We answer first That in an External Pain of the Head or the Pericranium there is for the most part if not always a sensation of soreness upon the least touching of it whereas if the Pain be internal there is no appearance of any such thing Now several great Anatomists as the most excellent Bartholin does affirm There belongs to the Skull both a Pericranium and Periostium whereas Fernelius says An external Pain of the Head does reach to the Roots of the Eyes it is supposed when the Pericranium is only afflicted but if the Periostium be only afflicted that sign will alwayes be wanting 13. Hitherto of the general Causes of Pain in the Part which are indeed the Effects of the more prime Causes there remains now that we shew the true Cause of Pain it self wheresoever it happens The original of all sense and motion is from the Brain from whence the Animal Spirits runing in their proper Chanels to wit the Nerves convey the same through and into all parts of the Body from Head to Foot the free Current of these Spirits according to their own natural Motion are only in Bodyes free from Pain but if the Motion be torrid by any kind of force or violence or if any part in which these Spirits abound be any wayes hurt whereby Motion is obstructed they flow thither in great hast and by an Irregular Motion to remove that obstruction but not being able by that mighty afflux of Spirits there is a Collision or beating one against another in the several Chanels of the Nerves by which Pricking them Pain is immediatly Excited and the magnitude of that Pain is according to the greatness of the Flux of these Spirits and the vehemency of their Collision XXXI The Prognosticks of a Cephalalgia 1. Where the Causes are simple from a simpe Intemperature of the parts whether it be with in or without the Skull it is always without danger and of no difficult Cure and an external Headach is always easier to be Cured than an internal 2. If it proceeds from matter abounding whether in the Periostium or Pericranium without the Skull or in the Menings of the Brain within the Skull the Cure is much more difficult than when it Rises from a simple Intemperature yet it is without danger unless the matter flowing Causes an Apostemation of the Brain which is for the most part mortal 3. That Headach which arises from consent in the Stomach will be as durable as the Cause from whence it proceeds and when the disaffection of the Stomach is removed the Pain of the Head will then Cease 4. If it proceed from Drunkenness it is without danger and commonly terminates in the space of twenty four hours If it proceeds from a Feaver or the French Pox its Prognosticks as to the danger in time of Cure are to be fetcht from the Prognosticks of those Diseases If it be in a sharp Feaver with thin and white Urine it is dangerous For that a strong sulpherous and violent hot Matter is sent to the Brain from whence there is danger of a Phrensy If it be without a Feaver it signifies according to Hippocrates in Coacis an Apoplexy or Epilepsy to be at hand For that much of a Saline sulphurious Matter cold and moist with a certain kind of Viscosity afflicts the Brain the same understand if the Headach be accompanied with a Vertigo or Deafness or Numbness of the Hands 5. If it be caused from a contusion Wound or Fracture of the Skull the danger is according to the greatness of the Cause in a simple Contusion or Wound it is without danger in a Fracture of the Skull there is hope of Life and Recovery while the Menings of the Brain remain unhurt but if they were hurt though the fracture be Cured and the Wound Healed there will be continually a return of Pain either at certain Periodical times or upon the least disturbance of the Brain the which can be no otherwise remedied then by perpetual keeping the Skull open with a Plugg 6. In a Headach proceeding from Repletion or matter abounding if Pus Snot or Water flow forth by the Nostrils Ears or Eyes there will be hops of a speedy and sudden Cure But if a strong Pain in the Head seises suddenly without Evacuation following or Mitigation of its Vehemency it is Mortal For it shews the destruction of the Animal Faculty which is now without sense of the matter Causing the grief moreover in a great Headach it is of evil Consequence to have the outward and extream parts cold For by the vehemency of the pain and heat by vertue of strong attraction to the part affected there may be danger of an Inflamation 7. If so be a vehement Headach feizes after the Cure of a Disease in the Visera or Bowels in the Thorax or Abdomen proceeding from Putrefaction it shewes a translation of the matter to the Brain from whence arises for the most part an Apostemation which is mortal XXXII The Therapia or Method of Cure and first of a Head-ach proceeding from a simple Intemperature of heat and dryness 1. The Method of Cure depends upon the Cause according to the Proverb sublata Causa tollitur Effectus if it be only external or outward and proceeds from a simple Intemperature of heat and dryness it must be Cured by the application of things cold and moist 2. In this Case you may anoint the Temples Forehead and parts pained with this Oyntment Take Oyl of Roses Oyl of Water-Lillies of each one ounce Oyl of Poppy-seed by expression half an ounce mix them and apply it leaving the Sick to his Repose but if the Pain be very vehement it will be good to mix with the aforesaid Oyls about an ounce of Vinegar of Roses then in this mixture dip Cloaths or Rose-Cakes applying them to the place afflicted binding them on 3. Or you may take fair Water making it moderately warm and with a Spunge dipt in the same you may Bath or foment the parts afflicted For thereby the Head will be humected the Pores will be opened and the hot fiery Particles which was the Cause of the Disease will exhale But in this last Case it will be never the worse if you mix with the warmed Water afore-said a half or third part of Vinegar of Roses 4. Inwardly the Sick may Take Conserves of Roses and Flowers of Water Lillies of each two ounces Lozenges of Sugar pearled an ounce and a half made into an Electuary with a sufficient quantity of syrup of Violets At Night going to Bed and the Morning following he may take this following Refrigerating Potion Take Waters of Endive and Succory of each three ounces Violet Water two ounces to which add syrup of the juyce of Citrons one ounce and a half mix them for two Doses 5. Let the Food be cooling and of good juyce such as Chickens Fishes of gravelly places and Rear Eggs and such Meats as are Souced and
great Bladders full of yellow matter he cut them off and they filled again a little after he found an Impediment when he began to speake in his pronunciation and he moved his Fingers and when he laid hold on any thing with his right Hand as his Pen to write it was weak And on the Thigh on the same side there was a Bladder full of yellow matter as before in his Face 2. All these Accidents ceased only his Speech was a little faltering which troubled him most because it was taken notice of when he preached 3. He desired my Counsel because he had used little Physick I prescribed these light but efficacious Remedies he drank this Wine made new because it was Vintage Take Ground-Pine dryed half an ounce Sage Worm-wood of each two drams Rosemary-Flowers Primroses of each a dram let them work in the Wine he drank often of it 4. And because he could not swallow Pills I ordered this Potion to purge him it is gentle least by working strongly it move the defluction and cause it anew as I have often observed it in the Palsy and Gout Take Rhubarb four scruples Mechoacan a dram and half Sena two drams infuse them in the aforesaid Wine of Ground-Pine strain and add Syrup of Roses solutive an ounce 5. He took a Bolus somtimes in the Morning of Ground-Pine and Sage boyled in Honey and preserved and drank after it a little Rosemary and Thym-Water 6. And used this Masticatory Take Cubebs a dram long Pepper half a dram Nutmegs a dram and half Mastick a dram Angelica seed half a dram Mustard-seed and Water-Crâ—sses of each a scruple Euphorbium three gâ—ains with Wax make a Masticatory to chew 7. He washed his Mouth often with Rosemary-Wine distilled and rubbed his Tongue with Mustard and washed it with Wine Platerus Observ Lib. 1. Pag. 135. XXXVI A Palsy and Convulsion 1. An eminent Physician of Frontinia was afflicted the foregoing Autumn with a very long lasting and double Tertian which continued to the beginning of Winter he was of a melancholy Complexion being forty years old he had fed in Lent upon bad Diet also had been troubled with grievous Passions of Mind 2. After Easter he began to be troubled with a Catarrh falling upon his left Shoulder-blade where he felt Pain a few days after he fell into a painful imminution of Motion and Sense in all Parts almost but especially in his Legs and Thighs 3. Moreover painful stretchings happened by Fits in the said Parts so that the Toes of his Feet were contracted and the Muscles near his Groins were streched like Cords 4. In his upper Parts especially his Arms he could stir himself more freely but in all Parts his Sense was obtuse and dull so that he affirmed he had little or no Feeling in his Nose and Face 5. He voided at his Mouth a thin humor which he said tasted sharp and harsh like Vitriol every day his Feaver was exasperated and during the exacerbation the tension of his Muscles his Fluxion and other Symptoms were encreased also his Breast was very much straitned so that he seemed to be stifled 6. At the beginning of this Malady he was twice let blood and twice purged and then went to the Balerucan Baths where he was four times put into the Bath for four days together and had his Head washed to no purpose 7. Being returned from the Bath he took my advice now I judged that this Disease of his proceeded from a wheyish humor flowing from his Brain into the Marrow of his Back and all the body of the Nerves and that the said wheyish humor was first gathered in his Hypochondria especially in the Meseraick Veins where a great quantity of melancholy humor was contained bred of foregoing causes 8. So that I conceived this Disease of his was an hypochondriacal affection whose Symptoms were that same Palsy and imperfect Convulsion bred of a wheyish humor shed into the aforesaid Parts 9. An Argument whereof was both the melancholick constitution of the Patient as also the flowing of such an humor from his Mouth in great quantity likewise the Feaver wherewith in a manner he was afflicted continually and as the Feaver encreased all the Symptoms encreased when as nevertheless a Palsy is wont to cure a Feaver proceeding from Flegm 10. Sennertus tells us That such Symptoms proceed from a melancholy humor treating of the Hypochondriacal Disease and of the Scurvy 11. This is no Palsy properly which is caused by the stoppage of the beginning of the Nerves but abusively so called being no total privation of Sense and Motion by stopping the influx of the animal Spirits through the Nerves but rather a deprivation of the sensitive motive Function because there is a painful Sense 12. I prescribed him an Apozem for many days together of temperate Aperitives purging him one day and altering another and applying an emollient and opening Fomentation to his Hypochondria a Liniment of the same faculty also blood-letting after the first Dose of the Apozem a Clyster being premised and a purging Medicament 13. He used for his Drink the infusion of Tamarisk-Bark Agrimony and Burnet 14. But the Blood which came from him appearing very full of bad Juyce he was let blood again He found no good by his other Medicaments but seemed to grow worse 15. When I visited him again being on the 24th of April I found him very weak with a continual slow Feaver which had nevertheless Paroxysms of a tertian Ague In which his Hypochondria were puffed up with wind by Fits especially his Spleen Somtimes also by reason of the said Wind his Midriff was so compressed that he would cry out he was choaked and stifled and having drunk a Cup of Water he belched twice or thice and was presently freed from the said Suffocation 16. A fatty substance did swim upon his Urine like Cobwebs and their sediments were of a mealy substance which kind of Urines are deadly according to Hyppocrates in the second of this Prognosticks 17. On his well day he did spit exceedingly and felt the humor trickle down between his Skull and Skin or the Muscles of his Face On the 29th of the same Month I visited him again being at the last cast his Pulse very small his spitting staid and his Breath stopt yet his Understanding was not hurt he dyed the next day following in the Morning Riverius Cent. 1. Observ 74. XXXVII A Bastard-Palsy 1. A vertuous Woman of Aix about fifty years old having suffered Abortion was at first troubled with a nummedness about her Belly which she easily perceived by putting her Hand upon her Belly 2. After the Abortion some Months she proved with Child and during the Course of her Impregnation the said nummedness seised also upon her Thighs and Legs and a far worse Symptom was added thereto viz an inability to stir them 3. After she was brought to bed many purging and sweating Medicines were used and many other heating and drying Remedies
promiscuously for one and the same Disease viz. for a Resolution of the Nerves which is a loss of Sense and Motion in any Part of the Body 3. It is either perfect in which Sense and Motion are quite gone Or imperfect wherein Sense and Motion are only decayed or diminished and in this case if the diminution be but small it cannot be properly Paralysis a Palsy but rather Stupor or Torpor a numbedness which is commonly the Fore-runner of a true Palsy 4. A Palsy may be either from the hurt of the motive Faculty the sense remaining found Or from the hurt of the Sense the motive Faculty remaining well 5. A Palsy may arise either from a solution of unity in the Nerves as by a Bruise from a Fall or Blow or by a Wound or from a relaxation of the Vertebrae of the Back suddenly caused 6. It is either from Causes innate as 1. From cold pituitous humors which relax and dissolve the Tone of the Nerves 2. From straightness or narrowness of the Nerves caused by Obstructions Or by Constipation from some Tumor c. 3. From thin sharp serous and windy humors moved in the Bowels not only to the beginnings of the Orifices of the Nerves but to the very Muscles and Tendons Or from causes external and foreign as from Narcoticks and Poysons as touching the fish Torpedo immeasurable drinking strong Liquors taking of Henbane Poppies Opium Quick-silver Antimony Arsenick c. To these external Causes may also be added the excess of heat or cold by the first of which the Spirits are wasted and spent and by the latter of which they are obstructed in their passages by Congelation c. 7. It is either Idopathetick or by consent of Parts and that for the most part in a scorbutick habit of body CII The signs of a Palsy 1. The Pathognomick signs of a Palsy are the hurts of the motive and sensitive faculty for where the loss of motion and sense is there is certainly a Paralysis or Palsy 2. Where these Symptoms are universal there the Paralysis is universal if they afflict but one part only those part only suffers by the Palsy Somtimes it affects but one side of the body and somtimes it affects both 3. If the sense and motion be both wholly lost the Palsy is said to be perfect if they be not absolutely destroyed but only depraved it is but an imperfect Palsy and is rather a kind of Torpor Stupor or Numness 4. If the motion be only hurt and the sense perfect yet it is a Palsy so also if the sense be abolished and the motion remains but this kind of Palsy in my opinion ought rather to be called an Hemiplegia than that which only afflicts one side 5. Hence it appears that the kinds of the Palsy is easily known from the abolition of the motive and sensitive faculties according to the part or parts affected being discoverable by the Eye and the habit of the body in which it happens but the principal part affected or what first suffers is with more difficulty to be discerned being only known from Anatomical Learning which teacheth the original and distribution of the Nerves through all the parts of the body 6. If the right or left side of the Face has the Palsy and no other part suffers the Brain is only hurt in that part from whence the Nerves are brought which distribute their branches to those sides of the Face but if the parts under the Head be affected together with the Face then it is a sign that the Spinal Marrow is hurt as well as the Brain and if the parts beneath the Head are hurt and not the Face the fault is only in the Spinal Marrow and some of the Nerves springing from thence 7. If one half of the body only has the Palsy only one half of the Spinal Marrow and Nerves thence proceeding are affected but if the whole body suffers then is the whole Spine afflicted from its very original 8. Now the disaffection of the Spinal Marrow is that which hinders the afflux of the Animal Spirit the principal Instrum nt not only of sense but also of all natural motions for by reason of its discrasy it can neither communicate to the Muscles the faculty of moving nor to the Nerves the power of feeling for that the parts into which it is inserted become unprofitable 9. And this is true whether the passage of the said Animal Spirit is interrupted by a solution of Unity or Obstructed by a morbifick matter or otherwise constringed for by either of these hinderances the said Animal Spirit can no longer have a free passage through the nervous System flow through or fill it up or not so amply as it ought to do 10. In whatsoever place this hinderance happens whether about the Spinal Marrow or about the conjugations or branches of Nerves proceeding there from it causeth a Palsy either of more or fewer parts according as the Nerve affected is more general or particular 11. We shall now declare what Nerves affected do produce a Paralysis in each respective Part. If the Nerves nere to the Brain or in the beginning of their Passage from the Brain or the spinal Marrow lying next under the Brain be hurt or effected there is commonly a general Palsy wherein also breathing the Voice Speech and Swallowing with some excresive Motions do suffer hurt 12. But if the hurt is in the following production of this Marrow it makes those Members only paralytick into which its Branches of Nerves are inserted But the Palsy is so much the more general by how much the affect of the said spinal Marrow is nere to the Brain or original of the Nerves 13. If the Ey be affected with the Palsy the visive Nerves are originally hurt as also the Cerebrum adjacent it self If the Tongue is paralytick the Conjugation of Nerves serving the Tongue is hurt and the Speech is also defective and by reason of its Community with the auditory Nerve if the defect be so great as to cause a perfect loss of Speech then the sick is for the most part deaf also 14. If there be a Palsy of the Larynx Tongue Jaws Midriff as also of the Bladder and Fundament those Nerves which some Authors account of the sixth and seventh Conjugations are hurt about their original If there be a defect of the Voice the recurrent Nerve is affected If there be a defect in Swallowing the Nerves which go to the Muscles of the Jaws are hurt If there be danger of Suffocation the Nerves which go to the Midriff are hurt though the Midriff the Instument of Breathing can otherwise in some sort perform its Office for that it receives Nerves also from the spinal Marrow 15. If the Sphincters of the Bladder and Anus be paralytick from whence follows in the one an involuntary Pissing in the other a Relaxation of the Fundament the Conjugations of Nerves supplying those Parts are generally disaffected 16.
If the Palsy is in the Legs the Nerves affected are about the bottom of the spinal Marrrow and the Vertebrae of the Os Sacrum And thus we must seach out for the place whence the Nerves spring which are dispersed to those Parts which are afflicted with the Palsy 17. From these things it is apparent what Conjugations of Nerves are most afflicted and that in universal Palsies there is for the most part an affliction of the whole Genus Nervosum or nervous System which many time comes to pass from the effects of Poyson and the Contamination of the neurotick Juyce by the fuliginous Vapours of Arsenick Antimony and Quick-Silver 18. Galen relates a Story of a Man who in a cold stormy Time by wraping his wet Cloak about his Neck was taken with a Palsy in his Hand And of another who had a Palsy in three of his Fingers occasioned by a Fall from his Chariot upon his Back whence he concluded that some part of the Nerves of the seventh Vertebrae were hurt in their original to which place applying the means after he had in vain opplyed Medicines to the Fingers he compleated a Cure 19. The Signs of the Causes of a Paralysis are drawn from the primary Causes the Diseases aforegoing the Temperament and Habit of the Patient and therefore when external cold and moist Causes go before as also old age a pituitous habit of Body cold Weather cold and moist Diet or an Apoplexy has preceeded they are Signs of a paralytick Disposition nere at hand 20. Moreover a Catarrh long flowing and at length suddenly stopt without taking away the morbifick Matter is a sign of an approaching Palsy unless the matter of the Catarrh be suddenly conveyed some other way for otherwise it commonly falls upon some noble Part or diverts it lelf to the original of the Nerves in the Brain and of this Case we have had two or three singular Examples all incurable CIII Of the various Causes of a Paralysis or Palsy 1. The general Causes of a Palsy are all those which hinder the Passage of the animal Spirit into the Nerves and Muscles which by how many ways and by what Artifice those hinderances are done we shall in what follows more particularly declare 2. A Paralysis therefore happens when the animal Spirit does not sufficiently invigorate or actuate the Nerves and their Ramifications which is caused either by an Obstruction of the Passages by which they should flow to the respective Parts or from the imbecility and paucity of the said Spirits whereby either their activity is hurt or they are wanting so as that the Nerves can not be sufficiently repleat or filled up therewith 3. Hence the Variety of Palsies comes from great and universal Obstructions a compleat and perfect Palsy arises in which both Motion and Sense are both abolished and this comes not only from the substance of the matter obstructing but also from a malign Quality affecting even the Spirit it self this Obstruction of the Passages of the Spirits happens either in the first Sensory to wit the streaked Bodies or in or nere the medullar Trunks Or in the Nerves themselves to wit either in their beginnings or middle or ends viz in the very Fibres themselves 4. If the first Sensory or spinal Marrow is affected it either obstructs the whole Spine whence comes an universal Palsy below the original Obstuction Or one half thereof whence comes a Palsy only on one Side Or it obstructs the original of the Nerves of some particular Coâ—jugation or Pair either on one Side alone or on both at the same time whence a Palsy is caused in this or that particular Part or Member only 5. Now these Obstuctions are made either 1. by a forrein Matter impacted in them Or 2. by Constipation and Compression from matter abounding without them and that may be either from some particular Tumor offending in Magnitude whereby the Nerves are constipated or compressed Or from a large Flux of Humors out of the Vessels flowing upon and overpowering them Or 3. by solution of Unity by a Bruise or Wound Or 4. and lastly from the excess of heat and cold the Spirits being also in part wasted by the one and as it were congealed by the other 6. An Obstruction in the first or common Sensory or streaked Bodies causes either a general Palsy or a Palsy of one Side And this is the chief Reason why such-like Palsies follow upon an Apoplexy Lethargy or Carus for that in those Diseases the Conduits of the callous Body are at first affected from whence upon the passing off of those Diseases there is many times a Translation of the morbifick Matter into the marrowy Passages of one or more of the Corpora striata whence it is that the Afflux of the animal Spirit into the Genus Nervosum is hindered either in one or both Sides And here if the Obstructions be very great Sense and Motion both are abolished but if not the motive Faculty only suffers loss And if it be but a very small Obstuction the motive Faculty has only been deprived or diminished not taken away 7. But why Sense should not be hurt as well as Motion in every Palsy is manifest as aforesaid from the Magnitude of the Obstuction For if the Obstruction is truly so great as to deprive any Member or Part totally of the animal Spirit then Sense and Motion both cease for that they both are performed and invigorated by the same Nerves and Fibres within the same marrowy Passages But if the Obstruction is small then a small Portion of the animal Spirit is distributed so much as may manage the sensitive Faculty but the motive is hurt forasmuch as it can not be performed but by a larger Proportion or Measure of the said Spirit 8. Moreover a Palsy may be caused not only from the Obstructions of the Corpora striata but also from the Compression of the same by Blood extravasated within the inferiour Cavity of the Brain or a large quantity of Lympha or serous Matter lying upon the same and pressing them together by which means the medullary Conduits will be so straightned as to hinder the Afflux of the Spirit into the same 9. But somtimes the morbifick Cause affects the oblong or spinal Marrow though rarely by an Obstuction yet somtimes by Constipation and Compression and somtimes by a Solution of Continuity whereby a Palsy is excited Now Obstructions are not here so easy to be made for that the obstructing Matter in the Head does not easily fall beyond the Corpora striata but the poysonous Miasms may affect the Spirits and so cause a kind of Paralysis Hemiplegia a Numness or depraved Operation of the Part or Parts 10. But in either the oblong or spinal Marrow especially the latter a Palsy may be excited from a Compression or Solution of Continuity by a Bruise Apostume or Wound by means of which the Blood or serous Humor may flow within the Hollowness or
only hurt the sense remaining firm it is now reasonable that we shew the cause of sense being hurt the motive faculty being sound and strong as is ordinary in such as are afflicted with an Elephantiasis Lepra Graecorum and Mania who often go naked lye cold in Frost and Snow or the middle of Winter and whose Skins are so numb and sensless that they feel not though prickt with Auls Needles or Pins or cut with Knives c. The true reason of this is because the Nerves replenishing the Skin the outer and primary Organ of feeling and the Membranes covering the Muscles by their various Ramifications and innumerable membranaceous Fibres which chiefly convey to the parts the sense of feeling are only hurt or chiefly suffer Whereas those greater Tendinous and Muscular Nerves who by their musculous and fleshy Fibres exert the motive faculty or in whom is seated the power of moving remain safe and unhurt Wherefore the loss or hurt of the sensitive faculty proceeds from a hurt of the exteriour and membranaceous Fibres either through some poysonous or malign Gas or extremity of cold benumbing them so that the Animal Spirit cannot as it ought to do irradiate them and hence it appears that the Nerves of the exterior Membranes are only hurt for that sense being lost the part or parts wast not as when deprived of motion but have a sufficient afflux of the Animal Spirit enabling them to perform their proper duty and to assimulate the nutritions juice brought to the said parts by the Arteries 32. Now out of what has been already said it appears that the extreamest kind of Palsy in which the motive and sensitive Faculties are both hurt or abolished is caused from a general affection of all the Nerves distributed into the part or parts affected as well the Cutaneous and Membranaceous Fibres of the Nerves as the Tendinous and Muscular whereby the Tracts or passages and ways of the Animal Spirit are in a manner compleatly shut up and all its irradiations intercepted or frustrated This may chance though rarely from the descent of the morbifick matter from the Brain into the oblong Morrow but very often from a notable hurt of the Back-bone by a Blow Wound or Fall from some high place whereby the Spinae Medulla being compressed or too much distended or writhed the passages of the Animal Spirit are mightily obstructed and in danger of perfect obliteration CIV The Judgments or Prognosticks of the Palsy 1. A Palsy coming from a cold and moist Cause or in a cold and moist habit of body especially in such as are extream Fat and have been so of a long time is very difficultly cured and if the Disease in such a person has been of any long continuance it seldom or never is cured 2. The cure is difficult or seldom or never performed if the Disease happens in old Age more especially if the Sick is Fat and of a cold moist habit of body 3. A Palsy wherein motion is abolished is much more difficult to Cure than that in which sense is only hurt in regard of the deep scituation of the Nerves for that the force of the Medicine cannot so easily reach them but that Palsy wherein both Faculties are hurt or abolished is yet much worse 4. Every Paralysis whither coming by degrees or happening by accident whether universal or particular though for the most part they are free from imminent danger yet they are long in curing 5. A Palsy coming after an Apoplexy is seldom cured and many times returns into an Apoplexy again by a new afflux of like matter into the Brain which is made lax and weak by the former Disease 6. If it comes from a Blow Fall Wound c. or upon an Apoplexy Lethargy Carus Convulsion Cholick Gout or other affects of the Brain or Genus Nervosum it will not quickly be cured or so much as easily give place to Medicines but for the most part remains uncurable 7. A Tremor or Trembling coming upon or after a Palsy is said to be healthful for that the passages of the Nerves begin somwhat to open themselves to make way for the Animal Spirit whereby Motion though at first after a trembling manner begins to be restored 8. If the Paralytick retains an actual native heat in it there is hope of Recovery but if it is always cold and cannot be induced to retain a natural heat the Case is desperate 9. If a total resolution follows upon a general obstruction of the original of the oblong Marrow or the Spina dorsi being extreamly hurt and that thereby both sense and motion are both taken away the Disease will scarcely admit of any cure 10. An Atrophy or want of Nourishment in the paralytick part with great paleness takes away all hopes of a Cure For it not only signifies an impotency and decay of the Animal Spirit but shews great danger of the extinction of the native heat 11. A Palsy happening in the Winter is cured with much more difficulty than that which happens in the Spring or Summer more especially if it happens in cold and moist Constitutions and in Aged people 12. They who are once cured of a Palsy proceeding from an evident solitary Cause do not so easily Relapse into the same as they who are cured of it arising from a Procatartick cause This seems to be Truth from the very reason of the thing and nature of the Causes 13. If the Ey on that side on which the Palsy happens be hurt thereby there is but little hopes of a Cure for it argues a great defect or want of Animal Spirits in the part or parts affected 14. A Palsy happening to Scorbutical or Cacochymical and very intemperate or surfeited Persons although otherwise of a strong body though the Distemper be not very great yet will it be with much labour and difficulty cured 15. A Palsy in the Legs and Feet is more easily cured than that in the upper parts because those Nerves are harder and stronger 16. A strong Feaver coming upon a Palsy is healthful for the extream heat thereof Rarifies and consumes or expels the morbifick matter and partly for the same reason a Diarrhoea or Loosness coming upon a recent and weak Palsy foreshews speedy Recovery for saith Rhasis I have seen many Paralyticks cured by a Diarrhoea CV The general method of curing the Idopathetick Palsy 1. We now come to the Therapeutical Considerations of the Palsy and first of an Idopathetick Palsy excited from a Procatartick cause or previous disposition of the body to such an indisposition wherein we are chiefly to endeavour the alteration of the habit of the body by rectifying the Discrasy of the Blood then to take away the morbifick matter offending and lastly so to strengthen the parts hurt that they may for the future be able to resist all other assaults of the Disease 2. The Palsy may happen in a hot or cold Constitution and therefore you are first wisely and
take for many days the following Purgation Take Extract of Mechoacan compounded Diagridium Alhandal Cambogia of each one grain Pil. Rudii five grains make five Pills with two drops of the Oyl of Citrons It did operate five times 6. Inwardly I did exhibite four drops of the following Oyls every Morning in Broth Take Oyl of Rosemary-flowers four and twenty drops of Marjoram of Lavender of each six drops of Oranges four drops of Anise of Fennel of each eight drops mix them She took it in Rosemary-Wine 7. By these she had great profit but at length being seised with a Convulsion she dyed Grulingius Curat 7. Cent. 1. XXIV An Apoplexy in old Age. 1. This Disease somtimes happens in extream old Age or in Men in whom the vigor of the Senses is small through the Defect of the Spirits and because the continual defatigation of the Brain may occasion a cold Intemperature therefore the use of these Medicines may greatly comfort 2. Take the Spirit of the best and most pleasant Wine one pound and half to which put the leaves of Bawm the flowers of Lavender Lilly-Convally of Rosemary of Borrage of each one handful Grains of Paradice two drams Cubebs Cinnamon Nutmegs of each one dram Let them stand the Vessel being well closed that nothing may evaporate afterwards strain them out by pressing and let the expression be kept for use In Winter when the Air is colder every Month about the Conjunction of the Moon dip a peece of white Bread in half a dram of this Spirit and let him swallow it in the Morning sleeping a little thereafter 3. In Summer he may take of the Water of Lilly-Convally or Carduus Benedictus likewise about the new Moon one dram of the following Pouder Take white Amber and grind it on a marble Stâ—â—e with the Water of black Cherries to this Pouder add as much of Diarrhodon Abbatis 4. These two Medicines are profitable for they correct the humors and check the Vapours and remove the Obstruction As to Diet great Care must be had therefore all Meats must be shun'd which breed pituitous and flegmatick humors such as Fish Pot-Herbs things made of Milk and Meats fryed somtimes Pills may be taken of Alephanginae or Mastich or Aloes Rosata 5. It is most convenient also that the melancholy humor be evacuated and corrected by proper Medicines a better way of evacuating this humor cannot be than by the Hemorroids Fomentations also are to be applyed made of the Decoction of Mallows and Lin-seed and inwardly a scruple of Aloes Rosata is to be taken 6. This melancholy humor is to be contemperated by the use of the Extract of the Juyce of Bawm and Borrage and a spoonful of the following Syrup before Dinner or Supper may be taken 7. Take Syrup of the Juyce of Bawm three ounces of the Juyce of Borrage two ounces of the Peels of Citrons half an ounce the Species Aromatici Rosati one dram Diamoschi dulcis as much mix them and let it be given in a Glass for repressing the Vapours after Meat this Pouder may be taken 8. Take Coriander prepared one ounce choice Cinnamon two drams Mastich one scruple Mace half a scruple white Bread toasted three ounces white Sugar half a pound mix them and make a Pouder In the Morning the Person may take from a quarter of an ounce to half an ounce of the Confection with the Oyl of Anise the Oyl of Caraway Amber also a Confect of Diamoschi dulcis and Diambrae and somtimes Treacle and Mithridate if these things be followed great Benefit will accrew to the Person Crato apud Sholzium Cons 35. XXV Of an Apoplexy 1. The Disease of the Apoplexy is nothing else but an Obstruction in the Original of the Nerve or Brain whereby the Passages of the animal Spirits which give Motion to the whole Body are shut up and the Heart is hindred to distribute and diffuse the vital Spirits from whence there comes a Resolution of the whole Body and is deprived of Sense and Motion as the Heart of Respiration 2. The proper Note and Chararcteristicon of this affect is known by Respiration which according as is more or less suppressed the Danger is so much the greater or lesser 3. We must first consider from whence the animal Spirits are thus impeeded the causes are many and various yet they may be included under these four the first is the bad Temper of the Brain which does not presently invade for the Imbecility of the Brain and of the animal Faculties the Understanding and Memory will be felt long before as also a Numness Somnulency Anger Oblivion with a pain in the Head and Noise in the Ears 4. If the Apoplexy be expected to flow from that Fountain then it will be needful to strengthen the Brain and the Brain if possible is to be purged by the Nostrils moreover you may purge the Brain by an Apophlegmatismus every Morning the Mouth is to be washed by Sage-Water with Salt and you may use every day this Confect which will refresh the Spirit 5. Take Species Diambrae Species Diamoschi of each one dram Sugar dissolved in Lavender-Water make a confection in little Balls you may eat one of them every Morning and you may rub the Almonds of the Ears with Rosemary-Water let him often chew Rocket and Caraway seed 6. This Remedy will be greatly useful for an Apoplexy arising from a second cause to wit from the obstruction of the Brain by a gross and viscid Flegm in this case let him swallow the bigness of a Bean every day of Treacle and Mithridate 7. Aniversary Purgations will be useful as also dayly Frictions first in the Hands and Feet and then in the Back 8. A third cause proceeds from thick gross Vapours disturbing the Spirits for by bad Diet which generates those Vapours the Head is filled and the Spirits are corrupted and dissolv'd and this grievous Affect is generated also Drunkards and great Wine Bibbers are very obnoxious to this Disease 9. The Brain is preserved from thick Vapours by observing diligently a good Diet too much Sleep Banquetting and fumous Meats are to be avoided the seed of Caraway and Rowls made of the Oyl of Caraway and Anise are good for removing the Vapours and by washing of the Feet in the Morning and Frictions the Vapours are much diverted Care must be had that Crudities be not accumulated in the Stomach for which Ambergrise is good 10. A fourth cause is from the too great plenty of Blood or of Flegm or of Melancholy if from Blood then beware of such things as do much augment is a Vein must be opened and Cupping-Glasses affixed to diminish the excessive quantity of the Blood 11. But if from Flegm or Melaâ—choly then these humors must be purged by exhibiting Sena the Brain is to be strengthned the Nostrils are to be anointed with the Oyl of Sage and Rosemary-Water is to be drawn up through the Nostrils and the following Gargarism
make a pouder Divide it into ten parts take a dose twice a day or twelve sows or Wood-lice bruised and White-wine put to them let the Juyce be wrung out make a Draught let it be taken twice a day 51. Now whilst these Medicines are inwardly taken it will not be amiss sometimes to raise Blisters with Vesicatories in the nape of the Neck and behind the Eares for so the serous and sharp humors are very much drain'd from the head 52. Besides Sneezing pouders and such as expurgate Rheum from the head often afford very considerable help 53. The drawing away of Blood from the Hemorrhoidal Veins of the Foot should sometimes be repeated yea and the Distemper requiring Plaisters and Cataplasms are advantagiously applyed to the Soles of the Feet It is also profitable to apply drawing Medicines about the Calves and Thighs Willis de Convulsivis Cap. 5. Observ 5. LONDON Printed for Th. Dawks and L. Curtiss The Chapter of the Vertigo continued Numb 20. L. A Vertigo with troublesom sleeps 1. John Elinger fifteen or sixteen years of Age was taken with a Vertigo and every Night he vehemently cryed out for that he was troubled with terrible things in his Sleep as if he should fall from some high Mountain 2. He was delighted in drinking of sharp or austere Wine and oftentimes suffered a relaxation of the Uvula and moreover he was afflicted with a vehement pain of the Head so that he was forced to keep his Bed for two days together 3. His Urine was very Cholerick thick troubled full of Sediment and a Spume or froth on the Crown thereof 4. I prescribed him the following Julep to be taken in three Mornings fasting Take Syrup of Staechas syrup of Succory with Rhubarb of each two ounces Oxymel simple Honey of Roses strained of each six drams Aqua Langij one ounce Waters of Endive and sorrel of each two ounces Vervain and Rose-water of each one ounce and half mix them for a Julep 5. Afterwards these following Pills Take Pilulae Arabicae one dram with syrup of Staechas make nine Pills They profit much and in the heat of Summer he took this mixture Take Conserves of Roses and of Wood-sorrel of each an ounce mix them 6. Notwithstanding he had all this while a notable weakness in his Limbs with a Griping of the Bowels and pain of the Head besides his Vertigo so that he was not able to Rise from his Bed also he was bound in his Bowels for four days past with a very great Thirst 7. I prescribed this Decoction following with Prunes Take of the best Sena Raisons of each one ounce white Tartar two drams three of the Cordial flowers Roses excepted of each one Pugil seeds of Anise and Fennel of each one dram Ginger five drams Mallows Herb Mercury flowers of Camomil of each one handful Water a sufficient quantity make a Decoction with Prunes 8. For the Comforting of his whole Body he used this following gross Pouder Take the Aromatick species I suppose he means Cloves Mace Nutmegs and Cinnamon cut small two ounces Coriander Comfits Lozenges of Diarrhodon Abbatis and of Diamargariton frigidum Citron Peels candied of each five ounces mix all well together and make a gross Pouder by beating in a Mortar By the use of these Remedies he was made perfectly well Gabelchoveri Cent. 4. Observ 1. LI. A Vertigo arising by consent from the Stomach 1. A Senator of Herrenberg twenty eight years of Age complained of a Vertigo which he plainly perceived to arise from Vapours ascending from his Stomach to his Head 2. Of other parts of his Body he made no complaints his Urine was well coloured and frothy 3. I prescribed him these following Pills Take Pilulae Aggregativae one dram Diagredium three grains with syrup of Staechas make fifteen Pills the which he swallowed with six drams of Syrup of Roses Solutive 4. Morning and Evening he washed his Feet in the following Decoction Take Aron leaves Thyme Ground-Ivy Camomil flowers Water-Cresses boyl all in a sufficient quantity of Water to wash with 5. In his Food he used Pouder of Nutmegs and going to Bed he eat Carraway-seeds moistned in Vinegar of Roses and dryed again By the use of these things with a Regular Diet he was in a few days made well Gabelchoveri Cent. 4. Observ 56. LII A Vertiginous disposition with other Symptoms 1. A Noble Youth about eleven years of Age being afflicted from his Infancy with an Imbecillity and weakness of the Head was at a certain time taken so ill after Sleep w th the abovenamed Distempers together with a Stupefaction of the parts of Motion that he was not able to hold his Head upright 2. Sometimes after Eating he was seized with the sudden Dejection of his Strength a pain in his Eyes and a darkness of his Sight his whole Body was consumed with an Atrophia his Urine was crude the pain of his Belly great his Appetite was but small without heat and thirst and his Pulse but slow 3. Now the Reason or rather the Cause from whence this Imbecility or Weakness of the Head did proceed is for as much as there is a Penury or lake of Spirits by their Refluctuation to their proper Fountain and Center and that occasion'd by Sleep they are not so quickly and readily distributed and diffused again through the Organs of the Senses 4. There was a kind of Stupefaction upon all the parts of Motion because they need and require a greater flowing in of the Spirits than the Organs of the Senses from whence we may perceive that the same part having the same Nerves oftentimes can Retain the Sense without Motion 5. The contrary whereof falls not out unless there be one Nerve to Communicate Motion and another to Communicate Sense which thing is manifest in the fabrick of the Eyes 6. Why there was a sudden Dejection of the Strength after Eating appears from this the native heat being so weak as not to digest the Food Communicated crude Exhalations to the Principal parts which serve the Animal and Vital Facultys where chiefly in the Brain this accession of Weakness was bred as in that part least Capable to bear external Injuries because of the want and Penury of the Spirits 7. There was also a pain of the Eyes with a darkness of the Sight whereas this Evil did arise by consent of the Ventricle affecting with pain sooner the foreparts than the hinder parts perhaps because the Brain is more Capacious and soft and so more fit to Receive the Impression of Vapours 8. And there chiefly the Emunctores do concur to the separation of the Heterogenous matter from whence also a dark Sight is not difficully demonstrated while the weaker Animal Spirits are whirl'd about contrary to their Nature by the flowing in of the crude Exhalations 9. The whole being consumed with an Atrophia did proceed from the Imbecillity of the Concoction of the Bowels from whence came the crude Urine and Blood
two days 1. Galen says that the Falling sickness being a Convulsion of all the parts of the Body which is not perpetual but returns at some certain intervalls consisting in the Brain or some other part affected the humour stopping the passage of the Animal spirits which are contain'd in the Ventricles of the Brain whereby follows such a Concussion of the Nerves as forcibly to expel that which is held in the ventricles or what is delated there from any other part must needs do great hurt 2. Those who are troubled with this disease you may perceive not only to be afflicted with a Convulsion of the whole Body but also with such a deprivation of the functions of the external Senses as that they cannot see hear nor speak 3. Their looks are stern their Eyes and Mouth drawn awry and they snort while they Breath and the reason why they make this noise when they breath is because there is no passage for the Breath through the narrow and inequal places which are filled with flegm 4. The Trachea Arteria to wit near the Larynx being fill'd with the gross humour there must needs be a snorting kind of noise especially if the humour abound and the place be narrow by which the Breath should pass 5. Another reason is when the pituitous humor descending from the Brain contain'd in a hollow place with which the Breath is mixed and by expiration is emitted causes such an agitation of the humour the native heat which is the Vehicle of all the powers assisting as that in the act of breathing there appears a great noise which grows greater and greater according to the accession and force of the humour 6. If according to Galen snorting be an Indication of an Apoplexy how more justly may we referr it to be an indication of the Epilepsy 7. This snorting which is nothing else but a sounding Breath emitted and received into the Aspera Arteria is deducible from two Causes as first from some thick gross humour or dark vapour which obstructs the Breath of which kind of distemper Plinius Nepos relates that Plinius Veronensis died 8. And it was occasion'd thus the latter going up to the Mountain Vesuvius to look on a prodigious flaming Cloud his breath was obstructed by a gross dark vapour by reason of the narrowness of the passage and his great snorting he could not draw his Breath and so died 9. Lastly it proceeds from the too great siccity or driness of the Aspera Arteria or the want of strength as is discernable in those that are near death or in those that are Peripneumonick or Pleuretick or in those that are troubled with acute Feavers so much concerning snorting which happens in the disease of the Falling-sickness 10. Now by these Accessions the mind and the internall senses are for the most part hurt it is evident also That the Brain being hurt and its Ventricle being obstructed there follows an obstruction of all its actions according to Galen 11. What wonder is it then if the Animal spirit which sit as Ruler of both senses and motion be viciated and all the Internal and External senses be hurt and this is certainly the cause why the Reason Cogitation and Memory in those that are taken with the Falling-sickness do not proceed regularly 12. For the faculty of the Brain and its Instrument the Animal spirit being possessed of of the Disease and being intent and earnest to overcome it is rendred less able to perform its several functions and offices 23. A wonderful weariness and weakness redounds from the Accession of this humour which happens upon this Account because Nature in this great Contest labours to be rid of so hurtful a Distemper by which battel there is a great resolution both of the native heat and the spirits from whence they become pale weak and dejected 14. And this Accession in the sick person proceeds rather by consent from the Ventricle and Belly fill'd with much flegm than the property and and primogenious affection of the Brain as the manner reason and celerity of the Cure 15. Where the Evil comes from the primogenious affection of the Brain chiefly in declining Age either never or in a long tract of time that affection is wont to be cured 16. According to Hypocrates's mind those that have the Falling-sickness before the ripeness of Age meet with an alteration but if the Disease trouble till the twenty fifth year the sick dies 17. A great and habitual hurt is indicated in the principal part where the affection continues so long that either it is with great difficulty or not at all cured 18. Why about the end of the Accession there appears much spume or froth in the mouth there is this reason for it 19. The matter contain'd in the Brain obstructing the Ventricle falling down is carried by that pipe to the mouth which ending on the palate from the middle Ventricle of the Brain derives its Excrements 20. It is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek Infundibulum in Latin Colatorium among Anatomists 21. The matter being detruded from this part and mixed to the spirituous substance makes a spume or Froth for indeed according to Galen all spume proceeds from the mixture of two substances one spirituous and the other moist 22. The mixture of these is thus both of them are broken and divided into many and those procreate little small bubbles the violent motion either of both or of one makes the mixture sometimes of the frothy substance with the watery as also a strong heat as is experienced in the sea that is moved with the winds which according to the Impetuosity of the motion it is more or less furious and frothy 23. Now because the Disease is fierce and sharp and is accompanied with many bad symptomes by which it is fear'd the sick person may fall into an Apoplexy not only because of the plenty of the matter filling the Ventricles of the Brain but also the greatness and duration of the Epileptick fits for she continued almost a day in one perpetual fit or Accesion 24. She must be help'd according to Hippocrates in one day if the Disease be Acute procrastination in such is Dangerous 25. Therefore we count it best to bring back the matter again from the principal part and to Expurgate the same the Head is to be strengthened and the sick reliev'd by Efficacious and opportune Remedies 26. Also the humour is to be caried down to the inferiour parts by a smart Clyster and the Cephalick vein is to be opened and because the matter did swell by a vehement obstruction and had possessed the Brain we must succour the principal part 27. The description of the Clyster is as followes Take the four Emollitives for the Belly was constipated when she was taken with the Epilepsy of each a handful Hyssop Betony sweet Marjoram Bawm Centaury the lesser of each half a handful the seeds of
thicker and mucous and also by humecting filling and cooling the substance of the Nerves it destroys their proper Temper in that place and so hinder the free occourse of the animal Spirit so that the said Nerves cannot be filled therewith nor enjoy it whence also by the interposition of this morbifick matter in the place of the first disaffection the other branches of the said Nerve which are carried to and supply other Parts are also frustrated as to the exercise of their Functions so that if the hurt be great there must needs follow a perfect resolution of the Parts unto which those Nerves are communicated and that by so much the more lasting and pertinacious by so much as the hurt of the Nerve is greater and which Authors affirm they have found by dissection to be the true cause of a Palsy proceeding from cold moist and pituitous humors wherein the spinal Marrow has been swelled up with a watery humor so that in this case there is no need to conceit any obstruction in the Nerves which are made up of filaments nor any cavity which may admit that thick humor as some have foolishly thought 8. Also such a superfluous or excrementitious humor arising elsewhere than from the Brain being carried to the Nerves of certain parts or heaped up there does induce a Palsie proper to certain parts which somtimes also mixt with other acid and colerick humors or otherwise putrefying not only by humecting but also by iritating the Nerves does cause Pains and together with them a resolution of the part and somtimes withall ending in Convulsions and this somtimes happens in colick Pains Pains of the Mesentery Torments of the Limbs and other disaffections 9. The same also is thought to come to pass from extravasated Blood falling into these cavities of the Nerves and a long time retained there but this is very rare or seldom seen but a great and lasting pressure of a part caused by a heavy burthen or some other force especially in that place where the Nerves are great or lye bare under the skin may cause a repulsion of the Animal Spirits and hinder its afflux whereby a tingling and stupidity will be induced after a little while an abolition of motion and at length a perfect stupidity of the part into which the compressed Nerve is inserted 10. And this often falls out in lying especially in the time of sleep one part lying long upon another as the Body on the Arm one Foot on the other or sitting long upon the Buttocks in Bed without stirring by which such a pressure is made as oftentimes renders the part immoveable and insensible which the common people call a sleep this if the pressure be very long and the sense return not in some reasonable time causes at length a certain resolution of the part but this compression being sudden and caused with a strong blow upon the Nerve it only causes a stupidity mixe with Pain and a sense of Tingling but not a Resolution or Palsie as it is often wont to fall out in the accidental striking of the Eâ—bow there where the Nerve lyes almost bare 11. Somtimes also a Palsie is caused from too hard Ligatures of the Members chiefly where a Nerve is contained under the bandage for that the sense of feeling and motion of the part do cease and if the recurrent Nerves be too hard bound there is immediately a defect of speech and at length the voice is totally lost 12. Upon a luxation of the Vertebrae and the bones of other joynts if there be a vehement pressure of the adjacent Nerves a Palsie certainly follows but this seldom comes to pass because the Nerves in those parts for the most part gives way so that other disaffections commonly follow upon such like accidents 13. Somtimes also it comes to pass that a pituitous or serous humor a long time wasting and humecting the Tendons of the Muscles does make them to be too much relaxed whence follows a Palsie of that part but this cheifly happens in those places where many Tendons are carried in a straight or narrow place and void of much flesh as about the bending of the Joynts which are bound and joyned together with Ligaments as it were with Rings as in the regions of the Wrist and Instep where somtimes a humor retained by reason of the straightness of the place many small bones being also tyed together in the Carpus and Metacarpium as also in the Ankle and Instep humecting and relaxing the Tendons causeth that the Hands and Feet do continue Paralytick all their life time after 14. And although the Palsie may be overcome and cease in other parts of the Body yet it remains in those yea when the humor is wasted the Tendons remaining longer than is fit whence for ever after they carry their Hands and Feet hanging and when they strive to lift them up or to lay hold on any thing because nevertheless they can mâ—ve their Fingers or goe yet because they cannot do that by the benefit of the Musches they are wont to cast them up on high by the force or strength of the Arm or Thigh in which also many times appears an eminency like as it were a certain Tumor in the superficies of the Wrist or Ankle arising by reason of Extenuation which is wont to accompany the same the Bones bunching forth there but oftentimes this resolution of the Wrist is accompanied with a Contraction of the Fingers for that for want of nutriment the Ligaments and Tendons labour under an Atrophy whereby being wasted and dryed they become contracted or shortned 15. Hence it appeares that all the Causes of any kind of voluntary motion hurt is either in the organ sending or communicating the power of moving not in the principal part the Brain for men also the Internal Senses would cease together with the motion which comes not here to pass Therefore the cause is in the Nerve or in the Instrument which moveth a Muscle Or in the part which is moved as is already in part explained and shall be more fully in what follows 16. Seeing the Nerves under which name we comprehend both the Spinal marrow and Genus Nervosum which are part of the Brain every where repleat with the Animal Spirit do communicate the faculty of moving and feeling if they be so hurt that they can no more do that then one or more Muscles into which they are inserted looses also their power of moving not being any more able to attract or draw up the Members which they ought to move there presently follows a resolution of the same to wit they becomes feeble and unfit for motion 17. And if the hurt be vehement the sense of feeling is also taken away not only in the Muscle but in the skin drawn over it which receives sensory Nerves from the same Nerve which is hurt But if the hurt be not so great because greater force is required to exercise motion than
Betony Rosemary Origanum Calamint Staechas Marjoram wild Time of each half a handful roots of Acorus new Orris of each an ounce and half Bay-berries Pellitory of Spain Cubebs Nutmegs the three Peppers of each half a dram flesh of Squills an ounce roots of wild Cucumbers two drams Ground-pine Germander of each a pugil live Sulphur powdered half an ounce Oyl of Castoreum half a pound Oyl of Bays of Rue of each two ounces Aqua vitae half a pint Orange flower-water three ounces the strongest-Wine a quart boyl all these till the Wine is consumed to the strained liquor add Sagapenum Opopanax Bdellium of each two drams Castoreum two drams Mace Nutmegs Storax Cloves Lignum Aloes of each two drams long Pepper half a dram Balsam two ounces Oyl of Liquid Amber one ounce Vnguentum Martiatum Aregon Agrippae of each an ounce Oyl of Tiles of Turpentine of each two ounces Oyl of Mace of lignum Guajacum of each one ounce Oyl of the Pepers of Rosemary of Anise of Salt Angelica of Sulphur of Thyme of each an ounce Oyl of Euphorbium an ounce and half grease of a wild Cat Goose grease of each two ounces Badgers grease three drams Vipers grease a dram Oyl of Foxes an ounce Marrow of a Cows leg two drams juice of Dwarf-Elder Sage Bawm of each two ounces mix all and with a sufficient quantity of Wax melted in the foresaid Oyls reduce them to the form of an Oyntment of a middle consistency Zacutus Lusitanus lib. 1. Observ 34. XXIII A Palsy after Child-birth 1. Though the Palsy be a Disease bred of cold and clammy Juyce yet it somtimes arises from an humor somwhat hot in which case all Physicians grant Blood-letting to be necessary 2. But if the Palsy arise after Child-birth the menstrual Blood being suppressed out of what Part Blood is to be drawn those that write of Womens Diseases do not determine although it is a doubtful Question and full of difficulties 3. I remember that I have seen Women that have had a real Palsy in their Legs when after Child birth their Courses have not flowed in such a measure as might answer to the fulness of their Blood 4. These Women being taken with a burning Feaver the Physicians tormented with Purgations and local Remedies applyed to the Parts affected and exceeding hot Baths being extreamly affraid to let any blood 5. For if Blood be taken from the Arm it suppresses their Courses if from their Feet the Blood will be drawn to the Parts affected and the humors rushing violently down they make the Disease worse 6. But because this Disease took its original from a vapourous matter transmitted from the Womb to the original of the Nerves breeding in them an obstruction stopping the way by which the animal Spirits descend and hindering the sense and motion of the lower Parts and she had not been duly purged after her Child-birth and the Feaver hence arising was urgent and the Woman being ruddy of a musculous and well compacted Body and having broad Veins full of Blood I boldly took a good quantity of Blood from her right Ankle after which Evacuation the cause of the obstruction being taken away she began to move her Feet and so being let blood again in her other Foot her Legs recovered their sense and motion Zacutus Lusitanus Lib. 1. Observ 35. XXIV A Palsy in a Man of seventy years of age 1. A certain lusty and strong Souldier being in the seventieth year of his age having in the Eastern Countries served forty years in the Wars and consequently being much wasted and broken with hard marching and labour worn out with watchings and stricken in years he seemed of a thin Body and spare of Flesh yet his Body was musculous his Colour fresh his Veins large and full of Blood and as himself related he had during his past Life been troubled with few Diseases and those gentle which commonly were terminated and cured with bleeding at the Nose to which he was subject at the approach of the Spring all which proceeded from the abundance of Blood as his hot and moist Complexion declared 2. This Man was taken with a Palsy on his left Side which arose as it appears from what had been said from the plenty of Blood obstructing and the moisture thereof slackning his Nerves for he had a deep Redness in his Face and he voided red Spittle mixed with snotty Flegm and that without any Cough or straining 3. Being called to him although in regard of his age the Disease seemed incurable or at least it would continue long yet I entred upon the Cure in this manner having in the first place injected an emollient Clyster I drew Blood from the Basilica Vein of his right Arm. 4. And a great Company of Remedies being prepared to attenuate Heat and strengthen visiting him in the Evening he told me he found some sense in his palsied Arm and Leg. 5. I growing bolder though he was in years opened a Vein again on the following day and putrifyed Blood being voided he said he had his Feeling perfectly in his Arm For which cause since he was better and his bodily Forces were more vigorous the Burthen being taken off and the Passages being opened being let blood again the next day he began to stir his palsied Members 6. And lastly after the fourth blood-letting without any external Medicament applyed to the Parts by the motion of his Arm and Leg it appeared that he was perfectly cured Zacutus Lusitanus Lib. 1. Observ 36. XXV A Palsy of the Eye-lids 1. A certain Person travelling in the depth of Winter through the Snow fell into a Palsy of his Eye lids for they lost their sense insomuch that he could not move either his upper or lower Eye-lids for they stuck so closs together that they could not be parted but with an Instrument or with a Mans Nails for him to see 2. This Man after general Remedies respecting his whole Body and Head and diverse particular Applications was chiefly helped by an Ointment made of Balsam mixt with Aqua Vitae Zacutus Lusitanus Lib. 1. Observ 59. XXVI A Palsy of the Tongue cured by opening the Veins under the Tongue 1. The Flesh of the Tongue is soft rare lax like a Spunge which is covered with a very thin Membrane common to the Mouth and Palat into which the Nerves of the third and fourth conjugation are disseminated 2. These being palsied and the fault being communicated from the Brain viz. the way being intercepted and stopped by thick Blood and the free Passage both of the moving and sensitive Faculty being hindered a certain young Man fell into a Palsy of the whole Tongue for it wholly lost both Tast Motion and Speech 3. This Man tryed many Remedies which are wont to be contrived for an universal Palsy These things being done he had an Issue made in the Nape of his Neck and drank a Decoction of Ebony many days together 4. He took many times
Line-seed the roots of Althaea of each one ounce Ammoniacum Serapinum dissolved all Night in White-Wine of each half a dram Frankincense Mastick of each two drams Oyl of Foxes one ounce Wax half an ounce make a Cere-Cloth according to Art spread a small quantity of this Ointment upon Leather according to the largness of the wounded Member by which Remedy the Person found himself to be much better 3. We have given you several Examples of Persons that have been taken with the Palsy by this or the like Accidents Some by Bruises Blows and Wounds in the Head and Neck have fallen first into a light Apoplexy then into a Palsy the History of which and their proper Cures as also their Causes and Signs we have given you in their peculiar Places 4. We have likewise told you how difficult or rather incurable this Disease is which is most evident in old Men who are scarcely ever freed from it 5. If a Trembling and Feaver follow upon a Palsy and that also which comes from a Blow or Wound provided the Nerves be not too much bruised and torn it is possible that such a Palsy may be cured but on the contrary a Palsy that is occasioned by some signal Contusion or tearing asunder of the Nerves is really incurable 6. Avenzoar according to the Judgment of Galen says That if the Nerves which serve Respiration be wounded there is emâ—nent danger of sudden Death 7. If the resolved Member grow nothing less nor is weak nor corrupted there is some hopes of a Cure but on the contrary if it grows discernably feebler and smaller and the native Colour perishes it portends no good nor easy Cure to the Patient 8. In the Cure of a Palsy or the resolution of the Nerves from a Wound or any other extrinsical Cause the whole Body is to be purged or Blood is to taken or both is to done and the Humors which have their influx upon the resolved Part are to be diverted and strict Rules of Diet which have been above prescribed are to be followed 9. Proper Topicks should be also set against this mighty Disease outwardly diverse Remedies are to be applyed and made use of in a Palsy proceeding from a Wound such as Emplasters Cataplasms Ointments Fomentations Cupping-Glasses and the like 10 Guido did use this one Liquor very well described by Mesues in the Passions of the Heart with which the whole Back is anointed and it is this Take choice Myrrh Aloes Spikenard Sanguis Draconis Frankincense Mummia Opobalsamum Opopanax Bdellium Carpobalsamum Ammoniacum Sarcocolla Saffron Mastick Gum Arabick liquid Styrax of each two drams or two drams and half choice Labdanum Castoreum of each two drams and half Musk half a dram choice Turpentine the weight of them all pulverize those which are to be pulverized let them be all mixed with the Turpentine then put them into an Alembick which distil over a gentle Fire and receive for Vse the subtil Liquor 11. Guido de Cauliaco did add to this pretious Liquor Herbs proper for and dedicated to the Palsy and as he witnesses it did help more effectually Petrus Forestus Lib. 6. Observ Chirurg 20. C. A Palsy cured by Paracelsus 1. One saith he was troubled with the Palsy whom I cured only with the Essence of Wall-Flowers drawn with the Spirit of Wine 2. Note First it is to be supposed that this Essense was either a Tincture drawn from the dryed Herb with the best rectified Spirit of Wine such as will fire Gun-Pouder Or otherwise such an Essence as is made of the Juyce of the Herb with an addition of Spirit of Wine as we have taught in our Doron Medicum Lib. 1. Cap 15. Sect. 2. § 1. where you shall receive further Satisfaction Salmon 3. Note That as to the use of the Medicament it is possible that he might as well give it inwardly in any proper Vehicle good against the Palsy as apply it outwardly to the Part by Bathings and Fomentations Salmon 4. A compleat Palsy or benummedness and loss of Motion A Boy fifteen years old falling down a stone pair of Stairs had his Arm and Leg benummed and void of moving whose Neck with the hinder Part of the Head and all the Back-bone I anointed with this following Ointment 5. Take Fox Grease two ounces Oyl of Earth-Worms one ounce Oyl of Bricks half an ounce mix them together and anoint therewith It was accordingly done and in short space no Wound Swelling or Palsy appeared in him Paracelsus SCHOLIA The THEORY of a PARALYSIS or PALSY By the Author W. Salmon CI. The Pathology of the Palsy and first of the Notation thereof 1. The Names It is called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Latin Paralysis Resolutio Nervorum and in English the Palsy Paralysis à 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est resolvi dicitur for that the Nerves and the Muscles in whom also the Nerves are inserted are so resolved and weakned that they are wholly unfit to exercise the Motum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or voluntary Motion 2. The Definition Est videlicet Paralysis motus in Parte una vel pluribus abolitio nonnunquam Sensus simul aboletur ob Spirituum animalium ad motuum spontaneum necessariorum Defectum Sennertus Paralysis Resolutio Nervorum est ubi aut totum Corpus excepto Capite aut alterutrum Latus aut Corporis duntaxat aliqua Pars videlicet Pes Manus aut Lingua Motu ac Sensu simul aut Motu tantum privata est Joel Paralysis describitur nempe quod sit Partium nervosarum à debita tensitate Resolutio sive Relaxatio cujus ratione Motus Sensus nempe aut alter tantum simul uterque in toto Corpore vel in quibusdam Partibus debito more exerceri nequit Willis A Palsy is a loss of Sense and Motion in some Parts of the Body by reason of the stopping of the Conduits or Passages of the animal Spirits Riverius Among these Willis his Definition is the most ample viz. that it is namely the Palsy a Resolution or Relaxation of the nervous Parts from their natural or due Habit by which means Motion and Sense to wit either the one only or both together in the whole Body or in some Parts can not be exercised after their due Manner But Joel wil have it that if the whole Body together with the Head be affected it is not a Paralysis but an Apoplexy and indeed most Authors say That an Apoplexy is an universal Palsy of the whole Body 3. The Kinds or Differences It is either universal call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in which the whole Body the Head excepted is affected Or particular called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in which some Part or Parts are seised therewith 2. It is either on both Sides of the Body called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or on the one half or Side of the Body and is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But some Authors use all these Terms
Chanel of the Spine so as to straiten the spinal Marrow and stop up the Passage of the Spirit And this may come to pass from a hurt of the Vertebrae by Distortion or Extremity of Cold in hard Weather by the latter of which a Congelation is somtimes bred from whence paralytick Diseases somtimes arise 11. And if any of these Accidents seise upon any of the greater Nerves or their Ramifications the same thing is caused for that which is bitterness in the Fountain will be bitterness in the Streams also 12. The Matter or Particles causing the Obstruction descending from the Cerebrum into the oblong Marrow falling upon the begining of the Nerves which spread themselves into some of the Muscles of the Face and by obstructing the Passages of the Spirit excite a Paralysis of the Tongue Eyes Eye-Lids Lips Jaws and other Parts From whence the contrary Muscles being contracted a Cramp or Convulsion is stirred up in the opposite Part. 13. The same Particles being carried forth into the spinal Marrow spreads it self somtimes into all its Conjugations or Pairs and somtimes into some particular Nerves of the same from whence a Palsy of all those Parts into which those Nerves or their Ramifications distribute themselves And in all those Parts whether in the Neck Hands Arms Legs or Feet where a Paralysis is caused from the Resolution of some particular Nerve or Nerves if all the Nerves of the same Part or Parts be not resolved but the opposite Nerves be free from the paralytick Affect there is always a Contraction of the same as in a particular Cure before-going we have observed 14. As the imbecility of the Animal Spirit often causes Paralytick Symptoms without any great Obstruction so that imbecility or impotency may be caused by an afflux of malign Particles from Narcotick stupefactive or poysonous Steams whether internal or external arising from Opium or Opiates the Deadly Night-shade Aconitum Mercury Antimony Bismuth Arsenick c. any of which if they kill not yet many times induce paleness weakness tremblings and a relaxation or resolution of the Nerves and musculous parts And the same may be caused from the fumes of Aqua fortis and Aqua regis unadvisedly taken up the Nostrils 15. Such like malign Particles as these whether proceeding from the aforesaid Fountains or from a scorbutick and cacochymick habit of Body passing through the brain and its medullar appendix seize upon the nervous Conduits and thereby not only contaminate the Animal Spirit but also the Neurotick juice whereby both the sense and the power of moving in a very short time comes to be obliterated These upon their first approaches only induce Paralytick Symptoms as stiffness or numbness and withal cause a weakness in the part but at length being plentifully cast into the Nerves and as it were tumultuating there they fix themselves up and down and so perfectly obstructing the passages of the Spirit cause an absolute and durable Palsy 16. Galen and many other Physicians his followers affirm a thick glutinous cold flegm to be the morbifick matter of a Paralysis but such alike substance is impossible to pass through the brain much less the Neurotick Cavities by reason of their exceeding smallness from whence it is manifest that the proeguminine proximate or conjunct cause of a Palsy is malign and very subtil Atoms or Particles which contaminating the Spirits whether in the Brain callous or streaked Bodies the oblong or spinal Marrow the original of the Nerves or their several and various ramifications do infallibly excite a Palsy and in those part or parts which have a sympathy consent or community with the parts first affected 17. But that such thick cold flegm or a watery humor in the Brain is not the cause of the Palsy is manifest for that these humors commonly find another vent to wit by the Nose Eyes and Pallat And where there is a Dropsy of the Brain in which the Brain saith Willis and the tops of either Marrow do as it were swim in Water yet are not such for that reason disposed to the Palsy unless the Water by its weight make a compression of the Marrow 18. The Procatartick remote or foregoing causes remain now to be enquired into and they are either Accidental or Habitual The Accidental are manifest as a Bruise Wound Luxation and extream heat or cold without any previous or habitual disposition of the Body besides which and the conjunct cause which is either a Compression or Solution of Unity there is no other 19. The Procatartick habitual cause is always a malign extraneous matter generated and heaped up together which being suffused into the Organs of sense and motion obstructs the marrowy of nervous passages and somtimes withal profligates the Spirit by mere contact or effects both together whence by reason of the cutting off of the Animal Spirit a Palsy is excited in the congruent parts 20. This cause depends upon a double antecedent cause viz. one more remote which is a disaffection of the Blood and Lymphatick juyce generated in themselves or taken from the Stomach Intestines and Mesentery which conveys to the Head a morbifick matter the other more near which is a brain of evil disposition or conformation being either too weak or too loose and resolved or otherwise of evil conformation whereby it easily admits of forreign heterogene and malign Particles 21. The morbifick matter being brought to the Brain induces a Paralysis either primarily for that those heterogene and malign Particles are chiefly disposed for the exciting or stirring up a Palsy And with all that they are conveyed gradually and in small proportion for otherwise should there be a great afflux together they would first cause an Apoplexy or Carus or excite Convulsions the Cholick Gout or Scorbute and then at length a Palsy Or Secondarily which is most common after some of the aforenamed Diseases a slow and long Feaver immoderate Grief a Consumption Atrophy or Wasting and some other Distempers for the most part Chronical wherein the natural and vital Faculties being thereby very much hurt and the strength at length worn out enervations and resolutions of the whole Body or of some Members often-times succeeds 22. A Palsy for most part follows after long and continued Convulsions or convulsive Motions as Epilepsies for that the Nerves and Muscles in several Members are mightily debilitated so that the motive Faculty is as it were only through infinite weakness abolished the sick becoming first Lame then wholly helpless for that the morbifick matter being continually thrust into the passages of the Cerebrum and its medullar and nervous Appendix does at length so weaken and dilate them that it gives a free course to those malign and heterogene Particles by which the Palsy is certainly induced 23. So also after a frequent and long Cholick which cruelly tormenting and returning by intervals causes other cruel and almost continual pains in the other Viscera of the Abdomen from whence through the
purchased to my self great Applause which was performed as follows 4. I advised the same Evening I came to him to wash his Feet before Sleep with the Decoction of Camomil Marjoram Origanum Sage and Roses the middle Vein was opened and the Superficies of the Blood was covered with a thick and mucilaginous Flegm and from that time he did no more complain of the Catarrh which accompanied this Disease 5. Now to draw away the pituitous humors from the Brain these following Pills were exhibited Extractum Pil. Cochia Pil. Aureae Pil. sine quibus Crollius his Panchimagog Extract 6. Far more special Emundatories of the Brain first a Masticatory is to be used as that of Agarick and Mastich with Pyrethrum Nutmegs Cubebs 7. A Gargarism was next of the Decoction of Hysop Carthamus-seeds Agarick with Oxymel 8. Pills for driving the mucilaginous Matter from the Brain were of the natural Balsam Aloes Gum Ammoniacum dissolved in Vinegar of Squills made up with the Salt of Wormwood and Magistry of Pearl by the use of which he found much good Thonerus Lib. 2. Observ 1. XXXVII An Apoplexy ending in a Palsy of the right Side with a Convulsion of the Mouth 1. A Man of a melancholy disposition was taken with an Apoplexy which ended in a Palsy of the right Side Arm and Foot having Sense without Motion accompanied with a Convulsion of the Mouth and stammering of the Tongue 2. The Original of the Nerves residing in the Basis of the Brain were obstructed and irrigated with flegmatick humors which afterwards flowing down from the hinder Cavities of the Brain by the Vertebrae of the right Side and conveying themselves into the substance of the Nerves deprived the above mentioned Members of Motion and intercepts the passage of the animal Spirits 3. Now for exterminating these wheyish and flegmatick humors adhering to the Brain and Nerves I prescribed Hydromel laxativum 4. Take Elecampane Fennel Cloves of each two drams Hysop Betony Carduus Benedictus Bawm Rosemary flowers Sage-Gout-Ivy of each one pugil the leaves of Sena one ounce Agarick newly trochiscated three drams white Gum of Turbith two drams Hermodactils one dram and half Galangal one dram Aniseed two scruples and half with a sufficient quantity of Sugar for two quarts make Hydromel 5. Every other day a quarter of a pint more or less may be taken according to Age and Strength these following Pills were next prescribed 6. Take Extractum Pil. Cochiae one scruple ex Panchymagoga Crolii Pil. Aureae of each half a scruple with Sage-Water make fifteen Pills 7. The Reliques of the Matter in the Genus Nervosum may be resolved and discussed by Sweat Take Ambros's Decoction four ounces generous Wine two ounces mix them 8. Having taken this Sudorifick every Morning within 12 days he was perfectly recovered 9. The Anhaltine Cephalick Spirit in Broth is good for comforting the Brain as also the following things 10. Take Treacle Water Aqua Cephalica Mirabilis Langii of each half an ounce Aqua Antepileptica Langii one ounce Confectio Alkermes a dram or in place thereof Confectio Diambrae one dram mix them 11. Or Take the Species Diambrae one dram the Juyce of Alkermes one scruple the Oyl of Amber rectified four drops dropt into Sugar two ounces and half dissolve them in black Cherry-Water mix and make Lozenges or Rowls Thonerus Lib. 2. Observ 3. XXXVIII Preservatives from an approaching Apoplexy 1. A certain Woman about the age of fifty being sensible of a cold in the Brain in the Winter and being over and above afflicted with a Catarrh did fear a Fit of the Apoplexy 2. Corroboratives being desired were given her which are as follows Take Conserves of Rosemary-flowers Bawm of each six drams Marjoram half an ounce confected Nutmegs two drams Confectio Alkermes one dram mix them 3. Morning and Evening the following are to be used Take the flowers of Marjoram one handful Rosemary-flowers Sage of each half an handful Arabian Stoechas one pugil Nutmeg one dram Cloves Mastich of each half a dram Styrax Calamitae wood of Aloes of each one scruple with a little Cotton and Silk make a round Cap She said she found great good thereof Thonerus Lib. 2. Observ 6. XXXIX Of the Apoplexy Stupefaction and Palsy of the Tongue 1. John Vogel one of the Aldermen of Langinga being eight and forty years old having for a long time the Head-ach accompanied with a heaviness and weariness of the Body was at last suddenly taken with an Apoplexy For he suddenly fell down lay senseless as a Block without speaking or stirring though called upon by his Name pinched and pricked he could not hear nor perceive nor answer nor feel any thing 2. While he lay in this wretched Condition I was sent for and calling upon God for assistance I understook the Cure of this formidable and acute Disease which was managed after this manner 5. I took of my sneefing Pouder the quantity of a Pease which I blew with a Quill into either Nostril at Morning Noon and Night with which he sneezed very strongly And his Brain was very well purged so that in the space of one day he recovered both Sense and Motion For he could see and knew the By-standers he could hear them speak and beckoned by way of answer but he could not as yet speak 4 In the mean while that I used the sneezing Pouder his Sneezings being over I put up Oyl of Amber with a Feather into his Nostrils which did exceedingly comfort his Brain 5. After I had used these two Remedies aforesaid I gave him half a spoonful of the Oyl of Lignum Heraclium by degrees which with the use of other Remedies did much advance the Cure 6. Having now by these three Remedies through Gods Blessing perfectly recovered his Sense and Motion so much as that he was able both to eat and drink and to walk freely and easily up and down yet the Palsy and the loosness of his Tongue continued near upon two days so that what he could not utter by Words he wrote with Chalk upon a Board 7. In order to restore him to the Motion of his Tongue I drew plenty of Blood for his Veins were very full out of the Cephalick Veins of both Arms. 8. The day following I purged his Head and whole Body with this Purge Take Extract of Esula one dram Fountain-Water five ounces mix strain and let him drink it cold This wrought to purpose 9. While I used these things against the Palsy of his Tongue I ordered once every hour to smear his Tongue all over with the aforesaid Oyl of Lignum Heraclium and by these proper Remedies in the space of a day and a night beyond all Peoples expectation he began to speak articulately and distinctly and he that was before dumb began all of a sudden to speak well through the great Goodness of God Rulandus Cent. 2. Observ 6. XL. An Apoplexy from Worms 1. There was a Man who was
Swoons sometimes falls suddenly and sometimes by degrees Sense Motion and Voice being many times taken away sometimes only diminished respiration alone and that with much difficulty remaining 2. The Sick sleeps deeply and as it were snorts or snores the loosned Members being lifted up fall down with their own weight in the manner of dead Persons and their Eyes are either wide open or shut 3. The Pulse in the mean season is strong and full which has deceived many in the Prognosticks of this Disease and there is many times a relaxation of the Sphincter Muscle of the Anus and Bladder 4. An approaching Apoplexy is seldom accompanied with any praevious signs save in some persons a Lethargy or Vertigo has sometimes gone before for which cause they are called the Fore-râ—nners of this Disease as also Dimness of Sight the Incubus Tremor of the whole Body gnashing of the Teeth in sleep and heaviness of the whole Body 5. Moreover they are often times seized with this Disease in taking of Tobacco which thing has been many times observed by several Authors 6. This Disease is distinguished from a Carus for they who have a Carus have their Senses remaining neither is the invasion of the Disease so sudden 7. It differs from a Lethargy because it is without a Feaver and stirring and from the Suffocation of the Mother or Hysterick Passion and Swooning fits because it is observed with a laxity of the Members a fullness of the Pulse and a countenance keeping its colour and without a cold Sweat which in a Syncope is always observed to be cold and clammy 8. But in this Disease the Sick for the most part suddenly falls all the Senses and Mâ—tion as also the Voice being in a moment taken away the breathing only as aforesaid and that with difficulty remaining 9. The Sick seems to be in a deep sleep and many times as it were Dead for that the respiration is so weak as not to be discerned and they lye without stiring or moving any Member neither speaking hearing seeing nor feeling although pulled thrust or prickt 10. They gape for the most part with their Mouths their Eyes closed but sometimes wide open and they keep the colour of their Face all the Members of their Body being lax and pliable not stiff or contracted 11. Sometimes they foam or froth at Mouth and many times there comes forth a bloody kind of froth or Spittle and sometimes clear blood it self as I once observed 12. From these Symptoms appearing in the Sick it is that some Authors have defined the Apoplexy to be a stupidity joyned with a resolution of the parts for that being as it were astonished they lye stupid like stocks all the Senses alike and motion also being abolished together 13. But these accidents are sometimes more mild at other times more grievous in which both the internal and external Senses are taken away together whence they understand nothing nor have any perceivance of any thing or shew any sign of Sense though you prick or burn them LIV. The various causes of an Apoplexy 1. One of the chief causes of an Apoplexy assigned by Authors is Blood out of its Vessels stopping and compressing the Ventricles of the Brain and that falls out either from the Rupture of a Vein in the brain or an over fullness of the Vessels or some great bruise or confusion of the Head or from some cut or punctured Wound by which the Veins of the Brain are hurt or broken and so let forth their blood 2. Barbet saith It is caused from a thick Lympha for the most part obstructing the Nerves and Deckers saith Not only from the thicker Lympha but tough flegm or matter contained in the Brain and obstructing the parts by reason of a fall from on high or by concussion or a blow as Fabritius Hildanus observes Cent. 6. Observ 11. Or by sadness and sudden consternation of the mind as the same person proves it Or from blood obstructing a suppression of some accustomed Hoemorrhage by the Nose or Fundament going before as the said Hildanus Cent. 4. Observ 11. relates Or from Blood extravasated chiefly from a Wound of the Brain it self 3. The Seat of the Apoplexy is without doubt within the more inward recess of the Brain to wit the Corpus Callosum and the proximate and immediate subject of the Disease is the Animal Spirit inhabiting therein for that the Understanding Imagination and common Sense are so deeply affected as to be perfectly darkned and to suffer a total Eclipse But the mediate subject of this disaffection is thought to be the middle part of the Brain because from thence the instincts of all spontaneous motions proceed and in this the perceptions of all sensible things are terminated 4. For upon the approach of the Paroxysm all the acts of every spontaneous and intelligible Function which depend upon the Brain it self are forthwith hindred and cease for that the Animal Spirits being suppressed in their chief place of meeting which is the Callous body their next immediate motion of expansion in the same place as also their afflux into the nervous Appendix is wholly obliterated whence comes that sudden and universal darkness or total Eclipse in the whole Animal Region which is subject to its disposition 5. However in the mean season the Pulse and Breathing as also the motions of the Ventricle and Intestines are in some measure performed viz. either freely or faultily and with pain because their actions proceed wholly from the Cerebellum which is not at all or but little hurt by the morbifick matter Now if the disaffection be so great as that all the Senses be abolished whence motion also does cease yet the other Functions which are not so much the Off-spring of the Brain may remain as the Pulse which is excited by the Heart and the breathing which is partly from a natural and partly from a voluntary act excited from the Organs of both kinds of motion to wit both of the Midriff and Lungs 6. And therefore it is that though the Brain is extreamly affected so as all voluntary motion does cease the Midriff or Muscles of the Brest contributing then nothing to the motion yet then the Breathing is managed or performed by the natural or spontaneous motion of the Lungs wherein after a sort they contract and dilate themselves but this act of breathing is then with difficulty for that it is performed but with one half of its Organs And therefore if the disaffection or hurt of the Brain does not speedily pass off because the Lungs are not able long to perform the whole duty of Breathing Suffocation will infallibly succeed for that the faculty in both kinds will be wholly abolished 7. Now after what manner the Animal Spirits are so suddenly and all at once suppressed or as it were extinguished about their original of Emanation so that all sense and motion depending on them ceases every where remains to be enquired
things which cause a Plethory and a Vertigo viz. all vehement commotions of the Mind great Anger afflicting Phansies and Melancholy Imaginations cold Air Winds as also gross and thick Air with a cold do afflict the Head and Nerves 7. Those who are afraid of Diseases in the Nerves they would do well to be advised to keep carefully the Head Neck Feet and Stomach from Colds and that they would not suddenly strip themselves in the cold Air after they come out of a hot place or when they begin to sweat and that they would beware of the Beams of the Moon and the Sun because they fill the head with Vapours and breed both a Vertigo and Catarrh 8. Secondly But if the Vapours and the Repletion of the Head be increas'd you may use the Pills above-prescrib'd the number of which you may increase or diminish as you see occasion 9. By the pouder of Nigella you may draw out some part through the Nostrills and the water of Marjoram may be taken to drive out the pouder which you may take twice into the Nostrills before meat and thereby cleanse them If your pouder be too strong you may make use of the water only 10. Take Roman Nigella infused in Vinegar a day and a night furthermore being dried let him take a dram and an half of the pouder the Waters of Marjoram and of the Elder of each one ounce and mix them 11. Thirdly To dissipate Vapors Let the head be washed in the morning with herbs afterwards mentioned put into the Lye of Ashes the head being afterwards dryed with warm cloths Take the leaves of Stoechas of Lavender Anthos of each one pugil and a half Indian spicknard one dram roots of Asarabacca three drams the leaves of Sena two drams Agarick one dram Betony and vervain of each an handful and an half Marjoram one pugil let them be bruised and put into a Lixivium and boiled as aforesaid 12. And this odoriferous Pomander which follows will be very usefull if the Smell morning and evening be taken up the Nostrills for that Odor dries and dissipates the Vapors and strengthens the head Take pure Labdanum two scruples Gallia Moschata one Scruple Lignum Aloes Storax Calamita of each half a scruple Mastich Olibanum Gum of Juniper bitter Costus of each five grains Ambergr se Musk of each one grain Let them all be subtilly pouder'd and with the Muscilage of Tragacanth extracted with Marjoram water make Pomanders 13. The Confection following is very Excellent for strengthning both head and stomach which may be used with the rest but every morning take the Quantity of a Walnut it is pleasant and effectual and preserves the head and Stomach from many Diseases and it is this Take Cheb Myrobalans condited of each five drams green Ginger preserv'd Calamus Aromaticus condited Citron peels confected of each half an Ounce Orange-Peels candied three drams Eringo condited five Drams Indian Nutmegs preserv'd two drams Roots of Bugloss condited Cichory condited of each half an ounce Conserves of Rosemary-flowers Peony-flowers Bawm of each two drams Powder of Ey-bright one dram Cinnamon in gross pouder one Scruple as also Mace in gross pouder half a dram mix them all together and make a Confect 14. Lastly This pouder will be very useful if you be much troubled with the Vertigo Take Pouder of Ey-bright with the flowers half an Ounce Mace steep'd in Vinegar one dram Coriander prepared four Scruple Betony one scruple Cubebs half a Scruple Sugar Candy six drams and mix them Of this let a dram be taken in the morning either by it self or with the crums of Bread or in a rear Egg or in boyled Ale Also Fennel-seed cover'd over with sugar and chew'd in the Morning is good for it dissipates the Vapors and preserves from the Vertigo and clears the sight 15. But if there be any Indications or Symptoms of an Apoplexy this following powder will be very good Take of white Amber prepared two drams of the Roots of Peony species Diarrhodon abbatis of each half an ounce and mix them And then take one dram every month the day after the new Moon with a little Cinnamon-water or the Spirit of Wine Whosoever shall continue the use of this Remedy at the time appointed they may have their Bodies delivered from the Apoplexy and many other Symptoms Consil Medic. Scholzij Obs 113. ex Casp Hofmanno XXXVII A Vertigo Scorbutical and fainting of the Spirits 1. The Vertigo often comes upon an Inveterate Scurvy to which is wont to be added a fainting or assiduous sinking of the Spirits and almost a continual fear or dread of it Also a Stupor or stiffness in the Members with the sense of a pricking here and there running about them 2. These kinds of Distempers proceed from the sinking of the Animal Spirits in the Original Fountain and sometimes of them which are contained in the Nerves both the Cardiack and those serving for the Moving of the parts and when they fail in the Brain and nervous stock being much surrounded with a Scorbutick Salt they are not easily cured 3. Cephalick Remedies such as are convenient in the Vertigo and Paralytick Disaffections excited by themselves are to be administred with Antiscorbuticks mix'd therewith first therefore fit Catharticks being exhibited as such as are convenient in the Scurvy you may proceed with Specifick Remedies against the said Vertigo after this manner 4. In the beginning of the Cure open the hemorrhoidal Veins in the Fundament by Leeches and unless any thing gainsay Let it be several times repeated Then take of the Pouder of male Peony-roots four drams Red Coral levigated two drams Man's skull Elks-claws prepared of each one dram mix them Dose from half a dram to a dram 5. Take of the best Sugar in Aqua Peoniae compound or in water of wild Radish and boyled up to a Consistency eight ounces of the best rectified Oyl of Amber half an ounce make thereof Tablets and take of them from one dram and half to two drams morning and evening drinking after it a draught of the following distilled water 6. Take Scurvy-grass brook-lime Garden-cresses Lillies of the Valley Sage Rosemary Betony of each three handfuls green Wall-nuts four pounds Rinds of Oranges number six Limon peels number 4. fresh roots of Male-Peony half a pound being bruised and cut put to them the flegm of Vitriol one pound Whey made with Cider five pounds distill them after the common way to dryness letting the whole water be mixt together The Dose from three ounces to four five or six Willis de Scorbut cap. 9. XXXVIII A Vertigo Scorbutical in the highest degree 1. A man about 40 years of Age of a Melancholy habit afflicted for many years with the Scurvy was often sensible of divers and manifold Symptoms thereof at various seasons of the year 2. There was seen about his thighs large black spots and marks as if proceeding of strokes pains of the Belly with a loosness often afflicting
and Nervous stock 13. For truly it may be plainly collected That the Cause of the Distemper lay hid in the Head it self by the Symptoms preceeding the Fit which did Demonstrate a very great agitation of the Spirits within the Head 14. The Inflation of the Brain and heavy swimmings which came just as the Fit was coming on him and the turnings of the Eyes did manifestly denote that heterogeneous and explosive particles did adhere to the Spirits dwelling within the Encephalon near to the beginning of the Nerves 15. So that this Case comes near to the nature of the Epilepsy excepting that the Spirits within the middle of the Brain did not admit an Heterogeneous Copula nor being explosed in another place did they outragiously break forth there for during the fit the sick person was still in his Senses or had the use of his Memory 16. But the Morbifick matter being more abundantly laid up in the Head from whence it descended into the Pipes both of the exterior and interior Nerves it had placed mines of explosive Seeds very diffusive into the Viscera both of the lower and middle Belly and also in the exterior Members 17. So that when the Animal Spirits began to be explosed near the beginnings of the Nerves presently from thence others inhabiting the Mesenterick enfoldings and then others in the other nervous enfoldings interjected from the utmost bound even to the Head being explosed in order did even continue the Convulsions from one part to another until they came to the Head it self 18. But presently being translated from thence to the spirits dwelling in the Spinal Marrow and appending Nerves the most strong Convulsions of the Muscies and Members of the whole body followed that ascent of the bulk or substance which very often was perceived in the lower Belly about the beginning of the Convulsions proceeding from the Spirits within the Mesenterick enfoldings being brought into explosions shall be more largely declared when we come to Discourse of Hysterick Passions 19. If it be asked for what reason that the Convulsive Paroxism beginning in the part of the Head near the beginnings of the Nerves presently the Spirits dwelling in the outmost parts as many as are pre-disposed for that symptom enter into Explosions and so transfer the Convulsive Disease being there fully raised upwards for it is so for the most part whether the entrance of the Disease begins in the bottom of the Belly or about the middle of the Abdomen the Hypocondria or Praecordia for that the Convulsion is wont to creep by degrees from those places towards the Head 20. I say for the Solution of this these two Considerations are offered viz. in the first place we consider that when some whole series of Spirits are disturbed those who reside in the extreamest bounds are first destituted of their original Influence wherefore they before others grow outragious and irregular hence it is when the Nerve of the Arm or Thigh is strained hard by leaning on it that the wonted influence is hindred that a numbness with a sence of pricking or tingling is first felt in the Fingers or Toes from whence by degrees it creeps upwards to the part affected 21. Secondly The other is which is the cause rather of this Distemper viz. That the Spirits being ready for explosions when they are contained within the Nervous Pipes one or more as so many little distinct Tubes they require a sufficient ample space in which they may be able very much and indeed successively to be rarified and expanded which thing because it cannot be easily performed within the Trunks of the Nerves from the beginning towards the end therefore while the Spirits about the Nervous Origine being first struck off leap back towards the Encephalon for that cause they stir up the Vertigo 22. The more open explosions of the Spirits for the most part begins about the inferior passages of the Nerves or at their Extremities where the Trunk of the Nerve is either dilated into more open foldings or terminated in more Fibres largely dispersed abroad 23. Then those Spirits being explosed there is room made presently for others succeeding in order wherby in like manner they may be explosed 24. Hence we may observe whilst the exterior Spirits are explosed if a ligature or hard compression being made the succession of others into the same space or their progress towards the exterior parts be intercepted the Convulsion is wont to be hindred that it cannot ascend upwards 25. Wherefore when a Numbness being arisen from the farthest end of the Finger or Toe creeps to the superior parts with a tingling or with a cold Air and at length reaching the Brain causeth most horrid Convulsions if after the motion is begun the Arm or Thigh be strongly tyed the Spasm or Convulsions not being able to get over the bound place is hindred from coming to the Head 26. Yea it is usual for Hysterical Women as soon as the swelling in the Belly or the ascent of the bulk in the Abdomen is first perceived to gird strongly their Wasts with swathing bands and so oftentimes they prevent the Precordia and Region of the Brain from being disturbed by that same Convulsive Fit 27. But that the Blood let out in the midst of the Fit was soon congealed it falls out ordinarily so in Convulsive and Apoplectical Diseases as the most famous Heighmore has observed out of Hendochius 28. But that some from hence argue That Convulsions depend on the thickness of the Blood and stagnation its motion being impeded cannot be allowed because the blood drawn from those that are obnoxious to Convulsions a little before the Fit is dilated with Serum and fluid enough 29. Wherefore we may judiciously think That the Congelation is caused by the Paroxism it self because in Convulsive motions and immoderate contractions of the Nerves and Viscera the inter-flowing blood by the exhalations of its Spirits and Serum is somewhat losened in its mixtion and therefore in some sort coagulated not unlike Milk which by reason of too much agitation and separation of the parts one from another grows into Butter wherefore this kind of Coagulation of the blood seems rather to be the Effect than the Cause of the Convulsions 30. In order to the Cure of this Distemper That Learned Man makes the first Indication to be to draw away the matter enkindling the Disease viz. that the blood might no affix its Heterogeneous particles either begot in it self or received from other parts as the Viscera on the Head or Brain for this purpose Evacuations are first to be performed 31. Vomits for the most part bring help here such are the Infusion of Crocus Metallorum Salt of Vitriol Vinum sciliticum which may be given at first then almost the next day a quantity of Blood may be taken away 32. After which you may give this following gentle Cephalick Purge Take Pil. de succino Cratonis or Pil. Tartari Bontij two Drams
Gregorius Horstius for the Vertigo 1. Take Cardamoms grains of Paradice let them be often chewed or Poudred and taken in Broth. 2. Take Cubebs six or seven grains bruise them and steep them for a Night in three ounces of Wine and strain and drink it the next Morning 3. Take Pouder of Ey-bright with the flowers half an ounce Mace prepared with Vinegar one ounce Coriander seeds a dram and half Betony a scruple Cubebs half a scruple Sugar Candy six drams make a Pouder of which take a dram in a Glass of Mallago Wine and a Tost 4. Take Chymical Oyls of Fennel and Anise seed of each three grains mix them and give them in a little Broth. 5. Take Pouder of Southernwood a dram Oxymel one ounce mix them and give it against the Vertigo in a moist and cold Constitution 6. Take species Diambrae Diamoschu of each one dram Aromaticum Rosatum half a dram red Coral and white Amber both prepared of each sixteen grains Cardamoms Nutmegs Mace of each a scruple Sugar five ounces with Rose-water make a Confection in Rowls adding towards the End Chymical Oyls of Fennel and Anniseeds of each six drops 7. Take Pearls prepared one dram Oyl of Cloves six drops distilled Oyl of Nutmegs eight drops Sugar dissolved in Damask Rose-water eight ounces make a Confection in Rowls 8. Take leaves of Euphorbium one ounce Staechas Lavender flowers of each two drams Mace a dram and half Cinnamon one dram Sugar the weight of all make a fine Pouder Dose two drams 9. Take Nutmegs half an ounce Ey-bright dried two ounces make a fine Pouder The Dose a dram Morning and Evening 10. Take species Diamoschi Dulcis one dram Chymical Oyl of Nutmegs one scruple Oyl of white Amber three grains Sugar dissolved in Lavender Water three ounces make a Confection in Rowls 11. Also to this purpose the Essences of Amber and Ambergrise are famous so also the Pouder of Native Cinnabar Compound together with the Lixivium and Balsam of Agricola Peacocks-dung is a great specifick in this Case 12. Take Water of Swallows Water of Castoreum of each a spoonful mix them for a Dose 13. Take Misleto of the Oak two drams Root of Male Peony three drams seeds of the same one dram red and white Coral levigated of each half a dram Pearls prepared a scruple white Sugar half an ounce mix and make a Pouder Dose one dram with the Water Lilly Convally 14. Take Chymical Oyl of Carraways three grains Ambergrise in Pouder four grains Sugar a sufficient quantity give it in black Cherry-water 15. Take white Amber species Diarrhodon Abbatis of each a dram and half Ambergrise four grains but half a dram would do better make a Pouder Dose half a dram 16. Outwardly Take Pouder of Silk-worms which mix with Dears fat and Ducks grease let the Head be anointed therewith Ex Horstij Tom. 3. Pag. 194. SCHOLIA Theoretical Considerations upon the Cure of the VERTIGO By W. Salmon the Author hereof LVI The Pathology of the Vertigo and first of the Notation thereof 1. THe Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Graece Vertigo Latine The Swimming of the Head Giddiness or Turning of the Brain in English 2. The Definition The Vertigo is a Disease in the Cavities of the Brain chiefly the Foremost in which the Animal Spirits are disturbed by a preternatural Exagitation and Commotion so that all things seem to turn round by which the Sick is taken with a certain Swimming or Giddiness of the Head causing them to stagger or reel and somtimes to fall yet not depriving them either of Sense or Motion 3. The kinds It is two-fold one Simple called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherein the Sight remains unhurt the other is Complex called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wherein Sight is Darkned as it were with a Mist or Cloud LVII The Signs of the Vertigo 1. The Signs whereby a Vertigo is known is a Giddiness in the Head or Brain for the most part without pain in which all things seem as it were to turn round sometimes with a gentle Motion sometimes with a rapid 2. When the Motion is gentle the Sick seldom falls only a little Staggers as it were and is confounded in his Mind by a certain kind of Amazement from the sudden Exagitation of the Animal Spirits so that if he be walking he knows not where he is but must be forced to stand still to Consult the place of his present Station whether he is a going and what is the occasion 3. For that a strange kind of Forgetfulness does seize him notwithstanding all this while his internal Senses are not so disturbed but that he knows he is about business though the particulars be forgotten which after a little pause he Recollects again and becomes perfectly well 4. Sometimes as is aforesaid this affect is accompanied with dimness or darkness of the Sight in which Case not only all the other Symptoms are existent but the Circumvolution or Rotation of things seems to be with a great Violence or Vehemency insomuch that when the Paroxism seizes the Sick must necessarily fall unless that he catches hold of any thing whereby he might support himself 5. It is known a little before it comes by forgetfulness above-mention'd a kind of Amazedness of Spirit Dimness of Ey-Sight with variety of Colours before the Eyes wherein things seem to be double or treble cut presently after all things seem to turn round and the Sick to turn round with them LVIII The Causes of a Vertigo 1. The chief causes of a Vertigo are four One is from a Natural weakness of the Brain being for the most part Hereditary from the Parents or having been weakned from some Blow or Fall or some other external Accident whereby it is made apt to receive the Impresons of Vapours or from long constant and violent turning Round whereby the said Animal Spirits are Exagitated and brought into the like Commotion 2. A second Cause is from the straightness of the passages of the Brain wherein the Animal Spirits moving with difficulty and flowing with a mighty force by reason of the great Intentness of the Sick upon any particular occasion the said Passages being too straight or narrow by reason of some Obstruction and their Flux too vehement and large they are forc'd disorderly to Retire by which disorder and irregularity they make a Circular Motion in the Cavities of the Brain whence the Paroxism is excited 3. Now this Cause is either Idiopathetick to wit in the Brain it self or Sympathetick by consent from the Stomach or some other Viscera 4. If it be Idiopathetick or Original in the Brain and its Cavities the Stomach and all other parts are generally well the Sick Eats well Drinks well Digests well and for the most part is free from Obstructions Pain Wind or other Affections either in the Stomach or other Viscera 5. An Idiopathetick Vertigo is bred in the Brain
the Nerves and the Nerves themselves by consent CXLVI The signs of the Falling-sickness 1. The Pathognomick sign of the Falling-sickness is a Foaming at the Mouth for that it is scarcely observable to be common with any other Disease 2. The Diagnostick signs are a falling down to the ground by reason of the Convulsion of the parts there is a heaviness giddiness and pain of the Head a paleness of countenance and an inordinate motion of the Tongue and coldness of the extream parts there is also a fearfulness and sadness in the Sick 3. Sometimes one part is contracted by the force of the Convulsion sometimes many parts one has his Hands contracted another turns round some run up and down and others sit fome cry out aloud as if they were extreamly frighted some snort and gnash their Teeth some have an involuntary excretion of Excrements but most if not all Foam at Mouth 4. An Idiopathetick Epilepsy is known by the Distemper of the Brain heaviness of the Mind slowness dullness decay of Memory Vertigo pain of the Head and troublesome Sleeps the Sick also suddenly falls down without the least foreknowledge or sense of the fit and coming to himself again remembers not any thing that was done 5 If it be sympathetick and proceeds by consent from any other part it is known by the proceeding Distemperature of these parts 6. If it be from the stomach it is troubled with weakness indigestion want of appetite Wind loathing and pain 7. If it be from the spleen there is commonly a heaviness a dull pain and tumor upon the part 8. If from the Mesentery there are nauseous Vapors paleness sometimes an Atrophia or pining sometimes Melancholy preceeds as also such as are called Hysterick fits 9. If it be from the Womb fits of the Mother or Vapours often preceeded from all which certain Vapours are sent to the Brain or some of the Nerves of the par Vagum being hurt by the tumultuous approach of the Animal Spirits extending and twitching the Nerves causes the Brain immediately to be affected by consent 10. If it be from the extream parts it is known by certain Vapours or thin and subtle matter creeping upwards by degrees suppose in the Foot the Sick is sensible of the fit before it comes and a certain Vapour resembling almost as it were a Living thing creeps upwards by degrees first from the Toes thorough the whole Foot then from the Heel to the Ankle and by degrees creeps up to the Calf of the Leg then to the Knee afterwards to the Thigh Hip whole Side up the Shoulder by which the whole Arm and Hand is immediately affected and siezed from thence to the Neck drawing it a little aside Lastly the Head where it siezes the Brain and the original of the Nerves upon which the Sick immediately falls down with a great shreiking and crying out and for the most part toward the end of the fit with a foaming at the Mouth 11. Now in this Case when the Disease proceeds from the extream parts as is aforesaid the Sick is perfectly sensible of its first approach and feels it as perfectly to creep upwards by degrees as if he should put his Foot into cold Water and so shove it into the water deeper and deeper gradually whereby the Water rises higher and higher upon the part in such manner in all respects and with like coldness as the coldness of the water does the fit begin and take its progress to the Brain insomuch that he can tell you of its coming and how gradually it proceeds and talk rationally with you even till the cold Vapour siezes the Brain it self which will be about the time that you can leisurely tell a hundred or more 12. If the Disease be mild all the foregoing signs which we have ennumerated are not seen in the sick at once but sometimes one somtimes another and many times at the end of the fit there is no foaming at the Mouth 13. If it be strong and vehement the most vehement signs will be present and almost all of them besides the falling and divers motions of the Body there will be a staring and thrusting forth of the Eyes a great difficulty of Breathing a strong Convulsion of the parts especially on one side with a certain foaming at the Mouth 14. And it may be known whether it comes from the right or left side of the Head by this that on that side the Head will be more dull with a kind of obtuse pain there will also a noise be on the same side with a kind of thickness of hearing and the Eye on that side will be more dark and obscurer than the Eye on the other side 15. That which is Periodical comes commonly at the New or Full Moon or at the Quarters or twice or four times a year so that by observation the sick can certainly tell when the Fit will be 16. If it be Irregular it comes twice or thrice a day or oftner somtimes two or three times a Week but what time soever it comes the intervals between each Paroxysm are always unequal so that when the fit comes upon the Patient it is as it were by surprise 17. If it be Hereditary it is known by the Father and Mother and their Generations before them being Epileptical 18. If it comes not from Hereditary Parents it is always Accidental 19. That which is in Infants commonly makes them black in the Face like a Man that is Hang'd and the blood settled but that which happens to Age causes not such discrepancy in the colour of the Countenance 20. Hitherto of the signs of a perfect and present Epilepsy but there are other signs shewing an approaching Epilepsy or an Epilepsy to come in respect of the Animal Functions there is an accustomed trouble and disturbance of Mind dullness and heaviness of the Head Headach Vertigo desire of much Sleeping troublesom Dreams dullness of Mind fear trembling sorrow perplexity forgetfulness sloth heaviness of moving a deprivation of the Senses a cloudiness in the Eyes noise in the Ears heaviness or dullness of hearing stinking of the Nostrils unnatural Sneezing Yawnings c. 21. The vital Functions are also hurt the beating of the Pulse is unequal or irregular scarce at all to be felt at one time and at another time beating with extream vigour and vehemency there is also difficulty of Breathing shortness of Breath and an inclination to Anger upon triffles or no occasion 22. In respect of the natural Functions there is either a nauseating or loathing of Meat indigestion Heart-burning or pain of the Stomach or there is an immoderate hunger so that the Sick thinks he could devour all things he spits much his Urine is thin and crude there is paleness of Face swelling at the Brest and Stomach as if the party would burst and an indisposition to stir and move as if idleness or sloath had siezed the person 23. These are all of them signs
of an approaching Epilepsy and sometimes of a fit ready to come in those that have had it already but all these signs are not to be expected to be found in one person but some of them in one some in another according to their various Natures and Dispositions Qualifications Habits and Constitutions CXLVII The various Causes of the Falling-sickness 1. There are many Causes of an Epilepsy which arise in part from the quantity or quality of the matter causing 2. The place where the prime Cause lodges is within the Encephalon and springs from the indisposition of the parts within the Skull 3. But it may be demanded how that can be in those kinds of this Disease where the Paroxysm begins in the extream parts and ascends by degrees up to the Head 4. Truly this seems only to be so and happens by meer Accident For that the Morbifick Cause subsists about the Encephalon it self thereby causing immediately a great insensibility and dis-order with a vehement Contraction of most of the Members and Viscera 5. By which it appears that the Encephalon and original of all the Nerves are possessed with the Morbifick Cause 6. The opinion of Galen was that an Epilepsy was caused from an imperfect obstruction of the Ventricles of the Brain but the true Cause of an Epilepsy is from the sudden Rarifaction and Explosion of the Animal Spirits inhabiting of the middle the Brain and these are the first and immediate Cause of this Disease by which the Brain being as it were blown up and tumefied is rendred insensible and the Nerves appending thereto are put into Convulsions whence comes the sudden accession of the Fit the deprivation of both the internal and external Senses 7. The Procatartick Cause of the tumultuating of the Animal Spirits we do not just now deliver that being known almost to every one but the Proeguminine Cause deserves a little to be enquired unto 8. For that the Animal Spirits should be so rarifyed as to tumultuate and to make those preternatural Explosions of their own accord is not reasonable to believe but there must be somewhat that must go before as the Act of the sensitive Soul to stir up those kinds of perturbations viz. 9. There must be something which must obstruct their regular and natural Motions and this in some persons which we have seen opened that dyed of an Epilepsy was either a bag of water in the Cavities of the Brain or a viscous water or other corrupt matter yellow green blew c. filling the said Ventricles by reason of which the said Spirits assemble together in a tumultuous manner as aforesaid 10. These Spirits making their explosions upon the the original of the Nerves and indeed the Nerves of the whole Body affect the other spirits in the nervous system by way of Consent whence it is that though the Disease seem to begin in the Hand or Foot yet the original thereof is absolutely in the Brain it self 11. Barbet says that the nearest Cause is the Lympha vitiated in the Brain and irritating the Nerves by its sharpness and indeed he was not far off from the Truth 12. For Nature being hurt by such a kind of sharpness sends as it were Floods of Spirits towards the relief of the parts afflicted but by reason of this vitiated Lympha falling upon the original of the Nerves the influx of the Animal Spirits is hindered whence follows immediately Convulsion 13. And by reason that the Community betwixt the nervous Systeme and the animal Spirits is cut off by the Matter interposing thence follows the so sudden deprivation both of Reason and Sense and of all regular motions 14. Decker is of the opinion that it is an acid Lympha that Causes this Obstruction and indeed that is most probable because that nothing can prick or vellicate so much as acid things and all Obstructions made by Acids are commonly great and the Coagulations difficult to be dissolved 15. Whence it is That Diseases arising from an Acid Salt as for certain the Epilepsy does are of so difficult Cure 16. Deckers saith That from the Thumb of the left Hand he had somtimes observ'd a sharp matter to be mov'd towards the Heart and Brain so that the Patient was sensible of it 17. This is nothing but what we said before of this Disease proceeding by consent from the extream parts 18. But the chief Observation that Deckers makes hereof is this That the said Thumb being bound had sometimes kept back the Fit and that the sick had been several times so delivered from the approaching Fit 19. This is confirm'd by Galen de locis affectis lib. 3. cap. 5. Also Johannes Schenkius de Epilepsia Lib. 1. Obs 82. affirms the same 20. I knew the person very well that had it arising from the Foot aforementioned 't is probable the same thing might have succeeded in him but my Youth and want of Skill in Physick for it is near twenty years since hindred my putting the thing in tryal 21. If it proceeds from the Womb pains of Loins does preceed for those Women are for the most part troubled with vehement Head-aches 22. The remote Causes thereof says Barbet are to be sought in the milky Glandules the Womb and other parts for whatever it is whether it be Choler Flegm the Pancreatick juyce the Seed or menstruous Blood that makes the Lymphatick Juyce sharper easily causes an Epilepsy 23. The Brain not being rightly disposed the region of the Brain is by all concluded to be the primary seat of this Disease 24. But Willis will by no means admit water heaped up within the Ventricles of the Brain nor a thick viscous humor impacted in the passages of its Pores to be the Conjunct Cause of this Distemper for saith he such Causes are begot by degrees and would shew some certain signs before hand of their first coming upon one 25. To which we answer that so they do else how comes it to pass that we have so many previous signs of an approaching Epilepsy as we have a little above enumerated 26. But saith he the assault of the fit being over such a matter could not wholly be discussed in so short a time but that from its Relicts some impediments of the Animal Functions would remain which rarely happens in the Epilepsy unless it be inveterate 27. To which we Answer that there is no such need that the matter should be wholly discussed in so short a time for it has been observable that the intervals between each fit comes not so much from the discussion of the matter as by the quieting of the Animal Spirits which force their way through the Obstruction 28. So that when the continuity of the nervous System is made up with the original fountains of the Animal Spirits the Fit passes off but when the obstructing matter fluctuates afresh and dissolves again that continuity then there comes an accession of a new fit 29. From hence it may certainly be
concluded That the middle of the Brain is always the primary Seat of the Epilepsy and that originally the morbifick Cause is stored up in that Region 30. But the Distemper growing inveterate it gradually spreads it self through the whole Brain enlarging its dominions after a wonderful manner scattering the Morbifick Matter every where up and down which subjects the whole much like Garrisons in Conquered Countries keeping the vassallated people under subjection 31. Its dominions being enlarged through the whole Head extends it self likewise to the nervous Appendix so that the semination of the Disease like lightning is diffused thorough the whole nervous Systeme but sometimes one Nerve is more affected than another whence Convulsions follow sometimes in one part somtimes in another 32. And if the nervous System be universally a like affected the Convulsion generally affects the whole Body 33. The Cause why Epilepticks fall down with violence is partly from the surprize and sudden coming of the fit whereby all their Reason and Sense is taken from them and partly from the Convulsion of the Nerves adjacent to the Head which being strongly contracted the whole Body is vehemently carried forth and falls violently 34. From these Contractions other parts become swelled and tumifyed as the Lungs maxillary Glandules both upper and lower out of which the Lymphatick Juyce being strongly pressed and squeesed forthwith the Spittle appears like foam at the Mouth CXLVIII The Prognosticks of an Epilepsy 1. The Epilepsy is a Disease hard to Cure if it be inveterate or of long continuance it is so much the more difficult and the Idiopathetick is harder to Cure than that which is by consent 2. That which is in Infants is of all the easiest to Cure and much more easy while it is Recent the Child having had but few fits 3. That which is Hereditary is never to be cured and antient Physicians were of the opinion that if it happened to people which were much in years that it was also incurable but experience has contradicted that 4. For we have known people above fifty years of age Cured but we confess it has been with great difficulty 5. In some persons it is cured without the help of Physick in whom siezing upon them young it has continued ten twelve or fourteen years but at their arriving at puberty or ripeness of age or in Virgins at the coming down of their Terms the Disease of its own accord has left the Patient 6. Though in this Case I am very apt to believe that there might be some congruous and benevolent Directions in Heaven of the principal Stars or principal Significators which might be adjuvant to the Native at that time 7. If all the Functions be abolished the Convulsion vehement and strong the Paroxysm of long continuance and Excrements flow forth of their own Accord the Cure will be exceeding difficult 8. If it comes from external Causes or evil Diet Surfeiting or Drunkenness the Convulsion mild and the fits not long the Disease will not be very difficult to Cure 9. Hippocrates says That an Epilepsy coming in Boys at fourteen years of age and in Girls before twelve is curable but after the age of twenty five it is incurable as appears by his Sect. 5. Aphor. 7. and of this opinion is Galen but the latter part of this Prognostick as we said before is not always true 10. A strong Epilepsy often kills the Patient in the fit or else turns into an Apoplexy by reason of the strength of the Symptoms whereby there is a great Concussion of the Brain and a profligation of the strength of the whole Body 11. Riverius tells us a strange kind of Story that somtimes the Concussion of the Brain will be so great in the fit that some pieces of the Bones called Processus Mamillares will come out of the Nostrils 12. If the Falling-sickness comes of Melancholy it commonly degenerates into Madness by which means the morbifick matter offends the very substance of the Brain it self whereby being corrupted it obfuscates or darkens the Animal Spirits whence comes a Melancholy Dottage 13. If the Epilepsy proceeds from a thick Lymphatick Juyce it for the most part degenerates into an Apoplexy or Palsey 14. If a Quartan Ague or a violent burning Feaver comes upon an Epilepsy it commonly Cures it because by the vehemency of the heat the Morbifick matter comes to be dissolved rarifyed and discussed 15. If the fits are often repeated and every time grow stronger and stronger the Animal Faculties will be quickly obliterated by reason of which the Vital Spirits come to be tainted from whence the Vital Functions comes by degrees to be profligated 16. And this seems to be by consent of the Nerves serving the Praecordia so that at length the whole Body languishing the Pulse being quell'd the Vital flame is not long after extinguished 17. The reason why this Disease often ends in a Palsy Madness or Melancholy is from the conformation of the Brain being depraved by the manifold and tumultuous rushings forth of the Animal Spirits whereby its natural state is so perverted that the morbifick Particles of another kind are admitted whereby the Animal Spirits are either fixed or become dull and sluggish being depressed by the Morbifick matter afflicting 18. If the Falling-sickness happens to Children and they be not freed from it about ripeness of age being overcome by a new and natural fermentation of the Blood the Disease will continue and 't is much if it be not incurable to Death CXLIX The Method of Curing the Epilepsy and first of the Cure of Infants 1. The Cure of the Falling-sickness in Children differs something from that in elder people for that in the latter strong Evacuations are commonly used which we cannot do in Children nor indeed is there that need and necessity because such a heap of morbifick matter cannot be supposed to be in them as is in those of elder years 2. The chief things we use to Children are Revulsives Discussives and Specificks 3. For Revulsion Blysters may be applyed to the nape of the Neck or behind the Ears or an Issue may be made behind the Ear whereby the Morbifick matter is plentifully drawn away or the Seton may be applyed to the nape of the Neck which may run for two three or four Months 4. Blystering Plasters also applyed to the soles of the Feet may be very profitable for by reason of the consent of parts they sometimes Cure to a miracle 5. Issues a so in the Arms and Legs are also approved of by many Learned and Experienced men if the Child be two or three years old Cupping-Glasses with Scarification may be applyed to the Shoulders Loins or both 6. I knew a Chyrurgian which lanced the Head and cut many deep flashes even to the Cranium whereby the Child bled extreamly after which he healed them forthwith up again upon which the Child recovered and had no more fits 7. If the Paroxysm be
succeeds long continued and lasting symptoms as you see in an Apoplexy Now those affects which happen to the Nerves which cause Convulsions as a Puncture Inflamation c. if they were in the Brain would not cause them but an Apoplexy and Phrensie although the Brain thus affected by consent also if the cause offending be great and follows continually not only irritating the Brain it self but also by its Vehemency and frequency so hurting it contracts also its proper Disease then the contention of Convulsions lasts almost continually as I not long since observed in a noble Lady nor does the sick hardly ever come any more to themselves or the fit wholy cease till the Patient is dead 4. Yet it may be also that from the same cause as we shall anon speak when we treat of that which is poysonous both the Genus Nervosum and Brain being hurt together Convulsions may happen coupled together with other hurts of the mind 5. But to find out the part which is first affected and with which the Brain consents we must consider the symptoms to wit the inordinate motion and privation of Senses which has so great consent with the Muscles exercising voluntary motion and with the Brain communicating sense that that being hurt the Muscles are forced and the Brain ceaseth a while from its function which we say is that Genus nervosum Or Nervous System because it begins in the Brain and ends in the Muscles under which name viz. of Genus Nervosum we understand all the Nerves in the whole Body both within and without the skull especially those endued with the sence of feeling and the nervous parts which are compounded of them which are of most exquisite sence the which being so hurt that the functions of the Brain are abolished by sympathy and those of the Muscles augmented it must needs be that Convulsions follow which how it may come to pass we will now immediately explicate 6. The offence of the Genus Nervosum not that which weakens its functions but that which by bringing trouble to it doth rather stir up its faculty if it be caused either in one place or more a Nerve or nervous part is affected and if the hurt be great then the whole Genus Nervosum or Nervous system rising up whilst it endeavors to shake off that with which it is offended doth together exagitate the Brain from whence it proceeds and draws it into consent so that that also feeling these disturbances of the Nerves whilst it endeavors to help them to resist and overcome the disaffection driving the Animal spirits from it self into the beginning of the Nerves it is for a season left destitute of its functions but no otherwise than we somtimes observe in a syncope that the Heart without any proper affect of its own the Spirits wandering for some other cause doth cease from its function till they return again 7. In which effusion of the Spirits into the Nerves it happens that the motive power does continue in them not only as was declared formerly but also by reason of the plenty of Spirits of the Nerves the Muscles are excited to exercise their motion but chiefly that Violent and inordinate motion in the beginning of Epileptical fits is acted for this cause that whilst the Genus Nervosum does indeavour to expel this hurt or disaffection it is contracted into it self and then again dilated forcing the Muscles of the whole Body into whose beginnings the Nerves are inserted by consecution to commit those inordinate and outragious motions by pulling or drawing and then remitting them and that so long till the offending matter is removed or expelled from them or by reason of dejection of strength and as it were weariness when they can no longer exercise Motion yet notwithstanding they retain their Limbs convulsed or attracted stiff and fixt for a while till at last they come wholly to themselves 8. This often happens in a Catalepsis presently at the beginning no agitation of the Body going before perhaps because in that Disease there is not so great an effusion of Spirits into the Nerves when as in that somtimes some senses do yet remain and there is a less iritation of the Nerves whence as it may be accounted as Platerus saith a certain lighter kind of Epilepsie yet very seldom happening otherwise proceeding from the same cause which breeds an Epilepsie but which doth either lâ—sâ—â—ffect the Genus Nervosum by irritation or else has that property to produce a stupidity or rigidness of the members rather than a Convulsion 9. But that these causes of hurt to the Genus Nervosum from whence an Epilepsy often proceeds a Catalepsis more seldom are diverse and frequent it is no wonder for that the Nerves by reason of their exquisite sence are not only unable to endure great hurts or Pains but also are so easily offended by the slightest that they cannot suffer the touch of a body for which reason whilst they are carried in the Body nature hath provided for them that they touch not the Bones neither are they joyned to any other parts besides those into which they are inserted from which notwithstanding they are not exasperated by divers incursions unless they be great and violent so that they be Convulsed of which sort are those which may happen to them from a Wound irritation or infection either acting singly or more of them together 10 That a Convulsion may be caused by a Wound made in a Nerve or Nervous part daily experience has confirmed yet not from every Wound of a Nerve but only or for the most part from a Nerve hurt by Pricking upon which Convulsions are wont to follow its function being thereby stirred up by reason of the hurt for which reason also if we cut off a Nerve Convulsed we cure the Convulsion caused in it but this molestation of the Nerve proceeding from the solution of its continuity is yet more increased by an Inflamation or Putrefaction from the Corruption restrained in the narrow hole of the Puncture of the said Nerve and by the great Pain from thence which for the most part does attend this affection if the Wound happen from Iron which of its own nature is an enemy to the Nerves commonly by reason of its rust or because it is infected or a blow or bite of a poysonous Beast 11. But also a Nervous part being wounded especially in that place where the Nerves goe under it and constitute the greater part of it as the Bladder being hurt at the Neck the Muscles about their beginnings either by chance or whilst the Chyrurgian and Lithotomist attempt an aperture of the place most commonly dangerous Convulsions succeed which a difficulty of swallowing going before so much feared by the Chyrurgian calling it a Spasm of the Stomach is wont most an end to foretell 12. An irritation of the Genus Nervosum if it be vehement may also cause Convulsions which proceeds either from
vomiting 5. By and by the same distemper being leasurely translated to the superiour parts excited â—nsensibility to which shortly after convulsive motions succeeded in the whole body and that so strongly that the sick party could scarce be held by three or four strong men 6. These kind of fits were at first wandring and only occasionally excited they would come as often as the pain of her Breast was excited by some manifest cause afterwards these Convulsions did more often infest her and at last became habitual and periodical twice in a day to wit they were wont to come again constantly at so many set hours after eating 7. And when after this manner the sick person had been miserably afflicted for six months she began at length to be troubled and molested with a Vertiginous Distemper of the Head exercising her almost continually for which malady when a fomentation of Aromatick and Cephalick herbs had been a good while administred to her Head she became better as to the giddiness but then she was perpetually infested with a new and admirable symptom viz. an empty cough without spitting night or day unless when she was overwhelmed with sleep 8. After this worthy Virgin had tryed without much benefit divers Medicines and remedies prescribed by several Physicians she was at last helped by making use of the most temperate Bath at the Bath then being presently married after she had conceived and was brought to bed she grew well by degrees 9. If the reasons of the whole Disease and its accidents be enquired into without doubt the convulsive distemper was first of all excited from the tumor or pained place of the Brest the cause of which was partly the most sharp sense of Pain being impressed from its fibres and nervous parts and partly from the Heterogeneus Copula being affixed on the spirits inhabiting those fibres and Nerves 10. For truly it may be suspected that the most sharp humor impacted in the tumor which perhaps had in some sort flowed thither by the passages of the Nerves being repercussed by the use of Topicks had entred the fibres and nervous filaments or little strings disposed thorough the whole border or neighbour-hood and so the Heterogeneous and Explosive Copula had struck upon the spirits for the shaking off of which as often as by Pain they were excited they entred into convulsive explosions and together with them other Spirits flowing within the neighbouring Nerves by consent of the forms as it often happens were exploded after the same manner 11. Then the convulsive distemper when it first had begun in the extremities of the Nerves being continued through their passages even to the Head was wont to cause the insensibleness and from thence leaping back upon the whole nervous system the convulsive motions of the limbs and all the members were excited 12. The fits about the begining of the sickness being excited after this manner By reason of Pain from the distempered part were carried secondarily to the Brain and its appendix But afterwards when the spirits inhabiting those places being often explosed by sympathy had so loosened and weakned the Pores of the containing parts that there lay open a passage within the same for all Heterogeneous particles to enter with the Nervous juice the convulsive Procatarxis or more remote cause also increased in the Head 13. And the spirits inhabiting the Encephalon being infected with an Heterogenous Copula they themselves begun the convulsive fit or at least afforded the first instinct to its assault which did return for the most part at such set hours after eating because the morbifick matter was carried in together with the nervous juice almost in an equal dimension 14. In truth in such cases where the Convulsion being general doth possess almost all the parts of the whole Nervous system successively we may suspect that the animal spirits had contracted an Heterogenous and expulsive Copula in the whole nervous stock which when it is risen at the set time to a fullness incites the spirits themselves at the appointed time in like manner to explosions and the same explosion being begun some where is propagated in order to all after the manner of a fiery enkindling 15. As to that empty Cough which succeeding the fomentation of the Head exercised this sick person almost incessantly for many months it seems that this symptom should depend altogether from the nervous origine being distempered and not at all on the stâ—ffing of the Lungs for she did not avoid any thing with the Cough 16. And if at any time that force of Coughing was violently restrained presently she was troubled with the sence of choaking in her Throat so that it is very likely the morbifick matter laid up near the nervous origine being rarifyed and stirred by the fomentation entred more deeply into the heads of the Nerves appointed for the Lungs and stirred up in their fibres and filaments perpetual Convulsions after the like manner as when the nervous juice which waters the fibres and tendons of the Muscles being made sharp and degenerate induces to those parts continual leapings and contractions 17. Hence when a Convulsion or spasm was stopped in some branches of the distemper'd Nerves so as she could not Cough presently the convulsive motion runing into other branches of the same neighbouring Nerve stirred up that choaking in the Throat I will here propose another example of a Convulsion arising from the extremitys of the Nerves being affected Willis de morbis convulsivis cap. 6. Observ 1. LVI A Convulsion in an ancient Gentlewoman 1. A noble matron of fifty years of age after her Courses for about half a year had left her she began to complain of a pricking pain in her left pap then afterwards that distemper leaving her she was ill about the Ventricle for there arose a hard and schirrous tumor with a sad pain 2. Upon this came an inflation of the Stomach with difficulty of Respiration a nauseousness and frequent vomiting then the Disease encreasing with a more sharp pain runing about here and there she fell into convulsive distempers of the Ventricle 3. In that place she was almost continually afflicted with Convulsions variously runing about just as if her Ventricle had been torn in peices besides a constant perturbation of mind with thirst and watchings and frequent deliquium of spirits and as if she had been just dying all which symptoms she plainly perceived to arise from that tumor in her Ventricle 4. They saw that all vomitory cathartical antiscorbutical and Hysterical Medicines did her no good but were rather hurtful and troublesom she received some benefit by letting Blood by Leehes and by the use of Asses-milk And by the long drinking of Spaw-waters she was much eased 5. The aforesaid symptoms which commonly are ascribed to the Hysterical passion and the vapours from the Womb here plainly appear to have proceeded from a tumor arising about the bottom of the Ventricle 6. For that the Blood
Mastich of each two drams gum-Juniper Galbanum dissolved in Vinegar of each half an ounce juice of Citrons one ounce and half and two drams Yellow Wax five ounces and half make an Emplaster which being spread upon linnen is to be applied to the Feet about the Heel twice a day renewing it this had a good effect 6. Here follows an Ointment for the Hands Take Mans-fat Bears and Wolves fat of each two drams Badgers fat three drams dissolve add the Oyl of Foxes two drams mix them being removed from the fire add the Oyl of Annis half a dram Oyl of Wax half an ounce By these things we did her so much good that she could stretch out her Hands take Food and walk 7. Lastly for greater strengthning we advised to the use of a Bath of the decoction of Herbs with a mixture of Mineralds the form of the Bath is thus Take Alum Sulphur Bay-berries of each one pound the Berries and tops of Juniper the leaves of Sage of each one handful bruise them all in a mortar then being put up into a bag boyl them all in water for a bath The half of this mixture is to be used for one bathing and it is to be continued for three days Thonerus lib. 2. Observ 5. XX. A Pain and Contraction of the Back 1. A Gentleman being miserably afflicted with a Pain and Contraction of the Back from a defluxion upon the Nerves was freed by the following Oyntment 2. Take Vnguentum Aregon Martiatum Agrippae of each two drams Oyl of Cammomil Oyls of Dill and Lillys of each one dram Oyls of Earthworms and of Foxes of each one dram and half Badgers-fat Mans and Foxes grease of each half a dram mix and anoint the parts with it warm Thonerus lib. 2. Observ 3. SCHOLIA The THEORY of CONTRACTURES By the Author W. Salmon XXI The Pathology of Contractures or Contractions and first of the Notation thereof 1. The Names This Disease is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Contractio the Contraction or shrinking up of a part as also from the parts which are contracted which are for the most part the Nerves or Tendons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Contractio Nervi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nervus contractus and from the Effect 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nervus corneus vel callosus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Callus Tendinum A Callous and horn-like Nerve or Tendon 2. The Definition A Contraction is a preternatural Tumor in a Muscle hardning and shrinking up a Nerve or Tendon in the same whereby the Parts adjacent are attracted to it and as it were bound up so as they cannot be stretched out 3. The Kinds or Differences Somtimes but one Nerve or Tendon is contracted Somtimes many as in a Contraction of the Wrist and other Joints where many Tendons meet It is either new and not wholly confirmed or confirmed and of a bone-like hardness It differs also according to the Scituation of the Parts in some the Contraction is in the Arm against the Elbow in others the Fingers are contracted in some the Hams are contracted in others the Toes and in some the Musculus latus which causes a wry Neck XXII The Signs of a Contracture 1. The principal Signs of a Contracture are manifest by the Definition as 1. Tumor in the Muscle 2. a hardning of the Nerve or Tendon 3. a shrinking up or shortning of the same 2. Where these three Symptoms of a Contracture happens there is also for the most part an Attraction or drawing up of the adjacent Part but this is more or less eminent according to the Magnitude of the Contraction 3. If one Tendon only be contracted the Tumor is not only the less but the Attraction almost inconsiderable but if many Tendons or Nerves be contracted the Tumor is the greater and the Attraction very manifest to the Senses 4. If the matter contracted be very hard so as that it is arived to a boney or horn-like hardness the Disease is then confirmed but this is most common where the Nerves or Tendons are very small or slender by reason of which they the more easily admit of Arefaction 5. Lastly a Contracture is known by feeling there being always an external hardness of the Part not much unlike to the streining of a Cord or Bow-string and this for the most part in the hollow or bending of the Joint XXIII Of the Causes of a Contracture 1. The Causes of a Contracture are manifold though the first and prime Cause is or can be but one to wit a deficience or cutting off of the animal Spirits and a siccasion or drying up of the neurotick Juyce and this may be somtimes caused by a Scirrhus or Node arising from the Excrements in the Muscles especially about the Tendons where many meet near the Joints as is often-times to be seen in the bending of the Elbow Wrists Ham c. wherein the Hand in the one and the Foot in the other are drawn upwards the one inwards as it were the other outwards or backward 2. It somtimes also comes to pass by a Callous in a Muscle Nerve or Tendon which may be caused from a Wound by which they were wounded wherein though they were not wholly cut in two yet by the gathering together of the lips of the Wound it contracts or shortens the body or tail of the Muscle and causes that Part into which it is inserted to be more or less bound up the which also has somtimes come to pass in a wound of the temporal Muscle wherein the Mouth was so drawn up that it would scarcely admit any thing of Food although the most liquid And in this case it is clear that there is a cutting off of the animal Spirits and while Nature is endeavouring to restore the Part whereby to entertain the Spirits in their Channels she by reason of their absence and loss of the neurotick Juyce forms only a Callous whence is the generation of a matter which perpetually obstructs the Motion and Course of the said Spirits and consequently of that softning Juyce which in part contributes to the constitution of the said Nerves and Tendons 3. There being thus a Siccation of the Muscles or the Tendons and with them somtimes the Nerves inserted into them being as it were wrinckled shrunk or bound up they become hardned and resemble a Callous so as that they cannot be extended or bent and so in what Scituation they remain in the same posture also they keep the member into which they are implanted fixt and immoveable which is either more or less contracted according to the urgency of the first Cause and these things somtimes come to pass in old Age or by reason of too much and long continued Labour which too plentifully exhausting the animal Spirits causes the Parts to become stiff and diversly crooked with a kind of horney hardness of the part as may be seen in the Hands and Fingers of such as continually use hard work or hold hard
strong and the Malignity be great it will be necessary to cause a gentle sweat which you may perform with this Take Philonum Romanum two drams volatile Salt of Harts-horn fifteen grains Musk ten grains mix them for a Dose let it be given at bed-time and let the sick drink after it If the sick cannot swallow an Electuary you may give a Dose of our Laudanum and so much the more if a Delirium Phrensy or Convulsion be feared Or this following Mixture Take of the prepared Metheglin above prescribed a quarter of a pint of our Guttae Vitae thirty or forty drops Spirit of Vipers sixty drops mix them for a Dose this will sweat powerfully and expel all the poyson venom and malignity of the Disease to a Miracle And these things may be of good use let the venene cause be what it will 5. But if it be caused from Poyson whether vegitable mineral or animal immediately received into the Stomach you must forthwith give a Vomit that the matter of the Poyson may with all possible speed be evacuated for this purpose I commend my vomiting Lozenges which you may give from a scruple to half a dram or the Aqua Benedicta Rulandi Infusion of Vitrum Antimonii and such like If these things be not to be had you may give except it be a mineral Poyson a large draught of Salleâ—-Oyl and then presently after provoke vomiting by a Feather put into the Throat This done and the danger of the Poson being over you shall then exihibite some proper Antidote that the very reliques of the Poyson may be obliterated and for this purpose you may either give some of those above mentioned at § 4. Or this following Take Venice-Treacle Extract of Saffron of each a dram Salt of Vipers eight grains mix them for a Dose to be given about three hours after the vomiting is over 6. If it be caused from the Poyson of Quick-silver or other mineral Fume you must use preparations of Gold as Aurum potabile Tincture of Gold Sulphur of Gold and other the like Medicaments but if these cannot be gotten you must give preparations of Gold and Mercury such as are the Aurum Vitae of Sennertus Hercules Bovii and the like for these things being given gradually and for a long time take away at length the contamination of the vital juyces and free the neurotick Frame from the morbifick Poyson after the use thereof for some time you may then give Sudorificks made of Minerals such as this following Take of our Electuarium ad Tabidos one dram Bezoarticum minerale oue scruple Extract of Saffron ten grains mix them for a Dose after which give a glass of generous Wine or of the former preparation of Hydromel and dispose the sick for a Sweat This Dose you may repeat three or four times giving it every other day 7. If it should proceed from Surfeiting or Gluttony it would be good to evacuate the Stomach upward to Children and weak Persons you may give the Sal Vitrioli from a scruple to a dram stronger Persons may take the Emetick Tartar of Minsicht to four five or six grains Or you may give our Catharticum Argenteum from a dram to two drams according to age and strength for that evacuates admirably both upwards and downwards and the latter especially if it be given with a little salt Broth. These emetick purgations may be two or three times repeated according as you see occasion or the strength of the sick will bear but if the sick be very weak you must be cautious of giving of strong Evacuaters lest you add to the Disease and make the Tremor or Trembling so much the worse by an unfit diminution of the Spirits 8. The second Indication is for the generating of vital and animal Spirits which is performed by such things as abound with volatile Parts and nutriments full of Spirits For this purpose we commend strong Jellies made of the juyce of Oxes Hearts Sheeps Hearts and Jellies made of the flesh of Fouls chiefly of wild Foul which Jellies ought to be strong and mixed with a little Wine and aromatized with Spices to be made grateful to the Stomach But if the Tremor come through drinking of Wine or Brandy then in stead of mixing of Wine you ought to mix Mead or some small portion of the Diet before mentioned for thereby the Nutriment is the better and more easily assimulated and the chylous juyce more absolute for the generating of pure and spirituous Blood 9. But that which in this case we shall commend above all these things is the Jelly or Broth of Vipers which after a most admirable manner augments comforts and fortifies the Spirits of what kind soever The same thing does the Viper-Pouder and the flesh of Vipers being boyled and eaten as you eat Eels or other Fish To these things add the Salt and Spirit of Vipers as also the Potestates Viperarum which Medicament we cannot easily nor enough commend The volatile Salt and Spirit of Earth-Worms is of good use here as also the Spirit of shell-Snails and the Jelly and Spirit distilled from a Deers-Head Or a Jelly made of a fresh Deers-Head beaten all into a mash with a Spirit drawn from other Heads 10. Now this is to be noted that whatsoever things are given which are spirituous they ought always to be mixed with such other things as breed a good Chyle for from a generous Chyle is generated a good and spirituous Blood and of the Blood elaborated in the Heart is made the vital Spirit which Spirit elaborated in the Brain produces that which we call the animal Spirit which being disseminated through the whole Genus Nervosum is that which gives Sense and Motion to all the Parts of the whole Body 11. But lest these things should not be so well accomplished as may be desired you must have respect to the Stomach that its Tone be preserved intire and free from hurt for if there be a weakness of the Stomach or any other hurt or indisposition you must be sure to remove those Symptoms according as we shall hereafter teach in their proper Chapters or else you act in vain For a simple weakness of the Stomach you may give the Tincture of black Pepper of Centory the less of Worm-wood or the Elixir Proprietatis any of which may be given the sick from fifteen to twenty thirty or forty drops in a glass of Ale or Metheglin and that three four or six times a day or more or as often as the sick has occasion to drink But if there be a preternatural heat conjoyned by which also the Spirits are much wasted then in stead of the former things you must give Spirâ—t or Oyl of Vitriol or Salt or Sulphur or the Acetum Antimonii or Juyce of Limons which may be constantly mixed with their drink as aforesaid Yet if a sowrness by adjoyned then volatile and alcalious Salts are to be administred and the acid avoided Or else
became lame and the use of all her Limbs was taken from her after about ten days her Pains vanished and she became absolutely Paralytick 2. Being in this Condition I thought fit to provoke sweating by this following Take mineral Bezoar one scruple of our new London-Treacle half a scruple Venice-Treacle half a dram mix them for a Dose It was given at Night going to bed and the sick sweat well during the time of her sweating this cordial Julep was given her to keep up her Spirits and preserve her from fainting Take Spirit of Saffron of the best Cinnamon-Water of each four ounces Angelica-Water Bawm-Water of each three ounces Juyce of Alkermes Syrup of Citron-Peels of each two ounces mix them Dose a spoonful or two now and then to prevent fainting This sweating was repeated four times at four days distance 3. In the Intervals of the sweating I prescribed these things Take Venice-Treacle a dram anisated Balsam of Sulphur twenty drops volatile Salt of Mans skull eight grains mix them for a Dose to be taken every Morning after which she drank a little glass of the Queen of Hungarias Water well dulcisied at Night going to bed she took this Take Oyl of sweet Almonds new drawn two ounces Syrup of Citron-Peels Syrup of Jujubes of each an ounce and half white Sugar-Candy in subtile Pouder six drams mix them for a Dose to be given at Night going to bed By the use of these things her Cold and Hoarsness were wholly taken off and she was somwhat amended as to her Paralytick Disaffection but yet far from a Cure so that I was forced wholly to apply my Mind to that 4. After therefore that her sweating was over I ordered her to take the volatile Spirit of Sulphur or Vitriol mentioned in the last Observation every day at least four five or six times a day in a glass of choice Hippocras somtimes also in Mead or Wine and somtimes in a glass of Ale as she liked best this she took from forty to sixty or eighty drops at a time as she liked best herself 5. And somtimes she took the said volatile Spirit of Vitriol in a glass of this following Docoction Take Guajacum rasped Acorus-roots of each six ounces roots of Angelica and of Peony of each nine ounces choice Sarsaparilla China of each eighteen ounces Coriander and Caraway-seeds of each four ounces Spanish Juyce of Liquorice three ounces Figs slit three pounds Spring-Water four and twenty quarts boyl all till the Water is half consumed then strain let it settle and bottle it up with a Clove slit and an ounce of white Sugar in each Bottle this she took as her ordinary drink during the time of her Cure 6. Lastly having very well bathed all the Back-bone and the Paralytick Members with the Powers of Amber and of Aniseeds mixed in equal proportion for about ten days Morning and Night and afterwards with Ox-Gall mixed with an equal quantity of the Powers of Rosemary this miserable Creature was in about twelve weeks time restored to her perfect health and strength to the admiration of all that saw her in that her languishing Condition VI. A Palsy in a middle-aged Man arising from drinking cold Water too plentifully c. 1. A Man nere forty years of age by being exposed to extream cold in the middle of Winter and being forced also to drink too plentifully cold Water was taken with a Paralytick Distemper almost of the whole Body so that what with the loss of his Sense of Feeling and impotency of motion he became helpless to himself 2 It would be worth the while to eâ—quire somwhat strictly into the cause of his Disâ—ase he being of a gross and fat Body and at the first seisure thereof afflicted with a most vehement Catarrh which being imprudently stopt before the morbifick matter was carried off or evacuated presently retreated and fell upon the Muscles and Nerves and this we should now do but that we have determined to treat thereof more amply in another place 3. However we shall not be wanting to the young Artist but will deliver in this place the sense of several learned Authors from the disquisitions of whom 't is hoped the ingenious Favourers of Truth may possible investigate her Foot-steps Thus from a cold Distemper or too much cooling of the Muscles and Nerves but cheifly those Muscles into which the affected Nerves are inserted a Palsy of those Parts whose Nerves are affected is said to succceed for that Cold being a very great Enemy to them either binds them up or condenses them so that the animal Spirit can no longer have a passage whereby their Function ceaseth 4. Now the Disaffection of the spinal Marrow or Nerve is that which deprives it of the animal Spirit the essential Agent of all natural Motions for being so affected it can neither any more communicate to the Muscles the Faculty or Power of moving nor to the sensible Parts the Power of Feeling and the remaining part of it from the place affected even to the part into which it is inserted becomes unprofitable 5. This is true also if the continuity with the part be dissolved for then the passage is interrupted or if the Nerves be so constringed that the animal Spirit which exacts a free passage through the nervous System can no longer flow through or fill it up or not so amply as it ought to do which somtimes happens if the Nerve be prest upon in any part whereby its substance is so condensed that the animal Spirit thereupon becomes interrupted and this is often caused from an afflux of humors chiefly such as are cold and pituitous and sâ—mtimes by a Blow Compression Ligatures c. 6. And as an Apoplexy which is a Palsy of the whole Body as we shall hereafter explicate is generated from a pituitous or a watery serous cold and moist Excrement of the Brain watering of it or pressing upon the original of the Nerves so this bedewing or otherwise afflicting the Nerves themselves causes a Palsy for falling from the Head not through the substance of the spinal Marrow but either descending through the Cavity of the Vertebrae of the Spina Dorsi which does contain the spinal Marrow and there stopping about the beginning or passage of it or falling down farther through the progress which the conjugations of Nerves pass in their entrance into the Body following the said conjugations and sticking here and there about the Nerves in what place soever this happens whether about the spinal Marrow or about the conjugations or branches of Nerves proceeding therefrom by bedewing or compressing them it produceth a Palsy either of more or fewer Parts according as a more general or particular Nerve is affected 7. For if plenty of humors flow theither in those narrow places and by their weight or taking up of place do compress the Nerves the animal Spirit must necessarily be intercepted in its passages and if this matter be long detained there it becomes
to confer the sense of feeling then this sense may be either perfect or hurt in part though the motive faculty be totally abolisht these things being thus premised and considred we shall now declare what Nerve affected does produce a Palsie in eack respective part 18 The spinal marrow lying under the Brain and being ready to receive its excrements is often hurt and very much exposed to manifold Injuries which if it be affected in the beginning of its passage from the Brain through the Back-bone by depriving all the Nerves which spring from it of the Animal Spirit it creates a general Palsie in which all voluntary motions cease as well the stronger of the Body as the weaker of the Face 19. Besides the former breathing also the Voice Speech and Swallowing with some excretive motions do suffer some hurt more especially if the prejudice be nere to the Brain and great because the conjugations of the Nerves do issue forth there from the beginning of the spinal Marrow and they also are hurt as we shall shew hereafter But if in the rest of the production of this Marrow there happens any such detriment to the Back then by taking away the motive Faculty from those Nerves only which are under it it makes those Members only Paralytick into which they and their branches are inserted 20. Therefore from the hurt or defect of the Members it is manifest what Part of the spinal Marrow is first in the prejudice which in what place so ever it is if the prejudice be on both sides the cause is in both but if only in one side as the said Spinae Medulla is perceived to be truly distinguished that only side becomes Paralytick now the Palsy is so much the more general by how much the said spinal Marrow is more or neerer affected towards the Brain or original of the said Marrow 21. If Pairs of Nerves proceeding from the spinal Marrow be disaffected then according as a general Nerve communicating Nerves to many Parts or a special one communicating to some only is seized with the Disease so more or one part suffers a resolution by which also we may easily find out what Nerves are affected knowing beforehand which are communicated to each part of the Body 22. And hence many particular resolutions may be made in the Members which have received Nerves from the Pairs of the Spinal marrow yet not in all because the Muscles moving the Brest chiefly the Midriff and those of the Belly being also compelled by a necessity of breathing especially seeing breathing is caused also from the help of natural motion do nevertheless perform their office in Paralytick parts both in respiration and excretion of Excrements 23. And therefore Authors affirm That the Midriff does receive Nerves not only from the spinal Marrow but also from some particular conjugations of Nerves now besides those Parts the rest which are moved by the Muscles may suffer a resolution withall 24. The disaffection of the Nerves which are derived from the Brain and do communicate motion shew a Paralysis in those Parts to which those Nerves are peculiar and by a Palsy of the Part the Nerve affected is known If the Nerves of that conjugation derived to the Muscles of the Eye be affected there is a Palsy of the Eye the which nevertheless cannot easily be done in this Nerve unless the Cerebrum adjacent be hurt as it comes to pass in an Apoplexy 25. But more commonly the conjugations of Nerves replenishing the Face Ey-lids temporal Muscles and Lips are affected whence there is oftner a resolution of the Lips and Ey-lids but seldom of the lower Jaw for that the temporal Muscle doth receive more Nerves If the Nerves of that conjugation serving the Tongue be hurt the Tongue then suffers a Palsie and the Speech becomes defective and then by reason of its communication with the auditory Nerve if the defect or hurt be so great that the sick becomes wholly Dumb they then are for the most part deaf also 26. The same may happen in those Nerves by some Authors called the sixth and seventh conjugations which coming from the Brain and being joyned into one descending Nerve and communicating the sense of Feeling to many inferiour parts and giving also motion to the Muscles of the Larynx Tongue Jaws Midriff as also to the Muscles of the Bladder and Fundament if I say it be hurt about the Original or somewhere in its Progress it produces a Palsie of the parts into which it is inserted if they be moveable but in other parts a certain kind of stupidity 27. Hence if the recurrent Nerve be hurt there is a defect of the Voice if the Nerves which go to the Muscles of the Jaws be hurt seeing Swallowing is caused by them and not by the Fibres of the Oesophagus as some Authors have thought there is presently a difficulty of swallowing with some difficulty of breathing If the Nerves which go to the Midriff be hurt there is much danger of suffocation especially in a violent sending forth the Breath as in calling aloud or in a vehement Cough being then unable to express it though otherwise the Midriff the Instrument of breathing which receives also Nerves from the Spinal marrow can in some sort perform its office those Nerves being hurt in which case if the sense of Feeling be hurt the sick feels a heat and tingling about the Stomach and other internal parts chiefly among the greater Nerves 28. But if there be a certain general disaffection of the same conjugation then both the Sphincters of the Bladder and Anus with the rest of their Muscles will be Paralytick from whence will follow in the one an involuntary pissing in the other a relaxation of the Fundament conjoyned with the said Paralytick Distemper as hereafter in some other places we shall explicate more at large 29. From what has been said it may be easy to determine not only in this but in any other Paralytick Patient what conjugations of Nerves are most afflicted and that in universal Palsies there is for the most part an affliction of the whole Genus Nervosum or nervous System which oftentimes happens from the contamination of the nervous Juyce by the Poyson of Mercury or Quick-silver 30. It remains now that we give you the History of this cure which truly was great but performed by ordinary means First I instituted a Diet of Guajacum Sassafras and Sarsaparilla such as that in sect 1. § 17. and 18. aforegoing of which the Patient drank nerely a pint every Morning and Night and then a meaner or weaker decoction of the same ingredients in new water for ordinary drink to be taken at meals unless now and than a glass of Hippocrass 31. Next I caused the sick to be purged once every fifth sixth or seventh day as I saw occasion somtimes with the tincture of my Family Pills and somtimes with a Tincture of Sena and Rhubarb made in small Cinnamon water after this
without any Effect so that she had been now two years troubled with this grievous Infirmity in the Part aforesaid the Sense of Feeling was not quite taken away but only impaired but all motion was quite lost 4. Yet there is one thing peculiar and well worth the observation that when her Legg were drawn forth by her Servants or were aâ—y other waies stirred presently they became still and convulsed in manner of a Tetanus to which is added a certain convulsive motiâ—n like that of persons which have the Falling-sickness which is wont also frequently to take her of it self by fits 5. And when she is taken with these symptoms she perceives a kind of motion in her Hypochondria moreover she is frequently afflicted with wandring pains possessing divers parts but especially her Chest so that somtimes the fore-part other whiles the hinder part now the right anon the left part of the Chest is troubled with these runing Pains this is the History of the Disease related by the Patient herself who returning from the Baths which she had used in vain desired my advice 6. I could have indeed wished that the Disease had been more exactly described by those skillful Physicians who had her under Cure to the end that the nature of so most intricate and difficult a Disease might be the better known and the Cure more solidly undertaken by a diligent disquisition of all the Circumstances thereof 7. Yet I shall not forbear to gratifie the desire of the Patient in shewing my opinion submitting the same to the judgment of those most expert Physicians who are able to take Cognition of all the particularities of the said disease and to see perfectly into the nature thereof 8. I conceive therefore that it is no true Palsy arising from a flegmatick humor loosning and resolving the Nerves but rather that it is a mixt Disease consisting partly of a bastard Palsy and partly of a Convulsion 9. Now these bastard Palsies compounded with distention and Convulsions of the Nerves are in those inferior Parts often produced by Cholerick Melancholick or wheyish humors contained in the Hypocondria or other parts of the lower Belly and translated into the Back-bone 10. From which seeing the Nerves to arise which bring motion and sence into the parts as also into the Muscles and skin of the Belly it is no wonder that the animal Actions of these Parts are very much hurt this may be confirmed by a large discourse the judgment of Authors and by Experience but unto such learned Men it may suffice to declare a few things which make this conjecture of mine sufficiently probable 11. In the first place therefore it must be taken as a certain and unquestionable truth that all deprivation of sense and motion does not draw its original from the flegmatick humor but that it proceeds somtimes from a hot and dry distemper and humors following such a constitution 12. This may be confirmed by the opinion of Trallianus alone who in the 16. chap. of his 1. Book alledges such a cause and confirms it with a clear example in these words I knew truly a Man that was palsied through sorrow much care and fasting and having taken Hiera-picra he became so bad that he could not stir at all and was near to death unless he had been altered to the contrary both with all kinds of moistening things and potions and meats and other things that might reduce him to his right temper especially with Baths and frequent anointings with Water and Oyl with mutation of the Air to a temperate kind and to use all kind of cheerfulness 13. A story not much unlike to this may be seen in Forestus his 97. Observ of his tenth Book of a certain young Man who being deprived of motion from his Thighs to the Feet with an extenuation and non-nutrition of the said parts and growing continually worse and worse by the use of hot and drying Medicaments prescribed by other Physitians at last he was cured by the above mentioned Physitian only with moistening Medicaments which were partly taken-in and partly applyed externally 14. Moreover it is a thing long since observed amongst practitioners that there is a cholerick Cholick which does frequently degenerate into a Palsy and that such a Palsy proceeds from Choler no Man doubts 15. And lastly that from a Melancholick and wheyish humor symptoms are produced very like the Palsy and Convulsion is every where related by such Authors as have written of the Scurvy and the Hypochondriacal Disease as you may see in Sennertus where he explains the symptoms of the aforesaid Diseases in his Book of the Scurvy and of the Hypochondriacal Disease 16. Now that those Impairments of sense and motion which afflict this honest Woman does proceed from adult and hot humors we may in the first place Conjecture from such things as help and hurt For seeing she received no good by heating and drying Medicaments but was always worse after them it follows that they were no ways contrary to the Disease 17. And this was the only way whereby Trallianus and Forestus in the foresaid Histories came to the knowledg of a Palsy proceeding from an hot and dry distemper 18. Secondly That this Patient has a dry distemper may be hence collected in the causticks applyed to divers Parts and Issues made thereby afforded very little humor and were quickly dried up 19. Thirdly Palsies which proceed from Flegm draw their orginal from the Brain as the fountain of that humor and those parts which are near the Head are commonly first and most of all hurt 20. Whereas in the Patient there are no signs of any humor flowing from the Head nor is there any hurt in her upper parts so that her Arms Hands and other upper-parts do perfectly perform their Actions 21. Fourthly the first Insult of the Disease did cause a dullness of the sense of feeling in her Belly and the Muscles of the Abdomen which shews that the Nerves which spring out of the Back-bone through the Vertebrae of the loins were first hurt and that afterwards the Disease was propagated to the Nerves which arise from the Os Sacrum and crept along to the Thighs and Legs 22. Whence may be gathered that the humor offending transferred from the parts contained in the lower Belly unto those Nerves just as in a Palsy following after the Cholick such a like translation is wont to happen 23. Fifthly pains afflicting divers parts especially about the Brest and those so fleeting do argue that sharp and biting vapours are carryed from the Hypochondria into those parts as like pains in such as are troubled with Hypochondriacal Melancholy do most frequently happen 24. Sixthly as often as the Patient's Feet and Legs are stirred a stretching and trembling motion does presently arise which argues that the matter impacted into the Nerves is thin and moveable and consequently put into agitation by the least stirring by that means causing tensions and vibrations of the
to enquire what Salt that is which predominates that such saline Diureticks may be given whose Particles are opposite that thereby Health may be the more easily recovered again Therefore the Physician is to be well assured of the constitution and habit of the sick least he runs himself into error and so instead of restoring of Health rather confirms the Disease 54. However in this Case considering we have a cold and moist habit of Body to deal with the sanguinous Salt is for the most part either sharp or acid and therefore Salts of a volatile sulphurous and spirituous Quality are to be chosen such as is prescribed in our Doron Medicum Lib. 1. Cap. 23. Sect. 173. ad 188. Sect. 221. ad 235. and somtimes Salts fixed and acids but in these latter Cases the Physician ought to be very well perswaded and assertain'd before he makes use of them 55. Vomitories somtimes also do yeild a notable Relief in an inveterate Palsy because they draw away the Nourishment of the conjunct Cause and do not always promote but oftentimes recal the morbifick Matter impacted in the Nerves and as it were weaken and break its Force by abstraction so that by the continual wasting thereof the animal Spirit the more easily dissipates the remaining Particles of the diseasy Miasms But Vomits ought to be given to such as easily vomit or where part of the Cause is lodged nere the Stomach and Lungs For weaker Persons you may give Salt of Vitriol with Oxymel of Squills or to the more strong Emetick Tartar of Mynsicht or Infusion of Crocus Metaliorum or Vitrum Antimonii or or the Crocus in substance or Sulphur of Antimony which have a Power to call even from the extream Parts these things being given a while you may with a Feather put down the Throat provoke Vomiting four or five times drinking warm Posset-Drink or Mutton-Broth between whiles 56. Sennertus prescribes this Vomit Take Radishes scraped or thin sliced one ounce and half seeds of Redishes and of Arrach roots of Asarabacca of each two drams Agarick one dram Broom-Flowers a pugil boyl them in Hydromel strain and to four five or six ounces thereof add Oxymel simple half an ounce and in stronger constitutions you may saith he add depurated Juyce of Tobacco half an ounce He also advises to the use of the Flowers of Antimony Other Vomitories you may see in our Doron Medicum Lib. 1. cap. 3. sect 70. 71. and cap. 21. sect 1. ad ultimam But Vomits are to be used with extream Caution as we before advised 57. Salivation is the last extream consideration by the use of which several Paralyticks have been recovered which I my self as well as some other Physicians have observed but it ought to be used only to an habitual and inveterate Paralysis and there where all other means have proved ineffectual but not in that which follows upon a Lethargy Carus Apoplexy Cholick or Convulsions or have too lax and weak a Brain because as it is for the most part attempted in vain so oftentimes not without great hurt by reason that Mercury is apt to excite in such Persons frequent Convulsions 58. Now how Mercuriates whose proper office is Salivation become beneficial in a Paralysis remains to be declared For by entring into the sanguinary Mass and separating of its Impurities or Faeculencies it cut off that Matter by which the Disease is nourished the mercurial Particles passing through the Brain or otherwise entring the nervous Passages causes presently a Fermentation of the morbifick Matter impacted in the neurotick System and so through their own power causing an Excretion they so either disperse or expel it that the ways and Passages of the animal Spirit in a short time become clear 59. We are now arrived to the vital Indication wherein we shall shew by what means the Brain and Genus Nervosum or the Organs generating animal Spirits and the Instruments of Sense and Motion may be restored and corroborated and then conserved in their pristin estate And this is done by such things as are proper Cephalicks and Neuroticks which have a peculiar and specifick Vertue to absume the Humidities of those Parts and comfort them by augmenting their native heat this done we shall come to the last Intention which is Topical and so conclude this Section 60. Decocta Cephalica Take Betony Sage Flowers of Arabian Staechas of each half an handful Peony-roots Fennel-seeds of each three drams Nutmegs half a dram running Water a quart boyl to the consumption of a third part strain and sweeten with Sugar Or thus Take roots of Peony Cloves of each two drams Marjoram Betony Sage of each an handful Flowers of Arabian Staechas two pugils Flowers of Rosemary of Lavender of each one pugil seeds of Anise and Fennel of each one dram Spring Water a quart boyl to the consumption of a third part strain and sweeten with three ounces of Sugar Or thus Take Acorus Galangal of each two drams roots of Peony half an ounce Cowslips red Sage Marjoram of each one handful Hysop half an handful seeds of Annise Fennel and Hartwort of each two drams Flowers of Arabian Staechas of Rosemary and of Sage of each a pugil Water a sufficient quantity boyl and strain and to every pint add three ounces of white Sugar and aromatize with Pouders of Nutmegs and Diamoschus dulcis of each half an ounce Dose five ounces in the Morning fasting 61. Vina medicata clareta Take Virginian-snake-root Contrayerva Ginger of each two drams Cloves Cinnamon of each one dram Nutmegs Mace of each half a dram Galangal Grains of Paradise of each a scruple Rhenish Wine a pint and half infuse four and twenty hours boyl a little filter and sweeten with Sugar four ounces and make a Claret with Saffron and Cochenele of each ten grains Or thus Take Virginian-snake-root Ginger Nutmegs of each two drams Cloves Mace Contrayerva Galangal long Pepper of each one dram Grains of Paradise half a dram biting Cinnamon an ounce Rhenish-Wine a quart the Species being well beaten infuse them ten days then strain through Hippocrates his sleeve sweeten with white Sugar eight ounces and with a little Saffron and Cochenele in a Nodul make a Claret 62. Vinum Hippocraticum Langii Take choice Cinnamon an ounce and five drams Ginger six drams Cloves Galangal of each one dram Mace Nutmegs of each two scruples Grains of Pradise Cardamoms Coriander of each one scruple Aniseeds ten grains white Sugar two pounds red Wine two quarts mix digest and make a Claret according to Art 63. Take Nutmegs Mace Cloves Contrayerva Virginian-snake-root of each an ounce Cubebs Cardamoms of each half an ounce Aniseeds Fennel-seeds of each two drams Rosemary-Flowers two ounces Lavender and Sage-Flowers of each half an ounce Species of Aromaticum Rosatum Dianthos of each a dram Rhenish-Wine Sherry or Canary a gallon let all stand three days in infusion dulcify with white Sugar then strain several times through
happens according to Hippocrates are commonly between the years of forty sixty in which time the melancholy humor is most vigorous 21. From whom says that Oracle nothing can be more convenient than the coming of the Hemorrhoids and that all Care be taken to keep them running for while they run there is no doubt of the present Safety But if that cannot be done the next thing to wit by Cupping-Glasses and breathing of a Vein the Blood must be drawn forth 22. Although there is some help to be had by the extraction of the Blood yet if the Foeculency of the Blood be not carried off they will not answer the End and the more frequent the letting of blood is the Blood is thereby cooled and the Spirits exhausted therefore it must be done with a great deal of Caution 23. For Hippocrates does not absolutely assign and impute the Cause of the Apoplexy to Blood Melancholy and Flegm but rather advises to abstain from such things as will breed not only a plenty of Blood but also a gross thickness of the same 24. Luscious and impure Wines and immoderate Repetions do suffocate and extinguish the natural Heat the Wine of Carduus Benedictus is good as also Vinum Medicatum made of the Infusion of Sena this Wine must not be taken at Meat as also other Medicaments because they trouble and hinder the Concoction and so the Chyle being crude excites and sends up Fumes to the Head whereby the Spirits of the Brain are wasted and corrupted 24. But if it be taken about an hour before Meat I do not see why it should not do good For Sena does wonderfully purge the Organs of the Senses and strengthens the Stomack the Infusion of Sena or rather our Syrup of Apples with Sena will be more convenient 26. The Infusion is thus Take Currans six drams Galangal one dram the flowers of Borrage Violets of each one pugil boyl them in a sufficient quantity of pure Water in the Decoction infuse the leaves of Sena six drams then strain and take of the Expression four ounces to which add Manna Calabrina six drams Syrup of conserv'd Ginger one dram mix them and make a Drink to be taken every day 27. If he would use the Syrup of the Juyce of Apples and Sena he may take one ounce wherewith he may mix half a scruple of Mace now if the Body be not already loose you may make it so if the day before you use the Infusion of Sena or the Syrup you must be careful to apply a Clyster made of the Decoction of Pauls-Betony in the Broth of a Cock or Capon with the addition of a little Sugar 28. There is also this to be observed that none who is apprehensive of falling into this Malady should presently go to bed after Supper but that there be two or three hours between supping and sleeping 29. Among the principal causes of the Apoplexy Hippocrates recites a forth which is when the animal Vertue which influences both Sense and Motion is impeded and the natural heat is through the want thereof suppressed and almost extinguished 30. This happens chiefly to those that are obnoxious to Crudities too much Gluttony and surfeiting and while thus he should rather use Exercise than Rest 31. For by Abstinence and exercise by which says Celsus a most famous Physician he cured many Diseases such are preserved 32. He ought not to sleep immediately after eating and if he should begin to be drowsy he ought by some of the Family to be stirred up and rather excited to some pleasant Exercises than be suffered to sit or lye down for moderate Exercise is healthful 33. He should not much use Venery nor wast himself that way for the immoderate use thereof debilitates the Head and Brain 34. For the most part there goes before this Disease a Vertigo the which indeed presages his Disease to be near which though present yet bespeaks it not dangerous 35. Those Medicines therefore which a little before I have recited I use but in the first place I exhibite the little Lozenges made with the chymical Oyl of Caraways least the evil Matter should obstruct and creat thick Vapours which might hinder the force of other things to be given 36. Such things as correct those Vapours which infect the Brain by their Odour and pleasant Vapour are very profitable you must also boyl Caraways and Amber in Water and take the Vapours up the Nostrils and a peice of toasted Nutmeg must be taken into the Mouth to which let some Ambergrise be added and Castoreum put in Vinegar is to be held to the Nostrils 37. If a continual intermitting Feaver attend this Disease it needs no other Cure if it be weak it increases the Malady if too strong it destroys the Strength for the Danger lyes in the Excess 38. There are some causes in which there is no place for Medicines such as extream Cold a Blow hurting the Chanels and Ventricles of the Brain sudden Joy great Anger and Indignation Commotion of the Mind Astonishment by Thunder by these Persons become Apoplectick 39. If a great Apopolexy attend these there can be no other reason of the Cure than that which is from obstructing Causes 40. If it ends in a Palsy we must use those helps which tends to a Resolution when the Apoplexy begins some are for letting of blood all on a sudden but this is for certain if it does not free the Person it will surely kill 41. Some greatly approve of a Suffumigation made of Amber but learned Physicians think without reason 42. Sternutatories are dangerous yet may be profitable if applyed in due time the Pouder of the Root of Night-shade with Rue Castoreum and Ginger an equal Part to be blown up the Nostrils 43. It will be good to shake the superiour Parts chiefly the Neck It will be convenient to put to the Head a thin peece of Cypress or the Head being shaved to apply a Cupping-glass to the Crown of the Head sharp Clysters are to be given 44. The difference of the Pulse in a cold swooning and in an Apoplexy consists in this that in the former the Pulse is weak in the latter the Pulse is full and strong unless in the very point of Death 45. But if the apoplectick Person lies without Sense and Motion and spiration with snorting is violent and inequal then there is nothing but Death to be expected Crato apud Scholzium Cons 37. XXVII For the Apoplexy 1. Take Pil. Cochiae two scruples Castoreum one scruple Troches of Alhandal three grains with Oxymel of Squills make eight Pills which may be taken at eleven a Clock and the Person may sleep after them 2. Take the the roots of Butchers-broom of Asparagus of each one ounce and half the roots of Liquorice of Sorrel of Succory of Bugloss of each one ounce Florentine Orrice Galangal of each half an ounce the Peels of Citron dryed Betony Bawm Hysop Marjoram Ground-pine Origanum
constringed Pores the said Nerves became relaxed as it were and weakned so that the animal Spirit which ought to be more strickly bound-up becomes dilated and spread abroad and thereby the muscular Motion is either hurt or depraved And this must needs be when the Spirit which is the prime or essential cause thereof is contaminated weakned and dilated and the Nerves which are the instrumental cause of the said motion are watered as it were with a heterogene matter relaxed and made unfit for the performance of their Functions 13. And truly not in a much different way do Poysons promote the same disaffection but more dreadful in their Operation for being received into the Stomach and being subtillised by the fermentative quality thereof their spiritual Parts separate themselves from the more earthy and thereby make a Conjunction with the animal Spirit either mediately by immersing themselves in the Mass of Blood or immediately by insinuating themselves into the nervous Tunicles of the Stomach whence arises besides the weakning contamination and dilatation of the Spirit and a relaxation and hurt of the Nerves a debility in the Stomach it self with a hurt of its proper Functions by which the original matter for the generation of Spirit becomes both depraved and diminished which not a little contributes to the said relaxation for there being not a sufficient generation thereof it follows that there must be a deficiency in the Nerves the Channels and Condit-Pipes of the said Spirit and the proximate Instrument of muscular motion whence a Tremor is immediately excited 14. Thus also the Fumes of mineral Poysons being drawn up the Nostrils and penetrating the Brain may more easily and immediately contaminate the animal Fountain from whence those fuliginous Vapours being conveyed over the whole Genus Nervosum or nervous System not only foul and fully its Crystal-like Streams but confuse and obfuscate its limpid and translucid matter corrupting even the nervous Juice it self the very support and stay of the Neurotick Frame thereby causing not only a relaxation of the substance of the Nerves and diffusion of the Spirit out of its proper Current but also many other evil Symptoms besides 15. But how this thing should somtimes come to pass by the only handling of Quick-silver is yet more admirable and deserves our farther consideration How easy it is for Quick-silver to insinuate it self into the Pores and to difuse it self into all Parts of the Body especially the upper Parts as the Head and Brain I think is sufficiently known almost to all and that common experiment of whitening Gold by treading of the naked Foot upon Quick-silver the Gold in the mean season being held in the Mouth is somthing of demonstration By what Artifice the Mercury is conveyed to the Mouth I will not possitively determine though it may be more than probably conjectured its Ascension might be by way of Fume The whitening of the Gold is a proof of the matter of fact but if any should object that the Gold attracted or drew up the Mercury and that if the Gold had not been held in the Mouth the Mercury would never have ascended to this we answer first that the possibility of the penetration of the Mercury is demonstrated from the whitening of the Gold whether the Gold attracted it or no. Secondly that it is probable the Mercury might have ascended to the Mouth and Head as well without the Gold as with it only with this difference that in its ascention meeting with the Gold it fixed there whereas had the Gold been wanting those particles of the Mercury which fixed themselves upon the Gold might have gone further and have seised the very Brain it self Thirdly that it has been confirmed by manifold experience that those who have frequently and long but handled Mercury have contracted such a Tremor whereby they have wholly lost the use of their Limbs and the Affection incurable to boot by which we think the matter is beyond dispute 16. How a sudden consternation by Fear or Extasy of Joy should produce such an effect is yet more worthy our inquiry Truly these are Passions which first fix themselves in the apprehension and thereby breed a perturbation of the animal Spirit but immediately seize and exercise their fury upon the Heart and Vitals And here in both cases the Heart is dilated or as it were opened and the Blood and Spirits by a certain flux enter it in the first case by filling it to support and fortify it as much as may be against the danger of the evil appendent in the second case to augment and maintain the fulness of the Joy coâ—ceived which flux being vehement and immeasurable leaves the extream Parts of the Body destitute as it were whereby being deprived of great part of their nourishment and support a feebleness immediately seizes upon them and a Tremor forth with as a consequent thereof for being thereby emptied in part a diffusion of the remainingt part of he Spirit is made whence follows a forceable relaxation of the Nerves Now when this is extream or vehement from the magnitude of the Joy and Fear the flux of the Blood and Spirits being more impetuous or greater than the dilatation of the Heart whereby it is unable to receive all that are sent on that occasion hence it is that oftentimes not only a Tremor but a Suffocation immediately follows and a tâ—tal extinction of the vital Flame For as the Flame of a Lamp is nourished and maintained by the Oyl which continually feeds it yet will that Flame be extinguished by a suffocation thereof through an afflux of too much Oyl drowning the same as well as by a detention or with holding of its proper nourishment 17. Hence also the reason is apparent how the loss of Blood should produce the near cause thereof for if a Tremor be immediately produced from a large Dâ—ffusion Dilatation Dissipation Diminution or loss of Spirits it is evident that it must also follow upon the loss of Blood for that the Blood is the Vehiculum of he vital Spirit the progenitor of the animal and according to the diminution of the Blood such in proportion is the diminution of the Spirit which being largely taken away must necessarily leave a feebleness and weakness upon the Parts from whence it is detracted thereby disabling them for performing their wonted Functions 18. Now that Tremor which follows from a hurt or puncture of the Nerve is caused from compression wherein the animal Spirit is stopt or straightned in its course or flux and so is forced out of its domicil by means of which diffusion a dilatation and relaxation of the Nerve ensues causing a weakness and feebleness of the Part whereby it is uncapable of perforing of its Functions and in this case somtimes a numbness and want of feeling goes a long with it which in a proper Sense can be nothing but a Palsy of the Part of which in the next Chapter we shall largly treat 19.
So likewise there is made an exâ—eeding compression of the Nerves when they are vehemenâ—ly extended or strained by Force beyond their natural Composure whereby the Channels of the animal Spirit are straightned or made narrower and so forced to diffuse it self into the adjacent fleshy Parts whence it comes to pass that as soon as there is a relaxation of the extension there is also a relaxation of the Nerve which being defective in Spirits is immediately weakned and taken with a Tremor But this as we said before seldom lasts long for that there being no real obstruction in the Organ there is in short time a new supply of Spirits whereby the hurt occasioned by the Force is again repaired XXII Of the Prognosticks of a Tremor or Trembling 1. A Tremor proceeding from watching want of eating or drinking two much exercise light fear or joy or distemper of the mind is for the most part without danger and when the causes cease it ceases 2. A Tremor coming from an internal cause although of it self it is not mortal or otherwise dangerous yet it is apt to degenerate into an Apoplexy Lethargy Convulsion or Palsy whereby it becomes the more perilous 3. The more vehement the Tremor is and in the more noble Parts so much it is the more evil and the longer its continuance so much the more doubtful is the Cure and if it be on the left side according to Avicen it is yet the more evil for that it is observed that the innate heat of those Parts more easily fails or is diminished 4. A Tremor in old Persons is seldom or never cured because of the great imbecility of the Brain and animal Spirit and for the most part it ends in Death 5. An hereditary Tremor or that which comes from long drinking of vast quantities of Wine Brandy and other errors of Diet more especially in those who have by nature the Organs of the animal Spirit very weak are very seldom cured and they either remain in the same state or it encreases upon them with Age. 6. If a Tremor degenerates into a Convulsion it is dangerous and for the most part mortal unless the Convulsion can be suddenly removed for that as some think there follows a great exsiccation of the nervous Parts whereby the free afflux of the Spirit is prejudiced and from the privation of which an opposite habit is begot 7. A Tremor in a burning Feaver often presages a Delirium for by reason of the ardent heat whereby the Blood is inflamed gross Vapours are mixed with the Spirits in the Brain and Cerebel whence comes a confusion and hurt of the Senses which is not without danger 8. A convulsive Trembling in the extream Parts chiefly in the Hands is dangerous and so much the more if it be attended with a Consumption of the whole Body 9. A Tremor in a slow long or lingring Feaver is less dangerous but in a vehement burning and acute Feaver it is not without peril and in this case if a Delirium follows with a Convulsion it is mortal 10. A Tremor in a Phrensy and Melancholy arising from yellow choler changed into Atrabilis is very dangerous if not mortal because of the malign quality of the humors as Hippocrates in Coacis testifies which are inimical to the original of the Nerves and the whole Genus Nervosum 11. A Tremor hapning to a Woman in Child-bed by reason of the Secundine or After-birth is of very evil consequence for it signifies a putrefaction and malignity of the humors which contaminate the animal and suffocate the vital Spirits 12. A Tremor hapning in an Apoplexy or Lethargy is very dangerous so also if it comes from emptiness or extream evacuation whereby the Spirit is exhausted and diminished and the natural heat dissipated and at length abolished A Trembling of the lower Lip presages vomiting to be at hand XXIII The Therapia or Method of cure of a Tremor or Trembling 1. In order to the cure of this Disease we must have respect to the causes 1. The Procatartick or external causes ought in the first place to be removed 2. The Matter generating the vital and animal Spirits ought to be augmented 3. The Brain Cerebel and Genus Nervosum ought to be corroborated and strengthned 4. The Body and the fleshy Parts if emaciated and wasted ought to be restored and conserved 2. If therefore the external or remote cause of a Tremor shall proceed from great drinking of Wine Brandy or any other external cause or causes before enumerated to which the sick has been accustomed they ought immediately to be removed for otherwise what ever we shall do to promote the Cure will be in vain But whereas we forbid those to drink Wine Brandy c. whose Disease has been caused thereby yet by reason the sudden abrupt and total prohibition of those Liquors might be of immediate evil consequence we must prescribe somthing else to be used in stead thereof And therefore in stead of the Liquor to which the sick has been accustomed let him drink Hydromel Metheglin or Mead but with great moderation and temperance 3. Or in stead thereof he may take this Take Hydromel or Mead twelve quarts Betony Sage Rosemary of each four handfuls sweet Marjoram Penny-Royal Mint of each one handful bruise and infuse four and twenty hours then boyl gently one hour cool strain let it settle decant off the clear and bottle it up with two Cloves split and put into each Bottle Or thus Take fair Water fifteen quarts white Sugar seven or eight pounds pure Sal Prunellae an ounce and half dissolve all together in the Water and make it boyl for an hour being almost coâ—â— work it up with Ale-yest putting into it in a Bag with a Stone in it and these following things Take Coriander-seed Sage Rosemary Marjoram Penny-Royal Mint of each four ounces Ginger bruised Juniper-berries Bawm of each three ounces Jamaica-Pepper Anacardiums of each two ounces Cloves Nutmegs â—f each one ounce bruise what are to be bru sâ—d and let them work in the Liquor two or three or four days the working being over let it stand to grow fine two or three weeks or till you see it is very pure and clear then bottle it up and let the sick take it moderately as their câ—nstant drink 4. If the Disease proceeds from any venene or poysonous cause you must give such things as are Antidotes against the Poyson and Malignity If it proceeds from pestilential Poyson you may give this following Take Extracts of Saffron Contrayerva Virginian snake-root Gentian Zedoary of each an ounce Castoreum in fine Pouder five drams Bezoar oriental two drams and half Musk one dram Juyce of Alkerns a sufficient quantity to make it into a soft Electuary of this the sick may take the quantity of a Hazel-nut or Nutmeg three times a day viz. Morning Noon and Night drinking after the same a little glass of one of the former Liquors If the Patient be