later if so be that their continuance and the grievousness of Symptoms daily accompanying be diminish'd There is great diversity among Authours concerning the Causes of intermitting Fevers which I shall not insist on but in a few words will set down the true Causes of them The causes then are either external or Causes internal The external Cause of Agues is a stop of the usual necessary discharge of fermenting humours the porous skin being shut by external sudden cold denies passage to the constant discharge of the sweatty humours which happens most commonly about Autumn and likewise when any comes suddenly out of a hot Climate into a cold Region for the sweatty Vapours being detain'd by the Constipation of the skin or shutting of the Pores the same condense and thence become sour which chills the external parts and causeth the shaking or shivering cold fit at the first invasion of this disturbing Foreigner after which the inflaming Ferment of Choler being exasperated doth act its part and having gain'd Dominion it doth rarefie the Bloud by degrees whence the Pulse becomes greater and stronger which is increas'd by an irritation of the Acrimony of Choler and the rarefaction of the Bloud at the Heart for the heat and burning in the Heart and thence in the whole Body is increas'd by Choler successively over-ruling The internal Cause of Agues or intermitting Fevers is an obstruction of one or more of the lateral ducts or branches of the Pancreas or Sweet-bread by reason of viscous Phlegm which being separated from the Bloud by the Glandules of the Pancreas is there collected by degrees whence it is sent in too large a quantity to the main duct or pipe thereof which detaineth the Juice of the Pancreas contrary to nature which ought continually to flow into the small Gut called Duodenum The Juice of the Pancreas which is naturally sourish being compelled to stand still in its passage quickly grows more acrimonious or acid because the Volatile Spirit which is naturally conjoin'd to it to temper it doth gradually fly away by which this Juice becoming more sharp and acid acquires a putrefactive Ferment whence at length it makes way through the obstructing Phlegm and is effused into the Duodenum where meeting with Choler it stirs up a vitious effervescency or preternatural Ferment from whence comes the Ague fit with all its Symptoms as in the beginning Horrour Chilness Cold Shaking c. then presently follows Reachings Yawning and Vomiting c. At length acrimonious and flatulent Vapours raised by the aforesaid vitious Effervescency are carried through the Lacteal veins and Thoracick passage and so through the Vena cava ascendens in what form soever to the right Ventricle of the Heart and by its Acrimony alters and troubles the vital Effervescency and by over stirring the Heart causeth a more frequent Pulse and many times produceth grievous Symptoms as great Heat and Thirst difficulty of breathing Heart-ach Raving Swouning and all other Symptoms that happen in all intermitting Fevers The nature of viscous Phlegm is such The cause of the Return of the fit that though it be pierced through by the Juice of the Pancreas too acid and acrimonious yet it doth presently run together and unite again and so repairs and renues the obstruction that was in part opened and the Juice of the Pancreas being stopped as before grows sour by standing still as aforesaid so that it forceth through the Phlegm that stopped its natural passage and so produceth a new fit sooner or later as the Phlegm obstructing the lateral passage of the Pancreas is pierced through by the foremention'd Juice For if the obstructing Phlegm be not very glutinous and the Juice of the Pancreas be plentifull and acid a new fit of an intermitting Fever will return in the space of twenty four hours and therefore 't is called a Quotidian Quotidian But if the Phlegm be very viscous and plentifull and the Juice of the Pancreas be little in quantity and also tart and obtuse so much the slower will the new fit of the intermitting Fever be produced so that it is sometimes three sometimes four days before the returning of the fit from whence it is called a Quartan or Quintan c. So likewise as oft as the obstructing Phlegm and the Juice of the Pancreas are in a medium viz. The Phlegm more glutinous and plentifull than in the Quotidian but not so much as the Quartan as likewise the Juice of the Pancreas is more in quantity and more acid than in the Qutartan but not so plentifull and acid as in a Quotidian so oft new fits of intermitting Fevers will return almost every other day from whence they may be called Tertians which much differ in their Symptoms beyond what other intermitting Fevers do although none of them return in the exact intervall of the Days or Hours before mention'd but return quicker or slower for the most part The Cure of all intermitting Fevers will Cure be perform'd 1. First if the glutinous coagulated Phlegm which is the cause of the obstruction be cut and dissolv'd and wholly carried out of the Body 2. If the increas'd Acidity and Acrimony of the Juice of the Pancreas be temper'd and corrected 3. If its vitious Effervescency with Choler c. In the small Gut behindred and amended Phlegm obstructing will be cut most commodiously with Aromaticks and any Volatile Salt This Volatile Aromatick Julep may serve for Example Take the Waters of Carduus Parsley Fennel Fumitery Succory Treacle Cinamon Cordial Iulep of each one ounce Syrup of Carduus the five opening Roots of each an ounce and half Powder of Crabs-eyes Tartar vitriolated of each one drachm Salt of Amber Antimony Diaphoretick of each half a drachm Laudanum opiat ten grains Oil of Cloves six drops mix it Take a spoonfull of this Volatile Medicine often in a day throughout the whole Cure using some exercise that thereby the whole Body may grow warm and the force of the medicine being disperst over all the Body may come at last to the lateral passages of the Pancreas and dissolve the obstruction Three or four hours before the coming of the fit you may give three or four spoonfulls of the aforesaid Cordial which will not onely cause a breathing sweat but will temper and correct the increas'd Acidity and Acrimony of the Juice of the Pancreas and hinder and amend its vitious Effervescency with Choler c. in the small gut which will conduce much to a Cure Three hours before the return of the next fit administer an antimonial Emetick which is in this case proper before all others for by the help thereof not onely Choler abounding but also phlegm obstructing will be expell'd to the small gut and thence to the Stomach and at length by the mouth and the straining to vomit doth many times procure a stool or two which is very beneficial But if the sick be a Female or vomiting be prejudicial or not
Vera Effigies Roberti Iohnson Praxis Medicinae Reformata OR THE Practice of Physick REFORMED BEING AN Epitome of the whole Art Wherein is briefly shewed The true Causes Signs Prognosticks and Cure of most Diseases Published for the Benefit of all Persons By Robert Johnson Med. Professor Medicina Experientiâ Ratione fundari debet LONDON Printed for Brabazon Aylmer at the Three Pigeons in Cornhil 1700. TO THE READER IN this little Tract I have bestowed some Pains in searching out and proposing the true Causes and Cure of Diseases Which I hope will induce other Ingenious-spirited Artists to a farther Enquiry that so the Art of Physick may be the better illustrated and many things in it that are yet obscure may be made known The Chief End of Physick is to maintain and recover Health wherefore I think it would be more for the Honour of all Learned Physicians to employ themselves in the Improvement of the Materia Medica which have been hitherto too much neglected than to content themselves with a formal Way of Practice For Diseases cannot be cured by Scholastick Twattle or Fine Words but by good Remedies The great Platerus Helmont and the famous Franciscus de la Boe Sylvius c. did endeavour to reform the Practice of Physick and excelled many others their Contemporaries in the most difficult Cures yet because they had recourse to Chymical Remedies in the Cure of many Diseases the more lazy Tribe of Physicians made it their Business to traduce them Truly there are too many such carping Zolius's at this Day who envy Glory to all except themselves from whom I must expect the same Fate I can do no more but pray for them Lord forgive them for they know not what they do From the lower-most Door on the Right-hand in Norfolk-street in the Strand THE INTRODUCTION Containing the CAUSES and CURE OF DISEASES In GENERAL AS ALSO Some Choice SPECIFICKS for the Cure of DISEASES THE Causes of Diseases depend on Lympha any way vitiated because it will in time corrupt the whole Mass of Blood Quicquid enim sive Bilis sit sive Pituita sive succus Pancreaticus sanguisve menstruus Lympham reddere potens acriorem dolorem morbos facile causat parte affecta male sese habente This is the Hypothesis of most eminent Physicians both Ancient and Modern Spittle being continually swallowed down and adhering to the Gut the more fluid part of it is dissolved by the continual Conflux of Choler and the Juice of the Pancreas or Sweet-bread in the small Guts If Choler which abounds with a bitter volatile Lixivial Salt be mixt with the Juice of the Pancreas which is naturally sourish as hath been sufficiently evinced by the indefatigable Industry of the most ingenious Anatomist Regnerus de Graaf they must of necessity stir up an Effervescency in their Concourse there As long as the aforesaid Humours are well tempered the Effervescency will be mild and friendly to Nature and therefore cannot be perceived in healthy People The Humours rising from this mild Effervescency pierceth into the Lacteal Veins and circulates with the Lympha to the Heart and seems to give the natural Consistency to the Bloud The more viscous part of these Humors passeth by degrees to the thick Guts and being there mixed with the Excrements makes them more viscous and yellow and helps the Excretion of them But if there be an Obstruction of the Lacteal Ducts or Branches of the Panereas or Sweet-bread by reason of viscous Flegm which being separated from the Bloud by the Glandules of the Pancreas is there collected by degrees it is sent from thence in too large a quantity to the main Duct or Pipe thereof which detaineth the Juice of the Pancreas contrary to Nature which ought continually to flow into the small Guts The Juice of the Pancreas being compelled to stagnate or stand still in its passage quickly grows acrimonious because the volatile Spirit which is naturally conjoin'd to it to temper it doth gradually fly away by which it becometh more acrid and acquires a putrefactive Ferment whence at length it makes way through the obstructing Flegm and is effused into the small Gut called Duodenum where meeting with Choler peccant in a Lixivial Salt Acrimony it stirs up a vitious Effervescency or preternatural Ferment which raiseth acrimonious Humors and halituous or flatulent Vapours which are carried through the Lacteal Veins and Thoracick Passage and so through the Vena Cava ascendens to the right Ventricle of the Heart from whence it circulates with the spirituous Blood and Lympha vitiating and corrupting the whole Mass of it with its fermental Acrimony Which is the Cause of most Chronical Diseases as the famous Franciscus de le Boe Sylvius hath accurately observed If the acrid Humours do affect the Head it may cause most Distempers incident to it as Head-ach Convulsions Epilepsie Palsie Apoplexy c. If it invades the Lungs it causeth Difficulty of Breathing Inflamations Ulcers and Phthisis or Consumption If it penetrates the Membrane Pleura it causeth the Pleurisie If it possesseth the Joints it causeth Arthritick Pains or the Gout which hath its Name from the Part affected If there be a Defluxion of acrid Humors on the Reins Bladder or Womb it may cause Inflammations Ulcers or Cancers in them If it be conveyed to the obscene Parts especially after too much impure Coition it may cause malign Eruptions c. If the Lympha becomes very acrid in the conglobated and conglomerated Glandules and if Nature be over-burthened by its plentifulness it may be the Cause of Catarrhs Rheumatisms Scrophula c. If acrid Humors be luxuriant in the Blood and Lympha it may be the Cause of all Eruptions as Itch Scabs Erisipela's Leprosie c. Acrimonious and flatulent Vapours may be the Cause of all Ague-Fits with all their Symptoms as in the beginning Horror Chilness Cold Shaking c. then follows Reaching Yawning and Vomiting c. At length these sharp halituous Vapors are carried to the right Ventricle of the Heart and by their Acrimony alters and troubles its Vital Effervescency and by over-stirring the Heart causeth a more frequent Pulse and many times produceth grievous Symptoms as great Heat and Thirst Difficulty of Breathing Raving Heart-ach Swooning and all other Symptoms that happen in all Intermitting Fevers If Choler become peccant not only in a Lixivial salt Acrimony but also an inflamable Oyliness the Humours that are produced from its vitious Effervescency with the too tart Pancreat Juice and over-viscous Flegm in the small Guts will be the more acrid and fervid and circulating with the spirituous Blood and Lympha to the Heart will cause an Effervescency in the right Ventricle of it which will stimulate and incite it to a more forcible Motion whence the Pulse is continually produced more frequent against Nature after which follows great Heat and Burning c. and therefore may be called a Fever so that this may be the
Cause of all continual Fevers not putrid If the Stomach by Dietetick Errors as in Eating or Drinking too much sour Fruit or Juices be over-charg'd with Acids it may prove hostile injurious and a morbisick Cause of that which we call the Heart-burning c. with sour Belchings and sometimes a Nauseousness even to Vomiting In this Case after the Operation of a gentle Emetick you may administer half a Dram of the Pouder of Pearl Crabs-Eyes or any of the Testaceous Pouders twice or thrice in a Day to absorb the peccant Acidity Chalybeates may be also safely administred Likewise in all Chronical Diseases caused by the over-sourness of the Juice of the Pancreas c. as aforesaid after general Evacuations the finest Filings of Iron turn'd to Rust may be given to half a Dram at a time in a stued Prune or any other Vehicle twice in a Day because the Stomach by its incisive Acidity together with other accidental or concomitant Acids doth penetrate the Particles of the Iron and rarifie its Vitriolick Salt which will not only help Digestion but kill Worms and circulates with the Blood and Lympha and will in time purifie the whole Mass of it But if Choler be peccant as aforesaid causing Fevers and other Acute Diseases then after Evacuation by Vomiting or Purging I commend acid Liquors and Juices as Lemons c. Also purified Niter may be given in all Fevers But here we may note That it is the Nature of all Acids to coagulate and thicken the Blood and its Serum wherefore we must be cautious that we do not let Blood nor give too many Acids in the Small-Pox and malignant Fevers because in these Distempers the Blood is preternaturally viscid and therefore it abounds with too much Acidity of which you may read more at large in the ensuing Treatise I come now to mention some choice Specificks for the Cure of Diseases for the Sake and Benefit of the Poor who have not Money to pay a Doctor for his long Receipts nor the Apothecary for Medicines SAlt Niter purified is an efficacious Medicine in the Cure of most Diseases it may be poudred with an equal Quantity of white Sugar and given to half a Dram at a time every six Hours in all Fevers the whole time of Sickness and also before and after because it is an acid Salt and contains in it a volatile incorruptible Sulphur and by reason of its Acidity it refrigerates the inflamed Blood and powerfully checks the preternatural Fermentation of it and preserves its natural Consistency For by the subtilty of its Spirit it insinuates it self into the whole Mass of Bloud and penetrates into all Parts and so strengthens and recreates the Heart as to make it resist and overcome all Putrefaction and therefore it is a great Antidote against the Plague and all contagious Fevers If it be dissolved in any liquid Vehicle and drank a little often it will dilute the Lixivial Salt of Choler and being mixed with proper Catharticks and Balsamick Medicines it will conduce much to the Cure of most Chronical Distempers also for it discusseth Wind opens all Obstructions and causes the vitious Humours to precipitate and to be evacuated both by Urine and Stool Quicksilver boil'd in Water with a few Raisons of the Sun to sweeteen it and the Liquor drank freely killeth Worms The Quicksilver may be boiled a thousand times and always have the same weight so that the Water partakes of Mercurial Irradiation by which it becomes destructive to Worms A strong Decoction of Ground-Ivy or Alehoof sweetned with Sugar-Candy and a quarter of a Pint of it taken twice or thrice in a Day helps Distempers of the Breast and Lungs and a strong Infusion of it in Aqua Vitae or Brandy cureth the Colick The Decoction of Herb Robert and Patronichia or Whitlow-Grass with Leaves like Rue given inwardly every Day 'till the Mass of Blood and Juices of the Body be impregnated with the Vertues of the Herbs cureth the King's-Evil The Juice of Penny-royal clarified and a little sweetned with Sugar-Candy and given the quantity of a Spoonful three or Four times in a Day cureth all sorts of Coughs Cows and Goats-milk boiled in an equal quantity of Water wherein unslak'd Lime hath been quenched and a little Cinamon and the young Bark of the Oak bruised and boiled in it 'till a third part be consumed cureth all kinds of Fluxes Glauber's Sal Mirabile is an excellent Lenitive Cathartick It may be safely given to Men Women or Children in all Diseases where purging is necessary The Dose is from half a Dram to an Ounce dissolved in warm Whey or Milk and Water A few Drops of rectified Oyl of Vitriol mixed with a quarter of a Pint of fair Water to a light Acidity a little sweetned with white Sugar and drank every Day for some time killeth Worms and quencheth Thirst in Fevers If you mix an Ounce of rectified Oyl of Vitriol with two Ounces of Oyl of Ben or pure Oyl of Olives stirring it 'till it be well incorporated you have a good Balsam to ease Pain and cure an Inflammation in any part by anointing once in a Day or two you may apply a Colwort-leaf or a Plaister of Diachilon or a Poultis of White-Bread and Milk with a little Butter in it to the grieved part after anointing but you must have a care that it does not touch your Linnen A strong Tincture of Catechu or Japonian Earth with half its weight of Jesuits Bark both in fine Pouder in small Cinamon-Water cureth Catarrhs and all sorts of Fluxes Take a quarter of a Spoonful thrice a Day in any Vehicle Sweating is good in most Diseases if Strength permits Virginia Snake-Root and the Root of Contra Yerva bruised and boiled in fair Water and sweetned with a little Sugar and given a quarter of a Pint every four Hours to any that are bitten with an enraged Viper soon cureth the Patient especially if you bathe the part bitten with the same Decoction without Sugar so hot as can be endured Gambogia finely poudred and mixed with an equal quantity of pure Niter and given to half a Dram at a time twice or thrice in a Week soon cureth the Yellow-Jaundice and Dropsies The best Gum Arabick given at least a Dram twice or thrice in a Day either in Pouder or dissolved in small Ale or any other convenient Vehicle doth wonderfully mitigate the Sharpness of Urine A strong Decoction of woody Nightshade a little sweetned with Sugar and given to a quarter of a Pint every Morning will purge gently and open all Obstructions and cure the Yellow-Jaundice Dropsies c. The Decoction of Hearts-Ease sweetned with Sugar-Candy cureth the Pleurisie and other Inflammations It is an excellent Antivenerian c. and therefore it may be a chief Ingredient in Decoctions to cure the French-Pox A Decoction of Groundsel is an universal Medicine for all Diseases coming of Heat It purgeth gently and if the Stomach be
Armoniack twenty drops Laudanum opiat ten grains mix it let the sick take a spoonfull of it every quarter of an hour till they get some ease If the distemper hath persever'd long the peccant humours must be emptied out by purging and to educe them I prefer before all others Pills to be made of Gums seeing they loosen the glutinous humours and dispose them to be easier carried out For example Take of Galbanum prepar'd with Vinegar Purging Pills half an ounce Powder of Scammony prepar'd Troches Alhandal of each two drachms Oil of Carraway twenty drops make it into a Mass for Pills Take five or six of these Pills in the Morning fasting twice a week They who abhor Pills may use an Aromatick and purging Decoction The following though bitter is very efficacious Take the five opening Roots of each one Purging Decoction ounce Roots of Angelica Berries of Bay and Juniper of each half an ounce the best Senna Orange-peel Carraway-seed Coloquintida of each one drachm Guiacum four ounces let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in two quarts of Fountain-water till half of it be boiled away then strain it and add Syrup of Roses with Senna four ounces Cinamon-water two ounces mix it Let the sick take four ounces of this bitter Decoction every other Morning which will by degrees diminish and mildly educe the hurtfull humours by purging But seeing not onely the cause ought to be removed but also the Symptomes asswag'd by refreshing the Heart you must administer cordial Medicines which have power to corroborate the Heart and to cherish and strengthen nature The following Cordial may be preferred in this Case Take the Waters of Baum Mint Borage Cordial Iulep Cinamon of each three ounces Syrups of Baum red Poppies of each two ounces Laudanum opiat Amber-greese of each ten grains mix it Let the sick take two spoonfulls of this rich Cordial every three hours which will wonderfully refresh and delight the sensible Stomach from whence the perfumed impressions will soon be communicated to the whole Body by which all the vital and animal Functions will be refreshingly cherished and strengthned and the Palpitation of the Heart eased and abated If the Patient hath a costive Body let a carminative Clyster be sometimes administred and if a Plethora concur let a vein be opened either with an Instrument in the Arm or by Leeches applied to the Haemorrhoids CHAP. V. Of an universal Languishing as also of Swouning and Syncope AN universal Languishing of the strength of all the parts and functions is sometimes observ'd to remain after some disease preceding not rightly cured especially when the Infirmity hath been grievous for then a weariness or defect of the Animal motion doth usually concur together with a weak or little pulse and dulness and debility of the internal and external senses whereby the sick continues weak and more languishing by certain intervalls than is natural All the kinds of Swounings may be divided for methods sake into two viz. the lighter kind and the most grievous The lighter kind of Swouning or fainting is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latin animae defectio ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 anima 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deficere because it is an Imbecility or Feebleness of the Heart and Courage The most grievous and singular kind of swouning is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Syncope concido to cut away quod praeceps virium omnium lapsus It is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. pulsus privatio because there is no pulse neither indeed presently in the fit is there any Animal or voluntary motion or respiration to be observ'd so that they are more like dead than living Creatures The signs of these fits approaching are Signs yawnings a Cardialgy Anxiety of Compression of the Heart griping and distension of the Belly tinkling in the Ears dimness before the Eyes and a Giddiness and at the approach of a Syncope there are often Convulsive motions with a cold and glutinous sweat and paleness of all the parts of the Body The causes of these distempers are either Causes external or internal The external are many as extreme weariness of the Body exceeding passions of the mind prolong'd hunger or thirst ungratefull smells the sight of any Person or thing that is envied too great effusion of Bloud Seed or Milk over great evacuation of the humours by Vomit Stool Sweat Urine c. It may also be caused by the biting or stinging of any venemous Creature and by any other vehement pain Sometimes it is produc'd by a great heat either of the Sun Fire Bath or Fever Any of these Causes mention'd being extreme may so change and diminish the natural effervescency and rarefaction of the bloud that the Heart it self is not thereby enough expanded and contracted So that the vital bloud cannot be sufficiently effus'd into the Arteries and therefore the Pulse is felt less and more languishing yea sometimes none The internal Cause is glutinousness encreased in the bloud and the other humours and sometimes an encreased Acidity in the Juice of the Pancreas Lympha and Spittle by which the Circulation of the Bloud and Humours becomes too slow hence the Ventricles of the Heart are not enough dilated which causeth the Pulse to be weaker than is natural for the effervescency of the bloud and humours being not potent enough cannot provoke the Heart to contract it self and therefore a Swouning or Syncope will inevitably ensue They who are much subject to a Swouning Progn or Syncope dye suddenly Those fits which are produc'd from some evident cause as vehement passions of the mind immoderate evacuations c. are less dangerous than those which come from an internal cause as glutinousness of the bloud and humours c. Which in a great measure hindreth its free Circulation through the Ventricles of the Heart whereby there is a sudden and swift sailing of the vital Spirits and consequently of all strength To cure an universal languishing as also a Cure Swouning and Syncope the phlegmatick glutinous and acid Humours must not onely be corrected but when they abound must be diminish'd and educ'd out of the Body Therefore to correct and amend the said humours abounding both in the universal Body and Bloud I will here set down some forms of select medicines for the sake of young Physicians The following Decoction is an efficacious Medicine Take the Roots of Elicampane Galangal Decoction Angelica Calamus Aromaticus the sive opening Roots of each one ounce Sage Baum Betony sweet Marjoram the Tops of Hore-hound Centaury Wormwood the Flowers of Rosemary Staechas Chamomel Clove-gilliflowers of each one handfull the Seeds of Anise Sweet-fennel Parsley Cardamoms Berries of Bays and Juniper of each two drachms Orange-peel Cinamon of each half an ounce Nutmegs one drachm let them be cleansed bruised and infused
in two quarts of Fountain-water for a night then boil it gently till a third part be consumed strain it and add Syrup of Mugwort Staechas tincture of Cinamon of each two ounces mix all together Two or three ounces of this Decoction may be taken at any time twice in a day either before or after meat that so the power of the medicine may mildly mix and incorporate it self not onely with the food but with Spittle in the Stomach and also with the threefold humour flowing together in the small Guts and thence with the universal bloud and humours in all the Veins and Arteries whereby the desired amendment and correcting of them will be performed sooner easier and more happily If any like a medicinal Wine better they may infuse the aforesaid Ingredients in a sufficient quantity of White-wine and drink it daily both at dinner and supper time These choice Medicines may be continued for some time but when the sick is weary of them you may use the same Ingredients in the form of a Powder or Electuary or make them into Troches with Syrup of Staechas Mugwort c. Or you may make use of those compound Powders which are to be sold at the shops viz. Spec. Diambr Diagalangae Dianthos c. all or either of which may be used as aforesaid If any will be better pleas'd with Pills than other Forms you may prescribe these or some like them Take of Galbanum prepar'd with Vinegar Purging Pills two scruples Powder of Amber Mastick of each one scruple Frankincense Mirrh Castor of each ten grains Vitriol of Mars prepar'd to whiteness half a drachm Chymical Oil of Mace eight drops beat them into a mass for Pills Let the Patient take four or five of there Pills in the morning fasting or at night an hour after supper whereby the viscous phlegmatick and acid humours will be potently corrected and temper'd which being done the peccant humours may be effectually educ'd with these hydragogue Pills Take Gum Sagapenum prepar'd with Vinegar Purging Pills half a drachm Rosin of Jallap Gambogia of each one scruple Oil of Juniper four drops mix them into Pills Four or five of these Pills may be administred at a time or more or sewer as the sick is more difficult or easie to be purg'd When a swouning Fit or Syncope is near approaching give those things that will powerfully concentrate the sour flatuous vapours and discuss the glutinous Phlegm The following Volatile and Aromatick Cordial will conduce much to this purpose Take the Waters of Mint Fennel Betony Cordial Iulep Scurvigrass Cinamon of each one ounce Syrups of Borage Mint of each six drachms Tincture of Castor Confection of Alkermes of each two drachms Salt of Amber one drachm Spirit of Salt Armoniack twenty drops Laudanum opiat Amber-greese of each six grains mix it The sick may take two or three spoonfulls of this Cordial in time of the fit and likewise both before and after which will much repair both the Vital and Animal strength which is wont not a little to languish in these fits None but they who have try'd will be easily perswaded of the wonderfull efficacy of the aforesaid medicines not onely in preventing but in diminishing and soon curing Swounings and the Syncope When either of these fits urgeth or is upon the party you must use those outward things which may stir up the external senses as frictions of the external parts shoutings in the Ears also make a smoak with Amber or Partridg Feathers at the nose or hold the Spirit of Salt Armoniack in a narrow mouth'd glass to the Nostrils You may also wring the Fingers and pull the Hair c. If you have not a Cordial ready give Cinamon or Treacle water or the Apoplectick or Antepileptick waters or for want of them Brandy Aqua vitae or strong Wine may serve CHAP VI. Of Fevers in General A Fever is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel a feritate morbi that is from the fierceness of the disease It is called febris in latin a fervore quasi fervens because it is a hot distemper A Fever is a nonnatural heat which may be so termed because it is more than nature requires for the continual management of her vital functions for when nature is grieved or over-burthned by any distemper there is a strugling endeavour of nature her self to remove it which causeth this non-natural heat It may be called the Prince of diseases because it is the general door through which most of humane mortals take their exit of this world The cause of the preternatural frequency of the pulse is either a permanent and over rarefaction of the bloud or any sharp sour or salt vapour carried to the Heart corroding the internal substance of it by which the Archaeus or vital Airy spirit of the Heart is provoked to allarm all the faculties and powers both vital and natural that it may the more couragiously resist its invading Enemy so that the spirits are thereby much stirred up and inflamed from whence proceedeth a Conflagration or vitious Effervescency of the Bloud and Humours throughout the whole Body Fevers are either continual or intermitting A continual Fever is that which remains from the first moment of its invasion to the last of its duration When a continual Fever is very mild and remains but one day it is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dies quod diem durans It is called in Latin Diaria Ephemera febris This Fever is often excited by sudden passions of the mind as vehement anger c. and also by our abode too long in the Sun or by vitiously using any other of the six nonnatural things so called for which there is no great need to prescribe Medicines for a Cure it being not difficult the very nature of such a Fever terminating it self most commonly by a breathing sweat especially if you substract the Patient from the inflammatory Cause If the Fever continues longer it may be called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 continuo From whence it is called in Latin febris continua quae nullas hujusmodi mutationes habet quae accessiones videri possint sed unicam modo accessionem a principio usque ad finem nullis exacerbationibus distinctam The continual Fever is also called Homotona quae fimilem calorem ad finem usque servat It is also called Acmastica quae continuo crescit intenditur A Synochus or continual Fever may be divided into two sorts viz. that which is not Difference putrid called in Latin Synochus non putrida and that which is putrid called Synochus putrida In a Synochus non putrida the bloud and other humours is a little sharper than is natural and the heat somewhat great and vaporous declining a little to the nature and manner of those called putrid Continual Fevers are oft times mixt or compounded
sorrow of mind or great passion be the Cause it ought to be prevented as much as may be both by Philosophical and Theological reasons about any troublesome matters and by confirming the mind whereby the sick may be the better enabled to bear and suffer stoutly any adversity This ought to be observed also in all other Diseases If Ebriety be the cause I commend Sobriety to cure it Sublata causa tollitur effectus If the humours be over viscous or glutinous the following Decoction will not onely alter and correct but mildly educe the peccant humours by which the Jaundice may in a short time be cured Take of Rhubarb the Roots of Madder Smallage the greater Celandine of each Decoction one ounce the Flowers of Broom one handfull Hemp-seed two ounces the Seeds of Anise Parsley and Columbines of each half an ounce Saffron two drachms white Tartar three drachms let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in White-wine and Fountain water of each three pints till the third part be boiled away then strain it and add the best Manna Syrup of Succory with Rhubarb of each three ounces mix it Let the sick take four spoonfulls of this three times a day till the viscous phlegm and Choler be sufficiently evacuated and the natural colour of the body restored As oft as the Jaundice is caused by the poison of a Viper or any other venemous thing whatsoever you must administer as soon as possible a volatile sudorifick to correct and expell the venome The following will serve to both indications Take the waters of Carduus Fennel Fumitory Sudorifick of each two ounces Treacle-water Syrups of the juice of Carduus red Poppies of each one ounce tincture of Saffron two drachms Venice-treacle half a drachm Bezoar-mineral Antimony diaphoretick Salt of Harts-horn of each one scruple Spirit of Salt-Armoniack six drops Laudanum opiatum six grains mix it and give three or four spoonfulls to provoke sweat and after it breaks forth give a spoonfull or two now and then to promote it Also this Decoction or one like it may be prescrib'd for the Icterick patient it being both Sudorifick and Diuretick Take the Roots of Scorzonera Juniper of Diuretick Decoction each two ounces Roots of Master-wort Sassaphras of each half an ounce Berries of Juniper and Bays of each one ounce and half Seeds of Nettles Hemp and Columbines of each one ounce shavings of Harts-horn three drachms the tops of Carduus Scordium Scabious the lesser Centaury of each one handfull let them be cleansed bruised and boiled in two quarts of Fountain-water till half of it be boiled away then strain it and add Syrup of the juice of Carduus four ounces Treacle-water two ounces Salt of Tartar vitriolated two drachms mix it and give four spoonfulls every two or three hours Soap of any sort conduceth to the cure of the Jaundice upon a twofold account both by reason of its fixt lixivial Salt and also by reason of its fatness or oil for the Lixivial Salt doth correct and diminish the over volatileness and spirituousness of the vitiated Choler and the oil doth blunt the sharpness of the volatile and spirituous Salt ruling in Choler The following mixture is very effectual Take of Hemp-seed two ounces Soap two Opiate drachms bruise the seed and boil it in half a pint of new Milk till half of it be consumed then strain it and add Syrup of Saffron half an ounce tincture of Saffron two drachms Laudanum opiatum four grains mix it and give half of it in the morning fasting and the remainder at night going to bed CHAP. XII Of a Cachexy AN ill Habit of Body is called in Greek Cachexia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 malus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 habitus It may be called in Latin mala corporis habitudo There are many causes of this Distemper which may be distinguisht according to the diversity of the conjoin'd Symptoms It doth accompany all Chronical Diseases as Dropsies of all kinds Hypochondriack suffocation Scurvy Pox and Gout c. for it doth spare none neither Peer nor Peasant of any age or sex but it most frequently seizeth on Women when their monthly terms are supprest The cause is either external or internal The external cause is either bad Diet a long time receiv'd or for want of good refreshing Food after sickness for the Stomach being weak cannot digest course Diet by which the nutriment of the Body doth by degrees become peccant in quality vitiating the humours and Bloud it self so that an ill nourishment of the Body doth follow The internal cause may be the suppression of the Terms in Women which is more or less corrupted about the Womb having not its natural evacuation from whence the whole mass of Bloud is indued with a vitious quality by which the nourishment of all parts of the Body is deprav'd Also Choler and the juice of the Pancreas which are always confus'd with the Bloud being alike vitious or peccant in quality do not onely corrupt the separation of usefull and unusefull parts but by the vitious effervescency of these humours manifold flatuous vapours are rais'd which do not onely increase anxieties about the Midriff but being carried to the Heart there follows a pressing pain and palpitation thereof and in circulating through the Lungs it causeth a Dyspnoea or difficult breathing and being thence transferr'd every way throughout the Body it doth breed a general weariness in all parts But when the vitious humours abound together in plenty then several kinds of the Dropsie at length succeed if not the universal Body groweth lean by degrees From what hath been said the production of every Cachexie may easily be deduced by a judicious Physician The signs are paleness of the Face shortness Signs of breath palpitation of the Heart and often apressing pain of it accompanied for the most part with a lingring Fever either continual or intermitting or compounded of both in which the Urine is crude or watry at length there is a weariness of the universal Body which in some doth pine and become lean but in others the Body doth swell and is turgid If this Disease be not helpt in time it will become by degrees so stubborn and rebellious Progn that it will puzzle the wisest and most experienced Physicians to cure it for by the long continuance thereof phlegm becometh very tough and glutinous on which all Chronical or prolong'd Diseases depend besides all the other humours are by degrees vitiated which incorporate with the Bloud and diminish its effervescency so that the separation and excretion of the excrementitious parts to be voided together with Urine do not follow from whence many grievous symptoms succeed which oft proves mortal The cure of every Cachexie will consist in Cure the correction and amendment of the Bloud any way vitiated If flegm be tough and glutinous it must be corrected and evacuated for which
often snuft up into the Nostrils to provoke sneezing Take the Roots of Pellitory of Spain white Sneezing Powder Hellebor of each half a drachm Castor Nutmegs white Pepper of each twenty grains Flowers of Lillies of the Valley one drachm beat them into a fine Powder If the Stomach be foul and the sick incline to vomit give this or the like Take the decoction of Horse-radish two Vomit ounces the infusion of crocus metallorum Oxymel of Squills of each half an ounce Oil of sweet Almonds newly drawn two drachms mix it and give it in the Morning But if the sick had rather take Pills or Potions let the following serve Take Extract Rudii pil foetidoe ex duobus Purging Pills of each half a drachm Powder of Castor twenty grains Oil of Cloves six drops with Syrup of Stoechas make it into Pills for three doses You may give them twice a week in the Morning fasting This purging Infusion is also very effectual Purging Infusion Take of the best Senna Rhubarb Polypodium of each half an ounce Mechoacan Agarick Turkey-Turbith of each three drachms Ginger Anise-seed of each two drachms let them be bruised and infused in eight ounces of Ale very hot for the space of a Night then strain it and add the best Manna Syrup of Roses solutive of each one ounce Spirit of Castor twenty drops mix it for two doses Let the affected parts as the Head c. be bathed with this or the like fomentation Take the Roots of Master-wort Angelica Fomentation Zedoary of each three ounces Bay-berries Juniper-berries of each four ounces Sage Marjoram Rue Rose-mary Betony Flowers of Lavender Melilot Chamomel of each two handfulls let them be all cleansed bruised and boiled in White-wine-vineger and Fountain-water of each three quarts till half of it be boiled away After bathing anoint the hinder part of the Head with this Oil. Take of Oil of Rue Marjoram of each Oil. half an ounce Oil of Amber Rose-mary and Bricks of each two drachms Oil of Bays Euphorbium Castor of each six drachms mix them For Revulsion let the soles of the feet be washed with Salt and Acet Scillitic Vesiccatories may also be applied to the Coronal Suture and behind the Ears or upon the Shoulders Neck Arms Thighs c. Avoid all vaporous and phlegmatick Nourishment CHAP. VI. Of the Phrensie and Madness THE Phrensie is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phrenitis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mens quia mentis morbus The Phrensie is an inflammation of the Brain and Meninges both the dura and pia mater causing an acute continual Fever which remains from the first moment of its invasion to the last of its duration thence a delirium and raving Madness together with great trouble of mind afflicts the sick in a superlative manner Madness is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 insanio 't is called in Latin amentia furor insania Mania It is a furious alienation of the mind or a vehement delirium without a Fever in which it differs from the Phrensie I know there are not wanting the works of great Physicians who have written very learnedly of these diseases but omitting the opinion of others I shall in a few words relate that which seems true to me to be the cause of these furious distempers None who are ingenious Searchers of Truth and have weighed accurately with an attentive mind both the fabrick and ways or Vessels of the containing Body and the natural motion of the Bloud and other humours will deny that almost innumerable diseases do arise from the vitious effervescency of over fat Choler the too tart Pancreat juice and over viscous Phlegm flowing together in the small guts for by this vitiated mingling not onely hurtfull humours are produc'd but often wind and halituous Vapours causing much harm to humane Bodies Wherefore I judge when Phlegm is very viscous or otherwise vitious and the juice Cause of the Pancreas too tart and harsh sharp halituous Vapours are thence produc'd elevated from the small guts because of a vitious effervescency there rais'd and thence continually ascending to the Head and with the spirituous Bloud circulate into the Ventricles of the Brain by which the Animal spirits are vitiated and troublesomely mov'd and hindred of natural rest and tranquillity therefore 't is no wonder that the Empty mind of the sick is thereby disturb'd and at length the sick become distracted and mad But if Choler be predominant these vapours become very cholerick and acrimonious which rarifies the Bloud by degrees more and more so that at length the heat and burning Fever in the Heart and thence through the whole Body is encreased by Choler successively over-ruling which causeth the Phrensie No marvel then if heat pain and inflammation and pulsation of the Head do chiefly vex the sick in this grievous distemper seeing no part of the Body hath so many Arteries and receives so much Bloud as the Head wherefore the pulsation of the Temples is felt more troublesome than elsewhere because of the remarkable windings of the Brain through which great Arteries are carried from whence great watchings and at length raving Madness do molest the sick But there still remains something requisite to be set down as the chief cause of these and most other distempers which ought not to be despis'd either by Jew or Gentile seeing we have the word of God for it and that is the crying sins of Mankind continually drawing God's Judgments on them You may reade the 28th Chapter of Deuteronomie where the Prophet Moses enumerates the many diseases with which God would smite the Children of Israel for the wickedness of their doings whereby they had forsaken him And not onely they but we also shall be subject to these grievous distempers and eternal destruction also if we do not turn to the Lord by unfeigned repentance except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish saith our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ in Luke 13. 3. Verse Those poor creatures who have been miserably afflicted with these furious diseases and happily recovered can tell by sad experience that they have been many times hurried almost to desperation by the cunning wiles and temptations of Satan which hath prevail'd on many to lay violent hands on themselves from which let us pray libera nos Domine 1. The Phrensie is a most acute and dangerous Progn disease insomuch that it ends most commonly in seven days for in that time it either terminates by the recovery of the sick or else they go over the threshold of the other world 2. If the Phrenetical party hath a Crisis either by sweating bleeding at the nose or Haemorrhoids c. or a tumour appear behind the Ears there is hopes of recovery but if the sick gnash with his teeth and his Excrement and Urine be whitish and no Crisis appear 't is
parts be according to nature and the sick can in some good measure perform all actions you may conceive some hopes of recovery But if the Body be extenuated almost like a Sceleton viz. when the body seemeth to be nothing else but Skin and Bone as the vulgar proverb is acquaint the sick with the danger least Death seize upon them unprepared Nevertheless if the sick implore your aid of Christian Charity withdraw not what comfort you are able to procure unto them The Cure of a Consumption and Hectick Cure Fever will differ not a little according to the diversity of causes producing them When an Hectick Fever comes with or succeeds Fevers with or without fits then upon their account the cure may be varied according to the divers harm of the humours differently peccant If a Consumption or Hectick Fever be caused by purulent matter from an Ulcer of the Lungs c. then you must endeavour to free the bloud and humours from matter which may be done by any Antimonial medicines rightly prepared perhaps before all others whether they be Diaphoreticks Purgers or Vomiters as experience doth manifest for it hath been observ'd even in a Phthisick and an inveterate great Ulcer of the Lungs to bring away a good quantity of matter by Stool and Urine so that then for many days no matter was cast forth by a Cough Among common things all Vulnerary plants are good used in Decoctions Let this or one like it be a form of a Decoction in this case Take the Roots of Plantain Comfry Round-birthwort Liquorish of each two ounces Fennel Scabious Plantain of each two handfulls Figs Raisons of the sun stoned of each four ounces let them be all cleansed bruised and boiled in three quarts of Barley-water till a third part be boiled away then strain it and add Syrups of Hore-hound and Hyssop of each two ounces Laudanum opiatum ten grains Mix it Let the sick drink two ounces of this Decoction oft in a day and if you add one or two drops of Balsam of Sulphur with Oil of Annise-seed to every draught it will be the more effectual The Balsam prepared of the truly Sulphureous and inflameable Flowers of Antimony is most excellent in this distemper if it may be had which may be taken as the Balsam of Sulphur Also those medicines may be used which mildly amend and correct the viscousness and glutinousness of all the humours for which I commend all mild Aromaticks and Oily Volatile Salts as that cut and alter every viscous humour and reduce it into its natural state Those medicines are to be selected as do most conduce to and agree with the constitution of every sick person Vitriolated Tartar is an excellent medicine which will agree with all constitutions and may be taken from ten to twenty grains every other morning in a little warm Broth. Also the following medicine is very effectual Take the Powder of Cream of Tartar Powder and Tartar Vitriolated of each half a drachm Volatile Salt of Harts-horn Salt of Amber of each ten grains Mix it for two doses which may be taken in Chicken Broth in the morning These choice medicines will conduce much to cleanse the bloud and humours from all purulent matter if there be any hopes of the Patient's recovery All Effusions of Bloud Seed and Milk are to be shun'd except the wonted emptyings which are natural and serve the individual Let the motions of the Mind be moderate and the exercise of the Body be gentle and let sleep and watchings keep a mediocrity Appoint a moistning and nourishing Diet which is of easie fermentation as Broth and Jellies of young Creatures and Milk of Goats Sheep and Cows and chiefly of wholsome Women A Panado made with the Broth of a Chicken the Crums of White-bread and the Yelk of a new laid Egg may sometimes be given the sick for a change Let cooling Herbs be boiled in the Broth and Jellies adding other ingredients that are cooling moistning and cordial both to strengthen Nature and revive the Spirits Let the sick drink Barley-water made pleasant with some Pectoral Syrup and if they have been accustomed to drink Wine let it be well diluted with water As for Fruit Apples are much commended especially Pippins and Permains which will much refresh the sick If the Patient be costive you may sometimes administer a Clyster of Milk and the yelk of an Egg. The worst symptome that can attend these diseases is a Loosness if it so happen give Goats or Cows milk wherein steel hath been quenched and Rice boiled in it adding a little Powder of Cinamon and let the sick eat commonly of it CHAP. IV. Of the Palpitation of the Heart THIS Disease is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latin palpitatio Cordis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod leviter ac frequenter commovet because there is an over frequent Pulsation or leaping of Bloud in the Heart c. It is a Convulsive motion of the Heart with a vehement Systole and Diastole of it which sometimes hath been so inordinate that the Pulsation hath not been onely seen but heard at a notable distance yea sometimes it hath been so great that the adjacent Ribs in young and tender people who have been afflicted with this distemper hath been dislocated and the Aorta or great Artery hath been much dilated See Fernelius lib. 5. cap. 12. pag. 292. This deprav'd motion or Palpitation of Cause the Heart is for the most part caused from sharp viscous and flatuous humours frequently arising out of the small Guts and transmitted to the ventricles of the Heart and adhereth to them by which the Heart is provoked to a vehement and unequal contraction of it self without intermission These humours are mov'd and driven forward either by their vitious effervescency or else they are stirr'd up by violent motion or exercise of the Body especially in the quick ascending of a steep hill and sometimes they are constrain'd or urg'd by grievous Passions of the mind Sometimes there have been observ'd fleshy Tumours and Cartilaginous excrescencies in the Substance of the Heart when dissected and those poor Creatures when living were never free from a vehement Palpitation Also Worms have been found in the Pericardium of some that have been dissected after death which without doubt caused a deprav'd motion or pulsation of the Heart when living That which is caused by fleshy Tumours Progn Cartilaginous excrescencies Worms or any other extraneous thing in the Pericardium or substance of the Heart is incurable But the Palpitation of the Heart which is caused by acrimonious flatuous and viscous humours may be cured Those medicines must be administred Cure that cut and discuss and temper an acid Acrimony The following Julep may serve for an example Take the Waters of Parsley Fennel of Iulep each three ounces Tincture of Cinamon Syrup of Mint of each two ounces Chymical Oil of Mace ten drops Spirit of Salt
use of four things a little Harsh mixt with drink or Broth as beforesaid because they much conduce to restore by degrees the former consistency to the Bloud In Calentures Phlebotomy may be safely used CHAP. IX Of the Plague or Pestilence THE Plague or Pestilence is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 solvo quod vitam solvat It is called in Latin Pestilentia Pestis ex depascendo quod veluti incendium depascat It is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 percutio hinc Angl. the Plague Pestis significat omne malum quod tam inanimis quam animatis mortem exitium repentino adfert The Plague is a contagious disease suddenly afflicting the Heart and all the vital animal and natural faculties with many grievous Symptoms The Cause is chiefly the sins of Mankind Cause provoking the great God to send this Pestiferous distemper as a judgment on them for their Impiety The Cause next to God's judgment is a sharp venemous and contagious volatile Salt in the Air very much heightned inspired with the Air into the Lungs or is swallowed down with the food or spittle into the Stomach it may also get in through the pores into the Body by which the acid liquor in all the conglobated glandules is weakned and made sluggish that it doth not circulate with its wonted force whence the natural consistency and rarefaction of the Bloud is diminsht and the separation of the Animal Spirits hindred and the vital strength is much opprest by which the Pulse becomes not onely little but also languishing till at length the Spirits are extinguisht and Death unexpected to many carries them speedily torrenti similis in fiery Chariots God knows where All the signs in Malign Fevers are common and much heightned in the Pest besides Signs many other grievous symptoms as Diarrhaea Hemorrhage at the Nose Ears Eyes Mouth and Secrets sometimes yellowness of the Eyes Buboes in the Groins Armpits and behind the Ears and in some white Bladders and Carbuncles also spots called the Tokens with raving c. 1. The Pest is deceitfull above all other diseases Progn therefore no certain prognostick can be drawn of it for many have died when there hath been great hopes of recovery and on the contrary many have escaped with mortal signs 2. A Bubo is less dangerous than a Carbuncle and it than the spots vulgarly the Tokens which most commonly portend Death wheresoever they are 3. Buboes incompassed with a blue or livid circle are most commonly a mortal sign especially if they suddenly disappear unless the Malign humour be sent to some other part and if with a Bubo behind the Ears there be pain of the Throat without inflammation 't is mortal 4. If a Carbuncle rise after a Bubo and look white with a litle push or tail at the end of it 't is dangerous except the Fever do very much abate and if after cauterizing or cupping the Carbuncle abate not in twenty four hours 't is a sign of Death approaching except matter appear and if Carbuncles seize the Stomach Guts Bladder or other Intrails it portends Death 5. Deliriums Drowsiness Heart-ach Trembling Convulsions great driness of Tongue are all bad signs also a Dysentery is most commonly mortal but a Hemorrhage at the Nose or Menses are not so dangerous To preserve from this Pestiferous distemper although transmigration in the fear of God may be lawfull yet let none think to escape by flying and so neglect their duties to God for 't is impossible to run out of his reach for he filleth Heaven and Earth with his presence wherefore let servent prayers be put up to God whose compassions fail not and then make use of an honest Physician 1. You must endeavour to purifie the infected Air with great fires wash the house daily and after sprinkle it with Vinegar and Fume either with Pitch Frankincense Mirrh Amber Benjamin Wood and Berries of Juniper c. 2. Avoid all passions watchings and immoderate exercise and venery 3. Eat nothing that is hard of concoction and use a moderate diet though easie of digestion and drink good sound Wine c. 4. Go not forth with an empty Stomach but always take some preservative against infection For example Take Spirit of Vinegar Julep of Roses of each one ounce mix it Vinegar Verjuice Oranges Limmons Citrons Pomgranats Barberries Quinces Wood-sorrel c. are all very good used as before directed in Malign Fevers This Poison must not be sent out by vomiting Cure or purging neither is phlebotomy allowed For it is known by manifold experience that the cure of the Pest is most happily instituted by Cordial Sudorificks rightly prepar'd of Antimony because it hath an admirable Sulphur in it whereby not onely sharpness is wonderfully temper'd but the Malign poisonous volatile Salt is thereby most safely driven forward and expelled by sweating out of the Body to which may be added other Cordials as followeth Take the Powders of Crabs-eyes Tartar Cordial Electuary vitriolated Antimony Diaphoretick Bezoar-mineral of each one scruple Bezoar-stone of the East red Coral prepar'd Salts of Rhue Scordium of each half a scruple Venice-treacle two drachms Spirit of Salt ten drops mix it into an Electuary with confectio de Hyacintho Let the sick take half a drachm of this Cordial Electuary every three hours and drink three or four spoonfulls of this Cordial Julep after it Take of Epidemical-water the Waters of Cordial Iulep Carduus Borage Scordium compound of each three ounces the Waters of Treacle Cinamon Syrups of the juice of Carduus and Limmons Syrup of Saffron of each one ounce Salt Prunella and Salt of Wormwood of each one drachm Laudanum opiat ten grains mix it for a Cordial Let the sick person take the aforesaid medicines till sweat is plentifully provoked then let the sweat be gently wiped off with warm linen cloaths In the mean while give the sick a little hot Chicken-broth or other Broth of fresh Meat temper'd to a gratefulness with some sour thing as was directed in Malign Fevers as Barberries Wood-sorrel Limmons c. You must persist in this course till the danger be over and some time after though the sick think themselves well lest the disease deceive you by a sudden surprize again There are many Cordial Confections always to be had ready at Apothecaries Shops as Mithridate Diascordium Venice-treacle London-treacle Treacle-water c. any of which may be used by the Rich or Poor for they will not onely cause sweating but also will temper and moderate the hurtfull acrimony of the volatile Salt before mentioned You may dip a hot Toast in aq prophylactica and apply it to the region of the Stomach and also tye some of it in a rag and smell to it If there be great drowsiness avoid Opiates and take the Cordial Julep without the Laudanum but if there be great Watching Vomiting Flux of the Belly or Hicket you may give it with the
are augmented more or less according to the strength and debility of parts to resist or consent and be depraved The Hypochondriack suffocation is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel quod Hypochondriacus ad Hypochondria pertinet vel sub cartilagine fita fit It is called by the Latins Hypochondriaca melancholia The Ancients thought that this was an uterine disease in quibus mulieres uteri fuffocatione laborant and therefore it was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in Latin morbus Hystericus vel Hysterica passio and in English 't is called Fits of the Mother it being most subject to Women from the suppression of their monthly Courses But because men are also molested with longing and suffer often both the Sense and Disease of Suffocation especially when they become Cachectick or of ill habit of Body and also they are cured with the same medicines that Women are cured with when they are vexed with this distemper therefore I think this suffocation may be more properly called Hypochondriacal It may be called the Mother of the Scurvy because the vital Principles in this disease are seduced to declension and deviation from their rectitude the digestive offices being all depraved The causes of these diseases are either external Causes or internal The external are sometimes a sedentary studious and melancholy life by which the vital Principles do receive much prejudice decay and fall off from their functions and become languid and feeble also the Air being infested with noxious Vapours is a procuring cause of these distempers for such Air being drawn into the Body by inspiration doth commix with the spirits and debilitate and deprave the faculties from whence Scorbutick and Hypochondriack effects do ensue and as the Body is perspirable or impervious these diseases are more or less varied and remitted in their Symptoms and therefore the constipation of the pores prohibiting transpiration is a partial organical cause of preternatural Spots in the Scurvy which appear chiefly upon the Thighs and Legs not from the gravity of the material cause and ponderous propension of gross matter downwards but because those parts are more weak in their assimilation being remote from supply of vital Spirits therefore they have the first tokens of defection The internal Cause is a vitious quality of all the humours and also of the Animal spirits which are confus'd with the bloud and communicate their faultiness to it by which the bloud is also vitiated so that the nourishment of the Body is deprav'd several ways according to the variety of the quality peccant in which the colour of the native Skin and especially of the face languisheth and is changed pale In these diseases not onely the appetite of food but its fermentation is also deprav'd wherefore Anxieties about the Midriff and Hypochondries and a pressing pain of the Heart will soon follow For when the food is ill fermented and driven forward through the small Gut it is confus'd with the Juice of the Pancreas and Choler which are a like vitious the Pancreatick juice being too sharp and acrid and the Bile over thick and salt from whence the separation of usefull and unusefull parts is not onely corrupted but also by the vitious Effervescency of these humours are rais'd manifold halituous Vapours which do not onely increase the fore describ'd Anxiety but being carried to the Heart do breed a Palpitation of it whence it circulates through the Lungs and causeth a difficulty of breathing and thence being driven every way it causeth a weariness in all parts of the Body and if an Acrimony of the humours do concur then it is manifested internally with pain The cause of the inordinate effervescency of Bloud in the Hypochondriack suffocation is not onely the unequal flowing of Lympha but also of the Liquour rising out of the threefold humours vitiously effervescing in the small Gut from whence vitious Vapours are sent to the right Ventricle of the Heart and procure a great Confusion and disturbance in it hence followeth a notable Palpitation of the Heart by which sometimes the Effervescency of Bloud seemeth to cease in the right Ventricle for a time with its motion and pulse and also respiration is taken away to outward sense The symptoms and signs of these diseases are very many yet are never seen to concur in one and the same Body The usual signs are pain of the Head palpitation of the Heart puffing up of the Stomach Loathing Vomiting Belching Hicket Cough Tumour and Putrefaction of the Gums with much spitting looseness and blackness of the Teeth and sometimes great pain in them the breath stinketh and is sometimes fetched with much difficulty also Convulsions Palsie Gout Dropsies and all other obstructions sometimes the Colick and trembling and looseness of the Lims with red purple spots dispersed also the Pleurisie pain of the Hypochondries and also of many of the external parts as the Neck Arms Hands Thighs Legs Feet and Anckles with laziness and often faint sweats there is also sometimes malign Ulcers dry hard Tubercles Erisipelas and Edematous tumours with many others which to enumerate were to comprehend an universal Genus of Atomes within a very narrow Limitation 1. These diseases for the most part are of long continuance and are seldom cured Progn and therefore may be called the disgrace of Physicians 2. If the Patient hath a continual pain and giddiness of the Head it doth threaten an Epilepsie or Apoplexy 3. The more aged the sick are the more grievous are the Symptoms and the more dangerous and difficult to be cured 4. Vomiting Flux of the Belly and Hemorrhoids if they are moderate are hopefull signs of recovery In some Regions these diseases are complicated with most other distempers or at least do easily degenerate into them by which they are rendred the more difficult of curation As for the Cure of these stubborn and rebellious Cure diseases the sick must observe a good diet without which Physical means will profit but little and here we may also observe that no Aliments or Medicines whether altering or purging will be very profitable unless specifick Antiscorbuticks be mixed with them The best Antiscorbutick simples are the Roots of Horse-radish Butter-bur Liquorish Dandelion Scorzonera China Zedoary Angelica Elicampane Polypodium the five opening Roots the Wood and Bark of Guiacum and Sassaphras the Herbs Scordium Scurvigrass Brook-lime Water-cresses Sorrel Rue Fennel Golden-rod and Penny-royal Fruits of Oranges Limmons Pomcitrons Pomgranates Apples c. Seeds of Mustard Angelica Radish and Juniper-berries cum multis aliis of which may be prepared diversity of good medicines both Chymical and Galenical The volatile Salts both of Animals and Vegetables are excellent to open all obstructions and temper the humours Also Elixir proprietatis the Spirit of Salt Armoniack Horse-radish and Scurvigrass the Spirit of Niter and of Salt dulcified Salt of Steel Wormwood and Tartar Oil of Juniper Cloves and Cinamon are all Specifick