If the Humor be thick Coliquintida corrected with salt of Tartar or Ferra foliata Tartari will be very proper Externally in Catarrhs of the Head we apply to the Crown of the Head and Temples the Oyl of Amber distill'd Oyl of Mace or of Harts-horn if the Person be not offended by the smell and the Plaister of Betony mix'd with Tacamahac and soften'd with the Oyl of Amber In Catarrhs of the Breast we fumigat the Mouth and Face with Amber Mastic Benzoin c. But above all the smoak of Tobacco is of admirable use if it be mix'd with the Powder of Amber Anis or Coriander Seeds c. The spurious Catarrhs above-mention'd are cur'd internally with Sudorifics and urinous Spirits Externally by applying the Gum Tacamahac and Caran or if the Skin cannot bear Gums the rectified spirit of Wine impregnated with Aromatic Plants and Seeds However all Oily things ought to be carefully avoided ART II. Of Coryza THE most common instance of Catarrhs is that call'd Coryza or a defluxion of Matter from the Nose which at first is thin and sharp but in process of time the nutritious Juice of the Nostrils being deprav'd renders it thick The membran in the Head of the Nostrils is frequently provok'd to Sneezing and the Nervous Tubuli being likewise assaulted communicat their Convulsive disorders to the Membrana dura of the Brain whence insues a heavy pain and a sense of squeezing as it were in the Head Sometimes the sense of Smelling is quite lost and the Nostrils are gall'd and ulcerated The Cure is the same as that of Catarrhs in general While the Humor is thin we ought to remove the Irritation by exhibiting inwardly volatil Salts and applying outwardly the distill'd Oyl of Anis or rather that of Amber mix'd with a few drops of the Oyl of Cloves with Cotton The smell of the shavings of Horn the steams of burnt Amber Mastic Benzoin Gum Animae c. and the smoak of Tobacco impregnated with a few drops of the distill'd Oyl of Anis are likewise very serviceable When the Humor is thick and the nostrils stop'd we must endeavor to attenuat and evacuat it by fumigating with Vinegar upon hot Iron or applying the spirit of Sal-Armoniac or the Oyl of Almonds with Camphyr dissolv'd in it both to the extremity and internal Membran Sneezing Powders are also very useful such as the Powder of Florentin Orris with Euphorbium the Powder of black Hellebor with Sugar Tobacco-leaves sprinkl'd with a few drops of the Oyl of Majoram and dry'd or mix'd with the Powders of Marjoram Flowers of the Lilly of the Valley distill'd Oyl of Anis Amber and Mosch The solution of white Vitriol in the Decoction of Tobacco Marjoram and Flowers of the lilly Convally is also very proper If the Head be disturb'd or clouded we anoint the Crown of the Head with Balsam of Peru or Oyl of Amber If the Mouth be much molested we order Troches of Mithridat Mastic and Olibanum to be roll'd in the Mouth As for the Cough Hoarseness Blearedness of the Eyes and all the other subdivisions of Catarrhs they are accounted for in their proper places Thus we 've dispatch'd the Diseases relating to the Distribution of the Lymph As touching those proceeding from its Stagnation viz. Hydropical Tumors in the Abdomen Head Breast Womb Testicles c. their Cure is the same as that of an universal Dropsie And besides they are in great measure discuss'd in the Particular Chapters relating to the Disorders of those Parts AN ABRIDGMENT OF ETMULLERUS HIS Practice of PHYSIC c. BOOK II. SECT I. Of the Diseases which disturb the Generation and Distribution of the Animal Spirits and consequently the due Performance of Sense and Motion THE Diseases of the lower Region of the Body were our last Subject It remains now to move upwards and consider the Disorders of the Head Where the Spirits are separated and strain'd from the Blood by the Glandules of the Cortical part of the Brain and from thence convey'd to the Body Without the Influence of these Spirits all Motion and Sense ceases as is evident by the Dissection of a Nerve They require no Fermentation to fit 'em for their Office being sufficiently prepar'd by a bare Separation from the Blood and are equally capable to serve any Sense The same Spirit that assisted in moving the Muscles of the Leg would have serv'd the Eye in the sense of Seeing 'T is true the Spirits of one Man differ very much from those of another The different condition of the Mass of Blood and difformity of the Brain occasions a remarkable difference of Spirits which is visible in the variety of animal Operations Thought and Genius among Men. Nay in one and the same Man any alteration of the Humors of the Body and Mass of Blood produces the like change in the Spirits When the Blood observes its regular Course the Spirits are likewise orderly and when 't is inflam'd or boils too high they become enormous and cause a Perturbation in the Mind which depends upon them and can never pretend to Clearness and Justness of Thought without the steddy and equal Influence of the Spirits When their Motions are clever and swift they cause a nimble and ready Wit when they are lazy and move heavily they make a dull inactive Soul and when their Motion becomes more languid Sleep takes place which is always introduc'd either by exhausting the Spirits by thickning and fixing them with sleeping Medicines by rendring them flaggy and dull or clogging them with nutritious Juice or some serous Humor that distils upon the Brain in time of Watching To return to the Generation of the Spirits It may be disturb'd 1. When the Spirits are deficient for want of a due Exaltation of the Blood or by reason of some fault in the Texture of the Brain or an immoderat Consumption by Exercise This Symptom is cur'd by exhibiting generous and spirituous Medicines as Spirit of Amber Spirit of the Lilly of the Vally with volatil Salt of Hartshorn and all the oily volatil Salts 2. When the Spirits are numerous and crouded which generally yields to Fasting Sleeping or Exercise 3. When the Spirits are corrupted they resemble rectify'd Spirit of Wine and may suffer Depravation by mixing with foreign Spirits or becoming phlegmatic and degenerating from their volatil Subtilty or by engaging in irregular Motions Before I descend to Particulars it will not be improper to premise three or four Positions that ought to be heedfully observ'd 1. That the Brain Nerves Membranes and Ligaments are all compos'd of little small Fibres which are stronger in the Nerves and extreme Parts of the Body than in the Brain and Medulla Spinalis These Fibres are naturally bent and endow'd with a rebounding Virtue upon the approach of an external Object or the impulse of the Spirits from within Their Texture is variable according to the Constitution of every Individual and the different Motions of several sorts
wither and consume tho the root of the Evil be not seated in it 't is not improper to anoint it with the following Mixture in order to provoke and waken the Spirits Take of Spirit of Earth-worms three Ounces distill'd Oils of Spike and of Juniper of each a Dram and a half distill'd Oils of Lavender and Marjoram of each half a Dram distill'd Oil of Amber two Scruples plumous Allum which ought always to be added in this case a Scruple If this prove too sharp as it frequently do's to scorbutic Constitutions take of human or Goose fat three or four Ounces distill'd Oil of Turpentin three Drams Oil of Juniper-berries two Drams Oil of Spike half a Dram. Mix and use as above Let the following Plaister be likewise applied to the Back-bone viz. Take of Gum Galbanum two parts Gum Caran one part soften 'em with stone Oil into the Consistence of a Plaister Bathing in a Decoction of Ants is of singular Virtue both in this and many other cases of which more elsewhere ART III. Of a Palsy A Palsy ought to be carefully distinguish'd from a stupidity of any part and particular Apoplexies tho it be near ally'd to both The former retains the power of moving tho depriv'd of the Sense of Feeling the latter relates to the Disorders of the Nerves whereas a Palsy is principally a relaxation of the Tendons Fibres and Ligaments by which the part is moved the Nerves being only secondarily affected So a true formal Palsy affects chiefly the moving Faculty and if the Nerves are not much touch'd the sense of Feeling remains Now by this it appears that in many Cases a Palsy is accus'd where particular Apoplexies are the true Criminals Their difference is thus made out 1. The particular Apoplexies are retainers to the Disorders of the Brain and spinal Marrow whereas Palsies follow another set of Diseases as the Scurvy Hypochondriac and Colic Fits and excessive Drinking 2. In the former the original and uppermost part of the Nerves is chiefly affected and upon that account external Remedies are applied to the Neck and Back-bone without regard to the Apoplectic Part. But in the latter that part of the Nerve which accompanies the Muscles of the place is principally injur'd and accordingly external Applications are confin'd to that quarter 3. The former deprives both of sense and motion the latter oftimes retains the sense and is molested with pains 4. The former are constant and obstinat the latter relents now and then and 't is not quite so hard a matter to compass its Cure Some Palsies are call'd Privative when the Passages for the Spirits are straiten'd and embarass'd by Obstructions or Compressions of the Nerves the sudden retreat of the small Pox Wounds Falls and such like external Causes But these are more properly particular Apoplexies A true positive Palsy may be occasion'd by a cold moist Air bathing in cold Water c. Thus old Men and Children are as it were half paralytic the former by reason of a watry Serum that succeeds in the room of their exhausted nutritious Juice and unbends the Fibres the latter by virtue of overflowing Moisture The usual internal Cause of a Palsy is an acid Humour convey'd along with the Lymph or Serum to the affected part where it vitiats the Fibres and renders 'em unfit for their wonted Motions Palsies of this kind are frequently occasion'd by immoderat drinking of some Wines that partake of a notable volatil Acid which not being concocted in the Stomac is thrown upon the external parts and creates in them sometimes a tickling sort of Pain resembling the motion of Pismires sometimes a stupid and sometimes a tearing Pain Thus the Fibres are corrupted but the Nerves are at first secure and accordingly the moving Faculty is extinguish'd while that of Feeling remains intire tho in progress of time it may dwindle away A scorbutic Acid join'd to a serous Vehicle frequently causes Palsies It proceeds insensibly at first causes a wandring Stupidity and Titillation of the Fingers or Toes One day they are quite well another day mightily swell'd and retain the Sense of Feeling tho render'd in some measure stupid and the Person when lying can move 'em but if he attempt to stand can perform no progressive Motion without a great deal of pain 'T is a volatil austere Acid that gives rise to these Symptoms and if Austerity prevail Convulsions and Contractions invade the part The French Pox Worms in the Guts and Suffocations of the Matrix may procure Palsies But the Bilious Colic that proceeds from thin sharp Humours more frequently introduces ' em If these Colic Pains be exasperated by violent Purgation or otherwise as it frequently happens the Navel being drawn inwards and the Belly very much bound and grip'd there follows a Stupidity and afterwards a Paralytic Disposition of some Members of the Body In this case the Cause seems to be a Scorbutic Acid lodg'd in the nervous Knot of the Mesentery which contracts the Nerves and so prevents the regular distribution of the Spirits to these Parts So that partly by the mutual consent of Membrans and partly by the Translation of the morbific Matter to the external Parts such Palsies take their rise The suppression of wonted Evacuations of Blood and the Passions of the Mind especially Grief and Want are likewise apt to cause ' em Besides these internal Causes there are several external Occasions of Palsies as touching the Cramp-fish or some Indian Shell-fishes reported to be indow'd with a numming Virtue approaching to mercurial and mineral Fumes and an indiscreet tampering with Narcotics If the Nerves be chiefly affected as in a total Privation of feeling or when the Disease proceeds from a Wound Fall or other external Accidents or succeeds an Apoplexy the Original of the Nerves must be chiefly regarded according to the Method propos'd for particular Apoplexies If the Sense of Feeling be intire or not much impair'd the Ligaments and Tendons of the part affected ought to be most taken care of If a Palsy invade the Face 't is distinguish'd from a Dog-Cramp by this that in the former the paralytic part is soft and flaccid and easily reduc'd to its natural posture but in the latter the contracted Part is hard and cannot be brought to join the others without pain As for the privative Palsies that approach to the nature of Apoplexies or in which the Sense of Feeling is quite lost or the Evil inveterat and fix'd to a Part their Cure will be very difficult but if once cur'd they are not so apt to relapse as the proper positive Palsies proceeding from internal Causes If the heat of the part be quite extinguish'd and Contractions seize it If the Eye of the paralytic Side be lessen'd If the Person be old and of a Cacochymical or Cachectic Constitution they are all cross Circumstances If a Trembling invade the Part If a Looseness succeed to a light Palsy or an acute Feaver to the Apoplectic
Extractum Phlegmagogum from half a Scruple to a Scruple Castor half a Scruple Troches Alhandal two Grains Rosin of Jalap one two or five Grains With the Essence of Castor make Pills To which you may add some sweet Mercury Next to evacuating Medicines we exhibit the sharp Volatil Cephalics which dispel the serous Humour and disengage the Spirits such are Spirit of Salt Armoniac Spirit of Mustard Seeds Spirit of the Lilly Convally Salt of Amber and especially Castor The Decoction of Tee is much commended in all sleepy Distempers The sharpest Cephalic Medicines are best As Take of Marjoram and Rue Water of each an Ounce and a half Apoplectic Water six Drams Essence of Castor a Dram and a half Spirit of Soot two Scruples Syrup of Betony one Ounce Mix c. Or Take of the Spirit of Mother of Thyme Spirit of Citron Peel of each a Dram and a half Spirit of Human Blood one Dram Mix. Or Take of the Conserve of Sage Conserve of Rosemary and Lavender Flowers of each one Ounce the Pouder Dianthos a Dram and a half Pouder of Cubebs a Dram Mustard-seeds and Castor of each two Scruples with the Syrup of Piony Flowers make an Electuary If the Lethargy proceed from a narcotic Virulency that has seiz'd the Spirits then the Volatil Acids are most proper especially the Volatil spirit of Vitriol and the Volatil Spirit of Verdigreese They are given from twenty to thirty Drops in any convenient Vehicle to which Castor always ought to be added it being an admirable specific in these Cases When a Lethargy proceeds from this cause prescribe thus Take of black Cherry Water Mother of Thyme Water of each an Ounce and a half Myasichtus his Hysteric Vinegar or Vinegar of Squills half an Ounce Essence of Castor two Drams Oxymel of Squills six Drams mix c. Or Take of prepar'd Amber a Dram Cinnabar of Antimony half a Dram Castor two Scruples make a Pouder for four Doses After the use of these Medicines the Cure may be compleated by the Sudorific decoctions of Woods c. Next succeed the sneezing and chewing Medicines which evacuate by the Mouth and Nose To this purpose are the sharp pointed irritating Medicines which ought always to be mix'd with Volatil Salts that so while the one irritates and provokes to an evacuation the other may penetrate and prepare the Humor As Take of Pouder of Tobacco Pouder of Lilly Convally of each a Dram white Hellebor Roots a Scruple Castor from twelve Grains to a Scruple distill'd Oil of Marjoram six drops make a Pouder to be blown into the Nostrils thro a Quill Or Take of white Hellebor Castor white Pepper of each a Scruple the distill'd Oils of Rue of Marjoram and Sage of each two drops mix and make a Pouder for the same Use This prescription was peculiar to Timaeus Or Take of Treacle of Andromachus two Drams Extract of Castor half a Scruple Pouder of Pellitory Roots one Scruple distill'd Oil of Amber six Drops mix and make a Medicine for cleansing the Palat. To these we add the external Remedies As Take of the distill'd Oil of Sage half a Dram the distill'd Oils of Castor and of Amber of each a Scruple mix and make an Oil with which anoint the Face and Temples Or Take of the distill'd Oils of Rue of Savory and of Mother of Thyme of each a Scruple Castor half a Scruple With a sufficient quantity of some convenient Balsam mix and reserve for Use Or Take of Swallow Water prepar'd with Castor two Ounces the Spirit of the Crystals of Verdigrease two Drams mix and foment the Face and Temples with iâ— Or Take of Vinegar of Rue two Drams Spirit of Verdigreese prepar'd with Sulphur two Drams Essence of Castor a Dram and a half mix and use as before Or thus Take of the Herbs Savory and Rue of each half a handful Zedoary half an Ounce Juniper-berries six Drams Laurel-berries half an Ounce Mustard Seeds and the Seeds of Water Cresses of each two Drams boil them in a sufficient quantity of Vinegar and foment the Face and Temples The Spirit of Vitriol and Vinegar applied to the Nostrils are of admirable use against feaverish Coma's As for the waking Coma's a Cataplasm of a fresh Horse Radish Root beat up with Rue Vinegar common Salt and a sufficient quantity of Lees may be applied to the Feet If the Lethargy proceed from Mercurial or Sulphurous Fumes c. let a Vomit be exhibited upon the first view then apply Vinegar and Castor to the Nose and likewise give it inwardly Or thus Take of Mint Water of Rue Water of Rue Vinegar of each an Ounce Essence of Castor six-Drams Syrup of Mint or of the Juice of Citrons one Ounce mix and let the Patient take a Spoonful often Where the immoderate Use of Opium causes a Lethargy Vinegar of Rue or of Squills or of Vitriol mix'd with Castor is a sovereign Remedy or if that prove ineffectual add Mustard Seed or Rocket Seeds or inject a Clyster of Spanish Wine If any sleepy Distemper ensue upon hard Drinking let a Vomit be first exhibited then foment the Forehead and Temples with Vinegar mix'd with the Juice of Smallage or apply the juice of Sengreen the greater with Vinegar and Nitre to the Scrotum Spirit of Salt Armoniac or of Soot are very serviceable in this Case Upon the whole the Remedies made use of in a Lethargy must be particularly appropriated to the Cause that produc'd it If it proceed from an external Cause Vomiting and the use of Vinegar with Castor will finish the Cure If it owe its Original to an internal Cause or be preceded by other Distempers the Cure must be vary'd according to the respective Indications There is a near resemblance betwixt these Distempers and what we call a Catalepsis in which the Patient is depriv'd of all Sense and Motion and seiz'd with a stiffness in his Members tho moveable by any external impulse and apt to remain in the posture they 're left in It is an uncommon Distemper and very surprising being accompany'd with a staring of the Eyes and distortion of the Countenance The Cause is the coagulation and fixedness of the Spirits it may remotely proceed from Cold suppression of the Terms Hypocondriac Fits Worms sulphurous Fumes and discontent of the Mind It is a dangerous Disease As for the Cure exhibit Antimonial Vomits and apply sharp Cataplasms or Suppositories Spirit of Wine is us'd in this Case both Internally and Externally SECT II. Of the Disorders of the external Senses EXternal Sense proceeds from the influence of outward objects upon the Organs where the Nerves are inserted The Animal Spirits ought naturally to bend and extend these Nerves so that when the outward Extremities are mov'd the same motion may readily be communicated to the Spirits in the Brain This secondary motion of the Spirits within occasion'd by the impulse from without is the foundation of internal Sense by
form of a Syrup Let the Patient snuff up five or six drops in the Morning fasting leaning his head backwards and holding warm Water in his mouth The Obstruction of the Nostrils may be caus'd by a Polypus or fleshy Excrescency that fills up the space Sometimes it rises from the glandulous Membran at the top of the Nostrils but more frequently from the nervous Filaments in the sieve-like Bone Sometimes it descends to the inside of the Mouth Sometimes it has but one stalk at other times more It s Colour is white or red if it be livid and painful 't is near akin to a Cancer It proceeds from the Corruption and Redundancy of the nutritious Juice and the occasional breach of the Unity of the Part. If it be white soft and painless it is a good sign If 't is deep rooted and reaches to the nervous Filaments 't is dangerous The Cure is chiefly perform'd by external Applications If the Body be disorder'd 't is not improper to prepare it by internal evacuating and altering Medicines The external Remedies must be us'd in the last quarter of the Moon because the Swelling then decreases The milder sort are the juice of Pomegranats Mustard-seeds mix'd with Vinegar the juice of Onopostus a sort of Thistle the Pouder of Turnsole the Juice of Watercresses or the Juice of the roots of Aron all which may be applied with Cotton to the part affected The fiercer Remedies are sublimate Mercury Verdigreese and Lees the Acid mineral Spirits Aqua fortis c. As Take of the Juice of Pomegranats three parts Oil of Vitriol one part mix Or take of the Oil of Vitriol a scruple burnt Alum a dram Plantain Water an ounce mix and sprinkle the Polypus with it Or Take of the Cerecloth of Myrtles an ounce of the Ointment call'd Aegyptiacum two drams mix for a Liniment you may sharpen it with precipitat Mercury frequently wash'd Or Take of the Ointment Aegyptiacum half an Ounce the Rinds of Pomegranats and Galls of each half a dram Oil of Vitriol a scruple Mix and touch the Polypus with it every day In applying these Caustics care must be taken that they touch not the neighbouring parts by using a silver Fistula or Cotton or a Tent. If a Polypus have any tendency to a Cancer it ought not to be meddled with If it be ulcerated apply the Water or Ashes of Frogs Pouder of Crabs Lead melted and dulcify'd the Crocus of Steel and such like If it only hang by one stalk it may be cut off or a thread of Silk well wax'd ty'd about the root After 't is taken off the bleeding must be stopp'd by Astringents and the Pouder of Gentian with the Juice of Figwort applied on a Tent to the Nostrils in order to prevent its return The Smell may be adulterated by an Ulcer in the Nostrils call'd Ozaena which sometimes seizes only the membranous soft parts at other times the Cartilages and Bones It may occasion bleeding at the Nose or a plentiful Evacuation of sordid matter or a Corruption of the adjacent parts or a Polypus The external Causes of an Ozaena are various the internal for the most part is the Pox. It ought to be cautiously handled for fear of a Cancer If it be inveterat and affect the sieve-like Bone 't is not easily cur'd The Ulcer may be cleans'd by snuffing up the Decoction of lesser Centory and Aromatic Calamiâ—s in Wine till the patient be sensible of its falling into the Palat or Marjoram Water with Hony Myrrh Sugar Candy and a little Cinamon Take of the Ointment of Tobacco three drams Balsam of Sulphur for external use a dram mix and apply to the Ulcer The fresh Leaves of Tobacco may be put into the Nose and kept there some months then taken out and anointed with this Balsam If there appear a Crust upon the Ulcer it ought not to be remov'd by force but by applying Oil of Sweet Almonds or Oil of Roses with fresh Butter and then proceed to the cleansing Remedies among which Clary boil'd with Hony of Roses is the most noted The Decoction of Agrimony and Vervain in Hony or Child's Urine or the smoak of a red Wax-candle receiv'd at the Nostrils are proper for the same purpose Or Take of Marjoram and Plantain Water of each an ounce and a half rectify'd Spirit of Wine three drams Hony of Roses six drams mix and inject with a Syringe If it do not yield to these Medicines we must have recourse to Mercurial Preparations As Take of Plantain Water four ounces in which dissolve of Sublimat Mercury twelve grains strain the Liquor and apply it to the Ulcer Sweet Mercury well dulcify'd or precipitat Mercury with Ointment of Roses or the Ointment Aegyptiacum may be applied with a Tent to the Ulcer or Oil of Vitriol drop'd on a little Cotton may be applied twice or thrice and then follow'd by proper Ointments SECT III. Of the Disorders of the Internal Senses and Animal Functions THE Internal Senses depend upon the various Motion and Agitation of the Spirits in the Brain The Organs of External Sense communicate the Impressions they receive from Objects to the Original of the Nerves where a Motion not unlike to their own insues and is called Common Sense This Motion in the Common Sensory is imparted to the Spirits in the Corpus Callosum where the Fancy resides The Spirits thus mov'd roll to and again among the Nerves of the Cerebrum and Cerebellum and their frequent returns thro the same Passages are christen'd The Memory These Faculties are equally compatible to Men and Brutes and are distinguish'd from those of the rational Soul by their unacquaintedness with reflex Knowledg If they are disorder'd all the Functions and Motions of the Body suffer by it The natural and involuntary Motion sof the nervous Fibres that surround the Stomach and Guts depend upon the regular Recruits of Spirits convey'd thro the Nerves from the Cerebellum and those of the Muscles which obey the command of our Wills are owing to the due distribution of the Spirits from the Cerebrum This Motion of the Muscles is perform'd by contraction The Spirits croud into the Cavities of the Fibres and by extending their width abridg their length and in the interim the arterial Blood flows copiously into the middle of the musculary Fibres where it meets with least resistance Thus the bloated Muscle contracts it self and exchanges its Rhomboides Figure for a Rectangular Form CHAP. I. Of a Swimming in the Head or a preternatural Commotion of the Spirits in the Brain THERE are several degrees observable in this Distemper Sometimes there is only an apprehension that all things are carry'd round and toss'd up and down sometimes 't is attended by a dimness of the Eye-sight and a false representation of various Colours and ofttimes the Sight is quite lost and the Person falls down which is mostly follow'd by Convulsions and a tingling in the Ears The part affected is
Ruffus his Pills de tribus half a Scruple Extract of black Hellebor five Grains Tartar vitriolated three Grains With distill'd Oil of Caraways make Pills Take of Gum Ammoniac dissolv'd in Vinegar Bdellium dissolv'd in Vinegar of each half a Dram Vitriol of Steel calcinated till it become white a Scruple Magistery of the Gum of Peru fifteen Grains Scammony prepar'd according to Brendelius's Method a Scruple Extract of Troches Alhandal six Grains make a Mass for Pills fifteen of which are one Dose The Decoction of sudorific Woods are very proper in the declination of the Paroxysm and ought to be continued for some time If these and such like Remedies do not accomplish the Cure we must have recourse to Setums Cuppingglasses Issues c. If the Person be of a Catarrhous Constitution an Issue in the pit of the Neck is very proper But these external Helps are of no use in positive Apoplexies in the privative indeed where the Blood or Lymph is faulty they frequently afford relief The Plaister de Ranis with Mercury mix'd with Balsam of Peru dissolv'd with the Yelk of an Egg may be applied to the Head with good success When the Disease declines a Salivation perhaps may not be improper ART II. Of particular Apoplexies WHEN an Apoplexy seizes a particular part 't is call'd Paraplegia and by most of Writers is referr'd to Palsies but the frequent reciprocal Permutation of general Apoplexies and Paraplegia's vouch for their near alliance Sometimes it is only a retainer to a universal Apoplexy at other times it comes of it self in the form of a principal Disease It admits of three degrees 1. When the Sense of the Part remains and only its motion is lost 2. When 't is depriv'd both of Sense and Motion but retains its natural heat 3. When 't is destitute of Sense Motion and Heat and becomes flaccid and soft Some assign the Obstruction of the Nerves for its Cause but Experience teaches us that it may proceed by consent from other parts from Hysteric Fits Worms in the Guts and the Pastions of the Mind The true cause seems to be the contraction of the nervous Parts about the root of the Spinal Marrow which interrupts the intercourse of the Spirits to the part affected perhaps by the consent of the Nerves as the Stone in the Kidneys is wont to stupify the Leg of the respective side It undergoes a frequent Permutation into Convulsions and Palsies The manner of its succession to privative Apoplexies is accounted for above It succeeds likewise to positive Apoplexies and in that case seems to be tinctur'd with a convulsive Quality The Method of cure is the same as that of an universal Apoplexy Vomits are always proper especially if it follow an universal Apoplexy As Take of Mercurius Vitae two Grains Scammony sulphurated three Grains with Conserve of Bugloss-flowers make a Bolus If Vomiting be very uneasy to the Patient give a strong Purge As Take of Resin of Jalap half a Scruple dissolve it with the yelk of an Egg in Fumitory Water six drams Cinnamom Water a Dram. Mix. When it follows privative Apoplexies Bloodletting is proper otherwise it ought to be avoided except in the case of a Plaethora Issues Blistering Plaisters laid on the Pit of the Neck and scarify'd Cupping-glasses applied between the Shoulders are likewise useful against this privative sort These general Remedies being premis'd Sudorifics come next as the volatil Salts and Spirits of human Scull or human Blood and all Apoplectic or Epileptic Specifics The Decoction of Woods with Juniper and Laurel-berries and Roots of Elecampane is very much us'd for this purpose As Take of Sassafras Wood two Ounces Rosemary-leaves a handful or two fresh juicy Juniper-berries or Laurel-berries an Ounce and a half or two Ounces boil 'em in a Balneum Mariae in Wine and Water of each a pound and a half with an Alembic Mix the strain'd Decoction and the distill'd Liquor and add of Spirit of Juniper-berries four Ounces Spirit of Sal Armoniac three or four Drams Syrup of Clove Gilly-flowers three Ounces Mix and give a large draught thrice a day Poterius's Diaphoretic Gold is admirably fitted for this Case He either prepar'd it of Gold calcined by Amalgamation or mix'd Aurum fulminans with a double quantity of flowers of Sulphur and reduc'd it to a Pouder of a purple Colour by putting red hot Coals into the Crucible then digested it for fifteen days in rectify'd Spirit of Wine impregnated with Aniseeds and afterwards separated the Spirit either by distillation or deflagration and reserv'd the Pouder for use 'T is not fit to be given in a liquid form for that it sinks to the bottom but thus Take of Conserve of Clove Gilly-flowers a Dram Diaphoretic Gold from fifteen Grains to a Scruple Make a Bolus for two Doses Or Take of prepar'd human Scull prepar'd Unicorn's Horn of each fifteen Grains Diaphoretic Gold half a Scruple Mix. Or Take of human Scull prepar'd without fire prepar'd red Coral of each fifteen Grains fulminatory Gold three Grains Mix. Or Take of human Scull prepar'd without fire prepar'd Unicorn's Horn of each twelve Grains fulminatory Gold four Grains volatil Salt of Vipers six Grains Mix. After the first Dose of these Pouders the Person may take a spoonful or two of Spirit of Triacle and then make account to sweat Cinnabar of Antimony is likewise a noble Sudorific As Take of Cinnabar of Antimony fifteen Grains Amber half a Scruple volatil Salt of Amber five Grains make a Pouder Or Take of prepar'd human Scull prepar'd red Coral Cinnabar of Antimony of each half a Scruple distill'd Oils of Cinnamom and of Cloves of each a Drop Make a Pouder to be taken in a convenient Vehicle Or Take of Black Cherry Water Lilly Convally Water Mint Water of each an Ounce Spirit of Black Cherries six Drams Cinnabar of Antimony half a Dram volatil Salt of Hartshorn fifteen Grains Syrup of Clove Gilly-flowers an Ounce Mix. For an Apoplexy of the Hands foment the Pit of the Neck with distill'd Oils and spirituous Waters If the Feet be affected apply them to the Loins and neighbouring Parts But fat express'd Oils must be avoided Take of Mustardseeds one part Juniper-berries two parts bruise and infuse them in Spirit of Wine which reserve for Fomentation Take of Spirit of Wine camphoris'd or Spirit of Ants three Ounces Spirit of Earthworms an Ounce and a half Essence of Castor six Drams Spirit of Sal Armoniac with Quicklime three Drams mix and bathe the Back-bone immediatly after sweating applying afterwards a warm Cloth fumigated with Gum Ammoniac or rubbing it with distill'd Oils mix'd with Oil of Tartar or some of the Oils of the fat and hard parts of Animals strip'd of their nauseous stink by frequent Cohobation upon their Caput Mortuum If they are of themselves too sharp or apt to draw Blisters qualify 'em with the Oil of Earthworms by decoction If the part affected be apt to
a Pissing of Blood p. 416 Chap. II. Of Diseases relating to the Expulsion of Vrine from the Bladder p. 418 Art I. Of a total suppression of Vrine arising from its stay in the Bladder Ibid. Art II. Of the Stone in the Bladder p. 421 Art III. Of the Incontinence of Vrine p. 422 Art IV. Of a Strangury p. 424 Art V. Of a Dysuria or Heat of Vrine p. 425 Sect. XX. Of Diseases relating to the separation of Lymph in the Glandules and its regular motion p. 427 Art I. Of Catarrhs p. 428 Art II. Of a Coryza p. 431 The Contents of the Second Book SECT I. Of the Diseases which disturb the Generation and Distribution of the Animal Spirits and Consequently the due performance of sense and motion p. 433 Chap. I. Of Immoderat Watchings p. 435 Chap. II. Of Excessive sleep p. 438 Sect. II. Of the External Senses p. 444 Chap. I. Of Diseases relating to the Eyes Ibid. Chap. II. Of the Disorders of the Ears p. 455 Chap. III. Of the sense of feeling and the disorders 't is obnoxious to p. 460 Art I. Of Pain in General p. 461 Art II. Of sharp tearing Pains in the Joynts p. 463 Art III. Of the Tooth-Ach p. 465 Art IV. Of the Aches of the Eyes p. 467 Art V. Of Pains in the Ears p. 468 Art VI. Of Head-Achs p. 469 Art VII Of Arthritic Pains p. 476 Chap. IV. Of the Disorders of the Sense of Tasting p. 481 Chap. V. Of the disorders of the sense of smelling p. 484 Sect. III. Of the disorders of the Internal Senses and Animal Functions p. 487 Chap. I. Of a swimming in the Head and Preter-natural Commotion of the Spirits in the Brain p. 488 Chap. II. Of the Irregular Incursions of the Spirits into the External Parts p. 492 Art I. Of Alternat Convulsions and the Epilepsy or Falling Sickness p. 493 Art II. Of a Cramp or continu'd Contraction p. 503 Art III. Of Trembling Chap. III. Of the Diseases in which the Animal Spirits cease to move p. 507 Art I. Of an Apoplexy Ibid Art II. Of Particular Apoplexies p. 520 Art III. Of a Palsy p. 523 Chap. IV. Of the Deficiency of Rational Operations p. 532 Art I. Of the Defect of Memory and Stupidity Ibid. Art II. Of Doating or Deliriums in General p. 536 Art III. Of Deliriums arising from Internal Causes viz. Phrensies Melancholly and Madness p. 537 Art IV. Of Deliriums from External Causes p. 553 The Contents of the Third Book Of the Diseases Peculiar to the Male Sex SECT I. Of the Disorders of the Genital Liquor in Mens Bodies p. 557 Chap. I. Of the Defect or Insufficiency of the Genital Liquor in Men. p. 558 Art I. Of the Inflammation of the Testicles p. 561 Art II. Of a Pueumatocele or Distention of the Stones by Wind. p. 562 Art III. Of a Hydrocele or Collection of Water within the Membrans of the Stones p. 563 Art IV. Of the Schirrous swellings of the Stones p. 564 Art V. Of a Sarcocele or fleshy swelling of the Stones p. 565 Art VI. Of the Distention of the Spermatic Veins or Hernia Varicosa p. 566 Chap. II. Of the Irregular Ejaculation of the Seed Ibid. Art I. Of a Running or Involuntary Emission of the Genital Liquor Ibid. Art II. Of the Over-hasty Ejaculation of the seminal matter p. 571 Art III. Of the Over-slow Ejaculation of the seminal matter Ibid. Art IV. Of Caruneles in the Yard hindring the Ejection of Seed p. 572 Sect. II. Of disorders relating to the Erection of the Yard Ibid. Chap. I. Of Impotency or the Defect of Erection of the Yard p. 573 Chap. II. Of the Immoderat Erection of the Yard p. 574 Chap. III. Of the Depravation of the Erection of the Yard p. 576 The Contents of the Fourth Book Of Diseases Peculiar to Women SECT I. Of the Disorders of the Menstrual Flux p. 578 Chap. I. Of the Deficiency of the Terms p. 579 Chap. II. Of the Immoderat Flux of the Terms p. 584 Chap. III. Of the Depravation of the Menstrual Flux p. 587 Art I. Of Vneasyness attending the Menstrual Flux Ibid. Art II. Of the lesser Quantity of the Monthly Flux p. 589 Art III. Of the Flux of the Terms by Drops Ibid. Art IV. Of several other defaults of the Terms p. 590 Chap. IV. Of the Whites or White Flux p. 591 Sect. II. Of the Disorders of Women relating to the Venereal Appetit p. 594 Chap. I. Of the Loss of Virginity Ibid. Chap. II. Of the Depravation of the Venereal Appetit p. 595 Sect. III. Of the disorders of the whole Body suppos'd to proceed from the Womb. p. 597 Chap. I. Of the Green Sickness Ibid. Chap. II. Of a Cachexy in Women p. 598 Chap. III. Of the Hysteric Passion p. 600 Sect. IV. Of the disorders of Women denying Admission to Men. p. 604 Chap. I. Of the Downfalling of the Womb. Ibid. Chap. II. Of the Inflammation of the Womb. p. 606 Chap. III. Of Vlcers in the Womb and Vagina p. 607 Sect. V. Of Disorders relating to Conception Ibid. Sect. VI. Of the Conduct of Bigbelly'd Women p. 612 Sect. VII Of Disorders relating to Child-Birth p. 615 Sect. VIII Of the Management of Women in Child-Bed p. 620 Sect. IX Of Disorders relating to Suckling p. 627 The Contents of the Fifth Book Of the Diseases of Children p. 630 The Contents of the Sixth Book Of Surgery 644 CHAP. I. Of Tumors p. 645 Chap. II. Of Wounds p. 658 Chap. III. Of Vlcers p. 666 Chap. IV. Of Dislocations p. 671 Chap. V. Of Fractures p. 673 Chap. VI. Of a Gangrene or Sphacelus p. 675 AN ABRIDGMENT OF ETMULLERUS's Practice of Physic c. THE INTRODVCTION HAving undertaken to compile a System of Physic I am oblig'd in the first place to distinguish the Common and Ordinary Practice from that which is Vncommon and Extraordinary The former is as yet very Lame by reason of the Scarcity of Chymical and Anatomical Experiments which occasions our Ignorance of the Radical Causes of Diseases and leaves only some occasional Symptoms to build the Theory upon Nor is it less deficient in Generous and Proper Remedies which might effectually accomplish the Design with less Violence and Torture to the Stomach Such as Paracelsus Helmont and other Noted Chymists have distinguish'd themselves by The Extraordinary Practice differs from the former both in the Nature of its Remedies which are all Arcana's tho otherwise never so common And in the manner of their Operation which is generally perform'd by Sympathy Inchantment or some such Secret way This I reserve to the Latter End and shall now confine my self to the Ordinary Practice which I endeavour to make as perfect and compleat as possible both in its conformity to Chymical and Anatomical Observations and in the choice of Genuin and Proper Remedies I propose to discourse of All Diseases incident to Human Bodies And in Tracing every Disease shall observe the following method First To give the History of the
from its irregular and unequal turgescence Upon which account the suppression of the Terms the Scurvy and Hypocondriac Sickness are frequently follow'd by palpitations of the Heart Sometimes it takes its rise from the slow and stagnating condition of the Blood and by consequence from whatever crosses or thwarts the circular progress But of all its Causes the most frequent is the occasional disorder of the Nerves and Animal Spirits occasion'd either by Fear Anger strong Smells c. Or by hysteric and hypocondriac Passions and the indisposition of the Spleen For the Nerves of the Heart and those of the lower Belly especially of the Spleen entertain a mutual Commerce by vertue of which the contraction of these Nerves is continued to the Heart and in its progress resembles the ascent of Fumes or Steams from the Spleen and Intestins The facility of this communication is much inhanc'd by the scorbutic or acid Constitution of the Blood which is equally dispos'd to provoke both the Nerves of the Heart and those of the Bowels As for Diagnostics A palpitation of the Heart is discover'd by laying one's Hand upon the Breast If it proceed from a Dropsy of the Pericardium or Obstructions in and about the Heart the Pulse is small and slow respiration difficult and the Body inclining to a Consumption and Hectic Feaver If it proceed from Worms in the Heart-Purse it returns without manifest cause the Breast is molested with gnawing pricking corroding pains the Patient is frequently troubl'd with a pale Countenance intermitting Pulse and a prodigious unquietness and sometimes sudden swoonings or epileptic Fits If it take its rise from the hypocondriac Disease it is frequently interrupted and when it comes is usher'd in by a murmuring noise in the Belly or attended by disorderly Symptoms in the Abdomen and a sense of constriction of the Heart as if it were squeez'd betwixt two Hands If it flow from a scorbutic Original it does not invade when the Person lies quietly in Bed but upon the least motion of Hand or Foot displays it self and is frequently accompany'd by swoonings A trembling of the Heart is attended by a prostration of strength and an unequal weak languishing Pulse The Remission or intermission of the Pulse following a Palpitation of the Heart prognosticates Swoonings If a Palpitation proceed from a scorbutic cause or accompany malignant Symptoms 't is very dangerous If it be occasion'd by Worms in the Pericardium or Excrescences in the Heart or adjacent parts 't is incurable If it happen in one's Youth it prevents Old Age. The Indications for Cure are to remove the irritating cause Opium impairs only the sense of irritation but has no influence upon the cause it self wherefore it ought to be very cautiously us'd especially considering that a Palpitation or trembling is frequently attended by a notable weakness In hypocondriac or Scorbutic cases perhaps it may not be improper Blood-letting is also dangerous yet if the stagnation of the Blood give rise to the Disease or if the Patient be young and the Blood boil high 't is in some measure allowable as when a Palpitation is caus'd by Fear suppressing of wonted evacuations or a violent commotion of the Body Of all Palpitations of the Heart those of a convulsive Character that spring from Scorbutic or Hypochondriac causes or in a word from prevailing Acid are the most frequent and require a particular regard Earthy Ingredients Steel and volatil Salts are Medicins most in use against these and all other sorts of Palpitations The Tincture of Coral prepar'd with a Menstruum of May-Dew or Snow and mix'd with some cordial Liquor is an universal Specific Now of the Cordial Ingredients Baum is the Head Its Spirit or primum Ens or the Essence of Amber-grise extracted with it is an admirable support for decaying Nature The Leaves of Baum and those of Borrage sprinkled with Rose-water and Vinegar are applied outwardly to the Heart with good success Next to Baum are Cloves Citrons Orange-peel Rosemary Zedoary Elecampane Dill and their various productions The Essence of Saffron given inwardly and a Bag of Saffron and Camphyr hung over the pit of the Breast are of good use The Essence of Ambergrise and Mosch are celebrated Medicins but Ambergrise injoys a stupifying quality which may be extinguish'd by putting it into fermentation as in the preparation of Spiritus Rosarum Ambratus Besides there are some studious Men and hysteric Women that are easily offended by this and all other oily volatil Salts in the room of which we may substitute the meagre thin Salts such as the Spirit of Sal-Armoniac and dulcifi'd Spirit of Nitre The Essence of Juniper-berries prepar'd with their own Spirit the carminative spirit de tribus the volatil Salt of Vipers the spirit and volatil salt of Harts-horn the spirit volatil Salt and distill'd Oyl of Amber the Essence of Castor mix'd with Camphyr the Oyl of Cinnamon the Syrup of the filings of Steel Whey and all anti-hypocondriac Ingredients are much approv'd Externally in a Hysteric or Splenetic Palpitation we apply the same things as are proper against the Causes Take of prepar'd red Coral native Cinnabar and chalybeat diaphoretic Antimony half a scruple volatil salt of Harts-horn three grains distill'd Oyl of Cloves a drop Make a Powder Take of the Tincture of Coral prepar'd with the spirit of Stags-heart two drams the spirit of Roses impregnated with Ambergrise a dram Dose thirty or sorty drops in Cinnamon-water Take of Cinnamon-water impregnated with Quinces an ounce the Cordial-water of Saxony an Ounce Essence of Juniper Berries two drams Essence of Saffron half an ounce Spirit of Venice Treacle camphoris'd a dram distill'd Oyl of Cinnamon for Men or of Amber for Women four drops shake and mix them Dose a spoonful or two Oft-times not only the Heart but the Arteries especially that leading to the Spleen and that of the Temples are seiz'd with a palpitation The cause is an inflammation of the Place or stagnation of the Blood or Convulsions of the Spleen and adjacent parts affecting the Tunicles of the Artery The first two are remov'd by Sudorifics and the last by Steel and anti-hypochondriac Medicines CHAP. II. Of Swoonings THere are three kinds or rather degrees of Swooning viz. Lipothymia Syncope and Asphyxia In a Lipothymia beside that the Pulse is weaker and less the Senses both internal and external are eclips'd and animal Motion both voluntary and natural does in a manner fail all which symptoms go easily off again and the Patient is restor'd to health In a Syncope the symptoms are more tragical the Pulse Sense and bodily Motion are quite extinguish'd Respiration is scarce perceivable the Heart is much oppress'd a cold clammy Sweat and Paleness covers the Body and sometimes the Excrements come away of their own accord In an Asphyxia all things are yet worse so that the Patient lies as one dead without any Pulse or sign of Life Now in order to discover the cause of
Matter Having dispatch'd the general Consumption of the Body 't will not be improper in this place to take notice of the Dryness or Decay of particular parts of the Body occasion'd by whatever intercepts the Blood or Spirits in their Passage thither or weakens and exhausts the innate Spirit of the Part whose office it is to ferment and assimilat the nutritious Juice Hence Palsies Convulsions Dislocations Falls Bruises Wounds c. are its usual Causes As for Cure Wurzius his Arcanum of Allum is a Catholicon against all dry'd or wither'd Parts 'T is thiâ— Take of Plumous Allum and melted Salt of each equal Quantities melt 'em over a strong Fire Then set 'em to Cool and they will condensat into a Stone upon which pour Water to dissolve the Salts and precipitat the Arcanum Of which take three ounces and mix 'em with an ounce and a half of the Oyl of Bricks and four ounces of the Oyl of Human fat distill'd with the Ashes of Vine-tiwgs Make a Liniment and anoint the Part after rubbing If the dryness of the Part be occasion'd by a Wound or Efflux of its spirituous Juice temperat hot things and such as are moist or inrich'd with a Dewy Juice are best Hence some order the Part to be drench'd in the Blood of an Ox just kill'd and fomented with the Decoction of the Feet Head Liver and Lungs and other joints of a Sheep or Calf boyl'd to Rags or anointed with the Juice of River Crabs mix'd with the Oyl of sweet Almonds or with an Ointment of equal quantities of the fat of Herns the fat of Frogs and that of Hogs If the dryness be caus'd by a Palsy or Compression of the Tendons without any visible Wound or Hurt hot irritating things are most proper as if the part be strongly rub'd down three or four times a Day with green Nettles till it become Red and Hot and then cover'd with the Liniment of the Arcanum of Allum or fomented with the following Water Take of the seeds of Roman Nettles one pound the Roots of Horse Radishes bruis'd from four ounces to half a pound Roots of Cuckow-pint four ounces long Pepper three ounces Digest 'em in white Wine fourteen Days in a Balneum Mariae shaking the Vessel often And then distill the Spirit which is of excellent use when the part is num'd and stupid If a Defluxion at Catarrh falling upon the part give rise to its decay let Sudorifics be taken inwardly and the Spirit of Ants and that of Earth Worms rectify'd with some Alcalin Salt or the Aqua Articularis mix'd with the spirit of Sal-Armoniac and Oyl of Soap or the Ointment of Agrippa be applied outwardly the part being first rub'd down till it become red or sensible CHAP. II. Of Immoderat Nutrition or Corpulency IF the nutritious Juice be too copiously distributed thro' the Body the Muscles and Joints are extended and for want of room are disabled to recoyl and contract themselves with due nimbleness and the Belly being over-charg'd with Fat and Juice inlarges its Dimensions So that the true Cause of Corpulency or fatness is the temperat softness of the Blood the less Consumption of the Nutritious Juice by reason of a slow Fermentation and the late assimilation of the Chyle in company of the Blood giving it opportunity to be coagulated and appropriated by the peculiar acid Spirits that guard the respective Parts The remote Causes of fatness are abstinence from Drink especially Hop'd Beer or Ale made of Malt or whatever dilutes the Nutritious Juice and consequently promotes its exhalation drinking moderatly Ale made of Corn which has a peculiar fattening Vertue eating much Bread which promotes the Fermentation and Digestion of Food much sleep freedom from Care Exercise and Venery Corpulency squeezes the Spermatic Vessels and causes Barrenness nay it oppresses all the Vessels in the Body retards the Motion of the Blood anticipats the matter that should be converted into Spirits cramps all muscular Motions and accelerats Death The Cure is compass'd by preventing the immoderat increase of Chyle or evacuating it before its Assimilation to the Part or melting and diluting it with Serum after its appropriation The first design is answer'd by a spare thin Diet and eating of salt Meat The second and third by Purgation with Extractum Catholicum and sweet Mercury repeated till it salivat or the Pills of Aloes and Elixyr Proprietatis which was known among the Ancients for a drying Medicine Now that which they call'd Drying is nothing but the melting down of the Nutritious Juice Hence Myrrh Gentian Wormwood Cresses and all Diuretic or Diaphoretic Ingredients are of use by reason of their attenuating resolving Quality But Vinegar of Squills Tartar Tartar Vitriolated Nitre and all Acids are intitled to a preference Bleeding Issues chewing Medicines the Decoctions of Woods Venery and in a Word whatever attenuats the Nutritious Juice and dilutes it with a serous Vehicle in order to evacuation either by Urine Sweat or otherwise is recommended against Fatness Only this Caution ought to be taken notice of that sudden and liberal Evacuations are apt to weaken fat People To Conclude I subjoyn a Recipe for Pills that are much approv'd Take of the Gum of the Juniper Tree two drams Choice Myrrh Shavings of Lignum Sanctum extract of Wormwood and Aloe of each a Scruple Coagulated Spirit of Vitriol half a dram Make Pills CHAP. III. Of a Deprav'd Nutrition ART 1. Of a Cachexy Leucophlegmacy and Anasarca IF the Chyle or Nutritious Juice is not duly digested and assimilated to the Blood it Tinctures it with a pituitous Crudity Stifles its saline particles and cramps its due turgescence whereupon the Skin is discolour'd and the Muscles instead of receiving elaborat nourishment are stuff'd and bloated up with crude matter and so render'd flaccid This we call a Leucophlegmacy And if this crude vicious Juice obstruct the Glandules of the Muscles or if the Lymph be upon any account oblig'd to Stagnat the Blood becomes serous and a Collection of Serum or Water lodg'd under the Skin causes an Anasarca Now a Cachexy is a general Term importing the Crudity of the mass of Blood and its weaker Fermentation which give rise to these two Diseases The remote Causes are want of motion care grief suppression of the Terms chronical Diseases suppression of Urine the French Pox and in a word whatever weakens Digestion and stifles the Fermentation of the Blood The Symptoms observe the following Method The Cachectic Person grows Pale and in some measure Livid his Face and in process of time the whole surface of the Body is swollen upon any quick motion or walking up an ascent he is troubled with a shortness of breath and palpitation of the Heart and temporal Arteries an universal Weariness seizes the Joints and after eating Anxiety and a sense of Compression oft-times invades the Breast the Appetit which at first is good decays by degrees the Pulse is unequal small frequent and
virtue of which we form Idea's exactly parallel to the motion of the external Object Thus when the Arm is cut off there ofttimes remains an imaginary pain as if deriv'd from the first Finger These outward Senses are five in number among which that of seeing is justly intitled to the noblest Character CHAP. I. Of the Diseases belonging to the Eyes THE Rays of Light are either convey'd to us in a direct line from a luminous Body or reflected from the surface of a dark solid Substance If this reflecting Body be smooth and polish'd the Rays are return'd in the same condition and manner as they 're receiv'd if it be rough and unequal they suffer various determinations according to the respective Figures and Texture of the Parts from whence ensues the admirable variety of Colours These Rays terminat in the Retina where they form the inverted image of the Object after having suffer'd a Decussation in the Crystallin Humor And the size of this imaginary Picture is augmented or diminish'd according to the proportional largeness of the Angles of Intersection The sense of seeing may be extinguish'd or diminish'd when the Rays of Light have not a free access to the Eye as when the Eyelids are seiz'd with a Palsy which is cur'd by applying a Plaister of Tacamahac and Caran or distill'd Oil of Tartar with Wax or an Ointment of Balsam of Peru and Aqua Vitae Sometimes the Rays are not admitted by reason of a Web or preternatural Tunicle covering the Eye which proceeds from a corrosion of the Glandule in the internal corner of the Eye by the sharpness of the Serum and some disorder of the general Coat call'd Adnata The nutritious juice of this Coat and the Serum separated by the Glandule being thus vitiated congeal into a thicker Substance which encreases by degrees and at length covers the whole Eye If the small blood Vessels adjacent to the Glandule be likewise vitiated some strokes of Blood appear in it which is a sign of Malignity and if it be thick rough and painful withal it approaches to a Cancer and ought not to be meddled with If it be thin clear and white 't is a good Sign If it be inveterat or attended by a suffusion 't is safest not to touch it In curing the Diseases of the Eyes the following Cautions are fit to be taken notice of 1st That all sharp irritating Medicines are improper 2. That they ought to be neither very cold nor very hot but temperat 3. That when the Humors are sharp and apt to inflame the part Wine is not convenient Tho 4. when a cold moisture prevails Wine Fennel Eyebright and especially the Decoction of Sassafras are incomparable internal Remedies 5. That drinking of Spaw-Waters is very conducive in the end tho it seem to offend the Eyes at first 6. That Alcali's are always proper Quercetanus prepar'd an excellent Water thus Take of Childs Urine half a Pound white Vitriol and Tutty of each four Ounces juice of Celandin two Pounds let them stand to digest for some days then distil and reserve the Spirit for use Others thus Take of the Roots of Celandin the greater and of Valerain of each one Pound of the Herbs Rue and Eyebright of each four handfuls Aniseeds Fennel-seeds Lovage-seeds of each two Ounces Marygold-flowers Roses Borrage-flowers and flowers of Comfrey the greater of each four handfuls and fifteen Crabfishes chop 'em all small and pour upon them equal quantities of the weak Spirit of Vitriol and juice of Celandin let them stand to digest for a Month then distil putting a dram of Camphyre into the Alembic reserve one half for use add to the other half two Drams of Crocus Metallorum let it stand for the space of two Hours and then strain it 'T is an admirable Water for the Eyes Hartman's Eye Water was thus prepar'd Take of Fennel Water Anniseed Water of each a Pound Dissolve in them half an Ounce of the purest white Vitriol Then infuse in it the Roots of Elecampane in Pouder Strain the Liquor and reserve it in a Glass Or Take of the Water of the Flowers of Comfrey Royal of Blew-bottle Flowers of Night-shade Flowers of each an Ounce White Vitriol from half a Scruple to twelve Grains To the strain'd Liquor add half a Dram of prepar'd Tutty Let it be dropt into the Corner of the Eye or applied with a warm Cloth The best Method of using these liquid Remedies is that the Patient be laid flat on his Back and the Liquor drop'd into the Eye and then the Eye must be carefully cover'd Blistering Plaisters and Issues are very proper as also a moderate use of sneezing Medicines To return to the Web upon the Eye It ought to be remov'd either by resolving Medicines or by the help of a Needle And afterwards Astringents ought to be applied In order to the former Sugar Candy Honey burnt Harts-horn Egg-shells c. are very proper either by way of Pouder or form'd into an Ointment Quercetanus's Ophthalmic Water is generally us'd 'T is this Take of Eye-bright Water Fennel Water and Water of Celandin the greater of each one Ounce Crocus Metallorum or Glass of Antimony or Buttyr of Antimony a Scruple let it stand warm for the space of two or three Weeks then strain the Liquor and drop it while warm into the Eye for all cold things are hurtful to the Eyes Or Take of the Glass of Antimony pouder'd from half a Scruple to fifteen Grains infuse it in Water of Blew-bottle Flowers Eyebright and Fennel Waters of each one Ounce Let them stand in a warm place over Night In the Morning strain the Liquor and add six Grains of Camphyr Or Take of Sal-gem a Dram dissolve it in Rose-water and Fennel-water of each one Ounce mix for a Collyrium The Gall of a Pike and several other Fishes also a Water drawn from human Gall or from young Goose Dung are by some reserv'd for Nostrum's The following Water is incomparable and much us'd Take a Vessel of Brass pour into it half a Pound of quick Lime Water prepar'd with Water of Comfrey Royal and add half a Dram of Salt Armoniac Let them stand till the Color alter The Juice of Celandin mix'd with the Dew gather'd from Fennel or Eye-bright Water is a great Specific in this case As for Pouders white Vitriol leads the Van. Sometimes they 're diluted with Waters as Take of White Vitriol a Dram prepar'd Tutty Sugar Candy Collyrium Albi Rhasis of each four Scruples Camphyr six Grains Rose Water Vervain Water and Water of the Flowers of Eye-bright of each four Ounces Mix. 'T is good for removing Inflammations as the following is for taking off the Web. Take of the Bone of a Cuttle one Scruple Sugar Candy one Dram white Vitriol half a Scruple prepar'd Tutty half a Dram Mix for a Pouder Riverius pilfer'd this Prescription out of Poterius and was not so just as to take any notice of its Author If
occasion'd by a Fall Sneezing c. An unseasonable Use of sudorific Medicines or the Translation of a morbific Matter to the Head may occasion this Disorder of the optic Nerve within the Brain If nothing disturb it within the Brain the Error must be lodg'd in its Expansion call'd the Retina as when it becomes paralytic languid or otherwise indispos'd by a Blow upon the Eye a Fall upon the hinder part of the Head violent Sneezing strong Convulsions or a continu'd gazing on the Sun or full Moon the Violence of whose Rays weakens and resolves the Fibres of the Tunicle Colic Pains and especially excessive Venery a mortal Enemy to the Eyes may produce the same effect Child-bearing Women are sometimes seiz'd with this Disease which disappears upon their Delivery In like manner it is sometimes caus'd by a Suppression of the terms and vanishes upon their Return A Gutta Serena is distinguish'd from the other sorts of Blindness by this that these advance by degrees according to the gradual Disorder of the part which causes 'em Whereas it seizes on a sudden and quickly arrives at its height The Signs drawn from the Dilatation and Constriction of the Apple of the Eye are not to be credited This Disease is not easily cur'd If the Nerves be tore or the Sight quite gone there is no hope Old People never recover for the Relaxation of the Optic Nerve is natural in them If the Cause be moveable and the Disease yet imperfect there remains some ground of Hope Among the internal Medicines those which evacuat by Stool and Sweating are first in order Vomits are not safe nor strong Purgations The meekest Purgatives such as the Pills call'd Aloephanginae or the Decoction of Senna with Agaric and Salt of Tartar are only proper on this occasion Or they may be join'd with Alteratives thus Take of the Herb Eye-bright one handful Betony Flowers Flowers of Comfrey Royal Blew-bottle Flowers of each two little handfuls Leaves of Senna without the Stalks one Ounce Roots of black Hellebor and of common Spurge the greater of each two Drams Fennel Seeds Cubebs and Cardamoms of each three Drams Salt of Tartar one Dram Cut and beat them small to be ty'd in a Bag and infus'd in Wine Of which exhibit a Draught to the Patient Morning and Evening Sassafras and the sudorific Woods are best for Sweating As for Alteratives the mild oily Aromatics which are tinctur'd with a gentle Bitterness are only proper All sharp and fierce Medicines inwardly taken are very offensive to the Eyes as Onyons Garlic Spirit of Sal Armoniac Horse Radishes c. Therefore they ought to be carefully avoided Eye-bright and all its Productions are admirably good Next to it are Valerian Celandin the greater Lovage Fennel Juniper Berries Carduus Benedictus Rue the four hot Seeds Elecampane and Rosemary We use to tie them in Bags to be infus'd in Wine The following Pouder is much approv'd Take of the Herbs Betony Celandin the greater Eyebright Lovage Anifeeds Lovage Roots Valerian Roots and Chinamom of each a Dram Cardamoms Ginger Galangal Fennel Seeds Parsley Seeds Seeds of Mountain Siler and of the Herb wild Marjoram of each half a Dram Sugar one Ounce make a Pouder to be taken some time before eating as likewise along with Victuals Or Take of the Pouder of Falcons Dung dry'd two Drams Fennel Seeds one Dram Mix for a Pouder to be taken every day Innocent the 3d was wont to do mighty feats with an Electuary made of Fennel Seeds the Seeds of Mountain Siler Smallage Dill and Parsley Seeds with Honey Ants Earthworms and Hoglice and their various Preparations are very useful Mr. Boyle commends the Infusion of Hoglice in Wine If a Gutta Serena proceed only from a want of Spirits occasion'd by Venery or excessive Evacuations there is nothing so proper as a moderat Diet and Food of easy Digestion As for external Applications May Dew gather'd from Fennel Antimonial Infusions distill'd Waters from the Galls of Fishes or Goose Dung are celebrated Remedies The Liquor or Oil of the Liver of a Lamprey the Fat of Vipers and the Juice of Ants clarify'd by standing are all good The Oil that melts from Earth-worms Glass and fermented Bread is very effectual it must be strain'd thro a thick Cloth and sharpen'd with a little Camphyr and gently laid upon the Eye Brendelius admires the following Ointment Take of Honey of Rosemary Flowers scum'd Ginger in Pouder Cloves pouder'd and common Salt of each half an Ounce Mix them for a liquid Ointment of which put about the bigness of a Mustard Seed into the Eye It will make it smart at first but is a very innocent Medicine Chewing and sneezing Remedies are likewise not improper Blistering Plaisters may be applied behind the Ears or to the Pit of the Neck or to the Head it self and Issues or Setaces may be cut in the Neck CHAP. II. Of the Disorders of the Ear. THE Sense of Hearing is occasion'd by the Motion of the Air in the Ear and is rendred agreeable or disagreeable violent or flat according to the Proportion of the Air 's Impulse upon it which is communicated to the Brain by a particular Nerve set apart for that purpose This Nerve detaches a small Branch to the Teeth which causes the Sympathy that is observ'd upon the approach of any ungrateful Sound This Sense is sometimes weaken'd or quite lost and sometimes vitiated The former may be caus'd by malignant acute or chronical Distempers and is taken for a good sign in Fevers It insues upon the cutting off or wounding of the external part of the Ear which Defect is in some measure supplied by holding one's Hand or some artificial Instrument in its place It may be caus'd by an Obstruction in the Passage for Hearing or a Disorder in the Membran which preserves the Nerve and internal part of the Organ from external Injuries This Membran may be injur'd by violent Sounds Ulcers in the Ear or a redundancy of Serum in the Brain which unbends it and so indisposes it for receiving the Impression of the Air. It becomes sometimes paralytic and liable to Convulsions and is oft-times affected by the Disorders of the Stomac If the Animal Spirits have not a free Passage in the Hearing Nerve Deafness will insue Their Passage may be disturb'd by a wrong Insertion of the Nerve by a Compression or Obstruction occasion'd by external Accidents or Defluxions within or by the above-mention'd Disorders of the Membran which is nothing else but the Expansion of the Hearing Nerve Deafness is manifest of it self The greatest difficulty is to distinguish the Causes which must be indeavour'd by inquiring into the Patient's Constitution the Accidents that preceded and the Passions or Disorders which accompany it In the business of Prognostics we must have regard to its Companions If it succeed to a Chronical Distemper or becomes a formal Disease by it self 't is a difficult Matter to remove it In acute
the Inflammation of the Blood in a Headach or Feaver and in that case vanish upon bleeding at the Nose Or by a Catarrh or Translation of morbific Matter as in the Declension of Feavers c. If a Tingling in the Ears accompany other Distempers it affords the same Prognostics as Deafness If it subsist by it self it is not very dangerous unless it be inveterat in which case it proves a Forerunner of an Apoplexy If it proceed from frequent Blows it terminates in a total Privation of Hearing The Cure is perform'd by the same Medicines as above-mention'd especially Fumigations and the Application of Aromatic Spirits and Oils Take of the Leaves and Flowers of Chamomil one handful Dill or Sage Marjoram Rosemary of each half a handful Millet Seeds tosted one Ounce drv'd Salt half an Ounce chop them small and make a quilted Bag to be applied warm to the Ear. The Vapor of new Bread from the Oven with Cumin Seeds Fennel Seeds Aniseeds Origanum Mother of Thyme and Bay-Berries fermented and bak'd with it is sometimes useful but not always The Oil of Oak-worms above prescrib'd or express'd Oil of Peach Seeds with Peach Flowers infus'd in it are very proper Or Take of white Hellebor and Castor of each two Drams sweet Costus a Dram and a half Rue two Scruples Euphorbium half a Dram Oil of Bitter Almonds or Peach Seeds one Ounce Boil them gently in a sufficient quantity of Oil of Rue and apply it to the Ear with Cotton Or Take of the Roots of white Hellebor three Drams Bay-leaves and Rue of each half a handful Ash-leaves one handful Boil them in Oil of Bitter Almonds or of Nut's with White or Spanish Wine till the Wine be consum'd Express the Oil and apply it to the Ear. Or infuse the Simples in Spirit of Wine and extract and Essence for the same purpose Fumigation from a Decoction of Mustard-seeds in Wine is commended In a pituitous Constitution apply what follows Take of the Oil of Henbane and of Rue of each half a Dram distil'd Oil of Marjoram half a Scruple Castor six Grains Saffron four Grains Mix c. If it proceed from a Fall Contusion or external Violence take a Spoonful of the Spirit of Scurvy-grass and half a Spoonful of fresh Juice of Onyons and four or five Drops of distill'd Oil of Spike Mix and drop it into the Ear. In Plethoric and young Persons 't is not amiss to breathe a Vein in the Arm and exhibit some mild sneezing Medicines If it come by Fits follow the Course prescrib'd above If it attack Hypochondriac Persons it generally proceeds from the Disorders of the Stomac and lower Belly and is cur'd by Chalybeats Carminatives and volatil urinous Salts together with the usual Specifics CHAP. III. Of the Sense of Feeling and the Disorders 't is obnoxious to THE third Sense is that of Feeling occasion'd by the Influence of external Objects upon the nervous Glandules seated in the Skin 'T is true the nervous Fibres within the Body that are not glandulous are deeply sensible of the lightest touch but their Sense is painful and preternatural whereas that of the Glandules is equal and agreeable to Nature Upon which account Feeling is their peculiar Property and the Liver which has no Nerves or nervous Glandules is destitute of that Sense This Sense is quite extinguish'd in Apoplexies Palsies and stupifying Diseases Of which more in their proper places The most remarkable Depravation of the Sense of Feeling is what we call Pain that is when the Object makes such a sensible Impression upon the Organ as to provoke the Animal Spirits to irregular Motions and disturb the repose of the nervous Fibres which readily impart their Disorder to the Brain It may be call'd a convulsive Motion of the Fibres and Experience teaches us that Convulsions and Pain are reciprocal Causes to one another ART I. Of Pain in general THE remote Causes of Pain are innumerable for every particular Object has a peculiar way of affecting the Nerves The external Causes are manifest The internal Causes are generally the Offspring of vicious Acids which partake of sharp and stiff Parts that are apt to make painful Impressions upon the nervous Fibres This Acid for the most part owes its being to some defect in the Stomac and first Passages and varies the Nature of the Pain according to its changeable Circumstances If a volatil sharp Acid be join'd to a viscid Vehicle it takes deep rooting in the Part and creates immoveable Aches as in Venereal and Colis Pains If the Acid be more gentle and join'd to a thin Vehicle it produces a fluctuating Pain If it proceed from a particular defect in the Part affected 't is apt to recur and cause Relapses According as this Acid is dispos'd the Pain is either continu'd or intermitting it either observes set Periods or attacks indifferently in all Seasons And sometimes it causes Swellings by contracting the Fibres and straitning the Pores of the Part so as to put a stop to the Circulation of the Blood In order to form a distinct Idea of Pain I shall divide it into ten sorts The first is a weighty burdensom Pain arising from a Collection of insipid or viscid Matter lodg'd in a less sensible Part as the Swelling of the Liver 2. A pungent Pain arifing from a sharp pricking Acid in a membranous part as in a Pleurisy 3. A pointed penetrating Pain resembling the Sense of a Hole made by an Aul proceeding from a viscid Matter that partakes of Acidity As in St. Anthony's Fire and Arthritic Pains 4. A beating Pain which generally keeps pace with the Pulse of the Artery It proceeds from a violent Distention of the Fibres which are exasperated by the Incursion of the Blood as in Headaches or when ones Finger is prick'd by a Thorn c. 5. A breaking Pain peculiar to the Periostium resembling the breaking of the Bone 'T is produc'd by a sharp Acid lodg'd in a tenacious Matter as in Venereal Cases 6. A rending or distending Pain The former is peculiar to Hypochondriac Persons and Parts that have no exquisit Sense but are invested with a sensitive Membrane The latter is caus'd by Wilid or any thing that overcharges the Part and stretches the surrounding Membran 7. A tearing Pain peculiar to the Membranes and frequent in scorbutic Cases 8. A burning Pain peculiar to Fibres and Membranes arising from a volatil Acid and the boiling of the Humors within the Part. 9. A stupid chilly Pain And 10. A biting gnawing Pain If Pains be accompany'd by an intermitting Pulse 't is no just Cause of Fear for when the former disappears the latter returns to its wonted Order There are three sorts of Medicines made use of for Pains 1. All Alcali's apt to destroy a prevailing Acid As Wormwood Dill Elder Mint Chamomile Bay-leaves Pellitory of the Wall and the other softening Herbs Fumigations with Amber or the Spirit of Amber both inwardly and outwardly
fresh Juniper Berries half a Pound Aromatic Costus three Drams tie them in a Bag to be put into fermenting Ale A Salivation may be attempted before the Disease be confirmed but afterwards 't is dangerous 'T is usual also to make Washes for the Feet As Take of Juniper Berries half a Pound of the Herb Rosemary six handfuls Mother of Thyme and Marjoram or Sage of each two handfuls Boil them in Lees and bathe the Feet at Night going to Bed CHAP. IV. Of the Disorders of the Sense of Tasting THE Nerves of the Tongue terminat in a great many Glandules dispers'd along its Surface which are endow'd with such a peculiar Texture as to be sensible of the various Impressions of the minutest saline Particles according to their respective Circumstances in which consists the sense of Taste This Sense is extinguish'd or render'd dull by the misplacing of the Nerves of the Tongue the relaxation of its Fibres sharp Defluxions or Paralytic and Apoplectic Diseases 'T is sometimes vitiated and counterfeits false Tastes by virtue of the Depravation of the Spittle as in Scorbutic Hypochondriac and Catarrhous Cases or those of a Jaundice or internal Ulcers This Depravation is cur'd by taking a Vomit drinking Whey with Juice of Citrons or mineral Spirits and removing the principal Cause In case of an Abolition or Flatness Aromatic and Cephalic Medicines are proper Horse-Radish Roots chew'd in the mouth or the Juice of Sorrel and Purslain us'd by way of Gargal are of noted virtue for restoring the Taste If the Muscles of the Windpipe or the recurrent Nerves are seiz'd with a Palsy or Convulsions there insues an Aphonia or want of Voice which if attended by a Hick-cough is very dangerous In the Method of curing an Aphonia the remote causes which occasion the relaxation or contraction of the Muscles or Nerves must be taken care of Internally give the Spirit of Sal Armoniac or of Hartshorn with Castor or Amber In an inveterat Palsy the Decoction of Sudorific Woods is very proper Sometimes 't is convenient to procure a Salivation by chewing For external Use apply to the Neck a Bag of aromatic Ingredients sprinkl'd with Spirit of Wine or bathe it with the Essence of Castor Spirit of Worms or of Ants or the distill'd Oils of Amber Lavender Rue Juniper mix'd with Triacle or Balsam of Peru. After a fit of an Apoplexy give what follows Take of the Herbs Sage and Rosemary of each a handful Rocket-seeds two drams boil them in a sufficient quantity of simple Water in a close Vessel To a Pint of the strain'd Liquor add Spirit of Black Cherries six Drams Spirit of Sal armoniack a Dram Hony of Rosemary Flowers one Ounce mix for a Gargal 'T is proper to open a Vein under the Tongue if the Circumstances of the Patient admit of it Sometimes the Muscles of the Windpipe are in good order and the Voice remains but cannot be form'd into an articulat Sound or Speech by reason of the Paralytic or Apoplectic Disorders of the Tongue In this case Take of the Herbs Rosemary Marjoram Sage of each a handful Roots of Pellitory of Spain half an Ounce Rocket-seeds or Mustard-seeds two or three Drams Cloves a Dram boil them in a close Vessel in Water To a pint of the strain'd Liquor add Spirit of Juniper Berries or of Black Cherries from six Drams to an Ounce and a half Spirit of Sal-armoniac prepar'd with Quick-lime or with Cloves from a Dram to a Dram and a half Hony of Rosemary Flowers from six Drams to an Ounce make a Gargal Or Take of Sage Hyssop Acorus of each a handful boil them in Water Strain the Liquor and add an Ounce of Oxymel of Squills Mix for a Gargal Take of Rocket-seeds Squills Onyons Smallage of each half a Dram Ginger Pepper Cinnamom and Nutmegs of each a Dram Of the Pouders Diambra Diamoschus dulcis and Dianthos of each two Scruples With a sufficient quantity of Aqua Vitae make a Mixture and anoint the Tongue and Palat. The Essence of Castor or Castor it self applied to the bridle of the Tongue is very useful especially for the stuttering of Children The distill'd Oils of Cloves or Aniseeds or Amber the Cephalic Spirit of Vitriol or Spirit of Black Cherries or Spirit of Triacle with Camphyr c. are all very proper As Take of Mithridat three Drams Extract of Castor half a Dram distill'd Oils of Lavender Amber and Aniseeds of each four drops mix and rub the Tongue Take of Mithridat three ounces candy'd Roots of Acorus an ounce Ginger Nutmegs of each two drams Volatil Salt of Amber a dram Mix all together in a Mortar and add of the Juice of Sage clarify'd an ounce and scum'd Hony as much as sufficeth to make an Electuary which sprinkle with distill'd Oil of Aniseeds or Amber rub the Tongue frequently with it and lay about the bigness of a Nutmeg upon it to be swallow'd down by degrees If old People are seiz'd with a difficulty of Speech exhibit every Morning and Evening an ounce of the Essence of Lavender Flowers infus'd in Spirit of Wine A Cataplasm of Lees with Amber or Oil of Amber and other Cephalic Ingredients may be applied to the top of the Head with good success CHAP. V. Of the Disorders of the sense of Smelling THE Organ of Smelling is the Membrane plac'd near to the sieve-like Bone above the Nostrils which is variously affected by the different Textures of the sulphurous Particles that proceed from external Objects This Sense is abolish'd or impair'd by the Apoplectic Paralytic and Convulsive Disorders of the Spirits by the obstruction of the Passages or Compression of the nervous Filaments that reach to the Nostrils and by the relaxation of the Membrane which may be occasion'd internally by copious Defluxious and externally by the forcible Impressions of odoriferous or sneezing things If it proceed from this last Cause 't is almost incurable As for the Cure The Disorders of the Spirits ought to be redress'd the Defluxions prevented and external offending Objects remov'd betimes The Medicines that are proper for these different purposes are recounted elsewhere Marjoram and Fennel Flowers are two noted Specifics in this case The Extract or Essence of Marjoram mix'd with the Oils or Essences of Penny Royal and Rosemary may be taken inwardly from eight grains to half a scruple Take of the Oils of Fennel-flower and of Orris of each half a dram distill'd Oil of Marjoram half a scruple Apply it to the inner side of the Nostrils 't is admirable in the case of an Obstruction or Catarrh Or Take of Marjoram and Fennel-flower-seeds each two drams sprinkle 'em with some drops of distill'd Oil of Marjoram or of Aniseeds and according to Art make a little Bag for the Nostrils Take of Fennel-flower-seeds infus'd in strong Vinegar and afterwards dried Rue Fumitory and Castor of each a dram reduce them to a fine Pouder and with Child's Urine beat it up into the
the Eye where the Spirits wheel round and make such Impressions on the Retina as external circular Motions are wont to produce This proceeds from the irregular and confus'd Incursions of the Spirits and their imprisonment in the round Globe of the Eye The dimness and loss of Sight proceeds from the interruption and deficiency of Spirits in which case their whole System is disorder'd and the other Senses are brought into trouble If a Dizziness proceed originally from some disorder in the Brain 't is call'd essential but that rarely happens For the most part 't is a Symptom of other Diseases especially those of the Stomac For the least disturbance of the Orifice of the Stomac do's quickly disorder the Spirits in the Brain Some studious and hypochondriac Persons are apt to be seiz'd with a swimming while their Stomac is empty but by eating ward it off Vomiting generally attends it and drinking eating of windy Meat and sulphurous Fumes offensive to the Stomac are apt to cause it Old Men whose digestion is weak hysteric Women and Persons troubled with Worms in the Guts or disorders of the Spleen or Kidneys are obnoxious to it For the Contraction of the Membranes of those parts is continu'd to the Brain which resembles the ascending of Vapours and so gives occasion to the vulgar Mistake Sometimes a swimming may be caus'd by a redundancy of Blood or by its vaporous halituous Disposition as in scorbutic and hypochondriac Cases If it proceed from an original Disorder of the Brain 't is caus'd by external accidents or the accession of heterogeneous Particles or an immoderat Consumption of the Spirits A Symptomatical Dizziness is distinguish'd by the concurring Disorders of other parts and the apparent good order of the Brain If it be inveterat it portends an Apoplexy in old Persons and Convulsions in those that are young 'T is more or less fear'd according to the height of its degrees If it seize the hinder part of the head more than the fore part 't is more dangerous The Cure of preservation takes place after the Paroxysms and is perform'd by Vomits and stomachic Medicines when it owes its Original to the Stomac If the Stomac be not faulty gentle Purges may stand in the room of Vomits But fierce Purgatives ought always to be carefully avoided Upon the whole Dizziness and Convulsions require the same Remedies In the time of the Fit 't is necessary to commence the Cure by a Vomit by reason that for the most part it arises from the Disorders of the Stomac or at least sharp Clysters must be injected Take Mysichcius his Emetic Tartar two grains Sal armoniac depurated nine grains mix and make a Pouder After vomiting Take of the Pills of Mastic a scruple Extract of Agaric five grains Scammony sulphurated two grains distill'd Oil of Amber two drops With Essence of Amber make Pills Crato's Pills of Amber with Extract of Coloquintida or the Pills call'd Aloephanginae are likewise proper Or Take of sweet Mercury fifteen grains Scammony sulphurated three grains make a Pouder If the swimming be inveterat strong or frequent Purgatives are improper 'T is sufficient every New Moon or Full Moon to give at night a dose of gentle loosening Pills compos'd of Aloe Gum Ammoniac Myrrh Mastic and the like Bloodletting is for the most part noxious But in a suppression of a wonted Evacuation or a Redundancy or Inflammation of the Blood 't is not improper Sneezing Medicines ought to be carefully avoided Issues and Blistering Plaisters are of excellent use for old Persons or Cacochymical Dispositions In a suppression of the Piles or disorder of the Womb the Legs are their proper Seat When the Paroxysm is over the cure of preservation commences As Take of Galangal half an ounce Cubebs two drams Sugar a dram and a half make a Pouder Dose two drams with Bisket dip'd in Wine an hour or two before Supper or Dinner Or Take of Piony Seeds Coriander Seeds Nutmegs Misselto of the Oak Cubebs Galangal of each two Drams long Pepper Ginger Tormentil Roots and Rosemary Leaves of each a Dram. Make a Pouder Dose half a Dram at pleasure Elixir Proprietatis with Spirit of Mastic or Elixir of Mint or Galangal mix'd with Amber are proper to this purpose Or Take of the Conserves of Rosemary Flowers of Sage of Marjoram of each half an Ounce Ginger candi'd in the Indies Nutmegs candi'd of each three Drams Rocket Seeds Mustard Seeds of each a Dram and a half prepar'd Amber two Drams Cardamom Cubebs Galangal of each a Scruple volatil Salt of Amber half a Dram Spirit of Black-cherries a Dram. With Syrup of Clove Gillyflowers make an Electuary Dose the bigness of a Nutmeg Morning and Evening For old Persons Confection Alkermes may be added Take of the Conserves of Mint of Baum of each half a Dram Cinnabar of Antimony half a Scruple distil'd Oils of Rosemary of Amber of each two Drops with Syrup of Mint make a Bolus These are the proper Remedies for a symptomatical or less inveterat Giddiness but if it prove habitual Specifics must be added As Take of the Essences of Chervil Sage and common Basil of each a Dram Castor a Dram and a half Amber half a Dram. Dose forty or fifty Drops twice a day Or Take of Conserve of Rosemary-flowers three Ounces distill'd Oils of Boxwood which is much esteem'd Nutmegs and Mint of each half a Dram make an Electuary Dose half a Dram. Or Take of the Juices of Wormwood Horehound and Stechas Pouders of Mastic Rhubarb Germander and Ground-Pine of each three Drams Hyssop a Dram Agaric two Ounces five Drams and a half make an Electuary Or Take of Triacle of Andromachus and Conserve of Sage of each one part Conserve of Roses two parts With Honey of Rosemary-flowers make an Electuary Peacocks Dung is a famous Specific 'T is often dry'd and given in Pouder with Sugar or infus'd in Wine or any convenient Vehicle or in the form of an Electuary with Conserve of Rosemary Flowers A compound Pouder may be prescrib'd thus Take of Peacocks Dung three Ounces Male Piony Roots an Ounce Pouder of Cloves three Drams Make a Pouder The Brains of Sparrows are recommended by some As Take the Brains of fifty Sparrows Veal Brains wash'd in Wine and dried in Smoak Filberds of each an Ounce Mithridat three Drams With Syrup of Citron Peel make an Electuary The Spirit of Hartshorn prepar'd with Amber Castor and Spirit of Sal Armoniac anisated are mightily approv'd for this purpose In the mineral Province Cinnabar is a famous Specific Let it be us'd thus Take of Peacocks Dung in Pouder three Drams Cinnabar of Antimony or native Cinnabar two Drams Cubebs Galangal and volatil Salt of Amber of each half a Dram make a Pouder Add as much of distill'd Oil of Aniseeds mix'd with Sugar as sufficeth to render it grateful Take now and then as much as will lie upon the Point of a Knife or exhibit it
in the following Mixture Take of Chervil-water three Ounces Sage-water an Ounce and a half Cinnamon-water six Drams Spirit of Lilly Convally and of Sage of each three Drams mix for the use above-mentioned Or Take of Chervil-water three Ounces Spirit of Hartshorn with Amber a Dram mix Amber may be given inwardly and its Oil applied to the Crown of the Head Rock Oil may supply the want of Oil of Boxwood As Take of Conserve of Mint an Ounce Conserve of Rosemary Flowers half an Ounce white Rock Oil a Dram with Syrup of Mint make an Electuary If you please you may add fifteen Grains of Salt of Amber I have cur'd some with a Vomit and this Electuary alone In the last Extremity we have recourse to Laudanum Opiatum mix'd with Amber or volatil Medicines which oft-times proves more effectual than any other thing As Take of Sage-water an Ounce and a half Mint-water an Ounce Spirit of Lilly Convally three Drams Spirit of Sal Armoniac a Dram and a half Laudanum Opiatum two or three Grains Syrup of Orange Flowers three Drams Mix. Or Take of Black-cherry Water Mint-water and Lilly Convally Water prepar'd with Wine of each an Ounce Spirit of black Cherries three Drams Essence of Castor a Dram and a half Volatil Salt of Hartshorn a Scruple Volatil Salt of Amber half a Scruple Syrup of Clove Gilly-flowers half an Ounce Mix and give a spoonful or two in the Fit If the Disease be caus'd by the Disorders of the Womb Take of Swallow-water an Ounce and a half Baum-water prepar'd with Wine an Ounce Spirit of Lilly Convally Spirit of black Cherries of each a Dram Spirit of Sal Armoniac half a Dram Volatil Salt of Amber fifteen Grains Laudanum Opiatum two or three Grains Syrup of Orange Peel half an Ounce Mix and use as above Essence of Castor Spirit of Sal Armoniac distill'd Oil of Amber and in a word whatever is used in Epileptic Fits may be applied to the Head Temples Nostrils Breast c. CHAP. II. Of the irregular Incursions of the Spirits into the external Parts THE Instruments of all Motion are the Fibres whether gathered into a Muscie or dispers'd in a Membran The Muscles for the most part receive Spirits from the Cerebrum and their regular Motions depend upon the Will The other Fibres are supplied with Spirits from the Cerebellum and perform involuntary Motions If either the musculary or membranous Fibres are preternaturally mov'd the former without the direction of the Will or the latter with Violence and Pain we call them Convulsive Motions If the Part be contracted and remain immovable in the same posture 't is call'd Convulsio tonica and divided into several sorts If the Head be drawn forwards towards the Breast 't is call'd Emprosthotonos Vid. Hipoc Sect. 4. Aph. 35. If backwards Opisthotonos If it be stiff and immovable to either side Tetanos The Convulsions of the Yard in a Priapismus of the Jaws in a Dog Cramp of the Knees Arms c. are all included under this general If the Contraction of the Part cease and return alternatly 't is call'd a Concussion or Convulsio Clonica ART I. Of alternat Convulsions and the Epilepsy or Falling-Sickness THE Epilepsy is an alternat Concussion of several Members of the Body attended for the most part by a Cessation of Sense It admits of three degrees The first is not different from the third degree of a Vertigo of which above The second is when the whole Body is toss'd with convulsive Motions and the Senses both internal and external either remain in their wonted State or become delirious The Person is taken with Laughter Crying Screeking Singing beats his Breast talks ridiculously skips up and down the room and performs a great many antic Actions And when the Fit is over is perfectly ignorant of all that pass'd Melancholy Persons are obnoxious to it and for them the Spirit of Hartshorn prepar'd with Amber is a proper Cure This kind of Epilepsies is very unfrequent But the third sort is very common that is when the Body is thrown upon the Ground all Reason and Sense abolished the Thumbs shut close within the Hands the Feet tremble the Arms toss'd about the Teeth gnash against one another and bite the Tongue and Lips Froth is cast forth at the Mouth and the whole Body is successively lifted up and depressed And when these Symptoms remit the Person slumbers and groans and when he comes to himself complains of a Heaviness of the Head and a Weariness of the Joints but remembers nothing that pass'd The Part immediatly affected is the Fibres If the external musculary Fibres are only affected 't is call'd an external Convulsion If the Internal are seiz'd 't is call'd Internal As in Nephritic Colic Hypochondriac and Hysteric Fits and the Pains of Women after Delivery These Convulsions of the internal Membrans are apt to cause Convulsions in the external Muscles by communicating their Disorder to the Brain and so produce an universal Epilepsy The immediat Cause is the rapid unequal and disorderly Motion of the Spirits for the Spirits are equally the Cause both of natural and preternatural Motions If the Sickness be inveterat or hereditary perhaps the Animal Spirits are degenerat from their natural Constitution and become more elastic and moveable The remote Causes are the Irritation of any sensible part as the puncture of a Nerve the Collection of heterogeneous Particles in the Brain or their mixture with the Spirits as in Wounds of the Head malignant Feavers and the Cessation of any wonted Evacuation of Blood Sometimes the vicious Recrements of the Blood are convey'd to the Brain with the Lympha and infect the Spirits or mix with them and sometimes are lodg'd in other parts These noxious Particles are nitrosulphureous and in some measure Elastic according to Willis and the nature of the Remedies used against them sufficiently proves them to be acid Upon which account 't is that Scorbutic Hypochondriac and Hysteric Persons are most liable to Convulsions for the peccant Acid infinuats it self into the fibrous and tendinous Parts of the Muscles and renders them stiff and unwieldy And besides supposing it did not lodg in the Muscle it affects the Nerves where-ever 't is and depraves the chylous Juice of the Glandules especially those of the Mesentery where it often lurks This Acid is for the most part bred in the Stomac or first ways and frequently produces Convulsions in gouty and arthritic Constitutions If the Brain or what it contains be immediatly affected without the intervening of any other part 't is call'd an essential Convulsion But if another part be first affected 't is Sympathical as when Convulsions are caus'd by Worms by the Disorders of the lower Belly Ulcers or Aches of external Parts by the suppression of the Terms or Piles neglect of Venery causing a Corruption of the seminal Liquor in Women the Indisposition of the Stomac the Disorders of the Kidneys Bladder and
in the Vessels of the Womb where it waits for Passage and acquires a certain corrosive Acrimony or aluminous Tincture Now from these Causes spring innumerable Mischiefs such as Pleurisies Quinsies Inflammations of the Womb Epilepsies unusual Longings Melancoly Tumours and hard Swellings of the Womb and Spleen stubborn Headaches Palpitations and Beatings as well of the Heart as in the Back and Loins and under the Short-ribs till at length the digestive Ferment of the Stomach the Bile and pancreatic Juice being spoiled evil Dispositions of Body Jaundice Dropsies and Consumptions and finally Death creep in Now to obviat these Evils we must jointly carry on two Designs 1. We must correct the vitious Crasis of the Blood and other Juices particularly its austere Acidity And 2. Revive the monthly Fermentation of the Blood that the Terms may flow as they ought These in general we may compass by Steel and aromatic volatil Medicines But we must first of all give a Vomit and repeat it if occasion require for this end we use Preparations of Antimony which are best Asarum Hellebor c. as for example two Drams of Oxymel Helleboratum Gesneri for a Dose It is likewise convenient to purge with Quercetanus's Pills of Tartar and Gum Ammoniac or those of Hiera with Agaric or by adding to alterative Bags the Roots of Bryony black Hellebor and Colocynth As for Calybeats we may use Zwelfer's Tincture of Vitriol of Mars Tincture of Steel prepar'd with Spirit of Sal Armoniac and Spirit of Wine Aperitive Crocus's of Mars prepar'd with fix'd Salts and such like also Wine or Decoctions of Rosemary impregnated with Steel Quercetâ—â—us's Cachectic Pouder c. To these we join Aromatics and aperient Ingredients especially Sassafras Galangal the greater hot Seeds Juniper and Bay-berries also the volatil Spirit of Tartar and Elixir Proprietatis prepar'd without an Acid. The Specifics must be calculated according to the variety of Symptoms An Epilepsy and convulsive Motions require Remedies from Cinnabar Castor and Amber The Headach calls for the volatil Salts and Antiscorbutics as volatil Salt of Amber both internally and externally For Palpitations of the Heart we choose Remedies from Coral chiefly its Tincture or the Pouder of Zedoary mix'd with prepar'd red Coral If a stopping of the Terms is followed by a melancoly Delirium let Antimonial Emetics be repeated and the Spirit and Pouder of a human Secundine added to the incident Prescriptions CHAP. III. Of the Hysteric Passion THO this Disease is accounted peculiar to Women and to proceed from the Womb yet it is found by experience to be common also to Men and to be of the same Nature with their hypocondriac and scorbutical Distempers Its Symptoms are as follows The Paroxysm is usher'd in with noise and murmurings in the Belly and sometimes the apprehension as it were of a Ball violently mov'd and toss'd hither and thither and rising up gradually It is always attended by a stretching or tearing Pain under the short Ribs a plentiful breaking of Wind upwards or downwards frequent Yaunings and Stretchings various and violent Pains in the Belly either fix'd or floating prostration of Appetite and Costiveness a Vomiting sometimes of a greenish or yellowish matter of an acid or strange Taste Palpitation of the Heart with a small weak and sometimes intermitting Pulse Swooning difficulty of Breathing and danger of Suffocation giddiness of the Head dimness of the Eyes sometimes frequent Laughter various kinds of Deliriums Convulsions strange Motions of the Joints and whole Body sometimes a total Cessation of all the Senses internal and external for the most part the beginning and increase of the Fit is accompanied with coldness succeeded in the declension with heat ending in a large Sweat This Disease proceeds from a vitious Effervescence in the Guts of a preternatural Acid bred in the Stomach Pancreaâ— or other Glandules with the bilious Juice whence the mesenteric Nerves being irritated give rise to the various Symptoms of the Abdomen And the vitious Acid being carried into the Blood occasions also its Coagulation and Stagnation To which we may join a disorderly and disturb'd Motion of the animal Spirits especially in the intercostal Nerve and those of the Par vagum which spread the Disorder all over the Body The Paroxysms of this Disease are reviv'd sometimes by violent Passions of the Mind as Anger a Fright Grief sometimes by strong Smells whether from sweet smelling things as Musk Civet Amber Roses c. as it frequently happens or from fetid things according to the peculiar temperament of the Patient To which we may add as a confirming Circumstance the use of sweet things which easily turn acid When the hysteric Woman lies destitute of Sense and Motion you may know if there is life by using a Looking-glass or Feathers or blowing Snush up the Nose This Disease is seldom mortal in Maids but disappears for the most part in time of Child-bearing or if it seize Women with Child 't is dangerous in old Women 't is seldom cured In delivering the Cure of this Disease we shall order what is to be done in the Fit and what out of it The Violence and Fury of Hysteric Paroxysms suffer us not to stand idle Spectators but require a speedy help both with external and internal Remedies As for Externals first we must apply to the Nostrils such things as yield a strong and stinking Smell regarding still the temperament of the Patient Above all I esteem volatil penetrating Salts as Spirit of Sal Armoniac Spirit of Hartshorn or any other urinous volatil Spirit In great Swoonings Castor infus'd in strong Wine and the Smoak of things burnt may be useful as that of Amber Nutmegs Feathers and Quills of Birds chiefly of Partridges Hairs and Horns of Beasts Lignum Aloes c. In the mean while to allay the Contraction of the Intestines apply to the Region of the Navel and Pit of the Stomac aromatic Oils such as that of Rue Anise Laurel Castor Amber fetid Oil of Tartar Guajacum Spike c. or an Ointment made of Clary boil'd in Butter or Camphyr dissolv'd in Oil of Sweet Almonds Or Take distill'd Oils of Amber Spike of each half a Dram of Cumin half a Scruple of Mace nine Drops Mix and anoint the Back-bone Region of the Navel and Pit of the Stomac Some apply beaten Garlic After anointing it will be fit to apply a Plaister of Galbanum to which some add Tacamahac Castor Pitch c. A girdle strongly ty'd about the short Ribs is helpful as also sweet-smelling things apply'd to the Genitals as a Pessary anointed with Peruvian Balsam or Oil of Nutmeg wherein some Civet is dissolv'd c. It will likewise be proper to inject Clysters of Carminative Aromatic and penetrating Ingredients to which volatil Salts sometimes may be added As Take Chamomil with the Flowers Leaves of Sage and Fever-few of each a handful Roots of Angelica and Lovage of each six Drams the four lesser hot Seeds