in which Spirits for that they are very nimble continually strive to expand themselves and to fly away but being intangled by the more thick Particles of the rest they are detained in their flight And being detained after this manner they toss about break to pieces and very much subtilise the more thick little Bodies by which they are hindered they volatilise the Salt otherwise fixed by a most minute kneading and by the adhesion of it they perfectly dissolve the Sulphur compacted in it self and not miscible with the rest and boil it in the Serum They break the Earth even to its smallest parts and mingle it with the rest But in the mean time by the striking and molding the Salt and the Sulphur Effluvia's of heat plentifully proceed which being mixed with the rest and on every side diffused increase the motion of the Fermentation And after this manner all being most minutely broken and diluted with watery Particles they constitute the Liquor of the Blood which whilst in the Vessels as Wine shut up in a Pipe continually ferments and according to all its Particles is in perpetual motion But the Fermentation of Wine and of Blood differs in this that in Wine there is no wasting of the old parts and a coming again of new but the Liquor being shut up in the Vessel remains still the same but 't is otherwise in Blood in which some parts are continually destroyed and in their place others are always generated anew In Wine the times of crudity maturation and defection are distinct and are successively performed in the whole In Blood that threefold state is celebrated at the same time and by parts Fermentation being once begun in Wine is continued even to the end but in Blood because it is washed still with crude Juices it ought still to be renewed by which means the Nutritious Particles not of kin are assimilated to the rest of the Latex wherefore for this work besides the Fermentation once begun in the blood there is need of some Ferments which may continue the same otherwise about to leave off That Ferments are required for the making of Blood this is an Argument that when they are wanting by Nature they are with good success supplyed by the work of Art for fixed Salts Alcaly Salt Extracts Digestives Openers and especially Chalybeate Remedies help for this reason that as it were by a certain Ferment they restore anew the weak or almost extinct Ebullition or Boiling of the Blood As to what respects the Natural Ferments very many may certainly be formed and in divers parts or hid in the Bowels for any humor in which the Particles of Salt Sulphur or Spirit being much exalted are contained puts on the Nature of a Ferment after this manner the flowring or dregs of Beer or new Wine being kneaded with Meal and the mass kept to a sowrness come under this rank by which new Beer and the like Liquors as also the mass of Bread are most excellently Fermented In like manner in the Ventricle a sowrish humour participating of exalted Salt there helps concoction and in the Spleen the feculencies of the Blood from Salt and Earth being exalted go into a Ferment How much vigor comes to the Blood from the Womb and Genital parts appears from hence because by the privation or evil disposition of them follow in Maids the Green sickness in men barrenness or loss of virility want of Beard and a shrill voice But the chief Ferment that serves for sanguification is established in the Heart for this is the chief fire-place in which the cruder Particles of the Chyme are as it were inkindled and acquire a volatileness which thing may be confirmed by many reasons but especially by its effects which we suffer in the precordia as often as the Blood ferments more or less than it ought to do for when it is too much inkindled in the Heart it is agitated impetuously as it were by fires put under it the signs of whose immoderate Ebullition are a deep pulse and vehement then almost an intolerable heat in the Precordia with a vehement thirst on the other side when the Fermentation of the blood is lessened in the Heart we are affected with an anhelous and difficult respiration upon any motion as may be perceived in the Dropsie Cachexia and Yellow Jaundice the reason of which is not because the Lungs are stuffed or filled full of a tough or clammy matter but because the blood doth not rightly ferment in that Repository of Fermentation wherefore being fallen into its Bosom it is not presently Rarified nor doth it soon leap forth into the Lungs but being apt to stagnate and remain there causes an oppression of the Heart it self for the helping of which frequent breathing is made that the blood being let forth into the Lungs succour might be brought to it but if by motion or exercise the blood be more provoked into its Ventricle than can be derived by respiration or the pulse into the Pneumonic Vessels there is danger of choaking The like happens in those that are dying when the pulse is very small and the blood being heaped up in the Heart for want of Fermentation begins to stagnate and to clodder we then breath deeply with a noise and elevation of the breast to wit the blood with the ultimate endeavour of Nature and the whole force of the Lungs as long as it is able to be done is emptied forth into the Lungs lest residing in the Heart it should wholly choak it Therefore Motion and Heat in the Blood depend chiefly on two things viz. partly on its own proper disposition and constitution by which it being forged very greatly with active Principles of Spirits Salt and Sulphur of its own accord swells up or grows turgid in the Vessels even as Wine in the Ton and partly on the Ferment implanted in the Heart which very much rarifies the Liquor passing through its Bosom and makes it to leap forth with a frothy heat that the blood which is quietly instilled to the Heart through the Veins running gently like a River from thence leaping forth through the Arteries like a Torrent with noise and rage might be carried forward to all the parts of the whole Body By what means this is done though it is not easie to explicate Mechanically yet the manner and some not improbable reasons of this thing are delivered by most Learned men Ent Cartes and others They suppose indeed as it were a fire to be set in the Chimny of the Heart which presently inkindles the blood infused through the Veins even as a flame put to Wine burns it which being so inkindled by its deflagration like lightning passes most swiftly through the Arteries so that heat a most rapid motion and Effluvia sent by Perspiration are wont to proceed from the accension of the blood in the Heart only Hogelandus affirms that there is a Ferment hid in the Bosom of the Heart that compels the
at length and recover their health The vice or depauperation which the Blood hath contracted from the Feaverish heat consists in this The Spirit very much evaporates and is lost the Sulphureous part is too much scorched and is much wasted by the deflagration and from its burning the adust matter as it were the Caput Mortuum is left with the Particles of which the mass of Blood is aggravated and debilitated in the mean time the Saline and earthy parts are too much exalted even as is wont to come to pass in Wine or Beer by the use of too much Ferment The Blood by these ways being spoiled evilly assimilates the provision of the Nutritious Juice yea also by reason of the roasting of the Sulphur in the Heart or defect of it not rightly Fermenting or inflamed it untowardly dispenses the Vital Spirit in the mean time from the adust matter and Salt too much exalted it grows more fervent than it should and more wasts it self 1. From a good Crisis the Spirit tho made weaker yet gets the upper hand wherefore what is left of the Feaverish matter it by degrees overcomes and expels and concocts and assimilates so what is brought be thin or slender the Nutritious Juice from thence the mass of Blood is amended anew with Spirit and Sulphur and the Blood which now being Salt and sharp did continually grow hot acquires at length a Sweet and Balsamic Nature and being quickned with a lively motion and heat rightly performs the offices of life and sense 2. From a bad Crisis the business is otherways the Liquor of the Blood like Wine too much Fermented degenerates almost into a vappidness or lifelessness its Spirit is greatly deminished the Reliques which remain are intricated and as it were overwhelmed with the Particles of adust matter from whence there is yet a continual growing hot remaining in the Blood yet without concoction or assimilation of the Alible Juice or separation of the profitable from the unprofitable The benign Sulphur and the Food of the Vital flame is much consumed so that the Blood is less inkindled in the Heart than it ought to be in the mean time from the adust recrements and also the Salt and Earth being too much carried forth it perpetually burns in the Vessels with thirst and heat And because it is dayly depauperated the Spirit and benign Sulphur being wasted and more infected with the Salt and Earthy dregs being too much exalted its Liquor in a short time becomes tastless and is made unfit for circulation and for the inkindling in the Heart for the sustaining the Vital fire wherefore there is a necessity that life be lost even as the flame of a Lamp is extinguished when instead of the wasted Oil a Salt and Muddy Liquor only supplies it 3. From an imperfect and doubtful Crisis when the sick being weakned by a long imbecillity become not well but of a long time the business is after this manner The Spirituous and Sulphureous parts of the Blood are very much consumed by the slow deflagration the remaining Liquor being not Purged from the adust recrements and feculencies is rendred very impure but when there is yet remaining somthing of Oil for the Vital Lamp nor Spirits are altogether wanting for the subduing the Feaverish matter the Blood is still circulated and tho but smally is inkindled in the Heart yea and by little and little the Spirits recollect themselves set upon the matter remaining of the Feaver and what they are able begin to overcome it then by a pertinacious assiduity of coction like a flame wavering and half extinct among green wood at length rise up victorious and restore anew both with heat and motion leisurely renewed a quick and lively Fermentation in the Heart So much in general of the Feaver called Putrid it remains before we descend to the kinds and particular Cases of it that I recount the symptoms and signs chiefly notable in the course of this Feaver and subjoyn the reasons and causes of them and their manner of being done CHAP. X. Of the Symptoms and Signs chiefly to be noted in a Putrid Feaver THE Symptoms coming upon a Putrid Feaver altho they argue the oeconomy of the whole Body to be for the most part depraved and the disposition and functions of some part or Member hurt yet the accidents which a Physician ought chiefly to consider about the Diagnosis of this Disease and its Prognosis to be rightly instituted may be referred to three casses or common places to wit they have respect to the Viscera of Concoction viz. the Ventricle and Intestines with their Appendixes Or secondly to the humours flowing in the Vessels viz. the Blood in the Arteries and Veins and the thin Liquor in the Nervous parts together with the chief springs of either viz. the Heart and Brain or lastly these symptoms respect the habit of the Body with the various constitution of the pores and the extension or emarceration of the solid parts They who would exactly observe the course of this Disease and would fitly draw out Curatory intentions may take notice of these three heads of symptoms and carefully consider what alterations may happen in these as it were distinct Regions according to the different times of the Feaver 1. Troubles and disorders such as nauseousness vomiting want of Appetite indigestion a looseness a scurfiness of the Mouth and Tongue a bitter favour are wont to infest about the Ventricle and first passages in the whole course of this Feaver These for the most part are attributed to the humors first heaped together in the Stomach and there putrifying But besides that the recrements of the Chyle being throughly roasted by too much heat degenerate into an hurtful matter very often these kind of accidents happen for that the Purgings and the filth of the Blood and Nervous Juice whilst they grow hot are carried inward and being deposited in the membranes of the Viscera provoke Convulsions and also make a filthy heap of vitious and very infestous humor I have often observed that about the beginning of the Feaver the Blood growing hot laid aside its recrements even inwardly with a benefit to the sick where altho great molestations did arise about the first passages yet the burning was therefore more mild the Pulse moderate and the Urine laudable and these being after this manner in a Feaver quickly grew well with a slender diet and the use of gentle evacuations But if in this case I should administer a vehement Cathartic for the extirpating the humours that Natural Purging of the Blood being hindred presently the Feaver became strong with a red Urine and troubled a deep Pulse Watchings and other horrid symptoms also oftentimes after the state of the Disease by this kind of interior Lustration or Purging the adust matter and excrementitious is separated from the Blood Hence somtimes a Lask somtimes a scurfie covering of the Mouth and Throat follow Wherefore there is need of caution
and from thence passes thorow the Ureters into the Bladder and so is carryed forth of doors From the origine and lustration of the Serous Latex but now described it plainly appears that the Urine ought to answer to the quantity of the liquids taken in somewhat a lesser proportion perhaps under a third part which plainly shews the disposition and strength of the Viscera serving for Concoction as also the temper and distribution of the Blood it self and after a sort of the nervous juice moreover it carries with it signs of the affections of the Urinary passages The quantity of the Urine declines often from this Rule so that sometimes it superabounds also sometimes is deficient and either for a short time may consist with a disposition not much unhealthful but if these kind of distempers continue long they argue a sickly condition Concerning these we shall speak among the appearances of the Urine in a diseased condition of the Body we shall now next consider the colour of a sound Urine The Urine of Sound People which is rendred after Concoction is finished in the Body is of a Citron colour like Lye a little boyled which without doubt proceeds from the Salt and Sulphur of the nutritious juice and the Blood dissolved in the Concoction and boyled in the Serum This colour doth not arise only from Salt as some would have it because the Liquor impregnated with Salt unless it be evaporated to a certain thickness will not grow yellowish Also Salt of Tartar being dissolved by melting continues still clear What may be objected concerning the Lye of Ashes I say there the whole Sulphur is not consumed by burning but the Citron colour arises from some saline Particles and others Sulphureous burnt and sticking together in the Ashes and then infused or boyled in the liquor Neither doth the Urine of sound people acquire this same colour from Sulphur only because Sulphur in a watry Menstruum is not dissolved unless by the addition of Salt nor will it give any tincture of it self but if Salt of Tartar and common Sulphur be digested together in water or if Antimony be boyled in a saline Menstruum both liquors will by that means grow yellow like Urine after the like manner the saline and sulphureous Particles of Aliments being incocted and most minutely broken in the Serum by a Digestion in the Ventricle and Intestines and by a Circulation with the Blood in the Arteries and Veins impart to it a Citron Colour This kind of dissolution of Salt and Sulphur by whose means the Urines are made of a Citron Colour is first begun in the Bowels and afterwards perfected in the Vessels and very much depends upon the Concoction performed in the Ventricle and the Intestines For here by the help of heat and of ferments the Aliments taken are chiefly subdued the bond of mixture being broken the saline and sulphureous Particles being most smally broken and made small go into a milkie Cream and from thence the Serum remaining after that Concoction and distribution of that milkie juice becomes of a Citron colour after the same manner as when the Salt of Tartar and common Sulphur being dissolved together and mixed with some acid thing indue a milkie colour then the contents being separated by setling the remaining liquor grows yellow like Lye If that the aliments by reason of an evil disposition of the Ventricle are not rightly digested in the first Concoction as in the Longing Disease or Pica the Dropsie and other ill dispositions of the Bowels usually comes to pass the Urine also is rendred crude clear and almost insipid like Fountain water but if by reason of the ferments of the Viscera being more than duly exalted or otherways depraved as in the Scurvy Hypochondriac distemper or Feavourish intemperance the particles of things eaten are too much dissolved in the first Region by that means Urines are rendred red and thick The Serum as hath but now been said being imbued with a lixivial tincture in the first Concoction and confused in the Blood so long as it is circulated with it it is yet further Concocted and acquires a more deep colour for the particles of the Blood being roasted and scorched although for the most part they are laid aside into the Gall bag yet being in a manner boyled in the Serous Latex they heighten its colour hence the Concoction being ended the Urine which is first made is more Pale and that which is last more Red. That which is made after long fasting is yet more high Coloured Where the Blood is more cold as in Cachectical people the colour of the Urine is made less where the Blood grows raging with a feavourish Heat and is roasted the Urine grows highly Red. Concerning the Urines of sound people it is worth observation that which is made after plentiful Drinking hath no tincture but is pale like water of which we shall enquire by what means the Serous Latex so suddenly slides away out of the Ventricle contrary to what is vulgarly believed and passing thorow all the Chyliferous passages then the Veins Arteries the bosom of the Heart it self and the turnings and windings of the Veins and Ureters is put forth of the Body within so short a space moreover how it comes that the Urine being so precipitately made contrary to most other things is not only changed into no Colour in its passage but it also loses its own proper For as the Proverb is Our Drink goes thick in and comes forth thin or We Drink thick Beer and Piss clear Concerning this we say that besides the long wandring of the nourishing juice to wit whereby after some stay in the Ventricle it slides into the Intestines and from thence thorow the milkie Vessels into new passages and thence is carried into the Veins which carrying about cannot be quickly performed it is most likely that there is another nearer passage of the same Nutritious Juce whereby indeed it may be conveyed immediately and without delay to the Mass of Blood and perhaps to the nervous Liquor and therefore after fasting there immediately follows a most quick refection of strength and spirits after Eating and especially after Drinking which indeed cannot be thought to be made by the Spirits and Vapours also from such drinking the Urine is presently rendred and indeed sooner than it can be thought that the Mass of the Chyle can be sent out of the bosom of the Ventricle wherefore it is not improbable that when the Alimentous Liquor is entred the Ventricle presently the more thin portion of it which consists chiefly of Spirit and Water is imbibed by its Spongeous Membranes and from thence being instilled into the little mouths of the Veins it is presently confounded with the Blood flowing back towards the Heart For of this opinion though not very stubbornly I always was That the Chyme was in some measure immediately derived from the Ventricle and Intestines by the branches of the Vena Porta
forth do not so readily convey away the vaporous Effluvia's of the blood hence it is that we fan the Air that it may be made more moveable and carry away more quickly and plentifully the soot or smoke from our Praecordia There yet remain some other smaller Considerations of Fire and Flame respecting indeed not so much the Essence as the production and extinction of either which whether and how far they may agree with the life of the Blood we shall briefly inquire into Fire or Flame is produced two ways viz. either it is kindled from another fire or flame or begot by an intestine motion of sulphureous Particles We have largely shewed the Species of either and the manner of their being made in our Tract of Fermentation only we omitted there that the accession of nitrous food was necessary for the sustaining it even as flame the life also of the hot or warm Blood we have observed to be produced by a twofold way to wit it is either inkindled from another life or soul as in Creatures that bring forth alive or intrinsical Particles predisposed to animation are at length raised up to life with the blood by a long cherishing of external heat as in oviparous or egg-laying Creatures If it be further demanded when and how the vital Flame is kindled first in the Blood I say some small beginnings of it are laid up from the conception it self in the Genital humour to wit when the rudiment of the bodily Soul culled out from the Souls of the Parents as a little spark stricken from those flames is hid in a convenient matter which being from thence raised up by the Mothers heat begins a little to glow and shine and afterwards being daily dilated with the blood brought forth and leisurely increased is equally extended with the Body which it actuates and animates But yet as long as the young one is included in the Egg or Womb the vital fire getting very little or scarce any aery food doth not yet break out into open flame but like a Brands end covered over with ashes burns only slowly and very little and spreads abroad scarce any heat wherefore both the formation and increase of the Embryo depends very much on the Mothers heat or the cherishment of some other analogical thing whereof being destitute it perishes but as soon as the young one is born in due time and begins to breathe the vital fire presently receiving the nitrous food largely unfolds it self and an heat or effervescency being raised up through the whole bloody mass it inkindles a certain flame and because the blood then first rushing into the Lungs having there gotten an accession of Air begins to burn the flesh of that Bowel at first reddish is shortly changed into a whitish colour like burnt ashes and the blood it self undergoes a notable alteration for what did flow of a dark Purple colour into the Pneumonick Vessels from the right side of the Heart returning from thence presently out of the Lungs becomes Crimson and as it were of a flame-colour and so shining passes through the left Ventricle of the Heart and the appending Arteries Indeed that in Creatures new-born the colour of the Lungs is so suddenly changed I think it ought to be attributed to the blood there at first more openly inkindled and their flesh as it were somewhat roasted although the mere inflation of the Lungs in a dead Embryo produces the like effect because the Membranes of the Lungs and the Parenchyma being distended and increased into a greater capacity shake off the stagnating blood and so draw it away into little and scarce to be discerned rivulets As to the Colour of the Blood so variously changed into circulating from a dark purple to a crimson and from this to that I say that the immediate cause of this is the admixtion of the nitrous Air with the Blood which certainly appears because the change into a crimson begins in that place where the blood chiefly gets the access of the Air viz. whilst it is transferred out of the Arteries into the Pneumonick Veins for in those it appears of a dark Purple in these every where florid as the most Learned Doctor Lower hath observed Further it yet farther appears that this alteration of the colour proceeds from the admixture of the Air because that crimson colour follows in the superficies of all blood let out of the Vessels by reason of its meeting or mingling with air and if the flowering or top be taken away another presently arises Besides the blood being let out of a Vein and very much struck with a switch or rod it becomes crimson through all and in like manner the blood of living Creatures shines at first within the Pneumonick Veins to wit presently after the influx of the air by the Wind-pipe and from thence by reason of the same Particles of inkindled air being yet retained it passes through all the Arteries still florid in the mean time from the Nitre of the Air mingled with the sulphureous Particles and burning with them the blood being greatly rarified and in truth expanded into flame impetuously swells up within all the passages of the Pneumonick Vein and the great Artery sending from it self copious breaths and hot Effluvia's but being dilated towards the ends of the Arteries and returning towards the Heart that it may enter more closely into the little mouths of the Veins it lays aside its turgid and burning aery Particles and being presently made more quiet and half extinct and so both its vigour and also its colour being changed it returns through the passages of the Veins that at length running into the Lungs it might renew its burning After this manner that the inkindled blood might flame through the whole Body with a perpetual and equal flame and successively renew its burning in all its Particles it ought to be carried about by a perpetual course from the nest of its accension into all parts and from these to that For this end the Machine or Engine of the Heart was needful as a Pin or Cock which being made with a double bosom might receive in it self from the whole Lungs the blood fresh inkindled that it might presently drive forward whilst burning into every part of the whole Body and might then receive the burnt and half extinguished blood returning from the whole Body which being imbued with new inflammable juyce it might deliver to the Lungs to be re-inkindled In performing this task although the Heart be a mere Muscle and exercised only with an animal motion seems to serve alone for the Circulation of the Blood yet in the mean time it so much helps to moderate the accension of the blood and its burning according to the rage of the passions and to direct other works and uses of the animated Body that we have thought the vital or flamy part of the Soul to have its chief and as it were Imperial seat in the Heart and
perish Wherefore she institutes new and more firm and lasting Combinations of Spirit Salt and Sulphur For she selects from the whole Substance of the Plant the more noble and highly active Particles and these being gathered together with a little Earth and Water she forms in the Seed as it were the quintessences of every Plant in the mean time the Trunk Leaves Stalks and the other Members of the Plant being almost quite deprived of the active Principles are much depauperated and are of less Efficacy and Virtue About Autumn after the Seeds are framed as it were pledges left in memory of the Plant the Particles of Spirits Salt and Sulphur which remain being now placed in their Strength or Exaltation endeavour a Dissolution and Departing one from another And first of all the Spirits evaporate by degrees with the Watery humour through the Doors set open by the Summer Sun with which the more pure parts of the Sulphur make also their Journey in the mean time the Salt being fixed with the Earth and more thick Sulphur is left behind Wherefore in most the Leaves fall at this time and in those of a tender and light Constitution the Principles are wholly dissipated and the Trunk and Stalk together with the Root wholly die In some after the falling of the Seed with the Leaves the Stalks wither in the mean time the Principles which may renew the Plant in the next Spring are preserved in the Root Also Winter coming on the face of things is wholly changed and the Elements which in the Spring did affect to be Joyned and to Marry one with another seek nothing more than Divorces The Spirits fly away from very many things and wander in the Air in the mean time the Particles of Salt and Sulphur lie as it were benummed and asleep Not only the Bodies of Vegetables but of very many Animals are left as it were dead all the Winter till they are raised again to life by the Spirit returning with the Vernal Sun and as it were animated anew But this little Branch being made concerning the Vegetation of Plants it is now fit that we proceed on our Journey to Fermentation by the Rule of our before established Method to what is to be observed concerning the parts and humours of Living Creatures CHAP. V. Of things to be Observed of Fermentation about Animals IT is so certain that the Bodies of Animals consist of the aforesaid Principles that it wants no proof For they so plentifully swell up with Spirit Salt and Sulphur that their Particles are obvious to the sense Wherefore they are moved with a more swift motion and more excellent senses of Life and Functions of Heat in the Subjects in which they are implanted are inlarged It would be too much labour and tedious here to describe the several manners and processes of Fermentations The first beginnings of Life proceed from the Spirit Fermenting in the Heart as it were in a certain little punct The motion of this is not as in Vegetables slow and insensible and only to be known by their increasing but presently becoming rapid is conspicuous to the Eyes because the Spirit leaping from the Punct as from a Prison being stirred and having obtained the Vehicle of Blood swiftly runs forth and leaping forth it cannot wholy fly away it makes hollow spaces for it self in the thick substance in which it is included for its excursion being compelled some other way backward Lastly being returned to the Heart it Ferments the more wherefore it stretches forth further the spaces of its Excursion and so easily makes an hollow way for its return back and after this manner for the carrying about the Blood Arteries and Veins as Channels and Rivulets are framed through all the parts of the Body and on such a Vicissitude of Motion or Reciprocation depends the life of living Creatures which that Nature might preserve a long while she placed the Ferment in the Heart by whose instinct or endeavour the Blood grows impetuously Hot and as it were inkindled into a Flame by its Deflagration diffuses the effluvia of its Heat round about on every side for by the Fermentation or Accension which the Blood suffers in the Bosome of the Heart very many Particles of Spirit Salt and Sulphur endeavour to break forth from its loosened frame by which being much rarified and like Water boyling over a Fire the moved and boyling Blood is carried through the Vessels not without great Tumult and Turgescency We would speak more in this place both of the Natural Fermentation of the Blood and the Feaverish but that we reserve this Consideration for a peculiar Tract where we Treat of Feavers Besides this Ferment constituted in the Chimny of the Heart upon which the motion and heat of the Blood very much depends there are others laid up every where in the Bowels of a diverse disposition by the help of which both the Chyle which is the Rudiment or Beginning of the Blood and the Animal Spirits its Quintessence are truly framed There are others also which serve for the perfecting the Blood transmuting it into other Liquors and freeing it from Excrementitious Matter It will be too far from our proposed method to wander to insist upon each of these and to reap anothers Harvest Wherefore I will only add in this place some select instances which may illustrate the Doctrine of Fermentation It is commonly received that the Concoction of the Chyle in the Ventricle is made by the means of a certain Acid Ferment That such a thing is the Acid belching in a full Stomach and the want of it in the loss of Stomach in Feaverish and Dysenterical people do testifie c. and its restitution a sign of Health to which may be added this Observation Chalybeat Medicines being taken at the Mouth a little after excite a Sulfureous savour in the Throat as if hard rosted Eggs had been eaten which seems wholly to be made by the Acid Ferment of the Ventricle gnawing the Iron even as Spirit of Vitriol being sprinkled upon the fileings of Steel excites such a stinking and Sulphureous Odor Some say this Ferment is breathed into the Stomach from the Spleen but by what means that may be done doth not yet appear by Anatomical Observation It seems not improbable that this Ferment is implanted in the Ventricle that it is only made by some remains of the perfected Chyle which fixed in the folds of the Ventricle and there growing sowr puts on the Nature of Ferment even as a portion of Dough being fermented or levened and and kept to a sowrness becomes a convenient Ferment or Leven for the making of Bread In like manner this kind of Acid humour being prepared from the Aliments and long carried in the Ventricle promotes the Concoction and subaction or subduing of the Food For Acid things which are full of Salt carried out to a Flux excellently conduce both to the Fermenting and Dissolving of Bodies Wherefore by
the action of this Salt and Sulphur with which eatable things very much abound are broken in the Ventricle and are reduced into very small parts The Chyle being after this manner Fermented acquires a Milky colour by reason that the Sulphureous Particles are dissolved together with the Saline and mixed with the Acid Ferment For if you pour an Acetous humour to any Liquor impregnated with Sulphur and volatile Salt it presently grows white like Milk as may be discerned in the preparing the Milk of Sulphur or the Resinous extracts of Vegetables Yea the Spirits of Harts Horn or Soot being very full of Volatile Salt if they be poured to any Acid Liquor or simple Water acquire a Milky colour Concerning this Ferment hid in the folds of the Ventricle it is observed that it is after various manners and changes the Aliments by a diverse means for tho in a sound Constitution it is indifferently Acid and chiefly owes its force and energie to the Salt being brought to a Flux yet it often declines from this laudable condition and conteins in it self either too much of sowrness or less than it ought to have In the former Case where the Salt hath got too sowr a Dominion all things taken in the Saline Particles being carried forth to a Flux and the rest unduly brought under presently grow sour as most often happens in Hypochondriack Distempers on the other side where the Volatile Principles obtain the first place Fermentation being too hastily made the Sulphureous parts of the Chyle are suddenly and as it were forceably exalted and the unconcocted of the Saline pass into Choler which ordinarily happens to those abounding with bitter Choler They therefore who have the Ventricle affected after this latter manner Sweet and Fat meats being eaten they are troubled with a bitter and bilious Taste Again they who suffer the contrary disposition altho they eat the most simple Food send forth plentifully Acid and Stinking belchings and indeed this seems to come to pass even after the same manner as when a little too much Yest is put to the Batch of Dough it becomes bitter or when too great a Portion of sour Ferment or Leven is put to the same Dough the Bread from thence contracts a mighty sowrness As the Blood in the Heart and appending Vessels the Chyle in the Ventricle so the Animal Spirit is wrought in the Brain whose Original and Motions are very much in the dark Neither doth it plainly appear as to the Animal Spirit by what workman it is prepared nor by what Channels it is carried at a distance quicker than the twinkling of an Eye But it seems to me that the Brain with Scull over it and the appending Nerves represent the little Head or Glassie Alembic with a Spunge laid upon it as we use to do for the highly rectifying of the Spirit of Wine for truly the Blood when Rarified by Heat is carried from the Chimny of the Heart to the Head even as the Spirit of Wine boyling in the Cucurbit and being resolved into Vapour is elevated into the Alembick where the Spunge covering all the opening of the Hole only transmits or suffers to pass through the more penetrating and very subtil Spirits and carries them to the snout of the Alembick in the mean time the more thick Particles are stayed and hindred from passing Not unlike this manner the blood being delated into the Head its spirituous volatil and subtil Particles being restrained within by the Skull and its menynges as by an Alembick are drunk up by the spungy substance of the Brain and there being made more noble or excellent are derived into the Nerves as so many snouts hanging to it In the mean time the more crass or thick Particles of the blood being hindred from entring are carried back by Circulation But the highly agil and subtil Spirits enter the smallest and scarcely at all open pores of the Brain and Nerves and run through them with a wonderful swiftness For there is need only of such Receptacles and Channels for the Animal Spirit in which there are none or at least very small cavities or holes otherwise the blood or excrementitious humours their Followers and Companions would not be excluded Also besides if these Spirits should run about through too open and loose spaces being easily dissipated they would fly away wherefore when there is need of a Pipe for the transmitting of blood or serous water the Spirit of Wine runs rapidly through the secret passages of the Instrument or Leather Neither doth the more strict frame of the Brain and Nerves serve only for the straining of the subtil from the thick and the pure from the impure but also that spirituous and most subtil Liquor being as it were distilled from the blood gets yet a farther perfection in the Brain for there being inspired by a certain Ferment whereby it is yet more volatilised it is made more fit for the performing the offices of motion and sense Because the substance of the Brain is exceeding full of a Volatile Salt which is of great Virtue for the sharpning and subtilising the Spirits therefore the Spirits of Harts Horn or of Soot are far more penetrating than Spirits of Wine The Seminal Vessels and Genital Parts do so swell up with Fermentative Particles that there is nothing more here Spirit Salt and Sulphur being together compacted and highly exalted seem in the Seed to be reduced as it were into a most noble Elixir These kind of active Principles do not only Ferment in the Womb for the forming of the Child or Young ones but also as it were with a living Ferment they inspire through all the Body the whole Mass of blood that it may be more Volatile and more sharply Hot wherefore in women who have the Ferment of the Womb in good order their Face is furnished with a curious and flourishing colour their heat is more lively and copious moreover the Mass of Blood growing too rank there is need of emptying it every Month by the Flux of their Courses but when this Fermentation from the Womb is wanting both Virgins and Women become Pale and as it were without blood short winded and unfit for any motion Also in men from the Seminal Ferment happen abundance of heat great strength a sounding Voice and a manly eruption of Beard and Hair by reason of the defect of this men grow womanish to wit a small Voice weak Heat and want of Beard are caused Since we Treat of Ferments which are found in the Animal Body we may here opportunely inquire what is the use of the Spleen concerning which all good things are said by some that it is as it were another Liver and serves for the making of blood for the Viscera of the lower Belly It is by others reputed to be of a most vile use that it is only the Sink or Jakes into which the Feculencies of the blood are cast By reason of its structure we
Liquor of the blood to boil up and to grow hot with heat and a plentiful emission of Soot just like Spirit of Nitre when it is poured on the Butter of Antimony so that the blood flowing in gently through the Veins being forthwith Rarified into spume and vapour by the ferment of the Heart runs very impetuously through the passages of the Arteries T is almost the same thing whether it be said to be done either by this or by that way for the alteration which the blood receives in the Heart may be equally deduced from a flame or a Nitrous Sulphureous ferment there supposed to be placed Because whilst the blood slides into the Ventricles of the Heart presently the frame of the Liquor is loosned and the active Particles especially the Spirituous and Sulphureous the bond of the mixture being broke do leap forth from the rest and strive to expand themselves on every side but being kept in by the Vessels and being forced together with the remaining Liquor through the open passages of the Arteries they rush with violence and swelling up by the way they can find and by that means diffuse Effluvia of heat through the whole body there is little difference whether this expansion of the Particles of the blood and exertion into the liberty of motion be said to be done by Accension or by Fermentation forasmuch as by either way the frame of the blood may be so unlocked that from thence the Particles of Spirit Salt and especially of Sulphur being incited into motion as it were by an inkindled fire may impart heat to the whole Body But this Rarefaction or Accension of the blood in the Heart very much depends upon the disposition and constitution of the blood it self for if its Liquor be rightly cocted being made volatile and like rich Wine brought to maturity it then Ferments there after its due manner whereby the soluted Particles of the Spirits and Sulphur diffuse an equal and moderate heat to all parts But if the blood by reason of an ill manner of feeding and want of Concoction be crude and watry then it is less inkindled in the Heart and from thence follow a frigid intemperance of the whole difficult breathing and wheesing with a weak pulse and languishing as in Cachectical people those distempered with the Green Sickness and such as are about to die may be perceived but if the blood becomes too luxuriant and apt to grow turgid by reason of plenty of Sulphur being carried forth or of its Effluvia being restrained or of eating hot things either its Accension or Fermentation in the Heart is very much increased so that from thence a Feaverish heat and greater effervescencies than usual are stirred up in the whole This various Fermentation of the blood in the Heart according to the various temper of the same may be illustrated by the example of Wine fresh Must that is yet crude though it be boiled or put on the fire will not burn but this being purified and brought to maturity is easily inkindled but sends forth a small flame and quickly out The same at first growing hot or otherwise warmed if inkindled is greatly inflamed and for the most part is consumed by its burning Whilst the Blood after this manner being rarified or inkindled in the Heart and from thence growing hot through the passages of the Vessels is resolved into minute parts some little bodies depart from its loosned frame which refuse at last to be united and fitted with the rest of the Liquor but these are of a twofold Nature either thin which like smoke from the burning fire or Effluvia from a Fermenting Liquor do evaporate from the Liquor of the Blood by a constant Diaphoresis through the breathing holes of the Body or more thick which like ashes left after burning or the settling dregs after Fermentation ought to be soon strained from the mass of Blood and to be carried forth of doors for otherwise by their confusion they produce notable perturbations in the Blood Whereby the Blood growing more hot is dissolved in the Heart therefore these recrements both Fuliginous and Earthy are more plentifully heaped together and when by reason of too great congestion they cannot be presently subdued and secluded from the mass of Blood they bring forth a swelling up of the Blood and Feaverish Heats Concerning the Motion Heat and Natural Fermentation of the Blood in the equal tenor of which the means of our Health consists what hath hitherto been spoken shall suffice We will treat a little more largely of the preternatural or too great effervescency on which the types and Paroxysms of Feavers depend I call that too much or Preternatural Fermentation when the Blood like a Pot boiling over the fire grows hot above measure and being rarified with a swelling spume distends the Vessels excites a more quick pulse and like a Sulphureous Liquor having taken fire diffuses a burning heat on every side This kind of motion or Fermentation of the Blood will be best of all illustrated by an example of Wines growing hot For Wines besides the gentle and equal Fermentation by which they are at first purified at some times do so remarkably grow hot and boil up that they fly out of the mouth of the Vessel and if they are closely stopped up cause it to burst in pieces After this manner as if struck with fury unless they are immediately drawn away from the Tartar or their Lees into another Vessel they will not cease from growing hot until the Spirit being very much loosned and the Sulphur or Salt too much exalted they are either made unsavory or degenerate into a sowrness Such an Effervescency in wont to be stirred up for two causes chiefly First When any extraneous thing and not miscible is poured into the Ton so some drops of Tallow or Fat being dropped into the Cask will produce this motion or secondly when Wines being enriched with too rich a Lee or Tartar by reason of the Sulphureous parts being above measure exalted conceive heats of their own accord and exceedingly boil up For in whatsoever substance Sulphur abounds and its Particles being loosned from the mixture consociate together and are bound close in one there such immoderate heats are procured After a like tho not wholly the same manner whereby Wines grow hot the boiling up of the Blood is induced to wit either what is forein and not akin to the Blood is mixed with it that when it is not assimilated is wont to cause a Perturbation and growing hot until that Heterogeneous thing is either subdued or cast forth of doors and the Particles of the Blood being confused and troubled are at last shaken forth and that they get again their former place and position in the mixture Or Secondly the Blood grows hot above measure because some Principle or its constitutive Element viz. Spirit or Sulphur is carried forth beyond its Natural temper and becomes enraged whereby indeed the
c. arise somtimes from the Blood being in a rage and so stirring up inordinate motions in the Brain and somtimes also from the nervous Juice being depraved and therefore made improportionate to the regiment of the Animal Spirits But most often these kind of symptoms are frequent in Feavers by reason of the translation of the Feaverish matter from the bosom of the Blood into these parts For the Blood being full of the adust recrements remaining after the deflagration endeavors like the flowring of new Wine to subdue and exclude them from its Company by every manner of way which a Flux being arisen when it cannot expel by Sweat Urine or bleeding it oftentimes transfers to the substance of the Brain and there fixes them and from hence chiefly the aforsaid distempers when they are fixed and firmly rooted draw their original when as the lighter and that are easily moved often proceed from the afore-recited causes 9. Convulsive motions happen in Feavers for divers causes somtimes because of the matter being heaped together in the first passages which there haules the membranous parts with its notable pravity and then by the consent of the nervous stock the Convulsion is presently Communicated to the beginning of the Nerves in the Brain and by that means draws aside now these and now those parts by which means Worms abounding in the Viscera sharp humors being stirred and strong Medicines induce Convulsions or secondly when the Feaver is a partaker of some malignity so in the small Pox Measels or the Plague frequently Convulsions happen to wit because the Blood is altered from its benign and natural temper into a destroying and venomous by which the Nerves and their beginnings are pierced and forced into Convulsions Also oftentimes without the suspition of malignity in a putrid Feaver Convulsive motions are induced by reason of the translation of the Feaverish matter to the Brain as was but now intimated so I have often observed when the Disease is not presently cured with the Crisis the sick ly by it with a tedious sickness and are made obnoxious to tremblings and Convulsive motions Thirdly and lastly for the most part in every Feaver which terminates in Death Convulsive motions are the sad forerunners of it which I think to happen not only from the malignity of the matter with which the nervous stock is pulled and pierced but because the Spirits very much exhausted and debilitated do not sufficiently blow up and distend the Bodies of the Nerves wherefore being released from their wonted extension and tonick motion they are however by a more weak indeavor of the Spirits agitated into a disordered motion 10. A syncope or swooning is wont to be raised up several ways in Feavers but chiefly for these three causes to wit either from the mouth of the Ventricle being distempered which part as it is interwoven with a manifold texture of Nerves is very sensible and because from the same branch of the sixth pare little shoots of Nerves are equally derived to the heart and to the Ventricle of the Orifice of the Ventricle so implanted with Nerves be distempered with any great trouble it is also Communicated to the heart and either the motion is stopped in it or at least an inordinate one is excited whereby the equal Flux of the Spirits and the Blood is interrupted for a time I knew one in an acute Feaver taken with a frequent swooning which distemper wholly ceased after he had cast forth by Vomit a long and smooth Worm Secondly a syncope also is somtimes induced because the invenomed matter is circulated with the Blood which suddenly fixes and extinguishes the vital Spirits and congeals the Blood it self that it is apt to stagnate in the heart as usually happens in the Pest small Pox c. of which we shall speak particularly hereafter Thirdly a syncope is wont to happen by reason of the more rare texture of the Spirits which as they are very tender and subtil are easily unbent by any immoderate motion or pain so I have known some who being quiet in bed have found themselves well enough but being removed from one place to another presently have swooned away 11. The pain of the Heart happens in Feavers when the Ventricle and especially its Orifices by reason of the manifold insertions of Nerves being very sensible are beset with a sharp and bitterish humor or else with an acid and corrosive for hence a pain and trouble arises from the acrimony of the humor after the same manner as when the sphincter of the fundament is afflicted in Cholloric dejections with pain and molestation 12. By reason of the same cause Vomiting and nauseousness are wont to be excited to wit by the Ventricles being beset and irritated to a Convulsion from an extraneous matter and not akin to it self Such an excrementitious matter may be gathered together in the Ventricle by three ways for either the aliments partly by reason of a want of an acid ferment by which they should be rightly Cooked and partly by reason of the burning heat of the Ventricle are roasted into such a Corruption or Secondly this kind of matter is laid up in the Ventricle from the Arteries terminating in its Cavity as uses to happen in the small Pox the Plague and malignant Feavers or Thirdly meer Choler being pressed forth from the Choleduct Vessels into the empty intestine by reason of an inverse motion and as it were Convulsive of that intestine it is poured into the Ventricle want of Appetite also happens by reason of the Ventricles abounding with vitious Juices and because the acid ferment is wholly perverted by the scorching heat These kind of distempers of the Ventricle and Viscera somtimes arise from an excrementitious matter to wit alimentous degenerated in the concoction heaped together a long while before the Feaver in the first passages which not seldom becomes the occasional cause of the Feaver it self but somtimes nauseousness want of Appetite Vomiting pain of the Heart c. are the immediate products of the Feaver for when the day before the sickness those distempered have been well enough in their Stomack as soon as the immoderate heat of the Blood was induced whilst it boiled up above measure both the Effluvia and the recrements being wonted to be evaporated outwardly also the bilous humor flowing out of the Choleduct Vessels are poured into the Ventricle by which its Crasis is overthrown also the Reliques of the Chyle and other contents in the Viscera are egregiously depraved from whence the aforesaid Distempers draw their Original 14. No less frequent a symptom in Feavers is a Diarrhea or Flux of the Belly which somtime happens about the begining of the Disease and arises for the most part either from the Bile flowing forth of the Coleduct Vessels into the Duodenum or from the recrements of the Blood and Nervous Juice poured forth from the Arteries and the passage of the Pancreas into the intestines All the
Spirits it very rarely can be blotted out or dissipated by Medicines or blood letting but that its hidden disposition will break forth into act wherefore at first it diffuses it self by little and little and inspires the mass of Blood as it were with a ferment hence an ebullition and growing hot are produced in the whole Body the Vessels are distended the Viscera provoked the membranes pulled until the seeds of the contagion by fusing and coagulating the Blood being at length involved with its congealed portions are thrust forth of doors The essence of this Disease will be better laid open if that I shall recount the signs and symptoms which are to be observed in its whole course and shall add in order the reasons and causes of them on which they depend but they are those which either indicate the Disease being present or that foretel its state and event As to the Diagnosis of this Disease by which it may be known whether any one at first falling sick will have the Small-pox or not at that time are to be considered the force of the contagion and the concourse of the symptoms first appearing for if by reason of the evil constitution of the Air this Disease doth spread abroad every where none then is taken with a Feaver without the suspition of the Small-pox especially if they never had them before in their lives but if this Disease be more rare and without fear of contagion yet its unlooked for assault quickly betrays it self by these sort of signs and symptoms 1. There is a wandring and uncertain Feaver somtimes strong somtimes more remiss observing no reason of increase or growing continually hot so that the sick are now highly hot by and by without any evident cause they are without a Feaver the cause of which is for that the fermentative seeds are not agitated by an equal motion but like fire half choaked now increases more and now are almost quelled and ready to expire until the burning spreading more largly the flame every where breaks forth 2. A pain in the Head and Loins is so peculiar a sign in this Disease that it almost alone in a continual Feaver signifies the approach of the small-pox the reason of which is commonly imputed to the greater Vessels being very much distended by the effervency of the Blood but indeed it appears not wherefore the same trouble is not caused equally in other parts by reason of the like distention of the Vessels and wherefore in the small-pox more than in a burning Feaver or in other Feavers where the Blood grows more hot these kind of pains should increase yea it may be observed that great pains now in the Head now in the Loins do urge when the Blood but little swelling up the Vessels are not amplified viz in the beginning of the Disease when the Feaverish distemper is not yet conspicuous whilst the sick as yet goe abroad and are well in their stomach upon the first coming on of the small-pox they betray themselves by these kind of pains Wherefore the cause of these kind of dolorific pains seems rather to subsist in the nervous stock viz. in the Brain and spinal marrow and that by reason of the membranes and nervous parts being pulled or hauled by the particles of the Poyson these pains do arise For it is most likely that the innate seeds of the small-pox are chiefly hidden in the Spermatick parts and that first of all the Contagion lays hold on for the most part the animal Spirits hence the first effervency is stirred up in the juice wherewith the Brain and nervous parts but especially the Spinal marrow are watered and from thence the evil is Communicated to the mass of Blood wherefore this Disease beginning the Head and Loins are tormented with cruel pain afterwards the venom being translated into the Blood the Feaverish effervescency is stirred up in the whole 3. Great anxiety and unquietness and somtimes a swooning infest the sick viz. by reason of the perturbed motion of the Blood as also its equal mixture beginning to be solved by the Poysonous ferment the Blood from thence being apt to stagnate in the Heart and to be hindred in its Circuit causes these affections to be thus excited 4. Cruel Vomiting also when the Ventricle is free from an impure ballast of humors very often accompanies this Disease the reason of which is because the fermentative seeds being stirred up into motion by the little Arteries gaping into the Coates of the Ventricle are deposed by every appulse of the Blood and raise up Vomiting as if the particles of stibium had been swallowed but afterwards assoon as sweating being procured the Poyson is driven forth outwardly this Symptom ceases and the sick are well in their stomach without any purging forth of the noxious matter 5. With these may be ranked the Symptoms which shew themselves according to the various habitudes of the Body after a diverse manner as heavy sleepiness terrors in sleep deliriums tremblings and convulsions sneezing heat redness a sense of pricking over the whole Body involuntary tears a sparkling and itching of the eyes a tumor or swelling up of the face a vehemency of Symptoms from the beginning that the Disease seems presently to have attained its strength the reason of all which may easily be elucidated if what hath been already said concerning the Symptoms of Feavers be observed with respect to the diverse tempers of the sick their habit and age as also the condition of the year 2. As to the Prognosis of this Disease by the Symtomatick signs it is indicated to be either salutary or mortal or of a doubtful Event 1. The business promises well when this Disease has benign circumstances to wit when it happens in a good constitution of the Air and Year at what time the small-pox are less malignant and pestilential as in the year 1654 at Oxford about Autumn the small-pox spread abundantly yet very many escaped with them but before in the year 1649. this Disease was more rare yet most dyed of it Also there is less danger if it should happen in the age of Childhood or Infancy or in a sanguine temper and good habit of Body or in a Family to whose Ancestors the small-pox have not proved mortal Besides if in the whole course of the Disease the Symptoms prove laudable if in the first assault there be a gentle Feaver without cruel Vomiting Swooning Delirium or other horrid Distempers if the Feaver about the fourth day be allayed with the Symptoms chiefly urging and then some little red spots begin to appear if on the second day of the coming forth of those little red spot they become more conspicuous which afterwards grow together by degrees into little Pimples and are ripened into matter if about the tenth day or thereabouts after the eruption the white tumors begin to scab and by little and little from thence to fall off if after their first coming forth the small-pox
first arises within the Skull either Carotides through the cross branches sent from one side to the other before they perforate the dura Mater communicate among themselves And as in most other living Creatures the Artery however before branched forth yet being made one single Trunk goes into the Brain in a Horse either Carotick Artery being parted in two sends forth upwards two branches arising from the dura Mater in two distinct places In a Dog Fox Sheep Calf Stag and many other four-footed beasts either of the Carotides whilst hid within the Skull under the dura Mater being divided into small shoots and complicated with other Vessels to wit both Veins and nervous Fibres constitutes the Net-like infoldings which infoldings being stretched out on either side of the Turky Chair fill the cavity there existing then after manifold divarications of all the Vessels some arterious shoots being disintangled from the others and again united grow together into one Trunk which boring thorow the dura Mater pailes straight into the Brain The aforesaid Infolding is commonly called the wonderful Net and that deservedly for there is nothing in the whole fabrick of the animal Body more worthy of admiration in which besides the arterious little branches which proceed from either of the ascending Carotides the veinous shoots though fewer meet with those descending from the inward Jugular branches and both kinds of Vessels being divided into small shoots like a bundle of twisted silk are variously folded together which complications of the Vessels however are sustained by the nervous Fibres supplied from the greater Trunk of the fifth pair of Nerves The aforesaid infolding of the Vessels or wonderful Net in some Animals is far greater and contains much more divarications of the Vessels than it hath in others for in a Calf Sheep Goat which are fed with grass its frame is larger than in a Dog Cat and other flesh-eating and hotter Brutes Further it is observable where the wonderful Net is greater that the infolding of one side is ingrafted into the infolding of the other opposite side and that from both many more shoots of the Vessels do enter into the pituitary Kernel so indeed that if you shall inject Ink into the Trunk of the Artery below the Skull the Vessels on either side or the infoldings will be dyed with the same tincture and the black liquor will flow out of the Trunk of the opposite Artery Figura V. By this kind of provision the Arteries about to enter the Brain are provided yea and the passages of the Veins destinated for the returning of the blood from thence seem also to be disposed with a wonderful artifice For when the anterior bosoms transfer their load into the two Laterals which are the posterior and they themselves end in the Jugular Veins it is observed that those latter bosoms have furrows or cavities insculped whereby they may settle or rest upon the hinder part of the Head and whenas either bosom through a proper hole being about to go into the Jugular Vein slides out of the Skull nigh that hole in the outward part of the Skull a round and ample den is made hollow and covered over by the extremity on either side of the same bosom inlarged into a greater capacity to the end that the blood whilst it slides forth out of the Head with a full torrent should not rush into the Veins with too rapid and vertiginous an influx and so make a forcible entry on the Heart it self therefore it hath here a diversion large enough in which estuating or boiling up till a more free and open space may be granted to its course it may be staid without any trouble Certainly there can be nothing more artificial thought upon and that can better argue the Providence of the great Creator than this fit or convenient disposition of the blood in the brain and without it and the way of its reciprocation in divers Animals accommodated to the necessity of every one And lastly in the dissection of Beasts other miracles of the same nature happen whereby shewing the finger and Divine workmanship of the Deity a most strong and invincible Argument may be opposed to the most perverse Atheist The Fifth Figure SHews the interior Basis of an humane Skull where is shewn after what manner the Vessels of every kind cut off from the Brain and about to go out of the Skull are hid or laid up under the dura Mater A. The hollowness of the Bone of the Forehead B. The close or mound of the Cribriform or Sieve-like Bone CC. The mammillary Processes which are much thinner and endued with a less open cavity than in four-footed Beasts endued with a more excellent sense of smelling DD. The Optick Nerves being far separated go out of the Skull otherwise than in most brute Beasts E. The pituitary Glandula or Kernel with the top of the Tunnel inserted into it FF The Carotidick Arteries shewing themselves nigh its sides GG The moving Nerves of the Eyes going out of the Skull HH The pathetick Nerves hid under the dura Mater go out from the Skull at the same hole with the former II. The fifth pair of Nerves hid under the dura Mater KK The sixth pair stretched forth under the dura Mater and go out also at the same hole with the third and fourth pair LL. The seventh pair entring with a double Process the stony Bone MM. The eighth or the wandring pair seen to grow together with an accessory Nerve of many Fibres NN. as it goes out of the Skull NN. The accessory Nerve to the wandring pair OO The ninth pair PP The tenth pair tending downwards hid under the dura Mater where the Vertebral Artery ascends QQ The lateral or Side-bosom The Sixth Figure Shews the Basis of a Calfs Skull where is shewn after what manner the Vessels cut off from the Brain and about to go out from the Skull are drowned under the dura Mater AA The hollownesses of the spongie Bone BB. The mammillary Processes which the smelling Nerves being cut off appear hollow C. The Optick Nerves united being presently separated again they go out of the Skull D. The pituitary Kernel EE The Carotidick Arteries emerging nigh its sides FF The motory Nerves of the Eyes going out of the Skull GG The pathetick Nerves of the Eyes hid under the dura Mater going out of the Skull at the same hole with the former HH The fifth pair of Nerves demersed under the dura Mater II. The sixth pair drowned under the dura Mater and going out at the same hole with the fourth and fifth KK kk The seventh pair entring the stony Bone with a double Process LL. The eighth pair or the wandring pair with many Fibres and an accessory Nerve seen to grow together going out of the Skull MM. The ninth pair NN. The tenth pair tending downwards hid under the dura Mater CHAP. V. The Brains of Fowls and Fishes described
Cat Horse Fox and many other Animals from whose manner of living and use it is required that they be moved with a swift motion that bony fence commonly called the Triangular Bone is sent down deeply between the Brain and the Cerebel yea and all the bosoms pass through that bone in the holes curiously made hollow in it The Vessels belonging to the dura Mater are either Arteries that carry the blood thither or they are Veins which receiving from thence the superfluous blood and from the whole Head besides return it towards the Heart As to the first sort of Vessels on either side two Arteries arising from the Carotidick Artery on the same side before it comes to the Basis of the Brain are carried into the dura Mater which notwithstanding only possessing the exterior superficies or convex part carry blood and juyce to this Membrane also in some measure to the Skull and its coverings As to the Vessels carrying the blood back this Meninx contains four into which as into a great Sea all the Rivulets of the Arteries serving the whole Head do exonerate themselves to wit there are observed in this Membrane four noted Cavities commonly called Bosoms which are disposed after that manner that like Promptuaries or Store-houses framed in several places they receive the blood returning from every region and corner of the brain For the third bosom or the longitudinal looks towards the anterior brain the fourth towards its middle but the first and second admit the blood flowing back from the Cerebel and hinder part of the brain Further out of these the third and fourth disburden themselves into the first and second and these at length transfer their burden into the Jugular Veins On every side from these bosoms the lesser Vessels viz. the chanels of the Veins are sent forth which going out nigh the interior or concave superficies of the dura Mater are presently inserted into the Pia Mater and following its protension being distributed through the whole compass and all the interior recesses of the brain and its Appendix within the Skull and being complicated with the Arteries receive the superfluous blood and carry it into those greater cavities That it is so it plainly appears because if you squirt a liquor dyed with Ink into the Pipe of the Artery that passing through the arterious shoots and then the veinous goes through at last into the bosoms Whilst the blood returning from the whole interior Head is collected within those bosoms as with a full belly it seems also in another respect to be of a very notable use to wit for the supplying of heat requisite for the distilling forth of the animal Spirits as if it were a certain Chymical operation For as much as the blood to be distilled is contained in the Vessels interwoven into the Pia Mater the superiour Rivers diffused on every side through the dura Mater the heat being brought to it like a Balneum Mariae flow about the underlying blood and so force out of it a most subtil Liquor into the substance of the Brain or rather the blood raising up heat within the bosoms is like the fire of suppression which in the distillation by descent is inkindled round about the Vessel containing the matter to be distilled For indeed the interior substance of the Brain for that it is endued with plenty of Salt and very little Sulphur is of a more frigid temper wherefore that from the blood watering its superficies the spirituous part may be stilled forth and forced into its middle or marrow the degree of the ambient heat ought to be made the more strong such indeed as the blood collected in the ample Estuaries of the bosoms may easily afford Further as those bosoms being distended with heated blood are like a certain distillatory Bath so the other Membrane of the dura Mater being stretched out about the whole Head is like an impervious Alembick which with its covering keeps within the spirituous breaths that they may not be immoderately evaporated Concerning this Membrane there may yet be considered with what motion or sense it is endued And as to sense 't is not to be doubted but that it hath it exquisitely For since all the Membranes have feeling and owe that faculty to the afflux of the animal Spirits from the Brain surely this Meninx for that it is nearer and very much of kin to the Brain and its Appendix so that it clothes very many Nerves going out of the Skull it obtains a very accurate virtue of feeling which thing also may be argued from the effect because the pains of the Head often proceed from the breach of unity excited in this Membrane But that it hath motion it can hardly be thought because it is tyed in very many places to the Skull and yet it is probable that the same may sometimes in some parts at least be contracted and wringled or drawn together And certainly there is no doubt that it is contracted and remitted in sneesing In like manner when from an hurt of this a Vomiting or Convulsive motions follow in the Viscera or Members this Membrane is the cause which being somewhere contracted or divided infolds with it self the substance contained within with the same Convulsion or Spasm Concerning the motion of this Membrane a curious mind may yet further consider its texture and especially how it is within the cavities of the bosoms and the Interstitium or separation of the Brain and Cerebel For in these places are found many Fibres or as it were greater or nervous cords or strings such as we have observed to be variously stretched out in the Ventricles of the Heart Within the bosoms from the various processes of the Membrane a cavity full of turnings and windings and manifoldly divided as it were with many little Cells is constituted This seems to be thus made to this end to wit that the blood returning back from divers little rivers into the cavities of the bosoms may be retarded by several obstacles as it were little flood-gates lest perhaps rushing too impetuously and by heaps it might flow within this Sea with a vertiginous and inordinate motion But there is observed besides these intrications and little cells of this Meninx in the heads of four-footed beasts that moreover in the whole cavity of the bosoms very many cords as it were Ligaments are every where produced from one side to the other The office of these is partly that they may contain the sides of the cavity within their due ends of aperture and dilation lest they should be distended above measure by the vehement rushing in of the blood and so may press upon the substance of the brain Yea the contexture of these whitish Fibres which are met with both within the cavities of the bosoms and in this Meninx going about the Cerebel and distinguishing between it and the Brain seems to intimate that they serve also to some motion For it may be
holes or passages open to the Tunnel the Choroeidal Infolding is continually joyned yea this infolding seeming to hang from the Pineal Kernel sustaining its middle Process as it were by a nail or hasp from thence is divided into two wings stretching out on either side upon the shanks of the oblong Marrow Wherefore we may justly suspect that this Glandula is chiefly made for the sake of this infolding and that the office of it is no other than of other Kernels which are placed nigh the concourse of the sanguiferous Vessels to wit that it may receive and retain within it the serous humors deposited from the arterious blood till the Veins being emptied may sup them back or the Lymphaeducts if there be any there may convey them outwardly For it is observed that the Choroeidal infolding is beset with very many lesser Glandula's or Kernels and every where interwoven with them which imbibe the Serum secreted from the blood in the smaller Vessels therefore for this very same office where all the Vessels concur this Kernel is placed of a bigger bulk that it might be able to receive and contain the serosities there plentifully deposited Moreover it is of no small moment that this Glandula sustains and keeps duly stretched out the Chroeidal infolding otherwise hanging loose and apt to fall down into it self or at least to slide out of its proper place Wherefore I have often taken notice in the Dropsie of the Brain that this Glandula being loosned at the roots by too much moisture and often broken off and removed from its place the Choroeidal infolding hath slid together from its proper expansion and slip'd down lower and also suffered its Vessels to be folded together disorderly From these things thus premised concerning the pineal Glandula it will not be difficult to assign also the use of the Choroeidal infolding Concerning which there will be little need to refel that Opinion of the common sort which asserts That the animal Spirits to be bestowed upon the whole Brain are begot in this infolding because the Vessels of this instil nothing to the substance of the Brain or its Appendix for that they are no where inserted to it but it was before shewn that the Ventricles of the Brain or the Cavity in which these same Vessels are hung do not at all contain the Spirits which further appears more plain because in Cephalick diseases those Ventricles are filled with water and the continuity of the infolding is dissolved by too much moisture when in the mean time the sick are indifferently strong in the exercise of the animal Faculties But indeed we suppose that this infolding serves for a twofold office viz. First that the more watry part of the blood destinated for the Brain might be sent away into its Vessels to the end that the remaining portion of the bloody Latex might become more pure and free from dregs to be distilled forth into Spirits even as is wont to be done in a Chymical Distillation to wit when there is a peculiar Receiver fitted for the receiving of the Phlegm by it self more sincere pure and subtil Spirits are instilled into the other more noted Receiver The more watry blood entring the arterious Vessels of this Infolding being carried from them into the Veins is remanded back towards the Heart In the mean time lest the Serum too much redounding and boiling up in these Vessels might hinder circulation its superfluities are received for some time both by the lesser Glandula's thickly inserted and also by the pineal Kernel The other and no less noted use of this Infolding is to conserve the heat of the blood boiling within the complications of the Vessels and as it were circulating about being excited as from a fire-place within the infolding of the Brain For though the Pia Mater need not implant thick shoots of Vessels in the callous Body and inward Marrows of the Brain for that they are rather dedicated to the Exercise than to the Generation of the animal Spirits yet that the heat requisite for the circulation of the Spirits might be kept constantly in that place this infolding is hung upon the whole neighbourhood For as the blood aggested or heaped together within the Cavities of the Bosoms is instead of an hot Bath whereby the animal Spirits are distilled plentifully into the outmost and cortical part of the brain so the blood contained within the small Vessels of this infolding seems to be in the place of a lesser and more temperate Bath whereby the same Spirits might be fitly circulated in the more inward and medullar substance Lastly Another reason may also be given why the Choroeidal infolding is found always within the Ventricles or Cavity of the Brain made by its infolding and after what manner soever figured to wit that another sort of commodity might result from thence that when the Vessels of that Infolding carrying too watry blood lay aside more Serum than the Glandula's are able to receive or contain what is superfluous might slide down opportunely into the underlying Cavity as into a Sink Wherefore the Pineal Glandula though set in a more eminent place is however placed always near the hole or passage that lyes open towards the Tunnel in every brain Next to the Pineal Kernel are found in the upper superficies of the oblong Marrow certain noted Prominences which are commonly called Nates and Testes These being placed near together do constitute as it were four Mole-hills which yet are joyned one to another by certain processes Beneath these Mole-hills or rather between the joyning of them and the trunk of the oblong Marrow placed underneath a narrow and long Cavity or Den is left which by some Anatomists is called the fourth Ventricle but according to others later who place the fourth Ventricle under the Cerebel this Cavity is affirmed to be a passage to it The hinder extremity of this Den ends nigh the beginning of the fourth Ventricle the more fore-extremity of it opens before the former Mole-hills or little bulkings out called Nates From the midst of this Cavity or narrow Den a passage goes straight to the Tunnel It is very much controverted among Anatomists concerning the site of these parts and of their dependency on one another and of other parts and of their use Concerning which this is first to be noted as we hinted above that these four Protuberances are far greater in some brute Animals than in a Man as in a Sheep Calf Goat and the like also in a sound dry and old Head they are more conspicuous and their processes joynings and habitudes may be more easily noted than in a younger moist or otherwise sickly brain Indeed the use of these unless my conjecture deceives me seems far more noble than that they should deserve those vile names of Nates and Testes Buttocks and Testicles Notwithstanding to what office these parts were designed neither have the ancient Anatomists delivered nor will it by the help of Reason
it much higher here the other nerve from the intercostal infolding is plainly wanting About the Region of the first or second Rib another noted infolding appears in the Trunk of the wandring pair from which many shoots and fibres are sent towards the Heart and its Appendix Fig. 9. k. Further in brute Animals about this place the intercostal nerve leaves the Trunk of the wandring pair Without doubt some animal Spirits go apart in this infolding which are destinated to the anterior region of the Heart also to the Pericardium and some of its Vessels whilst other Spirits pass through which a little lower are derived into the hinder region of the Heart and which being yet carried further go to the Lungs and lastly to the Ventricle We may observe that from the aforesaid infolding of the wandring pair numerous shoots and fibres are sent forth which are distributed into the little ears of the Heart and all the sanguiferous Vessels belonging to the Heart Fig. 9. l. m. which fibres and nervous shoots creeping along like Ivy thickly cover over the Coats of the Vessels and enter them in very many places and variously bind them about Truly this copious distribution of the nerves doth effect the pulsifick force in the little ears of the Heart and in the Arteries or at least seems to excite it and so to erect and strengthen those parts by a continual influx of the animal Spirits through these nerves that they may be able to sustain an undiscontinued reciprocation of Systole and Diastole Moreover that the thick fibres and shoots of the nerves are inserted both into the Veins and Arteries and bind both those kind of Vessels and variously compass them about we may lawfully suppose that these nerves as it were Reins put upon these blood-carrying Vessels do sometimes dilate and sometimes bind them hard together for the determining the motion of the Blood according to the various force of the Passions or to deduce it here and there after a manifold manner for by this means it comes to pass that in fear the excursion of the blood is hindred and in other Affections its motion is respectively altered But that many shoots and branches are inserted into the Pericardium it seems to be for this use to wit that that little Chest which is made like a Fort for the defending the Heart from injuries as often as any troublesom matter assaults or besieges it might be able to draw it self together and to shake off the enemy For it seems that the inordinate tremblings and shakings of the Heart which are manifestly different from its natural Pulse proceed from the violent shaking of this Membrane As to the Cardiack branches sent from this infolding we observe that they because destinated to a publick office do therefore communicate and enter into the pairs of either side before they are inserted into the Heart for which end the infolding is made before the Basis of the Heart where the aforesaid shoots from the wandring pair and many others going out from either intercostal nerve meet together From that infolding placed between the Aorta and the pneumonick Artery very many branches being sent forth above cover over the Hemiphere of the Heart but yet from these certain branches carried under the Aorta are brought into the left side of the said Hemisphere and as other pairs tend towards the right side one of the first of them making a little handle binds about the pneumonick Artery then meeting with other Cardiack shoots makes the lesser infolding out of which branches are sent forth into the right and anterior side of the Heart That from the greater Cardiack infolding nerves departing one from another do institute contrary journies towards the Heart it is indeed that they might come to divers regions of the Heart without meeting one another and might affect its Vessels respectively in their passage to wit the branches carried this way insert their shoots into the Aorta and from the others going that way one compasses about the pneumonick Artery The reason of both seems to be that the blood might be either sooner or slower drawn from the bosoms of the Heart for its various need or necessity For whilst the aforesaid nerves do both sustain its motion by their influx and also moderate and temper it by their instinct it so comes to pass from thence that those Vessels also being affected by the same nerves do further compose themselves to the requisite Analogies and proportions of the Pulses Indeed there are many Nerves and those conspicuous enough which are inserted into the Heart and cover its outward substance with shoots sent forth from all sides yet it is not to be thought that these nerves alone perform and sustain the undiscontinued motion of the Heart because so small little ropes seem too unequal for the perpetual agitation of such a Machine Yea it may be observed that more shoots and fibres of nerves are distributed into the little ears of the Heart and the depending Vessels than into its frame or substance Further it is obvious to any that will behold it that there is a greater plenty of nerves destinated to the Lungs Liver Spleen Ventricle or Reins than to the Heart it self so that some Anatomists as Fallopius says were doubtful whether there were any nerves that belonged to the Heart or not But this being clear enough that we may describe the motive power of this Clock or Machine stirred up by the help of some small nerves as it were an explosive motion we say that the substance of the Heart it self consists of a very fibrous flesh and may rather be called a Muscle than Parenchyma or congealed substance wherefore in this as in other Muscles the implanted and proper fibres cause the local motion and constant shaking but by the inserted nerves is only conveyed the instinct of the motion or action for the performing of which office both fewer Nerves and fewer animal Spirits flowing in through their passages do suffice But indeed we suppose that the animal Spirits implanted in the Heart and abiding within its Fibres did at first flow thither through the nerves and that by this way their expences or loss are made up or supplied yet that the animal Spirits which seem to be dispensed to the Heart by so sparing an hand may suffice for the actuating this perpetual motion they receive continually subsidiary Forces from the arterious blood For elsewhere we have shewed that in the Heart as in the whole musculous stock besides a sulphureous Copula from the suggested blood is joyned to the spirituous saline Particles of the implanted Spirits which matter whilst the Spirits are agitated being at length struck off and as it were exploded just like the rarified and inkindled Particles of Gun-powder for the effecting the motive endeavour do blow up or intumifie the Muscle or the Heart it self and so from the indiscontinued action of the Heart much of this sulphureous Copula which is easily
supplied from the blood and less of the Spirits which are brought by the passage of the nerves is bestowed And here it may be rightly inquired into whether the Pulse of the Heart so necessarily depends on the influence of the animal Spirits through the Nerves that it being hindred the action of the Heart should wholly cease For the decision of this we once made a tryal of the following Experiment upon a living Dog The skin about the Throat being cut long-ways and the Trunk of both the wandring pair being separated apart we made a very strict Ligature which being done the Dog was presently silent and seemed stunned and suffered about the Hypochondria convulsive motions with a great trembling of the Heart But this affection quickly ceasing afterwards he lay without any strength or lively aspect as if dying slow and impotent to any motion and vomiting up any food that was given him nevertheless his life as yet continued neither was it presently extinguished after those nerves were wholly cut asunder but this Animal lived for many days and so long till through long fasting his strength and spirits being worn out he died The carcass being opened the blood wiâ—hin the Ventricles of the Heart and the Vessels on every side reaching from thence to wit both the Veins and Arteries being greatly coagulated was gathered into clotters to wit for this cause because the blood though for the sustaining of life it was in some measure circulated yet for the most part it stagnated both in the Heart and in the Vessels The cause of which stagnation I can assign to no other thing than that the Praecordia the influence of the animal Spirits being hindred wanted its usual motions If it should be further demanded from whence the animal Spirits the passage of both the wandring pair being shut up should be supplied to the Heart continuing still its motion I say that this may be done by the returning Nerves as from the knots of which many Cardiack shoots and fibres proceed and besides the end of either nerve meeting with the nerve sent from the upper infolding is united But we shewed already that the animal Spirits may be carried either this way or that way within the passages of the nerves wherefore when the necessity of life urges the provision of the Spirits though lesser being sent from the aforesaid infolding is received by the tail of the returning nerve and from thence by a retrograde passage it was derived into the Cardiack branches and at length into the Heart it self Further there lyes open also another passage and that perhaps more obvious through the passage of the intercostal nerve by this way in a man as well as by the passage of the wandring pair the Spirits are conveyed from the Brain to the Praecordia yea also in Brutes a branch is carried into the Trunk of the wandring pair from the intercostal infolding so that by this by-path some little rills of the animal Spirits if by chance their influence should be hindred through their wonted chanels might be carried to the Heart However that Experiment seems to conclude that the motion of the Heart depends no less upon the inflowing of the blood than upon that of the animal Spirit the total privation of either takes away life an Eclipse of the Spirits wholly takes away from the Heart its motive power and by the defect of the blood forasmuch as the sulphureous Copula is denied to the Spirit implanted in the Heart the vigour and elastick force of the Heart is supprest so that the Pulse being by degrees weakened life is by little and little extinguished Without doubt in the finding out the tenour of the Pulse we ought always to mind what the alteration of the animal Spirits and what the fault of the blood may bring to it There is yet another consideration concerning the Nerves reaching from the Trunk of the wandring pair to the Heart to wit that by their passage not only the solemn influence and state of the Spirits for the equally performing of the vital Function is conveyed but also the instinct of every irregular motion stirred up in the Praecordia by the force of the Passions is in some measure transferred this way I say as to these we ought to discourse and to shew by what means as often as the impression of any Affection exercises the Imagination or rather the Appetite presently the Praecordia are disturbed by the passage of the Nerves and by reason of their various Affections the motion of the blood is diversly altered But because in a man the irregular and extraordinary motions of the Praecordia depend on the intercostal Nerve as much as and perhaps more than on the wandring pair therefore we think good to defer this Speculation till the Theory of that Nerve is proposed In the mean time we will proceed to the other branches of the wandring pair and what next follows we will inquire into the offices and uses of the returning Nerves The returning Nerve in the left side going away from the wandring pair below the aforesaid infolding and sent towards the Aorta is reflected or turned back about its descending Trunk from whence being carried upwards it imparts shoots to the Muscles of the Trachea and the Larynx sent forth by a long tract from either side of the Nerve then its top or height is united with a shoot meeting it out of the Ganglioform infolding Fig. 9. n. **** h. But the returning Nerve on the right side is reflected much higher about the axillar Artery to wit proceeding from the lower infolding of the wandring pair and after the same manner is bestowed on the other side of the Trachea Fig. 9. L. But either returning back about the knots of reflection sends forth towards the Heart very many shoots and fibres which are inserted into its little ears the appending Vessels or its Infoldings What the chief use of this Nerve is we have already shewn to wit being rolled about on both sides the Artery as it were a Windlace it causes the little rings of the Trachea or Weasand to be drawn hither and thither like the folds of a pair of Bellows both for breathing and making a sound But indeed either Nerve forasmuch as it being reflected about the Artery is carried upward into the part to be moved doth move downwards the little rings of the Trachea or Wind-pipe by certain shoots of it also forasmuch as either is terminated in the Nerve sent from the Ganglioform infolding it carries upwards the folds of the Trachea by other shoots of it Hence a reason may be given why the returning Nerves being cut off every Animal is presently dumb to wit because unless the Trachea be moved the breath being blown out passing without any refraction through its cavity as it were through a Pipe alike hollow in its whole passage gives no sound Concerning these Nerves we ought to inquire what is the reason of the difference that the
with a Coat gotten from the second Membrane they become as it were one Trunk which Trunk going out at the space between the knot of the Vertebrae is again divided into many nerves destinated to several parts After this manner in the whole tract of the spinal Marrow the Vertebral nerves have their birth but in those places where the Brachial and the Crural nerves go out both the thickness and the breadth of the spinal Marrow are increased and also the handfuls or bands of the Fibres are larger All these are well represented in Fig. 12. The Brachial Nerves are not only far greater than the Vertebrals so that they appear as it were large and broad nervous chords but that they may conspire together and serve for the strong motions of the Arms or the fore Legs of Beasts it is observed That very many of them are knit together by the cross nervous Processes These Processes in four-footed Beasts the fore Legs of whom are destinated for unweariable pains and difficult lobour are produced cross-ways after a curious manner as may be discerned Fig. 10. l. l. The use of these seems to sustain not only the consent of action in many nerves together but also their mutual strength that some bands of Spirits might awaken or stir up others and for the exercising strongly the locomotive force they might mutually support and relieve one another And not much unlike this the business is about the Crural Nerves where nervous cords signally large being produced from the Junctures of the Vertebrae whilst they descend towards the Thigh they which are above receive in their whole tract the nervous Processes which are sent out still from those below Fig. 11. p. p. p. We may yet take notice farther concerning the spinal Marrow that as it sends out Nerves by bands and as it were by troops in an orderly series and military order so it s sanguiferous Vessels are disposed with no less signal artifice For those which are carried in the superficies of the spinal Marrow and the Arteries Veins and other Sanguiducts which are nigh its compass do contain some things more rare and highly worth the noting In the first place we may observe That the blood-carrying Vessels do cloath the whole substance or frame of the spinal Marrow as well as the oblong Marrow with a thick series of shoots which may be made more manifest to any one if first of all Ink were injected into the Vertebral Artery for from such an injection often repeated it will easily appear that the infoldings of the Vessels do cover as it were in the shape of a Net the upper tract of the Marrow But by what means these Vessels proceed on both sides from the Trunk of the Vertebral Artery and also the blood-carrying Veins which are destinated to the whole spinal Marrow and the inferior portion of its arterious passages doth not so plainly appear because the bony Cloisters of the Vertebrae are not broken through without much labour especially in grown up living Creatures and in that work the beginnings and branchings out of very many Vessels are wont to be blotted out But that we might more accurately search into these hid things we made the Dissections of several Embryons in which we were able to dissect the Vertebrae as yet soft and to take out of them the Marrow whole and to look more narrowly into all the recesses of the Bones further that all the tracts and branchings out of them might be the better perceived in all the Vessels we did cast in divers coloured Liquors And we had our desired wish for presently we found with much admiration that those kind of Vessels viz. Arteries Bosoms and Veins which respect the Head belong also to the spinal Marrow with no less a noted disposition of provision When we did dissect the Heads apart from the Spine we did think according to the Opinion of the Vulgar that the Vertebral Arteries did belong only to the Head and when there did appear in the cut off Trunk of the oblong Marrow three arterious branches as they are described above in the first and second Table therefore in the Explication of either Figure we have affirmed the Vertebral Artery to be carried with a triple branch into the hinder part of the Head But the Vertebral Artery pays to the superior part of the Spine as great Tributes of Blood as to the Head it self and that middle arterious branch which is marked in the first Figure with the Letter T in the second with S doth not ascend into the Head but descends from that concourse of Vertebral Arteries towards the Spine and conveys downward from the common flowing together of the blood there made by many Arteries the Latex for the watring the top of the spinal Marrow Wherefore in this place it seems convenient that we do not only correct that errour of ours but that we deliver an exact Description of all the Vessels which are destinated to the Spine viz. which contain many wonderful things As therefore these Vessels are of a threefold kind viz. Arteries Bosoms and Veins we will expose each of them particularly and first concerning the Arteries we say The Arteries which carry the Blood towards the Spine are disposed after one manner above the Heart and after another below it As to the first whereas the Trunk of the Aorta being there cleft presently into many branches departs from the Region of the Spine therefore the Vertebral Artery is produced on both sides from its axillary branches which ascending straight into the hinder part of the Head sends forth a branch into the meeting together of every Vertebra But below the Heart forasmuch as the Aorta in its whole descent lyeth on the Spine two Arteries are received into the Spine from its bottom nigh its Internodia or spaces between the knots of the Vertebra so that if the Trunk of the Aorta be cut open long-ways there will appear a series of double holes through its whole tract after a most curious manner as in the head of a Lamprey The arterious Branches which are carried both above and below the Heart towards the Spine becoming presently forked bestow one shoot on the neighbouring Muscles and another they insert into the Junctures of the Vertebrae which being carried within the bony Den is cleft presently into three branches two of which are bestowed on the medullar Trunk and the other on the Membrane compassing about the bony Den before Tab. 13. Fig. 3. a. b. c. d. e. As to the shoots destinated to the medullar Trunk they presently tending two ways and meeting with either maniple or band of nervous Fibres ascend towards their beginnings and so one little Artery having got to the superficies of the hinder Marrow distributes into it hairy Vessels but the other arterious shoot which is the greater and chiefest as soon as it attains the margin of the former Marrow is carried from thence by an oblique passage into the middle
to regurgitate into the Marrow it might be drawn out by those frequent Emissaries here or there into the middle or opposite side after a like manner it is with the bosoms about the Spine as when a Country-man digs in his ground frequent cross Furrows for the draining away any superfluous moisture There remains another use of the Vertebral Bosoms of which we made mention before to wit that the blood nigh the medullar Body being brought through their variously intorted Meanders like the arterious infoldings might yield heat requisite for the swift passage of the animal Spirits as it were a Balneum Mariae That the bending tracts and complications of the Bosoms may be the better seen a certain tincture may be cast into the Vertebral Veins and presently that invading the passages of the bosoms and marking them will exhibit the appearance of a long Ladder with many little labels hanging to it Yea at length by those little roundles we are led to the third kind of Spinal Vessels which are the Veins into which all the bosoms immediately convey their burden whereby they being continually emptied may be still able to receive fresh blood wherefore the venous branch is stretched out by the several joyntings of the Vertebrae into the bosom which presently carries away the blood laid up in it and to be reduced towards the Heart The Veins designed to this office after the example of the Arteries are disposed after one manner above the Heart and after another below it As to the first a branch going from the Trunk of the Vena Cava below the Chanel-bone or the first little Rib of the Breast accompanies the Vertebral Artery and ascending by the holes of the Processes between the several Vertebrae inserts a little branch to the Bosom Tab. 13. Fig. 2. h. h. h. Then the top of this Vein being carried towards the hinder part of the Head is continued into the Trunk of the Bosom and opened by the other passage into the Jugular Vein But further as if these communications were not yet sufficient for the draining away the blood transverse branches also are stretched out between both Veins Tab. 13. Fig. 2. i. i. i. So manifold diverting places appear by which it is enough and more than enough provided lest the blood might flow back towards the medullar Trunk upon any occasion Below the Heart because the Trunk of the Vena Cava cannot as the Aorta immediately lean upon the Spine and carry shoots straight to the same therefore it sends forth a Vein without a Companion out of whose Trunk forked or twofold branches being sent forth go forwards both to the Muscles of both sides and to the Spine it self Below the Kidneys seeing there is a space granted for the Vena Cava to be carried nigh the Spine the Azygos Vein ends and from the Trunk of the greater Vein as from that of the Artery the Vessels belonging to the Loyns immediately proceed These things being lately observed concerning the blood-carrying Vessels belonging to the Spine and the hinder part of the Head and here inserted in the place of an Appendix ought to be referred to the other Doctrine of this kind delivered above in the eighth Chapter In the mean time that we may return to our purpose to wit what remains of Neurologie there is not much more to be met with worthy note concerning the Nerves For they as to the greater and chief Ramifications are almost constantly both in Man and brute Beasts after the manner we have described them Sometimes it happens although very rarely concerning the divarications of the smallest Shoots and Fibres that there is some variety but as to the primary Vessels and those drawn from them the Configuration of every pair of Nerves is still the same or alike in all It now remains that the Theory of the Nerves hitherto drawn in words and so only objected to the Understanding may also be shewn to the Sense which will make it clearer Wherefore we have taken care that the ingraven Delineations of the wandring and intercostal pair of Nerves and also of others which are of chief note and of the Spinal Marrow it self be plainly exhibited The Figures of these although taken from a dead Example yet after many Dissections and a frequent comparing them together according to their several parts they are described as if from the life the Lineaments of which with Characteristical Notes that they may be the better and more distinctly perceived and a large draught of every Figure equal almost to the Scheme of Nerves in their animated Body we have caused to be cut further because the Contents of either side and of the Cavity between cannot be at once described in their proper situation therefore here it is supposed That the Spine with the oblong Marrow or the whole medullar Stock cut in the midst is rolled out and both sides of it with the pairs of the Nerves arising in the whole Tract is turned outward Tabula The Ninth Table Shews the beginnings of the fifth and sixth pair of Nerves and the Roots of the Intercostal Nerve proceeding from them moreover the Origines and Branchings out of the same Intercostal Nerve and the wandring Pair and of the accessory Nerve produced out of the Spine to the wandring Pair carried to the Region of the Ventricle Besides here are represented the beginnings and distributions of the seventh ninth tenth Pair of Nerves and of the Nerve of the Diaphragma also the beginnings of the Vertebral Nerves in their whole Tract from the Region of the Nerves inserted in the Praecordia and Viscera are described and their Communications with the former All this whole following Table shews how it is found in Man different from other living Creatures A. The Nerve of the fifth Pair with its two Branches A. A. the upper of which tending straight forwards distributes shoots into the muscles of the Eyes and Face into the Nose Palate and the upper part of the whole Mouth moreover it reflects two shoots a. a. which are the two roots of the intercostal Nerve the other lower Branch of the fifth Pair tending downwards is dispersed into the lower Jaw and all its parts a. a. Two shoots sent down from the upper Branch of the fifth Pair which meeting together with the other shoot b. reflected from the Nerve of the sixth pair constitute the trunk of the Intercostal trunk D. B. The Nerve of the sixth pair tending straight forwards into the muscles of the Eyes out of whose trunks a shoot b. which is the third root of the intercostal Nerve is reflected b. The third root of the intercostal Nerve C. The Original of the hearing Nerves or of the seventh pair with its double Process viz. soft and hard c. The softer Branch of it which is wholly distributed into the inward part of the Ear viz. into the muscle lifting up the hammer and into the shell c. The harder Branch of it which arising whole without
Urine not without a pleasant Spectacle If you pour upon warm blood the spirit of Wine Harts Horn Soot Vitriol or other Liquors chiefly Spirituous or Saline a wonderful Ebullition and heat is stirred up whence we may conjecture after what manner it grows turgid in Feavers But before the rest the Salt of Tartar and a Solution of Alum procure both in Blood and in Urin a great perturbation of the Liquor and falling down of the parts for these disturb all the Contents in the pores and passages of the Liquor and by their astriction very much lock them up for a long time Precipitation in Artificial things is of greater note and use for this for the most part follows Dissolutions and succeeds them as it were by a certain right of Order because this takes out of their Jaws and as it were lays by the prey which all Menstrua take by dissolving According to the diversity of the Menstruum and of the Body dissolved Precipitation also variously happens but in some Subjects there are two chief remarkable things concerning the manner of Precipitation to wit the soluted Particles immersed in the pores and passages of the Menstruum are wont to fall out of them either by reason of the narrowness of the conteining space or else by reason of the Contents being increased in weight and bigness for in some the pores of the Solvent being either leisurely bound up or beset with a strange Body shut forth from their Cells the little Bodies of the thing soluted and send them to the bottom as may be observed in Sulphureous Solutions or such as are made of the whole mixture of integral parts in a thin Liquor which are disturbed and lay away their Contents by external cold simple water or at least by any Acid infusion After this manner resinous Tinctures also of Sulphur Olibanum Benzoin and the infusions and decoctions of Vegetables also Urin Milk and Blood are wont to be Precipitated but in several others besides that the pores and passages of the Menstruum are either leisurely drawn together or possessed by a new guest also somthing new grows to the Particles of the thing soluted from the Precipitating matter whereby being increased in weight and bulk they can be no longer sustained but that they are necessitated to sink to the bottom This is chiefly seen in the Saline Solutions of Minerals which are only Precipitated by the Salts whose Particles presently cleave to the little Bodies of the thing soluted and increase their substance that presently they descend to the bottom by their own weight For in Saline solutions the little Bodies of the thing soluted are strictly bound together by the fluid Menstruum with the Saline Particles and the Particles run hastily and are heaped together into the Embraces of the same fluid Salt from the Precipitating infusion of the fixed Salt wherefore when these three to wit the little Bodies of either Salt and of the soluted matter do cohere together they constitute greater grains than can be contained in the narrow spaces of the Menstruum and therefore being thrust out they fall down towards the bottom That this does truly happen after this manner the great affinity both of the fluid and fixed Salt is a sign that the Particles of both being placed near or mixed together are presently combined in one also because many solutions of Minerals are presently Precipitated by a fixed Salt but not by Vitriol or Alum being put in which do much more bind and stop up the pores of the Liquor Thirdly it appears clearly even to sense because that the matter put for a Precipitate far exceeds the thing soluted in bulk and weight and is impregnated by the fixed Salt adhering to it But these being thus disposed we will descend to the particular cases of Percipitations forasmuch as Precipitation is made manifold to wit according to the diversity of the Menstruum of the soluted matter and the Precipitating infusion Simple water though it do not well sustain the Particles of the mixture which it receives into it self by infusion or Cohesion yet hardly sends them away by Precipitation For the pores of this Menstruum are too open and loose wherefore the Precipitating matter doth not easily strike the little Bodies of the thing soluted in the mean time by reason of the more loose frame of the Menstruum some parts of the soluted Body sink down others of their own accord evaporate from whence that Liquor doth not long keep the Virtues or Tincture with which they are impregnated by another As some more thick parts and Terrestrial may be thrust down to the bottom or otherways separated we put in the Juice of Limons or some acid thing or boil in it the whites of Eggs to wit that whatsoever is thick might cleave to their viscous substance Spirituous and Sulphureous Menstrua being impregnated with the Sulphureous Particles of the thing soluted easily lay by their burthen for they are Precipitated by common or any Distilled water as is seen in Sulphureous and Resinous Tinctures of Sulphur Scammony Benzoin Frankincense and others of that kind prepared by the Spirit of Wine or Oyl of Turpentine which presently grow Milky by Water or Phlegm being infused For in these sort of solutions the pores are wholly possessed that they admit nothing besides the thing soluted and besides both the Liquor and soluted Matter are so thin that they easily give place to any thing else being infused When Menstruas of this kind are filled with Saline Particles as we may observe in the Tinctures of the Salt of Corrals of Tartar and such like Precipitation does not presently succeed from common water but from an Acid Liquor as the Spirit of Vitriol Salt c. Saline Menstruas impregnated by the solutions of Stones or Metals are most easily Precipitated by Saline Particles and scarce by others The chief Precipitatory Liquor is the Salt of Tartar or of Herbs burnt to Ashes deliquated or melted for this strikes back the Particles of every soluted thing whatsoever and sends them headlong to the bottom to wit forasmuch as it passes through every where the little spaces of the solvent and sticking to the Contents increases them in bulk that they more easily fall out of the pores of the Menstruum bound also together with their own weight What fluid Salt as Vinegar Stygian waters c. dissolves the same a fixed Salt precipitates and on the contrary because Salt of Tartar being melted most excellently penetrates common Sulphur and receives the Tincture which then is precipitated by a fluid Salt viz. by the Spirit of Vitriol and the like which indeed does not happen by reason of the disagreeing Particles of the Salts and mutually opposing one another but for that the same are greatly of kin and rush into mutual Embraces for from hence the little grains of the thing soluted by reason of the cohering of both the Salts together being increased in bulk and weight are more
smalness of it in others the Coction of the Aliment is now quicker now slower performed in the Bowels and in the Vessels therefore the temper of the Blood tho but one and always the same Liquor becomes diverse and according to the various disposition of this it may be said that men are Choleric Melancholic or of another temperament Besides because whilst the Blood is made in its Circulation in the Vessels some parts continually grow Old and others are supplied anew hence from Crudity or too much Coction there is a necessity that what is excrementitious should be heaped together which notwithstanding by its effervescency as by the working or depuration of Wines it comes to pass it is separated from its Mass viz. the watry humor fixed in the Bowels or solid parts is it which is called Phlegm some Reliques of adust Salt and Sulphur being separated in the Liver and received by the Choleduct Vessels are called Choler the Earthy feculences being laid up in the Spleen are termed Melancholy In the mean time the Blood if rightly purified ought to want Choler Phlegm and Melancholy even as when some Wines or Beer are purified the more light Particles are carried upwards which constitute its Flowers or Head and the dregs are prest down to the bottom which grow together into Feces or Tartar yet none can truly say it Wine or Beer is composed of Froth Tartar and a Vinous Liquor But as these humors commonly so called are made out of the other Principles viz. Choler out of Salt and Sulphur with an admixtion of Spirit and Water and Melancholy out of the same with an addition of Earth and as the blood is immediately forged out of these kind of Principles and is wont to be resolved sensibly into the same I thought best the common acception of humors being laid aside to bring into use these celebrated Principles of the Chymists for the unfolding the Nature of the Blood and its affections There are therefore in the blood as in all Liquors apt to be Fermented very much of Water and Spirit a mean of Salt and Sulphur and a little of Earth The blood being loosned by putrefaction exhibits the same separated and distinct Also in the blood contained in the Vessels or being fresh let out from them we may discover their energies and effects besides when in the Food whereby we are fed by the juice of which the Liquor of the blood is made these same are implanted no man will go about to deny that the blood also is made from them wherefore I will briefly run through these and endeavour to shew by what means the Consistency the Properties and the Affections of the Blood are made by them 1. Spirits which readily obtain the chief place are a subtil and greatly volatile portion of the blood Their Particles always expansed and endeavouring to fly away do move about the more thick little Bodies of the rest wherewith they are involved and continually detein them in the motion of Fermentation The Liquor of the blood continually boils up with their effervescency or growing hot and equal expansion in the Vessels and the rest of the Principles are contained in an orderly motion and within the bond of the exact mixture if any Heterogeneous thing or unagreable to the mixture be poured into the bloody Mass presently the Spirits being disturbed in their motion rage shake the blood and force it to grow hugely hot until what is extraneous and not missible is either subdued and reduced or cast out of doors By the irradiation or rather the irrigation or watering of these the Bodies of the Nerves are inflated the Functions of the Viscera and also the Offices of motion and sensation are performed from the want of Spirits also from their motion being depraved or hindred arise great vices of the Natural oeconomy or Government The more quick motion and effervescency of these in the blood above what is in Wine chiefly depends upon the Ferment of the Heart because whilst the blood passes through the Bosom of the Heart its mixture is very much loosned so that the Spirits together with the Sulphureous Particles being somwhat loosned and as it were inkindled into a flame leap forth and are much expanded and from thence they impart by their deflagration a heat to the whole By reason of this kind of expansion and suffusion of heat there is made a continual expence of Spirits which being rarified as it were inkindled continually fly away and are evaporated forth a doors and as long as we live there is made a continual reparation of these by aliments chiefly the most delicate which contain in themselves very much of Spirit and swelling matter from which juice being drawn by digestion and collated to the blood is assimilated to it and fills up its defects When the Blood of Animals is distilled the Spirits like Aqua Vitae ascend of a limpid colour they are made very sharp and pricking by the adhesion of the Salt yet they are not so easily drawn off as the Spirits of Wine but that there is need of a more intense fire to force them because they are hardly driven from the fellowship of the thicker parts with which they are involved 2. That there is plenty of Sulphur in the blood it is plainly seen because we are chiefly fed with Fat and Sulphureous Aliments also the Nutriment from the blood carried to the solid parts goes into Sulphur and Fatness It is most likely from the dissolution of this that the red Tincture of the Blood doth arise for Sulphureous Bodies before any others impart to the solvent Menstruum a colour highly full of redness and when by reason of too great Crudity the Sulphur is less dissolved the blood becomes watery and pale that it will scarce dye a Linnen ragg red The Mass of blood being impregnated with Sulphur and together with Spirits it becomes very Fermentable which however whilst it enters the Ventricles of the Heart there suffers a greater effervescency or rather accension and on the Particles chiefly Sulphureous being inflamed and thence diffused through the whole the lively and vital heat in us depends When the Sulphureous part is carried forth and doth too much luxuriate in the blood it perverts its disposition from its due state that therefore the blood being either depraved or made more bilous or Cholerick doth not rightly Cook the nourishing juice or being inkindled throughout it conceives heats and ardours such as arise in a continual Feaver For the Sulphur being too much exalted and swelling more than it ought stirs up great heats in the blood and they whose blood is more plentifully impregnated with Sulphur are most obnoxious to Feavers By reason of the Particles of this being incocted with the Nutritious juice and from thence carried to the solid parts fatness softness and tenderness come to our Body From the Flesh or Blood putrefying by reason of the abundance of evaporated Sulphur a most evil stink
First in the making or crudity which has relation to the Chyme new made in the Viscera and freshly poured to the blood the Particles of which like to unripe Fruit are crude and undigested Secondly In the perfect state or maturation which belongs to the blood being sufficiently wrought and made Volatile according to all its Particles after it is inspired by Ferments and its inkindling in the heart exalted Thirdly in its defection which respects the blood after it hath burned forth and its Spirituous parts are very much flown away and the rest growing old and poor have need to be removed and so they are either the Reliques of Salt which are with the Serum strained forth continually by the Urine or they are Particles of Salt and Sulphur boyled and baked together which are strained forth by the virtue of the Liver into the choleduct Vessels or lastly they are dregs and earthy recrements of the blood it self which are carried into the Spleen and there as it were a Caput Mortuum exalted by a new digestion go into a Ferment at length to be transmitted to the blood Whilst after this manner the generation of the blood and its due maturation are truly dispatched it is pleasingly circulated within the Vessels neither wanting in motion or heat nor inordinately troubled with them But if either the supplement of the nourishing Juice be not made agreeable with the rest of the blood nor assimilated with it but that either by reason of the defect of Concoction it is washed into a very crude humor or because of its excess it is rosted into a burnt matter or if the blood growing old does not lay aside what it casts off and give way to a new Nutritious humor I say by reason of these kind of Vices concerning Sanguification or the making of blood the blood is variously perverted from its due temper and equal motion and now becomes Watery and Cold now Sharp or Salt now Acid Austere or by some other way degenerate and somtimes obnoxious to stagnations and somimes also to immoderate heats We may observe these kind of degrees of crudity coction and defection in the blood both of the sound and of the sick in healthful persons after a more plentiful repast Surfeit or hard drinking when too much of Serum or of Juice is poured to the blood its whole mass being too much diluted with a crude humor becomes more watery and less spirituous wherefore men are rendered sluggish and unfit for motion or exercise In sick persons the Phlegmatic Constitution of the Body induces such a crudity of the bloody mass as is discerned in the White Dropsie the Dropsie Pica or longing Disease and the Chlorosis or Green-sickness Also the state of this kind of crudity comes in an intermitting Feaver and in truth is the cause of the Feaverish accession viz. by reason of the dyscrasie of the blood the nourishing Juice being heaped up is not assimilated to it but for the most part goes into a crude or otherwise degenerate matter with which when the mass of the blood is filled to a plenitude swelling up it brings on the fit The state of Maturation Concoction being finished happens in healthful persons some hours after Eating especially in the morning to wit when the supplement of the Chyme is spiritualised and as it were enkindled in the whole by reiterated Circulations for then men are made more nimble and lively and more ready for studies or any business The state of Defection is in the blood of sound men after fasting long hard labor and want of Food for then the Vital Spirit being very much evaporated the mass of the blood begins to become as it were lifeless wherefore they presently languish and are made weak Moreover the blood by a too long Coction is burned and grows bilous from whence those accustomed to want Food or fasting for the most part become sad and melancholic Some Diseases habitually induce such a disposition of the blood such are the Scurvy the Yellow Jaundies the Cachexia or evil state of the Body when the nourishing Juice turns to ill humours long Feavers and most Chronical Diseases in which the whole mass of blood passes from from a Spirituous into either a sowr sharp or austere Nature So much for the comparing of Blood with rich Wine what follows being a similitude of it with Milk consists in the diversity of the parts and their setling apart which is chiefly seen in its being let forth from the Veins and grown cold in the dish For when the heat and vital Spirit which conserve all things in the mixture are flown away the remaining parts depart from one another of themselves and a separation of the thin from the thick and of the Serum from the Fibrous blood is made This sort of separation of the parts succeeds almost after the same manner as in the coagulation of Milk There are in Milk Buttery Cheesie parts and Whey The like is in Blood so long as it doth not much recede from its Natural temper for it is good when being let forth of the Veins it grows cold in the Porringer its parts do settle after the same manner to wit the more pure portion and Sulphureous like Cream comes together on the Superficies which in healthful people looks brightly red and this answers to the flowring or head of the Milk under this lies a Purple thick substance which cosists of little Thrids and Fibres joined together and as it were concreted into a clotty substance or parenchyma such as the Liver For the heat being consumed and the bond of the mixture losened the Fibrous parts lay hold on one another and by their weight settle into a more thick Coagulum which answers to the Cheesie part of the Milk In the mean time the Serous or Wheyey parts being thrust forth from the rest get their own Nature and constitute a clear Liquor like water which as it is thinner ascends to the top and swims upon the rest Further as the Whey of Milk is wont to be further coagulated and doth yet contain in it self some parts both Buttery and Cheesie so this Liquor swiming on the blood if it be exposed either to the fire grows thick like the White of an Egg a little rosted or if an Acid Liquor be poured to it will be precipitated into a white Coagulum This being seen some have thought this watery Latex to be the nourishing juice which imparts nourishment to the whole Body from the mass of the blood in the time of its Circulation and that the rest of the blood is only the Vehicle of Heat and Spirits and serves for no other use But to me it seems more likely that in this watery Liquor is contained the nourishing juice which is imployed on the Nerves and the commonly termed Spermatic parts for nourishment is supplyed to the Musculous stock from the Fibrous blood of the Parenchyma or the Liver Lights and Milt After this manner blood being
not much vitiated goes into parts like Milk but if it be exceedingly depraved when it settles it shews a far different disposition and as to its single Contents is allotted into various appearances for the Cream growing together on the top is seen to be somtimes white somtimes green now yellow or of livid or lead colour also it becomes not tender but very viscous or clammy that like a Membrane it can scarce be pulled in pieces When the blood long growing hot with a Feaverish distemper is let forth from the cut Vein in its Superficies instead of a Scarlet Cream there grows together often a white skin or of some other colour the reason of which is because the blood is throughly rosted by too great Ebullition and its more pure portion as it were by a certain elixation is boiled forth from a red and tender substance to a white and tough but if in the mean time the bloody mass be not sufficiently purged from the adust recrements of Salt and Sulphur the colour of this little skin becomes yellow or livid and therefore the water swimming over it is often tinged by the same means Further the Purple Crassament or thick substance is also various viz. somtimes it is of a blackish colour when the blood is scorched too much by a long effervesency When the Fibres are vitiated as in the Liver they grow not together but the Liquor like Beasting Milk remains somwhat thick and yet fluid which indeed argues a great corruption of the blood as uses to happen in a putrid Feaver a very great Cachexy somtimes the watery Latex is wanting as in Hectical people and in too great a Diaphoresis Somtimes it superabounds as in Dropical people neither will the whole go into a white Coagulum by heat In some Cachectical people the blood being made more watery appears like watered flesh I knew one indued with a vicious habit of body that was wont to have blood of a whitish colour and like to Milk when it was let forth and afterwards when he grew better by Chalybiat Medicines his blood was moderately red but concerning the setling of the blood and its appearances there is enough But as blood being emitted from the Vessels by its coagulation and departure of the parts one from another imitates the various substances of congealed Milk so somtimes being shut within the Veins and Arteries like same fused by a Coagulum enters altogether into the like mutation from Morbific causes by reason of which change being hindred in its Circulation or somwhere congealed and fixed according to its portions it produces many distempers for it seems that from hence the Pleurisie the Squinancy the Inflammation of the Lungs the Dysentery take their Original and to this Cause the Pestilent diseases ow chiefly their deadliness as shall be said hereafter in its place It is sufficient that we have hitherto drawn a parallel of the blood from which comparison with Wine and Milk may be gathered what sort of Particles and Substances it comprehends in it self viz. Spirituous and very agil or nimble such as generous or rich Wine has for the heat and motion and besides soft and tender such as are in Milk for the nourishment of the Body Yea also this Analogy of it with Wine and Milk is yet further confirmed by the use of them in our diet out of which the blood is generated forasmuch as Milk is the best and most simple Aliment and with it Infants and Children who have need of a plentiful provision of blood are nourished chiefly But Wine copiously begets vital Spirits before all other things and being weak and fallen excellently restores them wherefore it is wont to be esteemed instead of Nectar for old men or those of ripe years The Nature and Analysis of the blood flowing within the Vessels being opened after this manner the Nutritious Juice deserves yet our consideration being supplyed from the blood and separated out of the mass of blood for the nourishment of the solid parts and cleaving to them whereby it may be the better assimilated like Dew For the Nerves Tendons and the rest of the solid parts of the whole Body are washed with a certain alible juice The Vital Spirits having obtained the Nervous Bodies for a Vehicle of this blow them forth at length and expeditiously execute the actions of Sense also that humor coming upon the solid parts and assimulated with them inlarges their bulk and growth This is not a place to inquire after the Origine Birth and manner of the dispensation of this It shall suffice only that we have noted that it is supplyed from the mass of blood and as it is rendered highly probable by the most Learned Doctor Glisson and Doctor Wharton after it hath past through the Nervous part by a certain Circulation what remains being now made as it were poor and lifeless is sent back by the Lymphatic Vessels to the blood Whilst this Juice being little cocted or purged from dregs is sent from the depraved blood to the Nervous parts t is wont variously to irritate them into Cramps and Convulsive Motions also no few Symptoms in Feavers arise by reason of the depravation and irregular Motion of this Juice as shall be more largely laid open in another place CHAP. II. Of the Motion and Heats of the Blood SO much for the Anatomy of the Blood as to its primary Elements and Constitutive parts into which it is sensibly wont to be resolved also as to its Affections which appear clearly by the comparing it with Wine and Milk it remains for us next to enquire concerning the motion of the Blood both Natural viz. by the help of what Ferment and by what swelling up of parts it is Circulated in a perpetual motion through the Vessels and preternatural viz. for what Causes and what fury of parts when it boils up above measure in the Vessels and conceives Feaverish Effervescences These being rightly unfolded and premised we will enter upon the Doctrine of Feavers Concerning the Natural Motion of the Blood we shall not here enquire of its Circulation viz by what Structure of the Heart and Vessels it is wheeled about after a constant manner as it were in a water Engine but of its Fermentation viz. by what mixtion of parts and mutual action of them together among themselves like Wine fermenting in the Ton it continually boils up And this kind of motion as it were truly an intestine war of the blood depends both on the Heterogeneity of the parts of the blood it self and on the various Ferments which are breathed into the mass of the blood from the Bowels As to the first those things which have altogether like Particles do not ferment wherefore neither distilled waters Chymical Oils Spirits of Wine or other simple Liquors are moved as hath been already observed but I have said that Blood according to the Nature things quickly irritable doth consist of a proportionate mixture of the Elements
Particles of this or that being not agreeable to the rest are loosned from the mixture being loosned they become more violent than they ought shake much the Liquor of the Blood and bring forth a heat which is not allayed till the Blood being as it were inflamed burns forth with the long fire of a Feaver By either way whether the Blood grows hot in the Vessels by reason of the pouring in of a thing not miscible or by reason of the rage of the Spirit or Sulphur being carried forth because from thence its frame is more loosned therefore it is more inkindled in the Heart and the active Particles first loosned from the Ferment there implanted do grow exceeding hot leap forth from the mixture and disperse on every side by their motion a strong heat and as it were fiery but yet with this difference that the Effervency which depends upon the mingling of some extraneous thing with the Blood is for the most part short or renewed which when what was Heterogeneous is separated or subdued is quieted of its own accord and the shaken parts of the Blood and put out of order easily return to their Natural site and disposition But the Ebullition which arises from the inordination of the Spirit or Sulphur being enraged is continual to wit here the whole mass of the Blood is so loosned and dissolved from the strict bond of the mixture that as an Oily Liquor having taken fire it ceases not to grow hot or to be inflamed till the Particles of Spirit or Sulphur or the Combustible matter be for the most part burnt out There remains yet a third manner of Preternatural Fervency whereby the Blood is subject to alteration which happens not to Wine but most often to Milk viz. when at any time from a Morbific cause a coagulation of its Liquor is induced so that its substance is poured forth and goes into parts and there is a separation made of the thick and earthy from the thin by which means the Blood is not fitly circulated in the Vessels but that its congealed portions being apt to be fixed in the extream parts or to stand still in the Heart do interrupt the equal motion or grievously hinder it For the sake of the restoring of which Effervency greater are wont to be stirred up in the Blood to wit such as happen ordinarily in a Plurisie the Plague Small-pox or the Venereal Disease CHAP. III. Of Intermitting or Agues Feavers BY the Premises which we have spoken of already concerning the Anatomy Motion and Heats of the Blood there now lies open an easie passage to the handling of Feavers The Notions which are commonly set forth concerning a Feaver out of the force and Etymology of the word I here purposely omit It may be described after this manner that it is An inordinate motion of the Blood and a too great Heat of it with burning and thirst and other Symptoms besides whereby the Natural oeconomy or Government is variously disturbed As we have remarked already concerning the growing hot of the Blood so now we do of a Feaver that indeed its accession is either short and by fits which is therefore termed Intermitting or else great and long protracted which is called a continual Feaver We will first speak of the Intermitting Feaver Tho an Intermitting Feaver in our Popular Idiom is known by a proper Name and is distinguished contrary to a Feaver commonly taken yet because it hath too great Effervency of the Blood joyned to it it is to be called a Feaver It is peculiar to this from a continual Feaver that it hath certain remissions or times of intermission that every fit begins with cold or shaking for the most part and ends in Sweat that the accessions or coming of the fits return at set Periods and certain intervals of times that a Clock is not more exact Wherefore we will first discourse concerning this Feaver in general what sort of heat of the Blood it is which continues its fit and from whence it is raised up Secondly Wherefore the fit appears equally with cold and shaking as with sweat following Thirdly What may be the cause of the Inmission as also of its certain set Periods Fourthly and Lastly Are added some irregularities of Intermitting Feavers as when now cold now heat or sweat is wanting or when the Periods are wandring and uncertain when the Remission or space of Intermission is not equal but now comes sooner now later and somtimes redoubled and I will endeavor to show the reasons of these and of other Phenomena or appearances which variously happen in this Distemper These being laid open we will go on to unfold in the next Chapter the division of an Intermitting Feaver and the kinds of it As to the first The Effervency of the Blood in an Intermitting Feaver or Ague for the time of the fit is as violent and strong as in a continual Feaver wherefore it is concluded that the parts of the Blood among themselves or some Heterogeneous thing being mixed with it do strive together and Ferment above measure But there is required that they may Ferment or too greatly boil up among themselves that some Principle as chiefly Spirit or Sulphur being too much exalted and enraged do appear above the rest which when it cannot be yoaked with them brings in a continual strife and heat but from this cause a continual Feaver draws its rise because such an Ebullition of the Blood being once begun is not suddenly allayed and when it is appeased it does not afterwards presently return Wherefore for an Intermitting Feaver 't is to be supposed that some Heterogeneous thing is mingled with the Blood whose Particles when they are not assimilated make so long an Ebullition of the same till either being kneaded they are rendered miscible or being subtilised are shut forth of doors Wherefore such a matter being brought under or shut forth of doors the fit ceases and when this matter springs again it stirs up a new Ebullition and so a new fit is brought on Concerning this Matter which being mixed with the Blood induces the periodical Heats and the other Symptoms of an Intermitting Feaver 't is very ambiguously and diversly disputed among Physicians where it is generated in what seat or place it lodges and by what means it so exactly observes the times of its Motion and Ebullition But it would be a work of too much labour and tediousness to recount here all the Arguments of the Ancients and Moderns to reduce them into order and to weigh their reasons Wherefore doubting I propose what has come into my mind when I thought deeply of the matter and submit to the judgment of others Of necessity there is somthing which brings in the Heat of the Blood exactly periodical that is generated in our Body at the several periods or accessions of the Feaver always in a set measure and equal proportion and is communicated to the mass of Blood with which when
or to a swelling up and when they being more thickly heaped together begin to enter into a Flux they first of all strike down the Vital Spirits with their sharpness and somwhat overthrow their heat wherefore the Blood becomes colder and is more slowly circulated yea and by reason of the defect of heat the sense of cold is perceived in the whole Body and a pulse very rare exists Moreover when the nervous and solid parts are watered with this sort of acetous Juice for their last nourishment by the Flux of this which happens together with the turgescency of the Blood these sensible parts are pulled and irritated into Tremblings and Convulsions And this without doubt is the true and genuine cause of the cold and shaking which are excited in a fit of the intermitting Feauer to wit the Flux and swelling up of the nourishing Juice degenerated into a Nitrous matter with which the Spirits and Heat being suffused are blunted and the Nervous Bodies being provoked are moved into tremblings But afterwards when these Nitrous Particles being thrust forth from some part into the Superficies of the Body the Blood is somwhat freed from their weight and oppression the Vital Spirits recollect themselves and begin to shine forth but from thence a most intense heat succeeds because both the mass of Blood by reason of the growing hot with the Feaverish matter being loosened and also its mixture being laxed the Sulphureour Particles are more plentifully inkindled in the Heart and because the pores of the skin being possessed by the same matter thrust forth towards the circumference of the Body the vaporous Effluvia are restrained within which do more shake and make hot the Blood that heat persists still in the Blood until that Fermentative matter being wholly burnt out and together with the adust recrements remaining after the burning being fully brought under and subtilised and involved with the Serum insensibly evaporates by sweat or transpiration Thirdly These things being premised it will not be hard to shew the reasons and causes of the intermission as also of the set periods viz. the intermission follows because all the Morbific matter is dispersed in one fit and so till new be substituted there is a necessity that a remission follow But new matter begins to be begot of which the last fit failed to wit the mass of Blood being but now emptied receives the nourishing Juice and perverts it as before by reason of its defect of due making of Blood and of Concoction into a Fermentative matter but its little plenty stirs up little or no trouble or Fermentation but when the Blood is filled to a swelling up it presently ferments and is in Flux even as when new Beer or new Wine shut up a long while in a Vessel at length at a certain time boils up and leapes forth at the mouth of the Vessel But that the Fits or Accessions do for the most part come again at set intervals of times and that so certainly that a Clock is not more exact the reason is because the nourishable Juice is for the most part supplyed from the Viscera to the Blood flowing in the Vessels in an equal measure and manner for tho we do not dayly take exactly so much meat and drink in weight and dimension yet because we for the most part eat at set hours for the satisfying the Appetite from the things eaten and the mass of the Chyme heaped up in the Bowels an equal portion of the nutritious Juice is conveyed to the Blood through the Milky Vessels wherefore if at such hours so much of the nutritious humor is poured into the Blood which increasing to a fulness and swelling up it brings on the fit that day certainly this being finished in the space of the same time sufficient matter is laid up for the following fit But if errors in feeding be committed and that the sick indulging their Appetite eat more plentifully or inordinately the approach of the fit anticipates the wonted hour by reason of the Bloods being filled sooner with the Feaverish matter if that the sick are abstemious and more sparingly take their Food the intermission is drawn out longer If it be yet asked wherefore the periods of intermitting Feavers be not of one kind and of the same distance but that some repeat or come again dayly others on the third or fourth day The cause is the diverse constitution of the Blood to wit whereby it is perverted from its due temper now into a sourish now into an acid or sharp or into an austere or harsh disposition By reason of the diverse evil constitution of this the alible Juice being fresh carried departs more or less from maturation and is perverted into matter apt sooner or later to ferment When the Blood has acquired a sour hot and bilous disposition I suppose that some part of the nourishing Juice is ripened into perfect humor and is assimilated with the Blood and so goes into Food to be carried to the solid parts and is affixed to them but the other part of it from the Blood being too much cocted and depraved is changed into a Feaverish matter and supposing that half of the nutritious Juice is after this manner perverted in double the time in which it is said to have a full Concoction in our Body that is after eight and forty hours this kind of Fermentative matter rises to a plenitude and turgescency and then induces the fit of a Tertian Feaver If that by reason of the austere and pontic nature of the degenerated Blood in which a fixed Salt with an Earthy Faeces is exalted too much and therefore apt to ferment more slowly only a third part of the nutritious Juice is corrupted then in three times the space of the aforesaid time the fit is induced that is after seventy two hours in which the period of a Quartan is wont to be concluded But if by reason of a greater infection of the Blood almost the whole supplement of the nutritious Juice is perverted into a Feaverish matter then in the space of that time in which the plenary coction ought to be absolved in the Vessels and habit of the Body that is after twenty four hours this matter arises up to the motion of turgescency and brings on the Quotidian fit And hence it comes to pass that in a Quartan Feaver strength and courage do not presently fail whilst in a Tertian the sick are wont to become more weak but in a Quotidian Feaver they are sooner brought into languishing and greatest weakness to wit in each as more or less of the nutritious Juice goes into the Food of the Disease so much also is drawn away from the strength and firmness of the Body But more fully of these when we treat of the several kinds of Intermitting Feavers and the Causes of them Against the equal Circuits of these Feavers it is argued that for the most part the fits do anticipate the set time of the
day by the space of some hours and sometimes also come after it But in truth this objection is taken away if the times of intermission be computed not by days but by hours for so the intervals which but now seemed to be now sooner now longer protracted will appear for the most part equal by this Rule forasmuch as in respect of the day it is said a Tertian Feaver somtimes prevents the wonted time of its accession two three or more hours or comes after it in the mean time every circuit exactly repeats or comes again every time after so many hours Wherefore the chief differences of Intermitting Feavers consist in this only that the time of the accession in one Feaver comes more swiftly and in another more slowly viz. now at twenty four hours distance now at thirty four now at seventy or the like From what hath been said unless I am deceived it clearly appears what the Effervescency of the Blood is which constitutes the fit of an Intermitting Feaver from whence the fore-runners of cold and shaking and lastly what may be the reason of the intermission and of the set periods But that these and many other appearances of this distemper depend upon the evil disposition of the Blood and because of the depravation of the nutritious Juice and not from humor lurking in some mine will yet more manifestly appear from the collation of the signs and symptoms which are to be met with worthy of note in this distemper then secondly from the Procatartic or more remote causes being truly weighed which are wont to induce this distemper and thirdly and lastly from the ways of the Crisis and Cures by which this Disease either ceases of its own accord or is driven away by the help of Medicines First Among the Signs the Pulse and Urine deserve the chief consideration The Pulse the cold fit coming on is very rare and low which clearly argues the Heat and Vital Spirits in the Blood to be as it were overwhelmed by some crude matter not easily combustible just as a fire inkindled on the Hearth and then covered with green wood glows very slowly and flames forth little which afterwards the crude humor being blown away breaks forth into an open and very strong flame so also the Blood the crude matter which is in Flux being somthing overcome or dispersed is very much inkindled and what remains in the Blood is burnt up when fermenting with the Particles of it and induces a most violent heat with thirst wherefore the Blood growing impetuously hot is urged with a vehement and most swift Pulse otherwise it being too much heaped together in the Heart might cause the danger of choaking As to the Urine that is imbued especially in a Tertian Feaver with a deep colour and as it were inflamed also when the Contents are wanting which seems to denote a scorching of the Blood and too adust temper moreover in this Distemper different from others the Urine for the most part is ill when the Patient is pretty well and on the contrary forasmuch as all the time of the intermission it is at a great distance from its natural state it becomes filled with a red colour and thick being exposed to the cold and lays down a plentiful sediment like to Bole-Armoniack which is of necessity to be so done because in the whole interval of the remission the Feaverish matter is circulated with the Blood and there rises to maturity with a secret increase But in the middle of the fit when the heat and burning are at the greatest the Urine is laudable and comes more near to the natural viz. the Fermentative matter being sent to the Circumference of the Body The symptoms preceding the fit confirm the same thing for many hours before the fit begins a perturbation of the humors and blood is perceived an Headach Vertigo sparkling of the Eyes unquiet Sleep c. which plainly shew the Blood first infected with the Fermenting matter and the assault of the fit to be only so long deferred until the mass of the Blood is filled to a swelling up with the same kind of matter The fore-runners of the approach of the fit are now a paleness at the ends of the Fingers or Toes or in the Nails somtimes a Convulsion or numness now a coldness and pain in the Loins and Thighs and somtimes a shivering and trembling invade the whole Body which clearly shew the Blood in the Arteries and Veins and also the thin Liquor in the Nervous parts first to conceive the motion of Fermentation and this Effervescency not to be excited from any other fire-place or mine If it be objected that the sick are most often infested with Vomiting about the time of the fit from whence it may seem to be concluded that the chiefest hurtful matter is established in the Ventricle and in the first passages especially when this distemper is chiefly cured by the timely taking of a Vomit I confess very great Vomitings are somtimes stirred up in the fit of an intermitting Feaver but this more often happens because in the Feaverish shivering the membranes of the whole Body are pulled wherefore the Ventricle also as it is a very Nervous part is distempered with a Convulsion and having from thence contracted a Spasm casts forth upwards whatsoever lurks in its bosom Besides if that the Choler-bearing Vessels swell up with Bile or Choler by the same Convulsion also of the Viscera the Bile is pressed forth into the Duodenum by the Galish passage and is emptied into the Ventricle and there by its fierceness provokes yet to more cruel Vomiting wherefore for the most part the vomiting which is excited for this reason follows the shaking only But that the Choler was not in the Stomach before the fit troubled it but only pressed forth from the Choleduct passage by the Spasm and Convulsive motions of the Viscera and poured forth into the Ventricle appears from hence because if a Vomit be given in the midst of the interval between the two fits little or nothing of bilous matter will be drawn forth besides this bitter humor is of that fierceness that it cannot be long contained in the Ventricle but presently it will procure the pain of the Heart and Vomiting Besides this sort of Vomiting excited in the shaking fit somtimes a Vomiting is provoked in the midst of the burning fit or in the sweat the cause of which is the redundancy of the bilish humor in the Blood of which if there be greater plenty than what diluted with Serum may be sent forth by Sweat a great part of it whilst the Blood is circulated about the crevises of the Liver is laid aside in the Choleduct Vessels which when being filled to a distention exonerate themselves and send away the Choler to the Intestines and Ventricle and there a Convulsion being presently stirred up somtimes Vomiting is provoked and somtimes the Belly becomes loose and the Stools liquid In this Year
another not exactly twenty four hours but either sixteen or thirty hours in a Quotidian and in a Tertian not forty eight but forty or fifty six more or less or thereabouts it comes to pass that every other fits happen before and the others after Noon To which also may be added that the different manner of eating which the sick use very often produces great inequalities of figures that somtimes the fit is redoubled twice in a day as I have often observed in Cachectical men or full of ill humors and living disorderly but it doth not seldom happen that Intermitting Feavers repeat fits which do neither observe the same distance nor bear altogether the figure of the same mode I have many times observed in a Quartan Feaver that besides the set comings or Accessions returning on the fourth day about the same hour some wandring and uncertain fits did infest the sick that somtimes on the day preceeding the wonted fit somtimes on that following it another fit tho lighter was excited anew with shivering Heat and Sweat exactly like the figure of an Intermitting Feaver and nevertheless the primary Accession returned at its accustomed time This for the most part is wont to happen either from diet evilly instituted chiefly from surfeit and drinking of Wine or else from Medicines wrongfully administred The reason of which unless I am deceived consists in this The mass of Blood being wont to be filled to a swelling up with the Fermentative matter at a set time often by reason of some errors in eating and drinking heaps up more matter than can be easily dissipated in one fit and when it unequally Cooks the same Fermentative matter it often happens that it first shakes off its superfluous or more thin part as it were by a certain skirmish in a more light fit but dispels the more thick after the primary Accession as yet remaining in the Blood by a Feaverish Fermentation arising anew And when the fits in an Intermitting Feaver redouble after this manner either become more remiss for that the same matter in either is only divided and eventilated by two accessions Besides when this Fermentative matter or Nutritious Juice depraved in its circulation is continued partly in the Arteries and Veins with the Blood and partly in the Nervous stock and solid parts it may happen that both humors do not ferment at once but a great part of one may be dispersed in one fit and then a great part of the other in another fit CHAP. IV. Of the kinds of Intermitting Feavers and first of a Tertian WE shall easily accommodate to our Hypothesis delivered in the former Chapter concerning the nature and beginning of Intermitting Feavers all the Phaenomena which belong to it and the reasons of them But as those which are of this sort do not observe the same space of Intermission or of return and their figures as to the appearances of their signs and symptoms do not altogether happen after the same manner therefore according to the diversities of these and especially from the distance of the fits the various species and differences of Intermitting Feavers are assigned The chiefest division of them is into Tertian Quotidian and Quartan We shall here remark the chief things worthy of note concerning each of them It is called a Tertian Feaver not which is accomplished at the distance of three days but inclusively from the day in which one Fit begins from thence the other returns on the third In the mean time if the Fits be sometimes longer viz. protracted almost to twenty four hours and the Remissions anticipated also by their accessions or comings of the Fits the space is oftentimes less by a night and a day This Disease is commonly distinguished into exquisite and spurious The exquisite or exact Tertian Feaver is which begins with a vehement shaking to which succeeds a sharp and biting heat which goes off in sweat and its Fit is finished in twelve hours and that the perfect intermission follows In the spurious or bastard Tertian the cold and heat are more remiss but the Fit is often extended beyond twelve hours yea often to eighteen or twenty These differ as to the various disposition of the Blood which is in the former more torrid and sharp therefore perverts the alible Juice from Crudity towards an adustion wherefore a more vehement Effervescency is stirred up but as the matter more equally burns forth it is sooner finished In the latter besides the adustion the Blood abounds with too much serous humidity wherefore the nourishing Juice degenerates into a Crude matter and therefore less apt to be overcome and to burn forth wherefore its Fit is gentler and more unequal but is not finished but in a longer space The Essence therefore of a Tertian Feaver consists in this That the Blood like Beer brew'd with too high dry'd Mault being too sharp and torrid does not rightly subdue and ripen the alible Juice which is taken in from crude things eaten but very much perverts it into a nitrous-sulphurous matter with which when the mass of Blood is filled to a swelling up like new Beer stop'd up in Bottles it conceives an heat From the flux of this nitrous matter which blunts the heat and vital spirits and pulls the nervous parts first the cold with shaking is excited then the vital spirit geting strength again this matter growing hot in the Blood begins to be subdued and inkindled in the heart from whose deflagration an intense heat is diffused thorough the whole body then its reliques being separated and involved with serum are sent away by sweat This torrid Constitution of the Blood consists in this That 't is impregnated more than it ought with particles of Sulphur and Salt wherefore the Procatartick causes which dispose to this Disease are an hot and bilous temperament a youthful age hot dyet as an immoderate use of Wine and spiced Meats but especially in the Spring and autumnal feafons of the year when the Blood as all vegetables is apt to flower and to ferment of its own accord By reason of these occasions the liquor of the Blood is want to be thorowly roasted and to be changed into a cholerick temper and when it departs from its natural Disposition so much that it perverts the nutritious Juice into a matter plainly Fermentative the beginning of this Feaver is induced which sometimes happens from this intemperance being leasurely increased and brought to the height but more frequently an evident cause raises up this disposition into act and we ascribe the origine of this Disease to some notable Accident Wherefore lying on the Ground or taking cold after sweating or transpiration being any ways hindred also a Surfit or a perturbation of the Stomach from any thing inordinately eaten and lastly What things soever stir up an immoderate heat in the Blood bring the lurking disposition of this Disease into act for that from every such occasion the nutritious Juice being heaped in the
given be first consumed forthwith the Venom repullulates and the old Poyson thought to have been exploded is at length brought into act by the same way when the Blood having gotten a vitious disposition perverts the Alible Juice and whereby it might more rightly expel it heaped together to a fulness conceives Feaverish swellings up this Peruvian Bark being beaten and administred by the Commerce of its Particles so agitates the Blood tho distempered with an evil disposition with a new excited Fermentation and alters it that it in some measure concocts the nourishable Juice and continually evaporates its Recrements that they are not heaped together as before into the matter of a fit But when the Particles of this Remedy are wholly flown away from the company of the Blood and the whole virtue consumed the evil disposition of the Blood before contrancted at length rises up and so the Feaverish fits return after their wonted manner Somtimes perhaps it happens that whilst the Feaverish fits are suppressed by the use of this powder by reason of the season of the year being changed or by the help of another Remedy or by the endeavour of Nature it self that Dyscrasie of the Blood may be mended by degrees and so the Feaver may at length vanish of its own accord This I have known to happen but very rarely because almost with the same certainty by which you expect the Feaverish fits to be suppressed by that powder you may afterwards look for their return As to what appertains to the sensible qualities with which this Bark is noted it appears to abound with bitterness and a certain stipticity that it seems to the tast to have the likeness of Savor which is in most Conterpoysons as the Root of Gentian Serpentary Contrayerva c. for what are bitter in act are strong in excellent virtue for the suppressing the force of preternatural Ferments yea the Root of Gentian which is likest to this Bark was in times past of famous use for the Curing of Quartan Feavers But now altho this Peruvian powder be the only Alexiterion or Counter-poyson as yet found out against a Quartan Feaver to wit that inhibits tho only for a time its fits and of other Intermitting Feavers yet it is not to be doubted but that there are in the world other Medicines extant which are as good Ague-resisters and it is hoped that led by the example of this new invention we may be excited to the finding out the virtues of Herbs almost as yet unknown so whilst we shall insist on the trial of several and the Empirical be joyned to the Rational Medicine without doubt the Cures of the Quartan Ague and of other invincible Diseases may more happily be accomplished which therefore I promise more willingly to this Age or at least to the next when being led by the Analogy of this Book I have found out a Medicine for the profligating of Feavers of use not contemptible it not being long since variously tryed which also I am wont to give to the poorer sort instead of somthing else with good success CHAP. VII Of continual Feavers A Continual Feaver is that whose fit is continued for many days without intermission It hath its times of remission and of more fierceness but never of intermission the burning is now more remiss now more intense but still the sick are in a Feaver until by the temperament or insensible growing well the Disease is wholly Cured Concerning this it behoves us to inquire what Effervescency of the Blood it is which causes a continual Feaver then by what ways and from what causes it is wont to be excited also how it differs from that which is in Intermitting Feavers And these being performed we will descend to the Species of Continual Feavers There are many ways by which the Blood growing hot induces a continual Feavear the chief of which may be reduced to these Heads The first way is when the more spirituous and subtil Portion of the Blood becomes too hot and is distempered with a certain burning which therefore agitates the other parts of the Blood and incites it into a certain rage so that the Sulphur or the Oily part of the Blood is more dissolved and more inkindled in the Heart also for that cause there is among all the Particles of the Blood a certain syncrisis contrariety or perturbation by which in truth being confused and put out of order they are not able quickly to be extricated and reduced into their former posture wherefore a heat and burning more than is wont to be is stirred up in the whole Body but when the Spirits are only in fault their heat and disorder are wont within a short space to be allaied of their own accord therefore this Feaver is often terminated within a day and is rarely continued beyond three and therefore is called an Ephemera or a Feaver of a day or Synochus of more dayr 2. The second manner or degree of growing hot is when the Sulphureous or Oily part of the Blood being too much heated conceives a Fervor for then it both grows immoderately hot in the Vessels and being very much inkindled in the Heart produces by its deflagration a very strong heat in the whole Body Indeed the Blood as to its temper mostly depends on the condition of the Sulphur when by reason of crudity the Sulphur is less dissolved the Blood is made watery and cold and is moved slowly in the Vessels but if the Sulphureous or Oily part of the Blood grows hot beyond its Natural disposition presently it becomes fierce and improportionate with the rest so that almost the whole being acted as it were into a flame by the Ferment of the Heart compels the mass of Blood to grow immoderately hot and to boil up For as when Wines indued with a rich Lee are stirred up into an heat by the too rancid Sulphur or as Hay laid up too wet by reason of the want of Ventilation conceives of its own accord a burning the Particles of the Sulphur being loosned from the mixture in like manner when the Blood is not rightly ventilated but being restrained from Evacuation by reason of the admixtion of some hot thing or a more plentiful sanguification or for some other cause the Particles of the Sulphur begin to be thickly gathered together presently all its Liquor immoderately boils up by the Sulphurs being loosned and inflamed in the Heart and this kind of Feaver is induced which is called a putrid Synochus notwithstanding which appellation tho of many rejected for that the Blood so long as it is in motion doth not putrifie yet forasmuch as in this Feaver the mixture of the Blood is somwhat loosned by the Sulphur being too much exalted and the mass of its Liquor being changed from its Natural disposition tends toward putrefaction therefore the term of a putrid Feaver as hath been anciently used may be still with good reason retained 3. The third degree of
growing hot and which constitutes a distinct kind of continual Feaver is excited from a certain malignant and invenomed Ferment by which when the mass of the Blood is imbued and the Spirits and the Sulphureous part together conceive an heat and their burning is not sooner appeased than that either that malignant matter be consumed and cast forth of doors or else a certain coagulation and as it were putrefaction of the Blood from its corruptive venom is induced by which both circulation is hindered and the Vital Spirit extinguished This malignity is wont to arise either from a certain contagion received from without or from some infection begotten within us according to these ways the malignant Feaver Small-pox Measels and also the Plague draw their beginnings and by their contagion far and near set upon many There are therefore three degrees or manners of growing hot by which the kinds of continual Feavers are determined From the subtil portion of the Blood made hot or the Ebullition of the Spirits the Ephemera arises as also the Synochus of one or more days by the Sulphureous or Oily part of the Blood being too hot and inkindled the putrid Feaver is stirred up then thirdly upon an invenomed taint infecting the Blood and congealing its Liquor malignant Feavers depend In every one of these by the depravation or rather corruption of the Alible Juice fresh carried into the Blood the various fits inequalities and critical motions arise But before I enter upon the several kinds of a continued Feaver it is requisite for me to consider how the growing hot of the Blood in a continual Feaver differs from that other which constitutes Intermitting Feavers I say therefore that the growing hot of the Blood in an Intermitting Feaver depends only upon the commixtion of a certain Fermentative matter and not rightly miscible with the Blood and on its growing up to a fulness of boiling over Because of this heat with the Blood in the Vessels and of the deflagration in the Heart the fit is induced because of its growing cool the intermission follows that in the coming between of the fits neither the Spirits nor Sulphur become outragious but the bond of the mixture being kept whole the Liquor is circulated in the Vessels equally and without trouble on the contrary in a continual Feaver the disorders of the Spirits and of Sulphur of either or both together by their proper Ebullition also without the mixture of any other stir up the Ebullition of the Blood wherefore there are required for an intermission besides the difflation or cooling of the Excrementitious matter a deflagration of the inkindled Blood and a reduction of it to its due Temper The Constitution of the Blood in a continual Feaver is of the same sort as of Wines when they grow hot upon too rich a Lee to wit are mighty in Spirit and grow turgid with exalted Sulphur and therefore they conceive a Fervor and greatly boil up of their own accord without the mixture of any other thing In an Intermitting Feaver the Blood is moved after that manner as Wines when they conceive an heat because of somthing poured to them that is not miscible with them Moreover in this Feaver the disposition of the Blood is of that sort as of Wines when in their decay and declination they become ropy unsavory or acid to wit in which the Spirit is depressed that in the mean time either Salt or Sulphur or both together appear above the rest and infect the whole Liquor with their disorder An Intermitting Feaver for the most part is free from danger because the constitutive parts of the Blood altho they should somwhat change their disposition however keep the bond of mixture and whilst they are in power are circulated equally in the Vessels yea they pervert the nutritious Juice into a matter not altogether besides Nature but rather infesting with its fulness and turgescency In a continual Feaver besides the intemperance the mixture of the Blood and constitution of the Liquor are somwhat loosned and its corruption easily follows wherefore this Disease often ends in death further the nourishing Juice is depraved into a matter wholly vitious and altogether infestous to Nature CHAP. VIII Of the Ephemera or Feaver for a Day I Have said the least degree of heat which induces a continual Feaver is placed in the subtil and Spirituous part of the Blood being too much agitated and heated for this like the Spirit of Wine boils up on every light occasion and conceives a fervor by a too great motion of the Body or perturbation of mind by the ambient heat as of the Sun or vapours by hot things taken inwardly as the drinking of Wine and the eating of peppered meats and being irritated by such like For the Spirits of the Blood easily take fire and being impetuously moved are not presently appeased but they move throughly other Particles of the Blood variously confound and snatch them into a rapid and disorderly motion also from this motion of the Spirits the Sulphur or Oily part of the Blood is more boiled forth somwhat more dissolved and somthing more fully inkindled in the Heart by which means an intense heat is raised up in the whole Body But forasmuch as Sulphur is inkindled and inflamed only by small parts and not in the whole that fervor of the Spirits is quickly appeased and ceases wherefore the Feaver which is excited by this means for the most part is terminated within twenty four hours and therefore is called an Ephemera or a Feaver of a day If that by reason of a greater heat of the Spirituous Blood it is prolonged further it rarely exceeds three days and is called an Ephemera of more days or a Synochus not putrid but if it should happen to be lengthned beyond this time this Feaver easily passes into a putrid viz. from the dayly Ebullition of the Spirituous Blood the more thick Particles of the Sulphur at length begin to take fire and involve the whole mass of Blood in its Effervescency even as the Spirit of Turpentine being shut up in a Cucurbit and being put into a Sand Furnace if it be forced with a moderate heat boils up gently as the Blood in a Feaver of a day but if the heat be made more strong the Liquor grows impetuously hot till it breaks forth into a flame to which the inflamation of the Blood in a putrid Feaver may be very aptly compared The Days Feaver and Synochus simple rarely begin without an evident cause Besides what hath been but now said immoderate Labour Watchings a sudden passion of the mind a constriction of the pores a Surfeit also a Bubo or inflamed Sore a Wound the coming down of the Milk in Child-bearing Women are wont to induce them The procatartic Causes which dispose to this are an hot temper of Body an active habit a sedentary life and difuse of exercise The chief beginnings of this Disease depend upon the
presence of the evident cause for either little Bodies of extraneous heat being confused with the Blood like water boiling over the fire make it to boil up or this Feaver is induced by motion or by reason of transpiration being stopped even as Wines made hot by motion or when too closely stopped in the Ton are put into a Fervor but what way soever an inflamation is first excited presently the Spirits become enraged and being moved hither and thither compel the Blood to boil up and to be inlarged into a greater space with a spumous rarefaction wherefore the Vessels are distended and the membranous parts hauled hence follow pain chiefly in the Head and Loins a spontaneous weariness and as it were an inflation of the whole Body If that with the Spirit of the Blood a certain Sulphureous part be also in some measure inkindled a sharp heat is diffused through the whole the Pulse is vehement and quick the Urine red also thirst watchings and many other symptoms infest the reasons of which are added hereafter Concerning the Solution or Crisis of the Ephemeran Feaver and of the not putrid Synochus three things are chiefly requisite viz. a removing of the evident cause secondly a separation and a scattering of the depraved or excrementitious matter from the mass of Blood Thirdly a quieting of the parts of the Blood and a restitution of them to their natural and equal motion and site According as these succeed now more suddenly now more slowly and difficully this Disease is finished in a shorter or longer time 1. The evident cause which for the most part is extrinsick is easily removed and the sick are wont presently to avoid the presence or assiduity of that thing and do perceive a sense of any thing that is hurtful none taking a Feaver from Wine will still indulge the drinking of it as soon as any one grows more than usually hot in a Bath or the heat of the Sun 't is a trouble to them to stay longer 2. As to the Excrementitious matter which ought to be scattered and separated from the Blood this is either brought from without as when the Blood is infected by surfeit drinking of Wine sitting in the Sun or from a too hot Bath with Effluvia or little dry and Fermentative Bodies or this matter is begotten within as when its Liquor is stuffed with recrements or adust Particles from the deflagration of the Blood Either of these matters ought to be separated from the Blood to be dispersed and either by sweat or insensible breathing forth to be thrust out of doors before the Feaver be appeased wherefore when as the pores are bound up and transpiration hindred the Ephemeran Feaver is longer protracted and somtimes passes from a simple Synochus into a putrid 3. The evident cause being removed and this degenerate matter dispersed there is required for the remission a quieting and reducing into order the parts of the Blood for diverse Particles of the Blood being after this manner confused and by reason of the Feaverish heat carried up and down they do not presently get again the former order of situation and position but it is needful that they be by degrees extricated and by little and little restored to a just mixture Although this Disease after the removing of the evident cause for the most part ceases of its own accord within a while yet some Medicinal Remedies may be administred with good success especially when there is danger lest the Ephemeran Feaver should pass into a putrid The chief intentions should be to suppress the fervor of the Blood and to procure a more free transpiration to the which conduce first a breathing of a Vein a slender diet or rather abstinency cooling drinks and a bringing away the filth of the Belly by Clysters Sleep and Rest greatly help above all the rest which if wanting should be procured in time by Opiats and Anodynes Verily altho the Histories and Observations of those distempered with an Ephemeran Feaver contain in themselves nothing very rare yet I shall subjoin an example or two in this place whereby the delineation or type of this Disease may be illustrated A certain young Gentleman about twenty years of Age endued with a strong habit of Body by the immoderate drinking of strong Wine fell into a Feaverish distemper with thirst heat and with a great burning of his Precordia being let Blood he drank a great quantity of fair water and upon it presently a plentiful sweat following he grew shortly well In this case the more thin portion of the Blood being heated by the Spirits of the Wine fell into a rage caused the whole mass of Blood to be shaken and its frame to be loosned more than t was wont and for that reason that hapned to be more dissolved by the Ferment of the Heart and to be as it were inkindled by the active Particles loosned from the mixture until the Vessels being emptied by Phlebotomy the raging Blood was cooled and by the drinking of the water its fervor was attempered then the hot Effluvia being involved together with the adust matter with a copious Serum and sent away by Sweat the Blood at length recovered its due temper Moreover an ingenious young man of a sedentary life and also very much addicted to the Study of Learning when he had for somtime exercised himself beyond his strength in the hot Sunshine he began to complain of the pain of his head a want of Appetite a heat of his Precordia and of a Feaverish distemper all over to whom for that he was wholly averse to Physick I ordered an abstinence from all things whatsoever unless from Small-Beer and Grewel on the second day and so more on the third the symptoms remitted by little and little on the fourth he went home freed from the Feaver without any Medicine CHAP. IX Of a Putrid Feaver SO much for a Continual Feaver which is raised from the most simple heating of the Blood or its lowest degree of inordinate heat that which depends on a greater degree of heat follows viz. when the Oily or Sulphureous part of the Blood being too much heated swells up above measure and as it were forced into a flame and therefore from the similitude by which humid things putrifying conceive an heat this kind of Ebullition of the Blood because it induces an immoderate heat is called a putrid Feaver which name ought to be retained without injury because that in this Feaver the Synthesis of the Blood as is wont to happen in putrifying Liquors is very much unlocked When the Spirits only grow inraged as in an Ephemera the frame of the Blood is somwhat set open and loosened that it is more dissolved by the Ferment of the Heart than is wont and more Particles than naturally use to do leap forth and diffuse a more intense heat but yet the mixture of the Liquor as to its chief parts is conserved But when the Sulphureous matter taking
fire grows hot above measure the bond of the mixture for the greatest part is loosed that its Principles are almost wholly drawn away by the Ferment of the Heart and the active Particles being loosned from the mixture break forth as it were into a flame Wherefore the Liquor of the Blood being after this manner rarified in the Heart and as it were inkindled is from thence carried through the Vessels with a most rapid motion and disperses very many Effluvia of heat from its deflagration Hence the whole mass of Blood like water put over the fire continually boiling distends the Vessels pulls the Brain and Nervous parts raises up Convulsions and pains in them very much destroys the Vital Spirits with its heat wasts the Ferments of the Bowels hinders the Offices of concoction and dispensation often depraves the nourishing Juice destinated for the Nervous stock that from thence exceeding great disorders of the Animal Spirits follow yea almost perverts the whole oeconomy of Nature The course of this Disease shews it self after this manner It rarely begins without a procatartic cause or previous disposition to wit the Sulphureous or oily part of the Blood is first too much carried forth and exalted beyond its due tenor which afterwards either of its own accord like Hay not eventilated begins to grow hot or by the coming of an evident cause it is forced into a preternatural heat But when it grows turgid in the first place by reason of the admixtion of a crude Juice with the Blood now a shivering now heat infests which shew themselves unequally like fire which is covered with green wood sends forth now smoak now flame But at length the fire glowing more largely as here the victor fire spreads it self abroad so there sooner than said the whole mass of Blood is inflamed and is urged at once with heat and a most swift motion Nor is this immoderate heat of the Blood appeased before its active particles being loosned from the mixture and then successively inkindled in the Heart are wholly burned out which doth not happen but in the space of many days And then at length this Feaver ceases when the remaining Liquor of the Blood the Spirit and Sulphur being very much consumed being made lifeless and poor is fit only for a weak and small fermentation From this kind of deflagration of the Blood and also of the alible Juice by the same fire burnt out the recrements or little Bodies of torrified matter are heaped up in the Blood which yet do more promote its fervor and ebullition and for a time increase the Feaverish distemper After the Blood hath very much burned forth and these kind of little Bodies are gathered together to a fulness of swelling up the vital Spirit endeavors a separation and tries to concoct and to overcome what it may these adust recrements and then having put a great many of them into a swelling up a Flux being risen strives to shut them wholly out And indeed in the subaction and seclusion of this matter chiefly consists the event of this Disease for if the vital Spirit being strong the Bloody humor when it hath sufficiently burned forth and shall be freed from these adust particles should recover its pristine tenor whereby it is made fit for motion and a due fermentation in the Heart the sick tends towards health but if by a long deflagration and an inextricable confusion of the morbific matter the liquor of the Blood being wanting of Spirits and more pure Sulphur or those same by the impure mixture growing ill being as it were put under the yoak is rendred so lifeless that it is not any longer rarified by the ferment of the Heart or inkindled by degrees its heat and motion together with Life it self decays The procatartick causes which dispose to this Disease are an hot and humid Temper an active habit of Body a youthful Age the Spring time or Summer season a high and rich Dyet besides the often drinking of rich Wines a sedentâ—ry and idle life a Body full of gross humors and stuffed with vitious Juices but above all the rest it appears by observation that the frequent letting of Blood renders men more apt to Feavers wherefore it is commonly said from whom Blood is once drawn that unless they do the same every year they are prone to a Feaver The reason of this is unless I am deceiv'd by the frequent letting of Blood the Sulphur is more copiously gathered together in the mass of Blood in the mean time the Salt which should bridle it and hinder it from raging by this means is drawn away for the Blood the older it grows becomes so much the more Salt the Salt of all the Elements not evaporating But by how much the more the Blood abounds in Salt by so much the less it abounds in Sulphur for Salt eats and consumes the Sulphur and makes it evaporate wherefore they who are lean and abound with a Salt Blood are less prone to Feavers But when by the letting of Blood the ancient Blood is drawn forth in its stead another more rich and more impregnated with Sulphur is substituted so that it becomes less Salt and more Sulphurous Hence it is that those who often let Blood are not only prone to Feavers but also are wont to grow fat because of the Bloods being more impregnated with Sulphureous Juice The evident causes which deduce the latent disposition of this Feaver into act are of the same sort which procure an Ephemeran Feaver and simple Synochus in this rank chiefly come Transpiration being hindred and Surfeiting By reason of the effluvia being restrained the mass of the Blood being increased in bulk grows turgid and conceives a Fervor as it were from a certain ferment inspired anew and cruelly boyls up from thence presently the pores are more obstructed by the infartion of the effluvia and the frame of the Liquor being loosned the particles of the Sulphur exuberating in the Blood leap forth from the mixture and are inflamed by the ferment of the heart as it were by fire put to them and so they enkindle a very intense Feaver But from a Surfeit both an immoderate fermentation is induced in the Blood and also a nitrous Sulphureous matter apt for adustion and an inkindling is conveyed as it were food to the burning Blood In this Feaver four times or seasons are to be observed in which as it were so many posts or spaces its course is performed These are then The Beginning the Augmentation the Height and Declination These are wont to be finished in some sooner in others more slowly or in a longer time The beginning ought to be computed from the time the Blood begins to be made hot and its Sulphur to conceive a burning untill the ardors and burnings are diffused thorow the whole mass of Blood The Increase or Augmentation is from the time that the Blood being made hot and inkindled thorow the whole burns forth
for some time and its mass is aggravated with the Recrements or burnt Particles which increase the fermentation The state or standing of the Disease is when after the Blood has sufficiently burned forth and its burning now remits the long vexed Blood like a noble wrestler when his adversary is a little yielding recollecting all his strength endeavours a bringing under and a separation of that adust matter with which it is filled to a plenitude and also a Crisis or separation being once or oftner attempted an expulsion of it forth of doors The Declination succeeds after the Crisis or secretion in which the Blood grows less hot with a languishing fire and either the vital Spirit being as yet strong overcomes what is left of that adust and extraneous matter and by degrees puts it forth until it is restored to its former vigour or whilst the same Spirit is too much depressed the liquor of the Blood is still stuffed with adust recrements and therefore becomes troubled and depauperated that it neither assimilates the nourishing Juice nor is made fit for an accension in the heart for the sustaining the lamp of Life 1. When therefore any one is taken with a putrid Feaver the first assault is for the most part accompanied with a shivering or horror for when the Blood begins to grow hot there is a flux made and a swelling up of the crude Juice freshly gathered together in the Vessels even as in the fit of an intermitting Feaver heat and somtimes sweat follow upon the shivering by which the matter of that crude Juice is inkindled and dispersed afterwards a certain remission of the heat follows but yet from the fire still glowing in the Blood a lassitude and perturbation with thirst and waking continually infest A pain arises in the Head or Loins partly from the ebullition of the Blood and partly from the motion of the nervous Juice being hindred also a nauseousness or a vomiting offends the Stomach because the Bile flowing out of the Choleduct Vessels is poured into it and a Convulsion from Vapors and from the sharp Juice brought thorow the Arteries is excited in the Stomach In the mean time altho the heat be more increased and inequal it is not yet strong because the Blood as yet abounding with crude Juices is only inkindled by parts and therefore burns out a little and then ceases and at last returns like a flame that is made by wet and moist straw In this condition for some days the Disease remains the Urine is more red than usual by reason of the Salt and Sulphur being more dissolved and infected with the serum It still retains its Hypostasis or substance because the Coction and assimilation are not altogether depraved it appears greater than ordinary in its sediment which is yet easily separated and falls to the bottom of its own accord At this time they may let Blood and administer Physick by Vomit or Purge so it be done without any great perturbation of the Blood it often happens from these kinds of evacuations timely performed that a greater increase of the Disease is prevented and the Feaver as it were killed in the shell The limits of this stadium or space are variously determined according to the temper of the sick and other accidents of the Disease somtimes the first rudiments of this Feaver are laid in a day or two somtimes the beginning of the Disease is extended to more if in a corpulent Body full of Spirit Juice and hot Blood or it happen in a youthful Age and very hot season if the disposition to a Feaver be potent and the evident cause coming thereupon be strong the Feaverish heat being once begun quickly invades all the Blood and on the second or third day having rooted it self the Disease arises to its increase but if the Feaverish indisposition be begun in a less hot Body a Phlegmatic temper or a melancholy and in old age or a cold season the entrance is longer and scarce exceeds the limits of this first stadium or space before the sixth or seventh day 2. The increase of this Disease is computed from what time the burning of the Feaver hath possest the whole mass of Blood that is the Sulphur or the oily part of the Blood having been long heated and growing fervent in parts at length like Hay laid up wet breaks forth after a long heating all at once into a flame the Blood at this time cruelly boils up and very much inkindled in the Heart by its deflagration diffuses as it were a fiery heat thorow the whole Body and especially in the precordia hence the sick complain of intolerable thirst besides a pain of the head pertinacious wakings and oftentimes a delirium Phrensie and Convulsive motions infest all food whatsoever is loathsom either it is cast up again by Vomit or if retained being baked by too much heat it goes into a Feaverish matter besides there happens a bitterness of the mouth an ingrateful savor a scurfiness of the Tongue a vehement and quick Pulse an Urine highly red and for the most part troubled full of Contents without Hypostasis or laudable sediment when the Blood is at this time almost wholly inkindled by its deflagration it begets great plenty of adust matter as it were ashes remaining after a Fire with which the serum being very much stuffed renders the Urine thick and big with Contents Also the Blood being filled with a load of this to a rising up is irritated into Critical motions by which this Feaverish matter if it may be done being brought under and separated is shut out of doors and indeed this state of the Feaver induces that in which a Judgment is discerned between Nature and the Disease the strife being as it were brought to an aequilibrium and therefore the evacuation which follows from thence is called the Crisis The state therefore or height of a putrid Feaver is that time of the Disease in which Nature endeavors a Crisis or an expulsion of the adust matter remaining after the deflagration of the Blood To this is required in the first place that the Blood hath now for the most part burned forth because in the midst of its burning Nature is not at leisure for a Crisis nor is it ever prosperously endeavored nor in truth procured by Art with good Success Secondly that the spirit of the Blood doth first by some means subdue this adust matter or Caput mortuum separate it from the profitable and render a period to the expulsion for otherways tho a copious evacuation happens Nature will never be free from her burthen Thirdly that this matter be gathered together in such a quantity that by its turgency it may irritate Nature to a Critical expulsion If these rightly concur a perfect Crisis of the Disease for the most part succeeds in which even as in the Fits of intermitting Feavers a Flux being arisen whatsoever extraneous and heterogeneous thing is contained in the bosom
of the Blood is exagitated then being separated and involved with serum it is thrust forth of doors when any thing of these is wanting the Crisis for the most part is in vain and not to be trusted and rarely cures the Disease For if in the midst of the burning before the Blood hath sufficiently burned forth an evacuation happens by Sweat a Lask Bleeding or any other way the adust matter is not all separated or else if for the present it be drawn away for the greatest part the Blood more largely flaming out presently substitutes new and will renew the Feaver again that seemed to be vanquished If that this matter not being yet overcome nor brought to a fulness of rising up be irritated to an expulsion by Nature an imperfect and partial Crisis only follows and when the first indeavor of excretion shall be in vain rarely a perfect and curatory succeeds after that one time The Crisis in a continual Feaver is almost the same thing as the Fit of the intermitting Feavers For as in this when the mass of Blood is filled to a fulness of swelling up with the particles of depraved alible Juice and fitted for maturation there are made a Flux secretion and expulsion out of doors of that matter so in a continual Feaver from the deflagration of the Blood and alible Juice very many little Bodies of adust matter are gathered together with which when the Blood is aggravated and is at leasure a little from the burning it overcomes them by little and little separates them and then a Flux being raised up endeavors to cast them out of doors wherefore as the Fits of intermitting Feavers come not but at a set time and after so many hours so also the Critical motions happen from the fourth day to the fourth or perhaps from the seventh day to the seventh for in this kind of space the Blood being inkindled burns forth and with its burning makes an heap of adust matter as it were ashes which being troublesom to Nature by their irritation induces Critical motions Therefore what some affirm is not true That the Crises depend altogether on the influences of the Moon and Stars and follow their Aspects Quadrations Oppositions or Conjunctions because the Critical evacuations are only determined by the gathering together and the swelling up of the adust matter For as soon as the Blood is at leasure from the deflagration and being filled with the particle of that adust matter is able in some measure to overcome and separate them presently a Flux or swelling up being risen it endeavors to thrust them forth by any way which for that they are easily to be separated from the Blood and the breathing places of the skin are sufficiently open being involved with serum are sent away with sweat And this is the best way of the Crisis which if it rightly succeeds very often wholly and at one time perfectly cures the Disease without danger of relapse To this next follows the Crisis which which is endeavored by the Hemorrhage or bleeding at nose for this matter as it were the flowring being moved with the Blood if it be not cast forth by sweat by reason of a less free transpiration is transferred from the heart into some remote part and frequently is cast into the head by the impetuous rapture of the Blood where if a passage be open from the private holes opening into the nostrils the morbific matter leaps forth of doors with a portion of the Blood But otherways being oftentimes fixed in the Brain brings a phrensie delirium or other grievous and tedious Diseases of the head yea t is to be observed that almost in all continual Feavers whatsoever when they are hardly or imperfectly cured so that the Blood is infected for a long time with the Feaverish matter or adust recrements that from thence the nervous Juice as it seems contracting an infection pertinacious distempers to wit watchings also Deliriums Tremblings Convulsive motions and long adhering weakness of the nervous parts follow Also there are other ways of Crisis by which Nature endeavors not at once and wholly but by little and little and by parts to expel the Feaverish matter now by Urine now by Vomit or Stool now by breakings forth and buboes or biles by what way soever that it may be done with a good event it is required that the deflagration of the Blood be past and that the adust matter be concocted and rendered fit to be separated The state or standing of the Disease is therefore not one and simple nor always happens after the same manner but with a various difference of symptoms and tending to far different events But by a prudent Physician a Prognostication is expedient to be given in what space of time the Disease will come to its height or standing and what end it will have If the Feaver be vehement from the beginning and suddenly invades the whole mass of Blood with a burning if it urges constantly and equally without any remission with a ferocity of symptoms for the most part the Blood will so much burn forth in the space of four days that the adust matter will arise to a fulness of swelling up for the making a Crisis But if its beginnings are more slow and the accension of the Blood often interrupted the Feaver will come to its acme or height about the seventh day If it should begin yet more remiss the standing of the Disease is wont to be drawn out to the Eleventh or Fourteenth day In the mean time it is to be noted that as the Fits of intermitting Feavers return at set times so the Critical motions in continual Feavers but for the most part they observe the fourth day for altho the Crisis may be perfectly prorogued to the fourteenth seventeenth or perhaps the twentieth day because all things requisite to the full curing of the Disease do not sooner concur yet in the time betwixt more light motions happen by which the Feaverish matter arising leisurely to an increase is a little emptied and as it were cut off by parts until Nature may be able to enter upon its more full discussion but when the great provision of the adust matter in the burning Blood is heaped up in the Vessels Nature unless otherways disturbed on every fourth day being tyred with the plenty of matter trys to shake off part of its burthen by a certain swelling up wherefore for the most part the Critical motions happen on the fourth seventh eleventh and fourteenth days not by the direction of the Planets but by reason of the necessity of Nature As to the event whether the Crisis shall be good or not certain foreknowledges are taken from the strength of the sick the Pulse Urine and other signs and concourse of symptoms If the sick appear with some strength the fire of the Feaver urging hath a strong and equal Pulse if the Urine be of a moderate consistency with some sediment with a
separation of the Contents and easily falling to the bottom if the Disease shall make its progress without great Vomiting Watchings Phrensie Convulsive motions and suspition of malignity the standing will be laudable and to be expected with a good Crisis if the contrary to these happen viz. that presently strength is cast down and that the sick is obnoxious to frequent Swoonings Convulsions a delirium with a weak intermitting or unequal Pulse if pertinacious watchings intollerable thirst and Vomiting continually infest if the Urine be thick and troubled without sediment or sinking down of the parts if the burning yet troubling Nature is provoked to critical evacuations a very dangerous state of the Disease is imminent nor may there be hoped for any thing of good from the Crisis Concerning the Crisis of a Putrid Feaver we will here subjoyn a particular Prognostication in which though the things which from the beginning did appear might promise a most desired event a very deadly one is imminent I have often observed in a Putrid Feaver which begins slowly and with a small burning if the Urine be red and when rendred presently troubled and thick which is not precipitated neither by the cold nor of its own accord puts down a sediment and if at the same time the sick lie for many days without sleep tho quiet and that they toss not themselves up and down their condition is in danger and the suspition will be more if in the mean time they are neither troubled with a strong Feaver nor infested with thirst or with a very troublesom heat because those distempered after this manner are incident for the most part about the state of the Disease to a delirium Convulsive motions and oftentimes fall into madness from which they are quickly cast into death and when these symptoms arise the Urine is altered from a thick and red into a thin and more pale Urine It seems in this case the mass of Blood beink taken with the Feaver not to grow turgid so with Sulphur exalted to the height as Wines or Beer are wont in their Effervescencies but the Salt and the terrestrial Lee or Dregs being stirred together with the Sulphur to be affected after the same way as Wines and Beer being suddenly disturbed with Thunder and growing sour wherefore altho the Blood does not presently conceive an immoderate heat from the Feaver yet its disposition being changed it wholly depraves the Juice destinated to the Brain and Nervous parts and therefore about the beginning of the Feaver pertinacious watchings happen then the state growing urgent the oeconomy of the whole Nervous stock is perverted Melancholic persons are most obnoxious to these sort of Feavers in whom the unruliness of the Sulphur are a little restrained by the Salt and Earthy dregs being stirred up with it notwithstanding which all being leisurely carried forth break forth afterwards with a greater slaughter When the Disease shall come to the standing either the business is done at one conflict and from thence with a manifest declination there is made a translation to life or death or there are made frequent skirmishes between Nature and the Disease and critical motions are often attempted before the victory is yielded to either party 1. As to the first If after the Blood hath sufficiently burned forth with a good precursion of signs and symptoms and its burning hath remitted the adust matter being equally brought under and subtilated arises from a full increase to the motion of boiling up and Nature being free from any impediment or depression is strong with able strength enough for the decertation or strife the Feaverish matter for the most part is exterminated at one motion of its flowring or putting forth and the Blood being freed from its fellowship and infection soon recovers its former vigour 2. But if Nature is stirred up to a critical motion before the Blood hath perfectly burnt forth or that adust matter is prepared for excretion altho as to the rest things are in a moderate condition yet from hence but an imperfect Crisis follows by which indeed somthing of the load or burthen with which the Blood is oppressed is drawn away notwithstanding presently another springs up afresh in its place and then at set times perhaps in four or seven days space like the fits of intermitting Feavers the critical motions are repeated the second and perhaps the third time before the strife being ended the matter openly inclines to this or that party 3. But when with the preceeding evil appearance of signs and symptoms the burning of the Blood yet urging the critical motion is provoked without any coction of the Feaverish matter somtimes Nature is overthrown at the first conflict nor doth she recollect herself but yielding her powers overcome by the Disease is precipitated into death Nor is the business much better when the Crisis is at first imperfect and in vain celebrated without any ease to the sick and from thence the next to this succeeds worse and then in another and perhaps another conflict the Disease prevails until the strength being wholly broken and cast down there is a plain end of life Thus much concerning the state and Crisis of the Disease on whose good or improsperous success the event of the Disease depends the declination of the Feaver takes its period of this of which we must speak next 4 Altho the Declining of the Feaver for the most part is taken in the better part that it denotes the condition of the sick growing well of the Disease in which the Blood being almost freed from its Effervency recovers leisurly strength and spirits that were lost and expels what extraneous thing is left remaining in its bosom yet in a genuine enough signification it may be used for that state when from an ill Crisis or in vain the Blood being depauperated and infected with an extraneous and Feaverish mixture still declines for the worse until at length like Wine changed into a lifelessness being made wholly unable for circulation and accension in the Heart it calls on death Therefore in this place the name of declination signifies the condition of the sick and of the Disease which follows the standing whether it tends to life or to death whether the Feaver or life it self of the sick at this time declines As to the times of declination it will be worth our labour to inquire what the temper of the Blood may be and what turns of alterations it has undergone as often as from a good or bad Crisis there has been made a progress of the Disease towards Health or Death To wit first what the disposition or condition of the Blood and Spirits may be from a good Crisis and with what alterations its spoiled Liquor recovers its former vigor Secondly what their temper is from an evil Crisis and by what degrees it still tends to worse and lastly how they are when from a doubtful state and long weakness the sick hardly get up
about the accidents which happen in the first passages lest that whilst we oppose them we should pervert the motion of Nature and lest whilst we fortifie these parts against the course of the Morbific matter we untowardly keep the same shut up in the mass of Blood The Symptom chiefly to be considered about the Bloody mass are an heat diffused through the whole a burning of the Praecordia thirst a disorder of the Pulse a red urine a spontaneous wearisomness a loss of all strength out of which rightly considered these things following may be known viz. what the manner of the heat is or with what tenour the burning Blood flames forth what times of remission or of increase its Effervescency observes in the deflagration whether it retains its Crasis or mixture whole for the burning of it and circulation of it inkindled what strength of the Heart will suffice and what space the Vessels may require so long as the Blood burns what plenty of adust recrements it may heap up by what means it may overcome separate or at lest endeavour to separate the same and lastly what way of a Crisis it endeavours and with what success The accidents which have a respect to the thin Liquor with the Brain and Nervous Appendix are disorders concerning sleep and waking a debility of the whole Body a trembling shivering pains Convulsive motions Cramps of the Viscera Stupifaction Phrensie and the observation of which suggests what the temper and constitution of that thin Liquor may be by what means it waters and influtes the Nervous parts and performs its circutes through them how the Animal Spirits execute the functions of the Viscera what the state of the Brain may be whether it remain free from the incursion of the Feaverish matter or whether it be not in danger of being overwhelmed by reason of its critical metastasis or translation Concerning the habit of the body may be observed what may be the reason of sweating and the manner of it whether only by vaporous Effluvia or by sweats or also by little wealks whether the flesh falls away on the sudden from its wonted bulk Or whether it retains it self a long while What the colour of the Face is And the vigor or habit of the Eyes from these well laid together the course of the Feaver may be best of all measured at what time it will come to its hight or standing Whether Nature will prevail over the Disease or not with what manner of separation and with what success she will endeavor the expulsion of the Feaverish matter also by these signs may be learned by what degrees the Blood growing hot and often congealed doth tend towards Putrefaction or Corruption whether it does any thing concoct the alible Juice poured to it or whether or not it presently casts forth of doors all its provision by sweat as often happens in the declination of this Disease By these symptoms and signs a yet more plentiful Indication may be had if first it be known upon what causes the several species of them depend and by what provision they are wont to be raised up in our Body wherefore I have thought it worth our labour to recount particularly the chief of these and to explicate the reasons of them and their ways of working But the symptoms chiefly to be observed in a putrid Synochus or continual fervor without intermissions are an heat in the whole Body a spontaneous weariness a burning of the Precordia intolerable thirst an ardor and scurfiness of the Tongue or Jawes a pain of the head and loins pertinacious watchings Phrensie Convulsive motions a Syncope Heart-burning Vomiting Nauseousness want of Appetite a Loosness a Flux with which not all at once now with these now with those this Disease is wont to be beset 1. Heat which is felt sharp and biteing in the whole Body depends upon the too great effervency of the Blood and the accension of it in the Heart For the Sulphureous or oily part of the Blood being exalted and taking an heat is inkindled in the heart in a double proportion more than it was wont wherefore it copiously diffuses by its deflagration effluvia of heat thorow the whole Body When the Sulphur is less dissolved and inkindled in the heart as in the green sickness or the white dropsical Disease c. Heat is wanting in the whole but in a Feaver when the Sulphur too much burns forth Heat superabounds For heat depends not only upon the actual inflamation of the Sulphur or the firing of it but an intense heat is excited without fire in many mixtures where the particles of Sulphur are dissolved by corrosion or are more thickly heaped together for want of ventilation wherefore when Iron is corroded by any acid mineral Spirit or when Spirit of Nitre is poured on the butter of Antimony a mighty heat with a fume is produced in like manner when Dung or Hay laid up wet are kept from ventilation grow highly hot it is the same reason why the Blood burns above measure in Feavers to wit the particles of the Sulphur being too much exalted and made hot are more thickly heaped together in the Vessels and are more dissolved and as it were inkindled by the ferment of the Heart wherefore they every way diffuse heat being loosned in the bond of the mixture and every where stretched forth or expansed 2. A spontaneous weariness or lassitude is felt in the whole Body to wit by reason of the Vessels being distented with the boiling Blood also the musculous flesh is very much stuffed with Blood and a copious breath that it is made less fit for motion as they who are sick of an Anasarca have their limbs very unwealdy by reason of the aboundance of serous humor besides in Feavers by reason of the inflamation of the Blood the Juice which is sent for a supply to the nervous stock departs from its due temper that it becomes little fit for the actuating the Body 3. The burning of the Praecordia is made by reason of the Blood being more copiously enkindled in the Chimny of the Heart which from thence boiles forth into the Lungs with great ardency wherefore by how much the neerer this Region is to that fire place of heat it is pierced therefore with the greater burning 4. An almost unquenchable Thirst is caused both from the glowing heat in the Praecordia also by reason of the sharp and hot particles of the Feaverish matter affixed to the ventricle in the circulating of the Blood which indeed desire to be washed even as salted and spiced meats being plentifully eaten or also strong or sour things rouled in the mouth or throat for this kind of distemper calls for a more free swallowing down of Drink as a member too much heated the pouring on of cold water 5. The ardor and scurfiness of the Tongue and Jawes as also oftentimes an accretion of a certain white or yellow or black filth happen without
doubt because of the heat and soot exhaled from the Ventricle and Lungs burning with heat but the Tongue grows white as often as that humidity with which it is naturally much imbued is dried up and parched and so the exterior skin of the Tongue is as it were roasted by the burning heat from hence also it becomes scurfie which is also seen in healthful people when it happens that the Tongue is scorched by broth or any other very hot suppings in like manner as when the Tongues of Animals are boiled for the use of the Table their skin becomes white and sharp or rugged For whether the spittle is drawn from the maxillary glandulas as the doctrine of the most ingenious Wharton hath first made known or any other humor from the glandulas of the Jawes or elsewhere yet because by the reason of the heat and dryness it grows too thick and becomes clammy also then the outward skin of the Tongue grows nevertheless white but also it is covered with a certain filthy glew to wit because that humor by reason of its thickness may smear the Tongue but cannot wet or moisten it but if it happens that the Tongue is inwardly suffused with a bilous humor or outwardly tinged as comes to pass by the use of Choler-abounding Vomits then its hairy nap being spongy imbibing the yellow poyson exhibits also the like colour If that lastly the heat be so strong that it burns the Blood and inkindles a fire more ardent than usual it follows that from the fire place of the Heart the breathing places through the Lungs scarcely sufficing for the ventilating so great fire soot or smoak is raised up which being smitten to the furnace of the Pallat strikes against the Tongue as it were in a reverberatory and infects it with blackness But this same kind of blackness and as other filthinesses of the Tongue is most conspicuous in its middle parts because the more exterior compass is cleansed by its frequent rubbing against the gums and palate 6. Somtimes it happens in Feavers and especially about their declinations that the Tongue palat gums yea the cavity of the whole mouth and throat are covered over with a certain viscous matter as it were a whitish crust which being often wiped off presently new springs again and unless by rubbing diligently and washing the mouth this crusty matter be frequently wiped away the sick are in hazard of being choaked This kind of distemper is most often excited in Children newly born for they are wont for the most part within fourteen days with an external growing hot to be sprinkled thorow the whole skin with broad and red spots if that this suffusion of redness do not freely break forth or vanishes away sooner than it ought for the most part this whitish crust follows in the parts of the mouth This symptom when it troubles Infants after this manner is wont to be ascribed to the fault of the Milk to wit that being to sharp it induces the ulcerous distemper of the mouth In those sick with Feavers it is commonly attributed to thick vapors and soottie elevated from the ventricle But to me it seems most likely that in either this distemper arises from the impurities of the whole Blood and perhaps in some measure of the nervous Juice deposited about these parts for as often as in the mass of either humor any extraneous thing intimately mixed is contained that it is not to be dispersed by sweat nor easily sent away by Urine that most often is fixed with the serous filth about the mouth from whence Catarrhs tumors and troublesom spittings are caused For when for the chewing of the meats the salival humor in this place ought to be plentifully suffused nature very often endeavors to send forth of doors what is superfluous or otherways troublesome by these usual ways of excretion Hence from Mercury being taken when both the Blood and nervous Juice are abundantly stuffed with its most smally divided particles and endeavor to thrust them forth being involved with serum because they are not able to exterminate those mercurial little Bodies being intimately confused neither by sweat urine or by any other ways what is remaining they endeavor to expel thorow the Arteries and other passages which supply the mouth with spittle the same being involved with the serous Latex Also in like manner in Feavers when from a long deflagration of the Blood the adust matter is very much heaped together of which no small part remaining after the Crisis is yet confounded with the Blood and nervous Juice being fixed either to the brain or to some other place from them it is at length supped up again 't is most probable that this matter is throughly roasted by a long concoction and so becomes almost like Glew thick wherefore being not able to be dispersed neither by spittle or insensible transpiration nor to be separated by the urinarie passages but at length leisurely runs out by the little Arteries and other passages of the spittle lying open into the Palat as the most usual way of excretion and forthwith by reason of its thickness grows into that glewiness The same reason holds in Infants whose Blood being made impure by filths contracted in the Womb presently it endeavors to purifie it self by that exterior putting forth which if it do not rightly succeed by reason of the thickness of the matter immediatly the viscous impurities are exterminated by this way as the more open I have known some in the declination of a Feaver to whom not only this kind of Crust of gummy matter has hapned in the parts of the mouth but a copious salivation as if they had taken mercury with a stinking of the breath also a swelling of the Tongue and Gums hath been raised up for many days 7. The pain of the Head in Feavers is excited because of the Meninges of the Brain being pulled or hauled with vapors and with a sharp Blood and hot for the Blood being impetuously moved by reason of the direction of the great Arterie is carried in a greater plenty to the Head than to the lower parts because the passage from the bosom of the Heart to the head is strait from the same to the inferior members oblique and as it were reflected wherefore as the membranes are very sensible and that there the Blood is stopped and reverberated in its rapid course it is no wonder if cruel headaches are excited in Feavers Besides this impetuous flowing of the Blood wherewith as it were by a certain Ramming the membranes of the Head being distended ake grievously also somtime Headaches arise by reason of the nervous Juice which is supplyed from the burning Blood being too sharp and pricking wherefore when the membranes and nervous parts are watered with the same they being pulled by its acrimony are moved into Pains and Convulsions 8. In like manner also the other distempers of the Head as watchings delirium Phrensie Convulsion
symptom coming upon that other Disease of which sort is accounted what depends upon the squinancy plurisie the inflamation or imposthume of the Lungs or any imposthume from a wound or ulcer in a principle part or its neighbourhood of which we think a little otherways viz. That truly no Putrid Feaver is merely Symptomatical perhaps it may arise occasionally from some other Distemper but it is founded immediatly in the Sulphureous part of the Blood being made too hot and as it were inkindled for without a Procatarsis or preceeding indisposition of the Blood the aforesaid Distempers rarely or not at all cause a Putrid Feaver As to what respects the squinancy plurisie the inflamation or imposthume of the Lungs and the like I say that these are the products of the Feaver or Distempers following it but by no means the cause of it for most often the evident cause went before which produced the Feaverish effervescency of the Blood as a taking of cold evacuation being hindered c. then altho the sick do not openly grow presently into a Feaver yet a greater ebullition of the Blood than was wont is stirred up as may be easily conjectured from the Urine Pulse and inquietude of the whole Body After some days â—nhw sooner now later an Inflamation is brought forth in one part or other the reason of which may probable enough be said to be of this sort The Blood by reason of the effluvia being retained which are like ferment is increased in its bulk and grows more turgid than its wont in the Vessels and when for want of Ventilation it is streightned in the space of its circulation it easily springs forth where it can find a passage through the Arteries and being extravasated from the broken thred of Circulation it gathers together into a Tumor and because from this kind of tumor an heat and pain are increased in the part the Blood is more disturbed in its motion and so the Feaver at first inkindled is more aggravated Further in these kind of Distempers we may take notice of a certain aptitude of the Blood to be coagulated whereby it is made less fluid so that it is apt to be congealed in the lesser Vessels even as it is to be perceived in Milk when it begins to sour for then it will not be boiled nor heated over the fire without coagulation and in like manner there is to be suspected in the Blood a certain disposition to growing sour by reason of which it is made more obnoxious to coagulation for it easily appears that in a plurisie a peripneumonia the squinancy and the like Diseases the inflamation or extravasation of the Blood does not always depend on the exuberancy of the Blood and plenitude of the Vessels for oftentimes the Blood is stopped in its motion with a weak pulse and a sinking down of the Vessels and being extravasated in the side or elsewhere causes a most acute pain yea being driven from one part by and by it is fixed in another and somtimes it begins to stagnate in the heart it self and there oftentimes induces a deadly oppression wherefore some pluritical people are wont when the pains are gone to complain of a great burthen and as it were weight fixed about the region of the Heart And when we have opened the dead Bodies of such as have dyed of these kind of Diseases we have seen the Blood to be gathered together in little bits or oblong gobblets in the secret parts of the Heart and round about the cavities of the Vessels But for that these Diseases are wont to be handled apart from the Feaver therefore we shall say no more of them here It only remains that we inquire whether the Feaver which accompanies these Distempers is to be esteemed in the rank of those that are called Putrid or not To which we reply that most often they are simple Feavers in which only a subtil and spirituous part of the Blood is inflamed and therefore it the extravasated Blood may be restored to circulation by a plentiful detraction of the Blood or an emptying the Vessels by sweat presently the growing hot of the Blood is appeased and the Feaver shortly allayed But somtimes when a predisposition as in a Plethora or fulness of good humor or in a great Cacochymie or fulness of evil Juices brings it on together with the same kind of distempers a Putrid Feaver is inkindled wholly from the same cause Among the symptomatick Feavers is reckoned that which is commonly called the slow Feaver they who are sick of this are more than usually hot especially after eating any motion or exercise the Urine for the most part is red the Spirits are feeble and strength cast down as to their appetite and rest they are indifferently well they have neither Cough nor much spitting but they daily like those in Consumptions grow lean without any evident cause The fault for the most part is ascribed to obstructions in some inward as the liver spleen or mesentery by whose default the aliment is not well Cooked nor rightly dispensed But it seems to me that this sort of distemper is immediatly founded in the evil disposition of the Blood by which it is inclined into a too salt and sour temper and therefore is rendred less apt for nutrition and an equal circulation For the Blood in the Heart just like oil in a Lamp if it redounds too much with saline Particles is inkindled not pleasantly and equally but with a noise and great evaporation of the parts whereby indeed it is sooner wasted and exhibits but a languishing and weak flame I opened one somtime since dead of this Disease in whom the Viscera destinated to concoction were well enough but the Lungs were without moisture and dry and beset throughout with a sandy matter like Chaulk Also oftentimes in this Disease the Mesentery is beset the glandules being filled with such a Chaulky matter But whether the Blood being made more saltish doth first bring in these kind of distempers of the Viscera or whether the Dyscrasie or evil disposition of the Viscera first brings it upon the Blood is uncertain it seems probable that either distemper depends upon the other and that the causes of either evil are reciprocal But the Feaver which chiefly deserves to be called Symptomatic is that which is excited in Phthisical persons from an Ulcer or Consumption of the Lungs For the whole Blood whilst it passes thorow the Lungs in its circulation often impresses on this Inward the ideas of very many Diseases and on the other side receives the same from it being evilly affected whatsoever impure thing is conteined in the mass of the Blood as the flowring of New Wine is cast forth by extremities of the Arteries wherefore when Nature being made more weak it cannot transfer its recrements into the superficies of the Body it deposes them by a more near Purgation into the Lungs From hence a Cacochymia or fulness of ill
Disease he may predict its event suspected and much to be feared But yet he ought not to trust to a naked Prognostication to hinder all things else but that as yet what is in the Medical Art should be consulted for Health tho desperate Remedies may be administred to the symptoms most infesting the Spirits of the Blood almost extinct may be restored by Cordials When we despond of Health life should be prolonged as long as it may and at least a fair exit procured According to the various types but now described of a Putrid Feaver I might readily add very many Histories of sick people and particular observations made about their Cure for these kind of examples are usually met with in our dayly practice so that they are sufficient to fill a great Volumn out of these however with the good leave of the honest Reader I will briefly propose some few respecting the several kinds of the aforesaid Feaver by which their Doctrine and Method of healing them above delivered may be illustrated A Noble Matron about fifty years of Age of a slender habit of Body little stature indued with a ruddy Complection when on the fifteenth day of June by reason of the Summers heat she had put on more thin Garments than she was wont felt herself ill in the Evening from thence she was distempered with a nauseousness and oppression of her Stomach she felt wandring pains troubling her now in her shoulders now in her back very thirsty yet without any immoderate heat on the second and third day almost after the same manner on the fourth day after a Vomit Viz. of the infusion of Crocus Metallorum one Ounce given she cast forth yellow bile four times and had three Stools and seemed to be eased the night following she slept somthing better but on the next day the Feaver being throughly inkindled she complained of thirst a burning of the Praecordia and of a pain now in her side now in her back presently blood was taken to eight Ounces her Urine was of a very deep red thick and troubled without any Hypostasis or setling of the Contents her Pulse unequal and often intermitting the following night without sleep on the sixth day of the Disease early in the Morning a small Sweat broke forth from whence the heat somthing abated which in the Evening again grew stronger on the seventh day a very acute heat with thirst burning an inordinate and intermitting Pulse as also with a mighty restlessness and tossing of the whole Body troubled her on the eighth the symptoms were somwhat more remiss also in the Urine some marks of an Hypostasis she took that day posset-drink with Meadow-sweet boiled in it and sweated plentifully and was cured of her Feaver All the time of her sickness for Food they gave only smal Beer Posset drink Barly broth or Grewel also frequently Clysters Drink and a cooling Julep they gave her at her pleasure This Noble Lady through transpiration being hindred fell into a Putrid Synochus the Effluvia wont to be evaporated through the skin being retained within together with the Choler flowing out of the Choleric Vessels and fixed to the Viscera did overthrow the dispositions of their parts and especially gave trouble to the Stomach and raised up pains and Convulsions in the parts filled with Muscles and Membranes the Pulse was unequal and intermitting not because of the malignity of the Disease as in the Plague but by reason a certain proper disposition of the Heart by which indeed its ferment being not well constituted the Blood growing fervent is not presently equally inkindled and wholly leaps forth but a part of the Blood in flowing in a small then a greater and after some turns the graatest proportion stoping for a moment of time in the Bosoms of the Heart produces the unequal and intermitting Pulse I have known in many others clearly the like distemper of the Pulse to wit so long as they were free from intemperance the Pulse was altogether equal and orderly but if they were more strongly heated than usually by any sudden passion of the mind or too great agitation of the Body presently they were affected with an unequal Pulse and between the vibrations or strikings intermitting perhaps 4 7 10 or 20. and as often as they fell into a Feaver the Pulse shewed it self after this irregular manner When this habitual irregularity concerning the Pulse was not yet made known to me by frequent experience I was wont to suspect still a malignity in the Disease and to foretel a fatal event which hapned otherwise On the fifth day in this sick person the Feaver although slowly inkindled came to an augmentation and from thence past through the rest of the stations with a swift motion on the sixth a light emptying of the adust matter arising to a fulness a sweat being risen and so a certain remission of the Feaverish heat followed on the seventh day this adust matter arising to its height of increase made the standing of the Disease to which at length on the eighth day a plentiful sweat with all things requisite to a good Crisis followed and perfectly Cured the Feaver because as it ought to be those three things went before this critical evacuation viz. first a full and sufficient deflagration of the Blood as appeared by the very strong heat and plainly fiery continued for three days before also secondly a congestion of the adust matter to a plenitude as was collected by the high disquiet and tossing about the preceeding and then a certain Pepasmus or Concoction of the same matter and a begun secretion in the Blood which a ceasing of the symptoms and signs of Concoction in the Urine shewed wherefore the Copious sweat coming upon so laudable a sign so long as there was no suspition of malignity portended nothing but good About the beginning of the year 1656 a Gentleman endued with an active habit of Body without any manifest cause unless that being much addicted to study he used no exercise after it became ill at first he complained of a nauseousness and want of Appetite with a great Headach on the second day he was affected now with a shivering now with heat several times reciprocating besides with thirst and burning of the Praecordia with a scurfieness of the Tongue and an ingrateful savour On that day he took ten drams of an Emetick Liquor by which he Vomited seven times and cast up a great quantity of yellow bile and had four Stools the night following he was unquiet and almost wholly without sleep and in which the sick person grew more Feaverish with an increased heat on the third day when the aforesaid symptoms were grown worse he was let Blood to ten Ounces his Urine was red thick and with a copious sediment his Pulse quick and vehement at night he sweat a little with a short sleep but disturbed on the following morning he seemed to be a little eased yet in the evening
it was not known whether Nature had begot greater Evils or Remedies As there is great varieties of Poysons so as to their Subjects and ways of hurting there is no less diversity of them for the most Poysons in their whole substance are said to be contrary to us that whatsoever they come to with a burning force and like fierce fire they reduce into ashes yet out of these some being noted for a peculiar raising of hurt do more endammage one part or substance than another The subjects on which the taint of Poyson is next and more immediatly inflicted are twofold to wit the animal Spirits or the spirituous subtil Liquor flowing in the Brain and nervous stock and the Blood flowing in the Vessels and heart when the object is carried only to one or being improportionate at one to either that from thence the disposition of the Liquors or of the containing parts is overthrown whereby the necessary functions for the performing of life and sense are restrained and this done latently and as it were unforeseen these kind of distempers we ascribe to Poyson The nervous bodies with the animal Spirit are not invaded wholly after the same manner by every sort of Poysons for they are tormented now with a Stupor now with Convulsions and those of divers kinds and manners The bile of a Tarantula causes dancing A power sent from the Torpedo by the Angle or lines of the Net stupifies the hand of the Fisher The roots of the wild Parsnip or the seeds of Lolium or Darnel being eaten make men mad Opium Mandrakes Henbane and the like cause deep and somtimes deadly sleep These and many others chiefly impress their Poyson on the spirituous or animal faculty without any great perturbation of the Blood or hurt brought to the heart There are also some Poysons which most of all insinuate their malignity to the mass of Blood wherefore from some Medicines there have been produced a yellow or black Jaundice somtimes a Leprosie or leprous distempers and swellings of the whole body vapours breaking forth from secret hollows of the Earth also from Coals newly inkindled often suffocating the vital Spirits at once congeal the Blood and stop it in its motion whereby the flame of life in the heart could not be continued How much corruption of the mass of Blood is imparted from the pestilent Infection is perspicuous to every one from the spots and Whelks which are as it were the marks of the blasted Blood If the hurt being first inflicted to either viz. The regiment of the Heart or Brain be more lightly made it is for the most part cured without any great offence to either wherefore Convulsive motions Stupifaction Lethargie Melancholy Paralytick distempers do not seldom begin with a laudable Pulse and without an immoderate effervescency of the Blood and then if the distemper does not get strength leisurely end and cease There are other Poysons which often deprave the Blood and by dissolving its mixture corrupt it in the mean time the animal functions remain whole enough But if the ferment of the Poyson be stronger and hath more deeply fixed its roots presently the Poyson is dispersed from one Province to the other for when the nervous parts swell up with a virulent juice a portion of the Poyson is carried with the nervous Latex returning through the Lymphatick Vessels into the veins easily into the bosom of the Blood and infects its mass with the evil with which it was big also from the Blood being grievously impoysoned the juice by which the nerves are watered quickly contract the infection hence mad men are in a Feaver and those taken with a pestilent Feaver are most often tormented with a Delirium or Phrensie Concerning these things we must consider what the alteration is or the impression of hurt which is inflicted from the Poyson to the animal Spirit with the brain and nervous appendex and what also to the Blood with the Heart and the annexed Vessels tho here it is not in the power of humane skill or wit plainly to shew or as it were point out with the finger the manner of its being done yet we may be able to attain to some little knowledge of this thing by reasoning and by comparing it with other distempers Concerning the former we shall observe that the subtil Liquor or animal Spirits wherewith the Nervous Bodies are blown up and by whose expansion sense and motion perform their reciprocal actions are easily perverted from their tensity and equal expansion for as the Nerves are of a soft texture and the Spirits which abound in them of a very subtil substance they cannot endure any strong or vehement objects wherefore when any violent or improportionate thing falls on them they are often compelled from their expansion and excursion into flight and a running backward and not seldom into irregularities of motions wherefore sudden passions of the mind distract them and drive them into Spasms and Convulsions when the Alible Juice by which they are repaired is supplyed too sharp sour or austere they suffer now Palsies and now contractures If that some object more incongruous such as we have affirmed Poyson to be should be offered whose Particles are indued with such fierceness or are of such a kind of configuration that when they grow impetuously hot with the Nervous Liquor they shake or lose here and there its more subtil or spirituous part or wholly drive it away and fix the remaining Liquor either with a styptic force or by ebullition force it into inordinate motions hence of necessity evil distempers of the Brain and Nervous parts arise viz. somtimes a Convulsion Trembling Shivering somtimes loosnings or a stupefaction and other symptoms of more grievous note What things after this manner infect the Nervous Juice with Poyson are now more thick and only when they are applyed in a very Corporeal substance do inflict their hurt now they are thin and being resolved even into a vapour or breath pour forth from a certain little prick the ferment of Poyson through the whole Nervous stock Somtimes the Poyson of some hurtful thing being eaten first begins its Tragedy in the Ventricle more often by a naked touch leaves on the superficies of the Body a virulent taint which easily and quickly with its ferment contaminates the Spirits dispersed through the whole The Infection wherever inflicted either within or without is more largely dispersed from the extremities of the Nerves by their easie passage being from thence brought into consent of the evil by the very many little shoots of the same branch Often a more light touch of an invenomed thing by the finger or extremity of any other member presently communicates to the Brain the received infection and from thence it is retorted into the whole Body and the farthest members the reason of this is that both the Particles of the Nervous Juice and of the same invenomed infection are so light and ready for motion that they
pass through most swiftly as the Rays of light through a Diaphanous medium the whole mass of one another 2. As often as the Blood contracts hurt from some Poysonous thing the Poyson is fixed within either slow and of lesser activity which does not presently betray it self nor break forth into cruel symptoms till of a long time after it is ripened by a silent fermentation and hath first infected the whole mass of Blood as may be observed in some Poysons which are said to kill at a distance and not till after some months or years Or the Poysons inspired into the Blood are imbued with a much more acute sting that from their Contagion the Infection contracted presently breaks forth into cruel symptoms and thereupon follows now a Feaverish effervency with Vomiting Thirst and burning of the Precordia now a swelling up of the whole Body a discoloration of the skin oftentimes a breaking forth of whelks and buboes and frequently also a sudden loss of all strength so that sudden death without tumult and almost insensibly steals upon one where by the way it is to be noted If the Spirits of the Blood provoked by the enemy are able to encounter him and to strive for the victory this Feaverish ebullition of the Blood is stirred up from the conflict but if the Particles of the Poyson being far stronger suddenly profligate the Spirits of the Blood and extinguish life presently the Bloody mass is corrupted neither can it be circulated in the Vessels nor rightly inkindled in the heart If it be yet demanded what mutations the Blood infected with Poyson undergoes either in its substance or consistency that for that reason it is rendered unfit for the sustaining of Life I answer after this manner some Poysons fuse the Blood and too much precipitate its serosity such are Medicines which by a strong killing Purging or by a Profluvium of Urine or a discoloration or swelling up of the whole Body or with an eruption of Pustules cause a very great secretion of the serous Latex in the mean time a great ebullition of the mass of Blood is induced whereby the Vital Spirits are greatly destroyed the Particles of Salt and Sulphur too much exalted by the Concoction and are often so roasted that a Yellow or Black Jaundies is caused There are Poysons of another kind far more dangerous which congeal the Blood and by destroying its mixture corrupt it viz. the first induce a congelation to the Bloody mass and then a Putrefaction for when the Spirits of the Blood being overthrown by the contagion of the Poyson are dissipated the equal mixture of the Liquor is loosned wherefore the more thick Particles mutually infold one another and like Milk when Rennet is put to it or growing sowr of it self are coagulated apart hence the Blood curdles in the Vessels that it is less readily circulated in them coagulated portions of this being inwardly diluted into the bosom of the Heart are apt to stagnate there and so to bring forth frequent syncopes and swounings being carried outwardly and in the circulating fixed in the skin somtimes being more plentifully heaped together they induce a suffusion of blackness through the whole somtimes being more sparingly dispersed they cause only spots or Purple marks like black and blew stroaks and other appearances of malignity But the coagulation of the Blood quickly disposes it to putrefaction or corruption as is seen in extravasated Blood which is wont to grow soon black and putrid For the Spirit being exhaled the Particles of Sulphur and Salt remaining in the Blood begin to go apart one from another and to break the bond of the mixture from whence follows Putrefaction These things being thus premised of Poyson in general the reason of the method requires that we enter upon the handling of Feavers which draw their Original altogether from a malignant and invenomed infection and as under this title the Pest or Plague easily obtains the chief place I will begin with its consideration and afterwards I will speak of malignant Feavers Small-pox and Measels in order But yet before I shall propose its definition I will briefly inquire of the pestiferous Poyson what its disposition and Nature may be also from whence it may be born and lastly by what means it is propagated into others by contagion For the expressing the Nature of the Plague Authors are wont to choose some invenomed Bodies and from their names to frame an Elogy of this most wicked Disease wherefore in the definition of the pest are commonly recounted the Nepelline Aconital and Arsenical Poyson the Lethiferous force of which however as it consists in a very thick matter and does not exert or put forth itself but by a Corporal contact doth not truly imitate the essence of the Pestilential Disease for this is founded in a Spiritual and Vaporous infection by which its Effluvia being every way diffused so potently unfold themselves that out of the best seminary or seed plot they quickly propagate a fruitful Crop of death and destruction By reason of its notable activity this infection may deserve to be called as it were a certain quintessence of Poyson the very agil and subtil Particles of this do penetrate all Bodies and inspire them with its ferment for either being dispersed through the Air or hid in a certain tender or cherishing nest tho they strike against the human Body but lightly and as it were through a Casement they easily subdue it for both the Animal Spirits and those of the blood they quickly infect and by that means shortly pour forth the Venomous taint into all the members When a Pestilential Breath or Vapour hath invaded any one and that Poyson hath first laid hold on the Animal Spirits or those of the Blood or both of them at once as hath been already said of Poysons the taint is quickly derived from the subtil and more thin substance of these into a more thick matter because it quickly ferments the whole mass of Blood or of the Nervous Juice and the excrementitious humors every where abounding and from thence is deduced into the solid parts and fixes the evil in them If this Disease first possesses the Animal Spirits presently the hurt is communicated to the Brain and the Nervous stock and especially to the Ventricle forthwith it impoysons the humour growing in these loosens its mixture perverts the regular motion and renderr it wholly incongruous and infestous to the more tender substance of the containing parts by and by from thence Cramps and Convulsive motions cruel Vomitings pains of the Heart also Phrensies deliriums or pertinacious watchings are stirred up about the first assault of the Disease when in the mean time the infection not being yet dispersed through the Blood the sick are not Feaverish nor are troubled with inordinate Pulse or Syncope or appearances of marks which symptoms however arise afterwards as soon as the Blood is infected If when the Spirits of the
Blood are first possessed with the impoysoned infection either drawn in with the Air or attracted through the pores its ferment is presently dissipated through the whole mass of the Blood the infested portions immediately begin to be loosned from their equal mixture to go into parts and to be coagulated and the same being delated into the bosom of the Heart are wont there to stagnate and so to induce a Syncopy Swoonings and often sudden Death also being carried outwardly fixed about the skin to cause Buboes inflamed risings and other marks of Poyson in the mean time the sick appear well in mind nor are they troubled with Delirium nor Convulsive motions If that from a more strong cause the hurt is inflicted to both parts at once the course of the Disease is performed with a more horrid provision of symptoms and especially with a Syncopy and Phrensie at once infesting As to what appertains to its rise when the Plague first arises in any Region or Country there is attributed a twofold cause of it viz. Primary or Metaphysical also Secondary or Natural subordinate to that The very Heathens did acknowledg this Disease wherever it raged sent first of all from God for the castigation of the wickednesses of men and therefore for its extirpation they equally made use of Prayers and Sacrifices as of Medicines As to what belongs to the Natutal cause there are divers opinions Some will that the Pestilence newly arisen be derived from the Heavens and influences of the Stars only on the contrary others have affirmed it only to arise from the internal putrefaction of the humors of our Body but these endeavour to deduce the cause of this sickness too far off and these more near than it ought We will walk in the middle way and what Reason persuades and what very many Authors assert we will place the chief and first seminary or seed plot of this Poyson in the Air because it seems consonant to Reason that from the same Fountain from which the common food of life is had the beginnings of death no less diffusive are to be sought There is the same necessity for our breathing in the Air as of Fishes living in the Water wherefore as to waters infected by Poyson the murrain of Fishes dying in heaps is ascribed so men dying of an Epidemical slaughter without any manifest cause nothing could kill besides the infection of the commonly inspired Air. For the Air which we necessarily draw in for the continuance of Life consists of an heap of vapors and fumes which are perpetually breathed forth from the Earth in which the exhalations of Salt and Sulphur being mingled with the atomical vaporous little Bodies constitute here as it were a thick cloud the motions of these are swift and unquiet they are of a manifold figure and very much diverse wherefore some continually meet against others and according to their various configurations they cohere with these and are mutually combined one with another and from those they are driven and fly away from hence the reasons of the Sympathy and Antipathy of every thing depend From the diverse agitations of these kind of Atoms near the superficies of the Earth this or that tract of the Air enters into diverse alterations by which Bodies chiefly the living are variously affected because the intestine motion of the Particles of every Animal depends very much upon the motion and temper of the Particles of the Air forasmuch as these perpetually exagitate those raise up those lying asleep repair the loss of those flying away shake the vital flame with their Nitrosity and supply it with a Nitrous-Sulphureous Food eventilates it being inkindled by continual turns of access and recess and carry away the Soot and Fumes So long as an apt contemperation happens in either for motion and configuration living Creatures injoy perfect health and life but if the little Bodies swiming in the Air be of that sort of figure and power that are plainly adverse to the Spirits implanted in living Creatures they loose the mixtures of these from the rest from whose Elements they are collected and pervert their motions hence the dispositions of things are destroyed life profligated and the same being scarce extinct the Bodies undergoe putrefaction hence the tops of Trees or of Corn being struck with a blast suddenly grow dry or wither hence among Cattel the murrain often rages which kills at once whole Flocks by reason of this kind of cause the Seeds of the Pestilence first put themselves forth and attempt the slaughter of human kind for as invenomed Bodies in the bowels of the Earth or concreted on its superficies produce the Arsenical or Aconital mixtures so these being even resolved into vapour and heaped together in the Air create most pernitious Airs from which Malignant and Pestilential Diseases arise the infection which after this manner Contaminates the Air the most ingenious Diemerbrochius a searcher of this Disease contends that is only sent as the wrath of angry Apollo immediately from the angry right hand of God but this were to multiply without any pretext of necessity I will not say beings but miracles and in every Plague to assert a Creation of new substance when in the mean time the virulent product of Minerals and Vegitable which dayly appear and of as quite adverse Nature to us as the Plague clearly testifie that there lives hid in the Bowels of the Earth plenty of invenomed matter sufficiently fitted for this business For the little Bodys which being roled about with earthy matter do constitute the Poysonous mixtures in the bosom of the Earth the same being resolved into vapours will be no less hurtful afterwards and impress a pestiferous blast to the Air which they wander through wherefore by the leave of so Learned a man I should say that it seems not improbable that the things which first of all affix the seed plot of the Pestilence to any tract of Air be the Poysonous Effluvia of fierce Salts and Sulphurs and by the Divine Will instigating breathing forth from the bowels of the Earth which somtimes being a long time before shut up are leisurely exhaled out of Dens and Caverns somtimes by reason of the motion of the Earth or Earthquake or a gaping of the Earth they break forth in heaps also of the same kind are those which ordinarily are breathed forth from the filth of Souldiers in their nasty Camps or from unburied Carcases or from places beset with standing and stinking Mud but the little Bodies after this manner exhaled obtain their wonderful height properties and abilities by a long putrefaction that therefore they are incongruous and heterogeneous to all others whatsoever and so being received into the Air ferment it as it were a mass of Liquor and pervert it from a wholsom and benign into a most pernicious and wicked Nature Some Bodies more easily others not so readily receive the malignant tincture of the Pestilent Air. Those who by
reason of ill feeding are full of evil humors and who by reason of fulness have their Blood stuffed with firable Sulphur receive the Pestilential Poyson by the lest blast of the invenomed Air especially if fear or sadness happen which convey inwardly and lead to the Heart as it were by a certain attraction the most light darts of the contagion On the contrary those who have their Viscera clean and the mass of Blood well tempered and are indued with a strong and fearless mind do not so easily receive this infection and somtimes exterminate it soon being received Thus much for the beginning and divulgation of the Pestilence according to its first Fountains and from thence the stream of the infected Air being deduced it remains for us to speak concerning its propagation by contagion forasmuch as it is derived as it were extraduce from some and so to others We understand by Contagion that force or action by which any distemper residing in one Body excites its like in another But as this may happen either immediately by contact as when any one lying in the same bed with another taken with the Plague or mediately and at a distance as when it happens that the infection is transferred from one house to others remote or also if the Plague come upon any one after many days or months perhaps years handling a Garment or house-hold stuff brought from an infected house therefore that the Nature of the Contagion and its diverse modes may be plainly made known we will first weigh what that is which streams from an infected Body Secondly how it bears it self through the Medium of its passage Thirdly by what means it begets a distemper like it self in another Body 1. That from every Body altho of a more fixt Nature Effluvia of Atoms constantly fly away and run forth which round about constitute as it were a Cloud or Halos and as it were cloath it like the down of a Peach is so much received among the more sound Philosophers that nothing can be more But by how much the more any thing consists of active Particles by so much the more it sends from it self little Bodies of more remarkable virtue and energy Hence the Effluvia which fall from Ambers are able to move other Bodies from their place emanations proceed from Sulphureous things which fill the whole neighbourhood with odors And so when the Pestilential venom as hath been already said is from hence any where fixed and tho in the smallest bulk is of great efficacy and operation there is a necessity that some emanations proceed from the Bodies imbued with it which refer the nature or disposition of the same Poyson and malignity and diffuse them on every side according to its sphear of activity But when these little Bodies which retain the contagion of the Pestilence as they stream from one Body are not presently received by another we shall inquire how they carry themselves in respect of their passage through the medium Where we shall presently meet with a difference in those from many others for that the Effluvia which ordinarily evaporate do not long retain the Nature or Disposition of the Body from which they flow but either vanish into Air or being impacted to other Bodies are assimilated to them but those Particles which fall from a Pestilential Infection are not easily supped up by the Air or any other Body so as they may be wholly destroyed but among the various confusions of Atoms and the dashings of other Bodies they keep themselves untouched For this untamed Poyson remains still the same almost and not to be overcome by others and tho it consists of never so little heap of Atoms will not presently vanish but with its ferment imbues the next little Bodies and so acquires new forces and gains strength by going from whence it lurks a long while in some nest and after a long time when it assaults a convenient subject puts forth it self and imparting the taint of its Poyson to another raises up again the Disease of the Pestilence anew which seemed before to be exploded and tho from the smallest seminary sprinkles far and near its deadly Poyson For the Pest brings forth such most sure signs of its contagion that some Authors contend that for this reason it only continues among Mortals and doth never spring up anew but is only conserved from its nest and carried from thence from one Region to another Histories relate that the seeds of this have lain asleep for several years in some Garment or Bedcloaths and that afterwards they being stirred it hath appeared and hath stirred up anew the Disease of the Pestilence increasing with a mighty slaughter of men When by reason of the tinder or cherishing nest the Plague is propagated after this manner at a distance the invenomed little Bodies which remain in the infection being moved presently leap out and unfold its Poyson every way as it were by a certain irradiation if that they strike against an human body presently they lay hold on the Spirits and are by their Vehicle conveyed inwardly and then by an easie labour they infect the Blood and Humors wheresoever flowing in the Vessels with their ferment and quickly bring to them coagulations and putrefaction And after this manner through the most subtil Effluvia is made as it were a certain transmigration of the Pestilential Disease even as when a shoot being cut off from some Tree and laid up for a time and afterwards ingrafted to another Trunk tho from the smallest bud it is able to produce a Tree of the same Kind and Nature CHAP. XIII Of the Plague THus far we have discoursed of Poyson in general also of the Pestilence its beginning and propagation by contagion it now remains that we explicate the description of the Plague its Nature according to its accidents and symptoms most worthy of note then some things shall be added which belong to its Cure The Plague may be described after this manner that it is an Epidemical Disease Contagious highly infestous to human kind taking its beginning from an invenomed Infection received first by the Air and then propagated by Contagion which having hiddenly and largely set upon men causes extinctious of the Spirits coagulations of the Blood blastings mortifications or deadnesses of the solid parts and with the appearances of whelks buboes or carbuncles as also with the horrid provision of other symptoms brings the sick in danger of life Altho the Plague be one kind of Disease and its specifical differences or essential are not found yet by reason of the divers kinds of accidents which come upon it some diversities and irregularities of it are observed which somthing vary the type of the Disease tho they change not the species For first this distemper somtimes is more universal that it rages every where through many Vilages and Cities at once but somtimes it is circumscribed in narrower bounds and only threatens one
Region or Tract of Land Secondly somtimes the Plague comes simple and unmixt with other Diseases wherefore privily and as it were by surprise almost without a Feaver or vehemency of symptoms brings a secret killing of the sick Somtimes it is complicated with a number of other Diseases that the business is carried with tumult and frequent skirmishing between Nature and Death Thirdly the degree of malignity constitutes a great difference for the Plague in some places and times is much more mild that many of the sick escape somtimes it is highly mortal that most taken are killed and that scarce one of an hundred recovers But because this Disease hides its weapons and coming on men unawares kills them suddenly therefore it shall be our work that by some signs as it were watchmen planted we may know the Clandestine coming of this enemy altho we are not able to foresee it from afar Very many signs happen which foretel shortly a Plague about to come to wit if the year keeps not its Temper but has immoderate and very unseasonable excesses either of heat or cold or of dryness or wet if the small-pox or Measles do every where rage if Boils or Buboes accompany reigning Feavers Besides Astrologers are wont from the Aspects of the Stars or appearances of Comets to predict the approaching Plague but this ought rather to be called a vain conjecture than a certain foreknowledge From a preceeding Famine a most certain presage may be taken of a Plague to follow as in the Adage 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Plague comes with the Famine For the like Constitution of the year which for the most part by reason of the Corn being blasted brings scarcity is apt also to produce the Plague also an evil way of feeding which people in dearths use eating all unwholsom things without choice disposes their Bodies to the more easie receiving the Infection Yea also earth-quakes fresh openings of Caverns and secret Vaults by the gaping of the Ground by reason of the eruptions of malignant and impoysoned Airs often give beginning to the Pestilence For indeed as there is need of great diligence to foresee as it were from a watch-Tower the approaching Plague so there is no less need of care and diligence to consider or take notice of the same being fresh risen and the shooting of its first darts For oftentimes being too solicitous we dread vulgar Feavers if perchance they end in death for this Disease and somtimes being too secure contemning the Pestilence by reason of its Symptoms like to a common Feaver we apprehend not out danger till too late wherefore for the more full knowledge of this Disease we will subjoyn its Signs and Symptoms both common and Pathognomic or peculiar and briefly describe their causes means and manner of being done Besides the signs already delivered which by a certain demonstration à priori or before-hand bring a suspicion of the Plague about to come there are others the concourse of which plainly shew its presence in the sick body of these some are common to the Plague with a Putrid Feaver some are more proper to this distemper For the impression of the Pestilence most often stirs up an effervency of the Blood and so has frequently a Feaver joyned with it that among some in the definition of the Plague it hath the place of a kind of Feaver wherefore by reason of the ebullition of the Blood and the hurt brought to the Viscera presently there follows a growing hot a spontaneous weariness thirst a burning of the precordia often great Vomitings pains of the Heart torments of the Intestines a scurfiness of the Tongue or a blackness a pain of the head watchings Phrensie palpitation of the Heart swooning and sudden loss of strength tho Feavers are most often beset with these kind of Symptoms yet if at the same time the Plague hath spread in the neighbourhood and a fear of it hath possessed the minds of men hence a greater suspition of this evil is caused especially because whilst the Pestilence reigns other Diseases in any one leave their proper Nature and change into it wherefore if there happens to the distempers but now recited a Communication of the same sickness to many and a frequency of Burials that it becomes every where very deadly and spreads largely even by contagion and if besides Buboes Carbuncles Spots or other marks of the pestiferous infection appear the business is put without doubt and we may with no less faith denounce it the Pestilence than when we see an house flaming with fire breaking through the Raftures we cry out Fire But because here is mention made of Buboes Carbuncles and of other Symptoms of which we have already spoken where we treated of Putrid Feavers it remains that we briefly touch the causes of them and the manner of their being made They are these A Carbuncle a Bubo Whelks Inflamations and malignant Pustles Concerning these in common we say that they are all produced of the Blood and nervous juice touched with the pestiferous Poyson and coagulated in parts in their circuit and distempered variously with putrefaction forasmuch as the Spirits residing in either Liquor especially in the Blood are no sooner profligated by the blast of this malignant Disease but a coagulation is induced to the remaining Liquor even as milk growing sour or when some acid juice is poured to it wherefore portions of it being more grievously touched with the Poyson they soon curdle or grow into gobbets and suffer corruption with blackness like Blood out of the Vessels from whence presently they hinder the motion of the rest of the Blood in the Vessels and in the Heart and by means of its ferment more coagulate it but whatsoever by congelation grows into curdled gobbets unless it be presently cast out of doors causes death quickly by restraining the circulation of the Blood and being thrust forth outwardly towards the superficies of the body ir is stopped in its motion between the narrow windings of the Vessels and being wholly destitute either of Spirit or being struck by a blasting produces its deadness black and blew spots and black or purple marks or by reason of the Salt and Sulphur being exalted by the pestilential ferment and affecting new things grow together into tumors of a various kind A Carbuncle or Fiery Inflamation is a fiery Tumor with most sharp and burning Pustules round about it and infesting the sick with an acute pain which arising in various places severally will not be ripened but creeping more abroad on the superficies burns the skin and at length shakes off the lobes or gobbets of its Corruption and leaves an hollow ulcer as if burnt by an Escharotick or burning Plaster The generation of Plague-sores seem to be made after this manner when Poysonous infections do strike into the Blood in its own nature torrid portions of it congealed are fixed in the superficies of the Body and in that place because the
them very many particles of the invenomed Infection every where dispersed in the Body But these are both Vomitories and Purgers the use of which is more rare and only in the beginning of the Disease also Diaphoreticks or sweating Medicines which at some times may be suffered according as there is strength are to be prescribed in the Plague For these more fully and from the whole body at once evacuate yea and by agitating the Blood defend it from Congelation and as they move from the Center still to the Circumference they drive the empoysoned ferment also the Corruptions of the Blood and humors far from the heart and so chase the Enemy without the Camp But Vomits and Purges evacuate less universally and by Concentrating the malignant matter oftentimes carry it inwardly and fix it to the Bowels But these Medicines whether they operate by purging or sweating ought to be of that kind which have particles rather agreeable to the empoysoned infection than to our Blood or Spirits for such a Medicine will pass through the various windings of our body with its whole forces and unmixt and by reason of the similitude of either more certainly takes hold of the virulent matter of the Disease and carries it forth of doors with it self by the mutual adhesion of the parts which way provoked nature leads Wherefore Medicines whether Catharticks or Sudorificks are commended before others which are prepared out of Mercury Antimony Gold Sulphur Vitriol Arsnick and the like which when they cannot be subjugated by our heat or mastered become the best Remedies against the Poyson of a pestilent Disease for these do not only potently evacuate superfluous things but when as they put forth very strong and untameable particles and explicate them every where in the body dissipate the ferments of the Poyson growing here and there and hinder them from maturation and as these Remedies being of themselves not to be overcome by Nature are necessitated to be carried outwardly through the open passages of the body they carry forth of doors with them whatsoever extraneous or hostile thing is met with As to Poyson-resisting Medicines or Alexiterians which are said to resist the Poyson of this Disease without any sensible evacuation they are for the most part such whose particles are not very much of kin to Nature so as to goe into Aliment nor so diverse as to provoke to an excretion The same being inwardly taken and broken into the smallest pieces inspire the Blood and juices flowing together in the Vessels and Viscera with their little bodies as with a new ferment and by moving the same gently and by keeping them in an equal mixture defend them from Coagulation and Putrefaction dissipate the particles begun to be heaped up one from another by the same gentle agitation and hinder them from maturity and lastly by pre-possessing the Blood and Spirits defend them from the impressions of the pestilent mark Among these some more simple Remedies are commended as Rue Scordium c. but most of all by far are esteemed those that are compounded wherefore Treacle Mithridate and Diascordium some of which are compos'd of no less than fifty simples that 't is esteemed a crime in Medicines so compleat in all numbers to omit one Plant or one Dram of them in their Compositions the reason perchance is because very many things being put together may make a mass whose diverse kinds of particles being exalted by long digestion may stir up the greater fermentation in our Blood and humors Having after this manner ranked the Remedies in which we ought to be instructed for the curing of the Plague now next we should speak of the method of cure viz. What first and then what next should be done in order but that this Disease hath so precipitous a Course that there is neither place for deliberation nor is there frequently any Physician to be gotten for fear of the Contagion wherefore there is no need here of of many prescripts or a long series of Indications this business is to be quickly performed and may be comprehended in a few things Therefore when the pestilence reigning any one is distempered with the Contagion of this Disease the help of the omnipotent God being requested by Prayers presently Remedies are to be flown to If the Plague happens in a body not throughly purged and prone to Vomiting presently let a Vomit be taken whose operation being finished immediatly let a sweat be provoked by taking Diaphoreticks and the same continued as strength can bear it and afterwards be often repeated Besides let Alexipharmicks or Poyson-resisters be used almost every moment until by the eruption of Whelks Inflamations or Buboes all the Venom be wholly driven forth of doors but in the mean time proper and respective Remedies are to be opposed to the most urging Symptoms but especially fit helps are to be sought from Chirurgery for the cure of the Buboes and Plague-sores the whole weight of this business leans on these two Intentions that the pestiferous Poyson may be every way expelled from within and then that the recourse of what is driven forth be with equal diligence prevented Concerning the Plague we cannot so readily write examples and histories of sick persons with exact diaries of the Symptoms because these kind of sicknesses came not every year neither when they spread is it lawful for every Physician that takes care of his own health frequently to visit the sick or to stay long with them whereby he may denote all accidents and diligently consider the reasons of them which task however the renowned Diemerbrochius did so firmly persist in that after him others may lawfully be superseded from this work when somtimes past in this City viz. 1645. the Plague tho not great had spread Doctor Henry Sayer a very learned Physician and happy in his practice many others refusing this province boldly visited all the sick poor as well as rich daily administred to them Physick and handled with his own hands their Buboes and virulent Ulcers and so cured very many sick by his sedulous tho dangerous Labour That he might fortifie himself against the Contagion before he went into the infected houses he was wont only to drink a large draught of Sack and then his perambulation about the borders of Death and the very jaws of the Grave being finished to repeat the same Antidote After he had in this City as if inviolable as to the Plague a long while taken care of the affairs of the Sick without any hurt he was sent for to Wallingford-Castle where this Disease cruelly Raged as another Aesculapius by the Governour of the place But there being so bold as to lye in the same Bed with a certain Captain his intimate Companion who was taken with the Plague he quickly received the Contagion of the same Disease nor were the Arts then profitable to the Master which had been helpful to so many others but there with great sorrow of the
of Feavers which spread on many at once and by reason of the Contagion deadliness and conspicuous notes of virulency deserve to be called Pestilent or Malignant there are some others epidemical or popular which almost every year either in the Spring or Autumn rage in some Countries of which the Inhabitants for the most part of them are wont to be sick and not few especially of the Elder to dye In which notwithstanding no signs of Pestilence or Malignity appear neither does the Disease seem to spread from one and so to another so much by Contagion as to lay hold on many by reason of a predisposition impressed almost on all But these kind of distempers depend chiefly upon the foregoing Constitution of the year for if the season going before was very intemperate by reason of excess of cold or heat of dryness or humidity and so had continued for a long time it changes our Blood very much from its due temperature whereby it is apt afterwards to conceive Feaverish effervescencies and from hence a Feaver now of this Type or Figure now of that is produced which presently becomes Epidemical because it draws its beginning from a common cause wherewith the bodies of all are in a manner affected But such Feavers forasmuch as they depend upon the Blood having gotten a disposition now sharp now austere or of some other kind by reason of the temper of the year for the most part are of the rank of intermitting Feavers yet by a proper provision of Symptoms they are wont to be noted according to the peculiar Constitution of every year These are not able to be comprehended under a certain common rule or formal reason which may quadrat to the nature of each of these because they vary every year according to their several accidents However we will give you the descriptions of these kind of Feavers spreading of late years in this Region had at that time for some specimen of the rest and add it for a conclusion at the end of this Tract There yet remains to be ascribed to the rank of malignant Feavers some other private Feavers and participating of no Contagion of which sort chiefly are those which are wont to happen to Child-bearing women by reason of difficult and hard labour or by reason of the stoppage of their Courses Indeed it sufficiently appears by common observation that these are very dangerous and often mortal for if by the parts of the Womb being hurt or by cold being admitted or perhaps by any other cause the Courses are stopped and the humour which ought to be thrust forth shall be confused with the mass of the Blood it most wickedly infects it as it were with a certain venomous mixture that by that means presently a Feaver is excited which with an evil provision of Symptoms is very much beset viz. with heat and cruel thirst Vomiting pain of the Heart and watchings and for the most part obtains either no Crisis or a very difficult one because unless the wonted way of the flux of the Courses may be at length restored it is wont after the heat of the Blood hath been continued for some days to Communicate the evil to the Brain and nervous stock from whence by and by a Delirium Phrensie Convulsions and other most wicked distempers are most often induced which do not seldom end in Death but these sort of Feavers deserve a peculiar consideration which we have more fully determined to shew hereafter in a particular discourse concerning this business in the mean time we will undertake to propose some instances or examples of the Feavers but now delivered viz. of the Pestilent and Malignant The pestilent Feaver of late years hath more rarely spread in these Regions than the Plague it self of the only one of this kind which fell under our observation I will give you a brief description In the year 1643 when in the coming on of the Spring the Earl of Essex besieged Reading being held for the King in both Armies there began a Disease to arise very Epidemical however they persisting in that work till the besieged were forced to a surrender this Disease grew so grievous that in a short time after either side left off and from that time for many months fought not with the Enemy but with the Disease as if there had not been leisure to turn aside to another kind of Death this deadly Disease increasing they being already overthrown by Fate and as it were falling down before this one Death Essexe's Camp moving to the Thames pitched in the places adjacent where he shortly lost a great part of his men But the King returned to Oxford where at first the Souldiers being disposed in the open Fields then afterwards among the Towns and Villages suffered not much less For his Foot which it chiefly invaded being pact together in close houses when they had filled all things with filthiness and unwholsom nastiness and stinking odors that the very Air seemed to be infected they fell sick by Troops and as it were by Squadrons At length the Feaver now more than a Camp Feaver invaded the unarmed and peaceable Troops to wit the entertainers of the Souldiers and generally all others yet at first the Disease being yet but lightly inflicted tho beset with an heavy and long languishment however many escaped About the Summer Solstice this Feaver began also to increase with worse provision of Symptoms and to lay hold on the Husbandmen and others inhabiting the Country Then afterwards spread through our City and all the Country round for at least Ten miles about In the mean time they who dwelt far from us in other Counties remained free from hurt being as it were without the sphere of the Contagion But here this Disease became so Epidemical that a great part of the people was killed by it and assoon as it had entred an house it run through the same that there was scarce one left well to administer to the sick strangers or such as were sent for to help the sick were presently taken with the Disease that at length for fear of the Contagion those who were sick of this Feaver were avoided by those who were well almost as much as if they had been sick of the Plague Nor indeed did there a less mortality or slaughter of men accompany this Disease because Cachectic and Pthisical old men or otherways unhealthful were killed by it also not a few of Children young men and those of a more mature and robust age I remember in some Villages that almost all the old men dyed this year that there were scarce any left who were able to defend the manners and priviledges of the Parish by the more anciently received Traditions When this Feaver first began it was somthing like the figure of a putrid Synochus but it was harder to be cured and when it seemed to be helped by a sweat or loosness presently it was wont to be renewed again
wherefore children most often escape old men or such as are of years are more in danger viz. in children or young people transpiration is more easie also the habit of the Body more firm and healthful But altho the venomous seeds of this Disease for the most part are wont to be dispersed or blown away at once and with one sickness yet it somtimes happens that a part of the ininfection being still left the sick have fallen into this Disease twice or thrice 2. The evident cause which stirs up these fermentative seeds and most often brings them into act may be said to be threefold viz. The contagion received from some place the disposition of the Air and the immoderate perturbation of the Blood and Humors It is most manifest by daily experience that this Disease doth come upon others and spread abroad by contagion viz. from the infected Body continually flow Effluvia which being received by other Bodies presently like poyson they ferment with the Blood and suscitate or awaken the lurking or sleeping seeds of the same Disease Homogeneous with themselves and dispose them into the figure or Idea of this Disease neither is the infection only communicated by contact but at a distance They who live within the same house or neighbouring to the sick easily receive the infection also it is cherished in Cloaths and dissipated afar off and transferred to more remote places They who are of kin one to another soonest infect each other also they who are fearful and extreamly dread this Disease more readily fall into it For by fear the Particles of the infection are conveyed inwardly from the superficies of the Body At what time the contagion spreads and that the Small-pox are Epidemical all other Diseases almost degenerate into this Secondly a certain peculiar disposition of the Air notably induces the Small-pox hence most often it becomes Popular and rages ordinarily through whole Regions Cities and Villages hence also it more often exists in the Spring and Autumn because at that time especially diverse manners of little Bodies and by that means tumultuating flow about in the Air which we draw in with the vital Air and so various effervescencies of the Blood and Humors and Ideas of Diseases are raised up Neither doth this Disease become only more frequent and Epidemical for these Causes but also it gets a manifold Nature that somtimes the Small-pox are deadly and as it were pestiferous and somtimes they are more mild and benign to wit as they have contracted more or less of malignity from the Air hence also somtimes black and livid Whelks or Pustils appear and have much of the Nature of the Plague Thirdly somtimes tho the tinder of contagion be absent and that no malignant constitution of the Air had gone before yet by reason of the Blood and Humors being immoderately disturbed the Small-pox do arise so I have known some to have fallen into this Disease from a surfeit or immoderate exercise when none besides in the whole Country about hath been sick of it to wit the seeds of this evil lying hid without any previous infection being stirred up by a too great fervor of the Blood and being associated gathering together easily defile and infect the whole mass of the Blood with their ferment 3 So much for the secret leading and evident causes but as to the conjunct cause viz. which is the formal reason of this Disease or the manner of its being made the business seems a little more intricate It is commonly wont to be compared to Must growing hot or Beer when it Purges in the Vat For if you put to these Liquors any thing of ferment as their Particles are Heterogeneous and of wonderful activity presently they diffuse themselves through the whole substance of the Liquor they exagitate the more thick and impure Bodies against which they are dashed beat them asunder and role about them until a flowring being made they drive the same from the intimate embrace or company of the Liquor to the outmost superficies After the like manner the Heterogeneous seeds of this Disease are thought to ferment the Blood and then by a certain eruption of Whelks or Pustles like the flowring purifies it But indeed if we should more strictly consider the business there will appear here a great difference because the infection of the Small-pox is as it were a ferment but corruptive and compels the Blood to grow hot not towards perfection but depravation for when the Particles of this venomous infection strike against the receiving subject they presently raise up little Bodies like to themselves and born with us with which being associated they pass through the whole mass of the Blood and make it to grow highly turgid and to boil up and after some time growing fervent to go into parts and to be coagulated viz. the dispersed seeds of the Poyson dissolve the mixture of the Blood presently profligate the more pure Spirits then they joyn its more thick Particles to themselves and by their adhesion render them as it were congealed The portions being so coagulated together with the infolded seeds of the poyson being left by the rest of the Blood in its circuit between the extremities of the Vessels are affixed to the skin by which means if Nature being strong enough doth cast forth the whole poyson with the congealed Blood the remaining mass of the Blood altho made poorer remains however in a condition to continue life and health but if the Blood being too excessively congealed cannot be purified after this manner or if portions of the Blood growing together with the poyson do not fully break forth or at last do stagnate within they wholly corrupt the Liquor of the Blood or else being affixed to the Viscera and especially to the Heart they destroy their constitution and strength Portions of the congealed Blood with the poyson begin to break forth about the fourth day now sooner now later because coagulation is not presently induced but after some time in which the venom unfolds it self and ferments the Blood with its effervency First light portions of the infected Blood and those but few in number like to Flea-bites are fixed in the skin quickly after more appear and those first broke forth by the accession of new matter and by the continual appulsion of the congealed Blood increase and are elevated into a tumor then these whelks at first red being by degrees increased at length grow white viz. the Blood being thrust forth of the Vessels with the poyson by reason of the heat and stagnation is changed into matter about the seventh day after the eruption the white tumors grow crusty into a dry scab for the more thin part of the matter being evaporated the rest grows hard which then having eaten and broke off the Cuticula or outward thin skin falls away from the flesh or next skin When the infection of the Small-pox is at once impressed on the Blood and
are soft distinct few round sharp pointed lying only towards the skin and not in the inward parts you may be confident the sick will do very well and is in a good condition 2. The appearances which in the small-pox signifie the business to be suspected and full of danger are of this sort if there be a malignant constitution of the Air that this Disease becomes Pestilential and that many die of it if men of more ripe years or middle age be taken with it if it happens in a cold and melancholick temper or in an impure or evil humoured Body where the Blood is not rightly circulated nor transpiration truly performed or if the Hypochondria or Precordia are obstructed some of the Viscera infirm or troubled with an Ulcer or if the habit of the Body be too fat the small-pox happen not without great danger of life nor is it less to be feared when presently after the beginning a great Feaver cruel Vomiting Swooning a dejection of strength Phrensie or Delirium come upon them and that these desist not upon the full coming forth of the small-pox for these signifie a too great perturbation in the Blood and humours also a confusion and contumacy of the morbifick matter which can neither be subdued nor easily separated from the mass of Blood or equally extruded from it if there be an anxiety and great unquietness with an inordinate boyling up and growing hot of the Blood also a great thirst a difficulty of breathing also a flux of the Belly or Dysentery they shew that sweating is hindred and that the malignant humours restagnate towards the inward parts The small-pox breaking forth slowly argue the crudity and untameableness of the matter and the impotency of Nature and t is much more a sign if they come forth double and continued in too excessive a quantity and confusion and also if there be a disordered expulsion and irregular of that matter when not in certain issues but every where undistinguishable The pox being hard signifie the incoction of the same matter being depressed a weak expulsion and they are the worse if in the midst of them appear black spots or if purple spots familiar to the Feaver or the Plague are sprinkled among the pox they indicate a great malignity and putrefaction of the Blood such as is wont to be found in the Pestilence Lastly the pox being black livid or green are of an evil omen because besides the coagulations of the Blood they argue its deadlinesses and corruptions as in a Gangreen or pestilent Plague sore if when the small-pox being come forth they presently grow dry and the swelling of the parts remit it shews a going back of the malignant matter or of the congealed Blood with the Poyson and a restagnation of it to the inward parts from whence unless a more free Diaphoresis or sweating be excited that it may be thrust forth of doors again death for the most part quickly follows For from hence the Blood being more coagulated enters into putrefaction also it is apt to be hindred in its motion and to stagnate in the heart and Vessels If after the coming forth of the small-pox a flux of the Belly or a Bleeding at nose comes upon them it is an evil sign because by this means the Venom driven outwardly is again called back inwardly but somtimes I have observed these Symptoms to have hapned with great ease to the sick viz. Nature being before oppressed and burthened after this manner part of the burthen being as it were detracted she was eased wherefore she buckled her self to the work of sweating and more readily expedited the expulsion of the noxious matter As to the Curative part since the stadium or course of this Disease hath three seasons as it were so many measures distinct one from another the Curative intentions ought to be accommodated to each of these wherefore the Curative method concerning the small-pox teacheth first what is to be done so long as the Blood boyles up and grows hot inwardly with the motion of the fermentative matter and before the small-pox appear which period for the most part is finished in four or five days Secondly what means or manner of Dyet and Physick is to be instituted after the coming forth of the small-pox until the state or standing of the Disease viz. whilst the whelks or pox come to the height and being fully suppurated or ripened begin to dry Thirdly and lastly what we must observe in the declining of the Disease even whilst the small-pox growing dry fall off 1. As to the first let the intention be that we may carry away every impediment of Nature whereby the Blood being infected by the ferment of the Small-pox and apt to be coagulated may yet retain an equal motion in the Heart and without stagnation in the Vessels and growing hot may expel forth of doors the congealed portions with the Poyson in the mean time there must be a caution least the work of fermentation or growing hot be any ways hindred or too much provoked for by this the mass of the Blood is agitated into congealed portions more than it ought to be by that other it is restrained too much in its motion nor are the invenomed Particles sent forth of doors with the congealed Blood Nature in the work of secretion and expulsion is wont to be hindred by too great an heap of excrements in the Viscera or by the abundance of Blood in the Vessels wherefore upon the first assault of the Disease care must be taken that if need be an evacuation by Vomit or Stool be timely procured but only more mild Purges and gentle are to be used which do not too much provoke or disturb the Humors wherefore at this time Purges Emetics or Clysters now these now those take place also the letting of Blood if there be a fulness is performed with good success During this growing hot of the Blood dyet ought to be instituted slender and moderately cooling viz. Barly-Broth or Grewel of Oatmeal Posset-drink Small Beer or the like Flesh and Flesh Broths are to be avoided whereby the Blood by reason of the too great plenty of Sulphureous Food may be inkindled more than it ought also all cold and sharp or acid things are hurtful for these congeal the Blood more and contract the little mouths of the Vessels by their astriction or binding Nature that the Small-pox come forth less freely also hot things and Cordials are cautiously to be administred for by these the Blood and Humors are too much agitated and driven into confusion 2. When the Small-pox begin to appear there are three things which by a constant Rule we prescribe to be performed to every sick person to wit that a soft and gentle Sweat be still continued in the Blood also that the Throat and Eyes may be preserved from a too great eruption of the Small-pox That the Blood lightly growing hot may emit the Small-pox decoctions of Figs
malignity and the greatest perniciousness of the Disease depend are two viz. first a depraved disposition of the Blood from the long suppression of the monthly Flux Secondly after the Birth the evil affections of the Womb from the dangerous Labours of Women who undergo the Divine Malediction appointed them from the Menstrua being long suppressed the Blood not only swells up and its Sulphureous parts being too much carried forth are rendred more apt for burning but besides the mass of the Blood is imbued with very fermentative Particles so that as hath been already hinted as if it were touched with a venemous infection presently growing fervent it is disposed towards putrefaction and corruptive disorders and besides forthwith impoysons the nervous Liquor and renders it infestuous to the Brain and the whole nervous stock These kind of evils being impressed on the Blood ought to be purged forth by the Flux of the Lochia but if after the Birth the Womb be out of order the Lochia are not only stopped and so a purifying of all the Blood is hindred but besides stinking corruptions or defilements are thence bestowed on the Blood and grievously infect it Also by reason of convulsive motions begun about the Womb and from thence continued to other parts inordinations are stirred up in the Blood and juices which oftentimes conspire either the production or the acerbation or growing worse of the Feaver The evident causes which induce an actual effervescency either to the Blood having gotten an ill disposition or invert the vices of the whole Body to the Womb are after a diverse sort A painful Labour a solution of the unity about the Womb a bruise a retention of preternatural things an ulcerous disposition and very many other accidents which are induced by a certain necessity may do this But the occasions that are at the dispose of the Patients and easily to be avoided which are wont to excite this kind of Feaver are chiefly two viz. an ill manner of Dyet and the taking of cold It is an usual thing to give to weak Women after being Delivered on the first or second day the flesh of living Creatures or Broths made of flesh meats and other foods very improportionate to their dispositions from whence presently arise an indigestion and great trouble in the Bowels and a feaverish distemper in the Blood by reason of a more rich nutritious juice than ought to be Besides the errors in Dyet oftentimes hurt is caused for that their Bodies being so very tender also by reason of the labours of the Birth and bringing forth the Child the passages are on every side opened they are exposed too heedlessly to the cold for most of them being impatient of their Bed within a day or two or sooner than they should do rise out of it and put on their Cloaths from whence presently the Pores of the skin being suddenly contracted and the Air being admitted into the parts of the Womb transpiration is hindred and often the Lochia on the sudden are stopped either of which suffices to excite the feaverish distemper The conjunct cause or formal reason of this kind of sickness chiefly comprehends these three things to wit there are present first a very notable discrasie of the Blood that growing hot from the Feaver being occasionally induced it doth not equally burn forth nor leisurely overcome the adust recrements and afterwards critically thrust them forth but the Blood growing hot is presently loosned in its mixture and its frame being unlocked turns and declines towards corruption hence when it grows but a little cool the spirits being shaken out of their dominion are moved into confusion In the mean time the Sulphureous Particles become untamed and fierce wherefore the strength falls down without any manifest cause the Pulse is made weak and disordered after the deflagration of the Blood altho the adust recrements are very much heaped up yet nothing is rightly concocted or separated but the sick being greatly oppressed in Nature tho they continually sweat receive nevertheless oftentimes no ease from thence but the feaverish matter which ought to be thrust forth being transmitted into the head and nervous stock induces there most grievous perturbations of the animal regiment Secondly the Tragedy of this Disease owes no small part of it to the nervous juice being presently made sharp and so improportionate to the Brain and its Appendix for this being infected from the taint contracted from the Blood doth not gently water or pleasantly blow up its subjects but notably hale or pull those tender parts as when an infusion of vitriol is poured upon a Worm and irritates or provokes them into convulsions and into motions as if of dancing or suddenly leaping forth and sometimes wholly overturns their functions hence comes contractures grievous convulsions dilerium wakings and sometimes stupification and the sleepy Disease upon Women Lying in Thirdly whilst these things are done oftentimes a third band of symptoms infest the sick to wit for that the Womb being hurt by some evil moves it self disorderly and is struck with a Convulsion according to these or those parts from thence by and by convulsive motions invade by the membranes and nervous passages the whole Region of the Abdomen wherefore the Viscera and Hypocondria are blown up belchings and grievous vomitings are stirred up then the Distemper creeping upwards and possessing the nervous parts of the Thorax a difficult breathing and unequal a palpitation of the heart a sense of choaking in the throat by reason of the Muscles being there drawn backward and other symptoms through the whole Body are excited the same evil being at last carried to the Brain The Feavers of Women in Child-bed almost never want danger but sometimes it happens about the beginning that they are cured by a slender Dyet and by the Flux of the Lochia being restored but if the feaverish distemper does root it self more deeply that the whole Blood is inkindled and immoderately grows hot the Prognostick ought not to be esteemed of a light Omen and there will be a greater reason of danger if besides the heat being suffused all over the sick are troubled with a frequent shivering if they are affected or molested with a great disquietness and wakings with sudden concussions of the Body or a contracture of the Tendons or if thirdly they complain on the fourth day of a tingling of their ears with a great repletion or fulness of the head you may from thence collect the evil to grow worse viz. a translation of the feaverish and hurtful matter to the Brain nor is it less to be feared if they have on them an oppression and weight of the Praecordia that the sick cannot breath freely nor draw their breath deep and from the bottom of their breast but only from the top and that frequently and sighingly and that they move themselves restlesly hither and thither For this argues the Blood to stagnate in its circulation about the Heart and
things and that are indued with a styptic or binding vertue are equally to be avoided for these fix the Blood and bind it too much and hinder its very requisite Purgation both by the Lochia and by transpiration thorow the skin But rather though the Feaver be urgent give them decoctions powders and confections of things moderately hot of which sort are as is already said decoctions or Distilled Waters of the Flowers of Marigoids the Leaves of Pennyroyal Mugwort the roots of Scorzonera also Bezoartic Powders Spirits of Harts-horn fixed salts of Herbs c. If the Lochia should be stopt that their Flux may be again provoked must be indeavoured every way To the moving of this conduce frictions and ligatures about the Thighs and Legs sometimes Cupping-Glasses or Blisters about the Thighs or Hips also in the soles of the Feet also sometimes the opening a Vein in the Ankle is convenient in the mean time a fomentation of the hysterical decoction is to be applied about the Pubis or the Caul of a Weather or Sheep taken out warm may be layed to the bottom of the Belly and experience manifests that sometimes injections into the Womb are profitable If the Belly yields not it may be gently brought down with a violet suppository so called or an emollient Clyster of more strong provocations you must take heed because in Women Lying in even as in a Malignant Feaver from a copious dejection with loss of Spirits Life is quickly lost If with the suppression of the Lochia there be a notable perturbation of the Blood with vomiting thirst and wakings I have often known Laudanum mixt with Saffron given with happy success Instead of a cooling Julep this kind of mixture is convenient viz. take of water of Pennyroyal and Balm each three ounces of hysterical water two ounces of the Syrrop of Mugwort three ounces and an half of the tincture of Saffron two drams of Castor ty'd in a rag and hung in the glass one scruple mingle these and let them drink of this three or four spoonfuls oftentimes in a day 2. If notwithstanding the use of these Remedies the Feaver grows still worse and by degrees is increased with worser symptoms that besides the disorders of the Blood the Brain and nervous parts begin to be touched Medicines tho many of every kind may be tryed do little yea in this case the indications are almost the same with those made use of in the Plague it self forasmuch as the Lochia being for a good while suppressed they cannot easily be reduced or scarcely at all in the great confusion of the Blood and humors therefore it is convenient quickly to move a sweating to wit that the corruptions impressed on the Blood and nervous juice and restagnating from the Womb may be carried forth some how by sweat and insensible transpiration Therefore here Powders and Confections of Bezoar Spirit of Hartshorn or of Soot tinctures of Corals or Pearls help I have sometimes seen by the help of those kind of Medicines in a desperate case when the Pulse and other symptoms have appeared a little better some small hopes to shew themselves yet Cure rarely to follow but when the use of these Cordials were left off the sick with a weak Pulse and a Loosness presently arising have been precipitated to Death 3. When yet the business of the sick proves still worse when the Feaver being increased the Pulse is weak and unequal and frequent horrors and convulsive motions in the whole body with a delirium and stupefaction infest them then the Physitian having first made a Prognostication of Death may insist upon a few Remedies and those only Cordials and must wholly abstain from blood-letting scarification blistering or the use of Cupping-glasses for such administrations beget only an odium and blame that by so doing we are esteemed by some Women as wicked and cruel The Symptomatic Feavers of Women in Child-bed THE Acute Diseases of Women in Child-bed shew themselves not only according to the Figure of the aforesaid Feaver but sometimes they are beset with some signal symptoms to wit the Squinancy Pleurifie inflamation of the Lungs Dysentery Small-Pox or of some other kind and at that time they get the appellations of those Distempers It will not be here seasonable to repeat at large what belongs to the essences and natures of each but I shall briefly shew what these sicknesses being complicated with the distempers of Women Lying in contain peculiarly as to the Causes or Cures All these symptoms we suppose to proceed from a certain Coagulation of the Blood and from thence its extravasation But whilst the Blood is extravasated or put forth of the Vessels in one part its efflux however natural and critical is hindred in another wherefore it is dangerous lest whilst the Blood begins to be coagulated either in a particular or accustomed nest of Coagulation or universally in its whole mass the flowing of the Lochia be stopped which in truth for the most part happens and therefore these Distempers for the most part are deadly to Women in Child-bed yet the cause of their Death for the most part happens with some difference viz. in the Small Pox the flowing of the Lochia draws inwardly the malignity begun to be carried forth outwardly and forthwith compels the mass of Blood and the heart it self to be impoysoned with its evil and therefore in the Small Pox these purgings of the Womb are convenient to be stopped But in the Pleurisie Squinancy and the rest when the provocative of the Disease being fixed here or there in a particular place draws to it self the impurities of the Blood which ought to be separated or sifted forth by the Lochia and derives it streight from the Womb for that reason it increases the impurity of the Blood The Lochia being stopped in the Small Pox by the more universal manner or way of excretion may be shut forth of doors with the venemous Particles of the Disease which thing indeed does not succeed in the rest by reason of the minute and more sparing manner of excretion Of these the Squinancy Pleurisie and Inflamation of the Lungs by reason both of the great similitude of the Cause and analogy of the Cure may be considered together when any Woman Lying in is distempered with any of these it is to be supposed that besides the Infection gathered together in the time of being Big-bellied there happens a certain sourish disposition of the Blood by the means of which whilst that it self grows feaverishly hot certain Particles of it being fused with the sourness enter into congelation in this or that part like Milk growing sour and then to be coagulated The Blood being there frozen or congealed and hindred in its circuit stops the passage of the rest but the Blood being obstructed in its motion buts against the impediment and so being heaped up about it and driven forth of the Vessels grows into a tumour from thence presently whatsoever is
head moreover a leaping up of the tendons in her wrists also she had sudden concussions of her wholy Body yet still her loosness held to her were administred by the prescripts of several Physicians Cordials and other Remedies and kinds of Administrations carefully but nothing profited her Pulse being more weak and her strength leisurely wasting she died on the ninth day after she was delivered This Feaver very much depended upon the vitious provision of the Body as the procatartic cause for I have often observed that it fares ill with Women Lying in who when Big bellied devoured fruit and any unwholsom trash and living without motion or exercise indulged themselves with ease and rest the Blood by reason of the previous Cachexie conceived a burning without any evident cause as it were of its own accord But growing hot laying inwardly still its recrements and impurities caused the Diarrhea neither yet was its mass made more pure by its almost continual excretion yea rather being still more depraved in its mixtion or crasis the Blood at length wholly departed from its proper disposition and became unable to be fermented in the heart whereby heat and breath might be every where dispersed The loosness excited by the motion of Nature was untowardly stopped especially by the use of astringent things for this I have often observed never to be done without paying for it because the Flux of the Belly has cured some that have been ill but in this Lady and in many others as has abundantly appeared to our experience altho it did not take away the Feaver yet it freed her from the more grievous distempers of the Brain and nervous stock from whence this sick person was wholly free from a Delirium nor was struck with Convulsive motions till reduced almost to extremity The Mother of a Family and a Gentlewoman about 36 years of Age or upwards being with Child of her seventeenth Child was troubled and very anxious lest she should die of that Child-bearing But God favouring she was delivered well enough of a Son and for three days after she was very cheerful on the fourth day when she had eaten more than she should do of a Chicken a little before night she fell into a feaverish Distemper with vomiting and a stopping of the Lochia all night she lay restless and without sleep the next morning she had four stools and seemed somewhat eased about Noon about which time I came to her she complained again of heat and thirst as also a palpitation of the heart and of the ascent of some substance in her throat her Pulse was quick and small her Urine red the Lochia scarce appeared I ordered her Juleps Cordials and things to purge the Womb besides a fomentation for the bottom of her Belly also her Legs and Feet to be rubbed often with warm Wollen Cloaths at going to sleep I gave her of Laudanum one grain with Saffron Pouder half a scruple in a spoonful of Treacle-water She slept well and the Lochia came down plentifully and by that means with a slender dyet and continuing to provoke moderately the Flux of the Womb for a few days she became very well The immoderate eating of flesh as an evident and almost only sufficient cause without any great provision or vitious predisposition induced the Feaver The Lochia restagnating into the Blood increased its intemperance and presently brought troubles upon the nervous kind but in the mean time the Blood altho growing hot did not undergo any great corruption but when the recrements heaped up by the Surfeit were sent forth by the loosness and the Blood the Lochia being restored began to be purged forth again after its wonted manner this Feaver wanting a further malignant ferment quickly vanished A noble Lady young and fair was brought to Bed of a second Child and for six days as to the Lochia and other accidents she was well and wholly free from the suspicion of any intemperature she ate flesh daily and rising from her Bed was brisk and chearful in her Chamber on the seventh day without any manifest cause a shivering came upon her with a Feaver and a lessning of the Lochia but not suppressed to the tenth day after her Delivery she was only moderately feaverish whilst the purgings of the Womb yet flowed she remained free from any grievous symptom but then although she was greatly feaverish she was more cheerful than ordinary and seemed more confident of her health at Night she slept little or nothing the morning following at which time I first visited her she clearly raved the Lochia were stopped also her whole Body was shaken with horror the tendons in her wrists were pulled together so that I could hardly distinguish her Pulse which in the mean time was weak unequal and very quick I said she would die quickly unless God should miraculously restore her by his Divine Power however six grains of Oriental Bezoar being given her in a spoonful of Cordial Julep brought upon her a plentiful sweat with a better Pulse then other Cordials being given wiâ—â— due intervals gave some little hopes tho I doubted they would not continue aâ—tâ—r four hours from the time that I came the sick Lady had of her own accord a great Stool and presently her strength wholly failed her and within half an hour she died When there hapned nothing of ill to this Lady as to her Delivery or Womb so pernicious a Feaver and so suddenly Mortal could not happen without a great and malignant procatarsis of the Blood and humors whether a more full Dyet or taking Cold or any other evident cause gave a beginning to this is uncertain because the Women and Nurses helping her knew of no manifest occasion of her sickness The Feaver being inkindled the infection of the Blood could not be wholly carried away by the purging of the Womb tho long continued tho for that reason the more cruel symptoms came not presently upon her yet the evil still lurked within and the Disease being very acute shewing it self with a swift motion on the fourth day when Nature should have indeavoured a Crisis the matter of the Feaver being moved but not overcome as it were in a moment overturned at once the Brain and nervous parts whence Death was to be expected and suddenly followed A Woman well known who had scarce passed the twentieth Year of her Age of a florid countenance and slender Body after her being brought to Bed when the Lochia flowed immoderately made use of some astringent Remedies by the counsel of those about her by which means they were wholly stopped but a Flux of her Belly succeeded which when it had increased for three days the Women gave her other things for the stopping her Loosness nor were they frustrated in the success in the mean time in the place of the former evil they had brought a most dangerous Feaver and distempers as it were hysterical for the unhappy Gentlewoman Lying in was troubled
with thirst heat wakings and at several turns with swoonings and cold sweats at this time being sent for I prescribed her Cardaic Remedies and such as moved the purgings of the Womb and also a Clyster to be given her at length the Flux of her Belly being provoked the Lochia also came down and the sick Woman being freed from the aforesaid symptoms and the more grievous Disease to wit the Remedies of the Nurses quickly grew well of her Feaver The more plentiful Flux of the Womb hapning to this Woman removed the Procatartic cause of a more grievous Disease wherefore when they had committed so many errors about the ordering her viz. first in stopping the Lochia then what might compensate their defect in hindring the Flux of her Belly yet the Feaver was only light and without any venomous taint impressed on the Blood the like to this I have known to happen frequently to wit when at first the purgings of the Womb have flown very plentifully afterwards when they have flown very sparingly and sometimes stopped the Women in Child-bed have escaped And by the way it is here to be noted that it is wholly dangerous to inhibit or at least divert and cross any motion of Nature incited tho irregular A Noble Gentlewoman about 20 years of Age indued with a smooth and full habit of Body miscarried twice in the space of a Year when she had again Conceived by the prescription of her Physician she provoked a Vomit once a month by drinking plentifully Posset Drink by which she was wont to cast forth much thick tough Phlegm also in the time of her being with Child he Let her Blood 5 times the time of her going being over she was brought to Bed of a Son with very hard Labour the Secundine came whole away and she purged notably on the second day whilst she was lifted upon her feet in Bed that the Sheets and the Blankets might be laid in better order she took Cold and by that means the bloody Lochia wholly stopped and only a little serous Water came away on the third day she began to complain of an acute pain in her right side to which the Women laid Bags of Camomil made hot with Bricks but the distemper grew worse with a bloody spittle on the fourth day of her being brought to Bed a most â—harp pain with a difficult breathing and very Laborious invaded her by the prescription of her Physician then coming to her from the neigbourhood six ounces of Blood was taken away out of the Basilic Vein and she felt sudden ease for 10 hours she was better in the middle of the night the pricking pain returned with its wonted fierceness at length other Physicians being called to Counsel they agreed that it was necessary to open a Vein again in the arm of the distempered side four ounces of Blood being taken away the pain remitted and the sick breathed better then by Diasphoretic Remedies she fell into a great sweat with a quiet sleep But the Pulse was made quicker and weaker also contractures of the tendons in her wrists appeared presently afterwards she talked idly and within 24 hours after she was last Let Blood she departed That this Lady fell into a Pleurisie with a Feaver upon the Lochia being suppressed the cause in some measure seemed to be the Letting of Blood so often in the time of her being with Child for by this means the Blood being accustomed to be eventilated at the arm afterwards growing hot leaving the Womb was carried violently towards the place of its letting forth where when it found not a passage it fixed in the neighbouring side as the next nest to the place of extravasation yea besides the usual manner of a Pleurisie there was no small malignity hapned to this Disease for the Blood being hindred from being let forth of the Vessels began presently to be corrupted in its disposition and in the third day of the Feaver was so much depraved that it could not be any longer fermented in the heart so as to Prorogue Life It was not so with the Wife of a certain Smith who was brought to Bed at what time her Children had the Small Pox in the same House and she her self as it seemed had taken the Contagion of the same Disease for on the second day after her Delivery they began to break forth with a feaverish heat and pain in her Loyns which indeed for three days whilst the Lochia moderately flowed arose rightly into little swellings altho the purging of the Womb was very copious at that time she had the Small Pox very thick all over her Body not only in the superficies of her skin but also they filled the cavity of her mouth and throat so that she could scarce speak or swallow The sixth day of her Lying in the Lochia flowed immoderately from whence presently fell upon the sick a frequent swooning with a flagging of the Small Pox Convulsions and other symptoms of an ill nature which threatned Death soon being sent for I prescribed half a dram of this Powder to be taken constantly every three hours in a spoonful of the following Julep viz. take of the Roots of Tormentil in Powder drams two of the best Bole Armonie dram one of the species of Hyacinth half a dram make a Powder Take of the Compound Water of Scordium of Dragons of Meadowsweet each three ounces of Therecal Vinegar one ounce of the Syrup of Corals two ounces of Harts-horn burnt half a dram make a Julep Besides I ordered to be boyled in her Broths and in every thing she drank the Roots of Tormentil by these Remedies the purging of her Womb was soon wholly stopped and the Small Pox by degrees being ripened came off without any grievous symptom Indeed this case was difficult and was cured with great danger viz. for either the Lochia or the Small Pox to have been restrained inwardly was very dangerous and yet the more full eruption of the one hindred the motion of the other so long as either moderately proceeded things being permitted to the conduct of Nature was moderately well but when one of them became ill the work of Art was required and it was requisite to bridle the Lochia but to provoke the Small Pox. CHAP. XVII Of Epidemical Feavers HAving meditated rather a Commentary than an intire Tract I had thought here to have concluded our Discourse of Feavers But forasmuch as certain Epidemical Feavers do often spread which observe no Laws nor can be brought to any certain rule of Doctrine but being irregular vary every year and for that reason as often as any of them increase or spread abroad presently it is called the new Disease therefore I thought it worth our while because general precepts concerning these Feavers are not to be delivered to subjoyn some particular Histories of some of this kind for out of the various provision of symptoms whereby they are wont to be noted the nature and the whole
born not from the Contagion communicated by the Air and immediately fixing its evil on men but rather from a certain feaverish predisposition or nature impressed somewhile before on our Bodies because of the intemperance of the Year which at length having gotten maturity on the least occasion is brought into Act and so breaks not forth into this Feaver so much as it sifts it forth For when about the Calends of July the Air was immoderately hot with a most intense heat for many days is easily altered our Blood towards an hot and bilous intemperance by which as 〈◊〉 â—ine growing more hot than it should do the sweet part and the spirituous was much consumed in the mean time the Saline and Sulphureous was too much carried forth that by that means the Liquor easily contracted a rancor or sourness We have in another place shewn that this kind of disposition of the Blood whereby indeed it turns from a sweet and spirituous temper into a bilous or choleric is most apt for intermitting Feavers Hence the alible juice which is continually carried into the mass of Blood is not rightly concocted nor assimilated into Blood but perverted as it were into an extraneous and fermentative matter which arising to a fulness in the bosom of the Blood it self and growing turgid according to its increase at set periods as we have already shewn induces the fits of the intermitting Feaver when therefore from the great burning heat of this Summer the Blood almost of all men becoming more hot than usual was very much scorched it is no wonder if from thence it should contract a great aptitude for intermitting Feavers But why not whilst the fervor of the Heaven was yet urgent but a little after this Disease spread it self the reason is because this indisposition is not impressed on our Blood at once or at one time but by little and little and not but of a long time and therefore Diseases like Fruits are chiefly ripened in Autumn after the foregoing heat of the Summer This aptitude or feaverish disposition all do not contract alike those whose Blood is of a more hot Nature and abounds more in Sulphur and for that cause is sooner scorched also such who labour or stay long in the heat of the Sun and open Air by reason of their Blood being more remarkably torrified more easily fell into this Disease wherefore at first it chiefly raged among Husbandmen in the Country of these who had acquired an aptitude to this Feaver from the Blood being before scorched some perhaps fell into this of their own accord the feaverish disposition being leisurely carried forth to a maturity others by reason of a light occasion or evident cause which was wont otherways to stir up the feaverish burning as from taking Cold Surfeit drinking of Wine and the like and others fell sick from the Contagion received of others for as the effluvia constantly came away from the sick when they pierced Bodies predisposed to the like distemper they easily excited the hid powers into Act. As to the third Proposition to wit that the conjunct cause of this Disease and its formal Reason may be known we must put you in mind of those things which we have elsewhere delivered concerning the nature of intermitting Feavers for we suppose the retorrid and bilous constitution of the Blood as the basis of this Disease by reason of which the alible juice being supplied daily as it were in a certain measure is not rightly concocted but by the assation or scorching becomes or goes into a fermentative matter not miscible with the Blood When the Blood is filled to a fullness with this matter which happens at set intervals of times because the alible juice is supplied as it were by a set measure it of its own accord conceives a swelling up and the growing hot or effervescency being excited for the carrying away of this matter causes the feaverish fit which so long indures till this feaverish matter being inkindled and as it were burnt in the heart is wholly dissipated with sweat From these things premised it is made plain that in this distemper we now discourse of there are some things happen by a peculiar way from the common kind of intermitting Feavers and therefore it was noted and that not undeservedly with the appellation of a New Feaver which are First That about the beginning of the Disease fits did a long while afflict the sick without cold or shaking but with a most intense heat thirst and cruel vomiting by which the sweat hardly and for the most part partial and often interrupted succeeded whereby the fit was not finished but of a long time The reason of which may be only laid upon the very choleric disposition of the Blood and being above measure scorched For this proceeding from the domineering Sulphur wholly inhibits the wonted sourness of the Blood which follows its turgency or swelling up and is wont to stir up the cold or shivering and by reason of this kind of temper of the Blood too much roasting and as it were burning the alible juice the Blood growing turgid together with that juice and being stirred up into motion is inkindled more than it is wont in the heart and by its deflagration induces a most intense and troublesome heat with thirst to the sick Cholerick vomitings happen not only at the beginning but in the middle of the fit by reason of the abundance of choler with which the Choleduct Vessels being too much filled infuse the intestines which then a Convulsion being stirred up is easily emptied into the Ventricle sweat hardly succeeds because the bile abounds more than the serum wherefore the feaverish matter being burnt it is not easily sifted forth by sweat but being either mingled with the Blood causes the long effervency or being carried towards the intestines produces Vomiting or a Flux Secondly This Feaver differs from the vulgar intermitting Feaver because after the fit was ended there was no full intermission even to a remission but the sick still remained languishing and thirsty and as to appetite sleep and other accidents very ill which indeed hapned because by the intense heat of the fit more of the Blood and feaverish matter is inkindled than that its recrements remaining after its deflagration are able presently to be dissipated especially because the sweat by reason of the dryness of the matter very hardly succeeds nor is the feaverish matter enough diluted with the serous Latex to be sifted forth wherefore the Blood by its Contagion in the time of the fit not being perfectly freed grows hot still neither the fit being ended doth it get any full truce from the Disease In the mean time whilst the Blood is urged after this manner with almost a continual effervency it differs from a Synochus because in this the Sulphureous part of the Blood being too much carried forth and as it were inflamed causes the Feaver by its deflagration but the continual
to vomiting let a more plentiful evacuation be procured by a gentle Emetie in the time of the fit The opening of a Vein and Purging ought not to be administred unless between the fits for whilst the Blood grows mainly hot or is resolved into sweat Nature ought not to be called back from the Work begun nor her endeavours to be disturbed by the prescriptions of Physicians wherefore after the 〈◊〉 being past and the sweat throughly finished a Purging may be instituted by a gentle Cathartic and the same afterwards sometimes repeated on the like occasion for by this method not only the provision of the excrementitious matter is brought away from the first passages but chiefly the choler-bearing Vessels being emptied the choler is copiously drawn forth from the mass of Blood and by that means the Blood is restored to its natural Crasis or disposition The Letting of Blood if it be indicated should be performed presently after the beginning for so its Liquor being too turgent or swelling up is eventilated whereby both the nutritious juice is less perverted and the fit urging it burns forth with a less heat together with the morbifick matter but otherwise if a Vein be opened after a long sickness when the Blood being made poorer and more watry more of the morbific matter is heaped together and does not rightly concoct and sift it forth it detracts much from the strength of Nature and nothing from the power of the Disease In the interval of the fits when there is no place for opening a Vein nor Purging let the Belly be kept loose by the constant use of Clysters also digestive Remedies of acetous or saline Liquors and Powders are to be exhibited of which sort are Cream of Tartar fixed Salts of Herbs Tartar Vitriolate Harts-horn burnt Spirit of Vitriol and Salt c. for these restore the lost or sleepy ferments of the Viscera purifie the Blood by fusing it also separate the morbific matter and as it were precipitate it also at this time between if pertinations waking infest the sick and overthrow their strength it may be lawful to administer anodyne and gentle narcotic Remedies but never in the fit for then they greatly hinder the subduing and sifting forth of the feaverish matter and draw out in length the fit that would end sooner These things are to be done about the interstitia or intervals of the fits but whilst the fit is urgent altho the sick then chiefly send for and call upon Physiicans yet at this time their prescripts are limited to a narrower space If Vomiting notwithstanding an Emetic being given still infest it may be more freely provoked either by simple Posset Drink or with bitter Herbs boyled in it But let the chiefest means of help be in temperating the heat and thirst which most grievously torments the sick in this Feaver For whilst the Blood growing hot with the morbific matter and being inkindled in the Heart leaps forth into the Lungs stirs up there a cruel Inflamation which requires a profusion of a cold humor as it were for the extinguishing the Flame wherefore they greedily desire without any measure drink for want of which the sick are almost killed with too great heat and their Blood being almost wholly rarified into flame and fume the thrid of Circulation is hardly continued wherefore drink ought to be wholly granted to those in Feavers which however if it be taken in too large a quantity it at first more disturbs the estuating Blood and at length brings confusion to the feaverish matter begun to be separated that from thence the Work of subaction and secretion is longer protacted and the fit is made longer also besides large drinking causes troubles in the Ventricle and by disturbing it and often provoking Vomiting hinders the breathing forth and calls inward the sweat breaking forth or perhaps already broke forth wherefore at first the heat of the Feaver being inkindled altho the sick be very thirsty let them only sip a little and abstain from drink as much as they can afterwards when the matter being burnt and subdued begins to be dissipated by sweat they may be more freely indulged as to this for so the sweating is greatly helped and the fit is sooner finished as to the nature of the Drink let them take sometimes Posset Drink sometimes Small Beer or Barly Water and sometimes simple Water or sharpned with the juice of Lemons In this case the use of Sal Prunellae is deservedly praised to be given in every Liquor for this with its nitrosity wonderfully allays the raging Blood and potently moves sweats I have often observed in the midst of a fit the sick wont to fall into a swoon or syncopy to whom presently they give Cordials or hot Waters that much increase the violence of the Feaver and bring forth more troubles than usual that the fit is more difficultly finished But these faintings for the most part happen either from a bilous humor suffused in the Ventricle or by reason of the sweat suddenly breaking forth and against these I always found the most present Remedy that either a feather being put down the throat Vomiting may be provoked or that Liquor being plentifully drunk a sweat may be again raised up also in the whole course of this Feaver I am wont never to give any Cordials or alexiteriums The Dyet in this Feaver ought to be only slender and not nourishing all sorts of Flesh or any thing prepared of them are wholly to be avoided for as these abound with Sulphur they give a more plentiful food as Oyl poured on Flame to the hot or enkindled Blood besides nothing spiritous as strong Waters strong Beer or Wine is to be yielded to but Decoctions or Broths of Oat-meal or Barly altered with cooling Herbs are chiefly to be used also Posset Drink and small Beer or Whey is to be given them at their pleasure for by this means when a very slender and watry nourishing juice is conveyed to the mass of Blood the soluted Particles of Sulphur burn forth sooner and with the less tumult also the recrements of the adust matter are more easily carried from the bosom of the Blood but if on the contrary a more rich or plentiful nourishment be administred the effervency of the Blood is thereby very much augmented and the Blood is more infected by the confusion or pouring in of the adust matter After that the Blood being much burnt forth by frequent fits and the Feaver being in its declination remits of its fervor and fierceness you must take heed lest the sick at length growing well fall not into a Cachexie or Scorbutic Distemper for the disposition of the Viscera being hurt and the Blood very much depauperated the alible juice though not scorched so as at first is not however rightly concocted and ripened into perfect Blood but by reason of the want of transpiration the serous excrements being imbued with a fixed salt are greatly heaped together
Because after the Summer solstice the North wind still blowing a cold season remained for a long while so that the Fruit and Corn this year was feared by the Husbandmen would scarce be throughly ripened but after this a little before the beginning of July a most fierce heat followed for several days and when the Dog days were begun the Air grew most cruelly hot that one could scarce indure the open Air. By reason of this heat and cold in excess the temperature of this year was very unequal wherefore there was a necessity for our Blood to be now fixed and as it were congealed now too much roasted and so perverted from its natural disposition to a scorched and melancholly temper also it came to pass that the Pores of the skin were much altered from their right constitution that by that means an insensible transpiration could not be performed after the wonted manner From the time that the former Feaver ceased almost to the end of the Dog days there was a state of health and free from all popular Diseases but then a few here and there among the Villages and in lesser places first fell sick but afterwards about the end of August a new Feaver suddenly arising began to spread through whole Regions every-where round about us also this as the other which spread the last Autumn raged chiefly in Country Houses and Villages but in the mean time few of the Inhabitants of the greater Towns and Cities fell sick At the same time in other Regions situate at a distance from us yea almost throughout England the Epidemical Feaver was said to rage and in some other places to be far more deadly than it was about our Country Perhaps the Idea of this Feaver now reigning had not the provision of its symptoms alike in all places or was noted wholly with the same appearances and accidents yet whatever it shewed in our parts as to its nature I shall briefly and succinctly add from our own proper observation or what I had learnt being communicated from others About the beginning of this Disease its figure was wandring and very uncertain because in some there was a continual fervor in others it was intermitting being renewed by set fits but at this time it hapned to very many as a pathognomic symptom that they were ill in their brain and nervous stock that presently from the very beginning of this Feaver almost all complained of their head being grievously distempered For a cruel headach infested some and hardness of hearing with a noise in the ears troubled others but to most was wont to happen either a stupidness and heavy sleepiness with a vertiginous Distemper or pertinacious wakings with a delirium and distractions of the animal spirits I have observed in some that on the first or second day of their sickness that little broad and red spots like to the measles have leisurely broke forth in the whole body which being shortly vanished the Feaver presently became stronger and especially the Distempers of the head far more grievous From thence a benumedness of the senses and a sleepiness fell upon some for many days that they lay a long while as if dying without speaking or knowledg of their friends I knew others to have fallen from hence into a Lethargy and others cast into an Apoplexie and some into a Phrensie and Delirium Of these the younger and strong men yet not without a long languishment and doubtful recovery most of them escaped in the mean time old men or other ways weak and sickly generally died Those who fell sick with the Feaver as it were continual with those notes of malignity were more rare and the distempered were only sporadically in some houses only But the sickness which most commonly spread about us fell upon most and tho it cruelly raged it seemed to imitate an intermitting Feaver to wit either a Tertian or a Quotidian for that the sick had fits either every day or which I more often observed every other day which infested them grievously and a long while with cold heat and sweat succeeding in order but these kind of fits as also the course of the whole Disease were wont to be noted with diversity according to the age and temper of the sick and with various concourse of symptoms and accidents Yet this was common to most of I had like to have said all the sick that together with the Feaver they were troubled with Cephalic Distempers When therefore any one was troubled with this Disease whether the sickness was excited from an evident cause or Contagion or without any manifest occasion its coming betrayed it self by a pain in the head and often in the loyns with thirst want of appetite spontaneous weariness and heat tho not strong if it hapned in a young Body of a florid Blood and more hot temper the fits wanted the cold and shivering about its beginning but they were very troublesome and sharp with long heat The sick were often troubled with vomiting and their head aked cruelly for the most part sweat difficulty succeeded which being often partial and quickly broke off rarely cured the fit but when the sweat failed they grew hot again that scarce in 18 or 24 hours the fit was finished in some In the mean time from the Blood being very fervent the phantasie was disturbed that oftentimes a Delirium absurd or idle talking wakings and high inquietudes were stirred up during the fit but the same being finished in the time between still a troublesome thirst a slow heat languor of spirits and great debility of strength with an headach and a vertiginous Distemper for the most part molested them It was rarely found for any to find themselves indifferently well as in a common Tertian between the fits About the beginning of the Disease the feaverish fiercenesses were somewhat more mild which afterwards at every turn leisurely grew worse and then began with cold and shaking to which nevertheless after a long and very troublesome heat sweat very hardly succeeded in most so that the fit rarely ended in its due temper Within six or seven periods the strength of the sick was much cast down that being made languid and weak they had an hard task to struggle with the Disease because unless Nature were succoured by Art the Feaver still prevailed and rarely or never in a short time was it cured by a Crisis or leisurely remitted but it brought the sick into great streights by its long siege and still persisting till the Blood being by its frequent deflagration made very liveless and watery was unable to grow too hot in the Vessels of its own accord or to be inkindled more plentifully in the heart and then oftentimes became so dead and wanting of spirits that being insufficient for the continuing of the Vital Lamp it brought in Death But sometimes the mass of Blood being depraved and made poor by this Disease was able tho hardly to continue the half extinct Vital
juice as well as the Blood by reason of the intemperance of the year was much altered from its due Crasis or Disposition viz. by nature sweet and spirituous and was become now heavy and almost lifeless now sharp and too much pungitive Besides also the mass it self of the Blood very much contributed to this evil for whilst it grew hot the vaporous effluvia which ought to have been dispersed outwardly by reason of the Pores being shut up were poured upon the Brain and membranes of the head and by reason of this kind of stopping impressed almost on all sweat hardly and not but partial and often interrupted succeded in the fits hence also in the height of the Disease a perfect Crisis or spontaneous rarely or never hapned to Cure it but instead of this if the business was committed to Nature the adust matter or recrements gathered together in the Blood were transferred to the head and there raised up now the sleepy evil now Phrensies and those long and stubborn 3. That the fits sometimes begun without cold or shivering but with a troublesome heat and were prolonged with a difficult sweat partial and often interrupted then forasmuch as the same being finished the sick began again to wax hot that the fits were not finished without a long evaporation of a dry breath the cause was the too sharp and bilous disposition of the Blood whereby when it grew turgid it was stuffed rather with adust Salt and Sulphur than a serous juice and presently conceived an inkindling without any previous Flux of nitrous matter and therefore for want of serum and by reason of the Pores being shut up its deflagration was continued for a long time almost only with a dry exhalation and scarce at last ended in a remission And therefore the interstitia of the fits were most troublesome with heat and thirst Head-ach Vertigo and other Distempers because the feaverish matter being heaped up in the Blood was not all dispersed by the several fits but part of it being left after the fit as it were extraneous and not miscible induced almost a continual burning 4. It was observed that those distempered with this Feaver presently lost their strength and flesh that after a fit or two they panted for breath and being very weak were not able to stand or go without being led when it is an usual thing in an intermitting Feaver that is common for the Patient to be very lively and cheerful between the fits the reason of the difference is because in this Feaver the mass of the Blood is both more depraved by the impure mixture of the degenerate juice and especially that the same is more perverted from its natural disposition and therefore when it boyls up less out of the fits it yet ferments not rightly and equally in the bosom of the heart wherefore when by any more quick motion or agitation of the Body the Blood is carried more impetuously into the bosom of the heart because it is not there presently inkindled it both leaps forth of doors and by its stagnation causes the oppression of the heart and great weakning of the Vital Spirits By reason of this kind of dyscrasie of the Blood to wit whereby it is made more unfit for due Fermentation and inkindling in the heart also some Beasts and especially Horses in the Spring time are made hard breathed and very unapt to any rapid motion 5. Lastly We are to inquire concerning this Feaver wherefore it spread chiefly in Villages in lesser Towns and the Country when Cities and greater Towns were less troubled with it It might seem that this Distemper should be excited from marshie Fogs and other hurtful Vapours plentifully heaped together in this or that Tract of the Air but there is a better reason for that the inhabitants of these kind of places being more exposed to the Spring cold and then to the Summer heats might have contracted a greater Dyscrasie of the Blood and so a more apt disposition to this Feaver For in truth the Inhabitants of the Country could scarce go out of their houses but they were exposed to the Sun's Beams or the fervor of the heated Air. Besides Country-men Husbandmen and such as were accustomed to Labours among whom this Feaver chiefly raged from their immoderate toyl in the Sun or open Air also using a bad and sharp Dyet sooner acquired an adust and torrid disposition of the Blood and so more apt for this Disease than Citizens and Townsmen who lived an idle life and enjoyed wholsome food and mostly continued within doors and in refrigerating shades We may believe this assertion for that not only the Epidemical Feaver now raging but also another of the Autumn before excited by reason of the evil disposition of the Blood increased chiefly among the Countrymen and inhabitants of the Country but the popular Feaver which arose in the middle of the Spring depending chiefly upon transpiration being hindred mostly infested Citizens and the Inhabitants of Towns whilst rustical men that were wont by Labour and Exercise to procure a more free breathing forth remained free The general Prognostication of this Disease seems only to ominate or foretel the like evil almost to follow this as followed the Epidemical Feaver of the former Autumn to wit the Augury being taken rather from the intemperance of our Blood than from the evil of the Air not the Pest but a Quartane Feaver might be feared to come upon it As to the particular Indication as Signs that promise Health or Death I shall briefly mention them and they chiefly respect the temper and government either of the Blood with the Vital Spirit or else of the nervous juice with the animal Spirit If it be plainly indicated from the Pulse Urine from Actions less hurt and the appearance of other symptoms that the Blood as to its feaverish disposition is not very much perverted from its natural temper that in the fits it moderately burns forth and in every Combat easily subdues the load of the feaverish matter and wholly shakes it off from its company that after same fits the mass of Blood is somewhat restored towards its due temper that it perverts little the alible juice and sifts forth with a more gentle rising up what is extraneous and not mingleable and that if in the mean time the other spirituous Liquor rightly inspires and waters the Brain and nervous Bodies that sleep waking sensation and motion are performed well or at least indifferently all good is to be hoped concerning the sick But if it appears from the same Fountains of Indications that the Blood hath acquired in this Feaver a disposition far removed from the natural if it perverts much of the alible juice and then from its extraneous and incongruous mixture the Liquor of the Blood is greatly disturbed and the Spirits driven into confusion if in the fits the Blood too strongly and in a long time burns forth yet doth not truly subdue the
volatile or fixed which are therefore of a divers colour and consistency That there is Sulphur contained in Urines their quickly putrifying and stink sufficiently testifie it arises from the fat and sulphureous particles of Meats in the concoction being most minutely broken and boyl'd with the serum and salt so as also there is less plenty of Spirit in it than is in Blood Soot or the Horns of Animals wherefore in the distillation of Urine there ascends nothing almost of an oylie form or fat But indeed whilst the blood is circulated in the Vessels the spirituous and sulphureous little bodies which fall away from it do for the most part evaporate out of dores in the mean time the saline recrements and the watery chiefly constitute the Piss nevertheless Urines do always participate a little of sulphur but its quantity and proportion is diversly altered according to the various degrees of Concoction and Crudity and thence also the colour and consistence receive many mutations in Urines That there is but a very little of vinous spirit in Urines the defect of it in the liquor first distilled forth also the soon putrifying of the Stale do testifie but that there is some the intestine motion of the particles in the Urine doth argue to wit the departure of the thin from the thick and the spontaneous separation of some parts from others and a collection of them into a settlement besides the saline particles for that they are made volatile are married to spirituals and so they are of a more ready motion and energy yet according to the divers plenty of spirits in Urines and their power there arise divers manners of hypostases and settlements also the Urines themselves sooner or slower putrifie The watry part of the Urine far exceeds the rest in quantity and is greater than they by almost a sixth part it is not so simply drawn forth by distillation but that some particles of Salt and Sulphur for as much as they are volatile ascend with it and impart to the water an ingrateful stink the potulent matter copiously taken with aliments affords an original to this which of what kind soever it be before it is changed into Urine lays aside its proper qualities and acquires others for truly from the assumed liquor there is nothing sincere almost left in the Piss besides meer humidity That there is earth and muddy feces to be had in Urines its distillation or evaporation sufficiently declares for when the rest of the parts are exhaled the earth as it were a caput mortuum will remain in a moderate quantity in the bottom Forasmuch as in the nourishing juice there is required something solid besides the active principles of salt sulphur and spirit whence the bulk and magnitude of the body grows the recrements of this viz. the earthy feculencies are plentifully dissolved in the serum and contribute to it a thick consistence and contents but these shew themselves after a divers manner according to the state of Concoction and Crudity These are the principles which constitute the body of the Urine also into which it is easily resolved by a Chymical Analysis Out of the divers changes and various contemperation of these the other accidents of Urine arise viz. Quantity Colour Consistency and Contents which are as to the sense the most notable concerning it and the chief objects of the rendred Urine For when there is nothing almost beheld besides in the Piss they constitute these first Phaenomena in which rightly solved consists the whole Hypothesis of this Science Wherefore we shall speak in the next place concerning these and first of the Urine of healthful people what its quantity may be how coloured with what consistence and contents indued and together shall be unfolded out of what mixture of Elements and by what Concoction in the Viscera and Vessels each of these depend Secondly shall be shown how many ways the Urines of Sick people vary from the square or Rule of this of the Sound and I shall endeavour to assign for the several differences of them proper Causes of their alterations and these shall conclude our first proposition in this Discourse viz. the Anatomy of Urine CHAP. II. Of the Quantity and Colour of the Urines of Sound People THE Quantity of the Urine in sound people ought to be a little less than the humor or liquid substance daily taken for moist and drinkable things dayly taken are the matter it self of which Urines are first made But these hunger and thirst urging are more plentifully required both that they may sufficiently wash the mass of the Chyme by which means it may rightly ferment in the Viscera and that they may serve for a Vehicle both to the Chyme whereby it may be conveyed to the bloody Mass and to the Blood it self that it might be circulated in the Vessels without thickening and to the Nervous Juice whereby it might actuate and water the Organs of sense and motion when the serous Latex by this means hath bestowed whatever it hath almost of Spirit and Sulphur for nourishment Heat and Motion it gives way to a new nutritious humour and it self as unprofitable being secluded from the Blood by the help of the Reins is sent away The nourishing liquor which will at last be changed into Urine of its own nature is divers viz. now watry now impregnated with Spirit now with Salt and Sulphur and according to the various forces of this or that Element in it Urines are wont to be somewhat altered However all liquors taken in at the mouth do not pass thorow our body whole and untouched but that they undergo mutations in various parts and lose a little portion of their quantity before they are made into Urine For the Latex or Humour to be converted into Urine is first of all received into the Ventricle for I assent not to Reusner who affirms the same falling for the most part on the Lungs to cause the more quick making water after drinking whilst that it stays in the Ventricle it is there boyled also impregnated with Salt and Sulphur of its own or from more solid Aliments dissolved then very much of it is confused in the blood with the nourishable juice which when it is a long time Circulated from thence receives a farther tincture of Salt and Sulphur according to the various temper of the Blood and its inkindling in the Heart Hence some portion of it is derived with the Animal Spirit to the Brain and nervous stock and afterwards from thence being made lifeless and weak is lastly reduced into the bosom of the Blood after that it hath bestowed on the Blood and Nervous Juice whatever of generous or noble is conteined in the Serum also no small quantity is consumed by sweat and the other emunctories what remains whilst that the Blood continually washes the Reins a precipitation being made either by a straining or force of a certain ferment it is there separated from the Blood
into the Mass of Blood and as the milkie passages carry it about by a long compass whereby it may be instilled into the descending Trunk of the Vena cava so that it may be carried in a more near way viz. into the ascending Trunk of the same by these Vessels forasmuch as the Blood being made poorer in its Circulation returning from either part before it had entred the Heart it ought to be refreshed with a new juice whereby it might more lively ferment in the bosom of the Heart but forasmuch as the much greater part of the Blood is carryed upwards surely it may seem agreeable to truth that at least some portion of the nourishing Juice may be added to this as it were a sustenance it being before burnt forth and almost lifeless for its new inkindling in the Heart The Arguments that seem to perswade to this not of light moment I could here heap together but I should so divert far from our proposition wherefore that we so suddenly make a waterish Urine after Drinking I esteem to be done after a manner as was but now said therefore the Liquor that is carryed so hastily from the Aliments to the Mass of Blood passing thorow the so narrow windings as are the Membranes of the Viscera being drawn as it were by distillation the more thick matter being rejected consists almost only of Water and Spirit with which indeed it refreshes the vital Spirits and dilutes the Blood about which task when the spirituous part is consumed the watry Latex because of its plenty being heavy and troublesome is continually sent away by the Reins and when it comes from the Ventricle not yet imbued with Salt and Sulphur nor is long circulated with the Blood that it might by that means acquire a lixivial tincture it is rendred thin and clear CHAP. III. Of the Consistence and Contents of the Urine of Sound People SO much for the Quantity and colour of Urines which proceed from a sound Body but as to what belongs to the Contents we must know that there ought to be nothing besides the Hypostasis in a sound Urine but what this is and by what means it sinks down remains to be unfolded in the next place So long as the Mass of Blood being fused with the serous and nourishable humour is continually Circulated in the Vessels from it a certain nutritious juice is made by a perpetual digestion which being put continually to the solid parts goes into nourishment This first of all is digested into a glutinous humour like the white of an Egg afterwards into thin Filaments or Rags which being interwoven in the Pores and little spaces of the solid parts still afford to them an increase of new substance but whilst the Serum being mixed with the Blood washes all the Regions of the Body it sucks up into it self a certain superfluous portion of this last Aliment to be lay'd on the solid parts and carries it forth of dores with it self and this it is that constitutes the Hypostasis or settlement in Urines wherefore so long as this is present it indicates how far Concoction and Nutrition in some measure is performed and is accounted a laudable sign its absence shews Crudity and Cachectical people or a Dyscrasie in Feavours it consisting of small Threads or Filaments is dispersed at first thorow the whole body of the Urine and then is collected into a little Cloud by this means These Filaments or Threads are long and smooth also indued with some sharpnesses like Brier-pricks that from thence being shaken about they easily lay hold of one another and are fastned together even as if into an Urinal full of water you should cast many Hairs and then by shaking about the Vessel the hairs at first swimming dispersedly in a little time would lay hold on one another and be collected into a little bundle after the same manner as it seems the little threads which constitute the Hypostasis or settlement being variously here and there agitated by the colour and spirits implanted in the Urine intangle and thrust upon one another untill they gather into one little Cloud by the mutual knitting of all together and because these Filaments are compacted and more solid than the other Contents of the Urine they sink towards the bottom with their weight It is very likely that these kind of Filaments make the Hypostasis in the Urines of Sound people for that the Blood being well constituted and disposed to nourishment is very much stuffed with Fibres or white Filaments because when a Vein is opened if the Blood let out be received into warm water it will be conspicuous to any one for the red thick substance being diluted with the liquor these smooth and white threads swim in the water wherefore it seems that some of these thin or slender rags being snatch'd away with the serous juce are the matter of this cloud subsiding in the Urine wherefore in Cachectical people by reason of Crudity the Blood being very waterish and unfit for nourishment is destitute of these well labour'd Fibrils also in Dyscrasies when the nutritious humour the Blood being too much scorched is not rightly concocted into these kind of Filaments the Hypostasis in Urines is either wholly wanting or is very confused and disturbed It is said to be a good and laudable Hypostasis which is of a whitish colour of a round and equal figure and sinks towards the bottom to which are required First that that last Aliment be rightly labour'd whereby the Filaments may become white smooth and solid like to slender Fibres Secondly that the Urine be sufficiently strong in spirits which as is beheld in the growing hot of Must or new Wine may agitate and compel here and there all parts Thirdly that the liquor be not too thick nor that its Pores be first possessed by strange bodies whereby the motion of the contents may be hindred but that a sufficient space may be left for the free agitating and tossing about these kind of Particles If the substance be red it is a sign that that last Aliment is scorched and burnt with too much heat wherefore such a sediment for the most part is in the beginning of a Feavour so long as the Coction in the Viscera and Vessels is not wholly perverted if the Hypostasis be broken and unequal it is a sign that the nutriment destinated for the solid parts is not rightly and equally concocted and that its Particles are not homogene and alike in every part wherefore the Filaments do not cohere together but these with those and they with others are entangled apart hence some more thick descend towards the bottom and others more light swim upon the top When the Hypostasis does not wholly sink down but hangs all of it either in the middle or upper Region that happens because that those Filaments are not perfectly laboured nor solid and compact but more rare and spungy or because the liquor is thicker
and more impregnate with Salt and Sulphur and therefore like Lie it sustains some weights which otherwise would sink to the bottom Sometimes the Hypostasis is wholly wanting in sound people after long fasting immoderate labours or copious sweating the matter being wholly consumed into nutriment or evaporated by sweat in Feavours by reason of the very depraved condition of the Blood also in the Pica Cachexie and other Distempers of that kind by reason of the great Crudity Concerning the consistency of the Urine in sound people there is not much worthy consideration to be met with It is wont to be of that sort as midling Beer is being purified by a long Fermentation or Lye a little boyled viz. the watry liquor of the Urine ought to include in its Pores and passages a great many Particles of Salt and Sulphur most smally broken and dissolved and besides a little of earth divided very exceeding small and dispersed thorow the whole body of the Piss if the consistence be thinner than it ought as it is in clear or limpid Urines and watry it is a sign of indigestion and crudity that the Aliments are not fully overcome and Concocted but if the Urine be thicker and closer than it ought it is a sign that the body of the liquor is filled with preternatural Contents But of these elsewhere when we shall speak of the Urines of the Sick Thus far of Urine forasmuch as it is an Excrement and sign of Concoction in a sound body truly performed in the Viscera and in the Vessels the quantity or bulk of which is to be determined by the potulent matter the colour Citron from the dissolved Salt and Sulphur and boyled in the Serum the Hypostasis or Contents depend upon the Filaments elaboured in the Blood for the nourishment of the solid parts the consistency on the Salt and Sulphur together with the Particles of Earth filling the Pores and passages of the serous liquor It next remains that we treat of the Urines of sick people in which also the Quantity Colour Contents Consistence and some accidents besides offer themselves to consideration CHAP. IV. Of the Quantity and Colour in Urines of sick People IN a Morbous provision of Bodies or Sickly estate the quantity of the Urine does not exactly quadrate with the proportion of the liquid things taken for sometimes it wants of its due measure and sometimes exceeds it When the Urine is much less than the drinkable things taken the reason is because the watry Latex either stays somewhere in the Body or is diverted by some other way of Excretion than by Urine if it remains within First it is either heaped up about the Viscera and their Cavities and so is stay'd now in the Ventricle more than it ought to do and induces by the distention of it troubles with spitting but more often it is laid up in the hollowness of the Abdomen and sometimes of the Thorax and head and there is wont to cause Hydropic Diseases Or Secondly the Serum stagnates in the Vessels and so increases the bulk of the Blood and Nervous Liquor and notably perverts its motion whence Catarrhs Rheumatick distempers and often Palsies and Convulsions are caused Or thirdly this watry humour is fixed in the habit of the body and so creates a swelling up of the whole body or of some parts Or fourthly and lastly it is obstructed in the urinary passages by the Stone or thick matter as it were a dam opposing it and causes in those parts pains and Convulsions and a fulness of the Serum in the whole body When the serous water is other ways bestowed the Patients are for the most part prone to frequent and troublesom Sweats or almost to a continual Loosness The distempers therefore which the small quantity of the Urine is wont to indicate are sometimes the swelling up of some of the Viscera and a heaping up of water in them sometimes Catarrhal distempers sometimes evil dispositions of the nervous stock sometimes an Anasarca and watry Tumors and sometimes the stony disposition of the Reins and Bladder And sometimes also the diminution of the Vrine is the effect and sign of some other preternatural evacution viz. an immoderate excretion of Sweat Lask or some other thing To describe here exactly all the subsistences of the serous Latex either in the body or the causes of it other ways excreted and the manner of doing it were to transfer hither almost the whole matter of Pathology for many and divers are the occasions and circumstances whereupon this Serum is heaped up in this or that part and subsisting in the body diminishes the quantity of the Urine but for the most part the principal and most frequent cause of this consists not so much in the fault of the Liver Spleen or Reins as of the blood it self to wit a copious and free making of Urine as also its stay in the body and only made in little quantity depend chiefly on the temper of the blood and either on its kindling or fermentation in the heart for if the blood be strong in rightly exalted principles viz. Spirit Sulphur and Salt it grows very hot in the Vessels and so the frame of the liquor being loose enough it is duly kindled by the ferment of the heart and almost spiritualizes the whole passes through all parts with heat and a rapid motion without stopping and whatsoever is superfluous and volatile evaporates out of doors and whilst the blood is ratified and boiling with heat passes through the Reins what is serous is easily separated either by the strainer of the Reins only or which is most likely by a coagulation and is as it were precipitated from the remaining mass of the blood The same thing almost happens after this manner to the blood as we may observe in Milk viz. whilst it is warmed and grows hot it most easily goes into parts and its Serum is most easily separated by the least drop of Runnet or Coagulum put into it but if you pour much more strong and sour ferment into it when it is cold a precipitation will hardly follow so if the blood becomes through an evil constitution or ill manner of living more cool and watry that being less endued with active Elements it grows but dully hot and is but little kindled in the heart it is circulated very slowly and difficultly in the Vessels passing through the Pores and passages of the Viscera it cleaves a little to them and leaves something behind it whence are begotten every where Obstructions and Tumors also the blood by this means becoming viscous and cool and so unfit for precipitation or percolation lays aside less readily its excrements in the Reins but leaves them every where in the body because it hardly and not without the residence of a certain humor is circulated Wherefore in this state those things that move the blood very much as exercise and a more quick motion or also such as may
fuse it as it were with a Coagulum or Runnet as are sharp things and preparations of Salts will more freely provoke Urine It sometimes happens that the Urines of the sick are made in a large quantity and very profuse that in a day and a nights space they make perhaps twice or thrice as much water as the Liquids they have taken the causes of which distemper are also various and the significations very divers if after the suppression of Urine or its quantity formerly lessened if in Hydropick distempers Rheumatisms or passions of the nervous stock or in the Crises of Feavers a flowing down of the Urine follows either of its own accord or by the use of Diureticks it denotes a Cure of the disease or preternatural disposition or at least a declining of it But if as I have often observed in a lean and weak constitution without any of the previous distempers but now recited the Urine exceeds much the Liquids taken and from thence a great debility of the whole follows this indeed signifies an evil disposition with a tendency to a wasting or Consumption I have known some women of a tender and most fine make who sometimes being ill for many days were wont daily to make water in a great abundance exceeding twice the Liquids taken and that watry and thin without contents or settlement at which time they have complained of a languishing of strength difficult respiration and an impotency to motion I suppose in this case that the blood and nervous juyce grow too sour from the salt carried forth and suffering a Flux and therefore that they are somewhat loosned in their mixture and fused so much into serosity as to be made fit for it For it is to be observed that all Liquids though more thick and mucilaginous if they be kept to a sourness presently become for the most part watry and limpid also the flowing down of the Urine is sometimes seen to arise from such a disposition of the blood and humors for that the Urine so copiously excreted is like Vinegar in taste and these kind of distempers are usually cured chiefly by Chalybeates and not by binding and thickning things But as to what respects the Colour the Urine of sound people may be the square or rule to which all the rest of the sick may be referred for as the colour of sound peoples is Citron the Urine of the sick is paler than Citron and so either watry or white or higher coloured than it whose chief kinds are flame-colour yellow red green and black I shall run through every one of these briefly and endeavour to weigh them together by what causes all the alterations may be made and what distempers or provisions of diseases they are wont to make known The Urine is watry or limpid when by reason of the indigestion of the Ventricle the saline and sulphureous particles of things eaten are not rightly subjugated nor being smally broken are made so volatile that being dissolved in the Serum they may impart to it a tincture which it may carry with it through the several turnings and windings of its passage For the Latex or juyce to be changed into Urine because it is forced through very secret passages and narrow as it were by a certain distillation therefore it is wholly deprived of the colour and consistency which it had from the taken Liquids and imbibes almost nothing but the volatile part from the Chyme whose Vehicle it is Wherefore if by reason of the great crudity the Salt Sulphur and other contents are not first made volatile in the Viscera nor afterwards dissolved in the Vessels that they may make their passage together with the serous juyce it being at last stripped almost of all is sent out like clear water That such Urines do want the active principles it is a sign because they are kept a long time from putrefaction This sort of Urine denotes in Virgins for the most part the Green-sickness in most the Cachexy or Dropsie in all it is a note of indigestion and crudity Sometimes in those obnoxious to the Stone it foretels the approach of the fit viz. whilst the Serum is coagulated by the stony juyce in the Reins its dissolutions and contents are congealed into a tartareous matter only a watry juyce or Latex staying behind Those who for some time make a thin and watry Urine whatever sickness they are obnoxious to have often adjoyned to it a difficulty of breathing and shortness thereof after motion and a distention about the region of the Ventricle and as it were a swelling up after eating The reason of the former wholly depends on the defect of spirits in the blood because its liquor is not fully imbued with active principles of Spirit Sulphur and Salt rightly exalted therefore it is not sufficiently kindled by the ferment of the heart whereby the whole may presently leap forth and break as it were into a flame but that hardly fermenting and being apt to stagnate in the heart and for the most part to reside there burdens it grievously wherefore if the blood so disposed is urged more than it is wont by a more quick motion into the bosom of the Heart because not being rarified of its own accord it may presently go wholly forth therefore there is need of great endeavour of the Lungs and a more quick or frequent agitation whereby it may be carried forth Therefore watry Urines signifie this kind of Crudity in the blood because for as much as they receive no tincture almost from the Salt and Sulphur it is a sign that the Particles are little dissolved in the mass of blood or are rendred volatile As to what appertains to the inflation of the Ventricle of which also limpid or clear Urines are the effect and sign I say because of a defect of due Fermentation the Chyle goes not into a volatile Cream but like bread not fermented into a sad and heavy mass which indeed is slowly and not without a residence of viscous Phlegm carried out of the stomach its reliques being impacted in the folds and Membranes of the Ventricle obstruct all the Pores and passages that nothing may vapour forth nor that the thin and spirituous part may be conveyed as it ought to be by the secret passages to the blood hence flatulencies are begotten which continually distend the Ventricle and blow it up beyond its due bulk also when those Feculencies are left a long time in the stomach they abound in a fixed Salt and degenerate now into an acid now into a vitriolick matter or of some other nature from whence Heart-aches desire of absurd things oftentimes Heat with cruel thirst and sometimes Vomiting arise some of which though they argue a very sharp heat to lye hid within yet by reason of the want of concoction such distempers often render the Urine crude and watry We have treated thus largely of a limpid or clear Urine because from hence the reasons of the
rest which as to colour and consistency are pale and thin in healthful persons may be drawn For from the Salt and Sulphur more or less dissolved and boiled in the Serum the appearances of a pale and straw-coloured Urine and of other colours under a Citron colour are excited and by the like means which was said of the watry they may be unfolded There remains another certain kind of Urine more pale than the Citron colour not thin but thick and cloudy and of a whitish colour it appears by common observation that children do often make such water when they are troubled with the Worms The reason of which seems because the matter whereof the worms are made is a certain viscous Phlegm heaped up in the Viscera by reason of the indigestion of the Chyle and a defect of making or generating Spirits which matter at first transmits no tincture to the Urine because of its fixity the same afterwards putrifying is exalted and is in some manner volatilized and then partly by heat and spirit is formed into worms and partly being confused with the passing Chyle and carried into the vessels when 't is made unfit for nourishment it is separated with the Serum from the blood and being mixed with the Urine gives it that white colour Sometimes also in Feavers especially of children the Urine is whitish the reason of which is because the supplement of the nutritious juyce being poured from the Chyle to the mass of blood is not rightly assimilated but degenerates into an excrementitious humor A portion of which being incocted in the Serum imparts to it the thick consistence and milky colour otherwise than in the Feavers of those of riper years where when the heat is stronger the same degenerate juyce impresses on the Serum a red colour Also the Urine is whitish in the flowing of the Whites the Gonorrhoea Ulcers of the Reins and Bladder and of the urinary passages by reason of the confusion or mingling of the filthy matter or the corrupted seed however it be that the colour of the urine be white it is produced from its contents which at last putting down its settlement to the bottom the liquor for the most part becomes of a palish and yellowish colour even as it may be perceived by the making of the Milk of Sulphur where the milky substance sinking down to the bottom the over swimming liquor is of a Citron colour Urines whose colour is deeper than Citron owe their appearance not only to the Salt and Sulphur dissolved more than usual but in some sort to the more thick contents in the liquor The more plentiful dissolution of the Salt and the Sulphur is chiefly performed in the vessels in the mass it self of the blood and from thence the Tincture is impressed on the serous Juyce But this happens to be done for the most part after a double manner viz. either by reason of the feaverish fervour for as much as the blood boiling in the vessels and being more kindled in the Heart is very much loosned in its mixture and so copiously fixes on the Serum the particles of Salt and Sulphur wasted as it were by the boiling Or without a Feaver when these kind of sulphureous and saline little bodies wont to be sent forth at other sinks are restrained and so being by degrees heaped up in the blood are poured into the Serum Of this also there are two chief causes or means for either the excrements of the blood which chiefly participate of adust Sulphur and that ought to be sent away by Choler-carrying vessels are retained and so they impress being suffused on the serous humor a tincture of yellowness or else the Effluvia's which are chiefly of a saline nature and ought to be evaporated by insensible transpiration are restrained and from those the urine is filled with a lixivial tincture The urines of the former kind are proper to people that have the Jaundice but those of this latter are familiar to the Scurvy for in the Scurvy the saline particles of the blood depart from volatilization and get a Flux wherefore by reason of their fixity they will not evaporate and so being more fully heaped together in the blood they more and more pervert its Crasis and very much impregnate the serous humor with a saltness The contents which heighten the colour of the urine are of a twofold kind to wit either adust recrements remaining after the deflagration of the blood or particles of the nutritious juyce degenerated into an extraneous matter Concerning which we shall speak hereafter in their proper place It now remains that we describe particularly the several Colours of Urine more intense or deep than Citron colour 1. The first is a flame-coloured urine which shines with a brightness like the Spirit of Nitre and this is very often seen in an intermitting Tertian Feaver this colour arises from a portion of the thinner yellow Bile mixed with the Serum whilst it is in motion for that in this Feaver there is a sharp and hot intemperature of the blood which burns and scorches all the humors and so plentifully begets Choler But although this for the most part is separated from the mass of blood by the bilary vessels and passages yet when it abounds in the vessels a part of it or which is the same thing some burnt and adust particles of the blood and humors being boiled in the serous water impart to it an high or deep yellowness This urine is thin and shining for that there is in this disease almost a continual breathing forth that thrusts out the recrements of the nutritious Juyce and all the thicker parts of the Serum towards the circumference of the body 2. The Saffron-coloured urine and which dyes Linen with the same colour undoubtedly is a sign of the Jaundice it is tinged after this manner by the yellow Bile or Choler or by the Salt and Sulphur burnt and plentifully mixt with the Serum for the yellow Bile is necessarily begot from the yoked heat and motion of the blood but for this the Gall bag is designed by Nature for the separating it from the mass of the blood its passages being rooted in the Liver But if such a separation be any ways hindred that humor flowing back in the blood and copiously heaped together infects the skin with its yellowness the blood and especially the serous Latex The Saffron-coloured urine differs from the flame-coloured because in this only a certain portion of the more thin Bile is poured into the urine but in that the more thick part and much more plenty besides in the yellow Bile the Sulphur with the Salt being joyned and long circulated is fully dissolved by it that it becomes like paint imparting to every subject a Saffron-coloured tincture as when common Sulphur and Oyl of Tartar are mixed together But what things cause a redness in urines without the restagnation of this Bile happen after the same manner as in the Lye of
distempered with Sweats in the night or perhaps to have an Atrophy or general wasting or to be inclining to a Consumption If the Urine be continually made in a lesser quantity than it should unless there be a larger transpiration it is a sign that the blood is not sufficiently purged from the serous Juyce wherefore there is a necessity that it become more watry and that at length a Cachectical disposition of the body or a Dropsie be brought in But if it be suddenly suppressed or made with pain and difficulty it is a sign of the Stone or Gravel 2. Something is added to the Urine to wit when the colour is heightned and in the mean time the consistency and contents shew themselves in due measure there may then be a suspicion of a Feaverish or Hectical distemper perhaps some evident cause may precede as the use of Baths Heat Surfeit or immoderate Exercise which might have heated the blood or Cold may have heedlesly been taken whence may arise a shutting up of the Pores and difficulty of Perspiration If the urine be of a Saffron-colour and tinges the Linen with yellowness you may say it is the Jaundice but if it be of a Saffron colour or red without a Feaver and doth not dye Linen it shews for the most part the Scurvy or Hypochondriack disposition Though the Colour and Hypostasis may be in good order preternatural Contents are often in the Urine therefore when it grows cold it is troubled and makes a sediment sometimes white and then there is a suspicion of the blood's overflowing with filth also of an impure Ventricle stuffed with excrementitious matter or with Worms sometimes red which often happens by reason of Transpiration being hindred a Consumption and sometimes by reason of a Surfeit or the beginning of a Feaver Preternatural and thicker Contents are sometimes in Urines shewing themselves naturally which denotes a distemper of some part about the urinary passages whence Matter Filth Blood the Whites corrupt Seed or the like are mixed with the Urine and you may easily know by asking how and in what place the Patient is ill what part is distempered and the straining the sediments of those urines will shew what the disease is and you may be more sure of the nature of the distemper When Urines have stood some time copious white sediments are thence made it is not easie at first sight to know from whence they come viz. whether from the whole mass of blood or only from a particular bowel imployed for the preparations of the Serum or the Seed For the impurities of the blood and nervous juyce being deposited under a mealy species in the bottom of the Urinal are wont to cause a suspicion in the Physician of the Whites in Women and of the Running of the Reins in Men such like contents are also seen in Urines which proceed from the urinary and spermatick parts Amidst these ambiguities lest you should guess rashly and confidently by the urine and assert uncertain for certain things and falshood for truth the difference of these kind of urines ought to be indicated after this manner If the contents be universal and their signs be to be applied to the mass of blood for the most part these presently after the making unless sometimes by chance in a Critical separation are wholly inconspicuous as in a thinner substance then the urine being troubled by cold they descend slowly to the bottom and being setled and the Urinal heated they disappear again But if these white settlements are sent from a particular nest they presently disturb and thicken the urine newly made are soon precipitated and vanish not by heat But that it may appear to what bowel these kind of particular contents should be ascribed 't is easily made known to Learned men by other circumstances 3. The Urine is sometimes wholly altered from the natural state the colour and contents which should be therein are wanting and strange things are in their place then indeed is indicated that there is an intemperance in the whole body and that the Concoction in the Bowels and Vessels is depraved you may say the Patient is sick of a Feaver and thence by asking you may learn and presently pronounce that he is distempered with the Head-ach Thirst Heat queasiness of Stomach want of sleep and by consequence with other Symptoms It happens sometimes that the Urine declines from its natural state yet not to shew the distemper the Patient complains of but either the cause of the disease or the consent of some other part with the distempered as if any one should complain of a cruel Head ach or trembling of the Heart and make a watry Urine that doth not denote those distempers but only a crudity in the Ventricle and some obstructions about the Spleen and Viscera which may be the cause of those distempers I say in this case the urine being inspected the chief indications are taken about the Method of Curing and we must not use Cephalick or Cardiack Remedies but either Catharticks which cause Vomit or Purging or Openers and especially Chalybeats But the urine is sometimes vitiated and yet its signification is wholly a stranger to the distemper the Patient complains of as if any one were subject to the sleepy disease or a Lethargy and makes it red and full of preternatural contents its inspection suggests chiefly coindications viz. that we insist not on too hot but temperate Remedies The chief use of Inspection of Urines will be for the observing the state and progress of every disease as also the alterations towards health or death For in Chronical diseases by daily inspecting the urine is made known to the Physician by what degrees the sickness may increase day by day at what time purging or altering Remedies will be most fit and what Medicines will be most profitable hence is to be observed whether Nature prevails on the disease or not and a most certain Prognostication may be drawn from hence either of the hope or danger of health to wit according as the signs of Concoction or Crudity appear in the Urines In acute diseases hence the state and height of the Feaver may be best known at what time the Crises may be expected and with what success when it is best to insist upon Evacuations and when on Cordials The Compass is not beheld with more certainty and diligence by the Mariner or Steers-man than the appearances of Urines ought to be observed by the Physician for fit times and ways of Curing These were what I had to had to say concerning the Judgments of Urine not collected from the vain Traditions of Quacks but what are consonant to reason and truth Besides I know there are ordinarily delivered by Medicasters and Old women almost an innumerable company of Rules and Directions of Urine-divination that the Urinal is no sooner inspected but they will undertake to divine whether it be a man or a woman that is sick how
necessary first to publish the Disquisitions of the nature of this Soul and its manner of subsisting and also of its Parts and Powers that from these things rightly known its preternatural Passions may at length be the better discovered But concerning these very hard matters and difficult to be unfolded when I had begun to frame as I think probable and rational Arguments I saw well that they would be looked upon and laughed at by some as unusual things and Paradoxes which indeed it becomes me not to take ill but to let every one freely to enjoy his own sense and to use in all things his own opinion and judgment Among the many things conjecturally proposed by me which I could not avoid two chief Arguments are opposed to wit that I had affirmed that the blood for the continuing of life was inkindled and that the animal Spirits for the motive act were exploded which terms though perhaps they may sound rough and strange to be applied to the animal oeconomy yet if any one shall weigh the Reasons and Arguments which do perswade to the truth of either opinion I doubt not but that there will be none who will not give their assent or easily pardon me for mine In the first place therefore because there are so many opinions concerning the growing hot of the Blood for that some attribute it to an innate heat others to a flame in the Heart some also to a fermentation of the bloody mass and others to its inkindling therefore I shall endeavour more narrowly to introspect the matter and as much as I am able to build upon a more certain Ratiocination its genuine Cause though very abstruse We have formerly discoursed concerning that Soul which is common to the more perfect Beasts with that subordinate or more inferiour of Man and have shewed it to be indeed Corporeal and to consist of two parts the one of these rooted in the blood we called a Flame and the other dwelling in the Brain and nervous stock Light As we shall here only treat of the former I think it will be no difficult matter to make use of the same Reasons and Instances which truly conclude or at least very like truth that in the first place the blood is animate or hath life secondly that this Animation is in its accension or inkindling or consists in an affection most analogical to this 1. Not only the opinions of Philosophers but the undoubted testimony of the Sacred Scripture plainly asserts the animation of the blood to wit the use of blood was forbidden in the Mosaical Law for this reason because the Blood is the Life or Soul which is also apparent by the observation of the most famous Harvey for that its motion is to be observed by the eye shews that it first lives and last dyes For the greater proof of this it is commonly known that Animals only live so long as the blood remains in its due plenty and motion and that they presently dye if either too great a quantity of this be taken away or its motion suppressed But as to the second Proposition to wit that the life or soul of the fervent blood depends upon its inkindling this will appear probable if I shall shew First that the liquor of the blood ought to be very hot in the more perfect living Creatures Secondly that this growing hot can be produced or conserved in the blood by no other means besides accension or inkindling Thirdly that some chief affections as it were proper passions of fire and flame are agreeable to the life only of the blood growing hot Fourthly and lastly these being clearly shewn some other less signal accidents and properties in which common flame and life agree are added and also we will unfold how and in what respect they differ among themselves As to the first we affirm that the blood is perpetually moved in all living Creatures besides in the more perfect it doth estuate or grow hot in act Indeed its undiscontinued motion is required both for the conservation of the disposition of the blood it self whose liquor would otherwise be subject to stagnation and putrefaction as also that being carried about in the whole body it might be able to give a due tribute to all parts For that the offices of the blood at least in the more perfect living Creatures are divers and manifold viz. to instil matter in the Brain and nervous stock for the animal Spirits to dispense the nutritious Juyce into all the solid parts to suggest to the motive parts an elastic Copula and besides to separate all recrements and worn out Particles and to put them aside into convenient Emunctories But although the mere motion of the Blood in less perfect Animals or at least its moderate swelling up such as may be perceived in Wine and other Liquors agitated into Fermentation is able to sustain and perform the oeconomy of Nature to wit for as much as both a crude nutriment is every where received from the river of the blood though cool continually flowing into all parts of the whole Body and that fewer spirits and more thick as it were separated by percolation or straining enter the Brain and nervous stock with that plenty that may suffice for local motion and the Organs of the few senses to be rudely actuated yet the blood watering the bodies of more perfect Animals require offices of a far more excellent kind for it ought not only to be carried about with a continual and more rapid motion but very much to swell up yea actually to grow hot or effervent to wit for that end that its frame or substance being very much loosned it may more copiously send forth the respective Particles of various kinds every where falling off from it and may dispose them here and there for the use and wants of Nature But first for that the animal Spirits are continually to be supplied in great plenty from the mass of blood and that there is need for the elastic Particles requisite for the locomotive function to be thence perpetually poured into all the Muscles it seems very necessary that the liquor from whence these generous and manifold supplements are drawn should be actually hot or rather should burn forth to wit that the aforesaid Particles not sufficiently to be unlocked but by heat or burning should freely run out from the substance or frame of the liquor which truly is manifest because from Wine and also from the same bloody Liquor and all other spirituous things a subtil and spirituous humour is copiously drawn but not to be performed by distillation without heat or fire Yea the sulphureous Particles although they are less apt to be exhaled from any Liquor yet they most readily fly out by inkindling the subject By these there is an apparent necessity of the blood 's growing hot for the perfection of the animal as well as vital function but that it may appear by what means this is done
to wit whether by Accension or by Fermentation or by any other way we shall first in general inquire by what means and for what causes any liquid things are wont to grow hot then we shall consider to which of these the growing hot of the blood ought to be attributed Concerning these we say that there are only three ways or so many kinds of causes by which Liquors conceive a heat viz. first by fire or heat being put to them as when water is made to seeth or boil over the fire or that it grows hot by the heat of the Sun a Bath or Stove or by the dissolution of quick Lime instances of all which are commonly known For the same reason Bath-waters seem to boil For that we may instance in our own Baths to wit they are impregnated neither with Sulphur nor fixed Salt as I have plainly experimented by distilling and evaporating them and by pouring into them precipitating Liquors yea by dissolving them with Sulphur and many other ways They most resemble Lime-water and they as we believe grow hot from a like cause to wit by imbibing the fiery little bodies somewhere hid within the Earth Of these unless it had been superfluous we had here given a fuller description which may perhaps be done at some other time Secondly when saline Corrosives which are of a diverse kind being mingled with themselves or with sulphureous things work mutually one on another with a great strife and agitation of Particles and oftentimes excite heat yea sometimes fume and flame as when the Spirit and Butter of Antimony are poured to or mixed with stygian Water wherein lixivial Salts are melted or with Oyl of Turpentine or other distilled things besides when corrosive Liquors eat metallick Bodies they often grow hot Thirdly and the only way besides as I suppose whereby a liquid thing is made hot is when any humour being very much imbued with Sulphur or Spirit conceives a burning by putting a flame to it and so grows hot by burning forth This is ordinarily seen in oily or very spirituous Liquors being inkindled and inflamed There remain indeed some other ways of Calefaction to wit Fermentation Putrefaction and Attrition whereby more thick Bodies or Solids often conceive a fervour but they produce not such an effect in Liquids whilst the mealy Mass or Dough is fermented the active Particles being stirred up into motion unfold themselves on every side and lift up the bulk or substance of the subject in the mean time for as much as the sulphureous Particles being agitated with them take hold one of another and begin to be combined a certain heat though more remiss is excited in like manner from Putrefaction Dung or wet Hay get an heat to wit for as much as the sulphureous Particles within included are very thickly heaped up together then being combined together they break out in troops yet no Liquors either thin or thick whether they ferment or putrifie do for that reason at any time grow hot For Wines whilst in fermenting they break in pieces the sides of the Tun or overflow the top of the Vessel with a great noise and ebullition do not actually grow hot yea not so much as grow warm The blood being let out of the Body and placed in convenient Glasses either to ferment or putrifie doth not get any actual heat yet in truth we grant the Blood in living Creatures to be fermented and by fermenting to be putrified yea and some other offices of the animal oeconomy to perform the same moreover we have formerly shewed from its Fermentation being hindred or too much increased or otherwise depraâ—ed divers kinds of diseases to be produced yet we deny the heat of the blood to be excited by Fermentation Because neither the blood of more frigid Animals nor Wines nor any other Liquors though agitated with the highest Fermentation are for that reason actually hot And indeed the reason seems evident enough to wit because the sulphureous Particles being raised up in the more thick subjects though they lay hold on one another mutually and being more thickly heaped together raise up heat yet in Liquids the same kind of Particles however stirred up or agitated are immediately disjoyned by the watry coming between and are hindred from their mutual embrace and combination so that they cannot of themselves produce an actual heat For the same reason hard Bodies being rubbed one against another or violently knocked or bruised do not only produce heat but oftentimes fire whenas yet Liquids however shaken and agitated do not grow warm Therefore as there are only three ways whereby actual heat may be begotten in all Liquors we shall inquire to which of these the heat of the Blood may be ascribed First Some say it is the first way from the opinion both of the Ancients and of some of the Moderns the Blood is said to grow hot by reason of some hot thing put to it to wit whilst those affirm an innate heat and these a little flame to be placed in the Heart and to heat the blood passing through it but either of these opinions easily fails from which it is clear that the Heart is a mere Muscle her doth contain in it self any tinder or matter for a flame or heat I know not how implanted fit for their continuance For though it be confessed that on the continual motion of this Bowel which is only animal the Circulation of the Blood doth depend yet the Heart borrows heat altogether from the blood and not the blood from the Heart Secondly As to what respects the second way of making hot a liquid thing to wit whereby a great heat is excited by the mixing of saline Corrosives together or also oily or by corroding a metallick Body I think there is none that will seriously assert that the blood grows hot from such a cause for that its liquor in its natural state is always homogene and although it be stuffed with plenty of Salt it is however with that which is volatile gentle and benign only But there is not to be found either in the Heart or in any other place a saline or any otherwise heterogene Mine whereby the bloody liquor by working or corroding may get or conceive an heat to wit it behoves either such a Mine or the Body to be corroded to be perpetually renewed because the ebullition and heat raised up by the strife of Salts ceases as soon as the Salts are combined or the Body corroded If at any time the saline Particles of the humours in our Body depart from their right temper and become enormous and unbridled for that reason the blood as to heat and motion enters into some irregularities yet it seems impossible that it should originally and perpetually become hot by the congression and strife or corrosion of the Salts Thirdly As to the third way whereby Liquids are made hot though it may seem an uncouth saying That the blood is so inkindled
Lungs in every distemper or affection as of Grief Joy Fear and the like also in the fits of Diseases the Heart is disposed after a various manner and hence it comes to pass that the blood flowing in fluctuates and is inkindled with a diverse rage of which there will be a more opportune place of discoursing when we shall treat of the Passions Whilst we consider that the burning of the Blood and for that reason the vital or flamy part of the Corporeal Soul doth not appear lively or vigorous in all nor ever after the same manner or measure yet it exists according to the various constitutions of the blood to wit as it is more or less sulphureous spirituous saltish or watry yea and according to the divers constitutions and conformations both of the food with which this flame is nourished as also of the little spiracles or breathing holes by which it is eventilated and further of the Heart it self whereby it is agitated and driven about here and there the accension of blood varies also in every one by means of several other accidents to wit as its flame is sometimes great clear and expanded sometimes small contracted or cloudy sometimes equal and in order sometimes unequal and often interrupted yea and it becomes subject to many other mutations also because the Soul it self having gotten a various nature or disposition it conceives divers affections and manners whereof we shall speak hereafter for as much as it is not a little thing that the disposition of the whole Soul depends upon the temperament of the bloody mass and the degree and manner of its accension or inkindling It clearly appears from what hath been said that Fire and Life do dye or are extinguished alike many ways to wit there is an end of either if the access of nitrous food or the departure of Effluvia's be hindred or if the oily or sulphureous aliment requisite to either be consumed too much withdrawn or perverted from its inflammable disposition of each whereof it is so clearly apparent that there needs no farther explication Thus far we have shewn that the Life of the Blood or that part of the Soul growing therein is a certain kind of Flame let us now see by what means it is disposed to burning and how near it comes to the similitude of a burning Candle or Lamp A common Lamp whether designed to give heat or light for the most part is wont to be made after this manner to wit the Oyl flowing perpetually to the wick gives continual food to the flame wherefore as there is but one fire-place or hearth only of light and heat the action of either is limited only to one place and so as often as there is need of more places at once or divers parts of the same space or body to be illuminated or made warm we place here and there divers lighted Candles or Lamps But if an Instrument made with great artifice such as is truly an animated Body with one liquor only contained in it should be made hot throughout the whole and to be kept always warm it ought not only to be lightly inkindled in the wick but in the whole superficies and derived by fit Tubes or Pipes to all the parts of the Machine then the burning liquor ought to enjoy proportionably to all its parts an access of nitrous Air and to lay aside Effluvia's and other recrements and ought also to have a supply of that constant expence these kind of offices are not to be performed any where up and down but only in some set places therefore the burning liquor ought to be carried about through the whole with a perpetual turn that all its portions might enjoy successively all those priviledges and at once heat the whole capacity of the containing Machine to wit both the inward and outward recesses Indeed such a Bannian or Bathing Engine artificially made might aptly represent the real Divine handy-work of the Circulation of Blood and what burns in it the Life-lamp But it may be objected that the Blood seems not to be inflammable of its own nature further since there is no flame of this heat or effervency to be beheld with the eyes it may well be doubted whether there be such a thing or no. I say first That the Chymical Analysis of the blood shews very many particles of Sulphur and of Spirit yea a plentiful stock of inflammable Oyl which are however mixed with other more thick Elements in a just proportion to bridle their too great inkindling to wit that this liquor might flame out by little and little and only through fewer parts for the constituting of a benign and gentle Lamp of life wherefore the blood being let out of a Vein upon a burning fire doth in some measure burn though it is not like the Spirits of Wine or Oyl of Turpentine turning all into a flame besides the whole mass of blood as the Oyl of a Lamp ought not to be fired yea its burning is instituted for that end that whilst all the Particles of the Mixture being freed some sulphureous and spirituous are consumed by burning others more subtil being sent in Troops might serve for the necessary uses of the animal Regiment and also others more thick or crass and nourishing as it were boiled or roasted might be dispensed for the cherishing all parts besides that all the dead or worn out and excrementitious may be sent away by fit or convenient sinks and others constantly substituted in their places by nourishment But in the interim that the vital Flame which destinated to so many offices we suppose to be inkindled in the Blood otherwise than the common flame which is plainly conspicuous appears not at all a probable reason thereof may be given as it is most thin and burns in the Heart and its depending Vessels as it were shut up in Receptacles it doth not clearly flame out but perhaps remains in the form of smoke or a vapour or breath yea although the blood should openly flame out yet it might be so done that its shining being most thin may not be perceived by our sight as in the clear light of the day we cannot behold a glowing red hot Iron nor shining sparks nor false fires nor rotten wood nor many other things shining by night why then may not the vital fire even thinner than they quite escape our sight Although sometimes hot living Creatures use to send forth a certain fire or flame only conspicuous by night For we have known in some endued with a hot and vaporous blood when they have put off their inner garments at night going to bed near a fire or Candle a very thin and shining flame to have shewn it self which hath possessed the whole inferiour region of the Body The reason of which affection seems wholly the same as when the evaporating fume of a Torch just put out is again inflamed by a light inkindling and manifestly argues that another flame
suspected that those strong Fibres and as it were Ligaments do sometimes contract sometimes dilate and variously draw the Membrane to which they are knit From these kind of motions of the dura Mater the blood flowing within the bosoms may be variously agitated and as occasion serves sometimes hastened in its Circle and sometimes restrained or hindred for in many affections of the sensitive Soul the blood being disturbed from its equal circulation is sometimes precipitated by heaps and impetuously to the Heart and sometimes detained from its nest longer nigh the confines of the Brain But that various whirlwinds of passions stir up such irregularities in the motion of the blood the nervous parts implanted about the Praecordia are in some measure the cause which by contracting or dilating the same variously moderate the course of the blood yet so that in the mean time some part of this office is due from the brain it self or at least to its Appendix Indeed the brain it self wants motion but the blood passing through its substance for as much as it is poured wholly in this Meninx and passes through its receptacles is at the motion and beck of this Membrane sometimes driven away from the brain and commanded to succour the Heart as in fear and great sadness sometimes being hastened towards the brain is for some time prohibited from flowing back as in shame indignation and some other affections Truly that these kind of interior processes of the bosoms and as it were transverse strings or cords do conduce to the more commodious reduction of the blood we gather also from hence that in working beasts whose brain because they feed and go with a prone and hanging down head is in greater danger of an inundation of the blood those processes are very big for that they being successively contracted may leisurely thrust out the blood apt otherwise to stagnate by reason of the inclination of the head Neither is it from the purpose to observe here that these same Animals are always furnished for that reason with a greater wonderful Net by which means indeed it is provided that the blood may not too much invade the brain by heaps as care is taken by the artifice but now described lest the same should make too long stay in the brain and so oppress its more weak frame Therefore in the last place that I may recollect what I have said of the dura Mater and rehearse its chief uses First It covers over the Skull within and reaches to it somewhat of nourishment by the Vessels Secondly It is a covering to the whole head and serves to distinguish its chief parts Thirdly It contains the Vessels designed for the reducing the blood from the whole interior head which in the mean time by reason of the plenty of the blood contained in them and the opportunity of their situation administer requisite heat for the distillation of the Spirits Fourthly It provides ways for the admission and going out of all the Vessels within the Skull and fortifies them to which may be added that it bestows on some of them their Coats as shall be shewn anon Fifthly and lastly This Meninx being here and there contracted or divided by the animal Spirits variously moved according to the passions of the Soul or the necessities of Nature stays the blood sometimes longer near the confines of the Brain sometimes drives it forward from thence towards the Praecordia CHAP. VII Of the thinner Meninx or Pia Mater of its stretching out as also of the Infoldings of the Vessels every where interwoven with it THE interior Meninx or Pia Mater is far thinner than the exterior and consists of a most subtle contexture of Fibres This does not compass about the Encephalon's superficies as loosly as the Dura Mater but embraces it so very strictly that it is very hardly separated from it besides it insinuates it self into all its turnings and windings and furrows and clothes their inward parts Further this Meninx although it be thin yet being covered over throughout with the infoldings of Arteries and Veins is interwoven with them and so waters all the spaces of the Brain and Cerebel with innumerable rivers For as the Region of either of these especially of the Brain is full of turnings and windings this Membrane in like manner grows to the deep furrows of the crankling turnings about and also to the tops of the ridges yea the chief complications of the Vessels are still placed in the vallies as if they were there hid in regard of their safety Neither doth this Meninx only cover the gapings of the turnings and windings about but also gathers together the tops or heights of all their interstices or places between and knits them together and so makes the whole superficies of the Head plain globous and as it were like the World That the diffusion of this wonderful Membrane into all the turnings and windings of the Brain and the distribution of the Vessels through those most intimate recesses may be the better beheld let the head of a man or of a brute beast that dyed of the Dropsie be opened For in such whose brain abounds with much moisture the little stays whereby this Meninx is fixed to the substance of the brain are loosned so that the Membrane with the infoldings of the Vessels may be easily drawn away and pulled off almost whole which indeed being pulled off the folds of the brain will appear naked also the insertions of the Vessels every where into the more inward substance of the brain may be perceived But to a sound and dry brain the Pia Mater sticks so closely that it can scarce be drawn away in any part or separated with a Penknife We have already shewn after what manner the Veins and Arteries which creeping like Ivy are knit into the Pia Mater and variously interwoven into it cover over with most thick little shoots the whole compass of the Brain and Cerebel and their Interstices the gapings of the crankling turnings and windings about bosoms and cavities and send forth every where small shoots into the medullary substance so that it is not to be doubted but that the animal Spirits being as it were stilled forth immediately from the blood every where in the whole head are received into the Pores and passages of the Brain and Cerebel From hence it will be easie to assign the use or office of the Pia Mater viz. First this Membrane clothes the universal parts of the whole Encephalon and distinguishes them all one from another For indeed this lying over all the gapings and interstices of the turnings and windings is instead of a mound or fence by which the animal Spirits are restrained every where within their proper cells and orbs of expansion nor are they permitted by this means to run beyond their bounds and so confound the acts of the many Faculties Then secondly this Meninx sustains all the blood-carrying Vessels viz. both the Arteries and Veins
together with their manifold productions and so affords a passage to the blood by carrying it to and fro towards the brain Concerning these Vessels which are knit to this Meninx and follow its stretching out into all parts there are many admirable things to be met with and highly worthy of note the uses and reasons of which is our purpose to search into As to these we shall first observe that these Arteries and Veins otherwise than in any other part of the body besides not arising nigh one another go forth as companions but going forth from opposite ends meet every where mutually viz. the Arteries ascend from the Basis of the Skull and by creeping through the whole emit upwards shoots and branches which are met by the Pipes of the Veins arising out of the bosoms and carried downwards By this means the rivers of the blood seem to be made equal every where in the Brain viz. whilst the smaller shoots of the Veins follow or match the greater branches of the Arteries and on the contrary the small branches of the Arteries the Trunks of the Veins Secondly We have already shewn that these Vessels are variously and very much ingrafted or inoculated among themselves not only the Arteries with the Veins but what is more rare and singular Arteries with Arteries to wit the Carotidick Arteries of one side in many places are united with the Carotides of the other side besides the Vertebrals of either side among themselves and are also inoculated into the posterior branches of the Carotides before united The joynings together of the Carotides in most living Creatures are made about the Basis of the Skull under the Dura Mater and that after a diverse manner in some communicated through the Vessels of the wonderful Net from one side to the other in others as in a Horse we have observed with a certain admiration the arterious chanel is produced between the Trunks of the Carotides whereby the blood may be carried from one side to the other and so on the contrary But besides between the Dura Mater about the Basis of the Head the same kind of ingraftings of the Arteries are still seen in man and all perfect four-footed beasts The reason of these seems to be partly that the blood to be carried from the Heart into divers Regions of the Brain might be exactly mingled as to its parts and particles before it come to the place designed For the Torrent of the blood because divided into lesser rivulets is incident to languish in so long a circuit and its Spirits to be depauperated and lastly it self to grow cool unless that various courses of its Latex should anew inkindle this vital flame about to be extinguished or dye But there is another reason far greater than this of these manifold ingraftings of the Vessels to wit that there may be a manifold way and that more certain for the blood about to go into divers Regions of the Brain laid open for each so that if by chance one or two should be stopt there might easily be found another passage instead of them as for example if the Carotides of one side should be obstructed then the Vessels of the other side might provide for either Province Also as to the Vertebral Arteries there is the same manner of provision made Further if both the Carotides should be stopped the offices of each might be supplied through the Vertebrals and so on the other side the Carotides may supply the defects of the shut up Vertebrals After this manner lest there should be wanting an afflux of the blood at any time in any part of the Brain or its Appendix within the Skull there is care taken with singular Art For as there are four distinct passages and those remote one from the other of this Latex if perchance three of them should happen to be shut up the blood being carried through one only will soon supply or fill the chanels and passages of all the rest Which thing I have found by Experience often tryed not without admiration and great pleasure To wit I have squirted oftentimes into either Artery of the Carotides a liquor dyed with Ink and presently the branches on either side yea and the chief shoots of the Vertebrals have been dyed with the same tincture yea if such an injection be sometimes iterated by one only passage the Vessels creeping into every corner and secret place of the Brain and Cerebel will be imbued with the same colour Also in those who have the wonderful Net the Tincture or dyed Liquor being injected in one side it will come through the Net-like infoldings of the Vessels in both sides Hence it plainly appears that there is a communication between the Vessels watering the whole Head and although every Artery is carried to one only Region as its peculiar Province and provides for it apart yet lest that any part should be deprived of the influence of the blood more ways lye open to every part by the ingraftings of those vessels so that if the proper vessels by chance should be wanting in their office its defect may presently be compensated by others neighbouring It is not long since we dissected the dead body of a certain man whom a great Scirrhus or hard Swelling within the Mesentery growing at last ulcerous had killed When his Skull was opened we beheld those things belonging to the Head and found the right Carotides rising within the Skull plainly bony or rather stony its cavity being almost wholly shut up so that the influx of the blood being denied to this passage it seemed wonderful wherefore this sick person had not dyed before of an Apoplexy which indeed he was so far from that he enjoyed to the last moment of his life the free exercise of his mind and animal function For indeed Nature had substituted a sufficient Remedy against that danger of an Apoplexy to wit the Vertebral Artery of the same side in which the Carotidick was wanting the bulk of the Pipe being enlarged became thrice as big as both its Pipes on the other side because the blood being excluded the Carotidick adding it self to the wonted provision of the Vertebral Artery and flowing with a double flood into the same belly had so dilated the chanel of that Artery above measure This Gentleman about the beginning of his sickness was tormented with a cruel pain of the Head towards the left side The cause whereof cannot be more probably assigned than that the blood excluded from the right Carotidick Artery when at first it rushed more impetuously in the left had distended the Membrane and therefore the same distemper did afterwards vanish of its own accord to wit the superfluous blood being derived through the Vertebral Artery Thirdly Concerning these sanguiferous Vessels covering the Pia Mater we observe that the Arteries and Veins whilst they meet one another going out from opposite ends do not only transfer their burden immediately through the several branches
matter apt for explosion is joyned to them For it is not possible that the immense loss of Spirits which happens in hard labours if they were wholly destroyed in so short a time should be able to be restored by supplements coming only through the Nerves We shall discourse more largely of these things if at any time hereafter we shall treat of the Motions of the Muscles The animal Spirits being disposed within the several Muscles according to the series of Fibres seem as it were so many distinct Troops or Companies of Souldiers all which being set as it were in a Watch-tower are ordained as a new impression is carried to them by the Nerves either from the objects outwardly or more inwardly from the Head forthwith into various forms and peculiar orders for the performing of motion or sense of this or that kind The carriage or behaviour of these is worth the seeing in an animal newly killed and its skin taken off For when life perishes and all the force of the Spirits flowing in through the Nerves hath quite ceased yet the Spirits implanted into the whole Body breaking forth from the Muscles still move and shake them and force them into several Convulsions and trembling motions From what hath been said we may gather what the disposition or order of the animal Spirits may be in the whole animal Body to wit those procreated in the cortical substance both of the Brain and Cerebel are congregated into the middles of either as it were into distinct Empories or Marts and an expansion being made in either they cause certain interior powers of the sensitive Soul to be exercised yet the same Spirits affecting more room enter the oblong Marrow as it were the Chest as hath been said of a musical Organ and fill it full within which flowing they carry to and fro the impressions of sensible Things and the Instincts of Motions From the oblong and spinal Marrow the same Spirits unless when they are otherwise busied tending outwardly flow towards the several parts of the whole Body which notwithstanding wandring so out of doors because they pass through very strait ways in their passage to wit the slender bodies of the Nerves they break not forth in heaps or in a thick troop but only contracted orderly and as it were by bands or divisions but they being carried beyond the extremities of the Nerves and there possessing the Membranes Muscles and other sensible parts dilate themselves as it were into a most ample field and with a very diffuse Army they dwell in the Pores and passages of the Fibres planted every where about where also being endowed from the blood with new food they become more lively and more expeditious or ready for the designed offices Here perhaps it may be demanded how the animal Spirits diffused in such numerous troops through the habit of the Body are able to be supplied by so strait chanels of the Nerves To which we reply That those which reside more outwardly do not quickly evaporate nor are remanded back by Circulation wherefore when all the Fibres are filled by an influx of the Spirits made by little and little from the beginning very small supplements suffice to repair their expence For neither are those dwelling more outwardly for that they are repaired by the bloody food much consumed though in frequent action Hence may be noted the difference between the distributions of the blood and animal Spirits That Latex because it is reduced in a circle its Vessels are in the whole passage proportionated as to the bulk of the Trunk and the branchings sent from it to wit so that the branches of the great Artery being carried from the Heart contain at the least so much of the blood as the shoots reaching forth from them into all the parts But because the animal Spirits being once begotten and carried more outwardly subsist longer there and evaporate very slowly and by little and little therefore the Vessels carrying them viz. the Nerves in respect of the Fibres receiving them are made much lesser in proportion lest perhaps by too great a supplement of the animal Spirits and the too thick gathering of the fresh ones still into the nervous parts the Army of the Veterans before instructed should be confounded and so the orders of all being disturbed the exercises of the animal Function should be performed any how For indeed when at any time the Spirits are made too sharp so that being therefore struck as it were with madness they rush upon the nervous System with tumult and impetuosity from thence a great unquietness and continual throwing about of the Members are wont to be excited to which sometimes madness and fury succeed In the order and ordination of the animal Spirits such as was but now described the Hypostasis or the Essence of the sensitive Soul consists to wit which is only a certain Systasis or shadowy subsistence of those Spirits which like Atoms or subtil Particles being chained and adhering mutually one to another are figured together in a certain Species Moreover the faculties of the same Soul depend upon the various Metathesis and gesticulation of those Spirits within the aforesaid Organs of the Head and nervous System But the consideration of this Soul and its powers requires a peculiar Tract which hereafter God willing we intend in the mean time our Method demands of us that according to our weak skill by the cense or numbering of the Nerves being particularly made we should deliver an exact Neurology or Doctrine of the Nerves But for that in the premised general consideration of the Nerves and Fibres there was mention made of the nervous and nutritious Juyce notwithstanding what belongs to their powers and natures hath been neither fully nor clearly enough delivered therefore we will a little divert here and make it our business to inquire what sort of Juyces and Humors are carried into the parts of the animated body for their nourishment and by what ways or passages then this difficulty being removed a plain and easie way leads into the Doctrine of the Nerves CHAP. XX. Of the Nervous Liquor and whether that or the bloody Humor be Nutritious SInce the Circulation of the Blood was made known and it hath been plainly made appear that it did no where stagnate and stand still long but was carried in a reciprocal motion always as in a circle it began to grow doubtful whether its Latex is nutritious or not For besides that the more rapid course of the blood as of a torrent might seem to wear the banks which it flowed between and to carry away some Particles from them rather than to be able to affix any thing to them the substance it self also of the blood for that it is more torrid and uneven is thought to be altogether unfit for nutrition Wherefore that a Juyce may be found more convenient or fit for this office the passages and hidden recesses of the Nerves are to be
viewed and as a certain Latex is found to flow within their Pores and passages presently the blood being rejected that nervous humor is gifted with the title of nutritious but yet by what right and after what manner nutrition is performed shall be our present purpose to inquire And here first of all that we may take the part of the blood it will be easie to shew that there is matter contained in it fit enough for the nourishment of the body and a sufficient store of it For besides the sulphureous substance of the blood which within the fire-place of the Heart with a continual inkindling and by that means deflagration in the Vessels produces life and in the more perfect Animals heat there is found also a certain other humor soft and alible which in the Circulation being distributed through several parts of the Body by increasing them adds nourishment and bulk yea the deflagration it self of the blood plainly as a Kitchin-fire in dressing meat as it were boils and prepares this humor whereby it more easily is assimilated into the substance of every part to be nourished Hence it comes to pass that by reason of a defect of heat in the blood no less than of excess nutrition is often hindered But that this kind of alible Juyce is contained in the bloody mass the Anatomy or spontaneous Analysis of its Latex sufficiently declares for the extravasated blood when it goes into parts of its own accord this liquor being disjoyned from the purple thick part and swimming a top of it appears clear or limpid but by reason of its more thick contents to wit the nutritious Particles like the white of an Egg it is easily made thick and grows white by a gentle heat which thing appears by this familiar Experiment to wit if you shall evaporate a little of it only in a Skillet over the fire the whole liquor will presently grow together into a white Gelly By this liquor as the blood is more or less imbued with it living Creatures grow and become more fleshy or lean for both the blood of younger Animals being loosned from cold is wont to shew much more of this kind of white than more ancient or older Creatures and we may take notice daily at our Tables that very much of this kind of Gelly comes out of the flesh of a Lamb or Calf being boiled or roasted and nothing almost from Mutton or Beef especially if old Therefore we may lawfully suppose that the blood is truly nourishable and that the whole or at least the greatest part of the matter for the adding bulk or substance to every part is dispensed from it but if at any time it be defective in this its office that happens not out of the natural unfitness of it but because its disposition is sometimes depraved and as the Stomach labouring with some vice rejects or perverts the Chyle to be cooked by it But the blood as it is not the only and alone humor which is distributed in the animated Body so neither seems it able to perform alone and of it self the whole office of nutrition For besides that being diffused through the Arteries and Veins another Latex is every where dispensed from the Head through the Nerves which shall be shewn to afford something at least to nourishment As to the first there are many reasons which declare that kind of humor to be in the Brain and nervous stock and to abound in their whole passages For unless the animal Spirits continually flowing out should be founded in such a Latex which is their Vehicle they would not be contiguous or joyned nor able to continue and knit together the Systasis of the sensitive Soul For if Hippocrates did observe long since that Cramps and Convulsive motions were produced from driness and emptiness that perhaps might happen by this means to wit because the humor in the Nerves or Fibres being deficient the Spirits distracted one from another were separated which notwithstanding that they might still retain their mutual embraces and as it were folding of hands bend the containing bodies and very much contract and so force them into Convulsions Besides Wounds and Impostumes of the Tendons and nervous parts seem to witness the diffusion of the nervous Juyce either of which drop forth a thin Ichor and wholly unlike to the mere bloody Excretion no less may be argued from the Ganglia and Evil running Sores In time of sleeping the aforesaid humor is wont to flow more plentifully into the Brain and Nerves and to obstruct their passages and therefore yawnings and stretchings come frequently upon those awaking that its reliques might be shook off Lastly we might readily shew that from the depravation of the nervous humor Melancholy Madness and some wonderful Convulsive distempers proceed But it may be objected that there is no such kind of humor because the Nerves being cut asunder it is not perceived to flow out and that the Nerves being also bound they do not swell above the Ligature as Arteries and Veins But it may be answered That the liquor flowing in the nervous stock is very subtil and spirituous and which by any striving or wrinkling up of those parts when they are roughly handled may easily evaporate and be blown away or dispersed unperceivably Then further 't is observed in the Whelps of some Animals newly litter'd who have as yet that juyce viscous and not easily to be dispersed and that have their Nerves greater if they be bound hard together with cords they will swell above the Ligature Therefore seeing it appears that a certain Humor doth creep through the blind Pipes and passages of the Head and of the Appendix both medullar and nervous it behoves us next of all to inquire from whence that comes thither and whither it tends and lastly of what kind of nature and use it is Concerning these first it appears from what hath been said that the aforesaid Latex serving for a Vehicle of the animal Spirits is perpetually instilled together with them from the blood watering the exterior confines of the Brain and Cerebel which from thence passing through the medullar Trunk is afterwards with a gentle spring poured through the whole frame of the nervous System so that the first fountains of the nervous humor are in the Brain and Cerebel But further to this Juyce conveying the forces of the animal Spirits and supplied only from the Head there joyns a certain other humor as it were auxiliar in the whole passage and restores and refreshes it otherwise about to grow deficient We think that these kind of supplements and subsidies which happen to come from elsewhere to the nervous Juyce flowing from the Head are received and admitted inwardly from the sides and extremities of the medullar and nervous System We have already shewed that an humor as it were secondary is instilled from the blood watering these parts in its whole passage because the Arteries follow not only the medullar Trunk
and are assimilated into their substances In the mean time because the animal Spirits are poured out in great plenty with the nervous Juyce those which are at leisure from the work of nutrition or remain after that is finished turn aside every where into the Fibres as into proper dwelling-houses and there being ready for the offices of sense and motion stay which offices indeed that those Spirits the Inhabitants of the Fibres may the better perform they acquire from the blood watering the Muscles certain auxiliary forces wherefore they being endued with a certain elastick force are apt to be highly rarified and as it were exploded But indeed we suppose that as the nervous Liquor being turgid with animal Spirit causes the arterious humor to become nutritious so in compensation of this the animal Spirits remaining of the work of nutrition and every where disposed within the Fibres receive from the arterious blood a mixture or certain Copula by whose help and cooperation the same Spirits exert or put forth much more strongly their locomotive force For it seems that little sulphureous bodies are added to the spirituous-saline particles from the watering blood and so when the animal Spirits are furnished with this Copula they being stirred up into motion shake off the borrowed particles which being struck with a certain force like the explosion of Gun-powder suddenly intumifie the Muscles and so by contracting them very much they cause a vehement motive endeavour We shall have an occasion of discoursing more at large of this when we treat of the Motion of the Muscles Yet in the mean time we shall take notice that the Muscles of the whole Body as to their motion have a certain Analogy with the motion of the Heart For indeed the animal Spirits in the Heart flowing within the fibres and nervous threads with which this part is much beset receive plentifully sulphureous little bodies from the inflowing blood distending the sides of either bosom which whilst the same Spirits being filled to a fulness shake off and as it were explode a Systole of the whole Heart its sides being carried with a certain force inwards is brought in or caused whereby the blood from either side the bosom is cast out as it were by the impulse of a Spring or Bolt Truly unless the Spirits inhabiting the Heart should receive food and matter of explosion from the blood it self their stock supplied or sent by the passage of the few and small Nerves would not suffice for the performing of the undiscontinued motion A sign of this is that from a defect or depravation of the blood as well as of the animal Spirits the motion also of the Heart is â—efective or diminished And not much unlike in the Muscles as in the Heart is the business performed the Spirits inhabiting their Fibres receive a sulphureous Copula and apt for explosion from the blood there more plentifully flowing than about the Membranes with which being endued as often as they receive from the Nerve as it were the fiery inkindling or the match the instinct of the motion to be performed they being excited and striking of their Copula very much inflate or blow up the Muscle and intumifie it for performing or compassing the motive endeavour Nor is it much to purpose or makes any great difference that the motion of the Heart stirred up by a perpetual instinct is found always necessary but the Muscles the most of them only occasionally and at the command of the Animal do put forth their motive power for the Diaphragma and some Muscles dedicated to Respiration are urged with a perpetual Systole and Diastole as well as the Heart it self From the aforesaid Hypothesis concerning the offices and uses of the nervous and arterious Juyce Arguments that otherwise determine the work of Nutrition may be easily answered For that the blood is said rather to prey upon the solid parts than to replenish them that ought to be attributed to the Disease and Dyscrasie of it and not to it simply because sometimes the blood is accused for that it too much stuffs the solid parts to wit forasmuch as its mass being waterish and weak it lays aside the alible Juyce which not being truly cook'd is still crude and vicious with very great plenty about the habit of the Body and so induces an Anasarca In the mean time it ought to be granted That as it is the blood that is evil which heaps up too much vicious nutriment so it is the same which being well and right doth laudably perform the office of Nutrition But that it is argued That the nervous is rather the nourishing Juyce because by reason of its defect depravation or too prodigal expence the acts of nutrition are wont to be hindred or perverted it is easie to reply to this That the impediments of the nervous Juyce being made vicious respect the form of nourishment and not the matter of it to wit it sometimes happens that the blood dispenses the alible matter in due plenty and disposition which notwithstanding by the fault of the nervous Juyce is not rightly assimilated When an impotency of motion comes upon a too great distension of the Muscle or Tendon with pain shortly nutrition being hindred a Jelly grows about the distempered part which notwithstanding drops not out of the Nerve as is commonly said but the glutinous humor being poured out of the Arteries for aliment for that it cannot be received by the hurt part is gathered together there nor is it to be thought that Tumors or Strumous Ulcers or the running Sores of the Evil do contain or pour out only a nervous humor since the matter of either is for the most part bloody which by reason of the evil Ferment of the nervous Juyce puts on a strange form and that diversly degenerous This supposition of the twofold Humor for the matter and form of nourishment is taken to be of egregious use for the solving of the most difficult Phaenomena which are met with about the Distempers of the Brain and nervous Juyce yea that Pathology seriously considered seems to infer as a certain necessary consequence that a twofold Juyce is necessary for the work of Nutrition as some other time perhaps we may shew In the mean time leaving this Speculation we shall proceed to the remaining Task of our Anatomy to wit the Neurologie or of the Nerves in particular THE Description and Use OF THE NERVES CHAP. XXI The first four Pair of Nerves arising within the Skull are described THE division or distinction of the Nerves by reason of their various respects is wont to be manifold to wit as they are either soft or hard singular or numerous in their beginnings or that they serve either to the faculty of Sense or Motion or to both together But they are commonly distinguished That some Nerves arising within the Skull proceed from the oblong Marrow and others going out of the joynts of the Vertebrae are derived
knots of reflection are not alike on both sides also for what end the Cardiack branches proceed from both knots As to the first that the left returning Nerve not as its pair binds about the axillary Artery some reason seems to be because the left axillary Artery arising below is carried as the right by a bending and not a straight passage into the Arm wherefore the little cord of the Nerve compassing about its Trunk hath no fixed but a very moveable knot of reflection for that it might easily slide from its place But it may rather be said that it is for other uses and those more necessary that these Nerves compass about those Vessels after that manner For when they as it were Reins or Bridles cast on the blood-carrying Vessels by pulling them hither and thither variously determine the course of the blood it seems to be required that one returning Nerve should bind together or constringe the axillary Artery and the other the descending Trunk of the Aorta for as often as there is need for the blood to flow forwards towards the Head more plentifully the returning Nerves perform it easily by pulling upwards the aforesaid Arteries But the blood after a sort ought to be continually urged into the higher parts lest otherwise by its weight it should turn too much downwards wherefore in all Expiration or breathing forth when the Trachea drawing nearer together its folds is contracted upwards the blood about to descend through the Aorta is snatched upwards by one tract of the nervous little cord and in like manner the axillary Artery in the right side being shaken with it the blood flowing in the whole ascending Trunk of the Aorta is driven upwards a little swifter But besides this continual and equal snatching up of the blood towards the upper parts it is sometimes occasionally urged towards the Head by a more intense and quick motion of the Trachea and also by a more full and swift course For as often as any Animal grows angry the voice presently shews signs of such an Affection and oftentimes by chiding they make it sharp as men when they are angry chide or brawl and Dogs bark Now from such an intension of the voice and chiding as the upper rings of the Trachea a reciprocation being there made are often struck together so the blood also the Aorta being strongly drawn is urged upwards by a copious afflux so that it presently dyes the countenance and eyes of angry people with a redness and induces to the Brain it self a greater heat and provocatives to anger and a greater glowing or infiring to the Spirits by stirring them up For the same reason in Joy and Gladness forasmuch as the Trachea is exercised by singing or laughing the blood also is poured out more plentifully towards the exterior and especially the upper parts And from hence the cause is plain wherefore either returning Nerve sends forth Cardiack branches from the knot of reflection or turning back to wit that in those kind of affections the notice of which the Trachea in sounds or voices gives by the help of the Nerves the Heart it self by its means also might be affected For so as often as we wrangle or brawl the Heart being irritated presently inkindles the blood more and drives it forward more plentifully as food for those Affections towards the Brain Also in laughter great rejoycing or singing by the passage of those Nerves the Heart being brought into a consent or Sympathy or joynt action presently explodes or drives out the blood by a swifter pulse and casts it hastily out which otherwise would be heavy and troublesom by a slower motion or stagnation wherefore those sort of actions to wit laughing and singing are said to alleviate the Heart because they make the blood more freely and readily to be poured out of the bosoms of the Heart and also by the supplying help of the Lungs to be emptied into the same Below the production of the left returning Nerve another noted Nerve is carried towards the hindermost region of the Heart which being carried with a certain compass about its Basis sends forth frequent shoots which cover the left side of the hinder Hemisphere Fig. 9. o. Then this branch meeting with another pair sent from the opposite side towards the Heart and distributing shoots into the right side of the hinder Hemisphere is united with it Fig. 9. q. This Cardiack branch destinated to the hinder region of the Heart is produced apart below the rest that it might be carried by it self to its Province without the meeting with or implication of others the pairs are ingraffed on either side that they might accompany one another and be together drawn in the same action of the Heart It appears not plain whether these nerves conspire with the other Cardiack nerves arising above reaching forth to the anterior Hemisphere of the Heart or whether this pair effect not the Systole of the Heart and the upper its Diastole However it is certain shoots of the kindred or stock of either being ingraffed with others of another stock communicate one with the other The Trunk of the wandring pair sends forth on both sides very many noted branches from the region of the Heart which are spread on every side into all the Lobes of the Lungs the Bronchia of the Trachea and the Coat of the Oesophagus hard by descending Fig. 9. s.s.s. Those which go into the Lungs pass every where through their whole substance following the ramifications of the Veins and Arteries and the Pipes of the Bronchia which chanels of blood and air they variously climb over and bind about through their whole tract When that so many noted branchings of the Nerves are bestowed on the Lungs it is a wonder that by some they should be thought to be insensible and immoveable of themselves Yea it is doubted by many whether these Bowels do cause the motions of the Systole and Diastole of themselves by their own endeavour For that it is a received Opinion That this reciprocation of the Lungs doth proceed wholly from the motion of the Thorax and doth obey or observe its dilatation or constriction with a certain necessary dependency viz. that the Breast being dilated or spread open after the manner of a pair of Bellows doth compel the ambient Air into the Trachea which rushing into the Lungs blows up and distends them then the same Breast subsiding or sinking of it self that the Lungs being pressed together with the weight of it do breath forth the Air before intruded In truth however that I might judge that the Diaphragma and the Muscles of the Breast do conduce much to Respiration yet that these parts should perform this office alone and that the Lungs are merely passive I cannot grant For Respiration is chiefly instituted for the sake of the blood and the Heart and its act is wont to be determined according to the various disposition of these and to be
altered every minute of an hour almost according to the manifold necessity of the Pulse But indeed the Lungs themselves are they and not the Diaphragma or the Muscles of the Thorax which the blood boiling out of the Heart passes through and continually affects according to its temper and the tenour of the Pulse wherefore from hence it may be concluded That the Lungs themselves do conceive the first instincts of their motions and by the help of the aforesaid Nerves do in some measure exercise themselves and endeavour the Systole and Diastole and design them according to the sense of its proper necessity but when in these Fibres requisite for local motion are wanting therefore the Diaphragma and the Muscles of the Thorax help continually the endeavours of the Lungs and by the cooperation of these compleat breathing is effected And so when Nerves of a twofold kind to wit some from the Spine being inserted into the Muscles of the Diaphragma and the Thorax and others from the wandring pair distributed into the Lungs actuate the Organs of Respiration for that reason it comes to pass that the act it self of Respiration of it self unforced and involuntary may be at our pleasure somewhat restrained interrupted and diversly altered The Sympraxis or joynt action of the Nerves of either kind in the work of Respiration shall be shewed hereafter when we shall speak particularly of the Nerve of the Diaphragma It yet appears more plain that the Lungs are oftentimes the chief in the act of Respiration because they being irritated from strange and improportionate objects presently conceive irregular and violent motions as when a vehement Cough is stirred up for the exclusion of any troublesom thing to which motion the Diaphragma and the Muscles of the Thorax presently obey In like manner in difficult and sighing breathing or any other ways unequal its first instinct for the most part is begun by the Lungs yet sometimes when the exterior Organs of Respiration are excited into irregular motions the Lungs also are compelled to follow their irregularities so when the Diaphragma after a manner begins laughter the Lungs perform the same with a following cackling sound so all the Organs of Respiration intimately conspire and agree among themselves that although one of them do a thing inordinately rather than there shall be a Schism the rest do imitate or follow its irregularity But that the Nerves following the Arteries and Veins through the whole frame of the Lungs do variously bind about and cloath their Trunks with a thick series of shoots the reason seems to be both that the Coats of the Vessels being gifted with a constant influx of animal Spirits might imitate the motion of the Heart and by that means by a continual pulsation of the Arteries and the constriction of the Veins they might easily carry the blood in this its more short lustration through the Lungs and the rather that the pneumonick Vessels being bound about with such Reins of Nerves might moderate the course of the blood according to the forces and instincts of the Passions For whenas the exterior circulation of the blood depends upon this interior as the blood is commanded to pass sooner or slower through the Lungs or to stay there and be hindred the excursion and return of it also from or towards the Heart is wholly performed In Joy or Anger because the Lungs rapidly transfer the blood out of one bosom of the Heart to the other therefore it s swifter and more plentiful flowing out into the outward parts follows In like manner in Fear and Sadness for that the Lungs its Vessels being strained together deliver the blood to the Heart by the Veins and do not then presently carry it back by the Arteries the outmost region of the Body is destitute of its due influx Notwithstanding these kind of pathetick snatches of the blood are in some measure performed because its Vessels are bound about in other places in like manner with the Nerves If at any time Spasmodick Affections should afflict the pneumonick Nerves from a morbific cause so that being twitcht with inordinate motions they should pull or draw together here and there the Arteries and Veins which they embrace for that cause the blood either too much flowing out of the Lungs makes them to flag and to fall together into themselves so that drawing to them copiously the Air they do not easily render it back again or which frequently happens the blood being detained within the Lungs and there stagnating stuffs them up and holds them a long while stiff that they cannot inspire or drawn in the Air. The Symptoms of either kind ordinarily happen in the Hysterick distempers and in some Hypochondriacal Yea sometimes the Bronchia themselves are pulled together by the like Convulsion of the Nerves and are hindred in their motion so that they cannot take in and send forth the Air after its due manner as may be seen in Asthmatical Fits The distempers of which sort are oftentimes produced by the fault of the Nerves without any implanted Dyscrasie or evil disposition of the Lungs I have sometimes observed some Cases of sick people in which when at one time the morbifick matter besieging the Brain had induced Lethargick or Vertiginous Symptoms a little after the same matter occupying or possessing the origines or middle processes of the nerves belonging to the Lungs has suddenly excited a most horrid Asthma without any previous Cough or Catarrh But that out of the same tract of the wandring pair many shoots are distributed into the Lungs and also many others into the Coats of the Oesophagus from hence a reason may be given why a troublesom Cough oftentimes causes Vomiting and a subversion of the Ventricle why also on the other side a perturbation of the Ventricle so frequently induces a troublesom endeavour of Coughing I have known in Hypochondriacks that aliments of ill digestion taken into the Stomach have presently excited a vain and very pertinacious Cough in the mean time that the Lungs were free from any consumptive disposition The cause of either distemper seems to be that when the nerves disseminated in either part are taken with a Convulsion oftentimes those which are of the other part are drawn into a consent of the same distemper Perhaps from hence it happens that sometimes an Asthma is induced by reason of the evil of the Ventricle and that that distemper as Riverius observes is often wont to be cured by an emetick Medicine After so many branches and shoots have been sent from both sides the wandring pair at length its Trunk is divided below the Lungs into two branches viz. the exterior and interior either of which inclining towards the pair of branches on the other side are united to them and after a mutual communication they constitute the two Stomachical branches viz. the superior and the inferior Fig. 9. t. u. w. x. It is worth observing with what wonderful artifice either Trunk of the
wandring pair do communicate one with the other with two branches as it were two hands meeting one the other that the influence of either nerve might equally reach to every region and part of the Stomach For whenas either Stomachical branch to wit both the upper and the lower is carried together from the two branches coming out from either side of the wandring pair it is provided that the Tributes of the Spirits destinated to the Ventricle should be at once certain and very plentiful For what appertains to the performing the action of this Bowel or Chylification the Spirits flowing in from either side are abundantly distributed into the Orifice and from thence into all its parts and private places and by that means it comes to pass that the Stomach dissolves bodies beyond the force of any Chymical Menstruum Then besides as to the feeling or sense of the Ventricle or the affection of it from things ingested it is carried also towards the Head by a double way whereby the passage may be the more certain to wit by either Trunk of the wandring pair that for that reason being indued with a most exquisite sense it might not be deceived concerning its objects and if that any thing inimical or contrary to it should lye hid among what is eaten it might discern it and thrust it out of its own accord or at least by the knowledge only of the Cerebel That from the same double Trunk of the wandring pair from whence the Cardiack Nerves arise a little above the Stomachical branches also proceed the cause is plain wherefore the Heart it self hath such a Sympathy with the Stomach so that its Deliquium or Swooning follows upon any great pulling or hawling of this Either Nerve of the wandring pair is terminated in the Ventricle it self for after the eighth Conjugation hath made as it were an high road for the passage of the animal Spirits to the Praecordia and to this noble Bowel it puts a bound to it self nor indeed does it seem meet to have its branches stretched out any further to the Viscera of the lower Belly because it seems an unworthy thing that the same path which leads to the chief office of nutrition and to the Palaces of life it self should lye open to the more vile Intestines also and the sink of the whole Body And truly although the ample path and broad way of the wandring pair is not produced beyond the Ventricle yet because a frequent commerce happens between this and the Praecordia and the other inferior parts therefore between the Stomach and the other Bowels though of a more base use certain Fibres as it were smaller paths are reached forth in which at least little bands of Spirits like Discoverers or Messengers run to and fro CHAP. XXV A Description of the Intercostal Nerve AFter the unfolding of the Nerve reaching forth to the Praecordia and the Ventricle we are led by the series or order of the inward parts to the describing a Nerve akin to this and which reaches forth its branches to the furthermost Province to wit to all the Viscera or Inwards of the lower Belly contained below the Ventricle This is commonly called the Intercostal because that going near the roots of the Ribs it receives in every one of their Interstices a branch from the spinal Marrow It s beginning is not yet sufficiently detected for by most Anatomists it is wrongfully taken for a branch of the wandring pair though indeed the wandring and the intercostal pair do communicate among themselves by branches sent forth one to the other yet as to both their beginnings Trunks and wandrings up and down they are plainly distinguished If that this latter Conjugation being denied the title of a peculiar nerve ought to confess it self of another stock certainly it owes nothing to the wandring pair but should borrow its original from the Nerves of the fifth and sixth pairs for two or three shoots being sent back from those nerves going out towards the Eyes and Face go into the same stock or Trunk which is the Trunk of the intercostal nerve as we have intimated before The intercostal Nerve being constituted after that manner and going out of the Skull at a proper hole presently contains the Ganglioform infolding near to another the like infolding of the wandring pair into which two nervous Processes are carried from the last pair within the Skull or the first Vertebral From that infolding one shoot is sent forth into the Sphincter of the Throat and another noted one into the Ganglioform infolding of the wandring pair Then this nerve descending towards the Vertebrae hath in the middle of the Neck another far greater infolding into which an ample nerve from the neighbouring Vertebral pair is inserted but from the same many nerves which respect the Praecordia are distributed on every side For two or three shoots are sent forth into the nerve of the Diaphragma and one shoot into the returning nerve besides numerous fibres and shoots are carried both into the returning nerve and towards the Trachea which are inserted into its Coats and into those of the Oesophagus and into the blood-carrying Vessels Further one branch descends into the Trunk of the wandring pair and two noted nerves into the Cardiack infolding then a little lower another nerve by it self proceeding out of the intercostal Trunk is inserted also into the Cardiack infolding which noted branches sent down on both sides from the intercostal nerve for that they joyn together with others derived from either Trunk of the wandring pair make the Cardiack infolding it self But these Cardiack branches from the intercostal nerve as also the Cervical infolding or that in the hinder part of the Neck whence they proceed are peculiar to men and are wholly wanting in brute beasts The intercostal Trunk descends from the cervical infolding towards the chanel-bone where being about to enter the cavity of the Breast it falls upon the axillary Artery as it were in right Angles and strains or binds it from whence it is drowned or hidden in the Thorax near the roots of the first and second Ribs and there receiving three or four branches from the Vertebral nerves next to those uppermost constitutes another infolding which is commonly called the Intercostal infolding The uppermost of these Vertebral nerves coming to this infolding in its journey binds the Vertebral Artery and almost compasses it about In Brutes by this nerve which comes upon the Vertebral Artery the intercostal infolding communicates with the root of the nerve of the Diaphragma and not by any other means unless by small fibres sent forth from the lower part of the infolding into the Vertebral nerves Further in Brutes a noted branch is carried from this infolding into the Trunk of the wandring pair But in Man the intercostal Trunk passes through the cavity of the Thorax without any communication had with the other parts unless that from hence in its whole descent running
respect for this end also that the superfluous or excrementitious humidities heaped together about the spinal Marrow might be sent away by these Processes for indeed we have already shewn that a certain humor doth abound within the Head the medullar Appendix and nervous System which oftentimes when it becomes watry or abounds above measure begets a serous heap in those parts wherefore when the branches of the intercostal nerve are terminated into the Mesentery Kidneys Intestines and some Genital parts it is probable they do transfer into these sinks superfluous humidities not only their own but also of another sort to wit those received from the spinal Nerves As to the Nerves which as Emissaries are carried from the aforesaid Ganglioform infolding into other parts we observe first that a noted shoot is carried from hence into the Sphincter of the Throat Fig. 9. γ. This nerve in the Sphincter of the Throat corresponds with others akin arising higher from the fifth pair and distributed into the parts of the Palate and Mouth and is helpful to them in the business of chewing for when the maxillar branches of the fifth pair should perform their work for the chewing of the food taken in the task of this nerve mediately arising also from the fifth pair follows to wit whereby the Throat being opened the chewed meats may be thrust forward into its passage Another shoot is stretched out from this infolding into a like infolding of the wandring pair placed near Fig. 9. α. The reason of this insertion is delivered above where we treat of the wandring Pair But it may be observed further concerning this when so nigh a communication happens between these infoldings and when shoots are sent from one of them into the Muscles of the Larynx and from another into the Muscles of the Throat from hence we may give a reason why in Hysterick distempers and in some Hypochondriacal there is so frequent and familiar a Symptom of the sense of choaking in the Throat For a Cramp or Convulsion being begun in any nerve it is wont to creep forward further by the passage of the same and so to invade sometimes these parts sometimes those successively If therefore at any time a Spasm arises any where in any nerve of the wandring or intercostal pair and from thence tending upwards or downwards shall come to either infolding presently both being affected and the Muscles of the whole neighbourhood being contracted a bulk or Tumor like a Globe or round thing in the Throat is excited with a sense of choaking The intercostal Nerve descending a little lower contains in the neck another greater infolding proper to man to which a noted Vertebral nerve is inserted also out of which many nerves destinated to the Praecordia are sent forth on either side Fig. 9. Τ. As to the principal parts to wit the Brain and Heart there is no such great difference between a Man and a Brute as there is about the passage of one to the other or the commerce that those parts have mutually among themselves In either kind for the exercise of the vital Function the animal Spirits are derived from the Head with a constant emanation into the Heart to which sort of influence of theirs the passage of the wandring pair of nerves seems sufficient wherefore in most Brutes the passage to the Heart and its Appendix lyes open only by this way and scarce at all by any nerves of the intercostal pair But in Man the intercostal nerve besides its offices in the lower Belly common to him with other Animals serves in the place of a special Internuncius also before the Cloister of the Breast which bears the mutual senses of the Brain and Heart this way and that way or to and fro For when besides the nerves of the wandring pair stretched out also into the humane Praecordia which certainly seem sufficient for the executing of the offices of the Function merely vital so many noted branches are sent forth from the aforesaid intercostal infolding what kind of office should be attributed to these unless that they should contain the animal Spirits by whose work and ministry the mutual respects and affections of the Brain and Heart should be communicated to one another Whilst I consider this difference of either kind it comes into my mind that Brutes are like Machines framed with a more simple furniture and with less workmanship and therefore furnished with a motion of one kind only or determined for the doing still the same thing But in Man divers series of motions and as it were complications of wheels within wheels appear For indeed by the passage of the aforesaid infolding the conceptions of the Brain presently affect the Heart and its Vessels and cause the rest of the Appendix together with the Diaphragma to be moved Hence the motion of the blood and its inkindling in the Heart together with the Pulse and Respiration are altered and for that cause from the Heart being altered not only impressions are retorted upon the Brain by the passage of the same nerves but also the blood it self its course being changed drives to the Brain with a different or unaccustomed fluctuation and so by moving the animal Spirits with various impulses causes first one sort of conceptions and then others to be produced and so by reason of these reciprocal affections of the Heart and Brain which are wont by a long series to be propagated vicissively a multiplicity of thoughts and Phantasms arises Hence both the ancient Divines and Philosophers placed wisdom in the Heart Certainly the Works of Prudence and Vertue depend very much on the mutual commerce which happens to the Heart with the Brain because that cogitations about the acts of the Appetite or Judgment may be rightly described it is behoveful for the flood of the blood to be restrained in the Breast and the inordinations of it and of the Heart it self to be governed by the Nerves as it were by Reins and to be composed into requisite and apt motions We might say more concerning this but that this Speculation is from our purpose and belongs more properly to Pathology or the Doctrine of the Passions of the Soul In the mean time we may refer hither one or two Observations taken from Anatomy When of late we had dissected the Carcass of a man that was a Fool from his birth we could find no defect or fault in the Brain unless that its substance or bulk was very small But the chief note of difference which we observed between the parts of this man and of a man of judgment was this That the aforesaid infolding of the intercostal Nerve which we call the Internuncius of the Brain and Heart proper to man was very small in this Fool and beset with a weaker guard of Nerves Whilst we were writing these we made an Anatomy of a Monkey whose Brain differed little from that which is seen in a Dog or a Fox unless that it
was much more capacious in the proportion to the bulk of his Body and the turnings and windings of it were larger The orbicular Prominences called Nates and Testes also the ringy Protuberance sent down from the Cerebel came nearer the figure and magnitude of those parts in a man But what occurred chiefly worthy noting was this viz. That the intercostal Nerve although even as it is wont to be in other Brutes being included in the same sheath with the Trunk of the eighth pair was carried through the Neck yet departing from this Nerve near the Chanel-bone before it was inserted into the infolding placed nigh the roots of the upper Ribs did send forth some shoots into the Heart and its Appendix and certain Fibres into the nerve of the Diaphragma which perhaps partly is the reason why this Animal is so crafty and mimical above other Beasts and can so aptly shew and imitate not only the gestures but the passions and some manners of a Man But we will proceed to the explication of the intercostal Nerve from whence we have digressed We have already intimated for what use the Vertebral branch is inserted into its cervical infolding There is the same reason for this as for the other Vertebrals which communicate with the intercostal Nerve almost in its whole passage But for that the nerve of the Diaphragma is radicated in the same Vertebral nerve from whence a branch comes into this infolding I say from that a reason may be taken why the motion of the Diaphragma intimately conspires with the Praecordia yea and with the conceptions of the Brain which kind of Sympathy of the Diaphragma with the other parts because it is requisite to be more strict and noted in man it is observed That not only the Vertebral branch cometh between the infolding and the root of the nerve of the Diaphragma but two and sometimes three nerves are sent from this infolding into the trunk it self of the nerve of the Diaphragma Fig. 9 ε. ε. Truly from hence not only the joynt action or Sympraxis of the Diaphragma with the Praecordia may be derived but also the genuine cause is here manifest why Risibility is a proper Affection of a man For as often as the Imagination is affected by any pleasant or wonderful conception presently the Heart desires to rejoyce and as it were by shaking off its load to be eased wherefore that the blood might be more swiftly emptied out of its right bosom into the Lungs and consequently out of the left into the Aorta the Diaphragma instigated by the passage of the nerves going out of this infolding is drawn upward by a more rapid Systole and raises up the Lungs as it were making iterated leaps and causes them by their more frequent striking together to drive out both the Air and the blood Then forasmuch as the same intercostal Nerve which communicates lower with the nerve of the Diaphragma is continued also higher with the maxillary Nerves a cackling being made in the Breast with it the gesture of the Mouth and Face pathetically answers One or two noted shoots and many nervous Fibres are carried from this infolding into the returning Nerve Fig. 9. ζ. Certainly the reason of this communication seems to be that the Diaphragma and the Heart it self into which nerves are sent from this infolding might yet more conspire with the rough Artery which the returning nerve affects in its various actions and especially in laughing weeping and singing Moreover when the returning Nerves by pulling upwards the Trunks of the Aorta cause the blood for the stirring up some Affections to creep more swiftly towards the Head they may in the performing that office be much helped by the associate labour of the Nerves sent from this infolding From this infolding in the Neck many small fibres and shoots are spread into the sanguiferous Vessels as also into the Coats of the Trachea and the Oesophagus Fig. 9. ibid. As to what belongs to the former that respect the Trachea and the blood-carrying Vessels their office is that they may respectively draw together and spread abroad those chanels of inspired and exspired blood and Air according to the way and manner wherewith the Pulse and Breathing ought to be performed whereby the motions of either might be the better retarded or accelerated according to the necessities or requirings of the Heart Then numerous Fibres are stretched out from this infolding into the Coats of the Oesophagus placed near that by this means the admirable consent between the Heart and the Stomach by reason of the Nerves being reached forth from this infolding and from the wandring pair to both may be produced Concerning the Cardiack branches sent from this infolding we need not discourse any more after having but now intimated that these were as it were Internuncii peculiar to men which carrying to and fro the reciprocal impressions of the Brain and Heart cause Commerces in both Kingdoms But forasmuch as Nerves of a double kind viz. of the wandring and intercostal pair respect the humane Praecordia lest the gestures of one should be different from those of the other therefore the Cardiack branches which are of either family partly communicate in the same infolding and are partly inoculated mutually by shoots sent forth before they are distributed into the Heart it self Below the Cervical infolding the intercostal Trunk being demersed within the Thorax admits three Vertebral Nerves arising higher and constitutes the other infolding which is commonly called the Intercostal but more properly the Thoracical infolding Fig. 9. Τ. In this place the intercostal Nerve being about to pass into its last and more large Province viz. the Viscera of the lower Belly and therefore seeking aid for the journey and as it were a Viaticum for it self it gets together in this infolding an increase or aiding forces from the Vertebral nerves and afterwards receives lower others fresh nigh the several knots of the Vertebrae because it will have need of a great stock of Spirits which it must bestow on the Mesenterick infoldings and on other parts of the Abdomen That this Nerve about to enter the Thoracical infolding doth bind the Chanel-bone Artery Fig. 9. l. and that the superior branch of the Vertebral being sent into the same infolding doth bind about the Vertebral Artery Fig. 9. π. the reason of both seems that the blood for the uses and necessities of the lower Viscera to which the intercostal Nerve from thence serves may be driven forward with a more plentiful afflux downwards which thing those Nerves easily do by pulling together the blood-carrying Vessels towards their infolding so that they attempt this snatching of the blood in opposition to that which the returning Nerves perform And indeed when the blood tending upwards and downwards is wont sometimes to flow too much towards either bound sometimes to be wanting therefore the nerves as it were an incitement or remora are variously disposed both in the upper
may sometimes draw together and constrain the blood-carrying Vessels sometimes open and inlarge them that as occasion serves the Feculencies of the blood may be sometimes more plentifully sometimes more sparingly laid aside out of the Arteries into the Spleen also that more or less of the Ferment preserved in the Spleen may be poured out on the blood according to the requirings of the Passions or of the natural Instinct No Hypochondriack but doth abundantly perceive that some Splenetick nerves do perform motions for those great perturbations which are wont to be excited in the left side as when sometimes Inflations sometimes constrictions of the inward parts and sometimes various concussions are perceived with a wandring pain running here and there they are only Spasms or Convulsions or wrinklings together with which the nerves of the Spleen are ordinarily affected Nor do its nerves taken with a Convulsion stir up tumults only in the neighbourhood of the Spleen but oftentimes further into the Heart it self yea into the whole Body the effects of their inordinations are carried I have known an Hypochondriack who presently upon the Spleen being disturbed seemed to have his Praecordia being drawn downwards to be cruelly prest and bound together so that being very sad and dejected in his mind also complaining of an exceeding great straitness and constriction of his Breast he thought himself almost dead The cause of which kind of distemper was without doubt that when many Fibres going out of the Splenetick infolding are united with other Fibres sent from the farthest end of the wandring pair it easily happens that the former being distempered with the Convulsion do draw together and pull downwards their yoke-fellows and by consequence the Trunk it self of the wandring pair from which the nerves are sent into the Praecordia certainly by the Sympraxis or joynt action of either kind of the aforesaid nerves viz. whereof these respect the Spleen those the Praecordia it is effected that the Trembling Oppression and other grievous Distempers of the Heart as also of the Spleen so ordinarily happen Further forasmuch as the Fermentation of the blood depends on the Spleen according to the influence of this that performs its Circulation sometimes pleasantly sometimes disturbedly Whilst the Spleen is at quiet and free from any perturbation the blood also is quietly moved in Hypochondriacal persons but if the same be moved and exercised as it is wont to be in any passion or violent motion of the Body or by a Medicine presently its nerves being distempered with a Convulsion shake it more with reiterated contractions so that the fermentative Feculencies being shaken out of its bosom flow back more plentifully into the blood which cause its Latex presently to be troubled and as it were muddy and sharpen it with so great acrimony and mordacity that it burns and pricks the Brain and Heart like needles from whence in Splenetick people besides that the Reason is obscured the affections of the Mind especially Sadness Hatred and Anger are very much increased Concerning the Splenetick Nerves by another conjecture we are yet brought to believe that they besides the exercise of the motive Faculty do both instil into the Spleen it s own humor which promotes the fermentative virtue of that Inward and also because the nerves as was shewn already convey the Spirits and sometimes the humors by either way viz. forward and backward the same implanted in the Spleen do often imbibe from it an acetous or Vinegar-like humor and as it were Vitriolick from whose acrimony and notable twitching they are forced into Convulsions But forasmuch as the nervous Infolding respecting the Spleen communicates more nearly with the Ventricle Mesentery Liver and Kidneys and more remotely with the Praecordia and other parts placed at a distance from hence the cause is plain wherefore not only these several Viscera and parts by reason of the fault of the Spleen are folded together but also on the contrary why the Spleen being indisposed by any Disease or trouble raised up in any of those parts is wont to be disturbed so it is not altogether for nothing that the Symptoms every where infesting the cause of them being unknown are ascribed ordinarily to the Spleen because it fixes not only its own inordinations in other parts but also suffers for their peculiar faults which notwithstanding is wrongfully ascribed to Vapours transmitted from this or that part when the formal reason of every Distemper of this kind for the most part consists in the communication made through the Nerves The lower Infolding of the left side seems to be made for the Kidney placed near into which chiefly the bundle of its Fibres is carried Fig. 11. ♃ γ. γ. Certainly that these nerves following the emulgent Vessels do embrace the same and bind them about with a various and frequent complication that is so made for that end that by reason of the Artery being so strained and frequently shaken by the drawings of the nerves the Serum may the more easily be precipitated from the blood wherefore it is observed in very great difficulty or danger when the mind and all the nerves are strained for fear that a frequent and more plentiful making of water and that often painful is wont to be provoked The Renal Infolding receives besides the Nerve common to it with the upper infolding another new and peculiar one from the intercostal nerve or rather that coming between from the spinal Marrow Fig. 11. β. Hence it is that the Loyns have a great consent with the Reins and suffer so ordinarily for their Distempers with a grievous and largely diffusive pain Forasmuch as this infolding communicates with the greatest of the Mesentery the Colick distemper and the Nephritick are much akin and it is often difficult to distinguish their fits one from the other The Mesenterick branch in the right side as well as the left being forked contains two infoldings the upper of these which we call the Hepatick sends forth from it self many little bundles of nervous Fibres the greatest of which being carried towards the Liver cloaths the Hepatick Artery as it were with a Net made of Fibres Fig. 11. ♂ o. The most Learned Glisson observes That the Hepatick Artery is bestowed on the Trunks of the Vessels to wit of the common Chest of the bilary Pore and of the Vena Porta for the watering of which and for the actuating them with heat and nourishing Juyce it carries the arterious Blood to which notwithstanding for the recarrying an associate Vein is wholly wanting wherefore that ought to carry the blood not with a full and free influx but by little and little and always in a constant measure to those membranaceous parts for otherwise there had been danger lest from the bloody Latex plentifully rushing forward for that it could not be still remanded presently through the Veins an Inflammation should be excited or lest from its torrent being transfused beyond its banks the courses
so laid up about the caverns of the Nostrils may be emptied it ought to be carried away or wiped out from thence by a vehement blowing of the Air or breath Wherefore it is observed That whilst the inward parts of the Nostrils being very sensible begin to be wrinkled together from some sharp thing pulling or pricking them and by that means to draw out the watry humor presently by reason of the passage from thence by the branches of the fifth pair into the intercostal Trunk and from thence by the passage of the nerves which are extended from its Cervical infolding into the nerve of the Diaphragma the consent of the same Action or Convulsion is produced even into the cross bound or Midriff so that by the same Act as it were with which the Nostrils are wrinkled the Diaphragma also with the Diastole being stronger and longer draw out is depressed that the Breast being dilated as much as may be the Air may be the more copiously inspired Then as soon as the Spasm or Convulsion of the Membranes drawn together within the Nostrils and fore-part of the Head begins to remit presently the Midriff leaping back with a force causes the inspired Air to be violently exploded or driven out which strongly wipes away and carries forth with it the humor pressed out within the caverns of the Nostrils We yet ought to inquire concerning the Nerve of the Diaphragma what is the reason that it always proceeds from the Brachial nerves and why it doth not rather arise immediately from the spinal Marrow Truly from hence it seems to follow that the motion of the Arms in some sort respects the action of the Diaphragma or on the contrary that this depends on that Indeed between these two a certain respect or habitude happens which easily appears by this Argument The Arms or fore Legs in all Creatures are made for labour and hard exercise because by the force of these men fight and perform the most hard and laborious things and Brutes run and ascend the most steep places with great pains But it is very well known that by too much labour and over-vehement motion of body the act of Respiration is very much increased so that the breath almost fails and is oftentimes in danger to be lost The reason of this is because by great exercise the blood is too much forced into the bosom of the Heart which lest it should suffocate it that it might be emptied into the Lungs very frequent and difficult Respiration is instituted Therefore from hence may be inferred That the exercises of the Body ought to be regulated according to the state of the Praecordia or that the motion of the Arms should observe the action of the Diaphragma viz. lest they being stirred by a violent motion cause the blood to be driven more into the bosoms of the Heart than the Diaphragma instituting a most frequent Respiration can draw from thence into the Lungs That this Rule may be perpetually observed of all living Creatures it is so provided that the nerve of the Diaphragma chiefly conducing to Respiration should be tyed as it were a bridle to the Brachial nerves which are the principal in the motion of the Body and so might timely warn these if unmindful of their duty and as soon as breath fails should command them to desist from further moving the Body Wherefore we observe when at any time labouring Cattle are urged beyond their strength in labour or motion oftentimes either some deadly hurt of the heart follows or else some uncurable disease of the Diaphragma for by such immoderate labour either the Beast languishing quickly dyes when it is commonly said that his heart is broke or else the tone of the Diaphragma being wholly broken Respiration ever after becomes painful and difficult which is wont to happen ordinarily to Horses who are driven into too rapid a course with a full Belly CHAP. XXIX Of the Reason of the difference that happens between the Nerves of the wandring and Intercostal Pair in Man and brute Beasts also of the other Pairs of the Nerves arising both within the Skull and from the Spinal Marrow also something of the Blood-carrying Vessels which belong to the Spinal Marrow THus far we have described all the Nerves stretching out to the Praecordia and Viscera also to most of the other parts which are the Organs of the involuntary Function according to the manner by which they are wrought in man and we have shewn their Offices and Uses and the Reasons of the most noted appearances in all Before we proceed to the other Conjugations of the Nerves it behoves us to shew with what difference the aforesaid Nerves are found in brute Beasts and for what end such a difference is ordained It was already intimated That the Trunk of the wandring pair in four-footed Beasts doth send forth to the Heart and its Appendix more nervous Vessels than in Man The reason of which is obvious because the Cardiack nerves in Brutes proceed almost only from this pair and scarce at all from the intercostal wherefore when they are only of one origination therefore more are required all which not-notwithstanding are much fewer than the same are in Man from a double stock viz. being carried from both the Nerves forasmuch as Beasts want prudence and are not much obnoxious to various and divers Passions therefore there was no need that the Spirits should be derived from the Head into the Praecordia by a double passage viz. that one should be required for the exercise of the vital Function and the other for the reciprocating impressions of the Affections but that it may suffice that all those destinated to every one of their offices may be carried still in the same path In most Brutes the intercostal Nerve goes alone from the Ganglioform infolding of it almost without any branching to its infolding of the Thorax in which passage however it is not always after the same manner in all for in some it is carried single and apart from the Trunk of the wandring pair nor doth it communicate with it in its whole journey unless a little higher by a shoot sent down from the Ganglioform infolding but in many the intercostal Nerve passes presently from its Ganglioform infolding into the neighbouring infolding of the wandring pair Fig. 10. C. where when both the nerves seem to close together from thence both being involved under the same common inclosure as it were one Trunk they are carried together till it comes over against the first Rib and there an infolding being made the intercostal nerve departing from the wandring pair is carried into the infolding of the Thorax and the other nerve also is stretched between this and that infolding which nerves when one is carried under the other above the Artery of the Chanel-bone making as it were an handle straiten its Trunk Fig. 10. g. Although the intercostal Nerve is carried from the Throat to the top of the
Thorax under the same sheath with the Trunk of the wandring pair yet it is not united to it but they remain distinct still both of them in the whole tract and the Membrane being dissected they easily separate one from the other unless they be knit together by some fibrils sent from one another in some places but forasmuch as by this means the intercostal nerve being joyned to the Trunk of the wandring pair goes under its cover it seems to be so made only for its safety and better passage wherefore in some perhaps where the intercostal Trunk is greater or the course of its passage shorter where such a safeguard is not needful it descends alone We have seen this Nerve covered with the safeguard of the wandring pair of one side and in the other to have gone out by it self alone Whether the intercostal Nerve departs from the lower Infolding of the wandring pair or not however a branch is stretched out between this infolding and that of the Thorax in many perhaps in all brute Beasts which in its passage binds about the Vertebral Artery whereby the Sympraxis or joynt Action between the Praecordia and the exterior Organs of Respiration is sustained yea from this lower infolding of the wandring pair sometimes we have observed a shoot and fibres to be carried to the beginning of the Brachial branch in which the nerve of the Diaphragma is rooted also sometimes though rarely we have seen some shoots sent from the infolding of the Thorax towards the Heart and its Appendix In a Monkey above this infolding of the Thorax as we have intimated before were some shoots and small branches reaching from the intercostal nerve towards the Praecordia We may take notice concerning those Nerves below the Praecordia distributed every where into the Ventricle and the lower Viscera that there is scarce any difference of them in Man and Beasts The nerve of the Diaphragma is placed lower in four-footed beasts the reason of which is because the Brachial nerves out of which that ought to proceed arise lower to wit because Brutes have longer necks as if destinated to the yoke These things being thus premised concerning the difference of the Nerves in either Species it remains that we pass on to the unfolding the remaining pairs of them Therefore of those arising within the Skull the ninth pair is made up of many Fibres also in its beginning as was shewed before out of which being gathered together one Trunk being made is carried towards the Tongue through whose whole substance to wit from the bottom to the top having passed it disperses in its whole passage small shoots on either side Fig. 9. σ. So that nothing is more obvious than that this nerve performs the motions of the Tongue requisite for the articulation of Sounds as the nerves of the fifth pair spread into this member serve for the distinguishing of Tastes for the exercise of either Faculty viz. both motive and sensitive the texture of the Tongue being notedly fibrous hath the virtue of a double Organ therefore by the two nerves besides the supplements of Spirits are carried both the Instincts of the Motion and the sensible Impressions That the aforesaid Nerves of the ninth pair may more easily perform the motions of the Tongue it sends forth downwards one shoot before the entrance of the Tongue which is united with a shoot from the tenth pair meeting it destinated to the Sternothyroeidal Muscle and the other little branch of the ninth Conjugation is distributed into the Muscles of the Bone Hyoides Fig. 9. Τ. ☉ In truth these shoots being sent down as so many little ropes conduce to the moving of the Muscles which are fixed to the bottom of the Tongue which Muscles being placed as so many Props to the Tongue do facilitate its motion The Nerve of the tenth pair although it may seem to arise within the Skull with many little Fibres also yet being sent down from thence into the bony Cloisters of the Spine not arising but within the first and second Vertebrae it is carried without Presently after its entrance it sends forth two nerves into the infolding of the intercostal nerve for what end hath been already shewn But its chief Trunk spreading downwards and receiving a shoot produced from the ninth pair is bestowed on the Sternothyroeidal Muscle Moreover this nerve reflects branches outwards which are distributed into the Muscles of the Neck reaching out towards the hinder part of the Head so this pair as if it were only of the number or rank of the Vertebral nerves imparts some branches to the intercostal nerve and all the other shoots and branches of it serve for the performing of the motions of the Muscles of the Neck Fig. 9. H. ⚹ □ ▵ So much for the Nerves arising within the Skull which as was shewn having their being from the parts of the Brain or Cerebel are destinated to the offices of the spontaneous or the involuntary Function and are chiefly distributed into the Organs of the Senses or the Viscera of the vital and natural Faculty There remain many other Conjugations of Nerves the roots or beginnings of which consist in the spinal Marrow which is only the exterior production of the oblong Marrow These spinal Nerves besides some branches that they bestow on the intercostal pair are imployed almost wholly on the musculous stock and the office of them is to carry outwardly the forces of the Spirits and the Instincts of the Motions to be performed and to convey inwardly the impressions of sensible things Forasmuch as the spinal Marrow seems to be derived from the Brain and is as it were a broad and high road produced or leading from the same without any paths or tracts inserted to it from the Cerebel therefore the animal Spirits flowing within its nerves do almost wholly execute the Acts of the spontaneous Function To describe all the several pairs of the spinal Nerves and to rehearse all their branchings and to unfold the uses and actions of them would be a work of an immense labour and trouble and as this Neurologie cannot be learned nor understood without an exact knowledge of the Muscles we may justly here forbear entring upon its particular institution but it may suffice concerning these nerves and their medullar beginning that we advertise only in general what things may occur most notable and chiefly worth taking notice of As to the Nerves therefore produced out of the spinal Marrow it may be observed That in both sides of it nigh the outward margine or brim four or five Fibres arise in the superior brim and as many in the inferior either maniple or handful pass through with distinct Fibres the Pia Mater or the lowest Coat of the spinal Marrow which is as it were the common sheath of them all but afterwards the Fibres passing through the third Membrane of either margine for three cloath the spinal Marrow they joyn together and having cloathed themselves
a branch from between the several knots of the Vertebrae H. The Nerve of the tenth pair consisting of many fibres in the beginning arises between the first and second Vertebrae where presently it sends forth two nervous processes b. b. into the upper infolding of the intercostal Nerve âš¹ A branch of it which being united to a shoot of the ninth pair is bestowed into the Sternothyroeidal Muscle immediately lying on the rough Artery â–¡ A shoot reflected into the posterior muscles of the Neck â–µ A shoot into the pathetick Spinal Nerve + + + Shoots from the chief branch of the same Nerve into the Sternothyroeidal Muscle L. The original of the chief Vertebral Nerve which in this as in all other Vertebrals consists of many Fibres one band of which going out of the lower margine of the Spinal Marrow and another from the upper meeting go together into one trunk which is presently divided into nerves distributed many ways Ï. A shoot from this Nerve into the branch of the tenth pair e. Another shoot into the Spinal Pathetick c. A noted shoot sent forth upwards into the muscles of the Neck and Ears T. A shoot from the crooked Nerve into the muscles of the Neck 7. A Nerve from this pair into the first brachial nerve out of which the nerve of the Diaphragma hath its highest root M. The beginning of the second Vertebral out of which the upper Brachial branch proceeds and in which the nerve of the Diaphragma is first rooted This Brachial nerve in four-footed Beasts arises near the fourth or fifth Vertebrae and so the root of the Diaphragma is placed lower v. The Vertebral branch destinated to the Arm. Î¥. The Nerve of the Diaphragma a shoot of whose root δ. comes to the Cervical infolding and a little lower two other branches from the same infolding ε.ε. are reached out into its trunk This communication is proper to man φ. The other root of the Diaphragma from the second and third Brachial nerve χ. The lower trunk of the nerve of the Diaphragma being removed out of its place which in its proper situation passing through the cavity of the Thorax without any communication goes straight forward to the Diaphragma where being stretched out into three shoots it is inserted into its musculous part ψ.ψ.ψ.ψ. The other Brachial nerves out of whose roots nerves go into the intercostal Infolding ω.ω.ω.ω. The beginnings of the Vertebral nerves from the several roots of which a branch is carried into the intercostal nerve ♃ ♃ The last beginning of the Spinal accessory Nerve going to the wandring pair beginning with a sharp point ♀ The trunk of the same Nerve ascending which in its whole ascent going through the side of the Spinal Marrow passes through the midst of the beginnings of the Vertebral nerves and receives Fibres from the stock of the Marrow ♂ The trunk of the same Nerve descending which departing from the wandring pair is reflected outwards and after having had communications with the nerves of the ninth and tenth pairs it is bestowed wholly on the muscles of the Shoulder ☽ The lower process of the same Nerve The Tenth Table Shews the beginnings and Branchings out of the same Nerves which were described in the former Table as some of them are found in brute Beasts otherwise than in Man A. The trunk of the intercostal Nerve going out of the Skull B. The upper Ganglioform infolding springing out of the trunk of the intercostal nerve C. The intercostal nerve arising out of the aforesaid proper infolding and sent down into the other neighbouring infolding of the wandring pair D. A shoot from the upper infolding into the Sphincter of the throat E. Both the Nerves included in the same sheath as if they were the same trunk descend towards the Thorax out of which trunk appearing in this place a branch is sent out into the returning nerve F. The lower infolding in the trunk of the wandring pair or rather consisting in the common sheath of either nerve f. A shoot out of this infolding into the Brachial branch coming between in which branch the nerve of the Diaphragma hath its root G. The intercostal Nerve departing from the same infolding and going under the axillar Artery is inserted into the infolding of the Thorax g. Another Branch going between the two infoldings and going above the axillary Artery so that these two nerves having made an handle bind about the Artery H. A noted shoot out of the aforesaid infolding of the wandring pair into the Cardiack infolding i.i.i.i. From thence many nervous Fibres are sent down into the Vessels belonging to the Heart and into the Pericardium k.k.k.k. The greater Brachial nerves which are produced a little lower in Brute animals than in Man and therefore the nerve of the Diaphragma arises lower L.L.L. The Brachial nerves mutually cutting one another by the cross processes communicate among themselves M. The Nerve of the Diaphragma consisting of three roots when in Man they are only two 1. The first root of the same Nerve 2. Its second Root 3. Its third Root which communicates mediately with the infolding of the wandring pair viz. by the trunk of the Brachial branch to which it is fixed n. A Nerve carried from the second Brachial branch into the intercostal infolding which binds about in its passage the Vertebral Artery N. Shoots and suckers sent down from both knots of the returning nerve towards the Heart and its Appendix The other Nerves and their Branchings out are as in the other Figure which shews the pattern of them in Man Tabula x The Eleventh Table Shews the lower Branchings out of the wandring and the Intercostal Pair distributed to the Ventricle and the Viscera of the Abdomen also the beginnings of the Vertebral Nerves which are placed over against the former and are ingraffed into some of them The Figure of these in Man and in four-footed Beasts is almost alike so that this Table may be common for both A. The lower Stomachical Branch which is made up out of the internal branches of each wandring pair being united together and covering the bottom of the Ventricle disperses shoots on every side in the whole tract B. The upper Stomachical Branch which is made out of the external branches of the wandring pair on either side united together and creeps through the top of the Ventricle C. The Coalition or joyning together of the Branches D. The nervous Infolding out of the Fibres of both the Stomachical nerves being united together nigh the Orifice and as it were woven into a Net a.a. The ends of both the Stomachical nerves which there meet with the nerves of the Liver and communicate with them E.E. The Intercostal nerve descending on either side nigh the roots of the Ribs and in its whole descent receiving a branch from the several Vertebral nerves ε.ε. F. A branch going out of the Nerve of the left intercostal side and sent down towards the Mesenterick infoldings G.
the Second swift motions and Concussions which coming between cease and return alternatly But neither those who have observed these notes of difference nor other Authors have taken notice that they are continual for that by the words Spasme and Convulsion they often designe a certain Spasmodick or Convulsive Affection wherefore to distinguish it better we will call the former distemper with Cardan tetanon a continual Convulsive Cramp but the other Spasm or a Convulsive motion in generall But that the irregular Nature and Causes of Convulsive motion might more rightly have been made known it should first have been declared after what manner the regular motive function is effected in an animated Body but the more full Consideration of this because it belongs to the Physiologie or Reasoning of the Nature of the Brain and Nervous stock it is deferred to another Discourse For the present we will signifie in a word as much as shall serve for the elucidation of the matter proposed How the regular Motion is Effected That the animal Spirits are the next Instrument of regular motion and that their Action or moving force consists only in that they being more thickly heaped up together in the motive part and there spreading themselves in a more large space they blow it up and intumefie it which for that reason being contracted as to its length draws to it self the part hanging to it In our description of the Nerves already published It s beginning twofold we have shown this kind of motion to be twofold to wit Spontaneous and meerly natural the Instinct of this is derived from the Cerebel but of that from the brain but both through the pipes of the Nerves as it were the channels both to the muscles and also to the fibres interwoven with the membrains and other motive parts of the Parenchyma or Inwards Lastly in all these the various actions are so expeditiously effected which either natural necessity or the rule of the will requires by that only means that there is an intimate Conjunction and communication of Duty and most swift Commerce between the animal Spirits which Constitute the Hypostasis of the sensitive Soul within the foresaid parts disposed or fitted by a continued Series The Subject also twofold But there is this notable difference between the motion of a muscle and that performed by other parts for in these the action is most often circumscrib'd within the bounds of the motive body so as its membranes only or one part of the inward moves another and consequently this is moved of its neighbour But in the musculous stock usually the moving part is placed in one member and to be moved of another next it although within some musculous part as the Heart and Diaphragma they properly for the most part move themselves only hence the Membranes and Inwards are said to have as it were an intestine and vermicular Motion such as where-ever it is begun the Spirits there more thickly gather together and Spreading themselves forth they first intumifie this part then going forward another and so farther till at last they draw the hindermost parts and by this means transfer an intumifaction and therefore a motion from one place to another almost after the same manner as worms and other Creeping creatures make their progression But to this motive function of the Membranes and Inwards if it be frequent or undiscontinued plenty of spirits are required which notwithstanding execute their task calmly enough without tumult or great force And indeed it is to be observed that the Animal Spirits flow not more sparingly into the Membraneous Inwards than into the Muscles as it appears from the more exquisite sense of those parts and by the manifold insertion of Nerves within them and the diversity of divarication through the foldings and fibres although in the mean time the muscles are watered with a more plentifull influx of Blood But as to the motion performed in the musculous stock the heaping together and rarefaction of the Spirits through the whole joynting of the motive part suddenly and at once unfolded are performed with such force and strength as the attraction of the muscle in its motive endeavour may exceed the force of a pully or windlace and when this force only depends on the expansion or rarefaction of the Spirits seated in the motive part we can conceive it to be no otherwise but that the Spirits so expansed or stretched forth The Motion of a Muscle is a certain explosion of the Spirits as it were fired after the manner of gunpowder to be exploded or thrown out But we may suppose that to the Spirituous Saline particles of the spirits inhabiting the interwoven fibres in the muscle other nitrous-sulphureous particles of a diverse kind do come and grow intimately with them from the arterous blood flowing every where within the same fibres Then as often as the particles of either kinde as Nitre and Sulphur combined together by reason of the instinct of motion brought through the nerves are moved as an inkindling of fire forthwith on the other side bursting forth or being exploded they suddenly blow up the Muscle and from thence cause a most strong drawing together for indeed it seems to be ordained for this end that the Muscles are imbrewed much more plentifully with the arterous blood than the membraneous inwards to wit that the Elastick coupling of the spirits being consumed and perpetually falling off through the very often and sometimes continual motion might be by that means supplyed from the fresh sanguineous juice in the mean time that the spirits themselves being supplyed in a smaller quantity through the small nerves might even like old Soldiers continue longer in the same station and follow their manifold coupling or labour How else are labouring beasts supplyed with a sufficient stock of spirits for so much labour whilst they exercise allmost all their muscles by a swift course for many howers yea sometimes a whole day or who can believe that a little handfull of spirits brought through the small branches of the wandring and Intercostal pairs of the Nerves to the heart can be able by their own strength to effect that it s so strong and indiscontinued motion Indeed it seems that of necessity there must come to them from the blood perpetually auxilarie aid and those afterwards to be allways exploded For this reason certainly the motive virtue both of the Heart and the rest of the Muscles becomes more strong and Elastick above any mechanick Organ to wit for as much as the animal spirits acting every where in the musculous stock get to themselves an explosive Copula If any one shall be displeased at the word Explosion not yet used in Philosophy or Medicine so that this Spasmodick Pathologie standing on this basis may seem only ignoti per ignotius explicatio an explication of unknown things by more unknown things it will be easy to shew the effect of this kinde of
Why Epilepticks fall down with violence do not fall as those that are apoplectick or have swounding fits but are rather stricken down with violence against the Earth or any other bodys that are by chance opposite to them as if they were smitten down by some wicked Spirit so that very often some part of the head or face is hurt with the violent fall And those so distempered even like the Daemonaicks in the Gospel are frequently flung into the fire or the water but it may be here declared that the Epilepticks become obnoxious to these kinde of evills for that the fit coming upon them all knowledge or providence is taken from them and further the nerves neighbouring to the head being strongly contracted the whole bulk of the Body is carried away headlong but in the Syncope and Apoplexie the fall of the distemperd Body seems as the ruines of a building which happens by reason that its props are taken away but indeed in the falling Sicknesse it is no otherwise than if a house were overthrown by the blowing up of Gunpowder which is removed much from the place where it stood 2ly It is commonly esteemed a great pathognomick From whence the Foam at the mouth of these troubled with the falling sickness comes or peculiar Symtom of the Epilepsie if when the diseased being fallen to the earth and suffering most horrid Convulsions there flows from the mouth a spumous Spittle or foam which indeed is thought to be pressed from the Brain being strongly contracted into the palate But in truth though it be granted that this flux of spume be very often a signe of the falling Sicknesse yet it is not so appropriated to this disease but that the same sometimes happens in the Apoplexie in deep sleep in hysterical distempers and other convulsive diseases Besides this kinde of Foam does not descend from the Brain for there is no passage open by which it may pass but from the Lungs being inflated and elevated even to the Larinx or the top of the sharp arterie from whence spittle foams forth with a certain fervency and ebullition For the fit of the falling evill growing urgent when most of the nerves in the whole Body are drawn together those also that serve for the motions of the Lungs and Diaphragma suffer most cruel convulsions and lifting up all the praecordia upwards continue them almost immovable in a long Systole so that the breathing and pulse cannot be at all perceived In the mean time because the blood straitned within the bosom of the heart distends it and also almost choakes it the Lungs however hindred that they cannot be moved after their wonted and natural manner perform what they can with a thick and hasty agitation whereby the blood may be drawn forth from the Heart by which endeavour of theirs the shaking aire by the frequent or thick respiration raises the viscous or clammy humidity into froth like the shaking of the white of an egg by and by it lifts it upwards towards the Cavity of the mouth and so at last drives it out of doors wherefore a foam or spumous spittle does often succeed in other distempers where the pneumonic or breathing nerves are either contracted or are hindred from performing their Function Why some in the Falling knock their Breasts 3ly Moreover from the same reason it comes to passe that some Epilepticks being fallen to the ground beat most greviously their Breasts with their Hands and are hardly to be held from it for when the Praecordia being troubled with the Spasm and hindred that they cannot move themselves after their wonted manner and the blood stagnating in them not without a great oppression of the heart threatens a suffocation of Life then it is that the sick strikes their Breast to wit that the praecordia so shaken and as it were moved up and down might renew their motions and so the blood might be relieved from its stagnation and the heart from its heavy oppression and this is done after the same manner as when some that are sleeping being tickled or bit by a flea unknown to themselves presently rub or scratch the affected place The prognostication of the Disease As to the Prognostication of the disease we have already declared that it is of very difficult Cure which difficultly consists in this that the middle of the Brain in which is the chief spring and fountain of the animal Spirits is very much debilitated not only by the morbifick cause but also by its effects to wit the several fits and its pores loosened so that they ly open for the entrance of every heterogeneous matter and so the morbid disposition it self being confirmed by the repeated Paroxisms and taking deeper root it is hardly taken away But it is to be observ'd that the Epilepsie sometimes terminates of it self and is sometimes overcome by the help of medicines which happens about the age of puberty and then only so that who are not cured that time being elapsed that is before the twenty fifth year of age they scarce ever after recover their health for about the time of ripe age there is a twofold alteration of the humane Body and therefore there often happens a Solution or loosing of the falling sicknesse or of any other disease deeply rooted For first at that time the genital humour begins to be heaped together in the spermatick Vessells from whence it follows that the Spiritious particles and what are wont to grow to them nitro-sulphureous and morbifick particles are layd up not only in the brain but also in the testicles wherefore if this heterogenious Copula of the Spirits be more plentifully caryed to that new storehouse from thence the brain becoming free often leaves the epileptical or otherways morbid disposition 2. About the time of ripe age as the Blood pours forth something before destinated for the brain through the Spermatic Arteries to the genitals so also it receives as a recompense a certain ferment from those parts through the veins to wit certain particles imbued with a seminal tincture are caryed back into the bloody mass which makes it vigorous and inspire into it a new and lively virtue wherefore at that time the gifts both of the Body and minde chiefly shew themselves Hairs break out the voyce becomes greater the courses of women flow and other accidents happen whereby it is plain that both the blood and nervous Juce are impregnated with a certain fresh ferment wherefore the morbific ferments or seeds unlesse they be overcome by this new natural firment they afterwards continue untameable even to Death But that the Epilepsie is sometimes cured by the help of medicines Experience doth testifie we shall anon discourse of the method of healing and shew the reasons of the most famous medicines in the mean time as to what further belongs to the prognostication of this Disease if it end not about the time of ripe age neither can be driven away
afore-prescribed Remedies Or the aforesaid Ingredients excepting the Liquoris and Raysons may be boyled in vi pints of Hydromel or water and hony or meath to the Consumption of the third part The dose â„¥ iiii to vi If that the aforesaid Method consisting in the use of Catharticks and Specificks being for some time tryed and altogether in vain you must come to Remedies of another kinde Great Remedies and chiefly to those called Great or Notable In this rank are placed Diaphoreticks Salivation Bathes and Spaws Alphonsus Ferrius affirms that he had cured many Epileptical people with a decoction of simple Guaicum being prescribed twice in a day and taken to vi or viii ounces and its second decoction drunk as in the cure of the Pox instead of ordinary drink If to such a decoction the roots of Paeony and other specificks should be added perhaps it would be more efficatious It seems probable that a Salivation strongly excited from Mercurie and afterwards a sudoriferous or Sweating-Diet following might certainly cure this Disease What Baths or Spaw-waters are able to do I have not observ'd either by my own or others experience Perhaps I have made tryall that our Artificial Spaws sometimes have been available in Curing the Epilepsie to wit both those impregnated with Iron and also with Antimony and taken in a great quantity for many days CHAPTER IV. Of other kinds of Convulsions and first of the Convulsive Motions of Children AFter the Epilepsie as it were the principal Spasm in the chief place excited to wit within the middle part of the brain the other Kindes of Convulsions come to be treated of in order The differences of those are best taken from a twofold kinde of cause and the various manners and accidents of either We have already shown that all Spasmodic distempers do flow either from the meer irritation of the spirits or from their explosion by reason of the cleaving of an Elastick Copula to them or jointly from both together wherefore the manifold Ideas of Spasms may be distinguished and distributed into certain Classes as it happens for this or that cause or either together to remain in the various places of the Encephalon or the nervous Appendix For indeed the Spasmodic matter or the explosive Copula of the Spirits finding a passage chiefly and most often thorow the Brain and sometimes in some measure thorow the extremities of the nerves subsists either about the origine of the nerves or their middle processes or their outmost ends or abounds in their whole passages as shall be by and by more particularly declared Further an irritation stiring up Convulsions by it self or with a previous remote cause although it be made every where in the nervous stock yet it chiefly and more frequently produces such an effect about the beginings middle processes and foldings or ends of the Nerves But the same Kinde of Cause and effects are after one manner in Infants and children and another in youths and those of riper age Since therefore we have determined particularly to consider all the kindes of Convulsions we will first discourse of the Convulsive motions of Infants and Children Infants and children happen so ordinarily and frequently to be tormented with Spasmodick Distempers that this is reconed the chief and almost the only Kinde of Convulsions for the Symptoms of this kinde in other more ripe people are wont to be called by other known Names and referred to the Epilepsie hysterick hypochondriac Collie passions or also to the Scurvie but in children they are called as it were by way of Excellency Convulsions As to this we must observe that children are found to be greatly obnoxious to Convulsions chiefly about two seasons to wit within the first month after they are born or about their breeding of Teeth Although it often happens that the assaults of this Disease may come also at other times and from certain other Causes In the first place therefore it very often happens that children newly born or at least er'e they are two months old are afflicted at every turn with Spasms excited in divers parts for that inversions of the eyes distortions of the cheeks and Lipps or tremblings yea Contractions of the Tendons and frequent jerkings or leapings forth of the members and sudden shakings of the whole Body infest them and that the same effect likewise sometimes afflicts the praecordia appears plain enough because whilst the Spasms busie the Limbs and outward members also the face becomes now pale now of a livid or dead Colour from the blood stagnating in the heart and the Lungs being at that time contracted As therefore Spasms are wont to infest three Regions of the Body in children to wit the parts of the head and face the outward members and Limbs and the Praecordia and viscera we observe now these regions now those now two or all together to be possessed by the morbific Cause to wit as it is fixed either about the beginings or ends of the nerves and when the former of these happens as the superior part of the oblong pith the middle or the lowest part of the spinal marrow is touch'd one or more parts together are assaulted by the morbifick Cause As to the other Causes of this Distemper to wit the procataric and evident those of the former Kinde do chiefly consist in two things first that all the parts of the Head in infants are very weak and abound with a viscous humidity to wit the Brain less firm and the tone of the nerves very loose so that they are not able to bear the more light force of every matter but the Spirits inhabiting them are easily incited into irregular motions or Spasms by the proper liquour wherewith those parts are watered if it flows never so little immoderately or at least more plentifully than for the measure of so little strength But in the second place because it appears by observation that children not only nor all who are of a more tender Constitution are found to be prone to this Disease therefore this ought to be rather accounted for a reason of the more remote morbid Cause that the Blood and nervous Juce are originally vicious in some Infants by reason of evills contracted from the womb For that the sanguineous mass wanting eventilation for many months past becomes impure in children newly born wherefore broad and Red puttings forth like the small pocks shew themselves through the whole skin in most children soon after they are born to which sort of wealks or efflorescences if they are hindred or repressed oftentimes dangerous exulcerations about the parts of the mouth follow Hence we may deservedly suspect such impurities of the blood sometimes to be poured forth into the brain and nervous stock considering their debility and for that reason Spasmodic Distempers to arise to wit whilst the blood being vitious from the womb endeavours to purifie it self it transfers its faeculencies into the head which were wont to be
and more light Convulsions in remote parts as hath been said or being slidden from thence more deeply into the passages of the nerves excites fits of Convulsions very Cruel such a progress of the morbific Cause we suspect in whom the Vertigo swooning heaviness of the head and torpor of the minde go before the Convulsive assalts Indeed the matter of the disease abounding as yet in the brain and marrowy Appendix produces these kinds of previous distempers which being slidden from thence into the Nerves causes Convulsions 2dly There is yet another way whereby it plainly appears that the materiall cause of the Convulsive Distemper is transferred to the beginnings of the Nerves to wit when the same being deposited by the serous water within the Cavities or ventricles of the Head it is insinuated into the Neighbouring roots of the Nerves For in Chronical Diseases when the remarkable discrasie of the blood and humours happens also to be accompanied with a praved disposition of the brain oftentimes a great plenty of sharp serum infesting the Nervous stock dropping forth from the Vessells of the Choroeidan or retiform enfoldings slides into the ventricles of the brain and its Appendix But this serous water afterwards breaking thorow the under-spreading of the Cerebell into the fourth ventricle the little skin there being displaced whereby the oblong marrow is uncovered it falls upon the beginnings of one or more of the Nerves and either by irritating or imbuing them with Heterogeneous and explosive particles induces the Convulsive disposition And this for the most part is the cause that sick people after long and ill handled Feavours also after the more grievous Cephalic Diseases at length dye of Convulsions as I have found by the frequent Anatomie of the Carcases of those who dyed by that means Also it appears by anatomical Observation that the brain may be overflowed by a certain serous water without the distemper of the Convulsive disposition and further that in some who dyed of the Epilepsie and other Convulsive diseases there was no deluge of the serum within the ventricles of the brain By which it is given us to be understood that the Convulsive distempers do not flow only from the waterie matter in the Head but that they arise not at all from such a cause unless the serous water overflowing the ventricles of the Brain and chiefly that underlaying of the Cerebel be imbued with heterogeneous and explosive particles I remember once my Councel to be ask'd for a young man labouring with an Egregious Phtisis and at that time truly desperate besides a cough and shortnesse of Breath he had grievously complained for many days yea weeks that he could not lye upon his back in his Bed or whilst he sat in a chair he could not lean his head backwards for that by this or that posture of his Body he was wont presently to suffer tremblings of his heart and a fainting of the Spirits as if he were just about to dye wherefore of necessity he was fain to hold his head upright or leaning forward After he was dead his carcase being dissected his Lungs appeared all over tumified and in some places Ulcerated then his Skull being opened there flowed within all the Ventricles of the brain a great quantity of yellow and salt Serum which water certainly whilst it did slide forward upon the fourth Ventricle about the Trunk of the oblong marrow his head leaning back rushing upon the heads of the wandring and intercostal pair of nerves did stir up the aforesaid Convulsions about the Praecordia but so long as his head was inclined forward that the heap of serum flowed back into the anterior Ventricles of the Brain the origine of the nerves remained free from that Convulsive matter Having hitherto shown how many ways and by what passages the morbific matter being dilated towards the origine of the Nerves seems to bring on Convulsions it were easie according to these reasons to unfold many Convulsive Symptoms for besides the Convulsive motions of Infants and children oftentimes excited from the same kinde of Causes hither may be referr'd the Contractions and sudden leapings forth of the nervous parts which follow upon feavours As also those passions commonly called Hysterical also hypocondriacal and certain others proceed not seldom from the morbific Cause rushing upon the beginings of the Nerves We will therefore endeavour to establish the truth of this Hypothesis by some other Histories and examples of Sick people but in the first place we will propose observations of that Kinde in whom the morbific matter setling upon the beginings of the nerves and not being as yet slid deeply into their processes induced frequent vertigos and only more light Convulsions of the Viscera and Praecordia A noble woman about 30. years of Age of a tender Constitution and lean in Observation 1 Body was wont every winter to be grievously afflicted with a Catarrh or Rhume flowing upon the winde pipe and Lungs with a hoarse Cough and great spitting but the last year great care and dilligence being used she avoyded that evill But after the winter Solstice having taken cold she was troubled with an huge pain of the head a tingling of the ears a giddiness with a great defluxion upon the eyes that it easily appeared that the heap of Serum which before this time was wont to distill into the Breast was now wholly layd up within the head and Brain besides an effect of which was that as often as she began to sleep she was greatly infested with passions as it were histerical to which she had never been before obnoxious For when ever being sleepy she closed her eyes presently a bulk ascending in her belly a choaking in her throat tremblings and leapings about the Praecordia were stirred up which Affections notwithstanding quite ceased when she was thorowly awakened so that the Sick party was necessitated to abstain almost altogether for many days and nights from sleep Being sent for to this Lady after she had bin sick and weak for many days I was compelled at length to use gentle medicines Therefore I took care that blood should forthwith be drawn from the foot to four ounces and every day a Clyster of milk and sugar to be administred by which she was wont to have three or four stools besides I gave her every eighth-hour a dose of the Spirits of Harts horn in a Spoonfull of the following Julap Take of the water of penny-royall of walnuts and black Cherries each ℥ iii. of Histerical water ℥ ii of the Syrrop of Clove-gilliflowers ℥ i ss of Caster tyed in a little knot and hang'd in the middle of the glass ʒss of the powder of Pearls ℈ i. mingle it I Caused with success a vesicatoris to be put behinde the ears and a Cataplasm of the leaves of Rue and Cuccowpint with the Roots of Bryony bay salt and black soap to be layd to the soals of her feet Sometimes I gave her in the
her head and a frequent Vertigo within a little time after the distemper growing worse she felt tremblings in her whole body with a light shaking of her members which came at certain times though wandring and uncertain afterwards she suffer'd fits plainly Convulsive and those horrid and often infesting a little before the approach of the disease she was afflicted with a short Scotomie or swimming in her head by and by she felt a streightness and great oppression of her Breast whereby all her Praecordia were drawn together then presently gnashing her teeth and giving a great groan she was wont to fall to the ground in the mean time she was sensible but labouring with the great oppression of her heart till that constriction of her breast was loosned she was not able by any means to rise afterwards when the fit was past she was disturbed a good while with a great palpitation of the Heart an heaviness of the senses and a great debility of the animal function After that this Sick maid had liv'd subject to these kinde of fits being very often repeated for about 14. months she at last became Epileptical that as often as the assault of the evill returned being flung prostrat on the Earth she was taken with the insensibility or amazedness of Spirits with the foaming at mouth and other peculiar symptoms of the falling-sickness Neither did this distemper stay here but ere the space of a year was elapsed it degenerated into madness that at last the sick maid having lost the use of her Reason grew sometimes mad with fury and sometimes was plainly stupid and foolish It is plain from the beginning progress and often metamorphosis of this Disease The reason of the aforesaid Case that it at first had its cause and seat in the head near the beginning of the nerves and from thence did dayly unfold more largely its bounds both into the brain and into the nervous System for from the beginning the morbific matter consisting neer the beginnings of the nerves Caused only lighter Spasms or Convulsions of the Viscera and members and shakings with the Vertigo afterwards a portion of it being slidden into the pneumonic nerves and their foldings produced most grievous Convulsions of the Praecordia Diaphragma and Ventricle and also another portion of the same matter invading the Brain and its marrow caused the Insensibility or amazedness and so the fits of the Falling-sicknesse and at length the texture of the spirits being wholly vitiated and their Latex being degenerated into a most sharp and as it were Stygian Liquor the convulsive distempers pass'd into madness Therefore as to the particular reasons both of the disease and symptoms it seems that the aforesaid Virgin by her sedentary Life she being deprived altogether of the exercise of the body and the use of a more free Air but chiefly by her nightly watchings and being frequently interrupted of her sleep she had contracted a vitious disposition of the blood and humours and also a praved and weak constitution of the brain and Nervous stock to which may be added that she did perpetually attend on a master sick of most grievous distempers of Convulsions and by that means had received perchance some contagion or convulsive Infection And first of all indeed the Heterogeneous particles being poured forth together with the nervous juce into the brain and Cerebel and there cleaving to the spirits as it were skirmished with the preliminarie scotomie and vertigenous distemper then the convulsive matter settling upon the beginnings of the wandring pair and intercostal Nerves and the spinal marrow brought in with the Vertigo the leaping of the Viscera and Muscles and their lighter shakings Afterwards when entring more deeply the pipes of the Nerves it was carried into the Cervicall and Cardiac and perhaps intercostal and other unfoldings and embued the spirits performing the office of respiration and the pulse with an explosive Copula they being brought into explosions at every turn together with their superiors inhabiting the nervous origine by reason of fullness or because of irritation excited most horrid Convulsions of the respective parts But the fit growing strong from the pneumonic or breathing Nerves being strictly bound the sudden inordinate systole of the Thorax was stirred up then presently the Diaphragma being suddenly and vehemently drawn back the obstreperous ejulation did succeed Further when by reason of the systole of the Thorax being sometime continued the blood being hindred that it could not move it stagnated altogether in the praecordia therefore during the fit that great oppression of the heart with want of speech and motion afflicted the sick maid But in the mean time while as yet the region of the brain remained free and clear from the explosions of the spirits the sick party remained in her senses or memory but afterwards when the Convulsive matter being dayly increased it was unfolded in the middle or marrowy parts of the debilitated and broken brain to the former passions about the praecordia came also the Insensibility and amazedness of spirits then the Epilepsie and lastly madnesse for the reasons before recited Many medicines and of various kinds being prescribed to this sick maid by many both Physitians and Empericks but confusedly and with an uncertain method being presently changed did her no good Observation 5 A certain fair woman well coloured and well flesh'd from a setled grief fell into a sickly disposition about noon and the evening for the most part she was pretty well but in the morning when she had slept enough and often indulg'd it too much till she became very somnolent and heavy being thorowly awakened presently she was wont to complain of a heavinesse and as it were a stupidness in her whole head with a Vertigo at every motion or stirring about of her head a little after she constantly expected a convulsive fit or the insensible amazedness of the spirits and sometimes this sometimes that was wont to infest her for that after the Vertigo as it were a praevious velitation for the most part she felt in her ventricle and left side an heavy or weighty pain running up and down here and there hence belching a striving to vomit eruptions of blasts also wonderfull distentions of the abdomen and hypochondria did follow and sometimes for many hours did miserably Exercise this woman but sometimes these Symptoms hapned to be wanting and then the distemper more cruelly afflicted her brain for falling into frequent insensible fits she was wont to continue a great while immovable and with her eyes shut without sense or understanding and when her servants had moved her by rubbings and with the fume of Tobacco she came by and by to her self but presently again she fell into the like insensibility and so for four or five times before she could perfectly recover her self and be without expecting to fall into these fits again At length the Tragedy being acted she remained however affected with an
then when the evident causes daily fixing the infection more on the bloud and humours did happen upon this remote hereditary cause for there were many chances and unfortunate accidents which continually brought sadness and melancholly upon this Gentleman indeed therefore the nervous Liquor being imbued above measure with a fixed and Scorbutic salt became highly sharp and irritative like aqua fortis or the Stagma's of Vitriol and so continually incited the Spirits and the bodys containing them into Corrugations and contractions just as the aforesaid Liquors when poured upon worms do the same thing Why this Distemper grew worse by the use of the Baths But that this disease leasurly at first increasing was quickly brought into a much worse condition by the use of the hot Bathes the reason easily appears It is known by experience that the hot Bathes do very much exalt and quickly bring to the hight the Sulphureous-saline particles in the humane body and otherwise morbid which abound in the Bowells and humours viz. do render them more fierce by agitating them throughly and force them from their first passages into the blood and from thence into the Brain and nervous stock yea and joyn together those that were before seperate and idle and incite them into a certain fermentation wherefore those who are hereditarily obnoxious to the Gout or Stone and have not as yet suffer'd any fits of those distempers very often feel the fruit of either disease in themselves to grow ripe soon by the use of the Bathes When therefore in this sick person both the blood and Liquor watering the Brain and nerves were imbued both with narcotick or stupifying and convulsive particles and also when they did degenerate from their sweet and balsamy Disposition that towards a saltish and this into a sour Ciaemul of a Stagma of Vitriol the use of the hot minerall waters was so far from bringing help that on the contrary these evills for that very cause presently grew all very much worse and the Disease proceeding from the humors being so depraved as to their temper and mixture could never be cured by any medicines no easier than vinegar may be reduced into wine When this Gentlemans body being at last dead of the Phthisis or Consumption was opened by me we could finde but very few foot-steps of these kinde of most grievous Symptoms Hence as it appear'd the Palsie and Convulsion did not depend so much on a thick and copious matter heaped together somewhere in mines as of an evill affection of the animal Spirits who are subtle and Invisible I will lay forth what was worthy taking notice of in the anatomy of this person Things worthy to be noted in the body being dissected The Abdomen being opened the Caule as is wont to be in most who dye of a Consumption and other Chronical Diseases was putrified and almost consumed In the mean time the Ventricle Intestines Pancreas and Mesentery were well enough to wit the membranes were firm well coulour'd and free from any ulcer or hard swelling There grew to the greater Intestines certain excrescencies like to the ears of a mouse for that there were very many of these kinde of things out of either side of the Colon and right intestine they shewed like twins at certain distances like the branches of Trees The like I formerly found in a Consumptive person The Reason of this seems to be that the nourishment in Consumptive people though it be deficient about the more solid and outward parts yet sometimes within neer the fountains of the nourishing juice performs more than it ought and for that cause superfluous and unnaturall additions grow forth The milt or Spleen which always is thought ill of and of most Physitians condemned for being the Principal cause of the Scurvy and of all other distempers appear altogether blameless and free from any fault For as in most sound people we observed it was of a darkish Colour soft and of an equal superficies free from any obstruction or swelling indued with vessells and fibres distinct and firm enough out of its substance flowed black biood when it was cut The Liver which indeed might be wondred at was indifferently well neither was it from so long and grievous a sickness become harder then usuall or scirrhous or planted with little whelks but it was somewhat big and of a darkish colour The Kidnys though free from any ulcer or gravell were not however free from fault for in the middle of the right Kidney was seen a great cavity distinct from the Tunell and much greater then it full of clear water the like I have very often found in hydropical people But indeed this perhaps arose from the serum deposited in that kidny that could not easily be strained thorow its passages and pores for that the serum subsisting therein had in the beginning made for it self a little den which afterwards by degres was inlarged and when for this Reason the secretion of the serum and its passing forth by the ureter were something hindred its Latex restagnating into the blood brought in the grievous trouble to the head which indeed was the rather to be suspected because also the left Kidny being mightily extenuated and consumed contained many Cisterns and Cavities full of clear water The Lungs growing on every side to the Sternum or part of the breast where the ribs meet sides and Diaphragma seem'd without any distinction of Lobes of one substance only of putrid spongy flesh staâ—fed throughout with a frothy or ichorous matter without doubt the sick man had not contracted this evill so long before to wit when he was not able to perform any exercise of the Body nor stay in bed that it might breathe out any thing more freely the faeculencies and recrements of the blood which were wont to evaporate thorow the skin being layd up in the Lungs were the cause that they grew together among themselves and with other parts and did vitiate their tone and conformation wholly so that a Consumption being at last arisen was the effect and product and not the cause of the rest of the distempers wherewith he had bin a long while miserably afflicted In either ventricle of the heart blood was concreted into a solid whitish substance and bak'd like flesh which being formed neer the Cavities and processes of the vessells of the Heart resembled the figure of a Serpent with a manifold divided tail than which indeed nothing is more usual in many dead People after long sickness The reason of which is that the Blood being without life from long sickness and from thence circulated slowly about the Praecordia begins to stand or stagnate in the heart and depending vessells and by that means is congealed leasurely into this kinde of fleshy Concrete When the Skull was opened we sought among its contents the chief Cause of the Disease The first thing that occurr'd was the bulk of the brain was less than it should be
and folded into fewer folds from whence we suspected that the Animal Spirits were not plentifully enough brought forth Further the whole substance of the head was more moist than it ought to be and wholly immersed in a wet watery humour that its Covering viz. the whole meninges were pulled asunder and the compassing or crevices and all the ventricles run over with clear water 'T is probable that this deluge of the Brain had lately hapned to wit forasmuch as by reason perspiration being hindred and the Secretion of urine being but little the serosities gathered together in the bloody mass were carried to the head and therefore the substance of the Brain and especially the chancelled or chequer'd bodies were so wholly wetted and soked that being cut their substance could scarce remain compacted but that it would flow away somewhat after the manner of thick Liquids within the bosoms overlying and inserted to the brain and its Appendix and the vessells coming from them the blood had concreted into little round hard and as it were fleshy balls just like those within the ventricles of the heart and the vessells hanging to them which also lately when the Bloud circulated slowly we thought might happen for the same reason for which the blood was coagulated within the Praecordia The trunk of the Spinal marrow being drowned in clear water was very much extenuated that it could scarce fill half of the bony cavity or hollowness which we thought to be effected by the deluge of salt Serum in which it was as it were boyled The Nature and the manner of the continued convulsive distemper being made So much concerning universal Convulsions which being very much conjoyned with the Paralytick Distemper are excited dividedly in many parts at once There remains others which we call'd continued because being suddenly translated from some parts to others they mutually relieve one another and compell the members now these now those and often the whole body to be involuntarily moved and diversly bended or agitated In these Cases the Animal Spirits not only those implanted in private corners and mines get to themselves an explosive Copula and being some how satisfied or irritated strike it off by certain turns but when the whole mass of the nervous Liquor abundantly abounds with elastick particles they then every where cleaving to both the Spirits implanted and flowing in for that reason stir them up into Continuall Convulsions But forasmuch as not all the Spirits at once are not able however predisposed to be exploded because within the nervous passages there is not room large enough for their so great agitations therefore the explosive force arising in these or those parts is by and by transfer'd from thence unto others and so to others and so like fire-draks or wild-fire it runs wandringly here and there most swiftly creeping from these Limbs to those and then presently from all into the Praecordia or Viscera and back again That the Image of those kinde of distempers may be known we will here propose some more rare Cases of sick persons whom sometime past I endeavoured to Cure Observation 1 A very fine and religious maid tall and slender begot of a Father sickly and obnoxious to most grievous Distempers of the nervous kinde about the 20th year of her Age was afflicted for many days with an head-ach very Cruell and periodical at length at the time of the winter folstice 1656. the pain of her head ceased but instead of it a mighty Catarrh followed with a thin and Copious spitting also an ulcerous distemper of the nose and throat when she had for some time endured this trouble at length by the prescript of a certain Woman receiving the fume of Amber by a tunnell into her mouth she was suddenly cured to wit the Catarrh or violent Rhume ceas'd suddenly but from thence she complained of a notable Vertigo with a pain in the head and of the tingling noise of the ears on the Third day the tendons of the hinder part of her neck were pulled together that her head was bended now forward now backward and now of one side sometime it continued stiff and unmoveable a little after this the same kinde of Convulsive Distemper invaded the outward members and Limbs of the whole body her arms and hands were wonderfully turned about that no jugler or tumbler could imitate their bendings and rollings about she was necessitated to spread abroad her leggs and feet here and there to strike them against one another and to transpose or cross them by turns After this manner either sitting in a Chair or lying in a Bed she was perpetually afflicted with these Convulsive motions unless when overwhelmed with sleep and when she did a little restrain her members from the great labour of the Muscles presently she was taken with a difficult and short-breathing with a sense of Choaking but in the mean time her eyes jaws mouth and lower bowells remained free from any Convulsion neither was she troubled with vomiting belching nor any inflation of the belly and hypochondria Besides she was still her self and had truly the use of her memory understanding and phantasie she did nor said any thing madly or foolishly but in these wonderfull evills she shewâ—d an admirable example of Christian fortitude and patienee even with godly and discreet speeches her appetite was soon lost so that she took any meat or aliment very unwillingly thirst continually troubled her and her strength was grown so feeble that she could not stand or walk her urine was of a Citron colour very full of saltness on whose superficies grew little tararous skins When I was sent for to this Gentlewoman on the Sixth day of her sickness I framed the Aetiology of this kinde of admirable distemper For the consideration of her father who at that time was sick in the same house with most grievous Convulsive passions kept me that I did not with many others refer all things to the delusions of witches wherefore that I might seek out the natural Causes of these Symptoms it was in the first place plainly to be suspected that this Gentlewoman had contracted hereditarily the seeds of Convulsive Distempers which at length about the flower of her age broke forth into this kinde of fruit for when her blood was very much imbued with heterogeneous and explosive particles they at length as is wont in such a disposition began to be poured into the head and there to be fixed being therefore first deposited in the Meningae they induced the huge periodicall head-ach then afterwards the same matter having accidentally shifted its place falling down into the sinks of the throat and mouth changed the Cephalage or head-ach into a Catarrh or Rhume and when lastly by an untimely use of the administred Remedy the defluxion stop'd the morbifick matter flowing back into the brain brought the Vertigo and then being thrust forth on the nervous stock it excited the aforesaid Convulsive Affections As to
to take anti-hysterical Remedies and purges at certain set intervalls but without any help At last I being sent for because she seemed indued with a strong habit of body and with a notable fierceness of spirits I gave her a stronger Emetick by which she vomited forth ten times greenish Choller like to rust with phlegm sharp like stygian water and she was suddenly eased After this I gave her every morning a draught of white-wine dilated with the water of black Cherries with sows or hog-lice bruised and infused therein and strongly pressed forth By the Use of these she seem'd presently to be cured and was well above a Month And when afterwards the distempers being about to return she felt at any time some forerunners presently by the use of a vomit and the expression of the Millepedes or Cheslogs she averted the approach of the Disease within three months she so far recovered her former health that she has now liv'd for many years free from those kinde of Convulsive distempers But from the time the convulsive passions wholly ceased she was sometimes troubled about the parts of her mouth and throat with a defluxion of a most sour humour like the vitriolick Stagma besides sometimes she was obnoxious to the Pica or longing of women and at sometimes also to the Cough with a discolored spittle threatning a Consumption notwithstanding which by remedies used in these kinde of Cases she was easily cured The reasons of aforesaid case As to the Aetiologie or Rational account of the aforesaid Case there is no reason that we should fear to refer both the Causes and Symptoms of this disease to the explosive particles the brain being pass'd thorow without hurt sent as a supply Continually from the blood into the nervous stock which forasmuch as they being poured forth in great plenty were not restrained within private mines to be struck off only by turns cleaving every where both to the implanted and inflowing Spirits forced them as it were inspired with a madness to be perpetually exploded and to grow raging here and there by bands so that indeed they were not able at all to be ruled within the containing parts but there was need to overthrow and to tame them impetuously tumultuating and apt to be carried here and there like a whirlwinde by some very violent and strong exercise In truth in was in this sick person as it is in musical Organs which if filled above measure by too great a blast of winde unless presently the passages of more Pipes be opened the whole frame of the Organ is quickly shaken and in danger to be broken to pieces In like manner in this Lady when the animal Spirits actuating the pipes and the depending fibres of some of the nerves were moved beyond their due tenour there was a necessity that their force should be bestowed on many vehement local motions together whilst they inslated above measure the nervous bodies wherefore when their madness was hindred in on part by and by like winde pent up creeping somewhere else it broke forth more violently in some other part In this sick person the use of one or two Vomits brought help once or twice because that by it what was lodged in the gallie-vessell yea the glandula's and emunctuories and also about the viscera of concoction being by this means emptied the purging of the blood and nervous juce were more Copiously drawn into the same place therefore indeed that the animal Spirits flowing within the Pipes of the distemperd nerves might be less infected by them By this reason also the juice of the Sows or hog-lice was beneficiâ—l forasmuch as it derived the morbifick matter from the nervous kinde to the urinary passages Besides these Remedies the Root and in a great part the branches of the morbific matter being cut off and when others as it were antidotes hindring every where its vegitation were carefully administred whatsoever was left of it Nature at length becoming superior as she is wont in these criticall Cases sent away to the sinks of the mouth and Throat Observation 4 Whilst I was writing these things I visited an illustrious Virgin who was troubled with other kinde of Convulsive motions and those universal and no less to be admired she was about 18. years of age hansome and well made and before this time healthfull when the Pestilence raging in this neighbourhood she had come within the danger of its Contagion she fell into a panick fear with frequent swouning the night fellowing she suffer'd so great a deliquium or sinking down of her Spirits and insensibility that she seem'd just a dying hardly strugling with so great an evill afterwards she had every day Convulsive fits though at first at uncertain hours and returning after a manifold Kinde But within a short time its comings being made regular twice in a day to wit they constantly returned at eleven of the clock and before five in the afternoon that no intermitting feavour kept more exactly its periods yea also the same accidents of the fit dayly chanced after the same manner When she had thus been sick for three weeks one day I was sent for that I might take notice of all the Symptoms and the whole figure of the disease she being up about ten in the morning was well in her Countenance going and speech she behaved her self exceeding well so that none would ever suspect her to be sick at eleven of the clock she began to complain of a fullness of her head and numbness of Spirits with a light swimning by and by she felt a great pulsation and as it were the leaping of some live animal in her left hypochondrium putting my hand on her side I plainly perceived this motion then a stretching and belching followed which done she was presently put to bed and a maid siting upon a pillow held her down who during the fit most strictly graspt the sick person holding her to her bosom with her arms foulded about her wast besides servants were ready and her relations standing by who now press'd down her belly and hypochondria rising up and swelling to a great bulk now held her hands and arms The chief Symptoms of the Disease which being excited by turns almost divided the whole fit were these two viz. one while Cruel Convulsions of the Bowells did infest her so that the abdomen rising up into a mighty bulk strove against the hands of the by-standers held upon it that it could not be pressed down and at the same time her Praecordia being contracted upwards the motions of her blood and heart were almost stop't in which space of time this virgin her head falling down with a small pulse and almost without voice lay nigh sensless after two or three minutes of an hour these Convulsions ceased and then the sick person setting her self upright look'd about cheerfully and for a while the force of the disease changed into talking and singing both of which she without
ceasing performed most pleasantly and most elegantly beyond her proper capacity with these kinde of speeches and pleasant jeasts she fell upon all the standers by that nothing in a Comedy could be more pleasant then she utterd most sweet tunes of musick and more pleasant than any other could or her self at another time After she had past six or seven minutes of an hour thus jesting and singing the Convulsions of her Bowells and Praecordia and the want of speech came upon her as before and these soon remitting the force of the Spirits leaping back from the inferior nerves on the brain it was lastly imployed in the pleasantness of speech and Songs as often when she talkt to the by-standers as any of them replyed any thing bitterly or reproachfully she fell into those most grievous and longer continuing Convulsions of the Viscera After this manner she was wont to be molested with an alternate distemper of the Bowells and brain about the space of an hour Then towards the end of the Viscera the fit declining more light Convulsions being made they repeated three or four times without any intermission then these wholly ceasing the force of the disease brake forth into her outward members from whence it quickly vanished for her Arms and Legs for a minute of an hour suffer'd leapings forth and Contractions presently after the sick person being taken up left ber bed free from all Convulsion till a new fit returned yea indifferently well in strength she walk'd about the house and during the interval of her distemper she cheerfully performed the accustomed Offices of Life excepting that her stomack languishings all day she loathed food in the evening after the second fit she supp'd moderatly This was the present state of the Disease in whose fits the more clear use of some faculties seem'd in a manner to Compensate the irregularity of others But about the beginning of her sickness it was somewhat otherways for the Convulsions of her bowells were far more grievous and an insensibility was joyned to them besides in their intervall talking idly an incongruous singing yea both laughter and weeping without any known reason breaking forth were wont to follow one another but now the animal Spirits being forced into longer explosions performed them so regularly now this now that as a more Commodious way was made that they seemed after a manner to be done by the Command of the will and of Reason That we may therefore according to our hypothesis frame an Aetiology or rational account of this Distemper In the first place it seems The reasons of the aforesaid Distemper that a vehement fear did drive the Spirits inhabiting the brain and Praecordia into great disorders so that they being disturbed out of their ranks both the kinde of madness or foolishness and the frequent swooning succeeded Further it may be suspected that from the same impression the hurt was carried to the brain it self so that its conformation being somewhat vitiated the heterogeneous and morbific particles were admitted together with the nervous juice Then although the spirits at the beginning being confused and troubled after their short inordinations at last recovered themselves and performed the wonted offices both of the animal and vital function yet by reason of the taint impressed on the brain the heterogeneous particles being constantly admitted cleaving to those Spirits induced explosive endeavors as soon as the spirits were filled to a plentitude with the extraneous Copula they being irritated entred into Convulsive explosions for the shaking or striking it off About the beginning of the Disease when both the Disposition of the Brain and the Spirits inhabiting it was more perverse and vitious from the fresh received hurt a fullness of the heterogeneous Copula sooner happened and so its explosion following more often and more inordinately was dispatched with greater tumult But afterwards when the hurt of the animal regiment abating the supplements of that Copula even as thc nervous Liquor were dayly brought in with an equall dimention the explosions of the Spirits being made regular and more milde observed their just periods or set times That she felt upon the approach of the fit a fullness and as it were an inflation in her head with an heaviness and dullness of the spirits the Reason is because at this time the spirits inhabiting the brain being now prepared for explosions were wont first of all to be moved and as it were to swell up then that pulsation in her left hypochondria succeeded for that the Spirits inhabiting the nervous foldings and fibres thickly planted about the Spleen began to be exploded afterwards when the Spirits flowing both within the mesenteric and Cardiac enfoldings were exploded rogether those elevations and as it were leapings up of the Abdomen and Thorax were induced and when in this distemper the motions of the blood and heart were almost wholly stopped therefore there was a small and almost no pulse and she became Speechlesse and in a manner sensless The Convulsion of the Viseera and Praecordia remitting a pratling and singing succeeded because a falling down or removal of the Spirits as yet exploded being made from the nervous stock into the brain it changed the Convulsions into an exaltation of the fancy and more ready exercise of the phantasms or Representation of the Imagination So long as the Spirits within the middle of the brain are regularly and orderly exploded they bring forth the Acts of the habits and faculties so much more noble and as it were above the strength and tenour of Nature as in this sick Gentlewoman but on the contrary when the explosions of the Spirits in that Region happen to be inordinate they cause for the most part foolishness or at least the exercise of their powers are incongruous and absurd The Convulsions of the Bowels and the phantastic actions releiv'd one another mutually and by turns because plenty of Spirits being disposed to be struck off made their tendency as it were with a direct and reflected waving or undulation now on this part now on that by turns then lastly when they were almost all exploded the more often Convulsions of the Viscera were stir'd up and when a small handfull only remained to be exploded that being at last excluded both from the head and bowells it ran forth into the spinal marrow and employed the last assolt of the disease in the Convulsions af the Arms and Legs There yet remains one great difficulty in this Case why the fits of this disease were always repeated exactly at set hours and yet had so unequall periods to wit that the Coming of the first was only but six hours before the second and then the return of the next did not hapen but in 18 hours space For the solving of this it is to be supposed that these fits did depend upon the nervous juice being stuffed to a plenitude with heterogenious particles which particles were altogether conveyed thither from the bloody mass
shops or dispensatory are to be prescribed but magistralls as cause arises according to the appearances of the admirable Symptoms A gentle vomit Purge blood-letting ought in the first place to be ordained and to be repeated as often as shall seem fit As to specisick medicines also and appropriate in these cases when the chief Indication shall be to mend the temper of the Nervous juice you may try many and by their effect judge of their virtues Therefore it may be lawfull to try what the Remedies indued with a volatile or armoniac salt may effect For this end the spirits and salts of Harts-horn Blood soot and the flowers and spirits of Sal-armoniac are taken These helping nothing you must come to Chalybiats or Steel medicines the tinctures and solutions of Corall and Antimony are given which kinde of medicines are exhibited in such a dose and form and so often that some alteration may be made by them on the whole blood or nervous juce Further If successe shall fail in such like you must then proceed to Alexipharmaca which help against poysons and the malignancy impressed on the humours to wit to institute from these decoctions and distilled waters of vegitables powders Conserves and other preparations and to compound variously some with others and to administer them diversly It is likely that those kinde of medicines which are wont to be helpfull to such as are bitten by a viper or a mad Dog or that have taken woulfs-bane or poyson may be usefull also in the aforesaid Convulsions It may be lawfull here according to the example of Gregory Horstius in his tract of the malignant Convulsive disease and also of wonderfull Convulsions to prescribe magisterial Remedies in the form of a purging Electuary and also of a powder and Convulsive Antidote and to compound them variously partly of simple Alexipharmacks or poyson resisters and partly of Antiepilepticks or things good against the falling Evil. CHAPTER X. Of the Passions Commonly called Hystericall THE hysterical passion is of so ill fame among the Diseases belonging to women that like one half damn'd it bears the faults of many other Distempers For when at any time a sicknbss happens in a womans body of an unusual manner or more occult original so that its Cause lyes hid and the Curatory Indication is altogether uncertain presently we accuse the evill influence of the womb which for the most part is innocent and in every unusual Symptom we declare it to be something hysterical and so to this Scope which oftentimes is only the subterfuge of Ignorance the medical Intentions and use of Remedies are directed A description of the hysterical passion The Passions which are wont to be referred to this cense or order are found to be various and manifold which rarely happen in diverse women or which come wholly after the same manner The most Common and which commonly are said to constitute the formal Reason of the hysterical distemper are these viz. A motion in the bottom of the belly and an ascention of the same as it were a certain round thing then a belching or a striving to vomit a distention and murmur of the hypoehondria with a breaking forth of blasts of winde an unequall breathing and very much hindred a choaking in the throat a vertigo an inversion or rolling about of the eyes oftentimes laughing or weeping absurd talking sometimes want of speech and motionless with an obscure or no pulse and deadish aspect sometimes Convulsive motions in the face and Limbs and sometimes in the whole body are excited But universal Convulsions rarely happen and not unless this disease be in the very worst state Because for the most part the Tragedy of the Fit is acted without Contraction of the members only in the inferior belly Thorax and head to wit in some of them or successively in all women of every age and Condition are obnoxious to these kinde of Distempers to wit Rich and poor Virgins wives and widdows I have observed those Symptoms in maids before ripe age also in old women after their flowers have left them yea sometimes the same kinde of Passions infest men as plainly appeared by the example already shewed As to the causes of those symptoms most ancient The causes of the Symptoms inquired into and indeed Modern Physitians refer them to the ascent of the womb and vapours elevated from it The former opinion although it plead antiquity seems the less probable for that the body of the womb is of so small bulk in virgins and widdows and is so strictly tyed by the neighbouring parts round about that it cannot of it self be moved or asccnd from its place nor could its motion be felt if there were any as to that vulgar opinion or Reason taken from the vapours we have often rejected it as wholly vain and light for just reasons elsewhere But we judge the passions but now described do neither always nor at all proceed from the ascent or the vapours of the womb and that indeed other very famous Physitians have already determined For in times past Charles Piso and of late the most learned Highmore have vindicated the womb from all fault and the passions which are commonly call'd hystericall are thought by this latter to arise from the blood most impetuously rushing on the Lungs and by the other from a serous colluives heaped together neer the origin of the Nerves How probable this latter opinion doth seem shall appear from what follows But as to the opinion deliver'd by Doctor Highmore concerning this thing tho it be far from our Custom to contradict any ones opinion and that it is almost unlawfull for me to diffent from this famous man yet because our Pathologie standing on a contrary basis viz. the cause of the hystericall distemper being imputed more immediately to the nervous stock than to the blood will seem to be only asserted unless we shew the Reasons which combat against that hypothesis and forours therefore taking leave here we will try more exactly either opinion put as it were in a ballance In the fit therefore commonly called hysterical this famous man supposes Doctor Highmores Opinion Examined the blood for that it is thin flatulent and with a certain effervescency to rush too much in heaps into the pneumonick vessells and the vessells of the heart and in them to broyl up impetuously and so to stuff up the lungs and very much to aggravate them that neither they can exercise their motion nor that the blood can be drained from the bosom of the heart Hence from the blood stagnating in the Praeoordia a great oppression difficult breathing and often none with a melting of the vital Spirits were wont to be inferred then the diaphragma that it might give place to the Lungs more and more distended and that breathing at least might be some way made is carried downward with a mighty and long continued Diastole and so by pressing down the Intestines it
lifts up the ahdomen and hypochondria and feins a motion as it were the arising of a globe But afterwards the vital function labouring after this manner the animal faculty arises in its aide wherefore a necessity of motions in various parts urging the animal Spirits being driven impetuously into the beginnings of the nerves produce divers manners of Convulsions running here and there The Author endeavours to confirm this Opinion by the great help in this disease had by the taking away the bloody excretion both from things helpfull and things hurtfull in this paffion But though I cannot but praise this Doctrine of the suffocation of the womb as very ingenious and cunningly wrought yet that I do not consent to it in all things some reasons of great moment clearly hinder me Truly I confess that I do not understand how in some hysterical persons to wit who are of a more frigid temperament and are often troubled with the Pica and longing disease the blood should so immoderatly boyl up in the Lungs without any conspicuous notes of its growing hot in some other place I have known young maids by reason of the green-sickness as it were without blood to wit whose blood indeed being without life did remain without any exercise in the heart and was from thence difficâ—ltly enough drawn forth into the Lungs who yet were grievously obnoxious to the passions called hysterical Certainly it is not probable that the blood of these persons growing immoderatly hot should rush impetuously into the Pneumonick vessells and should stuff up their pores and passages very thickly when in the mean time such become short-breath'd by reason of the absence of the blood from the Lungs or its difficult admission to them Besides by what means comes it to pass that this violent course of the blood into the Lungs which is supposed to be made in this Fit brings forth no Inflammation in them for that the blood being too much heaped or rapidly put into any part is easily extravasated and is wont to excite an Inflammation hardly to be shaken off From whence it is therefore in the hysterical distemper the blood entring violently into the Lungs and distending them does not cause a peripneumonie or impostume of the Lungs Or wherefore the distempers as it were hysterical come not on an Inflammation of the Lungs otherwise caused wherefore it seems improbable that the blood swelling up with its proper anger or heat should rush into the Lungs and by stuffing them renders them too immovable and so secondarily and consequently induce Convulsions of the Diaphragma and other parts but it may rather seem that by reason of the Diaphragma and other organs of breathing being first affected with a Convulsion the blood should be forced to stagnate in the praecordia Besides it may be observ'd that the Lungs are not always afflicted before other parts for oftentimes the convulsive Symptoms begin elsewhere and not rarely bear the region of the breast wholly untouch'd Because in some the vertigo and Corruscations or sparklings of the eyes begin the fit to which succeed either weeping or laughing or convulsive motions of the Limbs without any straitness of the breath or oppression of the heart in others before respiration troubles them any way a swelling in the bottom of the belly with a vomiting and rumbling of the belly begins and often ends the fit so that the difficulty of breathing oftentimes follows these Symptoms at a great distance and is wont to be prevented by the tying strictly of swathing-bands about the hypochondria Moveover it seems that this ascent as it were of a certain round thing from the Hypogastrium or lower part of the belly can never proceed from the depression of the Diaphragma because in the hysterical fit this part is not always pressed down towards the lower parts but oftentimes drawn up to the higher parts and drives the Lungs upwards so that the spirit or breath being almost shut forth threatens the danger of Choaking By these and other reasons The hystericall distemper chiefly belongs to the Brain and nervous stock we are at length perswaded to that opinion that the distemper named from the womb is chiefly and primarily convulsive and chiefly depends on the brain and the nervous stock being affected and whatever inordination or irregularity from thence happens about the motion of the blood is only secondary and is made dependingly by the Convulsions of the Bowells But that this doth consist within the bounds of the head both the comparing of the symptoms which happen in the living and the anatomical observations of the dead clearly shew because we may observe that this distemper often takes its rise from a sudden fear great sadnesse or anger or other violent passion in which the spirits inhabiting the brain are chiefly affected besides to some an ill manner of dyet and various accidents whereby the humours being vitiated are heaped more plentifully within the head at first brings this evil Yea the manner of the fits clearly evinces the same forasmuch as a fullness of the head a vertigo a sparkling of the eyes a ringing noyse of the ears begin in many the hysterical fit and often conclude it Besides I have opened some women dead of other diseases tho while they were sick very obnoxious to hysterical passions in whom the womb being very well I have found in the hinder part of the head the beginnings of the nerves moistned and wholly drowned with a sharp serum as shall be more largely declared anon Having weighed these and other Reasons we doubt not to assert the Passions commonly called Hysterical to arise most often for that the animal spirits possessing the beginning of the Nerves within the head are infected with some taint to wit they being either acted or brought into Confusion or being tincted with vitious humours get to themselves an heterogeneous and explosive Copula The cause of the disease most often begins about the beginnings of the nerves which they carry far away with themselves into the Channells of the nerves and when the same spirits are filled to a plenitude with that Copula thorow all their series or orders either of their own accord or being occasionally moved they enter into explosions and so stir up Convulsive motions But that such a Copula adhering to the spirits is chiefly derived together with them into the interior nerves the reason is because in this passage towards the praecordia and viscera the animal spirits by reason of the distemper of the minde are very much disturbed wherefore they more easily admit any evills brought from another place and more readily conceive irregularities For the animal spirits chiefly for this occasion contract a convulsive disposition forasmuch as they from a violent impression are perverted out of their Courses and their wonted manner of Influence and acting hence they not only repeat their inordinations but also receive the heterogenious particles into their embraces and more easily
combine with them Wherefore forasmuch as the animal spirits running thorow the nerves of the wandring pair and Intercostals are continually entangled with all perturbations both of the Concupiscable and irascible Appetite it is no wonder if they acquire a convulsive disposition before the rest It being supposed which indeed ought to be supposed that the animal spirits have contracted an heterogenious and explosive Copula The same cause afterwards disposed thorow the whole passage of the Nerves now the nervous origines and carried it together with it self into the interior nerves and spread it thorow all their passages it will not be hard to assigne the Reasons of the hystericall fit and of all its Symptoms For first of all the disease being ready to fall upon one oftentimes the Vertigo a rolling about of the eyes and a certain inflation of the brain as it were praevious skirmishings are stirred up because the whole band of the Spirits being in readiness for explosions the more light companies of them leaping back towards the brain are first struck off then Presently a perturbation succeeds in the bottom of the belly or hypochondria for that the Spirits within the enfoldings here and there are next disturbed For we have elsewhere shown if at any time the animal Spirits are exploded in a certain whole Series those which abode in the extream parts first of all enter into that assertion Wherefore the beginnings of this Disease are found to be or the most Part in the head and Bowells but that the Convulsions are first perceived now in the bottom of the belly now in the hypochondria the reason is because the morbific matter is sometimes carried by the passage of the intercostal nerve into the utmost mesenteric enfoldings but sometimes the same being slid down not beyond the ends of the wandring pair subsists much neerer to wit about the enfoldings of the spleen or stomack When therefore the animal Spirits as hath been shown within the nervs of the wandring pair and intercostals are imbued from their origine The reason of the hysterical symptoms unfolded even to their utmost ends with an heterogeneous and explosive Copula they at length either from mere fullness or by an irritation somewhere made are stirred up to explosions in which affection if any Spirits leap forth towards the middle of the brain they induce the Vertigo the inflation and other praevious accidents of the head but the Spirits inhabiting the other extremity of the nervous Trunk viz. the mesenteric enfoldings begin chiefly to be exploded which presently by their letting off compell the lower Parts of the hypogastrum to be lifted up and contracted upwards and so induce the ascention of a certain bulk as it were of the womb then when the upper parts of the enfoldings of the mesentory are by degrees intangled with the same distemper and the bowells annexed to the same are elevated and drawn forceably towards the upper parts the violent swelling of the Abdomen as it were with a certain leaping forth succeeds Further the Ventricle is not only elevated by changing its place all its fibres to wit the direct oblique and transverse being affected at once with the Convulsion is often distended like a blown bladder hence very often vomiting or at least a rumbling and murmur of the hypochondria are excited but as soon as the Spirits being exploded with a certain series it comes to the Region of the Thorax the diaphragma being drawn together with an huge diastole is sometimes depressed and so meeting with the ascention of the viscera causes an Inflation and high intumescency or swelling up with a mighty strugling so that the laces of those in this distemper must be forthwith loosned or else they are in danger of falling into a trance In the mean time the Diaphragma being so depressed and its diastole continued the bloud remains almost immovable in the praecordia and so by its stagnation causes a great oppression and very often a faâ—ling of the vital function Further the Convulsion of the Diaphragma happens sometimes towards the upper parts and so that driving the Lungs upwards induces a violent Systole and protracted longer than it should be and when by this means the blood is driven forward into the pneumonic vessells and is not at last received from the bosome of the heart it stagnates there and besides in the whole Body from whence the oppression of the heart and oftentimes a swooning yea sometimes a want of speech and motion now with a blewness of the face and now with a dead aspect follow After these things are acted in the lower and middle Region at length the distemper reaches to the head by the passage of the nerves as it were a fiery inkindling and the spirits being there exploded leaping now towards the middle of the brain produce a swimming in the head and often symptoms very like the Epilepsy sometimes the spirits there exploded rush into the beginnings of the other Nerves and there stir up the like explosions wherefore hysterical people towards the end of the fit often Laugh or weep or talk Idly sometimes the parts of the face and mouth yea sometimes the arms and other members are troubled with convulsive motions and so when at length all the spirits which had contracted an heterogeneous Copula are exploded the fit ends but presently after matter for another fit begins to be gathered together From whence the diversity of the symptoms happens It sometimes happens that the convusive disposition is not drawn out so long and largely for besides that oftentimes the nerves only of the wandring pair and the intercostalls are troubled with it that neither the brain nor the outward members are at all molested yea sometime neither the interior nerves themselves are possessed with the morbific cause thorow their whole processes for the convulsive Disposition as we but now intimated oftentimes arrives not beyond the enfoldings of the spleen or stomack and then the fit beginning from the inflation of the ventricle or left hypochondrium is thought to arise not from the fault of the womb but of the spleen which kinde of distemper by and by being brought to the Thorax and there involving the Diaphragma and Lungs with a Convulsion stops respiration and the motion of the heart or in some manner perverts it but then from thence the fit passes over now with and now without a great perturbation of the Head These things happen indeed after a various manner according as it happens that the morbific matter or explosive Copula descending from the head is gathered together as it were heaps of gun-powder more or less now in this now in that part But concerning which matter by what means the same being brought forth in the head first affects the beginnings of the nerves and so constitutes the procatartick or more remote Cause of the passion called Hysterical now remains next to be inquired into The more remote Cause of
the side of the groin is wont to give a suspition of another child or the secondine or afterbirth to be left behinde or also of some hard swelling tumor there increasing but afterwards when the menstruum coming plentifully away the womb is reduced to its due magnitude that tumor by degrees vanishes but while it there remaineth unless for that reason the Lochia or menstrua were stopp'd it doth not produce the hysterical passions For the reducing of this part the sooner into its due position fomentations Liniments and Plaisters are convenient But most times that Symptom passes over of it self without any further harm To what other distempers the womb is obnoxious in child-bearing and by what method to be helped we have fully shown in another place As to the other vices of that part which happen to some women not bearing children we declare that they chiefly are either a disease of the womb made by the breaking of the unity viz. which is either some ulcer or Tumor or an inhibition of some wonted excretion or putting forth to wit a suppression either of the menstruous blood or the whites or the seminal humour Moreover because of the menstrua being retained the heterogeneous particles being often poured forth into the head bring in the Convulsive passions in like manner when the whites are stopped the excrementitious matter being supped up by the blood is deliver'd to the brain and nervous stock yea when an usual evacuation of the seed is hindred the superfluities of the nervous humour flow back upon the brain and infect its indwelling Spirits with an explosive and morbific tincture There is no need here to discourse more largely or particularly of those Peculiar distempers of the womb but to compound medicines and intricate administrations proper for womens diseases with anticonvulsive Remedies CHAPTER XI Of the Distempers commonly called Hypochondriack which is shown to be for the most part Convulsive briefly also of Chalybeats or Steel-Medicines IN the foregoing Chapters we have clearly shown that the Passions called hysterical do not allways proceed from the womb yea more often from the head being distemper'd next we shall inquire concerning the hypochondriacal Distempers of what original and nature they are and upon the fault of what parts they chiefly depend The vulgar opinion is that the symptoms wont to accompany this disease are wholly produced from the spleen wherefore they are ascribed very much to vapours arising from this inward and variously running up and down here and there when in truth these sicknesses for the most part are convulsions and contractions of the nervous parts but that it might appear by what causes they are wont to be excited we ought to consider first the Symptoms themselves and to place them into some order or rank A description of the hypochâ—ndriaca Affections As to the Distempers therefore which are vulgarly termed hypochondriac it is observable that they happen chiefly to men of a melancholly temperament with a dark aspect and more lean habit of body it is rarely that this disease troubles fair people with a fresh Countenance or also those indued with a too Phlegmatic complection It betrays it self in manifest fignes about the hight or midest of their Age men are found to be more frequently obnoxious to this than women being made habitual in either it is very hardly or not at all to be cured in women by reason of their weaker Constitution it is accompanied with a great many more Convulsive Distmpers wherefore Commonly it is said in this Sex the hysterical to be joyned with the hypochondriacal Passion The Symptoms which are imputed to this Disease are commonly very manifold and are of a divers nature neither do they observe in all the like beginning or the same mutual dependency among themselves for they seem in these most to affect the Inwards of the lower belly in those the Praecordia in others the Confines of the Brain and in most though not in all the ventricle labours much concerning the appetite it is often too much but presently burthened with what it hath taken in and when the food staying longer in it by reason of slowness of Concoction their Saline particles being carried forth into a flux pervert the whole mass of the Chyle into a pulse or pottage now Sour or austere now salt or sharp from hence pains of the heart great breakings forth of blasts rumbling of winde and often vomiting succeed and because of a pneumatick defect or of Spirits the Chyme or juice is not wholly made volatile and carried forth of doors but that the ballast of the Viscous or Slimy matter sticking to the coats of the ventricle is left behinde an almost continual Spitting infests them a distention in the hypochondrium and often there and under the ventricle a cruell pulsation is felt also there pains ordinarily arise which run about here and there and for many hours miserably torment with a certain lancing In the mean time from the Contractures of the Membranes and from the fluctuation of winds stirred up by that means rumbling and murmurs are produced Also in the Thorax oftentimes there is a great constriction and straitness that the respiration becomes difficult and troublesome upon any motion also most grievous asthmatical fits fall upon some moreover the sick are wont to complain of a trembling and palpitation of the heart with a noted oppression of the same also a sinking down or melting away of the Spirits and frequent fear of a trance comes upon them that the sick think Death is always seising them In this Region about the membranes and chiefly the mediastinum or that divides the middle of the belly an accute pain which is now Circumscrib'd to one part now extended to the shoulders is a familiar Symptom of this Disease But indeed in the head an Iliad of evills doth for the most part disturb hypochondriacal people to wit most cruell pains returning at set times do arise also the swimming of the head and frequent Vertigoes long watchings a Sea and most troublesome fluctuation of thoughts an uncertainty of minde a disturbed fancy a fear and suspition of every thing an imaginary possession of diseases from which they are free also very many other distractions of Spirits yea sometimes Melancholly and madness accompany this sickness besides these interior Regions of the Body beseiged by this Disease wandring pains also Convulsions and numbness with a sense of pricking invade almost all the outward parts nightly Sweats flushings of the Blood in the face and the palms of the hands eratick feavours and many other Symptoms of an uncertain original do every where arise concerning which forasmuch as the genuine Causes and the manner of their coming to pass could not be readily determined presently all the fault is cast upon the Spleen and Physitians accuse that as if it were the chief author of every irregular Distemper but by what right or authority by and by shall be sought into In
the mean time it is to be observed The hypochondriacal distempers belong to the nervous kinde that the chief Symptoms of this sickness are Convulsive and depend immediately upon the irregularities of the animal Spirits and the nervous juice rather than on the evill disposition of the Viscera serving for Concoction But indeed from whence the first rise of this most complicated Disease proceeds and by what means it brings forth the divers manners of distempers in so many places will not be so easie to determine It would be a tedious thing to shew here The causes of the hypochondriac passion is inquired into what the ancient and modern Physitians thought of the hypochondriack Passion and of its essence and Causes we will only take notice that most of them do ascribe this sickly Disposition to the only fault of the Spleen In the mean time some contend that the whole confines of this Inward partaking of part of the fault the blood flowing every where in the Splenetick and Epigastric Vessells or those belonging to the Spleen and belly for that it being guilty of an hot and dry intemperature and so obnoxious to too much fermentation brings forth the original or gives a beginning to this manifold evill But the famous Highmore affording relief as well to the Spleen as the Womb hath cast the chief Cause of this Disease wholly on the vitious Constitution of the ventricle and from thence he would have the reasons of the aforesaid Symptoms to be originally sought But indeed that he might frame a fit hypothesis for the solving the Phaenomena of this sickness he first supposes the tone of the stomach to become too loose and weak that for that reason it hardly and very imperfectly Concocts the aliments so that the thin and more Spirituous part of the Chyle being sent from thence sooner than it ought to the blood perverts its disposition to a hot and sour temper then the residue of the food by a longer stay within the Ventricle degenerates into a ponderous and viscous or clammy Phlegme which also by its Stagnation even as it is observable in things to be eaten being longer kept becomes very sour or sharp But from hence that learned Man argues that from the blood made too serous and thin its effervescencies quickly passing thorow it are induced and from the stomach loaded with ballast of ropy or viscous matter the winde and distentions of the Ventricle and hypochondria as also the belching and troublesome Spitting do arise whereby indeed he wholly exempts the Spleen from this fault he contends that it doth neither draw to it self the melancholly dregs of the blood nor serves for any office whatsoever about the Sanguification or the making of blood but that its use almost only consists in this that this Inward swelling up or growing turgid with very hot blood it administers heat to the adjacent Ventricle and cherishes it with gentle warmth Altho I may so far assent to this famous Author concerning this opinion The Hypothesis of Dr. Highmore sifted that I yield the ventricle doth often grievously labour in this Distemper forasmuch as the tone of which being made lax and its strength broken by reason of the indigestion of the aliment a load of viscous Phlegm or Petuitous matter is begotten even in its bosom to which by reason of the Saline particles being brought into a flux by their long stay oftentimes a notable soarness and austereness happen then because the fault in the first Concoction is not mended the dyscrasies and disorders of the blood receive that want of digestion in the second But yet he cannot draw me into that opinion that the ventricle is always chiefly in the fault or that the other Symptoms of the hypochondriacal Disease depend only on its vitious Constitution For I have known many cruelly afflicted with this sickness who have been well enough in their stomach although they have very much complained of the pulsation in the left hypochondrium of the straitness of the breast and a wandring pain excited in it also of the trembling and oppression of the heart with a continual fear and disturbed Imagination in the mean time they were wont to desire food greatly and to digest whatsoever was eaten without any trouble of the ventricle or heaviness and also without any spitting or acid belching yea I have observed others great drinkers and using an evill manner of living to have contracted a loosness of the stomach with an ill digestion windiness and frequent vomiting who sound enough about their praecordia and animal faculties were not at all accounted for hypochondriacs Besides in this Distemper the ventricle is often rather sick from the vitiousness of other parts or of the Blood than from its own default because it is usual for those sort of sick people to be well in their stomach so long as they may lye abed and breath it forth but when they are raised up the pores being shut up and the dregginess of the bloudy mass stagnating within presently to be afflicted with the pain of the heart an aggestion of winde and frequent endeavours to vomit For these and other Considerable Reasons I judge the original of the hypochondriacal Disease to be derived from some other fountain than the weakness of the Ventricle but forasmuch as among the parts here primarily suspected to be affected great complaints are made against the Spleen it will be worth our while to enquire what office this Inward doth discharge then as often as it fails in it whether it contributes to this Disease The use of the Spleen is inquired into Tho I may grant with Doctor Highmore that the Spleen doth cherish the Ventricle with its warmth and so perhaps in some measure help Concoction yet I do not conclude this part to be framed chiefly for that end but for some more noble uses because there seems to be need for the digesting of the food in the stomach not so much of heat as of an active ferment For fishes being actually cold devour their food whole and without the help of heat easily concoct the same being resolved as it were by a certain menstrum besides it is observed of the spleen that though in man its whole substance lyes near to the ventricle in most other creatures who are indued with a longish form as to the greatest part of it it is removed far from the Ventricle Further if the Spleen be the only Chimny in which the blood warming the Ventricle is contained what is the reason that it rather than the Liver or Lungs becomes of a livid or blewish colour and is stuffed with a black blood and that less hot See his discourse of fermentation Chap. 5th When I consider these things which sometime since I have observed concerning the use of the Spleen it seems far more probable that a certain dreggy portion viz. a matter consisting of an earthly and fixed salt is layd up in this Inward
neerest means of the passage whereby these parts Communicate one with the other and mutually affect themselves For it seems that when the black bile or melanchollic tumor in the Spleen grows turgid or swells up of its own accord or is moved by some evident cause its particles enter the nervous fibres thickly distributed to the same which disturb the animal Spirits flowing in them into explosions or at least into some disorder then the Spirits being so distrubed infect those next to them and they others till by their continued series the passion begun within the Spleen is propagated even to the brain and there produces inordinate Phantasms such as happen to hypochondriacks also on the other side when a grievous distemper of the minde occasionally excited within the brain doth disturb the Spirits inhabiting it the impression being carried to the Phantasie by the series of the Spirits planted within the nerves of the wandring pair and the Intercostals and successive affection it is brought even to the Spleen hence its ferment being put more into commotion stirs up Convulsions both in that Inward and in the whole neighbourhood of fibres and membranes and besides forces the blood into ebbings and flowings and into various aestuations or vehement motions yea and reflects the perturbations of the Spirits upon the brain From this kinde of reciprocal affection of the brain and Spleen it comes to pass that hypochondriacks are so unquiet unstable and fluctuating at every thing that 's proposed as if according to the Poet Ten mindes strove in them at once A certain noble Gentleman of a melanchollic temper and always accounted Observation 1 for a Splenetic man very much complained of a pain and inflation of his left hypochondrium with a frequent rumbling noyse and sour belching a so of a trembling of the heart of an assiduous vertigo too much waking and a disturbed phansie About the 35th year of his age the disease growing worse he began hardly to sleep and yet more rarely to get it at night and to be molested in the day time with a world of fluctuating thoughts to have in suspition all things and persons and greatly to be afraid of every object his Praecordia seemed to be very much bound and straitened and to sink down to the bottom as if the heart it self were depressed even into the belly which Symptom troubling him he became very sad and dejected in minde yet afterwards those distempers of the minde remitting he felt with it his heart to be a little lifted up and also his Praecordia to be loosened and stretch'd forth besides he very often sustained pains and Contractions variously excited about the muscles of the Viscera and Members and running up and down here and there As to the nature of the disease it is plain that it is this kinde of Distemper which is commonly called hypochondriacall but as to what respects the Causes of these to be admired Symptoms we may suppose the mass of blood being degenerate and stuffed with melanchollic or atrabilarie faeculencies to administer or continually to suggest its adust recrements to the head from whence the Liquor watering the brain and nerves being made sharp and improportionate to the Spirits did stir up the containing Bodies into painfull Corrugations or wrinklings and Contractures Further when this Infection is chiefly derived from the head into the Nerves of the wandring pair and the intercostall the brain and the Praecordia are very much punished by the malady from thence raised up But that the Blood is depraved by that means it seems to be imputed to the vice of the Spleen forasmuch as this Inward being amiss it did not rightly strain forth the atrabilarie dreggs from the blood but rather did more pervert whatsoever recrements it received from it and the same being exalted into an hurtfull ferment sent it back to the blood and so very much infected its mass and imbued it with a plainly acetous and vitriolick evill Disposition It is plain to be understood that those symptoms troubling the Head viz. too much waking the vertigo a disturbed phantasie with many others did proceed from the heterogeneous particles poured forth from the Blood into the brain As to that straitness of the Breast and falling down of the heart with great fear and sadness it may be thought that the nervous fibres inserted to the heart and chiefly to the Pericordium being moved into Convulsions and wrinklings do binde hard those parts and pull them downwards wherefore there is perceived in the whole breast as it were a certain constriction and the heart it self seems to be depressed Further forasmuch the Praecordia being so streitened and depressed the blood within the bosom of the heart is stop'd and compell'd as it were to stagnate both the vital and the sensitive Soul is much hindred from its wonted expansion and irradiation and for that Cause being lessened and shortened in its constitution those Cruell distempers of fear and sadness arise but when the Convulsions remitting that constriction of the heart and its appendix is released the Soul also as a flame more expansed or enlarged endeavours by little and little to shake off the Chains of those Passions For the Cure of these Distempers he had for a long time tried very many remedies and medical Administrations but without much benifit at last he was somewhat eased by the use of Spaw-waters and from thence by degrees finding himself better he became free from those grievous Symptoms however he still liv'd obnoxious to the hypochondriac Distemper Observation 2 A Certain young Academic originally of a Sanguine temper fair of a florishing Countenance excellent disposition and mild by reason of immoderate and untimely Studies in the mean time exercise and good order of dyet being wholly neglected had contracted an obstruction of the Spleen or some other morbid distemper of that Inward For he had almost continually infesting him an inflation and tumor of the left hypochondrium with a most heavy Pain After he had laboured with this sort of Distemper about half a year he began to complain of a frequent giddiness a blindness of his eyes an unquietness of his minde and of disturbed sleeps Which Symptoms were then plainly imputed to vapours arising from the Spleen but after that followed a trembling of the heart with a frequent deliquium of the Spirits a pulsation of the hypochondrium and at length pains and Contractions in the outward members with a frequent stupor and a sense of pricking running up and down here and there and last of all being broken with a world of evills contrary to his genius and native Disposition he became greatly hypochondriacall That I may dispatch the Pathologie of this Case in a word it appears here plain enough that the Spleen was first of all in fault by whose fault when the bloody mass was depraved the taint creeping from thence into the humour watring the brain and nervous stock and infecting it did induce the
little quantity the tinctures of Antimony and of Corrall also of Steel with the Spirit of wine the body being first dissolved by a proper menstrum and reduced to a Calx are convenient as aso the Spirits of Sut of blood or of harts-horn to be taken twice a day with a proper liquor to 12. drops more or less are of known benefit above any other medicine that I know of moreover the often drinking of Coffee also that made of the Infusion of the leaves of Thea gives ease to some If that the fervor of the blood and too fermenting with the trouble of the Spleen and unquietness of the minde be joyned to the hypochondriac Distemper Take of the Conserves of hyps or Conaradine â„¥ vi or of the flowers of Tamarisk and the leaves of wood-Sorrel each â„¥ iii. of the Species of Diarrodon Abbatis of the confection of Alkermis each Ê’i of the powder ofi IvoryÊ’iss of PearlsÊ’ss of the Salt of Tamarisk and wormwood each Ê’i with what will suffice of the Syrrop of green Citrons or Clove-Gilliflowers make an Opiate to be taken twice in a day the quantity of a nutmeg Take of the powder of Ivory Ê’ii of the Powder of Pearls Ê’i of the Species of diarrhodon Abbatis of Diamagarit frigida each Ê’iss make a fine powder add of white Sugar dissolved in Baume-water and boyled to the consistency of Tablets â„¥ vi make thereof according to Art Lozenges or little cakes take Ê’iss or Ê’ii twice a day To these and other medicines of this nature may be joyned the use of Spaw-waters which indeed in either yea in all cases of hypochondriac Melancholly are almost always taken with good success For want of those waters our artificiall Spaw-waters may be conveniently ordered yea and whey and if any notable atrophie be let Asses milk be dayly taken Besides these inward Remedies and other outward Applications before-recited Phlebotomie or the taking away of blood with Leeches from the sedal veines may be of use frequently yea sometimes it may be convenient to open the Salvatella Vein according to the prescript of the Ancients Besides Cauteries or Issues which may continually carry forth the adust recrements of the blood and by degrees excern them are wont to be benificiall almost to all 4. The fourth Indication respecting the affections of the brain and nervous stock or the Convulsive Symptoms having relation to or coming upon the former is rarely in use of it self and apart from the others but that Remedies destinated to this end are complicated with those abovesaid Liquors indued with a volatile Salt or an armoniac as Spirits of Harts-horn and Sut are highly necessary for this Intention as also the rest but now recitied wherefore such Remedies unless any thing shall shew the contrary may be dayly given at fit hours Further when Spaw-waters are drunk let tablets or pills such as are above-prescribed for the Convulsive distempers be taken at least twice in a day In the frequent turning and giddiness also in the passions of the heart the sinking down of the Spirits with dread and as it were a fear of Death just seizing on one I have known very often great help to be had by the use of Chalibeat or steel Medicines Since we have made mention so often of Chalibiat or steel-medicins The preparations and effects of Steel Medicines unfolded it will be worth our while to inquire into their various preparations and for that reason their divers manners of effects which they are wont to produce in the humane body that it may from hence appear by what means and for what respects these or those preparations of Iron are greatly profitable to some hypochondriacks and to others as much hurtfull The virtue and operation of Chalybeat or steel'd mecicines depends upon the porticles of the concerts being after a various manner dissolved unfolded and brought forth into act For steel or Iron consists chiefly of a Salt Sulphur and Earth and but slenderly indued with Spirits and water But the particles of the former Elements chiefly the Sulphureous and saline being in their mixture combined together with the Earth remain altogether fixed and sluggish but being soluted and pulled one from another they come to be of a very efficacious Energy The aforesaid particles are dissolved in a twofold manner and set into the Liberty of acting viz. either by Art whilst medicins are prepared or by Nature after they are taken inwardly for the metallic Body is wont to be dissolved and eaten by the ferment of the ventricle just like a Chymical menstrum we will consider the several Species of either and their manner of being made that it may appear what alteration is impressed on the steeled medicine in the preparation and what effects every preparation of it doth impresse on mans Body The most simple way of preparing Iron is a division of its body into little integral parts with a file which resemble the nature of the whole mixture and contain both little sulpureous bodies and saline combined among themselves and with other terrestrial The filings of Iron being inwardly taken is dissolved by the ferment of the ventricle as it were by an acid menstrum the signes of which are both a sulphureous and unsavorie belching as from the eating of hard eggs also the blackness of the ordure from steel being dissolved within the Viscera of Concoction active particles both Sulphureous and Saline Plentifully sally forth and being involved with the nutritious juice are carried into the blood which as they excell in a divers virtue do often conspire as it were with the joynt forces of either to bring benefit to the sick The Sulphureous little bodies being brought to the blood add to it a new and more plentifull Provision of Sulphur wherefore its mass if before it was poor and liveless doth nimbly ferment within its vessells and being inkindled farther in the heart acquires a more intense heat yea and a deeper colour for it is so observed in many affected with the dropsy arising from white phlegm the Pica or evill longings or green-sickness to have a pale countenance cold bloud and waterish but by the use of steel the countenance soon to be more florid and the blood to be imbued with a more intense tincture and heat moreover from the filing of iron dissolved in the ventricle also Saline particles are brought forth and often they bestow a more plentifull fruit or increase both on the solid parts and on the humors for since their natures are vitriolick and stiptic or binding they bind together and strengthen the too lax and weakned fibres of the Viscera and so restore the broken tone Besides these Saline particles inhibit the force of the blood repress it from too much heat and boyling up and froth and retain it in an equall circulation Besides which is their chief virtue they contract and straiten the too loose open and gaping little mouths of the Arteries that for that reason neither
Asthma Anterior The former Antidote A Medicine against Poyson or any other disease Anticipate To go before Antihypnotics Medicines given against too much sleeping Antipyreuticon A Medicine against a Feavour or a Feaver-Curer Antipyreticks Medicines against burning Feavers Antispasmodicks Medicines against Convulsions Anus The Fundament or Arse-hole Aorta The great Artery the mother of all the rest proceeding from the heart one branch ascending another descending Apoplectic One subject to the Apoplexy Apoplexy A Disease that stupifies and takes away sense and motion Apozems Decoctions or drinking Medicines made with herbs Appendixes Things belonging or depending on another as the parts about the heart Aquosity Waterishness Area The void space in a figure as a Triangle or Quadrangle the plat or floor of any thing Armoniac Salt extracted out of stones Arteries The Vessels that carry the blood to the heart Arthritick Gouty or belonging to the Gout Arsnick Or Orpiment a poysonous drug Archeus A chief Officer Workman or Operator Articulation A shooting of spriggs from the joynts Ascites A kind of Dropsie which swells between the skin and the flesh Asper Sharp Asper artery the wind-pipe Assimilation A growing or making like Assimilate To grow or make like Asthma A troublesom disease when the lungs being stopped one cannot take breath Asthmatical Belonging to that disease or troubled with it Astringent Binding Ataxias Disorders irregularities Atoms Small little Bodies such as Motes in the Sun-shine Atrabilous Belonging to the black Bile or melancholy or to the melancholic humour Atrabilary Belonging to the black Bile or melancholy or to the melancholic humour Atrophie A Disease causing a pining away or a wasting or Consumption of the flesh Attrition A knocking or bruising or rubbing together Auditory An Assembly or those who hear Aurum fulminans Or Thundering Gold a metal prepared by Chymical Art that being heated goes off like a Gun with a Thundring noise Austere Biting harsh Axillarie Vein is a branch of the Vena Cava coming thorow the arm-hole from the channel bone descends into the in side of the arm Artery springs from the left side of the Aorta above the heart and ascending obliquely thorow the arm-holes and thence sending branches into the upper ribs shoulder chanel bone it descends down to the bowing of the Elbow Azygos vein is a branch of the upper Trunk of the Vena Cava arising on the right side B Balneum Mariae Is a way of distilling with a Glass-belly holding the Ingredients put into a Vessel of water and so fire being made under it it distils with the heat of the water Balsamic Balsamie or belonging to Balsam Basilick Vein A large Vein into which the Axillarie Vein is carried called also the Liver vein Basis The foundation or foot of a thing Bechicks Medicines against the Cough Belly Vpper the head so called Middle the region of the stomach Lower The parts below the Midriff containing the Intestines Bezoartick Belonging or made of the pretious stone Bezoar Bezoar A pretious stone brought out of the Indies very Cordial Bile Choler Bilary Belonging to Bile or Choler sometimes applyed to the Vessel containing the Choler Bipartite Divided into two parts Bolus Is a Medicine made up into a thick substance to be swallow'd not liquid but taken on a Knives point Botanick Pertaining to herbs or herbie Brachial Belonging to the Arm. Bronchia The gristly parts about the Wind-pipe Bubos Filthy swellings about the groin C Cachexia An evil disposition of the Body when all the nutriment turns into evil humors Cachectical To such evil state or disposition belonging or one troubled with such evil disposition Cacochymical Full of evil and bad juyce in the body or of very ill digestion Callous Hard fleshy and brawny Calx Ashes Lime sometimes taken for the remaining parts of things Chymically drawn off Capillaments Small hairy threds of the Nerves Caput mortuum The dead head being the last thing remaining after several Chymical extraction and good for nothing but to be flung away all vertue being extracted Carbuncle A red fiery sore a Plague-sore Cardiack Cordial or belonging to the Heart Carotides Two Arteries which arising out of the Axillary Artery are carried thorow the side of the Neck upwards into the Skull Carthamums A little seed used in Medicines Caruncles Little pieces of flesh Cartilage Is a gristle or tendril a substance somewhat softer than a bone and harder than a Ligament Cartilaginous Gristly or belonging to or full of such gristles Cassia A sweet shrub like Cinamon also a drug that purgeth Cataplasm A Poultis or asswaging Plaister Catarrh A great Rheum falling from the head into the mouth Cathartic A purging Medicine Cava vena The great Liver-vein going thorow the Body Cavity Hollowness Caustic A Composition made to burn a hole in the skin and flesh to make Issues Cautery A Composition made to burn a hole in the skin and flesh to make Issues Celiac vessels Vessels belonging to the Belly Celebrated Performed or done Cephalalge The Head-ach Cephalic Belonging to the head a medicine proper for the head Cephalic vein Which springing out of the Axillary vein passes between the first and second muscle of the shoulder and so passes evidently into the Arm. Cephalic arterie Consists of two branches which springing out of the great Artery ascend up into the head Cerebel The hinder part of the Brain from whence the Nerves proceed that serve to the vital function Cervical Belonging to the Neck Chalybeat A medicine made of prepared Steel or belonging to Steel Characteristical The notes signs or figures belonging to a Character Chlorosis The Green-sickness or the Virgins disease Choleduc vessels The vessels that hold and send forth the Gall. Chorodeidal Belonging to the Net like to the infoldings about the Brain Chyle Is the Juyce or substance of the meat digested Chylification The making of Chyle Chyme Is the juyce of the meat further digested Chronical Long and tedious diseases Circumpulsion A driving about Classes Forms or Orders Coalition Nourishment Coagulation A curdling like milk a turning into a Curd or a separation of the parts like Curds and Whey Coagulum Any thing that causeth such a curdling as Rennet Coagulated Curdled Coction Boyling or seething also digestion Cohobation A dreyning or pouring off from a settlement Coindications Things to be considered with the disease also signs besides the disease it self Colcothar Dross of mettals Colical Belonging to the disease called the Colick Colliquation A melting together Collation A comparing or coupling together Collated Compared or coupled together Collision A striking or knocking together Colocynthida Or Coloquintida a bitter purging Gourd or Apple Colon The fifth Gut or that great Gut in which is seated the disease called the Colick Colluvies A filthy heap of any thing Commissures The joynting or joyning together of things as of the skull-bones Complication A folding together Conarium A Kernel sticking to the outside of the Brain in the form of a Pine-apple Concatenation A chaining or
171 A description of an Epidemical Feaver arising in the Autumn of the year 1658 171 The nature and formal reason of it 174 A Prognostication of it 175 The Cure of it 176 177 178 Fermentation What it is Page 1 What in Minerals 10 What it is in Vegitables 11 Of Fermentation in Animals 13 Instances to illustrate the doctrine of Fermentation 14 Of the Ferment in the Ventricle 14 Of Fermentation in Artificial things 17 What Bodies are fit for Fermentation ibid. What promotes Fermentation ibid. The end and effect of Fermentation 18 19. Of Fermentation that tends to perfection 19 Of Fermentation that tends to the dissolution of Bodies 26 30. Of Fermentation in the precipitation of Bodies 45 Of Fermentation in Coagulation and Congelation 49 Of Fermentation of the Blood in Feavers 57 Fire What it is and its nature 36 Flux Of the Flux in Feavers 104 G. Glass See Vitrification Gunpowder The nature of it and how made 41 H. Habit Of the Body in putrid Feavers 100 Head Pained in Feavers 103 Heart Pained in Feavers 104 Life proceeds first from the heart 13 Heat What it is 38 Histories Of Agues 81 82 Of an Ephemera or Feaver for a day 92 Of putrid Feavers 112 113 114 115 116 117 118. Of the Plague 130 131. Of a Pestilent Feaver 134 135. Of another Epidemical Pestilent Feaver 136 137. Of the Small-pox 145 146. Of acute Feavers of Women lying In 158 159 160 161. Of several Epidemical Feavers from 163 to 171 Hysterical Fits why Women more subject to them than Men 152. I. Indications Concerning putrid Feavers 110 Inflamation Of the Lungs an effect of the putrid Synochus 107 Inflamations in the Plague 127 Intentions For the Cure of a Tertian Ague 80 For curing the Ephemera 92 Intentions for the cure of every sort of putrid Feavers 110 For the curing Epidemical Feavers 176 177 178. Judgment Or Prognosticks of the event of a putrid Feaver 197 L. Life First proceeds from the fermenting of the spirit in the heart 13 Light What it is and how made 39 Lochia What they are and their use 148 M. Measles Of the Measles 144 What they are ibid. Malignant Feavers see Feavers Mault How made by Fermentation 21 Menstrua The two chief for the dissolution of bodies fire and water 30 Menstruas of several sorts 32 33. Menstruas for Gold and Silver 34 Menstruous Blood its use and why it flows not in Women with Child 147 Meteors What they be 10 Milk In the Breasts how made 147 148. Minerals How they ferment 10 Moldiness Whence it is made 28 Mustiness Whence it comes 29 N. Nitre What it is 40 O. Opinions Of Philosophers concerning the principles of things 2 P. Peruvean Bark used to cure Agues 86 Pest See Plague Pestilential Feaver see Feavers Plants How they germinate 12 Plurisie An effect of the putrid Synochus 107 Plague Its nature 122 Whence its rise 123 Of its propagation by Contagion 124 Its description 125 Of its signs and symptoms 126 Its Prognosticks 127 128. It s Cure 128 129 130. History of it 131 Pox See Small-pox Powder Of the Jesuites a peruvean Bark and its nature 86 87. How it operates 87 88. Poysons How they distemper the body 119 How they work on the Animal spirits and nervous liquor 120 Their various properties ibid. Precipitation What it is and how made 45 Principles Of natural things 1 What he means by principles 3 The principles of the Chymists ibid. Prognostications In the Plague 127 128. In the Small-pox 142 Prognostications of Epidemical Diseases 166 175. Prognostications from the Pulse 105 106. From Vrins 107 Pulse To be considered in a putrid Feaver 105 Prognostications from it 105 106. Purple Spots in the Plague 127 Putrefaction How made 26 Putrid Feaver its description 93 S. Salt A principle of the Chymists what it is 5 Salt in the Blood 60 Salt-nitre What it is 40 Salts How Chrystallised and the reason of the operation 49 50. Signes Or symptoms of life and death in a putrid Feaver 98 Signs and symptoms of the Plague 126 Signs of a Pestilential or Malignant Feaver 133 Signs of the Small-pox 141 Small-pox The causes of them 139 140. Signs and symptoms of the Small-pox 141 Prognostications of the disease 142 Its Cure 143 144 145. Histories of it 145 146 Indications of the Small-pox in Child-bed Women 157 Spirits Of the Chymists what they are 3 Spirits in the Brain wrought by Fermentation 16 Spirits of the Blood 59 Spots In the Plague 127 Squinancy An effect of the putrid Synochus 107 Sulphur A Chymical principle what it is 4 Of common Sulphur 40 Sulphur in the Blood 59 Swooning In Feavers 103 Symptomatick Feavers what they are 107 108. Symptoms And signs chiefly to be noted in a putrid Feaver 99 Symptoms to be observed in a putrid Synochus 100 Synochus Putrid its chief symptoms 100 Its kinds and cure 107 T. Tongue Why covered with a white crustiness in Feavers 102 V. Vitrification Of Vitrification or the making of Glass 50 Vomiting Of Vomiting in Feavers 106 Urines Of Vrines in Feavers 106 Prognosticks from Vrines in Feavers 107 W. Water A principle of the Chymists what it is 6 Wind The North-wind apt to produce Catarrhs 169 Wines How made by Fermentation 22 Womb Of the falling down of the Womb in Women lying In 149 Of the distempers of the Womb at that time ibid. THE SECOND INDEX or TABLE WHEREIN IS Alphabetically digested the principal matters contained in the Treatises 1. Of Urines 2. Of the Accension of the Blood 3. Of musculary motion 4. Of the Anatomy of the Brain and 5. Of the description and use of the Nerves A. ACcidentes Of Vrine Page 1 2. Aire Stuffed with nitrous particles 27 More nitrous in Winter than in Summer ibid. Anatomy Of the Brain 55 Anatomy of Vrine 1 Animal Spirits see Spirits Appetite How stir'd up 91 Arteries Of the Carotidic Artery 71 Of its ascension into the skull 72 Experiments of injecting Liquors into the Carotidic Arteries 72 Of the Carotidic Artery in Fowls and Fishes 76 77. The reason of the joyning together of the Arteries ascending into the Brain 82 The difference of the passage of the Artery passing through the skull in Man and Beast 84 Of the Arteries Carotides in an Horse 85 Of the Vertebral Artery 87 Why the Carotides Arteries differ in a Man and Horse from other Beasts 88 How the Nerves like Reins bind the Trunk of the Hepatic Artery 168 Of the Arteries belonging to the Spine or Back-bone 179 180. B. Blood Of the inkindling of the Blood 24 Several opinions of the heat of the Blood 26 27. Blood the life of the soul 25 The Blood very hot in living Creatures and for what reason ibid. How the Blood cometh by its heat 27 Effluvia of the Blood like the soot of flame 29 The Blood requires Ventilation ibid. How the Vital flame is inkindled in the Blood 30 The reason of the change of the colour of the
blood 30 31. The office of the Heart as to the Blood 31 The animal soul depends upon the temperature of the bloody mass ibid. A plentiful stock of inflamable oyl is in the blood 32 The Blood full of Sulphur ibid. Why the flame of the blood is not seen ibid. The Blood affords an Elastic Copula for the motion of the Muscles 43 Of the Blood flowing to and from the Brain 79 The Blood caried to four distinct places of the head 88 Whether bloody-humor nourishes 130 131. Of the Blood-carrying Vessels in the spinal marrow 179 Why the Blood carrying Vessels in the Spine are frequently ingraffed one into another 180 181. Bodys Of the Chamfered Bodies in the brain 102 103. Of their difference in Fowls and Fishes 103. Bone Cuniform or Wedg-like its office 70 Of the sive-like Bone what it serves for 100 Another use of the Cribrous Bone 138 Bosoms Of the Bosoms of the Vessels in the Spine 181 Why chiefly required in those parts ibid. Of the Vertebral Bosoms ibid. Brain Anatomised 55 The method of cutting up the Brain 55 56. A great analogy between the Brain of Man and of four-footed Beasts and between those of Birds and Fishes 56 A description of the whole Brain in the skull 57 58 A description of the bulk of the Brain being taken out of the skull 58 59. Of the figure of a Mans Brain 60 61. Of the Brains of small four-footed Beasts as Mice Conies Hares c. 61 The explication of the first and second figures of the Brain 62 63. A description and dissection of the hinder part of the Brain 63 64. Of the oblong marrow of the Brain 64 Of the four chief protuberances of the Brain ibid. The prominences very small in the Brain of some Creatures and very large in others 65 Of the tube or pipe in an Horses brain 66 Of the Cerebel and its Processes 67 Of the Vessels arising in the hinder part of the brain 68 The third and fourth figures of the brain explained 70 The wonderful Net in the brain described 72 The admirable structure of the brain shews the mighty Wisdom of the Creator and workmanship of the Deity 73 The Brains of Fowls and Fishes described 74 75. The figure of the Brain of Fowls and Fishes 75 The offices and uses of the Brain and its parts 77 The Brain is the Womb of all the Conceptions Ideas forces and powers of the rational and sensitive soul ibid. The difference of the site of the brain of Man and of Brutes 78 Of the blood flowing to the Brain 79 Of the chief Arteries destinated to the Brain 84 Of the Dura mater see Dura mater Of the Pia marer see Pia mater How the animal spirits are begotten in the Brain 87 88. How created only in the Brain and Cerebel 88 89. Of the Brain properly so called its description 90 91. Wherefore the Brain is made with crankling turnings and windings 92 Why the Brain of Birds and Fishes and some Beasts want such crankling turnings ibid. The offices of the cortical and marrowy parts of the Brain 93 The use of the Callous body and of the Fornix in the Brain 93 94. The inward parts of a Sheeps brain explained by figure 94 Of the Ventricles in the Brain 96 97. Of the Tunnel of the Brain 99 How the humour of the Brain is evacuated 98 99. Of the oblong marrow of the Brain and its parts 101 102. The use of the chamfered or streaked bodies in the Brain 102 103. Of the Chambers of the optick Nerves in the Brain 103 Of the Pituitary Glandula in the Brain 105 Of the Pineal Glandula of the Brain 106 Of the orbicular prominences called Nates and Testes in the Brain 107 108. Of the uses of the Cerebel or little Brain and its parts 110 111 112. Of the orbicular prominences and annular protuberance for what uses 121 122 123. Of the Brain of a Fool dissected 162 Of the anatomy of a Monkeys Brain ibid. Breast Why a Child new born seeks out the Mothers Breast or Beasts new brought forth into the world their Dams teats 109 Breathing How effected 155 How variously interrupted 175 Brutes A single Machine 162 C. Candle Why a Candle burns blew in the Mines 29 Carotides See Arteries Cerebel Its description and of its processes 67 68. The uses of the Cerebel and its parts 110 111 112. Of its parts and accidents 112 113. Of its difference in substance from the Brain 123 Chewing How made 143 Choaking Why there is a sense of Choaking in the Throat in some distempers 161 Choroedes The use of the Chorotides 99 Of the Choroeidal Infoldings 106 Cloude In Vrines what it means 3 Colick The cause of the pains in the Colick 170 Colour In Vrines 2 3. Of the colour of sick peoples Vrines 6 7 8. Conclusion Of the Anatomy of the Brain and the use of the Nerves 192 Consistence Of Vrines 6 Contents Of the Vrines of healthful and of sick People 13 14. Cough Why a troublesome Cough often causes Vomiting 156 Cramp What it is and how and how made 46 The Causes of it ibid. Who are most obnoxious to the Cramp ibid. Crests Of some Creatures why erected in anger or pride 150 Crying How made 143 D. Diaphragma Why the motion of the Diaphragma conspires with the praecordia 163 Of the Nerve serving to the use of the Diaphragma 174 175. Of the irregular motions of the Diaphragma 175 Why the Nerve of the Diaphragma proceeds from the Brachial Nerve 176 Distillation of Vrine 1 22. Dura mater Described 56 Its uses and offices 78 79. Of the Vessels belonging to the Dura Mater 79 What the motion and sense of the Dura mater is 79 80. It s several uses rehearsed 80 81. E. Eares Why all Animals at a noise or sound erect their Eares 118 Elements Of Vrine 1 Experiments Of flame and fire 28 Of cutting asunder the Muscles to perceive their motions 38 Experiments of a live Dog concerning the voluntary motions of the Muscles 39 Of intumifying a Muscle 42 Experiments of injecting Liquors into the Carotidick Artery 72 Experiment whether the pulse of the heart depends on the influence of the Animal spirits 152 Eyes Why the eyes so readily shew the affections and passions 110 The reason of the little black specks or spots which sometimes seem to be before the eyes 139 Of the Nerves that move the Eyes 140 Of the pathetic Nerves of the Eyes ibid. Why Love is admitted by the Eyes 143 Why the Eyes are made red in some passions as anger joy c 154 Why the eyes and mouth answer so readily to the motions of the praecordia Viscera 160 The reason of flame proceeding from the Eyes of persons in burning Feavers 33 The Fibers in the Eyes the cause of the act of seeing 140 F. Farcy Of the Farcy in Horses what it is and how cured 134 Fibres Of the Nerves whence they arise 128 The Fibres in the Nostrils perform
the act of smelling 139 The Fibres in the Eyes the cause of the act of seeing 140 Figures Of the Muscles explained 49 Figures of the brain explained 62 63. The third Figure of the brain explained 69 The fourth Figure of the brain explained 70 The fifth and sixth Figures concerning the skull explained 73 74. The Figure of a Mans brain 60 61. The Figure of the brains of Fish and Fowl 75 Figures of the Nerves explained 144 145. Figures of the Nerves in Tables from 182 to 192 Figures of the Carotidick Arteries the wonderful net pituitary kirnel and the lateral bosom explained 86 Figures of a Sheeps brain and all its inwards explained 94 The Figure of the oblong marrow 101 The Figure of the marrowy part of the brain of a Sheep explained 105 Fire Why it burns fiercer in cold than in moist and hot weather 27 Why the Sun beams put out the Fire ibid. Why Fire seems to leap forth in the night from the mains of Horses skins of Cats and other hot Animals 32 Fishes Why they want the crankling turnings in their brain as in Man and Beasts 92 Of the optic Nerves in Fishes 104 Of the chamfered bodies in Fishes brains and their difference from other Creatures 103 Flame How made 27 Why flame shut up from the air goes out 28 Why the flame of a Candle burns blew in the Mines 29 How the Vital Flame is inkindled in the blood 30 Why the Vital Flame is not seen 32 The reason of a shining Flame sometimes seen about persons indued with an hot nitrous blood ibid. The reason of Flames proceeding from the eyes of people in burning Feavers 33 Forms Predestinated to natural bodies 33 Fowls Brains why they want the turnings and windings as are in Men and Beasts 92 Their difference from Beasts ibid. G. Genital How made 173 Glandula Of the petuitory Glandula in the brain of a Man and a Beast 71 H. Hands Why the Hands and Arms of Men conspire so readily with the affections of the brain and heart 174 Head-aches Great from the distemper of the Pia Mater 90 An History of Head-aches 110 Hearing How made 144 Of the species of hearing 119 The difference of the hearing Nerves in a Man and in a Beast 120 Heart Its office as to the Blood 31 The heart a meer Muscle ibid. Of the Nerves going to the Heart 150 Whether the pulse of the Heart depends upon the influence of the animal spirits 152 Histories Of one troubled with a Tenanism or Cram 46 47. Of one that died with a Scirrhus or hard swelling of the Mesentery 82 83. Of Head-aches 100 Horse Of the Tube or pipe in a Horses brain 66 Of the Carotidick Arteries in a Horse 85 Why different from other Beasts 88 Humours Of the humours in a Muscle 38 A double humour contributes to the making of the animal spirits 99 How the serous humour is sent from the brain 98 99. Of the use of the Nervous humour 128 133. Of the Nervous and Nutritious humors 130 131. Whether the bloody humor be Nutricious 130 How the genital humor is made 173 I. Imagination What it is 91 Infoldings Of the Nerves 140 Of the Gunglioform Infolding 157 Of the Mesenteric Infoldings 158 Of the Hepatic Infolding ibid. Of the Nervous Infolding of the Spleen 167 Of the Renal Infolding 168 Inspection Of Vrines useful 20 Instinct Of Motion what it is 43 44 45. Of natural Instincts 115 Involuntary Function what it is Of the Nerves serving to the Involuntary Function 116 117. Juices Of the Juices nervous and nutritious 130 Judgments How to be given of the Vrine 17 18. The Ignorance of some in the Judgment of Vrines 18 Judgment of Vrines wanting colour consistence contents and quantity ibid. Judgment of Vrines having praeternatural contents 19 K. Kings-evil Why Cured by stroaking 134 Kissing Why it irritates Love 143 L. Laughing Why proper to Man 117 Caused by the fifth Conjugation of the Nerves 143 How made 160 Life A kind of flame 27 Life and fire many ways extinguish'd alike 31 Liquors How they receive heat 26 Love Why admitted by the eyes 143 Why provoked by kissing ibid. Lungs Why the colour of the Lungs is suddenly changed in new-born Creatures 30 M. Mamillary Processes what they are and their use 137 138. Marrow Of the oblong Marrow and its uses 101 102. How joyned to the spinal Marrow 124 Of the spinal Marrow 124 Of the Nerves from the spinal Marrow 178 Of the blood-carrying Vessels from the spinal Marrow 179 Man A curious Machine 162 Meninges See dura mater and pia mater Memory How made 96 Mesentery Of the Infoldings of the Mesentery 158 Why so many Infoldings of the Nerves are about the Mesentery 164 Monkie Dissected 162 Why it is so crafty and mimical a Creature ibid. Motion What it is 34 Three things to be considered in every motion ibid. Of spontaneous and voluntary motion ibid. Of involuntary motion ibid. Of the motion and sense of the pia mater 90 The Vehicle of the Instinct of Motion what it is 34 Of local Motion ibid. Of the increase of the force of Motion in Artificial things 39 4â— How the Motion of the Muscles is made 42 How the instinct of Motion is performed 43 44. Of the Motions of the animal spirits 95 How the Motion of the Muscles correspond with the Motion of the Heart 136 Of the irregular Motion of the Diaphragma 175 Vpon what the peristaltic Motion depends 169 The use of intestine Motions in the belly 165 How the Motion of Hypochondriacal pains is made from the right to the left side and so contrary 169 Of the Motion of the Muscles see Muscles and Musculary motion Muscles Of the formation of a Muscle 35 Of the opposite Tendons in every Muscle ibid. A Muscle described 35 36. Of the simple and compound Muscle 36 Of the membranous covering of a Muscle 37 Of the action of a Muscle 37 38. Several experiments of cutting a Muscle 38 Of contraction and relaxation in a Muscle ibid. Of the humors in a Muscle ibid. Ax experiment of a living Dog concerning the voluntary motions of the Muscles 39 How a Muscle is moved ibid. Of the traction of a Muscle 40 Elastick particulars contained in a Muscle ibid. Of the trembling of the Musculous flesh of a Beast after its head is off and heart taken out 40 41. How the animal spirits blow up the fleshy fibres in a Muscle 41 Experiments of intumifying a Muscle 42 Of the nature of the animal spirits coming from the brain into the Muscles ibid. Of the fresh supplies of the animal spirits for the motions of the Muscles 44 Of the little hairy fibrils of a Muscle 45 Of the irregular and convulsive motions of the Muscles ibid. Explanations of the figures of the Muscles 49 That the motions of the Muscles have an analogy with the heart 135 136. Muscular Motion how it is made 42 Of the Muscular motion 34 The blood affords
Inns are able to produce by their eruption an intense and almost fiery heat in the mean time those Saline little Bodies are so loosned by the long familiarity of the fiery and by the embrace of one another and of the strangers that they become Volatile and being diluted with water for the greatest part evaporate with it and the remaining Salt because also Volatile and having suffered almost a divorce from all the rest of the Principles is both sweetish and becomes desirous of Conjunction and astringent and therefore also is of excellent use for plastring of Walls But that Stygian waters being poured upon the Stagmas of fixed Salts produce heat and the same mixed with Iron or the Butter of Antimony stir up a mighty ardor with a blackning smoak the reason seems plain As to the Stygian waters and fixed Salts it may be said that both these Concretes are only Salts having got divers states by the fire and so either being very much stuffed with fiery Particles which are the most minute atoms of Sulphur But they being confused together do forthwith rush into mutual embraces and because the Particles of either are made unlike therefore whereby they may be more strictly united there is made a great attrition of parts and together an excussion of the fiery Particles from whence the great ebullition with a heat is excited when the same Menstrua are poured on Iron or the Ice of Antimo the Salts of either come together and shake forth the fiery Particles and also the Sulphureous Particles before implanted in either Subject which flying away in heaps cause a smoak with a heat but not a flame CHAP. XI Of the motion of Fermentation as it is to be observed in the Precipitation of Bodies WE have hitherto treated of the Solutions of Bodies it remains now that we speak of Precipitation this is performed only in Liquids which when as they are stuffed with Heterogeneous Particles are compelled by a matter Precipitating those Particles to separate one from another and to obtain for their substance divers places and conditions wherefore since in this operation there is an agitation and motion of parts its consideration ought to be referred to the Doctrine of Fermentation Precipitation is performed either in Natural things as chiefly in Milk Blood Urine and perhaps in some others or in Artificial things which are of a diverse Kind and Nature but they may be described and ranked in a certain order according as the Liquor to be Precipitated or Precipitating is either Spirituous Sulphureous Watery or Saline besides according as the Particles separated from the rest are either Elementary viz. either Sulphureous Earthy or Saline or Integral which participate of the Nature of the whole mixture and are only very small portions of it very much broken There are two common and known ways of Precipitation whereby is made from Milk both Cheese and Butter As to the first if any sharp thing be poured into warm Milk the thicker and Cheesie parts presently separate from the serous and thinner and are gathered together into a thick substance The reason of which consists in this Milk has a somwhat thick consistence and its pores and passages are very much beset with the thicker to wit the Cheesie contents wherefore when somthing more subtil and penetrating as is Rennet passes through the Liquor it easily thrusts forth the more thick Particles with which the pores were possessed which then mutually Embrace one another and are separated a part from the thin and Wheyie Liquor When Milk is kept long to a sourness it is Precipitated after the same manner without Rennet by warming it over the fire For in stale Milk its Saline parts get a Flux then being stirred up by the fire supply by their own sourness the turn of Rennet yea it is not improbable that the fluid Salt in the Rennet provokes the Saline Particles of the Milk into a Flux and that for this reason chiefly its Coagulation succeeds for that the Saline parts having gotten of their own accord a Flux so bind the pores of the Liquor that the more thick Contents are willingly exterminated from them wherefore we do say for that reason the same thing happens when a Flux of the same Salt is caused by some thing else put into it But that the Coagulation of Milk happens not only by reason of the passages and pores being possessed by a strange Body the sign is because the Salt of Tartar tho exceeding Precipitatory effects nothing of this and this effect is excited almost only by sour things Sugar hinders the Precipitation of Milk and many other Liquors because it restrains the Flux of the Acetous Salt and as it is easily Soluble and its Particles are soft and blunt they extrude not the former Contents implanted in the Liquor but fill all vacuities that afterwards there is no space whereby another Precipitating Liquor may unfold it self and break into anothers quarters But Country people are wont to make Butter of the Flowers or Cream of Milk kept for the most part to a sourness only by shaking or Churning it The reason of which as it seems to me is this in Cream there is great plenty of Sulphur with which also a mean portion of Salt and Earth is mixed as may be conjectured both by the sourness of the Liquor remaining of the Butter or the Butter-Milk and by its thicker consistency In this mixture the parts both Saline and Sulphureous are in motion and a Flux but as the Liquor is thicker they cannot presently fly away wherefore it remains that if the bond of the mixture be further loosned they will separate into parts and that first the Sulphureous Particles which exceed the others in power are Congregated together with a mutual embrace wherefore these two things the Churning of the Cream performs viz. it brings the Sulphureous parts by their often obvolution together whereby they do the better intangle themselves and mutually ensnare one another besides it breaks their mixture with the rest For this reason in the Winter time when Cream is thinner and abounds less with Sulphur Butter is hardly made Besides the admixtion of Salt or Sugar wholly hinders its making because by the coming between of those little Bodies the Sulphureous parts are hindred from a mutual adhesion The chief Precipitation of the blood which is performed within a living Body is made in the Reins where not without the strength of a certain Coagulum or Rennet the serous matter is separated from the rest of the blood just as Whey from Milk For which reason Diuretical things are of the same Nature as those which bring a Coagulation to Milk and therefore because they more Precipitate the blood by fusing it they cause a large profusion of urine The blood being sent forth of the Vessels separates into various substances by its own disposition whilst it is warm it is variously Precipitated by some Liquors poured to it in like manner