharpness of the putrefying Bile Wherefore temperate meat by reason it suffers onely from the natural heat and cannot by contrary qualities correct the intemperature of the part will be affected with them wherefore the Bloud which will be bred of it will grow hot and dry according to the intemperature of the part which will in a moment immediately be turn'd into Bile The like judgment may be given in a Fever which has its rise from Phlegm that makes the Body preternaturally moist wherefore things must be mixt with the meat which are of contrary qualities or that must be taken in which both qualities are found which I rather approve but if moreover it be incisive it should be chosen before the rest Vinegar is one of those simple Medicines which is remarkable for the foresaid qualities For it is good for both the Humours moreover it is endued with subtile parts whereby it cuts but if you mix this with any thing that is abstersive you have that which we require Sugar is one of those things which is moderately abstersive and is convenient for People in Fevers Wherefore you may reckon that a mixture of Sugar and strong Vinegar which Physicians have named Syrupus Acetosus is very convenient for a Hemitritaeus which you may use in this manner Take of Time Parsley French-barley each 1 handfull stoned Raisins 1 handfull the Bark of one sharp Radish a little Salt Boil them well with a fleshy Hen Take 1 pound of this Decoction as much sharp Syrupus Acetosus as will make it palatable let them boil till they are mixt give him to drink when be ought Make Broth of the rest Use this before a violent fit and in its declination but on the more moderate day use the same Brudus de Victu Febr. â— 3. c. 24. and give the Patient the extremities of the Hen. IV. One of the Arabians in a Hemitritaeus feeds the Patient with Gourds Spinage Orache and the like But he is mistaken as I think upon a double account Of the very Nature of the body and Of the Meat it self Cold Meats must not be given at the hour when Nature is intent upon separation lest they oppose Nature and repell the periodick expulsion the contrary way which is made from within outwards and stop the Pores by reason whereof the fit will be made longer as is manifest to them that diligently consider the nature of Meats and search what they are able to doe at all hours Hereto you may add the Meats which are made of Herbs are obnoxious to corruption because they breed a watry Bloud which soonest conceives an extraneous heat It is therefore the wisest way not to give Meats of this nature when the corrupting cause is strong Idem ibid. Febris lenta or A Slow Fever It arises from an evil disposition of the Bloud THAT is reckoned among Symptomatick fevers which is vulgarly called Slow They that are sick of it are hotter than they should be especially after eating any motion or exercise The Urine for the most part is red the Spirits are low and Strength decays they are indifferent well as to their Stomach and Sleeping they neither cough nor spit much but they waste every day like consumptive People and without any manifest cause The Blame is generally ascribed to obstruction of some of the Inwards through whose fault the Aliment is neither concocted nor dispensed aright But it seems to me that such an affection is founded immediately in an evil disposition of the Bloud whereby it inclines to an over salt and sharp temper and therefore is rendred less fit for nutrition and equal circulation for the Bloud in the Heart just like Oil in a Lamp if it abound over much with saline particles burns not pleasantly and quietly but with crackling and great evaporation of parts whereby it is sooner spent and yields but a languid and weak light Formerly I opened one who died of this Disease in whom the Bowels designed for coction were well enough but the Lungs were sapless and dry and were beset all over with a kind of fabulous matter like Chalk And ofttimes in this Disease the Mesenterick Glands are full of such chalky matter But whether the salt bloud first caused such Diseases of the Bowels or the Discrasie of the Bowels first infected the Bloud is uncertain Willis de Febr. c. 11. It is probable that one of them depends on the other and the causes of either Disease are reciprocal Febris Leipyria or A Fever wherein the inward Parts are violently Hot and the outer Cold. The Contents Hippocrates his Cure by applying cold things is methodical
the Viscera by the mediation of the Heart For when the Head does destil Rheum upon the Lungs and the Liver supplies an impure Blood to the Heart which the Heart pours out again into the Lungs their Substance is thereby infected but that taint flows not from the Heart but from the Distemper'd and ill Conditition'd Viscera which send impure Blood to the Heart whose â—ault the Heart cannot correct but by many Circulations Now the Lungs cannot receive Humours from the Head without a Cough for if this be wanting they suffer only from the Blood of the Heart for the Lungs alone are supplied with Blood from the Heart receiving Vessels therefrom Riolan eâ—enchir Anatomic l. 3. c. 6. and not from the Cava XXV Medicines that raise a greater fermentation are not to be added to Eclegma's or Lambitives Thus 't is well known that the Flowers of Sulphur and the Milk of Sulphur so called are excellent Pectorals and yet 't is adviseable to give them rather in any other mixâ—ure than that of Lambitives or Electuaries The same may be said of Salts which 't is better to omit also because they are not so friendly to the Breast For 't is certain by Experience that the mixing of Sulphurate Remedies with sweet does in a specâ—al manner cause a fermentation whence a resolution and impetus being made such Lambitives which also of themselves are apt to ferment after the manner of other sweet things mixt with what is Heterogeneous incline to the out-parts of the Vessel so that the Vessel seems always full Wedel de medicin compos 140. though every day something be drained thence ¶ Lambitives are naught for the Stomach for sweet things as Macrobius says rightly are enemies to Concoction for by the continued use of them especially they loosen the sides of the Stomach dull its heat and impair its ferment so that Montanus himself Cons 32. rightly admonishes us not to give them but on an empty Stomach lest Concoction be hindred Hence they destroy the appetite so that where there is a weakness of the Stomach especially a flagginess they are more sparingly or not at all to be used Idem p. 143. but always when we use them we must have regard to the tone of the Stomach XXVI Lambitives do not bind safely for they ferment the Humours and by their proper sweetness do rather smooth lubricate and mollifie than bind so that we must not wholly trust to these in salt acrimonious and thin Catarrhs nor in Spitting of Blood it self whence it may be noted as a Rule That Lambitives are indeed proper only for the Lungs Fr. Sylv. m. m. l. 2. c. 18. but yet not they alone for the Lungs alone and that by altering XXVII The simple Flowers of Sulphur are better than the Compound As entia or several distinct Medicines use almost in every case to be multiplied by Chymists without necessity so is the same observed in the Flowers of Sulphur for some prepare them with Aloes Benzoe Saffron Myrrh the Colcoâ—har of Vitriol Nitre that they may look white with common Salt c. and then give them among their Arcana but generally with light and small success For what does Colcothar communicate but a Corrosive Acrimonious Quality What afford Aloes Saffron or Myrrh but an Empyreuma For these have no quality to fly away or be sublimed and they are burnt up the more by a double Fire as it were And so great a change being made the vertues which we expected cannot but fail also Wedel Pharm p. 137. so that 't is better to join other proper things to the Flowers themselves of Sulphur XXVIII As often as Acids are used to cut Phlegm so often they are not to be given alone but mixt with sweet and Sugared things in a small quantity lest if they should be given more singly they should by their Acrimony too much irritate the Lungs to cough Fr. Sylv. m. m. l. 2. c. 18. and so should do more hurt than good XXIX When the Scrum is too Acrimonious some things are to be used which may temper it because through its Acrimony it does not only by its twitching cause frequent Coughing and wearies the Lungs but also frets the Coat of the Wind-Pipe and by degrees creates an Ulcer in the Lungs It s most frequent Acrimony is a Salt Muriatick more rarely such as is very acid its sowrness uses to cause singular disturbance The Salt Muriatick Acrimony of the Scrum is temper'd and blunted in part by the Incrassaters to be presently mentioned which by their Emplastick vertue do lenifie that Acrimony and this they do more effectually if Opiats be joined with them as the Pills commonly known called Pil. de Cynoglossa and de Styrace do testifie which are very well fitted for this purpose and might be yet more fit if by adding Sugar they were made up into Tablets or Troches and held in the Mouth for so a far greater part of them passes to the Lungs than when they are made up into Pills and swallow'd though even so they are likewise observ'd to be very effectual though every Caviller is not presently satisfied in the way by which the vertue of the Medicine is transmitted to the Lungs We therefore recommend the said Pills de Cynoglossa and de Styrace for Salt Muriatick or briny Humours that are flown into the Wind-Pipe and ought to be expectorated thence in as much as they both temper their salt Acrimony and lessen their too great fluidity and so procure to them a Consistence convenient for Expectoration Sylv. de le Boe prax lib. 1. cap. 19. and for Expulsion by Coughing whatsoever several bawl to the contrary XXX The Serum be it of what taste it will ought all of it in general to be incrassated that it may the more easily be Expectorated for otherwise it escapes the violence of the expired Air and can be expelled but slowly and by much Coughing The Serum is incrassated by Gum Tragacanth Gum Arabick the Roots of Marsh-mallows Comphrey c. of which with Sugar Troches may be made which being held a good while in the Mouth and by little and little dissolved by the Spittle do leisurely tend to the Wind-Pipe and thicken therein the over-fluid Serum making it fit to be the easilier expelled by the help of the Air in Expiration Idem XXXI As to Medicines correcting an Humour offending by a more pure acidity and helping Expectoration they are the same which correct the Salt Muriatick Serum and moreover such as concentrate and infringe Acids such as Crabs Eyes Pearls Corals Chalk all sorts of sealed Earth c. But because the Wind-Pipe uses to be fretted sooner and sorer by an acid Serum 't is necessary not only to use the Remedies that more effectually correct it but they must moreover be so prepared and administred that a good part of them may be carried into the said Wind-Pipe Wherefore the most convenient form will
to the perforation of the Urinary Passage XIII There sometimes happens an odd kind of Distemper to those who are too much addicted to Venery some call it a Node of the Yard though when that is faln and become flaggy there appear nothing amiss yet he that handles the part throughly may perceive a certain small Tumour resembling a Bean or Glandule I have known several that have been ignorant of the Cause apply Emollients hereto thinking to discuss that hardish substance as if it were filled with some Humour But they have been so far from discussing of it Jul. Caesar Arantius l. de Tumor cap. 50. Sennert pract l. 4. part 9. s 1. c. 8. that the Patients have daily grown worse their Yard bending like a Rams Horn to that side where the Tumour was c. Those things therefore are to be used which are prescribed for a Rupture of the Navel or other Ruptures Astringent Fomentations c. XIV If a Phimosis and Paraphimosis proceed from a vehement Corius the Glans remaining still tumefied if it be fomented a good while with very cold Water it will detumefie and then the Prepuce may easily be drawn over the Glans Riolan Enchir Anat. l. 2. c. 31. This is an admirable Secret XV. I knew a Surgeon in Holland that to such as were troubled with a virulent Phimosis and Paraphimosis gave presently at the beginning an infusion of Stibium Hyacinthinum which is not much to be found fault with in the strong and Phlegmatick especially if Crocus Metallorum should be used in stead of Stibium for it not only evâ—cuates the offending Matter but also revels from the part affected but in the wasted and weak Practitioners know it to be no safe Medicin And we must diligently also consider whether the Whore had the Pox for then we must abstain from the Crocus Metallorum because with a certain violence it draws even from the remotest parts to the centre of the Body as also from all Medicins that purge violently by Vomit lest the offending Matter be drawn from the Genitals to the Liver and an universal Disease be made of a particular one which I have observed to happen in some Fabr. Hild. cent 5. obs 57. 'T is better therefore as I have always done with the greatest success to purge the Body gently XVI Some because they see an Inflammation present do forthwith apply Coolers and Repellers to the part affected but they do ill for by that means they repel the viru ent and malignant Matter contracted from impure Embraces and rivet it as it were into the part whence afterwards there arise virulent and malignant Ulcers But in respect of the Pain which is the principal symptom I apply an Anodyne Cataplasm of the Flowr of Beans and Barley the Seeds of Quinces and Fenugreek Red Rose Leaves pouder'd Saffron and Milk with the Yelks of Eggs anointing the whole Yard unless the vehemence of the Inflammation hinder for Oyl is bad for Inflammations as Galen teacheth with this Oyl Take of Oyl of Sweet Almonds newly drawn and of Roses of each an ounce of the Yelks of Eggs half an ounce Mix them Idem ibid. XVII It happens sometimes that from the bad Diet of the Nurse an Acrimonious Humour falls upon the Genitals of the Infant and there causes an itching and upon rubbing of the part there happens a Paraphimosis that is the Prepuce turns back to behind the Glans and cannot be drawn over it again the Humours flowing together betwixt the Glans and Prepuce yea there sometimes happens an Inflammation from the Acrimony of the Urine Some foolish Barbers cruelly handle Infants thus diseased with deep Scarifications and applications of Acrimoniouâ— Medicins Therefore I will here set down the Remedies whereby I have cured many I first prescribe to the Nurse a thin and cooling Diet then I purge her according to the nature of the predominant Humour But if the Child be weaned I give it at several times from one to three drachms of the compound Syrup of Roses Solutive If the Nurse be Plethorick after purging her I bleed her From the beginning if there be Pain and Inflammation I apply this Cataplasm Take of the Crumb of White Bread three ounces the Pouder of Roses and Balaustins of each two drachms of Saffron a scruple of fresh Butter an ounce of Cows Milk as much as suffices with the Yelk of an Egg make a Cataplasm If the Disease be stubborn I use the following Take of Bean-Flowr two ounces the Pouder of the tops of Wormwood Chamomel Flowers Elder Flowers of each three drachms of the Pouder of Fenugreek Seed two drachms of Cummin Seed three drachms boil them in harsh Wine and make a Cataplasm If there be Excoriation in stead of the Wine I use a Decoction of the Flowers of Chamomel Melilot Elder and Roses Idem ibid. obs 58. Peripneumonia or Inflammation of the Lungs The Contents Whether a Vein be to be opened I. Bleed freely II. Blood is to be let till its colour change III. Let the Orifice be large and the Blood suffer'd to run out in one continued Stream IV. Cupping-Glasses ought to be applied first to the Arms and afterwards to the Breast and Back V. Purging is sometimes good in the beginning VI. Sometimes in the progress VII Purging and Vomits generally do harm VIII Clysters ought to be often injected but such as are gentle IX Let Expectoraters be alter'd according to the state or season of the Disease X. Incrassating Eclegâ—â—s are prudently to be administred XI Hot Attenuaters do hurt XII Whether drinking of cold Water be good XIII Whether sweet things be to be given XIV The Patients may be allowed to drink freely XV. Whether Wine be to be granted XVI The application of Repellents does harm XVII How to remedy Vigiliae or want of sleep in this Disease XVIII I. THere is no small dispute concerning Phlebotomy for 't is written that Blood is to be let out by common Veins whereas no Vein that uses to be opened has any communication with the Veins of the Lungs nor are any branches distributed to the Lungs from the Vena Cava as Galen has in several places disputed against Erasistratus Besides the motion of Nature shews this for whereas in Diseases of the Viscera and burning Fevers bleeding at the Nose is Critical it is not so in a Peripneumony because the Veins of the Nose that pour forth the Blood have no communication with the Lungs If it be true that the Blood does naturally pass from the right Ventricle of the Heart to the Lungs and from thence is brought back into the left Ventricle that it may be sent forth by the Aorta and if the Circulation of the Blood be admitted who sees not that in Diseases of the Lungs the Blood flows thither in greater plenty and oppresses the Lungs unless it be first evacuated freely and afterwards often a little at a â—ime to relieve them This
altogether on the influx of the animal Spirits by a wonderful consent and co-action betwixt each Portion of the Soul is most exactly proportioned according to the accension of the Blood Wherefore accordingly as the Blood doth intend or remit its effervescency or aestus by the Medicines that are taken presently the animal Spirits that move the Heart exactly obeying its condition cause the Heart to beat more quickly or slowly and also if the animal Spirits be affected by the same Medicine the Pulse is likewise on that account rendred more or less strong or vehement whilst in the mean time the vertue of that Medicine reaches no more to the Heart it self than to the Hands or Feet or any other Muscle Therefore that the first rank of Cordials whereby the Enormities of the Blood are cured may be rightly ordered it will be fitting to consider how many and by what ways its liquor both as to its accension and its Crasis or mixture is wont to be perverted or depraved and moreover what sort of Medicines vulgarly reputed Cordials are required for each of its disorders First therefore the Blood is sometimes not accended enough nor circulated with vigour as we may observe in many languishing People namely such as lie long Sick or have suffer'd great Hemorrhagies or other immoderate Evacuations or are worn out with old Age who namely together with a weak Pulse and decayed Strength have their extreme Parts for the most part cold and pale the reason whereof is because the Blood is become almost vappid and effete through the too great wasting and depression of the Sulphureous Particles and therefore it is accended very sparingly in the Lungs To which is often added that the animal Regiment failing also the Heart being destitute of a plentiful influx of Spirits does not enough exagitate the Blood that it may effervesce and be accended the more briskly The Remedies to be used in this case are generous Wines Strong or Burning Waters or such as are more mild distill'd with Spices or Aromata Aromatick Powders Species and Confections Chymical Oils and Spirits Tinctures Elixirs and other things endued with sulphureous and spirituous Particles to wit such as may exagitate the Blood more and make it more inflammable and turgid and seeing the same do withal exsuscitate and comfort the animal Spirits they therefore make the Heart beat more briskly and strongly Secondly The Blood through its sulphureous Particles being too much loosed and driven into a fervor is often too much accended and disperses an over-intense and very troublesom heat through the whole Body wherefore that it being so much rarefied and flagrant may be kept within the Vessels and also eventilated the Heart beating vehemently and quickly drives the Blood about with great labour and endeavour Therefore in this case cold and attemperating Cordials are to be used which may bridle and allay the fervour of the Blood and also kindly recruit the animal Spirits that they may now perform the more difficult tasks of life For which ends the distilled Waters of Borage c. the juices of Sorrel Citron c. are wont to be used to which Opiats are often added with profit for the impetus of the Heart being a little bridled the Blood does more happily and sooner remit its effervescence But the Blood is not only depraved and perverted as to its too much or too little accension but diversly also through its Crasis or mixture Nor are Cordials presently requisite in all its Dyscrasies but only in those which being excited in Fevers seeing they are sudden and outragious threaten a total Corruption to the mass of Blood The Blood effervescing feverishly is in danger as to its Crasis two ways chiefly namely 1. Either the Band of the mixture is too strait so that all the Particles are so complicated and combin'd with one another that the Excrementitious cannot be extricated from the Profitable and the thin from the thick as it happens in some continual and putrid Fevers which although they be but little or not at all Malignant yet because they can have no Crisis either by Sweat or Perspiration sometimes end in Death Or 2. The Blood in Fevers has its Crasis perverted the contrary way namely by a too great Laxity of its Particles in which case Cordials of another sort viz. Alexipharmacks are required For it often happens that its Compages is too much loosened and pulled asunder as to its Crasis by heterogeneous Particles either bred within it self or pour'd into it from somewhere else so that the common band of its mixture being dissolved its Parts every where fall asunder and then the Portions of the coagulated extravasated or stagnating Blood being fixed here and there putrefie and are corrupted and at length the whole mass is so much vitiated that it is no longer fit for continuing the vital Flame or for extilling the animal Spirits into the Brain wherefore all the Functions must then needs flag by degrees and life perish at last The Cordials requisite in this case must consist of such Particles as being conveyed into the Blood and circulated with it persist still unconquered but yet are withal benign which while they enter into all the Pores and Passages of the mass of Blood do everywhere exagitate the other malignant Particles pull them from their Concretions and at length either subdue them or drive them forth by which means the Blood being freed from its poysonous mixture and withal from all its private Coagulations and being again divided into its smallest and elementary Particles recovers in short time its former salutiferous mixture Moreover that it may appear more plainly in what manner Alexeteries preserve the Blood and Juices of our Body from afflatus or taints or free them from corruption when they are already touched therewith we must consider how other Liquors that are liable to Putrefaction are preserved or when they are seis'd upon thereby may be restored Therefore concerning Beer we may observe that being of its own nature soon apt to grow sowr it is made durable by boiling Hops in it likewise that common Water which otherwise would soon putrefie continues a great while unalter'd by boiling or infusing bitter Vegetables in it of which sort there are also Alexipharmacks Moreover that the juices of Herbs and some other Liquors being already grown musty if they be smoaked by burning of Sulphur recover their former vigour Besides that Wine Beer and other kinds of Drink being grown almost dead and good for nothing do often revive by exciting a fermentation in them anew The reason whereof is that seeing the corruption of any thing consists in the exsolution of the elementary Particles and in their departing from one another whatsoever detains them in motion and perfect mixture while they tend to flight and confusion preserves that Concrete so long safe and sound Moreover if any thing do again bring together the Elements that were loosed and going to depart from one another and
that they may spread every way 5. They must be amicable to nature lest they destroy all 6. They must not be very hot You should rather give such things as consist of an abstersive virtue from a volatile Alkali and an acid and that by their gentle sharpness do incide and cleanse the filth of the urinary passages as also by their sweet fragrancy affecting the Reins do hinder the dregginess of the Ferment and so prevent all occasion of the Stone Such things also are good as asswaging the Pain of the Kidneys do better fit them to expell what is hurtfull Frid. Hofmanus m. m. l. 1. c. 12 such as Saffron and Cassia and Rheubarb deprived of their purgative Faculty ¶ I will relate what I have observed concerning Spirit of Vitriol in the Stone of the Kidney and Bladder Diureticks are of two kinds one aperitive and the other incisive Aperitives draw the matter to the Kidneys and therefore if these be affected are very suspicious because we draw the matter to the part affected But Incisives carry not the matter to the Kidneys but onely by inciding subtilize and so the matter being made subtile passes the Kidneys Hence it is and I ever use it with success that if in the beginning I give Spirit of Vitriol to break the Stone or cut the gross humour I quickly see a happy Issue And the Spirit of Vitriol though it be diuretick yet it onely incides upon which subtiliation while the matter passes out the Urine appears more copious and it is truly a Diuretick by accident not that it carries ought to the Kidneys but because the matter when it hath no impediment finds an easie passage And that is attempted in vain after the third or fourth day which may be done the first without which the Pain is prolonged three or four days to the great damage of the Patient for then we must stay for universal Evacuation Panarolus Pent. c. 3. obs 41. which in this case is not necessary in the beginning but may very conveniently be celebrated when the Pain is over XII Of which Diureticks nevertheless distinction must be made Hofmannu◠ibid. that in the first place the milder be used and the more temperate before we arrive at the sharper which do enflame the Archaeus of the Liver and Reins XIII In the use of Medicines that break and expell the Stone we must take notice that they must not be used once or twice onely but oftner till the obstructed passages be opened And while they are given the Reins and Bladder must be fomented with Baths Fomentations Unctions and Cataplasms that they may work the better And also some liquours that are of thin parts such as vinous White-wine must be given now and then and internal Emollients Riverius Laxatives and Smoothers of the passages must be made use of that the ways may be open and the acrimony of other Medicines may be qualified XIV Medicines that attenuate the Stone without violent heat conduce much to health for the hotter sort of things consume the finer parts and leaving the grosser do harden the Stone and draw new matter to the Reins and Bladder from the whole Body Heurnius Therefore rather let them be of tenuious parts and cold XV. Some in the retention and interception of the Stone in the Ureters do commend the Powder called Pulvis Lithontribos and some stronger things which before purging the whole body do drive many bad humours from above to the Kidneys whereby the Stone is not onely firmer fastened in the Ureters Fabricius Hildanus but internal Inflammations are also bred and Death it self follows which I have tried XVI Gainerius hath taken notice that we must observe first to join piercing Remedies with those for the Stone as Cinnamon Nutmeg 2. To add such a thing as may strengthen the virtues of the Medicine to the end they may play upon the Stone with their whole strength as Mastick and Gum. 3. That they have fineness of parts to pass the better 4. Heurnius Something that takes off acrimony may be added as Roses Liquorish Linseed XVII Whether is Spirit of Turpentine proper for the Stone in the Kidneys It is good for it is a dispersing Medicine penetrates deep and hath an excellent virtue in purifying the Bowels dissolving gathered Tartar and discharging it by Urine yet lenitive Purgers should be made use of before we come to the continual and daily use of it Although in the use of Turpentine it self in substance this is not requisite because it hath it self a purgative virtue especially when it is mixt with powdered Rheubarb according to Crato's description in Scholtzius cons 152. It helps by its temperate heat whereby it befriends the parts destined to concoction for which reason it is good for those that are troubled with the Stone as it helps concoction that so the peccant matter may the better be separated from the Bloud Gr. Horstius Probl. Dec. l. 8. q. 1. You may see in Amalus cent 1. curat 63. the History of a Monk who every morning for several months swallowed a piece of Turpentine as big as a Nut fasting and was so cured of the Stone and Gout when other Medicines would do no good XVIII They are in errour who always use attenuating and inciding Medicines as if there could be no Gravel without a fulness of gross humours and as if there were not some very cholerick persons to be found who have their bloud and other humours very thin and are troubled with the Stone For I am of the opinion that there is no one living but hath so much grosness of humours that if it stay in the Kidneys Sanctorius Meth. l. ◠c. 7. may cause the Stone And that there is so much Phlegm in a man that is not phlegmatick as may make up one Stone XIX When the Stone is voided although all danger be over yet I use for two or three days following to procure a perfect abstersion and cleansing of the Reins Fortis consult 96. cent 3. by giving a Bolus of our Turpentine washed in Mallow-water with Liquorish powder and drinking upon it an Emulsion of Melon-seeds made with Mallow or Barley water but very thin XX. A certain person fell into grievous pain in his left side under the bastard Ribs attended with vomiting much Bloud as often as he stooped it returned upon him so that he grew very weak upon it Dr. Moebius judged there was some large Stone lodged in the left Hypochondrium and that by moving it the Bloud was extravasated in so great quantity powred into the Stomach and then vomited up He durst not prescribe things to force the Stone lest when the Vessels were unstopt they should open wider and by farther vomiting of Bloud his life might be endangered Therefore he gave him calcined Harts horn for several days in some fresh broth He ordered the pained part to be fomented with Mallow leaves Chamaemil flowers
Hand to keep one open which yet he does not mention lib. de Haemorrhoid wherefore they have Revellents Incrassaters and Astringents in suspicion as if they thought it were an easie matter to stop this evacuation But because I have observed in my Practice that strong Remedies did little good and gentle ones none at all I use all the Apparatus of Medicines to suppress it yet so as it be not moderate periodick of thick and melancholick Bloud nor troublesome to the Patient because from such the Patient rather finds relief than detriment Of which excellent Doctrine not I but Galen is the Teacher who 4. Aph. 25. says that for Bloud to be voided upwards whatsoever it be is bad but to bleed downwards by the Haemorrhoids is good when black stuff is voided that is when the Man's nature gathers abundance of such humour Otherwise we must not rashly accustome our selves to evacuation by the Haemorrhoids For either excess is accounted dangerous Fortis cons 100. cent 2. both when Bloud is voided above measure and when it is totally stopt VIII It ought to be observed that they are in a gross errour who in an excessive Flux of the Haemorrhoids from the Vessels being opened do set Cupping-glasses to the Back-bone and several ways draw from the Hips to the Neck or Shoulders thinking by these means the Bloud will be retracted Whereas by these means granting the circulation of the Bloud more Bloud is drawn to the place affected and the Vessels are opened by increasing the Flux of Bloud in the greater Vessels which being afterwards quickned at the Heart Frid. Hofmannus increases its Flux in the Arteries ¶ Scarifications Cuppings Ligatures Frictions although they be proper for Revulsion in other Haemorrhagies wherein the Bloud comes out of the Branches of the Vena cava yet here since they can neither exhaust the Bloud out of the Vena cava nor derive it from the Mesaraicks to any other place they will doe little good IX Fernelius lib. 6. de Part. morb Symptomat c. 10. has observed which I also have observed that sometimes there comes out of the Podex without Pain or Bloud some mucous or whitish Filth which some mistake for Pus He thinks it is as it were the Slime and Dregs of melancholick Bloud which the sedal Veins do void a long time commonly after tedious melancholick Diseases and hard riding Platerus writes that this comes the same way as Womens Whites That like as in Women Nature rids her self of that white matter by the menstrual Veins so here she does it by the haemorrhoidal of a matter not unlike the white tenaceous Menstrua Sâ—â—nerius X. These Veins are not all of them of one sort as has hitherto been believed by many but some are internal arising from the Porta others external from the Cava to which the haemorrhoidal Arteries are joined by which the humours to be evacuated are carried Onely the internal were known to the Ancients commended as in splenick and melancholick Diseases and as if they might be opened about the Podex or Leeches might be applied to them whereas no Branches of the Porta that lies within do reach the Skin which may be cut They differ 1. In their original for the internal come from the Porta sometimes from the splenick Branch whence comes the Vas breve The external from the hypogastrick Branch of the Cava 2. In insertion for the internal are inserted into the substance of the Intestinum rectum The external into the musculous substance of the Anus 3. In number the internal is one the external three 4. In the qualities of the contained Bloud the Bloud of the internal is thick and black of the external thin and red 5. In their use the internal empty the Porta and help obstructions of the Spleen the external do empty the Cava and Liver by accident but primarily the great Artery and the Heart yea their evacuation cures sanguine Diseases of the Head Breast c. which Hippocrates also mentions in his Aphorisms hence the internal are said to cure a Cacochymie the external a Plethory 6. In profusion of Bloud the Flux of the internal is not so plentifull of the external so great sometimes that Death or grievous Diseases do follow 7. In evacuation of the external there is no pain or griping in the Belly sometimes also no pain in the Anus which in evacuation of the internal do afflict 8. Arteries do not accompany the internal Veins the external Veins descend to the Muscles of the Anus with the Arteries Tho. Bartholinus libello 1. ca. 4. therefore these are more rightly called haemorrhoidal Vessels XI We often see thick and black humours evacuated by the Haemorrhoids that run spontaneously But we must know that this Bloud comes not from the Spleen but from the Plethory of the whole Body into these Veins and is discharged as into the more ignoble parts where if it tarry it may easily fall into corruption and putrefaction so that it looks like a sort of Imposthume Walaeus Met. Med. p. 86. and these Haemorrhoids seem to be a kind of Varices XII Hippocrates lib. de Vict. acut and lib. de Haemorrhoid propounds Tying Cutting and Burning saving one open which operation as being very laborious and exceeding dangerous is grown obsolete in our times Yet Massoria says he once saw this operation the History whereof it may be usefull to describe because from thence the manner of operation and the event will appear Fridericus Corsicus had been ill first of a Pain then of an immoderate Flux of the Haemorrhoids And when he had tried many Remedies in vain he at length betook himself to Padua where the Physicians by common consent resolved that the Bloud must be stopt by manual operation A Neapolitan Chirurgeon who professed that thing was called The Haemorrhoids were cut tied and burnt The sum of the operation is this First they conveniently bind the Man then they excarnate the extreme heads of the Haemorrhoids how many soever they be and gently separate them from the Intestine then with a certain proper strong Needle with a Thread they perforate them all almost to the end and tye them strait and sew them when this is done they clip off the part of the Veins which is above the Suture and fear it with a red hot Iron Truly a very painfull and tiresome Work what with the Ligature Section and the Burning A Fever and great Pain came upon Frederick but the Chirurgeon using some of his own Remedies he in a few days was free from his Fever Pain and Haemorrhoids to the admiration of many But it must not be omitted that he being over confident of himself did not onely omit Bleeding and Purging but kept no good Diet and the next year he died of a pestilential Fever Wherefore Hippocrates his Rule Aphor. 12. 6. must be observed that one Haemorrhoid should be kept open Unless according to Aetius the Patient
Septalius lib. 6. animad 117. forbids Diureticks in the Palpitation of the Heart if thick Blood offend because they exhaust the Serum of the Blood and make it thicker But when it arises from a warry and serous Humour there is nothing that can more easily conquer the violence of this Disease VII Although we must presently relieve the Heart as a principal part by such things as have a singular virtue to encrease its strength and to discuss the malignity of the Vapours such as are most sweet sented and Aromatick things which by their Balsamick virtue defend the innate heat of the Heart and by their heat discuss and waste the Vaporous Matter Yet if the Womb be the cause of the Palpitation we must abstain from them the Diseased Constitution of the Womb forbidding it For such things presently cause Fits and then the Palpitation is greater For when the Brain is refreshed with sweet sents by the sympathy which is between it and the Womb if this be morbid the latent Vapours are raised which fly to the principal parts especially to the Heart Therefore we should rather fly to those things which have the faculty of discussing that vapid Substance such as some fetid and strong smelling things which by their inimicous quality excite the expulsive faculty to cast out what is noxious Besides they have a virtue to attenuate and violently to dissipate as appears in Castor Galbanum Asa faetida and the like Sennertus VIII If the Palpitation come from Wind Electuaries and other Compositions must have no Syrupus de Pomis in them Rondeletius for Apples keep their windiness to the third concoction as Avicenna writes IX A certain Valetudinary Prince when he had been a long time most grievously troubled with Palpitations of the Heart could find relief by no Medicines A young Physician coming in tells how he found in some Writings of the former Age that a certain kind of Worm sometime breeds in the Heart which by taking a Clove of Garlick Evening and Morning may be killed which Remedy was neglected and accounted despicable But at length when the Disease had killed the Prince his Body was opened a white Worm with a very sharp horny snout was found sticking to the Heart which the Physicians took and put alive into a Circle drawn on the Table with juice of Garlick J. Hebenstrein l. de Peste it crept about and about and was wonderfully tormented but would not touch the Circle At length being overcome with the sent of the Garlick it died within the Circle X. A Noble Matron of Newemburgh 35 years old had been troubled with the Hypochondriack Disease for ten years She was taken with so violent a Palpitation that one would have thought her Heart would have broke her Ribs and leaped out of her Breast When I was called I presently ordered an Emollient Glyster to be given her because she never went to Stool but upon meer necessity This was succeeded by a Carminative one Afterwards an Epitheme was applied of Treacle Confectio hyacynthina and Alkermes without Amber or Musk. Then the following Potion was given her Take of Water of Balm Carduus Benedictus each 1 Ounce Orange-flower-Water half an Ounce Cinnamon Water 2 Drachms Syrupus corticis Citri made according to Zwelfer's Correction and of Betony Flowers each half an Ounce Oyl of Citron rind 2 Drops prepared Pearl 5 Grains Saffron 1 Grain In two hours time it left her and never returned again XI This must be reckoned in the Palpitation which comes from heat and abundance of Blood we must neither use hot things lest the effervescence be increased nor cold ones lest when the efflux of Vapours is stopt the Palpitation grow more violent For it is sufficient to use temperate Mercatus strengthning and odoriferous things XII Issues are very good in the Palpitation of the Heart as I have happily experienced Which since they may be made in divers parts of the Body if the matter falling from the Head cause the Palpitation as Hippocrates says it is best to make Issues in the upper parts and in this case I use to advise an Issue in the right Arm. Mercurialis But if it be essentially in the Heart or come by consent with the lower parts it is much better to make an Issue a little above or below the Knee XIII In this sort of Disease we must insist long on Medicines Ferdinandus Hist 12. for after six months or a whole year the Disease uses to return as I have known several Wherefore we must always be doubtful of it and not be overjoyed because it ceases for a month or two XIV Joh. Praevotius in a years time cured Baron K. of a Palpitation of the Heart Rhodius Cent. 2. Obs 40. and of all the Arteries in manner of an Aneurism from retorrid Bile with drinking of Whey and bathing in fresh Water Fernelius mentions this Pulsation Path. lib. 5. cap. 12. XV. Since the Causes are various the Cure must also variously be insisted on For what some hold that these Remedies which are vulgarly called Cordials do refresh the Heart and are thought to help it as it is laboring this is repugnant to Reason and to ordinary Experience Since therefore we have declared how the Palpitation of the Heart proceeds from some fault in the Blood or in the Arteries that are joyned to the Heart and have shewn the divers ways of affecting both of these an apt method of Cure must be accommodated to every sort of that Disease 1. Therefore if the Disease proceed from some fault in the Blood the primary Therapeutick intention must be to exalt the Blood that is too watry and unfit for Accension and Fermentation to a better crasis and to exalt and increase its active Principles that are depressed or diminished For which purpose Spirituous Medicines also Saline of all sorts Sulphureous and especially Chalybeates are proper Here also we may prescribe such things as are used in a Leucophlegmatia Pica and a cold Scurvy 2. The Palpitation of the Heart which is more frequent and much more violent comes from the Cardiack Arteries and then their fault is either an Obstruction or a Spasmodick Affection The first Disease is usually continual and often incurable especially if it comes from Consumptive Lungs or from a Tubercle at the Roots of the Arteries or some bony Excrescence whereby they are half stopt up or compressed Which causes if at any time they be there and can perfectly be known it would be in vain to endeavour to remove them But rather this only must be done we must give the Patient some ease by an Hypnotick to prolong a miserable Life a little further Nor is it also improbable that the Arteries are in a great measure filled by Polypous Concretions that are used to breed there and sometimes within the Ventricles of the Heart and therefore the free and total exilition of the Blood is hindred As the
was Hippocrates'â— way who when the Lungs are swoln draws Blood from all the parts of the Body the Head Nose Tongue Arms and Feet that the quantity thereof may be lessened and it may be revelled from the Lungs In Diseases of the Lungs he bids us Bleed as long almost as there is any Blood in the Body The Circulation of the Blood being supposed the Lungs are easily emptied by Venesection if it be denied I see not how the Blood can be revelled thence for if it be to flow back again into the right Ventricle by the Vena Arteriosa the Sigmoides Valves hinder and the three pointed Valves stop its regress into the Cava out of the right Ventricle Thereâ—ore by the Circulation the Blood is exhausted thence by opening the Veins of the Arm and Foot 〈…〉 and the Opinion of Fernelius is withal destroyed viz. That in Diseases of the Lungs Blood is rather to be drawn from the right Arm than the left because the Blood cannot pass back into the Cava but by breaking through two stops and obstacles placed in the Heart II. And if Blood be to be let at several times and not all at once for fear of swooning yet it is to be let pretty freely for the first time for unless there be a plentiful bleeding on the first days suppuration is to be feared But when the Lungs abound with much Blood we ought not to be afraid of opening a Vein three four five or six times Yet if it succeed a Quinsy or Pleurisy Enchir. med pract we must take greater care how we Bleed III. Phlebotomy is requisite in almost every Peripneumony yea sometimes it ought to be repeated often for the Vessels being emptied of Blood do not only withdraw the fomes of the Disease but also resorb the Matter settled in the part affected Now in a Peripneumony as also in a Pleurisy the Blood that is taken away after it is cold has a tough and discolour'd thin skin on its surface Further we may observe that sometimes all the Blood and sometimes only a portion of it undergoes this change for if the Blood be received into three or four Porringers it will appear bad sometimes in all but most commonly in the second and third and pretty good in the first and last Wherefore 't is commonly advised to bleed always so long till that which is so depraved shall begin to run out and if the strength will endure it to let the Blood continue to run till it appear good again Indeed as frequent Experience so likewise Reason does well enough approve of this practice in as much as in this Disease the whole Blood does not presently acquire that lentor or sliminess the portions that are first depraved are mostly gather'd together about the place of obstruction and stick all about in the lesser Vessels Wherefore the Blood that first comes out will often be faultless but then the Vessels being emptied will receive the other Morbifick Blood that stagnated before and restore it to the Circulation And seeing its portions that are placed near march all in a body as it were when they arrive at the Orifice of the Vein they will issue out together and when they are issued forth that which comes after presently appears purer Willis IV. Wherefore in this case let the Orifice be always large and let the Blood not only issue forth in a full but also in a continued Stream for otherwise if in the middle of the bleeding whilst the naughty Blood is running out the Orifice be stopt with ones Finger as some use to do lest the Spirits should fail when it is opened again the Blood that comes out next will be pure enough the bad Blood if there shall be any behind having slid by and will not return presently to the Orifice Idem V. If it be feared lest the strength should be cast down by Venesection one may apply Cupping-Glasses with Scarification to the Arms and Breast which draw the Blood from the depth of the Breast to the Skin and External parts Yet 't is convenient they should be first applied to the Muscles of the Arms that the Blood may in some measure be evacuated and averted from the Lungs and afterwards to the Shoulder-Blades and to the Breast if it be fleshy For though it seem to be a near place yet it is at some distance from the Lungs and the Attraction is made from the inner parts to the outer Sennertus ¶ For Diversion Aretaeus substituted empty Cupping-Glasses in stead of Venesection ordering them to be applied to the Bâ—ck and other parts of the Body and for derivation to the Breast and Sides Paulus proposes Scarified ones Fortis cons 49. cent 1. which yet are not to be applied but to the deplorable ¶ If the Body be fleshy so that the Cupping-Glass when it is set on will not afflict the Skin that invests the Bones there apply one for by that means the Humours will be drawn aside to any part of the Body and the Spirits are called out to the outer parts whereby the Lungs are oppressed Nor do I approve of their Opinion who when there wants sufficient strength for Venesection at the beginning supply it with Scarified Cupping-Glasses applied to the Breast and Back seeing Galen is altogether against it 11. Meth c. 17. and 13. cap. 19. For at that time it will be sufficient to fasten them first to the Muscles of the Arms that the flowing Humour may after some sort be evacuated and diverted and afterwards let them be applied to the Breast Mercatus if as was said before the Body be fleshy VI. Purging is sometimes convenient in a Peripneumony before the seventh day though it be then thought pernicious Mr. N. sixty years of age was ill of a Phlegmatick Peripneumony which was known by a Cough difficulty of breathing a Fever a pain under the left Shoulder and a flushing in his Face And whereas he seem'd to be full of much Phlegm and had vomited up a pretty quantity thereof and had had three or four Stools by a Clyster which had been injected the next day after bleeding which he did but once a Purge was given him of an infusion of Rhubarb with Manna and Syrup of Roses by which he was very well purged on the fourth day of his illness and the next day after was freed from his Fever and the other Symptoms River cent 1. obs 98. ¶ The impetus of the Matter is to be revoked by pretty sharp Clysters and the plenty of Crude Humours to be lessened thereby But we must take heed of disturbing the Belly too much for as Hippocrates tells us a Flux of the Belly is dangerous in a Peripneumony unless that be frothy which is expelled wherefore Avicen does not commend the purging of Humours in this Disease for the Humour being moved is exagitated more furiously and flows more plentifully into the part affected besides that the
great deal of Pus were cured in a little time by this Remedy In both out of the hole made in the Skin by Section there flow'd in three or four days time pure Pus and from that time their spitting such Matter diminished And after that Efflux increasing daily had continued for some time the spitting ceased wholly and the Patients grew quite well II. A Gentleman of a middle Age that was robust before and always healthful without any manifest cause grew to be betwixt well and ill as it were for being without Pain Vomiting or Cough at least that was any thing considerable he became in a little time languid without appetire uninclinable to sleep thirsty and hot about his Heart After that divers methods of Cure had been tried in vain the Disease shewed it self at length for whilst one night being more restless than usual he turned himself strongly in his Bed an Abscess breaking of a sudden in his Lungs he expelled by Cough a vast quantity of very stinking Pus The Vomica being burst such Medicins were diligently given as might cleanse and heal the Abscess might purify the Blood and clear the Lungs and deliver them from an imminent Tabes as my Tinctura and Spiritus Diasulphuris together with Pectoral and Vulnerary Decoctions and distilled Waters Likewise Linctus and Balsamick Pills were taken from day to day in a constant method and betwixt whiles Clysters and gentle Catharticks and Diureticks were interposed First Vaporations then Suffumigations both Sulphureous and Arsenical were used morning and night After that these had been used long and diligently without benefit he consented at length to the opening of his Side On the left side of his Sternum there appeared a Tumour betwixt the fifth and sixth Vertebra In stead of a Caustick I applied hereto a Suppurative Plaster and in three days the top of the Tumour became red and soft out of which being opened the next day there first flow'd a thin Ichor and a while after yellow and concocted Pus and afterwards it continued to flow more plentifully From that time his stinking Spittle decreased and in fourteen days quite ceased the Morbifick Matter finding both a more easy and more convenient exit by that hole Though by the effect it was manifest that the Duct of that Orifice did lie open inwardly into the Breast and perhaps to the middle of the Lungs yet no Liquor that was injected by Syringe could penetrate or be driven thither so secret and very intricate are the passages which Nature forms for her last relief that no hurtful thing can enter in by that way whereby the Morbifick Matter is expelled That Aperture of his Side was at length changed into an Issue and a Pease or Wooden Pill being put in it every day it continued to pour forth Ichor plentifully for half a year and the Nobleman in the mean time getting quite rid of his Pectoral Infirmity and recovering his robust habit of Body became quite well in every respect At last the Issue being translated into his Arm he carried neither the Disease nor the Issue any longer in his Breast Idem An Intermitting Pulse The Contents The cause depends sometimes on the irregular motion of the Animal Spirits I. An instance of a Pulse returning upon the voiding of a Worm II. I. THere are two distinct Reasons of the breeding of this Affection for though the Pulse intermit sometimes because the Heart for that time ceases from motion yet when we judge by our feeling it seems to intermit sometimes in the Wrist whilst the Heart is felt to beat very frequently and incessantly in the Breast because when that passion its tremor urges only a very small portion of Blood is cast forth into the Aorta in every Diastole Wherefore the Aorta being empty and flaggy and wanting a load to promote that it may nor act often in vain it sometimes intermits its contraction Moreover in Malignant or deadly Fevers if at any time the Pulse be frequent and weak it now and then also intermits not that the Heart ceases sometimes from motion for it does then especially labour incessantly but in as much as the Blood is not poured forth into the Aorta in a sufficient quantity at every Diastole so that this having not enough to bestow its labour upon idles sometimes But moreover the Pulse does sometimes intermit because the contraction of the Heart it self is suspended for some turn or its pause is twice as long which indeed any one shall easily perceive in himself or in another by laying his Hand upon his Breast yea those who labour under a weight or oppression of their Breast do plainly perceive of themselves how often their Heart ceases from motion Moreover this Affection does every where seise upon not so much the languishing and those who are ready to die or are dangerously sick as those who are strong enough and in most regards very well Wherefore it ought not according to the Vulgar Opinion to be taken always for an altogether destructive sign From what has been said I think it appears that the cause of this Affection depends not on the mixture or crasis of the Blood but only on the irregular dispensing of the Animal Spirits out of the Cerebel into the Cardiack Nerves and from thence into the Tendons of the Heart For we may suppose that through those Nerves being somewhat obstructed the Animal Spirits descend not to the Tendons of this Muscle in a sufficiently full stream or Influx wherefore when their store is a little defective the Pulse of the Heart ceases now and then for one turn till being by and by recruited with a fresh store of Spirits its action may be renewed Though this Affection do oft want present inconvenience or danger and requires no very hasty Cure yet for preservations sake lest more grievous Diseases follow some Remedies and Curatory Method ought to be used at least let the Diet be rightly ordered in every regard during the remainder of the Patients Life Moreover let a light Course of Physick be prescribed to be observed solemnly every Spring and Fall namely to the end that as much as may be any Morbid Seminaries cast into the Brain or apt to be bred there may be taken away and prevented Hither we refer the Preservatory Method and Medicins which use to be prescribed against Fits of the Apoplexy Willis II. Mr. N. a Man of sixty was ill of a Dysentery for many days and afterwards of a Tertian Ague and at length when he seem'd to begin to recover his Pulse appeared to be intermitting for three or four days with anxiety of mind and dejection of his Spirits The Cause betray'd it self which was a Worm as thick as ones Finger and half as long as ones Arm upon the voiding whereof the Pulse returned to its former state River cent 3. obs 3. A GUIDE TO THE Practical Physician BOOK XV. Of Diseases beginning with the Letter R. Rachitis the
great Horns through the volatile and extensile Nature of its Balsam and hence it is believed to be a great Cordial and a true secondary Bezoardick for by its Spirit which is altogether of the same Nature with that of the Blood it recreates the Heart by its sweet Balsam it cherishes the radical moisture by its Armoniack Salt it penetrates and attenuates tartareous Matters provokes Sweat and Urine and therefore opposes a pestiferous Air And by its drying vertue which remains in its Earth it drives away Putrefaction kills Worms helps Fluxes of the Belly whence for divers Indications divers Preparations also of Hartshorn are to be used Thus in an Ethereal Plague and Poisons I use the Spirit and armoniack Salt of Hartshorn as a notable Diaphoretick In malignant Fevers as the small Pox where the whole mass of Blood is not only accended but also putrefied I use secondary Preparations that are derived from its whole substance namely Decoctions of it Sam. Clossaeus ad Gr. Horstium Decad 1 â—robl qu. 4. where there are several Preparations of it Gellies and Extracts for Swooning I use the Water distilled from the typhi or snags of fresh Horns for a Phthisick and retarding old Age I use the sweet Balsam thereof for Worms and Diarrhoea's I use the Horn vitriolated XV. Here the negligence or unskilfulness of some Apothecaries is to be noted that burn Harts-horn not in melting Pots but simply among the Coals this indeed is a compendious Preparation but such as is hurtful to the Patient seeing Coals have a malignant vapour in them Fabr. Hild. l. de Gangraena c. 12. which is manifest in those that draw it in with their Breath in a close place XVI Although those Animals be not known from whom the Horns call'd Vnicorns-horns are taken yet their vertue is not therefore to be denied which is only known by Experience for let any one that would make tryal of a piece of this Horn give some Poison to a Whelp or Pullet and if he find that by giving a little of this Horn in Powder the Animal escape he will find reason to esteem it as a good Medicine If we approve of Hartshorn why should the same Faculty be denied to other Horns Therefore I would not morosely inquire whether they be the Horns of the Unicorn or of some other Animal so long as they are good and effectual for it is certain that both Elephants Teeth and Whale-Bone and the Teeth of the Sea-Horse and common Horns adust and Horns digg'd out of the ground Primiros de vulgi error l. 4. c. 38. and other factitious ones are often sold for the true Unicorn's-Horn XVII If Treacle be taken daily to a Grain it makes the Body Poyson-proof without inflaming as Galen reports it happen'd to King Mithridates I have seen many who have been subject to Swoonings without evident cause cured on this manner and it is an excellent Remedy where we have suspicion of any poisonous matter lurking in our Bodies Panarol fascie 1. Arcan p. 212. XVIII Let Children abstain wholly from Treacle for their Age is too weak to indure so potent a Medicine and it colliquates their Body and wastes their Primigenial heat like as the light of a Lamp is extinguished by pouring too much oil into it I have seen a Boy that died through the unseasonable use of Treacle He had been feverish a long time and his Body being wasted his Strength was gone his Guardian compelled me against my judgement to prescribe him some Treacle which he could not concoct when he had taken it for it was above the strength of the Boy and dissolv'd the habit of his Body c. so that he died that very Night Gal. lib. de Theriaca c. 17. Whether it be altogether to be denied to Children See Galen Tit. de Morbis Infant Lib. 9. XIX As we must guess at the degree of the Poisonous infection of the Blood and Heart so also at the Dose of the Alexipharmack Remedy a little quantity cannot resist the great Malignity in acute Fevers or the Plague as suppose one or two small Doses of Treacle or of a Sudorifick Bezoardick Tincture Such plenty is to be prescribed as may drive out the Poison by large Sweats Thus was a Sanguine Countrey-fellow being of a good habit of Body freed from the Plague by taking a Drachm of Treacle Rolfinc m. m. lib. xi S. 3. c. xi and laying so many Cloaths upon him as made him sweat Yet let not the quantity be too great One being struck with fear in the time of Contagion took a little Treacle whence Sweat followed on the Night the day after he took some more he repeated it the third time believing that some Contagion lay hid so that in all he took at leâ—st four or five Drachms on the Night following he was taken with a most burning Fever and Pustules also arose Treacle seeing it is hot in the second and dry in the third degree by reason of its driness must not be given to above a Drachm though in respect of its heat we may ascend higher Salmuth Cent. 1. Obs 51. XX. Whether is there a Cordial vertue in Precious Stones and their Magisteries Many laugh at their vertues others suspect them hence are many Compositions amongst which Confectio de Hyacintho is famous being noted for many vertues Avenzoar Mindererus and Zacutus attribute great vertues to the Emerauld But the simple Preparation of Stones ought to be more esteemed than their Magisteries seeing 't is doubtful whence these latter have their vertue whether from the proper form or from the Menstrua or Dissolvents if from these latter they will do more harm than good and seeing the weight of the Magisteries is often greater than that of the matter to be extracted was before it breeds a suspicion that therefore part of the Menstruum whether it be vitriolate tartareous or have the Nature of any other Salt insinuates it self into the Magistery and is to be washed out of it by no Art The weight indeed is increased in the simple Preparation of them but that happens from another cause namely because the Air contained in their Pores whil'st they were whole vanishes upon their grinding or because by the long agitation of them upon a Marble something parts from it and mixes with the prepared Medicin but this is less hurtful than the corroding Menstruum added to the Magisteries Laur. Hofman writes That the Bishop of Breslaw often drank the Magistery of Perls and that when he died the coats of his Stomach appear'd black and corrupted Libavius shews by some examples that many have faln into a Consumption by the use of the Magistery of Perls and Corals and that many have died thereby the coats of their Stomach and Guts being plainly eroded by their acrimony XXI One Drachm of Magisteries rightly prepared can do more than an Ounce or more of the vulgar unprofitable and unwholsom precipitated Magisteries
remain so little of Excrements that it may be drawn aside by the Bath it is better to let alone the Diarrhâ—a that is ready to cease of it self than to vitiate the whole Body for a thing that is not at all necessary But neither does he grant a Bath to those who are too Costive and adding and was not loosened before he shews the Cause namely some are costive after a great loosness as men are generally after Purging Physick in which case bathing is not prejudicial but if the Belly be bound and no evacuation went before it then contains a great deal of Excrement and Filth and we said before that we must not bathe when the Belly is full of Meat how much less when it is full of Excrements and in such case therefore one must not bathe unless his Belly be first loosned namely if upon any account we be compelled to bring such to the Bath we must first draw down the Excrements with a Clyster as we are wont to do for letting of Blood Nor must those bathe whose Faculties languish namely this Remedy is a pretty strong evacuator and therefore it requires strength to bear it Now that the evacuation is great that is caused by a Bath is shewn in the next Paragraph Yet we will not on this account keep the Hectick from Baths but according to their strength we will bathe them more or less gentlier or stronglier and some indeed not at all Neither those who are troubled with a Nausea or belch somewhat that is bilious these namely are the signs of a great Cacochymie which we have shewed to be a sufficient hindrance of bathing Nor those who Bleed at the Nose unless they bleed less than they should do for if they bleed less it is good to bathe whether the whole Body receive benefit from the flux of Blood more than by any other Remedy as in those that labour under a Plethory of the whole Body or the Head only be profited as in those who have only a Plethory thereof The cause whereof doubtless is that a Bath promotes the flowing of the Blood liquating of it and loosening the mouths of the Veins But it is clear that this is meant of a Bath of hot or tepid water for immersion into cold water stops fluxes of Blood which Women have learned by daily Experience who therefore when their Terms flow shun cold water We know also that by pouring on of cold water or by dipping any Parts of the Body into it bleeding at the Nose uses to be stopt and so from whencesoever the Blood issue the using of cold water profiteth unless it flow out of some internal Part and especially if out of the Lungs for then the Blood fleeing back toward the Heart it may chance to abound more about the Lungs But an hot Bath increases all evacuations of Blood and therefore it is to be avoided unless when an evacuation is seasonable Idem and the Blood proceeds not accordingly as is requisite VII There is no reason why a Physician should slight that evacuation that is caused by a Bath as small and not worth mentioning for from one long-continued lotion in the water of a Bath that was made with violent pourings on of the water I have seen more filth and tough and thick Phlegm such as might not be seen only but also drawn in length by the fingers or a piece of a stick drawn out this way than is used to be by the most plentiful Blood-letting not unlike to that which is wont to appear in the bason upon bleeding in the Foot Idem VIII Whether must we not forbear bathing till the Disease be wholly cured I answer by distinction If the Patient perceive the Bath to agree with his Strength and Nature and that the Disease lessens daily let him continue the use thereof till it wholly cease If he be little or nothing benefited let him take his leave of the Bath because his Distemper is greater than can be overcome by it But note that although the benefit be not manifest if so be the Patient be not weakened he must not presently desist because as Experience testifies many that have perceived no benefit all the time they bathed have some Weeks or Months after their return home been either wholly cured or at least much helped because Nature the strength being recruited by a good and orderly diet is wont to obliterate all the footsteps of the Disease says Aretaeus IX Those err who make the term of staying in the Bath to be till the Fingers and Toes become wrinkled for all have not the same habit of Body in some it is rare and lax in others hard and dense the Humors that are dispersed through the Flesh are few and thin in some in others many and thick and perhaps such would sooner faint away than their Fingers and Toes wrinkle Others expect sweat upon the Forehead but the same causes will make it to break forth more easily or more difficulty in several Persons They who define a certain space of time are deceived for respect is not to be had so much to the hours as circumstances and the endurance of the strength is the just bound for old Women the cold and moist the robust those that have a dense and compact habit of Body the fat those that are accustomed to bathing do endure it longer especially in the Spring and Autumn than Young men boyes old men the hot dry rare weak lean or People unaccustomed to Baths For the former are less dissolved and are not so subject to fainting as the latter To which add that some Baths are more generous and effectual than others and such require a less stay in them and that some Diseases are more rebellious and fixed than others and such require a longer bathing From all which it is clear that no certain number of hours can be prescribed for bathing in so great variety of circumstances X. I have observed that washing or abiding in sweet and hot water is not without danger A man of Seventy years old lusty for his Age coming out of the Countrey towards Evening and finding himself somewhat weary commanded a Bath of common water to be presently got ready Wherein having hardly stayed an hour and perceiving a fainting Fit a coming he betook himself to bed in which being presently taken with an Apoplexy he died that very Night Another having heated himself in such a Bath a Swooning and a great and long Disease followed with a very great weakness Hence it appears how full of danger washing in water is whether it be Simple or Medicinal by Nature or Art unless the Body be first prepared for by bathing especially in common water the Body is made slippery the Pores and all the ways are widened the Viscera are heated the Blood boils in the Vena cava and hence the Humours are diffused this way and that way c. Fabr. Hild. Cent. 6. Obs 96. XI
of a middle nature consist of these mixed and are divers The External are either moisteners and restorers of the Serum as in melancholy where for instance a decoction of the leaves of Lettuce is in use or being of thin parts do penetrate or are refrigeraters and repellents as in Hemorrhagies deliriums where Acids are also good c. or are discussers and evacuaters as sternutatories apophlegmatisms or anodynes as unguentum alabastrin populeum or strengtheners as lixivium sapientiae c. oyl of peaches Idem V. There lies a great deal in the right administring of these and it is to be noted 1. in the manner of administring Such as alter violently and leave an harm behind them are either to be omitted or to be used more sparingly Thus the too odoriferous dull the Head especially where the Head akes and is affected by Vapours whence Styrax Saffron Myrrhe also it self and Coriander not prepared molest the Brain and by consequence all things that are too vaporous and endued with a preternatural Sulphur do easily disturb the Spirits and though indeed they shut the pores yet they are to be used warily whence also Opiats belong hither which being given more heedlesly and frequently especially in Children do weaken the Head and render it muddy So likewise very cold things are to be shunned for although the Brain do bear well enough repelling frontals yet care is to be taken that its tone be not vitiated seeing all cold things are Enemies to the Nerves In like manner it is never safe to heat and dry too much for thereby the Spirits are enraged and the pores are too much dilated thus by the confectio anacardina some have been made mad So in Topicks which is Heurnius's caution meth ad pr. l. 2. p. 118. we must use those sparingly that manifestly astringe to which hot things are often added that the rest may penetrate 2. Neither moistening nor too liquating and hot things are to be used in Catarrhs and where the Brain is filled with Humour hence in Catarrhs washings of the Head yea and baths also have no place at all and some have been observed to lose their Smelling quite thereby So those that use hot things as the oil of Amber whether inwardly or outwardly to anoint the Scalp in Catarrhs by melting the matter and precipitating it into the Vessels they often cause a Fever and other greater mischiefs 3. Also Salts whether alkalis nitrous or acids are less convenient in Catarrhal affections for they make the Serum the more fluxile whence it easily finds a way to the more noble Parts which holds in general also of the other Parts 4. Acids are good where the Pores are too full or the Humours and Spirits too enraged and unbridled as in soporous affections Madness c. but they are not so good where the Nerves and Membranes are weak as in the Palsie and worse yet in watchings Idem where they are to be avoided VI. Cephalick spirituous waters as also Aquae aureae vitae and Elixirs are not so very safe especially when they are taken on an empty Stomach and as Crato said they have proved the Waters of Death to many for they hasten forthwith to the Viscera Joh. Jacobus Wepferus cons ms pro Nephritico they harden the Glandules amongst which the Brain is one they hasten the Dropsie and Apoplexy as I have sometimes observed in Monasteries amongst the Confessors Chirurgia infusoria the manner of its Administration and Benefit IN our time has been brought to light an Operation of Infusion or a new Clysmatick or sort of Clystering when through an opened Vein by putting a small Pipe into the Orifice there is injected by the help of a Syringe or Bladder some Liquor that is either nourishing altering Cardiack or Purging which passing to the Heart and afterwards marching through the Arteries and all the habit of the Body produces the same Effects but in a shorter time as if it had been taken in at the Mouth and let down into the Stomach This Artifice was afterwards amplified by making a transfusion of the Blood of one Dog into the veins of another Dog yea the Experiment was tryed in two Men into whose Veins being emptied to some Ounces was transfused the artcrial Blood of a Lamb who were also better thereupon Another manner of transfusing Blood was invented out of one man into another Joh. van Horne microtechn Part. 1. Pag. 218. ¶ J. Jac. Sacks writes thus concerning the same to the famous J. D. Maj. Of what moment the Circulation of the Blood is says he the most skilful Industry and Experience of the Experimental College in England does notably teach which hath found out that Purgers without ever putting them to the Mouth do exert their vertues by the help of the circulated Blood A Pipe is made of the little Bones of Larks thighs of the shape of those Pipes that are fitted to an Oxes Bladder for injecting Clysters A purging or other altering Liquor is put into a small Bladder especially that of a Carp then a vein is cut in the Hand Arm or Thigh with a small hole and the Liquor is poured into it out of the aforesaid Pipe being thrust into the hole pressing the Bladder lest the Blood spurt out of the Vein instead of the Liquor 's entring into it When the Liquor is poured in the Orifice is closed and tyed up Thus within an hour the Blood is impregnated with the purging Liquor and communicates the vertues thereof to the Heart by means of the Circulation and an happy Purgation is effected The transfusion of Blood out of a mangy Dog into a sound was performed by M. Thomas Coze as the Transactions of the English Society in the year 1667. p. 75. relate it Whereupon there followed no alteration in the sound Dog but the mangy one in the space of Ten or Fourteen days was perfectly recovered Dr. Richard Lower in his Treatise of the Heart p. 190. delivers the Method that is to be observed And the way of preparing the Vein in Man is shewn in the said Transactions from Dr. Edmund King p. 246 c. Many things are objected against this Transfusion but this chiefly that there is a great difference betwixt the Flesh we feed upon and the Blood that is transfused immediately into the Veins that that undergoes great alteration but this not To which I answer That of the three primary Digestions of the Aliment the first that is performed in the Stomach is of no great moment in respect of the others that are made of the chyle and Blood in the Heart Liver and all the Parts that are capable of nourishment And although Blood poured in fresh undergo not the first concoction that is made in the Stomach yet it undergoes the other two through many Circulations that are performed by the natural Blood and therefore there is no absurdity to hinder why it should not be transformed into man's substance D.
themselves the mistura simplex alone may serve for an instance for neither the Spirit of Treacle of it self nor the Spirit of Tartar do so readily procure sweat as when the Spirit of Vitriol is joined to them for this doth promote both their activities So also the tincture of Bezoar without the addition of the Spirit of Salt or some other acid is less apt to cause sweat Now when the Blood curdles it becomes more gross viscid thick and glutinous whence acids by taming the Sulphur and hindring rarefaction as much as may be do in such case promote the separation of the serous Humour and by this means promote also its halituosity Whence these and the Diaphoreticks of the first class are profitable being chosen according to the diversity of Indicants even in divers kinds of Fevers especially also in the Pox Scurvy Leprosie and the like where the Blood being much too glutinous doth necessarily import a weight and pain of the membres These very Medicines also of this class have a great vertue to take away the grumousness of the Blood whence also the mistura simplex has no contemptible use in the palpitation of the heart it self also in the scab and many other maladies In a word in any faults of the mass of Blood arising from the quality and vitious excesses in motion ebullitions despumations c. diaphoreticks bear away the bell both restoring and depressing the ferment V. But inward Impellents have need of externals whence it is not enough to take a Diaphoretick Medicine but at least there is need that the ambient air should be warmer than usual and that the Body be cover'd as also that the pores be more dilated and the Humours fused But the business is never accomplished by externals alone unless when the matter sticks more betwixt the Skin and Flesh for in that case external impellents do more good Likewise when a particular tumour exerciseth and wearies some membre the same are useful VI. Nor avail they only in the abundance and repletion of Humours and impurities of the Blood but they also make the sluggish Humours more brisk and lively but they are chiefly good for resolving and attenuating of serous Humours and evacuating them by the pores whence the fixedness or volatility of the Medicines and the different state of the Blood varies their use There are some who always use antimon diaphoret only others cry the Spirit of Harts-horn up to the Sky others use the tincture of Bezoar especially the camphorated almost for all cases All these offend but chiefly the last for all cannot endure alike camphorated Remedies at least in so great a dose as greatly rarefies the Blood Camphor hath a notable place in invigorating the motion of the Blood but not where it is too much rarefied and Boils for in such cases it makes the watching thirst and heat to be greater whence it is better to use the tincture of Bezoar not so much camphorated or rather to have some other milder at hand VII Whensoever therefore resolution of the strength is feared and the Blood stands more in need of a Bridle than a Spur the more temperate bear away the bell and are to be preferr'd and on the contrary Lib. de febr So especially Hofman observes that in a certain Epidemical Fever joined with a colliquative Sweat Bole-Armen and sealed Earth were the only Remedies But if any should give the same alone to promote the motion and fermentation of the Blood he would make himself ridiculous VIII Where there is more need of Precipitation than Discussion the Patients are to be less compelled to Sweat yea Sweat being too much forced does less good even in continual Fevers Hence those do egregiously err in their Practice who in Tertians and Quartans by giving a febrifuge Powder before the Fit do continually prompt and almost compel their Patient to Sweat from whence we have observed that a fear of a Consumption and other no light Symptoms have sometimes arisen Hence in driving out the Small Pox also in malignant Fevers it is never adviseable to force the Patients too strongly to Sweat for by this means the Serum is too much consumed the Blood it self is more excited to ebullition and the endeavour of Nature that is acting aright unseasonably precipitated and therefore 't is better to continue a Diaphoresis or gentle breathing and to give Nature time than spoil all by forcing it is better to follow her to lead and not drive her that which Sweat performeth not a thin dewiness does IX They are less profitable wheresoever Serum is wanting yea and if it exceed they are not so good neither for as when it fails Hydroticks do more exhaust it so when it is superfluous they cannot alone conquer and evacuate it Hence for example in the distracted and other cholerick Persons also the rule now given holds whence in that case either the more temperate only are to be chosen or they are not to be given without watry vehicles that increase the Serum substantially which very thing holds of the drier sort of People in general Hence in hydropical Persons Diureticks and Purgers do more good than Diaphoreticks X. In Phlegmatick Diseases and where the first ways abound with vicious Humours and these are fixed there as it were they are not so good Hence Purgers and Vomiters are more universal Remedies as it were and after these when the thicker and more viscous Parts are taken away the thin 〈◊〉 remains is more fitly evacuated by Diaphoreticks Hence in all Fevers indeed Diaphoreticks profit greatly but in the intermitting that is diligently to be observed especially in the Quotidian The same thing is to be noted also in the Scab it self and in a Cachexie Diaphoreticks have but a secondary place lest they coagulate the Phlegm or Serum more that is already coagulated and too thick lest they disturb the Humours and more increase the impurities of the Blood Wedâ—i de san rac p. 170. which they should take away Diureticks The Contents Their nature and distribution as to their use I. Which of them are convenient when the Blood is too thick and tenacious II. What Medicines are agreeable for a too loose compages of the Blood III. When there is place for Saline Remedies IV. When we must use Sulphureous V. Their distinction as to their effect VI. They are not indifferently agreeable to all Affections and Humours VII For what Diseases they are especially convenient VIII How they expel the pituitous and serous Humour IX They ought for the most part to precede the use of Hydroticks or sweating Remedies X. The Humours often are to be prepared before the administration of Diureticks XI They have a faculty to separate serous Humours out of the mass of Blood XII All the Body may be drained by their help XIII They do not always prerequire the Preparation of the Humours and they may be given before the declension of the Disease XIV The same
Hysterical fits and other convulsive ones they are but seldom to be given and not without caution and the advice of a skilful Physician But in a cruel Head-ach Catarrhs Colick Pleurisie ordinary Fevers Vomiting Dysenterie fits of the Stone or Gout and in all pains whatsoever Opiats are not only allowed but we have recourse to them as to Divine panacea's III. And as often as we intend to make use of them we must also consider in what tenour the Animal Spirits over which dominion they preside are for if being fewer or oppressed they already flag and do not spread their sails enough certainly they ought not to be further lessened and cast down by Opiats Wherefore if so be the Animal faculties be not vigorous both as to sense and discourse or do not exert themselves briskly enough or when the pulse and respiration have the turns of their reciprocations but weak or swifter or also flower then usual hindred and unequal or lastly if a numbness and enervation shall seize upon the membres and motive parts with an unwonted languor we must wholly refrain from any hypnotick Medicine But we shall not stick to use them if they are indicated in the greater Diseases and if withal the Animal Spirits be strong enough in these and other respects or become too much expanded or immoderately fierce and outragious IV. Yet the state of the Blood and Humours is not to be neglected in the mean time because sometimes their naughty condition does wholly forbid Opiats or suffers them not to be used unless sparingly and with some restriction The Blood does contraindicate their use when it offends either in its quantity or in its quality or crasis As to the former it either abounds or is defective and in both respects it hinders Narcotick Remedies For first if at any time the Blood being turgid through plenty and withal boiling in a Fever do greatly distend the Vessels and so the heart greatly labour to drive it most quickly about lest it stagnate or overflow any where by a very swift repetition of its systole's truly in such case to give a Narcotick to hinder that labour and endeavour of the heart without which life could not be maintain'd were the part rather of a poisoner than a Physician wherefore in a Plethora bleeding ought always to be premised before the use of Opiats Secondly nor is there fear of less mischief from Narcoticks as often as they are given in defect or penury of the Blood as after great hemorrhagies long fasting or long-continued sickness because seeing the rivulet of the Blood is but small and through its smallness hardly continuous lest its flowing be interrupted and therefore cease the heart by beating very swiftly as with doubled endeavours strives to drive it about most quickly Hence it is obvious to conceive how great harm Opiats do which put a stop to this endeavour of the heart that is then chiefly necessary Indeed for this reason it seems to be that we forbid sleep to women presently after Child-birth when their lochia flow plentifully or to any persons after a large letting of Blood or great hemorrhagies namely lest the Spirits being recalled in sleeping leave the heart so destitute that it cannot quickly enough drive about the lessened stream of Blood Moreover sometimes the Blood offending in its quality or crasis contraindicates the use of Opiats because whilst in a Cacochymie or Fever the Blood being very full of recrements ought to be agitated with a greater endeavour of the heart and to be more quickly circulated namely that the heterogeneous particles may be subjugated and soon evaporate the intervening operation of a Narcotick stops these attempts of the heart and therefore hinders the lustration or clearing of the Blood and sometimes frustrates it As to those other recrementitious Humours that use to be heaped up within the Stomach and intestins 't is fitting that these also should be withdrawn purged forth by vomit or stool before an Opiat be given for otherwise being fixed there they will stick the more stubbornly because the Splanchnick fibres being stupefied by the Medicine are not so irritated as before nor do easily enter upon or briskly perform their excretory Spasms for expelling these recrements Willis Pharmac Rat. part 1. wherefore according to the old precept if any thing be to be evacuated evacuate it before you give Narcotick Medicines V. We must observe concerning Narcoticks 1. that Anodynes are always to be used before them for seeing they make the Spirits sluggish often induce a stupor drousiness difficulty of Breath and sometimes death it self there is need of great caution in giving of them 2. They are not to be used before general Remedies 3. It is safer first to apply them outwardly and to see whether their use suffice before they be given inwardly 4. We must mark whether the faculties can sustain the Disease so long as till the cause of watching or pain can be taken away by ordinary Remedies nor must we come to them till the Patient be in some danger from want of sleep or pain 5. According to Sennertus l. 1. p. 2. cap. 1. Pract. If the faculties be not very much dejected by the Disease but only begin to be in danger through pain or want of sleep then is it safe to give Opiats when other things profit not But if the Patient be not only in danger through want of sleep and pain but the faculties are already dejected even by the Disease it self so that 't is doubted in a manner of the life of the Patient then they are not easily to be given Frider. Hofman m. m. lib. 2. c. 4. because they hasten death and bring on a perpetual slumber VI. Their daily and too frequent use is to be avoided lest whilst we try to ease pain we introduce another Distemper or lessen the Concoction of the Stomach For I my self have observed this to be true Idem ibid. that they hinder the concoction of the Stomach for they blunt its fermental Spirit so that it cannot exert its fermenting vertue whence follow Cardialgiae weight and compressions of the Stomach with anguish VII Let them be banished in the beginning of a Paroxysm or also when a crisis is at hand for the endeavour and motion of Nature is inverted by them whilst the natural heat is suffocated and the febrile heat is hindred from being expanded and the morbifick matter from being expelled VIII Their use after Blood-letting is very hurtful because the Members being then languishing and almost insensible a deadly Hemorrhagie may easily arise See an example in Borellus Cent. 4. Obs 57. IX They are to be given after the meat is past off the Stomach and three hours before eating again lest concoction be disturbed yet if there be great necessity they may be administred even an hour after Supper Idem p. m. 438. the vapours of the meat more easily carrying their somniferous and anodyne vertue to the
the part affected Whence Galen 6. aph 36. has noted that our great Master used always to let Blood out of the Arms for diseases above the Liver but for those below out of the Legs and Ankles a reason whereof is given by Celsus l. 2. c. 9. Nor am I ignorant says he that some say that Blood is to be let at the greatest distance from the part affected for so the course of the matter is averted and that which already oppresses the part is called forth But this is false for Bleeding first exhausts the nearest part and the Blood therefore follows from the remoter parts because it is first let forth of the nearest but as soon as it is stopt it comes no longer from afar because it is drawn Hippocrates has confirmed that same precept lib. de loc Sect. 2. v. 285. where speaking of all evacuation he says But diseases are to be drawn forth by that part which they are nearest to or by the nearest outlet Which at length he hath more particularly expressed even in the evacuation that is made by Medicins Pains above the Midriff that need purgation intimate that they should be purged by Vomit but those below by Stool But for prevention of those diseases that have been used to invade often Hippocrates's opinion is that Blood should be let at the greatest distance from the part affected Of which he gives a double reason namely 1. Lest there be a great change made on the suddain in that part which is used to be ill For by such change the humours being for the most part moved and the part it self further weakned fluxions towards it are excited whence the accustomed Diseases are raised Which Precept many Gouty Persons not observing whilst they will Bleed or Purge for prevention they often raise those pains that were quiet 2. Another reason is that by Venesection made in distant parts the custom may be removed by which the humours used upon any occasion to flow upon the part accustomed to be affected By which it is clear that the Revulsion which is made from the remotest parts is not good in the Cure of present Diseases unless one would stop Symptomatical evacuations Pr. Martian comm in cit loc pag. 17. for then Revulsion is to be made accoâ—rding to the advice of Hippocrates 6. Epid. 2. 5â— We must revel if the humours run whither they should not ¶ The several kinds of Revuâ—sion profit and gratifie diversly For to Revel to the Origin is usual in those Diseases which rise from some peculiar Member Traction to distant parts is good for those which are fed by the whole Body But Tractions to contrary Parts are profitable for both Namely to a part that is Contrary to that from which and to which the matter flows Mercat de ind med l. 1. c. 4. where it is discoursed more at large of revulsive and derivative Bleeding And moreover it has this use peculiar to it self that it is most beneficial for prevention Nature as I said being called off to that part which is contrary to that to which she inclined Nor matters it that the same Veins are to be opened both in prevention and Cure seeing this Revulsion is owing to the motion and custom of the humours rather than to the Disease and Humour XXV Some make the Kidneys the Centre of the Body as to its length but this is better referred to the Heart Walaeus p. 81. It is better to Bleed on the same side with the part affected the Reason is in the Arteries not in the Veins XXVI If the Blood be observed not to Circulate as it should do by the Pulse's not being full enough but little and from anhelous Respiration I think bleeding altogether necessary And these two indications that are taken from the Pulse and Respiration I would recommend to the diligent observation of every one seeing they are of great Consideration in many Diseases as to Bleeding I say a little and an oppressed Pulse yet soft as also a laborious and anhelous respiration are the chief signs and indications of the Blood 's stagnating about the Ventricles of the Heart and threatning danger of suffocation Sylv. de lo Boe prax l. 2. c. 22. §. 73. XXVII Hippocrates's Precept Aph. 22.1 of purging in a turgency of matter is not observed in ordinary practice but when there appears an Orgasm of the humours we rather fly to bleeding as more safe and so we the more easily prevent the moved humours from rushing into some Noble part River pract l. 17. c. 1. which if they were more exagitated by a Purge might be the more readily precipitated into it ¶ We may gather from Galen that bleeding may be allowed in a turgency of the humours Which that it may be understood I premise these things 1. That the turgent humours are not always Cholerick but sometimes Sanguineous Blood here being taken for a fervent humour resembling Choler And such Bloud is Turgent because it is moved very quickly and easily so that I believe acute Diseases arise from it as they do also from pure Choler Whence many dangers threaten because it may very easily run into the Principal Parts 2. I premise that in a Turgency of the humours there may also concur sometimes other Reasons for Bleeding as some fault in the Sanguineous matter the greatness of the Disease the Strength of the faculties and a Youthful Age. 3. But if purging be compared with Bleeding in a Turgency of the humours the former doubtless is more to the purpose and more profitable but the latter is safer And because according to Hippocrates 1. Epid. a Physician ought to endeavour so to profit as that he may do no harm withal therefore Bleeding may be sometimes used in the room of Purging If you object That Purging draws only bad humours but Bleeding all so that one cannot be substituted for the other I Answer 1. that Turgent humours that are different from the nature of Blood are also evacuated by Bleeding as being in motion 2. That Bleeding is not always substituted but only sometimes If you object again That where Bilious humours are turgent and such as differ from Blood the Blood it self does not offend and therefore it is not proper to substitute Bleeding I Answer That in such a turgency of humours Bleeding is not to be substituted indiscriminately but only where there is a most vehement Fever which rather requires a friendly Venesection than offensive Purgers which are hot and apt to induce a Fever Now that a violent Fever requires rather Bleeding than Purging is not doubted Whence I draw these conclusions 1. If the humours be mixed with the Blood without doubt Bleeding is proper as appears by the faultiness of the Blood that is let forth 2. If the turgent humours be different from the nature of Blood but there be present an high Fever strength of the faculties a youthful Age I approve of Bleeding and so
with a full and uninterrupted stream Idem LXXVII Why does bleeding by a large Orifice cool more than bleeding by a strait when the quantity of the Blood that is let is equal Because there is made a more sudden change in the Body when the Blood is poured forth by a large hole namely because there is a greater withdrawing of the Blood that is a returning to the Heart whence there ensues a less influx of Blood from the Heart into the whole Body and hence all the Parts are cooled Add hereunto that the quick withdrawing of Blood is follow'd by a sad sensation in the heart and from thence with a straitness thereof likewise with a less effervescence of the Blood its expansion being hindred all which things lessen the heat in the Heart and the whole Body Moreover by a quick and hasty evacuation of Blood transpiration is more promoted than by a slow Whence conclude that Venesection by a large orifice cools more not because thicker Blood is then poured forth but because it flows forth quickly For the Blood that is poured forth by a narrow orifice is as thick as that which issues out by a large seeing none will deny that all the Blood is percolated through the capillary Veins wherefore the orifice can never be so small but its width will exceed that of the capillary Veins only it comes out more slowly which is common also to that which is more thin I wonder that those who think otherwise have not observed in their Hypothesis that the thinner Blood is the more hot which therefore if it were let out by a strait orifice and the thick retained the Body should be more cooled than when the thick and less hot is poured forth Fr. Bayle Probl. 3. LXXVIII Those who let Blood should observe the situation of the Valves for the Vein ought to be opened a good way from them for if it be opened just by a Valve the Blood either does not flow out rightly Challov de Orig. Met. Sang. or not at all yea sometimes there rises a bump from clotted Blood LXXIX Have a care you open not a Vein near its Anastomosis with an Artery for if this be done the Blood being all of a scarlet-colour will spurt forth impetuously and its efflux is not easily stayed nor is the orifice of the vessel soon shut Willis LXXX If when we have occasion to bleed the Vein do not appear a large Cupping-glass with much flame is to be fixt upon the Part and that will make the Vein shew it self LXXXI Some esteem so much of the first time one is let Blood that they will not use it but in great cases because they think that like an unusual and first Remedy it may cure a man of great Diseases whereas yet very skilful Physicians write on the contrary that men suffer more by such things as they are unaccustomed to Thus Galen 14. Meth. cap. 8. did not let an Old man Blood that had a hot Tumour upon his Tongue because he had not been used to it Therefore say they he that has been used to be let Blood if so be his faculties be not as yet impaired by frequent evacuation the same will bear it more chearfully and lightly than he that has not been so used But the vulgar opinion seems to be justified by what Hippocrates writes 3. Aph. 28. of the first eruption of the Terms and the first Copulation And says Celsus lib. 2. c. 1. If any kinds of Diseases have happened in Infancy and end neither when a Man comes to maturity nor upon the first Coitions nor in a Woman upon the first flowing of her Terms thâ— same are generally of long continuance And speaking of the Epilepsie If says he Remedies have not removed it Coition in Boyes and the flux of the Terms in Girles does cure it Pliny also says l. 8. c. 24. That many kinds of Diseases are cured upon the first coition and upon the first flowing of the Terms or if that do not happen they are then of long continuance and especially the Falling-Sickness Add hereto Hippocrates's authority who 3 Epid. sect 2. aegr 12. writing of a Maid of Larisa that labour'd under a sore Disease says that it was judged or ended on the sixth day and returned not again which certainly was a rare and wonderful thing But this he ascribes to her Terms which then broke of her for the first time when she had the Fever and it was now judged Therefore that is not altogether vain which is vulgarly spoke of the first letting of Blood Rub. in c. 10. lib. 2. Celsi LXXXII We must take some Broth half an hour before Venesection according to Hippocrates's advice Lib. de Vlcer A Vein is to be opened when a man has dined and drunk more liberally or more sparingly and is a little warmed Some Arabians will have the mouth of the Stomach to be fenced and strengthened with a little Meat especially in those who have a weak Stomach or its orifice of a more acute sense and are otherwise weak the innate heat is dissolved by the letting out of the Blood and the cholerick Humours rage more when their bridle is taken off whence there is darger of Swoonings There is given either Bread dipt in the juice of Pomegranats or simple water with Sugar and the juice of Lemons for a Stomach that is weak from an hot intemperature or has bitter Choler floating upon it Some give a cup of cold water to drink and so prevent fainting away in such as are subject to it through swift motions of the mind Galen Comment in lib. de Vlcer seems to dissent advising to defer Venesection so long as may seem sufficient for the Concoction of the Victuals and that the Excrements of the Belly may have while to descend Rhases l. de v. s cucurb c. says whilst the Victuals are not digested in the Stomach or expelled by the Guts either spontaneously or by a Clyster let there be no letting of Blood lest something be attracted of that which is in the Stomach and Guts to the Liver and its passages and is as yet crude Others alledge that the use of Meat before is inconvenient denying the validity of that Argument that is taken from the impairing of the Faculties The Bodies of all Sick Persons are not weakened or resolved by bleeding such as are oppressed with a burthen of Plenitude or Cacochymie are rendred more lightsom They also reject drinking of water before Venesection seeing Avicen teacheth that he that drinks cold water before or after bleeding may fear a Dropsie because of the water 's being snatched into the Veins The truth seems to persuade one to approve of the use of Broths these may refresh Nature both by way of prevention and cure Julaps c. may be used also as well as these A draught only of Water or Beer or a potcht Egg can produce no harm To the Reasons I
and that Galen is to be understood of that which is soft and gentle XVII When the Blood stagnates and stops in its Vessels motion is most happily procured to it by Sudorificks sometimes by Venesection by the help of those the Blood is not only made more fluid and moveable but the same is moreover actually moved and more and more rarefied by the volatil Salt that is in them and by its stay alone does by degrees loose the Blood more or less concreted by its own acid Spirit and therefore agitates it Whence a more frequent and greater pulse uses to be the companion of sweat for whilst the volatil Salt of Sudorificks arrives at the right ventricle of the heart and the Blood there becomes more rare and does not only of its own accord seek an exit for it self but by further widening the ventricle of the Heart it excites the same to both a more frequent and stronger contraction of it self Sylv. de le Boë pract l. 1. c. 34. §. 29. and therefore moves the Blood more that before was somewhat deficient in its motion and promotes its course every way from the Heart XVIII Not only Medicines taken inwardly yea and hot drink drunk freely provoke sweat but many external things also Thus the air alone heated by art and making a dry bath in a stove or sitting by a good fire powerfully draw forth sweat and when a watry humidity is redundant in the Body it is driven forth by sweat this way easily and happily enough but so is not a sowr or acid or Salt Muriatick Humour though a glutinous Humour may thus also be both attenuated and expelled by sweat if so be it be continued long enough lest the same Humour being dissolved by the fire and driven all about be again coagulated in the capillary Vessels and there breed obstructions and many mischiefs that follow thereupon Idem m m. l. 1. c. 11. § 27. XIX Bezoardicum minerale is prepared of the Butter of Antimony by pouring thereon the Spirit of Nitre or aqua Stygia Where it is to be observed that whilst these two liquors are mixed together the Salts meeting by and by with one another are strictly combined and in the mean time the Sulphureous particles which are in great plenty being utterly excluded fly away carrying some saline Bodies with them raise an heat and very stinking smoak these being driven away the saline that are left are more strictly combined with some earthy ones of the Antimony and at length having undergone the fire that the Emetick Sulphur may wholly exhale and the corrosive stings of the Salts may be destroyed they make an excellent Diaphoretick inasmuch namely as the different Salts of the Medicine do meet with the Salts of our Body with which being joined the compages of the Blood and Humours are loosened Willis â—harm rat p. m. 208. so that there lies open a free passage to the serous recrement The dose is from a scruple to a drachm XX. Though a certain preparation of Antimony be called Diaphoretick I know not to what sort of its particles this vertue can be attributed and I have often in vain expected such an effect from this Medicine It is often profitably given to stay fluxions of the Serum or Blood because this earth being deprived of its proper Salts does imbibe strange acid Salts which it meets with by chance in the Body which kind of vertue Crocus Martis prepared by a reverberatory fire seems to obtain from the like cause XXI Antimonium diaphoreticum is rightly given with the species de hyacintho pulvis ruber Pannonicus and others for the promoting of expulsion But we must note that it ought to be rightly and newly prepared for as it grows old it returns to its own Nature and Emetick vertue Wherefore I advise never to mix Antimony with those Powders but at the time when you are about to use them Ign. Franc. Thiermair cons l. 1. c. 7. for till then 't is best to keep them apart XXII Let Physicians be mindful that those who are engaged in a Diet of Guaiacum if they be not Purged every 8th or 10th day and unless they go to stool every day once Heer de Acidulis p. 100. do incur very grievous Symptoms XXIII Most now esteem that Paradox for truth that Decoctions of Guaiacum Sarsa Sassafras China and the like make People fat Which Horat. Guargantius in his resp medic p. 235. thus explains These Decoctions do attenuate indeed and dry up naughty and excrementitious Humours but leave the good and profitable untoucht Therefore they bring no hurt to the wasted and emaciated For seeing leanness and a fleshless habit proceed from bad nutrition and bad nutrition from acrimonious and salt Humours which consume the sweet and profitable Blood and hinder the Fat from being agglutinated therefore it follows that when those vitious juices are consumed by the foresaid Decoctions the Body is of course rightly nourished and fatned Thus far Guargantius Arcaeus's way of curing Phthisical People by a Decoction of the Wood is well known whereby he affirms they are not only hurt but also grow fleshy XXIV There are some who with an hydrotick Decoction give a Bolus of Turpentine and Ground-Ivy c. but I like not the raising of two motions at the same time therefore rather make a Bolus of the powder of Harts-horn Fortis Cent. 1. Cons 65. Vipers and some appropriate Salt XXV Besides Opium Salts promote Sweat namely by their fusory quality but 't is necessary they should be depurated whence common Salt and sal gemmae promote it not at all All Herbs that contain much Salt in them drive forth also much sweat as Wormwood Carduus bened being given in a sufficient Dose XXVI It is an error of the Moderns to use Decoctions with water for fluxions seeing it is clear that whatsoever Remedies are taken under the form of drink though they be of a dry Nature yet they alwayes increase moisture in the Body especially if they be taken at Meals Now I guess that the Physicians our predecessors were deceived by the Diet that uses to be prescribed to them who use hydrotick Decoctions Who having observed that some troubled with long continued destillations were cured thereof by a Decoction of Guaiacum or sarsaparilla or the like which they had taken for the cure of the French Pox brought in Decoctions of drying Woods and Roots which had not at all been used for this purpose before for the cure of Destillations and the cure succeeded happily as long as they observed that exact Diet of thoroughly-baked Bread or Bisket with Raisins limited to a certain quantity and wholly abstain'd from drinking of Wine But after that our Physicians indulging the complaints of their Patients began to allow them Flesh Eggs and Wine it has been seldom observed that Destillations have been cured by these Decoctions which is an evident argument that the Catarrhs were cured
because no Passion is made by what one is accustomed to Hence those erre who in laying on Cerecloths say that they are to be kept so long upon the Part as till they fall off of their own accord Besides they are of a contrary opinion to Galen and Avicen who unanimously say that neither internal nor external Medicines are to be rendred customary to Nature XI 'T is a great errour when malactick Plasters are made of Galbanum Ammoniacum Opopanax Rosin and the like and are diluted with much Vinegar for so they attenuate incide Hollerius discuss and not mollifie XII The use of Fomentations is sufficiently famous amongst Topicks which are made of some Liquor or Decoction of many Simples which several include in a Bladder but the same are made unprofitable by that means for the vertue of the Simples passes not through the Bladder into the Body but the heat only operates whence if some part be only to be heated such Fomentation does good let the Liquor that is included be what it will as also for easing Pain and digesting Humours But if obstructions be to be dissolved Primiros de vulg err l. 4. c. 46. or something be to be mollified 't is better to use either linen or wollen cloths XIII Anointings that are very oily do obstruct and stuff the Pores unless a little spirit of Wine be added or before the anointing rub the Part with a Squill newly cut through the middle to make the Medicines penetrate the better Fortis XIV A Person falling out of his Chariot divers Accidents superven'd such as use to befall Persons bruised and amongst them the motion of his Arm was much impaired For fear he should quite lose the use of it his Spine is anointed with strong Ointments and hot Plasters are also applied upon which he fell into a Fever from which yet he is soon freed by leaving off those Topicks He said he perceived the heat very sensibly to proceed from the Medicines namely in the great Vessels that run that way After some Weeks they fall again to Topicks and the Fever returns again whence 't was thought fit to abstain from those stronger and to use an appropriate Water Phil. Salmuth Cent. 1. Obs 79. by which he was cured XV. This is to be esteemed for a most certain Proposition That never any Powder is to be sprinkled upon any Part unless it be first anointed or wet with some clammy Liquor that the Powder may be made to stick on except in the Head where the Hairs sufficiently retain the Powder that is sprinkled amongst them Thus for Bruises of the Limbs we use astringent Powders in the beginning to hinder a Fluxion and those not only in the bruised Part but in the neighbouring Parts also but first of all we anoint the Part with some astringent Oil as the Oil of Roses Myrtles Quinces c. Pouders may also be kept on if the white of an Egg strongly beaten be smeared over the Part. Rondelet p. m. 977. XVI The use of the cutaneous Veins comes all to this that what Blood remains over and above the nutrition of the skin and subjacent Parts may be carried back by them to the larger branches and trunk of the Cava Hereby the vertue of Topicks applied to the Wrists transmitting their Particles and Atoms through the Pores of the skin may be communicated to the Blood yea to the Heart it self Some Veins have that great vertue and power that they can communicate to the Heart the deadly poison of things laid to the skin by stealth though never so slightly Rolfinc dissert Anat. p. 1034. This poison is carried to the Heart by the Veins which carry back the Blood to the Heart ¶ Those Physicians are not to be heeded as being more subtil than skilful who reject the use of all Ointments Plasters and Liniments because it does not seem probable to them that fat and oily things can penetrate through the Skin Fat Membranes and Muscles of the Abdomen that encompass the contents But though this seem improbable or at least difficult yet daily experience witnesseth that internal Diseases of the Abdomen or Belly are daily cured only by the use of Ointments and Liniments Now though the laudable effect of Oils and oleous things may suffice to prove their penetration through the skin and other parts yet the ways also may be determin'd by which oily things may penetrate even to the inner Parts of the Belly namely the Pores of the skin from which there is a passage to the Vessels and consequently to the Heart For seeing all the Parts of the Body are made up of various Particles like natural Minima and therefore of Atoms joyned and wrought together it is not probable seeing they are diversly shaped that they are so exactly fitted to one another but that there is every where a passage through them for fluid Bodies and especially for such as are volatil which Hippocrates also observed when he pronounced the whole Body to be pervious and any one may observe that views either the Bones Gristles or other Parts and notes them to be porous especially when he considers the same with magnifying-glasses and compares them with things made by Art linen or wollen Cloths which though never so close yet are pervious withal for he will acknowledge and conclude that there are every where Pores Sylv. de le Boë Prax. l. 3. c. 3. §. 105. sometimes larger sometimes straiter in all natural things XVII Many are often deceived in outward Alteratives as Ointments Plasters Cataplasms c. whilst they let them lie longer than they should upon the parts affected and see not that custom makes Topicks like to the heat of the parts and when they are made like have no further power to alter And the reason is most manifest because all Alteratives alter only so long as they are unlike Hence Galen 3. de temp says that when Lettuce is assimilated it does not cool Aristotle 1. Sect. Probl. 46. being to shew why custom takes away the vertue of Alteratives asks why Cataplasms ought to be changed To which he answers As those things which we commit to the Stomach if they be Medicines in tract of time are no longer Medicines but Aliments in like manner Cataplasms that one has been long us'd to do not do their office What the Philosopher says of a Cataplasm Sanctor m. V. E. l. 4. c. 13. is to be understood of all Alteratives inward and outward XVIII Let Refrigeraters be moderate endued with that faculty rather in power than in act for things that are actually cold do condense the Pores incrassate the Humours and fix the Blood in the inflamed part Rhases used the clarified juice of Endive Fortis consult 86. Cent. 2. which we also may give to four Ounces in a Decoction of Mallows Violets and Barley XIX Though Oils made by infusion may seem by their unctuousness to obstruct the
praecordia for a weak appetite often vomiting loathing of meat puffing up of the Stomach and praecordia Jaundise and Cachexie Agues Megrim Vertigo Falling-Sickness and all Diseases of the Head that are contracted by a Sympathy with the praecordia Fernel m. m. l. 3. c. 3. and which the impurity spread from the praecordia into the rest of the Body hath produced II. Though Vomits be of notable efficacy yet they ought not to be taken by all without distinction For in some the tone of the Stomach is too loose and weak and their constitution so tender that they make the Spirits presently to quail and dissolve the strength Some Mens viscera also are too pertinaciously sensible and though they be hard to Vomit yet when they have once begun they do not easily give over Willis Pharm rat p. m. 57. but by a frequent straining to Vomit their strength is very much dejected and they oft fall into a swoon III. I think that opinion to be untrue and to lean on very trifling foundations which determins that some Vomitories act upon choler others upon phlegm and others upon Melancholy and drain forth this or that Humour separated from the rest and alone as it were And the reason why a viscous and as it were phlegmatick matter is sometimes chiefly expelled is because the filth of the Stomach alone almost is thrown up the receptacles of the choler being not shaken by the straining But when the châ—ler Vessels are milked out the excretion becomes cholerick for the greatest part The vomiting of a black Humour for the most part depends on the tincture of the Medicine for it is that which colours the matter which is cast forth with a vitriolick blackness Willis ibid. p. 55. ¶ Sylvius de le Boë m. m. l. 2. c. 10. is of a contrary opinion appealing to experience I observe says he that some Vomitories do chiefly expell phlegm others choler and others any Humours indifferently which though it have been observed by few yet ought it to have been observed Thus 1. Peach flowers do expell bilious and serous Humours even by vomit 2. Asarum also evacuates choler upwards 3. Turbith casts glutinous phlegm up by Vomit 4. The seed of Carthamus brings up both phlegm and water 5. Elaterium purges water and choler both upward and downward 6. The Root Bark green tops and flowers of both Dwarf-elder and Elder bring up water by Vomit 7. Gummi Gotte water and choler Add to these the root of Jalap which expells water by vomit as well as by stool IV. As to the choice of Emeticks the chief reason of their difference is that the milder be given in some Diseases such as may disturb nothing beyond the Stomach and may gently bring forth those things only that float in its cavity or stick to its coats but in other Diseases the stronger are more convenient that the convulsion being imparted also to other viscera whatsoever excrementitious thing stagnates therein or is collected any where may be moved out of its lurking place Now this evacuation as it is more violent than that by stool so if the strength bear it well it uses in some Diseases to profit more at once than ten Purges for by this means the weighty phlegm that sticks clâ—se to the folds of the Stomach which all Purgers would slide by is swept out with a Broom as it were Moreover the neighbouring parts the Pancreas Mesentery Spleen and Liver it self are strongly shaken so that the obstructions bred therein as also whatsoever stagnations of the Blood and Humours are easily removed by this kind of Remedy the preternatural ferments bred any where in the Body and the more recondite Seeds of Diseases are seldom extirpated without Vomitories but the use of Emeticks is found chiefly profitable in the Diseases of the Brain and genus nervosum For by this sort of Remedy not only is the filth of the Stomach and Bowels which defiles the chyle and Blood cleansed away in great plenty but also the glandules of the viscera which are the Emunctories of the Blood and nervous juice are milked the choler-vessels and other receptacles of the excrements are plentifully evacuated so that the same being emptied do the more readily receive the Serum and other filthinesses and superfluities of both Humours that otherwise would be apt to overflow into the Head Besides all this seeing there are innumerable little mouths of Arteries gaping under the downy crust into the Stomach these being notably twitched by the Emetick do pour fourth all sorts of vitious and malignant Humours in the Blood to be evacuated by Vomit and for this reason chiefly is it that Herculean or stubborn Diseases are well cured by Emeticks and hardly at all without them for these Medicines being of an active and untameable Nature do not only by twitching the Arteries squeeze the superfluous Humours out of the mass of Blood but also by entring into the Veins innumerable whereof gape into the Stomach Willis pharmac rat p. 55. do fuse the Blood and do precipitate and cause to be separated its serosities and other recrements V. Custom and facility seem to me to be of the greatest moment in raising a Vomit for if these be wanting 't is of far greater difficulty to be purged by vomit than by stool though not of less profit yea of far greater though purging by stool be safer Hence it comes to pass that prudent Physicians and such as take most care to cure safely are commonly content with purging by stool but Mountebanks who slighting the dangers of the sick would for Honour and Glories sake do some great thing by hap hazard undertake the most violent vomitings as for my self though I would never design to purge by stool and vomit much at once because that is an accident of a very bad Disease namely the cholera morbus yet I do not dislike that temperate purgations of both kinds namely both vomiting and dejection should ensue upon the taking of a Medicine nay I hope well therefrom Valles m. m. l. 2. c. 5. both thick and thin Humours being evacuated and purged as well upwards as downwards VI. Yea sometimes Vomitories may be joined with Sudorificks for there is no harm in their being taken and operating together seeing the motions by vomit and sweat are not contrary to one another but only diverse For the pipe or chanel of the Guts together with the Stomach and Gullet are unskilfully and unfitly esteemed the centre of mans Body and the pores of the Skin its circumference For if any part might be said to be its centre there is the greatest reason the Heart should be so esteemed from which the Blood is carried into all the parts as likewise the several parts for its circumference seeing the Blood is carried back from them to the Heart and that according to the circular motion of the Blood Now if the Heart be determin'd to be the centre of mans Body
bones You need not fear the acrimony for our Euphorbium does not inflame the adjacent flesh But I would have a Seton first used which is of such moment that I have observed in several persons an inveterate lachrymal Fistula could scarce be cured without the help of this Fabricius Hildanus cent 6. observat 3. Nor would I have any thing attempted before the Seton have run for some time and have drawn to it the Matter which fell upon the Fistula II. There is another Aegylops often bred of a tough humour like gelly inclosed in a bladder which cannot be cured without opening the Tumour with a knife or a potential Cautery and taking away of the skin Enchiridii med pract p. 88. and then lest the Ail return a burning hot Cautery must be applied to cause an Eschar which when it is fallen off some beaten Allum mixt with Turpentine may be applied till it be perfectly healed ¶ Because this Swelling cannot be cured with Medicines alone it must be taken hold on with a pair of Nippers and cut round the bottom with a knife Scultetus tab 31. armament yet so that the whole spungy Caruncle be not cut off which is not unfitly called The Bridle of Tears for upon taking it away a perpetual efflux of them or an incurable Rhyas doth follow III. A Matron about thirty years of age after frequent inflammation of the Eyes and Head-ach had a Lachrymal Fistula arose Hildanus cent 4. oâ—s 19. and was cured by the help of a Seton IV. Sometimes there are cancrous Ulcers in this part which cannot be cured except the part be burnt and the Veins and Arteries especially be burnt thoroughly and to the quick Enchiridion med pract p. 89. For so the cure will be most safe without fear of relapse because when these Vessels are burnt there can be no more new Defluxion V. In the burning an Aegylops I should with the more approved Physicians prefer an actual Cautery before that they call Potential But why do they order it to be of Gold rather than of any other matter For one would think it might commodiously be made of Iron nay perhaps more commodiously seeing there is an astringent Virtue confest to be in Iron a quality very requisite in this case Again Gold if it be violently heated melts if indiffereâ—tly it is to no purpose Yet Johannes Montanus a great Physician chuseth Gold or Brass in his Counsels Plempius Ophi◠〈◊〉 mogr. l. 5. c. 3. by reason the burning is greater and the Scar deepr than the tender particles here exposed can endure VI. All the difficulty in the Cure is about Repressers and Suppuraters for either of them seem to incurr the hazard of a Fistula that indeed by repelling the humour to the Parts within and this by putrifying Nevertheless both must be done sometime of Necessity When the Defluxion first begins and the corner of the Eye ailed nothing before repressers are convenient for if this place never ailed any thing before the Parts underneath are strong therefore Repulsion should be made to the sides rather than directly under But if in the process of the Disease an Inflammation arise in this case Repulsion is no way convenient Sometime we must use Suppuraters when Nature hath already begun the Suppuration and the Humour is Sanguine and in great plenty when Suppuration cannot be avoided Saxonia prael pract part 1. cap. 20. which when made though but imperfectly the Abscess must be opened Medicines especially made use of by eminent Physicians 1. Take of Fine Honey Aloe Hepatica each 2 ounces Myrrhe 1 ounce Saffron half a drachm Water 2 pounds Boyl them over a gentle fire to half Petrus Bayruâ— de med hum corp malis l. 3. c. 26. let a new little Sponge be put in the hot decoction wring it out wrap it in a fine rag bind it to the place and you will see a wonderfull effect as I have often experienced 2. I never found any thing better than what follows Take of Aqua vitae mel Rosatum each 1 drachm Myrrhe 2 drachms Mix them Chalmeâ—â—us enchri â—hirurg l. 3. c. 20. make a Liniment wherewith the part must be anointed morning and night 3. Take Garden Rue which Fullers use beat it very fine and apply it it cures this Ail excellently well It is very biting at the first but it will presently grow easy Alex. Trall l. 1. c. 23. and which must be admired it leaves either no Scar at all or no disfiguring or remarkable one behind it 4. Services bruised and applied are reckoned a singular Remedy Arnold Weâ—kard thesaut pharmacop l. 1. c. 4. Agonia or Pangs of Death How persons at the point of Death are to be Revived WHen Physicians perceive the Hippocratical Signs of Death they bid adieu to their Patients lest they should expoâ—e themselves their Art and their Medicines But they should not be given up but all means rather should be used which have any possibility to prolong life For I have known several at the point of death who have been given over by the Physicians and yet have recovered by inconsiderable means I will give you my opinion freely In the Heart which is the last that dies the vital Spirits are extinguished divers ways I. By the excessive heat of the Bloud Cooling Potions and Epithemes to the Breast relieve such persons II. Others die when there is not a sufficient Affluence to the heart to continue the Circulation 1. If new Chyle pass not to the Heart either by reason of Expulsion of the Food by Dysentery Vomiting or some fault in the vessels of the Mesentery or if it pass not by the proper ways Transfusion of man's or Calf's bloud would do good in this Case 2. If the Bloud which should be carried back by the Veins do clot and congeal and this it does variously in various Diseases in the Phthisick deep Consumption and Fevers the Lympha or usefull Serum is wanting in the bloud A warm bath which dissolves the Coagulation relieves such for a time In Tartarous Diseases as the Scurvy c. the Bloud wanting Spirituous Parts is made tough and thick such Patients begin to die at the extreme parts warm baths also and spirituous Potions which hinder Coagulation do help such In such when they are dead the Arteries are flaccid and the Veins do strut III. The motion of the bloud is choaked by suffocating Catarrhs inasmuch as the Lungs through which the Circulation of the Bloud is made out of one Ventricle of the Heart into the other and the Vessels of Respiration are choaked by a cold Viscidity Let the sick Persons be laid on their side that the Phlegm may run out at the mouth apply a hot Pultess to the Throat and hot sand to the Head and Neck Because Apoplectick persons die of such Phlegm stopping up the Ventricles of the Brain Cupping the head and blistering the neck signify little if
may draw down the humours more powerfully from the Jugular Veins Nor need want of strength be much feared which is here oppressed not wasted As for cooling the body Gr. Nymannus Tract de Apopl p. 217. and thickning the humours for which some reject bloud-letting it is of no moment for in the Apoplexy nothing is more necessary than Revulsion and Turning the Matter away from the Head and we must especially labour to doe it presently which Indication bloud-letting quickly answers Wherefore we may hope for more benefit from translation of the Morbifick Cause than we need fear damage from cooling of the Body II. After the universal Plenitude is abated by letting bloud in the Arm the Parts especially affected are to be relieved for which purpose the best means is opening the Jugular Veins out of which by reason of their bigness the bloud runs freely which by stagnation oppressed the Brain and by this discharge the Lungs are less oppressed and when less bloud comes to them they easilier deliver what they contain to the Arteries and left Ventricle of the Heart and the Current of the bloud being render'd more free Coagulation is hindred Obstructions are opened and the Animal Functions are by degrees restored Concerning opening of them Experience seconds Reason and these Veins may with more ease be opened Fr. Bayle Tract de Apoplexia c. 11. because in this Disease they being swelled there is no need of Ligature which in this case might doe harm and therefore after opening of them must not be too strait but Emplastrum Galeni must be applied to the Orifice III. When there is no Plethora but great store of sharp humours i. e. much sowre Melancholy or its Exaltation hath caused the Apoplexy which foregoing pains do shew Hippocrates bids us use Fomentations before bloud-letting nor without reason for when the Veins are inflamed dried and straitned and the bloud by degrees coagulates if we withstand these things by emollient heating and attenuating fomentations the bloud will run more freely and with its rapid motion will wash what was beginning to coagulate from the Capillary Vessels dilated and softened if presently after the Fomentation or in the very use of it a Vein be opened Otherwise it is to be feared the thinner part of the bloud may come away by bloud-letting while the thicker and what begins to coagulate stays behind which will hinder the effect of the Purge which should then be given The Head especially should be bathed seeing in it there is the greatest danger from Coagulation and next the Hypochondria But both Fomentations and bloud-letting should be used in the beginning of the Disease while the spirits are yet elevated Ideâ— IV. There is scarce a Practical Physician but advises bloud-letting in an Apoplexy caused by bloud But I question whether it be proper in every Apoplexy as the excellent Nymannus thinks For he in favour of his Hypothesis which takes every Apoplexy to be caused by Obstruction of the Sinus's is very large in commendation of bloud-letting which Hypothesis since it does not hold true in every Apoplexy as I have proved the like and perpetual use of bloud-letting may be questioned It 's evident when the Vertebral and Carotid Arteries are filled with fibrous bodies that bloud-letting avails little And those Apoplectick persons are in the same Case who have the Torcular stopt seeing it cannot wholly be obstructed except by some such like body Nor likewise will bloud-letting be convenient when Serum is gathered in the Ventricles and Cavity of the Skull since by it the immediate cause is not removed but the strength otherwise spent is more weakned In an Apoplexy where a Vessel is broke there is no hope both because a quantity of bloud poured into the Ventricles and Basis of the Brain cannot be got back by Art and because while it stays there it is coagulated In that which is caused by Serum gathered in the substance of the Brain what good bloud-letting does it is by accident namely as it abates the Turgescency of the bloud and Serum Therefore this alone will not remove the Apoplexy but we must also use things that spend and evacuate the Serum which moistens the medullous substance But bloud-letting in an Apoplexy caused by a sudden Obstruction of the little Arteries is good in many respects for first the preternatural violent motion of the bloud is stopt which often is the occasion of this Obstruction and it runs in less quantity to the Brain for instance when the bloud is taken out of the Arm no small portion makes to the Arm by the Axillary Veins that so what was taken away may be supplied Then the bloud hastens from the whole body and from the brain towards the Heart to assist it thus depauperated and spoiled by bloud-letting Wepferus Exercitat de Apâ—plexia p. 218. And the heart eased of the burthen wherewith it was loaded both before and in the Paroxysm disperses the bloud as it returns more chearfully in better order and in quantity more usefull to the brain which forceth and washeth out what caused the Obstruction and Trouble in the medullous substance and drives it into the Capillary Veins adjoyning to the extremities of the Arteries V. Bloud abounding in the head cast a full-bodied young man into an Apoplexy with Trembling loss of Speech and Ratling three most dangerous concomitants of this Disease Tulpiâ—â— c. 7. lib. 1. Observâ—â— Wherefore speedily to abate these violent Symptoms he was immediately bled in the right Arm but not bleeding so freely as his extremity required the same Lancet was used to his left Arm and when both had continued bleeding for some time his Ratling evidently abated he took his breath better and quickly was cured VI. Cupping with Scarification should be applied not to the shoulders and back as the Arabians advise because there is no remarkable Vein that reaches the Brain But they should be stuck near the Jugulars and under the chin if possible Rondâ—lâ—â—us For these Topick Remedies should be applied not onely upon the Veins that reach the part diseased but upon the next and largest if the constitution of the Part will permit it VII A large Cupping-glass may well be applied to the top of the Head seeing it draws the bloud out of the Sinus of the Dura Meninx opens Obstructions and raises the subsiding Brain With which opportune Remedy Fracastorius remembred how he had once cured a Nun at that very time when he himself being seised with a small Apoplexy Horstius in Probl. made signs by putting his hand to his Crown that he would have the like remedy applied but they that were by not understanding him and his Disease increasing about night he died VIII A Man of Threescore fell down drunk and contused the hind part of his head but his Skull was whole and he was taken with a true and violent Apoplexy While all despaired I tried to cure him I shake
notice in the Head-ach which is caused by Vapours whether those Vapours be bred of Food or of other Matter For if they be bred of Food Purging will be to no purpose if of other matter he bids us distinguish for if the matter be small and contained onely in the head it must be got out by other Medicines If it be much or gathered in the whole body we must Purge But if it be thick and cold we must first use preparatives and iniciders Which if it can be concocted and the Palegm be sweet he says it needs no Purge if salt putrid or corrupt we must of necessity Purge XXIV A greater Dose of Physick must be given in the Head-ach Rondeletius pr c. 7. both because the humours ascend that revulsion may be made and because the sense of the parts is less exact by reason of the resolution or retraction of the Animal Spirits ¶ While the head glows with pain all the humours because they are inclined upwards will not easily by Physick be persuaded downwards therefore the Purge must have a more lively virtue than ordinary that the working may answer expectation XXV Clysters for the Head-ach will not admit of things that fill the head Aetius Cummin Faenugreek-Seed Nitre and other odoriferous things XXVI In the Head-ach and also in Fevers we must not be too sparing in giving Syrups and Potions Mercatus but we may give to grown persons ten ounces in a Potion mixt of Syrups and distilled Waters because in a less quantity they will not reach easily to all the Parts and to the head XXVII In a Head-ach caused by serous humours Diureticks are of great virtue to carry off those that tend to the head while they derive them with themselves as they are circulated through the mass of bloud Frid. Hofmâ—â—nus m. m. l. 1. c. 12. for Diureticks after they are carried with the chyle to the heart and from thence by the Arteria Aerta with the bloud into the whole habit of the body do lead the noxious tartareous gritty matter and the filthy salt dregs to the urinary passages XXVIII Sweats indeed are not proper in essential Head-aches because the serous morbifick matter is thereby more and more moved upwards towards the head But in a Symptomatick one they are more requisite Idem ibid. especially if the Hypochondria blow the coals or an Itch be driven in And this may very well be done in the cure of a Vertigo XXIX Galen advises those that are drunk to wash with warm water the next day and after washing to lye down to sleep that they may concoct their crudities J Langius Ep st 30. l. 1. Yet he would not advise washing in every Head â—ch but then to doe it when the head is hot without a Fever and after washing to eat Lettuce and sup some Ptisan XXX Plasters are very convenient and often prove very beneficial they must not be very hot and such as draw the humours to the place affected but moderately discâ—tient and strengthening I usually prescribe Empl. de minio or Diasaponis with half as much Empl. Paracelsi to be applied to the head when it is shaven Willis XXXI Liniments of Oils and Unguents though often used doe little good inasmuch I think as they make lax the tone of the fibres if they penetrate deep and so they lay more open to the incursions of morbifick matter Moreover they so stuff the pores of the â—kin Idem that the Effluvia cannot evaporate XXXII For the same reason hot Fomentations of Aromatick Decoctions and other Cephalicks often doe more hurt than good inasmuch as they draw the humours towards the parts and also open the pores and passages that they may more easily be received Therefore it is that bathing the head or Embrocation of it with a Pump in the hot Bathes is used to persons in the Head-ach with no better success When on the contrary it has done several good to wet their Temples and Forehead with cold water morning and evening yea every morning to embrocate the whole head with cold water at a Pump or at least to dip into a deep Vessel Idem or Well XXXIII In the use of local Medicines we must have a care of all that have Euphorbium in them indifferently used by many people for Euphorbium is hot in the fourth degree whence it is that it exulcerates and causes redness and inflammation Wherefore Galen indeed 2. de Med. local used such a Medicine in a Hemicrania coming from a cold Phlegmatick humour But instead of this there is one Medicine to be met with that without any redundant heat doth wonderfully draw out all the humour that causes the pain though it lie never so deep It is made of the fish of Cockles pounded in a Mortar ecchius onsult 56. and reduced to a smoothness with a little Frankincense and Myrrhe in Powder for the fish of Cockles draws all the superfluous humour from the inside outwards XXXIV When the Head-ach is so cruel that the Patient is in danger of his life then there will arise an Indication of taking away sense yet with great caution seeing it cuts not off the morbifick cause However when the Patient grows weak is in much pain cannot sleep and is in danger of a Delirium we may so long resist pain till he recover strength Let the scope of Narcoticks be gaining of strength we must begin with the milder sort and first use them outwardly then inwardly Take this for a caution Never apply Opium to the coronal future for the brain lies much under it and the entrance thither is easie but rather to the Temples Nostrils and Forehead though Rhases put a little into the Ears When the pain is ceased and watching overcome let the place be anointed with oil of Chamaemil Nutmeg Heurnius c. to take off the strength of the Opium XXXV Salivation raised by Mercury if so be it succeed aright sometimes removes difficult and plainly Herculean diseases and such as turn a deaf ear to all other Remedies Inasmuch namely as this operation doth perfectly purge the bloud and nervous juice and the other humours by a long spitting destroy all exotick ferments rectifie all enormities in the Salts and Sulphurs and besides removes and often carries off the morbifick matter settled and overflowing every where Yet this Medicine is not without hazard inasmuch namely as the Mercury becoming unruly and carrying along with it a great quantity of very sharp and in a manner poisonous Serum and so rushing impetuously into the noble parts and especially into the brain with the medullary and nervous appendices or into the Lungs and about the Heart leaves an indelible and sometimes mortal fault upon them Wherefore in an old and grievous Head-ach there is danger lest the fibres being indisposed by the Mercury and much corrosive Serum passing through them should be more irritated and be cast into greater spasms and
which causes a deadly Fever or by reason of abundance of ill humour unfit for nourishment whether it be in the veins or in the flesh Also that which breaks through the Skin is either fastened in the flesh and skin and so causes Pustules and Tumours or it onely defaces the skin with its colour and thinness and raises a very diseased affection in the skin while it prevents a greater in the bowels Which things premised it is resolved that a purge must not be given in any defoedation of the skin as it begins and in the very breaking of it out whether the matter be malignant or not And this should be observed especially in spots of malignant Fevers Small-pox and Measles nor yet after the complete time of apparition of the Small-pox and Measles But sometimes upon the score of some most urgent danger in Malignant-fevers because while they are yet appearing there is abundance of pernicious humour and the Fever encreases after the violence of the eruption and while the motion is continued outward by nature sometimes it may be lawfull to purge by friction and cupping although this must be done but seldom and with premeditation But in other spots of the skin which degenerate into the Small-pox and Measles we must neither purge in the beginning nor after the time of eruption is complete nor at any time because the humours that caused the Fever are they which degenerate into the Small-pox or Measles and for that Reason the Fever presently ceases which is discoloured though there follow another from suppuration In an Erysipelas very slowly because in these Diseases the matter is very moveable But if that which has appeared in the skin whether Erysipelas Measles Small-pox or Malignant-spots do suddenly fall back disappear and turn inwards we must purge forthwith before it fall on any principal part as the manner is in turgent humours But in some scabious eruptions such as Hippocrates observed in Simon and in others of the same stamp because they are settled in the flesh and skin and come of a thick matter and are moved slowly you may give a Purge when you think fit yet not in the beginning and very height of the eruption For we must permit Nature to finish the motion she has begun and afterwards we may purge at any time because what remains within as it breeds dayly more and more so also it desires to be evacuated for the matter is neither all together nor expelled but remains to be expelled without any Inflammation or Fever which can require coction or it must be expelled because of urgency yet by no means in the violence of its motion For it is determined among the Prudent to permit as yet the violence of the irritation and commotion in erring Nature before we stop it in evacuations which we must of necessity stop Nor must we doe it in those evacuations which Nature moves from the principal parts to the ignoble for the better because of the deadly humour In which matter the wiser guided by reason and experience fear to divert Nature from the work of expulsion she has begun by giving a Purge which motion it were a thousand times safer to help by cupping scarifying c. Because Nature would sink very much and be wearied in the contest by the violence which is done her by the Medicine drawing to the Bowels contrary to her own motion outwards Besides upon its turning back we must fear it will settle on some principal part for the turgescency is not more mortal than the foresaid retrocess inwards and from the skin contrary to the motion of Nature from within outwards Nor also is it in the power of Medicine necessarily to force the humour Mercatus when it is moved to the Guts II. A Nun without any precedent Fever or decay of strength or any other usual signs appearing was suddenly seized with Pustules all her body over and she was then sensible of no other ail besides She recovered onely by Diet without the help of Physick I judged because the Disease came in the wane of the Moon that Nature helped by the monthly motion rather drove the excrements which were few to the circumference as if she had endeavoured insensible transpiration Since the Pustules appeared not all red as in others Rumletes but were somewhat black and greenish A GUIDE TO The Practical Physician BOOK VI. Of Diseases beginning with the Letter F. Febris in genere or A Fever in general The Contents The ordinary division comprehends not all sorts of Fevers I. There are Fevers of a doubtfull nature II. In a Disease whereof it is a concomitant Bloud must not always be let III. The cure by Alexipyreticks IV. A Fever raised by Art for the cure of some Diseases V. Epidemick Fevers sometimes seize a man when there are no ill humours in his body VI. They that are sick of a Fever must not always be kept in bed VII It is not requisite that every Fever should end in sweat VIII IX I. I Am of the opinion that old Writers knew not the kinds and differences of all Fevers I will propound a fourth found out by me and hitherto observed by no man And it is an uniform continual Fever without any exacerbation following immoderate heat of the Breast and Lungs without putrefaction And this heat seizes the Lungs for want of breathing in Air through the fault of narrow Lungs Which indeed being immoderately heated cause a Fever for two reasons in the Heart and then in the whole Body Both because they communicate the conceived heat immediately to the Heart and because they so heat the inspired Air how cold soever it be that it is in no wise sufficient to cool the heart according to Nature's appointment Hence arises a continual Fever which can neither be called properly an Ephemera nor a Putrid nor a Hectick Fever If any one will refer it to a Hectick Fever improperly so called as arising from a principal part disaffected he will not be far out so he understand the manner of its generation not as yet observed at all by others I have more than once observed that they who were taken with this fever laboured of an Asthma not at intervalls but continually ¶ Sennertus besides Ephemera's continual primary or symptomatick and intermittent admits also of a certain kind which proceeds from Worms Milk corrupted upon Childrens Stomachs concrete extravasated bloud putrefying such as sometimes attends a Dropsie And I add such a Fever as arises from Phlegm swallowed down and putrefying on the Stomach Such Fevers proceed slowly because while the matter is far distant from the Heart Hoëferus they send slower and fewer fumes to it and counterfeit Hectick Fevers II. Some Fevers as well continual as intermittent are observed in practice to be in a manner doubtfull which we can neither certainly refer to Ephemera's nor to any one kind of putrid Fevers For some run out sometimes beyond the third
day and sometimes are in the same day often exasperated and that either while the meat is digesting or towards evening gentle they are indeed and such as that the Patient scarce thinks himself thereof yet they are apparent by the celerity and frequency of Pulse tiresomness heaviness and wasting of Body and sometimes by more grievous symptomes And some of them being brought to a pure intermission without any sense of shivering gently as I said they do return either while concoction is performing or towards evening or on any occasion Some of this sort are caused by a violent Itch Scab Felons by outward Boils and sharp Distillations Some also are caused by invincible crudity or bile effervescent without putrefaction or some half disordered quality of the humours which possesses the first or any other Region of the Body For this their vitious quality is the middle way to putrefaction at which the Disease for the most part stops Wherefore I remove all this sort of Fevers either by a thin and cooling Diet under which Nature alone might amend the fault in the quality Or if Diet did little good I moreover accommodated bleeding or purging to it Fernellus which were quickly attended by a recovery III. Our modern Physicians proceed to let bloud in any Disease so there be but a Fever contrary to the mind of Hippocrates who so much feared bleeding because of a Fever that for its sake he often thought fit to abstain from letting of bloud So Sect. 3. Coac 79. Letting of bloud is bad for pains lying about the side in Fevers And 2 Epid. Sect. 2. v. 10. If there be an Vlcer bleed in the inner veins so he be not in a Fever And a little after v. 18. Whoever are taken speechless on a sudden if they have not a Fever let them bloud Coac Sect. 2. v. 72. Whoever are taken on a sudden with a pain about the Hypochondria and the Heart c. Bleeding cures them The reason depends on this because a Fever does not onely argue there is choler seeing Hippocrates l. de Nat. Hum. v. 272. thought that all Fevers Diaries excepted have their rise from choler but it shews that the choler is in a ferment Wherefore in this case bleeding does much harm both on the account of the sign because it shows bile is predominant and in a ferment and upon account of the cause in as much as the humours made thin by Bloud-letting are so far attenuated by the febrile heat that the whole bloud almost is turned into bilious juice for Bile is nothing else but attenuated Bloud immoderately boiled or inflamed by heat And this is the reason why they who have bled immoderately are subject to cholerick Fevers as Hippocrates observes l. 2. de Morb. Mulier All which things the prudent old Man taking notice of did so far suspect Blood-letting in putrid Fevers these he calls Fevers from Bile that for the cure of them he no where admits it Which Doctrine of Hippocrates Galen understood otherwise when he settled this Axiom That it is most wholsome to let bloud in every putrid Fever whom the Moderns follow who let bloud in every Disease as often as there is a Fever as though it were the principal Indicant of Blood-letting Martianus IV. The cause of the febrile ferment which is elevated from divers Subjects breeds the distinction of Fevers For in intermittents the occasional cause resides in the first ways that is in the Stomach Guts and other adjacent parts The cause of burning Fevers properly so called is contained in the mass of Bloud it self which is either corrupted from without and made malignant and poisonous or it raises an intestine War The subject of inhesion or the mine of Continual periodick Fevers is either in the Mesentery Pancreas or in some other Organs designed for elaboration and defecation of the bloud And in removing all these our chief care must be directed to that which is most urgent namely to appease and hinder the ebullition of the bloud which causes the fever fit A thing nevertheless which will immediately be performed neither by bleeding nor purging that is by diminution of strength Frid. Hofmannus but by specifick Febrifuges Preparers of the febrile matter Diaphoreticks and Diureticks V. If a Fever come upon a Lethargy the Lethargy is cured But if a Fever come not of it self we may cause it by Art by anointing the Pulses with Oil made of Beetles called Lucanici as you make the Oil of Scorpions For so upon certain experience a Fever is raised resembling an Ephemera which disappears presently the next day Hoëferus VI. Seeing the specifick differences of Epidemick Diseases namely of Fevers rely upon the secret constitution of the Years they labour in vain whoever would draw the reasons of the difference of Fevers from a morbifick cause gathered in Man's Body for it is as clear as can be that any man be he never so well in health if he go to some certain places where a Fever rages shall be taken sick in a few days And it is scarce credible that any manifest alteration can be made by the Air in so short a time upon the humours in the aforesaid man Nor is it less difficult to accommodate general rules for conquering these Fevers and we may not fix any certain bounds how far to go and no farther and where to fix Therefore in so obscure an affair I think nothing better when new Fevers are first abroad than to pause a little and to proceed to the great Remedies especially with a suspense pace and slowly In the mean time diligently to observe their nature and way and with what sort of Remedies the sick are benefited or hurt Sydenham that as soon as may be we put away these and use them VII Manifold experience ascertains me that it uses to fare very well with the sick in all Fevers that is which participate of high inflammation if they be not always imprisoned in their bed but keep up every day at least some hours or if their weakness forbid that let them put on their clothes and lie upon the bed with their Head high But how much good soever it doe the sick we must nevertheless take notice that if they keep longer up from their bed than they should at one time they may especially in the declension of the Disease easily fall into running pains which may end in a Rheumatism And sometims also they may be overrun with the Jaundice Which things if they happen to any man he must be confined to his Bed that the pores of his Skin being open such particles may commodiously be evaporated which give fewel to either Evil But this must be onely for a day or two and not so as to sweat But such Accidents are very rare nor do they ever appear except in the declension of a Fever at which time when the Disease is now grown milder you may with much more
continuance of the Fever that as long as Medicines are given so long the Fever will continue for Nature is wearied which gathering strength again concocts the cause of the disease and expells it when concocted ¶ If a right fermentation of the bloud have gone before the despumation of the morbifick matter will be wholly made within the usual time But if cooling Medicines or Clysters have been given too late the Fever will run out a great deal longer especially in elderly Men that have been ill looked after To whom I being sometimes called after they had been sick of a Fever forty days and above have tried every thing that I might bring a despumation on the bloud but the bloud has been so weakned partly by Age partly by Clysters and cooling Medicines that I could never attain my end either by Cordials or any other strengthning things but either the strength of the Fever remained firm or though the Fever seemed to be gone the Patient's strength was very low and well nigh dead And being deprived of success in other Medicines I was glad to turn my counsel another way with no common success namely by applying the lively and brisk heat of young persons to the Sick Nor is there any reason that any one should wonder why the Patient should be so much strengthened by this method though unusual and debilitated Nature-helped so that she may discharge her self of the relicks of the matter to be separated and discharged since one may easily imagine that good store of brisk effluvia is transfused from a sound and lively body into the exhausted body of the Sick Nor could I ever find that the repeated application of warm clothes was in any measureable to doe that which the method now prescribed did perform where the heat applied is more connatural to Man's body and also gentle moist equal and lasting And this way of transmitting Spirits and Vapours it may be Balsamick ones into the Sick Man's Body from the very time when I made use of it although at first it seemed strange has been made use of by others with great success Sydenhâ—m XXIX In the cure of very acute and pernicious Fevers we must take diligent notice of this that they are seldom caused without some inward and peculiar disaffection of some of the Inwards and often with an Inflammation Wherefore the cure of the Hypochondria Head Breast Womb Kidneys and Bladder Riverius must never be omitted that by some means or other we may find out which of these parts is remarkably ill and may help it as much as may be ¶ As soon as I find a great burning in people in a Fever if signs of an inward inflammation which I diligently inquire do not appear yet I think of some such disaffection and I direct the course of my cure thither c. Scarce ever any one of those Fevers appears that burn violently so as to have the tongue burnt or wherein the Belly voids adust stuff but some of the inner Bowels especially suffers an inflammation Eryfipelas or at least some over-heating And they are perceived by some remarkable hardness swelling pain or heat in that region where the inward part is seated Vallesius XXX But if by reason of much loss of bloud which the Patient has sustained in the method of his cure or through often Vomiting or going to Stool or because for the present the Fever is quite off or because of his weakness or of the age of the Fever already declining there now remains no more danger of raising an Ebullition for the future then setting aside all fear instead of a Paregorick draught I give a pretty large dose of Diascordium either without any thing else or mixt with some Cordial-water It is certainly an excellent Medicine Sydenham if it be given in such a quantity as may make up a Medicine rather than an empty title XXXI To the constitution of a Continual Fever we require that its Cause be either in the Vessels that carry the Bloud and so in the Bloud it self and the multifarious parts of it or such other part of the Body as has continual commerce with the Bloud and so with the Heart it self but so as that it cannot be hindred or interrupted unless wholly nor be restored again at certain times which usually happens in Agues by internal causes We add that the Bloud may be so affected sometimes by external sometimes by internal causes that it may produce a continual Fever Among the external causes of this Epidemick Fever I observed the Air was then very hot and it penetrating as well the skin on all hands and therefore the Bloud it self as being drawn into the Lungs and there joined to the Bloud did not kindly temper it again as it was in a ferment according to Nature but by communicating to it its fiery and saline volatile parts it dissolved melted and rarefied it too much and so it greatly vitiated the vital Effervescency in the heart with its additional heat and produced a continual Fever Among internal causes I blamed Bile bred of the same fiery and saline-volatile parts of the Air but made more sharp volatile and abundant by the sharp ones and therefore causing a vitious effervescency as well in the small Guts as the Heart it self and indeed joined with notable heat and therefore without doubt a Fever The various and in many respects vitious humours which must of necessity be produced by the whole mass of Bloud being by little and little corrupted could not so well be called the cause of the Continual Fever that was then so rise as of the various Symptoms which did many ways vex divers Patients The Cure therefore of the Continual Fever as such ought to consist 1. In avoiding or correcting the bad Air. 2. In tempering the sharp Bile fixing the volatile and diminishing the abundance of it 3. In moderating stopping and reducing to its natural temper the vitious effervescency that is indeed joined with a notable and troublesome heat 4. In gently coagulating the Bloud too much dissolved condensating the too much rarefied and cooling it when over-hot or reducing it to a laudable integrity Fr. Sylvius when it is otherwise vitiated ¶ But though in the cure of our Fever we made no mention of Bloud-letting because we could very well want it and several have been happily cured without it yet it is not to be contemned since especially it is usefull to temper the heat of the Bloud and to prevent Suffocation in Plethorick persons Therefore it may be usefull for Plethorick persons for young people for those that are used to it for those that are sensible of much heat for those that desire it and for those who Idem in their imagination conceive great benefit from it XXXII Hippocrates in a Legitimate Burning-fever allows as much Water and Honey boiled there must be store of Water as the Patient shall desire and he carries the Patient with
nothing now of Fevers that are truly and always chill and endure continually cold But because according to their Rule One Absurdity being granted a Thousand follow no wonder if Physicians building upon this false foundation and principle have here also proceeded amiss in the Cure of their Patients For although many Aguish persons have been very well after letting-bloud yet it does not follow that the same Remedy is good for all since especially not unfrequent Instances occur of them to whom Bleeding has not onely been useless but plainly hurtfull From which double and indeed contrary Experiment it can truly and onely be concluded that taking away Bloud does sometimes good and sometimes harm in the Cure not onely of Agues but of Continual fevers also Wherefore it concerns Physicians if they will be accounted Rational to understand the reason why diminution of Bloud does sometimes good and sometimes harm in the cure of Fevers that a Rule may be made when a Physician ought to use Bleeding and when he should let it alone That therefore I may conclude something certain in this Question I doubt not to affirm since Bleeding administred in Agues has not always done good but often hurt that it is not proper for Agues as such but that it is convenient and hath hitherto done good onely to certain Symptoms joined to this or that Ague But a prodigal Lavisher of humane bloud will urge Has not an Ague been by once Bleeding and taking away a large quantity of bloud cured and therefore is it not a fit Help and Remedy for curing it To which I answer Many slight Diseases are cured of themselves onely by ordering ones Diet aright wherefore it is no wonder when besides evacuation of bloud proper in Plethorick Bodies a laudable Diet is observed if an Ague be sometimes cured which the laudable Diet alone might have cured And it often cures slight Agues which consists 1. In taking of little Food that easily ferments and especially liquid and such as conduces to promote a gentle Sweat 2. In a little more violent motion of the Body and indeed even till the Sweat burst out 3. In a warm Air and covering the Body with many clothes to provoke a gentle Sweat All which things rightly observed which do not increase Phlegm that makes or is about to make an obstruction the obstructing Phlegm is easily dissolved by the pancreatick Juice now become more powerfull and upon the coming of a gentle Sweat it is driven into the small Guts No wonder therefore if sometimes where the Ague is slight where there is a Plethora where a laudable Diet is at least in part observed such an Ague be cured in the beginning when a Vein is breathed Which Cure is not all owing to the letting of bloud but especially to the alteration following a laudable Diet Yet I will not deny but the Cure of this Ague is promoted by the said breathing of a Vein as often as there is a Plethora and Burning Heat accompanying the Fits for not onely the danger of Suffocation is removed and of Extinction of the vital heat by too much bloud so filling the Vessels that there is not room for it when it is rarefied to be received into the Heart especially when it is more than usually rarefied while the acute febrile Heat continues but the hurtfull Burning in the Bloud also is diminished And these Dangers are prevented by letting bloud in time and taking away enough of it Besides Sweat usually follows upon such evacuation which is ever good for the Cure of Agues especially when it is with the refreshment of the Patient and he can bear it well and when it agrees with him Therefore Bleeding seems convenient not of it self but onely by accident not always but onely sometimes Idem in the Cure of Agues XV. I said Sweat was proper for the Cure of an Ague since it may yea ought to be known to all Physicians that it is an ill sign whenever no Sweat follows the fit towards the latter end that is the declension For such Agues are usually of long continuance as on the contrary they are usually short where every Paroxysm ends in a Sweat so that such a Diet be then observed as may not hinder the Sweat nor foment or increase any ill humours in the body Idem ¶ Scarce any Ague is perfectly finished without a Sweat and no man in an Ague can well promise himself perfect health who cannot sweat Want of Transpiration is one of the chief causes of Agues and may be alone sufficient to cause one and other causes without this can scarce cause an Ague But concerning Sudorificks we must take notice that they be sufficient and not onely stir the matter but also drive it out of the body for unless Patients sweat after they have taken them they oftentimes fall into a more violent Ague And then that they be not given onely once but repeated as often as there is occasion for onely one Sweat cannot always carry off all the matter but if you stop there the matter is rather stirred than perfectly evacuated And Nature by the repetition of them must be so accustomed to the Work that of her self she may always void what should be voided for if they be not rightly given simple Agues become double The common People do often as soon as they perceive an Ague fit come upon them immediately take a Sweat which some Physicians do not disapprove because experience testifies that Agues beginning may by this means be prevented Yet I think they cannot be given with safety in all bodies and that they cannot be used aright except in the beginning for if there be great store of filth in the body or if the putrefaction and corruption of the humours have gone any thing far they scarce doe any good unless we think fit to doe Sennertus de Febr. l. 2. c. 8. as Rulandus does in his Centuries and we have a mind to discuss the matter by several times giving strong Sudorificks XVI Concerning the Cure of Quotidians Tertians Quartans c. we give this advice that since we ascribe them not to different humours Phlegm Bile c. as to obstructing Phlegm or the pancreatick Juice variously disposed we must not have so much regard to the interval every return as to the diversity of the concomitant Symptoms and especially of Heat and Cold For although for example Tertians for the most part come in Summer time Youth and especially in Cholerick persons upon which score we may justly have respect to Bile yet there are not wanting Tertians which while the Cold is violent seize old Men and Children in which Phlegm abounds in which case if one should have regard to the tempering or purging of Bile he would be much mistaken for as a great Heat the effect of Bile is observed in most so in some little or no heat at is observed according to the variety of whose being present or absent the
order the Patient to drink old Malaga Canary or Muscadel Wine with a Toste which strengthens the Crâ—sis of the bloud much weakned with the foregoing aestuation and therefore unable to assimilate the Juice of what is lately taken and it drives away this Symptome in a very few days time as I have found by frequent experience Sydenham XXVI If the Patient either by taking hot Medicines either unsuccessfully or unseasonably or being of too hot a Constitution by nature fall into a Phrensie we must look back to the Disease and Symptome which may be done by giving some Narcotick in a larger Dose For although when the Fever is strong things that have a narcotick faculty be not altogether so proper and do not obtain the end the Physician drives at yet given seasonably and in the declension of the Disease they yield excellent Effects but before they can doe no good partly because they cannot stop the fermentation running on with violence and impetuosity though given in never so great a Dose and partly because by using this Medicine a stay is given to the peccant matter at that time equably mixt with the mass of bloud and not as then inclining towards separation and then Depuration so much desired is hindred And therefore I declare it as a thing most certain that Laudanum or any other Narcoticks given to ease this Symptome either in the beginning increase or state of the Disease either doe no good at all or as it often falls out doe much harm but if they be given but in a moderate Dose in the declination of the same Disease they have good success Once indeed I gave a Narcotick on the twelfth day of the Disease and not in vain but sooner I never knew it given with success But if you defer the giving it till the fourteenth day it will doe the more good because separation is then perfectly made Nor does this delay although perhaps this Symptome may terrifie the By-standers cause sudden Death for I have often observed that this thing may and usually does give truce till it may be seasonable to proceed to Narcoticks at least if care be taken that the Intemperature begun be not farther inflamed by giving Cordials and hot Medicines in which case the Patients suddenly dye Sydenham XXVII Here I would add this if this Symptome would give so long truce as that a Man might conveniently be purged before he take the Narcotick this Medicine would yield so much the better effect Wherefore I use to prescribe 2 scruples of Pilul Cochiar maj dissolved in Betony-water about ten or twelve hours before I give the Narcotick Nor need we fear the tumult which this hot mass of Pills usually raises for the virtue of the following Narcotick will make amends for that disturbance Idem and will cause most sweet and kindly Rest XXVIII As D. D. Ol. Borrichius did plainly remove an exquisite Tertian with Bottles full of hot water placed round about the Body which caused Sweat So in the year 1674. I cured the Wife of N. of the same Symptome when she was taken in the first month of her being with Child with an unusual Shivering and Cold all over her Body and was much weakned thereby Simon Schuâ—lzius in m. eian 1676. obs 140. by putting a bottle full of hot water under the soles of her feet she sweating plentifully after it XXIX Some set them that are afflicted with a violent cold fit at the beginning in a Bath in which also hot Herbs have been boiled But lest some errour should be committed in it or that the hot fit should grow stronger certainly it were most convenient to foment the Stomach and Heart with a warm Decoction of hot Herbs as Mint Wormwood Rue Wild-marjoram Chamaemil and Dill with Anise and Fenil seeds The beginning of the Fever being made hot the Shaking is often discussed and the state of the Praecordia is much better Fernelius XXX I have often observed that the Hickup arises from the disturbance and tumult raised by churlish Medicines in the Stomach and parts adjoining For the stopping and reducing of which to their ancient peace when the strength of Nature is not sufficient there is great danger imminent Therefore we must so direct our Cure that what Nature of her self could not accomplish Art may And by giving a large dose of Diascordium that is 2. drachms with Dill-seed and other Specificks I never failed of my intention Sydenham XXXI An Hickup in Fevers sometimes follows the intemperate use of cooling Juleps as I have seen several in this condition through the unadvised rashness of Physicians And I took away this Symptome contrary to the opinion of them all Lemnius by drinking of Wine XXXII Langius l. 1. Epist 20. Our Country Physicians deserve to be chid who macerate People sick of Fevers with unseasonable thirst for they destroy not a few with vain enduring of thirst ¶ Some observe the same rule in all feverish persons namely they industriously abstain from drinking of cold water for which reason in the year 1649. an infinite number almost of sick persons was destroyed When notwithstanding the Fevers were continual with a mixture of divers humours and especially of Choler yet not alone When Men were tormented with the greatest thirst they died parched up When the dead bodies were dissected the Stomach Heart Lungs and other inward parts appeared as it were burnt Panarolus Pentec 4. obs 8. wherefore we restored our miserable Patients to their health by cooling and moistning them XXXIII We must not omit that Thirst may sometime proceed from the Stomach sometimes from the Liver or the Lungs or Kidneys as Galen in lib. de loc affectib writes That which has its rise from the Lungs is quenched with Barley-water and Syrup of Violets from the Liver with cold distilled Waters from the Stomach with drinking cold Water from the Kidneys it is cooled with a Decoction of Liquorice Bruâ—us XXXIV Many People give their Patients who are well nigh dead with Thirst abundance of things preserved in Sugar as Conserves of the sowre of Citron Jujubes which though without Sugar they may perhaps quench thirst yet mixt with Sugar it is impossible they should take away thirst Women see and Children know that Sugar increases thirst It were better to take nothing at all because if the Tongue were not made foul with these sweet things it would for several hours time be troubled with less thirst Sanctorius ¶ Industriously abstain from Syrups and Conserves in all Fevers for Sugar easily turning into Choler fewel is given to the Fever Heer obs 22. XXXV In a fit of an Ague when the cold fit is over Patients should not be kept so much from Drink as they usually are seeing as Fernelius and Joubertus testifie if the Patient who is burnt up with heat and very thirsty suffer thirst for any time and so his Burning be not helped so
manner of Juleps Emulsions Ptisans and even simple Water assoon as they are taken This most grievous Symptome is immediately cured to a miracle by taking a drachm of the Salt of Wormwood in a spoonfull of fresh Juice of Lemon Riverius as I have learned by experience L. A certain Person was sick of a slight Tertian in the fit he was so troubled with vomiting that he swooned at the very thought of it I gave him above half a scruple of Pills of Aloes in a Dose two hours before his fit they did their office by gently purging him in the fit Rolfinccius so that he was well in a short time LI. It is manifest from Hippocrates 1. de rat vict who granted Water to one in a Pleurisie when he was very thirsty that when Symptoms arise to that height as to add to the Disease or waste Nature's strength the Indication for Diet should rather be taken from them Nevertheless we must doe our endeavour to give such things as may if possible be proper for the Disease or at least not inconvenient For Hippocrates in the place forequoted has this passage But when any Pain torments you must give Oxymel to drink in the Winter hot in Summer cold And if his thirst be very great he must use Honey and Wine and Water Reason tells us the very same thing that the Intention of Cure must not be changed for every violence of the Symptoms but for that which is considerable for since Symptoms are the effects of Diseases by taking away their cause they vanish but if they be considerable they give the stronger Indication for Cure And their greatness is to be defined when they are the cause of some preternatural disposition which either adds to the Disease or wastes the strength of Nature Which soever of these things happens to be the cause of the greatness of a Symptome the Symptoms may justly then supply the course of Diet and Indication for Cure As to a pleuritick Person who is a little thirsty you must give Oxymel or Melicrate which of them the Disease shall require But if he be troubled with violent thirst you shall not use such things as respect the Disease and its Cause but such as lay thirst for much thirst dries the spittle and makes the Disease difficult of coction and increases the heat of the Fever wherefore we must give Melicrate and Water taking the Indication from the Symptome for Water should not be given for the Disease sake by reason it is an enemy to the maturation of the Grief Thus therefore the greatness of Symptoms must be defined so as the method of Cure and indications of Diet may be taken from them But when such Symptoms arrive at the said greatness that is are instead of a Cause in reference to the Disease they are either as an urgent Cause or Sine qua non the Disease cannot be cured Wherefore the Indication is stronger which is taken from them than from the Disease as may be gathered from the doctrine of complicated Affections Brudus de Viâ—â—â— Febr. l. 3. c. 27. LII In giving of Medicines Cautions and Rules of no small moment are taken from the Pulse Purging and Vomiting are prohibited by an over quick and violent Pulse and also by a very low one for while the bloud is too effervescent evacuation is not very proper both because what is noxious is not voided and also because the strength is much weakned by the perturbation And when the Spirits are broken and the strength is low Physick casts it lower and sometimes rather destroys it Wherefore when a Physician designs evacuation upwards or downwards let him first feel the Pulse and let him attempt these motions onely when Nature is strong and sedate that she may be able to attend the operation of the Medicine and to support the Patient's strength Nor is there need of less circumspection for Diaphoreticks and Cordials which if they be used in the Fever fit they too much increase the violent motion of the Heart and very often break its strength Also when the Pulse is very languid if hot and strong Cordials be used Life may easily be extinguished as when a little flame is quite put out by a strong blast wherefore it is a vulgar observation that Cordials often hasten Death for that in putting the bloud into too great a motion they sooner waste its strength And yet there is need of the greatest Caution and direction of the Pulse in giving Narcoticks for they because they doe their work by extinguishing and fixing the vital Spirits when they are over active if they be used in a weak or faultering Pulse they either render the Spirits too weak for the Disease by diminishing them or they bring a perpetual Sleep by too much suffocating them Wherefore in a languid unequal or formicating Pulse Opiates should be avoided as you would avoid a Snake or a Toad Williâ— de Febr. c. 10. Febris Alba seu Amatoria The White or Love Fever See The Green-sickness Book III. It s Description and Cure HIppocrates in his Book de Virginum morbis calls this the Wandring Fever some have named it the White Jaundice For several Symptoms give intimation of a white and cold humour seeing first of all the menstrua being stopt in time of youth in a hot and moist constitution have caused a coldness in the whole body by suffocating the innate heat obstructions in the Mesentery and Womb concurring not a little thereunto and it may be in the hollow of the Liver which hindring the ventilation of the natural Heat increase the suffocation of it upon which many Symptoms testifie a cold Intemperature The primitive Cause of this Maiden Disease was the intense Meditation of this Virgin in which the innate Heat and Spirits being diverted from the Stomach Crudities were bred the original of Obstructions in the lacteal and mesenterick Veins whence arose a hypocondriack Indisposition and complaints of Illness at the Stomach and rumbling of the hypochondria Moreover the mass of bloud was infected which being made thick and not having free passage through the Veins of the Womb at set times but setling in them has gathered obstructions in the Womb also and made the monthly purgation less which being increased a perfect suppression of them followed For the bloud not having an efflux saith Hippocrates lib. de Virginum morbis through the quantity it rebounds to the Heart and Diaphragm and when these places are filled the Heart becomes foolish then from fatuity comes torpidness then after torpidness a delirium takes them as when a man has sate a long time the bloud being depressed out of the Hips and Thighs into the Legs and Feet causes a numbness and after the numbness the Feet are unable to walk till the bloud return to it self c. And it returns very quickly for it soon flows back because of the rectitude of the Veins and it is not a dangerous place of
every other day do trouble the sick with no notable or molesting Cold or Heat but rather with a small Head-ach and thirst now and then a little more frequent Pulse concurring at first less then something greater after which also a new fit is observed then after a few hours the Gout-pains are exasperated and so indeed that although sometimes sooner sometimes later they remit again in the part yet they do not wholly intermit but though the Ague fit be removed the Gout-pains nevertheless continue sometimes more sometimes less till they depart either of themselves or by art The Cure of the Gout accompanying the Ague will consist First In an universal amendment of the Pancreatick juice Secondly In the correction and carrying off the Bile that is of it self out of order or by accident Thirdly In the alteration or diminution of whatever Phlegm is peccant And Fourthly Sylvius Prax. Med. l. 1. c. 30. In guarding the joints affected against future pain and in ridding them of the present and urgent pain Febris Asthmatica or An Asthmatick Ague It s Nature and Cure ASthmatick agues are not unfrequent so called from an Asthma sometimes more grievous sometimes more slight that accompanies them in which also the anxiety and distension of the Abdomen go before and when they cease shortness of breathing and a true Asthma follows which together with the fit is long enough in abating sometimes one or more days and then it ceases sometimes it continues after the fit is over I saw such an Asthmatick ague once return at the fourteenth day and hold the Patient very ill every time for several days if it were not abated with convenient Medicines both as to the anxiety and duration The thing that produces Asthmatick agues in my opinion is viscid Phlegm found in the small Guts and dissolved by the Pancreatick juice which is about to cause a fit of an Ague and carried with it to the Heart and Lungs and staying there and causing a stertorous respiration while either many or few vapours also come out of the part and make the fit heavier or lighter longer or shorter The Asthma companion to the Ague will be cured after incision of the Phlegmatick glutinous humour by vomiting a few hours after the next fit and sometimes a day before the fit especially in such as are easie to vomit for they may otherwise be purged with Phlegmagogues such as are all Mercurial Medicines Coloquintida and Hermodactyls which are more powerfull and effectual As for phlegmatick humours that sometimes fall likewise from the head and fill the aspera arteria the same Phlegmagogues will be proper for them often in a less quantity used together with inciders and correcters of Phlegm and especially in the form of Pills As to flatulent Vapours that so often if not always produce an Asthma or at least increase it much all things will be convenient which hinder the matter of them Sylvius de le Boë Prax. l. 1. c. 13. and that discuss and dissipate them when produced Febris Cacatoria or A Loose-fever It s Cause and Cure THere are Fevers observed to be very troublesome and weakning to the Patient through a large or a frequent going to stool and sometimes also griping at divers times of the fit and therefore they are called Cacatory Dejectory or Loose-fevers I think it ought wholly to be imputed to choler that is not so volatile but rather sharp and by a mixture of the Pancreatick juice yet made more sharp and after the Phlegm in the Guts is dissolved fretting the Guts and irritating and forcing them upon propulsion of their contents downwards What things soever fix Bile and powerfully render it inept to ferment will cure them as are all austere things thickners and coagulaters of it as also Opiates dulling of it mixt together and often used at several times in a small quantity for example Take of Conserve of red Roses 2 ounces Diascordium 2 drachms Confectio Hyacinthi 1 drachm Terra sigillata 1 scruple Dragon's Bloud half a scruple Mix them make an Electuary And Medicines made in a dry form must here be preferred Sylvius de le Boë Prax. l. 1. c. 30. because moist things dilute the Bile too much and the Pancreatick juice and rather cause than stop their Effervescence Febris capitalis or A Head fever The Contents It s Nature and Cure I. It s Epidemical Constitution II. I. THE seat of all Fevers must not be sought in the lower Belly for oftentimes there is an Obstruction or an humour thoroughly fixt in certain parts as in the Head Spleen Lungs c. or some corruption is contracted whence a Cephalick Splenetick Pulmonary fever c. ariseth That the focus of burning fevers is in the Head Hippocrates seems to assert If in a Burning fever saith he 1 Prorrh 18. there be a noise in the Ears with dimness of sight and a stoppage arise in the Nose they are mad from Melancholy Galen explains this place of a Burning fever whose focus is in the Brain by reason of Bile gathered in it which causes the Inflammation Such a Fever generals premised must be cured particularly by such things as ease the Head of the Burthen by opening the Veins of the Nose and the Jugulars by applying Leeches to the Temples Forehead and behind the Ears by Arteriotomy c. In Summer 1678. such Fevers were abroad and were reckoned by most of our Country Physicians for Malignant because the heat in the whole Body was gentle but there were evident signs of the Head 's being full from these Symptoms the Head-ach Doting and Sleepiness to excess Most escaped who were bled betimes in the Jugulars or who had a Haemorrhagy In some who neglected these means and used onely Bezoarticks after they were dead the Bloud burst out at their Nose Mouth and Ears II. About the beginning of the month of July 1673. a certain sort of Fever was abroad which at the first coming had Symptoms joined with it that gave no obscure marks that then the inflammation was greater and more spirituous than when the Disease was grown older Beside what things are common to all Fevers these attended this Fever The Patient was for the most part troubled with a pain in his Head and a violent one in his Back with stupidity likewise and a certain affection not unlike a Coma was remarkable wherewith the Patient being taken was dull and doted yea and sometimes drowzed for several Weeks and could not be awaked without loud calling His Head when he recovered was weak and infirm for several days it nodded sometimes this way and sometimes that and there were other signs which shewed that the Head had suffered very much Sometimes the Patient did not so much drowze as calmly dote In Autumn 1675. this Fever did affect to seek its flight by a Dysentery and sometimes by a Diarrhoea As to the Cure I accounted nothing more proper than to fix my Eyes on what did good
Aliment if it be done when the Meat is digested as presently after Meat it breeds Crudities and after long fasting it weakens Idem Wherefore the Patient may be led to the Bath 3 hours after he has taken Milk ¶ After Bathing one may not sleep but rather take some sustenance Galen therefore 14. Meth. 5. gives them that are weak Milk after Bathing Idem XIV Galen 10. Method cap. 8. in Summer time when the Air is very hot advises the Patient to live in some place under ground which may be very cold open to the Wind and looking towards the North. With which Remedy alone I saw a Hectick person who was nothing but skin and bone recovered within a month But when the Air is coldest Galen advises to admit it as it is drawn by respiration which most cools the heat of the Heart although it doe no good at all as it touches the Patient outwardly lest transpiration be hindred Yet we must note that if the Hectick come from an Ulcer of the Lungs a cold Air is not convenient on account of the Ulcer but a temperate one in the active qualities Riverius c. XV. There is a sort of Hectick that frequently occurs which proceeds from a spoiled and semiputrid substance of the Lungs Liver or some other part Some conflict with a slow Fever for 2 or 3 years which is not known but by the Pulse after eating This because of the extenuation of the body prevailing every day and the diuturnity of the Fever is reckoned a Hectick by some But yet it is cured by a moistning and cooling Diet by Purging twice or thrice a month with Syrup of Succory with Rheubarb c. and things that take off the hot and dry intemperature impressed on the Bowels They that are thus affected are not troubled with a Hectick fever but with a certain indisposition of the Liver partaking of heat and driness implicated with obstructions of it and the Mefaraick Veins Which obstruction keeps up a slow Fever whence it comes to pass that when the obstructions are opened and the hot and dry intemperature of the Liver altered Enchirid. Med. Pract. the Fever vanishes insensibly XVI If it chance that the Pox be complicated with an Hectick fever you must presently take care to keep down the Pox that the Fever also together with the other Symptoms of the Pox may be removed before the Patient become truly consumptive And although the Atrophy of the whole may hinder the fulfilling of the intentions yet this infers a difficulty but not an impossibility And seeing this Quality is occult it requires Alexipharmacks to extinguish it which yet are not sufficient alone but must be manifestly drying besides Nor can it be taken away by strong Purges as some have falsly imagined and much less when the solid parts are ill Wherefore we must fly to the Pith of Guaiacum as to a Sheet-anchor and a safe Alexipharmack which though it be hot and dry in the second degree yet it is fat and oily if it be but odorous fresh and black To which Sarsa also may be added as a thing which heats little or nothing and attenuates and melts not onely congealed humours but the dry by softning them China also may be admitted to which notwithstanding we give little or no trust because it quickly loses its excellent virtue And let not the exceeding leanness of the whole deter us from the use of these things when Cardan encourages us who cured a pocky double Tertian onely with the Decoction of Guaiacum But Scholtzius more who cured a pocky Consumption with a Decoction of Guaiacum and Sarsa as Solenander cured such another Hectick which I have seen confirmed several times by my own experience We must think likewise of the way how to doe it for I think Sweat is necessary to attenuate soften and carry off the putrid matter sticking in the solid parts Therefore let a Decoction first be made which may have a nutritive faculty Take of choice Sarsa 1 ounce Pith of Guaiacum fresh China each 1 ounce distilled Water of Sorrel Borage each 1 pound and an half Mix them Make an infusion for 24 hours Then add half a young Chicken let them boil gently covered till half be consumed Let the Colature be kept for 2 times to be taken an hour before Sweat Then take the remainder leaves of fresh Endive Borage Sorrel each 2 handfulls pure Water 12 pounds half a young Chicken Boil a fourth part away Then distill them in Balneo Mariae for their usual drink When an hour after eating is over let the Patient sit in a Kettle full of hot Water altered with Mallows Melilot and Mercury or Pellitory of the Wall and covered with Linen above So let the Sweat be provoked that it may not offend his Leanness and that the putrid matter infected with the Pox sticking in the solid parts and thickned may be softned and melted that so afterwards he may the better be carried to the Hot-house which he must go into about 8 days after yet he must make but little stay in it and sweat rather in his bed and when other 8 days are over let him go into the Kettle and let him prosecute it by turns for 40 days This way of Sweating respects the Leanness of the body and the infected matter to be carried off on a double account Which if it be thick wants moistning that it may be moved and Phlegm it self when it is thick must also be moistned that it may be rendred more tractable for motion and evacuation as Trallianus observes being so taught by Galen who therefore gives store of drink to them that breathe hard But because this putrid infection does perfectly indicate exsiccation Fortis l. de Febribus p. m. 76. therefore it is necessary that the Patient sweat in a Stove by turns Febris Hemitritaeus Horrifica or An Half-tertian or Shaking Ague The Contents What the Preparation of the Humours should be I. How we may help the Inflammation that accompanies it II. When Wormwood is proper III. What Diet is proper for a true one Whether Herbs be convenient IV. I. IN Preparation of the Humours we must proceed in such order as that Bile may first be prepared and lessened and then Phlegm yet alternately and by turns that as much Bile as Phlegm because they are equally peccant may be prepared and evacuated But which is the chief thing Preparers of Bile and Phlegm must not be mixt together at one and the same time as if the Humours were mixt as is usually done in bastard Tertians and as many mistaken persons doe for these are two different and contrary Humours putrefying in two several places which we cannot with one and the same Medicine compounded of Heaters and Coolers correct both at once ¶ Julepium Acetosum is very proper as it respects both Humours Fortis l. de Febriâ—â—â— p. m. 27. it being a thing that turns Choler into
I. The Leipyria of the Arabians must be cured one way that of the Greeks another II. Whether cold things may be given to one coming from a Malignant humour III. Whether Broth may be given IV. Cordial Epithems are hurtfull V. The Diet in the Leipyria of the Arabians VI. I. THE Cure of this Fever proposed by Hippocrates l. de affect v. 107. it is proper for this saith he to apply cooling things outwardly both to the Belly and to the Body to prevent Shaking at the first blush seems foolish enough as it orders Coolers that is Medicines actually and potentially cold to be outwardly applyed because they seem highly prejudicial to the hot Internals and cold Externals for being applied outwardly they drive the Heat inwards whereby the Disease increases But this Remedy does not want its reason for whenever a bilious humour burning in the Internals causes a refrigeration of the extreme parts and not the penury of the innate heat cold things applied outwardly can doe no harm yea if they be often applied the cooling virtue being communicated from one part after another to the internal parts they may extinguish the internal heat of the Bile Nor need the retraction of the heat be feared because much Cold applied all at once causes it not what is applied by little and little and endued with no intense Cold such as he supposes must be used in this case while he orders Shaking to be prevented I can confirm the Authority of my Master by experience For I have observed People so affected that the more we endeavour to reduce them to their natural state by hot things the more violently they were cooled Above all others I observed it in N. who being in a burning Fever and very cold in his external parts after they that were by had tried for a whole day to heat him with Flannel and warm Skins applied all over his Body yet in the evening we found him colder than ever The reason is Because if such refrigeration proceed from the penury of the radical moisture and spirits if while we strive to draw the moisture and heat to the superficies by heating things we dissipate and draw it out what wonder if the Body be thereby more cooled And if for this reason hot things doe hurt for the same reason what things soever can dissipate more than hot things must be so much the more suspected for example Prosp Martianus Frictions and Cuppings which are in frequent use for the Cure of these Fevers II. Avicen reckons a Leipyria among Phlegmatick Distempers ascribing the rise of it to vitreous Phlegm while gross Vapours are elevated from it when it putrefies which cannot be carried to the external parts and make them hot Or because there are cold humours in the external parts which cannot be made hot by the heat of the Phlegm putrefying within In the Cure of it he uses Syrupus Acetosus Oxymel both simple and diuretick to cut and prepare the gross and cold humour He purges with Aloes Hiera and Rheubarb and so in short he lays down the Cure of an Epiala By Galen it is reckoned among Burning severs and these malignant and he says they are caused by an Inflammation or Erysipelas of some of the internal parts Hippocrates also reckons them among Burning fevers But every Burning fever has not this Symptome onely such as is malignant and pestilential Galen referred it amiss to a Phlegmon or Erysipelas of the Bowels for I have seen several Malignant fevers wherein the out parts were scarce warm and the inner were burning hot yet there were no signs and symptoms of the Bowels being inflamed Therefore in my judgment there is a twofold cause of this Symptome the first is seeing the Nature of this Fever consists in a malignant poisonous quality and putrefaction and that it is the property of all Poison to lay in wait for the Heart because Nature that she may defend a noble part and assist it sends bloud and spirits from every place to the Heart and noble Parts whence by accident such refrigeration follows The second cause is because this Fever is caused by humours very much putrefied lodged about the Praecordia such as eruginous Bile very much putrefied the meeting of which when Nature cannot bar she endeavours to evacuate them by Vomit and Stool and therefore strives to doe it with all her force and thereupon a concourse of all the Humours inwards follows Hereto I think may be added the peculiar property of the malignant humours to incline rather inwards than outwards Here we must first give a Clyster then bleed and then use Coolers and Cordials as Juice of Lemons Citron Pomegranate Cataplasms of Barley-meal mixt with Juice of Housleek and the like Coolers must be applied to the Hypochondria and often changed Finally the same Cure is owing to this Fever as to a burning malignant those things being added whose property it is to resist Malignity And we must remember from Hippocrates 2. de Morb. l. de Affect that we use onely Broths till the Fever is over for Drink we must give small Mede we must purge onely by Clysters Primirosius l. 2. de Feb. c. 8. not by any other Catharticks before the Fever is gone III. Alteratives are very requisite in this Fever so that Paulus and Aetius have affirmed that drinking of Cold water is proper yet not in the beginning but in the state that is when signs of Coction appear And although Aetius gave Cold water to a certain Woman without tarrying for Coction yet it was an improper Leipyria caused by an Erysipelas in the Stomach whose proper Remedy is drinking of Cold water as Galen 9. Meth. 5. teaches But I in this case more willingly chuse some Alterative which may not by its quantity oppress the innate Heat but has a cooling and moistning virtue such as are distilled Waters of Juice of Sorrel Cichory yea and Water melon which may be given to a pound and a half adding 3 or 4 ounces of Scorzonera-water Fortis l. de Febr. Which Potion may be given 5 or 6 hours after the beginning of the Fever IV. But that Heat may more easily come to the external parts or at least that the Bowels may not be so grievously suffocated and afflicted thereby it will not be amiss 3 hours after the beginning of the Fit to give not indeed Broth altered with Citron-seed as it uses erroneously to be done for nothing then must be offered which has the nature of Aliment but 3 or 4 ounces of Cordial-water of totius Citri Scorzonerae and Saxoniae may by and by be given as was said after some altering Potion and then the Broth 2 or 3 hours after that namely of something altered with Cichory Borage Endive Cinquefoil and Tormentil adding Syrup de acido Citri of Juice of Lemons and a convenient portion of some altering Broth. Idem V. It is an Errour in Physicians who when in Continual fevers
no fatness be left let it be distilled no more but if any be left let it be distilled till none remain and give half a drachm of this in 4 ounces of warm Barley-water To this purpose I have used Elixir vitae magni Ducis and essentia Theriacalis ejusdem in the same quantity to 2 drops Nor is there any reason why any one should reprehend the use of these Medicines as being very hot because the heat of them is easily dispersed and penetrates to the principal parts and carries off the infection of the humours by sweat besides we must use these hot things after taking of cold ones for Malignant and Pestilential Fevers must sometimes be cured by virtue of the fire Fonseca coâ—sult 47. tom 1. ¶ In a great decay of strength hot strengthning things need not much be feared so as out of dread of encreasing the Fever that we should be unwilling to deliver the Patient from imminent danger of Death seeing we must always have greatest respect to what is most urgent for when the strength of the Heart has been a little refreshed what hot strengthners have inflamed more than ordinary may be afterwards qualified by violent Coolers as Sal Prunellae and Spirit of Vitriol mixt in Juleps and ordinary drink This method observed by a prudent Physician does happily succeed even in the giving of hot Alexipharmacks and Sudorificks Riverius ¶ As to Bezoardick Medicines which take away the poisonous quality of the humours Treacle Mithridate Confectio Hyacinthi without all controversie they are better than any other Which though in some Pestilent fevers they be disapproved because they are hot yet I have observed that more benefit than hurt is got from the use of them Therefore Galen in Lib. de Theriac ad Pisonem allows Treacle in Malignant and Pestilential fevers Whose advice I approve so the Fever be not of an exceeding Burning kind Zecâ—hius Câ— sulâ— XXIV In Malignant fevers before the breaking out of the Spots you may sometimes observe the Hands of the sick far beyond the Wrist or the Feet far beyond the Anckle or both to be discoloured with a colour strange and different from that of the whole Body but momentany and fading and sometimes they are very red And such Patients do then complain of a great burning in their extreme parts and ask for cold things or some Crystal although the rest of the Body be not so remarkably hot which indeed is a mortal sign But if the heat rage yet more in their Limbs and gain strength then the Hands of such feverish persons in two or three days space without any other manifest cause are consumed with such an Atrophy as usually appears in their hands that are wasted with the Consumption you shall seldom observe that such recover especially them whose Hands are black and blew or of some dull colour Of which thing I give this reason following the example of the Excellent Spigelius namely That there are usually more and more apparent Anastomoses of the Veins and Arteries about the extreme parts as in parts remote from the fountain of Heat and which therefore stand in need of more hot and spirituous bloud And hence it comes to pass that the Bloud which is evacuated out of the hand is much more fresh coloured and redder than what is evacuated out of the Arm because the arterious bloud is here also ever evacuated By means of which Anastomoses that admirable Circulation of the bloud is performed But now if this Circulation be hindred in the extreme parts by the bloud being boiled by the preternatural febrile heat and made fibrous and tough like to dregs of Oil how should it be but as standing waters corrupt that so the whole substance of the Bloud in humane Bodies should be corrupted When even in fenny places ponds c. we observe sometimes green sometimes black sometimes red water is either gathered or corrupted but most frequently Marshes and the woody parts of Houses lying under the Penthouse or Eaves of the House or the plastered Walls between grow green because of the Rain abounding with the volatile Salt of grass and herbs got out by the heat of the Sun and the like reason may be given for other corrupt Waters For they are variously tinged with the volatile Salt of the Earth which must not be denied it but then corrupted by the heat of the Sun in Marshy places and they as it were counterfeit and falsly represent rust of Iron Bole Armenick Ochre May not therefore likewise that most vitious and corrupt bloud in the live Body of People sick of Malignant fevers appear livid and having lost its rosie colour of necessity most filthily mar the beauty of the Skin in the outside of the hands and feet When therefore the bloud or the mass of bloud grows tough in the foresaid manner so that the Circulation of the Bloud does I will not say wholly cease but is in part hindred two Phaenomena appear either the parts mentioned are siezed with an occult Gangrene and therefore they are scarcely recovered whose extreme parts are seized first with a manifest and pertinacious Heat and by and by are very red black and blew all which things have their latitude and degrees and when these things are over the sick are not so violently burnt as before or they do not perceive themselves so but the heat falsly abates and appears more gentle the Pulse also is apparently better but falsly because the bloud is tougher and flower to motion and Death is at the door Or a strange colour which is momentany easily vanishing and fading appears in the extreme parts of them that are sick of a Malignant fever But I divine that this portends that corruption of the bloud is in making or will shortly be which is analogous or like to the gangrenous Ichor but that the Salt rendred in some measure fixt in the Mass of bloud and especially in the said places most remote from the heart may be made volatile again by Alexipharmacks that is prepared Hartshorn especially and also shavings of crude Hartshorn shavings of Greenland Unicorn volatile Salt of Hartshorn Salt of Vipers Urine Ash Amber and the like Wherefore the famous Rulandus who was ignorant indeed of the Circulation of the bloud yet nevertheless in the Hungarian Plague highly commends Chymical Salts affirming that they doe as much as any other Medicines towards the expulsion of its latent fomes and saying How much soever you endeavour to assuage the Symptoms or to strengthen or refresh the Body you labour but in vain the fountain still remaining Nature therefore being strengthened by the help of these Alexipharmacks and volatile Salts discharges that partly fixed Salt in the mass of bloud being now made volatile by the Arteries into the Veins whereupon there appears not any one remarkable broad spot but many and innumerable appear fresh when the circulation of the bloud is restored plentifull sweat all the Body
over intervening concerning which Spots Practioners doubt whether they come symptomatically or critically I indeed sometimes have observed that by reason of the quantity and quality of the bloud and corrupt Serum which Nature was not able to correct have appeared unhappily and portended Death it self I have also observed them to break out critically as well as the Small Pox and Measles which were kindly But these forementioned Spots in Malignant fevers are the effects of a very bad Cause as it argues so great a corruption of the bloud in the live Body that the Fermentation causes such a diacrisis or apocrisis in the mass of bloud as that the volatile Salt it self appears Simon Pauli D grâ—s de Feb. M â—â—gâ— Sect. 52 5â— which is naturally apt to pass subject to subject and is by consequent a poison which acts in its whole substance and this is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or morbid excretion of Hippocrates XXV Lest any one should accuse us as if we were ignorant of the methodus medendi because when they that are sick of a Malignant fever with a hot and dry Intemperature and that notorious enough to the touch indeed gentle and kindly we presently fly to Sudorificks Diureticks and finally to Salts and I add that I willingly allow him this although it be not universally true that all these things are hot as to our last refuge when the Fever requires cooling things I will here introduce Hofmannus his reason namely why Diseases of hot Intemperature are cured with hot Medicine fetched from his de Medicam Officin lib 2. cap. 128. Because it holds good not onely in the Venereal Disease whose cure he treats of in the forecited place but in Malignant fevers and many other Diseases called Occult and in such as wherein the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Hippocrates which word many understand amiss is said and believed to be In that place after Fallopius he inveighs against them who granting Guaiacum to be bitter and biting and therefore hot and dry yet would have it most temperate and as like our Body as any aliment because they observe that some grow corpulent upon the use of this Wood. By which contradiction some being constrained saith Hofmannus have held that this wood cures the Pox indeed whether it depend on hot humours or cold by propriety of substance or some occult property and other Diseases joined with it by manifest qualities But indeed they are very much deceived For if it be thus when it cures the Pox it self does it lay aside its manifest qualities They will not say so I hope Therefore these Problemes still remain undiscussed Why Hot fights with Hot and Dry with Dry And if it be such in adjunct Diseases why is it not in the root it self But is it hot and moist perfectly and does it nourish more than gelly Broth of a Chicken Then this is sure Guaiacum is hot and dry and how does it drive away a Disease that is hot and dry It is by discussing and wasting the hot and dry humours I add that they appear such or are really hot and dry because of the Salt wherewith the bloud of Persons infected with the Pox does without all controversie most exuberantly abound for certainly this Plague of theirs is contagious which is cooling by accident So Rheubarb cocls by purging such humours but it does it not indifferently and without the Laws of Method without which those who have tried it have been greatly hurt Yet does it noâ—rish For they take the Body of it It nourishes not at all for since aliment is a passive Word that is is a thing which is conquered who can believe that so hot a Medicine can be conquered and turned into the substance of the thing nourished Yet People grow fat upon it You kill me for I said but now it was done by accident the hot humours being discussed and the obstructions of the Bowels being opened which hindred the generation of Bloud But how bad a Logician are you in that you distinguish not what is of it self and what by accident c. But this is the summ of the matter that the Venereal Disease a hot and dry one is cured with a hot and dry Medicine by accident and that indeed by a simple Decoction of Guaiacum Which we must affirm is done likewise in a Malignant and Spotted fever while we use Sudorificks Diureticks and Salts in particular namely that sharp and hot things are good for them by accident why Because while in it no crisis or but an imperfect one intervening the Salt in the mass of bloud being now made fixt in the hands or feet or rather in the Anastomoses of the Veins and Arteries of the said parts far distant from the Heart hinders the free circulation these Salts render it volatile which being either attenuated or made volatile and discharged by the benefit of Circulation by sweat or being more fixt and as it were in fusion by the Urinary passages it does again freely doe its duty which being procured the bloud is truly cleansed and as it were ventilated not onely in the said Fever but in other malignant and contagious Diseases hereupon Health is procured and the Malignity dispatched But when in this acute Disease and in a Malignant fever Nature receives no assistence then at length whatever upon the ceasing of the Fever or fermentation in the mass of bloud is corrupt and remains Idem ibid. breeds divers imposthumes and swellings in divers parts XXVI And as there is extreme danger in purging in Malignant fevers so it is well known that those Medicines which are commended against Fevers and those commended against poisons are diametrically opposite one to another and why Because some Antifebrile Medicines have been found out not by Indications but by Empiricism And since the manner of the corruption of our bloud in Fevers and especially in Malignant and Spotted ones varies and as it were eludes the industry of Physicians hence it usually falls out that both Agues and especially Malignant and Spotted fevers when we come to them we call Antifebrile and Specifick Medicines are so hard to cure that they are cured rather by chance than reason And the Cause besides that I brought from the corruption of the bloud is this for that there is no Fever without fermentation or ebullition Therefore if for example's sake Nutmeg Alume Powder of Tormentill Antefebrilis Crollij prepared of long Oyster shells with Wine Vinegar Pearl Coral Bezoar stone Pretious Stones and the like be given to People in Fevers it sometimes happens that the Fever ceases and Why Because that Ebullition is stopt by them just as we find that the heat of the Stomach is stopt by the alone use of simple Chalk powdered But if you weigh these simples in the Balance of Reason you will find it very likely that they act what they do act by drying and by their earthy parts for they are in an
errour who think that these and the like things are given onely to give a sweat or to strengthen the heart in which errour many live whom Platerus confutes Quaest Therapeut 91. since therefore the ebullition caused by the febrile ferment is observed to be far more treacherous and occult in Malignant Fevers than in a Tertian hence also the recounted simples are given with far greater success in an Ague to fix its ferment and stop the ebullition than in Malignant fevers for these proceed more occultly yet more speedily to their state Hence therefore the febrile ferment is hurried more quickly in them than in a Tertian which gives us some truce from the Bowels into the Veins or if the contagion be communicated to us from any where else from the capillary and cutaneous Veins and Arteries into the greater And by consequent because the beginning in Malignant fevers is quickly past over you will doe little or no good by the recounted antifebrile Medicines which have onely a drying faculty for things of gross parts act so slowly that they are not able to resist these Fevers Besides these and the like Medicines that are applied are onely Cordials by accident although Sennertus assign them a Cordial and Alexipharmack Virtue But in my judgment these and the like things act or perform nothing else but onely stop the ebullition of the Bloud that is raised if they are able Which ceasing the circulation of the bloud performs its office aright in the Heart and in this Case the Heart stands in need of no other Cordials being sufficient of it self to breed Spirits But if the case be otherwise and if Malignity be joined with it a cardiack Syncope usually supervenes But we must speak of the other sort of Antifebrile Medicines which are contrary to the former exceeding earthy and dry ones and are more in use among the vulgar than Dogmatical Physicians which are these all the sorts of Pepper Ginger adust Wine Worm-wood Wine and the like with which Agues are more successfully cured empirically than Continual fevers and Why Because accidentally by the use of these Medicines Vomit is caused the sink or filth of the Stomach being stirred in the Fit and so the febrile ferment is discharged together with it or by reason of more robust Constitutions the same ferment is carried by these hot and Diuretick Medicines to the Urinary passages or is removed before it can infect the whole mass of bloud which on the contrary in Continual fevers where no truce intervenes is most easily corrupted But if the febrile ferment be carried to the Urinary passages and a troubled ill coloured and stinking Urine be made it portends usually an abatement of the Ague Since therefore the case stands thus who hence forward where there is no room for Vomits would not rather chuse certain Diureticks and Sudorificks in Malignant fevers than run the hazard of a thousand uncertain things termed Antifebriles of a dubious or no event at all Wherefore the never enough to be commended skill of the most famous Rulandus merits more and more confirmation because that in these and especially in Salts he seems to place all the remedy he has against Malignant fevers So lapis or Sal Prunellae besides that it stops the fermentation is a great Diuretick Balsamus Sulphuris which also stops fermentation is a great Sudorifick and both of them are most celebrated remedies against the Plague and Malignant fevers Here also I have a mind to lay down in what manner Spots break out in our Skin either by the motion of Nature alone or of Nature helped by Alexipharmacks and Sudorificks how our Skin comes to be beset with them and again clear of them Nature either provoked or helped by Alexipharmacks endeavours to expell the bloud that is hurtfull to her and more or less corrupted in its whole substance which while she is in doing it is very probable to me that the very same thing happens to the mass of Bloud especially at the Anastomoses of the Veins and Arteries of the hands and feet which befalls a frozen River when the frost is broke For as then the Ice is melted with the kindly and gentle heat of the Sun so Nature being about to conquer the Disease by the benefit of the animal fire or innate heat cooling especially after the state of the Disease and burning no more so preternaturally as before melts the bloud thickned and made tough by the febrile heat in the Veins and as it were congealing because of abundance of Salt in the extremities of the hands and feet and as a torrent or river carries fragments of Ice rapidly down the stream so the bloud in the Veins throws off small portions of the preternaturally fixed Salt which are the Spots or make them Wherefore no wonder if Nature upon the use of Alexipharmacks or Sudorificks made of the mineral vegetable and especially of the Animal kind abounding more or less with volatile Salts do sooner or later gradually or at once according to the different temper of the Subjects throw off Spots to the Skin varying in colour magnitude and number which indeed Rulandus observed were fixt to the extremities of the Capillary Veins But they are nothing else but the Salt of the Serum and mass of bloud made volatile which sweating through the Pores of the Skin is the proximate and onely Cause of all Spots in Malignant fevers be they small and lenticular or great and as broad as ones hand while to wit it buds out in the Skin and is then fixt in it till upon amendment it gradually vanish by insensible transpiration or even while the Disease or Fever lasts is resolved into Atomes so small that they cannot be seen which we call the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or infectious particles and are the proximate cause of the Contagion Idem XXVII When Epidemick Malignant fevers are abroad or when they are not abroad if the bloud that is let when it is cold be like to good bloud in colour and be as it were very rutilant coming very near the colour of that Indian Throatwort called the Cardinal flower yea in a manner exceeding it and having very little Serum in it I have often observed it portend Death to several persons when the by-standers and unskilfull were glad of this rosie and scarlet colour and congratulated the sick for it But I have been long agoe instructed as ever distrusting such a suspicious goodness of the bloud to give my Patients in such cases Alteratives with Alexipharmacks and especially this decoction of shavings of Hartshorn of my own description Take of shaving of Hartshorn half an ounce Root of Fenil Contrayerva Scorzonera Carline-Thistle each 2 drachms seeds of Columbine Fenil each 1 drachm stoned Jujubes 2 ounces boil them in a sufficient quantity of a decoction of Barley Towards the end add of Conserve of red Roses 2 ounces Idem Borage Bugloss each 1 ounce XXVIII Antimonium diaphoreticum is of
not wholly disallow Venaesection it self in the Plague joined with a Fever or in Pestilential fevers themselves For when the body is plethorick and the strength is oppressed or the loss thereof is imminent from the plenty of bloud or when a Fever is joined with the Plague or a Pestilential fever it self afflicts a Man sometimes a Vein must be opened especially in those that are used to it when nothing in its stead seems to suffice but it must be in the beginning by and by after Alexipharmacks are given and when their operation is onely over And here I fully approve of J. Palmarius his advice cap. 23. Where he thus determines about bleeding In a Plague which is complicated with a putrid constitution where there are the Head-ach want of Sleep Tossing Thirst a dry Tongue an ill Pulse great Heat about the Heart and other Symptoms proceeding from the heat and putrefaction of the humours If the Veins be turgid with plenty of humours bloud ought to be let more or less as the fullness of the Vessels Age the Season of the year the habit of the Body and the violence of the Symptoms will bear So the strength be good and the Physician be called in the beginning of the Disease and it be taken away in much lesser quantity than in other Fevers And according to the same Palmarius the bloud must be taken from the Foot or Leg if a Bubo be protuberant in the groin or in any part below the Loins But in the Arm if in the Jaws or Arm-pits or in any other part above the Kidneys or even in the Loins themselves and that always on the same side As it is well advised by the same party that we must abstain from bloud-letting whenever a Pestilential fever affrights us with lowness of strength or fainting Besides whatever simple and legitimate Plagues do shew no signs of putrefaction in the Urine or in other excrements as those which have no Fever joined with them these Palmarius being judge abhor bloud-letting how cruel soever the Symptoms be In the Plague therefore A. Deusingius l. 5. de Peste cap. â— as the Plague bleeding does no good But as there is imminent danger from the quantity of bloud while strength is good and other circumstances do not hinder it must be diminished V. Whether in the time of a Pestilential fever bleeding be proper for preservation Almost all Writers shew that a Plethory quoad vires because this is it from whence there is imminent danger of corruption must be taken away by bleeding But this opinion is not convenient always and in every place But it may be of use with this distinction In a wholsome Air in Spring and Autumn it may be admitted but not in the midst of Summer or Winter nor in very hot or cold Countreys or Constitutions On this hand the body is too much cooled on the other hand too much spent and it is not then safe to evacuate sound bodies If the state of the Air be pestilent bloud-letting must never be practised because of this plenitude for it very much exhausts the Spirits and stirs the humours and the inspired Air more easily impresses its pestilent action and the Disease if it come is conquered with more difficulty because the strength is spent by bloud-letting For as when Men have drunk poison after bleeding it more easily penetrates and is more difficultly overcome In like manner they that are well who admit of bleeding in a pestilential Air more easily receive the bad quality of the Air are worse and escape with more difficulty Besides such a Plethora may easily be exhausted by a more spare and thin diet by loosening things and cleansers of the bloud But they that have taught that when bloud abounds a Vein must be breathed were either mistaken if they spake of this plenitude or they were superfluous if their discourse was of plenty of good bloud Both because a pestilential fever does not impend from this and because it is good to abound in bloud because Life depends especially on it Which if it so redound as to distend the Vessels although bleeding be proper yet it is not our case because hereon not a pestilential fever but bursting of the Vessels extinction of the native heat c. does usually follow And although a Plethory quoad vires in a pestilential Air be not to be taken away by bleeding yet considering the causes hereof we sometimes admit some diminutions of it as if it be superfluous on account of the Diet or of some evacuation uppressed For this reason in Women I commend bleeding in the lower Veins which because it spends the strength less than in the upper Veins it may without any impending danger both relieve nature and provoke the Menses I say the same of them that have the haemorrhoids stopt or any accustomed haemorrhage suppressed Pet. Salius Diversuâ— c. 20. lin de Feb. Pâ—st To which evacuations nevertheless I should never descend without a new and urgent indication ¶ Although letting of bloud do not draw out the Infection yet I confess in curing and preventing a putrid pestilential fever it does a great deal of good if it be seasonably used but in a contagious one which is caused by inspiration of the seminary seeing all hopes of safety consists in preserving the strength we must consider again and again lest any thing be done rashly Crato and without reason VI. Oribasius advises not to bleed in the cure but to scarifie the Legs which according to Alpinus is customary with the Aegyptians where the Plague is commonly endemical This may well be done when we would make a general evacuation for the bloud will run out plenteously amongst them the fleshy part of the three Muscles of the calf of the Leg is cut with a Razour in a streight line 4 or 5 pretty deep wounds are inflicted and they have a care that they do not close for a long time so the filthy corruption is discharged And that place is so far from the heart that it is not so sensible of this injury This also may very well be done if a Carbuncle fix near the region of the heart and if you think bloud ought to be let but if it seize other parts remote from the heart the next place to the Swelling must be bled If Carbuncles or Buboes appear in the Groin the lower Veins are opened If one appear in the Neck a Vein in the Forehead must be cut or the Veins in the Nose must be opened Or the Jugulars must be opened or one under the Tongue and Cupping-glasses must be set to the Arms and the Neck deeply scarified From the foresaid reasons yet trust experience I durst almost infer this Maxim A Malignant Tumour arising of it self if it precede a pestilential fever does in its beginning and while the strength is good admit of large bloud-letting in the Vein next it that the poisonous matter may be exhausted and
the fear of a future Fever prevented But yet if the Stool or Urine have no sign of putrefaction a Vein must not be breathed though the Symptoms be urgent But if this Imposthume follow the pestilential fever Phlebotomy will doe hurt Therefore before there is a pestilential fever we may bleed Yet seeing the Plague comes from contagion Heâ—rnius â—â—de jâ—â—ribuâ— because of the poisonous putrefaction already conceived I should think we should abstain from bloud-letting VII Bleeding is very prejudicial to them that are sick of the Plague and it is very dangerous also for them that would be preserved from it The poison often lurks for some days weeks or months in the body out of the Vessels before it shew it self by the use of Medicines that stir the bloud But if by Venaesection you draw it to the heart it behoves you to inquire whether or no the diminution of the bloud spirits and strength through your means be not the cause why the Heart is suffocated and is not able to chase away its enemy Physicians indeed who deserve credit and are well versed in their art do say that cautious bleeding and celebrated at the beginning has ever been the chief of Antipestilential means But they that in these cold Countries imitated them P Barbetâ—e de â—â—ste p. 1â—3 soon left it off yea our Countrey Physicians are now wholly silent as to bleeding VIII The Circulation of the bloud tells us that all poisonous and bad humours which are either thrown off by Nature it self or come from abroad should immediately at the very first moment be drawn out from the Glandules and the Skin it self by means of attractive Medicines lest that in the space of a small time all the bloud be infected and the heart it self be oppressed and suffer violence This may sufficiently shew how dangerous it is to breathe a Vein and Purge the body in a Pestilential and Venereal Bubo yea and in all venemous wounds on the contrary how necessary it is to draw out the peccant matter by the help of sudorifick and attractive Medicines Idem And therefore that the doctrine of the Circulation of the bloud is of great use in the Art of Physick IX Purging in a Pestilential fever is suspected both because of the lowness of strength and because a Loosness and that a colliquating one quickly happens But we must note that it is not always so But when it is whether it be colliquating or because nature attempts to discharge the peccant matter Physicians are not of one opinion For the most indeed think Purgatives may be given but such as leave an astriction behind them Others judge otherwise and aright for since in this case it is either the humours themselves or the solid parts that are colliquated the colliquated matter does not require vacuation by Medicine seeing Nature discharges it of her self nor is it indicated by what is to be colliquated since such evacuation should rather be stopt nor yet as if I thought it should be stopt by Astringents because if it be altogether bad it would doe more harm kept than voided but I should recommend it to Nature while the Physician opposes the causes of colliquation But if the flux be not Colliquative but Nature onely attempts the excretion of the peccant matter by stool then it will either be Symptomatick and the matter crude and bad or critical and the matter concocted If Symptomatical it will either be moderate or too much from whence loss of strength may be feared If moderate it must neither be promoted nor hindred for there is no cure of Symptoms by themselves If too much it must be stopped with such things as respect the peccant matter and the present Disease But in Pestilential fevers wherein the Belly is not loose some would Purge others not Of them that would some presently in the beginning of the Disease others not till the matter is concocted They that doe it in the beginning some doe it in the matter turgid others when it is quiet Again some use gentle Purges others violent They that purge in the beginning when the matter is quiet fear lest it become turgid and seize some principal part They confirm it from Galen 5 method 12. Who writes that they who recovered of the Pestilence which was abroad in his time some of them vomited all of them were loose They add that a crisis must not be tarried for which comes in the state or declension for as Galen 2 Aphor. 13. says Most crises end in a recovery unless the state of the Air be pestilential They produce also the experiments of them who in long Pestilences have recovered Men innumerable by giving strong Purges in the Beginning and Encrease They that think Men ought not to Purge are perswaded thereto because immediately at the very beginning there is a great decay of strength and because Colliquation is joined with it or an internal Inflammation in which a Purge does a great deal of harm Therefore the most famous Physicians Greeks and Arabians do not mention one word of Purging Others add that all the motion of the matter is to the skin and must not be drawn inward In this difficulty we would first of all observe this that there is a manifold difference in these Fevers The first is taken from the form for one Pestilential Fever is simple another mixt The simple one is that which without the Putrefaction of other humours has its rise from some poisonous putrid matter The mixt when other humours also do putrefy The second from the subject for the poisonous quality is either in the spirits whence comes a pestilential Ephemera or in the Humours and it is humoral or in the solid parts and it is Hectick The third is from the matter for the poisonous quality may reside either in choler phlegm melancholy or bloud and they keep the periods of those humours The fourth is from the place of the matter whence some are continual others intermittent The matter of the Continual some is in the Veins other in some determinate part For according to Galen we have Malignant fevers from the Brain being affected And such also as come from the Membranes containing the Brain and from the Lungs and Heart The fifth from the degree of putrefaction and venemous contagion since in most Fevers there is much putrefaction and but little poisonous contagion in some on the contrary In some both are great in some both are little The sixth is from the Symptoms for some are quiet so that they shew not themselves at all others make the Patients very restless especially inwardly Some are colliquating the Belly others abounding in Urine Some are with Spots others without These things granted we say 1. We must not purge in a Pestilential Ephemera and Hectick unless there be a great Cacochymie with fear lest the Infection should spread thither 2. We affirm that all matter is not turâ—id for we see it
27 to 31 cured all that he took in hand And I know he gave a most violent purging Medicine in the beginning and increase when the Disease was not in the declination Besides this I have also another Experiment of Gentilis in 4. Canon Fen. 1. in which place speaking of giving purging Medicines in the Plague he says that the Physicians in his time used scammoniate and the strongest Medicines with very good success and many were cured The authority of Avenzoar is subjoined who lib. 3. Theisir Tract 3. c. 4. gives a purging Medicine containing a sufficient quantity of Euphorbium than which there is nothing stronger in heating and drying for it is intensely hot and dry in the fourth degree And Gentilis himself attests the same I can therefore upon the authority of these Learned men attest that a Purge may be given in the Plague but I can add my own Experience which I may better trust In the Plague of the last year 55 I gave a Purge above 30 times and I saw few dye The most of them had good success if so be the Medicine brought away a good quantity of humours Gabriel Fallopius for if a small or no quantity came away the success was bad XII Purging requires a second Argus for as in this malignant Disease it is not very proper so in benign ones it is sometimes very necessary But it is not every one that can distinguish these aright Besides also we find that we may not give so strong Medicines when the Plague is abroad as when it is not abroad for besides that the body it self cannot bear so strong Medicines they very easily procure a dysentery Barbetâ—e XIII I durst never give a Purge to them that were sick of the Plague before the fourteenth day and till the Fever and the rest of the Symptoms abated There are some that give one during the uppuration of the Carbuncle or before the Bubo is cured but whatever Antipestilentials are mixt with it Idem never follow their example XIV Experience confirms that a Vomit is good in the Plague when this epidemick Disease follows a famine Wherefore oftentimes the things that are given to sweat in the beginning by reason of the Cacochymie of the first ways usually provoke Vomit which the use of Pulvis Saxonicus greatly confirms which must be so long repeated till the Stomach be rid of the load of had humours by vomiting Horstius l. 7. obs 23. ¶ One that had the third part of the City committed to him which was afflicted with the Plague cured almost all his Patients with a Vomit made of 2 drachms of any Vitriol 2 ounces of Honey and 6 ounces of common Water mixt together which he gave immediately as soon as any signs appeared of the Disease being imminent or present So that not above 10 or 12 died in his parts Riverius whereas few escaped in the other parts XV. The Medicines for Cure of the Plague are either evacuating or alexiterick The intention of the former is that the serous in the Bloud and the excrementitious humours that abound in the Bowels may be discharged and together with them many particles of the poisonous infection dispersed every where in the Body But both these Vomits and Purges whose use is more rare and onely in the beginning of the Disease and Diaphoreticks which are indicated by the Plague at all times if so be the Body can bear them for these indeed evacuate more fully and from the whole body at once and also by exagitating the Bloud keep it from coagulation and seeing they move from the centre to the circumference they drive the poisonous ferments and the corruption of the humours and bloud far from the Heart and force the Enemy out of his Camp And these Medicines whether they work by Purge or Sweat must be such as have Particles of the same nature rather with the poisonous infection than with our bloud and spirits For such a Medicine passes through the divers windings and turnings of our Body with its strength whole and untouched and because of the similitude of them both will more certainly take hold of the virulent matter of the Disease and will by a mutual adhesion of parts drag it out along wiâ—h them what way irritated Nature leads Wherefore Medicines whether Cathartick or Sudorifick which are made of Mercury Antimony Gold Sulphur Vitriol Arsenick and the like are commended above all others which seeing they are not at all subdued or conquered by our Heat they will become very good Remedies against the poison of the Plague For they not onely powerfully evacuate what is superfluous but when they exert their very strong and untamed particles and diffuse them all over the Body they dissipate this way and that the growing ferments of the Poison and hinder them from maturation And since the Remedies themselves insuperable by nature must of necessity be discharged by some open passages of the Body they carry out along with them whatever extraneous or hostile thing comes in their way Williâ— XVI Malignant fevers although they be destructive to many yet they are so long private till the Putrefaction have got the degree of Malignity that a morbid expiration flies out and they so become contagious And this degree is not any mere Putrefaction but rather a substantial Corruption which the Seminary of the Contagion follows which comes not from Putrefaction â—lone but from a Malignant quality wholly adverse to Nature and therefore unless it be suddenly removed it removes the Man Therefore in these Fevers we must have a care not presently to use violent hot expulsive things such as are given in truly pestilential ones proceeding from inspiration which are cured by sweat and transpiration when expulsion alone and opening the passages and strengthning the Heart is sufficient and such things as resist putrefaction unless Nature disburthen her self by breakings out in which case expulsive things but not strong ones are proper Therefore Physicians commit a great error who do not at all distinguish between private and publick contagious and not contagious Diseases so that of a private pestilential Disease a publick is often made by their unskilfulness who increase the Putrefaction and weaken Nature by strong Medicines for private Pestilential fevers do then become contagious when the Putrefaction is arrived at that degree as to have a morbid expiration in its whole substance as a poison destructive to humane kind Certainly when Nature expells nothing in the Disease nor Swellings nor Spots appear how shall the Physician Nature's servant dare any such thing and presently fly to drivers out and Sudorificks to say nothing of hot Medicines in the cure Whereby oftentimes in them that are not infected with a pestilential Seminary the humours fly to the Head whence come Deliria increase of the Fever and diminution of the strength of Nature which alone cures Diseases And although oftentimes from this cause Spots appear it
that its virtues are unknown to you Before I come to Laudanum Opiatum I endeavour to remove the Headach by the following means Let Ground-Ivy bruised be applied to the Head also Plantain Let this or something like it be applied to the Soles of the Feet and the Palms of the hands Take of leaves of Rue 1 handfull and an half Sowre Leven 2 ounces Pigeon's dung 1 ounce common Salt half an ounce Elder-vinegar what sufficeth Mix them Make a Cataplasm Or Take of Bole-armenick Terra sigillata common white Chalk each 1 ounce and an half Marigold-vinegar what is sufficient Mix them Apply it as before Sometimes also I applied Powder of Cloves wet with Spirit of Wine for I think Barbette Vinegar does harm XLIX A Loosness in the Plague is often a forerunner of instant death Yet I have often known when neither bloud nor bloudy matter has been voided that the things following have done good Let the Patient and the Physician abstain from all acid and salt things of much use otherwise in the Plague As also from plentifull drinking but if he cannot bear his intolerable thirst let the Patient take 2 or 3 spoonfulls of this Mixture Take of the root of Tormentil 1 ounce red Rose flowers 1 pugil shavings of Hartshorn half a drachm seeds of Sorrel Myrtle each 1 ounce Boil them in Steel-water To 9 ounces of the colature add of Confectio Hyacinthi 1 drachm Syrup of Myrtle 1 ounce Mix them Treacle alone has done good to many if a small piece of it has been taken once an hour till a drachm has been taken Binding Clysters drying also and emollient ones are here very necessary yea they should be given twice or thrice every day Lees of White-wine or rather of Red-wine applied hot to the Navel have done much good Idem Sylvius his method of Curing the Plague L. Like as upon examination of all the Symptoms that usually accompany the Plague and upon consideration of the Remedies that serve for prevention of it we have concluded that in most the nature of the deadly poison consists in a volatile and sharp Salt so we think the same will be confirmed from its Cure But that a methodical and rational Cure may be insisted on in the Plague not onely the Functions must be considered which are primarily and chiefly hurt but the parts also as well containing as contained which are affected above others The Functions are they especially that are called Vital and among them those that respect the alteration of the Bloud in the Heart and on which life does proximately depend Among things contained either the whole Bloud or some things concurring to produce the mass of bloud or both are disaffected in the Plague Among the parts containing and the solid we observe both the conglobated Glands to be seized and corrupted by Buboes and the external skin with the parts adjoining by Carbuncles and Spots It is manifest the Bloud it self is very much changed in the Plague when we affirmed that it oftentimes loses its consistency and is more fluid than ordinary And because we believe that all consistency comes to the Bloud from an acid Juice we deservedly conclude that the Acid mixt or to be mixt with the Bloud does most suffer and is corrupted in the Plague Since moreover we have shewn that an Acid can so powerfully be broken and therefore corrupted by nothing as by a Lixivious Salt I think we have deservedly derived the Pestilential poison from it Again when we weighed its quick operation and extreme violence in Reason's balance we concluded this lixivious Salt was volatile and very sharp And seeing among all the Humours hitherto observed in our Bodies onely Bile is found to partake of a volatile Salt we plainly think that we judged according to reason that it is often vitiated by the pestilential poison and is rendred more sharp and volatile than usual So that the pestilential poison joins it self to the Bile as to an humour most homogeneous with it and spoils it But that it exerts its violence upon the Acid as upon a thing opposite and heterogeneous and breaks and corrupts it The pestilential poison I say because at least as far as most Physicians determine is not bred in Man's body but comes to it from abroad and then is afterwards communicated to others by Contagion Therefore the Indications to be observed in the Cure of the Plague must be taken 1. From the Poison it self admitted from abroad into the Body and infecting the Bile both corrupting and infringing the acid Juice and colliquating the Bloud it self and destroying the solid parts by Buboes Carbuncles and Spots 2. From the Bile it self degenerating from its pristine integrity and putting on the nature of a pestilential poison 3. From the acid Juice in our Body broken and corrupted 4. From the Bloud it self melted and destitute of its consistence 5. From the conglobated Glands producing Buboes 6. From any parts seized and corrupted with the virulence of the Carbuncles 7. From the whole Superficies of the Body defaced and sometimes corrupted with many Spots and Tokens First of all the pestilential Poison it self as it is admitted into Man's body beside the Laws of Nature so it indicates its reciprocal expulsion out of it The same as it infects all it meets with in the body and changes it from a laudable state into a noxious it indicates its alteration and correction Secondly Bile as it is made more volatile and sharp by the pestilential Poison does indicate its fixation and contemperation Thirdly the acid Juice of the Body as its acid Acrimony is broken and corrupted by the pestilential Poison indicates the reparation and restitution of the same Acidity Fourthly the Bloud as it hath lost its consistence by the pestilential Poison indicates the recovery of the same The fifth sixth and seventh Indications of Buboes Carbuncles and Spots we shall treat of peculiarly and severally Now we will propound the Indicata of the foresaid Indications 1. The pestilential Poison seeing it frequently penetrates the inner parts by the Pores of the Skin it may most commodiously be expelled by the same and therefore by Sudorificks The same because sometimes perhaps it is inspired in with the Air and doth then also alter and corrupt the Spittle which being continually swallowed down causes loathing in the Stomach it may not inconveniently then be driven again at least in part out of the body And when part is carried off by Vomit the rest that passes with the Air to the Lungs and by and by to the Bloud may most conveniently be thrown off by Sweat with those foresaid Diaphoreticks The same Poison as it is noxious in its quality vitiates and changes for the worse whatever it meets with in the body and that indeed by its salt volatile and sharp quality it may be corrected by a powerfull fixing Medicine and one that takes off the acrimony And because nothing has such a fixing
bloud taken from him by opening a Vein Upon which that very day revulsion of the putrid humour being made from the Skin to the greater Veins by Venae-section he was taken with a Malignant fever which killed him on the fifth day For in such Diâ—eases I do not let bloud Martianus com in 〈◊〉 loc or in a very small quantity both for the reason above-said or because a Cacochymie prevails rather than a Plethory III. A certain Physician cured grievous Itches successfully which were despaired of by others onely by giving a powder made of equal parts of Sarsa Rheubarb and Senna in Broth for 40 days and anointing the body onely with Vnguentum è succis For such Diseases being near of kin to the Pox do in a manner require the same cure as formerly J. B. Montanus did advise Others commend the like powders as N. Massa p. 1. Ep. 30. does also commend decoctions of Purgatives mixt with â—udorificks whom others do follow though Rondeletius Sennertuâ— and Chalmetaeus disapprove of such Medicines who never used them because they are inconvenient and dangerous by reason of contrary motions which Ballonius reckons may be compared to purging in the Dog-days Vâ—lschius Obs 84. l. 1. Epidem p. 41. Yet experience shews they are usefull IV. A Boy ten years old was afflicted with the Itch which ouzed out an ichorous matter A cold season coming on it was suppressed and the filthy matter was turned upon the Lungs which caused a horrible Asthâ—a Pachequus ad Riverium obs 53. which ceased immediately as the Wind turned to 〈◊〉 South V. Galen 14. meth c. 17. speaking of the Ringworm says that if but a little excrement be repelled to a principal part it does no little harm because this is dissolved by the bowels speaking there of a Roman Matron's Ringworm which would never have been cured by a Medicine of Sea wrack had not Galen by stealth put a little Scammony in her Whey which she drank The reason was because there was a great fluxion to the Part. Repellents therefore before evacuation of the Excrement always doe harm Sanctorius de Remed Inv. c. 15. except in a case where it is but small VI. Leeches did a Melancholick woman a great deal of good in a St. Anthony's-Fire which ate her Leg by drawing the hot and adust bloud from the next veins which till then did constantly supply the stubborn Sore And the bloud being voided what remained was easily cured by Bread soaked in Water onely Tulpius l. 4. obs 13. VII One by reason of heat in his Liver was a little troubled with Pimples in his Face who being about to Marry a second time drove them in with some Medicines A little while after he was taken with the Gout Pâ— Salmuth cent 2. obs 35. then with a Palsie in both his Arms and in a short time he died VIII Sometimes redness of the Face comes from abundance of bloud that is carried by the great vein which is in the middle of the Forehead and flushes on a sudden all over the Face and strikes in again but presently returns An Illustrious Countess sent for me on this account and while she was discoursing with me the Bloud immediately flushed out of that vein all over her Face I observing that great vein in her Forehead to be full of bloud perswaded her to let it be opened I ordered her hair to be shaven a little above the commissura coronalis upon the vein leaving a little hair on her brow under the shaven place that it might not disfigure her face and I ordered a ruptory Medicine to be applied to the vein in the shaven place and I told the Chirurgeon that he should not let it lye on above one hour but he let it lye on two and when it was removed it bloudied all the Chirurgeon's face the effusion was so violent who ought to have pressed the vein from her Nose to the Wound that the bloud which was in that part might have been evacuated and then should have applied a defensative upon the place But he being affrighted immediately stopt the Wound and bound it and the bloud which was in the foresaid place fell down to the Nose which swelled upon it but was cured by applying a Plaster When the Wound was cured Bayrus Pract. l. 7. c. 3. and the Vein that was abscinded stopt she was free and her flushings vanished IX Whether are Spaw-waters good for a red Face and for pimpled and copper-nosed Drunkards I Answer Because these Pimples or Pustules do for the most part depend upon immoderate heat of the Liver and these Waters do greatly heat the Liver as is evident in Hydropicks Cachecticks and such as labour of the Suppression of the Menstrua whose Liver is acknowledged to be cold and we have seen abundance of people cured by heating it with these Waters it is certain that if any Man drink these Waters any considerable time he will go away from the Spaw with a far redder and more Pimpled Face than when he came thither as I have observed in several But because these Pimpled Drunkards do always in a manner from the adustion of their Bloud in the Liver contract an obstruction of the Mesaraïck vessels sometimes more sometimes less Heer p. m. 156. they may safely drink the Spaw-waters about ten days namely that when the obstruction is removed by these opening Wells the Liver may be reduced to its temper by the help of cold things X. Our business must be to carry off by the Centre for to drive out the excrementitious humours of the whole Body to the circumference by Hydroticks in a particular not an universal cutaneous Disease does appear to me not very proper For the crusty affection which seizes a peculiar and ignoble part may become universal all the body over Fortis XI There are two constitutions of Diseases one whose essence subsists in facto not depending any more on a preceding cause From this as also from the procatartick cause no indication for remedies can be taken because it is vanished Another whose Being depends upon the generation of a preceding and efficient cause As the venome communicated by the bite of a mad Dog and diffused all over the habit of the body lies hid a long time till it have infected the nature of the Heart and Bowels then the caninc madness quickly shews it self in the Hydrophobous In like manner the impurity of the menstruous bloud of which the bowels of the Embryo are concrete that the foetus may be nourished with the purer part of it lies hid several years within the bowels till by its contagion and ebullition with the bloud it produce the Small Pox and Measles Hence it is manifest that those Diseases whose Being does not any more depend upon a preceding cause and whose matter does not any farther lye deep in the body mixt with the bloud in the heart and veins but is entirely
cast out to the external habit of the body by the strength of Nature neither stand in need of Purging nor Bleeding unless some portion of the Matter or disposition contrary to Nature do still remain in the body Wherefore Hippocrates 1. aph 20. advised well Things that have had a Crisis and that have had a good Crisis we must neither meddle nor make with them either by Purges or by irritating them any other way but we must let them alone And we find these entire excretions of the noxious humour do for the most part happen in such Diseases as arise with an ebullition of the bloud such as a Fever with Buboes an Ephemera the Sweating Sickness St. Anthony's Fire and children's Exanthemata And it is manifest that this ebullition is made in the bloud as in Juices and new Wine by reason of watry and crude or putrid Excrements For since three kinds of Excrements are contained in the Juices of all natural things one Earthy which in Wine is the Lees another Aerial which answers to the flower or top of the Wine the third Watry and crude which fermenting by time and heat causes an ebullition in the humours and juices Thus since Children's bowels are nourished by and concrete of the Mothers bloud which because of Womens idle living and the weakness of their heat is more watry and less concocted than it should Who is there that does not think the tender body of the Child must be infected with the contagion and filth of it and that it must abound with superfluities Which things when they grow hot in the mass of bloud or in the heart with a febrile heat then Nature like working Must throws off these dregs to the external parts of the body where they become Exanthemata Thus also the bloud in the Liver or Veins fermenting with the Putrefaction of either Choler expells its filth to the ambit of the body whence come Buboes in the Groin and Erysipelata Serpigines Carbuncles and Inflammations in other parts And when the Body by a Crisis is perfectly purged of noxious humours which the Urine the Serum of the bloud being made like to healthy peoples urine does indicate then it were needless for us to purge the bloud either by bleeding or a purgative Medicine but the said exanthemata relicks and symptoms might then rather be easily cured by outward remedies or fomentations Like as in that long Plague which raged at Rome in Galen's time In those saith he lib. 5. Meth. who were to escape death black Pustules which they call exanthemata broke out thick all over the body And it was clear to any one that saw it that this was the relicks of the bloud which had putrefied in the Fever which Nature had cast out to the skin like ashes But saith he there was no need of Medicines for such exanthemata because they went away of themselves Thus also I have above an hundred times seen an Itch and oedemata in the Legs that have risen after a Crisis of other Fevers but especially of Quartane-Agues go away of themselves without any help of Medicines But if then either bloud had been let or a Purge given there had been great danger lest by those veins whereby the matter of the disease had been driven out it might have been drawn back again to the inner bowels For a hungry Stomach can fetch back the Aliment trasmitted to the bowels and limbs by the same ways and can draw other humours out of the bowels into its cavity But since this foul asperity of the Skin vulgarly called the Itch does arise of impure cholerick bloud or adust or faeculent mixt with the liquour of salt Phlegm such as the Liver produces through its dyscrafie or often of meats and drinks of a bad juice which Nature does not throw off all at once but by degrees with the Aliment of the body without any ebullition of the bloud to the parts of the body and infects and alters them with its contagion whence it comes to pass that the successive regeneration of it depends not onely upon the dyscrasie of the Liver as upon an internal antecedent cause but oftentimes upon an obstruction of the Spleen whose office it is to purge the bloud and upon the contagion of the Parts Therefore here it is necessary not onely that the bloud be purged by opening a Vein and giving purging Physick frequently but also that the intemperature of the Liver and obstruction of the Spleen be corrected and opened And then after the Body has thus been well purged it will be worth the while to dry the habit of the Body also with Sudorifick Potions of Treacle or Sulphureous Baths or with Ointments made of Mercury and so you may rid the outer parts of the Plague of this infection which they had taken And seeing the Pustules and Itch of a new Pox have commonly a great affinity with other Exanthemata which the remedies common to them both do argue and since beside the external causes of contagion both of them depend upon the internal infection and filth of the corrupt bloud and humours Who I pray even after the Pustules are driven out to the Superficies of the body will deny Langius Ep. 15 16. lib. 1. that evacuation of bloud by Phlebotomy and Purging is of great moment in the cure of either of them XII Angelica N. had been several years troubled with blackness in her fingers with a little corruption and parting of the Nails She was of a cold constitution heavy and dull The blackness was taken away by Tobacco smoak and Ointment thereof Severinus Med. eff p. 159. for that year But when it returned the next it was quite taken away with a fume of Cinnabor so that it never came again XIII Sometimes Sweating of the Feet does miserably torment Women which they endeavour to stop For which Disease I can easily tell them a speedy remedy D. Panarolus Pent. 3. Oâ—s 16. namely if they put some powder of Myrtle in their Linen Socks But let them have a care they do not fall into worse diseases as I have often seen This excretion preserves from many Diseases and should rather be promoted than checked ¶ A Noble German following the Count of the most Serene Prince advised with a Physician about the sweating and stinking of his Feet The Physician orders him to wear Socks dipt in Red-wine wherein Alume was dissolved and prescribes him Pills of Aloes and other things and an Electuary of drying and diaphoretick Medicines which might keep the body safe from putrefaction and superfluous humidity The Socks gave great and present help for the Soles of his Feet were so thick that no sweat could get out afterwards But the Pills and Electuary did not answer the Physician 's end In a few Months some small faintings and unusual giddiness followed The Count of the most Serene Prince came to Geneva in the year 1674 and he desired a remedy of
proper nor may the Cough be stopt though it may break the Vessels Here the Physician is at a stand and Galen 1. Aphorism 16. says he must take care of that which is most urgent But I would offer him a Patient in whom both Maladies were extreme urgent whose Spitting of bloud endangered his bleeding to death And if the Pleurisie were not purged there would be danger of strangling Here a Physician would not know what to doe While I was considering with my self this Difficulty it came into my mind that both Cures might agree sometimes namely If the matter of the Pleurisie be still crude and thin if the Bloud also sweat through because of tenuity or make its way by its Acrimony for then both the Pleurisie and the Spitting of bloud require incrassating things The Pleurisie indeed that it may easily be raised by Spittle because it is brought up by impulse to wit by Cough which is done more conveniently where some resistence is for a thin humour when it is raised is divided by the breath and falls back in coughing And Spitting of bloud if it come from tenuity and acrimony could be moderated no way better than by thickning it But if the matter of the Pleurisie stick not through thinness but viscidity then because we must needs hurt the Spitting of bloud in curing the Pleurisie for we want Inciders it must be done moderately and not without giving the Prognostick first For here the case is almost deplorable Step. Rod. Castr de Complexu morb 6. c. 22. yet not so as that the Patient should be given over and left to the Prognostick VIII The Difficulty is at what time we should use things to dissolve clotted bloud for they open the Vessels not shut them Therefore we must consider whether the violent Bleeding or the Concretion of the bloud be more violent If there be a breach of the Vessels of the Lungs or fear of Inflammation or if the bloud come violently it must presently be stopt but when it is partly stopt that is when the Bloud does not come so fast or its colour is not so florid things to dissolve the grumous bloud are proper after which we must proceed to glutinating things or to such as consist of both that is Oxymel and Syrup of Purslain with Bole-armenick But if Spitting of bloud follow the breaking of the Vessels of the breast because from thence there is no danger of a Consumption the Bloud must be dissolved and discharged before agglutination There must be the same method and we must endeavour the dissolution of the concrete bloud if it come from an Anastomosis of the Vessels of the Lungs for there is no fear of an Inflammation Aretaeus advises that those things which are given must be tenacious to the end Concretion may succeed Among such things Hare 's Rennet is commended which must be given sparingly for a great deal of it is mortal as the same Aretaeus says IX Grumous bloud must be dissolved in the beginning lest glutination be hindred which may be done by taking three or four ounces of warm Oxycrate twice or thrice a-day But it must be so made as that it may be pleasant to drink lest too much Vinegar cause a Cough If this will doe nothing we must proceed to stronger things as Rennet of Hare Kid Crabs-eyes Mumy Sperma ceti Antimonium diaphoreticum These things must be given at the beginning if it come from an Anastomosis But if from Rupture the Flux must first be stopt for it is more urgent than Concretion and then the Bloud must be dissolved X. Galen and Aetius allow Posca onely Averroes condemns it because seeing it is made of Vinegar diluted with Water upon account of the Vinegar it is hurtfull both for the Cause and the Disease it raising a Cough and increasing the Fluxion by extenuation of the bloud Indeed before the bloud congeals into clods it must not be used lest we run hazards But when it is clotted and mortal Symptoms are imminent from it upon account of the urgency it may be given if there be no Cough in respect whereof it is better to use Rennets Treacle Diacurcuma with Scabious water and a Decoction of Maiden-hair c. XI If Bloud be not stopt with Astringents and Glutinants we must flye to Narcoticks which incrassate thin humours and cause a sleep which stops all fluxions For Experience has taught us that Pills of Opium made for the purpose never hurt any one if so be the quantity were accommodated to every ones Nature and not given but to strong Constitutions Enchir. Med. Pract. XII If Bloud retained in the Lungs by the use of Astringents begin to putrefie give opening and dissolving things that the black and filthy bloud may come out Heurnius c. 6. l de Morb. Pect and afterwards the part may be cleansed and cured by glutinant Medicines ¶ When a Patient spits bloud with his Cough two Indications are urgent for through necessity of respiration the Wings of the Lungs ought to expand themselves wherefore there is need of expectoration But effusion of bloud forces us to endeavour astriction of the breast Syrupus myrtinus has a certain admirable property of answering both these ends Syrup of Purslane may be added Idem Meth. l. 2. c. 8. to thicken the bloud XIII All Astringents contract and close the passages and besides they knit and bind the substance of the parts that stick one to another and they doe this more or less according to the quantity of Astriction But by astringing and condensing the outside of the body which they astringe their virtue is shut out and hindred from going deep in For which reason some Physicians have curiously contrived to put other subtile and sharp Medicines into such as these whereby the virtue of Astringents may be carried deep into the body But when the Bleeding happens in places about the Stomach or Belly or Guts there is no need of such a mixture of Medicines Galenus XIV Concerning a methodical Cure Galen's advice 4. m. m. and 7. de comp med K. T. to wit that both hot Medicines and of thin parts must be mixt with Medicines for Spitting of bloud that the astringent Medicines may better be distributed therefore he advises to mix Honey He has a mind to intimate that Medicines earthy and of a thick substance which onely stop breed anxiety at the Heart W. Wedelius Misc curan 1671. obs 43. and difficulty of breathing must not be given but such as leave the motion free to the Air and check the effervescent bloud XV. Concerning Spitting of bloud I will tell you what I observed while I was in Tuscany at the Baths called Villenses I say therefore I saw several cured of Spitting of bloud and preserved from a Consumption by drinking of those Waters but I observed one thing worth the notice which is that they who drank the Water for Spitting of bloud and presently voided the Water
Warm bloud of Animals is given to People in Dysenteries for a Clyster Or things that violently cause a Crust whether actual or potential Willis saw a most violent Haemorrhage stopt with the Vapour of the bloud falling upon a red hot Iron So Cauterization by rosting the Bloud and crisping and closing the Vessels is the last Remedy You may refer hither the Sympathetick Powder the bloud dropping upon which causes this astriction but it is onely in a slight case Or they respect the free passages of the bloud Wherefore Aperients do improperly and mediately stop bloud because they restore the Circulation of the bloud when hindred as we often find them very beneficial in a too violent flux of the menses and in other Haemorrhagies Idem VI. To divert the tendency of the bloud from the Nostrils it is sometimes convenient to open a Vein in the Arm or Foot For the more bloud is carried by the Arteries to the place of Venaesection the afflux to the Nose will be the less Yet this administration does not always so much good but that a quite contrary effect sometime falls out the reason is because the Vessels being suddenly but not sufficiently emptyed do take back again the incongrous humours before thrown out stagnating within the Pores whereby the bloud is immediately put into a greater eruptive turgescence Willis That Venaesection in the Foot is more effectual than in the Arm for stopping an Haemorrhagie at the Nose I have learned from a late Example and that repeated Last March in the year 1681. A Man about thirty years old cholerick and lean had had a Quartane-ague from the preceding autumnal to the vernal Aequinox A double Tertian followed this with tension of the hypochondria and of the whole abdomen and a pertinacious Bleeding rebellious to all Remedies Bloud was let in the Arm and other things done and nevertheless he bled still after application of glutinous things it ran into the Mouth which he spate up concrete in abundance His strength seemed to fail what with the foregoing Fever and the loss of Bloud his Face fell and grew pale But because the heat about his Heart was troublesome his Pulse full and strong and the Bloud came out with violence I ordered the most tumid Vein in his Foot to be bled out of which the bloud came full stream a little after he fell into a sweet Sleep which he wanted before because his Ague-fits came in the evening and he continued in it till night afterwards his Bleeding and Ague both left him he being rid of both by means of Bleeding in the Foot I had prescribed him some opening Pills for his remaining obstructions which he did not take because within a few days by the use of a good Diet there appeared no signs of any so that in four days after his Bleeding he was perfectly well Another Instance offered it self at that same time in a young Man whose name was Frederick Servant to the Family of the Illustrious Counts of Waldeck he was hypochondriack and he had been sore handled by a Quartane-ague all the Winter When the cold season abated which lasted till the latter end of April he bled at the right Nostril I ordered his right Salvatella to be opened out of which the bloud came full stream his Bleeding at the Nose not abating The bloud being received in linen clothes appeared florid not like to washing of flesh and ichorous I also ordered a Vein to be opened in his right Foot and about seven ounces of bloud were taken from thence in Pottingers which gave evident signs of corruption Store of bloud also ran into the Vessel wherein the water was which the Chirurgeon could scarce stop after he had untied the fillet The event was the same as in the former case for both his Bleeding and Ague were stopt Hence you may gather what the nature of the humour is that causes a Quartane-ague which onely the power of the returning Sun is able to conquer The febrile Fire does lye as it were raked up in the Ashes which by the accession of such a blast breaks out into a flame but an innocent yea a salutary one which feeds on and consumes onely its own fewel leaving the solid parts and the other humours untouched It was my hap to observe this in the foresaid Frederick's Lord the young Count Waldeck who had patiently and obstinately endured a Quartane-ague from the preceding August He had a wonderfull Antipathy to all sort of Physick At length as the Spring came on when signs of a Cachexy and Leucophlegmatia appeared in his countenance when he made little Urine which had a large tartareous settling in the bottom of the Chamber-pot I told him he was going into a Dropsie He being affrighted admits of Pills from which he was less abhorrent than from other Medicines made of massa Pilul de Sagapeno Camilli Mercurius dulcis and Tartareae Bontii and a laxative Ptisan to drink after them which brought abundance of filthy stuff away and the Ague which of a simple one was become a treble one at length was a single one again and within a few days quite ceased Yet the third day after his Ague went quite off he was taken with a Diary which ended in a Crisis by stool urine and sweat together which was followed by perfect health That is by this last and gentle Burning all the febrile matter blazed out But this by the way VII Letting of bloud is the chief among revulsory Remedies but it ought to be drawn with a large hand and a broad hole All Men in a manner bleed at a small hole and in a small quantity reckoning that Revulsion is better made so But that a contrary motion may be communicated to the bloud it must be acted by a more violent motion because the more violent draws the weaker Therefore at the larger hole and the faster the bloud runs so much the sooner is the profluent bloud drawn from the Nostrils So that oftentimes a violent Bleeding at the Nose without a Plethora Riverius has been instantly stopt by Venaesection celebrated in this manner ¶ Whether must bloud be let all at once or at several times I think if it be let all at once it will doe the Patient more good for Rolsinccius cens 2. lib. 3. when the bloud gushes out of the open Vein all at once quicke◠Revulsion is made of the bloud that would run out at the Nose VIII Galen 5. Meth. and many who follow him apply Cupping-glasses to the region of the Liver which that it cannot be done without danger the following History does prove A certain Courtier labouring under a violent Bleeding at the Nose made use of a Chirurgeon who among other Remedies set large Cupping-glasses to the region of his Liver The bloud indeed stopt but an Inflammation of the Liver followed I think cold Medicines should rather be applied to the Liver and Spleen according to Hippocrates
his advice 5. Aph. 23. In these places whence bloud runs or is about to run we must use what is Cold c. Especially to places where the motion begins unless there be obstructions which would thereby be made worse for as these things condense astringe and render the bloud less fluid so Cupping glasses indeed retract the bloud and spirits with violence but because in a great Haemorrhagie it is effervescent Fab. Hildanus cent 2. obs 47. it may easily be drawn by the Cupping-glasses to the Liver and settle there IX A Noble Matron fifty nine years old having omitted letting of bloud by reason of her decay in years was suddenly troubled with an enormous Bleeding at the Nose the bloud ran as though she had been let bloud I prescribed cooling and repellent Epithemes for her Forehead and Neck but she bled the faster A Chirurgeon put Tents into her Nose full of Powders to stop bloud but they were ready to choak her and when they were taken out she bled enormously Her Fainting dissuaded me from letting of her bloud Therefore I set a large Cupping-glass first to the region of the Liver and then another to the Nape of the Neck and her Bleeding stopt immediately This Remedy did others good G. C. Winder Misc cuâ— an 76. obs 90. A Cupping-glass is dangerous in the beginning of an Haemorrhage X. It is well known that Cupping-glasses set to the Shoulders and Neck are a most excellent Remedy yet I have sometimes observed they have been used to the Patients detriment A plethorick Man who was ill of Bleeding at his Nose by the advice of his Physician got Cupping-glasses to be set to himself by the fire-side and in a few hours his Bleeding increased so that he lost several pounds of bloud I being called order him presently to go from the fire and that his Back be anointed with a cooling Ointment Ligatures to be made upon his Arms at the Elbows and upon his Legs at the Hams I apply a linen cloth wet in Water and Vinegar to his Forehead and I put some of my Powder described lib. de Gangraena cap. 19. with Tents dipt in Whites of Eggs into his Nose Hence let young Men learn that in all Haemorrhagies the Body must not be heated F. Hildanus cent 6. obs 13. nor the Back rubbed with hot Clothes nor exposed to the Fire XI Cupping-glasses applied to the Shoulders both dry and moist retract the running bloud from the Nostrils but are not a Remedy altogether safe for they may draw the bloud from the lower to the upper parts and give occasion to new Bleeding Some set them upon the Arms upon the Musculus biceps whereby Revulsion is made of bloud from the Nose Riverius XII Onely arterious bloud nourishes the Brain and runs out at the Nose Therefore Coolers and Astringents must not onely be applied to the Neck behind but before also upon the carotid Arteries Riolanus XIII Topical Medicines must be applied to those parts where need is of them immediately or where the bloud may be most cooled For there by immediate contact if it be possible they stop the orifices of the Vessels but here by intimately altering they check the violent motion of the bloud so that to repeat them in short they are applied to the Bregma Forehead under the Tongue to the Nape of the Neck the Nostrils Throat to the Armpits the right and left Hypochondrium the Stones and the Soles of the Feet Wedelius XIV The Bloud does not always come from the Veins of the Head but oftentimes from the small Vessels that come out of the third Sinus of the Crassa meninx when they open a very great Haemorrhagie sometimes arises Bauhinus Th. Anat. l. 3. c. 8. In such Bleeding Medicines must be applied not to the Forehead but to the Vertex and coronal Suture ¶ In such a Bleeding at the Nose Topicks must be applied to the hind part of the Head for the Bloud ascends by the hinder Sinus's before it comes to the third Therefore Hippocrates ordered the hind part of Meton's Head to be fomented with warm water to the end the Bloud might run more freely Sennertus XV. The Head must not be washed with cold water unless Revulsions have gone before whereby the bloud may be drawn to the lower parts of the Body or to the hind part of the Head otherwise Gal. 5. Mâ—t. Med. c. 6. being driven inwards by Coolers it will fill the Veins which are within ¶ Therefore the Bleeding will increase on this account and because the Heat gathered within by Antiperistasis furthers the motion and violence of the bloud Or if the bloud be stopt a Convulsion Apoplexy Parotis or the Bloud falling upon the Aspera Arteria a Difficulty of Breathing will follow XVI Moreover this is suspected when the Vulgar at the beginning lay a linen Cloth wet in cold water round the Neck for there is fear when the way is intercepted between the Heart and Brain either an Apoplexy or a Swooning may follow Sennertus XVII Cold things applied to the Forehead and Temples and the Nape of the Neck where the vertebral Arteries ascend do a little check and repell the afflux of bloud Yet some doe ill in advising cooling Topicks to be applied to the jugular Veins for so the Bloud being retarded in its return will run more abundantly out at the Nose Moreover whereas it is usual to apply linen Cloths or a Sponge wet in Vinegar to the Pubes and Genitals it does good upon no other account than as tying of the Limbs inasmuch that is as the reflux of the venous bloud is thereby hindred Willis XVIII Many use Ligatures but I do not much approve of them although Galen 5. Meth. 6. propose them for assoon as the Ligature is loosed it fills the Head for the Bloud being retained under the Ligature is made more violent and runs to the weakest part Saxonia ¶ I do not willingly use Ligatures both because they deprive the subject parts of spirit and bloud and because by the compression of the muscles they seem to exagitate and impell the fluent bloud Enchirid. Med. Pract. ¶ Asclepiades of old condemned them as Scribonius Largus writes XIX Cruel Ligatures joined with an impetuous motion of the bloud are useless for though gentle binding of the extreme parts and astriction of the Forehead be not insignificant to stop the Bloud a little and to bind the Vessels and upon that score also cold things as Stones and the like beside the Effluvia which they send out are commended if they be held in the Hand or under the Armpits yet if the due bounds which become a Physician be exceeded the Bleeding is so far from being stopt that it rather bleeds the faster Wedelius XX. Swathing egregiously stops Bleeding which follows a Wound in the Veins but if it be tied too strait it easily causes a Sphacelus XXI
aperitivi are given on purpose with Stomachicks and Aromaticks So we use to prepare our cachectick Powder of Pulvis stomachicus Quercetani of root of Aron Crocus Martis and Oil of Cinnamon For they correct Mars and help Nature to conquer him But sulphurate especially causes belching as being cruder therefore we use not to give Crocus Martis so much prepared the crude way as we give it first freed from the Atoms of Sulphur by a new calcination which is better more subtile and obedient to the heat of the Stomach a thing which must principally be observed in Hypochondriacks who are delicate and of a rare texture for these belchings swell like rotten eggs Septalius lib. 9. cant 58. commends this made into a Powder and prepared with Vinegar Wedelius XLIX We must have a care that we promote not the fermentation of the humours by Emulsions and consequently lest while we would cure Thirst Weakness c. we doe more harm than good Therefore in general whenever the orgasmus of the humours is in the lower Belly it is adviseable to abstain from them for as Hippocrates says unequal things ferment Wherefore in Hystericks where it concerns us to quiet the Symptoms and also in Hypochondriacks they cannot be proper Idem L. The quieting of the Paroxysms and of the most urgent Symptoms consists especially in checking the effervescence of the humours in discussion of the rising exhalations asswaging of Pain The effervescence will be stopt chiefly with Medicines that correct the acrimony of both humours the Acid pituitous and the Bilious which is owing to fat and spirituous things but variously mixt with other things according to the various manner of effervescence in each person Wherefore that Medicine which does one Man good often does another harm And it must be a temperate Medicine which must consist of much water and little oil but that so mixt with a volatile salt that it may mix with the water For all the skill lies here I repeat it The temperate Medicine must consist of much water as being a thing which by it self and a lixivious salt is fit to dilute an acid spirit and so infringe its strength To this water oil but a little must be added as being apt to temper both the lixivious salt and the acid spirit And because oil cannot be mixt with water but by means of a Lixivial Salt this must be there also but corrected and volatilized with a volatile Spirit because the same and a volatile spirit use to temper a lixivious salt and an acid spirit In such a Medicine therefore so tempered there occurr three things Water Oil and Volatile Spirit tempering the two Sharps Sylvius de le Boë the lixivious Salt and the acid Spirit LI. Among the Symptoms of this Disease I have observed that a sense and fear of Suffocation and Strangling is not onely peculiar to Women though it take them oftner than Men. I think this grievance has its rise from various exhalations and especially austere ones rising from the small gut to the upper mouth of the Stomach and so to the Gullet and causing a sense of Suffocation and Strangling in these parts But whenever part of these exhalations tends by the lacteal Veins to the thoracick Duct penetrates into the right ventricle of the Heart and into the Lungs and sticking there causes shortness of Breath no wonder if then either through want of proper Medicines or abundance of Exhalations the Patients are sometime suffocated and choaked which I remember once happened to one of my Patients abundance of austere Exhalations being translated to the Lungs with a violent hypochondriack Suffocation as the most urgent Symptome then and returning with such violence every Paroxysm that it would give way to no Medicines but caused Death And this Evil had been neglected at the beginning so much does it concern us to cure all things in time Certainly this Ail is often too much neglected not being sufficiently known to several Physicians and therefore the seldomer cured For curing of this volatile Salts are very good and amongst them Spirit of Sal Ammoniack which if it had no other virtues yet in regard to this Ail it ought to be esteemed by all Physicians Except in this case I do not remember any Patient of mine ever died of an hypochondriack Suffocation to whom I use in time to prescribe and inculcate volatile Salts which all persons may easily use even in their ordinary drink Whereas Castor which many use with good success is an ingratefull thing and is loathed by many The Cure of this multifarious Disease is performed first of all by discussion and suppression of all manner of Exhalations Secondly by correction of the humours whence they arise Thirdly And by the diminution of them where they exceed All volatile Salts and Aromaticks and especially oleous ones discuss all manner of Vapours Among which also Castor it self may be reckoned seeing it is part of an Animal or an Excrement which is the same thing seeing all the parts and each of an Animal abound with a volatile Salt And every particular humour as it offends in divers qualities must in a divers manner be corrected and diminished with its Purgatives But as often as a manifest sense of Strangling is urgent upon the Patient besides this Spirit of Sal Ammoniak Castor is also convenient and its Tincture as also distilled Oil of Mace and Amber if one two or three drops thereof be taken When these Exhalations are more glutinous or also more sharp then besides volatile Salts sweet Spirit of Nitre Oil of Orange Pill c. may be used When they are more watry and there is rather a faintness of Spirits than sense of Strangling then to the volatile Salts there may profitably be added aromatick Tinctures of Cinnamon Saffron Nutmeg Mace c. made with rectified Spirit of Wine not neglecting the taking of Hydragogues now and then to abate the watry humours Idem LII And Difficulty of Breathing comes in for its share which is grievous enough to many the chief cause whereof is various Winds and Vapours often produced by humours in the small Gut which being carried by the lacteal Veins and thoracick duct to the right ventricle of the Heart and so to the Lungs and tarrying there awhile so they both distend the Lungs and keep them distended and so hinder the playing of them and consequently respiration and therefore must be discussed with the same Medicines Idem Medicines especially made use of by eminent Physicians 1. Tartarus vitriolatus with extract of Fern and some convenient Water is an excellent deoppilative ¶ Take of Gumm Ammoniack 2 ounces and an half dissolved in Vinegar of Squills to the consistency of Honey Add of Powder of Spleen-wort Dodder each 1 ounce Oil of Capers 2 ounces of Violets 1 ounce of Bricks and Wax what is sufficient Make a Plaster and apply it Agricola 2. Diaspoliticum in hypochondriack melancholy
14. cent 3. made with the Acid of Sulphur with Extract of Rheubarb Ammoniack c. V. In a new Jaundice Emetick Medicines while the Tone and Faculties of the Viscera are good often give relief inasmuch namely as they rid the Stomach of a load of Phlegm wherewith almost always it is burthened in this Disease Moreover by irritating the choledochal Vessels and by shaking all the hepatick ducts they both open their obstructions and make a passage for the Bile by the usual ways Willis VI. A Boy ill of a Dropsie devoured seven or nine Lice the Disease by degrees disappeared and in the room of it there followed Paleness excessive Appetite Atrophy and Death When his Body was opened there appeared an unusual cluster of Lice of a monstrous bigness If they doe any good at all in the Jaundice G. Hannaeâ—s Act. Domâ— an 1675. obs 23. they doe it by their Volatile Salt which makes the Obstructions to remove and the liquour necessary for our bodies to move more briskly VII I Judge whether there be an Obstruction of any Bilary Duct or no such thing can be supposed the Bile then undergoes a notable change by reason whereof it is carried more impetuously and copiously towards the bloud with which notwithstanding it is not so well mixt as it used but is onely confounded with it and therefore it more easily recedes from the bloud and not onely joins it self to the Skin and external parts but joins it self also to the Muscles and the Inwards and dies and tinges them with its colour For Bile naturally constituted both in the small gut and in the right Ventricle of the heart is not onely loosly but intimately mixt with the occurrent humours and so indeed that it cannot any more be separated from them Which union is made by reason of the effervescence of it in both places upon its meeting with an Acid. Both the said effervescences are either diminished or taken away The cure therefore of the Jaundice will consist in this First in taking away the more remote causes Secondly In correcting and removing the mediate causes glutinous Phlegm stopping the bilary duct c. Thirdly In amending the proximate cause corrupt and vitiated Bile being too spirituous and rendred unfit for effervescence that it may be carried again to the Guts Fourthly In taking away the discolouring of the Skin Glutinous Phlegm is corrected and incided with Aromaticks and volatile Salts When it is corrected Phlegmagogues carry it off which may also serve for Correction for Example Take of Root of Madder greater Celandine Smallage each half an ounce Flowers of Broom half a handfull Seeds of Columbine Parsly Anise each 2 drachms crude Tartar 1 drachm and an half Boil them in an equal quantity of White-wine and water what is sufficient In twenty ounces of the Colature dissolve of Syrupus Diacnicu Syrup of Cichory with Rheubarb each 1 ounce and an half Mix them Let the Patient take some of this Apozeme twice or thrice a day so as he may have two or three stools and may void the Choler together with the Phlegm When the Jaundice comes from the poison of a Viper or from any other then to correct and expell it all Sudorificks abounding with a volatile Salt are good which answer both Indications Hither conduces Antimonium Diaphoreticum to fifteen grains Bezoardicum minerale to half a scruple volatile Salt of Hartshorn or of any Animal got by distillation and if it be strong five or six drops or grains of it often given in some convenient liquour Treacle also is good and various preparations of Vipers The Bile of Ictericks that is depraved and vitiated and made too spirituous will be amended especially by oily and fat things by means whereof an aptitude to right effervescence is restored to the Bile Thus I have cured several of the Jaundice by giving them five or six ounces of a decoction of Hempseed in fat Cow's Milk boiled till it burst and strained twice or thrice aday Thus also having premised what ought I have several times successfully cured a Jaundice by giving one drachm of any Soap dissolved in warm Milk and Sugar once or twice a day Soap indeed seems to doe good as by its lixivial Salt it dissolves the obstruction in the intestinal Bilary duct which because it cannot be said of Hempseed which cures the same Disease I suppose is good First Upon account of the Lixivial Salt but fixt of which it is made as it being joyned to the Bile corrupted by its excessive spirituosity corrects and diminishes the too great volatility and spirituosity thereof by assuming to it self some share of the volatile Spirit luxuriant in the Bile And Secondly Upon account of the fat or oil but thick and not at all Aromatick or Volatile by means whereof it takes off the edge of the volatile and spirituous Salt which has the predominance in the Bile This opinion of mine seems to be confirmed by Saffron familiar in the cure of the Jaundice which being commended for its fatness in that very thing favours my opinion for Saffron is easily joined to a volatile Spirit Therefore volatile Spirits may be fixt and bound and brought to tranquillity with fat and oily things Whence it appears if when they are joined with the Bile in too great a quantity or exalted in it they cause a Jaundice by making it more volatile and moveable that this said volatility and mobility of Spirits must be conquer'd by oily things and such as cause gentle sleep and thereby the Jaundice must be cured The discolouring of the Skin goes away of it self but it 's sooner removed by subtile Sudorificks Sylvius de le Boë and things endued with a volatile Salt whether Sweat follow or not VIII In this class of Medicines whereby the Ictericious dyscrasie of the bloud is intended to be relieved Chalybeate Medicines seem to have a place of right wherefore they doe as great good in the Jaundice as in other diseases of Cachexy as well by opening the obstructions of the Bowels as by depressing the efferations of the Sulphur and fixt Salt and by volatilizing the bloud Therefore filings of Steel or its Powder the Mineral frame of it being dissolved or the Vitriolick Salt extracted may conveniently be added to Decoctions and Infusions Idem IX Hence it is that the Waters sometimes cure Ictericks to a miracle who have been left to the Prognostick Though also these drunk in a large quantity as they pass through all the Vessels do also open the hepatict ducts Willis how much soever stopt X. If a hot Intemperature of the Liver be the cause it must be altered whether it be with or without an Inflammation But this I advise that their counsel must not be taken who use external Medicines actually cold and astringent to the Liver for they hinder the passage of the Bile to the whole body Saxonia and so for an intemperature they raise an Erysipelaceous
thing of the Venous kind the abundance whereof has with it heat and falling down with the recrements signalized the Itchy parts with inflammatory dispositions and redness especially if there be a Fever then indeed we must cure with cupping and scarifying the Armes and Shoulders or for greater revulsion the Thighs to draw to them what is redundant in the body which when done you must give the Child and Nurse attemperating things But if it appear that the Venous kind has besides the heat of bloud something bilious salt or disaffected it will not be amiss to Purge gently This one thing nevertheless observed that you never attempt to apply any thing to the Itchy part since it is certain that seldom any thing does good for oftentimes you may render the part more tender and soft so that if there be any thing in the body the Skin more easily receives it and when it is received makes the Itch worse though the scabs and pustules that were there before be fallen off XCVI But if the pustulous Itch increase so that it will neither give way to change of Age Diet nor Medicine but by an invincible Itching and for fear of a Leprosie force us to these greater remedies especially if the Patient be in danger of a Consumption then we must take care by other Medicines which besides that they Purge radically do substantially moderate and temper the Liver and repair it with new nutrition and which also have the faculty of rarefying purging and cleansing a filthy thick Skin Idem XCVII But let not any Man think that there is no time when we may apply things to the Itchy parts that the Scabs may either ripen or dry and fall off And let a Man consider that it must be done then especially when it appears the Disease is towards the declension and less Scabs and Pustules break out and what is broke out more easily falls off It is a sign indeed of paucity of matter and of the vigour of the faculties because it wastes more insensibly and breeds less or less remains of what is contracted from the Nativity At which time Nature must be helped with things that neither repell nor draw but onely soften the Scabs dry up the fretting running places and absterge the foul Idem Scrophulae or the King's-Evil XCVIII Great Prudence must be used in treating Children in the King's-Evil 1. Gentle things must always be used 2. Violent Medicines must be avoided because there is danger of raising a Fever and lest their tender flesh should be hurt 3. The Swellings must be treated neither with fire nor the knife which are near the Arteries or great Nerves especially about the Neck Mercurialis lest the reversive Nerves be hurt Siriasis or Head-moldshottenness XCIX I am compelled to take notice of Avicenna's mistake concerning Childrens Siriasis He took all that Rhases and Paulus wrote concerning Childrens Siriasis and put it word for word into his Chapter of the Erysipelas of the Brain and defined it to be an Erysipelas of the Brain which Diseases are quite contrary for an Erysipelas is an Abscess with inflammation coming of yellow Choler which if it seize the Brain as Avicenna thinks there will be a Fever and a Sphacelus of tne Brain which usually kills the Patient on the third day Cap. 7.51 Each of which things is not competible with a Siriasis for it is a far milder Disease and heat of the head than an Erysipelas and it usually takes Children in the heat of Summer because of pituitous bloud or phlegm it self putrefying about the membranes of the Brain and inflaming the Spirits in the Arteries with a gentle Fever You will Object That the same remedies with which Dioscorides and Paulus extinguish the Heat of a Siriasis since they are cold and moist will doe an Erysipelas as much good which is a hot and dry Disease But you are mistaken for upon the account of the concoction of the Disease which is an alteration causing the Putrefaction to cease the substance remaining they require the same Medicines If indeed by applying cold things to the Sinciput the Arteries of the Temples and Wrists and Forehead in the conceptacles whereof the Siriasis lies burning you can extinguish or alter the external heat in the membranes of the Brain and Arteries which might kindle putrefaction certainly you have prevented it and concocted the Disease And this very thing you may doe with the same remedies in the cure of an Erysipelas But as for what concerns the cause and substance of the Disease there is need of far different remedies which the substance of the Disease and its cause will indicate to you First A cold and moist Diet was ordered the Nurse and after I had applied Nettles pounded in a Mortar with a little Vnguentum Populeon to the Arteries of the Temples and Wrists and had renewed them every hour the Heat of the Siriasis was extinguished in less than two hours Langius C. Outwardly almost all commend the Yelk of an Egg with Oil of Roses The Juice of Heliotrope is admirably commended by Dioscorides and others Juice also of Nightshade and Lettuce is good but especially the Juice of Citrulls and of Gourds But we must take notice not to surpass in these cooling Medicines lest while we avoid Heat we fall on the Ice that is lest of one bad Disease another far worse should be made Mercurialis CI. There is another thing also to be observed that these Medicines as all Men advise be continually changed and that they be always used warm in Winter time and actually cold in Summer Because if they be kept long on they grow hot and dry and afterwards doe more harm than good â— der Tussis or a Cough CII That a Cough sometimes arises without any great fault in the Lungs because of Morbifick matter falling on the Pneumonick Nerves the History of a Girl who was ill of Convulsion-fits and of a grievous and continual Vertigo does shew To whom when a fomentation of a Cephalick Decoction was applied to her Head presently her Swimming ceased and instead of it there came a dry Cough without any Spitting which troubled her night and day Which without doubt happened because the spasmodick matter was forced out of the Brain into the origination of the Nerves This merely convulsive Cough seldom occurs in adult people in Children it is very frequent and sometimes epidemick which when at first it has been moderate afterwards it grows violent and convulsive So that in Coughing the Diaphragm being drawn upwards and kept in a long Systole or often repeated the Lungs are much straitned and greatly hindred in their motion In the mean time because their Breath is stopt and the bloud is kept about the heart and therefore stagnates in other places the Patients are in danger of choaking and often contract a livid and dead countenance In this case besides spasms raised by straining to Cough
and an Oedematous one X. The Physician must labour to know an internal one XI Vnguents are not very proper XII I. AS 1. All the bloud is carried by the Arteries from the Heart to all and each of the containing parts of the body both for their vivification nutrition and increase and for the separation of all the humours or contents usefull and useless some way or other from the rest of the mass So the same after this multifarious benefit multifariously conferred on both bodies being residuous and surviving but deprived of some part of it self or effoete is again carried by the Veins from all and each of the same containing parts to the Heart there to be renewed by the mutual mixture of various concurring parts and by their effervescence and vital rarefaction afterwards 2. And this reciprocal flux and reflux of the bloud is called now the Circulation of the bloud 3. But the Bloud is sometimes hindred in its reflux when it either stagnates and stops in its Vessels and Passages or is poured out of them whether it be into the Substance of the adjoining parts or into the Cavities of the body or whether it happen out of the Body 4. The Bloud stagnates in its Vessels either through an excessive Plethora called ad Vasa or as to the Vessels or by reason of their narrowness caused either by their compression or obstruction 5. The Veins are compressed so as to hinder the reflux of the Bloud sometimes by hard tumours adjoining sometimes by bands about the parts which straiten both the Veins and Arteries 6. The Veins are stopt sometimes by the Bloud it self or Phlegm coagulated and concrete in them sometimes though rarely by a Stone bred in them and increased by degrees 7. By Veins I understand as most do the cavernous substance of each part by which the Bloud for the most of it passes out of the Arteries into the Veins 8. The Bloud is coagulated both by the extreme cold of the Air or Water affecting the Parts very much and by powerfull astringent or austere Medicines communicated to the Bloud either inwardly or outwardly and congealing it 9. Phlegm is coagulated in the said Vessels by the same causes but most frequently by the cold of the Air Water Drink or of other things suddenly seizing the parts that were hot before either inwardly or outwardly thickning and curdling the Phlegm especially the viscid which has by some cause or other been dissolved in the small Gut and carried thence into the Bloud and dispersed every way with it 10. Where note the more causes concur and the more peccant they are so much more easily quickly and plentifully is the said Phlegm dissolved and carried to the Bloud 11. And the Bloud stagnating in the said Vessels and gathered by little and little distends them more and more and so indeed that sometimes they burst or afford a passage for it some way or other upon which there happens then an effusion of the bloud out of its vessels whether it stick in the substance of the adjacent parts or be gathered in some adjoining cavity of the Body or be all poured out of the body 12. The Bloud as yet inclosed and remaining in the capillary vessels and it may be also in the sinuous substance of any part intermediate to them or poured out of its said usual passages but open and patent into the porous substance whatever it is of the parts themselves and especially the carnous or membranous or into their interstices and gathered in a moderate quantity at least does of it self presently grow hot and produces a troublesome sense of Heat in the sensible part and being by degrees corrupted it uses to turn into pus or sanies Wherefore the first mutation is called an Inflammation as the latter is called an Abscess or Imposthume 13. And I think the Bloud grows hot or breeds an Inflammation inasmuch as its spirituous and more volatile and subtile parts which used to temper the acid and saline ones presently begin to vanish when it stops in its distinct vessels or in any other place that is stagnates Upon which both of them being made more sharp do fight one with the other and raise a hot effervescence by reason of the oily parts of the bloud and by little and little so corrupt the bloud that it turns to pus which varies according to the variety of the corrupt bloud Sylvius de le Bâ—◠¶ For the Cure therefore of the Inflammation and of the Abscess that would then follow it is requisite 1. That the Compression or Obstruction of the vessels be removed 2. That the motion of the stagnating or stopping bloud be restored 3. That the Bloud poured out of its vessels may if possible be removed thence before its suppuration 4. If it cannot be removed and so suppuration cannot be hindred that it may be maturated and promoted 5. That discharging the pus when bred may be hastned 6. That cleansing and consolidation of the Ulcer may quickly be finished As to the first Indication and Obstruction see Tit. de Pleuritide BOOK XIV where one thing should be added concerning Externals that volatile Salts may be here used outwardly with great success if at the time of using they be mixt in a small quantity with Fomentations Cataplasms Unguents c. For the second Indication Sudorificks are good as by their help the bloud is not onely made more fluid but moreover it is actually put in motion being more and more rarefied by the volatile Salt that is in Sudorificks And Venaesection inasmuch as the next bloud comes into the room of that which is let out and so more room being made for all the bloud it moves both quicker and stronger wherefore that which stagnated and stopt first in the Vessels now that the Plethora is removed stops no more but renews its interrupted motion For the third Indication these things given inwardly hinder the coagulation of the bloud Crabs-eyes Antimonium Diaphoreticum Mummy Sperma Ceti Galbanum Sagapenum Opium c. The Part affected may be anointed with Vnguentum Martiatum de Althaea compositum or any other Aromatick May Butter and Butter prepared with the Juice of aromatick Plants adding sometimes aromatick Oils distilled Among Plasters this de Spermate Ceti is highly commended Take of white Wax four ounces Sperma Ceti two ounces Galbanum dissolved in Vinegar one ounce Mix them Make a Plaster or Sparadrap Which not onely preserves the Bloud in all external parts of the Body but Milk also in the Breasts from Coagulation yea it dissolves and discusses it if but gently coagulated The fourth Indication is satisfied by emollient and maturating Medicines But when pituitous and viscous Humours are mixt with the Bloud sometimes the Bulbs of Onions Squills c. must be added to them sometimes Bdellium Galbanum Ammoniack and the like liquid Stirax Wax Turpentine and Honey Where a great Heat is in the inflamed part and the Patients cannot
may be made stronger which may be done if less liquour be put to it and if it be boiled a little longer For by long boiling more virtue is got out of Plants and especially out of solid Woods which give their virtues but slowly It is known moreover that a Decoction of any thing is made thin and weak with much water but thick and strong with a little water It conduces also much towards promoting of Sweat if the Decoction be given hot For all sorts of Medicines penetrate far sooner and more powerfully hot than cold or but warm Besides the Heat of a hot Decoction dissolves the viscid Phlegm in the body and tempers the acid Humours which must in this Disease be conquered and expelled But it is good that besides the body be disposed to bear Sweating the better either by composing the body in bed and covering it with clothes or by going into a Stove or by running or any other violent motion of the body For as these alone use to cause Sweat so they cannot chuse but promote it yea when it comes slowly it is good to take hot broth Idem XXI These sudorifick Decoctions work also in many by Urine especially when Diureticks are taken with them Diureticks are more conveniently taken with them if those they call the Opening Roots or other parts of Diuretick Plants Berries Seeds c. be boiled with the Sudorificks For then Sweat and Urine may be promoted at once And I think no man need fear that the operation of the one Medicine will hinder the other since most reckon either Medicine will answer both Indications For Sudorificks do in some measure provoke Urine and Diureticks also promote Sweat Therefore I have no reason to scruple Diureticks in the Cure of the Pox since there is no difficulty in the case The Physician ought carefully to observe whether the Patient upon taking diuretick or sudorifick Decoctions incline more to Sweat or Urine to the end that evacuation may be most promoted which is the easiest to the Patient and from which most benefit may be expected Whenever therefore we observe a Patient sweats with difficulty but does void abundance of thick Urine with a full and laudable Sediment it is not good to force such an one to sweat but to expect the chief Cure from expulsion of Urine onely And it would not be amiss in such a case to increase the quantity of Diureticks in the Decoction or for the Patient now and then to take a Decoction of Diureticks alone For the pituitous humour when it is conveniently severed from the rest of the bloud either in the Kidneys or in the Heart the effervescence in its right ventricle being amended is successfully discharged with the Urine and passes more easily that way than by Sweat Idem XXII Concerning the Decoction of Sarsa parilla we must take notice that they who care not to spare cost and could have the Decoction efficacious do onely take the Bark as being the most efficacious part of the Root and throw away the inner Pith as less effectual yea some reckon it is cold and a little astringent Sennertus XXIII When China Root first came to be known many preferred it before Guaiacum but Experience afterwards abated its fame And Palmarius writes c. 14. that many to their great prejudice preferred this Root before Guaiacum and that he found by Experience that with a very spare Diet it was ineffectual for the Pox. And oftentimes the Stomach grows so moist and the innate Heat is so opprest with the Decoction of it that a grievous Lientery and a great Crudity often follows in whom the innate Heat was but weakly He writes moreover that it causes the pleen to swell and grow hard in them that use it long And he will not also allow it any extraordinary occult quality against the Pox Because after taking of it they frequently relapse who have thought themselves well cured And Fallopius confirms it who writes that he had used this Root three or four times for the Cure of this Disease and could doe no good with it And if perhaps some one who could neither be cured by a Decoction of Guaiacum nor by anointing with Quicksilver recovered his health by a Decoction of China Palmarius thinks this to have been the reason That Nature delights in variety of Medicines and being tired out with strong things was at last relieved by weaker Idem XXIV Some advise not to make more of the Decoction at once than can be taken in one day because when it is cold it easily grows sowre And therefore they order it to be kept on hot Embers But Experience has shewn us that it will last four days Yet whenas it grows sowre that very thing argues the root has something spirituous and alimentarious in it which is the cause of fermentation and thereby of the Sowreness Idem XXV Besides Sudorificks and Diureticks Purgatives also must be used in the kindly Cure of the Pox which must be Phlegmagogues and here Experience does not a little confirm my opinion as well as the consent of all Practitioners which among the common things gives the preheminence to Pulp of Coloquintida and among Chymical things to Mercurial Medicines Now these things are intended chiefly to evacuate a pituitous viscid humour Therefore we did not conclude much amiss that the Venereal Poison was mixt with viscid Phlegm and that Phlegm did both produce and increase it Sylvius de le Boë and is now conveniently evacuated with it but it must first be a little corrected XXVI Coloquintida I say and most Medicines made of Mercury are very proper both for a pituitous viscid humour and for curing the Pox as all experienced and learned Physicians agree To such as like common Medicines best I recommend the taking of Pulp of Coloquintida boiled in part of the Sudorifick Decoction or in some other Apozeme twice or thrice a week to carry off by stool the gross and viscid humours which are not fit to be expelled by Sweat through the Pores of the Body For besides that pituitous humours blended with the mass of Bloud are very difficultly thrown off by Sweat through the Pores of the Body moreover much Phlegm is discharged with the Spittle and the Pancreatick juice to the Guts wherefore it is better to carry it off once or twice a week by stool than by the continual taking of Sudorificks onely to carry it back to the Bloud and so to render the Cure both more tedious and difficult Idem XXVII They that have no mind to take a Decoction of Coloquintida because of its bitterness may take Trochiscs of Alhandal which are made of it in Pills adding things that may incide and carry off the same Phlegm especially Gum Galbanum Sagapenum Opoponax Ammoniack Bdellium Mastick c. I have often prescribed such Pills for those that were sick in the Hospital Idem XXVIII The Phlegmatick humour which
dissuaded him from medling with it Severinus Med. Eff. p. 113. though it put him to continual trouble VI. Ptilosis is a callous red thickness of the Eye-lids often accompanied with the falling off of the Hair a contumacious and tedious Ail the Cure whereof I once experienced by pricking of the little Veins in the outside of the Eye-lid which rise as it were into Varices and many others came to me whom I always cured the same way Among the rest a Religious Man who for six months could find no benefit by any Medicines was thus quickly cured that is Idem p. 79. by frequent pricking with a Needle VII I have often cured an Ectropium by Scarification And an Ectropium according to Celsus is a fault in the upper Eye-lid which turns up a little and comes not down far enough to shut or in the lower Eye-lid which is not drawn high enough but turns back and hangs down and cannot joyn with the upper And both are caused by some inward Disease and by a Scar and this not without defect in the Eye-lid which if it be too defective says Celsus no Cure can restore it So He indeed but I found that an Eye-lid inverted after the Cure of a Carbuncle so that all the lower Sinus of the Eye lay much open was amended by cutting the Circle of the Deglabrated Eye-lid And this happened to a Capuchine who by such cutting recovered the beauty of his Eye almost entirely Idem who had been despaired of by the Surgeons Palpitatio Cordis or the Palpitation of the Heart The Contents Whether Bleeding be good I. Where Blood must be lâ—t II. When Cupping-Glasses must be applied to the Back III. A Caution in applying Vesicatories IV. Whether Attenuants be proper for the cause V. When we must abstain from Diureticks and Hydroticks VI. Sweet sented things are not proper if it comes from the Womb. VII If it come from Wind we must avoid Syrupus de Pomis VIII Caused by a Worm IX A violent one in an Hypochondriack Woman quickly discussed X. If it come from abundance or heat of Blood how such things must be used XI The Efficacy of Issues XII We must continue long in the use of Medicines XIII Cured by drinking Whey and bathing in fresh Water XIV Willis his way of Cure XV. The trembling of the Heart differs in the Causes from the Palpitation XVI Medicines I. ALthough oftentimes Wind be found in this Malady yet because there may be Wind in a Spurious Palpitation which proceeds from the heat of Blood or inundation of the Pericardium it is not safe at the first coming of it to apply hot things Wherefore if the mischief arise from the heat of Blood first of all according to Galen's Opinion Blood must be let In them who labour of an Inundation of the Pericardium never unless very sparingly and seldom only that what oppresses the Spirits of the Heart may be moderately subtracted and that the Fever which perhaps for want of convenient Ventilation increases may not gain ground and I think this is what must chiefly be done in a Spurious one Mercatuâ— thinks Blood-letting hurtful because its Indicant namely abundance of Blood does not at that present offend For who will affirm that Flatuous Matter which is the immediate cause of this Affection can be taken away by Blood-letting Yet Galen 5. loc aff c. 2. intimates the contrary when he affirms that all who are ill of a Palpitation of the Heart are cured by bleeding and attenuating Food and Physick Which Tenet is not without reason for when abundance of Blood is in fault it indicates plentiful detraction lest the Spirits be suffocated But if there be no great Plenitude yet Bleeding is convenient Horstius Dec. 5. Prob. 3. because the Disease in respect of the part affected is great for a principal part is affected where we must take care by Revulsion that abundance of Humours do not run more to the Heart which is otherwise debilitated II. The Palpitation of the Heart as is very apparent to me is usually caused by a Melancholick Humour Hor. Augenius l. 10. de Sist c. 11. that is by consent with the Hypochondria in Splenetick Persons wherefore I always did my Patients a great deal of good by setting Leeches to the Haemorrhoid Veins III. When in time of the Fit the strength is not able to bear Bleeding we must use Leeches and Cupping-Glasses As for the place Rhases 7. cont applies Cupping-Glasses to the Back Avicenna disapproves them because they raise Palpitation by drawing the Blood to the Breast This contradiction is thus taken away Cupping-Glasses in Plenitude of the whole applied to the Back with much flame and deep Scarification especially if they be large use to raise this Tremulous affection of the Heart Therefore in this case they must be set to the lower parts But when the Body is evacuated by Medicines and Bleeding small Cupping-Glasses gentle Scarification with a little Flame applied to the Back do good for they draw the Vapour Wind and Blood from the Center to the Circumference Saxonia IV. For Revulsion of the Matter in a tedious and frequent one Issues and Blisters either in the Arms if the Matter fall from the Head or in the Legs if it be essential or transmitted from the lower parts to the Heart are good Concerning Vesicatories Mercurialis cautions us not to use Cantharides because they have a faculty malignant and adverse to the Heart but rather Crow's-Foot Flammula Jovis c. V. Where the Matter is sanguine almost all agree in this that Extenuating Syrups should be given Being swayed by Galen's Testimony 5. de loc aff 2. who treats a Palpitation with Blood-letting and Extenuating Medicines And they take their Matter for Extenuaters from Lib. de Palpit c. 5. where he reckons up all hot Medicines endued with an Attenuant virtue Penny-royal Calamint c. This Operation is to me suspected yea dangerous seeing Wind may be bred of a hot cause where Cacochymie or Plenitude is The place is in Galen 4. acut 9. For if hot Attenuants be given in abundance of Blood Wind and Vapours will be raised and they will increase the Palpitation Therefore Attenuants may be chosen but they must be cooling as Ptisane Oxymel Syrupus acetosus simplex acetositatis Citri c. And I believe Galen 5. de loc aff must be understood of Attenuating Meats and Diet not of Attenuating Medicines but of true Extenuaters And such are they which diminish Blood either of themselves or by accident Of themselves Venae-Section and all Evacuation of Blood All Purging by Vomit or Stool Sweat or Urine diminish Blood By accident a spare Diet Labour Friction Bathing The place is in Galen 2. aphor 28. where under the name of Attenuating Medicines all these things are understood And truly in abundance of Blood it is good to extenuate Saxonia that is to let Blood and diminish it VI. L.
Diagnostick of this is very difficult so I think the Cure of it is no less rare When there is suspicion of it Saline Medicines especially seem to be of use and such of them must be given as are endued with a Volatil or Acid Salt And the same things must not be given together but these for some space of time and when they will do no good others may be tried 1. Spirit of Sal Ammoniack compound with Millepedes or distilled with other Antasthmaticks 3 Ounces The Dose from 15 Drops to 20 thrice a day in some Julep or appropriate Water 2. Spirit of Sea-Salt or Vitriol impregnated distilled and often cohobated with Spirit of Wine and Pneumonick Herbs 3 Drachms The Dose from 15 Drops to 20 in the same manner 3. The Palpitation of the Heart is often a Convulsive Affection and is usually produced by the like cause and way of efficiency whereby other Hypochondriack and Asthmatick Diseases are usually produced The Cure whereof must in like manner be attempted by Antispasmodick Remedies c. Willis Saxonia mentions this last sort Praelect Pract. parte 2. cap. 1. It must be observed says he that it is caused by some fault in the Nerves alone nothing appearing amiss in the Brain Breast or Muscles Which I observed in my Brother whom I perfectly restored by the use of Treacle only applied to the beginning of the Spinal Marrow XVI The Trembling of the Heart which they commonly call the Passion of the Heart is a Disease distinct yea quite another from the Palpitation of it For in the Trembling the Carnous or Motive Fibres seem to be affected by themselves and the Morbifick cause does not in this as in the other Disease consist in the Blood or in the Arteries of the Heart The trembling of the Heart may be described to be a Spasmodick Convulsion or rather a Trepidation of it wherein the Motive Fibres do very quickly make only semicontracted and very speedy Systoles and Diastoles but abrupt and as it were half strokes so that the Blood can be brought into the Ventricles of the Heart and carried out only by small portions The formal reason seems to consist in this that the Animal Spirits belonging to some certain Muscles do start restless out of the Tendons continually into the Flesh and return and so in a perpetual vicissitude they repeat their Excursions and Recursions in the mean time when they are only exalted with small Forces so that they do not fill up the Carnous Fibres and they stay in these Fibres only a short time and although they make sometimes frequent efforts yet they are weak insomuch that the Members and Limbs are not moved out of their places by the Muscles so perpetually agitated and the Heart during its trembling how quickly soever shaken yet it is scarce able to drive the Blood about as is plainly manifest from the little and as it were tremulous pulse and a decay of all strength As to the Conjunct and Procartarctick Causes whereby namely the Muscular Spirits are made so instable or acquire this Desultory Faculty it seems that some Heterogeneous and Elastick Matter having past the Brain and Nervous Ducts then is carried into the Muscles and the Tendinous ends of them where mixing now and then with the Spirits it irritates them so that they can be quiet no where but run hither and thither continually and in the mean time they either omit or do not strenuously perform their proper Offices The cause of the trembling of the Heart is commonly laid upon the Spleen for it is vulgarly supposed that foul Vapours are by this parts being obstructed or otherwise amiss sent to the Heart which seising of it make it so shake and tremble yea as if it were in a cold fit This Opinion has gained some credit because Hypochondriacks or Spleneticks are found to be very subject to the Cardiack Passion But the reason why they that are reckoned Splenetick and Hysterick are so commonly troubled with the Passion of the Heart is the great affinity and intimate communication between the Splenetick and Cardiack Nerves so that not only the affection of one Part does draw another easily into consent but if at any time Spasmodick Matter falls upon the Branches of the Nerves belonging to the Spleen or Bowels in the lower Belly it seldom misses but the same in like manner scises those that belong to the Heart As for the method of Cure to be followed in the Cure of the Passion of the Heart because it is a Disease meerly Spasmodick therefore not Cardick but rather Cephalick and Nervous Medicines are indicated which yet according to the Temperament and Complexion of the Patient must be hot or moderate and sometimes of this sometimes of the other nature That I may comprehend the business in short three sorts of Medicines use to do the most good in this Disease Testaceous Chalybeates and things endued with a volatil salt Therefore first of all provision being made by evacuating the whole Medicines may be prescribed Idem which shall seem to be most useful Medicines especially made use of by eminent Physicians 1. Let a Man take this Potion inwardly which I have seen do good to a miracle Take of Water of Boragè 5 ounces Syrup of Borage 1 ounce Julep of Roses Cinnamon Water each half an ounce dissolved Pearl 2 drachm◠dissolved Gold 1 drachm Crato Mix them 2. Spirit of Balm alone cures the Palpitation of the Heart when the Body is purged Take of Regulus of Antimony 2 ounces the best Gold 2 drachms Melt them in a Crucible then reduce them to Powder add of red Coral Pearl each 2 drachms Mix them through a Sive Add the like weight of the best Nitre Burn them in a hot Fire for three hours Powder them very fine Wash it in sweet Water Put it into a Glass retort with the best Spirit of Wine and distil the Spirit cohobating it three or four times upon the Powder So it is prepared for an excellent Bezoardick Powder which in virtue excels the Bezoar-Stone The Dose half a drachm with Water of Carduus Benedictus Fabe◠Meadow-sweet or Balm It is given to drive out in Palpitation of the Heart Malignant Fevers and the Small Pox. 3. For the Palpitation of the Heart I ordered the following Bag to be applied to the Heart Take of dry Balm 4 handfuls the Cordial Flowers 1 pugil shred them grossly Make a Bag. When it was applied to the Heart the Palpitation ceased to a miracle There is an admirable virtue in Balm both taken inwardly and applied outwardly I took green Balm and Borage bruised them a little laid them upon a hot Tile sprinkled them with a little Rose Water and Vinegar and applied them to the Heart Forestus and the Palpitation of it ceased to the admiration of all Men. 4. The Juice extracted out of Weather's Hearts strengthens the Heart wonderfully Take the Heart of a Weather or a
Kid dry it stick a few Cloves in it put it in an Earthen Vessel set it in an Oven in which the Heart dissolves into juice Crembs Give it the Sick to drink 5. The following Water is a great Secret Take of Hearts of Hogs of Harts each N. 2. Cut them in pieces Add of Cloves Galangale Seed of Basil each 2 drachms Flowers of Bugloss Rosemary Borage each 2 Handfuls Let the Spices and Seeds be cut and bruised after a gross manner Put to them as much Malmsey Wine as is sufficient Digest them for 24 hours Distil them The Dose Herlicius half an ounce with Sugar 6. A piece of fine White Bread sopt in Wine of Crete Joel and eaten is admirable for strengthning the Heart and stopping its Palpitation 7. In a Palpitation from a cold Cause true Rhapontick is of incredible Efficacy if 2 drachms of it be taken in Wine or if Wine wherein the same Rhapontick Mercatus All-heal Aristolochia rotunda or Faenugreek has been inâ—used be drunk Paralysis or the Palsy The Contents Sometimes Blood must be let I. Vomits are sometimes good II. If it come from Phlegm whether we must purge in the beginning III. At first we must go to work with gentle Medicines IV. Whether Oxymel may be admitted among Preparatives V. Whether Sudorificks may be given VI. Or Treacle or Mithridate VII Why sometimes Sudorificks do hurt VIII How Sweat must be raised when External Pains accompany a Palsy IX Diureticks to be preferred before Hidroticks X. Clysters must not consist of over emollient things XI The use of Bathes sometimes hurtful XII How they do good in that which follows a Colick XIII Insensible Evacuants must be violent XIV Cure by Salivation is not good for every one XV. One cured by Salivation XVI Whether we may raise a Fever XVII When it comes from External Humidity a must quickly be cured XVIII There is no harm in making Decoctions Infusions c. with Wine XIX Whether Confectio Anacardina be safe XX. Sinapisms and Blisters when proper XXI Vrtication good XXII Topical Medicines must be applied to the Original of the Nerves XXIII They must not exceed in heat XXIV A Palsy from an External Cause cured by an easie Remedy XXV Oyly Medicines are not proper for all XXVI The Cure must be varied according to the variety of Causes XXVII It may be caused by Bile and Blood XXVIII That which comes from a Melancholick Juice must be cured with Chalybeates XXIX Ceasing after voiding of Worms XXX That which follows the Colick requires not the Cure of the Origination of the Nerves XXXI How by Pications we may help the Atrophy of the Limbs which follows XXXII The continued use of Infusions is excellent XXXIII Medicines I. SOme mention Venaesection which yet unless there be a Plethora seems not proper because here is not the same danger of extinguishing the Vital Flame as in an Apoplexy But yet if the Blood appear not to circulate conveniently and that from above small Pulse and short Breath I think Venaesection altogether necessary for the same Reasons which we propounded in the Apoplexy See Tit. Apoplexy Book I. And I recommend these two Signs taken from the Pulse and Respiration to be carefully observed by all Men because they are the principal Signs of the Blood 's Restagnation about the Ventricles of the Heart Sylvius de le Boe. and of danger of Suffocation ¶ Although Medical Writers do usually respect Pituitous Matter yet since it is manifest that it sometimes arises from Plenitude of Blood this may be let boldly I speak this because some fear to do it reckoning that a Palsey always comes from Phlegm I know a Woman who when she had been let six ounces of Blood could not be cured but when some pounds had been let she was cured though some Physicians were afraid of so great a quantity And I know two Men who by bleeding in great quantities and at several times were cured Therefore in a Sanguineous Palsy Blood may be let boldly not once only but oftner not in one place but several But if in the Palsy there be not a Legitimate Sanguine but a Spurious Plenitude Blood must be taken away yet sparingly as Aetius Paulus Alexander and Celsus are of Opinion For the last l. 3. c. 27. writes That Bleeding and Purging are good for Paralyticks In this case it must be let sparingly only to about six ounces Yet this must be observed That is the Palsy seize all the Parts of the Body but the Head the Haemorrhoid Veins must be bled If one part be free Blood must be let in that Saxonia II. Vomits sometimes do abundance of good in curing the Palsy namely because they substract Matter from the Conjunct Cause and they do not always drive further the Matter impacted into the Nerves but make Revulsion of it shake it and often break it into pieces so that when the continuity of the Mass is broken the Animal Spirits themselves do easily dissipate the Particles of the Morbifick Matter Willis when they are parted asunder III. There is a Controversie between Rhases and Avicenna whether we may Purge in the beginning Avicenna before giving of Purgatives propounds Preparatives and gentle Medicines Rhases at the very first uses Pilulae Cochiae and consequently strong Purgers I thus compose that Controversie When the Palsy is new through some great fault in the Head as after an Epilepsie or Apoplexy I am of Rhases his Opinion presently to give a Purge The Reason is plain for there is danger of the return of the Epilepsie or Apoplexy which we must immediately prevent by giving a Purge But if the Palsy be old in a determinate part without hurt of the Brain Avicenna's Judgment must be followed first a Lenitive must be given Saxonia and then Preparatives IV. In the Palsy our Ancestors observed this that in the beginning it must be treated with gentle Medicines and not with very violent ones whether taken inwardly or applied outwardly Certainly I have sometimes observed That a Palsy of one side has followed that which was only in a part and sometimes an Apoplexy has followed this the abundance of Noxious Matter being agitated in the Head more than it should be when any one has endeavoured to carry it off by a sharp Medicine And there is a great Error oftentimes committed in that when the Head and Body are not well purged such Medicines are given as by their heat and motion easily get into the Head and there they put the Humour into Fusion and Fluxion which Nature by rest and a good Course of Diet Solenander would have at length overcome and concocted Experienced Physicians know this V. I do not disapprove of Oxymel with other Preparatives although Vinegar be an enemy to the Nerves as they are dry parts but when they are imbued with and full of Pituitous Juice Vinegar is not hurtful Saxonia and especially diluted with
be Troches and Lozenges that they may the longer be kept in the Mouth and carried more plentifully to the Weazand and may partly therein and partly in the Mouth imbibe and concentrate the acid Serum A sowr Serum shall be corrected by Medicines that amend it such as are among the vulgarly known Castor Asa foetida Carabe among Chymical Remedies all sorts of Salts that are truly Volatil the most effectual whereof I have found to be the Spirit of Sal Armoniack the Oyl of Amber Mace c. Let the ingrateful things as Castor Asa foetida be given in the form of Pills Idem Pectoris dolor or Pain of the Breast The Contents An hot Pain of the Breast cured by a Seton in the Part. I. A wandring Pain ceasing by the use of a Decoction of China II. A Pain of the Sternum proceeding from a Bilious Humour included in a peculiar Membrane III. I. THe most Noble Lord G. Ã B. being a Man of a very Cholerick Temperament was long vexed with a most troublesome Pain in the left side of his Breast which no Topicks or other Remedies could asswage Himself proposed the passing of a Seton in the part which with much ado his Physicians consented to Calling L. S. a skilful Surgeon of Geneva himself with his Fingers took hold of the Skin of the part affected and raised it up strongly from the subjacent Muscles then the Surgeon thrusts a Needle through it being threeded with a Seton as thick as ones little Finger and from the upper to the lower Hole there was six or seven Fingers Bread hs spâ—ce A while after a virulent yellow Serum flow'd out in great plenty which being exhausted the Pain remitted After six weeks this Noble Person pull'd out the Seton without any return of the Pain II. Mr. N. being fifty years old of a sanguin Complexion returning out of Italy from the Wars complains of cruel Pains afflicting him every Night about his first Sleep they begin in the left Side reaching at the same time to the fore and hinder part of the Breast to the left Side and Shoulder-Blades with that violence as to awake him nor can he continue to lie in any posture but is forc'd to rise The Pain continues till the morning and then ceases and is quiet all the day He had been troubled therewith for two months and had used no Remedy Another Physician thinks that these Pains proceed from a thin Catarrh falling upon those parts in the night in which season the Phlegmatick Humour is moved I am of Opinion that they proceed from Wind which is raised only at those hours by the heat being made more intense from Concentration during sleep The Matter out of which it is raised is a puddle of bad and crude Humours collected in the Stomach Mesentery and about the Liver bred from a bad Diet in the Camp whereby the Concoction of the Stomach is weakened and thence are flatus sent all about being raised from the bad Humours When Concoction is finished the status are no longer transmitted and therefore towards morning the Pains cease For Cure I prescribed first an universal Evacuation by Apozems and Bleeding afterwards a Decoction of China for fifteen days by the use of which things the Distemper lessen'd by degrees River cent 2. obs 8. and at length was wholly removed without other Remedies III. I have known one or two troubled with a Pain in the upper part of the Breast-Bone not very cruel but of long continuance which intermitted indeed daily a good part of the day yet so as that there was always some troublesome sense remaining It caused no difficulty of Breath nor was it accompanied with a Cough yet it was somewhat increased by strong Inspiration and deep Sighs as also by a sudden lying along upon the Back and muâ—h bending of the Head backwards and likewise by yawning and stretching It always continued fixt in one place yet it sometimes extended it self to the neighbouring parts of the Breast and towards the Aâ—m-pits I thought this Pain proceeded from an Humour fixt between a peculiar Membrane for that which is common to the whole Breast called Pleura recedes a good space from the Breast Bone while it forms the Mediastinum and the very Body of the Breast-Bone on that side next the Cavity of the Breast in no great quantity but such as was very Acrimonious or Malignant yet Bilious the Parties being in the vigour of Age and of hot Bodies and very subject to Diseases from Choler The Cure confirmed this Conjecture being performed chiefly by repeating Purgers of Choler I also used fomentations of Anodynes and Relaxers and laid on a Plaister of Olibanum Virgin Wax and Burgundy Pitch Arnold Bootius de affec omiss c. 12. See Sect. I. which is of notable efficacy to draw forth gently any sort of Acrimonious Humours that lie deep and to dissipate them by degrees Pectoris Pulmonum vulnera or Wounds of the Breast and Lungs The Contents When purging is hurtful I. How to cure Wounds that penetrate into the Cavity II. The necessity of Tents III. Whether Injections be hurtful IV. Let them not consist of bitter things V. Where Paracentesis or Tapping is necessary 't is not to be omitted for fear of a Flux of Blood VI. When the Blood stops by what art it is to be made to issue VII Wounds near the Heart are not to be closed sooner than others VIII The opening of an Imposthume is not to be delayed IX I. SUch as being wounded in the Breast have Pus contained in the Cavity while it is a purging out by the Wound there is no better Remedy than not to purge the Body for if a Purge should be given all the Humours would run towards the Guts Scultet obs 43. and the Body would be wasted whose wasting bad Symptoms will follow II. I have often seen Wounds of the Breast penetrating into its Cavity yet without any hurt of the Internal Parts which Wounds are indeed of two sorts one which hurt the Intercostal Vessels out of which the Blood flowing plentifully issues into the Cavity of the Breast the other wherein the Vessels being not hurt pour no Blood into the Cavity The first sort of Wound is to be kept open which method of Cure all Writers of Physick propound But if there be no signs of Extravasated Blood in the Cavity namely if the usual Symptoms be wanting amongst which are a Fever much Coughing a weight upon the Midriff and other such like then putting a very short Tent into the Orifice of the Wound wetting it with the White of an Egg and laying a Linnen Cloth over it dipt in the same with Bole-Armene and Sanguis Draconis I gently compress the wounded part with a Swathing-Band and the next day throwing the Tent quite away I lay on a Cere-Cloth of Ceruss by which things I make my Patients sound in seven or eight days Marchet obs 41. By the same
method I also cure Wounds of the Breast that only penetrate the Muscles thereof though an Hands breadth long ¶ Penetrating Wounds made in the upper part of the Breast so that the Matter that is collected within cannot so conveniently be discharged forth degenerate into an Empyema according to the general Opinion On which account I have made Incision in some betwixt the fifth and sixth Rib and thereby have evacuated the Matter and cured several See Instances in Scultetus obs 43. 59. ¶ I have observed that as oft as the Matter is quickly discharged namely in a days time at furthest the Patients presently recover the Matter flowing no longer out by the Wound and which is strange the Fever moreover ceasing which is continual while the Matter stays in the Cavity of the Breast Yea this is thought to be a Pathognomonick Sign That when the Patients are free from a Fever there is no Matter in the Breast and does indicate that the Wound is to be presently closed up Whereas on the contrary when the Matter issues out by little and little all such die because by its delay the Internal Parts are Ulcerated Pus is increased and the Ulcers and Fever grow daily worse and worse Which therefore must be marked by those that are employed in these Cures namely that if the Pus be not evacuated in a short space of time they see to drain it forth as quickly as they can by Medicines for which purpose I give either Barley-Water or Water and Honey which deterge it by little and little and make it fit for Evacuation not without the help of Nature expelling it which Remedy the more strong need not who in a few days discharge all the Purulent Matter and are cured unless this Evacuation be prolonged and then they dye See Pareus Scult obs 43. lib. 9. c. 31. Nic. Massa tom 2. Epist 11. III. Felix Wirths a Surgeon utterly rejects Tents in Wounds of the Breast and determines That Pus it self Blood or other Matter collected in the Breast may be fitly evacuated by Sweat Urine Stool or other ways But though I deny not that Patients are in great danger when unskilful Surgeons tie not the Tents with a Threed to hinder them from slipping into the Cavity of the Breast yet I see no reason why the use of them is utterly to be rejected seeing otherwise Nature Hoâ—st ap Hildan cent 3. obs 36. which expects assistance from Art cannot discharge the Superfluities IV. Cosmus Slotanus a very good Surgeon wholly abstained from Injections that are made by a Syringe which he bids us observe in all Wounds and Ulcers either in the Breast or lower Belly for some part of the Injection might easily glide into the vacuity of the Breast or Belly and grievous Symptoms with great danger to the Patient might be raised thereby Fabr. Hild. cent 1. obs 63. Yet Sculicius used them with very good success as appears from his 51 and 56 Observations V. One being wounded in his Breast when I had poured into the Wound a very deterging Injection of Wormwood Centaury and Aloes there rose up such a bitterness into his Mouth with a Nausea that he could no longer endure it Then I called to mind what once I had observed in one who had a Fistula upon his Breast Therefore when I consider'd that such bitter things are apt to be received into the Lungs and to rise from thence up into the Wind-Pipe Throat and Mouth I declared that I would never more administer such bitter things to my Patients for there proceeds far greater trouble than fruit and benefit therefrom A. Pareus l. 9. c. 30. VI. One was wounded in his Back the Sword penetrating as far as to the left Pap and though a great deal of Blood issued out of the Wound yet on the third day he breathed difficultly and had a very great pain near his Midriff Therefore his Breast was opened betwixt the third and fourth Rib that the Matter contain'd in his Breast might be evacuated When the Perforation was made there flow'd out of the Wound but three or four drops of Blood Which I would have to be therefore noted because some say that a great flux of Blood is caused through cutting the Intercostal Vessels Yet I will not deny that sometimes especially in the Cholerick there follows such a flux of Blood into the Cavity when a Vein or Artery is cut which yet may be easily avoided by such a Knife as Celsus and Paulus call a Spatha Suppose an Intercostal Vein or Artery be hurt what matters it for little or no Blood can be retained because of the Perforation that is made there and if it should be retained Scoltet obs 43. the next day it will flow out again when the Wound is drest VII When no Blood issues forth in Wounds of the Breast that it may not flow into the Cavity put into the Mouth under the Tongue one grain of Mosch and the Blood will presently issue forth of the Wound which is reputed a Secret says Sennertus lib. 2. pract From whence collect that Mosch is to be avoided in any Hemorrhage where we would stanch the Blood Hoefer Het Medic. lib. 2. c. 3. VIII Seeing the dignity of the Heart is very great as being a principal part 't is manifest that Wounds in the Breast are more dangerous than others whence a doubt arises whether the same be to be treated like others and like them be to be closed up as soon as may be Some are pleased with the affirmative because of the nobleness of the part in regard whereof we must have singular care that the fountain of heat be not hurt by being exposed to External Injuries and therefore they endeavour to close up such Wounds with all the Art that may be But seeing Wounds of the Breast pour out daily such a deal of Matter as we hardly observe to issue from the Wounds of any other part because Nature both for preservation of the Part and because of the Pain sends daily very much Blood thither which being tainted with malignity and filth or not altered through the weakness of the Part is quickly corrupted I say on this account I am of opinion that such Wounds ought to be kept long open that there may lie open an exit for the corrupted Blood and Matter for the Blood being retained preternaturally or any corrupt Humour will become the cause of greater mischief Whence Pareus lib. 2. cap. 31. adds for a decision of this Case that the former Opinion is true when no Preternatural Humour is contained any longer in the Breast but the later when the Cavity of the Breast is filled with Matter and Clods of Blood Horst Dec. 5. probl 5. IX The opening of a Vomica or Imposthume is not to be deferred Chalmet Enchir. p. 147. lest there arise a Fistulous Ulcer or rottenness in the Bones which I have oft seen happen to many Pedum
affectus or Distempers of the Feet The Contents A cruel Pain cured by a Cautery I. The Sweat and Stinking of the Feet is to be cautiously stopt II. I. A Woman for five years together was taken two or three times a day with a very cruel Pain in the Soal of her left Foot it rose from a thick Flatus mixt with tough Phlegm a weakness of the part accompanying with heat redness hardness Many Remedies being used in vain at last an actual Cautery is affixed to the Pained Part after the falling off of the Eschar there flow'd for fifteen days a virulent Matter in great plenty Zacut. prax adm p. 2. obs â—â—t and the Patient was freed of her Pain II. Seeing Excrements are collected about the Extremities of our Bodies the Hands and Feet as the most remote from the Heart more naturally or plentifully than in any other parts of the Limbs so that our Hands grow dirty and our Feet are almost crusted over with virulent and stinking Sordes we must be very careful not to hinder the usual defecation there Wherefore such as pull not off their Boots or Shoes when they go to sleep do great injury to their Feet And those consult ill for their health who to hinder the stinking of their Feet put in their Shoes Myrtle Leaves Filings of Iron c. For as the Arteries endeavour to discharge themselves of their Excrements in these parts so when the Defecation as I may call it is hindred any way the Veins are made to absorb the same together with the Arterial Blood which is carried back to the Heart by means of the Circulation and wants still to be defecated Simon Paull quadr bot Penis affectus or Diseases of the Tard The Contents A Caution in cutting off part of the Tard when it is gangren'd I. We must not after Section use an actual Cautery to stanch the Blood II. The abuse of Cathereticks in rooting out of Caruncles III. Cautions about taking away a Caruncle IV. The Penetration by Rushes is dangerous V. A Caution in putting up a Catheter VI. How a Caruncle may be consumed without injuring the Urethra VII Quick-Silver and Precipitate safely cure a Caries of the Yard VIII The Cure of a Crystalline Bladder of the Glans IX The Vlcers of the Glans are to be handled gently X. The Cure of a Phimosis XI When the Prepuce grows to the Glans they are to be very warily parted the one from the other XII How a Node of the Yard is to be cured XIII The Cure of a Phimosis and Paraphimosis when caused by a wholsom Coitus XIV The Cure thereof when gotten by a Clap. XV. Coolers and Repellers are not to be used in the beginning XVI The Cure of a Paraphimosis in Infants XVII I. IF any Portion be to be cut off from a Gangren'd Yard we ought presently to put into the Vrethra some Pipe or a Wax Candle for Pissing otherwise all that which remains of the substance of the Yard retires within the Body so that thereby the Urine cannot pass forth The Erection of the Yard perishes by the Incision Walaeus meth mod p. 157. for the Spirits can no longer be retained in the Nervous Bodies II. When the Yard is cut off an actual Cautery for stanching the Blood is very dangerous both because it obstructs the Urinary Passage and also is apt to cause an Inflammation in the Bladder and Circumjacent parts I order my Servants to take care of stanching the Blood by holding continually one after another Stupes to the part wet in Water and Vinegar Hildan cent 3. obs 88. and besprinkled with an astringent Pouder III. To root out Caruncles in the Vrethra many do too boldly put up Wax Candles besmeared with Corroding Medicines by the over great biting whereof I have not only seen loss of substance in the Vrethra H. a Moinichen obs 17. but also a Gangrene which infected not only the Perinaeum but also the inside of each Thigh and consumed these parts with a foul Mortification to the destruction of the Patient ¶ A Noble Person being troubled with a Caruncle from a virulent Gonorrhoea when the Surgeon had injected with a Syringe a sharp Liquor into the Urinary passage there presently arose a great Pain whereupon followed an Inflammation and a Fever his Urine was quite suppress'd Hildan cent 4. obs 54. and he died in a few days IV. The original of a Caruncle in the Yard is sometimes to be attributed to a Gonorrhoea in the inflammatory stiffness whereof the Chord as the Vulgar call it being broken in Copulation or to speak more artificially the Membrane of the Vrethra being torn which is contracted and mâ—de shorter by force of the Inflammation and Tumour after a large Hemorrhage such as is usual upon those strainings and violent tearings there remains an Ulcer out of which by degrees there arises a Fungus namely a Preternatural Tumour and Disease in the Urinary Passage that cannot be safely and certainly rooted out any other way than by such Medicins as consume it by immediate contact Those Spongy Thymus's use to run with a Purulent Matter which has generally been taken for a Gonorrhoea by such as have less accurately consider'd the source of this Malady Hence there appear Threeds of Pus floating in the Urine part of which Matter I think also to flow from the Prostates which have been afflicted a long time by an Intemperies not wanting Malignity destructive of the Natural Heat and injurious to all the Functions I cured a Nobleman that had been afflicted fifteen years with such a Caruncle Considering diligently all the difficulties but especially his delicate Nature the most exquisite sense whereof reputed even the easiest Chirurgical Remedies for the cruellest Torments I put mine hand to the work and having premised Universals I consumed the whole Caruncle with little pain by an often repeated application of a Catheretick by a Wax-Candle it was pretty hard and three Fingers breadth long possessing almost half the length of the Vrethra The nearness of the neck of the Bladder gave me no small trouble when I came to the end but especially that small Tubercle which by a gaping mouth gives passage to the Seed into the Vrethra whose bulk being increased by an afflux of Humours would have impos'd upon an unskilful Artist and persuaded the further use of eating Medicines But take this as a Secret from me in the Cure of a Caruncle That 't is better cured by delay than haste As often as the lips of the Ulcer swell being irritated by Medicines Theodor. de Mayerne tract de Arthrit p. 145. they fall again by the application of Lenients and which is strange the most pertinacious obstacles vanish of themselves in a few days V. Because it happens sometimes in a suppression of Urine that there are found a great many Caruncles that hinder its passage and the application of Medicines if neither Baths nor Anointings
Salius notis in Altimar c. 51. Merc. cap. prop. which Distemper seems to indicate moistening which is obtained by much Drink XVI Hippocrates l. 2. de Morb. s 3. makes mention of a Disease of the Lungs not much differing from a Peripneumony which he calls a Lethargy The difference of which Diseases consists only in the Matter For in a Peripneumony the Humour predominantly offending is Choler or Câ—olerick Blood but in this Disease it is Phlegm whence as in a Peripneumony a Delirium happens through heat so in a Lethargy does there follow a drowsiness through moisture see the Title of the Lethargy and from the putrefaction there accompanies it a slight doating But it is not difficult to reconcile the difference of this place and lib. 3. in allowing of Wine if we consider that 't is seldom but Hippocrates allows Wine in Diseases of the Breast if not in respect of Drink yet however for Medicin that Expectoration may be promoted or that the vertue of Medicins may sooner be brought to the Heart On which account indeed he bids us often drink Wine after suppings which is done in this Disease wherein in as much as drinking of Wine is suspected because of the Delirium he therefore forbids the drinking of it lib. 3. P. Martian comm in v. 242. loc cit yet he forbids not the drinking a little quantity of it after suppings as it is a Medicin ¶ With us the drinking of Wine in a Peripneumony yea in almost any hot Diseases of the Breast is very hurtful as daily Experience assures us so that even the very scent of it offends the Patients yea it cannot be allowed even in the invasion of a fainting-fit but it hastens the death of the Patient Whether the Reason be the Condition of the Climate or of the Wine or somewhat else I leave to inquiry Surely the Heart that is seated near to the Lungs soon partakes of the heat that accrews from the drinking of Wine XVII As to Topicks either none or only weak Repellents and Astringents are to be applied in the beginning of the Inflâ—mmation both because of the nearness of the Heart lest the Humour be repelled into a principal part and also because of necessary Respiration lest the use of the Lungs be hindred by constringing the Breast Wherefore the Oyls of Roses Myrtles and Violets will suffice with the Waters of Roses and Violets and the Juice of Plantane Chalmet Enchir. p. 145. XVIII The greatest difficulty is what we shall give against Vigiliae or want of sleep when it is very troublesom in as much as Opiats because they hurt Respiration which is already prejudic'd in this Disease are not saâ—ely taken yea sometimes they become pernicious wherefore Laudanums and the stronger Preparations of Opium ought to be utterly avoided in a Peripneumony Yet in the mean time the milder Anodynes and Hypnoticks as especially the Water and Syrup of red Poppy are not only allowed but esteemed Specifick Remedies in this Disease and the Pleurisy yea we may sometimes use Diacodiates if the Patients strength hold out and the Pulse be strong and laudable enough Willis The Phrensy The Contents In Venesection we must take heed not to make the Orifice too wide I. Opening of the Forehead-Vein is better than of that behind the Ears II. Blood is not to be let till the Patient faint away III. Whether a Clyster ought always to precede Bleeding IV. Sleep it to be procured after Bleeding V. Topicks are to be used warily VI. Whether Elective Purgâ—rs are good in the beginning VII Strong Hypnoticks are hurtful in the beginning VIII Whether Narcoticks be safe IX They are not to be given to all X. The unseasonable use of Refrigeraters is hurtful XI Whether a Decoction of Coriander be profitable XII We must take heed of abusing cold Oxyrrbodines XIII Whether they should be applied warm or cold XIV When we must abstain from Repellents XV. Whether the Head be to be Shaven XVI When young Pigeons c. are to be applied XVII The profitableness of washing the Legs XVIII Great regard is to be had to the strength XIX Some have been cured of Phrensies by being plunged in cold Water XX. Whether the use of Wine may be granted XXI Whether Frantick People are to be kept in the light or in the dark XXII They are to be bound XXIII How Urine is to be provoked when suppressed XXIV I. IN all Venesection that is made in a Delirium we must observe this not to make a large Orifice for so it will close again for which end it is to be accurately bound up that it may not be loosened by the Patient Also for the quicker closing up thereof 't will be profitable to apply a Plaister made of Aloes the White of an Egg and Hares Wooll River II. Among deriving Medicins the opening of the Forehead-Vein has place out of which Blood is to be taken to five or six ounces which has good success when Blood enough has first been taken out of the Veins of the Arm. Let Leeches also be applied behind the Ears which Remedy is profitable indeed but less effectual than the former because by the Leeches the most thin portion of the Blood is only drawn forth whereas by the Forehead-Vein there is sometimes drawn out in a Phrensy a more impure and corrupt Blood than out of the Vein of the Arm. Idem l. 17. c. 1. See an Example in Heurnius aphor 72. 4. III. Though plentiful Bleeding be requisite especially if Blood abound the Inflammation but beginning and the Phrensy proceed from no other Disease yet must we not as some Arabians advise bleed till the Patient faint away lest the Spirits fail which are weak of themselves from want of sleep and continual restlesness and which cannot expect to be recruited by a little fuller Diet so that 't is safer to bleed a little at once several times Sennertus IV. We may administer a Clyster after Bleeding for if one be called in the morning on the first day of the Disease he may presently open a Vein without delay though a Clyster be not first given seeing there is danger lest the Matter be carried plentifully to the Head For as Hippocrates says lib. de rat vict we may open a Vein without premising a Clyster in case of urgent necessity Rondelet pract l. 1. c. 15. But if any truce be granted let a Clyster be first given V. Let great care be taken to procure sleep the next night after Blood-letting for after the Blood is evacuated if the Patients do not sleep they grow more raging Therefore give Diacodium with the Juice or Water of Ptisan Heurnius Riverius for often after sleep they come to themselves again VI. See that Stupefiers be not used continually lest the Phrensy turn to a Lethargy Let Externals also be warily applied to those whose Spirits are low Hartman pract Chymiatr c. 8. sect 9. lest the
over all a warm Colewort Leaf anointed with Butter or Hogs Grease tying it on with bandage Z. Lusâ—t 6. I have seen many Pleuritical Persons cured with Pigeons Dung taken to half a drachm in some convenient Liquor Dom. Panarol 7. For mitigating the pain and procuring sweat this is admirable Take of the Water of Chamomel Flowers four ounces of Sugar two drachms take this Draught for two or three mornings hot and sleep upon it lying warm Eust Rhod Prurigo Scurf or Mange The Contents A Man cured by a Decoction of Snakes I. Another cured by a Bath of Vrine II. I. A Young Man being troubled with a Scurf could get quit of it by no Remedies At length he was quite cured by a Decoction of Snakes six ounces whereof he took at night three hours after Supper with a little Sugar for forty days together For Snakes Aristot 8. de gen anim cap. 17. calls them Vipers dry absterge cleanse the Skin thrust the superfluous Humour to the External parts Zacut. prax adm obs 2. lib. 1. and bridle the naughty quality thereof II. Of what efficacy a Bath of Urine is for curing Cutaneous Diseases Galen Actius c. shew for it absterges very much A Melancholick young Man was a long time troubled with a Scurf or Mange for thin and branny Scales shell'd off from all his Body leaving many Ulcers behind flowing with virulent Sanies When all other things would do no good he was quite recovered by using only a Bath of Urine Idem obs 3. Praegnantium affectus or the Diseases of Women with Child The Contents It is a difficult thing to Physick Women with Child I. Lâ—t Physicians undertake the cure of them II. Whether Women with Child may be bled in the Foet III. Their Diseases are better mitigated by Bleeding than Purging IV. Whether Remedy is safest Bleeding or Purging V. Whether Purging be convenient VI. Cassia is not to be used VII Clysters are hurtful VIII Pills are rarely to be prescribed IX Diureticks are not to be used X. The use of Acidulae or Mineral Waters is not safe XI There is sometimes place for Sudorificks XII Whether a Bath be profitable XIII How Affections of the Mind are to be allayed XIV Their Diet is to be duly ordered if they be taken with Acute Diseases XV. The use of Butter is hurtful XVI Whether Exercise be convenient XVII Pica or Longing is not to be cured the same way in them as in others XVIII Vomiting does not forbid Bleeding XIX It may be stay'd by Narcoticks XX. It is to be stopt with caution XXI An immoderate Flux of Blood is stanched by provoking the Birth XXII The same stanched upon bringing forth a dead Foetus XXIII How and where we must use Astringents XXIV I. THere is a great difficulty in Women with Child in every respect and I always use to say to my Scholars There are two things in Physick which I am most troubled and solicitous about wherein I am prest with the greatest difficulties and almost falter and stumble namely when I Physick Women with Child and Infants for the Cure of Women with Child is doubtful difficult and full of anxiety Wherefore I think that we should always walk with a Leaden Foot Epiph. Ferd. hist 13. and do all things with premeditation II. Though most Physicians refuse the Care of Women with Child yet they are not to be left destitute yea we mâ—y safâ—ly undertake their Cure when they have a laudable Blood to nourish their Foetus withal but we may not hope so well in the Cacochymical J. Raym. Fortis cons 76. cent 2. who are apt to miscarry upon taking of Physick III. Whether may Women with Child be let Blood in the Foot This Question is founded in Acute Diseases the Epilepsy an Erysipelas of the Womb great pains burning Fevers which depend on the Womb. Women according to Aristotle abound with Blood about their Womb. Therefore there is no doubt but that Blood is to be taken from a Woman with Child when she is ill of an Acute Disease even though it injure and endanger the Foetus because it is better to study and provide for the health and safety of the Mother than of the Foetus seeing its Life depends on the Mothers and Blood is to be let as often as the greatness of the Disease shall require it But the Question consists in this Whether Venesection in the Foot be convenient and safe For if according to Hippocrates a Woman with Child miscarry upon Bleeding much more when she is Bled in the Foot because Food is thereby withdrawn from the Foetus according to Galen in comment For this kind of Remedy is designed for provoking the Terms according to the same Galen and to unload the Womb and to revel from it whatsoever it contains that is troublesom and painful 'T is better therefore to draw as much Blood out of the Arm as is necessary than out of the Foot because through the Circulation all the Blood returns from the lower parts upwards to the Heart And the Blood is contained in greater quantity above the Liver than below by reason of the parts of the Breast and of the Head which receives a great deal Therefore Bleeding in the Arm may equally revel from the Womb because the Liver makes the middle of the Body according to Galen and revulsion ought to be made to a contrary part Besides it empties the parts of the Breast and Head sooner and more commodiously But if the first or second Venesection should be made in the Foot while the Uterine Vessels are yet full it wou d be tolerable but it is not used but when the upper parts are already exhausted and therefore the Blood that is contained about the Womb in the Hypogastrick Vessels is revelled and withdrawn from the Foetus from whence an Abortion may follow if it be defrauded of its nourishment Moreover Venesection in the Foot is nearer to the Womb than that in the Arm and so is apter to cause Abortion And Venesection in the Foot does draw by the Arteries the nearest way from the Womb which that in the Arm does not do Wherefore 't is better in a Woman with Child to open a Vein in the Arm than in the Foot unless the Physician intend to procure Abortion to preserve the Mother from imminent danger of death But if the Woman should be in the greatest danger of her Life and without an intention of causing Abortion should need Bleeding in her Foot her strength holding up it were better to Bleed her therein from the sixth Month inclusively to the ninth though the Foetus be then bigger because by the great providence of Nature Blood is contained as in a Store-house within the substance of the Fungous Womb and in the Placenta that is now thick and large enough for the nourishment of the Foetus for some days But in the other foregoing Months when the Placenta
Millepedes that is either in form of a dry Pouder or of a distilled Liquor seldom fail of success for such recall the superfluities of the Serum from the Head and Nerves and carry them to the Urinary Passages Gentle Purges are also good as is a decoction of an old Cock and other things appropriate to an Asthma See the Section following Willis XXI Of all the dire Symptoms of Scorbutick Persons difficulty of Breathing and straitness of the Breast coming by Fits are the worst I think they for the most part arise either from a sudden stagnation of the Blood that is just growing grumous in the narrow passages of the Lungs or from a Convulsive irritation of the Nerves which serve the Organs of Respiration In the first case there is an exceeding distention of the Lungs and thence as it were an immobility with a sublivid redness in the Face a dimness of sight swooning a low weak intermitting Pulse accompanied with despair of the Patients recovery But in the later case the Pulse of the Heart and Arteries is not very irregular the Party is troubled with a dry Cough together with an anxious straitness about the Heart and deep sighs stopping the Breath For when the Blood because of its thickness stagnates in its Circulation through the strait passages of the Lungs such things are proper as by powerfully attenuating inciding and moving it do restore it to a requisite fluidity and to a more expedite Circular motion 1. Carminative Clysters for Revulsion 2. Blood-letting where there are signs of a Plethora for so when the Blood is diminished the rest will more easily be attenuated and will pass the straits of the Lungs with a quicker motion 3. Hot Thoracicks mixt with Antiscorbuticks of the same virtue Tincture of Saffron Elecampane Castor Elixir Proprietatis Confectio Alkermes Flowers of Sal Ammoniack Benzoin Volatil Salt of Vipers Horse-dung Spirit of Sal Ammoniack A spoonful either by it self or in some convenient Vehicle in a small but a repeated Dose for these do excellently keep off the Fit by keeping the Blood from Coagulation For it is found by Experience that Coagulated Blood is dissolved by a Volatil Salt diluted with Water and besides Volatil Salts there is not any thing found fit to prevent or dissolve this Coagulation For a Scorbutick Asthma from a Convulsion of the Pneumonick Nerves See the foregoing Section Antispasmodicks promise a Cure which are experienced to have the faculties of dulling suppressing and discussing this irritating acrimony of the Humours or Vapours For this these things are cried up Spirit of Sal Ammoniack Hartshorn Soot Castor Spiritus Lavendulae compositus mixt with appropriate Liquors and taken in repeated draughts while difficulty of Breathing is urgent Castor also Galbanum Asa foetida and their Tinctures drawn with Aqua Raphani compos or Lumbricorum But in such a shortness of Breath which threatens to choak the Patient there is no more present Remedy See Charleton Section XII than a few grains of Laudanum Opiatum dissolved in good Canary Wine and infused till the Tincture is extracted and a spoonful of it given now and then Rheumatismus or a Rheumatism See Febris Rheumatismi comes Book VI. and Lumborum Affectus Book X. The Contents The excellency of Blood-letting I. When Purgations must be prescribed II. The benefit of Diureticks III. Sudorificks are not proper at all times IV. We must take care to strengthen the parts V. Cured in a young Man VI. I. BLood must be let every day at the beginning till the Disease and pains abate Nor is it any matter if you Bleed for ten or twelve days or for more since it is peculiar to this Disease for the Patient not to be weakened by Bleeding Therefore it is my custom when I prescribe Bleeding so often to add this restriction that it be continued every day till the pains be abated or the strength be much wasted and when no decay of strength arises upon it Patients do freely admit it The condition of the Blood causes this Tolerance which comes out always very putrid Experience shews the benefit since by repeated Bleeding the Disease which in its own nature is long is often conquered in a short time Besides a large Haemorrhagy supervening often cures it Riverius II. Purging in the beginning increase and state of this Disease gives no relief yea it does harm As it happens in all Inflammatory Diseases But in the declension it is necessary and must often be prescribed and with gentle Medicins that the Cacochymie restagnating in the Body may be carried off If gentle things be insufficient wholly to eradicate this Disease which is often contumacious we must if there be no Fever have recourse to stronger things I have always cured this Disease when other things could not do the work by giving about twenty grains of Mercurius dulcis six times sublimed with ten grains of Scammony or Resin of Julap Idem ¶ One Clyster made of Emetick Wine cured a Woman of this Disease Idem III. In Rheumatick Diseases when a bad and sharp serous Matter bred by a hot intemperature subservient to Sanguification is discharged into the External habit of the Body with a wandring pain of the Bones and with a sense of heat and heaviness all over the Body and sometimes also into the inner parts Diureticks are very good to dry it up and that by Hippocrates his advice lib. de Humor Do not shut up says he the dissolved Humours within but dry up the superfluous and when you have a mind co carry them off or otherwise it is best to use Attenuants because so you may more easily purge them by Stool or by Vrine than if you had restrained them and kept them in by Astringents And by Galen's consent 15. Simplic 13. By Diureticks says he the Blood is not only attenuated but is melted and separated just as in Milk in which what is serous and thin is separated what is thick is curdled and exactly united Frid. Hofm IV. Sudorificks as well as Purgatives do no good but much harm in the beginning increase and state Ordinary Physicians experience this who mistaking it for a true Catarrh and being tired with the contumacy of this Disease have recourse to these things whereby the Disease is doubled and the pains are increased But in the declension Generals premised and when there is no Fever Riverius they do much good V. After sufficient Evacuation yea at the very time of Evacuation we must endeavour to strengthen the principal Parts and the whole Body And these Strengtheners must be cooling by reason of the hot intemperature of the Liver the original of a Rheumatism There is great store of them I shall propound four that are very effectual and not ungrateful 1. Tincture of Corals two ounces whereof may be taken two hours before Breakfast in the morning those days when no other Medicins are used 2. Conserve of Hips which is grateful to
corruptive Ferment to which moreover an addition of Putrefaction is made by the Blood in like manner depraved Thirdly if perhaps these causes be wanting so as the Glandulous humour of the Skin has contracted no fault neither from the Blood nor from its own stagnation yet it is certain that the virulent infection communicated from without does nevertheless render it prolifick as to these Diseases This is exceedingly manifest from vulgar observation inasmuch as they that are best in health and have as good a Constitution as can be scarce ever sleep without harm in the same Bed with an Itchy Person or where an Itchy Person has lain nor only so but Itchy Persons Linnen washed in the same washing with other mens often impart their infection Certainly the Infection of no one Disease is more easily and certainly propagated the Plague only excepted then this of the Itch. Willis II. Whether is Bleeding convenient The Conciliator answers affirmatively but with a limitation that is when the matter of the Itch is yet contained within the Body for when the matter of it is blood mixt with sharp humours it follows that bleeding is a convenient Remedy Besides the effect is not taken away till first the cause be removed which may this way properly be done Yea for an Universal Disease such as the Itch is an Universal Remedy such as letting Blood is seems convenient But when nothing more of the peccant humour is in the Veins there is no need of Bleeding Distinguish therefore between the Itch that is already come which is not increased by any further afflux of matter and one that is but in coming III. Two primary Indications occur concerning the Cure of the Itch The first Curatory which respects two things That the Glandulous humour its corruptive ferment being utterly extinct may be reduced to a right temper Secondly that the Pores and passages of the Skin being freed from the Ichorus Concretions may recover their former strength and thorough passage The second Indication which is Preservatory has a care of two things First to prevent the Impurities and Corruptive Infection of the Itch as they fall from the Skin while the ferment is in subduing from regurgitating into the Blood and Nervous Liquor and not only from causing disorders in them but moreover as it is often usual from bringing some more grievous mischief upon the Brain and Heart Secondly to endeavour that the Infection of the Humours and noble Parts first contracted from the Itchy matter while the faults in the Skin are amending may be eradicated All these intentions of Cure may be complicated together by using inward and outward Remedies both at once or they may be used first one and then another namely that the Morbifick matter being disseated may not be able to run any whither and lye hid in any hole but may totally be removed out of every corner by Medicines aimed at both inwardly and outwardly Therefore Purges ought both to begin and make an end of this method of Cure Although Helmont treats a Cathartick Medicine with high disdain and as it were leads it in Triumph because of it self it does not Cure the Itch yet we may affirm that this Disease is scarce ever easily Willis but never safely Cured without this sort of Physick IV. A certain man who was troubled with an exceeding Itching washed his Body with an infusion of Sublimate but within a few hours there were Blisters raised all over his Body in a little while after he was so troubled with faintings and swoonings Borellus Cent. 2. Obs 92. that he was very nigh death but being rubbed with Cordial things he escaped ¶ A Monk neglecting Universals killed the Itch with Oyntments presently upon which defluxions of Salt Humours supervening and falling upon his Lungs he spate Blood at times and at length an Hectick coming upon him he died Velschius Obs 65. When he was dead his Lungs were found altogether corrupted and most of them hardened into a Scirrhus V. He that would Cure the Itch must first of all cleanse the Blood for it lodges in the Saline Vitriolate and Aluminous impurities thereof And Mercurius dulcis and Vitae Arcanum Corallinum Extractum Panchymagogum Hartmannus and the like exterging things perform the Cure VI. But if there be any Obstruction it must first be removed before you purge Idem without which an inveterate Itch will scarce give way VII If the Itch be contumacious and itch very much sweats happily Cure it given for 20 dayes one after another raised with the white fixt flowers of Antimony in a decoction or spirit of Guaiacum Thus I cured a student in Physick Idem and a certain Bohemian VIII Yet we must abstain if the affection come from a hot and dry intemperature of the Liver for by the administration of hot things it grows more effervescent a greater adustion of atrabilarious humours succeeding A certain Student being troubled with a dry Itch all over him whose body was of a hot Constitution by the use of this decoction Take of China Salsa parilla each 6 drachms wood of Sassafras roots of Rhodium Cichory Scorzonera each 1 ounce infuse them in 12 pounds of water boyl half away was so inflamed all over his Body that he was forced to desist from his Cure Besides I have observed as bad an event of Cure in other Itchy Persons Augustinus Thonerus Obs 3. l. 4. and them that were troubled with the Lepra Graecorum although so great an excess of hot things were not committed IX A Senator of Vlm while he tarried at Geneva was infected with the Itch by the advice of the Physitians 18 Cupping Glasses were set at one time to divers out parts of his Body When Mr M Mullerus was infected with the Itch while he lived at Venice 24 Cupping-Glasses were by the advice of his Physicians applied to him and both of them were made free of their nastiness with good success But though these Cures succeeded according to desire nevertheless if any Physician should attempt to go upon such a process of Cure among us he must never expect Idem Obs 2. that his advice would be followed X. When I could Cure the Itch in the hands Glanderpiâ—â— especially in the right by no Medicines I took it away by making an Issue in the right Arm. XI Empiricks make a Girdle two inches broad of a list of Cloth anointed with crude Mercury killed the vulgar way and Hogs-lard to be girt about the naked Loins for them that are infected with the Itch and who would in their Travels be free from Lice A lusty Matron of about 40 years old fat and of a moist constitution of Body when in the Month of February she had put on such a Girdle for a small Itch and had worn it for three Weeks night and day she indeed was rid of her Itch but there followed a Salivation exulceration of the Gums heaviness in the
Syrups As often as a Syrup is required to be added to any other Composition we use Syrup of juice of Wood-sorrel or Fumitory or Coral or a magisterial Syrup of juice of Brooklime may be made the same way as is prescribed above for juice of Scurvy-grass Destilled Waters More temperate distilled waters are made by changing either the ingredients or the Menstruum or both As to the former we may proceed in this manner Take of Leaves of Brooklime Water Cresses Fumitory Harts-tongue Liver-wort Balm tops of Tamarisk Cypress each 3 handfuls of all the Sanders bruised each half an ounce root of sharp-pointed Dock Polypody of the Oak each 2 ounces the outer rind of 4 Oranges of cleansed Snails 2 pounds When they are cut and bruised pour to them 6 pounds of Whey made with Syder Destil them in a common Distillatory 2. Let the Menstruum be weaker and the ingredients moderately hot Take of Leaves of Scurvy-grass Lady-smock Water Cresses each 3 handfuls Peels of 4 Oranges Snails 1 pound when they are chopt very small pour to them of Whey or new Milk 6 pounds destil them the common way 3. In a Scorbutick Atrophy and Consumptive disposition where nothing hot ought to be admitted which may exagitate the Blood humors and spirits both the Ingredients and the Menstruum must be temperate and sweetners of the Blood Take of Leaves of Brooklime Lady-smock Harts-tongue Maiden-hair Liverwort Speedwell Agrimony each 2 handfuls cleansed Snails 1 pound and an half or the pulp of a Capon or a Sheeps Heart shred parboyled and shred When they are all bruised together pour to them of new Milk or Fumitory water 6 pounds and destill them the common way Physick Wines and Beer Although the use of Wine in a Scurvy caused by a hot or Sulphureo-Saline Dyscrasie of the Blood may not seem so convenient yet if at any time either a weak Stomach or long custome require the drinking of small Wine at least such a Liquor may be made more temperate and in some measure medicated For first of all small Wines may be given diluted with water impregnated with an Infusion of Balm Borage Burnet or other such things Moreover Wines may be made of juice of Currans Cherries or other horary Fruits which when they are ripened by fermentation are very grateful to the Stomach and cleanse the Blood then Syder the familiar and almost natural Wine of our Country defaecated this way when it is mild and sweet without any acidity does much good in the Scurvy Furthermore when the Lees are taken from this Liquor and it is put up in small Vessels several sorts of Ingredients may be infused in it such as tops of Pine or Firr flowers of Tamarisk also shavings of Harts-horn or Ivory which sweeten the Liquor and keep it from sowring in as much to wit as the particles of the fluid Salt up and down the Syder which are apt to cause sowerness are by infusing the said Ingredients suspended More temperate Physick Ales may be prescribed in this manner Let a 5 or 6 gallon Vessel be got ready for small Ale in which instead of Hops let tops of Pine Firr Tamarisk or shavings of any of the Woods be boyled then after working let some roots of sharp-pointed Dock than which certainly there is no better Remedy for the Scurvy be put in the Vessel To these sometimes there may be added Leaves of Brooklime Water-Cresses Winter Cresses c. also pome-Citrons or Oranges cut into slices Leaves of Harts-tongue put into a Barrel of middling Beer after it has done working Idem give it both a grateful tast and smell XIII The method already laid down timely begun and rightly insisted on often does the business in as much as the cause or root of the Disease being taken away the Ails depending thereon vanish of themselves Yet we cannot always hold a direct course but must sometimes turn aside to accidents and symptoms to the most urgent whereof we shall have respect Of the Cure of difficulty of breathing and Asthmatick Paroxysms Difficulty of breathing with straitness of Breast and Asthmatick Paroxysms must be immediately removed with proper Remedies prescribed out of the general method for otherwise the Patient's life would quickly be endangered And since such evils usually arise either from the Bloods stagnating in the Heart or from the pneumonick Nerves being hindered in their function therefore they are cured either by Cordial or Antispasmodick Medicines Spirit of Harts horn Soot Blood Mans Skull also tinctures of Castor Antimony or Sulphur flowers of Sal Ammoniack of Benzoin and Elixir proprietatis are of excellent use in these cases which Medicines may be given frequently in a Dose of some Antiscorbutick Liquor good against such Diseases For the quieting a mere spasmodick difficulty if at any time it come suddenly I have not experienced a more present Remedy than 10 or 12 drops of our tincture of Laudanum opiatum given in some convenient Liquor for when sleep comes on the Spirits abate their disorders and in the mean time being refreshed they afterward resume their pristine tasks in due order Sharp Clysters which give many stools as also Sudorifick Decoctions and Diureticks do often give relief Take of root of Burdock Butter-bur Chervil each 1 ounce Leaves of Maiden-hair Germander each 1 handful Seeds of Burdock Carthamum each 3 ounces Raisins 2 ounces When they are stoned and bruised boyl them in Spring water to the consumption of a third part Add of White Wine 4 ounces strain them into a Flagon to which put of Leaves of Scurvy-grass shred 1 handful Elecampane root Candied and cut very small half a drachm Make a close and hot Infusion for 3 hours The Dose is 6 ounces twice or thrice a day Of ails of the Stomach that usually come upon the Scurvy Scorbutick Persons are sometimes troubled with a great fulness and pain of the Stomach and loathing and belching and sometimes frequent vomiting Which Diseases arise sometimes from chyle degenerating there into putrefaction oftentimes from Morbifick matter either carried from the Blood or Nervous juice and left within the cavity of the Stomach or fixt in its Nervous folds and Membranes In such cases if a viscid nidorus matter or any other way troublesome be cast up by vomiting and there be suspicion that the cause is within the Cavity of the Stomach it will be convenient to give a gentle vomit of Wine of Squills or Salt of Vitriol or to purge off the peccant Humour with extract or infusion of Rhubarb adding a little Salt or Cream of Tartar but if the matter stick close among the Membranes or Nervous folds Diaphoreticks or things that stop the effervescency of the Salts are rather convenient Elixir proprietatis or flowers of Sal Ammoniac or Spirit of Soot may be often taken with aqua raphani composita lumbricorum or any other Antiscorbutick Liquor In the mean time once or twice a day a fomentation of Wormwood Centaury Chamomil flowers
in extream Consumptive Persons nor are they alwayes that are troubled with this ail Consumptive Wherefore we must rather say that the immediate cause of this Symptome is the dryness of the Bones or want of the Marrow properly so called which ought to be contained within the Cavity of the Bones and especially in the heads of them for seeing all bones owze out Marrow or some unctuous matter every where either at their great Cavities or Pores and narrow passages we reckon the use of this to be as well that the Bones being irrigated thereby may become less brittle as more over that this Humour owzing out at the Nodes of the Bones may supple all the Joynts and so facilitate their motion as the joynts of Machins are greased with fat wherefore the heads of the Bones being destitute of this Marrow make a noise like Coach Wheels when they are seldom greased But if you will inquire into the Procatarctick cause of this Disease why this unctuous obliniment of the Joynts is deficient This indeed must be imputed either to some fault in the Blood as if it did not duly supply the Bones with aliment partaking of Sulphur as well as Salt which indeed is not very likely because the mass of Blood even in Scorbutick Persons contains particles of both the foresaid kinds and besides they that have this rattling of their Bones do shew a Skin and Muscles full enough of fat Or secondly it rather seems that the unctuous Humour wherewith the Joynts are suppled is wanting through the fault of the Bones themselves because to wit their Pores and Passages are so obstructed by some extraneous matter perhaps dreggy or tartareous carried by the Blood that they do not sufficiently receive the Balsame designed them nor does it ouze out to moisten their Joynts Nor will it be easie because the matter is wholly in the dark to inquire the particular reasons of this Ail nor to proceed in this Aitiology beyond such a conjecture as this Nor are we less at a stand when we come to the cure of this Disease for although the primary Indication that is the moistning of the Bones and Joynts be obvious enough yet in what manner and with what Remedies it may be done it does not so plainly appear For in this Case I have known several Sorts of Medicines and various modes of administration tried altogether to no purpose A certain ingenious Person who had been most grievously troubled with this Disease for many years tried the advice of many and indeed Famous Physicians beside the usual Remedies for the Scurvy together with frequent Bleedings and Purgings whereby he found no relief he moreover tried various and great courses of Physick without any success at all for after he had tried one Physicians method for some Months to no purpose he by and by betook himself to another and so afterwards to several In the mean time a new method was alwayes prescribed by each not tried by the former Fomentations Liniments and Frictions are daily applied to all his Joynts One while he goes to Bath then he drinks the Waters sometimes one sometimes another Which doing no good he takes a Chalybeate course then a Decoction of the more temperate Woods then a Milk diet further he was alwayes taking Electuaries distilled Waters Apozemes and other Remedies made of Antiscorbuticks And when he had in this manner for above 3 years constantly almost lived Medically and miserably he was not a jot the better as to the Cure of his foresaid Ail but in the mean time he was pretty strong and had a good Stomach he Married a Wife and as to the other more common Symptomes of the Scurvy he was better Hence you may see how pertinacious a Disease the rattling of the Bones is and that it scarce gives way to any Remedies which I have experienced in others who have been ill of this Disease and have wholly eluded all the pains of the Physician Idem XIV We have already largely explained both the preservatory and curatory Indications which concern the Cure of the Scurvy It yet remains to speak of the Vital Indication that is to declare in what method and with what Remedies the Patients strength when apt to sink may be supported or when decayed or spent may be restored For these ends Cordials and Opiates must be prescribed to be taken according to the Patients exigences and moreover a restorative course of Diet if at any time it be necessary and ever Antiscorbuticks must be prescribed As to Cordial Medicines which put the Blood stagnating in the Heart in motion kindle its flame half put out and restore animal Spirits oppressed or distracted to their due liberty and irradiation it is obvious that several Medicines properly called Antiscorbuticks do perform these intentions such are namely Aqua raphani composita Snail water and lumbricorum Magistralis Spirit of Harts-horn Soot testaceous powders and many other things which may be taken not only at certain hours and according to the method and order prescribed but as there shall be occasion whenever swooning and fainting happen and with good success Yet besides they that are observed to be very subject to passions of the Heart frequent swoonings loathing vomiting trembling Vertigo and other horrible Symptomes should also have ready other manner of Medicines which are more properly called Cordials whereby all sinking of the Spirits may immediately be relieved To this purpose these things are very proper Elixir vitae Qu. majus the second water in destilling of the said Elixir a spoonful of it may be given sweetned also Aqua Mirabilis Aqua Bezoartica Aqua Gilberti temperata Treacle water Cinnamon water to each of which or compounded one with another Confectio Alkermes Confectio de Hyacintho powder of Pearl or magistery of Coral Syrup of Clove gilly-flowers or of Coral or of Citron rind or of Cinnamon may be added Of these and other such sort of Medicines divers forms may be prescribed for example Take of Treacle water Mirabilis each 3 ounces Balm 4 ounces Syrup of Clove-gilly-flowers 1 ounce and an half Confectio Alkermes 1 drachm Mix them The Dose 3 or 4 spoonfuls Or Take of Aqua mirabilis 6 ounces Snail and Walnut water each 2 ounces powder of Pearl 1 scruple Confectio de Hyacintho 1 drachm Syrup of Clove-gilly-flowers 1 ounce Mix them When Scorbutick Women are troubled with Hysterick Fits and Men with Convulsions Take of Water of Balm Pennyroyal each 3 ounces Compound water of Briony 4 ounces Tincture of Castor half an ounce Tincture of Saffron 1 drachm Syrup of Glove-gilly-flowers 1 drachm and an half of Castor tied in a rag and hung in the Glass 1 drachm The Dose 3 or 4 spoonfuls For them that desire their Cordials rather in a solid form Electuaries or Lozenges may be prescribed Take of Flos tunicae 3 ounces Confectio Alkermes half an ounce powder of Pearl 1 drachm With a sufficient quantity of Syrup of
intention consisting in a due constitution of the Pores is commonly performed only by outward administration Willis VI. An old Man 72 years of Age was in the year 1657 very ill of a Diaphoretick Sweat so that he was all over in it almost Night and Day and what ever he eat or drank he immediately perceived it pass out at the Pores of the Skin The Cause of this Disease was abundance of serous Humors complicated with the Scurvy which were gathered in the Mass of Blood by a depraved and vitious fermentation in the Organs designed for Sanguification which did not transmute the acid Salts of the Meat into volatil Salts The Disease had lasted 3 Months before my Advice was taken but it was quickly cured by me only with Ivory without Fire and an Emulsion made of the four greater cold Seeds and Cichory and Bugloss-water giving now and then Jalap and Crystall of Tartar Forbearing Wine Sowr Meats and other things that breed Scorbutick Blood He lived until he was fourscore and three years old Hofmannus Suffocatio or Suffocation or Strangling The Contents Bleeding is often convenient I. Fear of Suffocation from the Lungs distended with Wind. II. How they that are strangled with an Halter may be recovered III. By what means they that have been Suffocated in the Water have been brought to Life again IV. The Cure of those that are Choaked with Smoak V. With the Steam of Must VI. With the Veins too full of Blood VII With Worms coming into ones Throat VIII With the swelling of the Thymus IX With poysonous Mushromes X. Men may be taken with Fits like Hysterick ones XI An easy Remedy in fear of Strangling XII 1. FOr them that are Strangled or Choaked the suffocating Humor having recourse to the Throat either because the Blood is forcibly carried to the Heart or Brain whether it come from the Womb or from some other Place Bleeding is never amiss in this Symtome that is if you find the Pulse strong and the Veins full Bleeding is also good when it comes from drinking cold Water as Diascorides advises for Bleeding is not convenient because the Water is alwayes hot or because Infectious but because there is much in the Veins Bocallus II. Sometimes Wind distends the Lungs so violently that it causes Suffocation unless help be given by opening the Breast by Paracentesis which is often done at Paris to the great advantage of the Patient and the ease of the Breast though no Water run out but Wind break out violently Hippocrates calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose Breast is distended with Wind. Riolanus III. Anne Green a lusty young Woman about 22 years of Age was tried for killing her Child and hung on the Gallows for half an hour Her kindred who stood by that she might be dispatched of her punishment by a speedy Death some of them beat the poor Wretch on the Breast others hung on her Feet and others lift up her Body that as it fell down again it might draw the Halter closer She was reckoned by all People to be Dead and was taken from the Gallows The Physicians waited for the Body to dissect it but Dr. Petty and Dr. Willis who were to dissect it observing her to breathe altered their Minds and consulted how they might save her Life They directed all there Care to procure the free and accustomed Motion of the Blood Therefore forcing open her Mouth they poured in Spirits and Waters which in a small quantity do very efficaciously strengthen the Heart They diminished the quantity of Blood which would otherwise have been burthensome to the oppressed Heart and took at several times repeated in all to the quantity of 20 ounces that the Heart might when eased of the abundance of Blood more easily and readily distribute the rest into the whole Body and might the more eagerly draw to it self that which stagnated in the Veins or moved too dull They laid Cataplasms round her Neck and anointed her all over with Oyls and hot Spirits that the Bruises might be discussed and that the Blood might pass more freely to the Head by the Carotides and repass by the Jugulars They ordered Clysters full of Spices to be given her both that they might get out the Excrements which perhaps might be troublesome to the Guts and might prove more prejudicial to other Parts and that they might quicken the Motion of the dull Blood in the mesenterick Vessels Upon this she first scratched her Hands by and by she could open her Eyes and move several Parts and was able to Cough Afterwards being further helped by the dexterity of the Physicians she could understand the by standers talk observe and laugh She found a Pain and numbness in the bruised Parts and in a few dayes time she was well and was able to go about her Affairs Wepferus IV. A Girl not three years old fell into a Vessel full of Soap-water and being full of it she seemed to Breathe her last she slept profoundly rattled and scarce drawing any Breath was quite Choaked such a murmuring Noise coming upon her as is usual in People that are dying I was called and I ordered that a Decoction of Barly unhusked Liquorish and Figs should continually be poured in a little warm and when she had Vomited gently and had cast up all the Soap-water and freed her in a few hours from Suffocation her Mother if I had not hindred her had given her Rhenish Wine which indeed is amicable to Nature but it might not only have easily carried the poysonous Matter in the Soap to the Heart but it might easily have raised an inflammation and a Fever In the year 1577. when a great many Boyes and Girles had got upon an old rotten Bridge to see a Soldier that was fallen into the Water The Bridge broke and a great number fell into the Water and were in danger of their Lives to whom when I was called they all escaped by taking a Decoction of Chamaemil Flowers in Beer by which we made them sweat in Bed which I did to several others and they all recovered Forestus My Son Frederick Bonet 20 Months old she that tended him having left him was walking over a Pit full of new quenched Lime and being thrust by one about his own Age he fell into it She who had the care of him coming immediately jumped into the Pit threw him upon the edge of it and she her self could scarce get out by reason of the deepness of the Pit and softness of the Lime She immediately poured some Wine that happened to be in the way into his Mouth when he breathed not at all but seemed as one dead by means whereof he vomited the Water and some signs of life appeared By and by lest the Acrimony of the Lime wherewith his whole Body was smeared should hurt him she cut the Girdle wherewith his Clothes were tied and put him naked into a Pale of Water and
proper XIII Medicines I. WHether may Blood be let when People are in a swoon In a spurious Syncope which the stopping of the Blood in the Veins breeds which according to Hippocrates and Galen l. 4. acut must be esteemed twofold one from store of Blood in the greater Vessels another only from the Carotides and jugulars Blood must immediately be taken away ere it being deprived of its Spirits become concrete and the Disease be incurable as much as convenient considering the strength and fulness of the Body Which when done and a spare course of diet is followed we must divert what is contained in the Body to the lower parts and afterwards what concrete Blood there is we must make it fluid with drinking hot things and by gently rubbing the whole Body But in this case it is very rare that one can make the Blood fluid unless the Spirits be much stronger than before for if not or if the Pulse be bad it is a sign that the Blood is then concrete in which case we must wholly abstain from Blood-letting and make use of such Remedies as may make the concrete Blood fluid as Hares-rennet in water and Honey or water and Honey with Marjoram boyled in it with the addition of a little Oxymel or half a drachm of Treacle or Mithridate dissolved in the said water But if you be certain that the Blood is not concrete you can no way sooner bring the Patient to life again than by letting him Blood Which when you have done once if the Patient bear it well and if the Blood run high you may try the Remedy again till you find the Patient relieved but if no Blood will come you may reckon it is concrete and you need try no more II. A Woman as she saw her Husband fighting with his Neighbour fell into a Swoon I was called and by my order she was cured by Bleeding In this sick Woman the Blood had for fear and grief retired to the Heart as to a tower by which when the Heart is suffocated I have observed several have died both because the vital faculty is extinguished by too great abundance and because the Spirits cannot pass through the Vessels for want of which the extream parts grow dead In so great decay of Spirits let the Physician never omit Bleeding But â—f by reason of extream loss of strength and the abolition of the pulse in a manner the Physician be doubtful let Cupping-glasses be set to his Hips and Thighs with scarifications instead of Bleeding Fontanus III. It often counterfeits an Apoplexy but without ratling nor does it leave a Palsie behind it If it return often violently at length it oppresses and suffocates the Heart not only because the excursion of the Blood is intercepted by the plenitude of the Vessels but because some thick substance of the Blood being forced within the Ventricles of the Heart oppresses it which causes an Asphyxy in the motion of the Heart and Arteries This Disease is as frequent among the Germans as the Apoplexy from their athletick habit of Body which is contracted from their continual good fellow-ship and drinking Yet they take no care to take down that plethorick habit by Bleeding liberally And so no wonder if through such abundance of Blood Riolanus they fall into an Apoplexy or a Cardiack Syncope IV. Vinegar of Roses is not good for every Syncope for seeing contrary causes must needs be removed by contrary Remedies therefore it is manifest that the dissolution of the Spirits must be cured one way and their suffocation or infection another Wherefore we conclude with Capivaccius 2. pract cap. 9. that a Syncope coming from a dissolution of the Spirits may be very well taken off by the use of cooling things applied especially to the Forehead Face region of the Heart and Wrists in which case Vinegar of Roses is proper for Vinegar penetrates and Roses cool and concentre the Spirits But if suffocation be the cause attenuation and dissolution of the Morbifick matter is of necessity required which cannot at all be done by cooling things wherefore here we must have recourse to Cresses Nigella Mithridate Cinnamon water rubbing the extream parts c. If there be Malignity we must provide for the Heart by Bezoarticks No wonder then if in the absence of Physicians Patients often dye in a Swoon For it may so happen that the Spirits which are otherwise suffocated may by applying some common cooling Remedy be further conglobated about their principle and by this means the vital faculty may be utterly suppressed Horstius V. When a Patient is liker to one dead than alive so that he can neither open nor shut his Mouth much less swallow any thing as he should then it will be the best way to take some Aromatick Oyls either simple or compound mingled only and stirred together a little with rectified Spirit of Wine or more nearly joyned together by a greater artifice and long circulation and pour 3 or 4 drops into the Patient's Mouth and sometimes more and especially by a Silver or Golden pipe into the Throat to the end they may penetrate both into the Stomach and Guts from whence the cause of so grievous an evil is often dispersed to all parts and into the Pipes of the Lungs to the very Blood that sticks in the Pulmonary Vessels Sylvius de le â—oë and so correct and amend this urgent harm VI. A Noble-man complained to me that he immediately fell into a Swoon as he turned himself on his left Side and his Spirits were so far gone that he was got out of it with much difficulty When I inquired into the cause I reckoned some Melancholick Humour having some ill quality in it sent a poysonous Vapor from the Spleen to the Heart which must be the cause of this Malignant Symptome nor was I deceived in my conjecture For when he was put in a right course of Diet after his Body had universally been purged of Melancholy and particularly his Spleen by giving Medicines to open the Obstructions thereof and his Heart strengthened Riverius he was cured of it VII In a Swooning Fit sometimes such things must be given as powerfully concentrate the Spirits and acid Vapors and sometimes such as discuss glutinous ones Subtil things to the end they may penetrate to all parts may be mixt with them such are Spirituous things and volatil and Oyly Salts especially such as are prepared by art of divers parts of Animals or of certain Plants These are good Aromatick Tinctures drawn by means of rectified spirit of Wine from divers Spices or from any Aromatick parts of Plants or Animals either by infusion alone or also by destillation for example Take of water of Mint Fenel each 1 ounce Scurvy-grass Aqua vitae Matthioli each half an ounce Laudanum opiatum 2 grains Syrup of Mint 1 ounce oyl of Cloves Nutmeg destilled each 2 drops Mix them Give it by spoonfuls Let no
into a violent Coughing which troubled her for two Months time with a Fever and emaciation of the whole Body A Physician who was called suspected a Consumption But the judicious J. D. Sala observing that her Fever was not continual nor her Spittle Bloody or streeked with pus pronounced her free from a Consumption After many inquiries when he knew the cause after a Vomit of Honey of Roses with common Oyl to no purpose he added a lambitive of Oyl of Sweet Almonds to irritate the expulsive faculty and enlarge the Passages Bartholinus at length she spate up the kernel and recovered IX One was ill of a troublesome short Cough and when no Medicines would do him good after he had born it a long time he asked my advice I gave him every day the juice of Hore-hound with Honey and at times to lick Honey of Squills Ant. Benivenius till a worm came out of his Breast with Coughing which restored the Man to health X. I knew a certain Person who fell into a Cough by reason of a defluxion of a bad and noxious Humour into the Breast coming from a cold intemperature and when he made him some Cauteries in his Head he was perfectly free of all his Symptomes so that the plenitude of the efficient Humours being exhausted his Cough ceased Trallianus l. 2. c. 5. and he recovered his health by benefit of his Cauteries XI Being moved thereunto with the urgency of the business we resolved to open an Issue in one of his Arms Mercurialis whereby without any other help the Cough began to abate XII In a troublesome Cough and a thin defluxion upon the Breast if what falls escape the straining of the Lungs and is not discharged Laudanum is the best Remedy which incrassates and by procuring sleep or rest at least strengthens Nature and promotes the concoction of the crude Humour Mayerne tract m. s de Laudano Upon the experience of Monsieur de Sigon and President Ripant XIII I was Physician to a certain Student who had been subject to a Cough from a Child He seemed to be of a Melancholick constitution and indifferent healthy but that his Lungs which were originally weak did suffer upon every running of the Blood into Serosities In Summer time while he transpires freely he lives healthy enough in Spring and Autumn when the Blood alters its temper and either of it self or upon any the least occasion suffers serous fluxions he easily falls into a Cough Especially when there is a Constipation of the Pores and errors in his way of living a cruel and a pertinacious Cough is raised In this state his best Remedy and one that he has often tried with success is to drink pretty freely of some generous Wine and very sparingly of any other Liquor for so the acidity and fluor of the Blood being suppressed and free transpiration procured he is much relieved Willis and sometimes recovers in a short time XIV I advise young Physicians that in correction of glutinous Phlegm they take great care not to use much Sugar or Sugared Medicines seeing thereby Phlegm is not so much amended and dissolved as it is encreased and made every day more glutinous than other Wherefore many Physicians have a bad custome in every Cough that is protracted for any time and threatens a Consumption to amend the matter and to maintain it when produced to abuse Conserve of red Roses by devouring a great quantity every day whereby not only the Ulcer is not cleansed dryed or healed but moreover a sense of weight and intolerable Cold arises in the region of the Stomach with loss of appetite XV. The same must be understood of Emulsions which are ill used in this case because they ought not to be used but for the asswaging of some Symptomes Sylvius de le Boë thus Experience the Mistress of Fools has shown the matter to be XVI Whatsoever is unexperienced and new to us as long as we are ignorant of the cause and reason of it uses to breed admiration in us as it happened to me for I observed and indeed in my self first that a Cough which followed a Catarrh gave way but slowly to ordinary Medicines which used to cure such a Cough easily and that it troubled us most upon going to Bed Now this observation being made in my self yet infirm and in others seemed strange and made me curious diligently to enquire the cause and reason of this event And having observed that Wind troubled me at the same time I fell to take things to discuss Wind first in Bed and then a little before I went to Bed Whence it came to pass that when I had belched up Wind sometimes in a short time the Cough that was almost dry was stopt which otherwise tormented me a quarter of an hour and sometimes longer From this experiment happily made with like success in others I thought I got the reason following to wit That great store of Phlegm meeting in the small Guts was by the heat of the Feathers dissolved and by the sharp bile then also disturbed reduced into Wind which was by and by carried to the Lungs by which the Lungs being irritated did Cough and by Coughing did shake all the rest of the Body and the Brain and the Humours contained therein which falling upon the Throat made as if all were produced there till having observed Wind and the ascent of it the cure of this Cough was easie by Oyls called Carminative taking a few drops of them in some convenient Liquor before one laid down in Bed Idem ¶ Coughs oftentimes followed Rheums but the Coughs gave way with more ease and success to things that discuss Wind than to such as temper Salt briny Humours Wherefore I showed that they had their rise not only from a Salt briny Humour falling from the Head upon the Throat and Aspera Arteria but and especially from store of Wind with a slight Fit of a Fever carried from the small Guts by the lacteal Veins and the Thoracick Duct into the upper Vena Cava and thence into the right Ventricle of the Heart and by and by into the Lungs irritating the same to Cough and that it troubled People most as they went to Bed But as soon as I observed this first in my self and then in others the cure for this Cough was easie by taking Aromatick Oyls that discuss Wind as Oyl of Orange Peel Idem Citron Anniseed Fenil seed c. So I remember above ten years since the Illustrious and Generous Monsieur de Verasse Kinsman to the Illustrious Bernardus Budaeus did commend to me and others upon his own experience a Decoction of Anniseed whereby he affirmed he had often cured a Cough XVII Blood falling from the Head upon the Lungs and raising a Cough must be stopt in its Flux and indeed by Bleeding if a Plethora concur or any notable effervescence of it or a suppression of
and changed into Abscesses and so remaining in the Body and threatning new Mischief 6. And lastly upon account of other grievous Symptomes attending them as an Inflammation in one or both Eyes or of the Small Pox observed in the Eyes difficult Breathing and a Cough both dry and moist and Tumours and Abscesses in divers parts of the Body Sylvius de le Boe. especially in the Limbs XXXVI We must do our endeavour if any Humours be found in Children to offend either in quality or quantity that the same be altered and corrected by gentle Medicines or also abated and carried off to the end that if the Small Pox come they may give the less trouble and be the more easily overcome These Medicines both alterative and purgative according to the diversity of Humours must be divers and grateful that Children may more easily take them for it is good for Children to continue in the use of them for a pretty while for by this means it comes to pass that the gentle and kindly Small Pox which then appear become yet more kindly and easie to be cured And as soon as Children have any Fever or Head-ach Cough Vomiting or Loosness whether others are sick of it in the same House or they are observed to be Epidemical only in other places the prudent Physician must diligently observe what Humours then chiefly offend and which way they incline whether to Vomit or Stool or Sweat to the end Medicines proper for each may be prescribed and that their motion and useful evacuation being observed may be promoted For we must take care that if Blood abound in any who can bear Bleeding it be insisted on immediately Nor must we stop here but rather if the Patient's Disease and his Fever especially will bear it not only the same day but an hour sometimes after Bleeding either a Vomit or Purge or Sweat may be given whenever an inclination to Vomit or to go to Stool or a disturbance of the Belly or Sweat perswade what should be done to the end that part of the peccant Humour which would afterward stick in the Superficies of the Body and cause the Small Pox may be wholly expelled from the Body and therefore of necessity the Small Pox must be rendred more kindly and few Among Medicines to be then used from experience I commend Antimonials above all other things both because they have an excellent virtue in cleansing the Blood from any noxious Humour and because oftentimes they can satisfie several Indications and according to the occasion and desired operation they can discharge the noxious Humours by several wayes Nor is it sufficient to give them once sometimes we must repeat the same for several dayes till as well the Fever as the other Symptomes be removed or at least notably abated upon which the Small Pox use not only to be far fewer but much more kindly nay oftentimes I have observed in my Patients the Small Pox voided by Stool Idem to their great relief XXXVII Whoever would cure the Small Pox and Measles in a true and secure method it is necessary that he diligently observe and distinguish three especial times of the Small Pox The first of Ebullition The second of Apparition The third of Suppuration In the time of Ebullition it is dangerous to trouble the Patient with powders of Bezoar alone and other hot Alexipharmacks except they be very temperate and a little Astringent to this end indeed that the Mass of Blood may not be too much disturbed nor all of it so soon infected with the base contagion whereby Nature is forced to the Battel before her time and vanquished I know besides that most dangerous Loosnesses usually mortal in these Diseases have followed such unseasonable disturbing of the Humours I know that the Humours are so sharpned with such hot things especially if they were thin before that being rendred more biting they have caused a great Itch in the coming out of the Small Pox so that upon the least rubbing the Skin would come off and bleed not without an offensive smell which gave no vain presages of ill luck to the Physicians there present and the event a little after shewed that these things were the praeludia of a following Gangrene livid and purple Spots following upon the 9th day of the Disease Wherefore Avicenna said well l. 4. f. 3. tract 4. cap. 6. that black and ulcerous Pustules appearing in Children were mortal Because the turgescence of the fermenting Blood is sometime so great that it is not only carried as it were in a rage to all the parts but an exceeding contagious poyson does also thence arise So Philip Salmuth cent 1. obs 35. and others have seen fatal abscesses in the Small Pox upon the Limbs For sayes he when the Ebullition is to great and very violent it makes the Blood in a manner mad as Hippocrates speakes then it moves from place to place and gets especially into the Limbs as the more Bloodless and therefore weaker parts The same Phil. Salmuth cent 2. obs 50. has observed that sucking Children taken with the Small Pox have been the cause of their Mothers having very Malignant Ulcers in their Breasts At the time of Apparition we may more safely use drivers out especially if Nature seem slow Frequently where there is no need of strong expulsion I am content with some comfortable Alexipharmack water of which I give now and then 2 or 3 spoonfuls and often in a day that Putrefaction may by little and little be resisted and that Nature successively assisted may be strengthned for example Take of water of Scorzonera Franciscus Ignatius Thiermair lib. 1. Cons 4. Fumitory Borage è toto Citri each 1 ounce add about 1 drachm of some Cordial powders with manus Christi perlata Since the Course of this Disease has three times which are as so many distinct Goals the curative intentions should be accommodated to each of these As to the first that is of Ebullition the Intention is that all impediments may be removed from nature to the end the Blood infected with the ferment of the Small Pox and apt to be coagulated may still keep an equable motion in the Heart and Vessels without stagnation and while it ferments may expel the congealed portions with the Venome In the mean time our care must be that the work of Fermentation or Effervescence may no way be hindred or too much put forward for by this the mass of Blood is put more than it should into congealed portions by the former it is restrained too much in its motion and the Poysonous particles with the congealed Blood are not thrown off Nature is usually hindred in the work of Secretion and Expulsion by too great a mass of Humours in the Bowels or abundance of Blood in the Vessels Wherefore at the very first coming of the Disease we must do our endeavour that Evacuation may be seasonably procured by vomit or stool if there
arise And I use to reject these Medicines because they do little good and constant Practice and Experience has taught me better which I use with great success and benefit to my Patients For they are such as do not at all draw the humors yet gently repell them nor cause any Inflammation but rather resist the poysonous quality in the beginning and avert the power of the poyson and its communication from the Heart and other principal Parts XXIII At the first visit these two things especially are immediately to be considered by the Physician and upon these two all his Pains must be spent that is the poysonous quality and conflux of the humors Nor let any man object that in the beginning regard should be had to burning contusion attrition of the part and the bleeding For I answer that this Wound is not simple but complicate and therefore we must first fall upon that which is most urgent And therefore we must begin the cure with poyson wherein consists the greatest danger of losing life the fluxion must be stopt and other things which may increase Putrefaction infect the Spirits and cause other Symptomes and in the second place we must look after Pain Inflammation and Bleeding Therefore the poysonous quality must be resisted immediately Now all Authors agree that in every wound where there is suspicion of poyson attractive Medicines must be used immediately at the beginning and things that evacuate by the part affected Therefore we ought either to scarify the wound or apply cupping-glasses or do both together But I commonly with good success always cut the Wound open the part a little and make incision that the Blood may run out and the poyson may be dissipated together with the Blood and this dilatation or opening of the wound is very necessary both that extraneous bodies may easily be got out and also that the Sanies and superfluous Humours which breed in bodies affected with these wounds may be conveniently purged and also the cavities and Sinus's of these parts may be prevented which otherwise usually happens through the unskilfulness of Surgeons Besides I clip away some part of the torn flesh which operations indeed I use instead of Sacrification Then also I apply a cupping-glass to the part if there be one at hand to take away the poysonous quality and when these things are done I presently apply some things to the wound that I may prevent the poisonous quality and flux of Humours and if at any time there be an Haemorrhage I take some Yolks of Eggs with a little of the White for the White alone applied does a great deal of harm but when it is mixt in a small quantity with other things it loses that astringent and emplastick faculty to which I add oyl of Turpentine St Johns wort Euphorbianum oyl of unripe Roses adding a little Terra Sigillata oriental bole Armenick Scordium powder of Tormentil root and Myrrhe for these things are violent resisters of poyson and putrefaction as also Galbanum Bdellium c. draws out the poyson Idem Ca. 19. in which Medicines Tents and Pledgits are dipt XXIV After we have provided for the wounded part we must then take care of the whole Body And in this case we ought to breathe a Vein for this is the best Remedy of all universals For though Bleeding may seem not at all convenient in Gun-shot wounds which have a poysonous quality joyned with them because thereby the said quality is drawn into the inner parts of the body and therefore to the principal parts with great peril of life For in applying Cupping-glasses and Scarifications to the wounded part the intention is not only to evacuate the virulence by the part affected but by revulsion to attract it that it penetrate not deep or infest the principal parts Bleeding by opening of a vein is altogether contrary to this intention for it does not evacuate or expell the poysonous quality but rather gathers and draws from the part and circumference to the centre Yet I answer that when it is said A Vein must not be opened in poysoned wounds this must be understood of Poyson from the whole substance and not of a poysonous vapour Besides a poyson from the whole substance quickly creeps to the heart and other principal parts but an halituous poyson is not so soon communicated to the principal parts We have an example in the bite of a mad dog because sometimes many days and months pass before a hydrophobia comes so in Gun-shot wounds the Poyson is not communicated presently and much less when Blood is let quickly for Blood-letting is very good in Gun-shot wounds for revulsion sake and draws no virulence inward because in the beginning the venemous quality poysonous Vapor is not so penetrating of it self unless it be so attenuated by the heat and spirits as to infest the heart come to the principal parts especially when its passage is hindred by scarification and application of drawing Medicines Wherefore alwayes in these wounds as well as in others Blood must be let by opening a Vein to prevent a defluxion of Humours and especially of bad juices after which if the wound be inflamed bad Symptomes usually happen as great pains Erysipelas Grangrene Idem especially if there be a Cacochymie in the Body XXV Yet Blood must be let on this condition that when topical Medicines are applied a vein may be opened for so it may do good but never harm But large Bleeding cannot be approved of and herein the greatness of the wound must not be so much regarded as the plenitude of the Body Idem a gentle purge or Clyster being premised XXVI The next day and the second visit before the wound be looked on the body must be cleansed and to this purpose we must prescribe some gentle Medicine but not a strong purge because in a poysonous quality which comes from without violent purging is not so well approved of by Physicians Galen 4. m. m. affirms that purging is not only proper in plenitude but especially in abundance of bad juices and in a great Disease Therefore in these wounds it is very proper to give some gentle Medicine Which is approved of also by Hippocrates l. de vulner For Purging by the Belly is good for most wounds because bilious thin and serous Humours are purged for such Humours might easily flow to the wounded part and cause Inflammation Pain c. Idem XXVII Some put Butter in their Digestive Medicines in the beginning yet I ever abstained from the use of it for it greatly corrupts putrefies and relaxes the part Plazzonus but here we must alwayes prevent putrefaction and corruption XXVIII Some prefix the seventh day as a set bound for Digestives Others go beyond this time tarrying for the separation of the putrid flesh that encompasses the Lips of the wound unless what has been already suppurated be removed by abstersives But I think the set
general Astringents are cold and dry and according to Cartes their vertue consists in a certain thickness and figure of Parts whereby they constringe the Parts of another Body like a wedge or twine them like Fiddle-strings Therefore the active principles Salt Sulphur and Mercury are less vigorous in them or at least are immersed in earthy Parts and as it were fixed And they are either 1. Earthy drying and absorbing which astringe with biting as bolus Arm. Corals lapis haematites terra sigillata Chalk crocus Martis c. or 2. Sowr and Austere as Bistort Tormentil Alum Vitriol c. which abound with an astringing austere Salt either vegetable or metallick with earthy Parts or 3. Acid as Vinegar the spirit of Vitriol Simple and Martial of which we must note first that acid Astringents are more proper for fluxil Humors both in the Vessels and out of them which they coagulate as it were and fasten but not so proper for the Pores and Parietes whence they are convenient inwardly in Hemorrhagies as suppose of the Nose Thus we have cured Scorbutical Hemorrhagies with Spirit of Vitriol in regard Acids do in this manner coagulate the fluid Blood but Acids are not so convenient for the Pores or Parietes rather for coming thither they incide dilate and exasperate the humors the more Secondly therefore we must not always rely on acid Astringents for they do not so constringe the Pores as do austere sowr and other stypticks but they are withal indued with a thinness of Parts whence those that use to give Acids in dysenteries diarrhaea's spitting of Blood and wheresoever the Pores of the Parts or the Membranes are affected as to their substance can seldom boast of any good effect Or 4. They are Emplastick whether oleous which obstruct the Pores or gummous mucilaginous viscid and emplastick properly so called as Gum Arabick sanguis draconis Mastich and Farinae or Flowers 5. Some also are sweet as Chestnuts some bitter as Aloes c. Or 6. Balsamick withal being endued with a Sulphur immersed in terrene Parts whether implicitly another quality predominating whence Medicins properly called cold are also astringent as galls acacia Pomegranate rinds c. or explicitely as Aloes which used outwardly astringes Myrrhe Nutmeg the rind of Frankinsence Cinamon which latter indeed are hot and joyned with Acrimony yet through their manner of substance in regard it has both an Emplastick vertue and drying earthy Parts they are astringent so the caput mortuum from the distillation of Cinamon-water powerfully astringes but they are commonly improperly called so for they are either not used inwardly for astringing as Aloes or they benefit by strengthning the heat withal and also confirming the Parietes on which account Nutmeg stays vomiting Or 7. They are Escharoticks which do not properly astringe any more than the former but inasmuch as they consume the flowing humor and induce a Crust upon the Parts they come to leave an astriction behind them even as Fire is used to stop the hemorrhagies of the Vessels in the cutting off of Limbs so Lime Spirit of Vitriol and Vinegar have place in some cases Or 8. they are Figents such as are Narcoticks and Opiats II. Medicines made of Mars Steel or Iron are of a middle Nature and are used both for opening and binding But note that such of them as are more vitriolated and have the metallick Salt more explicit open more and such as are more terrene and changed into ochre bind more III. Internal Astringents must be agreeable both to the Parts for which they are designed and also to the humors and cause for some are more proper than others Thus Aromatick astringents are more agreeable to the Stomach as Nutmeg Treacle c. Which if they be not to be used alone are at least to be mixed with others For it is most true that Armatick astringents are better for the Stomach and therefore for diarrhoea's dysenteries and vomitings Acids also are more agreeable to the Stomach for Vinegar is good for the Stomach both to foment it withal and to drink unless there be some erosion in it or in the Intestins yet even then Acids are good outwardly In Diseases of the Lungs Resolvers are to be mixt with them of the Liver penetrating Acids of the Head Balsamicks So if the matter be too Fluxile and Acrimonious Mucilaginous Astringents are more proper if malignant as in an Epidemick dysentery Bezoardicks are to be added or Astringents endued with that quality are to be chosen as Tormentil Terra Lemnia c. So if there be an acrimony of the Humors and a strong irritation of the membranous Parts fixers are to be mixed with astringents for in this Case both these being mixed together perform that more happily which one could expect from either of them alone So for example Opiats do indeed stop Diarrhoea's and dysenteries and Astringents left to themselves stop the same but seeing Opiats do more fix the Humors and Astringents more defend the Parietes of the irritated Parts hence Laudanum Opiatum mixt with a Styptick Powder is of greater efficacy because it attends both and so fulfills the intention the more happily Where the Parts are to be defended the terrene profit more IV. We must never astringe too much lest the Pores subside too much and by that means can hardly be relaxed Hence also in a Dysentery for example from the too great use of Astringents there often arises anxiety dangerous Ulcers c. for Fluxes often require rather to be moderated than stopt and all things are to be done according to natures direction wherefore Aromatick Resolvents or Openers are profitably mixed with Astringents V. In Diseases of the Breast in general we must astringe sparingly both because the tone of the Lungs rejoyces in laxity and also because the viscous hot or bilious Matter may easily be expelled to the heart because of its vicinity hence they are not good in a squeaking small voice straitness of the Breast difficulty of Breathing and Asthma Inflammation of the Lungs or Pleurisie For they incrassate the Humors the more fasten them in the Part and make them unfit for expectoration yea bring on a suffocation VI. There are no astringent Clysters properly so called because all moisture injected into the streight gut as being strange to it irritates it even water it self yet they are called astringent and those are prescribed which by a certain mucilage restore the mucus of the intestines that was fretted off and are made of milk Deer-suet c. such as Minderus chiefly commends yet even this way they dilute and temperate rather than astringe VII In some Cases though the Flux cease and so likewise the mobility and eruption of the Humors yet astringents are so far from benefiting that they rather hurt for instance the immoderate flux of the Terms especially in the hypochâ—ndriacal is often caused from an obstruction of the Vessels whereby the Blood cannot circulate freely whence
Nature being burthen'd seeks other ways for the passage of the Blood In like manner when the same immoderate Flux is from plenty of Blood there astringents profit not There is an Indicant indeed for astriction but this is the last thing or the end but he that will attain the end must also attend the means and so in that case Aperitives are rather proper So also in Hydropick and cachectick Persons bleeding at the Nose is very frequent in whom the Spleen or Liver are affected in which case Medicines that strengthen the Bowels are requisite indeed but the more chief intention is to open the Parts obstructed and therefore let it be noted as a rule When with an afflux of humors G. W. Wedelius de s m. fac p. 33. there is present either an obstruction of the Vessels or a plenty of Humors astringents do less good but rather in the first case Aperitives and in the latter Evacuators as blood-letting VIII As it is well known that crocus Martis is either aperitive or astringent so we must never perfectly rely on crocus Martis adstringens alone for first it is certain that these two differ not save that in the Astringent a more earthy absorbing and constringing quality predominates and in the aperient a more saline vitriolate which in the former is more changed and taken away by the most urgent Fire of the Reverberatory Hence in case Acid Austere or sowr Humors excite Tumults and Fluxions in the Body as is usual or Diarrhaea's from an overloose Tone by the accession of these Humors in the Body part of the crocus recorporates as it were and so loosens as much as it astringes Whence where the villi of the viscera are to be strengthned it profits much inasmuch as it exerts its vertue in opening as they call it or in correcting the less fluxile Humors but where there is loosness with erosion for instance we must deal warily with it But the less vitriolate crocus Martis is the less aperitive it is and the less ochreous the less astringent whence we must not alike absolutely trust to Mars alone Wedel Pharm p. 115. to all of it and always IX The roots of Bistort or Snakeweed and Tormentil have a great affinity but we must note that seeing the Roots of this latter are of more thin Parts than those of Bistort we must always prefer Tormentil where less astriction is required as in the beginning of a malignant Dysentery Moreover Tormentil is given with very great benefit in malignant Fevers as the small-Pox Measles Petechiae yea in the Plague and Epedimick Dysentery not because it moves Sweat but that it may bridle the ebullition of the mass of blood Frid. Hofman clavis Schrod p. 423. which is the reason also why the Roots of Tormentil enter the composition of the pulvis Pannonicus ruber Alexipharmacks Cordials Diaphoreticks See Sudorificks below in this Book and Venena or Poysons in the eighteenth The Contents The same are not every where alike profitable and the reason of their difference I. Of what kind Corroboratives should be where it is discoursed of the harm of Sugar II. The frequent use of them is hurtful III. They are to be accommodated to the tenour of the Stomach and Heart IV. In what time of the Disease they are convenient V. A new way of conveying Cordials to the Heart VI. The efficacy of Cordials that are taken VII Let them not be earthy for such as are troubled mith obstructions VIII Whether there be a Cordial vertue in Gold IX The right preparation of Antimonium diaphoreticum X. Whether one may rely on Bezoar-stone XI In what quantity it is to be given XII Whether crude or calcin'd Harts-horn is to be used XIII It has various vertues according to its different preparation XIV The right preparation of it XV. Whether there be such a thing as an Unicorns horn XVI The excellency of Treacle for prevention XVII It is not to be given to Children XVIII The dose of it XIX Whether there be a Cordial vertue in precious Stones and their magisteries XX. The hurt of common magisteries XXI The hurt of magisterie of perles XXII For what people Tormentil and Bole are not convenient XXIII A caution in the use of the Salt of Vipers XXIV The various endowments of sulphureous urinous and acid Spirits XXV Let the Gellies of Hartshorn Ivory c. be new XXVI 1 THose are reckoned for Cordials that assist the Heart labouring in any kind wherefore one is every where said by Authors notably to strengthen the Heart another to keep it unhurt by any putrefaction others to relieve a weak oppressed heart to cure its tremor or fainting and to preserve it from corruption Moreover because in the Plague small Pox and malignant Fevers the Heart is believed to be seised or beset with Poyson or Malignity therefore the remedies that are wont to help in those Diseases are not called simply Cordials but Alexeteries and Alexipharmacks This opinion concerning both Cordial and Alexeterial Medicines seems to rise from hence inasmuch as the Heart is commonly believed to be the beginning of all Life and Heat and that therefore our Health and Death depend on its immediate affection hence what things soever recreate the Soul they are supposed to do it as they are benign and friendly to the Heart But seeing we have in another place shewn largely enough that the subject of life is not the heart but chiefly and almost only the Blood and that the Soul it self on whose existence and action in the Body life depends is founded partly in the Blood and partly in the animal Spirits it will plainly follow that the remedies which preserve Life intire or recruit it when it is in danger respect these Parts of the Soul viz. the Blood and animal Spirits rather and more immediately than the Heart Therefore that the Reasons and Manners of the Operation of those Medicines that are called Cordials may be known we must consider these two things 1. How many and what ways especially the Blood being amiss or in danger as to its accension or its mixture requires aid from Medicine whereby it may be preserved or amended 2. After what manner the Heart is hindred or perverted from its due motion for it serves to drive the Blood about through the defect or fault of the animal Regiment and for which Medicines that encrease or set to rights the Spirits are indicated As to the first the Blood in respect of its accension either fails or exceeds and in each respect different Medicines namely hot or cold or as it were Oil and Water are required and therefore they are commonly called Cordials though they affect not the Heart at all for though upon the taking of them the motion of the Heart is often changed and accordingly the Pulse becomes presently frequenter or slower stronger or weaker yet this therefore comes to pass because the motion of the Heart depending
upon the Blood and so erect vigorate and compose either some Portion or the whole subsistence of the sensitive Soul that was too contracted depressed or otherwise disturbed And indeed this kind of Remedies do in a sort affect the heart it self although remotely in that seeing the whole sensitive Soul is elevated and expanded wider by giving of them the Spirits also that are appointed for the Praecordia flow the more plentifully into them and actuate them the more briskly and therefore the Pulse that before was weak or faltring by and by beats more strongly and the Blood is driven about with the greater violence This sort of Medicines are fitly enough reduced to two Heads and as they are gentle or rugged attain the same scope namely they either erect and confirm the animal Spirits by cherishing and as it were gently and softly stroaking of them or else by vexing and as it were spurring of them they drive them into quicker and sometimes more regular Motions The Cordials of the first sort as soon as they are swallowed nay sometimes being but tasted exert their Vertue and by a grateful appulse recruit the Spirits that reside in the first ways then by the continuity of these the same ovation being communicated successively to the other Spirits shortly undulates through the whole Compages of the sensitive Soul so that both the Brain and also the Praecordia being irradiated with a fuller influx of the Spirits exulting as it were they perform their Functions more briskly and chearfully For this purpose taking heed of the too great incitation of the Blood serve the Waters commonly called Cordial also the Preparations of Mosch and Amber and the Aromatick Powders that are mixt with them Such things as have a grateful savour or smell or are pleasant to look upon inasmuch as they recreate the animal Spirits are reckoned also among Cordials In the mean time other Cordials of this Classis the first ways and mass of Blood being almost untoucht seem to operate first of all in the Brain of which sort are some Cephalicks so called which though they be less grateful to the Palate or Stomach and hardly ferment or exagitate the Blood yet illustrate the Brain and exacuate and strengthen the Inhabitants thereof the animal Spirits Of this Nature seem to be Sage Betony Rosemary Vervain c. There are another sort of Cordials that operate in a different manner and help wholly on another account those namely do not gently cherish the animal Spirits and cause them to be expanded equally but rather irritate them and make them run and be carried this way and that way to the end namely that they being inordinate before and unequally dispersed crowding in some places and thin in others and therefore intermitting or perversely acting some offices of their Functions especially within the Brain or Praecordia may be disturbed and more agitated by an ungrateful Medicine which in such a case is a very good Remedy in that being thereby roused as if they were lash'd they leave their former disorders and of their own accord return into regular order Thus it is usual in swooning fainting oppression or spasm of the Heart and in almost any other failings languors or irregularities of the Spirits to give inwardly Spirit of Hartshorn of Soot of Sal Armoniack or Tincture of Castor or Asa foetida with other Liquors or to hold to the Nose these and the like as especially volatile Salts and Empyreumatical Chymical Oils Besides it may be sometimes good in sudden Defections of the Soul to sprinkle cold water on the Face to pinch the Nose very much to shake the Body and sometimes to strike a box on the Ear. Such Administrations as these give help inasmuch as they rouse up the animal Spirits being oppressed or distracted or employed otherways than they should and command them being expanded Willis and mustered as it were to their former Offices II. Seeing in almost all Diseases diminution of Strength as being more urgent draws to it self a curative Indication and perswades that before all things roborating and comforting things should be given the Sick 't is no wonder that Physicians are often instigated to appoint such But if you inquire of them what those comforting things are they produce divers Blandiments of the Tongue Confections and Aromatick Spirits never regarding whether they be hurtful to the Patient or not nor understanding that these things that please the Palate are often prejudicial to the Stomach For can these things be comforting that are administred while the fomes of the Disease still survives how shall the Citizen fortifie himself that has received unto him a domestick Enemy stronger than himself If the Disease bring a man down that was strong and in good health how will it suffer him to be fortified when he is brought down I speak not here of specifick Cordials I let those alone also that recruit and illustrate the Spirits and hinder their resolution these are not to be deprived of their due esteem but I censure only the abuse of comforting things Now those which are truly such are those that subduing the Morbifick causes add strength to the Bowels that by correcting the Ferments if any of them were weak and restoring them to their pristine vigour make them again mindful of their wonted office In which matter we have the consent of Sennertus in his Paralip ad Institut p. m. 79. admonishing That comforting or strengthning Medicines ought to be such which preserve and restore the Instruments of each Faculty to wit the Substance Temper and Spirits of the Part and that take away the Causes that violate them and that therefore respect is always to be had to the Cause of the Disease and the weakness of the Faculties and heed is to be taken that whilst we strive to please the palate of the Patient and to recruit his Spirits we do not encrease the Cause of the Disease and so also the very debility of the Faculties especially by such things as in their whole kind are foreign and have no congruence with the Spirits nor are grateful to the weak Ferments of the Viscera As to the usual Juleps without the conjunction of prevailing acid Spirits Electuaries and Emulsions and other Medicines of that Nature that easily Ferment it is certain that they are very grateful to the Well and to such as are in the declination of Fevers where the Ferments of the Viscera have again in some measure attained their pristin vigour as Galen testifies Comment 5. Epid. 14. but they are naught for the Sick and hurtful in most Diseases of the Stomach and Womb for these being in a preter-natural state are only delighted with bitter acrimonious and acid things other Medicines are quite opposite to the Ferment of the Stomach and so make the Digestions more difficult Sugar a common Ingredient in Cordial Juleps c. being Chymically dissected passes partly into a most ardent Spirit partly into a Corrosive
perform their other Offices more strongly than the former They are also Balsamick such as preserve the vigour of the Blood intire and avail to long life Hot in the third degree à priori are those wherein volatile or fixt Salt do more eminently predominate with or without an accession of Sulphur whence belong hither for instance 1. all volatil Salts as of Scurvigrass Cresses asarum c. 2. lixivial Salts or the fixed Salts of plants 3 acids which have also an acrimonious virtue 4. acrimonious and biting things as Pepper Burnet 5. stronger Aromaticks as Cloves Mace c. A posteriori those which alter manifestly sensibly and with hurt as it were if there be any excess so that neither the tongue can endure them long without trouble nor the body in any great quantity Whence these rarifie the Body more increase its Sulphur and volatil Salt tame the fixing Humours take away a cachexie discuss wind open the pores of the Nerves and so are good in the Palsie are antiscorbutick powerfully break the Stone refresh the weak Spirits and rouse the Apoplectical and Hysterical Hot in the fourth Degree à priori are those which have a more acrimonious and almost caustick Salt whether volatil as Onions Pepper-wort or fixed as Mercury sublimate which predominates over the Sulphur it self although present whence such are 1. most acrimonious 2. rubifying 3. eroding hence they afford vesicatories and potential Causticks that erode and corrupt more strongly A posteriori those which are of the greatest activity most vehement and as it were instantaneous operation and not without great hurt Yet these also have their certain mansions for Arsenick operates more powerfully and sooner than Onions c. IV. Medicines cold à priori are such wherein there are no volatile hot acrimonious aromatick or aereal particles but the active principles particularly the Sulphur and Mercury are more sparing or subjugated and the Salt in like manner is either absent or has attained a fluor and is remarkable for inverted acid particles or else they are such in which the passive principles water and earth are found more prevailing and the acid Salt as aforesaid Cold Medicines are opposed to hot even in their actions so for example acids fix the bitter and acrimonious obtâ—nd the oily and so forward A posteriori those which being referred to our heat do not encrease it but demulce it when it is un governable and bridle choler For as the hot rarefie the Blood exalt the Sulphur with their sharp darts and acuate the volatil Salt so the cold do concentre the same depress its Sulphur and fix and coagulate its volatile Salt Those chiefly are in this place reckoned for cold that are Vnivocally such which for example either dilute and demulce as 1. watry whence Juleps the whey of Goats milk the decoction of Barly the juice of Birch of Quinces and other acidulous juices which most of them are such in the first degree and others moistning withal do notably cool so also all mucilaginous and purely gummous are cold as the white of an Egg Tragacanth Harts-horn Aloes Mans-Skull Gellies the root of marsh-Mallow Gum Arabick the four greater and four lesser cold Seeds which have a certain oiliness but such as is watry and temperate Or they tame and infringe the Sulphur and volatile Salt as 2. Acid juice of Citron Sorrel Berberries and 3. nitrous Pellitory Mercury Spinach Orach Violet Or they respect ebullition and motion as precipitants as 4. earthy for example plants the flowers of Balaustins parts of this nature of Animals and Minerals also Woods as Sanders Oak and especially those which are properly called earthy as bole Armene terra Lemnia c. Stones as crystal jacinth and those which are of an alkaline Nature Or they constipate and constringe as 5. austere styptick sowr which are examples of the third degree Tormentil snake-weed the rind of Pomegranats acacia or the juice of Sloes hypocystis Or they plainly destroy as 6. poisonous which are endued with an excrementitious earthy and watry and with a stinking and impure Sulphur and so induce a contrary consistence on the Blood as Hemlock Henbane Stramonea or apple of Peru whence they are poisonous As Medicines hot in the fourth degree kill by eroding so those cold in the same degree by suffocating and coagulating Medicines cold Aequivocally and energetically are those which either dissipate and procure the exhalation of Sulphureous soots as prevailing by a volatil Sulphur and being themselves hot as Spirit of Wine camphor or take away the Cause as well the fermentation and ebullition as obstructions as openers Such namely as are Sulphureous are all of them heating unless they serve for dissipation and hot exhalation on which account they cool by accident the Lixivial Saline do more rarefie the Blood and so do also heat it but the Acid do concentrate and refrigerate the same the mean as Tartar vitriolate are of a middle nature but they rather commonly heat cut Phlegm c. especially common Salt So that the cold may be referred to the summa Genera as it were as consisting of watry earthy and non-lixivial Saline particles V. Here the question may be determined whether Acids be cold or hot For there are not wanting some that affirm them to be hot arguing from their acrimony biting and that corrosive vertue that they are endued with Those that maintain them to be cold produce their effects also that are manifestly cold as for example that acid Spirits allay thirst and cool the Body by blunting the bilious Humours Here seems necessary a distinction first between the hot Sulphureous and the hot Saline secondly between the external use and the internal or between that which belongs to the solid parts and that which belongs to the moist and spirituous The hot Sulphureous that is those which have Sulphur predominant chiefly with a volatil Salt do all of them increase our natural heat but those that want Sulphur and possess a fluid Salt as Acids have indeed acrimonious cold biting particles but he would be absurd that should use them for restoring or invigorating the innate heat or the Sulphur and volatile Salt Whence although in their external use they cause an erosion in the solid Parts and through their acrimony cause the Parts to be pained and grow red which very thing we may also observe in a more tender Stomach and from a larger Dose as the Patients do sometimes perceive an aestus and heat from the unwary use of the Spirit of Vitriol yet with relation and respect to the Blood to our heat or to the Heart they are and are deservedly called cold Others determine that they cool by accident inasmuch as being joyned with cold vehicles by their penetrating vertue they make those more apt to cool others otherwise as for instance that they cool by the perspiration of the fiery heat c. There is the like reason also of the nitrous for through the disposition of
and exterminate from the vital jurisdiction divers inveterate kinds of Fevers and other Diseases that arise from thence The defect of the felleous Ferment is made up by bitter things as Wormwood Centaury Agrimony Card. Ben. Fumitory and the roots of Succory and other Aromatick bitter ones Its excess is corrected by the acids reckoned up above For the Fermentation of the bile unless it be in a right state gives occasion to divers Calamities in the windings of the Guts When the Sulphureous part is sometimes exalted in the mass of Blood from a febrile Ferment and is too luxuriant and the Crasis of the Blood perverted from its due state so that it is all in a flame hot and boiling then that febrile Ferment as the most urgent is first to be destroyed by precipitation which is done in intermitting Fevers by tartareous Medicines by lixivial Martials married to acid Spirits in continual by Bezoardicum s and c. of Gold and Steel which do wonderfully bridle the ebullition of the Blood whose vertue arises not only from the Antimony and Mars and Sol but also from the Spirit of Nitre which is fixt abundantly in these which the increase of the weight teacheth its refrigerating and Anodyne vertue remaining safe which is known to few which yet is made more apparent when all the Nitre is turn'd into a most white Earth by the operation declared by Helmont Poterius's Alexipyreton that springs from the same Fountain is no less powerful Now the cause of that ebullition is a febrile and poisonous Ferment which being removed the Disease is most quickly and safely banished But this is done neither by Purgers nor by Bleeding which two are Impairers of the Faculties but by specifick anti-febrile Remedies that fix the febrile matter by Diaphoreticks and Diureticks to which if specifick Alexeteries be assisting you have a true Alexipharmack not only of all malignant Fevers but also of the very Plague it self In the mean time the febrile aestus or fervour is to be demulced with the acid Spirits of Mars tinctura Bezoardica Gelly of Hartshorn and Ivory with the Juices of Pomegranats Corinths c. the tinctures of Roses Violets and Borage prepared with the Philosophick Spirit of Vitriol and a little of the Spirit of Rasberries c. When the saline Parts in the Blood through bad digestion and fermentation are not spirituous enough nor are rightly exalted but remain crude and fixt are at their own liberty and suffer a fluor the Blood not only becomes thick and unfit for Circulation but acid also austere and acrimonious so that it is thereby corrupted and being coagulated breeds Obstructions in the Viscera and tartareous crudities are every where heaped up from which proceed the Hypochondriacal Distemper the Scurvy running and fixed Gout Stone Dropsie Leprosie and most Chronical Diseases In this vicious disposition those Medicines are good which exalt and volatilize what is fixt and promote an inflation in the whole mass of Blood In this case Evacuators profit nothing at all but by depauperating the Blood more waste the faculties without remedying those Medicines avail more that are fill'd with a temperate and mild volatil Alkali such as Stone-crop Fumitory Germander Centaury Celandine Scurvigrass and the more penetrating as the salt Spirit of Sal Armoniack of Hartshorn Soot Man's Blood Hart's Blood the volatil Salt of Tartar Arcanum tartari with the volatil Salt of Vipers c. respect being had to the circumstances are of notable use Hither also are to be referr'd Decoctions of Roots and Herbs impregnated with a volatil lixivial Salt so that the more excellent these are in this degree the more easily and plentifully also do they correct the preternatural acidities in our Body Preparations of Steel and Tartar give great hope of Health here also for these besides that in the Stomach the Fountain of Digestion and Archive of Life they correct and prepare the said Acidities which otherwise might be hostile in the habit of the Body they also imbibe and precipitate the wild Salts in the Blood and withal unlock the Vessels that are here and there obstructed Precipitating Medicines work after a Positive manner while they are spirituous and have a singular Balsamick vertue by the benefit whereof they so strengthen the power of the Natural Ferments and their innate Balsamick saltness that Nature her self can now again rise up against the Crudities and digest or precipitate or separate them After this manner ought the universal Remedy to operate if any had it Maurit Hofman Meth. Med. lib. 1. c. 19. or for want of it other comforting Spirits reduced to the greatest volatility Anodynes Narcoticks See Hypnoticks The Contents Some Anodynes are external some internal I. The external act either by mollifying II. Or by hindring an afflux of humours III. Or by Digesting IV. Nervine Anodynes V. The same agree not to all Parts VI. Opium is better inwardly than outwardly VII How Narcoticks take away the sense of the Part. VIII How they take away Pains IX Anodynes and Narcoticks differ only in degree X. Some Anodynes are not alike Narcotick XI The vertue of Narcoticks depends on the Sulphur XII Opium is a notable Anodyne XIII How it eases Pains XIV It stops Fluxes of the Serum and Blood XV. It is convenient for thin humours not thick XVI It is not to be given where there wants Serum XVII In Malignant Diseases it is to be joyned with Bezoardicks Ibid. Opium is the best Sudorifick XVIII Let it be given in a due Dose XIX The internal use is often better than the external XX. Let not the Patient be very weak when he takes it XXI Cold things being applied are an effectual Anodyne XXII The Preparation of the Oil of yelks of Eggs and Almonds XXIII I. THat we may the better proceed in rehearsing these it is necessary to premise a distinction betwixt internal and external Anodynes for according to the place of application does their manner of working vary also Both of them indeed loosen the tension and vellication of the Membranous Parts but after a much differing manner II. For outwardly this is perfomed 1. By Emollients that are such as to their operation whether they be Mucilaginous things whence a cheap and familiar Poultess in all Pains is made of the crumb of white Bread Milk Saffron the yelk of an Egg c. So live-Earth worms being applied do notably asswage the Pains both of a Whitlow and also others of the Nervous Parts on which account I have sometimes cured the greatest Pains of the Back only by bruising and applying these Or watery tepids or hot and moist things so Baths Fomentations and the like Topicks do loosen and digest by a kindly warmth and so do egregiously demulce So Hippocrates in a Pleuritick pain applied warm Milk in a Bladder to the aking side for although the vertue of the Liquor cannot throughly reach this Membrane yet neither is there need of it for it suffices that a
Spirits are exhausted and spent the remainder be tyed Death ensues presently XXII For easing the greatest Pains where digesting Anodynes being first applied have done no good let the pained Part be hastily touched with a Bladder full of cold Water and let the Bladder be removed again without delay and repeat this twice or thrice this is the advice of Hippocrates and Sanctorius for a moderate torpor has a vertue to cure Pain and then the application is made more conveniently in a Bladder because the pained Member is not offended by the moisture which perhaps might do it harm XXIII Oil of yelks of Eggs and of sweet Almonds is not to be drawn out of the yelks or Almonds burnt which some Perfume-makers do that they may draw the Oil more easily and plentifully but they are only to be gently warmed and then the Oil to be drawn out of them with that diligence that is necessary For indeed by burning of them the Oil is easily drawn Fabr. Hild. l. de Gangraena c. 24. but then it is sordid stinking and very unfit to allay Pain Aperients or Openers See Obstructions Book 13. and Preparers below The Contents Volatil Aperients should be moderately thick I. Absorbing and Resolving Aperients II. XI The Vniversal Indicant of Apertion is 1. An Obstruction III. Viz. 1. An Obstruction of the Viscera IV. 2. An Obstruction of the Vessels V. 3. An Obstruction of the Passages VI. 2. A Concrete or tartareous Body indicates Aperients VII Humours and Wind are subject to concretion VIII 3. A thick viscid clammy Body indicates Aperients IX Thick Humours often lie hid although the Symptoms of thin be most urgent X. 4. An acid acrimonious sowr Body indicates Openers and on what the vertue of Steel-Medicines depends XI Purgers are Openers and we must use these by turns XII What degree of heat Aperients are endued withal XIII Their active Principles XIV All Diureticks are Aperients XV. Let Vniversal Remedies precede the use of them XVI We must not insist too much on them especially on the volatil XVII Medicines that respect the Part are to be mixed with them XVIII They are not to be mixed with our Meat XIX We must take heed they dry not too much XX. Stirring about is necessary upon taking Chalybeates XXI I. APerient resolving attenuating inciding and absorbing Medicines all serve the same end for some of them only express the manner of acting more Their vertue namely and manner of acting consists principally in the thinness of their Parts Aperients are endued with Particles that incide are acute penetrate and loosen the Passages whereby they procure Motion to fixed Humours and make way for themselves to pass by But secondarily they ought to have a moderate thickness that their vertue may not so soon expire or dissipate which that of Rarefiers does which are more proper for what sticks in the Surface and Pores for they loosen the Pores and fuse the Humours Hence bitter things are of great esteem among Aperients because through their earthy Parts they strengthen withal For it stands for a rule That those Aperients are the best which strengthen the Parts and Fibres withal and do not induce a loose tone II. And these are the Aperients properly so called or rather of the first class namely of the volatil But besides these there are others that absorb and resolve not as if they were endued with thin Particles and so penetrated by their own vertue but because they absorb or drink up the coagulum that fixes the Humours as it were and for the most part is an acid pontick and sowr quality whence the Humours are sweetned as it were and consequently do not restagnate in their Receptacles or Chanels but pass readily to and again and are either circulated or cast out III. The Universal and as it were common Indicant therefore of Apertion I mean common to the Vessels and Pores obstructed and to the matter obstructing is 1. Somewhat obstructed and so hence Aperients in a great latitude are convenient for all obstructions in general For example for an obstruction IV. 1. Of the Viscera as of the Liver Womb Kidneys Spleen Mesentery where it is to be noted that those viscera are more liable to obstructions that have many vessels as the Liver and Spleen especially V. 2. Of the Vessels as of the Veins and Arteries which are like pipes or channels Whence as otherwise waters in pipes do by little and little deposit that slimy matter wherewith they abound in the pipes they pass through and fix it to their sides so it is in the Vessels whence we see that those whose Vessels are obstructed have their pulse increased and that the Blood is moved the quicker because the space it moves in is narrower Also for obstruction of the Nerves as in the Palsie where those Nervine Aperients are fitting that open the obstructed pores of the Nerves Also of the salival and lymphatick Vessels c. VI. 3. Of the meatus or passages as that of the Gall of the Intestines of the Ureters c. whence they are proper in the Jaundice Colick Stone c. where we must note by the way That all Persons troubled with the Stone are also Hypochondriacal or abound with a tartareous or obstructing matter in their Blood VII 2. Somewhat concreted or tartareous does indicate Aperients when saline tartareous and earthy Humours cause obstructions in which case they are properly called Resolvents Whence in the Stone Scurvy or the Hypochondriacal affection they are the only Remedies whether the concretion and coagulation be in fieri or but a growing whence in clodding of the Blood palpitation of the heart Swooning Fainting a polypus of the Heart c. they are good or in facto when it is completed as in inward Abscesses Pleurisie Apostem of the Liver c. also in a fall from some high place and in Wounds inwardly whence most Antipleuriticks and Antitraumaticks are withal Resolvents and in a Pleurisie the same things are convenient as in a fall from on high so also these Resolvents on this account are good in spitting of Blood if they be join'd with Adstringents VIII Now subject to this sort of concretion are either Humours viz. Blood Choler Serum Urine Milk whensoever they restagnate and are moved without their proper sphere as I may say or are out of their Element or flatus or wind whence Resolvents are also very good in flatulent Distempers IX Aperients are indicated 3. by somewhat thick viscid and clammy whether that be meant of the bile when it becomes sluggish puts off its proper nature and loses its salino-Sulphureous kindly and balsamick acrimony or of phlegmatick cold and moist juices whence in an Anasarca thick Catarrhs ill habit glutinous stone the Stomach fill'd with Phlegm c. they are good in which case they are particularly called Attenuaters and Inciders X. Now although thin Humours also may often seem to offend in obstructions as in the Scurvy and
ready to be suffocated through obstructions of their Nostrils as it often happens In which case when neither oil of sweet Almonds dropt into the Nose G. Wolf Wedel Misc cur ann 3. observ 14. nor Majoran Water instilled thereinto had any success this Medicine accomplished my desire Cardiacks or Cordials See Alexipharmacks before The Contents Their nature and differences I. V. When to be used II. The abuse of Volatils III. IV. The abuse of Moschates VI. I. SEeing those are Cordials that succour the labouring Heart we will premise 1. That the Heart and Blood are fellow causes and are not to be severed as some do 2. That the Blood consists of two parts a calidum or Blood so called by way of excellency and an humidum or serum in which two alimentary Humours our Life and Health consists nor is there any other innate heat or radical moisture besides these indued with their vigour and vital ferment 3. We shall call those Cordials that dispense the Blood and heat whereof the Heart is the fountain and do dispose the consistence of the Serum and the motion and vigour of both They are therefore such as either 1. rarifie the Blood when it seems to fail in its 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or brightness and is weak when its Sulphureous and volatil Mercurial and Spirituous particles are either obtuse or not vigorated in a sufficient degree such as these are good in languishings of the Heart lassitude with malignity old age Paleness Cold Cachexie Ague-fits weakness anxieties when the motion of the Heart fails as it were as it does often in malignant Fevers when there is a recourse of the malignity to the Heart or in driving out the Small Pox or Measles c. Of this sort are 1 Sulphureous volatils and those either Spirituous as the Spirit of Roses the apoplectick water of Roses Brandy c. or oleous indued with a volatil oleous roscid Sulphur which use to be called in one word Balsamicks as Lignum Aloes Camphor Myrrhe all Odoriferous things which have an immediate commerce with the Spirits Spices Cinnamon Cardamom oil of Cinamon Mosch Amber also Treacle Mithridate 2 Saline Lixivials as Salt of Worm-wood of Scordium of Carduus Bened. c. which together with a precipitating vertue do natably also rarefie the Blood and reduce it into order whence they are excellent febrifuges and sudorificks 3 Vrinous Saline Volatils which are almost the most powerful of all as the Spirit of Harts-horn of Sal Armoniack of Soot of Vipers of Hart's or Mans Blood these also being mixt with oleous and so being made oleous volatil Salts have the same vertue Hither belong also fetid Medicines whether Sulphureous chiefly or also Urinous which are good in Fainting and Hysterical Fits and the like Observe that the rarefaction of the Blood denotes two things 1. the restauration of the failing Spirits which is chiefly done by Balsamicks and Sulphureous 2. the vigorating of the motion and fluxility of the Serum chiefly which is especially done by Salines Or 2. Such as hinder rarefaction which as the abovesaid restore the Sulphureous Balsamick and Mercurial volatil Particles in the Heart and Blood so these depress blunt and precipitate them when they are too fierce and high and they are either 1 Aqueous diluting and restoring the Serum the defect whereof renders amongst other things the rarefaction greater as temperate Cordial waters the water of Endive Sorrel aq Herc. Saxon. frigida Whey c. which being dispersed through the Blood do somewhat enervate the volatil Parts Whereby it is clear that Juleps and Small beer also it self ought to be granted in a larger quantity in Fevers and the Patients are not to be so strictly compelled to thirst Or 2. Aci d which are of the chiefest rank among these whence it may be for a rule An acid tameth or dulleth Sulphur as the juice of Citron and Pomegranate acid mineral Spirits the Tinctures of Violets Roses c. Or 3 Nitrous which in like manner infringe and debilitate Sulphur promote its exaltation and notably attemper it and vigorate the Serum restoring it to it self as Lapis Prunellae nitrum antimon perlatum c. Or 4 Earthy absorbing and precipitating as Corals Perles pretious Stones Bezoar c. And these maintain their place in all kinds of Fevers and are excellently good for other bilious ebullitions for Choler doth most of all rarefie the Blood as in Distempers proceeding from anger in Madness deliriums Phrensies burning Fevers c. Or they respect the consistence of the Blood and are 3. such as hinder its resolution and preserve its consistence that is ready to be violated whether by concentrating the Sulphur as acids whence these are most especially convenient outwardly in hindring the resolutions of the Spirits and are good in Swoonings colliquative sweats and when the Blood is turning to Ichor with Mador c. such as are those already mention'd but especially simple Vinegar and Vinegar of Rue c. also things actually cold outwardly cold water the water of Roses Or by attempering the Serum as watery Medicines especially Emulsions which have somewhat Mucilaginous in them whence they are of very great use in Malignant Fevers especially where watching and delirium are urgent Or by strengthning as it were the band of each the Serum and Blood by gently concentrating and collecting of them as Mucilagâ—nous and earthy Astringents also temperate Balsamicks as for example Harts-horn prepared Philosophically Ivory prepared without Fire Gelly of Harts horn Bole-Armene Sealed earth balaustins and amongst hot things Cinnamon vitriolum Martis which enjoy also an earthy quality Hither belong also Opiats themselves for it is found by the experience of Practitioners that Laudanum Opiatum is very conveniently given in the resolution of the vital Spirits and Blood but only in a small quantity that by this means the further dissolution of the Spirits may be hindred We have seen wonderful effects thereof in the Fainting Hysterical and others These may be mixed either with Spirituous analepticks as confectio Alkermes that by this means both the dissolution may be hindred and matter supplied to the Spirits or with earthy absorbents and resolvents that on this manner also the consistence of the Blood may be respected Or 4. They are resolvents that hinder dissolve and dissipate the clodding and as it were curdling of the Blood whereby it is stopt as it were in its motion they hinder the incoction of the Serum and so by removing also some impediments mediately help its rarefaction and they are both the Balsamicks already spoken of and also some resisters of putrefaction as likewise watry diluters but especially terrene Medicines which otherwise are profitable in falls from on high Pleurisie c. viz. Corals Crabs Eyes antimonium diaphoreticum c. Acids also for these are of a middle nature as it were both coagulating the dissolved Blood and dissolving the coagulated For in both cases the Blood does clod as it were
both by too much resolution and by too much coagulation Hence we must note that acids being joyned with Bezoardicks do by their penetrating vertue strengthen the Bezoardick and Sudorifick vertue as for instance the mistura-simplex where neither the theriacal Spirit nor the Spirit of Tartar do so much move sweat much less the Spirit of Vitriol yet these being joyned together promote it notably Hither may be referred what was said of the first class of rarefiers And these are good also in palpitation of the Heart Fainting away Malignant Fevers c. And such Medicines as perform these things eminently namely that defend and preserve the consistence of the Spirits and Blood that it may neither decline to a state of fusion resolution and ichorefcence nor of coagulation I say such as these are properly and are called Bezoardicks All diaphoreticks also do the same thing and especially Alexipharmacks Nor hinders it that these and especially the temperate are not carried immediately to the Heart it is enough that they vibrate their operations presently out of the Stomach into the Blood whose crasis is hereby changed and whose energie and affection results to the Heart yea such Cordials do often respect and take away at least the antecedent cause G. W. Wedel de s m. fac p. 93. however their operation obtains their end in the Heart II. Where there is great debility of the faculties we must not presently flee to comforting Cordials nor indeed to them alone but the causes are to be removed whether there be a Plethora suffocating the Spirits or a Cacochymie defiling them whence often either Bleeding or Purging will do the business The vulgar are here mistaken Idem p. 96 III. Let all Volatils consist within the bounds of Mediocrity both in Diet and Pharmacy and that both in the Sulphureous and Urinous So those that in their youth drink too much Wine or Brandy do in their following age hereby lose the strength of their Stomach inasmuch as their decreasing heat does hence require some stronger heater so also Medicines with Camphor Idem and distilled oyls do often hurt IV. Hence we must never so rarefie as not to mind at the same time the consistence of the Blood that it may be brought to a natural state Nor must we so use Resolvers as not to observe the tone and due rarefaction of the Blood Whence those offend who for instance in Malignant Fevers exhaust their Patients only with volatils and perpetual sweats when they ought to discuss indeed and preserve the rarefaction but to temper it when it is too much So those who use Resolvents more unwarily easily make the compages of the Blood too lax so that the Spirits perish as it were and dissipate which must be noted in particular of Cinnabarines for they do most of all resolve the Blood But do nothing too much and in all cases having premised universals tonicks are to be interposed and moderate astringents V. Comforting Cordials are to be rightly distinguished whence where Serum for instance is wanting scarce any thing will do so much good as actually moist and watery things without omitting acid or nitrous Medicines and on the contrary let us not give one thing for another nor confound the same VI. We must not rely too much on moschated Medicines which do greatly rarefie the Blood for while they too much exalt and heighten the Mercurial particles instead of comforting they easily hurt Nature and commonly they do more good outwardly than inwardly or at least unless when seasonably given Idem they have their use but then they must be used rightly Carminatives or discussers of wind The Contents The way how to know to discuss wind or to hinder its generation depends on the knowledg of its production I. X. The preservatory and curatory Indications II. Many while they endeavour to dissipate flatus produce them III. VIII Opiats discuss them IV. Carminatives are either halituous and rarefying V. Or absorbing and tempering VI. Or they help the heat and ferment of the Stomach VII The hot and thinnest are not always to be used VIII They are not good in driness of the Intestines and where the excrements are hard IX They are to be varied according to the variety of causes X. I. Wheresoever flatus are those things contribute to their excretion that take away the impediments through which they inhere the more firmly in the parts viz. the clamminess and glutinousness of the Phlegm from which they are produced and such as are Aromatick and abound with an Aromatick oil Now I think that flatus are truly discuss'd inasmuch as their very tenacious matter is incided and broken whence the pituitous matter that was distracted and distended into flatus subsides and falls into a little globule of Phlegm For it seems to be done in the same manner as when Boys are wont to raise bubles through a straw-Pipe from soap dissolv'd in water The bile being joined to the glutinous Phlegm by rarefying of it distracts it into flatus which by further rarefaction at length are broken of their own accord and so by and by the Phlegm that was before distracted and rarefied consides and returns to its former Nature and consistence the action of the Bile ceasing then through want of matter to act so upon unless it can insinuate it self into some other piece of Phlegm Sylv. de le Boe Meth. Med. lib. 2. c. 21. which it may distract into flatus and rarefie in like manner II. The production and mischief of flatus is to be corrected 1. by gently cutting the more glutinous flegm 2. by discussing and dissipating or otherwise suffocating these flatus 3. by correcting the acrimony of the bile that is the Efficient cause of the flatus And the Phlegm after it is loosed by the bile and turned into flatus must be gently incrassated again but not be made very glutinous The Phlegm may be incided by volatil Salts and all Aromaticks and most Acids but these are chiefly good where there is fear to encrease and heighten both effervescencies both in the heart and in the small Gut in which case 't is adviseable to abstain from volatil Salts as also from Aromaticks both lest the store of flatus be increased and also lest the bile be made either more acrimonious or more volatil Among those Acids the chief place is to be given to the Spirit of Nitre as well pure as sweet seeing it not only cuts glutinous Phlegm but also discusses and breaks the flatus yea and also tempers the acrimony of the bile and fixes it when it is too volatil This Spirit of Nitre may fitly be taken in ones usual drink or any other Medicinal one and that indeed in an indifferent quantity whereby neither a nausea may be caused nor its operation be either too strong or too weak III. As to the discussion of the Flatus themselves already raised and in being I know nothing comparable to
pain heat and fuga vacui or the avoiding vacuity To pain indeed as it depends upon its causes an hot intemperies and a solution of continuity springing thence this debilitates the part and makes it unable to repell the Humours from it whence the tyed part swells But there is a far other reason of this swelling Ligatures upon the Arms stop the motion of the Blood that is flowing out at the Nose not because they attract upon the score of pain or heat but because they retard the Blood that is received from the Arteries and is a returning to the heart by the Veins from passing so speedily to the right ventricle On this foundation the vertue of Ligatures rests whilst they are made upon a sound part they hinder the Blood from flowing back by the Veins to the affected part in any plenty Rolfinc Meth. Med. p. 442. so the affected part is freed from the influx Narcoticks See Hypnoticks before Nephriticks Cysticks or Medicines for the Stone See Book 3. Calculus Renum or the Stone in the Kidneys and Book 15. Renum affectus or Diseases of the Kidneys The Contents They respect either the resolution of the Coagulum it self I. Or the Saline Acrimony and irritation of the genus membranosum II. Or the opening of the ways III. Nephriticks and Cysticks are the same IV. Nephriticks are not to be confounded V. Resolvers hurt when a Saline Acrimony offends VI. The Reins rejoice in moisture but not excessive VII Where Topicks are to be applied VIII Refrigerating ointments scarce cool because of the oyl IX Hot dissolvers of the Stone many times do hurt X. I. IT being presupposed 1. that the Material cause of the Stone is a dry concretion that in a Natural state is voided with the Urine or a Tartareous Salt consisting of an earthy and Saline matter although a viscous Humour may also concur 2. That the Blood of calculous persons add of Gouty and Hypochondriacal abounds with such Saline and Tartareous Coagulables we say that Nephritick Medicines are both such as resolve and such as mitigate and such as drive forward and so they respect 1. the resolution of the coagulum it self or the sliminess or muddiness of the Blood tending now out of the Vessels separated in the Kidneys and Bladder but not expelled whether it offend by its plenty or Nature her self fail in her expulsion and the earthy parts by the access of the saline fixed volatile turn into a coagulum such as are 1. Abstergers both watry and diluting that afford a more plentiful Serum for the draining out of those excrements and are good against gravel when there is a plentiful sediment in the Urine and the stone is a breeding 2. Sulphureous Resolvers that more intimately hinder coagulation and hinder the matter from stopping there whether they be more temperate oily obtunding and taking away Acrimony of Sperma ceti and other Aperients that are good in any obstructions stoppage of Urine stone c. or more active fusing the Blood as it were and precipitating and liquating the Serum into the Kidneys such as are chiefly Remedies of Turpentine which give the Urine a Violet smell which is a notable testimony that their vertue reaches hither the oyl of Amber c. 3. Saline Resolvers whether Acid inciding and deterging as Acidum Tartari acid mineral Spirits especially Spirit of Salt or soaty and earthy alkali's obsorbing Lyes which are of avail either through their Salt which they keep retir'd or from their notable vertue of absorbing saline Humours as Crabs-eyes the Salts of plants the tincture of Tartar c. whence belong hither most of the more generous Aperient Diureticks and Lithontripticks From hence it appears why Acid and Lixivious Medicines also are good in the stone namely both of them resolve correct glutinosity and destroy a preternatural coagulum likewise other things that take away grumescence or clodding and resolve coagulation which also are good when clods of Blood stop about the Bladder II. Or 2. they respect the saline acrimony and irritation of the genus Membranosum and are temperating moistening cooling absorbing whether the parenchyma and Membranous and Nervous passages be hurt by an acrimonious caustick Salt as it is common upon taking Cantharides to have all the harm accrew to the Kidneys and Bladder alone or from the weight and sharp corners of the coagulated Stone Such are 1. those things that are common as it were to both temperate and demulcing aqueous Remedies not Saline Sweet and Mucilaginous as Gum Tragacanth Gum Arabick the pulp of Cherries and Cassia Raisins Sebestens Conserve of the flowers of Mallows commended by Amatus Fernelius's Syrup of Marsh-Mallows c. 2. Things also that are partly oily and watry as sweet Milk Emulsions of the cold Seeds Which as they ease the Symptoms that are caused by Cantharides so they do in a special manner demulce and ease the ways that are torn by over stretching as it were and by accident they cure nocturnal pollution help the Strangury that springs from a serous acrimony 3. Precipitants whether they be withal Styptick as in pissing of Blood and other laxities or Nervine as Cinnabarines the more temperate specifick powders so also steel Remedies belong hither hence Heurnius upon Hippocrates's aphor 6. 6. where when he had said that the pains and Diseases of the Reins and Bladder-in general are hard to cure he commends experimentally in an Ulcer of the Kidneys the juice of steel that is steel Wine made of the filings of steel macerated in sweet and strong Wine 4. Acids correct a bilious Acrimony if it be present as red Liver-wort whence according to Hippocrates lib. de locis Acids both cause the Strangury and help it And these as we have already intimated are good for Bloody Urine diabetes nocturnal pollution heat of Urine yea in the stone it self and we must also have great regard to the pains which are as it were the tyrants of indication 5. Hither belong even Opiats also which being mixed with resolvers are very useful in the Stone not indeed as if they resolved primarily or as if they cleared the wayes but because they give rest to Nature III. Or 3. They respect the stopping and clearing of the ways not so much by driving forward as loosning that way and leave may be given to the departure of the unwelcom Guest such as are internal and external emollients and paregoricks lubricaters and moisteners especially oily things chiefly Oil of sweet Almonds likewise Chamomel the Decoction whereof resolves withal whence the Flowers thereof in Pottage give present ease in the Cardialgia or Pain at the Stomach the Colick Stone also fat Broths for they give by so much the presenter Ease by how much they resolve the more withal thus the Oil of sweet Almonds with the juice of Lemons is a Secret with some Hither belongs that place of Walaeus m. m. p. 4. In Pains of the Stone says he whether you
disgregation alone is thought to be the immediate cause of the Humours becoming crude For whereas they may offend three manner of ways as Hippocrates teacheth l. de N. b. v. 60. in Quantity in Quality and because they are disgregated from one another neither a fault in quantity alone nor a simple alteration as to quality are apt of themselves to breed crudity for neither of them is corrected by concoction for if the Humours exceed or come short in quantity we must only remedy it by evacuation or repletion for the Diseases that repletion causes emptying cures and on the contrary according to Hippocrates So neither does their fault as to quality make them crude because as Hippocrates says l. de v. Med. All these are thus cured that those who are affected with coldness be heated and those that are affected with heat be cooled and these things are soon obtained for there is no need of concoction Seeing therefore neither a fault in the quantity nor the quality can of it self introduce crudity upon the Humours it is necessary to affirm that the Humours contract crudity only because they are disgregated or sever'd from one another Wherefore because Concoction is opposed to crudity Hippocrates describing Concoction hath affirmed l. cit de vet Med. that it is wrought by a mutual permixtion and temperature as it were by boiling Now by Disgregation of the Hamours we understand not an exact separation of one from another so that they occupy divers places but a dissolution of that mixture by means whereof they are corrected and contemperated to one another and when it is dissolved every one acts according to its proper vertues and qualities By the means therefore of this disgregation is a Crudity introduced upon the Humours which while they are reduced to their former Union and Concord are said to be concocted From which we may collect that not all Diseases that depend on the abundance or alteration of the Humours shew signs of crudity or concoction but only those wherein is the aforesaid Disgregation And this Hippocrates l. de vet Med. would intimate to us whilst reckoning up the Diseases that are cured by concoction he only enumerates Fevers Tubercles or Tumours and Destillations for these Diseases do necessarily presuppose a Disgregation of Humours Therefore Concoction is in vain to be expected in those Diseases wherein seeing the Humours were never crude they are in like manner unconcoctible and far less in the Humours of the healthful whom we intend to Purge for prevention for in these only the width of the ways is attended to which Hippocrates meant in Aph. When Bodies are to be Purged they must be made fluid Reducing which Precept to Practice he uses before Purging both drinking more largely and bathing or fomenting all the Body over this latter chiefly before he would Purge downward Martian comm in Aph. 22. 1. and the former when he would Vomit ¶ Whereas there may be many causes of Disgregation I find them all reduced to three heads in the Doctrine of Hippocrates 1. When any Humor is so much increased in the Body that it far exceeds the rest in plenty 2. The second cause is motion or perturbation and agitation 3. A notable alteration as to the first qualities chiefly Now that the Humours may be disgregated through the excess of one of them as to quantity is consonant to reason so that it refuseth to be associated and contemperated to the rest as excelling of them Hippocrates shews us this cause of disgregation l. de insomn v. 31. For by some repletion says he made within there happens a certain secretion that disturbs the Soul where by secretion he understands not any evacuation but the aforesaid disgregation But concerning the causes thereof we must note that these sometimes cause a Disease of themselves and primarily without disgregation sometimes by its means otherwise there would only be one cause of Diseases The first cause therefore is the excess of any Humour in quantity And that the Humours are disgregated through motion which is the second cause Hippocrates teacheth 4. de morb by the example of Milk by the agitation whereof the Butter Whey and Cheese are separated And lastly that an alteration as to qualities makes the same disgregation is shewn also by the example of Milk which is conglobated or curdled upon pouring Liquor into it not by coldness alone as Hippocrates would but by any great alteration that may proceed to corruption of substance thus Milk is curdled with excess of heat without Runnet When therefore the Humours are so altered as to their proper qualities that the alteration tends to the destruction of the substance this is said to difference it from simple alteration whereby the Humours are not removed from their natural state their natural union is dissolved and they are disgregated from one another Idem l. de Nat. hum v. 272. so that although every one remain in the same place yet each is rendred intemperate as to its proper nature Franc. de le Boe Sylvius seeks the causes of Crudity and Concoction in a looser or stricter union of the execrementitious Humours with the Bloud He says Prax. l. 1. c. 55. § 16. Physicians mean the Crudity and Concoction of the Humours that constitute the Mass of Bloud and are mixt with it when they treat of them in the Examination and Cure of Diseases especially the acute and when they so greatly and deservedly desire the concoction of the Humours that the Cure may succeed according to wish for as often as the Bloud is infected and evil affected immediately or by intermediate Humours contained in the Body without the Mass of Blood viz. choler the Pancreatick juice Lympha and Phlegm so often the vital effervescence that is peculiar to it is altered vitiated likewise and that so as that presently more or less there is a disturbance of that natural and loose confusion between the Blood those Humours that flow continually with it to the Heart whether they be then joined to it more straitly and intimately or more loosly and less intimately Now when the other Humours are joyned to the Bloud more intimately and strictly than usual then a more watry Urine is made and such as has less tincture and other contents and this they call Crude that is a sign of crudity But after that the Urine by degrees becomes more tinged and brings more contents with it it is commended and is called concocted namely signifying that concoction is more or less begun or promoted which comes to pass as often as the abovesaid humours as excrementitious and before too strictly and intimately united to the Blood are by degrees separated from it again and are partly expelled together with the Urine which is good and profitable for a man as the other was bad and hurtful for according to Nature and in an healthful State the Urine has something at least of a Yellowish tincture but no content
is found in it unless some error be committed in Diet or a mans constitution decline more or less from a perfect State of Health Now if any one do attentively consider all the Humours in the Body that are to be confounded with the Blood as also the proper qualities of each he will easily come over to us and will grant that their strictier union with the Blood is owing to an Acid and therefore to the Pancreatick juice or Lympha ill affected On the contrary that their looser Union with the Blood and so the loosning of the stricter is to be hoped and expected from a sal lixivium and especially a Volatil and so from a bitter and therefore from Choler when it is more powerful and has the dominion Daily experience confirms how true these things are which I have now said seeing it may be known to any who observes those things which cast the Healthful into divers Sicknesses and increase the same and on the other hand which restore lost health to sick Persons that the concoction in the Blood is hindred by the Vertue of Acids but such as are excessively so and that the same is promoted and obtain'd by the help of Aromaticks and in particular of bitter things or volatil Salts but such as are more temperate See concerning the signs of crudity from Vrines loc cit § 14. The watry Urine which is a sign of crudity that is of deficient concoction in the Humours of the Blood as often as it continues and a Spontaneous concoction by Nature is expected in vain so often is it to be promoted by Art and that by Medicines that kindly temper all acrimony of the Humours but chiefly the acid whence the too intimate mixture of the Humours in the mass of Blood uses to proceed and such as will loose again their over-strict union The fixed Sulphurs of Minerals and Metals being exalted to their greatest Perfection do above all other things gently temper all acrimony of the Humours even the acid also Next to these are volatil oleous Salts and to these Aromaticks by the vertue of which being prudently used exceeding even imagination in many things there is not only obtained such an effervescence of subcontrary Humours in the small Gut and Heart as is most agreeable to Humane Nature but the preternatural concretion and union of the two acrimonious Humours being first moderated by them is dissolved again in the Blood I declare from Experience that these things are to be esteemed of great moment in Physick Idem § 78. and 79. IV. Trallianus l. 5. cap. concerning a Diary Fever from Obstructions does not grant oxymel for preparing the Humours that are thick through adustion but that are thick through crudity For the things that are thick through adustion are made thin if you dilute them with liquids thus dirt is made thin by mixing it with water and choler made Vitelline or like the yelks of Eggs by assation by a cold and moist Potion becomes thin and liquid but the things that are thick through crudity or the admixture of a thick Humour such as is vitelline choler in a bastard Tertian are made thin by heating things that attenuate the thickness of the substance and incide the clamminess thus we incide and attenuate viscid and thick Phlegm by Oxymel and Honey of Roses V. When the whole mass of Blood offends in quality we may change it also with external Alteratives Wal. m. m. p 94. Epithems and washings of the hands witness this VI. There are some Practitioners that always alter and never Purge That we may know whether Alteration ought to be made we lay down these Rules 1. All alimentary Humours ought to be alter'd when they abound 2. And the excrementitious Humours 1 which are so mixed with the mass of Blood that they cannot be separated 2 In burning Fevers in the greatest heat and motion of the Blood the vicious Particles are so exactly mixed with the good Blood that they admit of no separation whence it is absurd to intend to Purge in the augment or state of these Fevers 3 When excrementitious Humours so abound that they cannot be drawn out without present danger of life 3. Those excrementitious Humours refuse alteration that are severed from the mass of Blood Idem p. 102. VII Let none trouble himself in vain with thinking as many do who are moved more by Reason than Experience that all Medicines can be taken safely only when the Stomach is empty of Meat seeing I have found the contrary true in many especially as to Medicins that alter and correct the Humors For I have observed a thousand times that Alteratives namely the gentle for such only I would have Physicians to use have been used with greater benefit of the Patient a little before or after Meals yea at them than at other times Nor is reason contrary to this experience for so the vertue of the Medicine does kindly mix and insinuate it self not only into the Saliva in the Stomach but also into the Ternary of Humours that flow together in the small Gut yea int◠all the Blood also and all the other Humours in the right ventricle of the Heart and in all the Arteries and Veins whereby the desired amendment and correction of one or all of them is the sooner Franc. Sylv. Pract. l. 1. c. 34. § 102 more easily and happily performed VIII Thick Humours cannot flow and they are either tough or slimy or dense The sliminess of the Humours is known from the Urine when some white stuff sticks closely to the Chamber-Pot The thickness of the Humours is corrected by acid and hot things whence in many Fevers all we give is to no purpose unless we mix hot things therewith Yea it may chance that when a Physician has not been able to cure a long Tertian prescribing to his Patient nothing but tedious cooling Apozems an old Woman coming bids him take a draught of Wine to comfort himself Walaeus m. m. p. 104. and the Patient is recovered IX Preparation is always necessary before purging except in two cases 1. if the matter be turgid 2. if it be thin such as is the cholerick and serous which easily yield to any attracting Remedy But it is questioned whether thin Humors be to be prepared that is incrassated for the Humours cannot be evacuated unless they be concocted but concoction incrassates as Aristotle 4. met teacheth Concoction says Avicen is a certain adequation and reduction to mediocrity if therefore thin Humours be to be concocted they are to be reduced to mediocrity and therefore to be incrassated Besides thin Humours easily elude the vertue of the Medicine which working by compressing the Vessels thin Humours will be apt to escape But on the contrary thinness of the Humours is requisite for evacuation for thin Humours pass out of their own accord and resist not attracting Medicines as Galen teacheth 3. progn 23. and in other places We must say that
a month or longer with great benefit XXXV The vertue of Chalybeate Medicines depends on the different manner of resolving and laying open the particles of the concrete or Steel and of their being exerted into act For steel or Iron consists chiefly of Salt Sulphur and Earth it is endued but very slenderly with Spirit and water Now the particles of the former elements especially the Sulphureous and saline being combin'd in the concrete with the earthy remain altogether fixt and sluggish but being loosed and pulled from one another they are of very great efficacy The foresâ—id particles are loosed two ways either by art or by Nature after they are taken into the bâ—dy for a metallick body is wont to be corroded and dissolved by the ferment of the Stomach as by a Chymical Menstruum The most simple way of preparing Iron or Sâ—eel is a dividing of its body into small integral parts by fyling which parts retain the nature of the whole and contain suphureous and saline bodies combined with other earthy The filing of Steel being taken inwardly is dissolved by the ferment of the Stomach as by an acid Menstruum the signs whereof are as well the sulphureous and nidorous belching like that when one has eaten Eggs boyl'd hard as the blackness of the dung which is caused by the Steel dissolved within in the Viscera that perform concoction the active particles both sulphureous saline fly plentifully out of the concrete and benig involved in the nutritious juice are conveyed into the Blood which being of a contrary vertue do often both of them as with joynt forces conspire for the profit of the sick The sulphureous particles being conveyed into the Blood add to it a new and more plentiful store of Sulphur so that its mass if it was before poor and effete does now ferment more briskly in the vessels and being further kindled in the Heart acquires a more intense heat yea and a deeper colour For thus we may observe in very many that are affected with the Leucophlegmatia and Green-sickness whose countenance is pale their Blood cold and watry that by the use of Steel they acquire a fresher and more florid countenance their Blood being died with a deeper tincture and colour Moreover from the filing of Steel dissolved in the Stomach the saline particles are also separated and have often a notable effect both upon the solid parts and humours for these being of a vitriolick and styptick nature do astringe and corroborate the two loose and debilitated fibres of the Viscera and so restore their vitiated tone Besides these sâ—line particles restrain the impetus of the Blood hinder its too great heat and frothy turgescence and keep it in an even circulation moreover which is their principal vertue they contract and straiten the over loose open and gaping mouths of the Arteries so that neither the Blood nor Serum can issue forth nor is the thred of the circulation broken off On which account in the dropsie and hemorrhagies Remedies partaking of the saline particles of Iron are of the most famous use and efficacy for many diseases proceed from this cause that the mouths of the Arteries being too open and the interstices of the vessels over loose the Serum or Blood burst forth which diseases are often cured by the vitriolick particles of Steel which constringe and corroborate both the Blood-vessels and nervous fibres Thus the filing of Steel being taken inwardly seems both to spur and bridle the Blood but inasmuch as the incitation wrought by this Medicine is far more powerful than the restriction therefore it ought to be given only to those whose Blood is very thick and cold as to rustick and robust persons in a very hot and spirituous Blood and hot Viscera it is not at all proper Besides in persons more delicate and of a â—ender constitution there is danger lest the particles of the Steel seeing they cannot be sufficiently dissolved should strike into the membranes of the bowels like pieces of glass and sticking firmly to them should produce deadly ulcers and gripings which I have known sometimes to fall out really 2. Next to filing of Steel let a second way of preparation be calcining it with Sulphur namely let a roll of Brimstone be held to plates of Steel made red hot that the Metal may melt to pieces which being again calcin'd to consume the sulphur and ground in a Mortar are brought to a fine powder that is of excellent use In this preparation of Steel the sulphureous particles do indeed exhale the sign whereof is that this powder upon pouring an Acid liquor upon it boils and waxes hot far less than the filing of Steel yet when one takes it inwardly a Sulphureous nidour is raised from it In the mean time in this preparation the saline particles seem to be a little increased by new ones that accrew to the red hot metal from the Sulphur so that the active particles of both kinds namely both Sulphureous and Saline come almost to a poise and seeing by this means this Medicine the compages of the metal being loosed may be very subtilely powdered it becomes of far more excellent use than filing of Steel In most cases where Steel ought to be given in substance as in a Cachexie the Green-sickness and the like it is convenient to use this Medicine 3. In the third place comes the preparation of Steel with Vinegar namely the filing of Steel is so often besprinkled with Vinegar and dryed as till it may be reduced to an impalpable powder In this preparation the greatest part of the Sulphureous particles do evaporate in the mean time the saline are much encreased by others accrewing from the Vinegar which are mixed with the earthy particles This powder of Steel hardly froths or bubbles at all upon pouring an acid liquor upon it and when it is taken inwardly hardly produces any Sulphureous nidour and therefore it is not so profitable for opening obstructions of the Viscera or restoring the ferment of the Blood yet in an hot constitution it uses to be given with greater success than the former preparations in the Hemorrhagies and Hypochondriack Melancholy 4. The Rust of Iron follows which seems to be the extract or quintessence of the metallick Body because in that excrescence some particles of all kinds namely Sulphureous saline and earthy being loosed from the compages of the whole are combined with one another and make as it were a new mixt or concrete that is more subtil and defecate Because in this concrete there reside fewer particles of Sulphur therefore it does not so powerfully ferment the Blood or unlock obstructions of the Viscera as Steel prepared with Sulphur yet in the hotter intemperatures of the parts or Humours it notably performs the intentions that are requisite from a chalybeate Medicine Thus far of the preparations of Steel wherein the elementary particles of every kind are comprehended though in a different portion others remain wherein
that which otherwhiles she does of her own accord And if she can profitably evacuate without help she may evacuate more profitably when assisted by the help of Art for nothing can hinder Purging before Concoction that does not also and far more oppose symptomatical evacuation But when besides want of Concoction or turgescence there are present all other conditions that may disswade from Purging then abstaining wholly from it if I may not let Blood I will however provide for the faculty and use only Clysters and Suppositories But if though there be neither Concoction nor turgescence yet other conditions do not wholly deterr me I will venture to Purge for urgency and that by so much the more confidently by how much the conditions that invite shall be the more numerous for this is indicated if the evacuation may profit and not hurt which it is the part of an Artist to find out Now by what conditions one may know whether this or that Person are to be Purged at this time I shall endeavour from Reason and Experience to shew A special condition that permits Purgation is if the Hypochondres be quite free of a Phlegmon for if any one shall endeavour to remedy an inflamed Part by Purging he shall take nothing of that away which is inflamed but shall increase the Phlegmon cause a colliquation and so procure Death Moreover a moderate Fever permits it but if a Purge be given in a very high burning Fever the hot flesh attracts it and so nothing is evacuated but the Fever and Cacochymie is increased But a principal thing that hinders is the heat of the Head and spiritual Parts because these Parts when they are hot are apt to draw all things to themselves and to absorb what the Medicine stirs Driness of the Belly or costiveness also hinder because this indicates that the Humours incline some other way and 't is to be feared that when they are moved and not evacuated but snatcht some other way they prove a cause of greater mischief 'T is also of very great moment to consider the nature of a man for some are easie to Purge and that without any Symptoms or Mischief Purge them when you will Some are so hard that though they be Purged in the fittest Season they are seised upon by horrible Symptoms and are manifestly worse afterwards When these conditions that hinder are two or more of them present we must rather put it to the hazard than Purge But if the Patient be one of those that are easie to Purge and be sick of a Putrid Fever with some suspicion of Malignity if he have been let Blood sufficiently and the Humours be not turgent indeed and wandring up and down nor yet altogether quiet but fused as it were and tending towards the Belly which is shewn by a rumbling in the Hypochondres or loose Stools two or three in a day for this is no small invitation to Purge if the Hypochondres themselves be loose and not hot to any considerable degree nor the flesh burn through the whole habit of the Body if there be felt no great heat in the Head or Breast when one lays his hand thereon but the Fever that is is dispersed equally all over the Body or incline to the lower Parts in these cases though there be no concoction as yet I will give a Purging Medicine because that which is present does not very much hinder and that which is feared is urgent and the indication of urgency is the first of all But if there seem to be any Inflammation or Phlegmon lying hid in the Belly though I fear a Cacochymie I will not give a Purge I will rather venture even though the faculty be doubtful to let more Blood than I had thought for I will do the like if the Breast or Head or all the flesh burn vehemently unless there be great despair of the faculty for if there be I will moisten the Head with Vinegar of Roses the Breast or even all the Body over with Water and Oyl and will give cold things to drink So if he I am a speaking of be very costive I will refrain Purging though I fear the nature of the Humours till I have first a little softened the Belly with mollifying Clysters for acrimonious ones are not good for this purpose because they have the hurt of Purgers in them and rather dry the Belly and the use of light Meats as stew'd Prunes c. But it is manifest that if two or more of the aforesaid things hinder we must take a course with them before we Purge and that together if we can as if both the Head burn and the Belly be dry the Belly must be softened and the Head cooled by irrigation at the same time But if the Disease do not at all yield to these Remedies but the concourse of Symptoms continue and there be no urgent cause we must not Purge for if we do the Patient will on the same day be taken with light-headedness and convulsion and it may be die to the great infamy of the Physician We must therefore do any thing rather There are many things in this Art Valles m. m. l. 4. c. 2. wherein for urgencies sake it is an art to depart from Art c. II. Many keep a great pother about expounding Aphor. 22. 1. and 29. 2. Things concocted are to be purged forth and not crude c. But in my opinion the matter is not so abstruse for I think that Hippocrates understood nothing else by things concocted but such things as may be separated from the mass of Blood And in the other aphorism by the words If any thing be to be moved move it in the beginning of the Diseases I think he means that we should purge presently after the beginning of the Disease before the vitious Humours by means of the perpetual motion of the Heart be confused and mixt with the whole mass of Blood For if we please to consider this matter further we see that Humours may then be separated 1. when they are overcome by Nature 2. when some vitious matter sticking somewhere in the Body is not as yet consounded with the Blood Walaeus Meth. Med. p. 35. as I have said 3. when by due helps we assist Nature that is endeavouring to attenuate and conquer the Humours III. A concoction of the Humours is not always to be tarried for nor is their preparation always to be premised before we will purge the Body for when the matter is moveable prepared for excretion ebullient or turgent what need is there of digestives and one Purge does generally less offend the Stomach than so often repeated digestive potions that dissolve and taint the Stomach so that crudities being thereupon increased there is a greater afflux to the joints he is speaking of the Gout Add hereto that while we are busied with digestives the pains increases Sennert l. de Arthrit See Zacut. Pr. hist l. 4. c.
s m. cap. 8. does transpire the more easily or is expelled by the assistance of Nature IV. Why are we so much against Bleeding in a Phlegmatick plenitude if the Phlegm by further elaboration being turned into Blood do strengthen the faculties and supply the want of Blood This happens on divers accounts 1. Because seeing the mouth of the Stomach is the receptacle of Phlegm the same is often likewise hurt whereby as also because of the vicinity of the Heart there follows a Syncope or swooning as appears in the Syncopal Fever 2. The coldness of the Phlegm is very adverse to Nature 3. When Phlegm by its plenty overcometh Melancholy it dulls extinguishes and suffocates the innate heat For seeing Phlegm is a crude humour when it abounds in the Vessels it hinders the access of the Blood to the parts to be nourished 4. Seeing Phlegm may obstruct on three accounts both by its quantity thickness and toughness or clamminess in an obstruction arising from these causes there is an hindrance of a sufficient transpiration of the Air to nourish the Spirits Thom. à Veiga l. de diff febr comm 3. from a defect whereof springs a weakness of the faculties V. In a Melancholick plenitude we may Bleed more largely and boldly 1. Because the Melancholick have much hot Blood for the ventilation and evacuation whereof Bleeding is very availeable 2. That humour though it be thick yet is not clammy which clamminess seeing Phlegm partakes of and sticks more to the Vessels it is not so readily brought forth with the Blood 3. By evacuating the Blood the Melancholick humour is likewise evacuated because it is the faex or dreggy part of the Blood but so is not Phlegm nor any other crude humour 4. Natural Melancholy is more agreeable to the nature of the Blood than Phlegm is seeing it is generated by a temperate heat but so is not Phlegm but by a diminished heat 5. Melancholick Blood is thick and can neither be consumed by abstinence nor bathing therefore it ought to be evacuated by Bleeding as Jacchinus says pr. c. 15. 6. Because Phlegm if it stay long in the Body may be corrected and turned into Blood by further Concoction Zacut. princ med hist lib. 2. hist 78. But Melancholy cannot pass into Blood and by staying long in the Body becomes atra bilis or black adult choler VI. Avicen 4. 1. c. 20. forbids Bleeding in a great effervescence of choler When the Vrine is thin and Fiery that is is very Cholerick we must have a care how we Bleed For if we Bleed a victory of choler and an effervescence thereof is to be feared because when the Blood is extracted which is the bridle of the bilious humour choler prevails more This opinion of Avicen that is exploded by many is agreeable to the doctrine of Galen For he says comm in 6. Epid. s 3. t. ult An impedimâ—nt in those that spit Blood is the season of the year a pleurisie choler where by impediment he means a prohibition of Bleeding Therefore redundance of choler even in a disease that requires Bleeding hinders it The same 4. de san tu 4. says that when the humours recede a little from the nature of Blood we must let Blood boldly but if further then more warily but if very much we must take away none at all Likewise 9. meth cap. 5. reckoning up the indications that dissuade from venesection he abstains therefrom when the mouth of the Stomach abounds with bitter choler Also 2. ad Glauc 2. he forbids it in an exquisite Erysipelas and Herpes The same he does in an exquisite Tertian 1. ad Glauc 9. And he gives the same advice in every other distemper that is the offspring of a bilious fluxion and where choler recedes very much from the nature of Blood for in such there is not a due strength of the faculties And on the same account fasting hurts because in the defect of alimental moisture such Bodies being dried wax hot So by Bleeding they are more dried and inflamed and the humours ferment more For the same reason Galen 1. ad Glauc 14. says that Bleeding is to be feared in climates that are excessive hot He teaches the same 11. meth 4. especially if the Blood be little and the choler very much for though the humours flow out promiscuously and abide in the same proportion in the vessels there follows an evident harm without benefit because a great deal of Blood is let out for a small quantity of choler and the vertue that ought to rule the bilious humour is dissolved which humour being no longer under Natures government does thereupon ferment and putrefie But Avicen's opinion is to be understood when the bilious humour is either in the first region of the Body or in its Ambitus or surface For the Veins being emptied by Bleeding instead of the Blood that is let forth they snatch the bilious humour out of the first region of the Body or from its habit by the admission whereof the Mass of Blood is defiled and made more acrimonious In which câ—se Bleeding cools not but heats and Purging should be used instead of it or at least go before it Thus Hippocrates and Galen 4. acut 1. admonish us that continual Fevers are caused through the Veins being drained in the Summer time and drawing acrimonious humours to them And 1. Epid. 2. comm 20. he says that Tertians spring from choler heaped up in the genus carnosum or fleshy parts For then when there is a Cacochymy in the habit of the Body the Veins being emptied and dried through heat are yet further emptied by letting Blood and by the attraction of acrimonious ichors the heat becomes unbridled and the choler effervesces with fear lest the raging choler Zacut. princ med hist 63. lib. 1. being thin and hot should by its restless motion come to fall upon some principal part c. VII When the Blood it self is redundant it is most powerfully and quickly lessened by Venesection which benefit one shall in vain expect therefrom in the redundance of other humours For though by Bleeding the Serum be lessened in the Body together with the rest of the Blood yet it is not lessened in that respect that it abounds Now the Serum is said to be redundant in the Body when there is more of it generated and heaped up therein than its natural proportion with the rest of the Blood requires Therefore when Serum is to be lessened we must not think that it matters not though the Blood be diminished withal whose proportion is then changed and indeed so that we should rather wish that the other parts of the Blood besides the Serum Sylv. de le Boe Append tract 6. §. 156 seqq could be increased than that they should be lessened together with the Serum VIII Blood is esteemed the greatest darling of Nature by whose help she performs all her operations and which we can hardly withdraw
violence But being taken with an Apoplexy a few hours after she died Her Body being opened there were hardly to be seen four ounces of Blood remaining So that it is hardly consonant to reason that from so small a quantity of Blood so strong and frequent impressions should be made upon the inner Nervous coats of the Heart and Arteries as to put these Vessels upon driving the Blood about so rapidly And therefore it is very likely that the Heart and Vessels themselves impelled the Blood the Blood it self not concurring thereto We may likewise infer that from the vehemence of some passions of the mind joy anger c. the Channels of the Blood do of themselves promote its motion because the lucid and sense-causing Spirits being moved more than usual do rush more vehemently out of the Brain into the Nervous Channels those perhaps especially that send branches into the Heart and the Vessels that spring from that Bowel whereby it comes to pass that the constrictions of the heart become more frequent and vehement Gautier medic Nivortensis in Merc. am an 1681. In such a case as this it were rashness and imprudence to fly to Venesection and to order it as often as we would do in inflammatory diseases XIII Because the Blood that is poured out at the Nose appears florid and saturated with a splendid redness it is commonly believed to be more pure and sincere than the rest The reason given is because it is poured forth by very slender Vessels which 't is said admit not the thicker Blood But the whole Mass of Blood together with all the humours it consists of is percolated at least in the Liver as all agree which the Physicians that defend the old Hypothesis ought to have noted who likewise teach that the thicker Blood is evacuated by the Hemorrhoids and issues out of the Capillary Vessels If they say that those small Vessels are widened by the turgent and more vehemently fermenting Blood why say they not the same of the Vessels of the Nostrils Besides that Blood which flows out of the Hemorrhoids is sometimes no less bright and red than that which runs out of the Nose Therefore neither the saturate redness of the Blood nor the smalness of the Vessels out of which it issues evince that that Blood is purer than the rest We shall easily find a reason of its deep redness if we observe what happens to the Blood as to its colour as it flows out in this or that manner out of these or those Vessels The Blood that flows out of an Artery being cut is caeteris paribus more bright and red than that which flows out of a Vein Likewise the Blood from whencesoever it flow that destils out by drops is redder than that which issues forth in a full stream by a large Orifice Blood let forth into a broad Bason looks very red If the same be received out of the same Vein into a narrow and deep Vessel it inclines more to black Lastly If the Blood that is let out of its Vessels be received in a cold place it becomes more ruddy if in an hot one more black Thus the Blood that flows out of the internal Hemorrhoids if it be retained in the streight Gut looks more black but more red if it issue forth presently unless some special cause hinder From these things it is evidently gathered that the Blood when it is suddenly cooled becomes more red when it cools by degrees or leisurely it is more black Now it cools the sooner when it issues out but in a small quantity because a little is less able to resist the ambient air than much is It is sooner cooled when it is received in a large or wide Vessel than when in a narrow and deep From these the rest appear Therefore the reason why the Blood that flows out of the Nose looks more red is not because it is purer but because it is suddenly cooled What the quickness or slowness of cooling can do towards variety of colours we may observe in Steel when it is temper'd for if a bar of Steel that is red hot be moved very swiftly through the cold Air it puts on a reddish colour if not so swiftly a colour that inclines to yellow if yet less swiftly it looks blue if very slowly it receives the natural colour of Steel For like as Bodies that are very hot are cooled quicker or slower are the insensible particles of which they consist disposed on this or that manner and they diversly modifie the light which they reflect in which modification does their colour consist Not only the quickness of cooling makes the Blood of a more saturate colour but also the motion of the particles of the Air which by licking as it were the surface of the Blood and depressing the particles that jet out make it more smooth dense and slick and so makes its redness more bright through the greater reflexion of the light Thus Red wood looks redder when it is smoothed and polished by some convenient instrument From the same cause the Blood that was blackish in the top of the Vessel if it be exposed to the Air acquires a more saturate and splendid colour namely because it s dispersed and eminent particles are depressed and compressed into a dense skin which reflects more light than the same Blood when its particles were loose and less cohering because then a great deal of the light did penetrate into the interstices of the parts Fr. Bayle probl med 2. and was not reflected at all and the rest falling upon soft parts was reflected but weakly XIV From the precedent problem it is easily understood that a sudden mutation from heat to cold and the appulse of the Air are the cause of the redness where the Blood that is poured forth shineth Hence it follows that as often as the Blood is red it has undergone the greater and more sudden change which happens two ways either because the Blood is hotter or because the ambient Air is colder Wherefore in an equal temper of the ambient Air other things being also alike a notable redness of the Blood is a sign of its notable heat therefore a florid redness of the Blood is not a certain token of malignity Yet if horrible Symptoms accompany a Fever such as none but a notable putrefaction can produce and yet a putrefaction of the Blood cannot be deduced from its colour those grievous Symptoms are to be referred to some malignity Idem XV. To prove that the Elements of the Blood are the four vulgar humours to wit Blood so called in specie Choler Melancholy and Phlegm some take an argument from the variety of colours in the different parts of the Blood when it is cold in a Poringer for they affirm that that which is florid in the uppermost part is choler which because it is fiery gets a top through its lightness that which is next under this is Blood
Egg somewhat thickned And he does not reckon it to be the cruder and colder part of the Blood but the more Spirital seeing it swims above the florid and rutilant part in the coagulated Blood and abounds chiefly in persons of an hot temperature the robust and well-set and comes forth with a greater violence in Venesection I have sometimes seen this gelly lie under the ruddy part But by a diligent inspection for many Years of the Blood that has been let I have only observed that this Muccago is not found in those that use a spare diet and are of a good temperature but frequently in the gluttonous and such whose Bowels are indued with a weaker heat whence it is almost always observed in the Phlegmatick and Old I never saw it flow out of the Veins of the Head often out of those of the Arm but most often out of the Veins of the Feet and in a larger quantity It is sometimes also found in persons of the best constitution and the reason is because these from the vehemence of their appetite eat heartily and sometimes more than Nature can presently turn into good aliment whence part thereof remaineth more crude but yet by a frequent circulation of it through the heart especially if a more spare diet follow withal it is at length turn'd into good Blood that so we may be sure this geâ—ly is the parts of the chyle not as yet sufficiently concocted in the work-house of the Heart Moebius fundam physiolog cap. 13. p. 222. ¶ Blood that is wholly destitute of fatness or wants it in part is not very commendable A plenty thereof makes the Body fleshy its unctuousness fat and its leanness lean This opinion of mine may be confirmed by examining the Blood that is let forth by venesection For the upper part thereof that many take for the Phlegm of the Blood and so is esteemed for a faulty part is often the best Blood This may be known by the Fire for if it be Fat it will flame Barbette Anat. Practic cap. 13. but if Phlegm then it uses to crackle XIX In Bleeding in a Pleurisie when the Blood is cold it looks like melted Suet for a considerable thickness and its surface is like true Pus or Matter and yet it is far different from it seeing it is straitly woven with Fibres like the rest of the Blood and runs not about like Pus But when this discoloured part is pulled from the rest it looks like a tough and Fibrous skin and perhaps is nothing else but the Fibres of the Blood which being deprived of their Red and Natural cover by precipitation are grown together into such a whitish membrane by the coldness of the Ambient Air. But to touch this by the by we must note that if the Blood issue not forth of the Vein in a streight stream horizontally but creeping along the skin fall Perpendicularly let it run this latter way never so fast yet often it will not be of the said colour Of which I confess I know not the reason Nor is the Patient so much relieved by such Bleeding as when it flows forth in the manner first described Yea though it flows out this very way if a too narrow Orifice or any thing else hinder it from running forth in a full stream neither in this case will the Blood look like that of the Pleuritical nor will the Patient be so much benefited by it Moreover I have observed that let the Blood flow out how it will if one stir it with his Finger as soon as it is received into the Poringer Sydenh obs med cap. de pleurit its surface will look as Red and florid as in any other disease XX. The Blood that is taken forth by Venesection looks often very dry and destitute of all Serum after some hours which is commonly imputed to too great heat or adustion But this reason is very feeble for if on the same day you open the same Vein again or another you will find Serum enough in the Blood that comes forth So that the true cause is to be sought in the circulation of the Blood but especially in the Lymphatick Vessels Barbette Anat. Practic cap. 14. which at that time attract the Serum and moisture and make the Blood drier XXI When the Blood is cold in the Porringer then that which is in the bottom looks far blacker than that which is in the upper surface Indeed it is a common opinion that that black Blood is Melancholick Blood and men are wont to use this as an instance to shew that the Melancholick humour as 't is called together with the other three enter the composition of the Blood But Fracassatus affirms that that black colour proceeds from hence viz. Because that Blood which is in the bottom of the Porringer is not exposed to the Air and not from any mixture of Melancholy with the Blood Ex Act. Reg. Soc. Angl. p. 153. Ann. 1667. Which that he may demonstrate he says the colour it self will change and become clear and red if it be exposed to the Air. XXII Seeing Revulsion helps Fluxion by way of Vacuum it follows that every evacuation does not do it but only that which is large so that thereby there be made an inanition either of the whole or of the parts that lie next to the part affected Which I say for their sakes that think to avert a Fluxion by extracting two or three ounces of Blood and believe that they shall do this more effectually if they let forth that little quantity not all at once but at several times stopping it ever and anon for seeing a Vacuum happens not by such evacuations Martian 6. Epid. 5. v. 17. by means whereof the Fluxion to the part affected is hindred how shall they cause a Revulsion XXIII In Revulsion we must mind in what quantity Blood is to be let whether together and at once or by repeated turns Though Authors commend this latter way yet reason and experience teach that a certain distinction is to be used For first we let Blood at one turn out of the larger Veins in an Afflux of the humours without effusion or evacuation but at several turns out of the lesser Veins in an Afflux with effusion as in an overflowing of the Terms or too great an Hemorrhage Sâ—condly We let Blood all at once when the Matter is already flow'd into the part and remains in it Frid. Hofm m. m. l. 1. c. 20. but by littlâ—â—nd little while it is but a flowing into it The Quinsie Pleurisie c. afford an example XXIV We gather from Hippocrates l. de nat hum v. 230. the difference between the curing of a disease present and the preservation from one imminent We must endeavour to make our Sections as far as may be from the parts affected c. Because in the former case Venesection is to be made out of the Veins that are nearest to
are come out Thus he determins that the same does stop a looseness because it first draws from the lesser Veins to the Cava from which consequently the Blood is let out by Venesection On the contrary nothing is of more constant Practice than when the humours especially the Bloody flow to the internal parts to make a revulsion to the external by opening a Vein 1. In asmuch as the Veins that are emptied draw from those which are fuller and the fuller afford their help and being loaded with plenty do readily deposite their burthen into the empty Veins the fluidness of the humours not a little assisting 2. In an inflammation of the Liver Lungs or Pleura Hippocrates and Galen bid us open a Vein in the Arm to revel from the internal parts to the external 3. And therefore 1. de vict acut that in a Pleurisie Blood is to be let so long till by its colour we can discover that to come which was flown to the part affected 4. How should there often be a strong revulsion if there were always a fresh afflux from the circumference 5. Why does Galen 4. de tu San. C. 5. dissuade bleeding to those in whom crude and vitious humours possess the internal parts For a further clearing of the matter Sylvat contr 37. notes that in letting of Blood it is to be supposed that there is in the Veins a plenty of Blood either convenient or not If there be a greater plenty than is agreeable to Nature when Blood is withdrawn by Venesection there ensues not a vacuum but the Veins subside as we see to happen in a Leathern Bottle or Bladder when part of the Liquor is poured out Hence it is concluded that in Venesection the Blood is compelled to retire to the centre if the Veins that are in that place be deprived of their Natural quantity of Blood either in whole or in part but it will return back again to the circumference either because it flows from the Bulk of the Body out of the neighbouring Spaces into the Veins or because the Veins that are next to it are emptied some part of that which is contained in the Veins succeeding that which is evacuated To the Arguments 't is answered to the first The consequent is denied because when the Blood is diminished the Veins concide of their own accord To the second There is not always a paleness but when there is it happens through too large evacuation fear recourse of the Spirits to the Heart c. To the third An internal Phlegmon is sometimes increased not by reason of the Blood that is let but through a new afflux which would afflict more grievously if a revulsion were neglected To the fourth 'T is granted because the abounding cacochymy in the first ways is first to be taken away that vitious Blood may not be generated afresh To the fifth Avicen's Reasons rather prove the contrary For because Poison is inimicous to Nature therefore at first we must take diligent heed that the Motion of Nature to expel the Poison be not hindred by Venesection But when it is dispersed in the Body it is lessened by even a plentiful bleeding Namely if there be an indicant for Bleeding that so part of the Vitious Blood being taken away that which remains may be the sooner discussed Thus also the expulsion of the small Pox is not to be hindred by another Motion of the Blood Horst Inst med disput 18. q. 7. which Venesection may do as it is likewise granted in a Flux of the Belly XXXIX Those Physicians err who following Galen open a Vein in any Flux of the Belly in an opposite or most remote part for revulsion For I will affirm that when Bloud flows immoderately and Symptomatically to bleed further is besides Hippocrates's intention who for revulsion of the Blood flowing immoderately to the Womb bids us affix Cupping-glasses to each Breast but forbids taking any Blood away 2. de mor. mul. vers 36. And if by such evacuation the sick be observed not to be notably hurt because we take away but a little Blood yet I think they reap little or no profit thereby For what good do we think can the letting forth two or three Ounces of Blood do for revelling the Blood that is rushing into any part Which evacuation hardly makes a motion in the Blood Therefore because the strength will not bear so large a Bleeding as might possibly make a revulsion and a small does no good therefore Hippocrates thought it better to abstain from Bleeding and to flie to other remedies You will object that lib. de steril vers 422. he bids a Woman to be Bled who doth not conceive when the mouth of her Womb gapes and by consequence her Terms flow more plentifully I Answer That is another case for the Terms flow not so plentifully as that it can be called a flux nor is there that weakness as will not admit a moderate Venesection which he commands not for the sake of the menstrual flux but for the cure of Barrenness You will object again that l. de humor and 1. de morb he opens a Vein in them that spit Blood I Answer His intention is not to make a Revulsion of the Blood that is flowing but to take away the Plenitude which may hinder the closing of the broken Vessel and to avert the imminent inflammation of the Ulcer For he opens a Vein in spitting of Blood no less when some Vein being pulled asunder pours forth a little and blackish Blood than when the Blood flows hastily and plentifully out of a bursten Vessel He plainly shews his meaning by adding And let him use a diet that may make him very dry and Bloodlessâ— Martian comm in versic 36. l. 2. de morb mul. Which words make it apparent that he opens not a Vein for Revulsions sake to hinder the course of the flowing Blood XL. Whether can Bleeding be helpful to the too cold of constitution Galen l. de rigor c. says In a disease which requires heating none have dared to Bleed And 5. meth c. 6. But if there be none of these things but it be winter or the climate be naturally cold and the person also himself be of a colder constitution by Bleeding in such a case the whole Body is both greatly cooled and there happen some Symptoms that lead to a dangerous Refrigeration If the coldness of the climate or season hinder Bleeding much more does a cold intemperies seeing the Blood does not only afford nourishment to the Body but the natural heat also is sustained and continued by it Yet 8. meth 4. he bids us Bleed hastily in an Ephemera from obstruction of the skin which the external cold often causes Reason persuades the same because obstruction hinders transpiration from this ariseth a redundance of the multitude of the humours from which proceed obstruction and putrefaction But we must thus distinguish the matter If the distemper we would cure be
cold as if for example any labour under a cold intemperies he must use hot things only and abstain from Bleeding which is a cooling remedy But if the disease be hot and Refrigeration be only as an antecedent cause while we extinguish the Fever by Bleeding we shall do no harm for the procatarctick cause has no indication belonging to it Yet when refrigeration hurteth even the Viscera Valles contr l. 7. c. 6. Bleeding is most of all to be shunn'd ¶ Those things which are alledged against Bleeding are only to be understood of that which is made for evacuations sake and make us take heed that by letting Blood there follow not a crudity of cold humours and intimate that the quantity is to be moderated Add hereto that the Authors of approved medicin have often practis'd Venesection in diseases meerly cold as in a Dropsie from the retention of some usual evacuation Hippocr 4. acut 11. For when the heat is suffocated by Blood that is too cold through its plenty Bleeding is a present remedy Likewise in palpitation a cold disease lib. de rigore c. c. 5. In a Priapism 14. meth c. 7. In a suffocation by cold Water Dioscor l. 6. c. 4. Paul lib. 5. cap. 66. Zacut. princ med hist 8. l. 2. In stubborn diseases proceeding from a cold cause to abstain altogether or more than is meet from Bleeding is not the part of a prudent Physician seeing 't is certain that every part of the Body is nourished by that matter which is in the Veins Which the colder and thicker it is by so much the more grievous and stubborn does it make the distemper that is raised from the like matter L. Botal de s m. cap. 12. Which matter we say is to be diminished partly by Bleeding partly by Purging and an attenuating diet that the Mass of Blood being cleansed and renewed the disease may be cured XLI Others proceed further who in all Fevers let forth the harmless Blood excepting neither the spotted Fever nor the Plague nor Poison Thus freeing themselves of much labour and trouble which otherwise the many sorts of Fevers would create them But because the nature of poison and malignant humours chiefly consists in this that they forthwith set upon the heart and quickly deject the strength of the most robust and seeing Bleeding does both likewise not only diminish the strength but also draw the malignity to the Heart and impells that back again to the oppression of Nature which she had driven forth for her own easement I cannot but pray and admonish all Artists that they will not proceed to Venesection either in the Plague or other malignant Fevers or also in all those accidents whereby men are Poison'd inwardly or outwardly especially if they love and seriously aim at tranquillity of mind and the health of the Patient that desires their help The French Italian Spaniards and Portugueze those fierce contenders for Venesection will reply to me that Nature by Venesection draws Air as it were and is unloaded in some manner that she may so much the more easily cast forth the remaining malignity And this seems true for the Blood draws the Air that its Spirits may the more readily fly away and it may be eased of those faculties that it necessarily wants When these things are finished the Patient changes life for death and very well knows how to draw tears from the Eyes of the by-standers Giving no other reasons they do moreover rely upon their experience but I wish they relied well upon it for I have found such Patients who in the morning were in no danger after Bleeding five or six ounces taken away in the evening by cold and rigid death Hence therefore we may rightly gather what it is they name Experience namely If the Patient by chance escape the honour is given to Venesection but if he die as he does commonly there was malignity in the case Therefore I oppose experience to experience thanking God greatly that he hath exhibited and demonstrated a far certainer and better remedy to all those who rightly consider diseases without envy passion or being inslaved to anothers opinion Others that they might seem more moderate in this matter admit of Venesection in the beginning of the disease before the malignity manifest it self externally and herein I will readily assent to them if it be done 1. In hot Countries 2. In a full Body 3. When the humours ascending to the head cause grievous accidents there In such a case I think Bleeding in the Arm or Foot will do a great deal of good But those who will prescribe Venesection in all Bodies and without difference in these cold and moist Countries such shall certainly find no good success thereof Yea they can hardly give a reason which will be received by art as genuine especially seeing themselves do freely and ingenuously confess that they sometimes meet with such cases wherein they dare not order Bleeding which they cry up so much Barbette Chirurg part 1. cap. XI performing the cure to their desire by Sudoriferous and cooling potions XLII Avicen Fen. 4. l. 1. c. 29. Bleeding often causes a Fever and many times putrefaction Venesection through the ebullition of the Spirits causes diary Fevers and if it be too large by debilitating Nature causes putrefaction the innate heat being weakned it generates an Hectick if it be done in Bodies wanting Blood the lean hot dry A weakly man being in no disease caused himself to be Bled in the midst of Summer being lean and weak he begun to be Feverish thereupon and complaining of an inflammation in his Liver the Physician not considering his weakness nor thinking upon Coolers and Purgers that were then necessary Zacut. prax admir lib. 3. obs 53. Bleeds him more than once Whereupon the Blood wherein heat has its perseverance being evacuated his flesh wasted and he died of a tabid Fever XLIII When there is occasion for repeated Bleeding whether ought the second to be larger than the first Galen l. 4. de sanit tuend seems to make the second larger But l. de venae sectione he bids us add half the quantity the second time Which many understand so as that only half as much is to be let forth as was before but I think he means as much and half as much more Namely if six ounces were taken the first time then nine are to be taken the second Though there is a contrary place lib. de venae sectione c. 17. where Galen took three pound the first time and after an hour one pound But there as I suppose the case was so urgent as to compel him to take more the first time Yet the matter is thus to be weighed namely That where nothing hinders and necessity is not very urgent it is better to begin with a small quantity especially when we have not experienced the strength of the Patient But when we have and find it consenting when necessity
urges Mercat de praesid lib. 1. cap. 2. we must take more the first time notwithstanding Galen's saying who bids us add half the second time XLIV I suspect whether change of the colour should be respected in Bleeding for at what time the Blood is a flowing 't is hard to observe such a change of colour and when it is already run out it is not so profitable to look upon it seeing often when one has been let Blood twice or thrice that which is hid in the deepest minera of the putrefaction is drawn out in the last place yet in but a small quantity so that it can do little good and the Patient cannot without harm sustain further Bleeding though never so necessary So that I think that measure of the quantity to be surer which is chiefly taken from the benefiting and sustaining And though there do not presently appear any benefit yet the sustaining has this excellency that if the remedy be used according to art it promises benefit and endures repetition till the disease be overcome Mercat de Praes l. 1. c. 2. ¶ Physicians use to receive the Blood into three Porringers when they observe a discolouring in the last and see it very impure and dare not continue the Bleeding till it come forth pure for fear of fainting away they declare that the Patient must Bleed again not once but three or four times And they are confirm'd in this opinion when they see a glutinous surface in the Porringer that is clammy and tough Rolfinc meth gen l. 4. sect 2. c. 10. But this measure is deceitful for that is esteemed for discoloured Blood which is Blood mixt with chyle the glutinous surface is chylous XLV One would at first think that the measure of the quantity of Bleeding should be till we have taken away all abundance but we may not do so for there is one thing which I think I have observed viz. That there has been an excess made when so much Blood has been let forth that the left ventricle of the Heart could no longer drive it into the Body Walaeus meth med p. 78. nor the Blood come from thence to the right ventricle of the Heart XLVI There are some cases wherein it is expedient to cause fainting away by evacuation For in very great inflammations in the most burning Fevers and most vehement pains the Ancients as Galen reports used to make evacuation to that degree Not indeed as if Lipothymy were to be the measure of the greatest evacuation as the common opinion is for this measure would have been very deceitful seeing some faint away upon the least occasion and others endure immoderate evacuations without swooning But rather because in the aforesaid cases Lipothymy comes on a proper account for hereby is a retraction made of the Blood and Spirits to the viscera whence there is caused the greatest revulsion from the part affected the habit of the Body likewise is very much cooled and a torpor is induced upon the senses I have observed this benefit in pains so that I cannot sufficiently set forth how notably it takes them away A noble Woman being troubled with very violent pains in her Head and all things that were given her doing her no good the pain at length came to that height that through the greatness of it she fell into a swoon out of which being got in a little time she was freed from all sense of pain and continued in that state till the same pain returning caused a new swooning which proved the cure of the pain Hence I perceived the reason why the Ancients in the greatest pains made evacuations to fainting away For Hippocrates also in the Pleurisie 4. acut v. 241. hath commended it If the pain reach to the Clavicle or Collar-bone c. and it be acute we must Bleed even to swooning Not exclusively as some interpret but inclusively for he says If the pain be acute we must Bleed even to swooning Hence it appears that swooning is procured because of the violence of the pain that it may take the pain away Seeing therefore swooning even without immoderate evacuation happens in all cases in which it is approved of it will not be necessary to administer an evacuation in that manner lest the Patient before a great evacuation be made faint away as Galen observed Yea he is sometimes to be placed so as that even by a moderate evacuation he may fall into a swoon Martian comm in vers 70. l. de humor namely when 't is feared that the sick either through age or some other great cause cannot bear a large one and that we shall obtain if he be Bled either standing or sitting XLVII As I never make those numerous Bleedings which proceed to fifteen or twenty So this I will premise that there is hardly any disease whose cure I do not begin with Venesection because if that be not used in the first place there is scarce place for any remedy For a full Body neither makes the ways permeable for other evacuations nor affords it a passage for any medicins what is cooled is condensed what is heated is inflamed such a Body is fit for no way of cure Therefore it is so far to be evacuated as that it may sustain the remainder of the cure without prejudice Valles m. m. l. 4. c. 2. but not so far as that the faculty may not suffice afterwards or the Body incur the before rehearsed prejudices XLVIII The habit of the Body affords but a deceitful token of the measure of Bleeding wherefore we must be the more attentive to the strength of the faculties and to the Veins themselves from which the strength of the faculties is more manifest than from the habit it self of the Body This indeed Celsus has taught us to examine for if the Veins be large and the habit also fat and loaded such Bodies bear Bleeding more easily But if the Veins be small Mercat de Ind. med l. 1. c. 4. though the Bodies be slender yet they bear this kind of evacuation more difficultly XLIX 'T is certain that Bleeding is profitable against a Plethora whether already compleat or but a beginning for the mischiefs of a Plethora cannot be better taken away or prevented by any other remedy Yet we should avoid the necessity of this evacuation as much as we may namely because the Blood becomes thereby more sulphureous and less salt and therefore almost all persons are apt thereupon to fall into Fevers and to grow fat Moreover Venesection being a great remedy if it be prostituted to every little occasion it will become less effectual when there is need to use it for great diseases To which this may be added that according to the observation of the vulgar the more familiarly any one uses Phlebotomy the oftner he shall need it because Blood being often let to avoid a Plethora the rest of the Mass will the sooner arise again to a
answer 1. The impairing of the Faculties is not so slight in those who are unaccustomed to bleeding and in the infirm 2. The more sparing use of Broths Julaps a mouthful of Bread dipt in Wine c. causes no danger of crudity Rolfinc ibid. c. 6. Avicen speaks of an immoderate draught of water LXXXIII It is discussed by some later Physicians how long we must abstain from Meat after bleeding Galen after having bled a Young man sick of a Synochus without Putrefaction gave him some food two hours after Others have said that we may allow Victuals one hour or two after bleeding though not much But this is a thing for the Physician to guess at according to the quantity of the Blood that is let and the strength of the Patient's Faculties For Galen staid two hours because he let Blood very plentifully whereby his strength and spirits were weakened so that he fainâ—ed away wherefore the Stomach was not to be burthened with Meat at that time But we that bleed far more sparingly and do not so diminish the heat spirits and strength have no reason to tarry so long wherefore one hour will be enough when less than a pound of Blood has been taken half an hour when less than half a pound for the Parts are but little drained and but a few Spirits are exhausted and there is made but a small agitation of the Humours The habit of the Body ought also to come into consideration as it more or less abounds with Blood Rubeus and is more or less dense LXXXIV Some avoid giving their Patient any thing to drink after bleeding but Amatus Lusitanus proves that it is not hurtful but wholsom ordering him to drink presently some cold water For by reason of the Veins being emptied it is presently distributed into the Body and cools it more easily quickly and safely LXXXV Some Physicians forbid sleeping after Venesection because they believe that the Blood retires to the Heart which yet is not always true unless perhaps the bleeding have been immoderate or the Patient be in danger of swooning through fearfulness Besides no reason perswades that such retiring of the Blood is pernicious for the Blood uses in sleep to retire to about the Praecordia to the great recruiting of Nature And how great benefit Sleep when it comes does to those Sick Persons that have had restless Nights every one knows for it recruits the faculties and concocts the morbifick Humours whence we are oft put upon using Remedies to procure it If therefore it come a little after bleeding it will be good both as a Sign because it shews that Nature which was oppressed is now relieved and performs the natural Functions and as a Cause because when Sleep succeeds Nature concocts the remainder of the morbifick Humour Indeed Sleep hurts in the Inflammations of the internal viscera in the beginning of Ague-Fits in Pestilential Diseases but why we may not sleep in other Diseases I see no reason Galen writes that Sleep coming on does indicate the firmness of the Crisis for it happens sometimes that the Patient sleeps a whole day after the Crisis if he were long without Sleep before to the great comfort of Nature yea it happens that the Patient sleeps sometimes even in the very Crisis If Sleep therefore help when it comes after other evacuations why should it not do so also after bleeding Yea if a man may safely be let Blood when he is actually asleep Gal. Meth 9. c. 14. what hurt can Sleep do presently after bleeding Galen esteems it as a good sign when the Patient falls fast asleep after bleeding If any say that Sleep is therefore forbid lest the bandage should come loose that is nothing Primiros de vulg error l. 4. c. 26. for by the diligent care of those who wait on the Patient and right tying of the Fillet that may be prevented LXXXVI I my self have seen a simple Decoction of crisped Mint stop the circular motion of the Blood so that not a drop of it would issue out of the Foot though the Surgeon thrust his Lancet deep enough three or four times into the most apparent branches of the Saphana in the Foot for bringing down the Terms in a certain Woman for whom her Maid had prepared a Decoction of Mint instead of common water to hold her feet in Whereupon she was bid to provide simple water into which her Mistress put her feet to above the ankles S. Paul Quadr Botan p. 396. and then the Vein being cut again by the ankle the blood issued forth LXXXVII In the Diseases of Children and Women with Child the Physician consults well for himself and his Patients if himself be present when they are to be bled for those who are intrusted with that operation being too bold do suffer the blood to issue out too largely and if any unfortunate thing happen Phryg comment in aegr 8. Epid. Hippoc pag. 147. 't is presently ascribed to the Physician though it be very evident to sense that the Artist mistook LXXXVIII When a Nerve or Tendon is pricked by the Unskilfulness of the Blood-letter see the Cure thereof under the title of Convulsion lib. 3. LXXXIX A Nobleman having a troublesome Tetter and fixing Leeches in the Morning upon the Part affected when the Blood bursting forth to almost three Pound could be stanched by nothing could be done Prevotius having washed the little holes the Leeches had made with an astringent white Wine Rhodius Cent. 3. Obs 71. caused to be laid upon them with good success Galen's restringent Ointment of bole Armene and Hares wool XC Not only the simple opening of a Vein is profitable but also the cutting of them quite asunder avails to intercept many kinds of Defluxions The cutting asunder of the Vein of the Forehead is the only Remedy to take away malignant Defluxions upon the Nostrils as some have experimented So that I do not wonder that the ancient Physicians in Inflammations of the Eyes bleereyedness c. ordered the cutting asunder of the Forehead and Temple-veins Aëtius cut asunder the Forehead-veins for a continual watriness of the Eyes and pains of the Megrim Haly Abbas cuts those behind the Ears asunder for curing a Vertigo Yea the Excisions of the Veins of other Parts also are profitable for curing at once old and difficult Ulcers of the Legs and Arms c. Now the administration is thus to be order'd first the Vein must be made to appear as in ordinary Venesection then a crooked Steel or Silver Needle being thrust under it the Vein is raised up and then cut in sunder by a Sickle-like or crooked Launcet thrust in as deep as the Needle the Vein being suffer'd to bleed as in common Phlebotomy but for the most part in a slender and thin Skin the Vessel stands so out that it is not necessary to thrust a Needle in but the Administration may be performed by a Launcet alone that is
a large quantity hurt the same at length By which experiment we plainly see 1. that neither lixivial nor middle Salts are to be used longer or in a larger quantity than is fitting 2. We may gather from hence that the ferment of the Stomach is not acido saline in that sense as if it were of the nature of acid Salts but rather that it is Saline and amongst Salts may be referred to the acid though it be not so in its own Nature in the abstract But acid Salts though they come generally under another notion are as such grateful to the Stomach hence acidum Tartari comforts and strengthens the Stomach and hence also acid Spirits serve the same end very well But when acid Salts are modified by other accessories they do not do so well Idem pharmac p. 184. whence Alum and Vitriol rather hurt than help the Stomach because of the Mineral metallick Parts that are joyned to them Sudorificks See before Alexipharmacks Diaphoreticks The Contents They agree in vertue with Cardiacks I. Their differences as to their matter and faculties II. The efficacy of a Sudorifick Diet and where it has place III. Sudorificks are not profitable for every Humour without distinction IV. Lean Persons indure sweating well V. What Humours may be expelled by sweating VI. Wherein the vertue of some Sudorificks consists VII They are hurtful for some VIII Sweat is not to be provoked before the Humours are disposed IX We must but Sweat once a day and that in the Morning X. We must Sweat several times and not once for all XI Sweat is not to be provoked in acute Diseases XII All are not to be compelled to Sweat XIII Sweating is not to be continued too long XIV Though Sweat burst not forth all of a sudden yet it may come by degrees XV. Abstersion provokes it XVI Their efficacy to restore motion to the flagnating Blood XVII Hot drink taken whilst one is a Sweating promotes the Sweat XVIII Bezoardicum minerale is an effectual Hydrotick XIX Antimonium Diaphoreticum is but a weak Medicine XX. It ought to be newly prepared when used XXI Those that are in the use of a Guaiacum Diet-drink are to be purged every eighth day XXII How Sudorifick Decoctions make People fat XXIII 'T is not good to give a bolus of Turpentine with them XXIV Salts are Hydrotick XXV The vertue of Decoctions depends on the Diet that is ordered in the use of them XXVI How the Decoction of Guaiacum is to be prepared XXVII The first Decoction draws not all its vertue forth XXVIII China and Guaiacum are not to be mixt together XXIX A strict Diet is not necessary in the use of a Decoction of China XXX Sassaphras affects the Head too much XXXI Carduus bened is to be given in substance XXXII The opening Roots are sparingly to be added to Hydroticks XXXIII When an Hydrotick Medicine being taken provokes not Sweat it is not therefore hurtful XXXIV I. HYdrotick Medicines as to their ways of working and Operations have great affinity with most Cardiacks commonly so called insomuch that many of both kinds are of a common or reciprocal use Willis pharmac rat p. m. 194. and seeing they differ chiefly only as to their greater or lesser efficacy when we are bound to pass from one genus to the other generally we need only increase or lessen the dose and chuse the fittest times for administring of them II. As to the various both kind and preparation of the matter of which hydrotick Medicines are made they are generally either the integral or elementary parts of some mixt Body namely either natural Concretes are given in their whole substance either simple or extracted as when the Leaves Roots or Seeds of Carduus Contrayerva Angelica or the like are taken in Powder Decoction Conserve or Magisterie Or Diaphoreticks consist of the Particles of this or that element namely spirituous Sulphureous or Saline either simple or some prevailing over other as if a Salt Spirit or oyl be extracted from Carduus or other vegetable mineral or animal Body and be reduced into the form of a Medicine either by it self or with other Preparations We will briefly run over all or at least the chief species of them 1. Diaphoreticks whose vertue consists in the integral Particles of the whole concrete being unequally mixt seem to be indued with some one element more eminent than the rest viz. a Saline and to owe their vertue chiefly to it Now that Salt upon which the hydrotick vertue depends comes under a double state for in some Concretes it is volatil and acrimonious or bitter and in others Alkalizate and fixt in a sort 1. In the former rank are most Vegetables esteemed Antidotes by the Ancients such as are the leaves of Scordium Carduus Scabious Perwinkle the flowers of Marigold Chamomel the roots of Burdock Zedoary Galangal c. Also the confections of Mithridate Treacle Diascordium the decoctions of Guaiacum Box and the like are reckoned among these which kind of Medicines being taken into and dissolved in the Stomach make a tincture whose particles as being more hot and foreign excite the animal Spirits whence the praecordia being more briskly agitated do drive the Blood more rapidly about yea they enter into ferment the Blood that is in the Stomach-vessels and so whilst they make it to be carried back more hastily by the Veins towards the Heart they make it also to be driven more vehemently even so as to cause sweat by the Arteries into the habit of the Body 2. The other sort of Diaphoreticks which whilst they consist of the Integral parts of the Mixt have an Alkali Salt predominant are Stones and the Bony or Shelly parts of Animals and Vegetables as Bezoar Perls the Eyes and Claws of Crabs and the like whose Diaphoretick vertue proceeds chiefly from an Alkali Salt inasmuch namely as the particles hereof sometimes meeting with an acid Salt both in the viscera and Blood and effervescing therewith thereby cause the mass of Blood to be fused and its serosities to be separated and resolved into sweat 2. Hydrotick Medicines which after a spagirical analysis owe their vertue to these or those elementary particles being framed out of divers subjects and with a different preparation are chiefly either Spirituous or Saline or both together combined one with another or with some Sulphureous particles For such as are wholly or for the greatest part Sulphureous are less accommodate to this intention because such being generally offensive to the viscera do often cause a nausea and sometimes a Vomiting Moreover those which through plenty of Sulphur are oyly and fat do not so readily insinuate their Particles into the mass of Blood After what manner and by what affection of the Blood or Spirits this second sort do move a Diaphoresis we will inquire particularly And 1. to the Spirituous we refer hot waters and all sorts of Liquors endued with a vinous Spirit such as
out of the Pores and Glandules of the Skin partly out of the mouths of the Arteries and partly out of the ends of the nervous Fibres perhaps out of the mouths of the Veins a little of that juice that is newly received into them but it does not seem that much can be sent back again 1. The Skin which consists of a double coat very porous and is likewise thick beset with very numerous Glands with fat also with the ends of the Vessels and Fibres that terminate in it and are variously woven with one another wherefore when the cuticle is taken off by a Vesicatory and the true Skin lies bare the nervous Fibres being twitched do constringe and wring the Glandules and Pores so that the serous Humour contained in them both is plentifully squeezed forth Moreover seeing the Pores open one into another the serum flows not only out of the blistered Part but sometimes a portion of the Serum coming from the neighbouring Parts succeeds in the Pores that were first emptied and then by and by issues forth Wherefore in the Dropsie called Anasarca Blisters raised by a Vesicatory drain the water from all about in great plenty and draw it forth from all the neighbourhood yea sometimes from afar 2. The mouths of the Arteries about the blistered Part being uncovered and twitched do not only spue out that portion of Serum that is accustomably brought to them but the serous Humour being through the whole mass of Blood imbued with the Stimuli of the Medicine is thenceforward separated more plentifully from the Blood and every time it circulates with the Blood a greater quantity of it is cast off by the same mouth of the Arteries being continually irritated Moreover together with the serum sent thus from the whole mass of Blood to the Blisters other Recrements and sometimes the morbifick matter it self do plentifully separate therefrom also and are sent off through the same Emissaries and this is the reason why in malignant Fevers yea in all putrid ones that have difficult Crises when the Recrements and Corruptions of the Blood being unfit for excretion threaten the Heart or Brain Vesicatories which continually and by degrees drain them forth do often notably relieve To which add that the same do moreover alter and restore the Blood degenerous or depraved as to its Salts yea by opening or subtilizing its compages dispose it to an eucrasie Wherefore this kind of Remedy is often very profitable not only in a febrile state of the Blood but also when it is otherwise vitious or cacochymical 3. That Vesicatories do evacuate a certain Humour out of the Nerves and nervous fibres and therefore profit in Spasmodick or Convulsive Maladies is witnessed both by Reason and Experience For I have shewn in another place that the liquor that waters the Brain and genus nervosum does sometimes abound with heterogeneous Particles Moreover it appears by frequent and familiar Observation that the impurities and recrements of that liquor together with a watry latex do sometimes of their own accord upon the arising of a fluor sweat out of the Nerves and nervous Fibres and either restagnating into the mass of Blood are carried off by Urine or Sweat or being deposited into the Cavities of the viscera are sent forth by Vomit or Stool Wherefore when by the application of a Vesicatory the extremities of the Nerves and nervous Fibres are any where laid bare and are greatly irritated presently the Humour that flows in their extremities is spued out yea and therefore the whole latex though seated a great way off in their Ducts is both freed from its stagnation and withal the heterogeneous Particles mixt with that nervous latex being every where agitated and derived from the Brain do by degrees glide towards the newly open'd Emissary Willis and at length are sent out II. From what has been said we may gather for the curing of what Diseases this kind of Remedy is chiefly profitable for through the evacuation that it makes out of the Pores and Glandules of the Skin as often as a serous salt acrimonious or otherwise mischievous Humour is collected in these Parts or in their neighbourhood and being excluded from the circulation of the Blood sticks pertinaciously there there is certainly no readier or easier way of draining it forth than by applying a Vesicatory above or below the Part affected Wherefore a Vesicatory is not only indicated by an Anasarca and by all defilements or eruptions of the Skin whatsoever but moreover is required in Pains whether arthritical or scorbutical fixed any where in the outer habit of the Body or in any member 2. In respect of the Blood which wants both to be leisurely cleared from any heterogeneous and morbifick matter and also to be alter'd from its too acid or salt or otherwise vitiated condition into a right temper Vesicatories are always made use of in malignant Fevers yea they are of excellent use in all putrid malignant Fevers and which are of a difficult Crisis Therefore likewise in the Scurvy Leucophlegmatia Green-sickness and also in every other Cacochymie is this kind of Remedy very profitable Moreover Vesicatories are applied with good effect not only for amending of the Blood it self but also as often as it being depraved does impart its corruptions to other Parts and so is the first cause of Diseases in the Head Breast Belly or Members and raises their Paroxysms Wherefore in Head achs Vertigo or sleepy Distempers this is a common and vulgar Remedy and no less in a Catarrh and any defluxion whether into the Eyes Nose Palate or Lungs does every one even of the vulgar without advising with a Physician prescribe Cantharides for himself as a revulsory Remedy I confess that many times when I have been taken with a cruel Cough with a great deal of thick Phlegm to which I am originally subject I have been helped by nothing more than by Vesicatories and therefore I am wont while the Disease is strong upon me first to apply Blisters upon the vertebrae of the Neck when those are healed up then behind the Ears and afterwards if it shall seem needful upon the Shoulder-blades for so the serous illuvies issuing out of the too much loosened compages of the Blood is derived from the Lungs and moreover the mixture of the Blood in regard its irregular Salts are destroyed by this means does sooner recover its Crasis 3. In respect of the Humour which is to be evacuated or derived out of the genus nervosum and the Brain it self Epispasticks as they are of very common use so they are often wont to give the greatest relief in sleepy Convulsive and painful Diseases Was ever any taken with a Lethargy Apoplexy or Epilepsie but presently those about him claw'd his Skin off with Cantharides I have successfully applied large Vesicatories in several Parts of the Body at once in strange Convulsive motions and now and then changing their places have continued repeating
be laborious the night before is troublesom Wherefore hence it may be argued that in computation of nights the preceding must be reckoned to the day following Although Hippocrates have not determined this matter yet it is probable for we are taught in Genesis that the night begins the day when the Author says And the evening and the morning were the first day I judge Critical days should be computed after Hippocrates his way who means natural not artificial ones If you reckon Galen's way the Crisis will fall sometimes on the sixth sometimes on the eighth Therefore they err who follow him and they often kill as it happened to a famous Physician who on the fourteenth day in the morning ordered Cupping-Glasses to be set to the shoulders with Scarification and by that means he stopt a Crisis by Urine which was just coming upon which the Patient died on the one and twentieth day because he checkt the Crisis on the fourteenth ADVERTISEMENT to the READER YOU are desired to take notice that these following Tables are onely of the General Titles calculated according to the Latine because he who understands that Tongue has no need of these for the use of the English Reader Alphabetically in English But both the Learned and Unlearned must take Notice that every Title contains several Diseases which are methodically laid down in the Contents of each Title which we thought needless to repeat in a Voluminous Index because it is so easie to know to what General Title each Disease belongs And therefore we would not charge the Book with any thing unnecessary A TABLE OF The General Heads Contained in the first Eighteen BOOKS A. AChe 126 Aegylops Anchylops 7 Ague in general 164 Asthmatick 183 Cold 181 with the Colick 186 Doating 186 Half Tertian or Shaking 192 Heart-Ague 184 Quartane 223 Quotidian 226 Tertian 231 An Aneurism 10 St. Anthony 's Fire 150 Anus its Diseases 16 Apoplexy 18 Appetite want of it 1â— 319 Too great and depraved 23 Arms their Diseases 43 Asthma 527 B. BArrenness 568 Belching 531 Belly-ach 632 Biting of a Mad Dog 291 Bladder its Diseases 635 Bleeding 269 Bones their Diseases 394 Breast and Lungs their Diseases 478 Pain 481 Wounds 482 Breath its Shortness 527 Bruise 138 Burns 107 C. CAchexy 48 Canker 60 Carbuncle 82 Catalepsis 86 Catarrh 87 Childrens Diseases 319 Child-bed Women 515 Child-bed Purgations 518 Colick 96 Hysterick 106 Consumption 491 Convulsion 109 Corpulency 390 Costiveness 9 Cough 594 Crookedness in the Back 253 D. DEafness 581 Diabetes 119 Dropsie of the Breast 293 in the Flesh 294 in the Belly 296 Drunkenness 137 E. EArs their Diseases 39 Empyema 139 Eyes their Diseases 391 Eye-lids their Diseases 465 F. FAinting 583 Falling-Sickness 142 Feet their Distempers 483 Fever in general 154 Putrid in general 156 Continual Putrid 157 Intermittent in general 164 Symptoms 172 with a St. Anthony's Fire 188 Bleeding and Bloud-spitting ibid. with a Catarrh 185 Colliquating 186 of one Day 187 Dysenterick ibid. Epiala 188 with the Gout 182 in the Head 183 Hectick 190 Leipyria 193 Loose 183 with Inflammation of the Lungs 204 Malignant 195 Pestilential 205 Pleuritical and Peripneumenical 220 Putrid Continent 229 with a Quinsey 182 Rheumatical 227 Scarlet 228 with shortness of Breath 182 Slow 193 Spotted 219 Symptomatick 229 Swooning 228 White 180 of Women in Child-bed 221 Fistula 241 Fits of the Mother 578 Flux 121 Bloudy 128 Fractures 246 G. GAnglion 253 Gangrene 248 of the Cod 564 Gout and Running-Gout 24 Green-Sickness 92 Groin-Rupture 46 Gun-shot Wounds 661 H. HAbit of the Body its Diseases 261 Hair the falling of it 8 Head its Intemperature 64 Head-ache 69 Wounds 75 Swimming 632 Heart its Diseases 112 Palpitation 467 Heart-Burn 84 Hick-up 564 Hoarseness 524 Hypochondriack Disease 307 I. JAundice 314 Imposthume 3 Impotency 545 Inflammation 337 Of the Lungs 487 Inquest upon Dead Bodies 527 Itch 547 Itching 515 K. KIdneys their Diseases 525 King's-Evil 573 L. LAbour of Women 475 Leachery 545 Leprosie of the Arabians 345 Of the Greeks 346 Lethargy 348 Lientery 353 Liver its Diseases 281 Loosness 96 121 Lungs their Imposthume 520 Their Inflammation 486 Lungs and Breast their Diseases 478 M. MAdness 373 Mâ—nge 511 Measles 386 Melancholy 374 Memory lost 378 Meseitery its Diseases 384 Miscarriage 1 Molâ— 385 Moith its Diseases 394 N. NErves their Diseases 389 Nose its Diseases 387 Nourishment want of it 38 Numbness 575 O. OBstructions 390 Over-Purging 306 P. PAin 126 Palpitation of the Heart 466 Palsie 469 Pangs of Death 7 Phrensie 488 Piles 276 Pispot-Dropsie 119 Pleurisie 500 Plague 205 Poysons 616 Pox 355 Pulse Intermitting 521 Putting out of Joynt 368 Q. QVinsey 12 R. RAving 115 Rheumatism 531 Rickets 523 Running of the Reins 254 Rupture 43 46 287 S. SAlivation a morbid one 547 Sciatica 339 Scurf 511 Scurvy 550 Shortness of Breath 527 Sleep preternatural 567 Small Pox and Measles 601 Speech its loss 17 Spitting of Bloud 264 Spleen its Diseases 349 Spots 152 Stomach its Diseases 624 Stone in the Kidneys 51 in the Bladder 56 Stone-Colick 389 Strangling 576 Strangury 570 Stuttering 42 Swallowing hurt 114 Swelling of the Glands in the Groin or Arm-pit 44 Behind the Ears 474 Swimming in the Head 632 Swooning 583 T. TEars involuntary 149 Teeth their Diseases 115 Tenesmus 586 Terms their Flux too large 379 Their Suppression 381 Thirst 566 Thunder 247 Throat-Rupture 43 Thrush 17 Tongue its Diseases 354 Tonsills their Diseases 587 Tumours 588 Tympany 302 Twisting of the Guts 317 V. VEins swollen 599 Venereal Disease 355 Vlcers 637 Vomiting 645 Of Bloud and Corruption 649 Vomiting and Loosness 93 Vrine its sharpness 135 Stoppage 341 651 Incontinence of Urine 651 Uvula its Diseases 259 W. WAking-Lethargy 107 Wen 388 Whites in Women 244 Whitlow 474 Witchcraft 616 Women with Child their Diseases 512 Womens Labour 475 Womens Breasts their Diseases 371 Worms 365 Wounds 654 By Gunshot 661 Y. YArd its Diseases 483 A TABLE To the Nineteenth BOOK concerning Remedies A. ADstringents 676 Alexipharmacks 678 Alteratives 685 Anodynes 690 Aperients 692 Aphrodisiacks 694 Arteriotomy 695 Arthriticks 696 B. BAths 698 Bleeding 802 C. CArdiacks 702 Carminatives 704 Cauteries 705 Cephalicks 712 Clysters 715 Cordials 678 702 Cosmeticks 719 Cupping glasses 719 Cysticks 760 D. DIaphoreticks 678 737 Diet in general 722 Of Febricitants 732 Dissolvers of congeled Bloud 745 Diureticks 738 E. EMmenagogues 743 Errhines 701 Eyes their Medicines 761 F. FOntanels 705 Frictions 744 H. Haemorrhoids their opening 746 Hepaticks 748 Hypnoticks 749 I. INfusion its operation 714 Inustions 705 L. LEnients 758 Ligatures 759 Loosners 758 M. MIlk 756 Milk its Increasers and Lesseners 755 Mineral Waters 673 N. NArcoticks 690 749 Nephriticks 760 O. OPhthalmicks 761 P. PNeumonicks 840 Preparers of the Humours 763 Pumping 832 Purgation 773 Purgers 789 S. SAlivaters 798 Scarification 829 Setons 705 Spleneticks 830 Stomachicks 832 Stone its Medicines 760 Sudorificks 834 Suppositories 745 839 Suppuratives 839 T. TErms Provokers of them 743 Topical Remedies 840 Thoracicks ibid. V. VEsicatories 844 Vomitories 847 Vterines 853 Vulneraries 854 W. WAters 673 Whey 756 The Office of a Physician Book XX. Fol. 853.
the body but it flows back slowly from the Heart and Diaphragm for the Veins are crooked and the place is dangerous and apt for a delirium and Madness by reason these parts are replete and a Shivering with a Fever takes them which they call Wandring Fevers And these things being thus she is mad because the heat is increased and she is timorous and afraid because of Darkness she suffers strangling and prefocation because of compression about the Heart her mind being sad and anxious because of the badness of the bloud draws on mischief And I add that the whole body is not onely cacochymick but moreover rendred cachectick as appears from the vitiated colour of the whole languishing of the Strength swelling of the Eye-lids and Feet But Hippocrates seems to intimate that it is possible this Disease may come not onely from the stopping of the Menstrua but from the retention of the Seed when he asserts that Virgins are cured when either they lye with a man or their Menses come especially if the Virgins be of a hot and moist complexion and of a good habit That the Patient may be rid of this Fever it is necessary that the mass of bloud be purified and be reduced to a more laudable state Therefore First The cleansing of the Stomach and first ways must be premised Secondly The Obstructions of the Mesentery and Lacteal Veins must be opened Thirdly The Cacochymie of the whole venous kind must be taken away Fourthly The Cachexy that is beginning must be provided against Fifthly The Menstrua must be solicited by opening Hystericks And lastly The Bowels must be strengthned As question cannot be made concerning Bloud-letting since it offends in quantity substance and motion so we must act with caution in the present case concerning the quantity for the bloud is already degenerated into a Cacochymy and although Hippocrates teach that the cure of this Disease is taking away Bloud yet he orders this to be done before the whole Body be Cacochymick and while as yet it is not altogether so Cachectick Wherefore in a tedious and confirmed oppression he 1. de morb mal 10. purges the belly upwards and downwards because a Cacochymy is not taken away by bleeding but by purging Hence after a copious Diarrhoea a Maid 4. Epidem recovered The place must be the right jecorary Vein that Bloud may be drawn but not drawn downwards before the obstructions of the Womb be opened and the Veins be made pervious for then the Saphaena may be opened onely upon the account of the Bloud 's motion In the mean time an Issue must be made in the Hip. For emptying the Stomach a Potion with Manna clarified or Lenitive Electuary with Tartar For the preparation of the first ways Oxymel simplex with Mel Rosarum simplex of each 1 ounce and an half Cinnamon Water half an ounce Mix them for one Syrup and so for five more then let either of the said Medicines be repeated Then the obstructions of the Mesentery and Lacteal Veins must be cured with attenuants aperients and evacuaters A preparative may be thus made Take of juice of Cichory clarified 2 ounces Juice of Borage 1 ounce Tartarum vitriolatum 10 grains Decoction of Cichory Borage Endive Cinquesoil Parsley Agrimony 5 ounces Mix them for a Syrup To which may be premised about 2 ounces of dilute Oxymel in which she may continue ten days and about the middle of the time let this be given her Take of Pilul de tribus cum rhab. de Hiera cum Agaric each 2 scruples Electuary Lenitive six drachms mix them Make a Bolus And when ten days are over Take of Elect. Cathol 4 drachms Rosat Mesues 2 drachms Pilul de tribus one drachm mix them Make a Bolus Upon which when an hour is over let her drink Broth altered with Barley or Barley-water The Cacochymy must be taken from the Bloud by Epicrasis by preparation and frequent purging Nor must the little Fever be feared for in this case we must ply the Cause making very small reckoning of the Fever And we must insist 12 days on the preparation but a Purge must be given every fourth day Take of Decoct Epith. Mesues 6 ounces or if she had rather have a Bolus Take of Extr. Sennae 1 drachm black Hellebore half a drachm Lenitive Electuary half an ounce mix them Make a Bolus Upon which let her drink clarified Whey because Hellebore has in it a very hot quality When these three Purges are taken we must not believe the whole venous kind is defaecated from impurities wherefore Purges must be repeated which have also an opening faculty they must be prescribed in form of a Syrup 2 ounces of which must be given every day in half a Glass of White-Wine persisting in the use of it for twenty days Then we should take care of the Cachexy and things that purifie the fleshy parts and defend them from ill humours should be given that is Diaphoreticks sensible Evacuaters and insensible Digestives To which intention sweat might give satisfaction some convenient Decoction premised or the continued use of Viper Powder But because our chief intention ought to be to open the Veins of the Womb to provoke the Menstrua and purge the whole Body by those ways that are proper and usual to Nature therefore lest the humours should be diverted from the Centre to the Circumference setting aside the Intention we must first make use of aperient Hystericks and things that provoke the Menses For the opening stubborn obstructions of the Womb the use of Steel is usually extolled by all men especially of potabilis M. D. whose virtue that it may come to the Womb wants a vehicle Therefore let a decoction be made which may have the faculty to doe that and to dry the whole body Take of the best Sarsa 1 ounce fat Guaiacum root of Gentian wood of Saffafras each half an ounce distilled water of Cichory Maiden-hair Motherwort each 1 pound mix them make an infusion for 24 hours Then let them boil to the consumption of half Keep the Colature for 2 doses to be given early in the morning to which 10 drops Chalyb Pot. M. D. may be added and a spoonfull of Savine-water or 5 drops of its Oil. Also the opening of the Veins must be procured outwardly not by Pessaries or Injections but by things applied outwardly by making a fomentation and applying it with a large Sponge to the Region of the Womb anointing afterwards with Oleum Lilior alb Aromatizat Insessions also in medicated Waters are good Things to stop the hysterick symptoms may be Treacle-water with Water of the whole Citron Oil of Amber to 2 drops in Cinnamon-water middle aged Treacle or Triphera without Opium with water of Pennyroyal or Motherwort Then the great Antidotes will strengthen the Bowels Treacle-Salts Salt of Wormwood Mint Joh. Raim Fortis Tract de Febr. p. m. 42. Let Wine for Meals have Rosemary Guaiacum or Sassafras infused